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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title><![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AMSC, CBOE, ERTS, ESV, JCP, PDE, SMSI, TTWO, UAL, WFMI ...]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analyst-reports/" rel="tag">Analyst Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades/" rel="tag">Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jcp/" rel="tag">Penney (J.C.) (JCP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfmi/" rel="tag">Whole Foods Market (WFMI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analyst-initiations/" rel="tag">Analyst Initiations</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ttwo/" rel="tag">Take-Two Interactive (TTWO)</a></p><p><strong><a href="http://www.theflyonthewall.com"><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/03/fly-logo-%28aol%29.gif" alt="" /></a>Analyst Upgrades</strong></p>
<ul>
    <li>JPMorgan upgraded Smith Micro (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/smith-micro-software-inc/smsi/nas">SMSI</a>) to overweight from neutral and raised its price target to $15 from $9, citing the release of a WiFi iPad with MiFi from Verizon and Apple.</li>
    <li>Jefferies upgraded Whole Foods (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/whole-foods-market-inc/wfmi/nas">WFMI</a>) to buy from hold and raised its price target to $45 from $36, citing checks that indicate sales are accelerating and the company has been focused on expense control.</li>
    <li>Wells Fargo upgraded Ensco (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/ensco-international-incorporated/esv/nys">ESV</a>) and raised its price target to $54 to $56 from $46 to $47, citing valuation, the lifted deepwater drilling ban and higher oil prices.</li>
    <li>Gran Tierra Energy (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/gran-tierra-energy-inc/gte/ase">GTE</a>) was upgraded to buy from hold at Wunderlich, citing the company's Moqueta oil discovery as well as other near-term exploration opportunities, and raised its price target to $12.50 from $7.00.</li>
    <li>Chico's FAS (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/chico-s-fas-inc/chs/nys">CHS</a>) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc and set a $13 price target.</li>
    <li>UR-Energy (<a class="inlinked" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/proshares-ultra-real-estate/ure/nys">URE</a>) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.</li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Analyst Calls: AMSC, CBOE, ERTS, ESV, JCP, PDE, SMSI, TTWO, UAL, WFMI ...</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/">Analyst Calls: AMSC, CBOE, ERTS, ESV, JCP, PDE, SMSI, TTWO, UAL, WFMI ...</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19675765/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>AMSC</category><category>Anadys</category><category>analyst upgrades</category><category>ANDS</category><category>ATVI</category><category>BIO</category><category>CBOE</category><category>Chico Fas</category><category>CHS</category><category>downgrades</category><category>Electronic Arts</category><category>Enesco</category><category>ERTS</category><category>ESV</category><category>GTE</category><category>initiations</category><category>inthenews</category><category>JCP</category><category>JCPenney</category><category>PDE</category><category>QLGC</category><category>QLogic</category><category>SMSI</category><category>SNN</category><category>THQ</category><category>THQI</category><category>TTWO</category><category>UAL</category><category>URE</category><category>WFMI</category><category>Whole Foods</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eric Buscemi]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 15 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Three Undervalued Stocks to Buy]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/10/piggy-bank-header-at244-by-g.e.sattler.jpg" alt="" />It's becoming a bit of a broken record, but the refrain "another challenging month" does apply to the current market environment. There were a host of factors influencing stocks and keeping their value down in June. However,with careful selection investors can use the current volatility to make money. You see, there are plenty of fundamentally strong yet undervalued companies that the mainstream investment community hasn't picked up.<br />
<br />
Which stocks fit the bill? Take a look at three undervalued stock buys to see:<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Three Undervalued Stocks to Buy</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/">Three Undervalued Stocks to Buy</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19552479/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/13/three-undervalued-stocks-to-buy/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>activision</category><category>call of duty</category><category>covenant transport</category><category>CovenantTransport</category><category>eResearchTechnology</category><category>guitar hero</category><category>Stocks to buy</category><category>undervalued stocks</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Reeves]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings Highlights: CBS, Clorox, Goodyear, MasterCard, News Corp., Time Warner ...]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> on BloggingStocks:</p>
<ul>
    <li><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong> (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) saw shares rise following its report of better-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/07/can-you-buy-activision-blizzard-after-q1-report/">Q1 earnings</a>.</li>
    <li><strong>Beazer Homes USA Inc.</strong> (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/beazer-homes-usa-inc/bzh/nys">BZH</a>) posted a <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/04/beazer-homes-earnings/">Q2 profit</a> and revenue growth, and announced a stock offering.</li>
    <li><strong>CBS Corp.</strong> (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/cbs-corporation/cbs/nys">CBS</a>) reported improvements in both <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/06/cbs-better-income-cash-flow-in-q1/">Q1 net income</a> and cash flow, but shares declined.</li>
    <li><strong>Clorox Co.</strong> (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/the-clorox-company/clx/nys">CLX</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/03/is-clorox-okay-after-q3-report/">Q3 earnings</a> that were higher than analysts had expected and offered weak guidance.</li>
    <li><strong>First Solar Inc.</strong> (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/first-solar-inc/fslr/nas">FSLR</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/03/first-solar%20/">quarterly earnings</a> that easily topped analysts' expectations.</li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Earnings Highlights: CBS, Clorox, Goodyear, MasterCard, News Corp., Time Warner ...</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/">Earnings Highlights: CBS, Clorox, Goodyear, MasterCard, News Corp., Time Warner ...</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 08 May 2010 15:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19466430/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/08/earnings-highlights-cbs-clorox-goodyear-mastercard-news-cor/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ATVI</category><category>Beazer</category><category>BZH</category><category>CBS</category><category>Clorox</category><category>CLX</category><category>First Solar</category><category>FSLR</category><category>FSYS</category><category>Goodyear</category><category>GT</category><category>MA</category><category>MasterCard</category><category>NWS</category><category>Sara Lee</category><category>SLE</category><category>Time Warner</category><category>TWX</category><category>VMC</category><category>Vulcan Materials</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 08 May 2010 15:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Don't Expect Much Upside for Video Game Stocks]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ntdoy/" rel="tag">Nintendo (NTDOY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ttwo/" rel="tag">Take-Two Interactive (TTWO)</a></p><img hspace="4" vspace="4" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.dailyfinance.com/media/2010/01/black_friday_holiday_shopping.0f34a5eef95145beb8cc20e12002f66e.jpg" alt="" />It's easy these days to get excited about video game stocks. But investors should beware: Not everything is what it seems. <br />
<br />
Part of the recent enthusiasm around video game stocks comes from game maker Activision's (<a href="http://www.dailyfinance.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas" class="inlinked">ATVI</a>) announcement on Thursday that it was raising its guidance for its Q1 results, which will be released on May 6. The company expects earnings of 72 cents per share, up from its earlier forecast of 70 cents per share. Shares were up nearly 4% on the news and the stock is up about 19% for the year. <br />
<br />
Nintendo is also the source of some intrigue as it pushes ahead with ambitious plans to bring <a href="http://www.investorplace.com/experts/jeff_reeves/nintendo-ntdoy-schools-video-game-stocks-lf-leapfrog-sony-sne-microsoft-msft.html?cp=bloggingstocks&amp;cc=synd&amp;cs=investorplace">video games to the classroom</a> and to implement <a href="http://www.investorplace.com/experts/jeff_reeves/video-game-stocks-intendo-ntdoy-3d-ds-3ds.html?cp=bloggingstocks&amp;cc=synd&amp;cs=investorplace" target="_blank">3D video game technology</a>. Plus, the company is rolling out a souped-up <a href="http://www.investorplace.com/experts/jeff_reeves/nintendo-ntody-apple-aapl-ipad-dsi-video-games.html?cp=bloggingstocks&amp;cc=synd&amp;cs=investorplace" target="_blank">DSi video game console with a bigger screen. </a><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Don't Expect Much Upside for Video Game Stocks</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/">Don't Expect Much Upside for Video Game Stocks</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19442912/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/16/rise-in-video-game-sales-was-expected-as-is-april-slump/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>activision-blizzard</category><category>atvi</category><category>electronic arts</category><category>Electronic-Arts</category><category>ElectronicArts</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>nintendo</category><category>NintendoDs</category><category>NintendoWii</category><category>NTDOY</category><category>sne</category><category>SONY</category><category>Take-Two</category><category>TakeTwo</category><category>ttwo</category><category>video games</category><category>VideoGames</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Jeff Reeves]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 16 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Options Update: Activision volatility flat on release of new 'Call of Duty']]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/options/" rel="tag">Options</a></p><p><img alt="" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2009/11/flywall_final_logo_mini.gif" />Activision (<a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas/option-chains">ATVI</a>) closed at $11.44. ATVI "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" went on sale in North America and the U.K. on November 12 selling 4.7 million games, cnet.com reports. ATVI December and January option implied volatility of 41 is near its 26-week average, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.</p>
<p>SPDR Homebuilders (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/spdr-homebuilders-et/xhb/nys/option-chains">XHB</a>) closed at $14.87. December call option implied volatility is at 38, January calls are at 40; below its 26-week average of 46, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.</p>
<p><em>Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.</em><br />
 </p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/">Options Update: Activision volatility flat on release of new 'Call of Duty'</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19236120/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/13/options-update-activision-volatility-flat-on-release-of-new-ca/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2</category><category>CallOfDuty:ModernWarfare2</category><category>option implied volatility</category><category>OptionImpliedVolatility</category><category>SPDR Homebuilders</category><category>SpdrHomebuilders</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Foster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Carnival, CarMax, ConAgra, General Mills, RIM ... ]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/adp/" rel="tag">Automatic Data Proc (ADP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/azo/" rel="tag">AutoZone Inc (AZO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bbby/" rel="tag">Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ccl/" rel="tag">Carnival Corp (CCL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cag/" rel="tag">ConAgra Foods (CAG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cost/" rel="tag">Costco Wholesale (COST)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rimm/" rel="tag">Research in Motion (RIMM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gis/" rel="tag">General Mills (GIS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/low/" rel="tag">Lowe's Cos (LOW)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/len/" rel="tag">Lennar Corp'A' (LEN)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rht/" rel="tag">Red Hat Inc (RHT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/utx/" rel="tag">United Technologies (UTX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rad/" rel="tag">Rite Aid Corp (RAD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pot/" rel="tag">Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from last week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) shares rose after it reaffirmed its full-year <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/21/activision-blizzard-still-looking-good/">earnings and sales</a> outlook. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/automatic-data-processing-inc/adp/nas"><strong>Automatic Data Processing Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/automatic-data-processing-inc/adp/nas">ADP</a>) will have low double-digit <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/">EPS growth</a>, predicts one analyst. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/autozone-inc/azo/nys"><strong>AutoZone Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/autozone-inc/azo/nys">AZO</a>) posted a decline in <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/23/autozone-azo-stock-crushed-but-looks-good-for-a-snapback-trad/">earnings</a> but a small rise in sales, sending shares lower. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bed-bath-and-beyond-inc/bbby/nas"><strong>Bed Bath &amp; Beyond Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bed-bath-and-beyond-inc/bbby/nas">BBBY</a>) posted better-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/24/bed-bath-and-beyond-beats-in-q2-fundamentals-and-technicals-impro/">Q2 earnings</a> and higher revenue. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/carmax-inc/kmx/nys"><strong>CarMax Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/carmax-inc/kmx/nys">KMX</a>) rallied to a new 52-week high after topping analysts' <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/carmax-taps-16-month-high-after-solid-2q-earnings/">Q2 earnings</a> expectations. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/carnival-corporation-and-plc/ccl/nys"><strong>Carnival Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/carnival-corporation-and-plc/ccl/nys">CCL</a>) reported better-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/carnival-corp-sails-on-strong-earnings/">Q3 results</a> and raised its full-year guidance. </li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Carnival, CarMax, ConAgra, General Mills, RIM ... </em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/">Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Carnival, CarMax, ConAgra, General Mills, RIM ... </a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:10:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/19171641/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/26/earnings-highlights-autozone-carnival-carmax-conagra-genera/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ADP</category><category>ATVI</category><category>AutoZone</category><category>AZO</category><category>BBBY</category><category>Bed Bath Beyond</category><category>CAG</category><category>CarMax</category><category>Carnival</category><category>CCL</category><category>ConAgra</category><category>COST</category><category>Costco</category><category>earnings</category><category>General Mills</category><category>GIS</category><category>JACK</category><category>Jack in the Box</category><category>Jim Cramer</category><category>KMX</category><category>LEN</category><category>Lennar</category><category>LOW</category><category>Lowes</category><category>MOS</category><category>Mosaic</category><category>POT</category><category>Potash</category><category>RAD</category><category>Red Hat</category><category>Research in Motion</category><category>RHT</category><category>RIM</category><category>RIMM</category><category>Rite Aid</category><category>SCHL</category><category>Scholastic</category><category>United Technologies</category><category>UTX</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 26 Sep 2009 13:10:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: GM, Toyota, CBS, Sprint, ADM, MGM, Nintendo, UBS and more]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">General Motors (GM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/tm/" rel="tag">Toyota Motor Corp. (TM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/el/" rel="tag">Estee Lauder (EL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/s/" rel="tag">Sprint Nextel Corp (S)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/adm/" rel="tag">Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cbs/" rel="tag">CBS Corp 'B' (CBS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/chk/" rel="tag">Chesapeake Energy (CHK)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/activision-blizzard-beats-in-q1-is-it-still-a-strong-investme/">Q1 results</a> beat expectations and raised its guidance. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/alpha-natural-resources-inc/anr/nys"><strong>Alpha Natural Resources Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/alpha-natural-resources-inc/anr/nys">ANR</a>) shares surged after the it reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/06/alpha-natural-resources-crushes-profit-estimates-spikes-20/">strong Q1 earnings</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/archer-daniels-midland-company/adm/nys"><strong>Archer Daniels Midland Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/archer-daniels-midland-company/adm/nys">ADM</a>) just missed swinging to a loss due to to hefty <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/quarterly-profit-plummets-98-at-archer-daniels-midland/">investment losses</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cbs-corporation/cbs/nys"><strong>CBS Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cbs-corporation/cbs/nys">CBS</a>) surprised with a <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/08/cbs-sees-sales-decline-and-a-loss-in-q1/">net loss in Q1</a> as revenue and cash flow declined. <a href="http://www.elcompanies.com/investor_relations/investor_relations.asp" target="_blank"></a></li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/chesapeake-energy-corporation/chk/nys"><strong>Chesapeake Energy Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/chesapeake-energy-corporation/chk/nys">CHK</a>) shares fell after it reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/05/closing-bell-the-pullback-with-no-sting-alu-amzn-ba-crox-c/">disappointing results</a> for the quarter. </li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Earnings highlights: GM, Toyota, CBS, Sprint, ADM, MGM, Nintendo, UBS and more</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/">Earnings highlights: GM, Toyota, CBS, Sprint, ADM, MGM, Nintendo, UBS and more</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 09 May 2009 09:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1536329/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/09/earnings-highlights-gm-toyota-cbs-sprint-adm-mgm-nintendo/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ADM</category><category>Alpha Natural</category><category>ANR</category><category>Archer Daniels</category><category>ATVI</category><category>CBS</category><category>Chesapeake Energy</category><category>CHK</category><category>Chrysler</category><category>earnings</category><category>EL</category><category>Estee Lauder</category><category>General Motors</category><category>GM</category><category>ICE</category><category>IntercontinentalExchange</category><category>Live Nation</category><category>LYV</category><category>MGM</category><category>NetSuite</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>NTDOY</category><category>Sprint Nextel</category><category>Teva</category><category>Toyota</category><category>UBS</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2009 09:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Coke, Pepsi, Hasbro, Marriott, Abercrombie, Wells Fargo and others]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ko/" rel="tag">Coca-Cola (KO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pep/" rel="tag">PepsiCo (PEP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/deo/" rel="tag">Diageo plc (DEO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ba/" rel="tag">Boeing Co (BA)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/anf/" rel="tag">Abercrombie and Fitch (ANF)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/abx/" rel="tag">Barrick Gold (ABX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/has/" rel="tag">Hasbro Inc (HAS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mar/" rel="tag">Marriott Intl'A' (MAR)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfc/" rel="tag">Wells Fargo (WFC)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nsany/" rel="tag">Nissan Motors (NSANY)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/abercrombie-and-fitch-co/anf/nys"><strong>Abercrombie &amp; Fitch Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/abercrombie-and-fitch-co/anf/nys">ANF</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/13/why-the-street-is-wrong-about-abercrombie-and-fitch/">beat Q4 earnings</a> estimates handily, sending shares higher. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) did well in the holiday period but offered <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/12/activision-blizzard-beats-during-holiday-quarter-where-does-sto/">weak guidance</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/barclays-plc/bcs/nys"><strong>Barclays</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/barclays-plc/bcs/nys">BCS</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/09/barclays-bcs-some-hope-for-us-bank-stocks/">one-time gains</a> offset write-downs and said it expects to resume dividend payments. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys"><strong>Boeing Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys">BA</a>) shares fell after it announced that it had understated its <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/10/boeing-ba-revises-q4-earnings-lower/">Q4 and fiscal 2008 loss</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-coca-cola-company/ko/nys"><strong>Coca-Cola Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-coca-cola-company/ko/nys">KO</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/12/coca-cola-ko-has-better-than-expected-fourth-quarter/">topped Q4 earnings</a> estimates due in part to volume gain internationally. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/diageo-p-l-c/deo/nys"><strong>Diageo</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/diageo-p-l-c/deo/nys">DEO</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/12/stocks-in-the-news-rtp-aa-via-ko-atvi-deo-tol-siri-gm/">earnings rose</a> in the first half, but it cut its full-year forecast. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gsi-commerce-inc/gsic/nas"><strong>GSI Commerce Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gsi-commerce-inc/gsic/nas">GSIC</a>) "solid" <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/12/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/">Q4 results</a> led to an analyst downgrade. </li>
</ul><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Earnings highlights: Coke, Pepsi, Hasbro, Marriott, Abercrombie, Wells Fargo and others</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/">Earnings highlights: Coke, Pepsi, Hasbro, Marriott, Abercrombie, Wells Fargo and others</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1455000/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/14/earnings-highlights-coke-pepsi-hasbro-marriott-abercrombie/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Abercrombie</category><category>Activision</category><category>ANF</category><category>ATVI</category><category>BA</category><category>Barclays</category><category>BCS</category><category>Boeing</category><category>Coca-Cola</category><category>Coke</category><category>DEO</category><category>Diageo</category><category>earnings</category><category>GSI</category><category>GSIC</category><category>HAS</category><category>Hasbro</category><category>KO</category><category>MAR</category><category>Marriott</category><category>MAS</category><category>Masco</category><category>NetSuite</category><category>Nissan</category><category>NSANY</category><category>PBG</category><category>PEP</category><category>Pepsi Bottling</category><category>Pepsico</category><category>Wells Fargo</category><category>WFC</category><category>YGE</category><category>Yingli Green</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Activision Blizzard releases 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' play list; metalheads drool]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p><img hspace="4" align="right" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/02/guitarhero.jpg" />Believe me, I am no <em>Guitar Hero</em> fanboy (although I do own the game), but as a 30-something male who would listen to Metallica's <em>Black</em> CD repeatedly before playing in a college football game, even I am excited about the latest offering from Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/search/?q=ATVI">ATVI</a>). <br /><br />Seriously, what heavy metal fan isn't drooling at the chance of playing air guitar to some of the greatest Metallica songs of all time? But before I get too far ahead of myself, the news is that the play list for the game has been released (I found the list through <a target="_blank" href="http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/01/26/metallica-reveal-guitar-hero-track-list/">RollingStone.com</a>). <br /><br />Yes, there are some dogs on the list (I'm not a big fan of <em>The Unforgiven</em> or <em>One</em> - it's just too long); but the chance to play my Guitar Hero axe to <em>Seek and Destroy </em>and <em>Sad But True</em> is enough to make me shell out the cash when the game is available for the PlayStation 2. <p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Activision Blizzard releases 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' play list; metalheads drool</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/">Activision Blizzard releases 'Guitar Hero: Metallica' play list; metalheads drool</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:16:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1441442/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/26/activision-blizzard-releases-guitar-hero-metallica-play-list/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>activision-blizzard</category><category>atvi</category><category>guitar hero</category><category>guitar hero 2</category><category>guitar hero 3</category><category>guitar hero world tour</category><category>GuitarHero</category><category>GuitarHero2</category><category>GuitarHero3</category><category>GuitarHeroWorldTour</category><category>metallica</category><category>nintendo</category><category>playstation</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Fightmaster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 18:16:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Options Update: Volatility elevated at gamers into ERTS outlook; TTWO, THQI, ATVI]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/options/" rel="tag">Options</a></p><p><a href="http://www.theflyonthewall.com/splashPage.php?source="><img align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/12/flywall_final_logo_mini.gif" /><strong>Electronic Arts</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas/option-chains">ERTS</a>) is recently down $2.10 to $17.25 in pre-opening trading. ERTS lowered 2009 EPS &amp; revenue targets. Smith Barney says: "ERTS is entering another period of negative earnings revisions with no positive catalysts on the horizon." ERTS overall option implied volatility of 81 is above its 26-week average of 62 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement. </p>
<p><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas/option-chains">Activision </a></strong>(NADAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas/option-chains">ATVI</a>), an online and console game producer, closed at $10.09. ATVI December option implied volatility is at 109, January is at 94; above its 26-week average of 69 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement. </p>
<p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas/option-chains"><strong>THQ Inc</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas/option-chains">THQI</a>) closed at $5.03. THQI is a developer &amp; publisher of interactive entertainment software. THQI January option implied volatility of 94 is above its 26-week average of 70 according to Track Data, suggesting larger movement. </p>
<p><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas/option-chains">Take-Two</a></strong> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas/option-chains">TTWO</a>), publisher, developer and distributor of interactive entertainment, closed at $12.12. TTWO rejected ERTS unsolicited bid in February 2008, but subsequently faced opposition from shareholders wanting to cash in on the deal. TTWO December option implied volatility is at 94, January is at 79; above its 26-week average of 74 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.</p>
<p><em>Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com</em></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/">Options Update: Volatility elevated at gamers into ERTS outlook; TTWO, THQI, ATVI</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:33:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1396791/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/10/options-update-volatility-elevated-at-gamers-into-erts-outlook/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>atvi</category><category>erts</category><category>interactive entertainment</category><category>InteractiveEntertainment</category><category>inthenews</category><category>option implied volatility</category><category>OptionImpliedVolatility</category><category>Take-Two</category><category>THQ Inc</category><category>thqi</category><category>ThqInc</category><category>ttwo</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Foster]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:33:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: GM, Time Warner, Cisco, News Corp., Viacom, Revlon and others]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/csco/" rel="tag">Cisco Systems (CSCO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/twx/" rel="tag">Time Warner (TWX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gm/" rel="tag">General Motors (GM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/via/" rel="tag">Viacom (VIA)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/rev/" rel="tag">Revlon (REV)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bbi/" rel="tag">Blockbuster Inc 'A' (BBI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bby/" rel="tag">Best Buy (BBY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfmi/" rel="tag">Whole Foods Market (WFMI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nws/" rel="tag">News Corp'B' (NWS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/qcom/" rel="tag">QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gt/" rel="tag">Goodyear Tire and Rubber (GT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mbi/" rel="tag">MBIA Inc (MBI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mvl/" rel="tag">Marvel Entertainment (MVL)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) beat <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/06/activision-blizzard-beats-in-q3-time-to-buy/">Q3 profit expectations</a> and announced share buybacks. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ambac-financial-group-inc/abk/nys"><strong>Ambac Financial Group Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ambac-financial-group-inc/abk/nys">ABK</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/ambac-cant-bring-itself-to-say-the-b-word/">Q3 net loss</a> widened for various reasons, sending its shares lower. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/best-buy-incorporated/bby/nys"><strong>Best Buy Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/best-buy-incorporated/bby/nys">BBY</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/best-buy-bby-to-begin-taking-market-share-from-competitors/">earnings prospects</a> could benefit from difficulties at <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/circuit-city-stores-inc/cc/nys">Circuit City</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/circuit-city-stores-inc/cc/nys">CC</a>). </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/blockbuster-inc-class-a/bbi/nys"><strong>Blockbuster Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/blockbuster-inc-class-a/bbi/nys">BBI</a>) reported a smaller-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/07/blockbusters-q3-shows-that-the-stock-is-appropriately-cheap/">Q3 loss</a> and same-store sales up a bit. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cisco-systems-inc/csco/nas"><strong>Cisco Systems Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cisco-systems-inc/csco/nas">CSCO</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/06/cisco-litmus-test-for-larger-economy/">earnings</a> were essentially flat and revenue rose marginally. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fluor-corporation/flr/nys"><strong>Fluor Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fluor-corporation/flr/nys">FLR</a>) better-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/07/fluor-flr-jumps-as-q3-earnings-smash-estimates/">Q3 earnings</a> sent its shares soaring. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-motors-corporation/gm/nys"><strong>General Motors Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-motors-corporation/gm/nys">GM</a>) delayed its <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/07/gm-3q-earnings-the-cash-keeps-burning/">Q3 report</a> and briefly halted trading of its stock. </li>
    <li><a href="http://blogsmith.aol.com/js/FCKeditor/editor/http//finance.aol.com/quotes/the-goodyear-tire-and-rubber-company/gt/nys"><strong>Goodyear Tire &amp; Rubber Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-goodyear-tire-and-rubber-company/gt/nys">GT</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/goodyear-earnings-impress-even-as-auto-industry-flounders/">Q3 earnings</a> easilly topped analysts' expectations. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/marvel-entertainment-inc/mvl/nys"><strong>Marvel Entertainment Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/marvel-entertainment-inc/mvl/nys">MVL</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/04/marvel-was-powerful-in-q3-but-should-you-sell-the-stock-now/">Q3 results</a> soared due to <em>Iron Man</em> and <em>Incredible Hulk</em>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mbia-inc/mbi/nys"><strong>MBIA Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mbia-inc/mbi/nys">MBI</a>) greater-than-expected <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/before-the-bell-stocks-headed-lower-twx-csco-abk-mbi-dell/">Q3 loss</a> was due in part to residential mortgage exposure. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/news-corporation/nws/nys"><strong>News Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/news-corporation/nws/nys">NWS</a>) fell short of <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/06/rupert-murdoch-did-not-deliver-for-wall-street-in-q1/">Q1 estimates</a> and warned of the coming slowdown. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/qualcomm-incorporated/qcom/nas"><strong>Qualcomm Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/qualcomm-incorporated/qcom/nas">QCOM</a>) beat analysts' <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/07/qualcomm-beats-in-q4-but-guidance-turns-me-off/">Q4 expectations</a> but lowered its guidance. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/revlon-inc/rev/nys"><strong>Revlon Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/revlon-inc/rev/nys">REV</a>) reported unimpressive <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/revlon-posts-loss-from-continuing-operations-improves-cash-flow/">Q3 results</a>, though the cash-flow statement was decent. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/time-warner-inc/twx/nys"><strong>Time Warner Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/time-warner-inc/twx/nys">TWX</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/time-warner-twx-beats-expectations-but-chops-forecasts/">strong Q3 results</a> but lowered its full-year outlook (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/time-warner-q3-2008-earnings-transcript/">transcript</a>). </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys"><strong>Viacom Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys">VIA</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/04/viacom-beats-in-q3-but-the-numbers-are-weak/">Q3 profits slipped</a> but it beat Wall Street expectations by a penny. </li>
    <li><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/whole-foods-market-inc/wfmi/nas">Whole Foods Market Inc.</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/whole-foods-market-inc/wfmi/nas">WFMI</a>) lowered <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/05/private-equity-firm-takes-a-bite-out-of-whole-foods/">full-year forecast</a> garnered interest from private equity. </li>
</ul>
<p>Also, our <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/obama-picks/">Obama Picks</a> include companies whose earnings could benefit from the outcome of the presidential election.</p>
<p>For more earnings highlights from this week, see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-ford-toyota-goldman-sachs-disney-sprint/" target="_blank">Ford, Toyota, Goldman Sachs, Disney, Sprint, ADM and others</a>.</p>
<p>Upcoming quarterly reports include <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/american-international-group-inc/aig/nys">AIG</a><strong> </strong>(NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/american-international-group-inc/aig/nys">AIG</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/starbucks-corporation/sbux/nas">Starbucks</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/starbucks-corporation/sbux/nas">SBUX</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tyson-foods-inc/tsn/nys">Tyson</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tyson-foods-inc/tsn/nys">TSN</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/applied-materials-inc/amat/nas">Applied Materials</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/applied-materials-inc/amat/nas">AMAT</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/macy-s-inc/m/nys">Macy's</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/macy-s-inc/m/nys">M</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dr-pepper-snapple-group-inc/dps/nys">Dr Pepper</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dr-pepper-snapple-group-inc/dps/nys">DPS</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kohl-s-corporation/kss/nys">Kohl's</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kohl-s-corporation/kss/nys">KSS</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wal-mart-stores-inc/wmt/nys">Wal-Mart</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wal-mart-stores-inc/wmt/nys">WMT</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/penney-j-c-co-inc-holding-co/jcp/nys">JCPenney</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/penney-j-c-co-inc-holding-co/jcp/nys/option-chains">JCP</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/earnings" target="_blank">Visit <strong>AOL Money &amp; Finance</strong> for more earnings coverage</a>.</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/">Earnings highlights: GM, Time Warner, Cisco, News Corp., Viacom, Revlon and others</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1363349/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/08/earnings-highlights-gm-time-warner-cisco-news-corp-viacom/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>ABK</category><category>Activision</category><category>Ambac</category><category>ATVI</category><category>BBI</category><category>BBY</category><category>Best Buy</category><category>Blockbuster</category><category>CC</category><category>Circuit City</category><category>Cisco</category><category>CSCO</category><category>earnings</category><category>earnings reports</category><category>FLR</category><category>Fluor</category><category>General Motors</category><category>GM</category><category>Goodyear</category><category>GT</category><category>Incredible Hulk</category><category>Iron Man</category><category>Marvel</category><category>MBIA</category><category>MVL</category><category>News Corp.</category><category>NWS</category><category>Obama</category><category>QCOM</category><category>Qualcomm</category><category>REV</category><category>Revlon</category><category>Time Warner</category><category>TWX</category><category>VIA</category><category>Viacom</category><category>WFMI</category><category>Whole Foods</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 08 Nov 2008 09:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nintendo joins musical fray with Wii Music]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a></p><a href="http://www.theflyonthewall.com/splashPage.php?source=AOL"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/11/fly-logo-(aol).gif" /></a>In an effort to compete with <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">Activision Blizzard, Inc's</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) Guitar Hero, and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys">Viacom, Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys">VIA</a>) division Harmonix's Rock Band, <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">Nintendo Co., Ltd.</a> (OTC: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">NTDOY</a>) has released its own music game, Wii Music. Wii Music does not require the user to press buttons at certain times but to move the Wii Remote and Nunchuk like they were playing the instruments.<br /> <br />The game features 60 playable instruments, including the guitar and the piano, as well as more obscure instruments, such as the cowbell. The game also features a mix of songs, from the themes to Nintendo classics Super Mario Brothers and The Legend of Zelda, to the classical songs Beethoven's Ode to Joy and Wagner's The Bridal Chorus, to popular hits by Madonna, The Police and John Lennon. However, with only 15 licensed songs, Wii Music lacks the current chart-toppers and great selection of hits that both Guitar Hero and Rock Band feature. In comparison, the latest Guitar Hero, Guitar Hero World Tour, features over 85 tracks, while the Rock Band features 84 songs on the disc plus 20 free downloadable songs.<br /> <br />The reception to the game, which was released on October 20, 2008, was mixed. 1UP.com rated the game an A-, with reviewer Jennifer Tsao (a classically trained musician) saying it "shows surprising depth and flexibility, and those who have actually learned the controls unique to their instrument will be rewarded." However, Game Informer gave the game a 3 out of 10, saying it is a "poor solution to an imaginary problem."<br /> <br />The critical consensus, as with most Wii games, is that the game's target audience is children, and that the game is too simplistic and shallow for adults, even those only considered to be casual gamers. Hence, it is unlikely that this game would affect the sales of the other rhythm giants, Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Evidence of this can be found in the sales numbers, as the game has sold less than 100,000 copies since its Japanese release, which Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto admitted was not as strong as originally hoped. In contrast, the original Guitar Hero has sold over 1.5M copies, and the latest Rock Band, Rock Band 2, sold 360,000 copies in the month of September 2008, when it was released.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/">Nintendo joins musical fray with Wii Music</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1360968/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/03/nintendo-joins-musical-fray-with-wii-music/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>activision</category><category>atvi</category><category>guitar hero</category><category>GuitarHero</category><category>harmonix</category><category>nintendo</category><category>ntdoy</category><category>rock band</category><category>RockBand</category><category>via</category><category>viacom</category><category>wii</category><category>wii music</category><category>WiiMusic</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Eric Buscemi]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Citigroup, eBay, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Microsoft and others]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ebay/" rel="tag">eBay (EBAY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/c/" rel="tag">Citigroup Inc. (C)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ctas/" rel="tag">Cintas Corp (CTAS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pg/" rel="tag">Procter and Gamble (PG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/kmb/" rel="tag">Kimberly-Clark (KMB)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ati/" rel="tag">Allegheny Technologies (ATI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hog/" rel="tag">Harley-Davidson (HOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/utx/" rel="tag">United Technologies (UTX)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvid/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvid/nas">ATVID</a>) sees <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/activision-scores-during-q1-thanks-in-part-to-kung-fu-panda/">strong Q1 results</a> driven by Guitar Hero. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/allegheny-technologies-inc-united-states/ati/nys"><strong>Allegheny Technologies Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/allegheny-technologies-inc-united-states/ati/nys">ATI</a>) raised its <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/allegheny-technologies-ati-price-defines-bullish-flag-forma/">Q2 earnings guidance</a> ahead of its report. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cintas-corporation/ctas/nas"><strong>Cintas Corp.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cintas-corporation/ctas/nas">CTAS</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/cintas-ctas-jumps-on-good-earnings/">strong Q4</a> and full-year results included a record quarterly revenue. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/citigroup-incorporated/c/nys"><strong>Citigroup</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/citigroup-incorporated/c/nys">C</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/great-news-citi-loses-2-5-billion/">better-than-expected results</a> despite a big loss on further write-downs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas"><strong>eBay Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas">EBAY</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/ebay-just-isnt-what-it-used-to-be/">better-than-expected results</a> and offered a soft outlook (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/ebay-s-q2-2008-earnings-transcript/">transcript</a>). </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fastenal-company/fast/nas"><strong>Fastenal Co.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fastrenal-company/fast/nas">FAST</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/fastenal-fast-nails-earnings/">strong Q2 earnings</a> despite the housing slump but lower revenues. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-w-inc/gww/nys"><strong>Grainger Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-winc/gww/nys">GWW</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/grainger-gww-gets-the-job-done/">strong Q2 results</a> on expansion in Mexico and China. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys"><strong>Harley-Davidson Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys">HOG</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/harley-davidson-rallies-on-q2-earnings-but-im-not-taking-the-r/">beat Q2 expectations</a> despite profit and revenue declines. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys"><strong>International Business Machines Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) easily topped Wall Street <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/">earnings expectations</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys"><strong>Johnson &amp; Johnson</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">JNJ</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/not-all-pharmas-are-created-equal-jnj-beats-estimates/">beat Q2 estimates</a> and raised its full-year forecast (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/johnson-and-johnson-s-q2-2008-earnings-transcript/">transcript</a>). </li>
    <li><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kimberly-clark-corporation/kmb/nys">Kimberly-Clark Corp.</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kimberly-clark-corporation/kmb/nys">KMB</a>) warned of<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/before-the-bell-leh-dna-aig-kmb-len-aapl/"> lower Q2 earnings</a> due to energy and distribution costs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys"><strong>Merrill Lynch &amp; Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys">MER</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/merrill-gets-gored/">worse-than-expected Q2</a> results on further write downs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas"><strong>Microsoft Corp.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/">earnings surged</a> but investors were put off by its full-year guidance. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys"><strong>Procter &amp; Gamble Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys">PG</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/procter-and-gamble-tells-investors-not-to-worry-should-they/">reaffirmed its guidance</a> following the Kimberly-Clark warnings. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys"><strong>United Technologies Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">UTX</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/united-technologies-utx-lifted-by-strong-q2-earnings/">beat Q2 estimates</a>, lifting shares from a recent 52-week low. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/valueclick-inc/vclk/nas"><strong>ValueClick Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/valueclick-inc/vclk/nas">VCLK</a>) posted<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/closing-bell-bears-and-oil-traders-trampled-in-pamplona/"> weak results</a> and warned about the second half of the year. </li>
</ul>
<p>For more highlights from this week, see: <u><font color="#0000ff"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-google-intel-jpmorgan-coca-cola-nokia-a/">Google, Intel, JPMorgan, Coca-Cola, Nokia and others</a></font></u></p>
<p>The earnings crunch continues next week. Among companies scheduled to report are <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">Apple</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bank-of-america-corporation/bac/nys">Bank of America</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bank-of-america-corporation/bac/nys">BAC</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merck-and-co-inc/mrk/nys">Merck</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merck-and-co-inc/mrk/nys">MRK</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/texas-instruments-incorporated/txn/nys">Texas Intruments</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/texas-instruments-incorporated/txn/nys">TXN</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/caterpillar-incorporated/cat/nys">Caterpillar</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/caterpillar-incorporated/cat/nys">CAT</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/halliburton-company/hal/nys">Halliburton</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/halliburton-company/hal/nys">HAL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-parcel-service-cl-b/ups/nys">United Parcel Service</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-parcel-service-cl-b/ups/nys">UPS</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wachovia-corporation/wb/nys">Wachovia</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wachovia-corporation/wb/nys">WB</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yahoo-inc/yhoo/nas">Yahoo!</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yahoo-inc/yhoo/nas">YHOO</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/amazon-com-inc/amzn/nas">Amazon</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/amazon-com-inc/amzn/nas">AMZN</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/anheuser-busch-companies-inc/bud/nys">Anheuser-Busch</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/anheuser-busch-companies-inc/bud/nys">BUD</a>), <a href="http//finance.aol.com/quotes/atand-38-t-inc/t/nys">AT&amp;T Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http//finance.aol.com/quotes/atand-38-t-inc/t/nys">T</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">McDonald's</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">MCD</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PepsiCo</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PEP</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pfizer-inc/pfe/nys">Pfizer</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pfizer-inc/pfe/nys">PFE</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys">Boeing</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys">BA</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hershey-company-the/hsy/nys">Hershey</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hershey-company-the/hsy/nys">HSY</a>), and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/southwest-airlines-co/luv/nys">Southwest Airlines</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/southwest-airlines-co/luv/nys">LUV</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/earnings" target="_blank">Visit <strong>AOL Money &amp; Finance</strong> for more earnings coverage</a>.</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/">Earnings highlights: Citigroup, eBay, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Microsoft and others</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1256959/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>Allegheny</category><category>ATI</category><category>ATVID</category><category>Cintas</category><category>Citi</category><category>Citigroup</category><category>CTAS</category><category>earnings</category><category>eBay</category><category>FAST</category><category>Fastenal</category><category>Grainger</category><category>Guitar Hero</category><category>GWW</category><category>Harley-Davidson</category><category>HOG</category><category>IMB</category><category>JNJ</category><category>Johnson and Johnson</category><category>Kimberly-Clark</category><category>KMB</category><category>MER</category><category>Merrill Lynch</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>PG</category><category>Procter and Gamble</category><category>United Technologies</category><category>ValueClick</category><category>VCLK</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 09:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Activision reached a new 52-week high -- how high is it going?]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/industry/" rel="tag">Industry</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><p>At least one of my stocks is doing pretty well in this terrible, depressing market environment. <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) hit a new 52-week high of $36.84 on Tuesday. It closed a little below that, but it was a great, high-volume day for the stock, one that saw the shares rise almost 5%. </p>
<p>Yes, with the Dow Jones index shedding 100 points, with every other stock in my portfolio in the red, including <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mfa-mortgage-investments-inc/mfa/nys">MFA</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mfa-mortgage-investments-inc/mfa/nys">MFA</a>), which closed down to $6.66 -- the number of the beast, my friends -- Activision not only held its own, but it powered higher. Perhaps it's due to the new <em>Guitar Hero </em>game coming out for the DS. Perhaps there's a new wave of excitement over the merger now that investors are receiving their documents (I just got mine the other day, a big book full of wonderful information about the Activision/Vivendi agreement). No matter, though, it was Activision's day, since competitors <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">Electronic Arts</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">ERTS</a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">Take-Two Interactive</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">TTWO</a>) were down Tuesday, and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas">THQ</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas">THQI</a>) closed up only four measly pennies.</p>
<p>I love this price action, and I think it might be predicting a prosperous Q4 holiday season for the company, which will eventually be called Activision Blizzard after the merger. I'm also hoping the action indicates that the stock will be reasonably stable during the summer, which I think is going to be rough on the markets as oil and inflation headlines dominate the tape.  </p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Activision reached a new 52-week high -- how high is it going?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/">Activision reached a new 52-week high -- how high is it going?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i79825b157551fdb98143ff5e150242c2>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1228275/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/18/activision-reached-a-new-52-week-high-how-high-is-it-going/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ATVI</category><category>Electronic Arts</category><category>ElectronicArts</category><category>ERTS</category><category>Guitar Hero</category><category>GuitarHero</category><category>Michael Pachter</category><category>MichaelPachter</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>Nintendo DS</category><category>NintendoDs</category><category>NTDOY</category><category>SNE</category><category>Sony</category><category>THQ</category><category>THQI</category><category>video games</category><category>VideoGames</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven Mallas]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:15:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[May was another merry month for the video-game industry]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/marketing-and-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing and Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">Take-Two Interactive</a>'s (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">TTWO</a>) <em>Grand Theft Auto IV </em>game <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1239119420080612">stole the number-one position</a> on the software sales chart for May, according to data from market research firm NPD. It sold over 1.3 million copies last month, and it has moved over 4 million since it hit the street. I figured Take-Two would be taking the top slot here, but the big question on my mind pertained to how <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">Nintendo</a>'s (OTC: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">NTDOY</a>) Wii system would do in May. After all, the fad has to wear out at some point, right? At some magical juncture, either <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">Sony</a>'s (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">SNE</a>) PlayStation 3 or <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft</a>'s (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) Xbox 360 will displace the Wii and become the top-selling system of the month.</p>
<p>Well, that hasn't happened yet. The Wii sold the most, moving 675,000 systems. That was more than three times the amount of consoles sold by PlayStation 3. And as for the Xbox 360, that came in dead last, moving only 187,000 units. All told, total video-game sales, including hardware and games, increased 37% year-over-year. Yep, video games are still hot. </p>
<p>I'm going to predict that the Wii Fit will be the top-selling game package for the month of June. This thing is flying off the shelves in my area, even at $90 (apparently, high fuel costs aren't hurting Nintendo's clientele). Does that mean that Nintendo might make for a good short-term trade? Maybe, but I'd prefer buying it safely below $60 per share. As of this writing, it's trading well above $60 per share. I continue to hold <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) as my play on video games, and will be keeping <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">Electronic Arts</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">ERTS</a>) in the back of my mind as August approaches, since that will be when the new<em> Madden</em> game arrives in stores. Not sure if that's worthy of a trade yet. </p>
<p><em>Disclosure: I own Activision; positions can change at any time. </em></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/">May was another merry month for the video-game industry</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:08:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN1239119420080612>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1224272/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/13/may-was-another-merry-month-for-the-video-game-industry/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ATVI</category><category>Electronic Arts</category><category>ElectronicArts</category><category>ERTS</category><category>Grand Theft Auto IV</category><category>GrandTheftAutoIv</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>Nintendo</category><category>NTDOY</category><category>PlayStation 3</category><category>Playstation3</category><category>SNE</category><category>Sony</category><category>Take-Two Interactive</category><category>Take-twoInteractive</category><category>TTWO</category><category>Wii</category><category>Wii Fit</category><category>WiiFit</category><category>Xbox 360</category><category>Xbox360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven Mallas]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:08:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA['Guitar Hero: Metallica' rumored for next year]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/consumer-experience/" rel="tag">Consumer Experience</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/marketing-and-advertising/" rel="tag">Marketing and Advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p>The next installment of <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision, Inc.</a>'s (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) Guitar Hero franchise, <em>Guitar Hero: Aerosmith</em>, is coming out this month, but that has not stopped <a href="http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i5d0b266ef36902819b91837932ec3898">rumors about future installments</a>, namely one based on the music and career of Metallica. No official announcement from Activision has been made, but <em>Billboard</em> cites a recent SEC filing and a <a href="http://www.gamespot.com/news/6191921.html">Gamespot post</a> that fuels the rumor. According to Gamespot, the new game is the second rumored title relating to Metallica, a vehicle-based shooting game was announced and canceled a few years ago.<br /><br /><em>Guitar Hero 4</em>, now known as <em>Guitar Hero: On Tour</em>, is expected for release later this year, but if speculation is correct then a Metallica-based game could see release next summer similar to the release schedule for the Aerosmith version. <em>On Tour</em> will feature a full compliment of instruments like the <em>Rock Band</em> game. Guitar Hero: Aerosmith follows the career of the band from their beginnings in Boston and uses the band's music prominently, "along with a smattering of songs from bands that Aerosmith wanted included." Aerosmith appears in the game as motion-captured animated versions of themselves.<br /><br />Like Aerosmith, a Metallica-based game would provide a lengthy career storyline to follow, as well as numerous songs that have remained a staple of the band's live acts over the years. It would also present an interesting case to examine success with Metallica since the band seems doomed forever due to band member's stances on illegal music trading and Napster in the late 1990s. Not that the band does not have a large and loyal fan base, but the lasting stigma from that debacle has not abated in the last few years.<p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/">'Guitar Hero: Metallica' rumored for next year</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:25:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i5d0b266ef36902819b91837932ec3898>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1214352/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/04/guitar-hero-metallica-rumored-for-next-year/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>activision</category><category>aerosmith</category><category>atvi</category><category>guitar hero</category><category>guitar hero world tour</category><category>GuitarHero</category><category>GuitarHeroWorldTour</category><category>inthenews</category><category>metallica</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Richard Driver]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:25:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Gap, Lenovo, Air France, Activision, Suntech and others]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hd/" rel="tag">Home Depot (HD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gps/" rel="tag">Gap Inc (GPS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/low/" rel="tag">Lowe's Cos (LOW)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/intu/" rel="tag">Intuit Inc (INTU)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stp/" rel="tag">Suntech Power Hldgs ADS (STP)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas" target="_blank"><strong>Activision Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas" target="_blank">ATVI</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/" target="_blank">beat Q4 expectations</a> and raised its fiscal 2009 guidance. </li>
    <li><strong>Air France-KLM</strong> <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/air-france-klm-joins-the-list-of-hurting-airlines/" target="_blank">swung to a loss</a> in the fourth quarter and warned of tough times ahead. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bj-s-wholesale-club-inc/bj/nys" target="_blank"><strong>BJ's Wholesale Club</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bj-s-wholesale-club-inc/bj/nys" target="_blank">BJ</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/21/bjs-profits-from-consumers-recession-diet/" target="_blank">Q1 earnings soared</a>, beating expectations, and it raised its forecast. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/canadian-solar-inc-common-shares/csiq/nas" target="_blank"><strong>Canadian Solar Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/canadian-solar-inc-common-shares/csiq/nas" target="_blank">CSIQ</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/canadian-solar-csiq-share-price-cycles-in-bullish-flag-patt/" target="_blank">beat Q1 estimates</a> on robust demand and favorable exchange rates. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/foot-locker-inc/fl/nys" target="_blank"><strong>Foot Locker Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/foot-locker-inc/fl/nys" target="_blank">FL</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/23/foot-locker-fl-soars-as-revenues-beat-estimates/" target="_blank">Q1 profit declined</a>, hurt by an impairment charge and nearly flat sales. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gap-inc-del/gps/nys" target="_blank"><strong>Gap Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gap-inc-del/gps/nys" target="_blank">GPS</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/gap-aeropostale-q1-profits-rise-despite-weak-economy/" target="_blank">beat Q1 earnings estimates</a> by managing costs and inventory. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-home-depot-inc/hd/nys" target="_blank"><strong>Home Depot Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-home-depot-inc/hd/nys" target="_blank">HD</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/earnings-for-home-depot-lowes-down-with-housing/" target="_blank">Q1 earnings tumbled</a> on a one-time charge and the housing slump. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/intuit-inc/intu/nas" target="_blank"><strong>Intuit Inc.</strong></a><strong> </strong>(NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/intuit-inc/intu/nas" target="_blank">INTU</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/21/intuit-intu-jumps-on-q3-earnings-buyback-plan/" target="_blank">beat Q3 expectations</a> and announced a share buyback program. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lenovo-group-ltd-adr/lnvgy/nao" target="_blank"><strong>Lenovo Group Ltd.</strong></a> (OTC: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lenovo-group-ltd-adr/lnvgy/nao" target="_blank">LNVGY</a>) Q4 <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/23/lenovos-fourth-quarter-profit-doubles-as-shipments-grow-rapidly/" target="_blank">earnings more than doubled</a> on strong global distribution. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lowe-s-companies-inc/low/nys" target="_blank"><strong>Lowe's Companies Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lowe-s-companies-inc/low/nys" target="_blank">LOW</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/lowes-home-depot-may-be-worth-a-look/" target="_blank">a so-so first quater</a> in line with Wall Street expectations. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/netease-com-inc-american-depositary-shares/ntes/nas" target="_blank"><strong>NetEase.com Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/netease-com-inc-american-depositary-shares/ntes/nas" target="_blank">NTES</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/netease-com-ntes-plunges-as-earnings-fall/" target="_blank">Q1 earnings declined</a> due to increased tax burden. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/saks-incorporated/sks/nys" target="_blank"><strong>Saks Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/saks-incorporated/sks/nys" target="_blank">SKS</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/saks-staples-see-q1-profits/" target="_blank">missed Q1 earnings</a> estimates but beat revenue expectations. </li>
    <li><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/solarfun-power-holdings-co-ltd/solf/nas" target="_blank">Solarfun Power Holdings Co.</a></strong> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/solarfun-power-holdings-co-ltd/solf/nas" target="_blank">SOLF</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/21/option-update-solarfun-power-volatility-at-127-q1-08-revenue-u/" target="_blank">Q1 revenue surged 529%</a> from the previous quarter. </li>
    <li><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/suntech-power-holdings-co-ltd/stp/nys" target="_blank">Suntech Power Holdings Co.</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/suntech-power-holdings-co-ltd/stp/nys" target="_blank">STP</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/suntech-power-stp-delivers-solid-quarter-solf-downgrade-affec/" target="_blank">Q1 revenues soared</a> and earnings more than doubled. </li>
</ul>
<p>Additional earnings highlights: <br /><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-hewlett-packard-target-barnes-and-noble/" target="_blank">Hewlett-Packard, Target, Barnes &amp; Noble, Campbell, Staples and others</a><br /><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/25/earnings-highlights-ford-hormel-limited-brands-intuitive-sur/" target="_blank">Ford, Hormel, Limited Brands, Intuitive Surgical, PetSmart and others</a></p>
<p>Upcoming results to watch for include <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/borders-group-inc/bgp/nys" target="_blank">Borders</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/borders-group-inc/bgp/nys" target="_blank">BGP</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/polo-ralph-lauren-corporation/rl/nys" target="_blank">Polo Ralph Lauren</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/polo-ralph-lauren-corporation/rl/nys" target="_blank">RL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tivo-inc/tivo/nas" target="_blank">TiVo</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tivo-inc/tivo/nas" target="_blank">TIVO</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/big-lots-inc/big/nys" target="_blank">Big Lots</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/big-lots-inc/big/nys" target="_blank">BIG</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas" target="_blank">Costco</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/costco-wholesale-corporation/cost/nas" target="_blank">COST</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas" target="_blank">Dell</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas" target="_blank">DELL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/heinz-h-j-co-united-states/hnz/nys" target="_blank">HJ Heinz</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/heinz-h-j-co-united-states/hnz/nys" target="_blank">HNZ</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sears-holdings-corporation/shld/nas" target="_blank">Sears</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sears-holdings-corporation/shld/nas" target="_blank">SHLD</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lions-gate-entertainment-corp/lgf/nys" target="_blank">Lions Gate</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/lions-gate-entertainment-corp/lgf/nys" target="_blank">LGF</a>), and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tiffany-and-company/tif/nys" target="_blank">Tiffany</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/tiffany-and-company/tif/nys">TIF</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/earnings" target="_blank">Visit <strong>AOL Money &amp; Finance</strong> for more earnings coverage</a>.</p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/">Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Gap, Lenovo, Air France, Activision, Suntech and others</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Sat, 24 May 2008 09:40:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1199424/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/24/earnings-highlights-home-depot-gap-lenovo-activision-air-fr/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>Air France</category><category>ATVI</category><category>BJ</category><category>BJs Wholesale</category><category>Canadian Solar</category><category>CSIQ</category><category>earnings</category><category>earnings reports</category><category>FL</category><category>Foot Locker</category><category>Gap</category><category>GPS</category><category>HD</category><category>Home Depot</category><category>INTU</category><category>Intuit</category><category>KLM</category><category>Lenovo</category><category>LNVGY</category><category>LOW</category><category>Lowes</category><category>NetEase.com</category><category>NTES</category><category>Saks</category><category>SKS</category><category>Solarfun</category><category>SOLF</category><category>STP</category><category>Suntech</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 09:40:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Activision wants to shred 'Rock Band' with its new evolution of "Guitar Hero"]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/products-and-services/" rel="tag">Products and Services</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/competitive-strategy/" rel="tag">Competitive Strategy</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/via/" rel="tag">Viacom (VIA)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) doesn't want to let <em>Rock Band </em>have all the fun. According to <a href="http://today.reuters.com/news/articlehybrid.aspx?type=comktNews&amp;rpc=33&amp;storyid=2008-05-22T160443Z_01_N22502958_RTRIDST_0_ACTIVISION.XML">Reuters</a>, Activision wants to turn its <em>Guitar Hero </em>platform into a truly direct competitor to its colleague. Come the fall, the publisher will release <em>Guitar Hero World Tour</em>, a package that will include a guitar, a microphone, and a drum set. There will be online capability; players will also be able to create their own tunes via a suite of digital-music tools. And all the major platforms from <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">Sony Corporation (ADR)</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">SNE</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft Corporation</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>), and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-adr/ntdoy/nao">Nintendo Co., Ltd. </a>(OTC: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-adr/ntdoy/nao">NTDOY</a>) will be getting this game. <em></em></p>
<p><em>Rock Band</em>, which is developed by <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys">Viacom, Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/viacom-inc-new/via/nys">VIA</a>)'s Harmonix and sold by <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">Electronic Arts</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">ERTS</a>), is no longer unique now that Activision has expanded the depth of its famous brand. Indeed, <em>Guitar Hero </em>still thrived even in the face of Viacom's music game, but it looks like Activision is taking no chances; the publisher obviously realizes that, as time goes on and upgrades to <em>Rock Band </em>come along, the <em>Guitar Hero </em>franchise might see eventual erosion of its fan base as the fad matures. Evolution would certainly be justified at this point.</p>
<p>Yet, I am of two minds about this move. On the one side, I can understand why this had to be done. And I can see why it should work out; after all, Activision's brand equity when it comes to this <em>Guitar Hero </em>game is incredible. Seriously, if you don't know, a lot of players out there, both hardcore and casual, <em>love </em>this platform. However, there's another side to me that wonders if traditionalists won't necessarily enjoy the aspect of the additional instruments. Do they add value, or do they now make the brand seem clunky and complicated? On a gut level, I always theorized that those who chose <em>Guitar Hero </em>over <em>Rock Band </em>relished the fact that it was just one guitar. Then again, going back to the brand-equity thing, maybe current players will now want to try out a more complex musical-gaming experience since the<em> Guitar Hero</em> name is attached. </p>
<p> </p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Activision wants to shred 'Rock Band' with its new evolution of "Guitar Hero"</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/">Activision wants to shred 'Rock Band' with its new evolution of "Guitar Hero"</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Thu, 22 May 2008 17:01:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/20/mtv-enjoys-doubled-downloads-with-rock-band/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1203289/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/activision-wants-to-shred-rock-band-with-its-new-evolution-of/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ATVI</category><category>Guitar Hero</category><category>GuitarHero</category><category>Harmonix</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>PlayStation</category><category>Rock Band</category><category>RockBand</category><category>VIA</category><category>Viacom</category><category>Wii</category><category>Xbox 360</category><category>Xbox360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven Mallas]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 17:01:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Activision (ATVI): Share price defining bullish 'flag' formation]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades/" rel="tag">Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analysis/" rel="tag">Technical Analysis</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>) is<a href="http://www.stockwinners.com"><img alt="" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/05/stockwinners.jpg" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" /></a> a leading developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. Offerings include such action titles as Tony Hawk's Underground, Doom, and Call of Duty. The firm also makes games based on licensed properties associated with the films Star Wars, Spider-Man, X-Men and Shrek. Activision games operate on <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">Sony</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">SNE</a>), Nintendo and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) console and portable devices, as well as on personal computers. The company agreed to sell a 52% stake to Vivendi late last year, in a deal valued at $9.8 billion. Activision will be combined with Vivendi Games, to create the world's largest independent video games company.</p>
<p>The firm surprised the Street earlier in the month, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 17 cents and revenues of $602.5 million. Analysts had been expecting five cents and $369.1 million. Management also guided FY09 EPS to $1.30 ($1.18 consensus) and FY09 revenues to $3.1 billion ($2.82B consensus). Moving toward the Vivendi link-up, the CEO promised to "focus our resources on proven properties with broad global appeal." Six brokerages subsequently declared the stock a "buy".</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Activision (ATVI): Share price defining bullish 'flag' formation</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/">Activision (ATVI): Share price defining bullish 'flag' formation</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1200561/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/20/activision-atvi-share-price-defining-bullish-flag-formation/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>ATVI</category><category>flag</category><category>fundamental analysis</category><category>FundamentalAnalysis</category><category>momentum</category><category>technical analysis</category><category>TechnicalAnalysis</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Larry Schutts]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 11:00:00 EST</pubDate></item><item><title><![CDATA[Electronic Arts beats expectations, but is it the best publisher out there?]]></title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings Reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sne/" rel="tag">Sony Corp ADR (SNE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/erts/" rel="tag">Electronic Arts (ERTS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/atvi/" rel="tag">Activision Inc (ATVI)</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">Electronic Arts</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/electronic-arts-inc/erts/nas">ERTS</a>) issued Q4 and full-year <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/pr/_a/ea-reports-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal/rfid102867538">numbers</a> on Tuesday. The competitor of <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">Activision</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-inc-new/atvi/nas">ATVI</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas">THQ</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/thq-inc/thqi/nas">THQI</a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">Take-Two Interactive</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/take-two-interactive-software-inc/ttwo/nas">TTWO</a>) reported adjusted fourth-quarter revenues of $919 million, which was good for a 50% increase. Earnings per diluted share were $0.09 on an adjusted basis, also representing a 50% jump. For the full year, adjusted revenues jumped 30% to $4 billion and earnings per diluted share rose 36% to $1.06. Not too bad. <br /></p>
<p>EA, according to Briefing.com, also beat Wall Street's expectations by quite a bit. EA was forecast to only break-even on a non-GAAP basis, so the difference was a nice $0.09. In terms of operational cash flow, EA increased the metric by 33% during the fourth quarter, but for the full year, operational cash flow decreased 15%. Ah, such is life, I guess. Nevertheless, EA produced 27 titles that sold over a million units this year -- three more than in the previous year. Fifteen of its titles sold over 2 million units -- five more than the last fiscal period. Titles such as <em>Army of Two </em>and<em> Rock Band</em>, as well as various sports franchises, drove the results.</p>
<p>Things sound pretty good, don't they? EA is definitely a major force on the <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">Sony</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/sony-corporation/sne/nys">SNE</a>) PlayStation, <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) Xbox 360 and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">Nintendo</a> (OTC: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nintendo-co-ltd-unsp-adr/ntdoy/nao">NTDOY</a>) Wii platforms. But EA has had some challenges during this console cycle, and there is the perception that it needs a major merger to combat the threat posed by the Activision and Vivendi Games <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/02/flash-vivendi-to-take-control-of-activision-atvi/">transaction</a>. And let's not forget that <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/08/activision-heeds-its-call-of-duty-to-beat-expectations/">Activision is on fire</a> all on its own. That's what the whole attempted takeover of Take-Two is all about.  </p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Electronic Arts beats expectations, but is it the best publisher out there?</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;background:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/">Electronic Arts beats expectations, but is it the best publisher out there?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com">BloggingStocks</a> on Wed, 14 May 2008 09:10:00 EST.  Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/pr/_a/ea-reports-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal/rfid102867538>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1194887/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/14/electronic-arts-beats-expectations-but-is-it-the-best-publisher/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>Army of Two</category><category>ArmyOfTwo</category><category>ATVI</category><category>Electronic Arts</category><category>ElectronicArts</category><category>ERTS</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>nintendowii</category><category>playstation3</category><category>Rock Band</category><category>RockBand</category><category>SNE</category><category>THQI</category><category>vivendi games</category><category>VivendiGames</category><category>Wii</category><category>xbox 360</category><category>Xbox360</category><dc:creator><![CDATA[Steven Mallas]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 09:10:00 EST</pubDate></item></channel></rss>
