If you displayed patience with Cardinal Health's shares (CAH), first discussed here on April 21, 2009, at a pre-spin-off price of $34.22, over the past three months, you've been rewarded. Cardinal has soared past $40 resistance, after meandering in the low $30s for about nine months.

Cardinal probably will post a 3% to 5% 2011 revenue rise, after a 1.4% dip in 2010.

Key operation factors working in Cardinal's favor include increased prescription sales, modest pricing power, better performance of wider-margin generic drugs, lower customer attrition, and more-effective cost controls. Cardinal's medical unit, however, will lag other divisions, due to soft hospital markets.

Continue reading Cardinal Health Vectors Higher

Cardinal Health Vectors Higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cardinal Health's shares (CAH), first discussed here on April 27, 2009, at a pre-spin-off price of $34.22, continued to meander over the past four months, but I still like the business model at this juncture. Here's why.

Cardinal probably will post a 3% to 5% 2010 revenue rise, followed by a 2% to 4% increase in 2011.

Key operation factors working in CAH's favor include increased prescription sales, modest pricing power, better performance of wider-margin generic drugs, lower customer attrition, and more-effective cost controls. Cardinal's medical unit, however, will lag other divisions, due to soft hospital markets.

Continue reading Cardinal Health Is Trying Investors' Patience

Cardinal Health Is Trying Investors' Patience originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Vivus (VVUS) to overweight from neutral.
• Citigroup upgraded Corn Products (CPO) to buy from hold.
• Maxim Integrated (MXIM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Cardinal Health (CAH) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Citigroup upgraded Monster Worldwide (MWW) and EchoStar (SATS) to buy from hold, as well as Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to buy from sell.
• BMO Capital upgraded Potash (POT) and Barrick Gold (ABX) to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ...

Analyst Calls: CAH, EXPE, FSLR, HOT, LVS, MWW, NUVA, POT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Amazon.com (AMZN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Netflix (NFLX) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer and to neutral from sell at Janney Montgomery.
• Janney Montgomery also upgraded BJ's Wholesale (BJ) to buy from neutral.
• RW Baird upgraded Kforce.com (KFRC), SFN Group (SFN) and Young Innovations (YDNT) to outperform from neutral.
• NetSuite (N) was upgraded to neutral from underweight and Select Comfort (SCSS) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Flushing Financial (FFIC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• National Instruments (NATI) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• RBC Capital upgraded MDS Inc. (MDZ) to outperform from sector perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ...

Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cardinal Health: Well-Positioned for the Health Care Reform Era

Cardinal Health: Well-Positioned for the Health Care Reform Era originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Baird upgraded Dell (DELL) to outperform from neutral, citing valuation and improving IT hardware trends. The firm raised its target to $21 from $17.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Regal Entertainment (RGC) to buy from neutral, citing box office momentum and improving potential for a dividend increase. The firm raised its target for shares to $20.50 from $16.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded CF Industries (CF) to overweight from market weight as it sees reduced financing risk following the equity offering and valuation.
• GameStop (GME) was upgraded to buy from hold at BB&T.
• Exxon Mobil (XOM) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
• Cameron (CAM) was raised to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CF, DELL, EXC, MA, MSFT, RGC, RVBD, TSCO, WHR, XOM ...

Analyst Calls: CF, DELL, EXC, MA, MSFT, RGC, RVBD, TSCO, WHR, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cardinal Health Is in an Uptrend

Cardinal Health Is in an Uptrend originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Walmart (WMT) to buy from neutral, citing compelling valuation, margin expansion and expense control. The firm has a $60 target on the stock.
• FBR Capital upgraded Urban Outfitters (URBN) to outperform from market perform on valuation and its belief that sustainable positive comp trends will return in 2010. The firm maintains a $35 price target on shares.
• JPMorgan upgraded Manpower (MAN) to overweight from neutral. The firm cites valuation and improving temp fundamentals in the U.S. and France for the upgrade and has a $70 price target on the stock.
• Arena Resources (ARD) was upgraded to buy from neutral at SunTrust.
• C.R. Bard (BCR) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at Piper Jaffray.
• Cardinal Health (CAH) was upgraded to overweight from market weight at Thomas Weisel.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: BKC, CAH, DGX, FII, MAN, URBN, WMT ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: BKC, CAH, DGX, FII, MAN, URBN, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cardinal Health: Buy on a Dip

Cardinal Health: Buy on a Dip originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• FBR Capital upgraded AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) to Market Perform from Underperform on valuation following the company's Q4 results but lowered its target on shares to $134 from $137.
• Citigroup upgraded Calpine (NYSE: CPN) to Buy from Hold on valuation following Wednesday's sell-off. The firm believes Harbinger's share sale reflects an issue with the shareholders, not with the company, and raised its price target on the stock to $16.50 from $13.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Knight Transportation (NYSE: KNX) to Neutral from Underperform and raised its target to $17 from $16 based on valuation and the improved freight environment.
• Citrix Systems (NASDAQ: CTXS) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Buy at Goldman.
• Webster Financial (NYSE: WBS) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
• Dr. Reddy's Labs (NYSE: RDY) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AZN, AZO, BBBY, CAH, CPN, LLL, LTD ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AZN, AZO, BBBY, CAH, CPN, LLL, LTD ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Wells Fargo transferred coverage of Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) with an Outperform rating, upgraded from the previous analysts' Market Perform rating. The firm believes commercial construction will be of less of a headwind for the company than the Street thinks, and has a $38-$41 valuation range on the stock.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded SuccessFactors (NASDAQ: SFSF) to Buy from Hold after channel checks indicated demand trends picked up in July. The firm raised its target on shares to $15 from $12.
• UBS upgraded eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) to Buy from Neutral and believes Marketplace transaction growth is "turning the corner." Additionally, the firm believes the secondary market represents a long-term opportunity for the company. The firm raised its target to $28 from $24.
• Novartis (NYSE: NVS) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.
• Arcelor Mittal (NYSE: MT) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Citigroup.
• Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform AMC Monday at Bernstein.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CCL, CSX, EBAY, GLW, NFLX, YHOO ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CCL, CSX, EBAY, GLW, NFLX, YHOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Talbots (NYSE: TLB) to Buy from Hold on expectations the company's sales and margins are at an inflection point. The firm expects comps to turn positive in the next six months and raised its target on shares to $9.50 from $5.
• JMP Securities believes that Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) incoming iPod product cycle, geographic expansion of iPhones, and market expansion led by new products will result in "significant" outperformance. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Market Perform and has a $200 target on the stock.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Tiffany (NYSE: TIF) to Outperform from Neutral citing productivity comps and gross margin upside, leading to potential upside to 2010 Street estimates. The firm raised its target to $45 from $20.
• Brady (NYSE: BRC) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.
• Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• RadioShack (NYSE: RSH) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BP, PFE, QCOM, TIF, TLB, TWX ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, BP, PFE, QCOM, TIF, TLB, TWX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cardinal Health: Summer choppiness

Cardinal Health: Summer choppiness originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded BB&T (NYSE: BBT) to Market Perform from Underperform as it believes downside risk has been reduced following the company's capital raise. The firm raised its target price to $23 from $15.
  
• Janney Montgomery upgraded FEI Company (NASDAQ: FEIC) to Buy from Neutral on expectations margins will improve and various country stimulus packages will provide benefits in 2010. The firm has a $31 target on the stock.
  
• Citigroup upgraded Tyco Electronics (NYSE: TEL) to Buy from Hold as it believes automotive headwinds are priced in and the company's long-term fundamentals are intact. The firm raised its target price to $25 from $19.
• Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• J.B. Hunt (NYSE: JBHT) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.
  
• Roper Industries (NYSE: ROP) was upgraded at Oppenheimer to Outperform from Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TEL, ABX, AET, WMT, VMW ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: TEL, ABX, AET, WMT, VMW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Morgan Stanley upgraded Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) to Overweight from Equal Weight as they expect the company to benefit from higher natural gas prices in 2010. The firm has a $34 target on shares.
• Citigroup upgraded Energy Conversion (NASDAQ: ENER) to Hold from Sell on valuation is it finds the risk/reward balanced at current levels. The firm raised its target price to $16 from $13.
• Jefferies upgraded Lifetime Brands (NASDAQ: LCUT) to Buy from Underperform to reflect reduced liquidity concerns and an improved outlook for Global Direct Sellers. The firm raised its target price to $4 from $2.
• American Eagle (NYSE: AEO) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• TJX Companies (NYSE: TJX) was upgraded at Barclays to Overweight from Equal Weight and to Outperform from Netural at Credit Suisse.
• STEC Inc (NASDAQ: STEC) was raised to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHK, AEO, RBS, COF ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CHK, AEO, RBS, COF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 12 May 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cardinal Health has a vested interest in the nation's health

Cardinal Health has a vested interest in the nation's health originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hansen Medical (NASDAQ: HNSN) said economic conditions have led to lower than expected Q4 sales. HNSN, a developer of products for robotic catheter-based technologies, closed at $6.26. Thomas Weisel Partners has a $8 price target on HNSN. HNSN February call option implied volatility is at 115, puts are at 133, above its 26-week average of 69, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH), a drug wholesaler and medical-equipment supplier, lowered its full-year outlook on January 8 because it sees reduced hospital spending. Smith Barney has a 12-month price target of $39 on CAH. February option implied volatility of 49 is above its 26-week average of 41 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX), a medical technology company, closed at $69.11. Morgan Stanley raised its rating on BDX to Overweight. BDX February option implied volatility of 38 is above its 26-week average of 33, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Options Update: Medical equipment companies volatility elevated originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

"Should Obama win the election, we would look towards select sub-sectors of health care; one stock we would expect to benefit is health supply distributor, Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH)," explains Kelley Wright, editor of the blue chip Investment Quality Trends.

"A President Obama will have to make good on his promise to deliver better health care. While this could create havoc for the pharmaceutical producers, drug therapies and medical supplies will have to be delivered.

"The 800lb. gorilla in the supply and distribution space is Cardinal Health. Cardinal is a global company whose distribution businesses consolidate pharmaceuticals and medical products from thousands of manufacturers into site-specific deliveries to retail pharmacies, hospitals, physician's offices, surgery centers and alternate care facilities.

"The company has recently taken steps to increase the percentage of cash flow into dividends and share repurchases to enhance shareholder value.

"The blue chip stocks that we recommend are chosen for the exemplary long-term dividend growth, a P/E ratio of 15 or less, a payout ratio of 50% or less, debt of 50% or less, and technical characteristics on the daily and weekly charts that suggests the potential for imminent capital appreciation.

"While the current dividend yield on Cardinal Health is comparatively low at around 1.0%, the upside potential for capital appreciation is quite large."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Obama stock: Cardinal (CAH) delivers on health care promise originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 12 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a series in which TheStockAdvisors.com asked financial experts to name their top stock pick if McCain or if Obama wins the election.

Which stocks would benefit from a victory by either Senator John McCain or Senator Barack Obama? To help investors sort through the sectors and stocks best positioned to benefit in a post-election environment, we posed this question to some of the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

Importantly, this is not a partisan report; each participating advisor has provided a favorite stock for both candidates, focused not on political preferences but unbiased stock analysis. Below we feature those stocks and ETFs that the advisors believe will be the winners depending on which candidate prevails.

McCain Stocks:

Roger Conrad - Comcast (NYSE: CCW)
Gregg Early - Elbit Systems (NASDAQ: ESLT)
Elliott Gue - Paladin Resources (Toronto: PDN)
Doug Fabian - Market Vectors Nuclear Energy (NYSE: NLR)
Vivian Lewis - Barclays (NYSE: BCS)
Bill Martin - CGG Veritas (NYSE: CGV)'
Yiannis Mostrous - Lonking Holdings (OTC: CIMHF)
Carla Pasternak - Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: EVT)
Nate Pile - SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)
John Reese - General Dynamics (NYSE: GD)
Nathan Slaughter - USEC (NYSE: USU)
Paul Tracy - Shaw Group (NYSE: SGR)
Kelley Wright - CenturyTel (NYSE: CTL)
Tom Vass - Molex (NASDAQ: MOLX)
Martin Hutchinson - Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK), EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG)

Obama Stocks:

Roger Conrad - SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR)
Gregg Early - AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV)
Elliott Gue - SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWR)
Doug Fabian - Industrial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLI)
Vivian Lewis - Cosan (NYSE: CZZ)
Bill Martin - Geron (NASDAQ: GERN)
Yiannis Mostrous - Dr. Reddy's (NYSE: RDY)
Carla Pasternak - Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE: KMP)
Nate Pile - Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL)
John Reese - American Eagle (NYSE: AEO)
Nathan Slaughter - Fluor (NYSE: FLR)
Paul Tracy - Market Vectors Global Alternative Energy (NYSE: GEX)
Kelley Wright - Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH)
Tom Vass - Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR)
Martin Hutchinson - Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR)

Election bets: Advisors vote on McCain and Obama stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Are we in for Bush vs. Carter, and what stocks would fare better under each?

Are we in for Bush vs. Carter, and what stocks would fare better under each? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.