Blogging Stocks
Nissan To Open U.S.-Based Electric Car Assembly Plant
Filed under: Industry
Nissan has launched one of the first interactive iAd mobile marketing campaigns for the new Apple, Inc. (AAPL) iPhone 4, and it's taking the chance to promote its new all-electric Leaf passenger car. Although hybrid vehicles have been around in the U.S. for years (think Toyota Prius), all-electric cars have been limited to those teeny-tiny, mileage-limited vehicles. Nissan wants to change that with the four-door Leaf sedan.Continue reading Nissan To Open U.S.-Based Electric Car Assembly Plant
Nissan To Open U.S.-Based Electric Car Assembly Plant originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Increases, Shares Near 11-Month Low
Filed under: Advanced Micro Dev (AMD), Alcoa Inc (AA)
Alcoa, Inc. (AA) is expected to report Q2 EPS on July 12. AA overall option implied volatility of 52 is above its 26-week average of 46 according to Track Data, suggesting larger movement.Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is expected to report Q2 EPS on July 15. AMD July put option implied volatility is at 58, August and October is at 53; verses its 26-week average of 52. AMD option volume of 64K contracts compares to put volume of 11K contracts, according to Track Data suggesting traders taking positions for price movement.
Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB) and Allergan, Inc. (AGN) options are on the most active list, with elevated volatility as shares rally.
Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com
Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Increases, Shares Near 11-Month Low originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Radio Shack: Takeover or Acquisition Target
Filed under: Private Equity, Best Buy (BBY), RadioShack Corp (RSH)
You may be interested in buying an HDMI cable or a cell phone from RadioShack (RSH), but it looks like a few private equity companies and one competitor may be interested in buying the entire company. According to dealReporter, RadioShack had set a July 1 deadline for non-binding indications of interest from any company that was looking at buying the company.Analysts are speculating that the same private equity companies that were mentioned in a June 1 New York Post article -- Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Bain Capital and TPG -- might still be interested in the consumer electronic retailer. That same article also mentioned that Best Buy Co., Inc. (BBY) may be interested in clearing the competitive landscape by acquiring RadioShack.
Continue reading Radio Shack: Takeover or Acquisition Target
Radio Shack: Takeover or Acquisition Target originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Microsoft's Still-King Relevancy In Tech: By The Numbers
Filed under: Competitive Strategy, Microsoft (MSFT)
Much has been written in recent years about the waning relevance of the world's largest software company, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT). The cancellation of some of of Microsoft's mobile efforts just this week, after two short months, as well as seeming uncertainty about its overall strategy outside operating system and productivity software, has made its stock languish for years.Continue reading Microsoft's Still-King Relevancy In Tech: By The Numbers
Microsoft's Still-King Relevancy In Tech: By The Numbers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Allergan, BJ's Wholesale and Others Heating Up in Google
Filed under: Allergan (AGN)
It appears that U.S.-based drug makers and cigarette companies caught the attention of traders Tuesday -- at least, that's what they're searching for.
If you want to know what stocks traders are interested in right now at this very second, you need look no further than what's hot in Google.
Here's what's hot Friday:
Continue reading Allergan, BJ's Wholesale and Others Heating Up in Google
Allergan, BJ's Wholesale and Others Heating Up in Google originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Closing Bell: Stocks Flat Going Into The Holiday (GE, BAC, CSCO, INTC, AAPL)
Filed under: After the Bell, Apple Inc (AAPL), Cisco Systems (CSCO), General Electric (GE), Intel (INTC), Bank of America (BAC), S and P 500, DJIA, NASDAQ
Total nonfarm payroll employment fell by 125,000 in June as the number of temporary census workers dropped by 225,000, according to the Labor Department. Most analysts expected the June unemployment numbers to be better. The market did sell of substantially until about 1 PM. That is about the time that traders who are still around begin to leave for the 4th or July holiday. The small band that was left bid the market back up to near even. Volume was so light, it was hard to detect a trend.The closing bell numbers:
Dow 9,686.48 -46.05 (-0.47%)
S&P 500 1,022.58 -4.79 (-0.47%)
Nasdaq 2,091.79 -9.57 (-0.46%)
Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks Flat Going Into The Holiday (GE, BAC, CSCO, INTC, AAPL)
Closing Bell: Stocks Flat Going Into The Holiday (GE, BAC, CSCO, INTC, AAPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Take-Two Interactive: Buy or Sell?
Filed under: Electronic Arts (ERTS), Activision Inc (ATVI), Technology, Take-Two Interactive (TTWO)
Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), whose competitors in the video-game industry include Activision Blizzard (ATVI) and Electronic Arts (ERTS), is doing good business with its Red Dead Redemption title. But is that enough to make you want to buy the stock?
According to the AP, the game sold 1.5 million copies in the month of May. That's relatively impressive, but it unfortunately did not meet the expectations of Michael Pachter, who is an analyst for Wedbush Morgan. He was thinking 1.8 million copies was doable. Even so, you have to hand it to management for a robust launch.
Continue reading Take-Two Interactive: Buy or Sell?
Take-Two Interactive: Buy or Sell? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Early Financial Fireworks Hit the Markets; Will the U.S. Emerge the Leader in the Second Half of Year?
Filed under: Forecasts, Good news, Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO), Newsletters, McDonald's (MCD), Netflix, Inc. (NFLX), Adobe Systems (ADBE), AutoZone Inc (AZO), Best Buy (BBY), Kroger Co (KR), Chipotle Mexican Grill'A' (CMG), News Corp'B' (NWS), Economic Data, S and P 500, DJIA, Initial Public Offerings, Stocks to Buy, Northrop Grumman (NOC), Genzyme (GENZ), Stock Picks
With all the mixed signals driving uncertainty and worry lately, the consensus has been a foggy windshield with no clear direction. We can't even tell if one of the largest bear market rallies in history is fizzling or pausing.On Wall Street, uncertainty is certainly a buzz killer for the irrationally exuberant. If you need a towel to wipe away the fog, take a look at Your Cheat Sheet to the Psychology of Market Cycles.
While contemplating where we're headed, let's take a look at some data points that indicate the US has the potential to lead the world out of this recession ...
Early Financial Fireworks Hit the Markets; Will the U.S. Emerge the Leader in the Second Half of Year? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Templeton Global Income (GIM): A 'Stellar' Record
Filed under: International Markets, Newsletters, Mutual Funds
"I'm now spotting an opportunity with Templeton Global Income Fund (GIM) -- a closed end fund that is run by one of the finest international bond managers, Dr. Michael Hasenstab," says Richard Band.(Incidentally, Richard Band has just earned his own accolades; his Profitable Investing advisory was just named the nation's #1 financial newsletter for editorial excellent for 2010 by SIPA, the newsletter industry trade association.)
Band continues, "In recent months, as we all know, fears of a pan-European sovereign-debt crisis have knocked down the euro.
"What many investors don't realize, though, is that the panicky selling has also spilled over into the Asian currencies. They've fallen against the dollar, even though most Asian countries remain on a rock-solid financial footing.
Continue reading Templeton Global Income (GIM): A 'Stellar' Record
Templeton Global Income (GIM): A 'Stellar' Record originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Greenspan Says Recovery Is Pausing, Sees Wealth Effect As Pivotal Growth Engine
Filed under: Forecasts, DJIA, NASDAQ
To be sure, it was not a week for the bulls. Data for job creation, jobless claims, and manufacturing are signaling an economic slowdown.However, one experienced observer of economic activity is arguing that all is not lost yet, regarding the still-young U.S. economic recovery. Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan argued that the recovery is undergoing a "typical pause" that will be structured by the performance of the stock market, CNBC reported.
Continue reading Greenspan Says Recovery Is Pausing, Sees Wealth Effect As Pivotal Growth Engine
Greenspan Says Recovery Is Pausing, Sees Wealth Effect As Pivotal Growth Engine originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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The New World of ETFs
Filed under: Indices, Market Matters, Money and Finance Today, ETF Investing, Personal Finance
Twenty years ago, Nathan Most invented the exchange-traded fund (ETF) as a simple mutual fund that trades on exchanges like a stock. Then other creators like Blackrock Inc. (BLK) joined in, creating ETFs for commodities as well as exotic ones that double and triple returns. They are called 2x and 3x shares.
When first introduced, ETFs were shunned, mainly because investors knew little about the way they worked. Slowly, they gained momentum, and now there are some 260 such funds trading $40 billion globally. On some days, more than four out of ten trades on U.S. stock exchanges involve ETFs.
Continue reading The New World of ETFs
The New World of ETFs originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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European Parliament Sets Deferment of Bank Bonuses
Filed under: Market Matters, Financial Crisis
For months European leaders have grappled with capping or deferring bank bonuses. Now a final deal has been approved by the European Parliament. It affects bank pay for the 27-nation bloc.
The final agreement would have bank employees defer 40% to 60% of their bonuses for at least three years. Half of the money would have to be paid in shares or other instruments tied to the bank's performance. In addition there is a clawback provision in which the bank can force an employee to give back all or part of the bonus if the employee took a bad risk.
Continue reading European Parliament Sets Deferment of Bank Bonuses
European Parliament Sets Deferment of Bank Bonuses originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Google to Purchase ITA Software
Filed under: Google (GOOG)
News is surfacing that Google (GOOG) will purchase ITA Software. ITA is a technology company that owns specialized software that enables customers to find "sophisticated flight information." The acquisition will allow Google users to comparison shop for airline tickets.
Before we get all excited about how much money this is going to add to Google's bottom line, remember that it will not be earning money on tickets sold as the company is not entering the travel business. That said, this acquisition and the airline search service could drive more traffic to Google (if that is even possible), which leads to more page views, which leads to more money.
Continue reading Google to Purchase ITA Software
Google to Purchase ITA Software originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Soros: Euro Is a 'Patently Flawed Construct'
Filed under: Market Matters, Politics, Financial Crisis, Currency
Without giving much detail, George Soros says "The euro is a patently flawed construct."
Let's elaborate on this point. The greatest flaw in the euro is that it's a currency without a country. Instead you have a group of 16 countries that have agreed to use the euro as legal tender. This means that 16 separate political systems have agreed in principle to follow the rules of engagement, to use a military term. Those rules state that each country must keep its debt level to 3% of GDP.
Continue reading Soros: Euro Is a 'Patently Flawed Construct'
Soros: Euro Is a 'Patently Flawed Construct' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Analyst Calls: ARNA, ATLS, BJ, CTVI, FO, GRMN, IRET, NI, NS, SWN, VMI ...
Filed under: Analyst Reports, Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Analyst Initiations, Garmin Ltd (GRMN)
Analyst Upgrades
- Goldman Sachs upgraded BJ's Wholesale (BJ) to neutral from sell and has a $43 target on the stock. Note that private equity firm Green Equity took a 9.5% stake in the company. Shares were also upgraded at Jefferies to buy from hold.
- Stephens upgraded Covenant Transportation (CVTI) to overweight from equal weight after the company positively preannounced Q2 results. The firm raised its target for shares to $12 from $5.
- Leerink upgraded Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA) to outperform from market perform after the company signed a partnership deal with Eisai for U.S. commercialization rights to lorcaserin. The firm believes the deal removes a major concern and upped its target for shares to $6 from $5.
- Fortune Brands (FO) was upgraded to hold from sell at Citigroup.
- KeyBanc upgraded NiSource (NI) to buy from hold.
- Akzo Nobel (AKZOY) was upgraded to buy from neutral at UBS.
Continue reading Analyst Calls: ARNA, ATLS, BJ, CTVI, FO, GRMN, IRET, NI, NS, SWN, VMI ...
Analyst Calls: ARNA, ATLS, BJ, CTVI, FO, GRMN, IRET, NI, NS, SWN, VMI ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Energy Expert Eyes Nordic American Tanker (NAT)
Filed under: International Markets, Newsletters, Commodities, Oil, Stocks to Buy
"Investors should consider adding exposure to the oil tanker industry; this business is notoriously volatile, as tanker rates fluctuate," says Elliott Gue.
The editor of The Energy Strategist explains, "Nonetheless, I expect the back half of the year to be a solid environment for tanker companies. Moreover, many stocks in the group offer substantial dividend yields. One of our favorites is Nordic American Tanker Shipping (NAT), which yields over 8 percent.
Continue reading Energy Expert Eyes Nordic American Tanker (NAT)
Energy Expert Eyes Nordic American Tanker (NAT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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California Communities Cut Police Forces Due to Budget Crunches
Filed under: Management, Employees, Politics, Recession
Several communities in California are eliminating basic services and are hiring contractors to do the jobs.
San Carlos, the City of Good Living and a Silicon Valley suburb, is closing budget deficits by cutting out basic services and hiring contractors to do the jobs. San Carlos faces a budget deficit of $3.5 million on a budget of $25.8 million. Council members estimate that cutting out the police force will save $2 million. Another $500,000 will be saved by contracting out cutting of grass and cleaning restrooms. The council voted 4 to 1 to pursue the Mateo County Sheriff's Department on taking over the 32-member police force.
Continue reading California Communities Cut Police Forces Due to Budget Crunches
California Communities Cut Police Forces Due to Budget Crunches originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Job Growth Falls in June
Filed under: Bad News, Economic Data
The Labor Department just released June jobs data, revealing a drop stemming from the layoffs of temporary census workers. This drop was partially offset as private employers added a "modest number" of jobs (pegged at 83,000 workers). The 125,000 jobs eliminated was the most since October, with 225,000 eliminated temporary census jobs leading the way.
Some may look at the fact that the unemployment rate dropped from 9.7% to 9.5% as good news, but that may not be the case.
Continue reading Job Growth Falls in June
Job Growth Falls in June originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Natural Gas Use Likely to Double
Filed under: Forecasts, Industry, Market Matters, Commodities
A new study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology states that natural gas usage will double in the next several decades, from the present 20% to 40%.
Why natural gas? First off, we have plenty of it. Globally, we have a century and half of recoverable natural gas. In the Unites States, the amount of recoverable gas is equal to 92 times consumption.
Continue reading Natural Gas Use Likely to Double
Natural Gas Use Likely to Double originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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