Archive for September, 2009
(LMT) A New Era in the Defense Industry: Lock And Load On Profits
by Tony Daltorio, Investment U Research Over the past year, stocks of companies in the defense industry have taken a beating, down thirty percent… forty percent… or more. Valuations have taken an even harder knock, with forward price-to-earnings dropping to just under nine...
18Sep2009 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | ContinuedInvesting Without Trailing Stops: Here’s Why 75% of Stocks Are a Sucker’s Bet
by Alexander Green, Advisory Panelist A couple weeks ago, I explained why it is imperative to run trailing stops behind your individual stocks. Sell stops ensure that your capital is protected and your profits don’t slip through your fingers. However, one subscriber took...
18Sep2009 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(SXCI) Top Performer for Fri: SXC Health Solutions- Zacks #1 Rank Top Performers
SXC Health Solutions Corporation (SXCI) recently announced pricing for a public offering of common shares, sending its volume through the roof and pushing its share price higher by more than 11%. SXC is a leading provider of pharmacy benefit management [PBM] services and Healthcare...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HAIN) Hain Celestial – Bear of the Day
The natural and organic food industry including Hain Celestial (HAIN) is facing the brunt of the economic slowdown and escalating costs. The ongoing turmoil and the battered financial market are exerting pressure on consumer disposable incomes triggering a shift in focus from...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DLM) Del Monte Foods- Bull of the Day
Del Monte’s (DLM) long-term objectives are to achieve earnings growth in the range of 7% to 9% and topline growth in the range of 3% to 5%. However, the guidance for both earnings and revenues growth for fiscal 2010, exceed the long-term range, and are now expected to increase...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ONNN) ON Semiconductor- Bull of the Day
ON Semiconductor (ONNN) is an OEM of primarily analog semiconductors used within a diverse set of end markets. June quarter results beat consensus expectations, with management guiding for stronger results in the September quarter. Recent acquisitions, a broad product portfolio,...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CFSG) China Fire & Security Group – Chinese Stimulus Plan Boosts Sales
China Fire & Security Group (CFSG) continues to push higher, aided by its government’s stimulus plan and new legislation. Company Description China Fire & Security Group makes and maintains fire safety systems and products for industrial use in China. Earnings…on...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ROST) Ross Stores Inc. – Earnings Targets Rise
Ross Stores, Inc. (ROST) continues to grow and consumers opt for discounted goods in a tough economy. Company Description Ross Stores sells discounted apparel and home accessories through its stores. Brand name and designer items are offered at the locations, usually below retail...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(THI) Tim Hortons – ROE of 24% More Than Doubles the Industry’s 10%
Tim Hortons Inc. (THI) has done well against the market over the past year. The company also continues to lead the industry with strong fundamentals. For example, its ROE of 24% more than doubles the industry average of 10%. Company Description Tim Hortons is the fourth largest...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DFS) Discover Financial Services Surpasses Forecasts
Discover Financial Services’ (DFS) third quarter (ended Aug. 31, 2009) earnings came in at $1.07 per share, substantially ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compares to earnings of 37 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. The results were bolstered primarily by...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DLM) Del Monte Foods Company Posted Record First Quarter Earnings
Del Monte Foods Company (DLM) posted record first quarter earnings as sales rose 12%. The company has posted big surprises the last four quarters, averaging 246.91%. DLM is trading at 12.1x forward earnings. Company Description Del Monte Foods distributes food and pet products...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DD) DuPont Counting on Emerging Markets
EI Du Pont Nemours Co. (DD), the world’s second largest chemical company, recently announced that it will benefit from the recovering economies in emerging markets including China, India and Brazil, where a significant increase in population and globalization are fueling demand. DuPont...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SPG) Simon Property Group Co-Founder Dies
Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG), the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America, recently announced the death of its pioneer and co-founder Melvin Simon after a short illness. With his demise, the company lost an able leader who had remarkable deal-making...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(KR) Kroger Grocery Chain Raises Dividend
Leading US grocery chain Kroger Co. (KR) recently boosted its quarterly dividend by 5.6% to 9.5 cents a share from 9 cents. This is the third dividend increase since the inception of the company’s dividend program in fiscal 2006. Kroger declared a quarterly dividend of 6.5...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(NVS) Novartis Drug Gets FDA OK
The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved Novartis’ (NVS) Valturna for high blood pressure. The drug is a single-pill combination of Diovan (valsartan), an angiotensin receptor blocker, and Tekturna (aliskiren), the only approved direct renin inhibitor. We believe...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(JEC) Jacobs Engineering Group Extends Contract
On Wednesday, Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (JEC) received a 2-year extension of its term on the National Engineering and Environmental Consultancy (NEEC) Agreement framework with the Environment Agency of England and Wales. Jacobs will provide project management and full-design...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TAM) TAM Sets New Market Share Record
Earlier this week, TAM S.A. (TAM) disclosed its operating data for August 2009. For the month, TAM gained a record 89.4% market share in the international market, representing a 15.5% growth year on year. However, the domestic market share was 43.8%, down 10.4% compared to the...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GRMN) Garmin’s New Navigation Device, the Nuvi Hits Markets
Garmin (GRMN) recently launched a new connected portable navigation device (PND), nuvi 1690, with several robust features. AT&T(T) will be its wireless network partner for the device. The product is expected to ship in the fourth quarter, which should enable the company...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SO) Southern Company Deploys Coal-Based Electrical Production in China
Southern Co. (SO) yesterday said that it has agreed with a Chinese utility for the first commercial use of the firm’s proprietary new low-emission coal-based electricity production. The technology – known as the Transport Integrated Gasification (TRIG) – is an integrated...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GS) Goldman Sachs Group Inc. – Consensus Estimates Spike Upward
Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) is hitting new 52-week highs but its stock remains cheap as earnings estimates rise. The company is trading at just 10.9x estimates. As trading revenues have soared, analysts expect year over year earnings growth of 261.78%. Company Description Goldman...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(FDX) FedEx Corporation Delivers In-Line Earnings
FedEx Corporation’s (FDX) first quarter results came at 58 cents per share, in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This was, however, down from $1.23 per diluted share reported in the year-ago quarter. Earnings overall were negatively affected by the global recession. Revenue...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(C) Citigroup Issues Senior Notes
On Thursday, Citigroup Inc. (C) sold 5-year senior notes worth $2.0 billion. The notes are not guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The notes, which were issued at a discounted price of $99.495, are non-callable and are expected to yield about 325 basis...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UBS) Swiss Exchange Probing UBS
UBS AG (UBS) is currently being probed by the Swiss Stock Exchange over possible violation of disclosures and corporate rules. The Swiss Exchange began an investigation into possible breaches of the ad hoc publicity directive during 2007 and 2008. The Swiss Exchange is also...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ORCL) Oracle Corporation Matches Estimates
Oracle Corporation (ORCL) announced first quarter of FY2010 earnings per share of 29 cents, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate. First quarter total revenues were down 5% year over year at $5.1 billion. New software license revenues were down 17% to $1.0 billion. Technology...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(COL) Rockwell Collins Lowers Guidance
Rockwell Collins Inc. (COL) reduced the upper range of its earnings forecast for the current fiscal year. The company now expects EPS of $3.70 to $3.75 compared to its earlier projection of $3.70 to $3.90. The downside in guidance was on account of the inclusion of approximately...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UNH) State Unemployment Rates & Health Care
There are now 14 states (well including DC) that have double-digit unemployment rates, and only three that have rates below 6%. See the graph below (from http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/) for the unemployment rate broken down by state (red mark). It’s worth noting that among...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DRIV) Digital River Launches New Product
Digital River Inc. (DRIV) recently launched a new product named Software Network Agent. This new tool enables software publishers to partner with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and computer manufacturers to deliver software trials and downloads through a customized portal...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HSP) Hospira Ups 2009 Guidance
Lake Forest, Illinois-based specialty pharmaceutical products maker Hospira (HSP) recently raised its 2009 outlook. The company now sees earnings in the range of $2.80 to $2.85 per share up from its earlier guidance of $2.70 to $2.75. Annual revenue is expected to rise by 5 to...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BXP) Boston Properties Gets Pressure for Reneging
Real estate investment trust Boston Properties Inc. (BXP) is facing severe criticism from the public as well as the state agency of the Boston Harbor Association for reneging on its promise. Boston Properties had earlier promised to provide free public-performance space on the...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BAX) Baxter International Discussed Long-Term Goals
Baxter International Inc. (BAX) discussed its long-term financial objectives, growth opportunities and various research and development (R&D) programs at its recently concluded Investor Conference in Chicago. The long-term (5-year) financial objectives are as follows: Increase...
18Sep2009 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued