"In only a few years, 3-D will have a third of the TV market and a sizable chunk of the box office. I have no doubt that this will be one of the 'Next Big Things'," suggests Andy Obermueller.

The editor of Game-Changing Stocks explains, "Here, I review the overall market as well as the four best stock plays in the sector. I see each of these stocks as having serious growth potential as 3-D technology takes off.

"3-D functionality is becoming increasingly available on many high-end TVs. Last year was the first year that 3-D TVs were available; manufacturers sold 3.2 million 3-D sets vs. 247 million HDTVs.

Continue reading Four Plays on 3-D: IMAX, RLD, DLB, TDSC

Four Plays on 3-D: IMAX, RLD, DLB, TDSC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Soleil upgraded Baxter (BAX) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from supply disruptions at privately-held plasma manufacturer Octapharma. The firm raised its price target for shares to $56 from $45.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Dolby (DLB) to buy from hold, citing valuation following the recent underperformance of shares. The firm upped its price target to $75 from $70.
• Bernstein upgraded Alexion (ALXN) to outperform from market perform based on increased Soliris forecasts for PNH and potential in aHUS. The firm also raised its price target to $75 from $60.
• Agrium (AGU) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Roche (RHHBY) was upgraded to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• BMO Capital upgraded Energizer (ENR) to outperform from market perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ADBE, AXP, BAX, COST, DLB, FDX, HOT, NOK, NVS, TWX ...

Analyst Calls: ADBE, AXP, BAX, COST, DLB, FDX, HOT, NOK, NVS, TWX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it finds the risk/reward on shares attractive at current levels. The firm raised its target price to $22 from $20.
  
• FBR Capital upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) to Outperform from Market Perform after channel checks indicated recent sales are driving increased traffic and easing market share losses. The firm raised its target price on shares to $37 from $21.
• Barclays upgraded Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) to Overweight from Equal Weight as it believes the company is well positioned for a rebound in advertising and that the valuation is compelling at current levels. The firm raised its target on shares to $20 from $15.
• Kohl's (NYSE: KSS) was raised to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel.
  
• U.S. Steel (NYSE: X) and CB Richard Ellis (NYSE: CBG) were upgraded at Goldman to Neutral from Sell.
  
• Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) was upgraded at JP Morgan to Overweight from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, YHOO, X, SLE, OSK ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, YHOO, X, SLE, OSK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• UBS upgraded STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) to Neutral from Sell and Advanced Semiconductor (NYSE: ASX) to Buy from Neutral as it is seeing early signs of stabilization in the semiconductor industry.
  
• Jefferies upgraded VCA Antech (NASDAQ: WOOF) to Hold from Underperform as it does not see significant downside in the stock given the low expectations. It raised its target price to $22 from $15.
  
• Baird upgraded Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $16 from $9 as it expects revenue growth to resume in 2009 driven by IPTV end-demand.
• Goldman removed Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) from the Conviction Sell List.
  
• Portfolio Recovery (NASDAQ: PRAA) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform at Keefe Bruyette.
  
• Post Properties (NYSE: PPS) was upgraded at Deutsche Bank to Hold from Sell.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, JAVA, POT, PALM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, JAVA, POT, PALM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Barclays upgraded the Integrated Oil sector to Positive from Neutral citing valuations. Note that Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight based on valuation.
  
• After Force Protection (NASDAQ: FRPT) reported that its 1H08 sales increased more than 200%, Stanford thinks that Force Protection could be poised for several new opportunities in 2009 and they believe the company's risk is already priced into the stock; the firm raised Force Protection to Hold from Sell.
  
• Cowen expects eHealth (NASDAQ: EHTH) to benefit from the steady decline in employer-sponsored health insurance offered by small businesses and reduced regulatory risk, among other reasons. The firm upgraded shares to Outperform from Neutral.
• Allied Capital (NYSE: ALD) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at BMO Capital.
  
• Caris upgraded Carmike Cinemas (NASDAQ: CKEC) to Above Average from Average.
  
• International Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE: IFF) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JP Morgan.

Continue reading Analyst calls: XOM, PHG, THC, BSX, CCI, ALD . . .

Analyst calls: XOM, PHG, THC, BSX, CCI, ALD . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) is engaged in the development and delivery of sound processing and noise reduction systems for the entertainment industry. The firm makes its own products and licenses its technology to other manufacturers. It has about 1000 patents and 870 trademarks worldwide. In film, the Dolby Digital format has become an audio standard, being employed in more than 42,000 movie theaters. American engineer and physicist Ray Dolby founded the firm in London in 1965 and moved it to San Francisco in 1977. Sony (NYSE: SNE) is a major competitor.

The company surprised the Street late last month, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 42 cents and revenues of $150.2 million. Analysts had been looking for 32 cents and $134.4 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $1.34-$1.44 ($1.37 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $575-$615 million ($588.94M consensus).

Continue reading Dolby Laboratories (DLB): Shares moving in bullish 'flag'

Dolby Laboratories (DLB): Shares moving in bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When you go to the movies and see that the show you have picked features "Dolby" sound, you know you are in for a treat. Some may think that "Dolby" is a technical term, but it is actually the name of the American physicist who invented the high quality audio technology that has enhanced the entertainment experience for four decades now.

Dolby Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: DLB) is engaged in the development and delivery of sound processing and noise reduction systems for the entertainment industry. The firm makes its own products and licenses its technology to other manufacturers. It has about 950 patents and 850 trademarks worldwide. In film, the Dolby Digital format has become an audio standard, being employed in more than 42,000 movie theaters. Physicist Ray Dolby founded the firm in London in 1965 and moved it to San Francisco in 1977. Sony (NYSE: SNE) is a competitor.

The company surprised the Street earlier in the month, when it reported Q4 EPS of 39 cents and revenues of $129 million. Analysts had been looking for 24 cents and $121.3 million. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $1.27-$1.37 ($1.22 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $560-$600 million ($536.04M consensus). Kaufman Brothers and Ferris Baker Watts subsequently declared the stock a "buy". DLB shares popped on the news and have since settled into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Prices frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Continue reading Dolby Labs (DLB) shares in a bullish "flag" pattern

Dolby Labs (DLB) shares in a bullish "flag" pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings upgraded shares of Winn-Dixie Stores (NASDAQ: WINN) to Outperform from Market Perform citing valuation, sustainable Q3 margins, and share gains from both Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) and Publix.

• Sandler raised TIB Financial Corp (NASDAQ: TIBB) off the ground, to Hold from Sell, citing valuation.

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Energy East (NYSE: EAS) to Hold from Sell after Iberdrola agreed to acquire the company.

• Pacific Crest upgraded both Baidu.com (NASDAQ: BIDU) and SINA Corp (NASDAQ: SINA) to Outperform from Sector Perform following their trip to Asia, citing China's strong online ad market. They believe Baidu.com is benefiting from its sales-force integration and SINA Corp's brand strength should lead to further market-share gains...

• Lehman upgraded Celgene Corp (NASDAQ: CELG) and Genzyme Corp (NASDAQ: GENZ) to Overweight from Equal Weight.

• Matrix USA upgraded Jo-Ann Stores (NYSE: JAS) to Sell from Strong Sell.

• Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

• Wachovia raised U-Store-It Trust (NYSE: YSI) to Market Perform from Underperform.

Analyst upgrades 6-26-07: BIDU, CELG, DLB, SINA and WINN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Jun 2007 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Audio company Dolby Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE: DLB) posted good 2Q 2007 earnings. Total revenue was up 23% to $129 million. Net income was $39.1 million, or diluted EPS of $0.34. This is $11 million more than 2Q 2006. As expected, Dolby booked $7.7 million in additional revenue due to the favorable outcome of a contract dispute. Stock-based compensation was down slightly for the quarter to $4.8 million. Given these 2Q numbers, Dolby CEO Bill Jasper forecasts FY revenue in the $435-450 million range, with net income in the $110-115 million range. Diluted EPS would then be in the $0.95-$1.00 range, with stock-based compensation expenses of more than $20 million.

Dolby is trying to expand on two fronts, by entering new markets as well as by introducing new products such as digital TV into existing markets. Dolby is facing a number of pressures. As innovative products come on to the market, Dolby faces pricing pressure on its existing products. It depends on the computer gaming sector for substantial revenues, but there may be problems ascertaining the accuracy of the amount of royalties due and when those are to be paid. Dolby is plagued by the movie pirating industry in China, which deprives the company of royalties owed it. Additionally, Dolby is affected by the general state of the motion picture production industry. Dolby is trying to launch digital camera and audio technology in new markets, but the level of demand for these new products is difficult to gauge with a high degree of accuracy. The company has said it will grow by acquisition if necessary.

Dolby Laboratories blasts to higher 2Q earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 May 2007 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Deborah Jeane Palfrey, recently accused of running a prostitution ring serving Washington's elite, is upset about her stocks. After the government froze her assets, Reuters reports that she pleaded with a federal judge to let her sell her 5,000 shares of Dolby Laboratories Inc. (NYSE: DLB), citing valuation concerns: "I believe it's reached its peak. I don't want it to waste away."

This is another reason to avoid high-turnover investing and stick with index funds for the long-term: If you are indicted on charges of running a ring of call-girls, the government could freeze your assets and not allow you to continue trading actively.

Another thing sex has in common with investing: Most people think they can be above average but the vast majority will have to settle for average or below-average performance -- no matter how much they spend on products that will supposedly enhance their performance.

Accused madam frets over stock pick -- Lessons for investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 May 2007 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer bets against the D.C. Madam originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer likes the sound of Dolby: it's up and heading higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Dec 2006 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.