Jim Cramer Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



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

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

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

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

With only two days left in Santas officially sanctioned rally, much of that bull has already been put to rest. For the abbreviated and suspect work week, the NASDAQ Composite ($COMPQ) and S&P500 ($SPX) saw fit to tack on another .60% thereabouts and onto their existing yearly and not-so-ruff gainers of 10% to 14%.There were no Monday morning marriage agreements this past week, seeing how the home offices were closed for the holiday. However, the market did kick things off on the right foot Tuesday. Handily lower oil prices (USO) on a discounting of idle supply threats from Iran and mild weather on the east coast [down -2.40% on week] helped traders along with profit-engine leadership from the energy sector. The bulls had further help in a no headlines required situation, as an existing and well-positioned technical bounce and seasonal window were gifts left for Wall Streeters still watching the flickering red and green lights. Wednesday offered up some pleasant surprises with light fare M & A stories from Cenveo (CVO) and McClatchy (MNI), continued weakness in crude and the bottom is in cheer on the housing front (XHB). All told, the fodder was sufficient to keep the bulls happy for a second session of upside seasonal gifts. Call it a case of investor indigestion, schnitzeling or perhaps concern over what really matters in the investment decision: Thursday and Friday saw the few remaining investors, pressuring ever-so-slightly, Santas window of opportunity. In the weeks heaviest dose of economic realities, Thursdays better-than-expected economic reports were also apparently seen as the stronger-than-wanted variety. Call it a Catch-22 situation for market bulls intent on the Fed lowering rates in early 2007. That said, surprises pointing to a steadier economy courtesy of the Chicago PMI, existing home sales, weekly claims and a happy consumer resulted in across-the-board spikes on interest rate instruments and a definitive change of tune towards the possibility of the Fed easing its monetary policy. Speaking of investors changing their tune, closing out the week and a day without one iota of economic news, Apple (AAPL) received a tune up of sorts with more than a few folks doing more than just listening in. After two sessions of nefarious stock-option headlines that involved the man behind the music, Steve Jobs & Co. reached an agreement with the Feds. Apple announced that while Mr. Jobs did recommend favorable grants for a few key executives back in 2001, that he didnt personally partake in the inflated gratuities. As such, the company agreed to take an $84 million charge linked to the prior accounting mishap and the SEC, for their part, might have to go search for another high-profile whipping boy.
ON TAP THIS WEEK
The abbreviated work week of just three sessions will be a fairly busy one for economic watchdogs. Manufacturing on the national level courtesy of the ISM index will kick off the New Year for investors. With mixed regional reports of late and the index currently at the contraction/expansion level of 50, a reading removed from that key level will have the capacity to induce further rate debates amongst bulls and bears. The most important report however, or at least heralded, will be Fridays jobs data. Both the speed at which the slowdown is occurring, as well as possible wage-based inflation pressures will be the focus of the release and a Street torn as to what might be better for 2007s market-based Drive for Five.
Wednesday Economic: Construction Spend (-.6%), ISM Index (50), Auto / Truck Sales (5.2M, 7.3M) Earnings: Immucor (BLUD), Sonic (SONC), Merix (MERX)
Thursday Economic: Weekly Claims (318K), Factory Orders (1.4%), ISM Services (57) Earnings: Monsanto (MON), Texas Industries (TXI), Constellation Brands (STZ), Healthways (HWAY), Xyratex (XRTX)FridayEconomic: Nonfarm (110K), Unemployment (4.5%), Hourly Wages (.3%)Earnings: Shaw Group (SGR), Global Payment (GPN)
By Chris Tyler, Optionetics.com

Labels: AAPL, BLUD, CVO, GPN, HWAY, MERX, MNI, MON, SGR, SONC, SPX, STZ, TXI, USO, XHB, XRTX

Cenveo Inc. (NYSE:CVO - News) shares rose 9.3% after the company agreed to acquire Cadmus Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CDMS - News) for $24.75 a share in cash. The deal represents an acquisition premium of 18%. The total value of the transaction, including assumption of debt, is expected to be about $430 million, Cadmus said. A combined Cenveo and Cadmus would rank as the No. 3 graphics-communications company in North America with revenue of more than $2 billion, according to Stamford, Conn.-based Cenveo.
Crucell N.V. (NASDAQ:CRXL - News) shares climbed 2.2% after the company signed a cross-licensing agreement with Merck & Co, Inc. Under the deal, Merck will be allowed to use Crucell technology on an exclusive basis in undisclosed vaccine fields. In return Crucell will receive access to Merck's large-scale manufacturing technology for its AdVac-based malaria and TB vaccines.
InfoSonics' (NASDAQ:IFON - News) shares leapt 44% after the San Diego based-company said it has reached an agreement to distribute handsets for LG Electronics in the Caribbean and certain countries in Latin America. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. InfoSonics said it has already received approval, certification and purchase orders from carriers in the region and will be delivering its first shipments in the coming weeks.
Inverness Medical Innovations (AMEX:IMA - News) shares rose 2.1% after the company formed a joint venture with Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG - News) to develop, manufacture and market consumer diagnostic products outside of the fields of cardiology and diabetes. P&G will pay $325 million in cash for its 50% interest in the joint venture, the companies said. The deal is expected to close in the latter half of the first quarter of 2007, subject to regulatory approval and normal closing conditions.
Medwave Inc. (NASDAQ:MDWV - News) shares added 9.5% after the company named Ramon Burton as chief financial officer. Additionally, the Danvers, Mass.-based maker of blood pressure monitoring technology said it has appointed James Hawley to the board. Hawley, currently chief executive of Diversified Graphics Inc., will serve as chairman of the company's audit committee.
OxiGene Inc. (NASDAQ:OXGN - News) shares rose 5% after the Waltham, Mass.-based pharmaceutical company reported positive results from a Phase II study of combretastatin (CA4P) in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in patients with advanced imageable malignancies. Topline data indicate that the objectives of the study were met, the company said. The objectives were to identify optimal dose of CA4P for blood flow shutdown and to demonstrate safety and efficacy of CA4P in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin.
PFSweb (NASDAQ:PFSW - News) shares jumped 18% after the Plano, Texas-based company said it has signed an agreement with Fathead LLC to provide order processing and fulfillment services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement with Fathead was included in PFSweb's previously announced service fee contracts for the year, which will bring in estimated annual revenue of $12 million upon full implementation.
Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - News) shares rose 1.6% after the company said it expects 2006 earnings from continuing operations, excluding asset sales, to exceed $4 a share. The San Diego energy services holding company had previously forecast earnings between $3.50 and $3.70 a share. The company also said it will sell its interests in two Argentine natural-gas distribution companies.
Targacept (NASDAQ:TRGT - News) shares jumped 20% after the company said it's received confirmation from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN - News) of plans to continue development of AZD3480 in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. The determination triggers a $20 million milestone payment to Targacept.
Vascular Solutions (NASDAQ:VASC - News) shares gained 17% after the company said the Food and Drug Administration has approved its premarket approval supplement for the D-Stat Flowable hemostat to reduce the incidence of clinically significant hematomas during the implantation of pacemakers or other devices.
By Michael Baron of Marketwatch

Labels: AZN, CDMS, CRXL, CVO, IFON, IMA, MDWV, OXGN, PFSW, PG, SRE, TRGT, VASC

Cenveo Inc. (NYSE:CVO - News) said it's reached a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding stock of Cadmus Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CDMS - News) for $24.75 a share in cash. The deal represents an acquisition premium of 18% over Tuesday's closing price of $20.98 on Cadmus shares. The total value of the transaction, including assumption of debt, is expected to be about $430 million, Cadmus said. A combined Cenveo and Cadmus would rank as the No. 3 graphics-communications company in North America with revenue of more than $2 billion, according to Stamford, Conn.-based Cenveo.
Crucell N.V. (NASDAQ:CRXL - News) signed a cross-licensing agreement with Merck & Co, Inc. . Under the deal, Merck will be allowed to use Crucell technology on an exclusive basis in undisclosed vaccine fields. In return Crucell will receive access to Merck's large-scale manufacturing technology for its AdVac-based malaria and TB vaccines.
HCC Insurance Holdings' (NYSE:HCC - News) shares rose after the company said it's completed an independent review of its stock option granting practice and recorded a gross non-cash compensation expense of $26.6 million related to corrections of errors in the years 1997 through and including 2005. The company stated the charge had no impact on its reported net revenue, cash or cash flow for the period but it did result in a net after-tax decrease in shareholders' equity of $3.3 million. Houston-based HCC said its conclusion of the review and subsequent completion of certain quarterly and annual financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission will have "cured any possible Event of Default" stemming from its failure to deliver the reports in a timely manner under the provisions of certain debt offerings. In addition, HCC posted earnings of $93.3 million, or 80 cents a share, for the third quarter, up from a year-ago profit of $7.4 million, or 7 cents a share. Last year's third quarter reflects the impact of hurricane-related losses and the effect of reinsurance commutations.
InfoSonics' (NASDAQ:IFON - News) shares gained after the San Diego based-company said it has reached an agreement to distribute handsets for LG Electronics in the Caribbean and certain countries in Latin America. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. InfoSonics said it has already received approval, certification and purchase orders from carriers in the region and will be delivering its first shipments in the coming weeks.
Inverness Medical Innovations (AMEX:IMA - News) shares rose after the company formed a joinr venture with Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG - News) to develop, manufacture and market consumer diagnostic products outside of the fields of cardiology and diabetes. P&G will pay $325 million in cash for its 50% interest in the joint venture, the companies said. The deal is expected to close in the latter half of the first quarter of 2007, subject to regulatory approval and normal closing conditions.
Monster Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:MNST - News) said its board has elected Philip Lochner Jr. as a director, effective immediately. Among other prior positions, Lochner has served as a commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lochner will join the special committee investigating the company's historical stock-option practices, and serve on the committee addressing related civil litigation.
PFSweb (NASDAQ:PFSW - News) shares leapt after the Plano, Texas-based company said it has signed an agreement with Fathead LLC to provide order processing and fulfillment services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement with Fathead was included in PFSweb's previously announced service fee contracts for the year, which will bring in estimated annual revenue of $12 million upon full implementation.
Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - News) said it expects 2006 earnings from continuing operations, excluding asset sales, to exceed $4 a share. The San Diego energy services holding company had previously forecast earnings between $3.50 and $3.70 a share. The company also said it will sell its interests in two Argentine natural-gas distribution companies.
Targacept (NASDAQ:TRGT - News) shares jumped after the company said it's received confirmation from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN - News) of plans to continue development of AZD3480 in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. This determination triggers a $20 million milestone payment to Targacept.
Vascular Solutions (NASDAQ:VASC - News) said the Food and Drug Administration has approved its premarket approval supplement for the D-Stat Flowable hemostat to reduce the incidence of clinically significant hematomas during the implantation of pacemakers or other devices.
By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: AZN, CDMS, CRXL, CVO, HCC, IFON, IMA, MNST, PFSW, PG, SRE, TRGT, VASC

Cenveo Inc. (NYSE:CVO - News) said it's reached a definitive agreement to acquire all outstanding stock of Cadmus Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:CDMS - News) for $24.75 a share in cash. The deal represents an acquisition premium of 18% over Tuesday's closing price of $20.98 on Cadmus shares. The total value of the transaction, including assumption of debt, is expected to be about $430 million, Cadmus said. A combined Cenveo and Cadmus would rank as the No. 3 graphics-communications company in North America with revenue of more than $2 billion, according to Stamford, Conn.-based Cenveo.
Crucell N.V. (NASDAQ:CRXL - News) signed a cross-licensing agreement with Merck & Co, Inc. . Under the deal, Merck will be allowed to use Crucell technology on an exclusive basis in undisclosed vaccine fields. In return Crucell will receive access to Merck's large-scale manufacturing technology for its AdVac-based malaria and TB vaccines.
HCC Insurance Holdings' (NYSE:HCC - News) shares rose after the company said it's completed an independent review of its stock option granting practice and recorded a gross non-cash compensation expense of $26.6 million related to corrections of errors in the years 1997 through and including 2005. The company stated the charge had no impact on its reported net revenue, cash or cash flow for the period but it did result in a net after-tax decrease in shareholders' equity of $3.3 million. Houston-based HCC said its conclusion of the review and subsequent completion of certain quarterly and annual financial filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission will have "cured any possible Event of Default" stemming from its failure to deliver the reports in a timely manner under the provisions of certain debt offerings. In addition, HCC posted earnings of $93.3 million, or 80 cents a share, for the third quarter, up from a year-ago profit of $7.4 million, or 7 cents a share. Last year's third quarter reflects the impact of hurricane-related losses and the effect of reinsurance commutations.
InfoSonics' (NASDAQ:IFON - News) shares gained after the San Diego based-company said it has reached an agreement to distribute handsets for LG Electronics in the Caribbean and certain countries in Latin America. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed. InfoSonics said it has already received approval, certification and purchase orders from carriers in the region and will be delivering its first shipments in the coming weeks.
Inverness Medical Innovations (AMEX:IMA - News) shares rose after the company formed a joinr venture with Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG - News) to develop, manufacture and market consumer diagnostic products outside of the fields of cardiology and diabetes. P&G will pay $325 million in cash for its 50% interest in the joint venture, the companies said. The deal is expected to close in the latter half of the first quarter of 2007, subject to regulatory approval and normal closing conditions.
Monster Worldwide Inc. (NASDAQ:MNST - News) said its board has elected Philip Lochner Jr. as a director, effective immediately. Among other prior positions, Lochner has served as a commissioner with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Lochner will join the special committee investigating the company's historical stock-option practices, and serve on the committee addressing related civil litigation.
PFSweb (NASDAQ:PFSW - News) shares leapt after the Plano, Texas-based company said it has signed an agreement with Fathead LLC to provide order processing and fulfillment services. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The agreement with Fathead was included in PFSweb's previously announced service fee contracts for the year, which will bring in estimated annual revenue of $12 million upon full implementation.
Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE - News) said it expects 2006 earnings from continuing operations, excluding asset sales, to exceed $4 a share. The San Diego energy services holding company had previously forecast earnings between $3.50 and $3.70 a share. The company also said it will sell its interests in two Argentine natural-gas distribution companies.
Targacept (NASDAQ:TRGT - News) shares jumped after the company said it's received confirmation from AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN - News) of plans to continue development of AZD3480 in Alzheimer's disease and cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. This determination triggers a $20 million milestone payment to Targacept.
Vascular Solutions (NASDAQ:VASC - News) said the Food and Drug Administration has approved its premarket approval supplement for the D-Stat Flowable hemostat to reduce the incidence of clinically significant hematomas during the implantation of pacemakers or other devices.
By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: AZN, CDMS, CRXL, CVO, HCC, IFON, IMA, MNST, PFSW, PG, SRE, TRGT, VASC