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[Comfort Zone Investing: Libya and Japan -- What They Mean for Investors]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/26/comfort-zone-investing-libya-and-japan-what-they-mean-for-inv/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/26/comfort-zone-investing-libya-and-japan-what-they-mean-for-inv/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/26/comfort-zone-investing-libya-and-japan-what-they-mean-for-inv/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

road sign makes detour, goes back up - libya and japanWith several major developments occurring around the world, many investors may wonder how they could affect their portfolios or their lives. Here are two of the current, newsworthy events and how investors may interpret them.

Libya

The oil from Libya totaled about 2 million barrels a day before the revolution, half of which was exported. About 1 million barrels a day are no longer available to the world. That isn't enough to really affect the price of oil for a long period of time. Plenty of other countries can supply that amount without straining their capacity. But they're unlikely to step in to fill the gap when oil prices are above $100 a barrel. That price should recede once the conflict finishes and a more stable government is in place.

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Libya and Japan -- What They Mean for Investors

Comfort Zone Investing: Libya and Japan -- What They Mean for Investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 26 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshlandCatCaterpillarComfort Zone InvestingDDDOWDuPontGEGeneral ElectricinvestmentsJapanLibyaoilstock marketSat, 26 Mar 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland Announces Dividend Hike and Stock Buyback]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/17/ashland-announces-dividend-hike-and-stock-buyback/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/17/ashland-announces-dividend-hike-and-stock-buyback/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/17/ashland-announces-dividend-hike-and-stock-buyback/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ASH logoAshland (ASH - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced plans to lift its annual dividend to 70 cents per share from 60 cents per share. The company also said its board authorized $400 million in stock buybacks. 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 ASH.

ASH opened this morning at $57.61. So far today the stock has hit a low of $57.25 and a high of $59.07. As of 12:20, ASH is trading at $57.52 up $1.52 (2.7%). The chart for ASH looks bullish and S&P gives ASH a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Ashland Announces Dividend Hike and Stock Buyback

Ashland Announces Dividend Hike and Stock Buyback originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshlanddividendinthenewsInvestors Observeroptionsstock buybackThu, 17 Mar 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland Is in an Uptrend]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/25/ashland-is-in-an-uptrend/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/25/ashland-is-in-an-uptrend/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/25/ashland-is-in-an-uptrend/#commentsFiled under:

If, as outlined in December 2010, you took advantage of chemical company Ashland Inc.'s (ASH) dip to $49 to scoop-up shares, you made the correct move.

Ashland, re-considered on August 27, 2010 at a price of $48 after an initial $21 (80%) gain, exhibited sideways stock action last summer/fall, but has since ascended this winter to $56, after a test of $60, and I obviously still like the business model here.

Ashland will likely post a 5-6% revenue increase in 2011, propelled by a stronger performance in all business units.

Continue reading Ashland Is in an Uptrend

Ashland Is in an Uptrend originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland: Is a Bottom in Place at $45?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/08/ashland-is-a-bottom-in-place-at-45/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/08/ashland-is-a-bottom-in-place-at-45/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/08/ashland-is-a-bottom-in-place-at-45/#commentsFiled under:

Ashland logoChemical company Ashland Inc. (ASH), reconsidered here on August 27, 2010, at a price of $48 after an initial $21 or 80% gain, exhibited sideways stock action this summer and fall, but just look on that delay as an extended buying opportunity.

Look for Ashland to post a 5 % to 6% revenue increase in 2011, propelled by a stronger performance in all business units.

Continue reading Ashland: Is a Bottom in Place at $45?

Ashland: Is a Bottom in Place at $45? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland: Still Favored Here]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/ashland-still-favored-here/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/ashland-still-favored-here/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/27/ashland-still-favored-here/#commentsFiled under:

If you had a chance to take some profits off the table in May with Ashland Inc. (ASH), first discussed here on May 4, 2009 at a price of $26.43, that proved to be a prudent move, as Ashland was stopped-out at $48 after hitting a spring high near $64.

Still, that means ASH netted a more than $21 gain, good for an 81.6% return. Not bad.

What's more, I still like Ashland at this stage, and would consider a position at current levels. Here's why: Ashland will likely post a 8-10%% revenue gain in 2010, propelled by a stronger performance in all business units, and aided by revenue from the Hercules acquisition.

Continue reading Ashland: Still Favored Here

Ashland: Still Favored Here originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland: Time to Take Some Profits Off the Table?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/03/ashland-time-to-take-some-profits-off-the-table/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/03/ashland-time-to-take-some-profits-off-the-table/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/05/03/ashland-time-to-take-some-profits-off-the-table/#commentsFiled under:

Ashland Inc. (ASH), which I first discussed here on May 4, 2009 at a price of $26.43, has had an impressive run in the past year -- it's up more than 100% during that period -- and I think it's perfectly acceptable to take some profits off the table, at this juncture.

Nearing $60, Ashland may qualify for play-of-the-year status, as far as I'm concerned.

Look for Ashland to post a 3% to 5% revenue gain in 2010, propelled by a stronger performance in all business units.

Continue reading Ashland: Time to Take Some Profits Off the Table?

Ashland: Time to Take Some Profits Off the Table? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 03 May 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.inthenewsMon, 03 May 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[A Value Shopper's List of Graham and Dodd Stocks]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/24/a-value-shoppers-list-of-graham-and-dodd-stocks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/24/a-value-shoppers-list-of-graham-and-dodd-stocks/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/24/a-value-shoppers-list-of-graham-and-dodd-stocks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

"Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffet is a disciple of the teachings of Benjamin Graham and David Dodd, who made their fortunes by buying businesses that were selling for less than the value of their working capital (current assets minus current liabilities," notes Vita Nelson.

The editor of The Moneypaper explains, "The pair developed a Net Current Asset Value (NCAV) model to determine if a company was worth its market price. Their formula subtracts all liabilities, including short-term debt and preferred stock, from a company's current asset balance"

Continue reading A Value Shopper's List of Graham and Dodd Stocks

A Value Shopper's List of Graham and Dodd Stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American ExpressASHAshlandAXPBACBank of Americabuffett stocksChubbcomdowdow chemicalgraham dood stockshartford financialhigjnjjohnson johnsonlincoln nationalmoneypapermtmtbnorfolk southernnscpepsco holdingspomsouthern unionsteven halpernsugthestockadvisorstmktorchmarkunion pacificunpus bancorpusbvita nelsonWalMartwells fargowfcwmtWed, 24 Mar 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: CIEN, COF, DISH, ED, GME, MOS, POT, TIVO, WEN ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/05/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/05/analyst-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/05/analyst-calls/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • JPMorgan upgraded TiVo (TIVO) to overweight from neutral as it believes Thursday's appeal win against DISH Network could lead to revenue upside. The firm raised its target price for shares to $23 from $15.
  • Collins Stewart upgraded DISH Network (DISH) to buy from hold on valuation, as it believes much of the impact from the negative appeals ruling is priced into the stock. The firm has a $30 target for shares.
  • Cowen upgraded Ciena (CIEN) to outperform from neutral. The firm believes Ciena's acquisition of MEN is transformative and will accelerate top line growth.
  • Progress Software (PRGS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Needham.
  • Allergan (AGN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Lazard Capital.
  • Public Service (PEG) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CIEN, COF, DISH, ED, GME, MOS, POT, TIVO, WEN ...

Analyst Calls: CIEN, COF, DISH, ED, GME, MOS, POT, TIVO, WEN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AGNanalyst upgradesASHAUYCFCIENCienaCOFDISHdowngradesEDGMEinitiationsinthenewsKEPMOSMYGNPEGPOTPRGSSAASSOTIVOWBDWENFri, 05 Mar 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland: Still at a Bargain Price]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/04/ashland-still-at-a-bargain-price/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/04/ashland-still-at-a-bargain-price/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/02/04/ashland-still-at-a-bargain-price/#commentsFiled under:

Ashland Inc. (ASH), first discussed here on May 4, 2009 at a price of $26.43, still appears to be undervalued.

Ashland makes specialty resins, polymers, and adhesives for sale in North America and Europe. It also owns the Valvoline oil-change brand and oil service chain, and the Zerex anti-freeze brand, among other business operations.

Continue reading Ashland: Still at a Bargain Price

Ashland: Still at a Bargain Price originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland is undervalued]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/16/ashland-is-undervalued/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/16/ashland-is-undervalued/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/11/16/ashland-is-undervalued/#commentsFiled under:

As expected, Ashland Inc. (ASH) continues to advance, which is why I'm reiterating my buy rating for the company, first recommended on May 4, 2009 at a price of $26.43. If you bought ASH in May, you're ahead about 43%.

Ashland makes specialty resins, polymers, and adhesives for sale in North America and Europe. It also owns the Valvoline oil-change brand and oil service chain, and the Zerex anti-freeze brand, among other business operations.

Continue reading Ashland is undervalued

Ashland is undervalued originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:20:00 EST<![CDATA[As expected, Ashland is starting to deliver]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/28/as-expected-ashland-is-starting-to-deliver/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/28/as-expected-ashland-is-starting-to-deliver/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/28/as-expected-ashland-is-starting-to-deliver/#commentsFiled under:

Right now, it's all about Ashland: I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for Ashland (NYSE: ASH), first recommended on May 4, 2009 at a price of $26.03. If you purchased then, you're up about 40%. Not bad, for an economy that's just starting to pull out of a recession.

Ashland makes specialty resins, polymers, and adhesives for sale in North America and Europe. It also owns the Valvoline oil-change brand and oil service chain, and the Zerex anti-freeze brand, among other business operations.

Continue reading As expected, Ashland is starting to deliver

As expected, Ashland is starting to deliver originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshland Inc.Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHIC, COST, GOOG, LOW, TWX, V ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/25/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Jefferies upgraded Warner Chilcott (NASDAQ: WCRX) to Buy from Hold. The firm views Warner Chilcott's acquisition of P&G's (NYSE: PG) pharma business as a positive given its attractive product fit and purchase price.
  • ThinkEquity upgraded Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) to Buy from Source of Funds and raised its target to $550 from $400. Previously, the firm thought Google Street estimates were too high and that low single-digit growth in Q2 and Q3 would cause multiple contraction. They said their thesis played out fundamentally but they were wrong on the stock. Given Q2 has past, the analyst raised estimates above consensus and expects an in-line Q3 and for shares to outperform as the economic cycle turns.
  • Bernstein upgraded Diageo (NYSE: DEO) to Outperform from Market Perform and views Diageo's valuation as attractive. The firm expects 2H09 results on August 27 to mark a bottom in weakening top-line trends.
  • Costco (NASDAQ: COST) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at William Blair.
  • Lowe's (NYSE: LOW) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHIC, COST, GOOG, LOW, TWX, V ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHIC, COST, GOOG, LOW, TWX, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesASHBLKCHICCOST: LowesCostcoCSIQCSTRDEODNRdowngradesFNBGOOGGoogleinitiationsLOWPGSISPWRATBLTime WarnerTSLTWXVVisaWCRXTue, 25 Aug 2009 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, AXP, ACI, NOK, NRP, SYK, WPCS]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Citigroup upgraded Advanced Micro (NYSE: AMD) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $5.50 from $4.25 citing valuation and expectations for the company's competitive position and gross margins to improve.
  • Barclays upgraded American Express (NYSE: AXP) to Overweight from Equal Weight citing long-term earnings growth as the company benefits from declining charge-offs and credit costs. The firm has a $38 target on the stock.
  • JPMorgan upgraded Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) to Overweight from Neutral and raised its target to $22 from $19 citing the FTC approval for the acquisition of Jacobs Ranch mine and valuation.
  • Bebe Stores (NASDAQ: BEBE) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
  • Cheesecake Factory (NASDAQ: CAKE) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at Piper Jaffray.
  • Ashland (NYSE: ASH) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, AXP, ACI, NOK, NRP, SYK, WPCS

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMD, AXP, ACI, NOK, NRP, SYK, WPCS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACIadvanced micro devicesAMDamerican expressanalyst upgradesAnalystUpgradesArch CoalASHAshlandAXPBEBEBebe StoresCAKECareFusionCFNcheesecake factoryCreedowngradesinitiationsNational Resource PartnersNOKNokiaNRPPNCPNC FinancialStrykerSYKTOLToll Brothersu-store it trustu-store-itWPCSWPCS InternationalYSIZimmerZMHMon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ashland knows the global rebound is up ahead ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/03/ashland-knows-the-global-rebound-is-up-ahead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/03/ashland-knows-the-global-rebound-is-up-ahead/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/03/ashland-knows-the-global-rebound-is-up-ahead/#commentsFiled under:

Just call Ashland a specialist at mixing things. Ashland (NYSE: ASH) makes specialty resins, polymers, and adhesives for sale in North America and Europe. It also owns the Valvoline oil brand and oil service chain, and the Zerex anti-freeze brand, among other business operations.

In Q1, Ashland exceeded the First Call EPS estimate, despite sluggish-to-poor demand conditions that saw volumes decline 10-40%. Further, the integration of acquired Hercules Inc. has gone well, with more than $60 million in operational savings registered as of the close of Q1. The First Call F2009 / F2010 EPS estimates for ASH are $1.52 / $1.95.

Continue reading Ashland knows the global rebound is up ahead

Ashland knows the global rebound is up ahead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 May 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshlandchemicalsplasticsresinsSun, 03 May 2009 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VMW, VOD, BP, BHP, RTN, FDX ... ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vmw-vod-bp-bhp-rtn-fdx/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vmw-vod-bp-bhp-rtn-fdx/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-vmw-vod-bp-bhp-rtn-fdx/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Morgan Stanley upgraded CNOOC Ltd (NYSE: CEO) to Equal Weight from Underweight to reflect higher crude oil price estimates.
  • Goldman upgraded VMware (NYSE: VMW) to Conviction Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $29 from $27 following positive checks that indicate strong business actively. The analyst expects VMW's revenue growth to be up 9% in 2009 vs. expectations for overall IT spending to be down.
  • UBS upgraded ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ONNN) to Buy from Neutral and raised its target to $5 from $3.80 based on positive Asia checks that indicate an improving demand outlook and that the company could beat near-term expectations.
  • Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) was lifted to Buy from Neutral at Goldman and to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Ashland (NYSE: ASH) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VMW, VOD, BP, BHP, RTN, FDX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: VMW, VOD, BP, BHP, RTN, FDX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ardashbhpbpCEOchufdxffivhpcoiflgmtlonnnrtnsistxvmwvodWed, 01 Apr 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst calls: LM, FSLR, KEY, HIG, PPO, ASH, VRTX, MKL, CX ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/analyst-calls-lm-fslr-key-hig-ppo-ash-vrtx-mkl-cx/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/analyst-calls-lm-fslr-key-hig-ppo-ash-vrtx-mkl-cx/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/30/analyst-calls-lm-fslr-key-hig-ppo-ash-vrtx-mkl-cx/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Jefferies upgraded Legg Mason (NYSE: LM) to Buy from Hold on valuation following the recent sell-off, as they find the risk/reward attractive at current levels. However, the firm lowered their target to $23 from $44.
  • Merriman raised First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) to Buy from Neutral after the company showed "industry leading growth" in Q3. The firm has a 12-month price target range of $185 to $195 per share.
  • Ladenburg upgraded KeyCorp (NYSE: KEY) to Buy from Neutral.
  • Citigroup upgraded shares of Silicon Laboratories (NASDAQ: SLAB) to Buy from Hold on valuation and expects the company to post above average industry growth in 2009.
  • Janus Capital (NYSE: JNS) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.
  • Associated Estates Realty (NYSE: AEC) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Baird.
Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: LM, FSLR, KEY, HIG, PPO, ASH, VRTX, MKL, CX ...

Analyst calls: LM, FSLR, KEY, HIG, PPO, ASH, VRTX, MKL, CX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>achnaecashcxfslrhiginthenewsjcijnskeylmmklpaaspposlabvrtxvrusThu, 30 Oct 2008 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. Steel, Hercules soar after Q3 reports]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/u-s-steel-hercules-soar-after-q3-reports/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/u-s-steel-hercules-soar-after-q3-reports/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/28/u-s-steel-hercules-soar-after-q3-reports/#commentsFiled under: ,

Shares of U.S. Steel Corp. (NYSE: X) and Hercules Inc. (NYSE: HPC) soared Tuesday after the former reported that its third-quarter profits more than tripled and the latter said during its Q3 report that the necessary regulatory approval had been received for its acquisition by rival chemical company Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH).

Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel reported the most profitable quarter in its history as higher prices led to record gains in its tubular and flat-rolled steel businesses. Its net income totaled $919 million, or $7.79 per share, in the quarter, which was 70.8% higher than a year earlier, and quarterly sales soared 68% to $7.31 billion. Excluding one-time charges related to a union labor agreement and environmental remediation, U.S. Steel earned $8.79 per share.

Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, on average, had predicted earnings of $7.09 per share on revenue of $7.2 billion.

The company warned that the volatile global economic climate could hurt results for the rest of the year. Steel prices have deteriorated globally in recent weeks as demand has slowed.

After falling to a 52-week low on Tuesday morning, shares rose 14.2% to close at $35.20. Shares are down 70.8% year to date.

Continue reading U.S. Steel, Hercules soar after Q3 reports

U.S. Steel, Hercules soar after Q3 reports originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHAshlandearningsHerculesHPCUS SteelXTue, 28 Oct 2008 18:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Top 10 Benjamin Graham value plays: Men's Wearhouse, Carlisle, Movado and Scholastic make the grade]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/top-10-benjamin-graham-value-plays-mens-wearhouse-carlisle-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/top-10-benjamin-graham-value-plays-mens-wearhouse-carlisle-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/24/top-10-benjamin-graham-value-plays-mens-wearhouse-carlisle-m/#commentsJohn Reese is an expert in analyzing the investment criteria of "legendary" advisors with time-tested strategies. And one market approach that may be of particular interest to investors during the current period of market turmoil is the value strategy developed by Benjamin Graham. (For more on this strategy, see our other post, "Three Rules of Value Investing".)

In his Validea newsletter, John reese explains, "Benjamin Graham -- considered the greatest investment guru by Warren Buffett -- built his reputation by using an extremely conservative, low-risk approach to investing." Buffett, incidentally, was Ben Graham's student.

Reese continues, "To Graham, preserving one's original capital was every bit as important as netting big gains. Having lived through the 1929 market crash, it's no surprise that the strategy Graham laid out in his classic book The Intelligent Investor was a conservative, loss-averse approach.

"To Graham, an investment wasn't something that could be turned into quick, easy profits; anything that offers such 'easy' rewards also comes with substantial risk, and Graham abhorred risk. In terms of specifics, Graham's approach limited risk in a number of ways, and my Graham-based model lays out several of those methods.

Continue reading Top 10 Benjamin Graham value plays: Men's Wearhouse, Carlisle, Movado and Scholastic make the grade

Top 10 Benjamin Graham value plays: Men's Wearhouse, Carlisle, Movado and Scholastic make the grade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ashashlandbenjami grahamBenjamiGrahamcarlisleceradynecolmcolumbia sportswearColumbiaSportswearcrdncsljakkjakks pacificJakksPacificjohn reeseJohnReesemens wearhouseMensWearhousemlimovmovado groupMovadoGroupmueller industriesMuellerIndustriesmwreliance steelRelianceSteelrsschlscholasticsteven halpernStevenHalpernthestockadvisors.comvalideavalue investingwarren buffettFri, 24 Oct 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell: AAPL, BUD, MA, WYNN, LVS, ASH, HRC]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/before-the-bell-aapl-bud-ma-wynn-lvs-ash-hrc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/before-the-bell-aapl-bud-ma-wynn-lvs-ash-hrc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/before-the-bell-aapl-bud-ma-wynn-lvs-ash-hrc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Before the bell: Futures lower on oil, Fannie and Freddie; GE meets

Today is the day. Today Apple Inc.(NASDAQ: AAPL)'s new 3G iPhone went on sale. Many countries will now be able to join the iPhone mania, selling the handset to eagerly awaiting customers. Most notably, Japan,Australia and Hong Kong are part of the 22 nations rollout.

Anheuser-Busch (NYSE: BUD) shares are surging 4% in premarket trading after The New York Times reported deal with InBev is now near. Not only that, but it seems the talks are of a friendly deal. This is quite a change from the recent law suits between the two after A-B rejected the Belgian brewer's $46 billion, or $65-a-share, takeover offer.

Shares of MasterCard (NYSE: MA) are rising 3.5% in premarket trading on news that the company will be added to the S&P 500 Index on July 17 in place of ACE Ltd. (NYSE: ACE). Shares of ACE are down over 5%.

Continue reading Before the bell: AAPL, BUD, MA, WYNN, LVS, ASH, HRC

Before the bell: AAPL, BUD, MA, WYNN, LVS, ASH, HRC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplaceashbudhrcinthenewslvsmamgmwynnFri, 11 Jul 2008 08:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades: BP, Swiss Reinsurance, A. Schulman]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/25/analyst-upgrades-bp-swcey-and-shlm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/25/analyst-upgrades-bp-swcey-and-shlm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/25/analyst-upgrades-bp-swcey-and-shlm/#commentsFiled under: ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: BP Plc, Swiss Reinsurance and A. Schulman were today's noteworthy upgrades:

  • Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of BP Plc (NYSE: BP) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they believe the company is at an inflection and net income should grow 22% in 2009.
  • UBS upgraded Swiss Reinsurance (OTC: SWCEY) to Neutral from Sell on the company's balance sheet, which they believe is solid, but still sees material risk to consensus estimates.
  • KeyBanc upgraded shares of A. Schulman (NASDAQ: SHLM) to Buy from Hold as they believe the new CEO has had a significant positive impact and that downside is limited from current levels.

OTHER UPGRADES:

Analyst upgrades: BP, Swiss Reinsurance, A. Schulman originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ASHBPNDAQNOCRGCSHLMSWCEYWed, 25 Jun 2008 11:37:00 EST