Things look to be pretty quiet on the economic calendar this week. Here are the highlights:

• Tuesday: Weekly chain-store sales
• Wednesday: Federal budget balance for January
• Thursday: Wholesale trade data in December
• Friday: Trade balance in December and the weekly inflation survey

However, three iconic companies -- Walt Disney (DIS), Coca-Cola (KO) and Hasbro (HAS) -- highlight this week's quarterly results. Here's a look at what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are anticipating from these and others.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Coca-Cola, Disney and Hasbro Earnings

Week in Preview: Coca-Cola, Disney and Hasbro Earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As more and more people are finding the discretionary dollars to stick into slot machines and slap down on blackjack tables, you might want to consider putting some money into Las Vegas Sands (LVS).

Las Vegas Sands is hitting multi-year highs as it continues its stellar, steady climb from below $1.50 in early 2009 to its current price just below $30, and it doesn't look like the stock is going to slow down any time soon.

With growth coming from the firm's Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore and its majority owned subsidiary Sands China, Ltd. In China, Las Vegas Sands is in a position to benefit from the growing economies in Asia even as the U.S. economy muddles along.

Continue reading Las Vegas Sands Making Run at Pre-recession Levels

Las Vegas Sands Making Run at Pre-recession Levels originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• UBS upgraded UPS (UPS) and FedEx (FDX) to buy from hold based on recent weakness and leverage to a recovery. The firm raised its price target on UPS to $74 from $72 and on FedEx to $100 from $97.
• Bernstein upgraded Medicis (MRX) to outperform from market perform based on valuation and said the company has been executing well over the past few months. The firm has a $28 price target on the stock.
• Citigroup upgraded Weingarten Realty (WRI) to buy from hold, citing valuation and the company's improved balance sheet. The firm maintains a $24 price target for shares.
• Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW) were upgraded to market perform from underperform at BMO Capital.
• NextEra Energy (NEE) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Baird.
• Nokia (NOK) was upgraded to neutral from reduce at WestLB.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AMED, FDX, H, HD, HOT, LGF, LOW, MAR, MTB, MRX, NOK, UPS ...

Analyst Calls: AMED, FDX, H, HD, HOT, LGF, LOW, MAR, MTB, MRX, NOK, UPS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Hotel Chains to Cut Back on Housekeeping

Hotel Chains to Cut Back on Housekeeping originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Jun 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) was upgraded at Jefferies to Hold from Underperform following Q3 results. The firm believes the Wavecom acquisition integration is progressing better than expected and finds the valuation attractive at current levels. The firm raised its price target to $10 from $5.
• Boston Properties (NYSE: BXP) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank to reflect the company's recapitalization and better-than-expected occupancy. The firm raised its target to $69 from $46.
• Wyndham (NYSE: WYN) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital after the shares sold off following the company's Q3 results. The firm raised its target to $23 from $15.
• Human Genome (NASDAQ: HGSI) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan. Target was raised to $25 from $14.
• Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) was upgraded to Overweight from Market Weight at Thomas Weisel as they expect a "meaningful sales and earnings improvement in Q4." Target was raised to $39 from $32.
• Methanex (NASDAQ: MEOH) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at UBS, citing improved methanol demand following the Q3 report. Target was raised to $19.50 from $17.
• Buffalo Wild Wings (NASDAQ: BWLD) was upgraded at Raymond to Market Perform from Underperform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADBE, HAL, GCI, GT, IMAX, URBN ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADBE, HAL, GCI, GT, IMAX, URBN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) closed at $53.73. SHW is expected to report Q2 EPS on July 21. SHW options were active on 11,569 contracts. SHW July option implied volatility is at 35, August is at 39; below its 26-week average of 43, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Wyndham (NYSE: WYN) closed at $11.02 WYN is expected to report Q2 EPS on July 29. WYN options were active on July 6 with 17,333 contracts trading. WYN July option implied volatility is at 70, August is at 68; below its 26-week average of 98 according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

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

Options Update: Sherwin-Williams and Wyndham options active on low volatility originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Kass: Many Challenges Still Ahead
• Amazon Cuts Off Another State

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Warning: The financial media can be hazardous to your portfolio

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Warning: The financial media can be hazardous to your portfolio originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY) Q1 profit fell despite strong sales of Plavix and Abilify.
• Check Point Software Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: CHKP) was downgraded based on its guidance.
• Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) strong Q1 results were boosted by early debt retirement.
• DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. (NYSE: DWA) strong Q1 results were driven by Madagascar 2.
• Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ENDP) Q1 results led to an analyst's downgrade.
• E*Trade Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: ETFC) widened its Q1 loss, sending shares sharply lower.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: P&G, DreamWorks, E*Trade, Netflix, Under Armour, Humana and more

Earnings highlights: P&G, DreamWorks, E*Trade, Netflix, Under Armour, Humana and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 02 May 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Wyndham Worldwide posts healthy first-quarter earnings

Wyndham Worldwide posts healthy first-quarter earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Apr 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series on prominent company nicknames. See all 25, and share your thoughts and memories about HoJo's below in the comments.

Howard Johnson's and its 28 flavors gave mid-20th-century Americans a view of the future: choice. In a time of eight-color boxes of Crayolas and three television stations, the implication of HoJo's abundance fired our imaginations. Though the restaurant chain had been in business since 1925, it took off during the depression when the founder adopted the now-traditional Cape Cod building with an orange roof topped by a weather vane of Simple Simon and the Pieman.

The company was also among the first to franchise, a major contributor to its growing success. With the advent of the national freeway system in the 1950s, Howard Johnson's quickly monopolized the rest stops and exits, making it larger than Micky D's, the King, and the Colonel combined.

Part of its success was in devising better prepackaged foods and a standardized menu, allowing the common Joe to work the grill. By 1954, the chain had grown to 400 restaurants, large enough to support expansion into the motor lodge business, catering to the increasingly mobile American traveler.

In the '60s, HoJos served more food to Americans than anyone except the U.S. Army. By the time the descendants of the founder sold the firm in 1980 to Imperial Group, the chain included 1,000 restaurants and 500 motor lodges.

Continue reading Company nicknames: Does HoJo still have mojo?

Company nicknames: Does HoJo still have mojo? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Cowen views HQ Sustainable Maritime (NYSE: HQS) as undervalued and a future winner in the "green economics" game. The firm started shares with an Outperform rating.
  
• JP Morgan initiated Wyndham (NYSE: WYN) with an Overweight rating. The firm finds the valuation attractive given the company's fee-based business model and attractive international growth opportunities.
  
• B. Riley assumed Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATY) with a Buy rating and $16 target and believes the company's valuation discount to peers is unwarranted.

• BGC Parnters (NASDAQ: BGCP) was initiated at Deutsche Bank with a Buy rating and $13 target.
  
• Friedman Billings initiated Maiden Holdings (NASDAQ: MHLD) with an Outperform rating and $11.50 target.
  
• Sandler assumed CRM Holdings (NASDAQ: CRMH) with a Buy rating and $6.50 target.

Analyst initiations: HQS, WYN and CATY originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are a few highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) beat estimates on strong sales and higher profit margins.
• Baidu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) profit soared on strong revenue from online marketing.
• Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) earnings and revenue surged in the fourth quarer.
• Dean Foods Co. (NYSE: DF) missed expectations on rising commodity costs and lower profit margins.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) posted better-than-expected profits as rising grain prices spurred demand.
• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE: GT) posted solid results on cost savings and debt reduction.
• Insight Enterprises Inc. (NASDAQ: NSIT) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• LECG (NASDAQ: XPRT) posted a net loss despite a slight increase in revenue in the fourth quarter.
• Loews Corp. (NYSE: LTR) missed estimates due to profit decline in its CNA Financial (NYSE: CNA) affiliate.
• Marsh & McLennan Inc. (NYSE: MMC) missed estimates on weakness in its insurance services business.
• Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) posted disappointing results on weakness in publishing and TV.
• Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) fourth-quarter and full-year results met estimates.
• Sierra Wireless Inc. (NASDAQ: SWIR) beat esimates on the launch of new product s.
• Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) profits doubled, which was in line with expectations.
• Visteon Corp. (NYSE: VC) posted a fourth-quarter loss on restructuring costs and write-downs.
• Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WMI) beat espectations and offered 2008 guidance.
• Wyndham Worldwide Corp. (NYSE: WYN) earnings met expectations and were buoyed by lodging revenue.
• Zoltek Companies Inc. (NASDAQ: ZOLT) missed earnings estimates due to inventory buildup.

Upcoming results to watch for include Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), JCPenney (NYSE: JCP), and Safeway (NYSE: SWY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Coca-Cola, Deere, Abercrombie, Baidu, Playboy, Taser and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• BMO Capital initiated coverage on Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ARNA) and Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) with Outperform ratings and a $16 target and $51 target and Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) and Genentech Inc. (NYSE: DNA) with Market Perform ratings and a $69 target and $85 target.
  
• CIBC initiated shares of WESCO International Inc. (NYSE: WCC) with a Sector Outperformer rating and $46 target. The firm believes lower estimates are already priced into shares and that the company's operating initiatives increase the chances for more stable margins in this environment.
  
• Deutsche Bank started shares of Wyndham Worldwide Corp. (NYSE: WYN) with a Buy rating and $41 target. The firm believes stability of the timeshare industry, international expansion and improved transparency will serve as catalysts for shares.
  
• Century Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ: CNTY) was initiated at Nollenberger with a Neutral rating, citing the underperformance of new properties and concerns from the smoking ban in Colorado; however, the firm believes the company is headed in the right direction.

• Soleil started shares of Sunoco Inc. (NYSE: SUN) and Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO) with Buy ratings and targets of $96 and $88, and initiated shares of Tesoro Corp. (NYSE: TSO) with a Hold rating and $55 target.
  
• Rodman & Renshaw started shares of Labopharm Inc. (NASDAQ: DDSS) with a Market Perform rating.
  
• UBS resumed coverage on Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) with a Buy rating and $34 target.

Analyst initiations: Biotech, WCC, WYN, CNTY, VLO, KR originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer lists Mariott among potential hotel targets originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer on cable, hotel, and casino originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Improving travel for the fairer sex

Improving travel for the fairer sex originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.