Analyst Upgrades

• Walgreen (WAG) and Triumph Group (TGI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Focus Media (FMCN) to buy from neutral at Goldman.
• Home Depot (HD) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• Arbitron (ARB) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Waddell & Reed (WDR) and Legg Mason (LM) to overweight from equal weight, and Janus Capital (JNS) to overweight from underweight, at Barclays.
• Central Euro Media (CETV) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• GenOn Energy (GEN) and Ntelos (NTLS) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
• Cooper Tire (CTB) to buy from neutral and Goodyear Tire (GT) to buy from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AOL, FMCN, GT, HD, JNJ, JNS, LOW, QCOM, RY, UA, WAG ...

Analyst Calls: AOL, FMCN, GT, HD, JNJ, JNS, LOW, QCOM, RY, UA, WAG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Among the quarterly results scheduled for this holiday-shortened week, investors may be thankful for the earnings results from Tyson Foods (TSN). The Arkansas-based poultry and meat producer reported on its sustainability efforts and also was named McDonalds' (MCD) supplier of the year during its fiscal fourth quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to have doubled from a year ago to 56 cents per share.

Tyson is also expected to post revenue of $7.8 billion for the three months that ended in September, which is 7.4% more than in the same period of fiscal 2009. And the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $2.08 per share (+87.0%) and revenue of $28.7 billion (+7.3%). Tyson's earnings have been better than expected in recent quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 24 cents per share.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Tyson Foods, Analog Devices, Deere Serve Up Earnings

Week in Preview: Tyson Foods, Analog Devices, Deere Serve Up Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: AIG September Volatility Low originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Wal-Mart (WMT) closed at $53.43. WMT's volatility is flat on tight trading range as it is expected to report Q4 EPS on February 18. February put option implied volatility is at 20, March and June puts are at 21; near its 26-week average of 21, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Three stocks with IV rise on January 29; Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/B) +9%, Focus Media (FMCN) + 8%, Talbots (TLB) +6% according to IVolatility.

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

Options Update: Wal-Mart Volatility Flat into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Shares of Sina Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA) soared to a new 52-week high Monday following news that the Chinese media giant's deal to purchase assets of Focus Media Holding Limited (NASDAQ: FMCN) likely had fallen through. Rumors had swirled for weeks suggesting that the deal might not be completed.

Sina was set to acquire a portion of Focus Media's business that places advertising in malls, airports, office buildings and other places for $1.66 billion. The agreement is set to expire Wednesday, Sept. 30, without approval from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. The government reportedly did not respond to repeated requests for approval. Both companies said Monday in a joint statement that they would not extend a deadline for closing the transaction.

Continue reading Sina soars as deal with Focus Media falls apart

Sina soars as deal with Focus Media falls apart originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Focus Media (NASDAQ: FMCN), a Chinese digital advertising company, closed at $10.98. January option implied volatility of 132 is above its 26-week average of 106, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

SINA Corp (NASDAQ: SINA), a Chinese online media company, closed at $29.24. SINA January option implied volatility is at 63; March is at 70; above its 26-week average of 61, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement in early spring.

Shanda Interactive (NASDAQ: SNDA), an interactive entertainment media company in China, closed at $30.33. SNDA January option implied volatility of 66 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

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

Options Update: Focus Media volatility higher than peers; FMCN, SINA, SNDA originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) topped estimates but offered an outlook below expectations.
• Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) warned that it many not be able to maintain its earnings momentum.
• Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: CHIC) was upgraded because of its growth potential.
• Focus Media Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) shares tumbled after it reported Q3 numbers.
• HLS Systems International (NASDAQ: HOLI) earnings prospects and management impressed an analyst.
• JCPenney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) reported a lower Q3 profit and lowered its guidance due to the recession.
• KKR Financial Holdings (NYSE: KFN) disappointing Q3 results led to analyst downgrades.
• MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI) doubled its Q3 profit and beat earnings expectations.
• Nortel Networks Corp. (NYSE: NT) swung to a Q3 net loss and unveiled further restructuring measures.
• Perry Ellis International Inc. (NASDAQ: PERY) posted preliminary Q3 results and lowered its outlook.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) Q4 net loss widened and it warned about meeting its profit target for the year.
• Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) Q4 earnings were hurt by restructuring costs, revenue rose slightly.
• Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) posted dismal Q4 results and declined to offer guidance for next year.
• Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) solid Q4 results fell short of estimates and it offered a shaky outlook.
• Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) earnings prospects following its equity offering led to an analyst's upgrade.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others

Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Minyanville's Sean Udall dares to share the kind of keen insight and actionable information you won't find in any prospectus. Here he discusses some players in the tech sector. For more original thought, visit www.minyanville.com.

SuccessFactors (NASDAQ: SFSF): The stock prices secondary at $11.80 and is holding pretty tough. I'm watching this one pretty closely and was hoping for some post-secondary weakness to possibly add a starter here. A pretty good balance sheet just got better, but I guess the question is, "What is it going to do with that cash?"

Digital TV Holding (NYSE: STV): This company may have made a bottom recently and the deal announced today is exactly what the company talked about in its last quarterly call. I've commented on the possibility of it securing more revenue streams (partnering for recurring advertising revenue) in the past. It looks to be developing the conduits to deliver on that.

comScore (NASDAQ: SCOR): Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) news is hurting the stock badly. I sold my mine some time back after that series of paid click reports ahead of Google's last quarter that proved to be quite inaccurate. All that aside, I don't think comScore's core business is going to disappear within a compressed time frame and may be worth a long side trade if it moves near or under $20. I'll leave it be and see what develops, as the knife could cut further.

Continue reading What the tech?

What the tech? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Focus Media (NASDAQ: FMCN), a digital media company in China, guided Q2 revenues to $190 - $195 million versus consensus of $201 million due to earthquake .

Oppenheimer says: "Effect of earthquake now greater than expected."

FMCN overall option implied volatility of 74 is above its 26-week average of 65 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price risks.

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

Option Update: Focus Media volatility up into lower guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a peek at what analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting from companies scheduled to report quarterly results in the first week of June, 2008.

The following companies are expected to post earnings growth, compared to the same period in the previous year:

• Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) up 136.6% (from a loss) to $1.12 per share, on $499.1 million in revenue
• Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) up 58.3% to 12 cents per share, on $71.8 million in revenue
• Vimpelcom Communications (NYSE: VIP) up 54.2% to 59 cents per share, on $2.1 billion in revenue
• Focus Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) up 36.4% to 33 cents per share, on $161.3 million in revenue
• Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) up 29.7% to 37 cents per share, on $238.4 million in revenue
• Greif Inc. (NYSE: GEF) up 24.1% to 87 cents per share, on $839.9 million in revenue
• Vail Resorts Inc. (NYSE: MTN) up 18.4% to $2.44 per share, on $474.8 million in revenue
• Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) up 17.4% to 46 cents per share, on $451.6 million in revenue
• Del Monte Foods Co. (NYSE: DLM) up 15.4% to 26 cents per share, on $1.0 billion in revenue
• Cooper Companies Inc. (NYSE: COO) up 14.6% to 48 cents per share, on $256.7 million in revenue
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) up 1.9% to $2.08 per share, on $161.6 million in revenue

Continue reading Earnings expectations: Take-Two, Lululemon, Williams-Sonoma, Toll Bros. and others

Earnings expectations: Take-Two, Lululemon, Williams-Sonoma, Toll Bros. and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NetEase (NASDAQ: NTES), an interactive online community in China is scheduled to report Q1 EPS after market close on May 21.

NTES June option implied volatility of 58 is above its 26-week average of 45 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price fluctuations.

Focus Media (NASDAQ: FMCN), a digital media company in China utilizing live motion displays, is scheduled to report Q1 EPS on June 5.

FMCN June option implied volatility of 68 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price risks.

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

Option Update: NetEase volatility up after shares rally into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 May 2008 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The Olympics have long been a boon to stock markets of host countries," notes Tony Sagami, a leading global stock advisor with a noted specialty in Asian markets.

In his Asia Stock Alert newsletter, he notes, "I believe the chief beneficiaries of the Olympic Games will be consumer and travel-related stocks. And within these sectors, I've chosen six stocks poised to bring home Olympic gold from Beijing."

"We saw a 19% gain in the Spanish stock market in the 12 months before the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and the 27% gain in the Greek stock market in the year before the 2004 Athens Olympics. And those countries were not growing at a fraction of the breakneck pace that China is. So it wouldn't surprise me to see the Chinese stock market do even better.

Olympic Gold Winner #1: China Mobile (NYSE: CHL):

"It seems like every person I see in China has a cell phone glued to their ear. And the cell phone is not just the primary voice communication medium in China; it is also the common way most Chinese access the Internet and email. In China, the cell phone 'is' the personal computer.

"Heck, most new high-rise condominium and apartment complexes being built in China aren't even wired for land lines. Once you understand the device's role, you'll see why China Mobile has more cell phone users (360 million) than the U.S. has people. I expect a lot of cell phone calls and text messages during the Beijing Olympics!

Continue reading Six China stocks set to take home Olympic gold

Six China stocks set to take home Olympic gold originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Our top conservative stock idea for 2008 is Focus Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN)," says Jim Trippon, editor of The China Stock Digest. "Founded only four years ago, Focus Media now calls itself China's largest out-of-home media company; it has blanketed China's first and second tier cities with tens of thousands of display ads.

"Focus Media is growing powerfully on the strength of a rapidly expanding out-of-home advertising business in a booming economy. With revenue growth in all of its corporate sectors expanding at approximately 100% year over year, this company is delivering unprecedented profitability.

"With the Beijing Olympics approaching, we expect an extra surge in out-of-home advertising revenue and demand. The company is aggressively pushing its pricing to the market's tolerance and expanding its network. 2008 should be a banner year for Focus Media.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: China expert focuses on Focus Media (FMCN)

Best Stocks for 2008: China expert focuses on Focus Media (FMCN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• While United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is preparing for the busiest time of the year, high costs and a slowing economy are set to present big challenges for the Atlanta company once the holiday season is over, the Wall Street Journal reported.

• BusinessWeek's "Inside Wall Street" column reported that shares of Abiomed Inc (NASDAQ: ABMD) have recovered nearly to its 52-week high of $15, rallying on buzz that the FDA could approve the company's chief product, Impella, a miniature pump at the end of a catheter, within 12 months.
• The "Inside Wall Street" column also reported that Focus Media Holding Limited (NASDAQ: FMCN), the top advertising company in Internet, Mobile and Poster/Panel Markets, should benefit from the 2008 Summer Olympics.

• According to sources and reported by AppleInsider, there have been additional sightings of an "unfamiliar MacBook model floating around" Apple Inc's (NASDAQ: AAPL) campus perhaps indicating a new Macbook is coming at next month's Macworld Expo.

Newspaper wrap-up: UPS may face post-holiday slump originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 09:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• CNOOC Limited (NYSE: CEO) is China's nationalized oil play, the number one offshore, a large player in Indonesia; it is 67% government-owned. Under the production sharing, the company gets the mandatory rights. As long as oil stays high this one is a winner, he thinks. ADR's have a $45 billion market cap; 3% dividend yield.
• China Mobile Limited (NYSE: CHL), says Cramer, is the winner in the Chinese wireless market with 68% of the mobile users in China. The government owns the majority of the company. It has been on hold because of rumors that China Telecom might enter wireless; it has 1.9% dividend; $191 billion market cap.

Continue reading Cramer in China: Cramer's top five China stock picks

Cramer in China: Cramer's top five China stock picks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Jun 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As you might have noticed, I have been focusing on Chinese companies over the past few days, seeking to highlight some sectors where the massive influx of tourism and business and money into China is having a positive effect.

What is more natural in a booming economy than advertising? As people's spending power increases, so too does the need for companies to market products for them to buy. And let's not forget: 2008 Olympics are being hosted in Beijing. This is going to bring a boost to the already growing arena of new media advertising.

Enter Focus Media Holding Limited (ADR) (NASDAQ:FMCN), China's largest publicly-traded advertising firm. This company specializes in "out-of-home advertising" -- in other words, it uses in-store, commercial location, outside light emitting diode (LED), and mobile handset networks to broadcast advertisements. In 2003, Focus Media went from being a traditional ad agency to focusing on the out-of-home market, and it was smart to jump into the game that early. After many acquisitions, it staked out the market terrain and are now the leader in the outdoor ad market, directly operating in 50 cities and indirectly in 36 more cities. It's flying along. Net income for 4th quarter 2006 was $30.1 million compared to the previous year's $9.4 million, and sales tripled to $68.3 million. This market is particularly important in China, where ads can capture bored people in long lines!

Continue reading Focus Media Holding Limited: Pitching products in the People's Republic

Focus Media Holding Limited: Pitching products in the People's Republic originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Back in 2003, Jason Jiang (who is now 33) started Focus Media Holding (NASDAQ: FMCN), which provides video advertising in elevators in China. So far, it's been a huge success. His company currently has a market cap of $3.8 billion.

One of its shareholders is the private equity firm the Carlyle Group. Well, it should be no surprise that it wants to cash-out, by selling 10 million shares (the firm will still have a stake of 12.5 million). This is according to a recent filing with the SEC.

The firm's initial investment was $19.5 million in late 2004. Thus, its payday will represent about a 9X return.

All in all, the deal was fairly unusual for Carlyle. That is, the investment was a minority stake. However, the investment was actually not in Focus Media. Rather, it was in Target Media Holdings, which was bought out by Focus Media.

Interestingly enough, Target Media was also a startup company - which is also unusual for Carlyle.

But, hey, Carlyle needs to find any way to make money, right?

You can see a write-up on the transaction at The Daily Deal website.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and the EDGAR-Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.

Carlyle's almost 10-bagger in China originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Jan 2007 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.