Analyst Upgrades

• Marriott (MAR) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
• Quest Diagnostics (DGX) and Owens-Illinois (OI) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• FirstMerit (FMER) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• Safeway (SWY) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Babcock & Wilcox (BWC) to buy from neutral, as well as Jacobs Engineering (JEC) and W. R. Berkley (WRB) to neutral from sell, at Goldman.
• Pioneer Natural (PXD) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Teekay Tankers (TNK) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BP, DGX, DNDN, MAR, PM, PXD, SWY, TNK, TRV ...

Analyst Calls: BP, DGX, DNDN, MAR, PM, PXD, SWY, TNK, TRV ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

American Superconductor (AMSC) gapped lower right out of the gate this morning, thanks to a bearish write-up in Barron's (subscription required) over the weekend. In a piece titled "Flagging Winds from China," author Bill Alpert warns of "signs that China's boom in wind power is slowing." As points of concern, Alpert points to dropping prices and rising inventories in the wind-turbine industry.

AMSC tumbled to a loss of more than 6% Monday morning, deepening its year-to-date decline of 18%. The stock has suffered four consecutive Friday closes beneath its 10-week moving average, and AMSC is now trading below its 20-week moving average, as well. Going forward, these formerly supportive trendlines could switch roles to act as resistance.

Continue reading American Superconductor Slides on Bearish Barron's Article

American Superconductor Slides on Bearish Barron's Article originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Five years ago, we presented a strong case for investing in China; we felt so compelled by the opportunity that we expanded our research team and opened a regional research office in Hong Kong," says Jim Oberweis, Jr.

The money manager and editor of The Oberweis Report reviews his current outlook on China, as well as some of his favorite U.S.-listed small cap Chinese companies that are currently in our portfolio.

The advisor explains, "We just recently celebrated the five-year anniversary of our Oberweis China Opportunities Fund; since its inception, the fund returned an average annualized gain of 22.94%.

Continue reading Favorite Small Caps from China Opportunities Fund

Favorite Small Caps from China Opportunities Fund originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Insiders Buying Pilgrim's Pride, American Superconductor and More

Insiders Buying Pilgrim's Pride, American Superconductor and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Kratos and More

Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Kratos and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you are looking for clues telling you which stocks have a good chance of increasing in value, you might want consider watching what insiders are doing. After all, talk is cheap, but when insiders put their own money on the line, you should sit up and take note.

American Superconductor Corp (AMSC) topped the insider-buying charts for the week ending July 9th as insiders snapped up 200,000 shares of company stock at a market value of $5,657,600. During the past six months, insiders have increased their overall holdings in the company by 27.24% and now own 10.05% of AMSC stock.

Mediamind Technologies Inc (MDMD) was not far behind, with insiders buying 380,200 shares at a market value of $4,372,302. Insiders now own 0.00% of the company's stock after decreasing their overall holdings by 0.00% during the past six months.

Continue reading Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Mediamind and More

Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Mediamind and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Semis & Renewable Energy: 7 Contrarian Favorites

Semis & Renewable Energy: 7 Contrarian Favorites originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Blackrock and Others

Insiders Snapping Up American Superconductor, Blackrock and Others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

Michael Cintolo, editor of The Cabot Market Letter and The Cabot Top Ten Report, looks to the alternative energy sector for his favorite investment idea for 2010.

The growth stock expert explains, "I consider American Superconductor (AMSC) to be the #1 wind power story in the market today." Here's his review.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: American Superconductor (AMSC)

Top Picks for 2010: American Superconductor (AMSC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Looking for a way to bet on a continued rebound in technology stocks, a rise in worldwide demand for energy, and China ... all in one?" asks small-cap growth stock expert Jim Oberweis Jr.

The money manager and editor of The Oberweis Report suggests, "Take a look at American Superconductor Corp. (AMSC), my choice for the top idea for 2010.

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: American Superconductor (AMSC)

Top Picks for 2010: American Superconductor (AMSC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Recession-end sells the short-sellers (PG, HGSI, FSLR, AMSC, TSPT)

Closing Bell: Recession-end sells the short-sellers (PG, HGSI, FSLR, AMSC, TSPT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Brendan Coffey is a specialist on "green" investing; in his The Cabot Green Investor, he looks to alternative energy firm American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC).

Here's his review of the company, which is a player both in wind power and energy efficient wiring that can play a role in improved power grid systems.

"Long an R&D company, focusing on highly conductive wiring, American Superconductor made a game-changing purchase of an Austrian wind company, Windtec, in early 2007.

Continue reading American Superconductor (AMSC): Green gains in wind and wires

American Superconductor (AMSC): Green gains in wind and wires originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) should benefit from an update of the nation's power grid," says Jim Powell.

Here, the editor of Global Changes & Opportunities Report reviews this leading manufacturer of more efficient high temperature superconductor-based wires and cables.

"I've been writing about infrastructure stocks ever since it became apparent that big federal spending programs were on the way. I believe American Superconductor will perform very well. In fact, its price has already started to rise.

"American Superconductor is not yet profitable. However, the company is well past the development stage. AMSC makes high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires and cables that carry as much as 150 times the current as conventional products of the same weight and diameter.

Continue reading Power grid play: American Superconductor (AMSC)

Power grid play: American Superconductor (AMSC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Minyanville contributor Sean Udall dares to share the kind of keen insight and actionable information you won't find in any prospectus. For more original thought, visit www.minyanville.com.

• I've taken a leg in the Ultra QQQ ProShares (AMEX: QLD). The market has popped 2% off lows, the question is will it pop the full 7%?
  
  
• I'm seeing a few positive divergences and the percentage of stocks below the 50 day moving average is well below the 2002 levels. I haven't looked at the percentage of stocks below the 200 day, but I'm sure the reading should be equally distressed.
  
  
• I know people are pricing in earnings per share Armageddon in tech land -- so the question is, what happens to many of these stocks if it's really just sort of "punk" and not a total cataclysmic drop in revenue guidance.
  

Continue reading Tech sector at a glance

Tech sector at a glance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• DJIA 12286.18 (+5.86)
• S&P500 1358.10 (-3.66)
• NASDAQ 2448.94 (-10.52)
• 10YR T-NOTE 4.099% (+0.107%)
• Top 10 Analyst Calls

Continue reading Closing Bell: Forget the tape, biotechs and others move big

Closing Bell: Forget the tape, biotechs and others move big originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With oil over $100, and voters increasingly attuned in this political season to the need for clean and renewable fuels, the alternative energy industry is ripe for investment," says David Sandell.

The contributing editor to Stephen Leeb's The Complete Investor, explains, "We're adding American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) - an energy tech leader that helps the electric grid to function better - to our 'Fast Track' portfolio."

"American Superconductor designs and sells products geared to utilities, industrial companies, and wind energy developers. Its offers are designed to help these customers to generate and deliver electrical power more efficiently, cleanly, and reliably.

"The company has two chief divisions. Its profitable Power Systems segment sells power converters to utilities and industrial customers, both in the U.S. and internationally. The point of these converters is to regulate voltage, thereby improving the performance of the electric grid - making it more efficient (and energy-conserving) as well as reliable.

"The company is teaming up with the Department of Homeland Security as well as with Con Edison on a grid upgrade for New York City that would increase capacity and suppress power surges.

"In 2007, beefing up this division, American Superconductor made two significant acquisitions. It bought Windtec, a company that specializes in wind energy - licensing proprietary wind turbine designs, training workers to maintain turbines, and supplying converter and control systems to wind farms.

Continue reading American Superconductor (AMSC): Power play on energy efficiency

American Superconductor (AMSC): Power play on energy efficiency originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings resumed coverage of Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) and Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) with Outperform ratings and a $30 target and a $46 target and Applebee's (NASDAQ: APPB) with a Market Perform rating and $25.50 target.
  
• American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC) was initiated with a Buy rating and $33 target at Jefferies, as they believe repeat orders for wind turbine electrical systems could drive rapid revenue growth from 2008-2010.
  
• CIBC resumed coverage of First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) with a Sector Performer rating, as they believe shares are already pricing in the company's 2009 EPS potential.

• Morgan Stanley resumed coverage of Cablevision (NYSE: CVC) with an Underweight rating.
  
• US Steel (NYSE: X) was initiated with a Sector Performer rating and $117 target at CIBC.
  
• JP Morgan started SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR) with an Overweight rating and Evergreen Solar (ESLR) with a Neutral rating.

Analyst initiations: Restaurant sector, AMSC and FSLR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• A contract awarded to American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC) by the Department of Homeland Security wasn't put out for bid as is usually required, and is being investigated by the House's Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, reported the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).
  
• The Wall Street Journal reported that private equity firm The Carlyle Group has been forced to lend a second $100M to mortgage fund Carlyle Capital, which has cancelled its dividend and is selling assets to meet margin calls, just two months after listing on the Euronext Amsterdam.
• U.S. consumers are defaulting on credit-card payments at a significantly higher rate than last year, raising the prospect that the problems in subprime mortgages will spread to other types of consumer debt, reported the Financial Times (subscription required).
  
• Barclays plc (NYSE: BCS) set up a $3B structured finance vehicle on behalf of German bank Sachsen less than three months before Sachsen's recent collapse, reported the Financial Times, which added that the finance vehicle set up by Barclays for the German bank had most of its assets invested in securities backed by prime and subprime U.S. mortgages.

• According to regulatory filings, State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) has the most exposure to asset-backed commercial paper among European and American banks, the U.K. Times reported.

Newspaper wrap-up: Carlyle Group bails its fund out again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• AG Edwards initiated Electronic Arts Inc (NASDAQ: ERTS), Activision, Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI), THQ Inc (NASDAQ: THQI) with Buy ratings and Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO), Midway Games Inc (NYSE: MWY) and GameStop Corp (NYSE: GME) with Hold ratings. The firm believes the video game industry is well-positioned for above-average L-T growth based on positive demographic trends. In addition, AG Edwards expects overall U.S. video game industry retail dollar sales to grow by 39% in 2007.

• Elsewhere, Wachovia initiated CVS Corp (NYSE: CVS) with an Outperform rating. The firm believes CVS is well-positioned to take advantage of the fundamentals in the PBM business and find cost synergies from the merger.

• Thomas Weisel initiated both J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) and Federated Department Stores (NYSE: FD) with market Weight ratings. The firm believes JCP will have more modest margin expansion going forward and believes high expectations and valuation for FD will limit its outperformance in the near-term.

• ThinkEquity started DivX, Inc (NASDAQ: DIVX) with a Buy rating and $26 target.

• RBC initiated Trident Microsystems, Inc (NASDAQ: TRID) with a Sector Perform rating.

• UBS initiated Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NASDAQ: TEVA) with a Buy rating.

• Pacific Growth started American Superconductor Corp (NASDAQ: AMSC) with a Neutral rating.

• Susquehanna started Quality Systems, Inc (NASDAQ: QSII) with a Positive rating.

Analyst initiations 3-23-07: CVS Corp, JC Penney, Federated Dept initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.