Analyst Upgrades

• Chesapeake (CHK) to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Biogen (BIIB) and Regeneron (REGN) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Caribou Coffee (CBOU) to outperform from neutral and Encore Energy (ENP) to neutral from underperform at RW Baird.
• Fluor (FLR) to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
• Hornbeck Offshore (HOS) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Saks (SKS) and Zale (ZLC) to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BIIIB, CBOU, CELG, CHK, CIEN, HOS, LULU, RHT, SKS, ZLC ...

Analyst Calls: BIIIB, CBOU, CELG, CHK, CIEN, HOS, LULU, RHT, SKS, ZLC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) to buy from neutral.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Pulte Group (PHM) to neutral from underperform. Note that Citigroup downgraded the stock.
• Ameristar Casinos (ASCA) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Merriman.
• Citigroup upgraded Kimco Realty (KIM) to hold from sell.
• Mistras (MG) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• Devon Energy (DVN) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Garmin (GRMN) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at PacCrest.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMGN, BIIB, BSX, CHK, DVN, EOG, GRMN, PHM, WPO ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, AMGN, BIIB, BSX, CHK, DVN, EOG, GRMN, PHM, WPO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Biogen Idec (BIIB) improved its bullish prospects today as it announced earnings of $1.31 per share -- well above the Wall Street consensus estimate of $1.12 -- and raised its 2010 earnings outlook.

Total revenue for last quarter -- thanks in large part to better-than-expected sales of Biogen's multiple sclerosis drug Avonex -- came in at $1.2 billion, up 11% year over year.

Perhaps most exciting, however, was Biogen's announcement that it is raising its guidance for 2010 earnings to $4.70 per share, up from the current consensus of $4.57.

Continue reading Biogen Idec Looks Bullish on Earnings Guidance

Biogen Idec Looks Bullish on Earnings Guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Increases, Shares Near 11-Month Low

Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Increases, Shares Near 11-Month Low originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It appears that U.S.-based drug makers and cigarette companies caught the attention of traders Tuesday -- at least, that's what they're searching for.

If you want to know what stocks traders are interested in right now at this very second, you need look no further than what's hot in Google.

Here's what's hot Friday:

Continue reading Allergan, BJ's Wholesale and Others Heating Up in Google

Allergan, BJ's Wholesale and Others Heating Up in Google originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Scotia Capital upgraded Apple (AAPL) to outperform from sector perform, citing valuation, potential increased iPhone distribution and iPad upside. The firm's two-year price target is $325.
• UBS upgraded Parker-Hannifin (PH) to neutral from sell following the company's better-than-expected Q3 report.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Arkansas Best (ABFS) to neutral from underweight after the Teamsters union announced a tentative agreement with the company. The firm has a $33 price target for shares.
• Harley-Davidson (HOG) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Raymond James.
• Allegheny Tech (ATI) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.
• Manhattan Associates (MANH) was upgraded to buy from hold at Benchmark.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, ABFS, BIIB, EXC, HOG, PH, RIG, UTH, VITC ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, ABFS, BIIB, EXC, HOG, PH, RIG, UTH, VITC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) received an analyst's upgrade ahead of next week's Q4 earnings report.
• Acer Inc. reported its highest quarterly earnings in almost three years due in part to growth in shipments.
• Baidu Inc. (BIDU) swung to a better-than-expected Q4 profit, with strong revenue growth, and offered rosy guidance.
• Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) offered an upside surprise as well as full-year earnings above Wall Street estimates.
• Coinstar Inc. (CSTR) strong quarterly results and guidance, as well as litigation concerns, failed to inspire Wall Street.
• Coca-Cola Co. (KO) posted strong Q4 and full-year earnings results due to growth in emerging markets.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Acer, Baidu, Coca-Cola, Disney, Hasbro, Sprint ...

Earnings Highlights: Acer, Baidu, Coca-Cola, Disney, Hasbro, Sprint ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 13 Feb 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Post Earnings, Biogen Idec (BIIB) Sees Unusual Options Activity

Post Earnings, Biogen Idec (BIIB) Sees Unusual Options Activity originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Decoupling of inverse dollar and stock relationship (POT, CHTT, ETFC, ATHX, V, BIIB)

Closing Bell: Decoupling of inverse dollar and stock relationship (POT, CHTT, ETFC, ATHX, V, BIIB) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Losing the DJIA 10K (AMZN, BIIB, BRCM, COF, DOLE, MSFT, SPWRA)

Closing Bell: Losing the DJIA 10K (AMZN, BIIB, BRCM, COF, DOLE, MSFT, SPWRA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch ramps up this week, and again expectations are generally low. Among the so-called bellwethers that are expected to report lower earnings year over year are CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX), Gannett Inc. (NYSE: GCI), General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), Harley Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG), Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR), Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT), Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK), and Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters do expect the profits of CSX, Gannett, Mattel, and Nokia to be up from the previous quarter, however.

A number of financial companies, big and small, are scheduled to report second-quarter earnings this week, providing a good look at what's going on in the sector. Perhaps the best news will be coming from Citigroup and Marshall & Ilsley. While they are expected to post further losses, at least they are headed in the right direction by narrowing those losses year over year.

Continue reading The week in preview: Another tough quarter for the big banks

The week in preview: Another tough quarter for the big banks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Midyear is as good a time as any to pause and reflect," says Richard Moroney in Dow Theory Forecasts -- a newsletter with the distinction of having been published for more than 50 years.

Here, he reviews the state of the market and offers a look at trio of favorite stocks which he considers "fundamentally superior" companies: Biogen Idec (NASDAQ: BIIB), Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), and Oceaneering International (NYSE: OII).

Continue reading Mid-year favorites from Dow Theory: BIIB, CMCSA, OII

Mid-year favorites from Dow Theory: BIIB, CMCSA, OII originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Anadarko Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: APC) reported that its Q4 profit tripled but it fell short of estimates.
• Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) met earnings estimates but it is getting more pressure from Carl Icahn.
• BP (NYSE: BP) surprised Wall Street with a multibillion dollar Q4 loss due to lower oil prices.
• Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) beat Q2 estimates but warned that incoming orders have declined.
• Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS) reaffirmed its previous Q4 guidance, which pleased investors.
• Estee Lauder Companies Inc. (NYSE: EL) topped Q2 earings estimates and it announced job cuts.
• Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) Q4 earnings fell on higher claim expenses and lower investment income.
• JDS Uniphase Corp. (NASDAQ: JDSU) adjusted earnings were in line with estimates but revenue fell.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Time Warner, BP, Cisco, Motorola, Visa and others

Earnings highlights: Time Warner, BP, Cisco, Motorola, Visa and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Feb 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stimulus package hopes trump ghastly unemployment numbers

Closing Bell: Stimulus package hopes trump ghastly unemployment numbers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Spelling relief, when a loss is a win

Closing Bell: Spelling relief, when a loss is a win originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As one of the smarter activist value investors going, Carl Icahn's moves are closely watched by investors looking to piggyback off his ideas.

Continue reading What does Carl Icahn know about Biogen anyway?

What does Carl Icahn know about Biogen anyway? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB) was trading at $54.71 in pre-open trading, below its close of $69.76 Thursda. BIIB and Elan (NYSE: ELN) announced their multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri, was linked to brain infection. BIIB August option implied volatility was at 42, September at 39; near its 26-week average of 39 according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

ELN was trading at $10.78 in pre-open trading, below its close of $20.05. ELN August option implied volatility was at 65, October at 58; below its 26-week average of 70, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Option Update: Biogen and Elan trading lower on Tysabri link to brain infection originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) is recently up 98 cents to $37.49. HSY has a market cap of $8.4 billion with long term debt of $1.5 billion. HSY call option volume of 12,177 contracts compares to put volume of 1,008 contracts. HSY June option implied volatility of 37 is above its 26-week average of 27 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Biogen's (NASDAQ: BIIB) recent volatility has collapsed after Carl Icahn proposed a slate of directors.

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

Option Update: Hershey call volume and volatility spike originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 May 2008 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch continues, and here are a few of the highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) posted its biggest quarterly loss since its creation in 2006.
• Archer Daniels Midland Co. (NYSE: ADM) missed earnings estimates despite revenue up 50%.
• Biogen Idec Inc. (NASDAQ: BIIB) fourth-quarter profit soared on strong sales of Avonex and Tysabri.
• Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) reported record profits due to surging oil prices.
• CNET Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: CNET) revenue rose but the forecast was not encouraging.
• Data Domain Inc. (NASDAQ: DDUP) third-quarter revenues spiked due to aggressive overseas expansion.
• Elizabeth Arden Inc. (NASDAQ: RDEN) benefitted from overseas growth, which offset weak holiday sales.
• GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) warned that 2008 earnings would be affected by competition from generics.
• Harris Corp. (NYSE: HRS) beat estimates and raised its guidance.
• Micros Systems (NASDAQ: MCRS) beat expectations and offered guidance in line with estimates.
• News Corp. (NYSE: NWS) fell short of earnings expectations despite strength in MySpace and Fox News.
• PepsiCo Inc. (NYSE: PEP) results met estimates and it announced further share buybacks.
• Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. (NYSE: RL) beat estimates and raised its guidance.
• SiRF Technology Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRF) missed expectations due to a seasonal decline.
• Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) expects to report its seventh straight quarterly revenue decline.
• Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) attributed solid earnings to growth in China, Russia, emerging markets.
• Wendy's International Inc. (NYSE: WEN) missed earnings estimates, despite beating revenue forecast.
• Western Union Co. (NYSE: WU) posted results just ahead of Wall Street estimates.
• Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) posted solid results on overseas growth and share buybacks.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: PepsiCo, Toyota, News Corp., ADM, Toll Bros. and others

Earnings highlights: PepsiCo, Toyota, News Corp., ADM, Toll Bros. and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• Australian resources firm BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE: BHP) is unlikely to up its $99.22B bid to acquire mining company Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE: RTP), according to the Wall Street Journal.
• Ten years after taking the reins at eBay Inc (NASDAQ: EBAY), CEO Meg Whitman is making plans to retire, reported the Wall Street Journal. Company president John Donahoe is the leading candidate to replace her.
• According to the Financial Times, Biogen Idec Incorporated (NASDAQ: BIIB) CEO Jim Mullen said the company could make a "large-scale acquisition" this year after it failed to sell itself.

• Finance companies including Citigroup Incorporated (NYSE: C) could sell proprietary investments in India as they struggle to shore up their capital after suffering losses in the subprime sector in the U.S., LiveMint.com reported.

Newspaper wrap-up: BHP unlikely to sweeten bid for Rio Tinto originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.