Jim Cramer Blog

All the major market averages surged out of the gate to open the third quarter today. Stocks rose as M&A continued to drive the markets and economic data pointed to a strong manufacturing sector. Oil started the session lower, but finished with a 41-cent gain to end at $71.09. Treasury prices rallied sending the yield on the benchmark 10-year note to under 5% for the first time in more than a month.
On the economic front today, the Institute of Supply Managers said growth accelerated in June. The ISM index rose to 56 for the month of June, up from 55 in May. The increase in the index was boosted by a rise in new orders and increased production. Any reading above 50 marks expansion in the manufacturing sector.
In company news, shares of Trump Entertainment (Nasdaq: TRMP) slid -16.6% on the day after the company came out and announced that negotiations to sell itself has ended in no transaction. The operator and owner of hotels and casinos in Atlantic City had been trying to sell itself for the past several months, but a large debt load contributed to the sale process ending.
Charles Schwab (Nasdaq: SCHW) rose 7.2% on the session after the company announced plans for a $3.5 billion capital restructuring that includes a large share buyback and also a special dividend. Meanwhile, The Carlyle Group agreed to take nursing home and assisted living operator Manor Care (NYSE: HCR) private in a $6.3 billion deal. The all-cash deal represents a 20% premium on its shares from its closing price on Friday.
In other merger related news, Dobson Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: DCEL) rose 11.8% after telecom giant AT&T (NYSE: T) agreed to buy the rural wireless company for $2.8 billion in cash. The deal will give AT&T access to all of Dobson's 1.7 million customers. Keeping on the telecommunications theme, Canada's largest telecom group BCE Inc. agreed to be taken private by a consortium of investors led by private equity group Dearborn Madison Partners, LLC, Providence Equity Partners, and Ontario's Teachers Pension Plan. The price tag on the deal is valued at $48.5 billion. The deal carries a premium of 7% from Friday's closing price.
Hedge Fund Och-Ziff Capital announced plans for an initial public offering. The multi-strategy investment fund with over $26.8 billion under management said it would offer up to $2 billion worth of Class A shares to the public. Och-Ziff is the latest in a string of private funds to raise capital via a public markets.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: DCEL, HCR, SCHW, T, TRMP

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Tuesday from TradingMarkets.com:
In the last 3 trading days, Baidu.com (NasdaqGM:BIDU) has risen over 13%. BIDU's PowerRating (for Traders) is 1.
Apple (NasdaqGS:AAPL) released the much-anticipated iPhone on Friday to an onslaught of national media attention. No major disruptions were reported, save some difficulties in getting AT&T (NYSE:T) service up and running. AT&T is also in the news after announcing plans to buy Dobson Communications (NasdaqGS:DCEL) for $2.8 billion. AAPL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6, T's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4 and DCEL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Manor Care (NYSE:HCR) announced finalizing plans to be bought by the Carlyle Group for $6.3 billion. HCR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) on Friday sent a letter to investors, explaining they will have to wait until as late as July 16 to find out the true amount of losses from the recent subprime blowout. BSC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Research In Motion (NasdaqGS:RIMM) rose 7% on Monday, after a +20% day Friday following exceptional earnings. RIMM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, BIDU, BSC, DCEL, HCR, Hot Stocks, RIMM, T

Amerigroup (NYSE:AGP - News) reported that fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $29.9 million, or 56 cents a share, from $12.9 million, or 25 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding a pretax gain from net prior period amounts of $13.8 million, or 16 cents a share, earnings were $21.4 million, or 40 cents a share, in the latest fourth quarter. The Virginia Beach, Va., health-care services company said revenue increased 31% to $809.7 million from $620.3 million a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted fourth-quarter earnings of 36 cents a share and revenue of $770.3 million. Analyst estimates typically exclude unusual items. The company also boosted its outlook for 2007 to earnings of $1.85 to $2 per share.

Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD - News) shares rose following a published report that it's held merger talks with Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev.
Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI - News) said it's initiated a review of its strategic options. It's retained Lazard Freres as its financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges as its legal advisor in the process.
Avici Systems Inc. (NasdaqGM:AVCI - News) swung to a fourth-quarter net profit of $2.99 million, or 21 cents a share, boosted by strong product revenue growth. In the same period last year, the provider of networking equipment posted a net loss of $8.6 million, or 67 cents a share.
Barnes Group (NYSE:B - News) earned $18.5 million, or 34 cents a share in the fourth quarter, compared to $9.7 million, or 19 cents a share a year ago. Net sales for the period were $328.8 million versus $276.4 million a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected the firm to earn 29 cents a share in the quarter. Barnes also said it expects full year earnings per share to be $1.53 to $1.60.
BEA Systems Inc. (NasdaqGS:BEAS - News) said it has uncovered instances where stock options granted to its executives and employees were not properly accounted for, and it will have to restate financial results from 1998 through fiscal 2007, and record expenses of $340 million to $390 million.
Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE:BZH - News) said its general counsel, Kenneth J. Gary, was terminated "for a pattern of personal conduct which includes violations of company policies." The disclosure came in a regulatory filing, which did not detail the alleged violations.
Capella Education (NasdaqGM:CPLA - News) said its fourth-quarter net profit rose to $5.7 million, or 39 cents a share, from $3 million, or 25 cents a share. Revenue at the online education services group rose 20.7% to $50.6 million in the quarter. The company said growth was driven by a rise in enrollments, with the number of active learners rising 23% to around 18,000 for the year as a whole. Capella said for 2007 it expects enrollment and revenue to grow 18% to 19%, with operating margins expected to be 10.5% to 11.5% of revenue.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - News) said its board approved a $7.5 billion stock repurchase program. The Peoria, Ill., maker of construction and mining equipment said it expects to complete the buyback within the next five years.
CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL - News) said its fourth-quarter net income fell to $72.2 million from $78.3 million, a year ago. On a per-share basis, earnings increased to 62 cents a share from 59 cents a year ago due to a higher number of shares outstanding in the year-ago quarter. Excluding items, earnings were 68 cents a share for the current quarter. A Thomson Financial survey of analysts, on average, predicted earnings of 64 cents a share for the quarter. Analyst estimates usually exclude items. The Monroe, La., integrated communications company revenue fell 2.1% to $607.7 million from $620.5 million. The company expects first-quarter earnings excluding items of 60 cents to 65 cents a share on revenue of $600 million to $610 million. Analysts forecast earnings of 63 cents a share for the quarter. Centurytel sees 2007 earnings excluding items of $2.60 to $2.70 a share. Wall Street projects earnings of $2.71 a share for the year.
Charles River Labs (NYSE:CRL - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies & Co.
Chordiant Software (NasdaqGM:CHRD - News) shares gained after the Cupertino, Calif.-based company reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $10.7 million, or 14 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $1.77 million, or 2 cents a share, last year. Excluding certain items, the company posted a loss of $2.7 million, or 3 cents a share. Revenue rose to $22.9 million from $22.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share loss of 2 cents on revenue of $24.7 million. Chordiant raised its fiscal 2007 revenue forecast to a range of $120 million to $125 million.
Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS - News) said its CEO Oswald Grubel has decided to retire May 4. Grubel will be replaced by Brady Dougan, head of the bank's investment banking arm.
Diageo (NYSE:DEO - News) shares advanced after the company was able to lift its operating profit forecast for the year after increasing sales of Scotch whisky and beer to emerging markets and nabbing greater market share in the U.S.
Dobson Communications Corp. (NasdaqGS:DCEL - News) said it swung to a fourth-quarter net profit of $1.74 million, boosted by higher service revenue. In the same period last year, the provider of wireless phone services posted a net loss of $24.9 million.
EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings before items of $17.6 million, or 81 cents a share, on sales growth of 18%.
FTI Consulting (NYSE:FCN - News) shares gained after the Baltimore-based company posted fourth-quarter net earnings of $17.4 million, or 42 cents a share, down from $18.3 million, or 46 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $216.8 million from $165.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 37 cents on revenue of $194.4 million. FTI expects 2007 earnings of $1.74 to $1.84 a share. Analysts are looking for earnings of $1.76 a share.
Guess Inc. (NYSE:GES - News) blew the doors off earnings expectations by turning in a profit of $45.7 million, or 99 cents a share, a sharp turn from last year's income of $25.8 million, or 57 cents a share. The casual-apparel retailer said revenues surged 25% to $346.4 million.
Gymboree (NasdaqGS:GYMB - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Wedbush Morgan.
Hershey Foods Corp. (NYSE:HSY - News) detailed a three-year plan to change its supply chain operations, saying it expects a total net reduction of about 1,500 jobs. The Hershey, Pa., candy company expects to record pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of between $525 million and $575 million from the program over the next three years, primarily in 2007 and 2008. The plan calls for a reduction in the number of production lines in use by more than one-third, the outsourcing of low value-added items and the construction of a production facility in Monterrey, Mexico. When the plan is completed, Hershey said about 80% of its production volume will take place in the U.S. and Canada. The company also reaffirmed its long-term goals for sales growth of 3% to 4% and growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 9% to 11%. For 2007, however, it said it sees growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 7% to 9%.

Published By MarketWatch

Labels: AGP, AVCI, AWI, B, BUD, BZH, CAT, CHRD, CPLA, CRL, CS, CTL, DCEL, DEO, FCN, GES, GYMB, HSY, NPO

Stocks Ready to Surge: These are the stocks that today made new 10-day lows that are still in an uptrend as they are trading above their 200-day moving average. They are sorted in rank according to how over-extended they are vs. their 10-day moving average. For example, the top ranked stock is trading the furthest distance from its 10-day moving average on a percentage basis. Historically, these stocks on average have had larger than normal short-term upside reversals.
General Electric (NYSE:GE - News). GE's PowerRating is 5.
Low-Priced Stocks Ready to Surge: These are the stocks under $10/share that today made new 10-day lows that are still in an uptrend as they are trading above their 200-day moving average. They are sorted in rank according to how over-extended they are vs. their 10-day moving average. For example, the top ranked stock is trading the furthest distance from its 10-day moving average on a percentage basis. Historically, these stocks on average have had larger than normal short-term upside reversals. Please note: All stocks carry risk and low-priced stocks usually come with even more risk. Always use caution.
Dobson Communications (NasdaqGS:DCEL - News). DCEL's PowerRating is 7.
Pullbacks from Highs: Most successful momentum-based traders and money managers like to buy strong stocks after they pull back. TradingMarkets.com uses a proprietary mathematical model to identify up to 30 (in weak or choppy markets there will be fewer) of the strongest stocks that have pulled back from recent highs. These stocks should be considered potential candidates to resume their longer-term uptrends.
Millicom International (NasdaqGS:MICC - News). MICC's PowerRating is 7.
Trading Where the Action Is: This list contains the most volatile stocks over the past 50 trading days. These stocks are only for the most aggressive traders who are willing to assume a high degree of risk in order to capture larger gains.
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS:RACK - News). RACK's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks Ready to Drop: These are the stocks that today made new 10-day highs that are still in an downtrend as they are trading below their 200-day moving average. They are sorted in rank according to how over-extended they are vs. their 10-day moving average. For example, the top ranked stock is trading the furthest distance from its 10-day moving average on a percentage basis. Historically, these stocks on average have had larger than normal short-term downside reversals.
Circuit City (NYSE:CC - News). CC's PowerRating is 3.
Pullbacks from Lows: Most successful momentum-based traders and money managers like to sell weak stocks after they pull back. TradingMarkets.com uses a proprietary mathematical model to identify up to 20 (in strong or choppy markets there will be fewer) weak stocks that have pulled back from recent lows. These stocks should be considered potential candidates to resume their longer-term downtrends.
Rogers Corporation (NYSE:ROG - News). ROG's PowerRating is 3.
Short Windows Candidates: These are stocks which are in a strong downtrend, as determined by a proprietary trend filter and whose current bar has its low above the 4-day moving average. Historically, these stock on average have had a larger than normal short-term downside reversals. In order for us to have a sell signal, the 10-period ADX must be 30 or higher and the -DI must be greater than the +DI. Or we must have a 14-period -DI reading of above 30 (with no ADX reading required). "Single Windows" are the most common type of Windows. They are simply a single bar which has its low of the day above the 4-period moving average. You will enter if the stock trades below today's low.
SM&A (NasdaqGM:WINS - News). WINS does not have a PowerRating due to volume constraints.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: CC, DCEL, GE, Hot Stocks, MICC, RACK, ROG, WINS