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[Closing Bell: The Directionless Day (AAPL, ANF, BA, FXI, ISPH, MRK, NSM, TXN)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/closing-bell-the-directionless-day-aapl-anf-ba-fxi-isph-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/closing-bell-the-directionless-day-aapl-anf-ba-fxi-isph-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/05/closing-bell-the-directionless-day-aapl-anf-ba-fxi-isph-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Stocks had another mixed day, despite some key winners and losers. China's surprise rate hike came amid word of a rate by the European Central Bank, expected on Thursday of this week. Brent Crude hit what appears to be a two-year high and even Ben Bernanke's remarks on inflation didn't add much to the mix. That being said, it was not known until the final minute if the markets were going to be in the red or the black for the trading day.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones: 12,393.90 -6.13 (-0.05%)

S&P500: 1,332,63 -0.24 (-0.02%)
Nasdaq: 2,791,19 +2.00 (0.07%)

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: The Directionless Day (AAPL, ANF, BA, FXI, ISPH, MRK, NSM, TXN)

Closing Bell: The Directionless Day (AAPL, ANF, BA, FXI, ISPH, MRK, NSM, TXN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAnfBAFXIISPHMRKNSMstocksTXNTue, 05 Apr 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks Q1 Review -- A Platform for Success]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-q1-review-a-platform-for-succ/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-q1-review-a-platform-for-succ/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-q1-review-a-platform-for-succ/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It should surprise no one that oil stocks have taken the lead in the first quarter, while financial stocks -- after a good two-year run -- have been tamed. This is how things have shaped up through the first quarter for my 2011 stock picks. (For a look at my original picks, see here: part 1, part 2, and part 3.)

Normally, if I said a business was underwater, investors would think the worst. Actually, in the summer Noble Corp (NE) was underwater -- and investors were not impressed. However, this was a great buying opportunity, and although the company is still underwater, it is also a market leader among my stock picks and the overall market -- even among oil industry players. With its fleet of 69 offshore drilling rigs, Noble stands tall.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks Q1 Review -- A Platform for Success

Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks Q1 Review -- A Platform for Success originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BACBank of AmericaCChevronCititgroupCVXEZCorp IncEZPWfeaturedGEgeneral electricHCIIHomeowners ChoiceMerck CoMRKNCTNEnewcastle investmentNoble Corp.Raytheon CompanyRTNTEFTelefonicaMon, 04 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AET, BMY, DVN, GLW, K, MRK, MT, PETM, SPLS, WY ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Aetna (AET) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
  • Kellogg (K) to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • PetSmart (PETM) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
  • NetApp (NTAP) and Scripps Networks (SNI) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
  • Thoratec (THOR) to buy from hold at Auriga.
  • ArcelorMittal (MT) to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
  • Bristol-Myers (BMY) to outperform from neutral at Cowen.
  • Eaton Vance (EV) to neutral from sell at Ticonderoga.
  • Adtran (ADTN) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AET, BMY, DVN, GLW, K, MRK, MT, PETM, SPLS, WY ...

Analyst Calls: AET, BMY, DVN, GLW, K, MRK, MT, PETM, SPLS, WY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADTNAdtranAETAetnaanalyst upgradesArcelorMittalBMYBristol-MyersCNWCon-WayCorningDevon EnergydowngradesDVNEaton VanceEVGLWGSITinitiationsinthenewsKKelloggMerckMFCMRKMTNetAppNTAPNVDANvidiaPETMPetSmartSAFMSanderson FarmsSensientSIVBSPLSStaplesSXTTHORThoratecTMKTorchmarkUNHUnitedHealthWeyerhaeuserWYMon, 07 Feb 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: An Up-Day That Felt Mixed (BJ, CCME, CSCO, EL, FRG, LTD, MRK)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/closing-bell-an-up-day-that-felt-mixed-bj-ccme-csco-el-frg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/closing-bell-an-up-day-that-felt-mixed-bj-ccme-csco-el-frg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/closing-bell-an-up-day-that-felt-mixed-bj-ccme-csco-el-frg/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Much of the U.S. was buried in ice-cold weather. Jobless claims improved to levels better than expected, earnings kept coming out, and inflation is slightly higher, as the FOMC wants to see. Ben Bernanke said that things are progressing as expected in quantitative easing and did not exactly signal another round of QE3. Strong retail sales may have carried the day.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels ahead of Friday's non-farm payrolls and unemployment data:

Dow Jones: 12,062.26 +20.29 (0.17%)
S&P 500: 1,307.10 +3.07 (0.24%)
Nasdaq: 2,753.88 +4.32 (0.16%)

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: An Up-Day That Felt Mixed (BJ, CCME, CSCO, EL, FRG, LTD, MRK)

Closing Bell: An Up-Day That Felt Mixed (BJ, CCME, CSCO, EL, FRG, LTD, MRK) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BJCSCOELFRGLTDMRKThu, 03 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Futures Mixed Ahead of Earnings, Economic Data, Retail Sales]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/futures-mixed-mrk-earnings-economic-data-retail-sales/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/futures-mixed-mrk-earnings-economic-data-retail-sales/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/03/futures-mixed-mrk-earnings-economic-data-retail-sales/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

U.S. stock futures are mixed this morning, as investors await jobless-claims data and earnings report from Merck (MRK). Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 7 points to 11,992 and S&P 500 futures fell 0.40 point to 1,299.60. Nasdaq 100 futures fell 3.50 to 2,316.25.

The Dow index gained 1.81 points or 0.02% to close at 12,042 yesterday.

Data on weekly jobless claims and fourth quarter productivity will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET. The ISM report on service sector activity in January and factory orders for December will both be released at 10 a.m. ET.

US retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) are scheduled to report same-store sales for January.

Continue reading Futures Mixed Ahead of Earnings, Economic Data, Retail Sales

Futures Mixed Ahead of Earnings, Economic Data, Retail Sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cifeaturedmrknytpremarketrds.awmtyumThu, 03 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Options Update: Oil Services Holders Trust Volatility Flat]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/options-update-oil-services-holders-trust-volatility-flat/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/options-update-oil-services-holders-trust-volatility-flat/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/options-update-oil-services-holders-trust-volatility-flat/#commentsFiled under: ,

Oil Services Holders Trust (OIH) closed above $155 as crude oil futures traded above $91 according to Bloomberg. February and April put option implied volatility of 30 is near its 26-week average of 30 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) overall option implied volatility is at 21 according to Track Data, below its 26-week average of 23 into its release of Q4 EPS on February 3, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Options Update: Oil Services Holders Trust Volatility Flat originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsMerckMRKOIHoiloil services fundoptionsWed, 02 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: 2011 Picks Dust the S&P]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/chasing-value-2011-picks-dust-the-sandp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/chasing-value-2011-picks-dust-the-sandp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/01/chasing-value-2011-picks-dust-the-sandp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

We are only one month into the new year and there have not been many dull moments. Games are going on in the Middle East and they are not the friendly kind. In Egypt a million plus protesters are playing a game of chicken with the Mubarak government demanding he step down from his 32-year-old reign as perpetual president.

This is not radical Islam fundamentalists; it is even more fundamental. The people want to improve their daily lives in a meaningful way. Education, infrastructure, clean water and clean streets. Speaking of infrastructure and getting back to the less dramatic but still important great stock picks Telefonica (TEF) and General Electric (GE) were the big winners so far bouncing over 10% in January.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2011 Picks Dust the S&P

Chasing Value: 2011 Picks Dust the S&P originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BACBank of AmericaChasingValueChevronCitigroup Inc.CVXdividend stocksEZCorp IncEZPWfeaturedGEgeneral electricHCIIHomeownersInsuranceMerck CoMRKNCTNENewcastleInvestmentNoble Corp.Raytheon CompanyRTNSP 500stock picksStocks to buyTEFtelefonicavalue investingTue, 01 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

earnings expectationsFriday's fourth-quarter GDP numbers offered more evidence that the economy is picking up steam, but one of the biggest obstacles to the recovery remains the stubbornly high unemployment rate. We'll find out whether there's been any movement on that front when employment data for January comes out this week. The Challenger Job-Cut report and ADP employment data are due Wednesday, and the government's unemployment rate on Friday. Another mild increase in jobs is expected, in line with the three-month average, but not enough to significantly reduce the unemployment rate.

Also look for the ISM manufacturing and nonmanufacturing indexes this week, as well as the Chicago PMI and the New York NAPM index. And Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will speak to the National Press Club on Thursday.

Continue reading Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More

Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADMADP employment reportAETanalyst forecastsBen BernankeBPBRCMChallenger Job CutsChicago PMICLXCoinstarCoinstar earningsDODOWearnings previewseconomic dataELERTSfeaturedGRHOTHSYISM Manufacturing IndexKLas Vegas SandsLas Vegas Sands earningsMAMRKMRONew York NAPMNVLSNYTPFERAISNETMTSNTWXunemployment rateUnited Parcel ServiceUPSUPS earningsUPS rate increaseVWHRYUMSun, 30 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Investors Lighten Up Before Earnings (AA, BBVA, MRO, MRK, MU, WAVX, WFMI)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/closing-bell-investors-lighten-up-before-earnings-aa-bbva-mr/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/closing-bell-investors-lighten-up-before-earnings-aa-bbva-mr/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/closing-bell-investors-lighten-up-before-earnings-aa-bbva-mr/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Thursday saw seasonality make for a weak jobs report, some manufacturing data came in lower than expected and the rate of wholesale inflation looks to be perking up if you include food and energy. A surprise rate hike from South Korea also took the headlines away from the E.U. and U.K. central banks keeping rates unchanged. Even Ben Bernanke being more confident and calling for 3% to 4% GDP growth in 2011 failed to bring new buyers. The DJIA was weaker than most indexes up until the end of the today.

Here are Thursday's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 11,731.90 -23.54 (-0.20%)
S&P 500 1,283.76 -2.20 (-0.17%)
Nasdaq 2,735.29 -2.04 (-0.07%)

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Investors Lighten Up Before Earnings (AA, BBVA, MRO, MRK, MU, WAVX, WFMI)

Closing Bell: Investors Lighten Up Before Earnings (AA, BBVA, MRO, MRK, MU, WAVX, WFMI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAMRKMROMUWAVXWFMIThu, 13 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Merck Ends Blood Clot Drug Study]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/merck-ends-blood-clot-drug-study/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/merck-ends-blood-clot-drug-study/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/13/merck-ends-blood-clot-drug-study/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MRK logoMerck (MRK - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company said it has ended a clinical study for its cardiovascular drug Vorapaxar in patients with acute coronary syndrome. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on MRK.

This morning, MRK opened at $35.59. So far today the stock has hit a high of $35.78 and a low of $34.55. As of 12:15, MRK is trading at $34.63, down $2.52 (-6.8%). The chart for MRK looks bullish and S&P gives MRK a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Merck Ends Blood Clot Drug Study

Merck Ends Blood Clot Drug Study originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsInvestors ObserverMerckMRKoptionsThu, 13 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 10 and 11]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/10/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-10-and-11/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/10/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-10-and-11/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/10/chasing-value-2011-stock-picks-10-and-11/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I have already gone on record this year saying that financial companies and insurance stocks are going to continue to rebound. In my previous two posts Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 5 of 11 and Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 6, 7, 8, 9, I included several financial institutions. Today I add an insurance company.

The industry got whacked hard for many reasons. For one, it makes a significant amount of profit by investing its float, and like every other investor, the industry lost a pile of money in the financial crisis. It was embroiled more directly than some industries, as several insurers are affiliated with banks. Finally the housing crisis meant disruption to payment streams by homeowners who were delinquent on more than their mortgages.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 10 and 11

Chasing Value: 2011 Stock Picks -- 10 and 11 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BACBank of AmericaCChasingValuecheap stocksChevronCitigroup Inc.CVXdividend stocksEZCorp IncEZPWfeaturedGEgeneral electricHCIIHomeowners ChoiceIncMerckMRKNCTNEnewcastle investmentNoble Corp.Raytheon Companystock picks for 2011TEFtelefonicavalue stocksMon, 10 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: C, CHK, EBAY, KMB, MRK, NSRGY, PFE, RIMM, SNDA, VRA ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Research In Motion (RIMM) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
  • Citigroup (C) to buy from hold at ISI Group.
  • Integrated Silicon (ISSI) to buy from hold at Auriga.
  • Kinross Gold (KGC) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: C, CHK, EBAY, KMB, MRK, NSRGY, PFE, RIMM, SNDA, VRA ...

Analyst Calls: C, CHK, EBAY, KMB, MRK, NSRGY, PFE, RIMM, SNDA, VRA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesBBRGBravo BrioCCELLChesapeakeCHKCIMCitigroupdowngradesEBAYIARTinitiationsinthenewsISSIKGCKimberly ClarkKinross GoldKMBMerckMKTXMRKNestleNSRGYPFEPfizerResearch In MotionRIMRIMMShandaSNDAVera BradleyVRATue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Merck Lifted by Cholesterol Drug Study]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/17/merck-lifted-by-cholesterol-drug-study/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/17/merck-lifted-by-cholesterol-drug-study/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/17/merck-lifted-by-cholesterol-drug-study/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Merck (MRK) logoMerck (MRK - option chain) shares are rising today after the company said a study of its experimental cholesterol drug Anacetrapib showed the drug dramatically lowered bad cholesterol (LDL) while raising so-called good cholesterol (HDL). If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on MRK.

MRK opened this morning at $34.81. So far today the stock has hit a low of $34.52 and a high of $34.94. As of 12:05, MRK is trading at $34.65 up 0.55 (1.6%). The chart for MRK looks bullish and S&P gives MRK a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Merck Lifted by Cholesterol Drug Study

Merck Lifted by Cholesterol Drug Study originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anacetrapibcholesterol drugsinthenewsInvestors ObserverMerckMRKoptionsWed, 17 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Election Day Trades (MRK, PFE, WLP)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/election-day-trades-mrk-pfe-wlp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/election-day-trades-mrk-pfe-wlp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/election-day-trades-mrk-pfe-wlp/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Today is election day. Currently, intrade.com is projecting a 97% chance that the Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives and a 48% chance that they will win the Senate. What could a landslide win for the Republican Party mean for the stock market?

Some observers are suggesting that gridlock in Washington, along with a more business friendly atmosphere, could be a catalyst for stock prices to rise. This, however, is offset by concerns about cuts in government spending. The private economy is sputtering, and near-term spending cuts could have a detrimental effect on the recovery. Therefore, instead of focusing on the broader market, investors may want to look at some specific sectors that may benefit from a Republican victory.

Three interesting areas are oil services, financials, and healthcare. The thinking is that some of the regulatory headwinds facing these sectors may be lifted if the political atmosphere in Washington D.C. changes. Some observers believe that a Republican-led House of Representatives will be able to chip away at some of the Obamacare legislation. This should benefit large pharmaceutical companies such as Merck (MRK) and Pfizer (PFE).

Continue reading Election Day Trades (MRK, PFE, WLP)

Election Day Trades (MRK, PFE, WLP) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BACDOGSinthenewsJPMMRKPFERIGUNHWLPTue, 02 Nov 2010 14:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Rolls On (MSFT, COP, V)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/24/week-in-preview-the-earnings-crunch-rolls-on-msft-cop-v/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/24/week-in-preview-the-earnings-crunch-rolls-on-msft-cop-v/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/24/week-in-preview-the-earnings-crunch-rolls-on-msft-cop-v/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

earnings expectationsThe earnings crunch continues this week, and analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are anticipating lots of strong quarterly reports.

For example, year-over-year earnings growth from big oil Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), ExxonMobil (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) are expected to be in double digits. The same is true of many other energy and mining concerns reporting this week: Allegheny Technologies (ATI), Alliant Energy (LNT), Arch Coal (ACI), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), CMS Energy (CMS), CONSOL Energy (CNX), DPL (DPL), Hess Corp. (HES), Minerals Technologies (MTX), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), PPL Corp. (PPL), Southwestern Energy (SWN), Total (TOT), Whiting Petroleum (WLL), Williams Companies (WMB) and Wisconsin Energy (WEC).

Continue reading Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Rolls On (MSFT, COP, V)

Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Rolls On (MSFT, COP, V) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AFLALLAmerican Expressanalyst forecastsAXPBMYBPBRCMBroadcomCase SchillerChevronCLCMECMSCAConocoPhillipsConocoPhillips earningsCOPCVXDDDOWearnings crunchearnings previewseconomic dataExxonMobilfeaturedGDGDPKMBMAMasterCardMETMicrosoftMicrosoft earningsMMMMOTMotorolaMRKMSFTNOCNovellusNVLSNWLOSKPGRoyal Dutch ShellRTNSHWTexas InstrumentsTXNVisaWHRWMXOMSun, 24 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: BT, BWA, COG, F, GD, HRS, LMT, MRK, NFLX, NOC, OPEN, SI ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Credit Suisse upgraded Netflix (NFLX) to neutral from underperform and raised its price target to $140 from $90. The firm's survey work indicates Netflix's streaming offering is compelling and will continue to grow as it acquires additional streaming content.
  • Barclays upgraded Ford (F) to overweight from equal weight, citing the company's earnings power, reduced cost base, expectations for a return to prior peak margins and valuation. The firm raised its target to $16 from $15.
  • Merriman upgraded OpenTable (OPEN) to buy from neutral based on increased visibility into international expansion from the toptable.com acquisition and upside from its Spotlight product.
  • Siemens (SI) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
  • Medicis (MRX) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
  • IDEX (IEX) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BT, BWA, COG, F, GD, HRS, LMT, MRK, NFLX, NOC, OPEN, SI ...

Analyst Calls: BT, BWA, COG, F, GD, HRS, LMT, MRK, NFLX, NOC, OPEN, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesATKBayerBAYRYBTBWACabotCOGdowngradesFFordGDGeneral DynamicsHarrisHRSIEXinitiationsinthenewsJLLLEALLLLMTLockheed MartinMerckMRKMRXNETCNetFlixNFLXNFXNOCNorthrop GurmmanOPENSISVNTThu, 16 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Chasing Value: Granny Said, 'It Has Turned into One Big Casino']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-granny-said-it-has-turned-into-one-big-casino/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-granny-said-it-has-turned-into-one-big-casino/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/16/chasing-value-granny-said-it-has-turned-into-one-big-casino/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Here is a common sentiment about the stock market: "No fun at all. As I have said before, I believe it has turned into one big casino largely divorced from its original goal of providing capital to companies who produce something of value."

There's a lot of truth to what "granny" recently said to me in an e-mail. Fortunately she also noted "FYI Granny's up 5.86% + dividends." That would give her a gain of about 10% in the past ten months since I posted Where should granny put $50,000, suggesting a very conservative portfolio for an uncertain time.

Not only has she earned a very nice return, surpassing her CD account by 9.5% (20 fold), but she was able to do so with a great deal less volatility than the overall market most of us have lived through.

Continue reading Chasing Value: Granny Said, 'It Has Turned into One Big Casino'

Chasing Value: Granny Said, 'It Has Turned into One Big Casino' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADPAltriaAnnalyCapitalManagementautomatic data processingChasingValueDEOdiageoDUKDuke Energyfeaturedgeneral millsIBM Corp.international business machinesJNJjohnson and johnsonKelloggMCDmcdonaldsMerckMOMRKNLYNovartisNVSPGprocter and gambleSOSouthernCompanyMon, 16 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Slow Growth, Still Growth (MFE, SYMC, TNAV, ALU, K, BRK-A, RIMM, MRK)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/30/closing-bell-slow-growth-still-growth-mfe-symc-tnav-alu-k/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/30/closing-bell-slow-growth-still-growth-mfe-symc-tnav-alu-k/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/30/closing-bell-slow-growth-still-growth-mfe-symc-tnav-alu-k/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

A reading of +2.4% GDP is still growth. It is just not very robust growth. It is also as the argument continues of whether the U.S. is headed for a double-dip recession or just a period of slower growth. PIMCO's Bill Gross calls it a long protracted period of slow growth. Today was lighter than normal on the earnings news, and the final verdict over a green or red ticker at the close was not clear until the final minutes today.

Here were the unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 10,465.94 -1.22 (-0.01%)
S&P 500 1,101.59 +0.06 (0.01%)
Nasdaq 2,254.70 +3.01 (0.13%)

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Continue reading Closing Bell: Slow Growth, Still Growth (MFE, SYMC, TNAV, ALU, K, BRK-A, RIMM, MRK)

Closing Bell: Slow Growth, Still Growth (MFE, SYMC, TNAV, ALU, K, BRK-A, RIMM, MRK) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALUberkshire hathawayBRK-AKli luMFEMRKRIMMTNAVFri, 30 Jul 2010 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Is Novartis a Buy After Q2 Numbers?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-novartis-a-buy-after-q2-numbers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-novartis-a-buy-after-q2-numbers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/15/is-novartis-a-buy-after-q2-numbers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

I'm looking at Novartis (NVS) late in the trading day. There's less than an hour to go before the market closes. The stock is up 0.4% to $50.97. Is it me, or is Wall Street telling us that it isn't too excited by the drug maker's latest earnings report? Which actually wasn't bad, as far as I can tell. Perhaps the market actually is excited, but the response is being muted by the overall tone of the session (volume is strong, I should mention).

The one-year chart for the equity probably wouldn't make you want to buy this one for a trade. It almost seems as if the chance to get in on a great pullback has come and gone, doesn't it? Well, let's have a peek at the fundamentals.

Continue reading Is Novartis a Buy After Q2 Numbers?

Is Novartis a Buy After Q2 Numbers? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drugmakersmerckMRKNovartisNVSPFEpfizerThu, 15 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Merck to Close Eight Plants]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/08/merck-plant-closures-job-cuts/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/08/merck-plant-closures-job-cuts/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/08/merck-plant-closures-job-cuts/#commentsFiled under:

Merck MRK logoThursday morning, Merck & Co. (MRK) announced that it would shut down eight manufacturing plants and eight research sites around the world, along with consolidating some of its offices.

Merck notes that these moves are part of the ongoing consolidation triggered by the acquisition of Schering-Plough last November. The acquisition made Merck the second-biggest pharmaceutical firm in the world. That said, the company is going to eliminate roughly 15% of its workforce (which comes out to 16,000 jobs) in order to save roughly $3.5 billion a year.

Continue reading Merck to Close Eight Plants

Merck to Close Eight Plants originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredinthenewsjob lossesmanufacturingmanufacturing plantsMerckMRKSchering-Ploughtechnical analysisThu, 08 Jul 2010 10:50:00 EST