Options Update: Texas Instruments Volatility Flat into National Semi Purchase originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup (C) to outperform from market perform at Bernstein.
• Cubist Pharma (CBST) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Pentair (PNR) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Heritage Financial (HFWA) to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• SL Green Realty (SLG) and Digital Realty (DLR) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• MGM Resorts (MGM) to neutral from Sell at Janney Capital.
• Ciena (CIEN) to buy from neutral and Olin (OLN) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.
• Mellanox (MLNX) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• ConocoPhillips (COP) and Canadian Natural (CNQ) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• IDEX (IEX) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Ctrip.com (CTRP) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) and Analog Devices (ADI) to hold from sell at Auriga.
• Quicksilver (KWK) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADI, BRCM, C, CIEN, COP, INTC, MGM, OXY, QCOM, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: ADI, BRCM, C, CIEN, COP, INTC, MGM, OXY, QCOM, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Texas Instruments Acquires National Semiconductor

Texas Instruments Acquires National Semiconductor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Parker-Hannifin (PH) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• JDSU (JDSU) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Noble Corp. (NE) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Cerner (CERN) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Cintas (CTAS) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• American States Water (AWR) to buy from hold at Brean Murray.
• National Semiconductor (NSM) and Texas Instruments (TXN) to positive from neutral at Susquehanna.
• Lululemon (LULU) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• DuPont Fabros (DFT) to top pick from outperform at RBC Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CERN, DFT, LVS, NE, NSM, OPEN, PH, QCOM, SHAW, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: CERN, DFT, LVS, NE, NSM, OPEN, PH, QCOM, SHAW, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Texas Instruments (TXN) March put option implied volatility is at 26, April is at 28, near its 26-week average, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement into Tuesday's post-market Q1 mid-quarter update.

Vail Resorts (MTN) volatility elevated into results. MTN March put option implied volatility is at 45, April and July is at 39, above its 26-week average of 37, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement into expected Q2 results on March 10.

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

Options Update: Vail Resorts Volatility Elevated into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Buoyed by strong operating momentum, the technology sector earns high marks in our Quadrix(R) stock- rating system," says Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts explains, "Our favorite picks in the tech sector -Altera (ALTR), Apple (AAPL), IBM (IBM) and Texas Instruments (TXN) - share some favorable qualities.

➤ December-quarter results: All four topped consensus estimates, producing double-digit growth in per- share profits. Revenue also exceeded expectations.

Continue reading Top Techs: Dow Theory's 4 Favorites

Top Techs: Dow Theory's 4 Favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Investors Await Earnings Reports

U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Investors Await Earnings Reports originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• NYSE Euronex (NYX) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• General Dynamics (GD) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Deere (DE), Parker-Hannifin (PH) and ExlService (EXLS) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Aflac (AFL) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Wynn Resorts (WYNN) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Amdocs (DOX) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Juniper (JNPR) to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• Rudolph Tech (RTEC) and KLA-Tencor (KLAC) to perform from underperform at Oppenheimer.
• Hershey (HSY) and Pinnacle Entertainment (PNK) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Spirit AeroSystems (SPR) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Micron (MU) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AFL, DE, DOX, GD, GS, HSY, ITT, MS, NYX, TXN, UBS, WYNN ...

Analyst Calls: AFL, DE, DOX, GD, GS, HSY, ITT, MS, NYX, TXN, UBS, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For years Microsoft (MSFT) was the tech leader. Then, Google (GOOG) came along and Microsoft missed the entire search engine revolution. But Microsoft still dominated in software. Then came Apple (AAPL) with its iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Again, Microsoft missed the small device revolution.

The Wall Street Journal reports that now Microsoft is playing catch-up again. With its next operating system it will use low-powered chips similar to those Apple uses.

Continue reading Microsoft to Feature New Chips With Next Windows

Microsoft to Feature New Chips With Next Windows originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Cisco (CSCO) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Cognizant (CTSH) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Polypore (PPO) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Elan (ELN) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Millicom (MICC) and NuStar GP Holdings (NSH) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Teekay LNG (TGP) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• American Railcar (ARII) to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.
• Texas Instruments (TXN) to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ARO, CSCO, CTSH, ELN, EZCH, LEAP, OGE, TXN, WIN ...

Analyst Calls: ARO, CSCO, CTSH, ELN, EZCH, LEAP, OGE, TXN, WIN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Texas Instruments (TXN) has done well over the last month or so. As can be seen from the chart, the stock engaged in a bit of a rally. Yesterday, the shares closed the regular session at $28.98, not far from the 52-week high of $29.19. And it should be noted that the 52-week high was hit during the intraday portion of the day.

So, we've got some strength to consider here. Now that the third-quarter numbers are out, should investors be taking a look at the stock as a potential buy?

Continue reading Texas Instruments Reports Q3 Earnings

Texas Instruments Reports Q3 Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Texas Instruments (TXN), which boosted its quarterly dividend last week, is scheduled to discuss its third-quarter 2010 financial results Monday, October 25, in a conference call with CFO Kevin March, beginning at 5:30 PM (ET) . You can catch a live webcast of the call at the company's website.

During the three months that ended in September, the Dallas-based semiconductor maker continued to innovate and sold a product line to Intel (INTC). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for Texas Instruments to report that its earnings for that period rose 39.1% from a year ago to 69 cents per share. Revenue is expected to total $3.7 billion, which is a increase of 28.1% from the same period of last year.

Continue reading Texas Instruments Earnings Preview

Texas Instruments Earnings Preview originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The 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.

The earnings season kicked off last week with better-than-expected results from Alcoa (AA) and Yum! Brands (YUM), while Marriott (MAR) and Pepsico (PEP) met consensus EPS estimates. This week, bellwether companies Intel (INTC), General Electric (GE), Google (GOOG) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) are scheduled to report their third-quarter results, and analysts polled by Thomson Reuters are looking for earnings growth from all of them.

Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intel announced the acquisition of McAfee and joint ventures with General Electric and Nokia (NOK) during its third quarter. Analysts forecast earnings for that period to come to 50 cents per share, which is up 34.0% from the same period of last year. The number one semiconductor maker's revenue for the three months ended in September is expected to total $11.0 billion, or 17.1% more than a year earlier. Looking ahead to the full year, the forecast thus far is for earnings of $1.94 per share (+44.8%) and $43.3 billion in revenue (+23.4%). The per-share earnings topped analysts' expectations in the past four quarters, by as much as a dime per share.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Earnings Expectations for Intel, GE, Google and JPMorgan

Week in Preview: Earnings Expectations for Intel, GE, Google and JPMorgan originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Texas Instruments (TXN - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company cut the top end of its third-quarter EPS and revenue forecasts to 72 cents from 74 cents and $3.78 billion from $3.85 billion, respectively. 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 TXN.

This morning, TXN opened at $23.57. So far today the stock has hit a high of $23.89 and a low of $23.39. As of 12:10, TXN is trading at $23.35, down $0.49 (-2.1%). The chart for TXN looks neutral and S&P gives TXN a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Continue reading Texas Instruments Trims Q3 Forecast

Texas Instruments Trims Q3 Forecast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: McDonald's Volatility Flat originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• BMO Capital upgraded Noble Energy (NE) to outperform from market perform and raised its target to $85 from $78. The firm upgraded Noble based on Niobrara field potential and record-breaking reserve potential at the Leviathan prospect.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Raytheon (RTN) to outperform from market perform based on relative valuation, strong balance sheet and International sales exposure.
• ThinkEquity upgraded Cerner (CERN) to buy from hold based on valuation and EMR momentum. The firm raised its price target on shares to $86 from $80.
• Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) was upgraded to buy from hold at Societe Generale.
• Cavium Networks (CAVM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• CSG Systems (CSGS) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AZO, CERN, CIS, INTC, LMT, LULU, NE, RTN, SNY, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: AZO, CERN, CIS, INTC, LMT, LULU, NE, RTN, SNY, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Coca-Cola (KO) to overweight from neutral due to valuation and expectations that developed market volume should improve. The firm raised its target price for shares to $66.
• BB&T upgraded Nordson (NDSN) to buy from hold and has an $82 price target on the stock. The firm believes certain drivers of Nordson's Advanced Tech unit are becoming more secular vs. cyclical and that the company's EBIT margins can go higher.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Embraer (ERJ) to outperform from underperform, citing the positive announcements from the Famborough Air Show. The firm raised its price target to $37 from $21.
• Universal Health (UHS) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Mead Johnson (MJN) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Coventry Health (CVH) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Leerink.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALU, CHL, EXC, GENZ, KO, NDSN, NSW, SJM, TXN ...

Analyst Calls: ALU, CHL, EXC, GENZ, KO, NDSN, NSW, SJM, TXN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Texas Instruments Posts Growth in Q2: Is It Enough for the Market?

Texas Instruments Posts Growth in Q2: Is It Enough for the Market? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For better or worse, the earnings crunch is on this week, with many companies scheduled to report their second quarter 2010 results. Here's a quick run down of what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are expecting to see in the way of this week's earnings results, as well as a closer look at three of the week's biggest anticipated earnings gainers: American Express Co. (AXP), Texas Instruments Inc. (TXN) and Apple Inc. (AAPL).

Analysts expect the following companies to have more than doubled their earnings per share from a year ago.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Is On (AAPL, AXP, TXN)

The Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Is On (AAPL, AXP, TXN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.