Analyst Upgrades

• Amazon.com (AMZN) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Netflix (NFLX) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer and to neutral from sell at Janney Montgomery.
• Janney Montgomery also upgraded BJ's Wholesale (BJ) to buy from neutral.
• RW Baird upgraded Kforce.com (KFRC), SFN Group (SFN) and Young Innovations (YDNT) to outperform from neutral.
• NetSuite (N) was upgraded to neutral from underweight and Select Comfort (SCSS) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at Piper Jaffray.
• Flushing Financial (FFIC) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• National Instruments (NATI) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• RBC Capital upgraded MDS Inc. (MDZ) to outperform from sector perform.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ...

Analyst Calls: ABC, AMZN, BJ, CAH, GRNB, JCG, N, NFLX, STX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Best Buy (BBY) was upgraded to top pick from outperform at RBC Capital, as the firm thinks the company's valuation is inexpensive while it will perform well during the holiday season.
• Credit Suisse upgraded CF Industries (CF) to outperform from neutral, citing favorable fundamentals in nitrogen and phosphate markets.
• Canadian Solar (CSIQ) was raised to buy from hold by Jefferies, which cited expectations for higher selling prices next year and cost savings from sourcing more components internally.
• BMO Capital upgraded RC2 Corp. (RCRC) to outperform from market perform as the firm believes that RC2's baby products are performing better than previously expected.
• Ericsson (ERIC) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merril.
• ProLogis (PLD) was upgraded to buy from hold at Stifel Nicolaus.
• Constellation Energy (CEG) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ABC, BBY, CF, CSIQ, ERIC, MO, N, NAV, ORLY, PCAR, RCRC, SYY ...

Analyst Calls: ABC, BBY, CF, CSIQ, ERIC, MO, N, NAV, ORLY, PCAR, RCRC, SYY ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Option traders appear to be setting up for a bullish move on Cypress Bioscience, Inc. (CYPB). Traders plowed into 1,305 new call option contracts -- 19.19 times the average volume -- on the stock on Friday. And we know that traders were eager to get into this trade because 100% of the trades came in on the ask price.

Cypress has been in a downtrend since hitting a high around $10.00 in July 2009. The stock closed Friday at $3.39, down 10.79% during the past month.

Continue reading Cypress Bioscience Calls and NetSuite Puts Heating Up

Cypress Bioscience Calls and NetSuite Puts Heating Up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Savvis: Somewhat Dull, but Exciting for Investors?

Savvis: Somewhat Dull, but Exciting for Investors? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading NetSuite Makes Rain from the Cloud

NetSuite Makes Rain from the Cloud originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 May 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Overlooked NetSuite Scores Another Big Deal

Overlooked NetSuite Scores Another Big Deal originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: The Awful Day That Wasn't So Awful (ARG, APD, JPM, CSCO, N, BIDU, BIIB)

Closing Bell: The Awful Day That Wasn't So Awful (ARG, APD, JPM, CSCO, N, BIDU, BIIB) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Let's say you're on the phone with a potential customer. She likes the product and wants to make a purchase. However, you need to fax over an agreement to get a signature. Also, you need to set up a method for payment.

Unfortunately, this takes a few days - and during this time, the lead goes dark. You lost a customer . . .

In today's tough economic times, it's absolutely critical to close customers quickly. But how?

Well, there are some helpful - and affordable technologies to help out.

Continue reading Entrepreneur's Journal: Get money from customers now

Entrepreneur's Journal: Get money from customers now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

One of the leaders in web-based business applications - NetSuite (NYSE: N) - posted its Q4 results yesterday. And, while the recession is a drag, the company was still able to keep up its momentum.

Quarterly revenues increased 30.5% to $41.4 million, with 350 new customers (the total is now at 6,600). In fact, the company generated non-GAAP net income of $0.01 per share or $534,000.

Continue reading NetSuite's sweet earnings

NetSuite's sweet earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Baird upgraded Western Digital (NYSE: WDC) and Seagate (NASDAQ: NSTX) to Outperform from Neutral citing better than expected industry conditions. The firm believes supply has tightened, resulting in price increases in certain market segments.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded XTO Energy (NYSE: XTO) to Outperform from Sector Perform citing free cash flow and stable growth.
  
• Goldman upgraded Manpower (NYSE: MAN) to Neutral from Sell and raised its target to $29 from $20 based on balanced risk/reward.
• Energy Conversion (NASDAQ: ENER) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Piper Jaffray.
  
• Infineon (NYSE: IFX) was raised to Hold from Sell at RBS.
  
• NetSuite (NYSE: N) was upgraded to Acummulate from Source of Funds at ThinkEquity.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WDC, NSTX, UBS, TIF, BA ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: WDC, NSTX, UBS, TIF, BA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In Q2, NetSuite's revenues surged 43% to $36.6 million, a 7% sequential increase. In fact, NetSuite added more than 400 customers in the quarter. Although there was a net loss of $3.1 million, or $0.05 per share, SAP has made recent moves to increase its pricing.

Essentially, NetSuite focuses on the mid-market customer. Keep in mind that there are more than five million of them in the U.S. And, for the most part, the market is fragmented and unpenetrated.

Continue reading NetSuite cuts loss, still growing

NetSuite cuts loss, still growing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One group of stocks that has always intrigued us are those whose symbols have one letter," notes George Putnam. The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "Odd as this idea may at first seem, it actually makes some sense for a deep value investor. These are often old-line companies with well-known brand names. In some cases the single letter symbols were awarded many decades ago."

After reviewing the 19 stocks with single letter symbols (7 are currently unused), Putnam offers six that he says, have been "beaten down pretty badly and now look particularly appealing."'

"Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A), which makes electronic and bio-analytic measuring devices, was spun out of Hewlett-Packard in 1999. Revenues surged in 2000 as did the stock price, reaching a lofty 162.

"But the company subsequently suffered along with its customers in the communications and technology sectors. However, the financials are sound, including strong cash flow that is supporting a $2 billion share buyback, and management has been restructuring and realigning operations for long-term growth.

Continue reading 'Singular' values: A, C, F, K, M, N, Q, S, T

'Singular' values: A, C, F, K, M, N, Q, S, T originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Kaufman Bros. believes Drugstore.com (NASDAQ: DSCM) is well-positioned for long-term growth and significant margin expansion, led by share gains in the OTC and prestige beauty verticals. The firm started shares with a Buy rating and $3.25 target.
  
• Merriman initiated Sycamore (NASDAQ: SCMR) with a Neutral rating and prefers to be on the sidelines given the company's concentrated customer base and lack of clarity on strategic priorities and ongoing business operations.
  
• SunTrust Robinson expects the Aflac's (NYSE: AFL) cancer insurance policies in Japan to benefit from concerns about the national health system. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $79 target.

• Caris initiated Mylan (NYSE: MYL) with a Buy rating and $18 target.
  
• NetSuite (NYSE: N) was assumed with a Hold rating and $22 target at Deutsche Bank.
  
• Stanford initiated Time Warner (NYSE: TWX) with a Buy rating and $20 target.

Analyst initiations: DSCM, SCMR and AFL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

NetSuite Inc. (NYSE: N), which develops web-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) software, is making its first acquisition as a public company. That is, the firm is shelling out $26 million for OpenAir.

Founded in 1999, the company develops software that helps services companies to manage projects. Of course, the company uses an on-demand model and has some top-notch partners, such as IBM (NYSE: IBM).

Let's face it, there's much room for efficiency in the services sector. What's more, it's a large market opportunity.

Interestingly enough, NetSuite will invest in the OpenAir software offering for at least the next ten years. No doubt, this will alleviate some of the potential fears of customers.

Although, the acquisition will weigh on future results. NetSuite has increased its 2008 loss estimate from $0.04 per share to $0.04-0.06 per share.

So far in today's trading, NetSuite's shares are down 3% to $22.05.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

NetSuite gets into the M&A game originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Oppenheimer initiated California Pizza (NASDAQ:CPKI) with a Perform rating. The firm is neutral on the stock given the company's exposure to California and diminishing returns in new markets.
  
• KeyBanc initiated Lawson Software (NASDAQ:LWSN) with a Hold based on expectations that 1H09 will be challenged by a TTM sales headcount decline and the difficult IT spending environment.
  
• William Blair assumed Bare Escentuals (NASDAQ:BARE) with an Outperform rating. The firm estimates the company owns only a modest single-digit share of the nearly $9B U.S. cosmetics market, making its market opportunity attractive.

• Citigroup initiated Hess Corp (NYSE:HES) with a Hold rating and $133 target.
  
• NetSuite (NYSE:N) was started with a Sell rating and $14 target at Piper.
  
• Morgan Keegan initiated Berry Petroleum (NYSE:BRY) with an Outperform rating.

Analyst initiations: CPKI, LWSN and BARE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 May 2008 11:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

According to its conference call, things look good for NetSuite (Nasdaq: N), which offers an on-demand enterprise resource planning (ERP) platform for small and medium size businesses. Yet, it wasn't enough for investors. So far in today's trading, the stock price is down 16% to $18.72.

But, on its face, the Q1 report was strong. Revenues spiked 47% to $34.1 million and the net loss fell from $9.28 million to $2 million.

In fact, NetSuite had more than one million log-ins for the quarter and there were more than 400 new customers. Then again, the company continues to innovate - with new offerings like OneWorld, which is a good fit with multinational companies.

At the same time, NetSuite is striking key deals for distribution. For example, there is a new alliance with BT (NYSE: BT).

No doubt, Wall Street can get jittery - especially in the short run. But, NetSuite likes to say that it is gunning for the "Fortune 5 Million" businesses, which is a multi-billion market opportunity. And despite attempts from competitors - like SAP (NYSE: SAP), which recently scaled back its plans - NetSuite is still positioned nicely.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Investors sour on NetSuite originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 May 2008 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nortel (NYSE:NT) is up over 8% on strong earnings.

Force Protection (NASDAQ:FRPT) is trading higher 14% on a new contract from the UK.

Investools (NASDAQ:SWIM) is off almost 26% on news that the SEC is conduting an informal inquiry.

NetSuite (NYSE:N) is down over 15% after posting weak quarterly numbers.

Stocks may trade differently in the pre-market than they do in the regular session.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Pre-market movers (NT) (FRPT) (SWIM) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 May 2008 08:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Bessemer Venture Partners, which is the oldest VC firm in the US, has picked many winners such as Skype, VeriSign (NASDAQ: VRSN) and LinkedIn. So, what does the firm like right now? Well, one sector is on-demand business applications.

In fact, this week the firm led a $15 million investment in Intacct, which operates a web-based ERP system. In all, the firm has raised $29 million in the past nine months.

"We focus on small and mid size companies," said Marc Linden, Intacct's CFO, in an interview with me. "It's for those businesses that are graduating from Intuit's (NASDAQ: INTU) QuickBooks. And we estimate the market size at $7 billion."

No doubt, there are some tough competitors, such as NetSuite (NYSE: N). But with such a large market size, there should be room for a variety of players.

And what about the slowing economy? According to Linden, there is "no effect yet." Then again, by using an on-demand model, customers may be looking to Intacct to cut costs.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook (www.mergerbook.com).

Intacct taps a cool $15 million originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Friedman Billings initiated Jefferies Group (NYSE: JEF) with a Market Perform citing the difficult underwriting environment and challenging credit market.
  
• JMP Securities initiated Quality Systems (NASDAQ: QSII) with an Outperform rating and $35 target. The firm expects the company's practice management and electronic medical record solutions to benefit from growth opportunities within the ambulatory market.
  
• Techwell (NASDAQ: TWLL) was assumed with an Overweight rating and $14 target at Thomas Weisel, as they expect TWLL to have continued stable revenue growth given its market leadership and increased global security demand.

OTHER INITIATIONS:

• Bernstein initiated NetSuite (NYSE: N) with a Market Perform rating and $23 target.
  
• Keefe Bruyette started Comerica (NYSE: CMA) with a Market Perform rating and $37 target.
  
• BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP) were assumed at ING with Buy ratings.

Analyst initiations: Jefferies Group, Quality Systems, Techwell originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Apr 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The folks at NetSuite (NYSE: N) certainly have good timing. They were able to launch their IPO late last year - before the equity markets came undone.

Now, the company has released its first quarterly report as a public company. Q4 revenues spiked 57% to $31.7 million and there was a net loss of $3.3 million, which was much better than the loss of $8.1 million in the same period a year ago.

NetSuite, which is majority-owned by Oracle's (NASDAQ: ORCL) Larry Ellison, is a provider of web-based business applications. Think of it as filling the gap between Intuit's (NASDAQ: INTU) QuickBooks and mega applications from SAP (NYSE: SAP) and Oracle.

And, it's a big market opportunity. In fact, NetSuite often says that it is focused on the "Fortune Five Million" companies.

But, as is the case with other web-based providers, there is some uncertainty in the marketplace. While NetSuite isn't seeing a fall-off, the company is still providing in-line guidance - with a full-year revenue projection of $153 million to $156 million, which is a 44% increase (on the top end).

Keep in mind that NetSuite had to deal with the severe tech recession of 2001-2002 and was able to actually thrive in the environment. A key reason is that companies were looking for cost-effective solutions.

In today's trading, NetSuite's stock is down 5.62% to $22.17.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates DealProfiles.com.

NetSuite: Recession might not be a bad thing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.