Coca-Cola (KO) has more than $13 billion in cash.

The top five companies (according to market cap) are:

• Exxon Mobil (XOM): $398.3 billion
• Apple (AAPL): $309.0 billion
• Microsoft (MSFT): $237.5 billion
• General Electric (GE): $215.0 billion
• Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): $202.5 billion

Continue reading Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ?

Comfort Zone Investing: Did You Know ... ? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

CNOOC Limited (CEO) announced that it's buying into several shale oil and gas leases in the U.S. owned by Chesapeake Energy Corporation (CHK) for $570 million. CHK overall option implied volatility of 31 is below its 26-week average of 35, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Alpha Natural Resources (ANR) and Massey Energy Company (MEE) announced that they signed a definitive agreement for Massey stockholders to receive 1.025 shares of Alpha common stock and $10 in cash for each share of Massey common stock. Massey options were active on Jan. 28 with 134,000 contracts trading and overall option implied volatility at 58, above its 26-week average of 50, according to Track Data.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Chesapeake Energy Volatility Low into Shale Asset Sale to CNOOC originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What Are the Implications of ANR Buying Massey Energy?

What Are the Implications of ANR Buying Massey Energy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Fluor (FLR) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Macy's (M) to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
• Canadian Solar (CSIQ), JA Solar (JASO) and HeartWare (HTWR) to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Ashford Hospitality (AHT) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• RenaissanceRe (RNR) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• DCT Industrial (DCT) to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Coeur d'Alene Mines (CDE) and Silver Standard (SSRI) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Weatherford (WFT), Hercules (HERO), GulfMark Offshore (GLF), Tidewater (TDW) and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) to buy from hold, and Diamond Offshore (DO) to hold from underperform, at Jefferies.
• Ritchie Bros. (RBA) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• AstraZeneca (AZN) to buy from hold at Citigroup.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AA, AMD, AMR, AZN, CIT, GSK, HPQ, M, NVDA, PCX, SPWRA ...

Analyst Calls: AA, AMD, AMR, AZN, CIT, GSK, HPQ, M, NVDA, PCX, SPWRA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Walgreen (WAG) is expected to report Q1 EPS on December 22. January and February put option implied volatility of 27 is near its 26-week average, according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Massey Energy's (MEE) board is considering several bids for the company, reports the Wall Street Journal. Overall option implied volatility of 36 is below its 26-week average of 51, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Walgreen Volatility Flat into EPS and Gross Margin Outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading What's Next for Massey Energy?

What's Next for Massey Energy? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• SanDisk (SNDK) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
• JPMorgan resumed Potash (POT) at overweight, up from neutral.
• Ariba (ARBA) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Roth Capital.
• Cirrus Logic (CRUS) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Tesoro (TSO) to overweight from equal weight.
• Solarfun Power (SOLF) was upgraded to buy from hold at Auriga.
• Barclays upgraded Ciena (CIEN) to overweight from equal weight.
• Optimer Pharm (OPTR) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
• Argo Group (AGII) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.
• BofA/Merrill upgraded Green Mountain (GMCR) to buy from underperform and Southern Company (SO) to neutral from underperform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ATW, CIEN, DE, GMCR, GPN, MEE, MT, POT, SNDK, SO, TSO ...

Analyst Calls: ATW, CIEN, DE, GMCR, GPN, MEE, MT, POT, SNDK, SO, TSO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Massey Energy (MEE) closed up $4.80 to $46.94 on reports that Alpha Natural (ANR) may buy the company, DJ says. December and January 55 calls are active on total call volume of 58K contracts, compared to put volume of 23K puts. November call option implied volatility is at 53 and January is at 48, compared to its 26-week average of 52. Increasing option volume suggests traders are positioning for price movement.

CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) closed down 29 cents to $18.23, near a six-month low after EPS, elections, FOMC meeting and October employment report.

CBOE option volume leaders today: Bank of America (BAC), Las Vegas Sands (LVS) JPMorgan (JPM) and Citigroup (C).

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Massey Energy Calls Active on Reports of Buyout originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 06 Nov 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Mixed Reactions on Friday (ATML, CROX, MEE, ANR, SD, JPM)

Closing Bell: Mixed Reactions on Friday (ATML, CROX, MEE, ANR, SD, JPM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• HSBC upgraded Massey Energy (MEE) to overweight from neutral based on improved 2011 pricing power given industry supply-side discipline. Despite the upgrade, the firm cuts its price target to $40 from $54.
• Needham upgraded Blue Coat Systems (BCSI) to buy from hold following yesterday's announcement that Michael J. Borman has been named the new CEO. The firm has a $27 price target on the stock.
• Citigroup upgraded Teekay Offshore Partners (TOO) to buy from hold after the company announced shuttle tanker contracts to reflect improved operating performance. The firm raised its target for shares to $26 from $15.
• Prosperity Bancshares (PRSP) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Ceradyne (CRDN) was upgraded to buy from hold at Benchmark Co.
• CTC Media (CTCM) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, BCSI, CIT, MEE, POT, RIMM, SAN, SKS, TOO ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, BCSI, CIT, MEE, POT, RIMM, SAN, SKS, TOO ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Bulls Hold Out Hope as Massey Energy Flounders

Bulls Hold Out Hope as Massey Energy Flounders originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The shares of Massey Energy (MEE) have dropped substantially since April 6, when news broke of a deadly explosion at the company's Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. As a result of this devastating development, the stock is now trading below several layers of former technical support, including its 10-week and 20-week moving averages.

However, after checking out Monday's option activity, at least one bullish bettor is banking on a short-term recovery for the commodity concern. Shortly after midday, MEE was the target of a moderately optimistic long call spread strategy.

Continue reading Bull Bets on a Short-Term Bounce for Massey Energy

Bull Bets on a Short-Term Bounce for Massey Energy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: The Omnipotent Fed (AAPL, MEE, T, CMCSA)

Closing Bell: The Omnipotent Fed (AAPL, MEE, T, CMCSA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading 25 Miners Killed in Massey Energy Mine Blast

25 Miners Killed in Massey Energy Mine Blast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Lower Ahead of Fed Minutes

Before the Bell: Futures Lower Ahead of Fed Minutes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Wells Fargo (WFC) to market perform from underperform and raised its target on shares to $26 from $21 following the company's better-than-expected quarter.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded Starbucks (SBUX) to buy from hold following the company's better-than-expected Q1 results. The firm raised its target price on shares to $30 from $19.
• UBS upgraded Dreamworks (DWA) to buy from neutral, citing upside from its upcoming film releases. The firm raised its target to $50 from $35.
• Colgate (CL) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• F5 Networks (FFIV) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Applied Industrial (AIT) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Stephens.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADS, CL, DWA, MON, MS, SBUX, WFC ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ADS, CL, DWA, MON, MS, SBUX, WFC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Stephens upgraded Martin Marietta (MLM) to overweight from equal weight on valuation and expectations that infrastructure and highway spending will increase. The firm raised its target on shares to $105 from $95.
• Janney Montgomery upgraded Shutterfly (SFLY) to buy from neutral to reflect valuation and a reduced pricing overhang after Kodak (EK) raised its 4x6 prices. The firm raised its target on shares to $21 from $18.
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Entropic Communications (ENTR) to overweight from market weight. The firm thinks the company is well-positioned for revenue growth in 2010, partly due to MoCA deployments from new customers and design wins for its silicon tuner product. The firm set a $5 target.
• T. Rowe Price (TROW) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies.
• Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Massey Energy (MEE) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AOL, CKR, DKS, GEF, MLM, TROW ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AOL, CKR, DKS, GEF, MLM, TROW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Brightpoint (NASDAQ: CELL) to Buy from Hold on expectations global handset units will trough in 2009, leading to a higher multiple for the stock. Citi raised its target on shares to $9 from $6.50.
• FBR Capital upgraded Rosetta Resources (NASDAQ: ROSE) to Outperform from Market Perform on valuation and believes drilling results in Q3 and Q4 should serve as near-term catalysts. The firm raised its target on shares to $15.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Echelon (NASDAQ: ELON) to Neutral from Underweight following the company's contract announcement with Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK). The firm raised its target on shares to $10 from $6.
• Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley.
• Schawk (NYSE: SGK) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.
• Alpha Natural (NYSE: ANR) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, KR, ROSE, SWY, YUM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMGN, KR, ROSE, SWY, YUM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) a coal company, closed at $35.68. BTU is expected to report Q2 EPS in late July. BTU June option implied volatility is at 62, July is at 61; below its 26-week average of 74, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE) closed at $24.70. MEE June option implied volatility is at 84; July is at 78; below its 26-week average of 91; according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price fluctuations.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) closed at $18.82. ACI June and July option implied volatility of 68 is below its 26-week average of 83 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Options Update: Coal companies' volatility low on higher energy prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) closed at $18.50 Friday. ACI January and February option implied volatility of 87 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Massey Energy (NYSE: MEE), a coal miner, closed at $16.19 Friday. MEE is scheduled to report Q4 EPS in the February option cycle. MEE February option implied volatility of 108 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price fluctuations.

Consol Energy (NYSE: CNX) closed at $32.15 Friday. CNX has two principle business units: coal and gas. CNX February option implied volatility of 90 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Alpha Natural (NYSE: ANR), an Appalachian coal producer, closed at $18.38 Friday. ANR February option implied volatility of 107 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), a coal company, closed at $25.06 Friday. BTU is expected to report Q4 EPS in late January. January and February option implied volatility of 97 is above its 26-week average of 89, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Options Update: Coal producers volatility flat; shares at low end of range originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.