Going into this morning's earnings announcement, analysts had been expecting to see the company show earnings of 26 cents per share, but the company shocked everyone by coming in well above those estimates, with a reported 35 cents per share for the quarter. Wall Street is rewarding the stock nicely this morning, pushing shares up over 14% in early morning trading.(See more of today's earnings news).
While the company was able to show a nice increase in sales, it did caution investors that the current economic condition is challenging, and that it expects this to remain the case for the foreseeable future. It has been tough for RadioShack recently to compete with stronger rivals such as Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), but the company showed good signs of life during the quarter by posting a 6.4% increase in sales. This is a very good sign for the company, which has been struggling the past several quarters.
As expected, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) posted dreadful results. But the numbers were even more awful than Wall Street feared, sending shares of the company plunging in premarket action.
The number three automaker -- at least for now --- posted a net loss of $8.7 billion, or $3.88 a share, for the second quarter including a $5.3 billion write down of its North American auto business and another $2.1 billion charge. A year earlier, Ford had a net profit of $750 million, or 31 cents per share. Revenue excluding special items fell to $38.6 billion compared with $44.2 billion during the year earlier period.
Excluding one-time expenses, the loss was $1.38 billion, or 62 cents. On that basis, analysts had expected a loss of 27 cents on revenue of $34.6 billion, according to Thomson Reuters.
Oil prices have been falling today, helped by the release of the weekly inventory report which showed larger than expected reserves in the precious crude.
Going into today's report, analysts were expecting to see the Department of Energy announce that oil inventories fell by 1.9 million barrels last week, but in fact we only saw a decline of 1.6 million barrels.
Gasoline is probably more on the minds of most consumers, and what we saw in gasoline demand was even more extreme. Analysts had expected to see a rise of about 500,000 barrels of gasoline supplies last week, but the actual increase came in at 2.9 million barrels, a clear sign that high gasoline prices have forced many of us to cut back on our usage.
After hitting a one-year high of $37.79 in October, the stock hit a one-year low of $5.91 in July. CAL opened this morning at $13.46. So far today the stock has hit a low of $12.90 and a high of $15.20. As of 12:50, CAL is trading at $13.84, up $0.48 (4.4%). The chart for CAL looks bearish but improving slightly, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a December bull-put credit spread below the $5 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 19.0% return in just five months as long as CAL is above $5 at December expiration. Continental would have to fall by more than 64% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
My favorite company, Intuitive Surgical Inc. (NASDAQ: ISRG), the maker of the da Vinci Surgical System reported earnings Tuesday afternoon that creamed Street guesstimates by 10 cents per share. Intuitive posted earnings per share of $1.28 versus analyst consensus of $1.18.
For the 23rd quarter in a row, just like clockwork and without missing a beat, Intuitive's top and bottom line growth simply ignored the global economy, blazing its own trail. I wonder how ISRG would have done if the economy was not in the dumps?
Overall, second quarter revenue shot up 56% from $142.2 million to $219.2 million. Instruments and accessories revenue increased 61% to $73.6 million from $45.8 million. Training revenue increased 44% to $29.4 million from $20.3 million during the second quarter of 2007.
Lonnie Smith, Chairman and CEO of Intuitive Surgical, said, "We are pleased with our second quarter revenue and earnings growth. These results reflect the continued adoption of the da Vinci Surgical System platform across a broadening group of surgical procedures."
After hitting a one-year low of $37.24 in August, the stock hit a one-year high of $75.21 in June. This morning, CRM opened at $67.15. So far today the stock has hit a low of $64.70 and a high of $67.23. As of 1:05, CRM is trading at $65.90, down $3.48 (-5.0%). The chart for CRM looks bearish but improving slightly, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold rating.
For a bearish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bear-call credit spread above the $80 range. A bear-call credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of call options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 6.4% return in four weeks as long as CRM is below $80 at August expiration. CRM would have to rise by more than 21% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
After hitting a one-year high of $714.48 in December, the stock hit a one-year low of $282.00 last week. CME opened this morning at $328.99. So far today the stock has hit a low of $326.67 and a high of $349.80. As of 12:50, CME is trading at $344.28, up $18.75 (5.8%). The chart for CME looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 Stars (out of 5) Hold rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bull-put credit spread below the $280 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just four weeks as long as CME is above $280 at August expiration. CME would have to fall by more than 18% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
Some may view the sun as rising while others see it setting. Before you send me your rant that the pain has just begun and I am foolish to believe the recent market upswing is anything but a short term reprieve, let me share a few thoughts.
Today Wachovia Corp (NYSE: WB) reported a loss of $1.30 a share compared to the average analysts' guess of $1.27 a share. WB lost almost $9 billion, is cutting the dividend and will layoff 6,400 employees. All bad news -- and still the the stock and the DJIA are up!
At the same time, oil is trading down about $4 a barrel during the busiest driving time of the year because people are actually conserving gas. The market is working. It should also be noted that after the Bush administration spent over seven and a half years stating various preconditions to establishing relations with Iran, last week they decided to send an envoy and start a dialog. It may be good or bad politics depending on your view -- but it is only good for the stabilization of oil prices.
Wachovia (NYSE: WB) shares are trading higher with most other banks after rival Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) posted a second-quarter profit that beat analysts' expectations. WB reports earnings tomorrow morning before the open and is pretty much in the same boat as BAC, so this, along with other positive earnings from financial stocks last week could imply that Wachovia will see a good reaction to their release. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on WB.
After hitting a one-year high of $53.10 in September, the stock hit a one-year low of $7.80 last week. WB opened this morning at $13.52. So far today the stock has hit a low of $12.98 and a high of $14.66. As of 12:55, WB is trading at $13.61, up 64 cents (4.9%). The chart for WB looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock its lowest 1 STARS (out of 5) strong sell rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bull-put credit spread below the $7.50 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 4.2% return in just four weeks as long as WB is above $7.50 at October expiration. Wachovia would have to fall by more than 44% before we would start to lose money.
WB hasn't been below $7.50 at all in the past year and has shown support just below $10 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out tomorrow morning) disappoint, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find at its year low at $7.80.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in WB or BAC.
Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFMI) shares are trading higher today after an analyst at Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to Equal-weight from Underweight, as noted by Eric Buscemi. If you agree with Morgan Stanley and think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on WFMI.
After hitting a one-year high of $53.65 in October, the stock hit a one-year low of $20.18 last week. WFMI opened this morning at $23.27. So far today the stock has hit a low of $22.37 and a high of $24.06. As of 12:45, WFMI is trading at $22.50, up $1.12 (5.2%). The chart for WFMI looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider an August bull-put credit spread below the $19 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 15.6% return in just four weeks as long as WFMI is above $19 at August expiration. Whole Foods would have to fall by more than 15% before we would start to lose money.
WFMI hasn't been below $20 at all in the past year and has shown support around $21 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out on 8/5) disappoint, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find at its year low between $20 and $21.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in WFMI.
XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) shares are trading higher today after the company announced it gained 322,000 new net subscribers during the second quarter, 17% higher than the same quarter last year. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on XMSR.
After hitting a one-year high of $16.44 in November, the stock hit a one-year low of $6.78 earlier this month. XMSR opened this morning at $8.75. So far today the stock has hit a low of $8.69 and a high of $9.02. As of 12:15, XMSR is trading at $9.04, up 48 cents (5.8%). The chart for XMSR looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 Stars (out of 5) hold rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a September bull-put credit spread below the $6 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 9.9% return in just two months as long as XMSR is above $6 at September expiration. XM would have to fall by more than 33% before we would start to lose money.
XMSR hasn't been below $6.75 at all in the past year and has shown support around $7.25 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out late this month) disappoint, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find at its year low at $6.80, which is has bounced up from recently.
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in XMSR.
After hitting a one-year high of $26.12 last July, the stock hit a one-year low of $16.42 in January. MAT opened this morning at $20.42. So far today the stock has hit a low of $19.96 and a high of $21.18. As of 1:05, MAT is trading at $20.48, up $2.20 (12.0%). The chart for MAT looks bearish and steady, while S&P gives the stock a neutral 3 Stars (out of 5) hold rating.
For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a January bull-put credit spread below the $15 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 13.6% return in just six months as long as MAT is above $15 at January expiration. Mattel would have to fall by more than 26% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade here.
MAT hasn't been below $16.40 at all in the past year and has shown support around $17 recently. This trade could be risky if the damages turn out to be negligible, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find around $16.50, where it has bottomed out twice in the past seven months.
DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent neither owns nor controls positions in MAT.
At first glance, the numbers don't look too hot for Mattel. The company announced that profit was off by a pretty hefty 48% in the quarter, down to 3 cents per share on $11.8 million. This is down from $22.8 million, or 6 cents per share, for the same period last year. The company blamed most of the decline in weak demand for its Barbie dolls, and higher costs that it had to endure in the quarter.
From the above paragraph, you may be expecting to see the company being punished in the premarket, but in fact, shares of the stock are trading up a blazing 13.5% as I write this, and were up over 18% as of about 5 minutes ago. Why? Simple, in Wall Street it is all about expectations, and the company was able to outperform analysts estimates for the quarter, which were looking to see only a 2 cent per share report.
U.S. stock futures turned higher Friday morning after earnings from Citigroup that beat expectations offset disappointment from Merrill, Google and Microsoft. There was also some pressure from oil as prices rebounded to above $131 a barrel, following Nigeria cutting output.
Many on Thursday started wondering if we have seen the bottom. Stocks rallied for a second straight session as oil continued its price drop. Better -than-expected earnings for JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) again lifted banks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 207.38 points, or 1.9%, the S&P 500 index rose 15.7 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 27.45 points, or 1.2%.
Without any economic releases today, the market will continue to focus on earnings, and investors have a lot to mull, especially after Thursday's wave of financial results releases after the close, and with financials and techs being in the center of attention.
After JPMorgan Chase brought on some optimism with its results Thursday morning, Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) reported after the close a wider-than-expected loss of $4.65 billion, or $4.9 a share, on $9.7 billion of credit-market writedowns. The loss per share was larger than any analyst had expected according to Bloomberg survey. MER shares are declining over 4.8% in premarket trading.
Editor's Note:This post was written by Terry Woo, one of Minyanville's sharpest minds AND/OR brightest bulbs. For more perspective AND/OR insight, visit www.minyanville.com.
Crude oil is trading lower for a third day in a row.
Currently there's talk out there of demand destruction in other countries (i.e. China's slowing economic growth and slowing U.S. economy). But I don't think there has been enough coverage on financial television regarding Iran.
Remember crude's breakout when the world speculated Israel was preparing to attack Iran's nuclear facilities. And remember more upward pressure when Iran retaliated by test firing its long-range missiles.
As reported by CNN yesterday, Undersecretary of State William Burns is accompanying an EU delegation and will meet with a top Iranian nuclear official... something that hasn't happened in decades! It's a game changing event. That combined with North Korea (cooperating with the world in giving up its pursuit of nuclear weapons), I believe this is simply the Iranian risk premium being taken out of the price of oil.
Shares of electronics retailer RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) are soaring this morning after the company shattered its estimates for its second quarter numbers.
As expected, 
Oil prices have been falling today, helped by the release of the weekly inventory report which showed 
Some may view the sun as rising while others see it setting. Before you send me your rant that the pain has just begun and I am foolish to believe the recent market upswing is anything but a short term reprieve, let me share a few thoughts.
Shares of toy maker 
U.S. stock futures turned higher Friday morning after earnings from Citigroup that beat expectations offset disappointment from Merrill, Google and Microsoft. There was also some pressure from oil as prices rebounded to above $131 a barrel, following 
Earnings preview: Does Kraft have the recipe for a successful quarter?
Fed reports stagflation
RadioShack (RSH) soars after reporting second quarter numbers
