Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and is based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News) & Oil States (NYSE:OIS - News). BEC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6, and OIS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Ampco-Pittsburgh (NYSE:AP - News). AP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Stocks Down 10% or More: These are stocks that have lost 10% or more over the past five days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that have lost 10% or more over the past five days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Palm (NasdaqGS:PALM - News). PALM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
US Bancorp (NYSE:USB - News). USB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO - News). ARO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Stocks Up 10% or More: These are stocks that have gained 10% or more over the past five days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that have gained 10% or more over the past five days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH - News). LEH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AP, ARO, BEC, Hot Stocks, LEH, OIS, PALM, USB

Here are 7 options to watch for today.
Most Under-Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual calls.
Garmin Dec 70 Calls (NasdaqGS:GRMN - News). GRMN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Most Under-Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual puts.
Beckman Coulter Dec 65 Puts (NYSE:BEC - News). BEC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual calls.
Crocs Nov 85 Calls (NYSE:CROX - News). CROX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual puts.
Google Nov 600 Puts (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR - News). ANR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
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.
GenProbe (NasdaqGS:GPRO - News). GPRO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
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 (NYSE:SBUX - News). SBUX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ANR, BEC, CROX, GOOG, GPRO, GRMN, SBUX, stock options

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Boyd Gaming (NYSE:BYD) & Eastman Kodak (NYSE:EK). BYD's PowerRating is 7, and EK's PowerRating is 8.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC) & Bank of New York (NYSE:BK). BEC's PowerRating is 6, and BK's PowerRating is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers (NasdaqGS:JOSB). JOSB's PowerRating is 8.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Progressive Gaming International (NasdaqGM:PGIC). PGIC's PowerRating is 2.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
DexCom (NasdaqGM:DXCM). DXCM's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BEC, BK, BYD, DXCM, EK, Hot Stocks, JOSB, PGIC

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Getty Images (NYSE:GYI - News) beat earnings on Tuesday after the close, announcing $0.68 EPS over an expected $0.62 EPS. GYI's PowerRating is 5.

Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH - News) beat earnings on Tuesday, with $0.34 EPS over a consensus of $0.31 EPS. MOH's PowerRating is 6.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News) announces earnings on Wednesday before the bell; watch for $0.59 EPS. BEC's PowerRating is 4.
CIGNA (NYSE:CI - News) reports earnings on Wednesday morning, with analysts looking for $2.51 EPS. CI's PowerRating is 5.
When Dominion (NYSE:D - News) reports earnings before the market opens on Wednesday, look for $1.48 EPS. D's PowerRating is 5.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News) should report $0.58 EPS before the bell Wednesday. PDE's PowerRating is 5.
Analysts will be watching for Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S - News) to announce $0.24 EPS tomorrow morning. S's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BEC, CI, D, Hot Stocks, MOH, PDE, S

Stocks traded aimlessly again today as investors waited for the start of earnings season, which traditionally kicks off with an announcement from aluminum producer Alcoa (NYSE: AA - News). The major market averages all managed to post modest gains. Oil prices were also higher, as was the 10-year Treasury note, which saw its yield drop to 4.72%.
Housing was once again in the spotlight as homebuilder D.R Horton (NYSE: DHI - News) announced that is Q2 sales orders fell 37% overall, paced by even steeper declines in the formerly booming California and the Southwest markets. The company's net orders totaled 9,983 homes, down from 15,771 homes last year. Horton's Q2 ended March 31st. The stock closed -1.5% lower.
In corporate news, Swedish telecom equipment maker LM Ericsson (Nasdaq: ERIC - News) signed a deal to manage a portion of the European network of Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News). Ericsson's shares added 3.6% on the news. Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) was up 1.6% as investors waited for the results of its long-anticipated cost review. Generic drugmaker Mylan Laboratories (NYSE: MYL - News) rose 2.8% after it raised its 2007 profit forecast to a range of $1.60 to $1.63 a share, up from its previous guidance of $1.50 to $1.55 per share. Mylan cited strength in its generics business, including new product launches, for its upbeat forecast.
The flip side of the drug business was exemplified by biopharmaceutical company Adolor (Nasdaq: ADLR - News), which saw its shares plunge -58.7% after it announced that it stopped a study of a new drug to treat opioid-induced (OIC) constipation over safety concerns. The drug, Entereg, was being developed in association with British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK - News). Several analysts swiftly issued downgrades for Adolor, while Brean Murray Carret reiterated its "sell" recommendation. Progenics Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PGNX - News), which submitted its own OIC compound for FDA approval last Friday along with partner Wyeth (NYSE: WYE - News), added 1.5% today.
Shares of ImClone Systems (Nasdaq: IMCL - News) also slid -6.4% on poor trial results. The company said a late-stage trial of its cancer drug Erbitux failed to extend survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Erbitux is already approved for treatment of colorectal cancer, and head and neck cancer.
In M&A news, Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News) said it will enter merger talks with Inverness Medical Innovations (NYSE: IMA - News), which last week offered $90 a share for the maker of medical diagnostic tests. IMA's bid topped an earlier offer from Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News) of $85. All three companies are in the business of making medical test products.

Labels: AA, ADLR, BEC, BSTE, C, DHI, ERIC, GSK, IMA, IMCL, MYL, PGNX, VOD, WYE

Stocks traded modestly higher to record their sixth-straight advance ahead of a three-day weekend. Despite the gains, there was little news to propel a stronger advance. One exception was DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX - News), which gained 5.3% on a report that it had a cash offer on the table for its Chrysler unit. Oil prices declined slightly, and the 10-year Treasury note also closed lower.

The activity in DaimlerChrysler was spurred by a report in The Wall Street Journal that investor Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. offered to buy Chrysler for $4.5 billion in cash. Kerkorian had been an active investor in Chrysler before it merged with Daimler Benz. He recently sold his 10% stake in General Motors (NYSE: GM - News), which gained 2.8% today.
Tech stocks came under some pressure early in the session after Micron Technology (NYSE: MU - News) posted a fiscal Q2 loss late Wednesday. The flash memory maker posted a loss of -$52 million for the quarter ended March 30th, or -7 cents per share, compared with a profit of $193 million, or 29 cents per share, last year. Wall Street expected the company to lose a penny a share. The stock traded down -4.6%, and Goldman Sachs advised clients to sell the stock.
Business software maker WebMethods (Nasdaq: WEBM - News) jumped 27.2% on news that it agreed to be acquired by Germany's Software AG. Shares of Constellation Brands (STZ, $21.49, 0.67), the world's biggest wine producer, rose 3.2% after the company reported its fiscal Q4 profit rose 21%. The company reported net income in the quarter ended February 28th of $70 million, or 29 cents a share, up from $58 million, or 24 cents a share, a year earlier. Strong wine sales offset a weak performance in Britain and a drop in beer imports in the U.S.
Shares of data storage maker Rackable Systems (Nasdaq: RACK - News) shed -15.6% to hit a 52-week low after the company issued reduced guidance for Q1. The company is now forecasting a loss. Caris & Co. reiterated a "sell" recommendation for Rackable Systems.
In other news, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) rose 3.6% in advance of what are expected to be favorable results from a clinical trial of the biotech company's hepatitis C drug Telaprevir. Medical diagnostic company Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News) jumped 10.5% on news of an unsolicited $90-a-share purchase offer from Inverness Medical Innovations (NYSE: IMA - News). Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News), a maker of medical tests, put an $85-a-share offer on the table for Biosite in March. Inverness already owns 4.9% of Biosite's stock.

By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BEC, BSTE, DCX, GM, IMA, MU, RACK, VRTX, WEBM

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
Laps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that lap down by 5% or more and are trading above their 200-day moving average। Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that lap down by more than 5% have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News). BEC's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks Down 10% or More: These are stocks that have lost 10% or more over the past five days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that have lost 10% or more over the past five days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
CECO Environmental (NasdaqGM:CECE - News). CECE's PowerRating is 7.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Protective Life (NYSE:PL - News). PL's PowerRating is 3.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Pacific Ethanol (NasdaqGM:PEIX - News). PEIX's PowerRating is 3.
2-Period RSI Above 98: These are stocks that have a 2-day RSI reading above 98 and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average with a 2-period RSI reading above 98 have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Symantec (NasdaqGS:SYMC - News) & E.W. Scripps (NYSE:SSP - News). SYMC's PowerRating is 3, and SSP's PowerRating is 3.
Stocks Up 10% or More: These are stocks that have gained 10% or more over the past five days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that have gained 10% or more over the past five days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS:RACK - News). RACK's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BEC, CECE, Hot Stocks, PEIX, PL, RACK, SSP, SYMC

A weaker-than-expected government report on new home sales, plus some profit taking after last week's consistent advance, pressured stocks for much of the day before buyers returned in the afternoon। When trading stopped, the Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 indexes posted slight gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average recouped most of 100-plus point drop it recorded earlier in the day. The 10-year Treasury note inched higher, shaving 2 basis points off the yield. Crude oil advanced.
The markets were rattled at the open by the Commerce Department's report on new home sales, which fell by -3.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 848,000. Wall Street expected sales to increase 6.7%. The drop followed a -15.8% plunge in January. The median home price dipped to $250,000 and inventories grew. The disappointing results were in contrast to a report last week that showed sales of existing homes rose last month by the sharpest rate in three years.
In market news, Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) announced plans to cut up to 15,000 jobs as part of its efforts to refocus its business on growth opportunities overseas. The shares slipped on the news. See our earlier story for additional details. On the technology front, PC-maker Dell (Nasdaq: DELL - News) added 3.5% on positive comments and an upgrade from Goldman Sachs, which suggested the company will start to see positive returns from its restructuring efforts over the next 12 to 18 months. Goldman raised its rating on Dell to "buy."
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News), meanwhile, was up after the company announced that Vista was selling briskly. According to a company statement posted on its website, during the first month of its wide release to the public, sales of Vista "exceeded 20 million licenses, more than doubling the initial pace of sales for its predecessor, Windows XP."
Shares of telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU - News) gained 3.4% after the company announced it had signed a three-year, $6 billion contract to upgrade the Verizon Wireless network. The wireless operator's owners closed mixed, with Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News) declining and Vodafone Group (NYSE: VOD - News) posting a modest gain.
One of the day's sharpest gains was recorded by Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News), which jumped 51.3% on news that it has agreed to be acquired by Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News). Both companies are in the business of developing diagnostic medical tests. Beckman Coulter said the Biosite management team would remain following the merger. Biosite's products include tests used to detect conditions such as cancer and congestive heart failure.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: ALU, BEC, BSTE, C, DELL, MSFT, VOD, VZ

Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF - News) said its January sales at stores open at least one year fell 6%. Analysts, on average, had expected it to post a same-store-sales drop of 1.9%, according to Thomson Financial. Net sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 rose 37% to $252.3 million. The New Albany, Ohio, clothing retailer said sales in its fiscal 2006 rose 19% to $3.32 billion from $2.79 billion.
Accuray (NasdaqGM:ARAY - News) shares rocketed up in company's initial public offering.
Alcon Inc. (NYSE:ACL - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $354.7 million, or $1.16 a share, compared with $60.7 million, or 19 cents a share, during the same quarter a year ago. Results from the year-ago period included $207.7 million in after-tax charges, or 66 cents a share.
Akamai Technologies Inc. (NasdaqGS:AKAM - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell, as costs and expenses rose, to $20.6 million or 12 cents a share, from $25.8 million, or 16 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Before items, quarterly per-share income rose to 27 cents from 16 cents in the prior year.
Alkermes Inc. (NasdaqGS:ALKS - News) reported that net income for its fiscal third-quarter rose to $2.9 million, or 3 cents a share, from $1.4 million, or 1 cent a share, for the same quarter last year. Excluding items, Alkermes would have reported adjusted earnings of 11 cents a share.
AnnTaylor Stores (NYSE:ANN - News) said its January same-store sales fell 10.2% from a year earlier, assuming both periods include four weeks. The fashion-apparel retailer said Thursday net sales increased 21% to $149.9 million for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 from $123.9 million for the comparable four-week period a year ago. Same-store sales calculation for the latest January tracks performance for the four weeks ended Jan. 27 and its net sales calculation tracks results for the five weeks ended Feb. 3. Year-earlier results were for the four weeks ended Jan. 28. For fiscal 2006, AnnTaylor expects earnings of $1.95 a share to $1.98 a share.
Aspreva Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NasdaqGS:ASPV - News) shares rose after the Victoria, British Columbia-based company late Wednesday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $26 million, or 73 cents a share, up from $24.3 million, or 68 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $52.5 million from $45 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 66 cents. Aspreva forecast 2007 royalty revenue of more than $245 million.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News) reported fourth-quarter net income of $62.3 million, or 97 cents a share. Excluding one-time items, the company would have earned $1.03 a share compared to 73 cents a share a year ago. Revenue rose 8.6% to $712 million. The company said it sees 2007 adjusted earnings in the range of $3.10 to $3.25 a share. It expects revenue to increase by 7% to 9%.
BG Group (NYSE:BRG - News) said fourth-quarter profit dropped 18% to 410 million pounds, with revenue down 10% to 1.9 billion pounds. Though production rose 5% and it saw "strong" growth in the liquified natural gas business, lower gas prices, a weaker U.S. dollar and an increased North Sea tax rate. The company affirmed its earnings outlook to 2009, sees exploration and production volume growth of 5% to 7% a year to 2009, and is "more confident" of achieving higher levels of its 6%-to-10% volume growth view to 2012.
Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (NasdaqGS:BONT - News) said January same-store sales rose 6.4%. Total sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 increased 283%, to $240.6 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast a same-store sales rise of 0.5%.
BorgWarner (NYSE:BWA - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings fell 37%, due in part to restructuring charges related to asset impairments in North America, supplemental to restructuring activities announced in the third quarter. The Auburn Hills, Mich. maker of automotive power train products had fourth-quarter earnings of $40.9 million, or 70 cents a share, compared with $64.6 million, or $1.12 a share, a year earlier. Excluding the restructuring charges and other items, the company had earnings of 99 cents a share. BorgWarner said revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 15% to $1.2 billion from $1.05 billion a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 95 cents a share on revenue of $1.11 billion. Analyst earnings forecasts typically exclude unusual items. In addition, the company said it expects 2007 earnings of $4.70 to $4.90 a share. BorgWarner had earlier forecast 2007 earnings of $4.60 to $4.80 a share. BorgWarner also reiterated its sales guidance, saying it expects sales growth of 7% to 9%.
Bunge (NYSE:BG - News) said its fourth quarter net profit rose 77% to $264 million, or $2.12 a share, from $149 million, or $1.25 a share in the year-earlier period. Net sales rose 14% to $7.68 billion amid signs of a turnaround in the Brazilian business and higher demand for core products related to the bio-fuels industry. The latest results included net gains of $74 million, or 60 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of $1.44 a share on revenue of $7.44 billion. The company said it expects earnings in 2007 to be in a range of $4.56 to $4.71 a share. Separately Bunge announced that its CFO William Wells will leave the company effective April 1. It added it has begun a search for a replacement.
Circuit City Stores (NYSE:CC - News) said it will close stores and shake up its merchandising team in a move to improve its financial performance.
Citi Trends Inc. (NasdaqGS:CTRN - News) said comparable store sales for the five weeks ended Feb. 3 rose 3.2%. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected growth of 0.2%. The apparel retailer said total January sales increased to $36.2 million from $20.9 million during the same period in the prior year.
Corrections Corp. of America (NYSE:CXW - News) said its fourth-quarter net profit rose 37.6% to $32.2 million, or 52 cents a share, from $23.4 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter ending Dec. 31 rose 10.2% to $349.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 44 cents a share on revenue of $343 million. The company said its results were driven by strong demand for prison beds from both federal and state customers. The company said average compensated occupancy for the period rose to 96.6% from 93.1%. The company said it expects earnings in the first quarter to be in the range of 43 cents to 37 cents a share, with earnings for 2007 in the range of $1.95 to $2.05 a share.
Dollar Tree Stores (NasdaqGS:DLTR - News) said fourth-quarter sales rose 22.2% to $1.32 billion, helped by an extra week compared with the year-ago quarter. Analysts, on average, expected the Chesapeake, Va., variety-store chain to post quarterly sales of $1.3 billion. Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose 5.5% for the quarter.
DSW Inc. (NYSE:DSW - News) said fourth-quarter same-store sales rose 1%, with total sales increasing to $329.1 million from $283.8 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast revenue of $315.2 million, on average.
Electronic Data Systems Corp. (NYSE:EDS - News) said fourth-quarter profit nearly doubled, while revenue grew 11%. Computer services giant EDS said its net income for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose to $217 million, or 40 cents a share, from $112 million, or 21 cents, a year earlier.
Exide Technologies (NasdaqGM:XIDE - News) reported adjusted EBITDA of $54.1 million for the third quarter, up 32% from last year's equivalent total of $41.1 million.
Express Scripts Inc. (NasdaqGS:ESRX - News) said increased generic drug use and lower costs resulted in a 32% surge in fourth-quarter profit and prompted the pharmacy benefits manager to boost its outlook for the full-year period.
Published By Michael Baron

Labels: ACL, AKAM, ALKS, ANF, ANN, ARAY, ASPV, BEC, BG, BONT, BRG, BWA, CC, CTRN, CXW, DLTR, DSW, EDS, ESRX, XIDE

Most Under Priced 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.
Diamond Offshore Drilling Mar 85 Calls (NYSE:DO - News). DO's PowerRating is 4.
Most Under Priced 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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Mar 40 Puts (NASDAQ:VRTX - News). VRTX's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Intuitive Surgical Feb 100 Calls (NASDAQ:ISRG - News). ISRG's PowerRating is 4.
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.
eBay Inc. Feb 30 Calls (NASDAQ:EBAY - News). EBAY'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.
Pacific Ethanol (NASDAQ:PEIX - News). PEIX's PowerRating is 3.
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.
Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News). BEC's PowerRating is 5.
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.
The Gap (NYSE:GPS - News). GPS' PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BEC, DO, Ebay, GPS, ISRG, PEIX, VRTX

Beckman Coulter (NYSE:BEC - News) said it plans to sell $525 million worth of convertible debt, due 2036. The Fullerton, Calif. biomedical systems maker expects to grant the underwriters of the convertible debt option to buy up to an additional $75 million to cover over-allotments. Concurrently, the company said it would launch a 2.5 million share buyback program. The company said it would use the proceeds from the convertible debt sale to repurchase $100 million worth of its common stock.
Brookfield Properties Corp. (NYSE:BPO - News) plans to sell 30 million shares to investors. Brookfield Asset Management, which owns 51% of Brookfield Properties, will purchase around 11.25 million shares. Brookfield Properties will use the offer proceeds to repay outstanding debt and for general corporate purposes. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities will act as joint book-running managers and underwriters for the proposed offering. Separately, Brookfield Properties said that it's expecting to report 2007 funds from operations per share in a range of $2.10 to $2.20, reflecting up to 17% growth over the mid-point of 2006 guidance.
Devon Energy (NYSE:DVN - News) said Brian Jennings has left the company's chief financial officer position. The company said the departure is "in no way related to any issues regarding financial disclosures, accounting matters or other business issues."
Diodes Inc. (NASDAQ:DIOD - News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at UBS, citing valuation and concerns about moderating growth. The firm lowered its price target to $45 from $52.
Eaton Corp. (NYSE:ETN - News) was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse.
Hubbell Inc. (NYSE:HUB-A - News) (NYSE:HUB-B - News) cut its estimate of 2006 earnings to $2.53 to $2.58 a share. The Orange, Conn., company said it also cut its 2006 sales estimate to $40 million. Hubbell said it is seeing lower volumes in several of its key markets and the pace and depth of the decline has accelerated more rapidly than expected in the fourth quarter.
Memory Pharmaceuticals Corp. (NASDAQ:MEMY - News) plans begin the Phase IIa clinical trial for MEM 3454, a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, in the first quarter after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its clinical hold on development of the drug. The FDA, which had put development of the drug on hold in October, has now completed its review of Memory's investigational new-drug application, Memory said.
Nuvelo Inc. (NASDAQ:NUVO - News) and Bayer AG (NYSE:BAY - News) said a Phase III clinical trial of alfimeprase in acute peripheral arterial occlusion didn't meet its primary endpoint of avoidance of open vascular surgery within 30 days of treatment. The Phase 3 trial in catheter occlusion didn't meet the endpoint of restoration of function within 15 minutes. These trials did not meet key secondary endpoints, they added. Further, they have temporarily suspended enrollment in the ongoing Phase 3 NAPA-3 and SONOMA-3, until further analyses and discussions with outside experts and regulatory agencies are completed.
Parker-Hannifin Corp. (NYSE:PH - News) was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse. The firm cited softening end markets and weaker North America business.
Steel Dynamics (NASDAQ:STLD - News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at UBS citing valuation.
Synergetics USA Inc. (NASDAQ:SURG - News) reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $377,000, or 2 cents a share, down from $486,000, or 4 cents a share, in the year-ago period. There were 24.4 million shares outstanding in the quarter, compared with 11.9 million in the same period last year.
UnionBanCal Corp. (NYSE:UB - News) said its main subsidiary, Union Bank of California, will receive a tax refund and interest from the State of California totaling $113.7 million, or $72.6 million after taxes. The settlement is for recovery of taxes paid between 1989 and 1995.
VeraSun Energy (NYSE:VSE - News) shares slid after the company said Friday that Donal Endres, its chairman and CEO, has established a pre-arranged trading plan to sell a portion of his stock holdings.

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