Archive for January, 2010
(VZ) Verizon Wireless and AT&T Wireless Cut Mobile Plan Prices
Verizon Wireless, a joint venture between Verizon Communications (VZ) and Vodafone (VOD), has reportedly slashed its unlimited wireless price plans by roughly 30%. Its archrival AT&T (T) followed suit by announcing similar price cuts. Existing customers of both operators...
18Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(WFSL) 2010 U.S. Bank Failures Rise to Four
Regulators shut down 3 more banks in Illinois, Minnesota and Utah pushing up U.S. bank failures to 4 so far this year. U.S. regulators on Friday shuttered three more banks in Illinois, Minnesota and Utah as the recession continues to take its toll on small banks. This brings...
18Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ARAY) Accuray Incorporated is Downgraded to Underperform
We recently downgraded Accuray Incorporated (ARAY) to Underperform with a target price of $6. Accuray reported a net loss of 6 cents per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2010, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a net loss of 3 cents per share and unchanged from the...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(JPM) JPMorgan Chase & Company’s Earnings Beat on Surging Profits
JPMorgan Chase & Company’s (JPM) 4th quarter earnings came in at 74 cents per share, substantially ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 61 cents. This also compares favorably with earnings of 6 cents in the prior-year quarter. Better-than-expected results of JPMorgan...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ABT) Abbott Labs Announces European Approval for New Blood Test
Abbott Labs (ABT) recently announced that it has gained approval in Europe for a new diagnostic tool which will help determine the possibility of a pelvic mass being benign or malignant. The blood test named ARCHITECT human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) test, has been designed to...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TAM) TAM S.A. Expands Domestically
TAM S.A. (TAM) signed agreements with Sabre and is negotiating with Amadeus and Travelport to make its entire content (rates and inventory) in the Brazilian market available through the Global Distribution Systems (GDS) operated by the three companies. The agreements will not...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(EP) El Paso Corporation Ends 2009 With Strong Liquidity
El Paso Corp. (EP) ended the year with a strong liquidity of approximately $1.8 billion, following the closing of a $103.5 million acquisition in the Altamont-Bluebell field. Management exclaimed that El Paso has started 2010 with a strong cash position and is making excellent...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MON) Monsanto Results Remain Stable
Recently, Monsanto Co. (MON) recently reported results for the first quarter of 2010. Net sales slumped 36% year over year to $1,697 million primarily due to lower sales of glyphosate-based herbicides in Brazil and Europe. Monsanto reported a net loss of 3 cents per share, compared...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(APA) Apache Corporation Unit Buys 51% Kitimat LNG Stake
Apache Canada Ltd., a subsidiary of U.S. energy firm Apache Corp. (APA), has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in a proposed C$3 billion ($2.9 billion) liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in northwestern British Columbia. The company announced the purchase of a 51%...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SNI) Scripps Networks Interactive Upgraded to Outperform
We upgrade our recommendation for Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. (SNI) to Outperform. According to our assessment, an improving advertising market for cable TV networks and massive growth in affiliate fee revenue will boost the company’s financials in the near-term. The...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DRIV) Digital River Acquires 15% of Softonic
Digital River, Inc. (DRIV) recently announced that it will acquire less than a 15% stake in privately-held Softonic for $26 million. Barcelona-based Softonic is a leading download site and market leader in software downloads in Europe and Latin America, offering thousands of...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CNK) Cinemark Holdings Incorporated – Outsized Gains From Latin America
Cinemark Holdings Inc. (CNK) just hit a new 52-week high at $15.28 in response to the compamny’s strong Q3 resulte from early November that saw outsized gains from Latin America. Company Description Cinemark Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries own and operate a chain of...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ABV) AmBev – Analysts Continue to Raise Full-Year Estimates
AmBev (ABV) is setting 52-week highs as analysts continue to raise full-year estimates on the heels of an excellent quarter. Company Description AmBev produces beer, soft drinks, and other beverages in Brazil. The company is best known for its licensing agreement with Anheuser-Busch,...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(NTY) NBTY Incorporated – Consensus Earnings Estimates Jump
NBTY Inc. (NTY) recently announced preliminary fiscal first-quarter results which showed sales jumped 14%. The company has a PEG ratio of just 0.90 and is trading at 12.6x forward earnings. Company Description NBTY manufactures and distributes nutritional supplements in the United...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BWLD) Four Stocks for the Playoffs – Investment Ideas
The New Year is many things to many people. For some, it’s a chance to start a new fitness routine and lose a few pounds. For others, it’s a time to take up a new hobby like playing guitar or gardening. But for sports fans all across the world the New Year means one...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HLF) Herbalife Limited – Return on Equity of 65% Beats Industry Average of 15%
Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) has more than doubled the market’s return over the past year. Analysts polled by Zacks boosted forecasts on Herbalife’s recent reaffirmation of 2009 and 2010 earnings outlook. Company Description Herbalife Ltd. is a global network marketing company...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(EQT) EQT Corporation – Bear of the Day
Ahead of the fourth-quarter results, we are initiating coverage on EQT Corporation (EQT) with an Underperform recommendation and a target price of $39. The company continues to deliver consistent production growth on the back of its E&P segment. It estimates a 20% hike in...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(EQT) EQT Corporation Analyst Initiates Coverage at Underperform
We have recently initiated coverage on EQT Corporation (EQT) with an Underperform recommendation and a target price of $39. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, EQT is an integrated energy company with an emphasis on natural gas supply activities in the Appalachian area Incorporatedluding...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(INTC) Intel Earnings Analyzed in Depth
Intel Corp (INTC) reported very strong earnings in the fourth quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6 cents. Excluding the $1.25 billion fine paid to Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and other one-time items, earnings were 61 cents a share, or 27 cents higher than the...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CSIQ) Canadian Solar Announces Japanese Joint Venture
Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) announced that it has formed a joint venture and an 18 MW distribution deal with West Holding Ltd of Japan. The agreement stipulates a transfer of 14% of the shares in Canadian Solar Japan ? the Japanese subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. ? to West Holding...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ERIC) Nokia and Siemens AG Network Wins Contract
In a major boost to its fragile top-line, Nokia Siemens Network together with LM Ericsson AB (ERIC) has been selected by TeliaSonera AB (TLSN) to provide radio network solutions for its nationwide next-generation (4G) LTE network deployment. Nokia Siemens Network is a 50-50 joint...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BIG) Big Lots Incorporated – Bull of the Day
Big Lots, Inc. (BIG) is the largest broad-line closeout retailer with annual revenue over $4 billion. The closeout format gives it an edge over traditional discount retailers as customers are offered merchandise assortments at very low prices. We think the company’s focus...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AMCC) Applied Micro Circuits Corporation to Reduce Workforce
Applied Micro Circuits Corporation (AMCC) recently announced that it would reduce its workforce by 11% as part of its restructuring plan. Management expects to incur an employee severance charge of approximately $1.3 million – $1.7 million in 2010. Management had earlier chalked...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(VOLC) Volcano Corporation Expects Higher Revenues
Volcano Corporation (VOLC) recently announced that it expects total revenues to increase 33% year over year to $228 million in fiscal 2009. This is above the company’s previously issued revenue guidance of $218 ? $223 million. Meanwhile, fourth quarter revenues are expected...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SKM) KT Corporation Beats Rivals on IPTV
KT Corporation (KT), South Korea’s incumbent fixed-line carrier, has outplayed its South Korean peers in amassing subscribers for its IPTV (television over broadband Internet) services in 2009. KT Corp, which recently changed its ticker symbol on the NYSE from “KTC”...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CSII) Cardiovascular Systems Gets FDA Approval
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSII) recently received the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) conditional Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval. The approval is meant to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the company’s Diamondback 360 degree System used...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(WIT) Wipro Limited Announces Strategic Retailing Solutions
Wipro Technologies, the global IT services business of Wipro Limited (WIT), announced the launch of two strategic retail solutions, Digital Customer Experience Platform and Loss Prevention Platform. Wipro’s Digital Customer Experience Platform (DCP) is a comprehensive solution...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HOT) Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to Expand in China
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (HOT) plans to open two new hotels in China under its Luxury Collection brand. The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to enhance its international business and take advantage of the Chinese economy, which has significant...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SKX) Skechers Sees Robust Fourth Quarter
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (SKX) projected strong fourth-quarter 2009 results amid a challenging retail environment, and expects growth momentum to sustain in fiscal year 2010. Skechers expects fourth-quarter revenue to be more than $385 million, an increase of over $87 million, or...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(FST) Forest Oil Corporation’s Texas Wells Strike Big
With the announcement of tremendous production results from two of its latest Texas wells, shares of Forest Oil Corporation (FST) jumped more than 10% yesterday to a 52-week high of $27.70. The third and fourth wells in the Texas Panhandle Granite Wash region came in with an...
15Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued