With over 170 years of "touching lives and improving life" across the globe, Procter & Gamble (PG) continues to provide consumers with quality beauty and personal care products. Headquartered in Cincinnati, P&G draws around 41% of its sales from North America, with Western Europe contributing another 21% to its total sales. P&G competes with companies like Unilever (UL), L'Oreal, Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Kimberly Clark (KMB) and is one of the stocks that scores the best in our cash conversion analysis included below.

Continue reading Proctor & Gamble's Cash Flow Bests Peers, Justifies 20% Upside

Proctor & Gamble's Cash Flow Bests Peers, Justifies 20% Upside originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Why Unilever Could Bid for Colgate and Why Now

Why Unilever Could Bid for Colgate and Why Now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Colgate Inches Back Toward $80

Colgate Inches Back Toward $80 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Micron (MU) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Baker Hughes (BHI) to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• PDL BioPharma (PDLI) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Fluor (FLR) and Rush Enterprises (RUSHA) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Camden Property (CPT) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Pinnacle Financial (PNFP) to buy from hold at Wunderlich.
• Linear Technology (LLTC) to neutral from reduce at Nomura.
• Hologic (HOLX) and Illumina (ILMN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• F5 Networks (FFIV) to buy from neutral at Gleacher.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: ALTR, BHI, CL, CLX, FFIV, GS, HCBK, LLTC, PG, STT, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• TCF Financial (TCB) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Exelon (EXC) to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Nvidia (NVDA) and Boyd Gaming (BYD) upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Estee Lauder (EL) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Webster Financial (WBS) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Skilled Healthcare (SKH) to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.
• Acorda Therapeutics (ACOR) to outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• NCR Corp. (NCR) to outperform from neutral at Wedbush.
• Barnes & Noble (BKS) to neutral from underperform and Pioneer Natural (PXD) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Autodesk (ADSK) to buy from neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AA, AAPL, ATHR, BKS, CL, CLX, EL, HBAN, NCR, NVDA, XRTX ...

Analyst Calls: AA, AAPL, ATHR, BKS, CL, CLX, EL, HBAN, NCR, NVDA, XRTX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Is Now a Good Time to Consider Colgate-Palmolive?

Is Now a Good Time to Consider Colgate-Palmolive? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded Colgate (CL) and Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) to buy from hold.
• Wells Fargo upgraded IDACORP (IDA) to outperform from market perform.
• Union Pacific (UNP) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Goldman upgraded Quicksilver (KWK) to neutral from sell.
• Republic Airways (RJET) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded GAMCO Investors (GBL) to neutral from underperform.
• Senior Housing (SNH) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AKAM, CL, DB, JASO, MON, PVH, RAX, UNP ...

Analyst Calls: AKAM, CL, DB, JASO, MON, PVH, RAX, UNP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch continues this week, and analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are anticipating lots of strong quarterly reports.

For example, year-over-year earnings growth from big oil Chevron (CVX), ConocoPhillips (COP), ExxonMobil (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) are expected to be in double digits. The same is true of many other energy and mining concerns reporting this week: Allegheny Technologies (ATI), Alliant Energy (LNT), Arch Coal (ACI), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF), CMS Energy (CMS), CONSOL Energy (CNX), DPL (DPL), Hess Corp. (HES), Minerals Technologies (MTX), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), PPL Corp. (PPL), Southwestern Energy (SWN), Total (TOT), Whiting Petroleum (WLL), Williams Companies (WMB) and Wisconsin Energy (WEC).

Continue reading Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Rolls On (MSFT, COP, V)

Week in Preview: The Earnings Crunch Rolls On (MSFT, COP, V) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• RBC Capital upgraded Syniverse (SVR) to outperform from sector perform based on strong secular growth in mobile data and roaming. The firm raised its price target to $28 from $23.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded PG&E (PCG) to buy from hold with a $49 price target due to valuation.
• Jefferies assumed coverage on Sierra Wireless (SWIR) with a buy from a hold and raised its price target to $12 from $9. The analyst expects the M2M market to experience 25% growth over the next two years.
• Affiliated Managers (AMG) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• EastGroup Properties (EGP) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Gammon Gold (GRS) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, BLK, BTU, CL, MOT, MSFT, PCG, RIMM, SVR, SWIR ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, BLK, BTU, CL, MOT, MSFT, PCG, RIMM, SVR, SWIR ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I first wrote about Colgate-Palmolive (CL), on April 13, 2009, at a price of $58.49. The shares have had an impressive run, and with the stock's recent retest of 2010 highs near $86, now may be good time to take some profits off the table.

However, those investors who can tolerate the risk can maintain their position in CL, in anticipation of even more gains.

Continue reading Colgate-Palmolive: Time to Take Some Profits off the Table?

Colgate-Palmolive: Time to Take Some Profits off the Table? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Oppenheimer upgraded Goldman Sachs (GS) to Outperform from Perform following the company's $550M settlement with the SEC. Opco has a $213 price target for Goldman shares. BofA/Merrill upgraded Goldman Sachs to Buy from Neutral and raised its price target to $182 from $160.
• Wells Fargo upgraded JP Morgan (JPM) to Outperform from Market Perform following the company's Q2 results citing valuation and lower credit costs. The firm keeps a valuation range for shares of $48-$51.
• Goldman upgraded Murphy Oil (MUR) to Buy from Neutral and has a $61 price target on the stock. The firm cites Murphy's Eagle Ford growth and valuation for the upgrade.
• Precision Cast (PCP) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Pride International (PDE) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.
• BHP Billiton (BHP) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at HSBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: GS, JPM, BHP, HES, VVUS, SNE, PG, MGM, HUM

Analyst Calls: GS, JPM, BHP, HES, VVUS, SNE, PG, MGM, HUM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Thomas Weisel upgraded Deckers Outdoor (DECK) to overweight from market weight following channel checks. The firm also raised its target for shares to $170 from $162.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Amerigroup (AGP) to buy from hold as it believes the company is well positioned to benefit from health care reform. The firm upped its target for shares to $42 from $38.
• Cowen upgraded Cubist Pharmaceuticals (CBST) to outperform from neutral, citing increased conviction in Cubicin's patent exclusivity.
• OmniVision (OVTI) was upgraded to strong buy from buy at Needham.
• Take-Two (TTWO) was upgraded to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.
• Wells Fargo (WFC) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Sterne Agee.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AGP, BCSI, CL, DECK, PG, MON, RHT, RY, TTWO, WFC ...

Analyst Calls: AGP, BCSI, CL, DECK, PG, MON, RHT, RY, TTWO, WFC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Aflac Inc. (AFL) higher Q1 earnings were better than analysts expected, due in part to a stronger yen.
• Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Q3 EPS were the same as a year ago and revenue inched higher.
• BlackRock Inc. (BLK) higher Q1 earnings fell short of analysts' expectations due to acquisition-related charges.
• Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) posted record revenue in Q1 and swung to a profit from a year-ago loss.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) topped Wall Street's Q3 earnings estimate, but same-store sales fell.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Caterpillar, Comcast, DreamWorks, Ford, Kodak, P&G and More

Earnings Highlights: Caterpillar, Comcast, DreamWorks, Ford, Kodak, P&G and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 May 2010 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's have a look at a few earnings reports from earlier in the week. We'll check out two businesses operating in the arena of consumer products -- Colgate-Palmolive (CL) and Procter & Gamble (PG) -- and one that is prospering from a crimson DVD-rental kiosk that has become all the rage -- Coinstar (CSTR).

We'll start with the latter concern first. Coinstar was one of Friday's great stock stories. It shot higher by 16%, backed by an incredible amount of volume. Investors are apparently counting on this one to go even higher. In fact, some analysts believe that the shares may eventually reach $60.

Continue reading More Quarterly Releases: Coinstar, Colgate, and Procter & Gamble

More Quarterly Releases: Coinstar, Colgate, and Procter & Gamble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 01 May 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded T. Rowe Price (TROW) to overweight from neutral while downgrading Janus Capital (JNS) to underweight from neutral to reflect valuations and fundamentals. The firm has a $67 price target for T. Rowe Price shares.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Lincoln Electric (LECO) to overweight from neutral as it believes the rebound in global manufacturing is accelerating. The firm has a $70 price target on the stock.
• Wells Fargo upgraded Highwoods Properties (HIW) to market perform from underperform, citing valuation and a strong balance sheet.
• Corning (GLW) was upgraded to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Allergan (AGN) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Mohawk (MHK) was upgraded to buy from neutral at SunTrust.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ARG, BX, CL, GLW, LECO, PALM, TEVA, TROW ...

Analyst Calls: ARG, BX, CL, GLW, LECO, PALM, TEVA, TROW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Colgate-Palmolive Has Weathered the Recession in Good Shape

Colgate-Palmolive Has Weathered the Recession in Good Shape originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Hugo Chavez Racing Toward Economic Peril

Hugo Chavez Racing Toward Economic Peril originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded PNC Financial (PNC) to buy from hold on valuation as it believes the recent pullback in shares provides a buying opportunity. The firm raised its target on shares to $57 from $45.
• Kaufman Bros. upgraded Expedia (EXPE) to buy from hold on valuation as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive following the company's Q4 results and believes revenue margin concerns are overblown. The firm has a $27 price target on the stock.
• Jesup & Lamont upgraded Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) to hold from sell following the company's Q4 results to reflect its improving traffic trends. The firm raised its target on shares to $96 from $81. Shares were also upgraded at BofA/Merrill to buy from neutral.
• Rio Tinto (RTP) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• FirstEnergy (FE) was upgraded to hold from underperform at Jefferies.
• Marriott (MAR) was upgraded to perform from underperform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: CMG, EXPE, NFLX, OSK, PNC, SJM, VCLK ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: CMG, EXPE, NFLX, OSK, PNC, SJM, VCLK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) shares declined despite an earnings beat and a positive outlook
• Bank of America Corp. (BAC) reported that its Q4 loss widened more than expected by Wall Street.
• Capital One Financial Corp. (COF) reported better-than-expected earnings but shares declined.
• Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL) is seen as on-track to record double-digit earnings growth in 2010.
• Cree Inc. (CREE) strong earnings and revenue growth sent shares to a new 52-week high.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Colgate, eBay, Goldman Sachs, Kimberley-Clark, Starbucks ...

Earnings Highlights: Colgate, eBay, Goldman Sachs, Kimberley-Clark, Starbucks ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Looking for dividend-paying blue chip stocks? Chuck Carlson is a leading expert on dividend reinvestment plans.

In The DRIP Investor, he looks at the 10/10 Club -- stocks that have boosted their payouts by 10% a year for at least 10 years. He explains,"The table below features seven stocks that belong to the exclusive '10/10' club:

Continue reading The 10/10 Dividend Club

The 10/10 Dividend Club originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.