Jim Cramer Blog

Falling markets in Europe and Asia led to an early selloff in the U.S., with disappointing retail sales data and credit worries setting the tone. However, an afternoon rally erased the losses and stocks closed higher.
The Dow rose +35.50, the Nasdaq Composite +19.74, and the S&P 500 +6.71.
Here are 7 stocks to watch...
The Wall Street Journal reported Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) is "facing increasingly tough trading conditions." BSC was the biggest decliner in the S&P 500, falling nearly 8%. BSC's Short Term PowerRating is 7.
Aspect Medical Systems (NasdaqGS:ASPM) plunged more than 45% after a report in the New England Journal of Medicine said the company devices were ineffective.
Humana (NYSE:HUM) gained more than 10%, after losing nearly 14% yesterday. HUM's Short Term PowerRating is 8.
After the close, Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) beat earnings estimates by $0.05. ARO's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
Before the market open, AnnTaylor Stores (NYSE:ANN) is expected to reports earnings of $0.20. ANN's Short Term PowerRating is 4.
Electronic Arts went hostile in its takeover bid for Take Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO ), offering shareholders $26 per share. TTWO's Short Term PowerRating is 8.
Do you think Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS) will close up or down on Friday? ERTS' Short Term PowerRating is 4. Go to TradingMarkets.com to play our Up or Down Daily Stock Contest for the chance to win $1000 every month by predicting the direction of a stock.

Labels: ANN, ARO, ASPM, BSC, ERTS, Hot Stocks, HUM, TTWO

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.
Baidu.com (NasdaqGS:BIDU - News) & Sunpower (Nasdaq:SWPR - News). BIDU's PowerRating (for Traders) is 9, and SPWR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News). ERTS'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.
Wynn Resorts (NasdaqGS:WYNN - News). WYNN'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.
Microsoft (NasdaqGS:MSFT - News). MSFT'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.
JDA Software (NasdaqGM:JDAS - News). JDAS's' PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
Bearish
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.
Tenet Healthcare (NYSE:THC - News). THC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BIDU, ERTS, JDAS, MSFT, SWPR, THC

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News) beat earnings on Thursday with $0.27 EPS over an expected $0.20 EPS. ERTS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Bebe Stores (NasdaqGS:BEBE - News) missed earnings expectations on Thursday afternoon, with $0.16 EPS versus a consensus of $0.17 EPS. BEBE's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Verisign (NasdaqGS:VRSN - News) also missed earnings, with $0.26 EPS versus expectations of $0.27 EPS. VRSN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Chevron (NYSE:CVX - News) reports earnings on Friday before the market opens, with analysts looking for $2.05 EPS. CVX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
When Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK - News) reports quarterly earnings tomorrow morning, analysts will be watching for $0.39 EPS. DUK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
International Paper (NYSE:IP - News) is looking to report $0.57 EPS on Friday morning before the market opens. IP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Analysts are watching for NYSE Euronext (NYSE:NYX - News) to report $0.72 EPS on Friday before the market opens. NYX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.

Labels: BEBE, CVX, DUK, ERTS, Hot Stocks, IP, NYSE Euronext Inc., NYX, VRSN

Commodity Stocks
Adami: Exxon Mobil (XOM)- Take profits. US Bancorp (USB)- Sees trade opportunity. Gold- Down. Oil- Down. KB Home (KBH)- Likes for a trade. Morgan Stanley (MS) and Bank of America (BAC) also traded higher.
Macke: warns against shorting the financials because he believes the sector will continue to work on the long side. Before earnings, Macke also likes TCF Financial (TCB). Macke also believes that Activison (ATVI) and Electronic Arts (ERTS) make more money off the games for the Wii than games for the Playstation.
China: iShares FTSE/Xinhau China 25 Index (FXI) traded higher for the second day in a row. Najarian: U.S. investors can trade China ETF's and ADR's even when the market in China is closed. Although it has had a monster run, he still believes that Baidu.com (BIDU) will trade higher. Najarian owns BIDU. He also likes the Macau trade with Wynn (WYNN) and Las Vegas Sands (LVS).
Micron (MU) traded lower after hours on a $158 million loss. Najarian believes the run in Micron has already happened. He prefers Sandisk (SNDK) and Rambus (RMBS). Adami believes that Micron will trade higher from current levels.
Pops & Drops
POPS -- Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) traded up 2%, hitting an all-time high. PDL BioPharma (PDLI) traded up 9%. Kohl's (KSS) popped 2% on news the firm is going to increase the number of stores by 67%. Ciena (CIEN) traded up 9% on a bullish gross margin forecast.
DROPS- Garmin (GRMN) fell 7%. Finerman sees Garmin's only solution is to buy NAVTEQ (NVT).
Face2Face
First viewer: Las Vegas Sands and Melco Entertainment (MPEL). Najarian responds that Wynn Resorts looks better then Las Vegas Sands.
CB Richard Ellis (CBG): which has fallen from $42 and is now trading at $28. Adami concedes that CB Richard is OK for a trade with a stop at $24.
Research In Motion (RIMM), NVIDIA (NVDA), EMC Corporation (EMC), Blue Nile (NILE) and Apple (AAPL) Macke believes it's a good idea to take some off the table in these momentum names.
Final Trade
Macke likes Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
Finerman recommends Kohl's (KSS).
Adami is drawn to the action in Dean Foods (DF).
Najarian prefers PDL BioPharma (PDLI)

Labels: ATVI, BAC, BIDU, CNBC, ERTS, Fast Money, Fast Money Recap, FXI, GRMN, KBH, LVS, MU, SNDK, USB, WYNN, XOM

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.
MasterCard Oct 160 Calls (NYSE:MA - News). MA's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
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.
Electronic Arts Oct 55 Puts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News). ERTS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
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.
Amazon.com Nov 110 Calls (NasdaqGS:AMZN - News). AMZN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 1.
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.
Las Vegas Sands Nov 110 Puts (NYSE:LVS - News). LVS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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.
Rediff.com (NasdaqGM:REDF - News). REDF's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
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.
KB Home (NYSE:KBH - News). KBH'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.
Pacific Ethanol (NYSE:PEIX - News). PEIX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AMZN, ERTS, KBH, LVS, MA, Mastercard Inc., Pacific Ethanol, PEIX, REDF, stock options

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

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 Underpriced 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.
Bear Sterns July 170 Calls (NYSE:BSC). BSC's PowerRating is 4.
Most Underpriced 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.
Altria Group Jun 70 Puts (NYSE:MO). MO's PowerRating is 5.
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.
AutoZone Inc. June 140 Calls (NYSE:AZO). AZO's PowerRating is 5.
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.
USANA Health Sciences July 35 Puts (NasdaqGS:USNA). USNA'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.
OptionsXpress Holdings (NasdaqGS:OXPS). OXPS' PowerRating 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.
None today
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.
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM). IBM's PowerRating is 5.
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS). ERTS' PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AZO, BSC, ERTS, IBM, MO, OXPS, stock options, USNA

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 Underpriced 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.

United Parcel Service July 75 Calls (NYSE:UPS - News). UPS' PowerRating is 4.
Most Underpriced 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.
Electronic Arts Jun 50 Puts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News). ERTS' 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.
Apple Inc. July 115 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating is 2.
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.
Deere & Co. May 115 Puts (NYSE:DE - News). DE'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.
Titanium Metals Corp. (NYSE:TIE - News). TIE's PowerRating 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.
None today
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.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (AMEX:EEM - News). EEM's PowerRating is 5.
Retail HOLDRs (AMEX:RTH - News). RTH's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, DE, EEM, ERTS, RTH, stock options, TIE, UPS

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS:CSCO) beat earnings Tuesday after the close, announcing $0.34 EPS over an expected $0.33 EPS. CSCO's PowerRating is 5.
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS) beat earnings Tuesday, with $0.06 EPS over a consensus of $0.02 EPS. ERTS's PowerRating is 4.
DirecTV (NYSE:DTV) announces earnings on Wednesday before the bell, with analysts watching for $0.30 EPS. DTV's PowerRating is 5.
Edison International (NYSE:EIX) reports quarterly earnings tomorrow morning; watch for $0.64 EPS. EIX's PowerRating is 4.
Hospira (NYSE:HSP) should report $0.52 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday morning. HSP's PowerRating is 6.
When Precision Castparts (NYSE:PCP) announces earnings on Wednesday morning, look for $1.26 EPS. PCP's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts expect Toll Brothers (NYSE:TOL) to report $0.42 EPS Wednesday before the bell. TOL's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: CSCO, DTV, EIX, ERTS, Hot Stocks, HSP, PCP, TOL

Electronic Arts Inc. led the Standard & Poor's 500 Index higher in midday trading Tuesday after Barron's magazine said the recent launch of three video game consoles is sure to help the video game publisher's sales.
Barron's said the releases of PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii are good for Electronic Arts because the people who bought the consoles will buy new games.
Shares of Redwood City, Calif.-based Electronic Arts rose $2.06, or 4.1 percent, to $52.08 in midday trading on the Nasdaq.
The S&P 500 index was up 2.12, to 1,457.66 in midday trading.
Shares of Temple Inland Inc. rose after a Banc of America Securities analyst upgraded the stock, saying investors are revisiting how to value the Austin, Texas-based packaging maker.
Temple Inland gained $1.68, or 3.2 percent, to $54.84 on the New York Stock Exchange. The stock hit as high as $55.45, breezing past the previous 52-week high of $53.18.
Also among leaders was Polo Ralph Lauren Corp., a New York-based clothing marketer. Polo Ralph Lauren partnered with Kohl's Department Stores to market the Chaps Home collection a few days after announcing a deal with J.C. Penney Co. to create a new brand called American Living. Polo Ralph Lauren added $2.45, or 2.8 percent, to $88.24, after earlier hitting a new all-time high of $88.45.
Among laggards, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.'s stock fell after a Prudential Equity Group analyst lowered his price target on the company. He said the stock isn't cheap enough to compensate for the energy company's risk.
Anadarko's stock fell $1.16, or 2.8 percent, to $40.17 on the Big Board.
Shares of Baker Hughes Inc. continued their plunge for the third session after the Houston-based oil services provider reported disappointing fourth-quarter earnings.
The stock fell $1.40, or 2.2 percent, to $63.65.
Also among laggards was Nucor Corp., a Charlotte, N.C.-based steel producer. An industry report showed inventories aren't clearing as fast as investors hoped.
Nucor's stock fell 83 cents to $63.89 on the NYSE.
Published by AP

Labels: APC, BHI, ERTS, Hot Stocks, JCP, NUE, RL, TIN

Labels: DEO, DPZ, ERTS, HYDL, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, MRVL, NOV, S, SHLD, THQI, TS, VG

Case for Trades: Marvell (NasdaqGS: MRVL)
Cramer discussed the outdated stigma that surrounds trading, and said that there is no reason to avoid trades now that taxes and commissions are the lowest he has seen them. "Buy and hold" doesn't cut it anymore, he commented, adding that his Mad Money picks are not meant to be held forever; investors "should try to buy as low as possible and sell high ... That doesn't make you a trader. It makes you an intelligent manager of your own money." In spite of an upgrade by Deutsche Bank and J.P Morgan, semiconductor stocks will not be strong until the middle of the year, and he expects MRVL to get hit harder than the rest. However, Cramer would buy the stock low because "Marvell is not a trade. It's not an investment. It's just a good idea." He would pick up the stock below $18 before it reports, but would do homework first.
Oil is Well: National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV - News), Teneris (NYSE: TS - News), Hydril (NasdaqGS: HYDL)
Although The Street has abandoned oil, Cramer likes NOV, since it "is the biggest maker of oil rigs on earth," reported an amazing quarter and is cheap. He points out that just as Teneris has agreed to buy HYDL for $97 a share, another buyer could pick up NOV. Cramer would buy some before it gets a takeover bid.
Q & A and Mad Mail: Sears Holdings (NasdaqGS: SHLD), Sprint (NYSE: S - News), Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS: ERTS), THQ (NasdaqGS: THQI), Domino's (NYSE: DPZ - News), Diageo (NYSE: DEO - News), Vonage (NYSE: VG - News)
Cramer says that he is recommending SHLD because it could be another Berkshire Hathaway, but said that he would get rid of the stock if he saw "deviation from... the Berkshire plan." Concerning Sprint, he says he would not recommend a stock when its fundamentals are deteriorating, and adds, "I keep waiting till the estimates get so low that they can't deteriorate further," and says that he would back up the truck when that happens. While the success of one game would not make such an impact on $15 billion company ERTS, it could affect$2 billion company THQ, and since the stock is expensive, Cramer would not buy it. Cramer says that "the worst is over" for DPZ, and would hold on to it, since it is a good chain. Finally, Cramer says Diageo is "terrific" and VG is "radically overpriced."
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: DEO, DPZ, ERTS, HYDL, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, MRVL, NOV, S, SHLD, THQI, TS, VG

Alaska Air Group Inc. (NYSE:ALK - News) said January traffic at its Alaska Airlines' unit fell 0.8% while its capacity rose 2.8%. That translated to a fall in load factor, or percentage of seats filled with paying passengers, to 66.5% from 69%. Horizon Air January traffic rose 0.3%, its capacity rose 2.6%, translating to a load factor fall to 63.3% from 64.7%.
Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APA - News) said it expects a charge of roughly $100 million related to Algeria's new "exceptional profits" tax, which applies when monthly average Brent Crude prices exceed $30 per barrel. The energy exploration and production company said Monday the charge represents an estimated liability for the period from Aug. 1 through Dec. 31. The Houston company expects a relief because Anadarko operates its Algerian assets under a production-sharing contract that includes a stabilization clause, which is designed to protect the investment and related asset value.
Bisys Group (NYSE:BSG - News) filed its Form 10-Q for the period ended Sept. 30, 2006, and reported net income of $14 million, compared with $13.4 million during the year-ago period. Revenue for the first fiscal quarter of 2007 was $211.5 million vs. $205.7 million.
British Airways (NYSE:BAB - News) reported a 2.8% drop in passenger traffic in January, due to flights being cancelled on the risk of a strike by its cabin crew. Its passenger load factor, a measure of passengers to available seats, dropped 3 percentage points to 69.5%. The market continues to show good demand in premium cabins. The weakness in some non-premium segments is also still a feature, the airline said.
Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE:BKC - News) filed to sell 20 million shares from selling stockholders, including entities managed by Bain Capital, Goldman Sachs and Texas Pacific Group. Based on its closing price of $20.28 a share on Friday, the stock offering will raise about $406 million. The offering comes after Burger King held its initial public offering of 25 million shares at $17 a share on May 18, 2006.
Columbia Laboratories' (NasdaqGM:CBRX - News) shares plummeted 69% to $1.44 in Monday morning trade after the Livingston, N.J.-based company announced late Sunday that its Phase III clinical trial of progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth did not achieve any reduction in the incidence of preterm birth at week 32, the primary endpoint. Progesterone also did not reduce the incidence of preterm birth at weeks 28, 35 and 37, the secondary endpoints of the study. Robert Mills, Columbia's chief executive, called the results "extremely disappointing."
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News) was downgraded to neutral from overweight at J.P. Morgan. The firm cited valuation and competition from a strong line up of games at its competitors. The broker added another possibility is that the industry could witness further hardware shipment cuts, which could limit demand for Electronic Arts' new titles.
Lexmark International (NYSE:LXK - News) was downgraded to reduce from neutral at UBS.
Majesco Entertainment Co. (NasdaqCM:COOL - News) said its financial statements for the fiscal year ended Oct. 31, 2006 contain a going concern modification. According to a Jan. 29 filing, the company's auditors have issued an opinion indicating that there is substantial doubt about the company's ability to continue as a going concern because Majesco has incurred net losses for the years ended Oct. 31, 2005 and 2006.
The McClatchy Co. (NYSE:MNI - News) was cut to market perform from outperform at Wachovia, which cited valuation and the continuing challenges in the advertising market, especially in the real estate category. "When we initiated coverage of the stock with an outperform rating, we thought the company would be able to increase its estimated cost savings related to the Knight Ridder deal. However, we now think any upside will be more than offset by revenue declines," Wachovia said. "While the stock has been weak, we think continued downward revisions of consensus estimates will make it difficult for the stock to trade materially higher," it added.
Midas Inc. (NYSE:MDS - News) said it plans to record a charge of $1.9 million in the fourth quarter related to closing six unprofitable company-owned shops in Florida. The company also said it expects a decline in U.S. comparable shop sales of 1.7% for the fourth quarter and 1.5% for the full year, citing lower advertising than in the year-ago period.
Nathan's Famous Inc. (NasdaqGM:NATH - News) reported third-quarter earnings of $1.1 million, or 17 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $770,000, or 12 cents a share.
NewMarket (NYSE:NEU - News) shares fell after the Richmond, Va.-based maker of chemical additives late Friday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $4.5 million, or 26 cents a share, down from $11.1 million, or 64 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding special items, the company posted a per-share profit of 60 cents vs. 46 cents. Revenue rose to $306.2 million from $293.7 million.
Overstock.com (NasdaqGM:OSTK - News) filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco seeking damages of $3.48 billion against a group of companies it says control over 80% of the prime brokerage market. The company also reported a fourth-quarter loss that widened to $40.7 million, or $1.92 a share, from $6.28 million, or 33 cents a share, a year earlier, hurt by lower revenue and increased expenses. The Salt Lake City-based online closeout retailer said revenue fell 6% to $297.5 million from $318 million a year earlier on lower traffic rates and smaller gross margins. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, a fourth-quarter loss of 85 cents a share on revenue of $305.7 million.
PMI Group (NYSE:PMI - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell 7% to $100.5 million, though earnings per share rose 7% to $1.19 a share, in line with analyst forecasts. Revenue rose 12% to $318 million. The profit declines amid loss reserve additions in U.S. mortgage insurance operations and an increase in total incurred losses in PMI Australia.
Regal-Beloit Corp. (NYSE:RBC - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $23 million, or 68 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $20.3 million, or 63 cents a share. Net sales slipped 2.5% in the latest three months to $366.6 million from $376.2 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for a profit of 68 cents a share in the December period.
Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL - News) said fourth-quarter net income for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $46.6 million, or 22 cents a share, from a loss of $3.6 million, or 2 cents a share in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $1.15 billion from $1 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 20 cents a share and revenue of $1.16 billion, on average. The cruise line expects first-quarter income of 3 to 8 cents a share. The current analyst estimate is 32 cents a share. For the full year, Royal Caribbean forecast earnings of $3.05-$3.20, compared to the analyst estimate of $3.15 a share.
State Street Corp. (NYSE:STT - News) has agreed to buy Investors Financial Services Corp. (NasdaqGS:IFIN - News) for around $4.5 billion in stock. Investors Financial shareholders will receive 0.906 shares of State Street common stock for each share held, based upon the closing price of State Street common stock on February 2. Approximately 62 million State Street common shares will be issued in the transaction. The transaction is expected to be dilutive to State Street's operating earnings in 2007, neutral to earnings in 2008 on an operating basis, lift earnings in 2008 on a cash basis and lift operating earnings in 2009, based on anticipated pre-tax cost savings of approximately $345 million to $365 million during the first two years following closing. State Street expects to take restructuring charges of between $625 million to $675 million.
Transmeta Corp. (NasdaqGM:TMTA - News) shares tumbled after the company said it's streamlining its operations to focus on its core business of intellectual property licensing. The company plans to decrease its workforce by roughly 39% as part of the restructuring, shedding about 75 employees, mostly in its engineering services businesses.
Unitrin Inc. (NYSE:UTR - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $61.6 million, or 91 cents a share, down 29% from $86.7 million, or $1.26 a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Chicago-based financial services company rose to $763.9 million from $755.9 million.
YRC Worldwide (NasdaqGS:YRCW - News) was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse.

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American Axle & Manufacturing (NYSE:AXL - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $188.6 million, or $3.74 a share, down from a year-ago profit of $4.5 million, or 9 cents a share. The latest results include charges stemming from its special attrition program and asset impairment. Looking ahead, the Detroit-based car parts company said it expects earnings of $1.25 to $1.50 a share in fiscal 2007 with sales rising to $3.3 billion.
Ameristar Casinos Inc. (NasdaqGS:ASCA - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $17.8 million, or 31 cents a share, up 25% from $14.3 million, or 25 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The company posted net revenue of $244 million vs. $243.8 million.
Aviza Technology (NasdaqGM:AVZA - News) shares jumped after the Scotts Valley, Calif.-based maker of semiconductor capital equipment late Thursday reported a fiscal first-quarter net profit of $1.13 million, or 7 cents a share. In the same quarter last year, the company posted a net loss of $4.63 million, or $1.25 a share. Revenue surged to $62.2 million from $28.9 million. Aviza expects second-quarter revenue of $60 million to $64 million, with operating income of $2.5 million to $3 million.
Brookfield Homes Corp. (NYSE:BHS - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell, as home closings and lot sales declined, to $58.8 million, or $2.19 a share, from $129.6 million, or $4.36 a share, during the same period in the prior year.
CA Inc. (NYSE:CA - News) said its third-quarter net income fell 14%, as the company continues to restructure through acquisitions and cost cuts.
Electronic Arts (NasdaqGS:ERTS - News) said earnings fell 38% in the December quarter as video game sales stayed flat with the previous year due to a lack of hit titles during the holiday shopping period.
Gannett (NYSE:GCI - News) shares rose after the newspaper publisher said net income rose 3% in the fourth quarter, as election-year political advertising on its television stations offset higher expenses. Earnings rose to $353.5 million, or $1.51 a share, from $343.3 million, or $1.44 a share, in the fourth quarter a year earlier. Revenue rose 7.5% to $2.21 billion. Gannett's results were clouded by the impact of an extra week in December compared with the prior year. The average estimate of analysts was for earnings of $1.49 a share on revenue of $2.15 billion, according to Thomson Financial.
Genworth Financial Inc. (NYSE:GNW - News) said fourth-quarter net income came in at $373 million, or 81 cents a share, up 21% from a year earlier when the life insurer made $307 million, or 64 cents a share.
Shares of Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. (NasdaqGM:HAYZ - News) gained after the Northville, Mich.-based supplier of automotive components announced new moves in an effort to streamline its North American businesses. The company said it has agreed to sell its Montague, Mich., and Bristol, Ind., suspension operations to Diversified Machine Inc. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Hayes Lemmerz expects to complete the sale within the next 30 days. In addition, the company said it will relocate its automotive components group headquarters and technical center to its Northville, Mich., corporate headquarters from Ferndale, Mich. The Ferndale facility will be closed, Hayes Lemmerz added.
Intuitive Surgical (NasdaqGS:ISRG - News) shares surged after the company said its fourth-quarter earnings fell 52%, as the year-ago quarter included a $22.2 million benefit associated with deferred tax assets. The Sunnyvale, Calif., medical equipment maker had fourth-quarter earnings of $23.6 million, or 62 cents a share, compared with $49.5 million, or $1.31 a share, a year earlier. On a pro forma basis, excluding the cost of accounting for stock-option payments, the company earned $28.1 million, or 73 cents a share. Intuitive Surgical said revenue for the quarter ended Dec. 31 rose 56% to $112.6 million from $72.1 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 51 cents a share on revenue of $105 million.
Longs Drug Stores Corp. (NYSE:LDG - News) turned in better-than-expected January sales results. Sales at stores open longer than a year, the industry benchmark known as same-store sales, were up 3.4%, ahead of the 2% increase expected by analysts.
Millipore (NYSE:MIL - News) shares gained after the company said fourth-quarter net income rose sharply to $18.5 million, or 34 cents a share, from $1.02 million, or 2 cents a share, a year earlier, helped by foreign exchange rates and its bioscience division. The biosciences products and services company said revenue increased 49% to $383.1 million from $256.3 million a year earlier. Excluding items, the company earned $49.1 million, or 90 cents a share, up from $32.7 million, or 62 cents a share, a year earlier. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 81 cents a share on revenue of $365.2 million. Analysts' estimates usually exclude items.
Nextest Systems (NasdaqGM:NEXT - News) reported fiscal second-quarter earnings of $2.2 million, or 12 cents a share, up from a year-ago loss of $95,000, or a penny per share. Looking ahead, the San Jose, Calif.-based maker of semiconductor test equipment said it sees earnings of 3 to 10 cents a share for the third quarter on revenue of $18 million and $22 million.
Owens & Minor Inc. (NYSE:OMI - News) increased its quarterly cash dividend 13.3% to 17 cents from 15 cents a share. The dividend is payable on March 30 to shareholders of record as of March 15.
Raytheon (NYSE:RTN - News) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Citigroup. The firm cited the company's strong organic growth.
Ronson Corp. (NasdaqCM:RONC - News) said its board declared a 5% common stock dividend. The Somerset, N.J., holding company said the dividend is payable April 16, to shareholders of record March 30. The dividend will increase the company's common shares outstanding by about 228,000 shares to 4.8 million.
Secure Computing (NasdaqGS:SCUR - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $27.4 million, or 44 cents a share, from year-earlier profit of $6.57 million, or 17 cents a share. Excluding items, Secure would have earned 7 cents a share, down from 17 cents a share a year earlier. The San Jose network-security company said Thursday that fourth-quarter revenue rose to $51.6 million from $30.2 million a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected break-even non-GAAP earnings on revenue of $55.8 million. For the first quarter, Secure expects non-GAAP per-share earnings of 3 to 4 cents on revenue of $59 million to $61 million. Wall Street, on average, is looking for non-GAAP earnings of 2 cents a share on revenue of $56.2 million for the first quarter.
Silicon Motion Technology Corp. (NasdaqGM:SIMO - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose to Taiwan $334.7 million ($10.2 million), or T$10.60 per American Depositary Share (32 cents), from T$246 million, or T$7.81 per ADS (24 cents), during the same period in the prior year. Analysts were looking for per-ADS earnings of 30 cents.
Simpson Manufacturing (NYSE:SSD - News) shares gained after the company reported said fourth-quarter net income of $18.7 million, or 38 cents a share, down from $21.6 million, or 44 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected per-share earnings of 40 cents. The Pleasanton, Calif.-based manufacturer of wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete and wood-to-masonry connectors said quarterly revenue fell to $179.6 million from $203.9 million in the prior year, while Wall Street was expecting $189 million.
Standard Pacific Corp. (NYSE:SPF - News) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $98.4 million, or $1.53 a share. During the same period a year ago, the company posted net earnings of $154.9 million, or $2.22 a share.
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