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[Efforts to cope with swine flu likely to increase traffic at CVS, Walgreen]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/efforts-to-cope-with-swine-flu-likely-to-increase-traffic-at-cvs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/efforts-to-cope-with-swine-flu-likely-to-increase-traffic-at-cvs/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/efforts-to-cope-with-swine-flu-likely-to-increase-traffic-at-cvs/#commentsFiled under: ,

I'm reiterating Buy ratings for giant drug store chains CVS-Caremark (NYSE: CVS) and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) on likely increased store traffic, due to the H1N1 flu.

So far, the nation is doing fairly well at ensuring that there will be enough swine flu vaccine for key populations --those who could quickly spread the virus like teachers, health care workers, emergency personnel etc., as well as other risk groups -- pregnant women, people caring for infants, people aged 25-64 who are at high risk due to compromised immune systems.

Continue reading Efforts to cope with swine flu likely to increase traffic at CVS, Walgreen

Efforts to cope with swine flu likely to increase traffic at CVS, Walgreen originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CVSH1N1 fluH1n1Fluinthe newsIntheNewsswine fluSwineFluWAGMon, 24 Aug 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) gains on UNH swine flu assurances]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/21/sanofi-aventis-sny-gains-on-unh-swine-flu-assurances/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/21/sanofi-aventis-sny-gains-on-unh-swine-flu-assurances/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/21/sanofi-aventis-sny-gains-on-unh-swine-flu-assurances/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

SNY logoSanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY - option chain) shares are rising today after health insurer Unitedhealth Group (NYSE: UNH) announced that it would fully cover swine flu vaccinations, even for members that do not have immunizations typically covered. As one of the drugmakers that is producing a swine flu vaccine, SNY stands to benefit. 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 SNY.

SNY opened this morning at $33.69. So far today the stock has hit a low of $33.63 and a high of $34.17. As of 11:45, SNY is trading at $33.89 up $1.02 (3.1%). The chart for SNY looks neutral and S&P gives SNY a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Continue reading Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) gains on UNH swine flu assurances

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) gains on UNH swine flu assurances originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>H1N1inthenewsInvestors ObserverInvestorsObserveroptionsSanofi-AventisSNYswine fluSwineFluUNHUnitedhealth GroupUnitedhealthGroupFri, 21 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) ships return to Mexico]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/carnival-crusie-lines-ccl-ships-return-to-mexico/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/carnival-crusie-lines-ccl-ships-return-to-mexico/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/carnival-crusie-lines-ccl-ships-return-to-mexico/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

CCL logoCarnival Corp (NYSE: CCL - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced this morning that it will resume stops at Mexican ports now that health officials have lifted advisories against non-essential travel to the nation.

CCL also said the H1N1 Influenza scare will likely reduce second-quarter earnings by 5 cents per share. While that isn't a good thing, investors often prefer to know how bad the news instead of having to guess. 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 CCL.

CCL opened this morning at $26.18. So far today the stock has hit a low of $25.81 and a high of $26.60. As of 11:35, CCL is trading at $26.41 up 1.41 (5.6%). The chart for CCL looks bearish and S&P gives CCL a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.

Continue reading Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) ships return to Mexico

Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) ships return to Mexico originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carnival cruise linesCarnivalCruiseLinesCCLh1n1investors observerInvestorsObserverMexicooptionsswine fluSwineFluMon, 18 May 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Let's give Visa some credit for its Q2 performance ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/lets-give-visa-some-credit-for-its-q2-performance/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/lets-give-visa-some-credit-for-its-q2-performance/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/lets-give-visa-some-credit-for-its-q2-performance/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Visa (NYSE: V), whose colleagues include American Express (NYSE: AXP), MasterCard (NYSE: MA), and Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS), reported a Q2 profit on Wednesday that was surprisingly strong. On an adjusted basis, earnings came in at 73 cents per share. Analysts were banking on only 64 cents per share, according to Reuters.

Quite frankly, I can see the disparity between Wall Street's thinking and the ultimate reality. I mean, the economy has been bad (to state the obvious), and people aren't spending as much. This means that they aren't using their credit cards like they used to. Ergo, you might expect Visa to post a lower number.

Continue reading Let's give Visa some credit for its Q2 performance

Let's give Visa some credit for its Q2 performance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american expressAmericanExpressAXPcredit cardsCreditCardsDFSdiscover financial servicesDiscoverFinancialServiceselizabeth harrowElizabethHarrowMAmastercardswine fluSwineFluVVisaThu, 30 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Burger King beats expectations, but will swine flu affect the fiscal year? ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/burger-king-beats-expectations-but-will-the-swine-flu-affect-th/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/burger-king-beats-expectations-but-will-the-swine-flu-affect-th/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/burger-king-beats-expectations-but-will-the-swine-flu-affect-th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Burger King (NYSE: BKC), a fast-food joint that competes with McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM), and Wendy's/Arby's Group (NYSE: WEN), issued its Q3 report on Wednesday. The top line didn't do much, rising only 1% in the face of difficulties with currency translations. Earnings came in at 34 cents per share. That was one penny better than Wall Street's expectations, according to Reuters.

It's always good to beat the earnings call. But Burger King didn't get much mileage out of that victory. The stock actually sold off 3% on the news, closing yesterday at a fresh 52-week low of $16.55. The big catalyst was the conservative fiscal-year guidance.

Continue reading Burger King beats expectations, but will swine flu affect the fiscal year?

Burger King beats expectations, but will swine flu affect the fiscal year? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BKCBurger KingBurgerKingfast foodFastFoodfeaturedMCDmcdonaldsmexicoswine fluSwineFluWENWendysArbys GroupWendysarbysGroupYUMyum brandsYumBrandsThu, 30 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Retail Rent Rebellion: Will mall operators cave in to tenants?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/retail-rent-rebellion-will-the-mall-operators-get-crammed-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/retail-rent-rebellion-will-the-mall-operators-get-crammed-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/retail-rent-rebellion-will-the-mall-operators-get-crammed-down/#commentsFiled under:

Several national chains are talking up demands for reduced retail rents at locations across the country, according to a post in BNET.

That can't be good news for strapped mall operators, such as Simon Property Group (NYS: SPG), which have recently seen their fortunes turn upwards on the backs of analyst upgrades and economists calling a bottom to the Great Recession.

Continue reading Retail Rent Rebellion: Will mall operators cave in to tenants?

Retail Rent Rebellion: Will mall operators cave in to tenants? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DDRfeaturedgeneral growth propertiesGeneralGrowthPropertiesmallmallsretailretail salesretailersRetailSalesspgSwineswine fluSwineFluWed, 29 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Carnival Cruise Lines gives Mexico a wide berth on swine flu concerns]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/carnival-cruise-lines-gives-mexico-a-wide-berth-on-swine-flu-con/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/carnival-cruise-lines-gives-mexico-a-wide-berth-on-swine-flu-con/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/29/carnival-cruise-lines-gives-mexico-a-wide-berth-on-swine-flu-con/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Late Tuesday, Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) reported that it will temporarily cancel all stops in Mexico due to fears surrounding the swine flu. "We have decided to cancel calls at Mexican ports for all current sailings. Additionally, we will cancel calls in Mexico for all voyages departing Thursday, April 30 through Monday, May 4," the cruise line operator said in a statement.

Carnival isn't the only cruise line playing it safe. Sector peer Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL) also announced plans to temporarily suspend port calls in Mexico. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not recommended any travel restrictions to halt the swine flu's spread.

Continue reading Carnival Cruise Lines gives Mexico a wide berth on swine flu concerns

Carnival Cruise Lines gives Mexico a wide berth on swine flu concerns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carnival Corp.Carnival Cruise LinesCarnivalCorp.CarnivalCruiseLinesCCLfeaturedmexicooptionsRCLRoyal Caribbean CruisesRoyalCaribbeanCruisesswine fluSwineFluWHOworld health organizationWorldHealthOrganizationWed, 29 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Mixed day, traders in the blender (ALU, AXP, BAC, C, MAT)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/closing-bell-mixed-day-traders-in-teh-blender-alu-axp-bac/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/closing-bell-mixed-day-traders-in-teh-blender-alu-axp-bac/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/closing-bell-mixed-day-traders-in-teh-blender-alu-axp-bac/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Less-bad housing data from Case-Shiller was trumped after a much more positive consumer confidence report came out this morning. Swine flu was all over the media today, but not with as much financial impact.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 8,016.95 -8.05 (-0.10%)
S&P 500 855.16 -2.35 (-0.27%)
Nasdaq 1,673.81 -5.60 (-0.33%)

Top Analyst Upgrades
Top Analyst Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Mixed day, traders in the blender (ALU, AXP, BAC, C, MAT)

Closing Bell: Mixed day, traders in the blender (ALU, AXP, BAC, C, MAT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ken lewisKenLewisswine fluSwineFluTue, 28 Apr 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Earnings keep swine scares in check (BAC, GSK, HUM, EWW, QCOM, WFMI)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/closing-bell-earnings-keep-swine-scares-in-check-bac-gsk-hum/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/closing-bell-earnings-keep-swine-scares-in-check-bac-gsk-hum/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/closing-bell-earnings-keep-swine-scares-in-check-bac-gsk-hum/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Today was just a weird day as we sold off, but marginally compared to elsewhere. Parts of Asia and Europe, as well as Latin America, saw their equity markets hit hard over fears of a pandemic swine flu outbreak. Many traders feel this is a notion that will pass as a footnote rather than as a catastrophe, and this was a very light day for data. Sheila Bair at FDIC did manage to call the bank liquidity crisis over.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow 8,025.00 -51.29 (-0.64%)
S&P 500 857.51 -8.72 (-1.01%)
Nasdaq 1,679.41 -14.88 (-0.88%)

Top Analyst Upgrades
Top Analyst Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Earnings keep swine scares in check (BAC, GSK, HUM, EWW, QCOM, WFMI)

Closing Bell: Earnings keep swine scares in check (BAC, GSK, HUM, EWW, QCOM, WFMI) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EWWGSKHUMjohn thainJohnThainken lewisKenLewismexicorelenzaswine fluSwineFluMon, 27 Apr 2009 16:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Markets contract swine flu]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/markets-contract-swine-flu/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/markets-contract-swine-flu/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/markets-contract-swine-flu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Just as investors were beginning to feel somewhat positive -- the economy was at least bottoming, and possibly showing early signs of turning around -- swine flu has appeared and put the global economy under its own stress test.

The Obama administration declared a public health emergency Sunday because of the flu outbreak. So far officials have confirmed cases in New York, Texas, California and Kansas. Globally there have been cases of the same strain of the deadly flu, which is suspected in the deaths of 103 people in Mexico, as far as New Zealand.

One after another, sectors, markets and companies affected by the flu's consequences have exhibited symptoms -- good or bad.

BloggingStocks and DailyFinance have more:

Markets contract swine flu originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredpig fluPigFluswine fluSwineFluMon, 27 Apr 2009 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/dont-fear-the-swine-flu-trade-it/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/dont-fear-the-swine-flu-trade-it/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/dont-fear-the-swine-flu-trade-it/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

I remember Toronto during SARS. As one of the harder hit areas, it was not a happy place. It was the end of winter, but that miserable, cold winter just didn't want to end. People walked the streets in a gloomy haze, afraid to take the subway and giving dirty looks to anyone brazen enough to cough in public. Worse, I couldn't even visit a friend in the hospital. All things considered though, in global pandemic terms, it was over relatively quickly. Let's hope swine flu will be the same.

In the meantime, let's put on our investors hats and see what's in store for some stocks:

Travel and tourist stocks
This is one of the worst hit areas, especially airlines, as people may cancel their travel plans. For example, AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) traded over 9 percent lower an hour after the open. Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) was down over 15 percent. In fact UBS downgraded these airlines and hotels this morning: AMR, Continental Airlines (NYSE: CAL), Host Hotels and Resorts (NYSE: HST), Lasalle Hotel Properties (NYSE: LHO), Marriott (NYSE: MAR), United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAUA), US Airways (NYSE: LCC). Carnival Cruise Lines (NYSE: CCL) also declined considerably. Best to stay away from the sector.

Continue reading Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it

Don't fear the swine flu . . . trade it originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amraznbaxbcrxcclcvsfeaturedgildgskhealthcarehrlhstlccclhomanvaxnvsrclrhhbysfdsnyswine fluSwineFlutrading swine fluTradingSwineFlutsnuauawagMon, 27 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Swine flu: Outbreak takes its toll in the oil patch]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/swine-flu-takes-its-toll-in-the-oil-patch/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/swine-flu-takes-its-toll-in-the-oil-patch/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/swine-flu-takes-its-toll-in-the-oil-patch/#commentsFiled under: ,

Earlier I took a look at the obvious impact that the pig pig flu outbreak could have on airlines, but I was surprised to see the profound impact it has had in the oil patch.

Black gold futures are 5% lower this morning because of global economic recovery concerns that have surfaced thanks to the "deadly swine flu." In early morning trading, June-dated crude was trading below $50 per barrel and recently dipped below $49 per barrel.

Continue reading Swine flu: Outbreak takes its toll in the oil patch

Swine flu: Outbreak takes its toll in the oil patch originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commoditiesinthenewsoilswine fluSwineFluvolatilityMon, 27 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst warns Visa, MasterCard could be smacked by swine flu]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/analyst-warns-visa-mastercard-could-be-smacked-by-swine-flu/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/analyst-warns-visa-mastercard-could-be-smacked-by-swine-flu/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/analyst-warns-visa-mastercard-could-be-smacked-by-swine-flu/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Pork producers aren't the only stocks getting hammered by swine flu fears. Brokerage JPMorgan observed today that "concerns over the swine flu outbreak could weigh on MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA - option chain) / Visa Inc. (NYSE: V - option chain) shares due to fears that cross-border fees may suffer from reduced cross-border travel related to the virus," sending shares of both companies lower at the sound of the opening bell.

Although JPMorgan added that it's too early to tell what impact the swine flu will have on MasterCard and Visa, the firm asserted that "the risk is worth monitoring in our view."

Continue reading Analyst warns Visa, MasterCard could be smacked by swine flu

Analyst warns Visa, MasterCard could be smacked by swine flu originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsJPMorganMAMasterCardoptionsswine fluSwineFluVVisaMon, 27 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Airlines could suffer thanks to a potential swine flu epidemic]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/airlines-could-suffer-thanks-to-a-potential-swine-flu-epidemic/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/airlines-could-suffer-thanks-to-a-potential-swine-flu-epidemic/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/27/airlines-could-suffer-thanks-to-a-potential-swine-flu-epidemic/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What more could go wrong for airlines, right? The swine flu outbreak has reminded some investors of the SARS epidemic in Asia, and it has taken its toll on airlines. With the Mexican government closing schools and stores because of a public health emergency, we await a worldwide reaction. With fears of human-to-human transmission of the disease, no doubt we are going to see airlines suffer again.

Swine flu cases have reached as far as New Zealand, and cases were found in Spain, America and Canada, In the country of origin, Mexico, there have also been deaths, making this a worldwide outbreak. These concerns resulted in battered airline stocks in foreign trading. In Chinese trading, Air France KLM, Deutsche Lufthansa, British Airways, and Iberiea were all more than 7% lower. Cathay Pacific and Air China were both sharply lower as well.

Continue reading Airlines could suffer thanks to a potential swine flu epidemic

Airlines could suffer thanks to a potential swine flu epidemic originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesamrflu epidemicflue outbreakFlueOutbreakFluEpidemicinthenewslccswine fluSwineFluMon, 27 Apr 2009 09:30:00 EST