Jim Cramer Blog

Stocks stormed higher on the day, brushing aside mixed retail sales reports in anticipation of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The Dow added 175 points on the day to end at 13,620. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq was up 1.6% to close at 2,709, and the S&P finished up 1.5% at 1,507. Light, sweet crude prices climbed higher on the day with oil settling at $90.23 a barrel for January delivery. Treasury prices fell, while gold prices gained to close at $807.10 an ounce. The dollar gained against the yen, but declined versus the euro.
In economic news, a report from the Labor Department showed the number of jobless claims dropping last week, as Wall Street prepares for the department's monthly labor report tomorrow. According to the report, the number of claims for unemployment benefits fell last week by 15,000 to a total of 338,000. It was the largest decline in three months.
On the earnings front, shares of Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL - News) soared 13.0% despite reporting its first quarterly loss in 21 years. For the quarter, the homebuilder posted a net loss of -$81.8 million, or -52 cents per share, versus a profit of $173.8 million, or $1.07 per share, last year. Excluding a $314.9 million write-down, the company would have posted earnings of 72 cents per share. Quarterly revenue fell to $1.17 billion, down -35% from a year ago. On average, analysts were looking for a loss of -77 cents per share on revenue of $1.166 billion.
Elsewhere, imaging equipment maker Analogic (Nasdaq: ALOG - News) swung to a profit in the first quarter on earnings of $6.4 million, or 48 cents per share, versus a net loss of -$5.4 million, or -39 cents per share, in the prior year. Excluding one-time items, the company would have earned 53 cents per share compared with earnings of 12 cents per share last year. Revenue for the quarter jumped to $94.2 million, up 25% from $75.6 million in 2006. Analysts were expecting earnings of 40 cents per share on $87.4 million in revenue. Analogic's stock was up 18.2% at the bell.
In other corporate news, shares of ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News) traded 6.3% higher on the day after the packaged food company said its second-quarter earnings would be higher than expected. ConAgra had previously said results would be in line with last year's earnings of 43 cents per share. Analysts were looking for a profit of 41 cents per share for the 2008 period.
Discount retailer Target (NYSE: TGT - News) said today that if recent soft sales patterns continue, the company will likely miss its previous estimates for December same-store sales. The company also reported that December sales needed to "meaningfully improve" in order to achieve fourth-quarter EPS growth. Shares of Target were off -7.6% for the session.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: ALOG, CAG, TGT, TOL

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.
Apple Dec 200 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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.
ConAgra Foods Jan 25 Puts (NYSE:CAG - News). CAG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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.
Plains All American Pipeline Jan 70 Calls (NYSE:PAA - News). PAA'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.
MBIA Feb 20 Puts (NYSE:MBI - News). MBI'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.
Virgin Media (NYSE:VMED - News). VMED's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
Regency Energy Partners (NYSE:RGNC - News). RGNC's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Lennar (NYSE:LEN - News). LEN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, CAG, LEN, MBI, PAA, RGNC, stock options, VMED

Bullish:
Cisco (CSCO): if you want to be in tech.
J.C. Penney (JCP): He thinks that this stock is undervalued and is a buy at this price.
Integrated oil companies like ConocoPhillips (COP), Chevron (CVX), and Exxon Mobil (XOM) are better plays.
American Eagle (AEO), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) or Aeropostale (ARO), in that order.
Kellogg (K): Cramer is bullish on Kellogg, as well as General Mills (GIS) and ConAgra (CAG).
Cramer is sticking with Baidu.com (BIDU) as the best China play.
Cramer likes NVIDIA (NVDA), Texas Instruments (TXN), and Intel (INTC)

Bearish:
Xerox (XRX)
American Capital Strategies (ACAS): Cramer's undecided on the stock, so he's avoiding it.
Tesoro (TSO): Cramer thinks gas prices aren't high enough to be in a refiner,
Luxottica (LUX): "Don’t buy!"
Hot Topic (HOTT)
Aluminum Corp. of China (ACH)
American Superconductor (AMSC)

Labels: ACAS, AEO, ANF, ARO, BIDU, CAG, COP, CSCO, CVX, GIS, INTC, JCP, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money Lightning Round, NVDA, TXN, XOM, XRX

The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all closed up on the day, as the Fed started a two-day meeting to decide the direction of interest rates. The Commerce Department announced today that durable goods orders had declined -2.8% for the month of May, much lower than the -1% that economists had expected. Non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft, seen as an indicator of business development, dropped -3%, its biggest decline since January, when it went down -4.4%.
Musical equipment retailer Guitar Center (Nasdaq: GTRC) announced that it had agreed to be taken private by an affiliate of Bain Capital Partners LLC. Bain Capital will pay $1.9 billion in cash for the company. The company has been part of many takeover rumors ever since it hired Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) to put itself up for auction. Shareholders will be paid $63 per share, and the deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter. Guitar Center was up 19.8% on the news.
People's United Financial, Inc. (Nasdaq: PBCT), Connecticut's third-largest bank by deposits, has agreed to buy Chittenden Corp. (NYSE: CHZ) in a cash and stock deal worth an estimated $1.9 billion. Current Chittenden Corp. shareholders will be offered a choice of taking stock in People's United or cash for their stock. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.
Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) announced that it would increase its stock buyback program by $4 billion to $5.5 billion, replacing a previous $1.5 billion program. It also announced that it would increase its quarterly dividend from 10 cents per share to 13 cents per share. Best Buy was up 3.7% on the day.
ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) announced earnings today with a strong profit that seemed only minimally hurt by a recall of Peter Pan peanut butter. ConAgra Foods reported earnings of $192 million, or 39 cents per share, on revenues of $3.33 billion. The earnings represented a 324% increase over last year's $59.2 million. The stock was up 4.5% on the news.
HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI) announced that it would close nine factories and cut 5,300 jobs. The company will shift some of its manufacturing to Asia and Africa in order to cut costs. The company, maker of Hanes underwear, is attempting to increase its operating profit to between 6-8%. The company has already cut 2,000 jobs this year.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BBY, CAG, CHZ, GS, GTRC, HBI, PBCT

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Oracle (NasdaqGS:ORCL) beat earnings on Tuesday after the bell, announcing $0.37 EPS over an expected $0.35 EPS. ORCL's PowerRating is 6.
Nike (NYSE:NKE) matched earnings expectations on Tuesday with $0.86 EPS. NKE's PowerRating is 5.
ConAgra (NYSE:CAG) reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday before the bell; watch for $0.31 EPS. CAG's PowerRating is 6.
When McCormick (NYSE:MKC) announces earnings before the bell on Wednesday, look for $0.33 EPS. MKC's PowerRating is 4.
Standard Microsystems (NasdaqGS:SMSC) should report $0.25 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday. SMSC's PowerRating is 6.
Micron (NYSE:MU) and Red Hat (NYSE:RHT) both report earnings on Wednesday after the close, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. MU's PowerRating is 5, and RHT's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: CAG, Hot Stocks, MKC, MU, NKE, ORCL, RHT, SMSC

Bullish Calls:
Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY): ' I am sticking by AUY as my play for when things go bad. That's what it is. It's basically a first aid kit you've got to take with you everywhere you go.'Total System Services (NYSE: TSS): 'You are in great shape. TSS, I believe, will not be independent a year from now ... I like TSS as a takeover. And, on earnings, it should go to $40 alone.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): 'The stock's had a nice pullback, which means you should back up the truck. Every time we've had an 8% pullback in CELG, it has been miraculous to buy. I'm saying this time it will be no different.'Sappi Ltd. (NYSE: SPP): ' ... we've got a government that's of, by and for the corporation, trying to keep the ChiComms from flooding us with paper, so this South African company can make a lot of money, and it's working! You stay long SPP!'Volvo AB (Other OTC: VOLVF.PK): You're a genius! That is an unbelievable stock! ... It has a great industrial business. It has a great yield ... even right here at $21 bucks - I would back up the truck!'Freeport McMoran (NYSE: FCX): 'It's also got gold, and it's much more levered to China buying it. Those ChiComms eat copper for breakfast!'
Neutral calls:
ConAgra (NYSE: CAG): 'They have a raw cost problem. All of that stuff is being bid up by ethanol. And so I can't get behind that. CAG, just okay. Candidly, I recommended it right here, and I'm not backing away from it, but the raw costs are out of control.'
Bearish calls:
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS: ERTS): 'You know what? I'm giving up on this one... I'm putting the 'don't buy' on it. That's a change in plans.'Finisar (NasdaqGS: FNSR): 'No. I liked FNSR ... Their time has passed. They didn't get the big orders.'Washington Group (NYSE: WNG): 'My friend... Bulls make money, bears make money... hogs get slaughtered! You must sell WNG right now!'Southern Copper (NYSE: PCU): 'I like PCU.... I think FCX is better.'Build-a-Bear (NYSE: BBW): ' if I go and recommend it on this show, that they will then have a shortfall, because they are wildly inconsistent. They are too dangerous for this guy ... If that stock were to go back to $25.00, I would pull the trigger.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AUY, BBW, CAG, CELG, ERTS, FCX, FNSR, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, PCU, SPP, TSS, WNG

Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News), Vonage (NYSE: VG - News): Cramer wanted to talk about "what a bunch of hucksters" the executives at Vonage are concerning the injunction in a patent case with Verizon which brought the stock down 23%. "Everyone thought that VG should be sitting down with Verizon and talking," commented Cramer who thought it was an outrage the VG did just the opposite; "Swap out of VG into anything!"
Clorox (NYSE: CLX - News), ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG - News), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News), CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX - News): Noting that CLX and CAG have new management, Cramer added that they could be broken up as well as rail companies such as UNP "the largest land owner in America," NSC and CSX which also have hidden assets। He adds that all of the rails are pro-shareholder.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: CAG, CLX, CSX, Hot Stocks, Jim Cramer, NSC, UNP, VG, VZ

A day after the Fed's comments sparked an aggressive late-day rally, stocks vacillated close to unchanged as investors took profits, further digested the Fed's remarks, and reacted to a profit warning and management shakeup at tech giant Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News). The result was a fairly tame day of trading in which all three major indexes stayed close to unchanged. The Dow closed up slightly, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 were modestly lower on the day.
While investors initially seemed to interpret yesterday's Fed statement as opening the door for a rate cut later in the year, the market backed off that enthusiasm somewhat today. With inflationary pressure still very much on the Fed's radar, today's jump in the price of crude oil served as a reminder that high energy costs may underpin further inflation and limit the Fed's willingness to cut rates. Crude oil spiked higher, approaching $62 a barrel as refineries prepare to ramp up production ahead of the summer driving season.
Shares of Motorola plunged -7% and hit a new 52-week low after the company announced that it now expects to report a Q1 profit between breakeven and 2 cents per share, well below the 17 cents per share expected by analysts. The company's revenue outlook for the quarter was similarly slashed. Motorola blamed the lowered outlook on a poor performance in its mobile devices segment, where a lack of blockbuster handsets has hurt the company's margins and eroded market share. Motorola also shook up its executive ranks and announced the retirement of its CFO.
The Motorola news rippled elsewhere as well. Palm (Nasdaq: PALM - News), bid up all week as a potential buyout target for Motorola and others, gave back -9% on the news, but was up slightly in after-hours trading after beating earnings estimates after the bell. Semiconductors that supply Motorola also felt the fallout, and RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD - News) and Skyworks Solutions (Nasdaq: SWKS - News), both the subject of Motorola-related analyst downgrades, dropped sharply on the day. Rival handset maker Nokia (NYSE: NOK - News), meanwhile, saw a modest gain in the wake of Motorola's warning.
Several earnings reports grabbed headlines as well, including the FQ1 report from homebuilder KB Home (NYSE: KBH - News), where profit plunged compared to a year ago but exceeded lowered expectations. The company said that difficult conditions in the housing market are likely to extend through the rest of the year. KB did, however, say that it was taking measures to reduce exposure to subprime loans while also cutting back on inventory.
A pair of food companies also reported earnings. ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News) managed to beat both top- and bottom-line estimates for FQ3 despite a far-reaching recall of its peanut butter products. ConAgra now expects to lose as much as $150 million in sales as its peanut butter will stay off of shelves for at least several more months. General Mills (NYSE: GIS - News) beat estimates for its FQ3, while also raising guidance for the year. The upbeat outlook came in spite of rising prices of the crops used to make its cereals.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: CAG, GIS, KBH, MOT, NOK, PALM, RFMD, SWKS

A day after the Fed's comments sparked an aggressive late-day rally, stocks vacillated close to unchanged as investors took profits, further digested the Fed's remarks, and reacted to a profit warning and management shakeup at tech giant Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News). The result was a fairly tame day of trading in which all three major indexes stayed close to unchanged. The Dow closed up slightly, while the Nasdaq and S&P 500 were modestly lower on the day.
While investors initially seemed to interpret yesterday's Fed statement as opening the door for a rate cut later in the year, the market backed off that enthusiasm somewhat today. With inflationary pressure still very much on the Fed's radar, today's jump in the price of crude oil served as a reminder that high energy costs may underpin further inflation and limit the Fed's willingness to cut rates. Crude oil spiked higher, approaching $62 a barrel as refineries prepare to ramp up production ahead of the summer driving season.
Shares of Motorola plunged -7% and hit a new 52-week low after the company announced that it now expects to report a Q1 profit between breakeven and 2 cents per share, well below the 17 cents per share expected by analysts. The company's revenue outlook for the quarter was similarly slashed. Motorola blamed the lowered outlook on a poor performance in its mobile devices segment, where a lack of blockbuster handsets has hurt the company's margins and eroded market share. Motorola also shook up its executive ranks and announced the retirement of its CFO.
The Motorola news rippled elsewhere as well. Palm (Nasdaq: PALM - News), bid up all week as a potential buyout target for Motorola and others, gave back -9% on the news, but was up slightly in after-hours trading after beating earnings estimates after the bell. Semiconductors that supply Motorola also felt the fallout, and RF Micro Devices (Nasdaq: RFMD - News) and Skyworks Solutions (Nasdaq: SWKS - News), both the subject of Motorola-related analyst downgrades, dropped sharply on the day. Rival handset maker Nokia (NYSE: NOK - News), meanwhile, saw a modest gain in the wake of Motorola's warning.
Several earnings reports grabbed headlines as well, including the FQ1 report from homebuilder KB Home (NYSE: KBH - News), where profit plunged compared to a year ago but exceeded lowered expectations. The company said that difficult conditions in the housing market are likely to extend through the rest of the year. KB did, however, say that it was taking measures to reduce exposure to subprime loans while also cutting back on inventory.
A pair of food companies also reported earnings. ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News) managed to beat both top- and bottom-line estimates for FQ3 despite a far-reaching recall of its peanut butter products. ConAgra now expects to lose as much as $150 million in sales as its peanut butter will stay off of shelves for at least several more months. General Mills (NYSE: GIS - News) beat estimates for its FQ3, while also raising guidance for the year. The upbeat outlook came in spite of rising prices of the crops used to make its cereals.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: CAG, GIS, KBH, MOT, NOK, PALM, RFMD, SWKS

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Citi Trends (NasdaqGS:CTRN - News) beat earnings on Wednesday, announcing $0.73 EPS over an expected $0.69 EPS. CTRN's PowerRating is 5.
Herman Miller (NasdaqGS:MLHR - News) missed earnings Wednesday afternoon; analysts were looking for $0.52 EPS, but the company only announced $0.50 EPS. MLHR's PowerRating is 4.
Barnes & Noble (NYSE:BKS - News) announces earnings on Thursday before the bell; watch for $1.88 EPS. BKS's PowerRating is 4.
Cato Corporation (NYSE:CTR - News) reports earnings Thursday morning, with analysts looking for $0.36 EPS. CTR's PowerRating is 4.
When Conagra Foods (NYSE:CAG - News) announces earnings Thursday before the market opens, watch for $0.35 EPS. CAG's PowerRating is 5.
Analysts are looking for General Mills (NYSE:GIS - News) to report $0.70 EPS tomorrow morning. GIS's PowerRating is 5.
KB Home (NYSE:KBH - News) is expected to announce $0.28 EPS Thursday before the market opens. KBH's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BKS, CAG, CTR, CTRN, GIS, Hot Stocks, KBH, MLHR

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 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.
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Apr 35 Calls (NYSE:NAT - News). NAT's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Monster Worldwide Mar 55 Puts (NasdaqGS:MNST - News). MNST's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Apr 30 Calls (NasdaqGS:VRTX - News). VRTX's PowerRating is 6.
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.
BuildABear Workshop Mar 30 Puts (NYSE:BBW - News). BBW's PowerRating 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.
ConAgra Foods (NYSE:CAG - News). CAG's PowerRating is 5.
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.
United Therapeutics (NasdaqGS:UTHR - News). UTHR's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Baidu.com (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU's PowerRating is 7.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BBW, BIDU, CAG, MNST, NAT, stock options, UTHR, VRTX

Wall Street retreated Tuesday as a huge decline in Home Depot Inc.'s profit last quarter offset excitement over the deal between XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.
The world's largest home improvement store chain reported a 28 percent drop in fourth-quarter earnings, indicating that the home improvement industry is still being dragged down by the sluggish housing market.
The wider retail sector still looked healthy after Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s financial results came in better than expected, but those results and the buzz over new takeover activity weren't enough to keep stocks afloat Tuesday, as investors took some profits after the Dow Jones industrials' record-breaking run last week.
Investors were also pressured to sell after a plunge in energy prices, weak earnings results from wireless phone company Alltel Corp., and worries over the repercussions of last week's peanut butter recall by ConAgra Foods Inc. and the spate of cancelled flights by JetBlue Airways Corp.
In midmorning trading, the Dow fell 42.62, or 0.33 percent, to 12,724.95, pulling back after rising more than 200 points over the past four trading sessions. Markets were closed Monday for Presidents Day.
Broader stock indicators also fell. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was down 4.80, or 0.33 percent, at 1,450.74, and the Nasdaq composite index was down 11.71, or 0.47 percent, to 2,484.60.
Bonds fell, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rising to 4.70 percent from 4.69 percent late Friday, even after the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago reported in its index of business activity that economic growth in the region was below average in January.
The dollar rose against other major currencies, while gold prices fell.
Oil prices tumbled $1.49 to $57.90 on the New York Mercantile Exchange after the Iranian president said his country would stop enriching uranium and return to negotiations, but only if Western nations do so, too.
Home Depot fell 30 cents to $41.14 after reporting earnings that fell short of analysts' expectations.
Wal-Mart rose $1.28, or 2.6 percent, to $49.76 after issuing its financial results, which showed fourth-quarter profit growth of 8.8 percent, better than analysts expected, and an upbeat forecast for 2007.
XM Satellite rose $1.39, or 10 percent, to $15.35, and Sirius Satellite rose 24 cents, or 6.4 percent, to $3.94, after their announced merger of equals. The deal still faces significant obstacles from the Federal Communications Commission.
In addition to the merger between XM Satellite and Sirius announced Sunday, British pharmaceutical company Shire PLC is buying U.S. drug maker New River Pharmaceuticals Inc. for about $2.6 billion, and that Vulcan Materials Co. is buying construction aggregate maker Florida Rock Industries Inc. for $4.6 billion.
Vulcan Materials Co. fell 60 cents to $111.21, while Florida Rock Industries Inc. soared $19.64, or 42 percent, to $66.58.
Shire's proposed buy of New River caused the U.S. drug marker's stock to surge $5.21, or 8.9 percent, to $63.56. U.S. shares of Shire rose $1.92, or 3 percent, to $65.20.
Declining issues outnumbered advancers by about 2 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 262.53 million shares.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 4.76, or 0.58 percent, to 813.39.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.01 percent. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was down 0.52 percent, Germany's DAX index was down 0.47 percent, and France's CAC-40 was down 0.72 percent.
Published by Madlen Read, AP Business Writer

Labels: AT, CAG, FRK, HD, JBLU, NRPH, SIRI, VMC, WMT, XMSR

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.
Nordic American Tanker Shipping Apr 35 Calls (NYSE:NAT - News). NAT's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Monster Worldwide Mar 55 Puts (NasdaqGS:MNST - News). MNST's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Apr 30 Calls (NasdaqGS:VRTX - News). VRTX's PowerRating is 6.
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.
BuildABear Workshop Mar 30 Puts (NYSE:BBW - News). BBW's PowerRating 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.
ConAgra Foods (NYSE:CAG - News). CAG's PowerRating is 5.
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.
United Therapeutics (NasdaqGS:UTHR - News). UTHR's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Baidu.com (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU's PowerRating is 7.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BBW, BIDU, CAG, MNST, NAT, stock options, UTHR, VRTX

Bullish calls:
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I like the stock very much here ... good yield, nice growth path, is not going to set the world on fire. ... I say buy Bank of America.'Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT - News): 'Some people think I run hot and cold. ... I like LVLT. ... I endorse LVLT ... gonna close a deal soon with Broadwing (NASDAQ: BWNG - News). I am going to stay behind that thing with a TripleBuy.'ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News): ' ... run, don't walk, into ConAgra, which is one that we nailed nine ways to Sunday.'Quest Software (NASDAQ: QSFT - News): 'The jury is still out. ... I like the core business. I want you to stick with it.'ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP - News)Denny's (NASDAQ: DENN - News): 'For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker Darden ... 'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): ' I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'
Bearish calls:
CBOT Holdings (NYSE: BOT - News): 'We don't need to put any more money in those stocks. We are now in the 'don't buy' mode until that deal [with the Chicago Merc] closes.'FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News): 'I've been let down by FedEx. ... I thought you were having an Internet Christmas. ... even stuck my neck out ... We are done recommending FedEx on this show.'Scottish Power (SPI): 'Ring the register. ... Declare victory, nice investing, well done.'Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD - News): 'I want you to sell Smithfield Foods.'American Oriental Bioengineering (NYSE: AOB - News): 'Do not buy ... 'Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM - News): 'Tough situation, obviously, they had that Taco Bell problem ... For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker, Darden ... and then, only then, do I like Yum.'Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ: WINN - News): 'Just came out of bankruptcy ... I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'Skyworks Solutions (SKWS): 'Ixnay on the Skyworksnay.'Harrah's (NYSE: HET - News): 'You just struck it rich! You go out and you ring the register!'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AOB, BAC, BOT, BWNG, CAG, COP, DENN, FDX, HET, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, QSFT, SFD, SWY, WINN, YUM

Bullish calls:
Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I like the stock very much here ... good yield, nice growth path, is not going to set the world on fire. ... I say buy Bank of America.'Level 3 Communications (NASDAQ: LVLT - News): 'Some people think I run hot and cold. ... I like LVLT. ... I endorse LVLT ... gonna close a deal soon with Broadwing (NASDAQ: BWNG - News). I am going to stay behind that thing with a TripleBuy.'ConAgra (NYSE: CAG - News): ' ... run, don't walk, into ConAgra, which is one that we nailed nine ways to Sunday.'Quest Software (NASDAQ: QSFT - News): 'The jury is still out. ... I like the core business. I want you to stick with it.'ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP - News)Denny's (NASDAQ: DENN - News): 'For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker Darden ... 'Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News): ' I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'
Bearish calls:
CBOT Holdings (NYSE: BOT - News): 'We don't need to put any more money in those stocks. We are now in the 'don't buy' mode until that deal [with the Chicago Merc] closes.'FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News): 'I've been let down by FedEx. ... I thought you were having an Internet Christmas. ... even stuck my neck out ... We are done recommending FedEx on this show.'Scottish Power (SPI): 'Ring the register. ... Declare victory, nice investing, well done.'Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD - News): 'I want you to sell Smithfield Foods.'American Oriental Bioengineering (NYSE: AOB - News): 'Do not buy ... 'Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM - News): 'Tough situation, obviously, they had that Taco Bell problem ... For pecking order, I like Denny's, Brinker, Darden ... and then, only then, do I like Yum.'Winn-Dixie (NASDAQ: WINN - News): 'Just came out of bankruptcy ... I can't get behind a supermarket other than Safeway.'Skyworks Solutions (SKWS): 'Ixnay on the Skyworksnay.'Harrah's (NYSE: HET - News): 'You just struck it rich! You go out and you ring the register!'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AOB, BAC, BOT, BWNG, CAG, COP, DENN, FDX, HET, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, QSFT, SFD, SWY, WINN, YUM

Stocks fall Thursday on economic news that came in below expectations. Data on GDP, leading indicators and the manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area all disappointed; raising concerns once again about a hard landing. However, merger activity has continued helping keep stocks from seeing larger declines. There were a several earnings reports since Wednesday’s close as well, including reports from Nike (NKE), ConAgra Foods (CAG) and General Mills (GIS). Athletic shoe maker Nike reported an 8.1 percent rise in profits in its fiscal second quarter. Revenues were up 10 percent to $3.82 billion during the quarter. Despite beating earnings estimates by two-cents a share, the stock is only up fractionally Thursday to trade just above $100 a share. However, in the last three months the stock has gained more than 20 percent. Food companies’ CAG and GIS are both seeing there shares rise by about two percent in midday action. Both companies’ bested earnings estimates for the quarter and raised guidance for the current quarter. GIS shares are up 17.5 percent this past year with CAG shares rising more than 28 percent.Despite the positive news from earnings reports, stocks are lower due to disappointing economic data. The final revision for third-quarter GDP came in at 2.0 percent, which was down from 2.2 percent. At the same time, the GDP deflator came in at 1.9 percent, a tenth above estimates. The core deflator remained at 2.2 percent, down from 2.7 percent in the second-quarter. The leading indicators report rose 0.1 percent with orders for non-defense capital goods seeing gains. Just four of the 10 leading indicators increased in November with five contracting. This data points to slow growth in the near term for the economy. After seeing mostly positive readings in manufacturing reports of late, the Philly Fed Survey supports continued slowing in the economy. This report fell to negative 4.3 in December from 5.1 in November. This is the lowest reading for the index since April 2003. A reading below zero points to contraction in the area and this could be a problem if similar results occurred in other Fed districts. In merger news, Raytheon (RTN) announced it will sell its aircraft-making unit to Onex and Goldman Sachs (GS) for $3.3 billion. RTN shares are flat on the session despite announcing this news and a $750 million stock buyback. In other deal making, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced it would buy Praecis Pharmaceuticals (PRCS) for $54.8 million. GSK shares are off 0.3 percent, but PRCS is up 145 percent to $4.90 a share.
-Jody Osborne

Labels: CAG, GIS, GS, GSK, NKE, PRCS, RTN

Abiomed Inc. (NASDAQ:ABMD - News) said it has received 510(k) clearance from the Food and Drug Administration for its new intra-aortic balloon, a technology designed to enhance blood flow to the heart and other organs. The Danvers, Mass.-based medical product company said a combination console platform to support the balloon, the iPulse, is currently under regulatory review and pending approval. Abiomed expects to begin shipping its new integrated iPulse console outside the U.S. during fourth quarter. Following FDA approval of the pre-market application supplement to the existing console, Abiomed's initial introduction of the iPulse is expected in the summer of 2007.
Accenture (NYSE:ACN - News) reported first-quarter earnings of 46 cents a share, compared with 36 cents in the year-earlier period.
American Greetings Corp. (NYSE:AM - News) third-quarter net income rose to 83 cents a share from 19 cents in the year-earlier period. Net sales fell to $512.2 million from $552 million. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn 35 cents on revenue of $516 million. For fiscal 2007, the company still expected to earn 80 cents to $1 a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call expect it to earn 81 cents a share for the year.
Anika Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:ANIK - News) said it obtained FDA approval for its cosmetic tissue augmentation. Anika said the product is an injectable soft-tissue filler for facial wrinkles, scar remediation and lip augmentation.
Best Buy Co. (NYSE:BBY - News) was upgraded to outperform from neutral by Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter, on the belief that investors overreacted to third-quarter results, which fell shy of expectations.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE:BMY - News) said it's reached an initial agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Mass. to settle several probes of its drug pricing, sales and marketing practices. In a statement, the drug company said it will pay $499 million and enter a corporate integrity agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services. The deal is not yet final and must be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. Bristol-Myers said it's raising the reserves set aside to cover the cost of the probes by $353 million, to be recorded in the fourth quarter. The company said it expects to take a $220 million pre-tax charge in the fourth quarter. The company now expects 2006 earnings to range from 72 to 77 cents, down from a prior outlook of 97 cents to $1.02. Excluding special items, it's still expecting earnings of $1.02 to $1.07, however.
Carnival Corp. (NYSE:CCL - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $416 million, or 51 cents a share, from $336 million, or 41 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 9.2% to $2.81 billion from last year's $2.57 billion, helped by 5.5% growth in cruise capacity and a 2.3% rise in net revenue yields. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call had been expecting earnings of 47 cents a share and revenue of $2.79 billion, on average. Looking ahead, the Miami cruise operator said it expects first-quarter earnings of 33 to 35 cents a share, below analyst forecasts of 36 cents a share. Revenue yields are projected to be flat to up slightly, while net cruise costs are expected to rise between 2% and 3%.
Chubb Corp. (NYSE:CB - News) said it'll pay $17 million as part of a settlement with the attorneys general of New York, Connecticut and Illinois, resolving all issues arising out of investigations of property-casualty insurance bid rigging. Chubb has agreed to contribute $15 million