The stock market saw another gainful day despite a reading that consumer sentiment hit a year low. Portugal default fears grew and Japan saw what made for two years of price drops for its consumers. It was pretty impressive to see that most global markets rose on the day. Bond yields were higher and gold failed to reach yesterday's highs.

Here were today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 12,220.59 +50.03 (0.41%)
S&P 500 1,313.80 +4.14 (0.32%)
Nasdaq 2,743.06 +6.64 (0.24%)

Continue reading Closing Bell: From No Worries to Euphoria (ACN, CVX, CLH, EWJ, ORCL, RIMM, S)

Closing Bell: From No Worries to Euphoria (ACN, CVX, CLH, EWJ, ORCL, RIMM, S) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Accenture (ACN - option chain) shares are rising after the company reported Q2 2011 earnings Thursday night, posting a profit of $503.1 million, or 75 cents per share, on revenue of $6.49 billion. Analysts had forecast a profit of 71 cents per share on revenue of $5.73 billion. 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 ACN.

ACN opened Friday morning at $56.47. In morning trading, the stock hit a low of $54.40 and a new 52-week high of $56.78. As of 12:25, ACN was trading at $54.91 up 2.95 (5.7%). The chart for ACN looks bullish and S&P gives ACN a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Accenture's Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates

Accenture's Q2 Earnings Beat Estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NetApp (NTAP) creates innovative storage and data management solutions for small and medium-sized companies around the world. It competes mainly with EMC (EMC), IBM (IBM), HP (HPQ) and Dell (DELL) in the external disk storage systems market.

Over the years NetApp revenues coming from distribution partners (or the indirect channel) have grown significantly and now generate nearly 75% of its total sales. Some of NetApp's major distribution partners include Arrow Electronics, Avnet Hall-Mark and IBM.

Continue reading Accenture Partnership Lifts NetApp

Accenture Partnership Lifts NetApp originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Oracle (ORCL) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Accenture (ACN) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Advanced Energy (AEIS) and Applied Materials (AMAT) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Spreadtrum (SPRD) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Healthcare Realty Trust (HR) and Tortoise Energy Capital (TYY) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Global Payments (GPN) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• CBS (CBS) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Sonic (SONC) to outperform from neutral at Cowen.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACN, AMAT, AZN, BBT, CBS, GPN, IP, ORCL, PKG, SONC, V ...

Analyst Calls: ACN, AMAT, AZN, BBT, CBS, GPN, IP, ORCL, PKG, SONC, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• "This is not a rescue plan. It is the longest ransom note in history: Do what we tell you and you may, in time, get your country back," said Fintan O'Toole, a commentator and author who led a weekend protest by labor-union activists in central Dublin against the imminent bailout. He called the average interest rate being demanded "viciously extortionate."

Continue reading Chasing Value: Stocks and Irish Bailout -- ACN & IBM

Chasing Value: Stocks and Irish Bailout -- ACN & IBM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded Accenture (ACN) to outperform from market perform following the company's Q4 results, citing improved tone and increased visibility. The firm raised its target range for shares to $51 to $53 from $41 to $44.
• Macquarie upgraded FirstMerit (FMER) to outperform from neutral and has a $21 price target on the stock. The firm cites FirstMerit's strong fundamentals and competitive advantage for the upgrade.
• Macquarie transferred coverage on Marshall & Ilsley (MI) with a neutral from an underperform based on improved risk/reward.
• Eaton (ETN) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• HSBC (HBC) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Walgreen (WAG) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACN, ADM, BRCM, CAT, DE, FMER, GOOG, MI, NFLX, UAL, WAG ...

Analyst Calls: ACN, ADM, BRCM, CAT, DE, FMER, GOOG, MI, NFLX, UAL, WAG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of consulting giant Accenture (ACN) are trading sharply higher in after hours trading today following a strong fourth quarter earnings report.

As we noted in our earnings preview last night, analysts had been expecting to see Accenture post earnings of $0.63 per share, but actual earnings came in above expectations at $0.66.

Continue reading Accenture Posts Better-Than-Expected Q4 Earnings

Accenture Posts Better-Than-Expected Q4 Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Consulting firm Accenture (ACN) will be reporting its fiscal fourth quarter earnings after the market close tomorrow, with analysts expecting to see the company report earnings of $0.63 per share, in-line with the same period last year.

The company has issued its guidance, and expects to see revenues in a range of $5.15 to $5.35 billion. For full year earnings, the company now expects earnings somewhere between $2.61 to $2.69, on the lower end of previous guidance.

Continue reading Accenture Fourth Quarter Earnings Preview

Accenture Fourth Quarter Earnings Preview originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• RBC Capital upgraded Suncor (SU) to outperform from sector perform following the Q1 report and FY10 production guidance. The firm has a $46 target on the stock.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Clear Channel Outdoor (CCO) to outperform from market perform. The firm expects the company to report higher-than-expected Q1 revenue and guidance, as it thinks a late cycle ad recovery is occurring.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Power Integrations (POWI) to overweight from neutral following the company's Q1 results and subsequent sell-off. The firm has a $43 price target for shares.
• ArcelorMittal (MT) was upgraded to buy from hold at ING Group.
• Sapient (SAPE) was raised to conviction buy from buy at Goldman and to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Powerwave (PWAV) was upgraded to buy from hold at Befferies and to buy from neutral at Merriman.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACN, CCO, CLX, EHTH, HAS, HOLX, MT, POWI, SON, SU ...

Analyst Calls: ACN, CCO, CLX, EHTH, HAS, HOLX, MT, POWI, SON, SU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 May 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Inch Higher After Greece Aid

Before the Bell: Futures Inch Higher After Greece Aid originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Todd Stottlemyre Looks to Cash in with Multi-Level Marketing

Todd Stottlemyre Looks to Cash in with Multi-Level Marketing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor has it that Tiger Woods has started to brush up on his game a bit and some of golf's greats believe that he will be playing in the Masters. If, and when, he returns, Tiger will be a little lighter in the sponsorship arena, what with AT&T (T), Accenture (ACN), and PepsiCo's (PEP) Gatorade all having ended their sponsorship deals with Tiger.

Fear not though, Tiger is making enough money that he can actually turn down sponsors. Reportedly, an Irish bookie -- Paddy Power (awesome name) -- has made a $75 million offer to sponsor Tiger over the next five years.

Continue reading JockStocks: Tiger Has a New Sponsorship Offer, Should He Accept?

JockStocks: Tiger Has a New Sponsorship Offer, Should He Accept? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Adobe Systems (ADBE) to outperform from market perform to reflect valuation following the recent pullback in shares, as well as the upcoming release of the company's CS5 product. The firm raised its price target for the stock to $39 from $36.
• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Zenith National (ZNT) to market perform from underperform following the company's merger agreement with Fairfax Financial. The firm thinks the offer is a strong price to receive for Zenith National shareholders.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Infosys (INFY) to buy from hold as it believes the offshore applications outsourcing market is picking up. The firm raised its target price for shares to $67 from $58.
• Ventas (VTR) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Liz Claiborne (LIZ) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• iStar Financial (SFI) was upgraded to hold from sell at Citigroup.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACN, ADBE, BBY, DIS, FSLR, GILD, ZNT ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACN, ADBE, BBY, DIS, FSLR, GILD, ZNT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So, it isn't bad enough that Tiger Woods ruined his marriage and soiled his squeaky-clean reputation. Apparently he cost his corporate sponsors $12 billion in stock value as well. According to a study conducted by UC Davis economics professors Victor Stango and Christopher Knittel, Tiger lost his sponsors a "collective $5 to $12 billion." This loss outpaces "several decades' worth of Tiger Woods' personal endorsement income."

The study examined the stock market returns during the 13 trading days after Tiger's car crash, a period concluding a week after Tiger's announcement of an indefinite leave of absent. The two economics professors then compared the returns for Tiger's sponsors during this 13-day period to those of the total stock market and each of the companies' closest competitor. Returns for the four years prior to the car accident were also taken into account in order to establish the stocks' historic performance.

Continue reading Study: Tiger Woods Scandal Cost His Sponsors up to $12 Billion

Study: Tiger Woods Scandal Cost His Sponsors up to $12 Billion originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Time to piggyback on my thoughts about Tiger Woods potentially quitting golf. A statement on Tiger's personal website announced that the world's greatest golfer is going to take "an indefinite break from professional golf." Tiger begins the statement by expressing awareness of the "disappointment and hurt that my infidelity has cause to so many people, most of all my wife and children."

This is the first time that Tiger has really spoken since the car crash, which I feel was a bit of a public relations mistake. His silence allowed the public and tabloids to assume Tiger's guilt before he spoke. Of course, it doesn't matter now, as Tiger admitted to "infidelity," confirming what many have theorized. Tiger added that "It may not be possible to repair the damage I've done, but I want to do my best to try."

Continue reading Tiger Woods to take 'indefinite break from professional golf'

Tiger Woods to take 'indefinite break from professional golf' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded 3M Company (MMM) to buy from hold on expectations the company will deliver superior financial returns over the next 9 to 12 months and on valuation. The firm raised its target on shares to $92 from $84.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded CA Inc. (CA) to buy from hold as it believes cloud computing could accelerate the company's growth over the next 2 to 3 years. The firm raised its target on shares to $28 from $22.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Cooper Companies (COO) to outperform from market perform as it believes that the company has largely eliminated its execution risks while its new products should enable it to grow more quickly than the market.
• BioMarin (BMRN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Collins Stewart.
• Liquidity Services (LQDT) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• RealNetworks (RNWK) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACN, COO, KMB, KR, LMT, MMM, PEP ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ACN, COO, KMB, KR, LMT, MMM, PEP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Retailers expect a strong turnout on Black Friday this year, but they are careful to explain that it doesn't guarantee a winning holiday shopping season.

Consumers are being lured by good deals and special promotions, and Black Friday specials have been leaked earlier than usual this year in the hopes of generating some buzz. The retail sector needs it. Last year's holiday season was the worst in decades, thanks to the financial crisis. This year, the survivors will benefit from fewer competitors chasing the same consumer dollars.

Continue reading Black Friday expected to be strong, no promises for Christmas

Black Friday expected to be strong, no promises for Christmas originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• American Express (NYSE:AXP) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at FBR Capital, as the firm sees limited near-term downside in the stock. The firm raised its target price on the shares to $37 from $25.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) to Outperform from Sector Perform. Target to $44 from $34. UBS upgraded Nestle on expectations the company will begin returning cash to shareholders via buybacks and dividends.
  
• Piper Jaffray raised Dicks Sporting (NYSE:DKS) to Neutral from Underweight following positive channel checks and raised its target on the shares to $28 from $18.
  
• Sohu.com (NASDAQ:SOHU) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell by Pali Capital.
  
• Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) was raised to Buy from Hold by Natixis.
  
• Sunpower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Macquarie.
• China Automotive (NASDAQ:CAAS) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Merriman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, HAL, EL, MAT, CAT....

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, HAL, EL, MAT, CAT.... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Accenture Ltd. (NYSE: ACN) lower Q4 earnings met analysts' expectations but the Q1 outlook was weak.
• Cal-Maine Foods Inc. (NASDAQ: CALM) posted a Q1 net loss and said it will skip its dividend this quarter.
• Cephalon Inc. (NASDAQ: CEPH) earnings prospects for 2010 resulted in an analyst's downgrade.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) Q1 earnings beat by a penny but revenue fell short of estimates.
• Gannett Inc. (NYSE: GCI) shares rose after it forecast Q3 earnings above Wall Street estimates.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Nike, Walgreen, Jabil Circuit, Gannett, Darden ...

Earnings highlights: Nike, Walgreen, Jabil Circuit, Gannett, Darden ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Accenture falls on weak fourth quarter earnings

Accenture falls on weak fourth quarter earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.