Wednesday, March 21, 2012

DailyMarkets.com - McDermott Wins Saudi-Kuwaiti Deal

DailyMarkets.com - McDermott Wins Saudi-Kuwaiti Deal

McDermott Wins Saudi-Kuwaiti Deal

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 04:09 PM PDT

Energy-focused engineering and construction firm McDermott International (NYSE:MDR) announced that one of its units has received a full engineering, procurement, construction, and installation ("EPCI") of a platform for Al-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO) in Hout development – an oilfield shared by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
The deal – whose financial terms were not disclosed – calls for McDermott to provide the full spectrum of engineering and construction services from its fabrication … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Kraft Foods Announces “delicious World”

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:58 PM PDT

03/21/12 Kraft Foods will name its global snack company spinoff: Mondelēz International. The name meant to evoke the image of a “delicious world,” will be the corporate name behind products including Cadbury candies, Oreo cookies and Trident … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

AstraZeneca’s TC-5214 Shelved

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:55 PM PDT

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) and Targacept Inc. (NASDAQ:TRGT) recently announced top-line results from the remaining RENAISSANCE phase III efficacy and tolerability trials evaluating TC-5214. TC-5214 was being evaluated as an adjunct treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD) patients who have not responded adequately to initial antidepressant therapy. Both RENAISSANCE 4 and RENAISSANCE 5 failed to meet their primary endpoints.
A separate study, RENAISSANCE 7, evaluating the safety of TC-5214 in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Prologis Leases In California

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:50 PM PDT

Prologis Inc. (NYSE:PLD), a leading industrial real estate investment trust (REIT), has recently signed a new lease agreement spanning 270,764 square feet of its development portfolio in Carson, California. With the deal, the facility is presently fully leased to 3PL Global LLC, a third-party logistics provider.
The lessee would occupy the space at Prologis South Bay Distribution Center. The leased property is located in close proximity to the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach on one hand, and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Symantec To Acquire Nukona

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:35 PM PDT

Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ:SYMC) upped its acquisition count with the recent takeover of privately-held Nukona Inc., a provider of mobile application management (MAM) services. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. 
This is an important acquisition for the information technology (IT) security major, as it will likely enhance Symantec’s enterprise mobility portfolio. With Nukona's capabilities, Symantec will be able to deliver mobile application security solutions that … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Steady As The Market Goes

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:24 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 03-21-2012
This was a quiet inside day for the market and with the great weather here in Chicago, I guess it was a free pass to get outside and enjoy it. Claims data is due out tomorrow premarket and a low number, 355K or lower, could be a signal of a strengthening labor market or at a bare minimum could be validating the strong data out the last couple of weeks. Europe is coming back into the picture and not in a good way. There is some mounting concern over the PIGS and yields … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

A.M. Best Rates W.R. Berkley Notes

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:20 PM PDT

W.R. Berkley Corp. (NYSE:WRB) recently issued $350 million senior unsecured notes, which have been assigned a debt rating of "a-" by the rating agency A.M. Best Co. The rating agency holds a stable outlook over its rating. These are investment grade ratings and signal the rating agency's confidence in the company's ability to meet its senior obligations.
The notes bear a coupon of 4.625%, with maturity scheduled in 2022. Berkley intends to deploy the proceeds from the offering for general … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings And Data Pepper Calendar

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:20 PM PDT

03/21/12 A handful of global PMI data will be released on Thursday. US earnings and economic readings on housing, jobs and leading indicators are also on the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Why Mitt Won’t Be Able To Hide From His Primary Self (We’re No Longer In An Etch-A-Sketch World)

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:18 PM PDT

Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom couldn't have said it better – or worse. When asked by CNN Wednesday morning whether Mitt was being pushed so far to the right by Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich that he'd be handicapped in the general election, Fehrnstrom said "you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It's almost like an Etch-A-Sketch. You kind of shake it up and restart all over again."
An Etch-A-Sketch, for those of you under twenty, is a thick flat gray … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

MarkWest Downgraded To Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:15 PM PDT

We have downgraded pipeline operator MarkWest Energy Partners L.P. (NYSE:MWE) to Neutral from Outperform purely on valuation grounds, as we see limited near term price upside.
Denver, Colorado-based MarkWest Energy is a master limited partnership (MLP) engaged in the gathering, processing and transmission of natural gas, transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids (NGLs), and the gathering and transportation of crude oil.
MarkWest owns a high-quality and diverse portfolio of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Agrium Buys Viterra’s Products

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:05 PM PDT

Agrium Inc. (NYSE:AGU) announced that it has penned a deal with Glencore International plc. to buy the majority of Viterra Inc.’s agri-products business for $1.15 billion in addition to working capital. Agrium estimates the amount of working capital required for the business to be around $0.5 billion.
Agrium's acquisition of Viterra’s agri-products is subject to the completion of Glencore’s acquisition of Viterra. Glencore recently announced that it will be purchasing Viterra for $16.25 a share, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Raytheon To Develop Army Radars

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:50 PM PDT

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) has entered into a $45.5 million agreement with the U.S. Army for prototype development of the Ku Band Multi-Function RF System (MFRFS) Sense and Warn (S&W) radars. This agreement is an extension of U.S. Army’s Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The FCS program is a defense modernization plan adopted by the U.S. Army to increase its operational success and supply improvised and modern ammunitions to the armed troops.  
The agreement is an extension … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fifth Third Stays Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:50 PM PDT

We are reaffirming our Neutral recommendation on Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) following a detailed analysis of the company fundamentals in light of the current economic and regulatory environment and post the stress test results.
Fifth Third Bancorp's fourth-quarter 2011 net income of $305 million or 33 cents per share trailed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents. The results also compared unfavorably with net income of $373 million or 40 cents per share in the prior quarter.
Quarterly … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Liberty Interactive Eyeing China

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:50 PM PDT

Liberty Interactive Corp. (NASDAQ:LINTA) is diversifying its businesses globally. The company's TV and online retail segment, QVC Inc., recently entered into a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with China National Radio (CNR), the government controlled radio division of China.
The joint venture will be known as "CNR Home Shopping Co., Ltd."  QVC will hold 49% stake and China National Radio will control the remaining 51% share. However, the financial terms of this venture is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Catalyst Health Signs PBM Deal

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:30 PM PDT

On Monday, Catalyst Health Solutions Inc. (CHSI) announced a long-term agreement with Regence Rx Inc. to exclusively provide pharmacy benefit management ("PBM") service to the latter's clients through its PBM unit – Catalyst Rx. Catalyst Health will also take over Regence's PBM staff, technology and internal client service assets. Moreover, the two companies will jointly create a pharmacy center of excellence in Northwestern U.S.
The deal will be effective from May 1, 2012 to December … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Gap Expands To South Africa

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:25 PM PDT

Only a few days ago we reported about our balanced view on Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) and thus reiterated our long-term Neutral recommendation on the premier international specialty retailer. Our prime focus in rendering the balanced view was on the progress of the company's strategic plans.
Most importantly, the strategic plans include reduction of its dependency on North American specialty business, while increasing its online presence as well as expanding its international operations.
Building on … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Viacom To Boost Advertising Sales

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:20 PM PDT

In a bid to revamp the advertising revenue, Viacom, Inc.'s (VIAB) introduced Surround Sound that promotes target advertising and eventually favors its advertisers. To carry out this process the company has implemented Adobe Systems Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ADBE) AudienceManager, a popular product that offers data management solutions to its client.
It is believed that most advertisements do not reach the target audiences. Moreover, with the availability of so many digital platforms, it becomes rather … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Gap In The Land Of Bafana Bafana

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Only a few days ago we reported about our balanced view on Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) and thus reiterated our long-term Neutral recommendation on the premier international specialty retailer. Our prime focus in rendering the balanced view was on the progress of the company's strategic plans.
Most importantly, the strategic plans include reduction of its dependency on North American specialty business, while increasing its online presence as well as expanding its international operations.
Building on … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Medco Reiterated At Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:20 PM PDT

Recently, we reiterated our Neutral recommendation on Medco Health (NYSE:MHS) with a target price of $74.00.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011, Medco reported adjusted EPS of $1.25, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.17 and 26.3% higher than the year-ago level. Increased sales combined with 8.3% reduction in number of shares outstanding contributed to the bottom-line improvement during the quarter.
Additionally, the introduction of generic Lipitor contributed $0.03 to the fourth … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Amazon To Acquire Kiva Systems

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:05 PM PDT

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) has announced that it will acquire privately held Kiva Systems, a warehouse automation solution, for $775 million in cash. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter of 2012. Shares jumped 3.9% from last Friday's closing price, indicating a positive sentiment from investors.
Kiva's technology streamlines the process of picking, packing and shipping e-commerce products for delivery. The company uses mobile robots and superior control software, providing a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Goldman Plans More Layoffs

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 02:05 PM PDT

According to Reuters, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS) is moving ahead with its cost cutting plan. To start with, the bank has sacked employees in its trading and investment banking divisions.
In 2011, Goldman reduced 2,400 positions, out of which 1800 layoffs took place in March 2011 as part of its annual review process. The recent announcement of job cuts also comes under Goldman’s annual retrenchment of workers, who performed below expectations.
According to the source, workers who failed … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks End Mixed, Nasdaq Hits 11-Year High

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 09:00 AM PDT

03/21/12 US stocks closed mixed Wednesday, exchanging small gains and losses, during a quiet trading session that left the markets hampered by losses in energy and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Glaxo’s Non-Core OTC Brands Update

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:55 PM PDT

GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Omega Pharma to divest non-core over-the-counter (OTC) brands sold in Europe. As per the terms of the agreement, Omega Pharma will pay £391 million (€470 million) in cash to Glaxo. The deal is expected to complete in the second quarter of 2012.
The brands being divested to Omega Pharma include Lactacyd, Abtei, Solpadeine, Zantac, Nytol and Beconase. These brands collectively recorded sales of approximately £185 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Caterpillar Sales Dip Further

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:55 PM PDT

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) recorded machines sales growth of 21% for the three months ending February 29, 2012, keeping up its 22-month run of positive sales growth. However, the sales growth has dipped further from the lowest growth rate of 30% last year and from the 27% clip recorded in January 2012. Engine sales increased 13% across the globe.
Caterpillar's growth rate had hit rock bottom in 2011 in November last year recording a growth rate of 30%. Caterpillar suffered the same fate in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

NY Times Limits Access

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:40 PM PDT

The New York Times Company (NYSE:NYT) gets ready to limit the number of free articles that can be read by online traffic visiting the website of its flagship newspaper. Come April, and online visitors will not be able to access more than 10 free articles per month, which is exactly half of what the pay-and-read model offered when the system was launched on March 28, 2011. With this step, the company intends to augment its digital revenue.
The publisher of The New York Times, the International … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Fines For Foreclosure Mess Again

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:35 PM PDT

After penalizing the country's five largest mortgage servicers last month, the Federal Reserve now plans to fine eight other banks for foreclosure abuses. This was stated by Suzanne G. Killian, a senior associate director of the Fed, at a congressional hearing in Brooklyn.
The banks that were held responsible for wrongly foreclosing homeowners' properties include EverBank, The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS), HSBC Holdings Plc (NYSE:HBC), PNC Financial Services Group (NYSE:PNC), MetLife Inc. … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Court Upholds FDA’s Stricter Labels

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:25 PM PDT

Reuters and The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Cincinnati-based U.S. Court of Appeals has passed a ruling saying that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can impose restrictions on the graphic labels of the cigarettes packets sold in the country. The ruling also went on to say that these restrictions were not unconstitutional, as they in no way violated the freedom of speech of the tobacco companies.
In a ruling in June last year, the FDA had asked the tobacco giants of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Citigroup Lowered To Underperform

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:25 PM PDT

We are downgrading our recommendation on Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C) to Underperform from Neutral based on its failure to pass the Federal Reserve's most recent stress test.
Investors were widely speculating about the amount of money companies like Citigroup will be allowed by the Fed to return to their shareholders this year. Notably, Citi has failed to significantly enhance shareholder value following the financial crisis and this somewhat weakened its competitive position.
Besides Citi, the three … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

General Mills Falls Shy By A Penny

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:15 PM PDT

General Mills Inc (NYSE:GIS) reported fiscal third quarter 2012 adjusted earnings (excluding the effects of mark-to-market valuation of certain commodity positions, Yoplait S.A.S. and Yoplait Marques S.A.S, and a net benefit from certain tax matters in 2011), of 55 cents, 1.8% lower than the prior-year quarter. However, the quarterly earnings lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.
Management expects its fiscal 2012 earnings to be in the range of $2.53 – $2.55 a share, excluding … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Ross Stores

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 01:00 PM PDT

Ross Stores Inc. (NASDAQ:ROST), one of the leading off-price retailers of apparels and home accessories, posted its fourth-quarter 2011 results last week on Thursday. Thus, the analysts roughly had a week to ponder over and analyze the result. In the subsequent paragraphs, we will cover the recent earnings announcement, analysts' estimate revisions as well as the Zacks Rank and long-term recommendation on the stock.
Earnings Review
Ross Stores posted earnings of 85 cents per share for … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

1912 = 2012; So Many Things Change Yet Stay The Same

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:59 PM PDT

These posts aren't usually on subjects unrelated to stocks and the market but I just couldn't resist this one.  I'm working my way through the last of Edmund Morris' monumental biographical trilogy of Theodore Roosevelt called Colonel Roosevelt.  If you … Continue reading … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Office Depot Walks The Tight Rope

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:50 PM PDT

The change in the demand for office supplies products and services remains one of the indicators that describe the health of the economy. The economy has not completely awaken from the state of hibernation, and amidst such a scenario Office Depot Inc. (NYSE:ODP) has to walk the tight rope to juggle with unprecedented situation that may hurt its growth prospects.
How the Company Balances
Office Depot is repositioning itself to keep afloat in a difficult consumer environment. The company is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Nike Inc.

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:50 PM PDT

Global leader in sports equipment and apparel maker, Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE) is expected to report its third quarter 2012 earnings after the market closes on Thursday, March 22, 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter is $1.16 per share. This represents a year-over-year growth of 7.4%.
We note that the company has been consistently surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the past three quarters, while it slightly missed in the results of the year-ago quarter. However, the average … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

NextEra Unit Files For A Rate Hike

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:35 PM PDT

NextEra Energy, Inc.'s (NEE) subsidiary Florida Power & Light Company has filed for a rate increase with Florida Public Service Commission ("FPSC") to recover investments made by the company for new, high-efficiency natural gas power plants. If approved, the new rates will be effective after January 1, 2013.
Over the last couple of years, NextEra Energy has invested around $2.4 billion for the construction of clean, high-efficiency, combined-cycle natural gas-fired energy power … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Grind Continues

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:24 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 03-19-2012
The market was grinding today as we see AAPL at all time highs. Today was a day that some traders were looking at the laggards of the offensive groups, Tech/Finance/Industrial’s, but this is a market that is at a pivot, 1400 on the S&Ps, where conviction will need to make a stand if this current action is not going to come under pressure. At this stage there are no flags that are tipping that there is any shift in the short term trend, and as a matter of fact we … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: China Slowdown, Really

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:24 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 03-20-2012
The Aussie Dollar has been in a one month pullback and Copper is pulling off short term support, both of which come on slowing growth in China. I want to put this into perspective — there is the perception that China’s growth now at 7-8% from 10-12% is bad news, really. Plus, as I noted yesterday, the US seems to be turning an economic corner – check out at the housing data today and foreign money that could be looking at the state of potential growth in the US which … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Financials Lead

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:24 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 03-20-2012
Weak longs were shaken out today, however the shorts could not gain any momentum and with the action in bonds and commodities, this makes sense. Right now many bears in bonds might be happy individuals with the long side down, 30yr -4% & 10yr -2%, and it appears that the money that is coming out of the bonds fed some of the support in the market that we saw today. The Financials, XLF, are upbeat today and this is a very important offensive sector in the driver’s … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Gold Still Under Pressure

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:24 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 03-21-2012
This is a flat market with low volatility, bonds coming off the lows, and commodities firming. So what to consider now? Trim. What I mean is trim risk — mitigate risk, shore up size and capital. This is a market that is a tough read until you can get better transparency. Gold, GLD, has firmed up but is under pressure. I want to see if this Gold market comes under additional late day pressure and some further downside. See you Midday.
Market action is mixed on a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Intuitive Remains At Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:20 PM PDT

We reiterate our Neutral rating for Intuitive Surgical (NASDAQ:ISRG). Earnings per share came in at $3.75, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.34 and the year-ago earnings of $3.02. Net income climbed 24.8% year over year to $151.2 million.
Revenues increased 28% year over year to $496.8 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $483 million.
Instruments and accessories revenues were $196 million in the quarter, up 30% year over year. Worldwide procedures increased 27%. The company … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Air Products Hikes Dividend

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 12:05 PM PDT

The Board of leading industrial-gas company Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD) recently raised the company's quarterly dividend to 64 cents per share from 58 cents, representing a 10.3% increase. This represents the 30th consecutive year of dividend increase by the Pennsylvania-based company.
The increase lifts the company's annual dividend to $2.56 a share from the current payout of $2.32 and equates to a yield of roughly 2.8%. The revised dividend is payable on May 14, 2012, to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Panel Votes Against Merck-ARIAD Drug

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:50 AM PDT

An advisory panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently dealt a blow to Merck (NYSE:MRK) and ARIAD Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:ARIA) oncology candidate, ridaforolimus (proposed trade name: Taltorvic). The FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted 13-1 against the drug. Merck and ARIAD are looking to get ridaforolimus approved as a maintenance therapy for patients with metastatic soft-tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma whose disease has not progressed after at least four cycles … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Kellogg Up To Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:35 AM PDT

We recently upgraded our rating on Kellogg Company (NYSE:K) to Neutral from Underperform following decent fourth quarter results and the acquisition of the Pringles business from Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE:PG) which is likely to be a strategic fit for Kellogg.
Kellogg posted fourth-quarter 2011 earnings of 64 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. Earnings also exceeded the prior-year earnings of 51 cents per share by 25% driven by strong revenue growth and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Costa: “Malaise…markets Taking A Breather”

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:30 AM PDT

03/21/12 Empire Executions’ Peter Costa discusses the broader market and expectations for the upcoming earnings … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: FedEx

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:20 AM PDT

FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX), the world’s second-largest package delivery company, is slated to release its third quarter fiscal 2012 earnings on March 22, before market opens. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter is $1.36, representing a substantial 67.84% annual growth.
With respect to surprises, FedEx had a 0.78% average positive earnings surprise in the trailing four quarters.
At its second quarter 2012 conference call, FedEx projected adjusted earnings in the range of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

HP Combines Divisions, Twitter Celebrates Birthday

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 06:20 AM PDT

03/21/12 Hewlett-Packard will combine its PC and printer divisions. Happy birthday Twitter: the microblogging site turns 6 years old … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Twin Buys To Boost Lexmark Growth

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 11:05 AM PDT

Lexmark International Inc. (NYSE:LXK) seems to be on track to spur growth and regain its lost market share through back-to-back acquisitions. Earlier this week, the imaging and printing solutions vendor announced that it completed the acquisitions of two software companies for a consideration of $32.0 million each.
The first company was Australia-based ISYS Search Software, which is a leading provider for search and text mining software. The second one is Boston-based Nolij Corp., which develops … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

EPD Aims For More Fractionators

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:55 AM PDT

Midstream energy service provider, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE:EPD) plans to add two natural gas liquid (NGL) fractionators at its Mont Belvieu, Texas complex to accommodate the mounting production level from the Eagle Ford shale play and enhance its midstream infrastructure.
The partnership's objective for the construction of two NGL fractionators, each having a processing capacity of approximately 75,000 barrels per day, will likely lift capacity at Mont Belvieu by 150,000 barrels … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Darden

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:55 AM PDT

Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE:DRI) is slated to release its third-quarter 2012 results on March 23. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter is $1.24 per share on revenue of $2,142 million. 
The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the third quarter reflects a year-over-year growth of 14.61%, respectively.
Earnings Surprise
With respect to earnings surprises, over the trailing four quarters, Darden has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three out of four quarters … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Shell Inks Gas Exploration Deal

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:25 AM PDT

Anglo-Dutch behemoth Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDS.A) signed China's first Production Sharing Contract (PSC) for shale gas drilling activities with China National Petroleum Corporation ("CNPC"). However, none of the companies disclosed the financial terms of the agreement.
Per the deal, Shell and the Chinese state-controlled company will explore, develop and produce shale gas in the Fushun – Yongchuan block. The exploration region spreads over 1,350 square miles in the Sichuan basin.
Shell … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Drop Paternalism, Sell The Pill Over-the-Counter

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:19 AM PDT

Canadian columnist Margaret Wente writes:

“Virginia Postrel, the American political and cultural writer, has an idea for de-escalating the birth-control controversy that's sweeping the United States: Sell the Pill over the counter.

After all, that's the way it works with condoms. Anyone can walk into a drugstore and buy a three-month supply of Trojans for under $30, no questions asked. Nobody argues about who should pay, who's morally entitled to them or whether they should be covered … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Blogger’s Back

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:14 AM PDT

There were some technical issues with Blogger today, which prevented both postings and comments, it should be back up now working … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Coca-Cola Stays Neutral

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 10:06 AM PDT

We maintain a Neutral rating on The Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE:KO) following the appraisal of fourth quarter and full year 2011 results.
Coca-Cola posted fourth-quarter 2011 operating EPS of 79 cents per share, (excluding restructuring charges and costs related to global productivity initiatives as well as the acquisition of the North American bottling business and net losses related to the economic hedges), which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents and the prior-year quarter by 7 cents.
The … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Momentum: Beating Analysts At Their Own Game

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 08:38 AM PDT

With company earnings season in full swing and London markets displaying signs of improving confidence, we thought we'd share the impressive performance of one of our Momentum screens, which tracks those companies that analysts think are poised for a surge in earnings. 
Of course, as we have discussed in the past, paying too much attention to what analysts have got to say about company stocks is fraught with risks. Broker recommendations (produced by in-house teams of analysts) on … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Euro Gains Vs Yen, Steady Against Dollar

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 03:00 AM PDT

03/21/12 The euro edged higher against the dollar on Wednesday on signs Greece’s bailout was progressing … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Oil Rises After Supplies Unexpectedly Fall

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 07:00 AM PDT

03/21/12 Oil rose Wednesday morning after an industry report showed US inventories dropped for the first time in six … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For ETF Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 05:03 AM PDT

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for ETFs
For Trading On Thursday, March 22, 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
109.35
+ 0.24
109.11
109.60

Neutral

BND – Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF
82.89
+ 0.29
82.74
83.06

Neutral

DBC – DB Commodity Index Tracking Fd
29.10
− 0.24
29.28
29.39

Bearish

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 Thursday, March 22, 2012

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 05:03 AM PDT

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for the Dow 30 Stocks
For Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

In alphabetical order by symbol

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AA – Alcoa Inc
10.27
− 1.63
10.45
10.32

Bearish

AXP – American Express Company
57.05
+ 0.25
57.04
55.48

Bullish

BA – Boeing Co
75.01
− 0.17
75.16
74.74

Neutral

BAC – Bank of America Corporation
9.82
+ 0.10
9.79
9.17

Bullish

CAT – Caterpillar Inc
109.00
− … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Futures Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 05:03 AM PDT

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Futures
For Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

INDICES

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

S&P 500 – Jun ESM2
1397.50
− 0.18
1399.97
1386.42

Neutral

Dow Jones – Jun YMM2
13066
− 0.32
13122
13067

Bearish

Nasdaq – Jun NQM2
2735.25
− 0.01
2728.61
2686.58

Bullish

Russell – Jun TFM2
824.70
− 0.12
828.42
820.87

Neutral

INTEREST RATES

US T-Bond – Jun ZBM2
136-25
+ … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Trend Trader For Forex Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

Posted: 21 Mar 2012 05:03 AM PDT

By ForexMansion.com

The Trend Trader for Forex
For Trading On Thursday, March 22, 2012

THE BIG SIX

Close
%
Change

3×1

7×5
Minor
Trend
Major
Trend
Trend Reading

AUDUSD – Aust Dollar / US Dollar
1.0458
− 0.19
1.0530
1.0536

Bearish

EURUSD – Euro / US Dollar
1.3216
− 0.05
1.3219
1.3123

Neutral

GBPUSD – British Pound / US Dollar
1.5872
+ 0.08
1.5870
1.5769

Bullish

USDCAD – US Dollar / Canadian Dollar
0.9920
+ 0.05
0.9904
0.9914

Bullish

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

Why Gold Can Go The Distance

Posted: 20 Mar 2012 10:00 PM PDT

Gold's been knocked down lately, but several enduring factors have conditioned the yellow metal for an inevitable comeback.
Since the beginning of 2012, gold has trailed its precious metals peers, gaining only about 6 percent compared to double-digit returns for silver and platinum. At the end of February, gold was especially hard hit, following Ben Bernanke's announcement that there would be no additional quantitative easing and the European Central Bank offering additional LTRO loans to … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
at

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