DailyMarkets.com - Labor Dispute Troubles Southwest (revised)

Labor Dispute Troubles Southwest (revised)
FDIC Highlights Banking Industry’s Trends
Hot Option Plays: Watch Ben’s Comments
Mid-week Focus On ECB, US GDP And Bernanke
BofA Settlement Case In State Court
Neutral On Barrick Gold
Few Trade Ideas For Wednesday, February 29
Myriad: Prolaris A Useful Test
Forex Trading: Usd/cnh Trading In A Tight Sideways Range.
WM Adds Waste Transport Firm
Neutral On Symmetry Medical
Earning Scorecard: RadioShack
Dow Closes Above 13,000 For The First Time Since ’08
Soft And Hard
Hospira Back To Neutral
Itau Unibanco Stays Neutral
New Insurance Contract For Accenture
Ball Corp. Issues $750M Notes
You Don’t Know Who Owns Your Mortgage – It’s Impact On You
Discover Upgraded To Outperform
A Mixed Bag From Quicksilver (Revised)
Visa Ties Up With Intel
Another Dull Fiscal At El Paso
Why Is Silver Soaring And Outperforming Gold In 2012?
Make Way For IPad 3: Best Buy Slashes IPad 2 Prices
Oil Slips On Demand Concerns
Otto: “Don’t Think US Macro Data Will Overshadow LTRO”
The Trend Trader For Forex Trading On Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Trend Trader For ETF Trading On Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Trend Trader For Futures Trading On Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Trend Trader For Stock Trading On Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Labor Dispute Troubles Southwest (revised)

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 05:10 PM PST

The trade union dispute has again sparked integration problems for Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV). The carrier has been trying to integrate operations with subsidiary AirTran Airways, but even after a year it continues to see setbacks with its labor contracts.

Though flight attendants at AirTran had voted over 90% in favor of a deal, the mechanics union has kept it from going through. The contract came into existence in December last year and was duly approved by the executive boards of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

FDIC Highlights Banking Industry’s Trends

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 03:58 PM PST

02/28/12 The FDIC’s Q4 2011 report showed that US banks increased lending but struggled for revenue … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Watch Ben’s Comments

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 03:24 PM PST

Cusick’s Corner 02-28-2012
There was very little that has changed since the Midday report. I will be watching the testimony tomorrow from the Fed Chief and I will also be watching the Dollar action, UUP, as it firmed up into the After Hours. If the buck is able to turn to the upside and we get something from the news conference with Big Ben, we might get some volatility. Until then — keep your powder dry.
Stock market averages finished with modest gains following a round of mixed economic news … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Mid-week Focus On ECB, US GDP And Bernanke

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 03:20 PM PST

02/28/12 The European Central Bank’s Longer Term Refinancing Operation will be closely watched. The US economic calendar brings forth key data including GDP, Chicago PMI and earnings … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

BofA Settlement Case In State Court

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:55 PM PST

Providing a major relief to Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC), a U.S. Appeals Court has ruled that BofA's $8.5 billion settlement deal related to mortgage backed securities (MBS) will be reviewed in the New York state court, instead of the federal court. This ruling overturns a decision by the U.S District Court to take the case to federal court in October 2011.
The ruling for the settlement deal came after The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK), the trustee for the MBS and the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Neutral On Barrick Gold

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:55 PM PST

We maintain our Neutral recommendation on Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX), the largest gold mining company in the world, with headquarters in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Recently, Barrick Gold reported adjusted net earnings of $1.17 billion or $1.17 per share in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared with $1.02 billion or $1.02 per share in the prior-year period. Reported earnings missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.26 per share.
The year-over-year increase in profit was on the back of higher … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Few Trade Ideas For Wednesday, February 29

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:34 PM PST

( click to enlarge )

Pier 1 Imports, Inc. (NYSE:PIR) broke out of a short consolidation. Volume was strong on signaling that this move should hold. The technical chart above shows a continuation of the trend with MACD and RSI in the Bullish areas. The stock is in a strong bull market with both 50 day and 200 day moving average going up. I won’t be surprise if PIR reachs new highs on Wednesday. Keep an eye on it.

( click to enlarge )

Coinstar, Inc.(NASDAQ:CSTR) recorded a new high in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Myriad: Prolaris A Useful Test

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:25 PM PST

Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ:MYGN) at present is working on further penetration of its Prolaris test, a product that helps in making better-informed treatment decisions depending on how aggressive the prostate cancer. The company has completed four clinical studies and has three more underway covering over 3,000 prostate cancer patient samples.
In this respect, Myriad should benefit from a recently published study in the British Journal of Cancer. The study demonstrated the ability of the test to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Forex Trading: Usd/cnh Trading In A Tight Sideways Range.

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:18 PM PST

usd/cnh trading in a tight sideways range building steam for its next … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

WM Adds Waste Transport Firm

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:15 PM PST

Waste Management Inc.'s (NYSE:WM) subsidiary Waste Management of West Seneca has acquired Reliable Environmental Transport ("RET"), one of the most respected full-service hazardous/non-hazardous waste transportation firms in the Tri-State area. The acquisition will provide Waste Management a leading edge in servicing customer needs.
Bridgeport, West Virginia based Reliable Environmental Transport caters to key industries such as Gas & Oil, Utility Companies, Pulp and Paper, Waste … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Neutral On Symmetry Medical

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:06 PM PST

We reaffirm our Neutral recommendation on Symmetry Medical (NYSE:SMA), an instrument supplier to orthopedic devices makers, following its mixed fourth quarter results. Its earnings of a penny a share for the quarter missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 4 cents.
The Indiana-based company swung to a loss in the quarter on account of charges. Lower sales to major OEM customers led to a double-digit decline in the top line. Sales fell 12% year over year to $84.5 million, yet beat the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earning Scorecard: RadioShack

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 02:00 PM PST

RadioShack Corp's. (NYSE:RSH) fourth-quarter 2011 financial results were mostly in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimates. Comparable store sales for the company-operated stores and kiosks (stores and kiosks opened at least a year) increased 2.2% year over year.
Fourth Quarter Highlights
GAAP net income in the fourth quarter of 2011 from continuing operations was $11.9 million or 12 cents per share compared with $53.1 million or 48 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Quarterly EPS of 12 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Dow Closes Above 13,000 For The First Time Since ’08

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 09:00 AM PST

02/28/12 U.S. stocks closed at multi-year highs, as investors weighed a small pullback in oil prices and improving consumer confidence against a worse-than-expected drop in durable goods … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Soft And Hard

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 01:48 PM PST

In “What’s Your Favorite ‘On the Ground’ Recession Indicator?” California-based author and publisher of the Of Two Minds blog (a longtime favorite of mine), Charles Hugh Smith, writes about an interesting development in his neck of woods:
I’ve sold a few cars myself at the local “sell your own car” lot, so I know it’s reputable and a model that works for buyers and sellers. For a flat fee, you park your car on their lot and price it however you want. Potential buyers get to test-drive it, take … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hospira Back To Neutral

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 01:40 PM PST

We recently upgraded our rating on Hospira, Inc. (NYSE:HSP) to Neutral from Underperform with a target price of $38.00 following appraisal of the fourth quarter and full year 2011 results.
Hospira's fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 51 cents per share fell short of the year-ago adjusted earnings by 26 cents. Earnings were hurt by the slowdown in production at the company's facility in Rocky Mountain, North Carolina, which accounts for approximately 25% of the overall net … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Itau Unibanco Stays Neutral

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 01:25 PM PST

We have reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. (ITUB) following a detailed analysis of the company's fourth quarter and full year 2011 earnings results in light of the current economic environment.
Itau Unibanco reported fourth quarter adjusted earnings of R$3.75 billion ($2.1 billion), down 4.9% sequentially but up 10.2% year over year. While Itau Unibanco experienced an increase in its net interest and fee income, a rise in expenses offset that. Additionally, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

New Insurance Contract For Accenture

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 01:10 PM PST

Accenture plc (NYSE:ACN) recently announced that it has won a deal from the West Bend Mutual Insurance Company. As per the deal, the insurance company will deploy the Accenture Duck Creek property and casualty (P&C) policy software suite to help accelerate its product development processes and enhance customer service. The new insurance deal comes on the wake of the company's decision to diversify its service offerings into various other sectors.
Accenture Duck Creek Policy Administration … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Ball Corp. Issues $750M Notes

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 01:00 PM PST

Ball Corporation (NYSE:BLL) proposed to issue $750 million of unsecured notes. The offering would yield 5.0% interest per year and the notes will mature on March 15, 2022.
Ball Corporation intends to utilize the proceeds of the new debt issue to fund the interest and expenses related to the debt issue. It will also fund for related consent solicitation for any and all of its outstanding 6 5/8% senior notes due 2018, and for general corporate purposes.
The debt-to-capital ratio at … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

You Don’t Know Who Owns Your Mortgage – It’s Impact On You

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:47 PM PST

… [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Discover Upgraded To Outperform

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:40 PM PST

We have upgraded our recommendation on Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS) to 'Outperform' from 'Neutral' based on its exceptional card sales volume, strong balance sheet and rapidly expanding acceptances. Besides, steady inorganic growth is also a long-term positive.
Discover reported fourth-quarter earnings per share of 95 cents, 4 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate but way ahead of 64 cents recorded in the year-ago quarter. Net income spiked 46.4% year over year to $508 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

A Mixed Bag From Quicksilver (Revised)

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:30 PM PST

Quicksilver Resources Inc. (NYSE:KWK), on an adjusted basis, broke even in the fourth quarter 2011 versus 17 cents earned in the year-ago quarter and also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents.
On a GAAP basis, the company reported EPS of 28 cents compared with $1.82 in the year-ago quarter.
Quicksilver Resources’ 2011 operating EPS was 12 cents compared with 69 cents reported in 2010. Fiscal 2011 earnings were also lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents.
Total Revenue
Total … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Visa Ties Up With Intel

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:10 PM PST

Yesterday, card processing giant Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) announced a strategic alliance with Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), a multinational semiconductor chip maker, in order to improve the mobile banking experience in the developed and developing economies.
Accordingly, Visa has teamed up with Intel to blend its proficiencies in payment processing and account holder authentication along with its global network reach with the latter's high-grade innovative technologies that offer the world's best … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Another Dull Fiscal At El Paso

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:10 PM PST

El Paso Corporation (NYSE:EP) announced its fourth-quarter 2011 operating earnings of 28 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The results of the company were higher than year-ago earnings of 20 cents per share.

GAAP earnings per share in the quarter were 24 cents versus 9 cents in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The difference between GAAP and operating earnings during the reported quarter was due to the impact of a few one-time items. These are an 8 cent impact for E&P … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Why Is Silver Soaring And Outperforming Gold In 2012?

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:03 PM PST

We have highlighted key technical breakout points for gold, silver, rare earths, uranium, gold miners and silver miners for our premium subscribers which are finally being penetrated to the upside.
The 20 day moving averages have all turned higher. The 50 day has also turned higher except for the major gold producers which have been lagging in 2012.
It is clear that silver has outperformed gold as the ratio has decreased from over 58 to 1 to below 30 to 1. Silver … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Make Way For IPad 3: Best Buy Slashes IPad 2 Prices

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 12:00 PM PST

02/28/12 Over the weekend, Best Buy began advertising a $50 price cut on the iPad 2 in what some are viewing as a signal that Apple’s iPad 3 is on the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Oil Slips On Demand Concerns

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 06:00 AM PST

02/28/12 Oil prices slipped for a second day this afternoon as investors remained cautious with high prices threatening … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Otto: “Don’t Think US Macro Data Will Overshadow LTRO”

Posted: 28 Feb 2012 05:50 AM PST

02/28/12 Knight Capital Americas’ Mark Otto discusses the latest EU developments, mixed US data, and tomorrow’s ECB … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards