Just when you thought that Donald Trump could not come up with a new way to spin The Apprentice, he trumps you. That's because last night, Trump fired Trump from his role on the board of Trump Entertainment Resorts (NASDAQ: TRMP). The reason is simple -- Trump Entertainment bondholders are owed $53 million; the Donald stiffed them; and now the bondholders want Trump Entertainment to file for Chapter 11.

The Donald's self-firing is the latest salvo in a lengthy war between himself and his bondholders. A few weeks ago, I posted on the imminent deadline for a resolution of the matter. But Trump bondholders gave him a temporary reprieve until this coming Tuesday. And the Donald has mentally checked out of this mess boasting about how little it means to him -- "Moreover, the company has represented for quite some time substantially less than 1% of my net worth, and my investment in it is worthless to me now," according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Continue reading Trump to Trump: You're fired!

Trump to Trump: You're fired! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If Donald Trump files for bankruptcy, it certainly won't be the first time. For Trump Entertainment Resorts (NASDAQ: TRMP), the Donald has a deadline of today to renegotiated a $1.25 billion debt.

What's the big deal? It turns out that Trump Entertainment -- which owns the Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza and Trump Marina in Atlantic City, missed a $53.1 million bond payment on December 1, and got a 30-day extension. The holders of 70% of Trump Entertainment's outstanding senior secured notes due in 2015 agreed to wait until today to exercise their rights related to the missed bond payment. And today is the day for coming to terms on another loan as well. The lenders involved in a $490 million loan agreement also agreed to wait until today to exercise their rights.

If Trump Entertainment files for bankruptcy today, it will only be the fourth time it's done so since 1991. The weak economy is not helping Trump Entertainment. In 2008, sales at The Taj Mahal fell 5.1%, those at Trump Plaza dropped 6.4% and Trump Marina sales fell 15.8%. One analyst thinks that Trump will get another extension on his payment.

Continue reading Is Trump bankrupt?

Is Trump bankrupt? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jan 2009 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

And yet its namesake, Donald J. Trump, has made quite a bit of money as it bleeds red.

Mr. Trump was paid $2 million for serving as chairman in 2007 -- a sum that I would say is completely undeserved, given the company's lack of performance while he devoted his time to sparring with Rosie O'Donnell on daytime talk shows. And then there's this gem:

Continue reading Failing casino company pays off for Donald Trump

Failing casino company pays off for Donald Trump originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one of several on business heirs apparent. Let us know in the comments whether you think about Ivanka Trump, and be sure to check out the other heir apparent posts.

Ivanka Trump, 26, daughter of Donald Trump, is an heir apparent to her dad's real estate and entertainment holdings. Her business title is the vice president of real estate development and acquisitions at the Trump Organization, which is a holding company for many of Trump's businesses (Trump's casinos are part of Trump Entertainment Resorts (NASDAQ: TRMP).

Ivanka, while arguably the most famous of Trump's children, isn't his only heir apparent. Her siblings Donald, Jr., and Eric are also currently executive vice presidents, according to Wikipedia. But she stands out as the one likely to claim the top job given her love of the limelight -- she is a frequent cover girl and has appeared on the Apprentice -- as well as her oft-proclaimed drive to succeed in business.

However, I for one am getting sick of all the talk about her heir apparent status. Money-losing casinos, licensing deals for everything from hotels to cologne, and a TV show that's been in rapid decline since the end of its first season? That empire? What's second prize, 50 shares of Bear Stearns?

Continue reading Heir apparent: Ivanka Trump, heir to what exactly?

Heir apparent: Ivanka Trump, heir to what exactly? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 22:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are a few highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) beat fourth-quarter estimates on lower costs and strong sales.
• Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) first-quarter profit doubled on strong sales, lifting the sector.
• Clean Harbors Inc. (NASDAQ: CLHB) trounced expectations as it completes acquisitions.
• Del Monte Foods Co. (NYSE: DLM) beat estimates on cost cutting and raised its guidance.
• HSBC Holdings PLC ADS (NYSE: HBC) profit soared in 2007, beating analysts' expectations.
• Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) lowered its first quarter earnings forecast, citing weak chip prices.
• LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: LF) narrowed its losses for the fourth quarter and full year.
• LKQ Corp. (NASDAQ: LKQX) beat fourth-quarter estimates and raised its guidance.
• Midway Games Inc. (NYSE: MWY) widened its losses in both the fourth quarter and full year.
• Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) reported a solid fourth quarter and increased its annual dividend.
• TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO) posted a smaller-than-expected fourth-quarter loss due to licensing deals.
• Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. (NASDAQ: TRMP) fourth-quarter and full-year losses widened.
• Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) beat earnings expectations but matched revenue estimates.

Also, Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) struggles to maintain profitability against competitor Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ). See Timothy Sykes's take on Warren Buffett's annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) shareholders. And Zac Bissonnette is interested in where earnings actually come from.

Upcoming results to watch for include Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Boston Beer Co. (NYSE: SAM), J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG), Jones Soda Co. (NASDAQ: JSDA), Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), and Men's Wearhouse Inc. (NYSE: MW).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Ciena, Staples, Intel, Tivo, Trump, Del Monte and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New York-based Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS), the operator of Saks Fifth Avenue department stores, reported that its fourth-quarter profit almost doubled, helped by solid sales, cost controls, and one-time gains.

Earnings came to $39.5 million, or 26 cents per share, during the period that ended February 2, compared with $21.5 million, or 14 cents per share, in the same period of the prior year. Sales rose almost 5% to $999.7 million in the fourth quarter. Analysts had expected EPS of 20 cents on revenue of $993.61 million, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.

For the year, Saks earned $47.5 million, or 31 cents per share, compared with $53.7 million, or 40 cents per share, a year earlier. Sales rose to $3.28 billion, almost 12% higher than the previous year.

"I remain very positive about the long-term prospects for the luxury sector and specifically for our Saks Fifth Avenue business, " said Chief Executive Stephen Sadove. However, privately-held Neiman Marcus Inc., which reported fiscal second-quarter results today, saw only a modest rise of 8% in profits and 6% in revenue.

Continue reading Saks profit soars, Trump Entertainment tumbles

Saks profit soars, Trump Entertainment tumbles originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Trump Entertainment (TRMP) on the move after earnings

Trump Entertainment (TRMP) on the move after earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Trump Entertainment Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: TRMP) calls active at higher volatility on renewed chatter:

TRMP was recently up 39 cents to $7.06 on renewed and unconfirmed takeover chatter. TRMP announced on July 2nd that its board of directors ended talks with potential acquirers. TRMP call option volume of 1,439 contracts compared to put volume of 219 contracts. TRMP September option implied volatility off 97 was above its 26-week average of 56 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

ConAgra (NYSE: CAG) October implied volatility elevated at 31 into earnings per share (EPS) announcement:

CAG confirmed previously issued EPS and sales for 2008 on Septebmer 6th. CAG is expected to report EPS in late September. CAG announced on September 5th that it would remove the flavoring chemical diacetyl in the manufacturing of its microwave popcorn. CAG call option volume of 6,815 contracts compared to put volume of 8,182 contracts. CAG October option implied volatility of 31 was above its 26-week average of 20, according to Track Data, suggesting larger risk.

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

Option update 9-10-07; Trump Entertainment calls active at higher volatility on renewed chatter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Netflix Inc (NASDAQ: NFLX)

This week's rumor round-up: Will Amazon overpay for Netflix? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Openwave Systems Inc (NASDAQ: OPWV) was downgraded to Underperform from Buy at Needham, as the firm no longer believes the company's assets and balance sheet are worth $11/share and expects the franchise to be again disrupted due to layoffs and asset sales. Openwave was also downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan, to Hold from Buy at Wedbush after no superior bid emerged to Harbinger's, and to Sector Underperformer from Outperformer at CIBC World Markets, which cited reduced prospects of a buyout.

• Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc (NASDAQ: TRMP) was downgraded to Underperform from Peer Perform at Bear Stearns citing valuation as upside from a takeout at current levels is remote.

• Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co (NASDAQ: LEND) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Keefe Bruyette & Woods following its acquisition by Lone Star for $400M.

• Bebe Stores Inc (NASDAQ: BEBE) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Friedman Billings citing new merchandise that lacks a significant casual component to drive business, tough comps, aggressively planned inventory levels for 2H, and the potential for sustained negative comps during the next few quarters.

• Friedman Billings also downgraded Aladdin Knowledge Systems Limited (NASDAQ: ALDN) to Market Perform from Outperform based on valuation and challenges in the U.S. market.

• General Mills Inc (NYSE: GIS) was downgraded to Peer Perform from outperform at Bear Stearns on valuation and concerns with the turnaround plan for Big G cereal division.

Analyst downgrades 6-05-07: OPWV, TRMP and LEND originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer rolling dice on Trump Entertainment originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Nov 2006 18:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.