Pay-by-phone technology may be making big moves with Google Inc. (GOOG).

According to rumors, Google plans to begin testing its new mobile phone-based payment service in New York and San Francisco in the next four months. The system, developed by VeriFone Systems (PAY), will allow mobile phones equipped with near-field-communication (NFC) technology to simply tap the phone against the register to complete the transaction.

Continue reading Google: Mobile Payment Service

Google: Mobile Payment Service originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

New technology spawns still more technology. Such is the case with smart phones. Entrepreneurs have found a way to facilitate buying with your smart phone. Companies like Intuit (INTU) and VeriFone (PAY) have created a card reader that can be inserted into your iPhone (AAPL) or other smart phone. Then you can swipe a credit card through the reader and use it to make online purchases.

The potential of this new technology is enormous. Analysts estimate that the industry will grow to $11 billion this year.

Continue reading Card Readers to Generate $11 Billion in Sales

Card Readers to Generate $11 Billion in Sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Feb 2011 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. stock markets closed higher yesterday with the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 106.63 points or 1%.

Economic data on nonfarm payrolls figures for November is due at 8:30 a.m. ET. An economic report on ISM non-manufacturing figures for November, along with factory orders for October, will be released after the opening bell.

Continue reading Pre-market Outlook: Futures Mixed as Investors Await Employment Data

Pre-market Outlook: Futures Mixed as Investors Await Employment Data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"You may currently use your smartphone for making calls, checking the Internet and snapping the occasional photo; but wouldn't it be convenient if it served as a credit card as well?" asks Dr. Melvin Pasternak.

The editor of Double-Digit Trading suggests, "Sound unreal? It's not. Mobile banking is a new and fast-growing trend. And one company making this possible is VeriFone Systems (PAY).

"Using small chips that emit short-wave signals, banking information can be securely transmitted from your smartphone to the cash register. You can make purchases by simply waving your phone over the store's chip.

Continue reading VeriFone (PAY): Smartphone Credit Cards?

VeriFone (PAY): Smartphone Credit Cards? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Getting One Right (COST, JSDA, PAY, MSFT, BP)

Closing Bell: Getting One Right (COST, JSDA, PAY, MSFT, BP) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 May 2010 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Five Promising Tech Stocks

Five Promising Tech Stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading VeriFone Gets Some iPhone Pizazz

VeriFone Gets Some iPhone Pizazz originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Kenneth Feinberg Tries Desperately to Stay Relevant

Kenneth Feinberg Tries Desperately to Stay Relevant originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Goldman Sachs shareholders want less bonuses, more of the profit

Goldman Sachs shareholders want less bonuses, more of the profit originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Societe General upgraded BASF AG (OTC: BASFY) to Buy from Hold. The firm believes the bad news is out and that BASF has a strong market position.
  
• Pali Capital upgraded Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT) to Buy from Neutral based on the ongoing merchandise catalyst, the opportunity to reclaim the mainstream kid and closing underperforming stores, which create the most favorable conditions in the last 5+ years.
  
• Stanford upgraded L-1 Identity (NYSE: ID) to Buy from Hold on valuation, and the firm sees little risk to the company from the Obama Administration.
• Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) and Windstream (WIN) were raised to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  
• Doral Financial (NYSE: DRL) was upgraded at B. Riley to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Alumina (NYSE: AWC) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS.

• Credit Suisse downgraded Targanta (NASDAQ: TARG) to Underperform from Outperform following the FDA Panel's rejection of Oritavancin.
  
• Citigroup downgraded BASF AG (OTC: BASFY) to Sell from Hold and sees no reason to own the stock following the company's profit warning. Shares were also downgraded at WestLB to Hold from Add.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of Amedisys (NASDAQ: AMED) to Hold from Buy and lowered its target to $53 from $75 on concerns over the company's deteriorating A/R aging trends.
• VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY) and Navios Maritime (NYSE: NMM) were lowered to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan.
  
• NTT DoCoMo (NYSE: DCM) was downgraded at Citigroup to Hold from Buy.

• Needham expects shares of Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) to be driven by continued market penetration in the hospital acquired infection market, new test introductions, GeneXpert Infinity sales, and molecular diagnostics growth from sales outside of traditional molecular testing areas. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $21 target.
  
• Needham also initiated Gen-Probe (NASDAQ: GPRO) with a Hold rating and expects market share gains for the company when PANTHER is approved in 2010/2011.
  
• William Blair believes Harbin Electric (NASDAQ: HRBN) is an "interesting" opportunity for exposure to rapid growth in infrastructure within the People's Republic of China. The firm started shares with a Market Perform rating.
• Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) was initiated with a Buy rating and $11 target at UBS.
  
• NutriSystem (NASDAQ: NTRI) was initiated with a Neutral rating at Janney Montgomery.
  
• Ener1 (NYSE: HEV) was assumed at JMP Securities with an Outperform rating and $9 target.
  

Analyst calls: HOTT, GYMB, DRL, ID, AWC, AMED, PAY, DCM, GPRO, BSX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In last week's preview we took a peek at expectations for Campbell Soup earnings, but now the company is scheduled to report fiscal fourth quarter results this coming Thursday. With Krispy Kreme also among the handful of companies scheduled to report this week, we may yet see whether consumers are turning to comfort foods in these uncertain times.

Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB), the world's biggest soup maker, is still expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial to post net income of 25 cents per share (up 44.0% from a year ago) on revenue of $1.7 billion (up 7.4%). The Camden, N.J.-based company has just missed earnings estimates in the past few quarters. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is 7.9%, which is less than the industry average, but about the same as rivals Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) and HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ). The analysts' consensus recommendation is currently to buy Campbell.

Hip, Canadian apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) is also anticipated to be a big earnings gainer when it reports this week. Net income is expected to come in at 13 cents per share (up 46.2% from a year ago) on revenue of $88.2 million (up 50.3%). Lululemon met expectations when it reported 12 cents per share in the previous quarter. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is a healthy 40.2%, which is better than the industry average and that of rival Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA). The analysts' consensus recommendation is currently to buy Lululemon.

Continue reading The week in preview: Chicken soup (or a doughnut) for the recession-weary soul?

The week in preview: Chicken soup (or a doughnut) for the recession-weary soul? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Is BT's offer to save Britain's red phone boxes for £500 fair?

Is BT's offer to save Britain's red phone boxes for £500 fair? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

VeriFone Holdings (NYSE: PAY) makes and services transaction automation systems that enable electronic payments between consumers, merchants and financial institutions. Products include point-of-sale software and terminals, smart card/check readers, receipt printers and Internet commerce software. The firm also makes gas station electronic payment systems that combine card processing and fuel dispensing. Further, it offers a range of client services and customized application development. About 60% of the firm's revenues are generated from customers outside the U.S.

The company pleased the Street last week, when it appointed an interim CFO to replace an officer who resigned following a probe into company accounting errors. VeriFone corrected its books the same day, by deleting $70 million in previously reported fiscal 2007 profits. Management also issued a favorable forecast, guiding Q308 EPS to 34-35 cents (28 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $256-$258 million ($248.3M consensus), Q408 EPS to 36-39 cents (30 cent consensus), Q4 revenues to $260-$268 million ($255.2M consensus) and FY09 EPS to $1.35-$1.55 ($1.14 consensus). The CEO pointed out that the firm was seeing excellent growth internationally, particularly in emerging markets.

Continue reading VeriFone Holdings (PAY): Shares form bullish 'pennant'

VeriFone Holdings (PAY): Shares form bullish 'pennant' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) earnings potential due to its denosumab is expected to rise substantially.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) beat low Q2 expectations but forecast a loss in Q3.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) beat Q2 profit estimates and announced share buybacks.
• BWAY Holding Co. (NYSE: BWY) topped Q3 expectations on cost containment and increased productivity.
• Fuqi International Inc. (NASDAQ: FUQI) beat Q2 expectations and offered Q3 and full-year guidance.
• Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) reported higher Q2 earnings but lower sales, dragged down by Old Navy.
• Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) reported strong Q3 earnings results due to its global reach.
• Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) Q2 results fell more than expected, but it reaffirmed its earnings forecast.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) may post preliminary results (another loss) before Sept.
• Lowe's Cos. Inc. (NYSE: LOW) posted better-than-expected Q2 profits but offered a cautious sales forecast.
• Pacific Sunwear of California Inc. (NASDAQ: PSUN) weak guidance lead to analyst downgrades.
• Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM) posted strong Q2 results and announced an aquisition.
• VeriFone Holdings Inc. (NYSE: PAY) offered a positive outlook, which sent shares soaring.

For more highlights from this week, see: Hershey, Heinz, Burger King, Foot Locker, Saks and others

Upcoming quarterly reports include Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Borders (NYSE: BGP), Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP), Tivo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Lehman, Hewlett-Packard, Gap, BJ's and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Dow ends higher; HPQ, NOVL, PAY climb, EBAY, NVTL decline

Closing Bell: Dow ends higher; HPQ, NOVL, PAY climb, EBAY, NVTL decline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

My perennial near-hero Mark Cuban recently examined the issue of CEO pay, over on his handy soapbox, The Blog Maverick. In his blog post titled "My 2 Cents on CEO Pay," Mr. Cuban outlined his position on the subject and tossed some ideas around. The post makes a good read, and the author makes some good points. Additionally, the 65 or so comments by the readers are well worth the time to cruise them.

I'd like to discuss and expand upon an idea someone presented in addition to those discussed by Mark Cuban. It's actually a reverse scenario to what Mr. Cuban describes as moving chief executive officers into "the cash zone." In the Cuban scenario, the CEO would be paid cash, without additional compensation through stock grants, in order to make their pay more tangible and visible as a business expenditure. Mr. Cuban also asserts that this might more closely align CEO compensation with company performance. It's an admirable idea, but I doubt that it will ever happen.

In this alternate approach, we give the CEO all the stock certificates he or she can swallow. Then we provide an equal number to be divided among all other employees of the company. In this manner of compensation, all employees have their hands on the ball. The concept of laboring to line the pockets of someone else with gold would become extinct. The CEO would suddenly become a real person in the eyes of the rank-and-file laborers. Likewise, the labor force would be inextricably linked to the financial success of the CEO. If labor is to share the risk, they should also share the reward.

A further stop-gap to this scenario would be if upper management deemed that labor cuts were needed to create profitability, or for any reason other than "cause," they and the CEO would be required to surrender share holdings equal to the holdings of the displaced workers. These surrendered shares would then be distributed to the pink-slipped workforce members, with the company paying all applicable taxes on the transfer. Additionally, no party would be allowed to liquidate more than 5% of their holdings in any one year, as long as they were employed by the company, and upper management would be required to maintain holdings at least equal to those of the workforce.

I know it's a lofty scenario, but it sure would beat the heck out of what we have going on now.

Billionaire Mark Cuban addresses CEO pay originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 03 May 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

No one much liked Mr. Bernanke's comments, which were read as saying the U.S. is on its way into a recession. Results from Best Buy NYSE: BBY) were better than expected, but the Fed news overshadowed it.

The Dow dropped 50.41 points to 12,603.95. The Nasdq sold off 1.35 to 2,361.40. The S&P gave back 2.78 to 1,367.4.

Notable today:

VeriFone Holdings Inc. (NYSE: PAY) was hit after overstated profits led to the resignation of CFO, Barry Zwarenstein, and removed CEO, Douglas Bergeron, from his place as Chairman today. The income was overstated by $36.9 million, much higher than the estimated $29.6 million in overstated income.

Constant Contact, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTCT) soared today after Intuit Marketing Tools Center chose Constant's email marketing service as one of its tools. Intuit's center provides marketing tools to small growing business.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Mr. Fed's recession; PAY, PKTR, BBY

Closing Bell: Mr. Fed's recession; PAY, PKTR, BBY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

SEC chides 350 companies for executive pay disclosures originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dateline, January 3, 2007: Bob Nardelli steps down as CEO at Home Depot (NYSE: HD). In leaving, Nardelli, who had been at the head of Home Depot for six years, scooped up a severance package valued at about $210 million, kindly tipped his hat, and slid his resume across the desks of Chrysler. Does this make the man an opportunistic corporate blood sucker, an overcompensated leadership figurehead, or just plain shrewd? My answer to that question would be, none of the above.

When trying to judge the departure of Robert Nardelli relative to his compensation and performance, two things need to be considered right on the front end. First, our jealousy factor must be removed from the equation. Second, we need to remember that compensation packages at this level are negotiated on the front end. Bob Nardelli didn't "get away" with anything. He executed the terms of an employment contract, plain and simple. How many of the ambitious persons reading this blog wouldn't have done exactly the same when given the same circumstances?

Most of the negative sentiment surrounding Nardelli's well-heeled departure emanated from shareholders who were hurt by a slow yet significant decline in HD's share value. But the fact is that within the past four years of Nardelli's tenure, HD's shares provided more consistent performance than the four years prior. Granted, investor's haven't seen Home Depot shares approach the past high of nearly $70, but in light of today's economy they probably won't see anything like that in the near future, and that's certainly not Nardelli's fault.

Continue reading Money Winners of 2007: Bob Nardelli takes the cake and eats it too

Money Winners of 2007: Bob Nardelli takes the cake and eats it too originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JMP Securities said checks indicate Oracle's (NASDAQ:ORCL) business is slowing along with enterprise software spending. The firm downgraded shares to Market Outperform from Strong Buy.
  
• VeriFone (NYSE:PAY) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Merrill Lynch following its announcement it would restate 2007 financials due to errors.
  
• Goldman lowered its rating on Air France (NYSE:AKH) to Neutral from Buy to reflect lower revenue and higher fuel cost assumptions.

• Punk Ziegel downgraded Lehman (NYSE:LEH), Goldman (NYSE:GS) and Bear Stearns(NYSE:BSC) to Sell from Market Perform. Banc of America lowered Tiffany (NYSE:TIF) To Neutral from Buy.
  

Analyst downgrades: ORCL, PAY and AKH originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.