Analyst Upgrades

• Akamai (AKAM) to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Aetna (AET) to Outperform from market perform at Leerink.
• Hot Topic (HOTT) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Colonial Properties (CLP) upgraded to Outperform from market perform at FBR Capital and to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• Altera (ALTR) to buy from hold at Citigroup.
• American Reprographics (ARC), CarMax (KMX) and American Campus (ACC) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• Zebra Tech (ZBRA) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
• IMAX (IMAX) to buy from hold at Canaccord.
• Basic Energy (BAS) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Mednax (MD) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• UTi Worldwide (UTIW) to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AET, AKAM, BBY, DVN, HOG, IMAX, LVS, RIMM, UNH, URBN ...

Analyst Calls: AET, AKAM, BBY, DVN, HOG, IMAX, LVS, RIMM, UNH, URBN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I guess you could say that shareholders of Harley-Davidson (HOG) aren't in hog heaven. The motorcycle magnate announced solid third-quarter earnings results, but it disappointed the Street with its motorcycle sales.

Let's start with the good news. Harley-Davidson reported third-quarter net income of 38 cents per share ($88.8 million) or 40 cents per continuing share, far better than last year's same-quarter earnings of 11 cents per share. What's more, these results topped the consensus estimate of 35 cents per share. The company was even able to overcome poor quarterly sales because of it financial services division and cost-cutting efforts.

Continue reading Harley-Davidson Sales Forecast Disappoints the Street

Harley-Davidson Sales Forecast Disappoints the Street originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch is back on this week. Third quarter reports are due from tech, financial and pharmaceutical companies, from airlines and from many others. Here's a day-by-day rundown of the coming week's earnings highlights, with a closer look at Apple (AAPL), Harley-Davidson (HOG), Boeing (BA) and Southwest Airlines (LUV).

Getting things started on Monday, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect Citigroup (C), Halliburton (HAL) and IBM (IBM) to post year-over-year earnings growth. But Monday's highlight no doubt will be Apple's (AAPL) quarterly results.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Return of the Earnings Crunch (AAPL, BA, HOG, LUV)

Week in Preview: Return of the Earnings Crunch (AAPL, BA, HOG, LUV) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: Safeway Volatility Elevated into EPS, Harley Rallies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

You had to love the excitement surrounding Harley-Davidson (HOG) Tuesday. I'm sure shareholders were jumping for joy at the incredible rise experienced by the stock: it closed on Tuesday at a price of $26.83, up well over 13%. Volume supported the conviction of the move.

Back in April, BloggingStocks' Tom Taulli covered the company's first-quarter numbers. He called the stock risky at the time. He was correct to do so because the shares retreated not long after his piece was published, as the following chart clearly shows. Now that the second-quarter stats are here, should investors be interested in the motorcycle maker?

Continue reading Harley-Davidson Reports a Great Quarter: Buy or Sell?

Harley-Davidson Reports a Great Quarter: Buy or Sell? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:30:00 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.

Harley-Davidson (HOG) closed yesterday much higher than where it opened. The stock rose over 10%, finally settling at $31.37. During the intraday session, the shares hit a new 52-week high of $31.66. According to TheFly, RBC Capital increased its price target for the motorcycle company, believing it may eventually hit $36.

You know what? My gut tells me $36 is easy at this point (however, I do have some reservations and warnings, which I'll get to). There was a lot of volume backing the bid on Monday, and as I look through different time periods for the stock in terms of price gain (one-month return, three-month return, etc.), I come to the conclusion that this is one strong equity.

Continue reading Harley-Davidson Is a Hot Stock: Is it Overbought?

Harley-Davidson Is a Hot Stock: Is it Overbought? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Harley-Davidson (HOG) shot up recently on takeover rumors, but in my opinion, they're just that -- rumors.

Who needs a high-end motorcycle during the Great Recession? Or its aftermath? And who needs the stock of a company with more than $4 billion in long-term debt, huge unpaid pension obligations, lousy cash flow to service its debt, and that is still in search of a partner to take customer loans off its hands.

Continue reading Deadbeat Stock #1: Harley-Davidson (HOG)

Deadbeat Stock #1: Harley-Davidson (HOG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Spring is finally here, which means it's time to break out the broom and dustpan for some spring cleaning.

But your home isn't the only thing that requires constant maintenance -- your portfolio does too.

And what better time than spring to get a fresh start by cleaning out the stocks that are sitting around collecting dust rather than making you money?

Continue reading Six Deadbeat Stocks to Clean Out of Your Portfolio

Six Deadbeat Stocks to Clean Out of Your Portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Harley Davidson Accelerates on Takeover Talk

Harley Davidson Accelerates on Takeover Talk originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This is a cornerstone of the Fed, a true shibboleth (Google that one). But one of the first set of bonds the Fed bought under the TALF program were bonds backed by motorcycle loans made by Harley-Davidson (HOG) to its customers.

The Fed program was designed to provide loans and capital to businesses that were shut out of frozen credit markets, which is a good thing. But loans to Harley made to boost the sale of motorcycles to people who could not get loans elsewhere?

Continue reading Lie #8: The Fed Only Buys AAA-Rated Bonds and Securities

Lie #8: The Fed Only Buys AAA-Rated Bonds and Securities originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• JPMorgan upgraded Mohawk (MHK) to overweight from neutral. The firm finds shares attractive following their recent underperformance and has a positive outlook for the building products space in 2010. JPMorgan has a $53.50 price target on the stock.
• Stephens upgraded Alexander & Baldwin (ALEX) to overweight from equal weight to reflect improving volume trends and the upcoming move of the company's Transport division from Japan to Guam, which it believes will serve as a positive catalyst. Stephens raised its target price on shares to $41 from $26.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Unum Group (UNM) to buy from hold as it believes an acceleration of growth and potential buybacks could serve as positive catalysts. The firm raised its target on shares to $26 from $25.
• News Corp. (NWS) was raised to neutral from sell at Pali Capital.
• CA Inc. (CA) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Pactiv (PTV) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADP, BAC, HOG, MHK, NWS, T, UNM ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADP, BAC, HOG, MHK, NWS, T, UNM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) higher Q3 earnings topped expectations but revenue was in line.
• Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) posted better-than-expected Q3 results, but shares sold off.
• Allegheny Technologies Inc. (NYSE: ATI) was downgraded on concerns about its Q4 guidance.
• Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) shares fell after it posted a deeper-than-expected quarterly loss.
• Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) fell victim to profit taking despite reporting better-than-expected earnings.
• CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) better-than-expected Q3 earnings sent shares higher, despite a decline in revenue.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: C, GE, GOOG, HOG, INTC, IBM, JNJ, JPM, MAT, NOK ...

Earnings highlights: C, GE, GOOG, HOG, INTC, IBM, JNJ, JPM, MAT, NOK ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE: ICE) to Outperform from Market Perform on expectations that derivatives trading will increase in the coming quarters.
• NutriSystem (NASDAQ: NTRI) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Janney Montgomery, which believes that the company's earnings have hit bottom, while the company could report better-than-expected Q1 results.
• Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital. The firm thinks the company is an early-cycle story that has significant upside potential.
• UBS upgraded Walgreen (NYSE: WAG) to Buy from Neutral citing cost cutting efforts and slowing store growth.
• Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Benchmark Co.
• Safeway (NYSE: SWY) was upgraded to Buy from Hold by BB&T.
• Needham upgraded Targacept (NASDAQ: TRGT) to Buy from Hold.
• Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) was raised to Buy from Hold at Jesup & Lamont.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GOOG, HOG, NOK, SWY, WAG, WSM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GOOG, HOG, NOK, SWY, WAG, WSM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG), cultural icon and a leader in sales of high-end motorcycles, is scheduled to discuss its third quarter 2009 financial results in a conference call Thursday at 9:00 AM ET, hosted by CEO Keith Wandell and CFO John Olin. You can catch the live webcast of the call on the company's website.

During three months that ended in September, Harley-Davidson celebrated the 40th anniversary of Easy Rider, rolled out new models for 2010, and appointed a new CFO. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect this Milwaukee-based, dividend-paying company to report that earnings fell 70.4% from a year ago to $0.21 per share, but that's up 61.9% from the second quarter. Sales for the third quarter are expected to be 22.6% lower than a year ago to $1.1 billion.

Continue reading Earnings preview: Has Harley-Davidson turned around?

Earnings preview: Has Harley-Davidson turned around? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Bernstein upgraded Lincoln National (NYSE: LNC) to Outperform from Market Perform based on relative valuation and expectations the company will repay TARP without a capital raise. The firm raised its target to $34 from $26.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Ticketmaster (NASDAQ: TKTM) to Overweight from Market Weight and raised its target to $12 from $8 citing dynamic ticket pricing and the potential merger with Live Nation (NYSE: LYV).
• Citigroup upgraded Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) to Hold from Sell after channel checks indicated retail sales have improved since Q2. The firm raised its target on shares to $26 from $14.
• McDermott (NYSE: MDR) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) was upgraded to Hold from Sell at Deutsche Bank.
• General Electric (NYSE: GE) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AIG, DFS, ERIC, GE, HOG, SYMC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AIG, DFS, ERIC, GE, HOG, SYMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Harley-Davidson has certainly recovered from its 52-week low made back in March of this year. The stock bounced back from $7.99 to a price of $16.55 as of this writing.

Continue reading Harley-Davidson not riding too much higher according to analyst

Harley-Davidson not riding too much higher according to analyst originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) Q1 profit edged past expectations despite lower sales of Humira.
• AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) posted a smaller-than-expected Q1 loss, sending shares sharply higher.
• Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, sending share higher.
• BP (NYSE: BP) and other oil companies were downgraded due to higher environmental costs.
• Charles Schwab Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHW) Q1 earnings declined but still topped analysts' expectations.
• Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) said Q1 earnings would be lower due to a weaker dollar and lower oil prices.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Google, Citigroup, GE, Intel, Nokia and more

Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Google, Citigroup, GE, Intel, Nokia and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The venerable Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) sputtered through another dismal quarter as reported today. Even Warren Buffett's recent vote of confidence in the form of purchasing $300 million of HOG debt wasn't enough to pretty up a year/year decline in worldwide sales of 12%, and sales this quarter last year were well below the previous year. The company did ship 3.9% more bikes to dealers than in 2008, when dealers were sitting on large stocks of unsold units, but it anticipates shipping 10-13% fewer bikes overall in 2009 than 2008.

Domestic sales dropped 9.7%. Diluted earning reported were $.50, below analyst expectations and down from $.79 Q1 of 2008. Revenue for the quarter was $1.01 billion, down only $2.7 million from same quarter 2008. General merchandise, usually a steady cash-generator for the company, also fell by 10.5% from a year ago.

Continue reading Harley-Davidson earnings report

Harley-Davidson earnings report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) started off the new earnings season with disappointing results that helped to stifle the recent rally. Was that enough of a sign of what's to come? No, probably not. But the earnings reports start to fly in earnest this week, which should provide a more detailed picture of the state of things.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters anticipate that some of the biggest names will prove to be holding their own. Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is expected to post a profit of $4.91 per share, marginally higher than a year ago, and Johnson & Johnson's (NYSE: JNJ) expected $1.22 per share profit is slightly lower year over year. Even Mattel Inc.'s (NYSE: MAT) estimated loss of $0.13 per share is the same as in the year-ago period.

Continue reading The week in preview: The new earnings season ramps up

The week in preview: The new earnings season ramps up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.