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[Analyst Calls: AXP, COF, DB, DFS, DNDN, HST, KR, ROC, SAFM, STJ, TSN ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/01/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Sapient (SAPE) to outperform from market perform at Wells Fargo.
  • Kroger (KR) to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • Harman (HAR) to overweight from neutral and Deutsche Bank (DB) to neutral from underweight at JPMorgan.
  • Savient (SVNT) to outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
  • LabCorp (LH) to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
  • Optimer Pharm (OPTR) and Landstar System (LSTR) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • Essex Property Trust (ESS) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
  • Tyson Foods (TSN) to neutral from sell at Goldman.
  • Host Hotels (HST) to outperform from sector perform at RBC Capital.
  • SPX Corp. (SPW) to outperform from market perform at FBR Capital.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AXP, COF, DB, DFS, DNDN, HST, KR, ROC, SAFM, STJ, TSN ...

Analyst Calls: AXP, COF, DB, DFS, DNDN, HST, KR, ROC, SAFM, STJ, TSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American Expressanalyst upgradesAXPCapital OneCEVACHSPCOFCPTDBDendronDeutsche BankDFSDiscoverDNDNDot HilldowngradesESSEssex PropertyHARHarmanHILLHSTinitiationsinthenewsKRKrogerLHLifePointLPNTLSTRMEOHNEENextEraOPTRPOWIReneSolaROCRockwoodSAPESavientSOLSPWSPXSt. Jude MedicalSTJSVNTTSNTysonVimpelVIPWed, 01 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Traders Bet on More Volatility with VIX Calls]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/traders-bet-on-more-volatility-with-vix-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/traders-bet-on-more-volatility-with-vix-calls/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/17/traders-bet-on-more-volatility-with-vix-calls/#commentsFiled under: ,

The S&P 500 Index (SPX) has battled back from its brutal month-long sell-off, but it seems that traders aren't exactly confident in the market's fledgling rebound. According to data from the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE), options players are betting on additional turbulence by purchasing calls on the CBOE Market Volatility Index (VIX).

During the past five sessions, speculators on the exchange have scooped up 142,544 calls on the VIX, along with 126,391 puts. In other words, 1.13 calls have been purchased for every put on the VIX, which is meant to reflect investors' expectations for the SPX's near-term price action.

Continue reading Traders Bet on More Volatility with VIX Calls

Traders Bet on More Volatility with VIX Calls originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>callsCBOE Market Volatility Indexfear indexhedgeinthenewsoptionsputsSP 500 IndexSPDR SP 500SPXSPYVIXvolatilityThu, 17 Jun 2010 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings Highlights: Bed Bath & Beyond, Constellation Brands, Family Dollar, Lennar, Sonic ... ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/09/earnings-highlights-bed-bath-and-beyond-constellation-brands-fa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/09/earnings-highlights-bed-bath-and-beyond-constellation-brands-fa/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/01/09/earnings-highlights-bed-bath-and-beyond-constellation-brands-fa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

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

  • Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) shares declined after Q4 earnings fell short of consensus expectations.
  • Azz Inc. (AZZ) Q3 net income fell more than expected but the company reaffirmed its earnings outlook.
  • Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) reported strong Q3 results, sending shares to a new 52-week high.
  • Best Buy Inc. (BBY) declined to lift its earnings forecast despite strong December sales, send shares lower.
  • Constellation Brands Inc. (STZ) lower Q3 earnings topped expectations and revenue declined as well.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: Bed Bath & Beyond, Constellation Brands, Family Dollar, Lennar, Sonic ...

Earnings Highlights: Bed Bath & Beyond, Constellation Brands, Family Dollar, Lennar, Sonic ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAAlcoaArk RestaurantsARKRAZZBBBYBBYBed Bath BeyondBest BuyConstellation BrandsearningsFamily DollarFDOGameStopGMELENLennarMOSMosaicPriceSmartPSMTRegal EntertainmentRGCSearsSHAWShaw GroupSHLDSONCSonicSPWSPXSTZSat, 09 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST<![CDATA[MBIA booted from S&P 500 Index]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/mbia-booted-from-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/mbia-booted-from-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/mbia-booted-from-sandp-500-index/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Standard & Poor's is performing some end-of-year cleanup on its benchmark index, the S&P 500 Index (SPX). My colleague Mark Fightmaster reported earlier that Visa (V) is set to replace Ciena Corp. (CIEN) on the widely watched market barometer, but that's not the only SPX development hitting Wall Street today. In fact, struggling insurance issue MBIA Inc. (MBI) is preparing to take its leave from the venerable index.

In a press release late Friday, Standard & Poor's explained that MBIA "currently ranks 500th in the index and is no longer representative of the S&P 500 index market cap space." The beaten-down insurance company will be replaced by Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN), which is in the process of being spun off by Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY).

Continue reading MBIA booted from S&P 500 Index

MBIA booted from S&P 500 Index originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABKAmbac FinancialinthenewsMBIMBIA IncMbiaIncMead Johnson NutritionMJNshort sellersSP 500 IndexSPXtechnical analysisMon, 14 Dec 2009 12:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa will become part of the S&P 500 Index]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/visa-will-become-part-of-the-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/visa-will-become-part-of-the-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/12/14/visa-will-become-part-of-the-sandp-500-index/#commentsFiled under: ,

Late Friday, Standard & Poor's (S&P) announced that it will add four new companies to the S&P 500 Index (SPX), including credit card company Visa (V). Visa will replace telecom equipment company Ciena (CIEN). S&P stated that all the companies moving to the index have market caps above $5 billion, which makes them more representative of the market-cap range.

This morning, analysts are reacting to the news, setting up Visa for a bit of a news-related Monday rally. RW Baird upgraded Visa to outperform from neutral and upped its target price from $88 to $100, noting that it expects growth to reaccelerate growth over the next couple quarter, "along with annual earnings-per-share growth of more than 20 percent over the next couple years." Baird also believes that improving retail sales will help Visa. In addition, William Blair upped its estimate on Visa in order to reflect "an improved volume outlook."

Continue reading Visa will become part of the S&P 500 Index

Visa will become part of the S&P 500 Index originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit cardsCreditCardsinthenewsSP 500 IndexSp500IndexSPXupgradeVVisaMon, 14 Dec 2009 09:40:00 EST<![CDATA[O'Reilly Automotive revs higher, joins the S&P 500]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/20/oreilly-automotive-revs-higher-joins-the-sandp-500/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/20/oreilly-automotive-revs-higher-joins-the-sandp-500/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/20/oreilly-automotive-revs-higher-joins-the-sandp-500/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Auto parts company O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: ORLY- option chain) is one of the newest additions to the S&P 500 Index (SPX). Standard & Poor's announced late Thursday that ORLY will join the venerable index after the close of trading on March 26, where it will replace Noble Corp. (NYSE: NE).

The news caps off a pretty good week for ORLY; on Wednesday, Robert W. Baird initiated coverage of the stock with an "outperform" rating, and the equity tagged a new 52-week high of $36.17 in Thursday's session.

Continue reading O'Reilly Automotive revs higher, joins the S&P 500

O'Reilly Automotive revs higher, joins the S&P 500 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contrarian investingContrarianInvestinginthenewsinvestor sentimentInvestorSentimentNENoble Corp.NobleCorp.OReilly AutomotiveOreillyAutomotiveORLYSP 500 IndexSp500IndexSPXtechnical analysisTechnicalAnalysisFri, 20 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Quick: the next 700 points on the S&P 500, up or down? ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/02/quick-the-next-700-points-on-the-sandp-500-up-or-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/02/quick-the-next-700-points-on-the-sandp-500-up-or-down/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/03/02/quick-the-next-700-points-on-the-sandp-500-up-or-down/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This post was written by Minyanville Executive Editor Keving Depew.

Quick: the next 700 points on the S&P 500; up or down?

I remember when that question required some thought, around 1200 or so. Regardless, it is interesting to me as someone who also manages some longer-term investment accounts (with time frames exceeding 10 years) that people seem to be more concerned with the direction of the next 100 points than the next 700.

Continue reading Quick: the next 700 points on the S&P 500, up or down?

Quick: the next 700 points on the S&P 500, up or down? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economyindexmarketspsp500spxMon, 02 Mar 2009 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Standard & Poor's invites Spam to join S&P 500 Index]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/standard-and-poors-invites-spam-to-join-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/standard-and-poors-invites-spam-to-join-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/25/standard-and-poors-invites-spam-to-join-sandp-500-index/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Just last week, Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) surprised investors with stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings. Sales during the period were boosted by healthy demand for the company's recession-friendly canned ham-like product, Spam. Today, it seems that Standard & Poor's is revealing its own soft spot for potted meat, announcing that HRL will join its storied S&P 500 Index as of the close of trading on March 3.

Hormel will replace American Capital Ltd. (NASDAQ: ACAS) in the closely watched broad-market index. The latter stock has given up nearly 96% of its value during the past year, and it's extending those losses today with a plunge of more than 16%.

Continue reading Standard & Poor's invites Spam to join S&P 500 Index

Standard & Poor's invites Spam to join S&P 500 Index originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ACASAmerican Capital Ltd.AmericanCapitalLtd.hormel foodsHormelFoodsHRLinthenewsinvestor sentimentInvestorSentimentoptionsSP 500 IndexSp500IndexSpamSPXStandard PoorsStandardPoorstechnical analysisTechnicalAnalysisWed, 25 Feb 2009 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Year-to-date winners and losers of the S&P 500 Index]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/26/year-to-date-winners-and-losers-of-the-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/26/year-to-date-winners-and-losers-of-the-sandp-500-index/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/26/year-to-date-winners-and-losers-of-the-sandp-500-index/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

With the end of the year fast approaching, it's time to start putting together "best of" and "worst of" lists for 2008. This entry is a little bit of both, but it's admittedly heavy on the "worst of." Among the current members of the S&P 500 Index (SPX), just 11 were sitting on a year-to-date gain as of the close of trading on Monday, November 24. Since Big Lots (NYSE: BIG) is unchanged, that means we have a whopping 488 securities sitting on a loss for the year.

Let's start with the bad news first. Among the worst-performing stocks on the SPX, the six top spots are claimed by stocks in the Insurance and Real Estate sectors. General Growth Properties (NYSE: GGP) has the dubious honor of dropping nearly 98% on the year, and -- not surprisingly -- American International Group (NYSE: AIG) isn't far behind.

Continue reading Year-to-date winners and losers of the S&P 500 Index

Year-to-date winners and losers of the S&P 500 Index originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barr pharmaceuticalsBarrPharmaceuticalsbest stocks 2008BestStocks2008bigbig lotsBigLotsfeaturedgeneral growth propertiesGeneralGrowthPropertiesggpnational cityNationalCitynccSP 500 IndexSp500IndexSPXworst stocks 2008WorstStocks2008Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Answers I Really Wanna Know...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/answers-i-really-wanna-know/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/answers-i-really-wanna-know/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/09/answers-i-really-wanna-know/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Minyanville's top dog, Todd Harrison, dares to ask in public what Wall Street types quietly consider in private. For more insight and ideas, visit www.Minyanville.com.

  • If Lehman (LEH) isn't the second coming of Bear Stearns, won't "sell the rumor, buy the news" come into play?

  • Why can't I shake the sense that a serious downside dislocation is lurking in the wings this summer?

  • Given the massive two-sided directional potential, have you defined your risk (both ways) in kind?

  • After all, doesn't setting stops remove emotion?

  • Another day, another dime (10%) for WaMu (WM) the killer whale?

  • What does it say that the New York Stock Exchange internals are still flat to the share?

  • The kid' from Oakland - what did you expect?

  • How could it possibly take me this long to see Charlie Wilson's War?

    R.P.

Answers I Really Wanna Know... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bear stearnsBearStearnsbreadthbscfinancialslehlehman brothersLehmanBrothersnysespxwamuwmMon, 09 Jun 2008 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Dow rallies 336 points on interest-rate cut]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/18/dow-rallies-336-points-on-interest-rate-cut/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/18/dow-rallies-336-points-on-interest-rate-cut/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/18/dow-rallies-336-points-on-interest-rate-cut/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Stock futures started the day on a positive note, turning sharply higher in reaction to a wider-than-expected decline in August's producer price index (PPI) number. Despite thin volume during the morning hours, the major indices hovered in the black, awaiting the 2:15 interest-rate decision from Ben Bernanke and the Federal Open Market Committee.

Pleasantly surprising even the doves among us, the rate-setting board made an aggressive rate cut of 50 basis points to 4.75%. And ... they were off. Nearly all market sectors closed in positive territory, led by strong gains from the housing and financial-services groups (areas that have been most adversely affected by the recent credit crunch and subprime woes).

By the time the closing bell sounded, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) had gained 336 points - the blue-chip index's biggest single-day jump in almost half a decade. With 29 of its 30 components closing above break-even - Boeing (NYSE: BA) was the lone exception - the Dow settled at 13,739.4, closing above the 13,700 level for the first time since July 25.

Elsewhere, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) tacked on 43 points, or 2.9%, to 1,519.78. Today marked the index's first close above the psychologically significant 1,500 threshold since July 25. And tech stocks weren't left out of the fun ... the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) rallied 70 points, or 2.7%, to 2,651.7, taking out the 2,650 mark for the first time since July 23. All three of the major market averages ended the session at their intraday highs.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Dow rallies 336 points on interest-rate cut originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ben BernankeBenBernankeCOMPDJIADowDow Jones Industrial AverageDowJonesIndustrialAveragefeaturedfed funds rateFedFundsRateINDUinterest ratesInterestRatesrate cutRateCutSPXTue, 18 Sep 2007 17:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Auto parts manufacturers retrench]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/30/auto-parts-manufacturers-retrench/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/30/auto-parts-manufacturers-retrench/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/30/auto-parts-manufacturers-retrench/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The domestic automotive business has been beaten and torn by foreign competition for several years now, forcing many auto-parts producers, such as Tower Automotive Inc. and Delphi Corp. (OTC: DPHIQ) into bankruptcy proceedings.

A growing number of auto-part manufacturers are leaving the U.S. automobile industry altogether, divesting auto-related businesses and diversifying into other, more profitable industries. The Wall Street Journal highlighted the latest companies [subscription required] trying to make the switch to stay alive:

  • SPX Corp (NYSE: SPW), a North Carolina auto manufacturer that once earned 90% of its revenue from auto-related businesses, now earns less than 3% from auto-related businesses after multiple divestitures and acquisitions. SPX Corp is now an infrastructure-related products and service manufacturer for the global power market.
  • Pittsburgh-based glass and coatings manufacturer PPG Industries Inc (NYSE: PPG) has put its windshield business up for sale. The company instead will rely on its high-tech coatings business and optical & specialty material segments that offer long-term growth potential.

Continue reading Auto parts manufacturers retrench

Auto parts manufacturers retrench originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoauto partAutoPartcardelphidomestic autoDomesticAutodphiqeatonetninthenewsjcijohnson controlJohnsonControlppgspwspxtower automotiveTowerAutomotiveMon, 30 Jul 2007 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[SPX hits new all-time high ... no fooling]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/13/spx-hits-new-all-time-high-no-fooling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/13/spx-hits-new-all-time-high-no-fooling/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/13/spx-hits-new-all-time-high-no-fooling/#commentsFiled under: , ,

At about 2:30 p.m. Eastern time today, the S&P 500 Index (SPX) moved through the 1,553.11 level, surpassing its March 24, 2000 intraday peak that would go on to represent the index's all-time high for more than seven years.

The index hurdled this level with little fanfare at first, but it is certainly a monumental achievement. In recent weeks, the broad-market index has managed lots of little victories, hitting a new 52-week high, and a new all-time closing high, for example. But none of these were really that exciting, when you'd remember that 1,553.11 level hanging overhead.

Now we've got about an hour to wait and see if the SPX can close above this level, quelling fears about technical resistance until the psychologically important 2,000 mark comes to play.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

SPX hits new all-time high ... no fooling originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>SPXFri, 13 Jul 2007 15:45:00 EST