Analyst Upgrades

• Hyatt Hotels (H) and Hospitality Properties (HPT) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• AB InBev (BUD) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Amerisafe (AMSF) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Northrop Grumman (NOC) to sector perform from underperform at RBC Capital.
• China Lodging Group (HTHT) to buy from hold at Brean Murray and to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BUD, H, HPT, HTHT, ISRG, KFY, NOC, NTAP, THI ...

Analyst Calls: BUD, H, HPT, HTHT, ISRG, KFY, NOC, NTAP, THI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Teams have been preparing their game plans and it's time to see which of the 60 teams will win. No, not the Packers or Steelers -- Go Pack! -- but PepsiCo (PEP), Anheuser-Busch (BUD), General Motors (GM) and all the other companies competing for the best spots in one of TV's most expensive marketing moments, costing an estimated $3 million dollars per 30 second spot.

For those not into football, the ads in the Super Bowl game can be more amusing than the game itself as advertising teams compete for attention, show their best efforts and even get rated by numerous online sites. Last year, Doritos (owned by PepsiCo), and E-Trade (ETFC) did well, and Anheuser-Busch seems to always have a Clydesdale horse in the running.

Continue reading Who Will Win the Super Bowl Ad Game This Year?

Who Will Win the Super Bowl Ad Game This Year? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Anheuser Busch's (BUD) Budweiser brand's sales have fallen 9% last year. Many beer drinkers of the 30-year-old-and-under crowd have switched to more exotic beers, leaving Budweiser to catch up.Budweiser's rank fell to from 16th in 2003 to 220th in 2010, as reported in USAToday. This is as close to a marketshare disaster as you can get.

Budweiser is trying to sharpen its image to focus on the younger crowd. It plans to kick off a new campaign on September 29. Budweiser has dubbed that day, "Budweiser National Happy Hour." On that day Budweiser will offer free beer to those over age 21. The samples will range from 6 to 12 ounces depending on state and local laws.

Continue reading Budweiser Says, 'Drink Up, It's Free'

Budweiser Says, 'Drink Up, It's Free' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Jefferies upgraded Computer Sciences (CSC) to buy from hold and raised its target to $53 from $47. The analyst said Computer Sciences' valuation has created one of the best LBO opportunities in several years and could provide a five year IRR of 25+%.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Comerica (CMA) to outperform from market perform, citing strength of the company's capital. The firm raised its target for shares to $44 from $43.
• RBC Capital upgraded Nokia (NOK) to outperform from sector perform and raised its price target to $14 from $12. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation, reduced execution risk on software development, and potential catalysts from new devices based on Symbian^3. RBS upgraded Nokia to buy from hold after the company named Stephen Elop as CEO.
• Allstate (ALL) was upgraded to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Moody's (MCO) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BCR, BUD, CLX, CMA, CSC, CSCO, DELL, LEN, MCO, NOK, TRV ...

Analyst Calls: BCR, BUD, CLX, CMA, CSC, CSCO, DELL, LEN, MCO, NOK, TRV ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Sticks Return to the Mud (BAC, COGT, MMM, CSCO, HPQ, BUD, NFLX, GOOG)

Closing Bell: Sticks Return to the Mud (BAC, COGT, MMM, CSCO, HPQ, BUD, NFLX, GOOG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Summertime Stocks for a Rising Market

Summertime Stocks for a Rising Market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks with Ties to Independence Day - Part 3: Dieter's Lament

Stocks with Ties to Independence Day - Part 3: Dieter's Lament originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, I am not much of a soccer fan. I far prefer football to soccer (you know, having played and coached football). That said, I was sucked into the World Cup thanks to national pride. I watched the U.S. lose to Ghana and beat Algeria; but I also watched the referee blow a call against Slovenia, forcing the game into a tie.

I said, I am not a huge soccer fan; but it sure seems that this World Cup is fraught with refereeing problems.

Continue reading JockStocks: The World Cup and Video Replay

JockStocks: The World Cup and Video Replay originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In the business world, there's rarely a thing as growing too big. But unfortunately for Sam Adams brewer Boston Beer (SAM), the price of success could be higher costs and the loss of its label as an "artisan" craft beer.

That's not to say a cold bottle of Sam Adams Summer Ale will taste any different to consumers. But according to the Brewers Association, "artisan" brewers include small outfits that put out less than two million barrels of suds a year. That means the brewer that almost single-handedly sparked interest in smaller batch brews with more flavor could be pushed into the same category as the big beer vendors like Anheuser Buch Inbev (BUD) and Molson Coors (TAP).

Continue reading Sam Adams May Lose 'Artisan Beer' Label

Sam Adams May Lose 'Artisan Beer' Label originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A couple of days ago, my colleague Jeff Reeves took a look at 7-Eleven's decision to enter into the beer game. Yes, 7-Eleven -- the sultan of Slurpees, the high priest of week-old hot dogs, the convenience king -- is going to throw its proverbial hat in the ring, looking for your beer bucks.

I did not know this, but 7-Eleven is the third-largest beer retailer in the United States. Perhaps my ignorance is born from the fact that there are no 7-Elevens in my hometown.

Continue reading 7-Eleven's Brewing Ambitions No Threat to Budweiser, Coors or Miller

7-Eleven's Brewing Ambitions No Threat to Budweiser, Coors or Miller originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Though by some estimates, consumer spending has topped its 2008 peak (really!) there is no denying that many businesses are still offering rock-bottom prices to lure shoppers out of their shells. You can now add convenience store chain 7-Eleven to the list.

The company just announced that it will be offering a lower-priced private label beer in an effort to connect with Americans looking for a cold brew this summer. The label is called "Game Day," and will be produced by City Brewing of Wisconsin -- a facility that joined up with Boston Beer (SAM) in 2007 to craft its flagship Sam Adams lager.

Continue reading 7-Eleven Private Label Beer May Drain Big Brewers

7-Eleven Private Label Beer May Drain Big Brewers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• BMO Capital upgraded EOG Resources (EOG) to market perform from underperform. The firm has a $100 target on the stock.
• Morgan Joseph upgraded Glimcher Realty (GRT) to buy from neutral with a $6.50 target. The firm believes the company has solved most of its liquidity problems while its dividend yield is very attractive.
• Citigroup upgraded AmerisourceBergen (ABC) to buy from hold.
• Lincoln Electric (LECO) was upgraded to gradually accumulate from hold at Soleil.
• BMC Software (BMC) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Mercer (MERC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BUD, EBAY, EOG, FRX, GRT, MON, MSFT, SINA ...

Analyst Calls: BUD, EBAY, EOG, FRX, GRT, MON, MSFT, SINA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Chasing Value: TAP into a Real Bargain

Chasing Value: TAP into a Real Bargain originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Who's ready for some football? The Super Bowl is this weekend, and you know what that means -- commercials that we will all be talking about on Monday morning. In fact, we all know someone who says they watch the game for the commercials.

CBS announced earlier this week that it sold out all the in-game spots, but a few pre- and post-game spots remained. How much money did this make for CBS (CBS)? Roughly $200 million, and that is a low-end estimate. We all know why advertisers flock to the Super Bowl, as more than 98.7 million viewers tuned in last year. No matter who is in the Super Bowl, people watch the game and the commercials -- and eventually they may buy the products from the ads.

Continue reading JockStocks: Super Bowl Commercials, a Preview

JockStocks: Super Bowl Commercials, a Preview originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading AB InBev hangs on to Beck's brand

AB InBev hangs on to Beck's brand originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I saw a story in The Wall Street Journal last week discussing what is being called a "rare" slump for Anheuser-Busch InBev. The company saw volume sales fall for Bud Light for the first time in the beer's 27-year history. Dollar sales of Bud Light dropped 2.5% (compared to a year earlier) in the U.S. during the 13 weeks that ended on July 12. Volume sales were 5.5% lower.

So, what can Bud do to rev up sales? How about a new advertising campaign with more than 15 new television commercials and new retail displays. When the American football season begins, the new ads will inundate our television screens and it will further the beer's "Drinkability" campaign that began a year ago.

Continue reading Anheuser-Busch to introduce new beer and plenty more commercials to combat slumping sales

Anheuser-Busch to introduce new beer and plenty more commercials to combat slumping sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our feature on Money Winners of 2008. See all 20.

Well, "my pal Warren" did it again. "The richest man in the world" -- it has a nice ring to it.

Though the moniker did not last throughout the year due to the violent markets, and his significant holdings in insurance, Geico and General RE; banking, US Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC); and credit card company American Express (NYSE: AXP), which all dropped, he is still viewed as the top investment guru in the world, deserving his title -- the Oracle of Omaha. These are likely only temporary setbacks and he may very well be back on top soon.

Warren Buffett has been alternating places with Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) founder Bill Gates over the past decade. Since Microsoft shares are only down about 35% this year, less than the overall market, and since that remains his largest holding, Gates edged out Buffett at last measure. Although Buffett is notorious for not investing in "tech-stocks," he has stated he did buy 100 shares of Microsoft after he and Gates became friends.

It has been quite a year indeed for Buffett because in all the market turmoil he has remained very active, and he has advised both presidential candidates when asked, though he has supported the Democratic Party and president-elect Barack Obama, who has more actively sought his advice as of late.

Continue reading Money winners of 2008: Warren Buffett, briefly the "world's richest man" again

Money winners of 2008: Warren Buffett, briefly the "world's richest man" again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Was that a win or loss? BUD is no more; GLW, FSLR, HPQ, HD

Closing Bell: Was that a win or loss? BUD is no more; GLW, FSLR, HPQ, HD originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Who knew that the fate of world beer would one day be in the hands of the beer faithful in Rochester, New York? The tastes of this blue-collar town, along with neighbors Syracuse and Buffalo, are key in the pending acquisition of Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) by Belgian giant InBev, SA. The three cities make up half of the U.S. consumption of Labatt Blue and Labatt Blue Light. Due to the popularity of Labatt brews and Budweiser brands in upstate New York, the U.S. Justice Department worries that beer prices might rise in Rochester.

So, if the acquisition is to be approved, giving Europeans control over America's iconic beer brands, InBev is being asked to sell the Labatt USA subsidiary. Other major InBev brands, including Stella Artois, Becks, and Bass, are not considered competitive enough in any markets to reduce competition between beers and provide upward pressure on prices.

Nope, it all comes down to Rochester and its surprisingly European tastes. Who would have thought?

Merger of beer giants all comes down to Rochester originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The credit crisis has ruined a number of M&A deals, so why not the InBev transaction to buy Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) and create the world's largest brewer?

The problem may not be so far fetched. Most of the money needed to close the transaction is debt.

According to Reuters, "A banking industry meltdown and corresponding market volatility has already caused the Belgium-based brewer to postpone a $13.4 billion rights issue it planned in connection with the deal."

The InBev management may say that BUD is worth less now as the economy has faltered. The Anheuser-Busch board may not buy that. They like the $70 a share offer they have now. But, do they have any choice to take less? Maybe not.

BUD trades at $58, which means that some risk of problems with InBev are already in the stock. But, before word of the deal leaked, BUD traded below $50. If the board walks now, especially given how far the overall stock market is off, shares could drop well below $40.

Anheuser-Busch is trapped by the 40% drop in most of the equity indexes. Its shareholders are about to be hammered. Look for a deal to get done at $55. BUD don't have any leverage to do better.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.

What if BUD don't get bought? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.