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: BTU, EBAY, FSLR, GENZ, JCG, MAR, PGR, SBUX, VIT ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/25/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/25/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/25/analyst-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Kaufman Bros. upgraded Vancelnfo (VIT) to buy from hold, citing better earnings visibility. The firm raised its target price for shares to $26 from $22.
  • Janney Montgomery upgraded Progressive (PGR) to buy from neutral with an $18.50 price target, citing valuation and market share gains.
  • JPMorgan upgraded Marriott (MAR) to overweight from neutral. The firm has a $36 price target on the stock.
  • eBay (EBAY) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
  • Werner Enterprises (WERN) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
  • CNOOC (CEO) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BTU, EBAY, FSLR, GENZ, JCG, MAR, PGR, SBUX, VIT ...

Analyst Calls: BTU, EBAY, FSLR, GENZ, JCG, MAR, PGR, SBUX, VIT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesBRCDBTUCBLCEOdowngradesEBAYFEFSLRGENZinitiationsinthenewsJCGMARMarriottMIRNRGRAHRRISBUXSLRCSNDAStarbucksVITWERNThu, 25 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: ABT, ARO, BMY, CELG, DNDN, FACT, GS, PSUN, SCCO, ULTI ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/12/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/12/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/12/analyst-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Deutsche Bank upgraded Southern Copper (SCCO) to buy from hold to reflect valuation and positive near-term catalysts. The firm raised its target for shares to $38 from $35.
  • JMP Securities upgraded Ultimate Software (ULTI) to outperform from market perform. The firm cites the company's expanding employee base for the upgrade. The firm has a $40 target on the stock.
  • Piper Jaffray upgraded Aeropostale (ARO) to neutral from underweight following the company's Q4 results and raised its target for shares to $31 from $24.
  • Kennametal (KMT) was upgraded to sell from conviction sell at Goldman.
  • Lifetime Brands (LCUT) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Barrington.
  • Volvo (VOLVY) was upgraded to overweight from underweight at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABT, ARO, BMY, CELG, DNDN, FACT, GS, PSUN, SCCO, ULTI ...

Analyst Calls: ABT, ARO, BMY, CELG, DNDN, FACT, GS, PSUN, SCCO, ULTI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AbbottAbbott LaboratoriesAbbott LabsABTAeropostaleAROBMYBristol MyersCELGCelgeneClearwater PaperCLWDendreonDNDNdowngradesFacet BiotechFACTGILDGileadGoldman SachsGrand CanyonGSHBCHSBCHSBC HoldingsinitiationsinthenewsKennametalKMTLCUTLifetime BrandsLOPENRGNRG EnergyPacific SunwearProvengePSUNSCCOSGISilicon GraphicsSouthern CopperULTIUltimate SoftwareVolvoVOLVYFri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ANF, ELON, MMM, NVDA, SLAB, SNI ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/11/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/11/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/11/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Oppenheimer upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) to outperform from perform as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive and believes the company's Q4 results and easing comparisons could serve as positive catalysts. The firm set a $46 price target on shares.
  • Bernstein upgraded 3M Company (MMM) to outperform from market perform based on expectations the company will continue to beat and raise guidance and that the organic growth rate will continue to improve. The firm raised its target to $99 from $90.
  • Roth Capital expects Nvidia (NVDA) to benefit from its new GPU platform Fermi in Q1, resulting in a PC business recovery. Additionally, the firm, which upgraded shares to buy from hold and has a $21 target, expects Nvidia to offset Intel (INTC) declines by selling low-end GPUs compatible with Intel's Pinetrail and Westmere platforms.
  • Syngenta (SYT) was upgraded to buy from hold at Collins Stewart.
  • Cameron (CAM) was raised to overweight from neutral at HSBC.
  • Sigma-Aldrich (SIAL) was lifted to outperform from neutral at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ANF, ELON, MMM, NVDA, SLAB, SNI ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ANF, ELON, MMM, NVDA, SLAB, SNI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Manalyst upgradesANFBSXCAMCISGDFdowngradesELONFMSinitiationsinthenewsMMMNRGNVDARHTRRCSIALSIDSLABSNISYTThu, 11 Feb 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, BBY, BEN, H, LLY, TROW, X ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/16/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Deutsche Bank upgraded T. Rowe Price (TROW) to buy from hold due to valuation and solid core trends. The firm raised its target on shares to $57 from $55. Note the firm downgraded Franklin Resources to hold from buy (see below).
  • KeyBanc upgraded U.S. Steel (X) to buy from hold based on stable domestic cost environment in 2010 and likelihood of sustained higher spot pricing. The firm has a $65 target on shares.
  • Goldman upgraded Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) to buy from neutral, citing oil leverage, sizable resource base and free cash flow. The firm raised its target to $90 from $88.
  • Darden (DRI) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • Carnival (CCL) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
  • AmerisourceBergen (ABC) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, BBY, BEN, H, LLY, TROW, X ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, BBY, BEN, H, LLY, TROW, X ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABCAmerican Expressanalyst upgradesAXPBBYBENBest BuyCCLCNQdowngradesDRIFEHHyattinitiationsinthenewsLLYNRGRSSNHSPWRASTLDSWSITROWXWed, 16 Dec 2009 11:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VPRT, EV, HPT, NRG, GTE, BNHNA, VAR, ITRI and FARO]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vprt-ev-hpt-nrg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vprt-ev-hpt-nrg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vprt-ev-hpt-nrg/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Citigroup upgraded Vistaprint (VPRT) to buy from hold on valuation following the recent pullback in shares. The firm also raised its price target on the stock to $62 from $55.
  • Fox-Pitt upgraded Eaton Vance (EV) to outperform from in line citing strong fundamentals. The firm raised its target to $36 from $34.
  • Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Hospitality Properties (HPT) to buy from hold citing valuation and expected cash dividend in 2010. The firm has a $22 target on the stock.
  • The Advisory Board (ABCO) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at First Analysis.
  • Technip (TKPPY) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
  • Jefferies upgraded Energy XXI (EXXI) to hold from underperform and raised its target to $2 from $1.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VPRT, EV, HPT, NRG, GTE, BNHNA, VAR, ITRI and FARO

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VPRT, EV, HPT, NRG, GTE, BNHNA, VAR, ITRI and FARO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABCOAdvisory Boardanalyst upgradesBarclaysBCSBenihanabnhndowngradesEaton VanceemcEMC Corpemc corporationEnergy XXIEVEXXIFAROfaro techFaro TechnologiesGran Tierra EnergyGTEHospitality PropertiesHPTinitiationsinthenewsITRIItronLukoilLUKOYNRGNRG EnergyTechnipthomsonthomson reutersTKPPYTRIVARVarian MedicalVistaprintVPRTWed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, CS, MCO, NRG, RHT, TJX ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/23/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/23/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/23/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Citigroup upgraded Robert Half (NYSE: RHI) to Hold from Sell following the company's Q2 results, believing the worst may be behind the company. Citi raised its target on shares to $24 from $18.
  • Goldman upgraded AnnTaylor (NYSE: ANN) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $13 from $6.50, citing improved merchandising and inventories.
  • Baird upgraded TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) to Outperform from Underperform and raised its target to $12 from $9, citing the better-than-expected Q2 report and guidance, strong balance sheet, and valuation.
  • F5 Networks (NASDAQ: FFIV) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at BofA/Merrill.
  • Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
  • Sanmina (NASDAQ: SANM) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, CS, MCO, NRG, RHT, TJX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANN, CS, MCO, NRG, RHT, TJX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AGNCANNAROATUCRNTCSdowngradesFFIVFITGOVinitiationsMCOMSCCNRGRHIRHTRVBDSANMTBITJXupgradesThu, 23 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Exelon's deal for NRG gets nuclear]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/exelons-deal-for-nrg-gets-nuclear/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/exelons-deal-for-nrg-gets-nuclear/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/02/exelons-deal-for-nrg-gets-nuclear/#commentsFiled under:

The dealmaking is heating up in the nuclear sector. Today, Exelon Corp (NYSE: EXC) upped its hostile bid by 12% for NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG). This new price tag translates into a valuation of $7.45 billion.

The wrangling between the companies has gone on for roughly eight months. In fact, hostile deals can be time-consuming (in some cases, lasting a couple years).

Something else: Exelon has indicated that this is the "best and final offer." Apparently, the company has realized new cost savings, which justifies the higher valuation.

Continue reading Exelon's deal for NRG gets nuclear

Exelon's deal for NRG gets nuclear originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>excExeloninthenewsnrgReliant EnergyrriThu, 02 Jul 2009 15:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANDE, CAR, YUM, INTC, NKE ... ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Stephens upgraded The Andersons (NASDAQ: ANDE) to Overweight from Equal Weight on expectations the company is benefiting from good space income opportunities and better ethanol profitability. The firm raised its target price to $31 from $28.
  • Jefferies upgraded NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) to Buy from Hold as the analyst believes Exelon (NYSE: EXC) will have to materially raise its offer to close the acquisition. The firm raised its target on shares to $25 from $22.50.
  • FBR Capital upgraded FMC Technologies (NYSE: FTI) to Outperform from Market Perform after meeting with management to reflect the company's 2011 growth potential. The firm raised its target on shares to $51.
  • J. Sainsbury (OTC: JSAIY) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
  • SVB Financial (NASDAQ: SIVB) and Fulton Financial (NASDAQ: FULT) were upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANDE, CAR, YUM, INTC, NKE ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANDE, CAR, YUM, INTC, NKE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>andecaregoexcfhnftifultintcjsaiyltxcmyrgnkenrgnyxsivbsohutneucbhyumThu, 04 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell: Stocks to start higher; C, AIG, GM, F, NRG, C, NT, SBUX, WFC, STP, ANF ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/before-the-bell-stocks-to-start-higher-aig-gm-f-nrg-c-nt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/before-the-bell-stocks-to-start-higher-aig-gm-f-nrg-c-nt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/10/before-the-bell-stocks-to-start-higher-aig-gm-f-nrg-c-nt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

U.S. stock futures were higher Monday morning, indicating stocks could rise at the open after China Sunday announced a $585 billion stimulus package, which includes tax cuts and infrastructure spending. This cause world markets to climb as well as commodities. Oil followed stock markets and jumped above $64 a barrel. Another boost to stocks was further aid from the government to AIG.

[Update 8:25: Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) filed for bankruptcy. Shares are down 52% in premarket trading to 12 cents.]

American International Group (NYSE: AIG) -- The government on Monday provided new financial assistance to the troubled insurance giant, including pouring $40 billion into the company in return for partial ownership. Altogether, AIG got around $150 billion. AIG shares are shooting up over 21% in premarket trading.

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) and Chrysler are also moving closer to a bailout as Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, called the industry an "essential" part of the U.S. economy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said that the administration should consider expanding the $700 billion financial industry bailout to include car companies. With this kind of support, still undecided is the size and timing of any aid. GM shares are up 2.3% (it was hit by a downgrade from Barclays) and Ford shares are up nearly 5% in premarket trade. [Update 9:10: as expected, with the GM downgrade, it is down over 10% in premarket trading, Ford is only slightly down thought]

NRG Energy Inc. (NYSE: NRG) on Sunday rejected an unsolicited $6.1 billion all-stock bid from nuclear power giant and utility operator Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC), calling it too low. NRG shares jumped 6.8% in premarket trading.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks to start higher; C, AIG, GM, F, NRG, C, NT, SBUX, WFC, STP, ANF ...

Before the bell: Stocks to start higher; C, AIG, GM, F, NRG, C, NT, SBUX, WFC, STP, ANF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aiganfannccsiqexcffslrgminthenewsmcdnrgntsbuxspwrastpurbnwfcMon, 10 Nov 2008 08:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Lots of stocks still haven't fallen enough ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/23/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lots-of-stocks-still-havent-fallen-en/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/23/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lots-of-stocks-still-havent-fallen-en/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/23/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-lots-of-stocks-still-havent-fallen-en/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says the sellers are in control, and without dividend protection, we have no floor.

The bad stuff is in the market. It just has to get more in. That's all. That's the conclusion you have to reach when you see companies like Terex (NYSE: TEX) (Cramer's Take), which is valued at only a billion and a half dollars, or Joy Global (NASDAQ: JOYG) (Cramer's Take) at $2 billion and change or McDermott (NYSE: MDR) (Cramer's Take) at $3 billion.

In other words, forget about the stock prices. They are almost all absurd unless we are headed into a recession of such magnitude that companies start showing severe losses in the first quarter. Think about the market cap size. If Terex, which is actually a pretty good machinery company, can sell at a billion and a half dollars -- about the price that some acquisitive company might have paid for a division of Terex a year ago -- why can't it sell at $1 billion? How about $800 million? What's to stop it? The sellers at this point obviously don't even care about it, not one bit. They just want money. The buyers have had their heads twisted off and don't want anything more to do with it. No one wants to recommend it because the estimates are too high. And without a dividend, it has no protection; besides, people might perceive that the dividend can't be paid -- a la Freeport (NYSE: FCX) (Cramer's Take) -- and sell it anyway.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Lots of stocks still haven't fallen enough

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Lots of stocks still haven't fallen enough originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fcxfeaturedFreeport-McMoRanjim cramerJimCramerjoy globaljoygJoyGlobalmcdermottmdrnrgparker-hannifinphterextexThu, 23 Oct 2008 09:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Playing the bounce ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/21/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-playing-the-bounce/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/21/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-playing-the-bounce/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/21/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-playing-the-bounce/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says you can game the psychology of the market if you want, but know the rules.

I see the plan: Every day that the market looks like it is going down we give $10 billion to some bank! It is sure-fire. Did you notice the momentary weakness in France Monday? Quick, cut checks to BNP, SocGen and Agricole. Why not? When ING (NYSE: ING) (Cramer's Take) looked like it was a disaster, giving $13 billion to that one-time conservative bank turned all of Europe around!

Monday, when there was a moment that we looked weak, when it looked like we were going to go from plus 200 to below 100, Treasury let it be known that there is a whole other round of checks coming for the second-tier players. Who knows? Boom. That plus higher oil prices turned the market around in the upside-down world we are now in! No doubt soon Downey (NYSE: DSL) (Cramer's Take) and BankUnited (NASDAQ: BKUNA) (Cramer's Take) might get checks and then everything will go higher.

Oh, and on top of that, we have a new stimulus plan, one specially designed, no doubt, to move Target (NYSE: TGT) (Cramer's Take) back to its moving average and get Macy's (NYSE: M) (Cramer's Take) off the critical list.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Playing the bounce

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Playing the bounce originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agricolebkunabnpcegdslexcfeaturedingjim cramerJimCramermnrgsocgentgtTue, 21 Oct 2008 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Dow up nearly 5%; CSCO, XOM, HAS, MAT, NRG ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/closing-bell-dow-up-nearly-5-csco-xom-has-mat-nrg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/closing-bell-dow-up-nearly-5-csco-xom-has-mat-nrg/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/closing-bell-dow-up-nearly-5-csco-xom-has-mat-nrg/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Today was another strong day in the market, which may be mostly credited to Ben Bernanke giving a carte blanche for another economic stimulus package in his testimony this morning. We saw a rise in California home buying, but that was credited to foreclosure purchases at far lower prices.

Below are today's unofficial closing bell levels:
DJIA 9,265.43 +413.21 +4.67%
S&P500 985.38 +44.83 +4.77%
NASDAQ 1,770.03 +58.74 +3.43%
10YR T-Bond 3.886% (-0.052%)
Top ANALYST UPGRADES
52-Week Lows

Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) traded higher by about 2% in pre-market after its rating was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Morgan Keegan. The firm believes orders are holding up better than many suspect. Another reason for the upgrade was forward valuation levels. Shares closed up almost 6% at $18.96 today.

Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) traded up 10% today to close at $74.99 as part of a broad oil-sector upgrade at Oppenheimer after recent weakness, and as oil prices recovered throughout the day.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Dow up nearly 5%; CSCO, XOM, HAS, MAT, NRG ...

Closing Bell: Dow up nearly 5%; CSCO, XOM, HAS, MAT, NRG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cscoexchasmatnrgxomMon, 20 Oct 2008 16:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Exelon's bid for NRG is just what we need ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-exelons-bid-for-nrg-is-just-what-we-n/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-exelons-bid-for-nrg-is-just-what-we-n/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-exelons-bid-for-nrg-is-just-what-we-n/#commentsFiled under: , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says this is the first real deal to take advantage of the new low prices of this era.

Editor's note: Jim Cramer will present his 2009 stock outlook for the first time at TheStreet.com Investment Conference on Saturday, Oct. 25. Limited seating. Act now.

The Exelon (NYSE: EXC) (Cramer's Take) bid for NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) (Cramer's Take) is what we need to see if we are going to find terra firma. We need to see healthy companies with good balance sheets going after other healthy companies that have balance sheets that won't let them do well.

If there were no credit crunch, NRG -- like Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) (Cramer's Take) before it -- would be doing just fine. In fact, you would be wondering what the heck it was doing so low. Reliant Energy (NYSE: RRI) (Cramer's Take) and Mirant (NYSE: MIR) (Cramer's Take) also fit the same pattern. These are all companies that need ready access to capital, and it doesn't exist right now.

NRG has a pro-nuke history and so does Exelon. Nuclear power has taken on an almost holy image in this country if the plants are already built because you simply can't afford to build new ones. NRG is one of the few utilities in the whole country that is trying to build plants, something that would be fabulous for Exelon and NRG's shareholders alike. It's a great match.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Exelon's bid for NRG is just what we need

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Exelon's bid for NRG is just what we need originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cegexcfeaturedjim cramerJimCramermirnrgrriMon, 20 Oct 2008 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Option Update: NRG Energy volatility elevated into Exelon buyout offer]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/option-update-nrg-energy-volatility-elevated-into-exelon-buyout/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/option-update-nrg-energy-volatility-elevated-into-exelon-buyout/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/option-update-nrg-energy-volatility-elevated-into-exelon-buyout/#commentsFiled under: ,

Exelon (NYSE: EXC) offered to buy NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) for $6.2 billion or 0.485 of an EXC share for each NRG shares, which is worth about $26.43 for each NRG share. EXC, the biggest U.S. operator of nuclear power plants, closed at $54.50. EXC November option implied volatility of 75 is above its 26-week average of 75 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

NRG, a generation company with annual revenues of $5.9 billion, closed at $19.33. NRG November option implied volatility of 133 is above its 26-week average of 42 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Volatility Index S&P 500 Options-VIX at 70.33; 10-day moving average is 61.44.

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

Option Update: NRG Energy volatility elevated into Exelon buyout offer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>excExeloninthenewsnrgNRG EnergyNrgEnergyoption implied volatilityOptionImpliedVolatilityMon, 20 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell: Stocks headed higher; ERIC, GM, MAT, SNDK, HAL, EXC, YHOO, AAPL, XOM ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/before-the-bell-stocks-headed-higher-eric-gm-mat-sndk-hal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/before-the-bell-stocks-headed-higher-eric-gm-mat-sndk-hal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/20/before-the-bell-stocks-headed-higher-eric-gm-mat-sndk-hal/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

U.S. stock futures jumped higher Monday morning as investors gain more confidence in the different government actions taken to stabilize financial markets. Global shares advanced overnight following measures taken worldwide. Indeed, the three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR, a measure of the rate at which banks lend to each other, dropped to 4.06% from 4.42%.

Also, investors will be keeping an eye on Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testimony before the House Budget Committee on the economic outlook and financial markets at 10:00 am EST, same time as the release of the September leading indicators.

As OPEC prepares for a production cut and oil rose to above $74 per barrel, earnings season on Wall Street continues in full swing this week:
  • Ericsson AB (NASDAQ: ERIC) shares are rising over 18% in pre-market trading after it posted a better-than-expected third-quarter profit due to cost cut measures and a sales surge.
  • Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT) reported third-quarter results this morning. Mattel's income rose, but not enough and it missed expectations.
  • Hasbro (NYSE: HAS) reported a 14% drop in third-quarter profit, but it beat expectations.
  • Halliburton (NYSE: HAL) swung to a loss in the third quarter, but managed to beat earnings expectations by a penny excluding charges. Revenue in the quarter rose 24%.
  • SanDisk (NASDAQ: SNDK), American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN) report third-quarter results after the closing bell.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks headed higher; ERIC, GM, MAT, SNDK, HAL, EXC, YHOO, AAPL, XOM ...

Before the bell: Stocks headed higher; ERIC, GM, MAT, SNDK, HAL, EXC, YHOO, AAPL, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplapcaxpbpcopcvxericexcgmhalhasinthenewsmatnrgsndktxnxomyhooMon, 20 Oct 2008 08:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst calls: GM, F, CB, MER, LLY, UL, BRCM, AAPL, PALM ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/16/analyst-calls-gm-f-cb-mer-lly-ul-brcm-aapl-palm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/16/analyst-calls-gm-f-cb-mer-lly-ul-brcm-aapl-palm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/16/analyst-calls-gm-f-cb-mer-lly-ul-brcm-aapl-palm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Merrill upgraded shares of General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Ford (NYSE: F) to Neutral from Underperform on expectations for fundamentals to improve in 2009.
  • Citigroup upgraded Chubb (NYSE: CB) and Travelers Group (NYSE: TRV) to Buy from Hold as they expect the company to benefit from the AIG (NYSE: AIG) fallout. The firm raised Chubb's target to $57 from $56 and Travelers Group's target to $51.50 from $49.50.
  • Credit Suisse upgraded shares of SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) to Outperform from Neutral as they believe margin expansion can drive higher profitability.
  • JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Argus.
  • Goldman raised Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) to Neutral from Sell.
  • NetLogic (NASDAQ: NETL) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Piper.
Analyst downgrades:
  • JP Morgan downgraded Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) to Underweight from Neutral citing the company's early stage pipeline and generic competition.
  • Merrill downgraded Unilever (NYSE: UL) to Neutral from Buy as they believe the incoming CEO is unlikely to bring a major restructuring or split up the company.

Continue reading Analyst calls: GM, F, CB, MER, LLY, UL, BRCM, AAPL, PALM ...

Analyst calls: GM, F, CB, MER, LLY, UL, BRCM, AAPL, PALM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplatwbrcmcbcnqrdtpifgmgrhinthenewsjbluklacllylrcxmdasmdrmermunetlnrgoiipalmqisaptrvulzepTue, 16 Sep 2008 12:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Dow and S&P up slightly. Mixed day, yet felt like a win]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/closing-bell-mixed-day-yet-felt-like-a-win/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/closing-bell-mixed-day-yet-felt-like-a-win/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/closing-bell-mixed-day-yet-felt-like-a-win/#commentsFiled under: ,

Another low volume August trading day is behind us. Markets in the US responded rather well to economic data but falling oil prices and gold prices are beginning to take over in importance. Oil was down again and gold followed suit. There was generally still a mixed market most of the day. After what we have been seeing for longer than many care to remember we'd consider a mixed day a partial win. Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:
Mentor Graphics (NASDAQ: MENT) was down 25% at $10.41 in today's final minutes. Its buyout has fallen through. The cause: financing issues. Go figure.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Dow and S&P up slightly. Mixed day, yet felt like a win

Closing Bell: Dow and S&P up slightly. Mixed day, yet felt like a win originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABKBuffettMENTNRGSPWRFri, 15 Aug 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell: Futures climb with dollar as oil declines; ADSK, KSS, JWN, ANF, JCP, MBI, ABK, MER ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/before-the-bell-futures-climb-with-as-oil-declines-adsk-kss/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/before-the-bell-futures-climb-with-as-oil-declines-adsk-kss/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/15/before-the-bell-futures-climb-with-as-oil-declines-adsk-kss/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

U.S. stock futures were higher Friday morning, indicating stock markets could possibly extend Thursday's rally as the dollar rose and oil prices fell further. The dollar continues to make gains on the back of growing evidence of global economic softness. Still, several economic readings are due out today, including the New York Empire State manufacturing index , capacity utilization and industrial production -- all before the opening bell.

Retail will be in focus today after two Kohl's Corp (NYSE: KSS) and Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN) reported late Thursday, and J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) and Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) are due to report before the opening bell.

Kohl's Corp shares could start higher as premarket indication has them trading 2.3% higher, while Nordstrom's are trading 4% lower in premarket action. Kohl's quarterly profit fell 12% from a year ago, but the retailer lifted its fiscal year profit forecast. Meanwhile, upper scale Nordstrom, reported a 21% drop in second-quarter profits and cut full year outlook.

ANF said second-quarter profit fell on lower sales of jeans and T-shirts and forecast full-year earnings per share that trailed some analysts' estimates. JCP also saw profit decline but beat estimates and issued lower guidance.

Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK) shares are trading 10% higher in premarket action after the design software maker reported stronger-than-forecast second-quarter earnings Thursday after the close.

Continue reading Before the bell: Futures climb with dollar as oil declines; ADSK, KSS, JWN, ANF, JCP, MBI, ABK, MER ...

Before the bell: Futures climb with dollar as oil declines; ADSK, KSS, JWN, ANF, JCP, MBI, ABK, MER ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplabkadskanfawbrk.adellgooginthenewsjcpjwnkssmbimernrgrsgunpwmiFri, 15 Aug 2008 08:18:00 EST<![CDATA[NRG powers up a hostile bid for Calpine]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/nrg-powers-up-a-hostile-bid-for-calpine/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/nrg-powers-up-a-hostile-bid-for-calpine/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/nrg-powers-up-a-hostile-bid-for-calpine/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Calpine (NYSE: CPN), which is a major power company, has experienced lots of drama over the years. However, the company has been able to stabilize things - and has recently come out of bankruptcy.

But suddenly the drama has returned: NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG), a rival, has made a $11 billion hostile bid for Calpine (it's a stock-for-stock transaction).

And there's lots of momentum for the deal. Keep in mind that Harbinger Capital Partners, which is a major hedge fund, owns 24% of Calpine's shares and is pushing for a combination.

No doubt, NRG-Calpine would be a powerhouse, amounting to roughly 45,000 megawatts. It will also expand NRG's presence in the valuable California market.

True, the valuation for the transactions looks meager. But, I suspect we'll ultimately see a higher bid. According to Harbinger's letter to Calpine:

"We believe this offer represents a good starting point and that the Board should immediately engage with NRG concerning the terms."

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

NRG powers up a hostile bid for Calpine originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 May 2008 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CalpinecpnHostile BidHostileBidindependent power producersIndependentPowerProducersinthenewsnrgNRG EnergyNrgEnergyThu, 22 May 2008 09:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Option Update: Calpine volatility flat into NRG $11.3B buyout proposal]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/option-update-calpine-volatility-flat-into-nrg-11-3b-buyout-pr/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/option-update-calpine-volatility-flat-into-nrg-11-3b-buyout-pr/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/05/22/option-update-calpine-volatility-flat-into-nrg-11-3b-buyout-pr/#commentsFiled under: ,

NRG Energy (NYSE: NRG) confirmed an all-stock transaction with an exchange ratio of 0.534 for CPN shares, valuing the potential transaction at $22.70.

Calpine (NYSE: CPN) closed at $21.28 Wednesday.

CPN overall option implied volatility of 41 is near its 16-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional risk.

Option Update: Calpine volatility flat into NRG $11.3B buyout proposal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 May 2008 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CalpinecpninthenewsnrgNRG EnergyNrgEnergyoption implied volatilityOptionImpliedVolatilityThu, 22 May 2008 08:10:00 EST