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[American Express Nips at Paypal with New 'Serve' Platform]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/american-express-nips-at-paypal-with-new-serve-platform/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/american-express-nips-at-paypal-with-new-serve-platform/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/04/04/american-express-nips-at-paypal-with-new-serve-platform/#commentsFiled under: , ,

American Express (AXP) logoAmerican Express (AXP) followed in Visa's (V) steps and announced a digital payment and commerce platform dubbed Serve, which enables the consumers to make purchases and person-to-person payments online via mobile phones and at merchants that accept American Express cards. MasterCard (MA) is also planning to launch its own offering for personal payments.

We estimate that American Express derives 73% of our $49.61 price estimate from card transaction and execution fees while Visa derives almost 29% of its $85.03 Trefis price estimate from transaction fees.

Continue reading American Express Nips at Paypal with New 'Serve' Platform

American Express Nips at Paypal with New 'Serve' Platform originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMerican ExpressAXPinthenewsMAMasyercardPaypalServeVVisaMon, 04 Apr 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover Financial Services Trading Higher After Q1 Release]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/discover-financial-services-trading-higher-after-q1-release/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/discover-financial-services-trading-higher-after-q1-release/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/23/discover-financial-services-trading-higher-after-q1-release/#commentsFiled under: ,

When it comes to credit-card businesses, I'm partial to Visa, Inc. (V). Even so, I have to give my respect today to Discover Financial Services (DFS). At the time of this writing, the stock was up 4.5% to $23.26. Volume was strong. Furthermore, a new 52-week high of $23.46 was recorded earlier in the day (by the time this is published, it's possible the high quote will be different).

The stock has been a good holding over the last twelve months. The 52-week low is $12.11, and the one-year chart shows strength. This name is heading for a double. Is it too late to buy?

Continue reading Discover Financial Services Trading Higher After Q1 Release

Discover Financial Services Trading Higher After Q1 Release originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DFSDiscover Financial ServicesinthenewsVVisaWed, 23 Mar 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sophisticated Cyber Attacks Expand the Addressable Security Software Market]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/07/sophisticated-cyber-attacks-expand-the-addressable-security-soft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/07/sophisticated-cyber-attacks-expand-the-addressable-security-soft/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/03/07/sophisticated-cyber-attacks-expand-the-addressable-security-soft/#commentsFiled under: ,

Symantec (SYMC) logoSymantec (SYMC) is the leader in the security software market and competes with McAfee -- which was recently acquired by Intel (INTC) -- as well as with Computer Associates, AVG, TrendMicro and Kaspersky Labs. Symantec recently released a report in which it noted that cyber attack tool kits have become more accessible and much easier to use. This report followed incidents in December in which credit card giants Visa (V) and MasterCard (MA) were targeted by cyber attacks.

While such cyber attacks are dangerous for businesses and individuals, they create new business opportunities for antivirus software companies like Symantec, as demand for these products increases. We estimate that security software (for both consumers and businesses) constitutes roughly 50% of our $21.36 price estimate for Symantec stock, while storage software effectively makes up the balance. Our price estimate for Symantec stock is about 20% above the current market price.

Continue reading Sophisticated Cyber Attacks Expand the Addressable Security Software Market

Sophisticated Cyber Attacks Expand the Addressable Security Software Market originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>antivirus softwareantivirus software companiescyber attackscyberattacksINTCIntelMAMasterCard cyber attackMcAfeeSymantecSYMCVVisa cyber attackWebAttackerZeusMon, 07 Mar 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two Legs of Growth for American Express: Women and Technology]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/24/two-legs-of-growth-for-american-express-women-and-technology/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/24/two-legs-of-growth-for-american-express-women-and-technology/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/24/two-legs-of-growth-for-american-express-women-and-technology/#commentsFiled under:

Founded in 1950, New York based American Express (AXP) is a leading global financial services company offering card payment products and travel-related services to consumers and businesses across the globe. It is now the third largest player in the U.S. in terms of card transaction volumes after Visa (V) and MasterCard (MC). It also competes with other financial institutions that have credit card services like Discover Financial (DFS) and Capital One (COH).

Continue reading Two Legs of Growth for American Express: Women and Technology

Two Legs of Growth for American Express: Women and Technology originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American ExpressAXPcohdfsinthenewsvThu, 24 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two Quarterly Reports: Visa and Yum! Brands]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/two-quarterly-reports-visa-and-yum-brands/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/two-quarterly-reports-visa-and-yum-brands/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/02/02/two-quarterly-reports-visa-and-yum-brands/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Let's take a quick look at two companies that posted quarterly reports. One makes its money from plastic (the kind you use to buy things), the other serves pizza, poultry, and tacos to the masses.

Visa, Inc. (V) has not been a great stock this year. Its 52-week low is $64.90 and its 52-week high is $97.19. The stock closed today's regular session at $72.09, backed by unremarkable volume. I don't know, maybe I'm way off, but I think this name should be at least a little closer to the 52-week high. On a related note, the one-year chart is not what shareholders want to see.

Continue reading Two Quarterly Reports: Visa and Yum! Brands

Two Quarterly Reports: Visa and Yum! Brands originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredinthenewsVVisaVisa earningsYUMyum brandsYum Brands earningsWed, 02 Feb 2011 18:00:00 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[American Express: Buy or Sell After Q4 Release?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/25/american-express-buy-or-sell-after-q4-release/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/25/american-express-buy-or-sell-after-q4-release/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/25/american-express-buy-or-sell-after-q4-release/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

American Express (AXP) was not on Wall Street's list of best buys today. The market is a few minutes away from closing as I write this, and I see that the shares are off by over 2% to $44.82. Volume is quite high.

Should investors be considering this credit-and-charge-card entity for their portfolios? Well, the stock is closer to the 52-week high of $49.19 than it is to the 52-week low of $36.60, but the twelve-month chart shows that the shares have been bouncing around in that somewhat narrow range rather vigorously.

Continue reading American Express: Buy or Sell After Q4 Release?

American Express: Buy or Sell After Q4 Release? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american expressAmerican Express earningsAXPcharge cardscredit cardsinthenewsMAmastercardVVisaTue, 25 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2011/01/19/starbucks-new-size-new-payment-method/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Starbucks (SBUX)It's not enough to be on every metropolitan street corner; now Starbucks (SBUX) is trying to be even bigger (in one sense of the word) -- and faster, too. Thirsty folks longing for a Big Gulp­-style coffee beverage are in luck as the Seattle-based coffee chain is set to roll out its new "Trenta" size for iced drinks.

The new size, seven ounces bigger than the Venti, will be 31 ounces. Trenta, by the way, means "thirty" in Italian. It's also a valley in Slovenia and a small town in the Italian province of Cosenza. This new size trumps Dunkin Donuts, which offers its iced beverages in 24-ounce serving sizes.

Continue reading Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method

Starbucks: New Size, New Payment Method originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AAPLAppleBlackBerryfeaturedinthenewsiPhoneMAMasterCardpay by phoneResearch in MotionRIMRIMMSBUXSmartphonesStarbucksStarbucks payment appTrentaVWed, 19 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: ACN, AMAT, AZN, BBT, CBS, GPN, IP, ORCL, PKG, SONC, V ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/17/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/17/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/12/17/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Oracle (ORCL) to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
  • Accenture (ACN) to buy from hold at Jefferies.
  • Advanced Energy (AEIS) and Applied Materials (AMAT) to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
  • Spreadtrum (SPRD) to buy from hold at Auriga.
  • Healthcare Realty Trust (HR) and Tortoise Energy Capital (TYY) to outperform from neutral at RW Baird.
  • Global Payments (GPN) to equal weight from underweight at Morgan Stanley.
  • CBS (CBS) to buy from neutral at BofA/Merrill.
  • Sonic (SONC) to outperform from neutral at Cowen.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ACN, AMAT, AZN, BBT, CBS, GPN, IP, ORCL, PKG, SONC, V ...

Analyst Calls: ACN, AMAT, AZN, BBT, CBS, GPN, IP, ORCL, PKG, SONC, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AccentureACNACOMAEISAMATanalyst upgradesAncestry.comApplied MaterialsAstraZenecaAZNBBTCBSCCCLCHRWCymerCYMIDHXDISCADiscoveryDLRdowngradesFUlGPNHRinitiationsinthenewsIPLNNMDSOMedidataOracleORCLPKGRBCNSONCSonicSPRDSpreadtrumTCBITYYVVFCVisaWABCWestamericaFri, 17 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[MasterCard Up After Latest Report]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/mastercard-up-after-latest-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/mastercard-up-after-latest-report/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/11/02/mastercard-up-after-latest-report/#commentsFiled under: , ,

MasterCard (MA) was higher this afternoon as market participants evaluated the credit-card company's most recent quarterly release. Shares were up 2.5% to a quote of $245.02.

The 52-week high for the stock is $269.88, so one could look at the situation as having room to grow (thankfully, the current share price is comfortably above the 52-week low of $191). The one-year chart, however, might offer some cause for concern. The stock does seem to want to make a comeback, but the image nevertheless is a bit tough to examine.

Continue reading MasterCard Up After Latest Report

MasterCard Up After Latest Report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>credit cardsinthenewsMAmastercardVVisaTue, 02 Nov 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings Releases: Procter & Gamble and Visa]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/28/PG-V-earning/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/28/PG-V-earning/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/10/28/PG-V-earning/#commentsFiled under: , ,

PG earnings, Visa earningsBoth Procter & Gamble (PG) and Visa (V) are stocks I consider potentially solid long-term bets. You could hold the pair in a core portfolio, although I concede that Visa will obviously be the more volatile, and risky, of the two. When you think about it, each one possesses great brand equity and provides products that will be in demand for years to come. Laundry detergent and plastic credit/debit cards will most likely never become obsolete.

Wednesday saw the release of each company's latest earnings report. P&G, which was issuing numbers for the first quarter, said it made $1.02 per share from continuing operations. This was two pennies ahead of the estimate.

Continue reading Earnings Releases: Procter & Gamble and Visa

Earnings Releases: Procter & Gamble and Visa originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dividend investingdividend stocksDividendsfeaturedinthenewsPGPG earningsPG profitprocter and gambleVVisaVisa earningsVisa profitThu, 28 Oct 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover Financial Services Up on Q3 News]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/20/discover-financial-services-up-on-q3-news/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/20/discover-financial-services-up-on-q3-news/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/20/discover-financial-services-up-on-q3-news/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Discover Financial Services (DFS) is trading higher this afternoon after the credit-card entity reported numbers for the fiscal third quarter. At the time of this writing, the stock was up 2.4% to $15.95. Volume was very strong.

The shares have traded in a narrow range over the last twelve months. The 52-week low is $12.11 while the 52-week high is $17.36. The chart shows a nice trading vehicle for those who like to buy and sell on a short-term basis.

Continue reading Discover Financial Services Up on Q3 News

Discover Financial Services Up on Q3 News originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Ccitigroupcredit cardsDFSDiscover Financial ServicesinthenewsMAmastercardVVisaMon, 20 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Closing Bell: Slow Growth Better Than No Growth (NYT, SLAB, V, MA, ZGEN, JASO)]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/closing-bell-slow-growth-better-than-no-growth-nyt-slab-v-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/closing-bell-slow-growth-better-than-no-growth-nyt-slab-v-m/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/closing-bell-slow-growth-better-than-no-growth-nyt-slab-v-m/#commentsFiled under: ,

The latest Beige Book from the Fed showed that growth is definitely decelerating. The good news is that even the pygmies have figured that out by now. Stock traders and bond traders have been fighting over whether the slower growth means a double-dip recession or just anemic growth. There were only a few reports to watch, but many stocks and sectors were on the move.

Here are today's unofficial closing bell levels:

Dow Jones 10,387.54 +46.85 (0.45%)
S&P 500 1,098.90 +7.06 (0.65%)
Nasdaq 2,228.87 +19.98 (0.90%)

Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades

Continue reading Closing Bell: Slow Growth Better Than No Growth (NYT, SLAB, V, MA, ZGEN, JASO)

Closing Bell: Slow Growth Better Than No Growth (NYT, SLAB, V, MA, ZGEN, JASO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos slimfeaturedJA SolarJASOJaSolarMANYTSilicon LaboratoriesVZGENzymogeneticsWed, 08 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: BA, COST, DELL, GD, INTC, LVS, MGM, PCLN, TWX, V, VIA ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/09/08/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • Goldman upgraded Costco (COST) to buy from neutral based on valuation, improving fundamentals and potential catalysts. The firm raised its price target to $68 from $62.
  • Soleil upgraded MGM Resorts (MGM) to buy from hold, citing valuation, easing balance sheet concerns and a multiyear convention recovery. The firm upped its target for shares to $14 from $13. Note, Soleil also downgraded Las Vegas Sands (LVS) to hold from buy.
  • Piper Jaffray upgraded Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) to overweight from neutral with a $59 price target following the company's better-than-expected Q2 results.
  • Dell (DELL) was upgraded to buy from outperform at CLSA.
  • CommScope (CTV) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
  • EnCana (ECA) was upgraded to sector outperformer from sector performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BA, COST, DELL, GD, INTC, LVS, MGM, PCLN, TWX, V, VIA ...

Analyst Calls: BA, COST, DELL, GD, INTC, LVS, MGM, PCLN, TWX, V, VIA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>analyst upgradesBABAXBoeingCFCOSTCostcoCTVDELLDKSdowngradesECAGDHONHoneywellinitiationsINTCIntelinthenewsITWLMTLockheed MartinLVSMAAMGMPCLNPVHTime WarnerTWXVVIAViacomVisaWLTWed, 08 Sep 2010 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[The Economy Is Doomed! Now What?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/01/economy-is-doomed/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/01/economy-is-doomed/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/08/01/economy-is-doomed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

It seems as if everyone is worried about the economy going into a double-dip recession these days. Worry in and of itself can be very destructive, both to your mental state and to the economy overall. Besides pulling out your hair, causing acid reflux and other health problems, worry can actually become self-fulfilling prophecy and cause the very thing you are most afraid of.

A number of years ago when I read Dale Carnegie's book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, one method he suggested was just to accept the worst case scenario and then move on with life from there.

So accept it: THE ECONOMY IS DOOMED! it's going to be 10 years of economic nightmare!

Now what?

Continue reading The Economy Is Doomed! Now What?

The Economy Is Doomed! Now What? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>America is greatCVXDale Carnegiedebtdiversificationeconomic survivaleconomyeducationfeaturedGDPGEGOOGHPQinnovationMAPGrecessionVXOMSun, 01 Aug 2010 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Earnings Releases from Comcast and Visa]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/29/comcast-visa-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/29/comcast-visa-earnings/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/29/comcast-visa-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Comcast (CMCSA) and Visa (V) reported earnings on Wednesday. Following is my brief take on each of them.

Comcast is a big name in cable, and it's waiting to close on a deal with General Electric (GE) involving the latter company's NBC Universal. It will be interesting to see if Comcast's management team can properly synergize with the studio.

Continue reading Earnings Releases from Comcast and Visa

Earnings Releases from Comcast and Visa originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CMCSAComcastcomcast cash flowcomcast deal with GEcomcast earningscomcast net incomecomcast profitfeaturedGEgeneral electricinthenewsNBS Universal dealVVisavisa earningsvisa epsvisa net incomevisa profitThu, 29 Jul 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa Drops After Financial Reform Bill Passes]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/16/visa-drops-after-financial-reform-bill-passes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/16/visa-drops-after-financial-reform-bill-passes/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/16/visa-drops-after-financial-reform-bill-passes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

V logoVisa (V - option chain) stock is trading lower along with most credit card companies this morning after the Senate passed a financial regulatory overhaul yesterday which would reduce interchange fees that retailers must pay issuers and banks for debit-card transactions. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on V.

This morning, V opened at $73.60. So far today the stock has hit a high of $73.75 and a low of $71.27. As of 12:15, V is trading at $72.69, down $2.59 (-3.4%). The chart for V looks bullish and S&P gives V a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Continue reading Visa Drops After Financial Reform Bill Passes

Visa Drops After Financial Reform Bill Passes originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financial reformInvestors ObserveroptionsSenateVVisaFri, 16 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst Calls: AMD, BBY, COST, INTC, MRVL, MYGN, NSC, RDS.A, TXN, V ...]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/07/09/analyst-upgrades-downgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Analyst Upgrades

  • JPMorgan upgraded Norfolk Southern (NSC) to overweight from neutral, citing the company's leverage to coal and position relative to peers. The firm has a $68 price target for shares.
  • Benchmark upgraded Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) to hold from sell based on a more favorable earnings outlook and reduced dividend risk.
  • UBS upgraded Costco (COST) to buy from neutral based on valuation. The firm raised its price target to $63 from $62.
  • Visa (V) was upgraded to gonviction buy from buy at Goldman.
  • KLA-Tencor (KLAC) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse.
  • Texas Instruments (TXN) was upgraded to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMD, BBY, COST, INTC, MRVL, MYGN, NSC, RDS.A, TXN, V ...

Analyst Calls: AMD, BBY, COST, INTC, MRVL, MYGN, NSC, RDS.A, TXN, V ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AMDanalyst upgradesASXATHRBBYBest BuyBEZCHDXCNICNXTCOSTCostcodowngradesEWEXPEinitiationsINTCIntelinthenewsKLACMPWRMYGNNorfolk SouthernNSCPTRDS.ASRCLTSNTXNVVisaFri, 09 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Discover Financial Services: Buy or Sell the Q2 Numbers?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/discover-financial-services-buy-or-sell-the-q2-numbers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/discover-financial-services-buy-or-sell-the-q2-numbers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/25/discover-financial-services-buy-or-sell-the-q2-numbers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

(DFS), whose related companies include American Express (AXP), MasterCard (MA), and Visa (V), closed higher yesterday after releasing Q2 data. Of course, I should put the phrase "closed higher" into perspective. The stock ended the day at $14.08, which meant it rose 0.5%. Not exactly a spectacular end to the session, but it actually was doing better at other points during the intraday period.

According to this item, an improved profit picture in the latest report drove the buying. Card-sales volume went up while charge-offs went down. A great combination for the business.

Continue reading Discover Financial Services: Buy or Sell the Q2 Numbers?

Discover Financial Services: Buy or Sell the Q2 Numbers? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american expressAXPcredit cardsDFSDiscover Financial ServicesinthenewsMAmastercardVVisaFri, 25 Jun 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Visa Up Today: Is It Really Oversold?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/visa-up-today-is-it-really-oversold/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/visa-up-today-is-it-really-oversold/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/06/21/visa-up-today-is-it-really-oversold/#commentsFiled under: ,

Visa, Inc. (V) saw a nice pop today during the afternoon session. With a little less than two hours to go before the end of market activities, the shares were higher by well over 7%. They hit a price of $83, and the volume level was healthy.

It was great to witness the buying activity. While I don't own Visa, I do recognize its great potential over the long term. The company makes money on transactions at points of sale: just a small percentage on each one, of course, but considering how society has become dependent on both credit and debit cards, you've got to respect the model. Remember that Visa doesn't expose itself to too much risk: it's the banks who make the actual credit loans.

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Visa Up Today: Is It Really Oversold? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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