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
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.
Learning Tree International (NasdaqGM:LTRE - News). LTRE's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
iShares Lehman 7-10 T-Bonds (AMEX:IEF - News). IEF's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Layne Christensen (NasdaqGS:LAYN - News). LAYN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News). CC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
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.
Campbell Soup (NYSE:CPB - News). CPB'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.
Leap Wireless (NasdaqGS:LEAP - News). LEAPs PowerRating (for Traders) is 1.
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.
Jabil Circuit (NYSE:JBL - News). JBL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: CC, CPB, IEF, JBL, LAYN, LEAP, LTRE, Stocks to Watch

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
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.
Ctrip.com (NasdaqGS:CTRP - News). CTRP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
Skillsoft (NasdaqGM:SKIL - News). SKIL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
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.
Research In Motion (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News). RIMM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Payless Shoe Sources (NYSE:PSS - News). PSS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:ACAD - News). ACAD's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Finish Line (NasdaqGS:FINL - News). FINL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
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.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News). CC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ACAD, CC, CTRP, FINL, Hot Stocks, PSS, RIMM, SKIL

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.
Watson Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:WPI - News). WPI's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
Netscout Systems (NasdaqGM:NTCT - News). NTCT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
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.
KMG Chemicals (NasdaqGM:KMGB - News). KMGB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
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 Airways (NYSE:LCC - News). LCC'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.
Websense (NasdaqGS:WBSN - News). WBSN's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Red Hat (NYSE:RHT - News). RHT'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.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News). CC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: CC, Hot Stocks, KMGB, LCC, NTCT, RHT, WBSN, WPI

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.
Sandisk (NasdaqGS:SNDK - News). SNDK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
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.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News). PDE'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.
Stora Enso Oyj (NYSE:SEO - News). SEO's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Cheesecake Factory (NasdaqGS:CAKE - News). CAKE's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
US Bancorp (NYSE:USB - News). USB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
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.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News). CC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
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.
Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO - News). ARO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ARO, CAKE, CC, Hot Stocks, PDE, SEO, SNDK, USB

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Oracle (NasdaqGS:ORCL - News) beat earnings expectations on Thursday afternoon, announcing $0.22 EPS over an expected $0.21 EPS. ORCL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Tektronix (NYSE:TEK - News) also beat earnings with $0.22 EPS over an expected $0.21 EPS. TEK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News) fell 17% on Thursday after missing earnings in the morning. Rivals Best Buy (NYSE:BBY - News) and Radioshack (NYSE:RSH - News) also dropped, in an industry-wide slip. CC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4, BBY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4 and RSH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
General Motors (NYSE:GM - News) fell over 1% on reports of continued haggling over a union-run retiree health-care fund with the United Auto Workers. GM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Motorola (NYSE:MOT - News) gained over 3% on Thursday on analyst reports that rival Samsung is out of stock, giving MOT more room to sell products. MOT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BBY, Best Buy Co. Inc., CC, Circuit City Stores Inc., General Motors Corp., GM, MOT, Motorola Inc., Oracle Corp., ORCL, RSH, Stocks to Watch, TEK, Tektronix

Stocks traded lower on the day following mixed earnings reports, ending the overall market's potent two-day Fed-induced rally. At the close, the Dow dropped -49 points, while the Nasdaq lost -12 points and the S&P slumped -10 points. Crude oil continued its northward movement, ending the day at yet another record, jumping $1.39 to finish at $83.32 a barrel. The price of Gold also continues to impress, adding $10.40 to end the session at $739.90 a troy ounce.
Two Wall Street investment banks reported their earnings today. Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News) reported a blowout third quarter, recording net income of $2.85 billion, or $6.13 a share, up considerably from $1.59 billion, or $3.26 a share, in the same period a year ago. Revenues rose an astonishing 63% to $12.3 billion. Goldman said the strong earnings were a result of betting correctly on falling mortgages, in addition to a $900 million gain related to the disposition of Horizon Wind Energy. The street was looking for a profit of $4.35 a share on revenue of $9.57 billion. Shares have been on a tear in recent weeks, but finished the day lower by -1.0%. Subscribers can read our analysis of Goldman Sachs in today's issue.
Fellow rival Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC - News), meanwhile, reported a -61% decline in third-quarter net income on a drop in fixed-income trading and $200 million in hedge fund losses. For the quarter, net income totaled $171.3 million, or $1.16 a share, down sharply from $437.6 million, or $3.02 a share, last year. Total revenue fell -37% to $1.64 billion. During the quarter, the company took a $700 million writedown related to the diminishing value of its mortgage and leveraged loan portfolios.
Transportation and logistical giant FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News) reported mixed news on the day. The company posted net income of $494 million, or $1.58 a share, up 4% from 2006 levels due to strong international growth. Revenues came in 8% higher to $9.2 billion, and were above analyst estimates of $9.07 billion. The overall positive quarter was dampened when the company forecasted that its current quarter will only see earnings of $1.60-$1.75 a share and that full-year earnings would be $6.70-7.10 a share, down from its previous guidance of $7.00-$7.40 a share. The company cited "uncertain economic clarity" for the lower earnings. Investors sent the shares down -2.9% on the news. Subscribers can read our analysis of FedEx in today's issue.
Electronics retailer Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News) saw its shares get clobbered -18.2% after the retailing chain posted a wider-than-expected loss for its most-recent quarter. For the second quarter, the company lost -$62.8 million, or -38 cents a share, compared to a profit of $10 million, or 6 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Sales fell to $2.6 billion from $2.8 billion last year. Same-store sales in the period fell -7.9%. The company cited a decrease in sales in addition to lower margins on TVs for its loss. The company additionally warned of further losses ahead.
In M&A news, Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: NDAQ - News) reached a deal with the Borse Dubai wherein Nasdaq will get control of Nordic markets operator OMX while giving the Dubai exchange a 20% stake in the Nasdaq. Under the terms of the proposed deal, Nasdaq will sell its 20% stake in the London Stock Exchange to Borse Dubai as well. Already, government officials announced that the deal will be heavily scrutinized. Nasdaq shares gained 1.4% on the news.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BSC, CC, FDX, GS, NDAQ

Electronics retailer Circuit City Stores Inc. said Thursday it lost $62.8 million in the second fiscal quarter, on lower overall sales and a restructuring.
Its shares skidded more than 12 percent lower.
For the quarter ended Aug. 31, the nation's No. 2 consumer-electronics chain behind Best Buy Co. Inc., lost 38 cents per share, compared to a profit of $10 million, or 6 cents a share, a year ago.
Circuit City's revenue was $2.64 billion, down 6 percent from $2.82 billion in the year-ago period. Sales at stores open at least a year, known as same-store sales, slipped nearly 8 percent. In the year-ago period, same-store sales rose 8 percent.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected a per-share loss of 12 cents on revenue of $2.78 billion.

Labels: CC, Circuit City Stores Inc.

Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News) and Costco (NasdaqGS: COST - News): BBY is not the best buy because warnings from Home Depot and Sears. While Cramer searched desperately for a reason to be bullish on CC, he couldn't find one. COST is Cramer's favorite warehouse retailer because it is where "the rich people shop."
Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR - News) and Black & Decker (NYSE: BDK - News): Cramer would avoid these stocks because he doesn't envision a housing turnaround in the near future.

Labels: BBY, BDK, CC, COST, Jim Cramer, Stop Trading, WHR

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
CarMax (NYSE:KMX) should announce $0.30 EPS when the company reports on Wednesday morning. KMX's PowerRating is 5.
When Circuit City (NYSE:CC) reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday morning, be watching for -$0.32 EPS. CC's PowerRating is 5.
Analysts are watching for Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC) to report $0.79 EPS on Wednesday morning. CMC's PowerRating is 5.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) should report $1.98 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday. FDX's PowerRating is 4.
Watch for Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to report $2.01 EPS before the bell tomorrow morning. MS's PowerRating is 6.
Access Integrated (NasdaqGM:AIXD) reports earnings on Wednesday before the bell; watch for -$0.24 EPS. AIXD does not have a PowerRating due to volume constraints.
Sonic Corporation (NasdaqGS:SONC) reports after the close on Wednesday, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. SONC's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AIXD, CC, CMC, FDX, Hot Stocks, KMX, MS, SONC

Stocks drifted through the morning session on mixed economic news, then gained strength in the afternoon on M&A activity. The Blue Chip Dow Jones Industrial Average made the boldest move, with tamer advances from the Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 indexes. The price of crude oil, as well as the 10-year Treasury note, both declined.
The private Institute for Supply Management's April manufacturing index came in at 54.7, which was stronger than last month and also above Wall Street forecasts. A reading above 50 shows the manufacturing sector is expanding. It also makes it less likely that the Federal Reserve will see the need to cut interest rates to stimulate the economy. On the downside, housing and autos remain weak. The National Association of Realtors said pending sales of existing homes fell by another -4.9% in March.
Meanwhile, U.S. carmakers reported another month of slow sales. Ford Motor (NYSE: F - News) said its domestic sales in April slid -12.9% from a year ago. Car sales at General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) fell -9.5%. Even Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM - News), which has had a seemingly endless string of increased monthly sales, reported a -4.4% sales decline. There were two less selling days in April 2007 than the previous year.
In a rare occurrence, Dow Jones & Co. (NYSE: DJ - News) was more newsworthy than the stock index that bears its name. Shares of the publisher of The Wall Street Journal rocketed up 54.7% after news of a $5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (NYSE: NWS - News). The $60-a-share offer, which was submitted to the company's board in mid-April, marks a substantial premium over where the stock has traded in the last year. Dow Jones is controlled by the Bancroft family through a two-tier stock system and cannot be sold without its consent. The family was said to be studying the offer.
Other newspaper publishing companies gained today as well, as investors eyed the sector for further consolidation. Moving higher today were shares of New York Times (NYSE: NYT - News), McClatchy (NYSE: MNI - News), Gannett (NYSE: GCI - News), and the Washington Post (NYSE: WPO - News). News Corp., however, traded lower.
On the earnings front, Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG - News) reported a 14% increase in its fiscal Q3 net, but those results disappointed investors who had become accustomed in recent quarters to results from the consumer products company that came in above forecast. With its Q3 figures only matching Wall Street's expectations, the shares declined -2.2%. Subscribers can read our take on P&G's earnings in today's issue.
Electronics retailer Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News) shed -5.3% after it withdrew its guidance for the first half of the year after announcing that April sales were "substantially" lower than what the company expected. Circuit City is facing intense competition from the larger Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News) and is in the midst of a restructuring effort.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BBY, CC, DJ, F, GCI, GM, MNI, NWS, NYT, PG, TM

Electronics and entertainment retailer Circuit City Stores Inc. said Monday it will report a loss in its first quarter and is withdrawing its outlook for the first half of the fiscal year.
Circuit City said it now expects a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $80 million to $90 million for the current quarter -- the first of fiscal 2008 -- because of "substantially" lower sales in April of large flat panel and projection television.
The company's shares fell more than 7 percent in extended trading after the announcement.

Labels: CC, Circuit City Stores Inc.

Strong earnings reports from bellwether companies like Google (Nasdaq: GOOG - News) helped propel a broad advance to close out the week, with the Blue Chip Dow Jones Industrial Average surpassing the 12,900 point mark for the first time in its history. Advancing stocks led decliners by roughly a 3-to-1 margin on the NYSE and 2-to-1 on Nasdaq on above-average volume. Crude oil futures also jumped to close above $63 a barrel, while the 10-year Treasury note eased fractionally.
The Dow's gain was fueled by American Express (NYSE: AXP - News), up 3.5% on the day after posting a 21% increase in Q1 profit to a record $1.06 billion. Subscribers can read a detailed analysis of Amex's results in today's issue. Also contributing strongly was Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT - News), which closed 4.7% higher. The heavy equipment maker said its Q1 profit fell to $816 million from $840 million a year earlier, though net income rose on a per-share basis to $1.23 compared with $1.20 per share as a result of share repurchases. The housing slump in North America continues to hamper Caterpillar's results, but expectations for continued strong growth outside of the U.S. encouraged the company to raise its full-year forecast to between $5.30 and $5.80 a share, from between $5.20 and $5.70 a share in its previous forecast.
Other Dow components reporting results today included McDonald's (NYSE: MCD - News) and Pfizer (NYSE: PFE - News). McDonald's said its Q1 earnings rose 22% to $762 million, or 62 cents a share, while Pfizer reported a -17% drop in earnings due to the impact of restructuring charges. Pfizer also cut its full-year forecast to reflect the loss of exclusivity of its blood-pressure medication Norvasc last month. The company had originally thought it would retain market exclusivity through September, but it lost a court challenge on the matter. Subscribers can read a detailed analysis of the results from McDonald's and Pfizer in today's issue.
Google once again blew by its own forecast, and its shares added 2.3% after it announced results last night. The Internet company's ubiquitous search engine continues to be its engine for growth as net income jumped a healthy 69% to $1 billion, or $3.18 a share, from $592 million or $1.95 a share a year earlier. Another top technology name, Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD - News), slipped -0.8% after reporting that it had swung to a wider-than-expected loss in the most-recent quarter. Elsewhere, oilfield services provider Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB - News) added 1.2% after the company reported a 63% jump in profits as a result of strong oil and natural gas activity by firms worldwide. The company's net income rose to $1.2 billion, or 96 cents a share, from $722.5 million, or 59 cents a share, a year ago.
In other company news, Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News) and Napster (Nasdaq: NAPS - News) announced that they had teamed up to launch their own music download service. Subscribers will be able to download songs to their computers or music players for either a monthly fee of $14.95 or for 99-cents a song. Circuit City's shares rose 2.9%, but Napster traded essentially unchanged. Shares of H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) closed up 3.3% after the company succeeded in finding a buyer for its troubled subprime lending unit, Option One Mortgage. A newly formed subsidiary of the private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management will buy the mortgage firm for the value of its net assets minus $300 million. The final price will be determined when the deal closes later this year.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AMD, AXP, CAT, CC, GOOG, HRB, MCD, NAPS, pfe, SLB

Stocks closed modestly higher today in relaxed trading midway through a holiday-shortened week as investors shook off mixed reports on the state of the manufacturing and service sectors. Stocks as measured by the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq composite index have posted gains for five-straight sessions. Oil prices eased after Iran's president announced that 15 British service personnel would be set free, ending a tense standoff between those countries that had nervous energy traders bidding up the price of crude in recent sessions. The price of the 10-year Treasury note also advanced.
The increase in February factory orders was a disappointing 1%, the Commerce Department reported, though it was a marked improvement over the -5.7% decline in January. Economists had forecasted a 1.9% gain. There was weak demand for construction machinery, steel, and electrical equipment, though there were order gains in the transportation sector, computers, chemical products, and clothing industries. Separately, the Institute for Supply Management's report on service-sector activity showed continued expansion in March, but at a slower rate than in February.
In company news, the nation's top electronics retailer, Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), reported an 18.5% increase in its fiscal Q4 net income on a 21% increase in revenue. The company's $1.55 per share in earnings surpassed analyst estimates by three cents a share, but the stock still sold off by -2.5%. Best Buy also announced that it would begin selling computers made by Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL - News) in 200 of its stores by the fall. The No. 2 seller of electronics, in contrast, is struggling. Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News) said it lost -$12 million in Q4, or -7 cents a share. The company's results were hurt by restructuring charges tied to store closings.
Seed company Monsanto (NYSE: MON - News) said a booming market for corn fueled by the ethanol industry helped propel it to a 23% profit increase for the quarter ended Feb. 28th. Revenue rose by 19% to $2.6 billion. The stock added 3.2% after the company issued a revised, more upbeat forecast for the rest of the year.
In the tech sector, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News) added 2.3% after positive comments from Citigroup. Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ - News) was higher after a ratings upgrade to "buy" by American Technology Research. The chip sector traded higher today as evidenced by the rise in the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (Philadelphia: ^SOXX).
Jobs website operator Monster Worldwide (Nasdaq: MNST - News), meanwhile, dropped a sharp -13.2% after the company issued a downward revision of its revenue forecast. The company said Q1 revenue will be between $328 million to $329 million, compared with its earlier estimate of $330 million to $338 million. Internet retailer Red Envelope (Nasdaq: REDE - News) also fell sharply after the company announced that its CEO had quit.
Finally, the newly combined NYSE and Euronext exchanges declined in their first day of trading as a single company. Shares of NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX - News) shed -3.4%.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AAPL, BBY, CC, HPQ, MNST, MON, MSFT, NYX, REDE

Best Buy pulled further ahead of consumer electronics retail rival Circuit City on Wednesday, reporting an 18.5 percent rise in its fourth-quarter profit while Circuit City swung to a loss.
Best Buy Co. Inc., the nation's biggest consumer electronics chain, said it earned $763 million, or $1.55 per share, during the quarter that ended March 3, up from $644 million, or $1.29 per share, in the three months ended Feb. 25, 2006.
Revenue rose 21 percent to $12.9 billion from $10.69 billion a year ago, driven by store openings and a quarter that was a week longer than last year's.
Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of $1.52 per share on revenue of $12.67 billion.

Labels: BBY, Best Buy Co. Inc., CC, Circuit City Stores Inc.

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Acuity Brands (NYSE:AYI - News) reports earnings Wednesday before the market opens; look for $0.49 EPS. AYI's PowerRating is 5.
When Best Buy (NYSE:BBY - News) announces quarterly earnings Wednesday morning, watch for $1.52 EPS. BBY's PowerRating is 4.
Blyth Industries (NYSE:BTH - News) looks set to report $0.60 EPS tomorrow before the open. BTH's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts will be watching for Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News) to report $0.64 EPS early Wednesday. CC's PowerRating is 4.
Greenbrier (NYSE:GBX - News) should announce $0.54 EPS Wednesday morning before the bell. GBX's PowerRating is 6.
Monsanto (NYSE:MON - News) reports earnings tomorrow, with analysts expecting $0.93 EPS. MON's PowerRating is 5.
MSC Industrial (NYSE:MSM - News) should announce $0.61 EPS tomorrow morning. MSM's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AYI, BBY, BTH, CC, GBX, MON, MSM

Stocks with Fizz: Hansen Natural (NasdaqCM: HANS) and Jones Soda (NasdaqCM: JSDA)
Cramer made a comparison between HANS, a stock that moved all the way from 13 cents to $50, and JSDA, which has moved from 81 cents to $20. He would use a recent pull back to buy JSDA as a speculative play because it has room to run, even though it has doubled. Cramer notes both HANS and JSDA have western-centered markets, appeal to a younger demographic, and adds when HANS was starting out, the company, like JSDA, had only a few analysts covering it. Although Jones is focusing on the lackluster soda business rather than getting into energy drinks, it could take business from Coke or Pepsi, and its lack of expansion is indicates there is room to grow.

Benefit of the Doubt: RadioShack(NYSE: RSH - News) CEO Julian Day and Sears Holdings (NasdaqGS: SHLD) CEO Eddie Lampert
Continuing his series on CEOs who deserve the benefit of the doubt, Cramer discussed Radio Shack's CEO Julian Day and Sears Holdings' CEO Eddie Lampert, both of whom treat their retail companies as real business and work on making money rather than mindlessly putting up new stores and focusing on same-store sales to please analysts. Cramer praises Day for "restoring profitability" rather than expanding before RSH is ready, and says Lampert has a "Wall Street edge." He would buy both stocks.

Next Week's Game Plan: Veraz Networks, Comverge, Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News), GameStop (NYSE: GME - News)
Cramer says Veraz Networks, a new IPO which will trade under the symbol VRAZ, is telco equipment and internet infrastructure company worth buying. While it works with voice over internet, it is not to be compared with Vonage which Cramer considers "the single worst IPO of my lifetime," since Vonage is just a retailer while Veraz works with infrastructure. It should be priced from $10 to $12, but Cramer would be willing to spend up to $14. However, he thinks new IPO, Comverge, which will trade under the symbol COMV, is too expensive at $15 to $17. He likes the fact that the Comverge's technology increases profits for utilities companies, but would not pay more than $12.50. Cramer would pay attention to BBY's earnings report on Wednesday, because CC is blinking, and would buy BBY if it declines. However, he doesn't like BBY as much as GME, "the hottest part of consumer tech."
Mad Mail: Dell (NasdaqGS: DELL), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ - News), CarMax (NYSE: KMX - News), AutoNation (NYSE: AN - News), AAR Corp (NYSE: AIR - News), GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL - News)
Cramer says Dell is "dead money" and would buy HPQ because it is cheaper and better. Concerning KMX's "worrisome" conference call, Cramer says the company's permanent margins may be coming down and now prefers AN. Finally, Cramer said he is not backing away from AIR and told another viewer to get back into GOL which should move from $30 to $40.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AIR, AN, BBY, CC, COMV, DELL, GME, GOL, HANS, HPQ, Jim Cramer, KMX, Mad Money, RSH, SHLD, VRAZ

Circuit City Stores (CC 18.92) on Wednesday said it will explore strategic alternatives, including a possible sale, for its Canadian unit InterTAN, and announced additional store closures, to accelerate its transformation and boost financial performance. Shares of the Richmond, Va.-based retailer were indicated up more than 3% in pre-market activity on the news.
Circuit City, which also said it will cut 3,400 store associate jobs, expects to record tax expenses of approximately $144 million in the fourth quarter, related to goodwill impairment, store closings, and other restructuring activities.
Meanwhile, Circuit City announced that it signed a 7-year $775 million deal with International Business Machines (IBM) to outsource its information technology infrastructure services. The company expects cost savings of more than 16% over the life of the contract.
Based on the changes being made, which are aimed at improving the company's financial performance, Circuit City said it expects greater sales volatility during the first half of the year. As such, it lowered its fiscal 2007 sales growth outlook to 8% from a prior range of 9% to 10%. It also reduced its full-year same store sales guidance to 6% from 7% to 8%.
Given the lowered sales outlook, as the company continues to try to improve its financial performance amid a difficult consumer environment and intense competitive pressures, we would not be buying shares at this time. Instead, we continue to favor well-positioned competitors like Best Buy (BBY) and GameStop (GME).
--Richard Jahnke, Briefing.com

Labels: BBY, CC, Circuit City Stores Inc., GME, IBM

Last week, investors interpreted statements from the Federal Reserve Board's announcement that it would keep its primary interest rate at 5.25% as indicating the central bank might be moving towards a rate cut later in the year. Today, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke suggested that investors may have jumped to that conclusion too quickly. Predictably, stocks sank today on renewed fears of inflation. The 10-year Treasury note also declined, while crude oil futures pushed above $64 a barrel.

Bernanke, in testimony before a joint congressional committee, said the decision to drop the long-standing phrase "additional firming" -- which was always interpretted to be code for "rate hike" -- was simply intended to give the bank "a bit more flexibility given the uncertainties that [the Fed is] facing and the risks that are occurring on both sides of [the Fed's] outlook." Inflation, Bernanke noted, remains a concern, but the economy is still growing, albeit more slowly than in previous years. He added that he does not expect the economy to slip into recession and that he sees no evidence that the problems occurring in the subprime sector are impacting the broader economy, which many investors have feared will happen.
Also weighing on stocks today was a weaker-than-expected rebound in durable goods orders in February. After a sharp -9.3% drop in January in orders for products expected to last at least three years, economists were looking for growth of 3.5% in February. According to the Commerce Department, durable goods orders rose by only 2.5% to a seasonally adjusted $207 billion.
Builders remained a focus of investors today. Beazer Homes USA (NYSE: BZH - News) sank -8.4% after the company confirmed that it is cooperating with a probe by several federal government agencies into its mortgage business. The company has not been accused of any wrongdoing at this point. Sinking for a second-consecutive day were shares of Lennar (NYSE: LEN - News), the Florida homebuilder that released sharply lower fiscal Q1 earnings yesterday. Following Lennar lower were Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL - News), KB Home (NYSE: KBH - News), Pulte Homes (NYSE: PHM - News), and Hovnanian (NYSE: HOV - News).
Shares of Circuit City (NYSE: CC - News), the nation's No. 2 electronics retailer, moved higher after the company said it planned to cut about 8.5% of its in-store staff. The company said it would cut highly paid workers that earn "well above the market-based salary range for their role" and replace them with less costly workers. The company also plans to cut 130 corporate information technology jobs and outsource their functions to International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM - News). The nation's top electronics retailer, Best Buy (NYSE: BBY - News), closed lower.
Agriculture products giant and ethanol producer Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM - News) added 2.5% after Citigroup suggested the company will benefit from an expected drop in corn prices, which is a key ingredient in domestically produced ethanol. Fellow ethanol producer Verasun Energy (NYSE: VSE - News) also added 3.8%.

Labels: ADM, BBY, BZH, CC, HOV, IBM, KBH, LEN, PHM, TOL, VSE