The earnings season ramps up this week. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters foresee strong reports from such big names as Apple (AAPL), eBay (EBAY), IBM (IBM), General Electric (GE), Google (GOOG), Schlumberger (SLB) and Southwest Airlines (LUV). And fast on the heels of last week's big earnings beat from JPMorgan Chase (JPM), there will be plenty more results from the financial sector to peruse this week.

Among the financials expected to post double-digit earnings growth this week are Capital One Financial (COF), Morgan Stanley (MS), SLM Corp. (SLM) and U.S. Bancorp (USB), but the week's biggest earnings winner may be Wells Fargo (WFC).

Continue reading Week in Preview: Banks in the Earnings Spotlight

Week in Preview: Banks in the Earnings Spotlight originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• BMO Capital upgraded Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) to Outperform from Market Perform based on valuation and the company's growth outlook. The firm has a price target of $125 on the stock.
• Morgan Keegan upgraded WESCO (WCC) to Outperform from Market Perform ahead of Thursday's earnings report based on valuation and expectations for stronger than expected sales.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Bank of Marin (BMRC) to Outperform from Market Perform with a $40 price target following the company's Q2 results.
• BHP Billiton (BHP) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• PPG Industries (PPG) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Schnitzer Steel (SCHN) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ICE, BHP, PETS, GLW, TEL, SFLY

Analyst Calls: ICE, BHP, PETS, GLW, TEL, SFLY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Barrick Gold (ABX) to buy from hold and reiterates a buy rating on Newmont Mining (NEM) after upping its 2011 gold forecast to $1,450 per ounce and 2012 forecast to $1,600 per ounce. The firm upped its target for Barrick shares to $53 from $45, for Newmont shares to $74 from $72, and on hold-rated Goldcorp (GG) and Kinross Gold (KGC) to $40 and $20, respectively.
• Citigroup upgraded General Dynamics (GD) to hold from sell following the recent pullback in shares. The firm keeps a $67 price target for the stock.
• UBS upgraded Public Service (PEG) to buy from neutral and has a $34 price target on the stock. The firm cites the company's solid balance sheet, earnings profile, and valuation for the upgrade.
• News Corp. (NWS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Soleil.
• AK Steel (AKS) was upgraded to neutral from underperform.
• Progress Energy (PGN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• PNC Financial (PNC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABX, AKS, BK, GBDC, GD, NEM, NWS, ODSY, PNC, UQM ...

Analyst Calls: ABX, AKS, BK, GBDC, GD, NEM, NWS, ODSY, PNC, UQM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 May 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) lower Q1 earnings were better than expected but it lowered its full-year outlook.
• McDonald's Corp. (MCD) solid Q1 numbers were driven by its value menu, McCafe, and strength overseas.
• Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) topped Q1 earnings expectations and cash from operations rose, but shares declined.
• Netflix Inc. (NFLX) shares were lifted after its strong Q1 earnings beat consensus estimates.
• PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) fell short of Q1 revenue estimates but beat earnings per share expectations by a penny.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: McDonald's, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Starbucks, Yahoo! ...

Earnings Highlights: McDonald's, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Raytheon, Starbucks, Yahoo! ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 Apr 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading PNC Hits 52-Week High on Q1 Earnings

PNC Hits 52-Week High on Q1 Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JMP Securities views Yahoo!'s (YHOO) risk-reward as compelling, especially as cyclical and secular growth of online advertising improves. The firm upgraded shares to outperform from market perform and has a $21 target.
• FBR Capital upgraded PNC Financial (PNC) to outperform from market perform, citing an attractive valuation and better risk profile following the company's capital raise. The firm raised its target price on shares to $65 fro $55.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded SEI Investments (SEIC) to buy from neutral on expectations the company's revenues will accelerate in 2011. The firm has a $28 price target on shares.
• Research in Motion (RIMM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• Cisco (CSCO) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Macy's (M) was upgraded to buy from hold at Soleil.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMTD, CSCO, M, PALM, PNC, RIMM, YHOO ...

Analyst Calls: AMTD, CSCO, M, PALM, PNC, RIMM, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Viacom (VIA) to buy from hold due to valuation and expectations that share buybacks will resume this year. The firm raised its price target on shares to $37 from $28.
• Canadian Natural (CNQ) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and the outlook for heavy crude.
• UBS upgraded Key Energy (KEG) to buy from neutral, citing increased E&P well spending, a possible shorter term rally in gas activity and improved utilization. Target raised to $12.50 from $9.50.
• Shire (SHPGY) was raised to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• PNC Financial (PNC) was upgraded at Bernstein to outperform from market perform.
• Pacer International (PACR) was upgraded to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiation: AXA, DNDN, HME, HRB, KEG, LTD, PNC, VIA ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiation: AXA, DNDN, HME, HRB, KEG, LTD, PNC, VIA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded PNC Financial (PNC) to buy from hold on valuation as it believes the recent pullback in shares provides a buying opportunity. The firm raised its target on shares to $57 from $45.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Expedia (EXPE) to buy from hold on valuation as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive following the company's Q4 results and believes revenue margin concerns are overblown. The firm has a $27 price target on the stock.
• Jesup & Lamont upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) to hold from sell following the company's Q4 results to reflect its improving traffic trends. The firm raised its target on shares to $96 from $81. Shares were also upgraded at BofA/Merrill to buy from neutral.
• Rio Tinto (RTP) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• FirstEnergy (FE) was upgraded to hold from underperform at Jefferies.
• Marriott (MAR) was upgraded to perform from underperform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: CMG, EXPE, NFLX, OSK, PNC, SJM, VCLK ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: CMG, EXPE, NFLX, OSK, PNC, SJM, VCLK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) led off the coming parade of earnings from the big banks when it reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, though its revenue fell short of estimates.

Plenty more earnings from the financial sector are due out this week. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters anticipate fourth-quarter earnings growth from American Express Co. (AXP), Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (BK), Hudson City Bancorp Inc. (HCBK), SLM Corp. (SLM) and US Bancorp (USB).

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Q4 Earnings Expectations for the Financial Sector

The Week in Preview: Q4 Earnings Expectations for the Financial Sector originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• TARP Banks, AIG: Tuesday's Headlines
• Lloyds to Raise $22.3B in Rights Issue

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The Fed's push for TARP payback

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The Fed's push for TARP payback originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Pittsburgh Pirates may not be putting much on the field these days, but Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Inc. (NYSE: PNC) has jockeyed itself into a lead position in the financial recovery.

Since hitting its lows in March, at just below $20, PNC is up around 150% at its current price of near $50. I think that the stock will continue to lead the financials higher as its strong balance sheet and diversified revenue fuel a considerable rally.

Continue reading World Series trade #4: PNC Financial Services (PNC)

World Series trade #4: PNC Financial Services (PNC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Baseball fans worldwide continue to warm themselves around the glow of the television to watch the Phillies and Yankees battle it out in the World Series.

Well, sports fans, I know you're psyched, but I have something just as exciting for you: six home run trades.

Peter Lynch had his "take a walk down Main Street" style of investing, so let's call this the "take me out to the ball game" approach to trading. I'm going to give you six trades that I think will knock it out of the park.

Continue reading Six home run World Series trades

Six home run World Series trades originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst initiations:

• Allegheny (NYSE: AYE) was initiated with a buy at Citigroup as attractive at current levels. Target is $33.
• PPL Corp. (NYSE: PPL) was initiated with a buy at Citigroup. Citi believes PPL's earnings power from the Pennsylvania regulated utility market is being underappreciated. Target is $35.
• FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) was initiated with a Buy at Citigroup who believes the company's current valuation doesn't reflect its transition to full market-based rates in 2011. Target is $56.
• Waste Management (NYSE: WM) coverage resumed with a Neutral at Goldman.
• Exxon (NYSE: XOM) initiated with a Buy at Soleil. Target is $90.
• Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) was initiated with a Buy at ING Group.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BKS, POT, XOM, WM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BKS, POT, XOM, WM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With about a 50% run up since January, the stock market is poised for a dip. That is the conventional wisdom being touted by the analysts.

The idea is a good one, but what do you mean by a dip? This is where it experts disagree as usual. Let's take a sampling of some leading pundits:

• Sam Stovall, chief economist at Standard & Poor's, said: "But now (referring to continued high unemployment) that economic waters appear more choppy and third quarter earnings session is about to begin, are investors less inclined than they were a few weeks back to buy stocks on market dips?"

Continue reading When to buy the dips in the stock market?

When to buy the dips in the stock market? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Blackrock (NYSE: BLK) to Buy from Hold as it believes the BGI acquisition is becoming more accretive with the market rally and that the company's core trends are healthy. The firm raised its target on shares to $230 from $180.
• Citigroup upgraded Burlington Northern (NYSE: BNI) to Hold from Sell as it believes the risk/reward on shares is balanced based on 2010 estimates. Citi raised its target on shares to $89 from $75.
• Auriga upgraded Eclipsys (NASDAQ: ECLP) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company's margin expansion initiatives will drive benefits in 2010 and 2011. The firm raised its target on shares to $24 from $16.
• Seagate (NASDAQ: STX) was upgraded to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel and to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Web.com (NASDAQ: WWWW) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, BLK, BNI, CCL, JPM, PNC, UTX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Nucor (NYSE: NUE) to Buy from Hold to reflect its positive outlook for steel and expectations the company will return to profitability in Q4. Citi raised its target price on shares to $57 from $46.
• Oppenheimer upgraded Given Imaging (NASDAQ: GIVN) to Outperform from Perform to reflect solid PillCam Colon data and expected margin improvement. The firm has a $25 target on shares.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Genworth (NYSE: GNW) to Buy from Hold following the $600M capital raise as it believes liquidity at the holding company has improved. The firm raised its target on shares to $18 from $7.
• Washington Federal (NASDAQ: WFSL) was upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at FBR Capital.
• Carnival (NYSE: CCL) was upgraded to Sell from Conviction Sell at Goldman.
• Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Weeden.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: APC, BWA, CCL, KR, NUE, SNDA, TSO ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: APC, BWA, CCL, KR, NUE, SNDA, TSO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Bank Stocks Face Pressure From Treasury Tough Talk
• Citi Set to Complete Preferred Exchange

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Don't throw in the towel on financials

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Don't throw in the towel on financials originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Advanced Micro (NYSE: AMD) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $5.50 from $4.25 citing valuation and expectations for the company's competitive position and gross margins to improve.
• Barclays upgraded American Express (NYSE: AXP) to Overweight from Equal Weight citing long-term earnings growth as the company benefits from declining charge-offs and credit costs. The firm has a $38 target on the stock.
• JPMorgan upgraded Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) to Overweight from Neutral and raised its target to $22 from $19 citing the FTC approval for the acquisition of Jacobs Ranch mine and valuation.
• Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
• Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at Piper Jaffray.
• Ashland (NYSE: ASH) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, AXP, ACI, NOK, NRP, SYK, WPCS

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, AXP, ACI, NOK, NRP, SYK, WPCS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Cramer's 'Stop Trading!': Merger Mania
• UBS Suspends Buying of Leveraged ETFs

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: First Niagara -- the model stock to own

Cramer on BloggingStocks: First Niagara -- the model stock to own originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PNC Financial Services (NYSE: PNC) reported this morning it raised more than $600 million through an at-the-market offering of 15 million shares launched May 14.

Additionally, PNC said it has no plans to convert its preferred shares, and it expects to redeem the U.S. Treasury's $7.6-billion investment in its preferred shares "as soon as appropriate."

Continue reading PNC Financial raises $600 million in capital; investors yawn

PNC Financial raises $600 million in capital; investors yawn originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 27 May 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.