Continue reading America Movil to Expand Growth with Pre-Paid Data Plans

America Movil to Expand Growth with Pre-Paid Data Plans originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DirecTV (DTV) competes with satellite pay-TV providers like Dish Network (DISH), cable companies like Comcast (CMCSA) and Time Warner Cable (TWC), and telecom operators like AT&T (T) and Verizon (VZ). The company recently released its Q4 2010 earnings and we have updated our price estimate to $48.63 as a result of continued subscriber gains and ARPU growth both in the U.S. and Latin American businesses. Our price estimate stands at a roughly 5% premium to market price.

However, we may still be conservative in our price estimate given the traction that DirecTV is getting in the Latin American region. Below we discuss some highlights of growth for DirecTV's Latin American operations and examine the potential upside to our base forecasts.

Continue reading DirecTV Could Unlock Further Upside from Latin America

DirecTV Could Unlock Further Upside from Latin America originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

March corn futures jumped 24.25 cents a bushel on Wednesday to $6.98. Corn contracts have risen 97% since June. You may be wondering why all this activity in the corn market in the middle of winter. The answer lies in a USDA report that said corn supplies are dangerously low. In fact, they are near the record low set 15 years ago.

What that means is that the corn stocks we have must last until our harvest starts in mid summer. Of the 12.4 billion bushels harvested last fall, we will have only 675 million bushels by Aug 31.To add more fuel to the problem, this new report is 9% lower than the USDA"s January projection, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Continue reading Corn Surges on Short Supply

Corn Surges on Short Supply originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For investors, the emerging markets have been a great place to find profits. No doubt, there are certainly risks, such as seen recently with the market turmoil in Egypt, but a diversified portfolio should solve these problems. Of course, it also helps to have lots of exposure to markets like China and Brazil.

According to Societe Generale, emerging markets may pale in comparison to the growth in commodities. Interestingly enough, it is rising commodities prices that is putting inflationary pressure on these countries. In other words, it is getting tougher for companies to pass along higher raw materials costs. As a result, there has been a rash of interest rate increases.

Continue reading Commodities Even Better Than Emerging Markets Stocks?

Commodities Even Better Than Emerging Markets Stocks? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fierce weather conditions are wreaking havoc on agricultural crops around the world. The latest disaster is the cyclone hitting Australia's sugar crops. Australia is the world's third largest sugar exporter.

Raw sugar futures jumped 4% to settle at 35.31 cents per pound and traded as high as 36.11 cents as reported in the Wall Street Journal. The cyclone Yasi is one of the strongest storms to slam Australia. Losses from the storm are estimated at $505.7 million.

The storm is adding to an exceptionally poor harvest in Australia. This year's crop yielded only 3.6 million tons, the lowest in 20 years. Output from Brazil, the world's number one producer was also disappointing.

Continue reading Australian Cyclone Drives Sugar Prices to New Heights

Australian Cyclone Drives Sugar Prices to New Heights originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Our advice to buy Brazil as well as our advice to buy energy stocks have rewarded those who heeded them over the last few years; given this, it stands to reason, then, that investing in Brazilian energy is eminently sensible," says Jack Adamo.

The editor of Insiders Plus explains, "Our latest buy recommendation is Petroleo Brasileiro (PBR) -- or Petrobras for short.

"The reason for buying Brazil is clear: It is one of the fastest growing countries in the world and among the best of that group in terms of rule of law and honest financial markets.

Continue reading Petrobras (PBR): Energy Gains in Brazil

Petrobras (PBR): Energy Gains in Brazil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are the next four of my 2011 picks. I am behind schedule, after publishing the first 5 earlier in the week (see: Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 5 of 11). This year instead of starting completely anew, I am adjusting my 2010 picks. There is no sense in abandoning good ideas just because the calendar turned a page.

You will actually find support of running themes I have been writing about over the past few months. One of these is the idea of making a contrarian investment in a basket of stocks that have been both scalded and scolded in the headlines. Six stocks were included in such a group that I called the "toxic stocks" (see: Chasing Value: Toxic Stock Update #3 -- BAC, BP, C, GE, GS, RIG).

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 6, 7, 8, 9

Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 6, 7, 8, 9 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"To find strong dividend paying stocks, we apply two primary tests; and one stock that passes both of these tests -- and ranks our as top investment idea for the coming year -- is CPFL Energia (CPL), one of Brazil's major power utilities," says income specialist Neil George.

The editor of The Pay Me Strategy explains, "I focus on stocks that will grow your retirement wealth during good times and bad.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: CPFL Energia (CPL)

Top Picks 2011: CPFL Energia (CPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Brazil is my favorite emerging country, and we're going to Brazil for our top pick for 2011: GOL Linhas Aereas Intelligentes (GOL)," says Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Top Stock Insights explains, "The rise of Brazil's middle class is good for airlines. And its fast growing emerging economy creates an ideal environment for discount airlines like GOL to set up shop and grow like crazy.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: GOL Linhas (GOL)

Top Picks 2011: GOL Linhas (GOL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chasing Value: You Must Own Defense and Oil for Safety

Chasing Value: You Must Own Defense and Oil for Safety originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sugar prices have been on a roller coaster this year. During the middle of the year, rumors were rampant that supply was tight. Prices more than doubled.

Then rumors spread that there would be a surplus of sugar this year and prices had a sharp sell off. Now the latest guesstimate is that sugar demand will exceed supply in the marketing year ending September 30. As reported in Bloomberg/Businessweek, analysts for ABN Amro and VM Group forecast that demand will reach 165.3 million metric tons, more than 3 million tons more than supply.

Continue reading Sugar Demand to Outstrip Supply

Sugar Demand to Outstrip Supply originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Iron ore miner Vale (VALE) turned in outstanding results in the third quarter, with a 110 percent increase in revenue, thanks to a more than doubling in iron ore prices this year," notes Ian Wyatt.

The editor of Global Commodity Investing explains, "Iron ore prices, which are set quarterly, have since declined 10 percent, so the company won't rack up such impressive numbers again in this quarter. The weak dollar will also have an impact on the company's margins.

"Still, given China's continued strong expansion, as well as those of other emerging markets-and limited expected supply additions, iron ore prices are likely to remain high for some time to come.

Continue reading Vale (VALE): Strength in Iron

Vale (VALE): Strength in Iron originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

First we had record cotton prices due to crop shortages. Now we have the same situation in the the sugar market.

The big producers of sugar are Brazil and India. Brazil dominates the market with half of the world's exports. The country has experienced a smaller-than-normal harvest. Inventories are at their lowest levels in decades. Unica, the country's cane industry association, said that production was down 30% in the first half of October from 2009, as reported by the Financial Times.

Continue reading Sugar Surges to a 30-Year High on Tight Supplies

Sugar Surges to a 30-Year High on Tight Supplies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2010 Picks Q3 Update -- ADM, BRK, EZPW, GE, HD

Chasing Value: 2010 Picks Q3 Update -- ADM, BRK, EZPW, GE, HD originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MSCI Brazil Index (EWZ) closed up $1,01 to $75.40. The Brazilian general election of 2010 will be held on Sunday, October 3. The Presidency of the Republic, all Chamber of Deputies seats, and fifty-four of the Federal Senate seats, will be contested in this election, along with all 26 states (plus the Federal District) governorships and the state legislatures.

October put option implied volatility is at 28, November is at 29, December puts are at 31. This versus its 26-week average of 31 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Continue reading Options Update: MSCI Brazil Index Volatility Flat into Brazilian Elections

Options Update: MSCI Brazil Index Volatility Flat into Brazilian Elections originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One disastrous international trade policy of the 1930s concerned tariffs: nations increased tariffs on imports to protect domestic industries; when applied universally, it resulted in declining export sales and trade volumes. Tariffs made the Great Depression worse.

Now, it appears, nations are on the verge of implementing another counter-productive policy -- manipulating currencies -- and if public officials are not careful, a similar downward spiral in international trade could occur.

Continue reading Brazil: World Is in a 'Currency War'

Brazil: World Is in a 'Currency War' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"For the 24th year running that the Economist magazine has published its famed Big Mac Index; this index is a tongue-and-cheek way of measuring the purchasing power parity (PPP) -- that is, the relative overvaluation and undervaluation of the world's currencies," notes Nicholas Vardy.

The editor of The Global Stock Investor explains, "What does the Big Mac now say about the relative value of global currencies?

"According to the theory of purchasing power parity, a dollar should buy the same amount of the same good across all countries. By comparing the cost of Big Macs -- a good that is produced in about 120 countries -- the Big Mac Index calculates the exchange rate (the Big Mac PPP) that would result in hamburgers costing the same in America as they do abroad.

Continue reading Big Mac Index: What Burgers Say About Currency Valuations

Big Mac Index: What Burgers Say About Currency Valuations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Technical analyst Robin Griffiths of Cazenove Capital has come up with a dire prediction for the West. Using his charting method, he foresees a 20-year secular downturn in the West. We are halfway through this period.

Griffiths has a unique way of putting it. He says that: "We should own in the East and rent in the West. In the East, you can own equities in countries like India and Brazil and without watching them too closely, will be sitting on returns of over 100% over the long term."

Continue reading Technical Analyst Foresees Another 10 Years in Decline

Technical Analyst Foresees Another 10 Years in Decline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Anyone familiar with international investing knows about Brazil; it's hard to ignore the fifth largest country in the world by geography and population," says Ron Rowland.

The contributing editor to Money and Markets explains, "Although the ride will not always be smooth, Brazil still looks much more attractive compared to any broad-based U.S. investment. Meanwhile, there are six ways to gain access into Brazil's burgeoning economy using easy-to-buy ETFs.

"With a mixture of agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service sectors, Brazil is one of the more diversified emerging markets.

Continue reading Six Ways to Bet on Brazil

Six Ways to Bet on Brazil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Smithfield Foods Rises as Possible Takeover Target

Smithfield Foods Rises as Possible Takeover Target originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.