Analyst Upgrades

• Siemens (SI) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
• Diamond Offshore (DO) to market perform from underperform at FBR Capital.
• MeadWestvaco (MWV) to conviction buy from neutral at Goldman.
• TD AmeriTrade (AMTD) and Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Janus Capital (JNS) to hold from sell at Citigroup.
• Motorola Mobility (MMI) to buy from neutral at UBS.
• Frontier Communications (FTR) to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Humana (HUM) to buy from hold at Argus.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMTD, COG, DO, F, GM, HUM, LEA, MMI, NKE, SI, TRW ...

Analyst Calls: AMTD, COG, DO, F, GM, HUM, LEA, MMI, NKE, SI, TRW ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• KeyBanc upgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to hold from underweight based on Singapore performance and a potential revaluation of the yuan.
• ThinkEquity upgraded Seattle Genetics (SGEN) to buy from hold based on the positive SGN-35 HL data. The firm raised its price target to $16 from $12.
• Merriman upgraded Applied Signal (APSG) to buy from neutral with a $28 to $31 valuation range, citing greater confidence in earnings estimates and the company's recent contract wins.
• Siliconware Precision (SPIL) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Macquarie.
• Pulte Group (PHM) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Greenbrier (GBX) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Morgan Keegan.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAI, APSG, D, GBX, HSP, LVS, SGEN, SI, SON, TGT, TXT ...

Analyst Calls: AAI, APSG, D, GBX, HSP, LVS, SGEN, SI, SON, TGT, TXT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• FBR Capital upgraded Pioneer Natural (PXD) to outperform from market perform and raised its price target for shares to $85 from $60. The firm upgraded shares on expectations that returns from the company's Spraberry field will increase materially.
• Baird upgraded Acroda Therapeutics (ACOR) to outperform from neutral based on valuation and a new survey that indicates a strong uptake for Ampyra and improvements on the reimbursement front. The firm has a $40 target on the stock.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded Nokia (NOK) to overweight from underweight based on checks that indicate strong orders and less than expected discounting for its upcoming N8 smartphone.
• GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and British American Tobacco (BTI) were upgraded to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Quality Systems (QSII) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at William Blair.
• Siemens (SI) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACOR, CHKM, CPB, ENV, GDOT, GR, GSK, MFE, NOK, OXY, PXD, SI ...

Analyst Calls: ACOR, CHKM, CPB, ENV, GDOT, GR, GSK, MFE, NOK, OXY, PXD, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Siemens (SI) closed at $89.69. SI overall option implied volatility of 41 is above its 26-week average of 51, according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM) is recently up 48 cents to $38.05 in pre-open trading. EEM overall option implied volatility of 35 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

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

Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Flat; Shares Near 11-Month Low into EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Sterne Agee upgraded Wynn Resorts (WYNN) to buy from neutral and has a $115 price target on the stock. The firm believes Encore Macau will drive further share gains near-term.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded PPL Corp. (PPL) to buy from hold and said the equity offering and the the stipulation reached in the KY utilities' rate cases removes important overhangs. The firm has a $30 price target on the stock.
• UBS upgraded CarMax (KMX) to buy from neutral based on forecasts for higher consumer forecast income and positive used car trends. The firm has a $28 target on the stock.
• Aeropostale (ARO) was upgraded to outperform from underperform at Oppenheimer.
• Cardinal Financial (CFNL) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Baird.
• Pinnacle West (PNW) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AAPL, CP, CSCO, GENZ, HD, KMX, LOW, MSFT, PPL, SI, WTNY, WYNN ...

Analyst Calls: AAPL, CP, CSCO, GENZ, HD, KMX, LOW, MSFT, PPL, SI, WTNY, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Siemens (SI - option chain) shares are rising on news that it has won two major contracts. SI will deliver turbines for gas-fired power plants to Nextera (FPL), a Florida-based utility, and also won a contract for a 500M euro power grid project in the North Sea. 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 SI.

SI opened Monday morning at $94.41. So far the stock has hit a low of $93.96 and a high of $95.43. As of 12:05, SI was trading at $94.90 up 4.40 (4.9%). The chart for SI looks bearish, but with a possible trend reversal.

Continue reading Siemens Lifted by Two Significant Contracts

Siemens Lifted by Two Significant Contracts originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If you do business with Iran, it's probably going to be harder to get insurance coverage. Regulators and lawmakers in the U.S. are looking for stiffer penalties to thrust upon companies that do business with Iran. And insurers, likely acutely aware of how risk can spread, are starting to pull back.

Munich Re (0KFE) and Allianz (AZSEY) announced that they are suspending business in Iran, according to a report by Business Insurance. Neither company, however, stands to lose much. For Allianz, the lost premium is "negligible," and for Munich Re, it's only around $13.6 million.

Continue reading Insurance Industry Faces More Pressure on Iran

Insurance Industry Faces More Pressure on Iran originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"iShares MSCI Germany (EWG) has bounced back in 2009 from an especially rotten 2008," says exchange-traded fund specialist Mark Salzinger.

In his The ETF Investor's Report, he explains, "We think Germany's major export-oriented stocks are poised to perform well again in 2010, despite concerns about domestic spending."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: iShares Germany (EWG)

Top Picks for 2010: iShares Germany (EWG) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Philips Electronics (PHG) closed at $27.59, close to a 13-month high. Philips will be displaying its diagnostic imaging products at The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2009 Annual Meeting on November 29. December option implied volatility is at 37, below a level of 73 from a year ago and below its 26-week average of 46, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) overall implied volatility at 24; 26-week average is 24.

Siemens (SI) closed at $98.59. Siemens will be displaying its diagnostic imaging products at The Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2009 Annual Meeting on November 29. December option implied volatility of 37 is below a level of 70 from a year ago and below its 26-week average of 40, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Options Update: Philips Electronics volatility low ahead of annual meeting originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even for a company the size of Nokia (NYSE: NOK), a quarterly loss of $834 million is still a big deal. And, this is what the company posted for its Q3 report (it's the first net loss since 1996).

OK, the main reason for the red ink was the write-down of a joint venture with Siemens that develops network equipment. No doubt, the business has been brutal. But, Nokia somehow thinks there's potential for growth.

Continue reading More static at Nokia

More static at Nokia originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Citigroup upgraded Cooper Industries (NYSE: CBE) to Buy from Hold on valuation as it believes commercial construction concerns are well known. The firm raised its target on shares to $40 from $37, and coupled the upgrade with a downgrade of Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) to Sell from Hold.
• Credit Suisse upgraded BJ Services (NYSE: BJS) to Neutral from Underperform following its acquisition by Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI). The firm raised its target to $17.
• Credit Suisse also upgraded Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $8 from $7. The firm expects Amkor to benefit from near-term strength in the supply chain and the mix shift towards higher value packaging.
• Textron (NYSE: TXT) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at UBS.
• Stanley Works (NYSE: SWK) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ANF, BJS, CBE, GENZ, ROK, SI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Siemens: A mega payday from government stimulus

Siemens: A mega payday from government stimulus originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) earnings tumbled in Q4 but came in just short of expectations.
• Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) earnings prospects and cash flow led to an analyst's upgrade.
• Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) topped analysts Q4 expectations, sending shares higher.
• Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL) posted a better-than-expected Q4 profit despite the weak economy.
• Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) reported a big quarterly loss due to merger costs and bad fuel hedges.
• Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) Q4 earnings fell on lower exchange rates and charges related to an acquisition.
• E*Trade Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ETFC) narrowed its Q4 net loss but fell short of expectations.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Yahoo!, McDonald's, American Express, Pfizer, Delta and others

Earnings highlights: Yahoo!, McDonald's, American Express, Pfizer, Delta and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

General Electric (NYSE:GE) has looked to Asia as an engine for growth in its infrastructure business, which is the company's largest division. Management has repeatedly talked about offsetting slowing growth in the U.S. and the EU with increased business in developing nations, with China, the world's most populated country, out in front. Despite its GDP growth, China is still behind many other countries in building large projects to provide energy and transportation.

GE's plans got a blow when its most direct global competitor, Siemens, (NYSE: SI), announced that its business was being hurt because of cutback in spending in China. According to The Wall Street Journal, "Heavy government spending on infrastructure to boost economic growth has the potential to benefit Siemens because its portfolio includes transformers for ultrahigh voltage power lines, control systems for high-speed trains, and oil and gas equipment." But now it sees those orders slowing quickly.

The news has to be a significant blow to GE. As the recession spreads, its entertainment business, NBCU, is likely to be hurt along with its huge medical devices business. Its financial arm is already experiencing trouble due to the credit crisis.

The last hope for rapid earnings growth was the world's continuing need to upgrade infrastructure. It appears that opportunity is walking out the door with the rest of GE's business.

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

Siemens news in China bad for GE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) topped estimates but offered an outlook below expectations.
• Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) warned that it many not be able to maintain its earnings momentum.
• Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: CHIC) was upgraded because of its growth potential.
• Focus Media Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) shares tumbled after it reported Q3 numbers.
• HLS Systems International (NASDAQ: HOLI) earnings prospects and management impressed an analyst.
• JCPenney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) reported a lower Q3 profit and lowered its guidance due to the recession.
• KKR Financial Holdings (NYSE: KFN) disappointing Q3 results led to analyst downgrades.
• MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI) doubled its Q3 profit and beat earnings expectations.
• Nortel Networks Corp. (NYSE: NT) swung to a Q3 net loss and unveiled further restructuring measures.
• Perry Ellis International Inc. (NASDAQ: PERY) posted preliminary Q3 results and lowered its outlook.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) Q4 net loss widened and it warned about meeting its profit target for the year.
• Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) Q4 earnings were hurt by restructuring costs, revenue rose slightly.
• Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) posted dismal Q4 results and declined to offer guidance for next year.
• Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) solid Q4 results fell short of estimates and it offered a shaky outlook.
• Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) earnings prospects following its equity offering led to an analyst's upgrade.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others

Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

General Electric (NYSE: GE) closed at $20.35 Tuesday. GE November option implied volatility of 52 is above its 26-week average of 32 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Siemens (NYSE: SI) closed at $63.97 Tuesday. SI November option implied volatility of 86 is above its 26-week average of 37 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG) closed at $18.71 Tuesday. PHG November option implied volatility of 68 is above its 26-week average of 43.

United Technologies (NYSE: UTX) closed at $50.95 Tuesday. UTX November option implied volatility of 53 is above its 26-week average of 33.

Hitachi Ltd (NYSE: HIT) closed at $51.63 Tuesday. HIT November option implied volatility of 71 is above its 26-week average of 36 according to Track Data.

Honeywell (NYSE: HON) closed at $28.85 Tuesday. HON November option implied volatility of 66 is above its 26-week average of 37.

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

Option Update: Global industrials volatility suggests continued price movement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Akamai Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM) beat estimates but shares fell to a new 52-week low.
• Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) posted better-than-expected Q2 results and listed its guidance.
• CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) issued a lackluster Q2 earnings report and will buy back shares.
• Concur Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: CNQR) Q3 revenues spiked, and it announced a big deal.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK) swung to a Q2 profit due to a tax refund, but revenue growth was minimal.
• Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) narrowed its loss in Q1 as revenue more than doubled.
• First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) easily beat analysts' expectations and raised its guidance.
• General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) posted a bigger-than-expected Q2 loss on massive charges.
• Kellogg Co. (NYSE: K) posted solid Q2 results on price increases, and raised its guidance.
• Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ) reported healthy Q2 results on merger and restructuring deals.
• Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MER) warned of a $5.7 billion write-down in the third quarter.
• Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) posted breakeven earnings while revenue fell but beat estimates.
• Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP) reported a Q2 loss due to slower sales, sending shares lower.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) said that Q3 earnings fell from a one-time gain last year.
• Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) Q1 profits tumbled on lower handset and flat-panel TV sales.
• Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: JAVA) forecast a loss in this quarter due to weakness in the financial sector.
• Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) had better-than-expected Q2 results on growth in wireless.
• Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) reported strong Q3 results that easily beat Wall Street expectations.
• Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) posted better-than-expected Q2 profit on theme park and ESPN strength.

For more highlights from this week, see: Exxon, Starbucks, Viacom, Comcast, Sirius, Kraft and others

Upcoming quarterly reports include Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), Jack-in-the-Box (NYSE: JBX), Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), News Corp. (NYSE: NWS), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S), Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE), and Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: General Motors, Motorola, Disney, Sony, Visa, CBS and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MAJOR PAPERS:

• After being downgraded by Moody's, The Wall Street Journal reported that MBIA Inc (NYSE: MBI) will have to make $2.9 billion in termination payments and put up an additional $4.5 billion in collateral on agreements called Guaranteed Investment Contracts. As a result the firm is selling municipal bonds to raise cash.
• Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc (NYSE: BUD) introduced a new business plan to help thwart a takeover by rival InBev. As part of its plan, The Wall Street Journal reported its intention to reduce headcount, raise prices and buy back more of its shares.
• In an attempt to withstand the economic slowdown, the Financial Times reported that Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) announced plans to cut 17,200 jobs worldwide. Approximately 6,400 job cuts will be in Germany with a third more, elsewhere in Europe.
• The Financial Times also reported that Citigroup Incorporated (NYSE: C) is planning to change its bonus system for hundreds of its top managers, in an attempt to increase cooperation and reduce competition within the company.

• John Varley, the CEO of Barclays Plc (NYSE: BCS), said the GBP4.5B rights issue answered naysayers, and said in an interview with The Sunday Telegraph that extra financing will not be necessary.

Newspaper wrap-up: Anheuser-Busch to cut jobs and raise prices originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So far, the really big industries which have had lay-offs of tens of thousands of people are restricted to the troubled auto, airline, and financial sectors. That is beginning to change as the economic slowdown is become more severe and global.

One of the world's largest conglomerates, Siemens (NYSE: SI) will cut over 17,000 people. According to The Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the plan is "a broad cost-cutting drive amid tougher global economic conditions"

The move speaks volumes. Siemens does business in almost every country in the world. It has operations in the electronics, automation, infrastructure, medical, and transportation industries. Like GE (NYSE: GE), it has exposure across a vast number of sectors and regions.

The news gives some indication the economic conditions may be getting worse outside the U.S. and EU.

It is not the kind of revelation people need with the market dropping like a rock.

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

Recession take on global face, Siemens (SI) to cut 17,000 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 05:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) first-quarter profit soared and it offered an encouraging outlook.
• AgFeed Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: FEED) full-year results were in line with expectations.
• Credit Suisse Group (NYSE: CS) warned that it expects a first-quarter loss due to write-downs.
• Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) first-quarter profit plunged on the unloading of Goldfish
• FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) posted lower-that-expected third-quarter earnings on rising fuel prices.
• 4Kids Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: KDE) posted dismal fourth-quarter and full-year results.
• GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) posted strong fourth-quarter earnings on Guitar Hero and other games.
• General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) third-quarter profit surged on increased demand for Cheerios, yogurt, etc.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Lumber Liquidators Inc. (NYSE: LL) beat estimates on infrastructure investments and merchandise variety.
• Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) third-quarter profits soared on strong international demand.
• Shuffle Master Inc. (NASDAQ: SHFL) missed expectations for the first quarter.
• Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) lowered its earnings outlook on delays and order cancellations.

Also, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is recession proof? Ted Allrich wonders if there are any safe stocks. Jim Cramer doesn't expect much from tech stocks. And Aaron Katzman looks at the effect of rising grain prices.

Upcoming results to watch for include Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG), Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL), ConAgra (NYSE: CAG), and KB Home (NYSE: KBH).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros., Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.