Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Goldman Sachs Aug 250 Calls (NYSE:GS - News). GS' PowerRating is 5.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Mastercard Inc. July 150 Puts (NYSE:MA). MA's PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Google Inc. July 580 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG). GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Oil Services HOLDRs Aug 165 Puts (AMEX:OIH). OIH's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (NYSE:ACH). ACH's PowerRating is 2.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None Today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Starbucks Corp. (NasdaqGS:SBUX). SBUX's PowerRating is 4.
Shanda Interactive (NasdaqGS:SNDA). SNDA's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ACH, GOOG, GS, Hot Stocks, MA, OIH, SBUX, SNDA

Symbol
Name
Last Trade
Change
Volume
Related Info
FFFD
NORTH CENTRAL BCSH
40.22 10:28AM ET
17.93 (80.44%)
2,200

CSNC
CARDINAL STATE BANK
17.01 10:30AM ET
4.35 (34.36%)
15,952

KUN
CHINA SHENGHUO PHARM
6.00 10:25AM ET
1.27 (26.85%)
52,400

SDTH
SHENGDATECH INC
5.86 10:32AM ET
1.17 (24.95%)
458,113
PENN
PENN NATL GAMING I
61.95 10:32AM ET
10.81 (21.14%)
3,045,402
EPCT
EPICEPT CORPORATION
2.55 10:31AM ET
0.37 (17.02%)
2,025,255
MPZ
MPC CORPORATION
1.40 10:25AM ET
0.15 (11.99%)
24,600

DRA
COINMACH SVC CL A
13.24 10:25AM ET
1.53 (13.07%)
1,513,900
SVLF
SILVERLEAF RESORTS
5.32 10:30AM ET
0.62 (13.19%)
177,449
EXPEZ
EXPEDIA INC WARRANT
14.94 10:22AM ET
1.90 (14.57%)
40,430

CVO
CENVEO INC
24.96 10:26AM ET
2.38 (10.54%)
347,400
CXSP
CHEMGENEX PHARM LTD
12.16 10:11AM ET
0.40 (3.40%)
800

HANS
HANSEN NATURAL COR
43.80 10:32AM ET
3.86 (9.66%)
2,484,741

TBV
TIENS BIOTECH GR USA
3.85 10:08AM ET
0.22 (6.06%)
12,800

ACH
ALUMINUM CP CHIN ADS
42.02 10:27AM ET
3.27 (8.44%)
626,500



EXPE
EXPEDIA, INC.
26.58 10:32AM ET
2.12 (8.67%)
3,115,046
AXK
ACCELR8 TECH CORP
2.09 10:19AM ET
0.09 (4.50%)
12,000

LTS
LADENBURG THALMANN
2.53 10:26AM ET
0.15 (6.30%)

HEII
HEI INC
1.12 9:58AM ET
0.06 (5.66%)
4,650

Labels: ACH, AXK, CSNC, CVO, CXSP, DRA, EPCT, EXPE, EXPEZ, FFFD, HANS, HEII, KUN, LTS, MPZ, PENN, SDTH, SVLF, TBV

Bullish:
Networks (NasdaqGM: ARUN): 'Blowout quarter last week ... How about we wait for a pullback, before we back up the truck... If it goes below $20, you've got to be willing to pull the trigger.'Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER): ' MER is not going to have any problem going over $100.00 ... Because MER is incredibly well-run. The sub-prime problems are in the past ... That stock needs to go higher right now. Buy, buy, buy!'Level 3 Communications (NasdaqGS: LVLT): 'I think this stock is going to finish the year - yes, and if I may be so bold... - at between $7 and $8. So any one of these declines is just another opportunity to load the boat up with LVLT.'Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT): 'I got behind WMT in the mid-$40s, and I am not backing away now at $50. It's got much more upside.'Alcoa (NYSE: AA): ' I think Alcoa and Alcan are going to merge... You know I think that AA is not going to be public in a year if they don't get that deal...'Alcan (NYSE: AL)Dominion Resources (NYSE: D): 'I think that one may be a better diversified utility company than yours (Targa Resources). So let's make that switch.'Research In Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM): 'That has the better fundamentals (than Palm.)'Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX)Qualcomm (NasdaqGS: QCOM): 'If you want to be in a semiconductor play that has to do with cell, I will send you to QualComm.'BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) CVRD (NYSE: RIO): ' ... among the cheapest mineral stocks ... It's just too darn cheap, too well-run and, ever since they were able to buy the largest nickel company ... this thing wreaks of monopoly!'Barnes & Noble (NYSE: BKS): 'I actually like very much the Barnes & Noble quarter, and they're buying back a lot of stock.'
Bearish calls:
Target (NYSE: TGT): ' ... sell, sell, sell... let's take a little off the table, and go into Wal-Mart.Aluminum Corp. of China (NYSE: ACH) 'The Chinese market is overheated. I liked this stock initially as a dividend play. Now that it only yields 2%.'Targa Resources (NasdaqGM: NGLS)Palm (NasdaqGS: PALM): 'You got lucky. I need you out of PALM. I would rather see you in Research In Motion ... You just lucky with that Elevation bid... I want to head to the hills, PALM. Sell, sell, sell!'Scholastic (NasdaqGS: SCHL): 'Oh, way too inconsistent. It's really hurt a lot of people.'Tesoro (NYSE: TSO): 'I want you to sell that. That move has peaked. Those margins cannot be sustained ... 'Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO): 'I want TSO and VLO sold.'RF Micro Devices (NasdaqGS: RFMD): 'I am not going to bless RFMD. Not on this show. No way ... I understand the speculative desire for RFMD, but I am not going to tell you to stay with it.'

Labels: AA, ACH, AL, ARUN, BHP, BKS, D, FCX, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, MER, NGLS, PALM, QCOM, RIMM, RIO, TGT, WMT

1. General Maritime (GMR)
Yield: 12%. The provider of seaborne oil transportation services was just 6% off a 52-week high. Earnings grew 321% and 97% in the past two quarters. It recently entered into time agreements for three of its tankers. Composite Rating: 95*

2. Southern Copper (PCU)
Yield: 9.6%. The Arizona-based copper producer continued to head higher after a rebound from its 10-week moving average. Earnings and sales growth has accelerated for four straight quarters. The stock owns the best Fundamental Rating in the 60-member Metal Ores group. Composite Rating: 99

3. Seaspan (SSW)
Yield: 6.6%. The China-based firm owns containerships and deploys a fleet of vessels for time charters. Analysts expect full-year 2007 profit to grow 22% this year, the estimate was recently revised higher. Composite Rating: 93

4. Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH)
Yield: 5%. China’s biggest aluminum producer is pulling back to its 50-day moving average on light volume. Earnings and sales growth has turned higher in recent quarters. Composite Rating: 98

5. Valero GP Holdings (VEH)
Yield: 4.7%. The Texas based provider of oil transportation and storage services delivered a 200% surge in profit in its latest reported quarter. Last month, Citigroup upgraded the stock to buy from hold. Composite Rating: 95

6. Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI)
Yield: 3.9%. Earlier this month, the television broadcaster revised its 2007 retransmission revenue estimate after it reached an agreement with Comcast allowing the cable company to carry Sinclair’s stations. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Composite Rating: 96

7. Mechel OAO (MTL)
Yield: 3.8%. The Russian maker of steel products said it would acquire a majority stake in Southern Kuzbass Power Plant for $265.5 million. Full-year 2007 profit is expected to grow 24%, the estimate was recently revised higher. Composite Rating: 99

8. Partner Communications (PTNR)
Yield: 3.7%. The provider of wireless communications products continued to recover from a pullback to its 50-day line. Earnings growth has been in triple-digit territory for two quarters. Sales growth has been rising. Composite Rating: 99

9. Tupperware Brands (TUP)
Yield: 3.6%. Matrix Research upgraded the food container maker to buy from hold. Revenue growth has ranged from 30% to 46% in the past four quarters, up from the single-digit territory throughout 2004 and 2005. The stock was perched near a 52-week high. Composite Rating: 87

10. Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PHI)
Yield: 3.2%. Mutual fund ownership of the Filipino telecommunications services company has increased to 60 funds from 39 three quarters ago. It owns three-year earnings growth rate of 138%. Composite Rating: 98

*The IBD SmartSelect Composite Rating combines all five SmartSelect Ratings. Of the five, the Earnings Per Share Rating and Relative Price Strength Rating get the most weight; stocks’ percentage off their high price is also considered. Ratings are from 1-99, with 99 being the best.

Labels: ACH, Dividends, GMR, Hot Stocks, MTL, PCU, PHI, PTNR, SBGI, SSW, TUP, VEH

U.S.-listed shares of Chinese companies plunged in the wake of the overnight sell-off in Shanghai. Shares of Mindray Medical (NYSE:MR - News), Guangshen Railway Company Ltd. (NYSE:GSH - News), Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL - News), China Southern Airlines (NYSE:ZNH - News) and Aluminum Corp. China (NYSE:ACH - News) all fell on heavier-than-average volume.
Shares of 11 exchange traded funds based on Asian markets fell sharply Tuesday, reflecting fears of economic upset after the Shanghai stock market fell almost 9% overnight. ETFs such as iShares:FTSE/Xinhua (NYSE:FXI - News), PowerShares Golden Dragon (AMEX:PGJ - News) and iShares MSCI Singapore Index Fund (AMEX:EWS - News) were hit hard.
Apple Inc. (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News) shares slumped after the company said Monday it would delay the release of its AppleTV set-top box product until mid-March. The AppleTV had originally been scheduled to be shipped in February, but an Apple spokeswoman said, "Wrapping up AppleTV is taking a few weeks longer than we projected."
AutoZone Inc. (NYSE:AZO - News) said second-quarter net income for the three months ended Feb. 10 rose 6.2% to $103 million, or $1.46 a share, from $97 million, or $1.25 a share in the year-ago period. Sales rose to $1.3 billion from $1.25 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of $1.45 a share and revenue of $1.3 billion, on average.
Blockbuster Inc.'s (NYSE:BBI - News) fourth-quarter profit dropped sharply on higher corporate expenses, the video rental company said Tuesday. Blockbuster earned $12.9 million, or 5 cents a share, down from $18 million, or 9 cents, in the fourth quarter of 2005. On an adjusted basis, the company said it would have earned $20.4 million, or 9 cents a share, vs. $25.0 million, or 12 cents. Revenue came in up 1.4% to $1.51 billion on an increase in worldwide same-store merchandise sales -- sales at stores open more than a year -- and favorable currency. The average estimate of analyst polled by Thomson Financial had been for Blockbuster to earn 5 cents a share on revenue of $1.47 billion.
Cabela's Inc. (NYSE:CAB - News) said it is filing a preliminary prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a public offering of 4.1 million shares.
CBRE Realty Finance Inc. (NYSE:CBF - News) shares dropped after the Hartford, Conn.-based commercial real estate finance company reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $3.5 million, or 12 cents a share, up from $1.73 million, or 9 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Adjusted funds from operations rose to $5.9 million, or 19 cents a share, from $2.5 million, or 13 cents a share, last year. Revenue rose to $25.6 million from $8.78 million. For fiscal 2007, CBRE expects earnings of 86 cents to 96 cents a share and adjusted funds from operations of $1.10 to $1.20 a share.
Centennial Communications Corp. (NasdaqGS:CYCL - News) said certain affiliates of the Blackstone Group have agreed to sell 10 million shares of Centennial's common stock in an underwritten public offering at a price of $8.05 per share. Wall, N.J.-based Centennial, a provider of wireless and communications services, will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares. Following the completion of the offering, the Blackstone Group affiliates will own 15.17 million shares of Centennial's common stock. Centennial shares fell 8.4% to $8.04 in Tuesday morning trade.
Covanta Holding Corp. (NYSE:CVA - News) reported fourth-quarter net income doubled to 8 cents a share as revenue rose to $317.9 million from $303.4 million.
Delphi Corp. (Other OTC:DPHIQ.PK - News) said fourth-quarter losses widened to $853 million from $828 million a year ago. The loss for the quarter ending December includes $200 million in impairment charges. Revenue fell to $6.4 billion from last year's $6.8 billion, while non-General Motors revenue was flat at $3.7 billion. For all of 2006, the bankrupt Troy, Mich. maker of auto parts lost $5.5 billion, which includes $3 billion in charges related to the attrition of more than 20,000 employees.
Dillard's Inc. (NYSE:DDS - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $155 million, or $1.90 a share, from $98.5 million, or $1.24 a share, a year earlier. Results for the quarter ending Feb. 3 include an interest credit of 8 cents a share and a tax benefit of 79 cents a share. Excluding these non-recurring items, earnings would have been $1.03 a share. Revenue increased 3.3% to $2.46 billion from last year's $2.38 billion, while same-store sales declined 4%. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of $1.09 a share and revenue of $2.42 billion, on average. Shares of the Little Rock, Ark. department store chain closed Monday down 3 cents at $34.97.
DTE Energy Co. (NYSE:DTE - News) reported fourth-quarter net income fell to 79 cents a share from $2.14 a share in the year-earlier quarter.
Dynegy Inc. (NYSE:DYN - News)said it swung to a fourth-quarter net loss of $58 million, or 12 cents a share. The firm reported a profit of $293 million, or 74 cents a share a year earlier, which included a $690 million gain from discontinued operations. Revenue for the quarter fell 36.2% to $397 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a loss of 4 cents a share. The firm said its proposed combination with LS Power remains on track for completion at the end of the first quarter of 2007. The deal is expected to provide more predictable cash flows, the company noted. It added its Midwest and Northeast regions delivered a stronger performance due to higher prices realized, though volumes were lower. The company cut its 2007 operating cash flow estimate to a range of $500 million to $600 million from a range of $600 million to $700 million due to a change in the timing of forward sales receipts. It maintained its forecast for 2007 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization of $1.02 billion to $1.13 billion.
Federated Department Stores Inc. (NYSE:FD - News) turned in higher fourth-quarter earnings that included hefty charges, including a loss on the sale of bridal group businesses, but offered a sharply lower-than-expected forecast. But the retailer attempted to upstage that news with a plan to change its corporate name to Macy's Group Inc. At the same time, Federated also upped its share buyback program and announced a quarterly dividend.
Focus Media Holding Ltd., (NasdaqGM:FMCN - News) the Shanghai advertising company, reported fourth-quarter net income more than tripled as revenue nearly tripled to $68.3 million.

Published By MarketWatch

Labels: AAPL, ACH, AZO, BBI, CAB, CBF, CVA, CYCL, DDS, DTE, DYN, EWS, FD, FMCN, FXI, GSH, MR, PGJ, TSL, ZNH

DeclinersAcco Brands Corp. (NYSE:ABD - News) was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse.
Allstate (NYSE:ALL - News) reported a 17% increase in fourth-quarter profit, but the insurer's results missed analyst estimates and the company said it will stop giving profit forecasts.
Calumet Specialty Products (NasdaqGM:CLMT - News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at Goldman Sachs.
Celestica (NYSE:CLS - News) shares fell after the company said its fourth-quarter net loss widened to $60.8 million, or 27 cents a share, from $28.2 million, or 12 cents a share, as costs of sales rose. The most recent quarter's results include a $30 million net charge related to an increase in inventory at a Mexico facility and a $59 million restructuring charge. Excluding amortization of intangible assets, among other items, the Canada-based provider of electronics manufacturing services posted per-share earnings of 3 cents vs. 13 cents in the prior year. Revenue rose 9% to $2.26 billion from $2.08 billion. The company sees an adjusted first-quarter per-share loss of 4 to 15 cents, on revenue of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The company was also downgraded to underperform from peer perform at Bear Stearns.
U.S.-listed shares of Chinese companies fell, tracking steep losses in their home market after a senior legislator said the market may be overheated after a 130% gain in 2006. The comments by Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, in an interview with the Financial Times, raised concerns the Chinese government may take official action to cool speculation after the market hit a record high last week. Chinese ADRs such as Guangshen Railway (NYSE:GSH - News), China Mobile (NYSE:CHL - News), Aluminum Corp. China (NYSE:ACH - News), China Life Insurance (NYSE:LFC - News) and Sinopec (NYSE:SNP - News) were all markedly lower.
Electronics For Imaging's (NasdaqGS:EFII - News) fourth-quarter earnings fell 38% to $7.08 million, or 12 cents a share, from $11.4 million, or 18 cents a share, a year earlier. On a non-GAAP basis, the Foster City, Calif., provider of digital controllers said earnings fell to $22.6 million, or 35 cents a share, from $23.1 million, or 36 cents a share. Revenue rose 5.8% to $153.9 million from $145.4 million in the year-ago period. The company expects to delay its Form 10-K filing for 2006 due to its ongoing stock-option grant investigation. The company sees first-quarter non-GAAP earnings of 25 to 27 cents a share on revenue of $140 million to $143 million.
Haemonetics' (NYSE:HAE - News) shares tumbled after the maker of automated blood processing systems provider forecast earnings of adjusted $2.05 to $2.17 per share for fiscal 2007 with revenue expected to rise between 7% and 9%. The company said this view reflect expectations for continued sales declines in its Japanese business.
Juniper Networks Inc. (NasdaqGS:JNPR - News) reported fourth-quarter revenue rose 4% to $595.8 million, from $575.5 during the same period one year ago. The sales figure slightly topped the estimates of Wall Street analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who had forecast $593 million.
Key Tronic (NasdaqGM:KTCC - News) shares dropped after the Spokane, Wash., provider of electronic manufacturing services posted a second-quarter profit of $300,000, or 3 cents a share, down from a profit of $1 million, or 10 cents a share, last year. The latest results include a charge of $940,000 related to a customer unexpectedly declaring bankruptcy in December. Key Tronic also said that new customer programs weren't enough to offset reduced demand from certain existing customers in the latest quarter.
Manitowoc Co. (NYSE:MTW - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $43.9 million, or 69 cents a share, compared with $18.2 million, or 30 cents a share, in the same period last year, on strong revenues in the company's crane segment.
NutriSystem (NasdaqGS:NTRI - News) shares fell after the Horsham, Pa., provider of weight management and fitness products and services forecast first-quarter earnings of 82 to 86 cents a share on revenue of between $200 million and $210 million. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of 94 cents a share in March period on revenue of $214 million.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:REGN - News) was initiated with an average rating at Caris & Co.
Repros Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqGM:RPRX - News) announced the pricing of its public offering of 2.61 million shares at $13.75 each. The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 390,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments, if any, the company said.
Saifun Semiconductor (NasdaqGS:SFUN - News) shares slumped after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $6.3 million, or 20 cents per share, down from a year-ago profit of $8.6 million, or 15 cents a share. Revenue at the Israeli chip company declined to $14 million in the quarter from $16.7 million a year ago.
SanDisk (NasdaqGS:SNDK - News) said it swung to a fourth-quarter loss from a year ago, hurt by acquisition-related charges, as sales surged amid increased demand for its NAND flash-memory storage chips used in consumer electronics.
Sepracor Inc. (NasdaqGS:SEPR - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $99.1 million, or 85 cents a share, from $36.9 million, or 31 cents a share, a year earlier. The results include a 12 cents a share charge for stock-based compensation. Revenue increased to $357.2 million from last year's $311.1 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 62 cents a share and revenue of $341.4 million, on average.
Selective Insurance Group (NasdaqGS:SIGI - News) was initiated with a market perform rating at Wachovia Securities, citing concerns about increasing competition.
Silicon Laboratories (NasdaqGS:SLAB - News) forecast revenue of $106 million to $111 million for the fiscal first quarter, below Wall Street's current consensus estimate for revenue of $113.5 million in the March period.
Tekelec (NasdaqGM:TKLC - News) was downgraded to hold at Jefferies & Co.
Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX - News) reported fourth-quarter net income of $1.75 billion, or 44 cents a share, up from $1.3 billion, or 28 cents, earned in the same period during 2005. Earnings from continuing operations improved to 43 cents a share from 28 cents, the New York-based media giant's results showed. Backing out one-time items, Time Warner said it would have earned 22 cents a share for the latest quarter. Quarterly revenue reached $12.47 billion from the prior year's $11.52 billion. Analysts were looking for earnings of 22 cents a share on revenue of $12.46 billion, according to estimates compiled by Thomson First Call. The company also said it expects to wrap up a $20 billion stock-buyback program during the first half of 2007.
Tupperware Brands Corp. (NYSE:TUP - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $39.9 million, or 65 cents a share, up 28% from $31.2 million, or 51 cents a share, during the year-ago period. Earnings after adjustments were 74 cents a share.
Websense (NasdaqGS:WBSN - News) shares tumbled after the company said its fourth-quarter earnings fell 30%, due in part to the cost of starting distribution of its software through Ingram Micro Inc. in North America. The San Diego provider of employee Internet management software had fourth-quarter earnings of $7.78 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with $11.1 million, or 23 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, the company earned $11.4 million, or 25 cents a share, up 3% from a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 18% to $47.3 million from $40.1 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 25 cents a share on revenue of $48 million. Analyst earnings forecasts typically exclude unusual items. In addition, Websense said it expects first-quarter earnings of 9 to 11 cents a share and first-quarter non-GAAP earnings of 19 to 21 cents a share.
W Holding Co. (NYSE:WHI - News) shares fell after the company posted a profit of $17.9 million, or 5 cents a share, for the fourth quarter, down nearly 41% from last year's earnings of $30.2 million, or 12 cents a share. The holding company for Westernbank Puerto Rico attributed the latest results to increases in its current income tax provision, non-interest expenses, and its provision for loan losses.
YMI Biosciences (AMEX:YMI - News) shares plunged after the company said it's terminating a phase III trial of testmilifene, a proposed advanced breast cancer treatment. The company said the move follows a recommendation from the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board that the trial be stopped because interim analysis indicates "it is very unlikely significant differences in overall survival will be shown" between treatment arms as the data mature. A.G. Edwards downgraded the company to hold from buy following the news.
Published by Michael Baron at MarketWatch

Labels: ABD, ACH, ALL, CHL, CLMT, CLS, EFII, GSH, H. SNDK, HAE, JNPR, KTCC, LFC, MTW, NTRI, REGN, SNP

Acco Brands Corp. (NYSE:ABD - News) was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse.
Align Technology (NasdaqGM:ALGN - News) was downgraded to market perform from outperform at Barrington Research, citing valuation.
Allergan Inc. (NYSE:AGN - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $136.8 million, or 89 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $140.1 million, or $1.03 a share. On an adjusted basis, excluding certain charges, the company earned $156.5 million, or $1.02 a share, in the latest quarter. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of $1.02 a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Irvine, Calif., medical and healthcare products company said it expects adjusted earnings of $4.27 to $4.31 a share for fiscal 2007 on total product net sales of between $3.46 billion and $3.63 billion. For the first quarter, it sees adjusted earnings of 88 to 90 cents a share on total product net sales of between $830 million and $850 million. Wall Street's current consensus estimates are for earnings of $4.31 a share for the year and 98 cents a share for the March quarter.
Allstate (NYSE:ALL - News) reported a 17% increase in fourth-quarter profit, but the insurer's results missed analyst estimates and the company said it will stop giving profit forecasts.
Buckeye Technologies' (NYSE:BKI - News) said second-quarter net income more than doubled to $3.82 million, or 10 cents a share, from $1.85 million, or 5 cents a share, a year earlier, as the company cut costs. The Memphis cellulose and absorbent products company's sales dropped 1.9% to $184.7 million from $188.3 million. Costs of goods sold fell 4.2% to $155.7 million from $162.5 million. On average, analysts expected the company to post earnings of 11 cents a share and revenue of $199.5 million, according to Thomson Financial.
Calumet Specialty Products (NasdaqGM:CLMT - News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at Goldman Sachs.
Celestica (NYSE:CLS - News) shares fell after the company said its fourth-quarter net loss widened to $60.8 million, or 27 cents a share, from $28.2 million, or 12 cents a share, as costs of sales rose. The most recent quarter's results include a $30 million net charge related to an increase in inventory at a Mexico facility and a $59 million restructuring charge. Excluding amortization of intangible assets, among other items, the Canada-based provider of electronics manufacturing services posted per-share earnings of 3 cents vs. 13 cents in the prior year. Revenue rose 9% to $2.26 billion from $2.08 billion. The company sees an adjusted first-quarter per-share loss of 4 to 15 cents, on revenue of $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion. The company was also downgraded to underperform from peer perform at Bear Stearns.
U.S.-listed shares of Chinese companies fell, tracking steep losses in their home market after a senior legislator said the market may be overheated after a 130% gain in 2006. The comments by Cheng Siwei, vice-chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, in an interview with the Financial Times, raised concerns the Chinese government may take official action to cool speculation after the market hit a record high last week. Chinese ADRs such as Guangshen Railway (NYSE:GSH - News), China Mobile (NYSE:CHL - News), Aluminum Corp. China (NYSE:ACH - News), China Life Insurance (NYSE:LFC - News) and Sinopec (NYSE:SNP - News) were all markedly lower.
Electronics For Imaging's (NasdaqGS:EFII - News) fourth-quarter earnings fell 38% to $7.08 million, or 12 cents a share, from $11.4 million, or 18 cents a share, a year earlier. On a non-GAAP basis, the Foster City, Calif., provider of digital controllers said earnings fell to $22.6 million, or 35 cents a share, from $23.1 million, or 36 cents a share. Revenue rose 5.8% to $153.9 million from $145.4 million in the year-ago period. The company expects to delay its Form 10-K filing for 2006 due to its ongoing stock-option grant investigation. The company sees first-quarter non-GAAP earnings of 25 to 27 cents a share on revenue of $140 million to $143 million.
Haemonetics' (NYSE:HAE - News) shares tumbled after the maker of automated blood processing systems provider forecast earnings of adjusted $2.05 to $2.17 per share for fiscal 2007 with revenue expected to rise between 7% and 9%. The company said this view reflect expectations for continued sales declines in its Japanese business.
Juniper Networks Inc. (NasdaqGS:JNPR - News) reported fourth-quarter revenue rose 4% to $595.8 million, from $575.5 during the same period one year ago. The sales figure slightly topped the estimates of Wall Street analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who had forecast $593 million.
Key Tronic (NasdaqGM:KTCC - News) shares dropped after the Spokane, Wash., provider of electronic manufacturing services posted a second-quarter profit of $300,000, or 3 cents a share, down from a profit of $1 million, or 10 cents a share, last year. The latest results include a charge of $940,000 related to a customer unexpectedly declaring bankruptcy in December. Key Tronic also said that new customer programs weren't enough to offset reduced demand from certain existing customers in the latest quarter.
Manitowoc Co. (NYSE:MTW - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $43.9 million, or 69 cents a share, compared with $18.2 million, or 30 cents a share, in the same period last year, on strong revenues in the company's crane segment.
NutriSystem (NasdaqGS:NTRI - News) shares fell after the Horsham, Pa., provider of weight management and fitness products and services forecast first-quarter earnings of 82 to 86 cents a share on revenue of between $200 million and $210 million. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of 94 cents a share in March period on revenue of $214 million.
Public Service Enterprise Group (NYSE:PEG - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations fell to $173 million, or 69 cents a share, from $227 million, or 92 cents, a year earlier. The average earnings estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial was 74 cents a share.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:REGN - News) was initiated with an average rating at Caris & Co.
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