Jim Cramer Blog

The Dow dropped 362 points and the Nasdaq fell 64 points Thursday, crushing the stock market. The Chairman & CEO of Merriman Curhan Ford & Co, Jonathan Merriman, joined the show to discuss stocks he feels have potential in the selloff. Merriman likes Smith & Wesson (SWHC) here and thinks it's a huge opportunity to buy the stock while it's low. Macke still likes video game stocks like Electronic Arts (ERTS) and Activision (ATVI). Adami recommends buying Aministaff (ASF). Finerman likes NYMEX (NMX) and Crocs (CROX). Merriman thinks she is very early to be buying CROX here. Najarian favors Manitowoc (MTW).
The founder and president of Seabreeze partner, Doug Kass, joined the show to give his take on the mortgage insurers. Kass thinks names like Ambac (ABK), PMI Group
(PMI) and MBIA (MBI) don't have enough capital to keep running. Kass also says his sources are telling him that Citigroup (C) will get rid of CEO Chuck Prince this weekend. Charlie Gasparino joined the show to discuss his take on the CEO turmoil at Citigroup and agrees with Kass and expects that Citigroup CEO, Chuck Prince, is about to get the axe.
Najarian feels that Bear Stearns (BSC) and Merrill Lynch (MER) would benefit the most from a management change. Finerman is long Goldman Sachs (GS) and short Merrill.
Word on the Street
Crude oil traded over $96 before selling off to close at $93. Adami was surprised that Exxon Mobil (XOM) didn't go lower on Thursday. He sees the valuation on Chevron (CVX) as compelling and there could be a buying opportunity in the stock. Tesoro (TSO) is another name to look at here.
Microsoft (MSFT) bucked the trend on Thursday and finished the day up. Macke still likes Hewlett-Packard (HPQ).
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) plunged 17% after hours on a bearish earnings report.
Pops & Drops
Pops- Investment Technology Group (ITG) traded up 2%.
United Therapeutics (UTHR) popped 38% higher after study results showed its inhaled-high blood drug.
Drops- Sprint Nextel (S) fell 3% after profits fell 73% in the third quarter.
Manitowoc (MTW) fell 11% off of concerns for the crane maker's backlog.
Garmin (GRMN) fell 7% on concerns over a bidding war with TomTom for Tele Atlas.
Target (TGT) fell 5%.
Face2Face
Cathy asked if Google, Apple (AAPL) and Research In Motion (RIMM) trying to beat each other for the highest share price? Macke says Apple and Research In Motion have split. He advised Cathy not to believe the hype on stock splits just buy less shares.
Scot from Virginia asked if Adami liked Fluor (FLR). Adami still likes Fluor and he feels the story is still intact.
Another writer asked what Finerman is going to do with BEA Systems (BEAS) with the Oracle (ORCL) deal off. Finerman thinks by the end of the day we will see a deal with Oracle and BEA Systems.
John said he owns some Dicks Sporting Goods (DKS) and knows Najarian likes them as well based partially on their sales of names like Under Armour (UA), Nike (NKE) and Crocs. He asked if the recent sell-off based on Croc's numbers and does this change your bullish sentiment on the company? Najarian tells John that even though there are some concerns for Dicks Sporting Goods, right now he still likes the company.
Final Trade
Macke would buy Electronic Arts (ERTS) on a dip.
Adami favors Intel (INTC).
Finerman prefers Flowserve (FLS).
Najarian recommends buying Cypress Semiconductor (CY) for a solar play.

Labels: ABK, ASF, BSC, CNBC, CROX, Fast Money, Fast Money Recap, MBI, MTW, PMI, SWHC

Symb
Name
Last Trade
Change
Vol. % Change
at Investors.com
LDSH
LADISH COMPANY
40.34 12:01PM ET
1.89 (4.48%)
1,829%

KNSY
KENSEY NASH CP
26.90 12:01PM ET
4.65 (14.74%)
1,750%

ASF
ADMINISTAFF INC
32.01 11:56AM ET
5.52 (14.71%)
1,157%

IBCP
INDEP BK CP MI
16.68 12:01PM ET
2.55 (13.26%)
754%
CBC
CAPITOL BANCORP LTD
29.35 11:56AM ET
1.00 (3.29%)
736%

Labels: ASF, CBC, IBCP, KNSY, LDSH

Symbol
Name
Last Trade
Change
Volume
Related Info
AMCC
APPLIED MICRO
2.84 10:21AM ET
0.69 (19.55%)
21,810,185

TCHCZ
21ST CENTURY HLDG WT
6.50 9:30AM ET
1.49 (18.65%)

NHRXU
NATIONSHEALTH UTS
1.47 10:10AM ET
0.29 (16.38%)
100

ASF
ADMINISTAFF INC
31.82 10:17AM ET
5.71 (15.21%)
1,420,826

IBCP
INDEP BK CP MI
16.74 10:21AM ET
2.49 (12.95%)
180,290

KNSY
KENSEY NASH CP
27.02 10:21AM ET
4.53 (14.36%)
270,937

QFAB
QUAKER FABRIC CP
1.10 10:10AM ET
0.18 (14.06%)
4,180

AGIX
ATHEROGENICS INC
3.19 10:21AM ET
0.46 (12.60%)
2,644,417

EPCT
EPICEPT CORPORATION
3.45 10:21AM ET
0.50 (12.66%)
1,427,439

ANO
ANOORAQ RESOURCES
2.53 10:16AM ET
0.06 (2.32%)
250,400
SPPRP
SUPERTEL HOSP PREF A
12.34 9:52AM ET
1.50 (10.86%)
405

FONRD
FONAR CORP NEW
5.21 10:20AM ET
0.60 (10.33%)
30,081

LEE
LEE ENTERPRISES
28.34 10:16AM ET
2.36 (7.69%)
107,400

CXSP
CHEMGENEX PHARM LTD
9.81 10:20AM ET
0.89 (8.32%)
299

SIFY
SIFY LIMITED ADR
8.48 10:21AM ET
0.72 (7.85%)
407,005

ARCW
ARC WIRELESS SOLUTNS
5.3999 Apr 20
0.0000 (0.00%)
0

FFI
FORTUNE INDUSTRIES
4.05 9:30AM ET
0.04 (0.96%)
100

AVCI
AVICI SYS INC
8.43 10:21AM ET
0.63 (6.95%)
548,126

LIHR
LIHIR GOLD LTD ADR
25.48 10:21AM ET
1.97 (7.18%)
37,735
JAX
J. ALEXANDERS CP
13.60 10:11AM ET
0.34 (2.44%)
2,900

Labels: AGIX, AMCC, ANO, ARCW, ASF, AVCI, CXSP, EPCT, FFI, FONRD, IBCP, JAX, KNSY, LEE, LIHR, NHRXU, QFAB, SIFY, SPPRP, TCHCZ

Administaff (NYSE:ASF - News) said its fourth-quarter net income increased 22% to $13.4 million, or 47 cents a share, from $10.9 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. The provider of human resources services said Monday revenue rose 15% to $352.6 million from $305.6 million. The company's average number of worksite employees paid per month advanced 11% and revenue per worksite employee per month rose 4.1%. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, expected the Houston company to earn 44 cents a share on revenue of $357.6 million for the final quarter of 2006. Administaff's board authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million more shares, bringing the total authorization to 9.5 million shares.
Arch Chemicals (NYSE:ARJ - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $28.3 million, or $1.18 per share, up from a year-ago profit of $3.6 million, or 15 cents a share. The latest results include a number of items, most notably an impairment charge of $23.5 million related to the write-down of goodwill associated with the company's industrial coatings business. Sales rose in the latest three months to $315.9 million from $278.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for loss of 9 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Norwalk, Conn.-based Arch said it expects earnings from continuing operations of $1.90 to $2 per share for fiscal 2007 with sales growth of 3% to 5%. For the first quarter, the company anticipates earnings from continuing operations of 10 to 15 cents a share. Wall Street's current consensus estimates are for earnings of $1.95 a share for 2007 and 30 cents a share for the March period.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - News) was downgraded by Bear Stearns to peer perform from outperform, as uncertainties about the drug-eluting stents market and competitive headwinds make sales growth and cost reductions difficult. Analyst Rick Wise said the fundamentals for the company's peers look better, and therefore he upgraded St. Jude Medical to outperform from peer perform, citing the company's strong product pipeline, its recent sales force investment and cost reduction opportunities.
Boyd Gaming Corp. (NYSE:BYD - News) was downgraded to market perform from outperform at Wachovia Securities.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News) and Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News) have reportedly scuttled merger talks, according to U.K. newspaper The Times (of London).
Calamos Asset Management Inc. (NasdaqGS:CLMS - News) said total assets under management as of Jan. 31 fell to $44.5 billion from $44.7 billion the previous month. The company said its mutual-fund assets fell to $33.1 billion from $33.3 billion, while separate-accounts held steady at $11.4 billion.
China BAK Battery Inc. (NasdaqGM:CBAK - News) reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $3.58 million, or 7 cents a share, up from $3.19 million, or 7 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $43.1 million from $26.1 million.
Chindex International (NasdaqCM:CHDX - News) shares fell after the provider of healthcare products and medical services in China reported a fiscal third-quarter net profit of $679,000, or 9 cents a share. In the same quarter last year, the company posted a net loss of $463,000, or 7 cents a share. Revenue rose to $30.3 million from $22.6 million.
Forward Air Corp. (NasdaqGS:FWRD - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at A.G. Edwards.
Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. (NasdaqGM:EBHI - News) said its President and Chief Executive Fabian Mansson has resigned. The apparel retailer said Howard Gross, a member of the board, has been named interim CEO.
Embarq (NYSE:EQ - News) was downgraded to sell from neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Holly Corp. (NYSE:HOC - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $47.7 million, or 84 cents a share, from $39.9 million, or 65 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding discontinued operations, earnings would have increased to 86 cents a share from 63 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 83 cents a share, on average. Revenue grew 15% to $938.1 million from last year's $812.4 million, with refined product volumes increasing 10%.
MedCath Corp. (NasdaqGM:MDTH - News) was downgraded to market perform from outperform at Wachovia Securities. "While we expect MedCath to grow faster than the rest of the hospital industry, we believe the market is already discounting that superior growth," Analyst William Bonello said in a research note. "Also, the threat of Medicare cuts to hospitals could keep a lid on multiples as the year progresses."
Micrus Endovascular (NasdaqGM:MEND - News) shares dropped after the San Jose, Calif.-based medical device maker reported a fiscal third-quarter net loss of $1 million, or 7 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $1.65 million, or 12 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $15.5 million from $8.09 million.
Mercury General (NYSE:MCY - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose 8.5% to $50.1 million, or 91 cents a share, from $46.2 million, or 84 cents, a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, fourth-quarter earnings of $1.17 a share. The Los Angeles-based life insurance company said net realized investment gains increased to $1.34 million, or 2 cents a share, from $457,000, or a cent a share, in the year-ago period. Net premiums written rose to $740.7 million from $728 million, while net premiums earned rose to $753.9 million from $732.9 million.
Nam Tai Electronics Inc. (NYSE:NTE - News) posted a fourth-quarter loss of $2.3 million, or 5 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $12.7 million, or 29 cents a share. On a non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis, excluding items, the company earned $12.3 million, or 28 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Sales fell 7.1% in the latest three months to $229.6 million from $247.2 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 28 cents a share in the December period. The stock closed Friday at $14.26, down 14 cents.
The Nasdaq Stock Market (NasdaqGS:NDAQ - News) said it failed to secure sufficient support for its planned takeover of the London Stock Exchange.
Nuance Communications (NasdaqGS:NUAN - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at Needham & Co., which cited valuation concerns.
Rainmaker Systems (NasdaqGM:RMKR - News) said it plans to release its fourth-quarter results after the closing bell.
Shares of Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - News) slumped after Bear Stearns downgraded the automotive retailer to peer perform from outperform, due primarily to valuation. Analyst Michael Geoghegan said that with the stock price closing in on his $33 price target, and with the valuation discount relative to its peers narrowing, he urged investors to "take profits."
Published By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: ARJ, ASF, BMY, BSX, BYD, CBAK, CHDX, CLMS, EBHI, EQ, FWRD, HOC, MCY, MDTH, MEND, NDAQ, NTE, NUAN, RMKR, SNY

Friday offered a fistful of convenient scapegoats for investors in need of excuses to take some profits. The damage thus far is minimal, but it will be interesting to see if the current shift in negative sentiment takes hold for more than one or two sessions. Emphasis for Wall Street should continue to shift away from earnings reports and on to the issue of growth, interest rates and energy prices. It will be back to work for economic watchdogs, after a rather light calendar in the week prior. The first half will be light, but the G-7 Summit wrapped up this past weekend might add some volatility as traders digest comments made on foreign exchange policies. Wednesday’s retail sales figures will be watched by traders for any clues that consumer spending trends have changed. That day, however, testimony by Bernanke will undoubtedly take center stage. With a string of data points suggesting that the economy is back on track, investors will be looking to find any signals from the Fed Chief that point towards an interest rate hike. Whether clues from Bernanke are offered will be interesting to see. If disappointed, investors can turn towards a slug of data points on both Thursday and Friday. Readings on the pulse of the economy and price pressures that could impact rate policy will be delivered in force. One of the biggies will be Friday’s CPI data. Wall Street is expecting the core figure to come in at .2%. If the reading comes in higher than expected by just .1% to a level of .3%, it could be enough to sway the outlook on rates towards a tighter monetary policy. That being said, in conjunction with slowing earnings growth, price pressure on equities would likely result in a market long overdue for a period of correction.
Monday Economic: NA
Earnings: Administaff (ASF), Brush EM (BW), Ctrip.com (CTRIP), Cephalon (CEPH), Fording (FDG), iRobot (IRBT), YUM!Brands (YUM)
Tuesday Economic: Trade Balance (-59.5B)
Earnings: Anglogold (AU), Expeditors (EXPD), NASDAQ (NDAQ), Affiliated Computer (ACS), First Solar (FSLR), Invitrogen (IVGN), NVIDIA (NVDA), Watts (WTS), Weight Watchers (WTW), XTO Energy (XTO)
Wednesday Economic: Retail Sales / ex-auto (.3%, .3%), Weekly Crude, Business Inv (.4%)Earnings: Coca Cola (KO), Daktronics (DAKT), Deere (DE), Garmin (GRMN), Genzyme (GENZ), PF Changs (PFCB), Baidu (BIDU), Evergreen Solar (ESLR), Network App (NTAP), NutriSystem (NTRI)
ThursdayEconomic: Import / Export, Weekly Claims (310K), NY Empire (11), Ind Prod / Cap Util (0%, 81.7%), Philly Fed (5)
Earnings: Agilent (A), Biogen (BIIB), Hornbeck (HOS), Lifetime Fitness (LTM), Lufkin (LUFK), Olympic Steel (ZEUS), TradeStation (TRAD), aQuantive (AQNT), Bucyrus (BUCY), Chipotle (CMG), Hittite Micro (HITT)
FridayEconomic: Housing Starts / Bldg Permits (1.61M, 1.59M), PPI & Core (-.6%, .2%), Michigan (97)
Earnings: Campbell (CPB), Goodyear (GT), Hormel (HRL), OGE Energy (OGE)
Published By Optionetics.com

Labels: ACS, ASF, AU, BIIB, BW, CEPH, CMG, CTRIP, DAKT, EXPD, FDG, FSLR, GENZ, HRL, IRBT, IVGN, NDAQ, NTAP, TRAD, YUM

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Monday from TradingMarkets.com:
Administaff (NYSE:ASF - News) reports quarterly earnings on Monday before the market opens; watch for $0.44 EPS. ASF's PowerRating is 5.
Brown & Brown (NYSE:BRO - News) announces earnings on Monday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.27 EPS. BRO's PowerRating is 4.
Brush Engineered Materials (NYSE:BW - News) is expected to announce $0.41 EPS before the bell Monday. BW's PowerRating is 6.
Comstock (NYSE:CRK - News) is looking to report $0.42 EPS early Monday morning. CRK's PowerRating is 6.
When Ecolab (NYSE:ECL - News) announces earnings Monday morning, look for $0.34 EPS. ECL's PowerRating is 6.
Loews Corporation (NYSE:LTR - News) should report $0.95 EPS on Monday before the market opens. LTR's PowerRating is 6.
Valspar Corporation (NYSE:VAL - News) is expected to report $0.26 EPS Monday morning. VAL's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ASF, BRO, BW, CRK, ECL, Hot Stocks, LTR, VAL