BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: CHK, CHKP, DISCA, FMC, GOLD, OC, PCL, RRC, SNI, VLO ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Valero Energy (VLO) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
  • Changyou.com (CYOU) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Albermarle (ALB) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
  • ICU Medical (ICUI) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
  • Check Point (CHKP) to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
  • FMC Corporation (FMC) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
  • Rangold Resources (GOLD) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
  • Global Cash Access (GCA) to buy from hold at Duncan-Williams.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CHK, CHKP, DISCA, FMC, GOLD, OC, PCL, RRC, SNI, VLO ...

Analyst Calls: CHK, CHKP, DISCA, FMC, GOLD, OC, PCL, RRC, SNI, VLO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALBAlbermarleanalyst upgradesARCCAres CapitalCALDCallidusCALPChangyou.comCHKCHKPCYOUDISCADiscoverydowngradesEXPFMCGCAGOLDGSTHKICUIIHSinitiationsinthenewsJambaJMBAMASMascoMASIMasimoMHKOCOwens CorningPLCPlum Creek TimberRangoldRRCScripps NetworksSIGSNIValeroVLOTue, 01 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/29/mcdonalds-smoothies/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Not satisfied to wear the crown among fast-food companies, McDonald's (MCD) continues to strive toward new ways to attract customers into its establishments in the off-peak hours. The company has already launched a salvo at Starbucks (SBUX) with its McCafe concept of lattes and cappuccinos, and now it is moving into the smoothie market. You may remember the company first unveiled the concept at the Winter Olympics, with familiar faces such as Picabo Street endorsing the frozen beverages.

After roughly a year of research and iteration, the smoothies are coming to a McDonald's near you next month, in two flavors -- Strawberry Banana and Wild Berry. Meanwhile, MCD is using some of its Austin and Michigan stores to test "frozen juice blends."

Continue reading McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies

McDonald's Eyes Yet Another Market -- Smoothies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coffeecompetitionfast foodfeaturedinthenewsjmbaMCDmcdonaldssbuxsmoothiesoncstarbucksTue, 29 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings Highlights: AutoZone, Borders, Campbell, Costco, Heinz, J. Crew, TiVo ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/29/earnings-highlights-autozone-borders-campbell-costco-heinz/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/29/earnings-highlights-autozone-borders-campbell-costco-heinz/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/29/earnings-highlights-autozone-borders-campbell-costco-heinz/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Below are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks. Click through to the original posts for more details.

  • Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN) shares rallied on heavy volume after it posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings.
  • AutoZone Inc. (AZO) Q3 earnings easily beat consensus expectations and same-store sales rose sharply.
  • Borders Group Inc. (BGP) posted a wider operating loss, decreasing gross margin, and a same-store sales decline.
  • Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) posted strong Q3 results and offered guidance, boosting shares on a down-market day.
  • Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) posted better-than-expected Q3 results, due in part to a surge in membership sales.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: AutoZone, Borders, Campbell, Costco, Heinz, J. Crew, TiVo ...

Earnings Highlights: AutoZone, Borders, Campbell, Costco, Heinz, J. Crew, TiVo ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 May 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANNAnn TaylorAutoZoneAZOBGPBordersCampbellCOSTCostcoCPBHeinzHNZJ CrewJambaJCGJMBANetAppNovellNOVLNTAPTIVOYGEYingliSat, 29 May 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Avoid Jamba After Q1 Report?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/27/avoid-jamba-after-q1-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/27/avoid-jamba-after-q1-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/27/avoid-jamba-after-q1-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

JMBA earningsJamba (JMBA), parent company of Jamba Juice, is a lousy stock. Look at the three-year chart to see what I mean (click on the "three-year" mark once you get there). The one-year chart shows a different story; it actually looks like an interesting stock from that perspective. However, what it says to me is that it is nothing more than a low-priced trading vehicle. No offense, of course. Just stating the facts.

And now, we have an earnings report to consider, one that was released after the bell on Wednesday. For the first quarter, the business lost 13 cents per share versus a loss of 19 cents per share in the year-ago frame. Same-store sales for company-owned locations dropped over 3%.

Continue reading Avoid Jamba After Q1 Report?

Avoid Jamba After Q1 Report? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 May 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beveragescoca-colafeaturedinthenewsJambaJMBAKOPEPpepsicoThu, 27 May 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades: SLM, Tempur Pedic, ITT]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/16/analyst-downgrades-slm-tempur-pedic-itt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/16/analyst-downgrades-slm-tempur-pedic-itt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/04/16/analyst-downgrades-slm-tempur-pedic-itt/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: SLM Corp, Tempur Pedic and ITT Corp were today's noteworthy downgrades:

  • Morgan Stanley downgraded SLM Corp. (NYSE: SLM) to Underweight from Equal Weight citing the impact on earnings from reduced government subsidies and disrupted capital markets.
  • Tempur Pedic (NYSE: TPX) was cut to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan citing the consumer slowdown and increased competition.
  • Credit Suisse downgraded ITT Corp. (NYSE: ITT) to Neutral from Outperform citing the surprised management changes announced last night.

OTHER DOWNGRADES:

  • Cowen downgraded TechTarget (NASDAQ: TTGT) to Neutral from Outperform.
  • Merriman lowered Jamba (NASDAQ: JMBA) to Neutral from Buy.
  • LSI Corp. (NYSE: LSI) was downgraded at Merrill to Neutral from Buy.

Analyst downgrades: SLM, Tempur Pedic, ITT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystdowngradeittjambajmbalsislmtechtargettempur pedicTempurPedictpxttgtWed, 16 Apr 2008 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[What would you do with a 'blank-check'?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/what-would-you-do-with-a-blank-check/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/what-would-you-do-with-a-blank-check/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/08/what-would-you-do-with-a-blank-check/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As the leveraged buyout market (LBO) tightens amid the backdrop of more expensive debt, deal makers are looking to ride new investment vehicles to make their minions money.

We've seen a surge in popularity in what's called a "Special Purpose Acquisition Company," or SPAC. Bloomberg had a good article this morning on advent of the SPAC and what's happening in the industry as a whole. These companies, also called blank-check companies, are IPO'd after raising their funds. Once public, the founding management team needs to make an acquisition in a given time-frame. Shareholders decide on an individual basis whether they like the deal or not. If they like it, great. If not, they tender their shares and receive their money back.

Essentially, it's a hedged bet on management that their industry expertise will lead to a smart acquisition.

Bloomberg says that since the start of 2003, 144 blank-check companies have sold shares, raising $18.1 billion, with 13 of the deals coming before 2005, according to SPAC Analytics.

Continue reading What would you do with a 'blank-check'?

What would you do with a 'blank-check'? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>glgheinzhickshnzjamba juiceJambaJuicejmbammcrevrevlonspactohTue, 08 Jan 2008 15:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Jamba Juice signs deal with Nestle to sell pre-packaged juice]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/jamba-juice-signs-deal-with-nestle-to-sell-pre-packaged-juice/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/jamba-juice-signs-deal-with-nestle-to-sell-pre-packaged-juice/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/jamba-juice-signs-deal-with-nestle-to-sell-pre-packaged-juice/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Jamba Juice (NASDAQ: JMBA) has been an extremely disappointing performer since it went public through its acquisition by a special purpose acquisition vehicle.

Shares closed at $3.39 on Monday, down from a 52-week high of $11.25 on this day of last year -- A spread of 365 days between the current price and the 52-week high is usually a sign of a difficult stretch.

Perhaps things are getting better: Jamba Juice has reached a deal with Nestle to sell its products at groceries stores in eight states in the western United States. The plan is to eventually expand the program nationally, perhaps internationally, and also target convenience stores and other possible outlets. Nestle (OTC: NSRGY) will manufacture and distribute the beverages.

With its stock in the toilet in light of operational underperformance, this may be just what Jamba needs. But as anyone who witnessed the Krispy Kreme (NASDAQ: KKD) saga can attest, rapid expansion by a premium stand-alone specialty food retailer into mass market distribution can lead to bad results: big losses and irreparable damage to the brand.

Savvy marketing and responsible stewardship of the Jamba franchise on the part of management could make this a big success. But if the company's performance as a public company is any indication, that's not something investors should bet on.

Jamba Juice signs deal with Nestle to sell pre-packaged juice originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beveragesinthenewsJambajamba juiceJambaJuiceJMBAnestlensrgyTue, 04 Dec 2007 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Newspaper wrap-up: Nestle USA to sell Jamba Juice next year]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/newspaper-wrap-up-nestle-usa-to-sell-jamba-juice-next-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/newspaper-wrap-up-nestle-usa-to-sell-jamba-juice-next-year/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/12/04/newspaper-wrap-up-nestle-usa-to-sell-jamba-juice-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MAJOR PAPERS:
OTHER PAPERS:
WEB SITES:

Newspaper wrap-up: Nestle USA to sell Jamba Juice next year originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Baosteel GroupBaosteelGroupDreamWorksFFordGEGeneral ElectricGeneralElectricJamba JuiceJambaJuiceJMBANestle USANestleUsaReutersReuters GroupReutersGroupRio TintoRioTintoRTPRTRSYThomsonTOCUAWUnited Auto WorkersUnitedAutoWorkersTue, 04 Dec 2007 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[StockWatch: Between the Bells with Timothy Sykes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/28/stockwatch-between-the-bells-with-timothy-sykes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/28/stockwatch-between-the-bells-with-timothy-sykes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/28/stockwatch-between-the-bells-with-timothy-sykes/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Ready to make some serious money? Wall Street Warrior Timothy Sykes isn't playing around -- he wants to make you rich. In this edition of StockWatch: Between the Bells, the MSN Money host and author of An American Hedge Fund: How I Made $2 Million as a Stock Operator & Created a Hedge Fund riffs -- and dances -- on a fistful of market strategies.

Tim has three daring tips for you. Digital content storage provider Isilon Systems (NASDAQ: ISLN) is sitting at an all-time low, more than 70% off its high at the start of the year, and looks priced to buy. Genetics biotech Illumina Inc. (NASDAQ: ILMN) is currently trading around $52; Tim sees ILMN climbing to $60. Sound a little too risky? Tim suggests checking out The Bruce Fund (BRUFX), a mutual fund focusing on domestic common stock, convertible bonds and zero-coupon government bonds.

Considering a short-selling strategy? Tim calls out China Precision Steel (NASDAQ: CPSL), which has jumped more than three-fold in little more than a week and looks set to slide.

Jamba Juice (NASDAQ: JMBA), meanwhile, is giving Tim fits -- revenues are up while same-store sales are slipping. He advises to stay away from JMBA.

Enjoy the clip, and let us know which of your favorite stock gurus you'd like to hear from in the next StockWatch: Between the Bells!

StockWatch: Between the Bells with Timothy Sykes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Between the BellsBruce FundBruceFundBRUFXChina Precision SteelChinaPrecisionSteelCPSLIlluminaILMNIsilonISLNJamba JuiceJambaJuiceJMBAshort sellingShortSellingstocksstocks to buyStocksToBuyStockWatchTim SykesTimothy SykesTimothySykesTimSykesFri, 28 Sep 2007 17:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst initiations: AMD, DGX, NWA and ODFL]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/15/analyst-initiations-amd-dgx-nwa-and-odfl/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/15/analyst-initiations-amd-dgx-nwa-and-odfl/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/15/analyst-initiations-amd-dgx-nwa-and-odfl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Old Dominion Freight (ODFL), Jamba (JMBA), AMD (AMD), Orbitz Worldwide (OWW) and Quest Diagnostics (DGX) were today's notable initiations:
  • Baird is positive on Old Dominion's (NASDAQ: ODFL) growth opportunities, valuation, 2008 improving truck fundamentals, and a potentially seasonally stronger Q4, starting shares with an Overweight rating and $36 target.
  • Merriman initiated Jamba (NASDAQ: JMBA) with a Buy rating, as the company aggressively expands its store base beyond California.
  • BMO Capital believes AMD (NYSE: AMD) may lose the Intel platform integrated graphics market, and sizeable Intel platform discrete graphics market share. The firm initiated AMD shares with an Underperform rating and $10 target.
  • Soleil has concerns regarding Orbitz Worldwide's (NYSE: OWW) decelerating growth and poorer business mix vs. competitors and started shares with a Hold rating and $13 target.
  • Credit Suisse initiated Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX) with a Neutral rating and $61 target, citing the recent UnitedHealth (UNH) contract loss, slowing growth, and valuation for its Neutral rating...
OTHER INITIATIONS:
  • JMP Securities started ShoreTel (NASDAQ: SHOR) with a Market Outperform rating.
  • Credit Suisse initiated LabCorp (NYSE: LH) with an Outperform rating.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst initiations: AMD, DGX, NWA and ODFL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amdanalystcapellacpladgxinitiationjambajmbalabcorplhmcdermottmdrnwaodflold dominionOldDominionorbitzowwquestratingshorshoretelWed, 15 Aug 2007 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst initiations 7-11-07: BAY, DHI, FO and JNJ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/11/analyst-initiations-7-11-07-bay-dhi-fo-jnj/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/11/analyst-initiations-7-11-07-bay-dhi-fo-jnj/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/11/analyst-initiations-7-11-07-bay-dhi-fo-jnj/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: HouseValues, Inc (SOLD), Fortune Brands (FO), D.R. Horton (DHI), Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS) and USG Corp (USG) were some of today's noteworthy initiations:
  • Cantor believes HouseValues (NASDAQ: SOLD) may be a lagging indicator of the broader real estate market. As such, it may see its customer and revenue bases contract further in the face of still-sluggish housing data and started shares with a Hold rating.
  • Pali Research initiated Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) with a Neutral rating based on valuation.
  • The firm also believes D.R. Horton's (NYSE: DHI) risk to book value and profitability is higher than some of the competition since the company has taken significantly less land charges. Shares were initiated with a Hold rating.
  • Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) was initiated with an Outperform at Baird and is positive on Dick's store expansion, market leadership, margin opportunities and fundamentals.
  • USG (NYSE: USG) was initiated with a Sell rating at Banc of America, believing wallboard price and profit declines will be worse than expected due to lower housing starts and less spending on remodeling. Their analysis suggests another leg down for housing...
OTHER INITIATIONS:
  • Merrill Lynch initiated Bayer AG (NYSE: BAY) with a Buy rating and UBS initiated QLogic (NASDAQ: QLGC) with a Neutral rating.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst initiations 7-11-07: BAY, DHI, FO and JNJ originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Jul 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystbaybayerdhidicksdksfofortune brandsFortuneBrandsgolfgolfsmithhortonhousevaluesinitiationjambajmbajnjjohnsonqlgcqlogicratingsoldtheflyonthewall.comusgWed, 11 Jul 2007 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst initiations 4-19-07: PEET, MRK, VCLM and ZQK initiated today]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/19/analyst-initiations-4-19-07-peet-mrk-vclm-and-zqk-initiated-t/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/19/analyst-initiations-4-19-07-peet-mrk-vclm-and-zqk-initiated-t/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/19/analyst-initiations-4-19-07-peet-mrk-vclm-and-zqk-initiated-t/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Jamba, Inc (JMBA), Quiksilver Inc (ZQK), Volcom, Inc (VLCM) and Interactive Data Corp (IDC) were today's noteworthy downgrades:
  • Oppenheimer believes Jamba (NASDAQ: JMBA) is in the early stages of a solid top- and-bottom-line growth story and is one of the few opportunities today that offers sizable square foot growth, revenue and earnings growth, all with several years of visibility.
  • Quiksilver Inc (NYSE: ZQK) was initiated with an Accumulate rating and $14 target at ThinkEquity.
  • ThinkEquity also initiated shares of Volcom Inc (NASDAQ: VLCM) with a Buy rating.
OTHER INITIATIONS:
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst initiations 4-19-07: PEET, MRK, VCLM and ZQK initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analystatherosathrgenworthgnwidinitiationinteractive dataInteractiveDatajambajmbalorallorlmerckncxnovapeetquicksilverratingtheflyonthewall.comvlcmvolcomzqkThu, 19 Apr 2007 11:47:00 EST