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[Store Expansion and DIY Activity Will Benefit Lowe's]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/store-expansion-and-diy-activity-will-benefit-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/store-expansion-and-diy-activity-will-benefit-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/store-expansion-and-diy-activity-will-benefit-lowe-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lowe's (LOW) is the world's second largest retailer of home improvement products after Home Depot (HD). Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) also cater the home improvements market. Lowe's offers a wide range of home improvement products and installation services to individual home owners as well as professional builders. In addition to the physical stores, consumers can buy products through the company's dedicated website. Lowe's business is vulnerable to the housing market swings and the recent slowdown has affected its sales to a great extent in the past few years.

Continue reading Store Expansion and DIY Activity Will Benefit Lowe's

Store Expansion and DIY Activity Will Benefit Lowe's originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsLowesTue, 05 Apr 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Investments to Put Some 'Spring' into Your Step]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/investments-to-put-some-spring-into-your-step/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/investments-to-put-some-spring-into-your-step/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/investments-to-put-some-spring-into-your-step/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Spring has officially begun, and now may be the time to consider some investments that could add a little "spring" to your portfolio.

Topping the list are companies like Lowe's (LOW) and Home Depot (HD). They stand to benefit from the nicer weather as people head outdoors to work on the garden, plant new beds, maintain the lawn, and take care of home improvements.

Continue reading Investments to Put Some 'Spring' into Your Step

Investments to Put Some 'Spring' into Your Step originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DEDeerefeaturedHDHome DepotLOWLowesScotts Miracle GroSMGStanley Black DeckerSWKWed, 23 Mar 2011 10:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Now a Good Time to Consider Lowe's?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/01/is-now-a-good-time-to-consider-lowe-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lowe's (LOW) stock has meandered in a $23-27 range this winter, but there's still scope to $30 and beyond. Here's why:

Home improvement giant Lowe's, first discussed here on September 16, 2009 at a price of $21.60, will likely post a FY2012 revenue increase of 2-3%, followed by a 3-4% increase in FY2013.

Store traffic will increase incrementally, led by small, do-it-yourself customers. The days of strong revenue from large, big-ticket home renovation work will not return in 2011 for LOW, as the U.S. housing sector experiences only a slow, incremental recovery in 2011.

Continue reading Is Now a Good Time to Consider Lowe's?

Is Now a Good Time to Consider Lowe's? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LowesTue, 01 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Home Depot: Looking Good?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/23/home-depot-looking-good/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/23/home-depot-looking-good/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/23/home-depot-looking-good/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Home Depot (HD) logoWhat did you think of Home Depot's (HD) earnings report? I rather enjoyed it. And I think the future may be bright for the retailer and arch enemy of Lowe's (LOW).

According to TheStreet.com, net income calculated out to 36 cents per share for the fourth quarter. This was five pennies better than the overall estimate. Same-store sales experienced an increase of 3.9%. And management's forecast for the full fiscal year was upgraded.

Continue reading Home Depot: Looking Good?

Home Depot: Looking Good? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dividend investingdividend stocksDividendsHDHome DepotinthenewsLOWLowesretailWed, 23 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tell-Tale Stat: Buffett's Berkshire Divests Bank of America, Nike Stakes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/19/buffetts-berkshire-divests-bank-of-america-nike/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/19/buffetts-berkshire-divests-bank-of-america-nike/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/19/buffetts-berkshire-divests-bank-of-america-nike/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Warren BuffettThe past week's data-point-of-consequence for investors had to be investment decisions by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A).

Buffett ended positions in several stocks in the fourth quarter, including the Bank of America (BAC), Nike (NKE), Fiserv (FISV), Becton Dickinson (BDX), Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), Lowe's Co.s (LOW), Nalco (NLC) and Nestle (NSRGY), according to a filing, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Berkshire added to a holding of only one stock in the fourth quarter: Wells Fargo (WFC).

Continue reading Tell-Tale Stat: Buffett's Berkshire Divests Bank of America, Nike Stakes

Tell-Tale Stat: Buffett's Berkshire Divests Bank of America, Nike Stakes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BACBank of AmericaBDXBecton DickinsonBRK.ABRK.BBuffett investingBuffett stocksCMCSAComcasteconomic recoveryfeaturedFiservFISVinthenewsLOWLowesNalcoNestleNikeNKENLCWarren BuffettWells FargoWFCSat, 19 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: DAL, CIEN, DGX, HD, IMAX, LOW, OSK, PENN, RDS.A, SWK ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/31/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/31/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/31/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Home Depot (HD) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Delta Air Lines (DAL) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
  • Heico (HEI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
  • Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
  • MB Financial (MBFI) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • Quest Diagnostics (DGX) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Oshkosh (OSK) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
  • Volterra (VLTR) and Silicon Laboratories (SLAB) to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
  • Ascena Retail Group (ASNA) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
  • Cytec Industries (CYT) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: DAL, CIEN, DGX, HD, IMAX, LOW, OSK, PENN, RDS.A, SWK ...

Analyst Calls: DAL, CIEN, DGX, HD, IMAX, LOW, OSK, PENN, RDS.A, SWK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesArdeaAscenaASNACIENCienaCYTCytecDALDelta AirDGXdowngradesEMEmdeonHDHEIHeicoHome DepotIMAXinitiationsinthenewsLOWLowesMBFIOshkoshOSKPENNQuest DiagnosticsRDEARDS.ARoyal Dutch ShellSCBTSLABSNVStanley Black DeckerSWFTSWKSynovusTACTransAltaVLTRVolterraWSHMon, 31 Jan 2011 12:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Lowe's Leaps Higher]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/14/lowe-s-leaps-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/14/lowe-s-leaps-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/14/lowe-s-leaps-higher/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lowe's stock, dormant all summer, sprang to life this autumn, moving decisively above $20 and appears to be headed toward $30.

Home improvement giant Lowe's (LOW), first discussed here on September 16, 2009 at a price of $21.60, will likely post a FY2011 revenue increase of 3-4%, followed by a 4.5-6% increase in FY2012.

Store traffic will increase incrementally, led by small do-it-yourself customers: the days of strong revenue from large, big-ticket home renovation work will not return soon for LOW, as the U.S. housing sector remains sluggish through much of 2011.

Continue reading Lowe's Leaps Higher

Lowe's Leaps Higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LowesTue, 14 Dec 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AOL, FMCN, GT, HD, JNJ, JNS, LOW, QCOM, RY, UA, WAG ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Walgreen (WAG) and Triumph Group (TGI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • Focus Media (FMCN) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Home Depot (HD) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
  • Arbitron (ARB) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
  • Waddell & Reed (WDR) and Legg Mason (LM) to overweight from equal weight, and Janus Capital (JNS) to overweight from underweight, at Barclays.
  • Central Euro Media (CETV) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
  • GenOn Energy (GEN) and Ntelos (NTLS) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
  • Cooper Tire (CTB) to buy from neutral and Goodyear Tire (GT) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AOL, FMCN, GT, HD, JNJ, JNS, LOW, QCOM, RY, UA, WAG ...

Analyst Calls: AOL, FMCN, GT, HD, JNJ, JNS, LOW, QCOM, RY, UA, WAG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesAOLARBArbitronCETVCNWCon-WayCooper TireCSFSCTBdowngradesFMCNFocus MediaGENHDHome DepotinitiationsinthenewsJanus CapitalJNJJNSJohnson and JohnsonLegg MasonLMLOWLowesNtelosNTLSPaychexPAYXPerkinElmerPKIPOWLQCOMQualcommRoyal Bank of CanadaRYTGITHITim HortonsUAUnder ArmourVistaprintVPRTWaddell and ReedWAGWalgreenWDRThu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Options Update: Starbucks Volatility Flat Into Analyst Meeting; Shares Near 44-Month High]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/options-update-starbucks-volatility-flat-into-analyst-meeting/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/options-update-starbucks-volatility-flat-into-analyst-meeting/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/options-update-starbucks-volatility-flat-into-analyst-meeting/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Starbucks (SBUX) is hosting an investor's conference on December 1. Overall option implied volatility of 30 is near its 26-week average of 32, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Lowe's (LOW) is hosting its annual analyst meeting on November 30. Overall option implied volatility of 29 is below its 26-week average of 32, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Starbucks Volatility Flat Into Analyst Meeting; Shares Near 44-Month High originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewslowlowessbuxstarbucksTue, 30 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lowe's Profit Rises 17%, but It Lowers Its Forecast]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/lowes-q3-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/lowes-q3-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/lowes-q3-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lowe's logoLowe's (LOW) reported Monday morning that its third-quarter profit was $404 million or 29 cents a share, an increase from $344 million or 23 cents a share a year earlier. Results included charges of two cents and one cent respectively. Revenue climbed 1.9% to $11.59 billion. Same-store sales were rose slightly.

The company had forecast earnings of 28 cents to 32 cents and revenue up 3% to 5%. A year earlier, revenue had declined 3%. Gross margins rose to 35% from 34.2%.

Continue reading Lowe's Profit Rises 17%, but It Lowers Its Forecast

Lowe's Profit Rises 17%, but It Lowers Its Forecast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsLOWLowesLowes earningsRobert NiblockMon, 15 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: "Home Prices Are About to Bottom"]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/chasing-value-home-prices-are-about-to-bottom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/chasing-value-home-prices-are-about-to-bottom/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/15/chasing-value-home-prices-are-about-to-bottom/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

"Home Prices Are About to Bottom" was the headline for the Barron's cover story the week of July 14, 2008. The story explained that the housing market should level off in many areas of the country by the end of the year.

I have made some equally unfortunate prognostications in my tenure at BloggingStocks, so my purpose is not to poke fun at Barron's but to point out that here we are, over two years later, and it is still debatable whether the housing market has bottomed out.

Continue reading Chasing Value: "Home Prices Are About to Bottom"

Chasing Value: "Home Prices Are About to Bottom" originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Alan GreenspanBen BernankeChasingValueDUKDuke EnergyfeaturedHDHome Depothouse priceshousing markethousing recoveryinterest ratesKBHKbHomesLEAPSLENLennarLOWLowesoptionsoptions tradingPutSellingTOLtoll brothersMon, 15 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Preview: Retailers Offer Up Earnings (WMT, ANF, LOW, TGT)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/14/week-in-preview-retailers-offer-up-earnings-wmt-anf-low-tgt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/14/week-in-preview-retailers-offer-up-earnings-wmt-anf-low-tgt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/14/week-in-preview-retailers-offer-up-earnings-wmt-anf-low-tgt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

shop windowLast week, Macy's (M) and JCPenney (JCP) kicked off the retail earnings season by posting better-than-expected earnings for the most recent quarter. Many more quarterly reports from retailers are due this week, and by and large expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are high.

Walmart (WMT), the king of retailers, is expected to buck the trend, though. Analysts anticipate that the Bentonville-based company will report that its third-quarter earnings grew only 6.7% year-over-year to 90 cents per share. During the three months that ended in October, Walmart announced an acquisition in South Africa and kicked-off the holiday shopping season, and revenue for that period is predicted to have risen 3.0% to $102.4 billion. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, analysts so far expect sequential and year-over-year growth of both earnings and revenue. Walmart results have not fallen short of consensus estimates in the past five quarters.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Retailers Offer Up Earnings (WMT, ANF, LOW, TGT)

Week in Preview: Retailers Offer Up Earnings (WMT, ANF, LOW, TGT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AbercrombieAbercrombie and FitchAbercrombie earningsanalyst forecastsANFConsumer Price Indexearnings previewseconomic dataEmpire State Manufacturing IndexfeaturedHDHome DepotHousing Market IndexJCPJCPenneyLeading Economic Indicators IndexLOWLowesLowes earningsMacysPhilly Fed SurveyProducer Price Indexretail earningsTargetTarget earningsTGTWal-MartWalmartWalmart earningsWMTSun, 14 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Is the Selling Over with Lowe's?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/03/is-the-selling-over-with-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/03/is-the-selling-over-with-lowe-s/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/03/is-the-selling-over-with-lowe-s/#commentsFiled under: ,

Hopefully, the selling is over with home improvement giant Lowe's (LOW), first discussed here on September 16, 2009 at a price of $21.60.

The stock has misbehaved this summer, falling more than 30% and coming too close for comfort to the $14.50 sell/stop loss.

Still, the calculation is to stick with LOW, given a likely 3-5% revenue increase in FY2011. An aging stock of U.S. homes, and pent-up demand, add to the favorable, longer-term story.

Continue reading Is the Selling Over with Lowe's?

Is the Selling Over with Lowe's? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>LowesFri, 03 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Home Depot Earnings Show Increase in Q2 Income]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/18/home-depot-earnings-show-increase-in-q2-income/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/18/home-depot-earnings-show-increase-in-q2-income/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/18/home-depot-earnings-show-increase-in-q2-income/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Home Depot (HD)Home Depot (HD), the main rival of Lowe's (LOW), closed higher yesterday by 3.4%, finishing out the session at a price of $28.31. It has a ways to go before reaching the 52-week high of $37.03. Will investors push the stock to that level after the second-quarter report?

I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon, but the data wasn't so bad. Earnings per share grew 9% to 72 cents -- a penny ahead of expectations. Same-store sales expanded by 1.7%.

Continue reading Home Depot Earnings Show Increase in Q2 Income

Home Depot Earnings Show Increase in Q2 Income originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredHDHome Depothome depot dividendhome depot earningshome depot epshome depot same-store salesinthenewsLOWLowesretailWed, 18 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lowe's Earnings Preview: Can Another Beat Lift Shares?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/15/lowes-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/15/lowes-earnings-preview/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/15/lowes-earnings-preview/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lowe's logoLowe's Companies Inc. (LOW), the nation's number two home improvement superstore chain, is scheduled to discuss its second-quarter 2010 financial results Monday, August 16, in a conference call beginning at 9:00 AM (ET) hosted by CEO Robert A. Niblock and CFO Robert F. Hull, Jr. You can catch a live webcast at the Lowe's website.

During the three months that ended in July, Lowe's increased its quarterly dividend. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect this Mooresville, N.C.-based company to report earnings of $0.59 per share, up from $0.54 per share in the year-ago period. Its revenue is expected to have risen 4.9% from a year ago to $14.5 billion.

Continue reading Lowe's Earnings Preview: Can Another Beat Lift Shares?

Lowe's Earnings Preview: Can Another Beat Lift Shares? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst forecastearnings previewHDHome DepotLOWLowesLowes dividendSun, 15 Aug 2010 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AMED, FDX, H, HD, HOT, LGF, LOW, MAR, MTB, MRX, NOK, UPS ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • UBS upgraded UPS (UPS) and FedEx (FDX) to buy from hold based on recent weakness and leverage to a recovery. The firm raised its price target on UPS to $74 from $72 and on FedEx to $100 from $97.
  • Bernstein upgraded Medicis (MRX) to outperform from market perform based on valuation and said the company has been executing well over the past few months. The firm has a $28 price target on the stock.
  • Citigroup upgraded Weingarten Realty (WRI) to buy from hold, citing valuation and the company's improved balance sheet. The firm maintains a $24 price target for shares.
  • Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) were upgraded to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
  • NextEra Energy (NEE) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Baird.
  • Nokia (NOK) was upgraded to neutral from reduce at WestLB.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMED, FDX, H, HD, HOT, LGF, LOW, MAR, MTB, MRX, NOK, UPS ...

Analyst Calls: AMED, FDX, H, HD, HOT, LGF, LOW, MAR, MTB, MRX, NOK, UPS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AFAMAMEDanalyst upgradesBAPDEIdowngradesFDXFedExFRXHHDHESHessHOTHSTHyattinitiationsinthenewsJBHTLGFLHGCLionsgateLOWLowesMARMarriottMRXMTBNEENOKNokiaSKTUPSWECWRIWYNWynnThu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AAPL, CP, CSCO, GENZ, HD, KMX, LOW, MSFT, PPL, SI, WTNY, WYNN ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Sterne Agee upgraded Wynn Resorts (WYNN) to buy from neutral and has a $115 price target on the stock. The firm believes Encore Macau will drive further share gains near-term.
  • Deutsche Bank upgraded PPL Corp. (PPL) to buy from hold and said the equity offering and the the stipulation reached in the KY utilities' rate cases removes important overhangs. The firm has a $30 price target on the stock.
  • UBS upgraded CarMax (KMX) to buy from neutral based on forecasts for higher consumer forecast income and positive used car trends. The firm has a $28 target on the stock.
  • Aeropostale (ARO) was upgraded to outperform from underperform at Oppenheimer.
  • Cardinal Financial (CFNL) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Baird.
  • Pinnacle West (PNW) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, CP, CSCO, GENZ, HD, KMX, LOW, MSFT, PPL, SI, WTNY, WYNN ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, CP, CSCO, GENZ, HD, KMX, LOW, MSFT, PPL, SI, WTNY, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLanalyst upgradesAppleAROBTUCFNLCiscoCPCSCOdowngradesGENZHDHome DepotinitiationsinthenewsIRBTKMXLOPELOWLowesMicrosoftMSFTPNWSISiemensTRWWTNYWYNNThu, 24 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-next-moves/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-next-moves/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/16/serious-money-buffett-looking-beyond-our-borders-next-moves/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stories are starting to appear that "my pal Warren" is gearing up for a major foreign acquisition. One of my dear friends Randy S. is taking a post graduate business class at UCLA where this issue is a part of the course. He is supposed to figure out what non US companies Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B), led by Warren Buffett, might be considering for investment.

Ahh yes, the prediction business, quite tricky indeed. Starting with some basics, in most cases I would stick to the time tested philosophy that past performance is not an indicator of future success. That said, I think in the case of Buffett, it does. There are many clues along the trail based on his past performance.

Here are some basic consistencies from the existing portfolio that I would expect to hold true going forward.

Continue reading Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders

Serious Money: Buffett Looking Beyond Our Borders originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AXPberkshire hathawaybrk.abrk.bcoca-coladividend investingdividend stocksfeaturedhdtvHome DepotJNJjohnson and johnsonKonamilowLowesPetroChinaptrSerious MoneySheldon Liberwarren buffettwells fargoWFCWed, 16 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings Highlights: Dell, Gap, GM, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target, Walmart ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/22/earnings-highlights-dell-gap-gm-home-depot-hp-sears-targe/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/22/earnings-highlights-dell-gap-gm-home-depot-hp-sears-targe/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/22/earnings-highlights-dell-gap-gm-home-depot-hp-sears-targe/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

  • Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) shares sold off after it posted a narrower Q1 net loss, but same-store sales rose.
  • Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) swung from a year-ago loss to a Q2 profit that was better than expected.
  • Deere & Co. (DE) reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings and improved sales, and raised its full-year outlook.
  • Dell Inc. (DELL) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, but the gross margin was disappointing, and shares fell.
  • GameStop Corp. (GME) higher Q1 earnings beat consensus estimates but same-store sales declined.
  • Gap Inc. (GPS) said its higher Q1 earnings beat expectations while revenue fell in line with estimates.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Dell, Gap, GM, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target, Walmart ...

Earnings Highlights: Dell, Gap, GM, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target, Walmart ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 May 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AbercrombieAMATANFApplied MaterialsCRMDEDeereDellearningsGameStopGapGeneral MotorsGMEGPSHDHome DepotHormelHPHRLJWNLOWLowesLTDNordstromPolo Ralph LaurenRLSalesforce.comSearsSHLDSPLSStaplesTargetTGTTJXWalmartWMTSat, 22 May 2010 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Lowe's Issues Q1 Results, Market Sells Stock]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/17/lowes-issues-q1-results-market-sells-stock/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/17/lowes-issues-q1-results-market-sells-stock/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/17/lowes-issues-q1-results-market-sells-stock/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Lowe's (LOW), a home-improvement and do-it-yourself entity whose main competitor is the similarly themed Home Depot (HD), is currently down 3.6% in afternoon trading. Volume is particularly heavy.

Over the last year, the retailer has been working against the backdrop of a bad, but improving, economy. Although the stock isn't defined by a very wide range, with the 52-week low being roughly $18 and the 52-week high priced at over $28, and the movement isn't straight up, you can still interpret from the twelve-month chart a decidedly bullish sentiment toward the business and its equity.

Continue reading Lowe's Issues Q1 Results, Market Sells Stock

Lowe's Issues Q1 Results, Market Sells Stock originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 May 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsHDHome Depothome improvementinthenewsLOWLowesretailMon, 17 May 2010 14:30:00 EST