BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[FDA Menthol Report Good News for Lorillard]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/18/fda-menthol-report-good-news-for-lorillard/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/18/fda-menthol-report-good-news-for-lorillard/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/18/fda-menthol-report-good-news-for-lorillard/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LO logoLorillard (LO - option chain) shares are rising today after an FDA panel wrote in a draft report that it will not recommend an outright ban on menthol cigarettes. Most of LO's sales come from menthol products, unlike its main competitors Altria (MO) and Reynolds American (RAI). Investors had feared the FDA would move to ban menthol cigarettes, but that is looking less likely now, even though the panel did say removing menthol from the shelves would benefit public health. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on LO.

LO opened this morning at $80.01. So far today the stock has hit a low of $79.30 and a high of $88.17. As of 12:15, LO is trading at $85.67 up 6.89 (8.8%). The chart for LO looks bullish and S&P gives LO a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading FDA Menthol Report Good News for Lorillard

FDA Menthol Report Good News for Lorillard originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AltriaFDAinthenewsInvestors ObserverLOLorillardmentholMOoptionsRAIReynolds AmericanFri, 18 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

earnings expectationsFriday's fourth-quarter GDP numbers offered more evidence that the economy is picking up steam, but one of the biggest obstacles to the recovery remains the stubbornly high unemployment rate. We'll find out whether there's been any movement on that front when employment data for January comes out this week. The Challenger Job-Cut report and ADP employment data are due Wednesday, and the government's unemployment rate on Friday. Another mild increase in jobs is expected, in line with the three-month average, but not enough to significantly reduce the unemployment rate.

Also look for the ISM manufacturing and nonmanufacturing indexes this week, as well as the Chicago PMI and the New York NAPM index. And Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will speak to the National Press Club on Thursday.

Continue reading Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More

Week in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and More originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADMADP employment reportAETanalyst forecastsBen BernankeBPBRCMChallenger Job CutsChicago PMICLXCoinstarCoinstar earningsDODOWearnings previewseconomic dataELERTSfeaturedGRHOTHSYISM Manufacturing IndexKLas Vegas SandsLas Vegas Sands earningsMAMRKMRONew York NAPMNVLSNYTPFERAISNETMTSNTWXunemployment rateUnited Parcel ServiceUPSUPS earningsUPS rate increaseVWHRYUMSun, 30 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: BBT, CI, DG, DHI, HSY, NFLX, RAI, TOL, UNH, WAT, XOM ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/06/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/06/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/06/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Exxon Mobil (XOM) and BB&T (BBT) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
  • D.R. Horton (DHI) upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
  • Meritage Homes (MTH), Old Dominion Freight (ODFL) and Heartland Payment (HPY) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
  • Toll Brothers (TOL) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
  • Hershey (HSY) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
  • UnitedHealth (UNH), Cigna (CI) and Allscripts (MDRX) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
  • Nationwide Health (NHP) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
  • Reynolds American (RAI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • Adtran (ADTN), PG&E (PCG) and Wisconsin Energy (WEC) to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BBT, CI, DG, DHI, HSY, NFLX, RAI, TOL, UNH, WAT, XOM ...

Analyst Calls: BBT, CI, DG, DHI, HSY, NFLX, RAI, TOL, UNH, WAT, XOM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADTNanalyst upgradesBBTCHKPCICignaCMAComericaCRLDGDHIDollar GeneraldowngradesExxon MobilHersheyHPYHSYinitiationsinthenewsLAMRMDCMDRXMTHNHPODFLPCGPRXRAIRYLSTISunTrustTOLToll BrothersUNHUnitedHealthVRUSWATWECWTRXOMThu, 06 Jan 2011 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Reynolds American Increases Dividend, Announces Stock Split]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/reynolds-american-increases-dividend-announces-stock-split/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/reynolds-american-increases-dividend-announces-stock-split/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/15/reynolds-american-increases-dividend-announces-stock-split/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Reynolds American (RAI) logoReynolds American (RAI - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced several pieces of news this morning. RAI said its board has approved a 2-for-1 stock split as well as a 10% hike in its quarterly dividend to 49 cents per share from 45 cents per share on a split-adjusted basis. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on RAI.

RAI opened this morning at $60.63. So far today the stock has hit a low of $60.60 and a high of $61.82. As of 11:24, RAI is trading at $61.73 up 1.76 (2.9%), which is a huge move for this conservative, income stock. The chart for RAI looks bullish and S&P gives RAI a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Reynolds American Increases Dividend, Announces Stock Split

Reynolds American Increases Dividend, Announces Stock Split originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dividendinthenewsInvestors ObserveroptionsRAIReynolds Americanstock splitFri, 15 Oct 2010 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: ABC, BBY, CF, CSIQ, ERIC, MO, N, NAV, ORLY, PCAR, RCRC, SYY ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/30/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABCALKSAltriaAmerisourceBergenanalyst upgradesBBYBest BuyCanadian SolarCEGCFCSIQdowngradesERICEricssonIBKCinitiationsinthenewsMONNAVNavistarNetSuiteOpen TextOReilly AutomotiveORLYOTEXPaccarPCARPLDPRXRAIRC2RCRCSatyamSAYSLXPSyscoSYYThu, 30 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/15/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Citigroup assumed coverage of Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and upgraded shares to buy from hold with a $52 price target. Citi cites valuation and the company's successful execution for the rating change.
  • UBS upgraded Rowan Companies (RDC) to buy from neutral based on better-than-expected dayrates in the high specification jack-up market. The firm raised its price target to $42 from $28.
  • UBS also upgraded NetLogic (NETL) to buy from neutral and keeps a $33.50 target on the stock. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and solid long-term outlook.
  • AvalonBay (AVB) and BRE Properties (BRE) were upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
  • Covance (CVD) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
  • Reynolds American (RAI) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at BofA/Merrill.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ...

Analyst Calls: BKS, GE, GSK, ITW, MMM, MXIM, NETL, NOK, RAI, RDC, TYC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3Manalyst upgradesAvalonBayAVBBarnes and NobleBKSBREBTMCSLCVDDanaherDHRdowngradesGEGeneral ElectricGlaxoSmithKlineGSKILinitiationsinthenewsITWMaximMKGAYMMMMXIMNETLNetLogicNOKNXPIRAIRDCReynoldsRowanTYCTycoVLCMWed, 15 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rising Cigarette Taxes Can't Keep Lorillard Down]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/12/rising-cigarette-taxes-cant-keep-lorillard-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/12/rising-cigarette-taxes-cant-keep-lorillard-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/12/rising-cigarette-taxes-cant-keep-lorillard-down/#commentsFiled under: ,

Even with cigarette taxes jumping in multiple states across the country, cigarettes and cigarette stocks are still attracting plenty of buyers.

One cigarette maker that stands to benefit from this renewed interest is Lorillard, Inc. (LO) -- maker of Newport and Maverick brands. In fact, Goldman Sachs is so convinced that Lorillard is going to be moving higher that it added the stock to its conviction buy list and gave the stock a 12-month price target of $96.

With a current dividend yield of 5.37%, Lorillard is an attractive play for both income and growth investors. Lorillard currently faces some resistance from its 200-day moving average at $75, but once it breaks through this level, I anticipate seeing the stock climb to its recent highs of $82 within the next few months.

Continue reading Rising Cigarette Taxes Can't Keep Lorillard Down

Rising Cigarette Taxes Can't Keep Lorillard Down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goldman sachs conviction buy listLOlorillardraiReynolds AmericanMon, 12 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/07/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Credit Suisse views Bank of America (BAC) as the "cheapest" large-cap bank and said the recent TARP repayment removes a significant overhang. The firm upgraded shares to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $21 from $17.
  • Piper Jaffray upgraded Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) to neutral from underweight following the company's better-than-expected Q3 results. The firm has a $43 price target on the stock.
  • Caris upgraded Zumiez (ZUMZ) to above average from average following the company's better-than-expected December sales report. The firm raised its target on shares to $17 from $14.
  • Humana (HUM) was upgraded to equal weight from underweight at Barclays.
  • Zimmer (ZMH) was upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
  • Applied Industrial (AIT) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: AA, AET, BAC, BBBY, MA, RAI, VZ ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAACLAETAetnaAITAlcoaanalyst upgradesASMLBACBank of AmericaBBBYBMRNCLZRDNDNdowngradesELOSHOTTHSPHUMHumanainitiationsinthenewsMAMasterCardNVSRAIVerizonVZZMHZUMZThu, 07 Jan 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CMCSA, MRVL, NFLX, RAI, TTWO, V ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/04/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Citigroup upgraded Reynolds American (RAI) to buy from hold to reflect its improved outlook for the company's market share and pricing. Citi also sees a greater chance of British American Tobacco (BTI) bidding for the rest of Reynolds American it doesn't already own. The firm raised its target price on Reynolds to $59 from $52.
  • Stephens upgraded Simmons First National (SFNC) to overweight from equal weight to reflect the company's balance sheet and potential for accretive FDIC-assisted acquisitions. The firm raised its target on shares to $32 from $29.
  • FBR Capital upgraded Astoria Financial (AF) to market perform from underperform on expectations the company's net charge-offs will peak in the fourth quarter, limiting downside risk. The firm raised its target on shares to $11 from $10.
  • First Solar (FSLR) was upgraded to buy from hold at Collins Stewart.
  • Brown-Forman (BF.B) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
  • Juniper (JNPR) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CMCSA, MRVL, NFLX, RAI, TTWO, V ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CMCSA, MRVL, NFLX, RAI, TTWO, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AFanalyst upgradesAPDBF.BBTICMCSACMNComcastdowngradesENDPFEFSLRinitiationsinthenewsJNPRMHPMRVLNetflixNFLXPSUNRAISFNCSNDKTTWOVisaFri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/22/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:

  • Credit Suisse upgraded Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $55 from $44 based on earnings momentum and a bottom in the Imaging and Printing segment. Note that Dell was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform.
  • Jefferies upgraded Covance (NYSE: CVD) to Buy from Hold as it believes investor expectations are more reasonable following the company's conference presentation and that its Late Stage segment should continue to post strong results. The firm raised its target on shares to $65 from $5.
  • Stephens upgraded Home Bancshares (NASDAQ: HOMB) to Overweight from Equal Weight to reflect improved capital levels and a better-than-expected near-term outlook. The firm raised its target on shares to $27 from $24.
  • Citigroup upgraded Macy's (NYSE: M) to Buy from Hold after meeting with management as it believes the My Macy's localization is gaining traction. The firm raised its target on shares to $30 from $15.
  • Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
  • DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
  • Baytex Energy (NYSE: BTE) was upgraded to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ADPanalyst upgradesBTECVDDELLDHIDISHdowngradesGNAGYMBHewlett-PackardHOMBHPHPQinitiationsinthenewsMacysPAYXPERRAIRDCRTISLGTTWOVMCTue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reynold's American (RAI) wins patent dispute]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/17/reynolds-american-rai-wins-patent-dispute/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/17/reynolds-american-rai-wins-patent-dispute/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/17/reynolds-american-rai-wins-patent-dispute/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

RAI logoReynolds American (NYSE: RAI - option chain) shares are rising today after a federal jury ruled that the company did not infringe upon Star Scientific Inc.'s (NASDAQ: STSI) patents regarding a method to reduce cancer-causing toxins in tobacco. The jury determined the two STSI patents at issue were not valid. STSI is expected to file an appeal. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on RAI.

RAI opened this morning at $37.03. So far today the stock has hit a low of $36.86 and a high of $37.97. As of 12:20, RAI is trading at $37.29 up.96 cents(2.6%). The chart for RAI looks neutral and S&P gives RAI a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Continue reading Reynold's American (RAI) wins patent dispute

Reynold's American (RAI) wins patent dispute originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>inthenewsinvestors observerInvestorsObserveroptionspatentRAIreynoldsamericanStar ScientificStarScientificSTSIWed, 17 Jun 2009 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings highlights: Amazon, McDonald's, Mattel, Pfizer, AT&T, Sony and others]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/25/earnings-highlights-amazon-mcdonalds-mattel-pfizer-atandt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/25/earnings-highlights-amazon-mcdonalds-mattel-pfizer-atandt/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/25/earnings-highlights-amazon-mcdonalds-mattel-pfizer-atandt/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

For more earnings highlights from this week, see Apple, Boeing, Microsoft, Yahoo!, UPS, American Express and others.

Watch for upcoming quarterly reports from Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Estée Lauder (NYSE: EL) , US Steel (NYSE: X), Aetna (NYSE: AET), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Qwest (NYSE:Q), Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA), Kellogg (NYSE: K), Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT), MetLife (NYSE: MET), Moody's (NYSE: MCO), Office Depot (NYSE: ODP), Avon (NYSE: AVP), CBS (NYSE: CBS), CVS Caremark (NYSE: CVS), Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: JAVA), Eastman Kodak (NYSE: EK), Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), Washington Post (NYSE: WPO).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Amazon, McDonald's, Mattel, Pfizer, AT&T, Sony and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 25 Oct 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3MAmazonAmerican GirlAmgenAMGNAMZNBRCMBroadcomDHXDice Holdingsearningsearnings reportsERICEricssonETFCETradeGannettGCIHASHasbroiPhoneLyricaMATMattelMCDMcDonaldsMMMNetflixNFLXPFEPfizerPOTPotashRAIReynoldsSNESonyVMWVMWareSat, 25 Oct 2008 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Market wrap: Unhealthy lifestyles rule in this screwy market]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/22/market-wrap-unhealthy-lifestyles-rule-in-this-screwy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/22/market-wrap-unhealthy-lifestyles-rule-in-this-screwy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/22/market-wrap-unhealthy-lifestyles-rule-in-this-screwy-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Setting aside any talk of price-to-earnings ratios or cap ex spending for a second and consider the following: McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) posted a great quarter, easily beating analysts expectations, as did cigarette makers Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI) and Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM). Philip Morris maintained its outlook while Reynolds raised guidance. Drugmaker Merck & Co. (NYSE: MRK) had lousy results and is laying off 7,200 workers. Selling the coolest phone on the planet (at least for now) did not help the results of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), which reported worse-than-expected third quarter results.

Wait, there's more! Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) reported horrid results because of a machinists' union strike. Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) likely last results as a public company were as awful as people expected. Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ: AAPL) guidance was tepid, though not apparently as awful as some expected since the shares are rising. Let's not forget that the market is down yet again by triple digits, so it's not surprising that some of these stocks are trading down despite their reports.

To recap, smoking and fast-foods are a good thing and making drugs, technology or practically anything else is a bad thing. The best cliche I can come up with is that this market is an order of fries short of a Happy Meal. Its elevator does not go all the way to the top. I just can't think of any more folksy metaphors to explain my frustration. Please respond with any better ones.

Continue reading Market wrap: Unhealthy lifestyles rule in this screwy market

Market wrap: Unhealthy lifestyles rule in this screwy market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLBAfeaturedMCDPMRAITIFWBWMTWed, 22 Oct 2008 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst calls: NVS, TSN, WYNN, RAI, AZN, HAIN, TEVA, SYMC ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/analyst-calls-nvs-tsn-wynn-rai-azn-hain-teva-symc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/analyst-calls-nvs-tsn-wynn-rai-azn-hain-teva-symc/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/analyst-calls-nvs-tsn-wynn-rai-azn-hain-teva-symc/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Goldman upgraded shares of Novartis (NYSE: NVS) to Buy from Neutral as they believe the Alcon (NYSE: ACL) acquisition has diversified the company's business.
  • Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight on valuation.
  • JP Morgan raised Albermarle (NYSE: ALB) to Overweight from Neutral.
  • BMO Capital upgraded Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN) to Outperform from Market Perform.
  • Synovus Financial (NYSE: SNV) was lifted to Buy from Hold at Sterne Agee.
Analyst downgrades:
  • Morgan Stanley downgraded Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI) to Underweight from Equal Weight based on the impact from Altria's (NYSE: MO) purchase of competitor UST (NYSE: UST), which may result in pricing pressure.
  • Goldman downgraded AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN) to Sell from Neutral as they believe shares do not support near-term fundamentals.
  • Max Capital (NASDAQ: MXGL) was downgraded to neutral from Buy at Banc of America.
  • AudioCodes (NASDAQ: AUDC) was lowered at Merrill to Neutral from Buy.
  • Pinnacle Financial (NASDAQ: PNFP) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Baird.

Continue reading Analyst calls: NVS, TSN, WYNN, RAI, AZN, HAIN, TEVA, SYMC ...

Analyst calls: NVS, TSN, WYNN, RAI, AZN, HAIN, TEVA, SYMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>albaudcaznhainmfemomxglnvspnfpraisnvsopwstecsymctevatsntwtcustwynnThu, 11 Sep 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer gets defensive with Reynolds American (RAI), Altria (MO)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/16/cramer-gets-defensive-with-reynolds-american-rai-altria-mo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/16/cramer-gets-defensive-with-reynolds-american-rai-altria-mo/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/16/cramer-gets-defensive-with-reynolds-american-rai-altria-mo/#comments.Tonight on CNBC's MAD MONEY, Jim Cramer tauted Reynolds American (NYSE:RAI) as a high dividend stock with a safe yield that out pays US treasury yields. Even with the 5.5% yield he thinks this dividend is not at risk like some other high yield stocks. He sounded like he even likes it better than Altria (NYSE:MO) as the smokeless tobacco is doing well.

I have noted before about defensive stocks being the way to go and those companies' products are the ones you eat, drink, smoke, and use for critical personal hygiene (toilet paper, tooth paste, deodorant... you get the idea). We noted the sector back on our own list we titled "Defensive Stocks For A Crummy Market" recently, although we had others. Defensive investing is what investors will flock to when they have to own stocks but want to be a bit more conservative than chasing the "New Four Horsemen of Tech" or want to go for less aggressive picks than say his TOP NINE STOCKS for 2007.

Jon Ogg is a partner at 24/7 Wall St. and publisher of Special Situation Investing Newsletter. He does not own securities in the companies he covers.

Cramer gets defensive with Reynolds American (RAI), Altria (MO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Aug 2007 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altriacnbcdefensive stocksDefensiveStocksjim cramerJimCramermad moneyMadMoneymoraireynolds americanReynoldsAmericanThu, 16 Aug 2007 20:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Tobacco to fall under FDA control?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/25/tobacco-to-fall-under-fda-control/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/25/tobacco-to-fall-under-fda-control/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/25/tobacco-to-fall-under-fda-control/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, to be voted on today by the Senate Health Committee, seems on the fast track to approval. If passed into law it will place the tobacco industry under the oversight of the Food and Drug Administration. The measure, supported by health groups and some of the industry, will give the agency some broad powers in regulating the contents and sales of tobacco products.

Industry heavyweight Altria Group's (NYSE: MO) Phillip Morris favors the bill, but others such as Reynolds American's (NYSE: RAI) R.J. Reynolds oppose it, claiming the regulations would limit its ability to compete with the market leader.

Continue reading Tobacco to fall under FDA control?

Tobacco to fall under FDA control? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altriacigarette legislationCigaretteLegislationcigarettesfdafda tobacco rulesFdaTobaccoRulesinthenewsphillip morrisPhillipMorrisraireynold americanReynoldAmericanreynolds americanReynoldsAmericanrj reynoldsRjReynoldstobaccotobacco legislationtobacco rulesTobaccoLegislationTobaccoRulesWed, 25 Jul 2007 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Reynolds getting a boost from negative press?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/03/reynolds-getting-a-boost-from-negative-press/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/03/reynolds-getting-a-boost-from-negative-press/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/05/03/reynolds-getting-a-boost-from-negative-press/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Camel, which is an R.J. Reynolds Tobacco company, which is owned by Reynolds American Inc (NYSE: RAI), has a new brand of cigarettes out -- Camel No. 9 -- which are targeted at the adult female audience.

I was blissfully unaware of the new brand, being a male non-smoker. However, thanks to a bit of negative press, I am now conscious of Reynold's "cynical ploy" to lure young females to the world of smoking. Fortunately for Reynold's, so are a host of young women that read the newspaper, because while I may not be intrigued by a cigarette that is "chic, a little European, maybe a little Sex in the City," I am willing to bet more of the girls that read that article will be than not. It is a classic case of the effectiveness of negative publicity.

The worst part is that I am only increasing the new brand's awareness with each keystroke. But I digress.

The bottom line is that no matter how many times America's youth is warned about the dangers of cancer from smoking, it will fall on deaf ears that only read the words "chic," "sleek" and "sophisticated" from the very same negative article. And that spells profit for tobacco companies such as Reynolds America.

Reynolds getting a boost from negative press? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 03 May 2007 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>camelcigaretteraireynoldssmokingThu, 03 May 2007 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades 4-26-07: ARM, GLW, MMM, RAI and WEN]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/26/analyst-upgraded-4-26-07-arm-glw-mmm-rai-and-wen/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/26/analyst-upgraded-4-26-07-arm-glw-mmm-rai-and-wen/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/26/analyst-upgraded-4-26-07-arm-glw-mmm-rai-and-wen/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Today's most noteworthy upgrades were Reynolds American, Inc (RAI), PRA International (PRAI), Wendy's International (WEN), 3M Company (MMM) and PMC-Sierra, Inc (PMCS):
  • JP Morgan upgraded shares of Reynolds American Inc (NYSE: RAI) to Neutral from Underweight to reflect the company's solid 2007 outlook and improved cigarette mix.
  • 3M Company (NYSE: MMM) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at Prudential...
OTHER UPGRADES:
  • Soleil upgraded the semiconductor sector to Overweight from Underweight, believing a recovery in fundamentals is likely over the next 6 months and expecting shares to outperform over the next 12 to 18 months.
  • First Albany upgraded shares of Xilinx, Inc (NASDAQ: XLNX) to Buy from Neutral to reflect operating leverage and the end of the inventory concern.
  • Wachovia upgraded shares of Agco Corp (NYSE: AG) to Market perform from Outperform.
  • Corning (NYSE: GLW) was upgraded at Goldman to Buy from Neutral with a $31 target.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst upgrades 4-26-07: ARM, GLW, MMM, RAI and WEN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 26 Apr 2007 11:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3maganalystargoarmarvincorningdovdowverglwmmmpraprairairatingreynoldssemiconductortheflyonthewall.comupgradewenwendy'swptwptexilinixxlnxThu, 26 Apr 2007 11:18:00 EST<![CDATA[20 'defensive' stocks for a crummy market]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/20-defensive-stocks-for-a-crummy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/20-defensive-stocks-for-a-crummy-market/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/27/20-defensive-stocks-for-a-crummy-market/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DJIA 12,216.24; Down 416.02 (3.29%)
NASDAQ 2,407.87; Down 96.65 (3.86%)
S&P500 1,399.04; Down 50.33 (3.47%)
10Yr-Bond 4.5130%; Down 0.1180
NYSE-Volume 4,164,578,000
NASD-Volume 3,045,369,000
VIX 18.31 (+7.16)

This was the worst drop on the DJIA since the pre-Iraq trading, and since after the market reopened following the September 11, 2001 tragedy; all 30 DJIA components closed down on the day. The massive sell-off seen today was on record NYSE trading volume. Was writing about the VIX showing a complacency on the 'fear index' part of the reasoning of a drop? Or was it the record margin borrowing on stocks? We can blame China, we can blame a horrible Durable Goods number, we can blame ex-FOMC head Greenspan for hinting at the risks of a recession. Blame whatever you want, but the selling built and built, and when the NYSE trading curbs were lifted, the market took a bungee jump.

There have been reports that many of the stocks actually got stuck at low prices and there is also talk that the programs went unchecked and the electronic trading allowed the markets to suddenly tank. There was a flurry of trades around 3:00 PM EST where all of a sudden the programs took the market from down more than 200 points to down more than 500 points. You can probably bet there were many computing errors from the automated system on such large trading volume. This was a record day on NYSE volume and the system froze on many stocks. John Thain's argument for creating a trading floor without people [pdf link] just got hosed, and rightfully so. In a world where floor brokers work alongside electronic trading, the market is obligated to maintain a somewhat orderly function.

Here are the basic go-to stocks that holders tend to flock to when the stock market sells off heavily.

Continue reading 20 'defensive' stocks for a crummy market

20 'defensive' stocks for a crummy market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BUDCAGCLCPBDUKGISHRLJNJKKFTKOMCDMOMRKPEPPFEPGPYXRAITAPTue, 27 Feb 2007 16:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell 2-23-07: Futures lower as oil's higher]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/23/before-the-bell-2-23-07-futures-lower-as-oils-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/23/before-the-bell-2-23-07-futures-lower-as-oils-higher/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/23/before-the-bell-2-23-07-futures-lower-as-oils-higher/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Stock futures were lower in early morning, indicating a similar start for stock in a relatively quiet Friday morning.

After a strong day yesterday due to sharp drop in U.S. inventories, oil prices continue their climb today, following further tensions with Iran as OPEC's No. 2 supplier once again defied the Security Council over its nuclear program. After closing near $61 a barrel yesterday, oil prices broke through that mark today.

In corporate news -

Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) yesterday was ordered by a U.S. federal jury to pay $1.52 billion in damages to Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU) over a patent infringement. While appeals are on their way, some think Alcatel-Lucent might go after Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Sony Corp. (NASDAQ:SNE) and other MP3 makers.
-MSFT shares were down 0.75% in pre-market trading around 6:30 a.m.
-ALU shares are up 0.84% in pre-market as of 7:00 a.m. ALU shares rose as much as 3.5% in Paris.

Lowe's Cos., Inc. (NYSE:LOW) reported a fourth-quarter profit decline of 11.5% due to a slowing home improvement market amid a continued slump in the housing sector. Lowe's net income was $613 million in Q4, or 40 cents a share on falling revenue of $10.4 billion (compared to $10.8 billion a year earlier). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been looking for net income of 37 cents a share on revenue of $10.36 billion.

H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB) shares rose 4.3% in after-hours trading yesterday after the company reported a third-quarter loss. Net loss was $44.7 million, or 14 cents per share on rising revenues (11%) of $860.3 million. Excluding special items, income from continuing operations was $25 million, or 8 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had expected earnings of 13 cents per share on revenues of $1.13 billion.

In what would undoubtedly make Altria Group Inc. (NYSE:MO) and Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE:RAI) shareholders happy, the suits over the light cigarettes filed against the two have been thrown out by a federal appeals court.

Some news from overseas:

The Tokyo Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange announced they would work together to share technology information and possibly develop new products.

After growing in the fastest pace in six years, German economy could be slowing as February German business confidence fell more than economists forecast.

Before the bell 2-23-07: Futures lower as oil's higher originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaplaluhrblowmomsftraisneFri, 23 Feb 2007 07:48:00 EST