Thursday, February 9, 2012

DailyMarkets.com - Hot Option Plays: Bull Call Spread Discussed

DailyMarkets.com - Hot Option Plays: Bull Call Spread Discussed

Hot Option Plays: Bull Call Spread Discussed

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:22 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner
I was talking about bull call spreads in the Midday and one reader asked to give at an example. Let’s say you decide to enter a bull call spread on XYZ stock trading near $26.00 by purchasing a call option two strikes below the current stock price and then selling a call with a higher strike. Example: if you buy May 22.50 strike calls for $4.20 then this call option gives you the right to buy the stock for $22.50 per share. For the other leg of the spread if you sell May 25 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Dr Pepper Ups Shareholder Returns

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:10 PM PST

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE:DPS), a leading manufacturer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages in the U.S., has increased its quarterly dividend to 34 cents per share, bringing its annualized dividend rate to $1.36 per share.
The new dividend rate reflects a 6.3% growth over the previous quarterly dividend of 32 cents per share (annualized $1.28 per share), which was paid in January 2012. As per the company, its new dividend rate of 34 cents will be paid on April 6, 2012, to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Mortgage Settlement Reached

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:58 PM PST

02/09/12 A multi-billion dollar settlement was reached between the nation’s largest banks and 49 states, following lengthy government investigations into mortgage-related … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Positive Results On Forest/Gedeon Drug

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:55 PM PST

Forest Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:FRX) and partner Gedeon Richter recently presented positive top-line results on their antipsychotic candidate, cariprazine (RGH-188). Preliminary top-line results were presented from a phase III study that was conducted in patients with acute mania associated with bipolar I disorder.
Results from the five-week multi-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study showed that patients in the cariprazine arm experienced significant symptom improvement … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Bristol-Myers, SNY Win Plavix Damages

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:40 PM PST

Apotex recently settled its dispute regarding the blockbuster blood thinner Plavix with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY) and partner Sanofi (NYSE:SNY). The patent related dispute, which started in 2002, was resolved after Apotex paid Bristol-Myers and Sanofi approximately $444.2 million as damages.
Apotex parted with the amount following the decision of an US appeals court in October 2011 which upheld the intellectual property rights related to Plavix. Apotex made further payments to the tune … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Update On VPHM’s Industrial Facility

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:30 PM PST

ViroPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:VPHM) recently announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a complete response letter (CRL) for Cinryze's industrial scale manufacturing facility.
The regulatory body made three comments related to a portion of the cleaning validation for industrial scale manufacturing, of which only one requires additional unplanned activity. ViroPharma does not expect this activity to take much time to complete.
The FDA also said that it has not finished reviewing … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Outperform On Abiomed

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST

We retain our Outperform recommendation on Abiomed (NASDAQ:ABMD) following its impressive third-quarter fiscal 2012 results which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimates.
Adjusted earnings per share of 6 cents a share for the quarter outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 1 cent. The company swung to a profit in the quarter on the heels of solid revenues from its popular Impella cardiac pumps. Revenues soared 18% year over year to $32.2 million.
Abiomed raised its revenue guidance for … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Consumer Sentiment Reading In Spotlight

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:20 AM PST

02/09/12 At the end of a fairly light week for US economic data, consumer sentiment and trade deficit figures will be released. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will be speaking about housing at the National Association of Homebuilders International … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Newfield Kept At Neutral Rec

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:15 PM PST

We are maintaining our Neutral recommendation on Texas-based Newfield Exploration Company (NYSE:NFX). Newfield is an independent energy company engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. The company's domestic operation spreads over the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountains, onshore Texas, Appalachia and the Gulf of Mexico, while overseas exposure includes Malaysia and China.
Newfield's diversified portfolio of assets provides both flexibility and significant growth … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks To Watch Friday

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 03:01 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

Zagg Inc (ZAGG) is consolidating near the resistance level $11 on low volume since the move up. It would be very attractive as a long candidate if it holds its ground here and then turns higher. MACD is still on the positive zone. RSI is still at high 60s. Accumulation/Distribution chart is still on the upmove and the stock is comfortably above the 50 and 20-day moving average. I’m long on ZAGG and I will add more shares on a move above $11, with the expectation of a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Can Groupon Recover? Stock Tanks On Taxes

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:00 AM PST

02/09/12 Groupon Inc., the largest daily-deal site, tumbled as much as 16% after reporting an unexpected, tax-related Q4 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Citi Entangled In Lawsuit Again

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:59 PM PST

Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) is again making headlines for landing into another legal mess. Recently, Citibank, the banking unit of the company, has been sued by Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. for wrongly confiscating nearly $2.5 billion, which was transferred by Lehman just before its bankruptcy filing in 2008.
Currently, Lehman is pursuing a liquidation plan and will likely pay 18 cents per dollar to its creditors. However, about $2 billion that it has so far gathered is actually pledged to Citi. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Aflac Values $750M Notes

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:50 PM PST

Yesterday, Aflac Inc. (NYSE:AFL) announced the pricing of long-term fixed rate notes worth $750 million in two tranches. One set of 5-year senior notes are priced at par value of $400 million with a coupon rate of 2.65%. These notes are issued at a price of $99.911 that should generate yield of 2.669%.
The other tranche of 10-year fixed rate senior notes are priced at par value of $350 million with a coupon rate of 4.00%. These notes are issued at a price of $99.820 and are expected to yield … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Contracts Flowing In For Northrop

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:35 PM PST

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a contract worth $103 million from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) under which it will provide support to the Mission Command Training Support Program ("MCTSP") of the National Guard Bureau Mission Training Complexes ("MTC") at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Camp Dodge, Iowa, and Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania.
The purpose of MTC is to provide individual and collective training support with the help of live, virtual, and serious … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

O’Charley’s To Join Fidelity

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:35 PM PST

O'Charley's Inc. (NASDAQ:CHUX) recently inked a definitive agreement with Fidelity National Financial Inc. (NYSE:FNF). Under the agreement, Fidelity will acquire all the outstanding shares of O'Charley's for a total equity value of approximately $221 million on a fully diluted basis. 
The purchase price is at a 42% premium to O'Charley's closing stock price of $6.92 on February 3, 2012 and at a 57% premium over the closing 20-day average trading price of $6.27. The transaction is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

FUJIY Retains Neutral Territory

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:20 PM PST

We maintain our Neutral rating on Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (FUJIY).
We believe that Fuji's relentless focus on technological innovation in response to growing market needs coupled with its strong sales promotion is anticipated to lay a solid foundation for the company's future.
Moreover, we presume that  the company's proactive investments in priority business fields of significant potential will continue to outpace the market, positioning Fujifilm as a sustained and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

McDonald’s Comps Remain Solid

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:15 PM PST

McDonald’s Corp. (NYSE:MCD) has maintained its impressive run of posting solid comparables sales results, driven by its value offerings, premium products and growing global footprint. Global comparable sales of the company grew 6.7% in January, on the heels of strong sales of beverage and core menu products. Comparable sales growth also climbed from 5.3% in January 2011.
The fast-food restaurant operator witnessed an uptrend across its domestic and international markets on a year-over-year basis. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PetroChina Buys Into Canadian Asset

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:05 PM PST

Chinese energy giant PetroChina Co. Ltd. (NYSE:PTR) inked an asset acquisition deal with Royal Dutch Shell plc (RDS.A). Per the agreement, PetroChina purchased 20% stake in a Canadian shale gas project – Groundbirch – from Shell. However, neither of the companies disclosed the financial terms of the deal.
Located in northeastern British Columbia, Shell owns 100% interest in the Groundbirch project that holds a production capacity of 1 billion cubic feet equivalents (bcfe) per day and has an … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sprint Extends M2M Coverage

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

The M2M market is growing rapidly in the cellular industry and is being used by a number of mobile network operators in North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region in particular. Major operators are entering into M2M services as their voice and data service markets reach a saturation point.
M2M refers to technologies that allow both wireless and wireline systems to communicate with other devices of the same capacity. In this regard, the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier Sprint Nextel … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks Higher On Jobs Data, Greek Deal

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 09:00 AM PST

02/09/12 Wall Street saw small gains Thursday as traders mulled a deal between Greece and its rescuers while U.S. jobs data came in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

GameStop Initiates Dividend Payout

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:50 PM PST

Recently, GameStop Corporation (NYSE:GME), the video game and entertainment software retailer, announced its first-ever quarterly dividend of 15 cents a share, reflecting the company's debt-free balance sheet along with healthy cash flows.
The announced dividend will be paid on March 12, 2012 to shareholders of record as of February 21, 2012. Moreover, GameStop added that the future dividends will be subject to the approval of board.
GameStop became debt-free after redeeming its remaining $125 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Speedy Review For Roche Drug

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:50 PM PST

Roche Holdings Ltd. (RHHBY) recently announced that its Biologics License Application (BLA) for pertuzumab has been accepted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for review. The regulatory body has granted priority review status to the company's application, which seeks to get pertuzumab approved in combination with Herceptin (trastuzumab) and chemotherapy docetaxel for treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (mBC) patients.
The FDA's … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Alcatel Lucent

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:28 PM PST

Alcatel Lucent (NYSE:ALU) is scheduled to report its fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results on Friday February 10, 2012. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is 12 cents a share. For the quarter under review, revenue is $5.8 billion, according to the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Third-Quarter 2011, a Synopsis
Alcatel Lucent released its third quarter 2011 earnings results, reporting earnings per share from continuing operations of 10 cents, which was above the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: EBAY

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:28 PM PST

Following the fourth quarter earnings announcement on January 18, more than half the analysts covering eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY) have made downward revisions to their estimates. Decelerating gross merchandise volume (GMV) trend, inconsistent performance by the Marketplaces segment, European macro concerns, and intensifying competition could be the reasons for downward revisions.
Last Quarter Synopsis
eBay's fourth quarter earnings excluding stock based compensation came in at 60 cents, better than … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: Usdhkd Breaks Out Of This Hourly Wedge.

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:22 PM PST

usdhkd breaks out of this hourly wedge giving a bullish … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: Usd/sgd Bounced Off Support Line.

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:21 PM PST

usd/sgd bounced off support line giving a bullish signal. The pair might start testing the retracement levels from this recent move … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Crude, Oil Product Inventories Rise

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:12 PM PST

The U.S. Energy Department’s weekly inventory release showed that crude stockpiles logged a slim build that was well below analyst forecast. The agency's report further revealed that gasoline and distillate stocks rose from their previous week levels, as product demand continues to be weak. Meanwhile, refinery utilization rate was up by 1.0%.
The Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) Petroleum Status Report – which contains data for the previous week ending Friday, outlines information … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Net Income Plummets At TriQuint

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:04 PM PST

TriQuint Corporation (NASDAQ:TQNT) reported a significant decline in net income in the fourth quarter of 2011, primarily due to lower revenues and gross margin. Revenues of $227.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2011 were up 5% sequentially but down 10% year over year.
Net income plummeted 71% sequentially and 90% year over year $4.3 million. EPS came in at $0.03 compared to $0.25 in the year-ago quarter and $0.09 per share in the previous quarter. Excluding restructuring charges but including … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Cat Losses Mar Everest Re Earnings

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:00 PM PST

Everest Re Group Ltd. (NYSE:RE) reported fourth quarter 2011 operating loss of 94 cents per share, substantially wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 27 cents. Results were in stark contrast to earnings of $4.70 per share reported in the year-ago quarter. Everest Re's quarter and full year earnings were both badly affected by record catastrophe losses.
For full year 2011, Everest Re reported operating loss of $1.73 per share, also wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Itau Unibanco Profit Falls In Q4

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 01:00 PM PST

Brazil's Itau Unibanco Holding S.A.'s (ITUB) fourth-quarter 2011 net income came in at R$3.7  billion ($2.0  billion), below the prior quarter earnings of R$ 3.81 billion ($2.3 billion) and year-ago earnings of R$ 3.90 billion ($2.3  billion).
Excluding non-recurring  items, Itaú Unibanco reported fourth quarter earnings of R$ 3.75 billion ($2.1 billion), down 4.9% sequentially but up 10.2% year over year.
While Itaú Unibanco experienced an increase in its net … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PRU Gains On Recent Acquisitions

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:40 PM PST

U.S. life insurer Prudential Financial Inc.'s (NYSE:PRU) core operating earnings for the quarter came in at $1.97 per share, substantially higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.76. Results were positively impacted, primarily by a three-fold increase in International earnings, led by Japan acquisitions earlier during the year. Full year 2011 earnings of $6.41 per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.25. 
On a GAAP basis, net income increased 2.8 times year over year to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Lockheed Martin

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:40 PM PST

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), the defense industry goliath, exited fiscal 2011 on a mixed note. Lockheed Martin reported strong bottom line beating past the market apprehension but missed the top line. The company posted fourth-quarter 2011 operating earnings of $2.53 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.94 and the year-ago quarterly earnings of $2.28.
Lockheed Martin also affirmed its fiscal 2012 earnings to be in the range of $7.70 – $7.90, on revenues in the range … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Rustbelt Recovery: Michigan Has A Budget Surplus And A Lower Jobless Rate Than Washington D.C.

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:29 PM PST

NY Times — “Over most of the past decade, budget deliberations in Michigan have taken on a glum and familiar monotony: What do we cut now? But the state that experienced an economic downturn earlier, deeper and longer than most of the rest of the country has made an unlikely discovery as its officials closed out its latest financial books: Michigan has a $457 million surplus. Even more surprising: Revenues, which had sunk or had been mostly flat for all but one year since 2000, have grown. Not … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Powerful Risk On Rally Benefitting Gold And Silver Explorers In 2012

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:27 PM PST

Gold's accelerated move to $1900 in the summer of 2011 past overhead resistance indicated the market was waiting for an inflationary QE3.  The market got a surprise as Bernanke waited until 2012.  This was no surprise for my readers and precious metals declined lower in the second half depicting a surprise move with gaps lower.
Luckily we were able to call the top in silver in April 2011 and gold in September 2011 as it reached overbought conditions, locking in partial … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Kimco Reports In Line With Estimates

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:25 PM PST

Kimco Realty Corp. (NYSE:KIM), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), reported fourth quarter 2011 FFO (funds from operations) of $135.4 million or 33 cents per share compared with $125.3 million or 31 cents in the year-ago period. Funds from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.
Excluding certain non-recurring items, FFO for the reported quarter was $123.5 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Hologic

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:25 PM PST

The announcement of Hologic's (NASDAQ:HOLX) first quarter of fiscal 2012 results as on January 30, 2012, has led analysts to increase their estimates over the long term. However, the current headwinds have forced the analysts to take a cautious stand for the next two quarters.
Previous Quarter Highlights
The company reported an adjusted EPS of 34 cents during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, a couple of cents above the Zacks Consensus Estimate and 4 cents above the year-ago figure. Revenues … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Selecting Strikes For Spreads – Consider Volatility Sentiment Too

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:19 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner
Last night I talked to clients at our event in NYC about bull call spreads, a type of debit spread that can be used when a strategist is neutral to mildly bullish on a stock expected to close above the strike price that is sold in the spread. The maximum profit at expiration is reached when the stock trades at the strike price you sold and will not increase even if the stock goes above the strike. I also pointed out that you need to establish your sentiment on volatility which … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sigma Beats On Revenues

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:05 PM PST

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (NASDAQ:SIAL) reported fourth quarter 2011 earnings of 91 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents. Results also came in better than the earnings of 83 cents in the year ago quarter.
Considering a one time tax charge of 2 cents per share in the quarter, earnings came in at 89 cents per share versus 76 in the year-ago quarter. For the full year 2011, Sigma reported earnings of $3.76 per share, an increase of 14% year over year and exceeded the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Thoratec Beats, Profit Jumps

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:05 PM PST

Thoratec Corp's (NASDAQ:THOR) fourth-quarter and fiscal 2011 adjusted (excluding one-time items other than stock-based compensation expenses) earnings per share of 31 cents and $1.38, respectively, beat the corresponding Zacks Consensus Estimates of 30 cents and $1.37.
Profit (as reported) from continuing operations rose 21.6% year over year to $15.3 million (or 25 cents per share) aided by better utilization at pre-existing ventricular assist device (VAD) programs as well as growth of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Cincinnati Financial Exceeds Estimates

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Propery and casulaty insurer, Cincinnati Financial Corp. (NASDAQ:CINF) reported fourth quarter 2011 operating earnings of 86 cents per share, substantially ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 58 cents per share and up 23% year over year. The earnings outperformance came on the back of higher premiums in the commercial, personal and excess and surplus lines, and a lower share count.
Full year 2011 earnings per share came in at 74 cents, significantly higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimated of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Mixed 4Q For Scripps Networks

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (NYSE:SNI) has reported mixed financial results for the fourth quarter of 2011. Quarterly adjusted revenue of $553.5 million increased 9.5% on a yearly basis, but fell below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $562 million. The year-over-year revenue growth was primarily driven by higher advertising revenue.
Quarterly GAAP net income from continuing operation was $135 million or 84 cents per share compared with $123.2 million or 73 cents per share in the prior-year … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Noble Beats, Guides Favorably

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

Independent oil and gas producer Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE:NBL) reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.18 for the fourth quarter of 2011, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.12. The quarterly results were 14 cents lower than the year-ago earnings of $1.04 per share.
GAAP loss during the quarter was $1.67 per share compared with earnings of 29 cents per share in the year-ago period. The difference between the GAAP and operating figures during the reported quarter was due to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Economist On The Street: Focus On US Jobs And UK’s QE

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

02/09/12 Meridian Equity Partners’ Stephen Guilfoyle discusses key fundamentals including US employment data, the BoE’s latest quantitative easing measures and the outlook for the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stable Quarter From Hawaii Electric

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:50 AM PST

Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. (NYSE:HE) announced fourth-quarter 2011 operating earnings of 36 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and beating past the year-ago earnings of 26 cents per share.
Fiscal 2011 operating earnings came in at $1.44 per share, nominally below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.45. However, this was above fiscal 2010 earnings of $1.21 per share.
Operating Statistics
Total revenue of the company at the end of the fourth quarter was $851.0 million … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Lorillard Exceeds, Ups Dividends

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:40 AM PST

Lorillard Inc. (NYSE:LO) delivered better-than-expected fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2011 adjusted earnings of $2.20 and $7.88 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.96 and $7.65 per share, respectively. The results also exceeded the prior-year quarterly earnings by 26.4% and prior-year earnings by 16.2%.
The adjusted earnings exclude the favorable impact on tobacco settlement expense of $25 million. However, the adjusted results include the benefit of the company’s share … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Pepsi Beats Estimates

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:40 AM PST

Core earnings for PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE:PEP) climbed 9% in the fourth quarter to $1.15 per share, compared withlast year’s $1.22. The earnings per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. The higher earnings were driven by robust revenue growth across its product portfolio. Further, strong pricing partially offset the commodity cost inflation.
The fiscal 2011 core earnings climbed 7% to $4.40,which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. 
The New York-based company … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Coca-Cola Enterprises Profits Soar

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:35 AM PST

Recently, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:CCE) announced its fourth-quarter 2011 reported and adjusted earnings of 36 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This also compares favorably with reported and adjusted earnings of 28 cents in the year-ago quarter. A solid volume growth coupled with price increases and favorable currency translation effect led Coca-Cola Enterprises to deliver better-than-expected quarterly result.
The company's adjusted earnings of $2.18 per share … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

O’Reilly Tops EPS, Misses Sales

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:35 AM PST

O'Reilly Automotive Inc. (NASDAQ:ORLY) reported a 35% jump in adjusted profit to 93 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2011 from 69 cents per share in the prior-year quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents per share. Adjusted net profit was $121 million compared with $98 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Including special items, net income and earnings per share in the quarter stood at $123 million and 94 cents, respectively. This compared favorably with net income … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sealed Air Misses EPS, Beats Sales

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:30 AM PST

Sealed Air Corporation's (NYSE:SEE) fiscal 2011 fourth quarter adjusted earnings per share (EPS) dropped to 8 cents from 46 cents in the prior-year quarter. Earnings also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents.
On October 3, 2011, Sealed Air completed the Diversey acquisition, a leading solutions provider to the global cleaning and sanitization market. Net costs related to the acquisition of Diversey and special items of 68 cents per share were included in the quarter's … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earning Scorecard: Quest Diagnostics

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:25 AM PST

The announcement of Quest Diagnostics' (NYSE:DGX) fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results on January 24, 2012, has triggered downward estimate revisions by the analysts following the stock.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
Quest reported EPS of $1.19 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with 97 cents in the year-ago period. Reported earnings included charges associated with restructuring and integration, CEO succession costs, offset by a favorable tax resolution.
Adjusting for these one-time … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: EURUSD: 1.3279-88 Is Increasing In Importance

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:17 AM PST

The 1.3279-88 levels are increasing in importance for the EURUSD . The level was a high ceiling for yesterday's trading and has been holding as support over the last few hours of trading. The level is also the 38.2% of the move up from yesterday's low and the 100 and 200 bar MA on the 5 minute chart are currently converged at the 1.3280 level (100 bar MA is also going sideways).  Stay above and bullish bias remains.  There should be stops on a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: USDJPY Steps Toward The Next Target

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:17 AM PST

The momentum in the USDJPY has continued and the price continues to rachet higher (see prior post ). The pair has now breached the next target resistance at the 77.61 level (3 in the chart above). The next target is 77.77 (4 above) which is the midpoint of the move down from the BOJ intervention high.  A move above would look toward the 200 day MA at the 78.08 level (currently) followed by the 61.8% at … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Plains’ Strong Finish In 4Q

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:15 AM PST

Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NYSE:PAA) announced fourth-quarter 2011 operating earnings of $1.65 per unit, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. The results of the partnership were also substantially higher than 99 cents reported in the year-ago quarter.
The year-over-year growth was attributable to the strong performance of all its reporting segments and benefits from the investments made in its operations.
On a GAAP basis, Plains reported earnings of $1.37 per unit in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

CIT To Redeem Series A Notes (revised)

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:15 AM PST

CIT Group Inc. (NYSE:CIT) announced its intention to redeem about $4 billion of its 7% Series A Notes. Out of which, nearly $1 billion notes are set to mature in 2016 and approximately $2.9 billion notes will be maturing in 2017.

CIT aims to complete the redemption on March 9, having already given the redemption notice to the trustees. The Series A notes were issued in December 2009 as a part of CIT's reorganization.

Hence, after the completion of this redemption, all of the Series A Notes … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Willis: “Market Is Tired…floundering”

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:10 AM PST

02/09/12 Sunrise Securities’ Ben Willis talks central banks, the outlook for the PIIGS nations, and Friday’s economic … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Avon Products

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:00 AM PST

Avon Products Inc. (NYSE:AVP) is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter 2011 results on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is 51 cents a share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, reflecting a year-over-year estimated decline of 13.6%.
Synopsis of Third Quarter 2011
Avon Products' adjusted earnings of 38 cents per share for third-quarter 2011 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents and slipped 7.3% from the year-ago earnings of 41 cents. On a reported basis, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hanger Outperforms In 4Q

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 11:00 AM PST

Orthotic and prosthetic (O&P) company Hanger Orthopedic's (NYSE:HGR) fourth-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted earnings of 54 cents a share topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents and exceeded the year-ago adjusted earnings of 52 cents.
The adjusted earnings exclude the costs associated with acquisitions and the relocation of the company's corporate headquarters from Bethesda, Maryland, to Austin, Texas.
Profit (as reported) for the quarter leapt manifold year over year to roughly $18 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Will The Market Soon Cross Into All-time New-High Territory?

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:59 AM PST

There's no question about it, I'm definitely in the minority.  First I wrote a piece entitled "KISS in Market Timing Too" in which I compared my approach to a complex algorithm developed by Ciovacco Capital Management called the Bull Market … Continue reading … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Tractor Supply Co.

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:20 AM PST

Leading retail firm and ranch store brand, Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ:TSCO) ended fiscal 2011 keeping pace with its trend of consistently outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate. For the straight four quarters of 2011, including the recently reported fourth quarter, the company on an ongoing basis posted earnings surprises, resulting in an average surprise of 17.10%. Earnings surprise for the most recent quarter was 4.35%, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents per share.
Last Quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: USDCAD Trades Within Boundaries But With A Bearish Bias

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:18 AM PST

Great Second Quarter Results For SANW

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:05 AM PST

Great second quarter results for SANW
Ian Gilson, CFA

The second quarter illustrates the impact of the return of Saudi Arabia as a customer. Alfalfa seed revenue increased from $0.5 million to $4.1 million, the later harvesting in 2011 increased the milling and processing revenue and stevia made its first (small) contribution. The severe discounting of alfalfa seeds in the Middle East has ended due to the shortage of all types of alfalfa seeds. S&W Seed’s proprietary seeds are now selling … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Franklin’s January AUM Perks Up

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 10:05 AM PST

Franklin Resources Inc. (NYSE:BEN) declared preliminary assets under management (AUM) of $704.3 billion by its subsidiaries at the end of January 2012. The company's results experienced a rise of 5.1% from $670.3 billion as of December 31, 2011 and up 3.4% from $681.0 billion as of January 31, 2011.
Month-end total equity assets came in at $288.2 billion, up 6.7% sequentially but down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. Of the total equity assets, roughly 73% were from international sources, while … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Euro Surges On Greece Agreement

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 05:00 AM PST

02/09/12 The euro currency saw a strong surge this afternoon after Greek leaders officially agreed on a cost-cutting plan that could help the nation avoid … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Bank Of Korea Maintains Interest Rate At 3.25%

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 09:03 AM PST

The Bank of Korea kept its 7-day repurchase rate at 3.25%.  The Bank said: “In Korea, economic growth has slowed, with domestic demand subdued overall and exports also decreasing. On the employment front, however, the uptrend in the number of persons employed is being sustained, led by the private sector. The Committee anticipates that the domestic economic growth rate will gradually return to its long-term trend level going forward, although viewing downside risks as likely … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

European Central Bank Holds Steady At 1.00%

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 08:42 AM PST

The European Central Bank (ECB) kept its Main refinancing operations rate at 1.00%.  ECB governor, Mario Draghi, said: “Inflation is likely to stay above 2% for several months to come, before declining to below 2%. Available survey indicators confirm some tentative signs of a stabilisation in economic activity at a low level around the turn of the year, but the economic outlook remains subject to high uncertainty and downside risks…. A very thorough analysis of all … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

10 Worrying Signs That Your Stock May Be A Value Trap

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 08:34 AM PST

Value Investing is all about identifying stocks with unidentified or underappreciated potential and waiting for that value to be realised over time. However, it’s always worth remembering that some stocks are cheap for a reason. Of course, we all hope that the market will come to recognise what a bargain our latest investment was. But, every now and then, a price fall may lure you into every value-investor’s nightmare – a false bargain, better known as a value trap. 
What is a Value … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Bank Of England Expands APP By 50B To 325B

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 08:26 AM PST

The Bank of England (BoE) held the Bank Rate at 0.50%, and expanded its Asset Purchase Program (Quantitative Easing) target by 50 billion to a new total of GBP 325 billion, after increasing it by 75 billion at its October meeting.  On its asset purchase program, the Bank said: “In the light of its most recent economic projections, the Committee judged that the weak near-term growth outlook and associated downward pressure from economic slack meant that, without … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For ETF Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:02 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for ETFs
For Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

The top 40 ETFs by net assets
In alphabetical order by symbol

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AGG – iShares Lehman Aggregate Bd Fd
110.26
− 0.16
110.40
110.62

Bearish

BND – Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
83.64
+ 0.01
83.66
83.88

Bearish

DBC – DB Commodity Index Tracking Fd
28.72
+ 0.53
28.57
28.13

Bullish

DIA – SPDR DJ Industrial Average … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Stock Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:02 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for the Dow 30 Stocks
For Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

In alphabetical order by symbol

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AA – Alcoa Inc
10.64
− 0.28
10.69
10.55

Neutral

AXP – American Express Company
52.31
+ 1.30
52.02
51.20

Bullish

BA – Boeing Co
75.90
+ 0.58
75.33
75.59

Bullish

BAC – Bank of America Corporation
8.18
+ 0.62
8.05
7.58

Bullish

CAT – Caterpillar Inc
112.83
− … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Futures Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:02 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Futures
For Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

INDICES

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

S&P 500 – Mar ESH2
1348.25
+ 0.09
1344.17
1325.67

Bullish

Dow Jones – Mar YMH2
12842
− 0.01
12825
12701

Bullish

Nasdaq – Mar NQH2
2561.00
+ 0.64
2538.92
2494.08

Bullish

Russell – Mar TFH2
824.00
− 0.47
825.52
814.83

Neutral

INTEREST RATES

US T-Bond – Mar ZBH2
141-17
− … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Forex Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

Posted: 09 Feb 2012 04:02 AM PST

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Forex
For Trading On Friday, February 10, 2012

THE BIG SIX

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AUDUSD – Aust Dollar / US Dollar
1.0786
− 0.12
1.0787
1.0696

Neutral

EURUSD – Euro / US Dollar
1.3284
+ 0.19
1.3245
1.3138

Bullish

GBPUSD – British Pound / US Dollar
1.5817
+ 0.01
1.5847
1.5784

Neutral

USDCAD – US Dollar / Canadian Dollar
0.9948
− 0.10
0.9957
0.9976

Bearish

USDCHF – US Dollar / … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
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