Jim Cramer Blog

Fed Cut: Najarian's big question is will the Fed cut 25 or 50 basis points. Finerman is surprised that the market is rallying on the Fed rate cut anticipation. Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) led the stock market higher on Monday. Adami likes Public Service (PEG) into earnings.
Crude oil rose to a record $93.80. Reuters saying that gas prices will now play catch up with crude. Najarian continues to like the oil service sector, with Adami suggesting Tesoro (TSO) as a buying opportunity.
Warren Buffett: Doesn't think China is a bubble; he just thinks the market has run up. Buffett sold his entire stake in PetroChina (PTR) because he made a handsome profit, not because he thinks it won't go higher. The real concern with China is what will happen after the Olympics.
Chartology: Carter Worth joined the show to review the charts of Liz Claiborne (LIZ) and Eastman Kodak (EK). Worth points out that stocks worldwide are rallying but nobody is buying Liz Claiborne. On the other hand, the Eastman Kodak chart displays bullish trends going into earnings.
Earnings Preview: Procter and Gamble (PG) is set to report earnings on Tuesday and Clorox (CLX) will report Wednesday. Najarian reminds investors about Colgate (COL), which he think has more upside then Procter. Exxon Mobil (XOM) is set to report earnings on Thursday before the open.
Stem Cell: Genentech (DNA), Gilead Sciences (GILD), Amgen (AMGN) all reside in Silicon Valley. Scientists are now excited about the potential of stem cell research and California is positioned the best to benefit from the controversial process. Najarian would keep an eye on Myriad Genetics (MYGN) and Cepheid (CPHD) for genetic plays.
Word on the Street
Merrill Lynch (MER) shares rose 2% on hopes that CEO Stan O'Neal is on his way out. Chip stocks rallied after a bullish industry report shows global sales rose 5.9%. Macke still loves Intel (INTC) and is long the stock. Adami mentioned that Goldman Sachs put a $35 price target on Dell (DELL). Kellogg (K) reported strong third quarter profits. Macke is long Safeway (SWY) for a play on the grocery store sector. Options action in Under Armour (UA) perked Najarian's interest on Monday. The options market is looking for a 10% move on Under Armour in either direction. Macke continues to like Nike (NKE). Oracle's (ORCL) $17 bid for BEA Systems (BEAS) expired on Sunday.
Pops & Drops
Pops - Garmin (GRMN) traded up 6%.
American Axle (AXL) traded up 12% on news the firm will extend product lines.
Lehman Brothers (LEH) traded up 4% on news that the investment bank is setting up a $3 billion fund to buy leveraged loans from struggling banks. Goldman Sachs (GS) is the preferred stock for Finerman.
Sohu.com (SOHU) popped up 7%.
Weyerhaeuser (WY) traded up 8%.
Drops- Tupperware Brands (TUP) dropped 4% off of disappointing profits. Najarian thinks this is an opportunity to buy it.
Office Depot (ODP) fell 14%.
Final Trade
Macke advised investors to trim positions in EMC Corp (EMC).
Adami likes Gilead Sciences (GILD) for the $300 million stock buyback they recently announced.
Finerman would buy Washington Group (WNG) for a takeover play.
Najarian believes Merrill Lynch (MER) is ready to go higher.

Labels: AMGN, CNBC, DNA, EK, Fast Money, Fast Money Recap, GILD, INTC, LIZ, MER, PEG, PTR, TSO, XLU

Celgene (CELG), Gilead (GILD), Cephalon (CEPH), Biotech HOLDRs (BBH), Airgas (ARG): After three years as a bear market, biotech can be bought, said Cramer, who is bullish on Celgene, Gilead and Cephalon. He likes the sector now that the economy is slowing and suggests taking a look at Biotech HOLDRS. On another note, Cramer discussed the “incredible bull market in air,” and had good things to say about Airgas.

Labels: ARG, BBH, CELG, CEPH, GILD, Jim Cramer, Stop Trading

Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC), Gilead (NasdaqGS: GILD), Hologics (NasdaqGS: HOLX), Medco Health (NYSE: MHS), Cisco (NasdaqGS: CSCO), Level 3 (NasdaqGS: LVLT), Garmin (NasdaqGS: GRMN), Ciena (NasdaqGS: CIEN), Chicago Bridge and Iron (NYSE: CBI), Allegheny Tech (NYSE: ATI)
Cramer called LEH, GS and BSC "premium franchises" and would "load the boat up." He feels LEH has been given unfair estimate cuts and GS trades at a price-to-earnings multiple not worthy of even a "crummy plastics company." He also likes Gilead, Hologics, which he recently purchased, and Medco Health, which rose $3 on a federal contract and dropped down again. Other picks include Cisco, "the biggest percentage gainer in the S&P," LVLT, a "speculative fave," Ciena and Garmin. Finally, Cramer added CBI and ATI, his 2006 stock of the year, to the list. However, he would buy none of these picks if the four-and-a-halfs of 5/17 or the Bellweather bond continues its descent. It moved down from $100 to $94 on Thursday, and a lower price means a higher yield and a more attractive bond market. However, if it increases to $96-$97, Cramer would still be bullish on the above-mentioned stocks.
The Soda Ash Wars: FMC Corp. (NYSE: FMC)
Rumors the Chinese government is considering an end to tax rebates for their soda ash exporters is good news for FMC, which is the second largest producer of soda ash, a substance used to make such diverse items as glass, cleansers, film and bricks. However, Cramer emphasizes this is just a rumor, and would buy the stock down, since it has dipped since its recent spike. FMC uses a cheaper production process than that of the Chinese, it has pricing power because it is part of a cartel, and its agricultural chemical business is "incredibly strong," says Cramer.
Major Miner: Sterlite Industries
Sterlite, which will trade under the symbol SLT, is India's largest mining company, has "steroidal growth," and has China close by as a huge consumer. Sterlite has a 42% market share in copper, along with some aluminum, and is part of an "unfair" zinc duopoly. Cramer likes privatized companies like Sterlite because the government doesn't want "the deal to blow up in their voters' faces, so they're all priced below what they should be." He suggests buying the stock at a discount, since he expects it to go up, and sets the maximum entry point at $14 with an exit point at $20.
CEO Interview: Gary Butler, Automatic Data Processing (NYSE: ADP)
Gary Butler discussed ADP's the recent $2 billion spinoff of its brokerage business which leaves "a faster growth business, which is very focused and which we think will give us a tremendous return on management." He added; "We operate in a huge market where there is $80 billion of opportunity between the U.S. and globally, so we think the appreciation for our shareholders will be much stronger." With its consistent cash surplus, ADP will continue its buybacks and dividend increases, said Butler and when Cramer asked if ADP would go private, Butler said he would prefer to return value to shareholders rather than to private equity firms; "When you have a company that grew EPS 25% last year and will be over 20% this year ... and you can continue to grow the share price, I think we can deliver more long-term value by staying the course," Butler said.
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Labels: ADP, ATI, BSC, CBI, CIEN, CSCO, FMC, GILD, GRMN, GS, HOLX, Jim Cramer, LEH, LVLT, Mad Money, MHS

Bullish calls:
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS - News): 'I'm a bull about Morgan Stanley.'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News): 'When Goldman Sachs is down another 5, that, my friends, is better than Morgan Stanley.'Altria (NYSE: MO - News): 'This is a stock to buy on the way down. ... Let's hope that it comes down so we can buy more.'Wachovia (NYSE: WB - News): 'Wachovia Bank's OK here. I'm not going to rave about it.'Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'That's cheap!'Apple (Other OTC: APPL.PK - News)Amazon.com (NasdaqGS: AMZN - News)Research In Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM - News)Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG - News)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG - News): '... down below 60 was just a gift. It was a gift that would keep giving.'GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL - News)McDermott (NYSE: MDR - News)Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile (NYSE: SQM - News): 'When it comes to fertilizer, I like to go to Chile. I like to go to SQM.'Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT - News): 'Is okay.'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD - News): 'That one's coming down, and so is Celgene. This group does tend to go down when the interest rates go higher.'
Bearish Calls
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS: RACK - News):' I believe that Rackable Systems represents really bad tech.'Annaly Capital Management (NYSE: NLY - News): 'This is a stock that needs interest rates lower ... At 14, I would buy more.'Foster Wheeler (NasdaqGS: FWLT - News)Knight Capital Group (NasdaqGS: NITE - News): 'I happen to like the management of Knight. ... I don't want to be in Knight ... I don't want to touch them until they're lower.'Rentech (AMEX: RTK - News): 'It is too speculative.'
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Labels: AMZN, APPL.PK, BAC, BBY. RIMM, CELG, GILD, GOL, GOOG, GS, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, MDR, MO, MS, POT, SQM, WB

Bullish calls:
Penwest Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: PPCO - News): ' ... had no idea that stock had fallen all the way to $12. They have got some great technology ... that's a good spec there. Remember, it is just a speculation though ... they're losing big money and they don't have a lot of revenues either.'Gildan Activewear (NYSE: GIL - News): ' ... it is a momentum name ... But, understand. Even though it's cheap on a multiple basis, it's had a big run. Maybe you buy a little, and then you wait for a little pullback.'GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL - News): ' ... they stole Varig. It's a Brazilian airline. It's up $4 since we mentioned it at $28-29. That's not enough. The stock's going to $40. $33... pick up $7. That's what I like!'Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK - News): 'Natural gas is back! ... Aubrey McClennan [CEO] is one of the best. I am saying that CHK goes higher!'Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM - News): 'Now here is a stock I haven't talked about enough ... When the sub-prime loan market went kerplooey... FNM ... decided to buy $20 billion worth of liquidity ... FNM is not expensive, until it gets to $80 a share, and it's at $64.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG - News): ' ... dramatically undervalued on the Revlamid news from the weekend,'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD - News)Fuel Tech (NasdaqGM: FTEK - News): ' ... I thought there was more than a 20% gain there, so I can't tell you to take some off, when I told you there was more to gain ... I'm not bailing. You shouldn't either.'Herbalife (NYSE: HLF - News): 'I became convinced that that company is not just a fly-by-night supplement company, but a company that really has a wellness principle.'Crocs (NasdaqGS: CROX - News) ' I think that CROX is a company that you can own until everyone has decided that every analyst and his brother has recommended.'Genesis Lease (NYSE: GLS - News): 'If you need to be in bundled aircraft, it's Genesis Leasing.'Boeing (NYSE: BA - News): 'If you've got to be in aerospace, it's Boeing.'Tesco (NasdaqGS: TESO - News): 'I have been working like a bow-wow to try to figure out when do we decide to get off the oil service game... and the answer is not yet. This group is still cheap!'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News)Input/Output (NYSE: IO - News): 'Seismic data. You know I like that very much. I think IO has been slighted by Mad Money.'Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN - News): ' ... it's still so darn cheap, I don't think it can hurt you. ... We're under-railcarred in this country.'Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO - News): 'MRO - even at $128 - is still cheap! Unbelievable! I'm pulling the trigger here for half the position, and then let it come in.'Haynes International (NasdaqGM: HAYN - News): 'I'm staying long it. We liked it 20 points below this.'Merit Medical Systems (NasdaqGS: MMSI - News): 'I'll buy that one too.'Cepheid (NasdaqGM: CPHD - News)Dynegy (NYSE: DYN - News): 'Oh man, down here at $9.50. C'mon let's pull the trigger. Bruce Williamson, CEO. Best in show.'
Bearish calls:
AirTran Holdings (NYSE: AAI - News): 'No can do. I'm only using one airline right now, particularly with oil going up...and that is GOL Linhas.'Mylan Laboratories (NYSE: MYL - News): 'No, can't go there... I think these generic guys have never made me a lot of money.'Usana Health Sciences (NasdaqGS: USNA - News): 'too high risk for me.'JetBlue Airways (NasdaqGS: JBLU - News): 'No! Sell, sell, sell! Another airline that's problematic.'
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Labels: BA, CELG, CHK, CROX, FNM, FTEK, GIL, GILD, GLS, GOL, HAL, HLF, IO, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, MRO, PPCO, TESO, TRN

Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD):' ... at $81 - a nice little pullback.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): ' ... has not only not let us down, but now has a cure for the heartbreak of psoriasis.'Patterson-UTI Energy (NasdaqGS: PTEN): 'PTEN is a land driller and, I think, has room to catch up to King Halliburton.'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News)Saks (NYSE: SKS - News): 'If you add the $8 in dividends, plus the appreciation, we almost have a double right here. Let the stock come in ... I was not concerned about the gross margins. I think it's a chance to buy, but we only double down when things have been cut, and cut, and cut. You do a schnitzel, my friend, not a full buy.'Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP - News): 'I should have taken half off, and let the rest run. My advice to you, to take half off and let the rest run. This stock's a double, but it's still going up.'BP (NYSE: BP - News): ' BP, with a 3+% yield... BP, with still some good properties, with the possibility that they're restructuring... I say you pull the trigger right here.'Cisco (NasdaqGS: CSCO): ''Lets just stick with Cisco.It's down three straight points. That's the better... I like best of breed.'RadioShack (NYSE: RSH - News): ' ... give Julian Day the benefit of the doubt. He's the CEO ... He's rationalizing the stores... He is making it so it's a profitable enterprise. The answer is: Stay long!'
Bearish calls:
RH Donnelley (NYSE: RHD - News): 'It's been too high. I've watched the private equity rumor, over and over again. There's been too much hype in the name... I want to sell RHD.'Geron (NasdaqGM: GERN):'Stem cell speculation... Not for me. Sell, sell, sell! I don't want to come near it. It's up too high.'Tellabs (NasdaqGS: TLAB): 'TLAB's was one of the worst quarters I have heard.'Marvell Technology (NasdaqGS: MRVL): ' ... when you look at a stock like MRVL, I bought it... What was I doing? The financials weren't clean. There is a sign on my desk... and what it says is... Accounting irregularities equals sell. Did I look at that before I bought the stock? I did not.'Sally Beauty Holdings (NYSE: SBH - News): 'It's a 'don't buy, don't buy...' I didn't like their quarter. I did take a hard look at it though.'Crystallex (AMEX: KRY - News): 'No. Chavez don't give a darn about his people... sell, sell, sell! I want you out of that stock now. Enough with him. Enough with that country, unless they come around to our ways.'SunPower (NasdaqGM: SPWR)
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Labels: BP, CELG, GERN, GILD, HAL, Jim Cramer, KRY, Lightning Round, MRVL, PTEN, RHD, RSH, SBH, SGP, SKS, SPWR, TLAB

Bullish calls:
Saks (NYSE: SKS - News): 'The company is en fuego. This is one of my favorite situations ... SKS is going up - I think - 4 or 5 more points.'Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S - News): 'I was impressed about that last quarter. I had been very negative about S ... They blew away the numbers. I think S is now a buy, buy, buy, particularly under $20. That stock can go much higher.'Transocean (NYSE: RIG - News): 'Take a look at the rates that RIG is now getting.'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News): 'HAL is on the move. I have said this is going to be one of my best stocks of 2007, and I am reiterating a triple buy. Buy, buy, buy!'Logitech International (NasdaqGS: LOGI): ' I'm actually surprised this stock isn't doing better. They make the fabulous peripherals we all use. They make great mice. They did miss the quarter. I think the stock is a buy. I'm not backing away from LOGI.'Dean Foods (NYSE: DF - News): 'That company is all about returning money to shareholders. That special dividend plan is brilliant. I really want to plug these guys.'Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ): 'I think you've got to buy this company. I think that people are very worried about congressional action against biotech. That's not going to happen. GENZ's good.'Gilead (NasdaqGS: GILD): 'GILD's good.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): 'CELG's good. 'Walter Industries (NYSE: WLT - News): It shouldn't have been hammered. All aboard! ... There's a lot of value there, if they choose to bring it out.'Baxter International (NYSE: BAX - News): 'BAX is the one that is operating on every single cylinder. I applaud BAX for what it's done. That stock has been at or near the 52-week high list for about a half a dozen years. BAX's a winner!'Bard (NYSE: BCR - News)MasterCard (NYSE: MA - News): ' This is an 'among the rubble' stock that came down during the selloff that I want to tell you right now... you need to buy more MA! I would pull the trigger multiple times. That's how much I like MA here. All aboard!'Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR - News): 'Right here, it's got a 2.5% yield. It's one of the best-run manufacturers in the country ... It's growing at almost 12%. It sells at 16x earnings.'Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH - News)Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW - News)Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN - News): 'I'll tell you, it's had a big run ... You know what, that's a good stock. On a pullback, I would have to pull the trigger. Buy, buy, buy!'Regal Entertainment (NYSE: RGC - News): 'You want to be there! These companies - these cinema companies are good - it's got a nice dividend. I think that this group was bad before. They've fixed their balance sheets. You should pull the trigger. I would own RGC.'Ceradyne (NasdaqGS: CRDN): 'To tell you the truth, I'd rather be in CRDN.'Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News): 'Oh man, that stock is rocking ... I say it goes to $120.'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News)
Bearish calls:
Global Industries (NasdaqGS: GLBL): ' I would swap out of GLBL and go into GSF, RIG or HAL.'RF Micro Devices (NasdaqGS: RFMD): 'Yeah, this is one of those little stocks that has had a nice move ... I think that you are too late, but these always come back again. I would sell, sell, sell, and when it comes in, back to $6 - buy, buy, buy!'Acorda Therapeutics (NasdaqGM: ACOR): 'I've got to tell you, this is a very speculative stock. I'm reluctant to recommend it, with a lot of the great biotech stocks trading down so badly ... Don't buy, don't buy.'Research In Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM): 'I was not happy with Jim Balsillie [ co-CEO] with the options stuff... I expected more of Jim than that. He's one of my favorite executives. I do think that RIMM is good place to be ... Don't buy, don't buy. It's just too, too hard.'ExpressJet (NYSE: XJT - News): ' Look, XJT is frankly a don't buy. I don't want to go there. Don't buy, don't buy.'Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY - News): ' Sunshine, I've got to tell you something... I think that BMY is just okay right here. Don't buy, don't buy. It's had a very big move. I liked it much lower ... Sell, sell, sell!'Pioneer Drilling (AMEX: PDC - News): 'You cannot go with this land drilling! ... Sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell. It won't work!'Take-Two Interactive (NasdaqGS: TTWO): 'I have been mad at myself. Yesterday, I looked at Steve Cohen's position in DE Shaw, and said to myself, 'These guys are going to replace management at TTWO. Maybe that's a reason to buy it.' That was a mistake. When I look at the core business, I don't know if there's anything there. I think I was too aggressive with TTWO ... I think Steve Cohen is a terrific guy. I totally respect his work. I think he might be wrong about TTWO.'Jefferies (NYSE: JEF - News): 'No, no. Missed the quarter. Missed the quarter.'Force Protection (NasdaqCM: FRPT) 'To tell you the truth, I'd rather be in CRDN.'
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Labels: BAX, BCR, BMY, DF, EMR, GENZ, GILD, GS, HAL, JEF, Lightning Round, LOGI, MA, Mad Money, PDC, RGC, RIG, SKS, UNP, WLT

Gone Fishing: Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG - News), Colgate (NYSE: CL - News), Clorox (NYSE: CLX - News), General Mills (NYSE: GIS - News), Heinz (HZ), Altria (NYSE: MO - News), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE - News), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY - News), Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG), Gilead (NasdaqGS: GILD)
Following Tuesday's massive selloff, Cramer says its time to go fishing for stocks that have bottomed, a technique that is really "more of a science than an art." First, investors should cast their lines "gingerly and steadily," have a strategy and patience, since not all sectors bottom at the same time. For example, food and drug stocks bottomed "because the slowdown camp is now in charge on Wall Street." Although it is reasonable to question the wisdom of jumping behind defensive stocks, Cramer recommends following where the big money leads. In addition, he thinks perceptions of market sluggishness might influence the Fed to cut interest rates. Although he thinks PG is too high, Cramer suggests buying CL, CLX, GIS and HZ, and especially likes MO because it has a "sweet 4% yield" and is splitting up. Cramer rejects LLY and PFE because he sees them as risky and doesn't predict much upside; he would instead pick up biotechs CELG and GILD.
Falling Financials : Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News), Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF - News), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News), T. Rowe Price (NasdaqGS: TROW), Citigroup (NYSE: C - News)
Cramer sees a bottom in financials in two weeks, noting "subprime lenders are busted," which will cause the Fed to lower rates. He has confidence in banks and brokers and comments when the "big money decides to join the smart money, the financials will fly." He comments that GS and COF perform "fabulously" when short-interest rates go below long-interest rates. He also recommended BAC, TROW and even Citigroup.
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Labels: BAC, C, CELG, CL, CLX, COF, GILD, GIS, GS, Jim Cramer, LLY, Mad Money, MO, pfe, PG

Stocks were narrowly mixed Tuesday as concerns about a market correction offset investor optimism that acquisition activity is on pace to set a record this year.
The $45 billion buyout of electric utility TXU Corp. injected confidence into the market that merger and acquisition activity could surpass last year's record $4 trillion level. The deal, led by a consortium of buyout shops that include Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group, would go down as the largest leveraged buyout in U.S. history.
Other deals announced before the opening bell included Station Casinos Inc., which agreed to be bought by a private equity firm started by the company's founding family. Temple-Inland Inc., a conglomerate that offers everything from packaging material to financial services, announced it plans to separate itself into three standalone public companies.
However, stocks were unable to sustain gains as there continued to be concern major indexes are in need of a correction. The Dow Jones industrials, after hitting a peak last week, fell for three straight sessions in their worst weekly decline since August.
"Despite the buyout news, we're seeing the broader market a little concerned that we've had such strength without a correction," said Peter Dunay, an investment strategist with New York-based Leeb Capital Management. "We maybe be in a period where the market wants to step back for a bit."
In late morning trading, the Dow rose 9.70, or 0.08 percent, to 12,657.18.
Broader stock indicators were mixed. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 2.06, or 0.14 percent, at 1,453.25, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 7.81, or 0.31 percent, to 2,507.29.
Bonds continued to rise from last week's sell-off, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note falling to 4.65 percent from 4.68 percent late Friday. Bonds had been weaker amid concerns that subprime lenders would be forced to take write-downs if consumers defaulted on mortgage payments.
The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices rose.
Oil prices rose as a winter storm plowed across the United States, spurring expectations of strong demand for heating oil. A barrel of light sweet crude rose 31 cents to $61.45 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
TXU rose $7.67, or 12.8 percent, to $67.69 after it agreed to be bought by private equity firms. Directors of the electric utility voted Sunday night to recommend that shareholders approve the sale, which values its stock at a 15 percent premium.
Meanwhile, Dow Chemical Co. spiked $2.88, or 6.6 percent, to $46.33 on speculation it could be the target of a leveraged buyout. London's Sunday Express newspaper, in an unsourced report, said the chemical company might be given an offer of about $54 billion from buyout funds.
Station Casinos rose $3.51, or 4.2 percent, to $86.81 after it agreed to go private in a $5.4 billion deal, which represents an 8 percent premium over its closing price on Friday. The deal still allows Station to solicit acquisition proposals from third parties for 30 days.
Temple-Inland rose $7.55, or 13.7 percent, to $62.50 after it agreed to spin off its real estate and financial services arms, and sells its timberland business. The decision came days after activist shareholder Carl Icahn said he'd wage a proxy fight to seize control of the board.
Gilead Sciences Inc. rose 30 cents to $73.93 after the biopharmaceutical company said one of its drugs used to treat HIV works well with other therapies. Merck & Co. rose $1.10, or 2.6 percent, to $44.04 after the third-biggest U.S. maker of prescription drugs was upgraded to "Buy" from Citigroup.
Declining issues barely outpaced advancers on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 475.4 million shares.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 1.88, or 0.23 percent, at 824.76.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.15 percent. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.56 percent, Germany's DAX index added 0.55 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.87 percent.

Labels: DOW, GILD, MRK, STN, TIN, TXU

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF - News) said a special litigation committee established by the board found that there is no evidence to support claims asserted in certain derivative lawsuits brought against current and former directors and management, including Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Jeffries.
AMB Property Corp. (NYSE:AMB - News) said its board has raised the quarterly cash dividend 8.7% to 50 cents per share. The dividend is payable April 16 to shareholders as of April 6.
Bare Escentuals Inc. (NasdaqGS:BARE - News) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer 12 million shares. The beauty products company said it's offering 575,000 of the shares, while selling stockholders are offering an additional 11.4 million shares.
Gilead Sciences Inc. (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) said the Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review status to its new drug application for ambrisentan, a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Harley-Davidson Motor Co. (NYSE:HOG - News) said it has reached a tentative labor agreement with representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 175 in York, Pa. The motorcycle manufacturer said the agreement is subject to membership ratification, adding that it expects members to vote the week of Feb. 19. If approved, the agreement would end a strike by 2,800 unionized employees in York that began Feb. 2.
K2 Inc. (NYSE:KTO - News) said it has named J. Wayne Merck president, chief executive, and board member. The provider of sporting and recreational products said Merck, who has been president and chief operating officer since November of 2003, succeeds Richard Heckmann as CEO.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE:KKD - News) said it has closed a new senior secured credit facility of $160 million, made up of a $50 million revolving credit facility and a $110 million term loan. The doughnut retailer said proceeds of the term loan were used to repay about $107 million outstanding balance under the company's prior credit facility, and to pay fees and expenses related to the new financing and the retirement of the prior facility.
Power-One Inc. (NasdaqGM:PWER - News) said Chief Financial Officer Paul Ross plans to resign to accept another position. The maker of power conversion products named Jeffrey Kyle to succeed Ross as CFO.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (NYSE:SMG - News) said its board has declared a one-time cash dividend of $8 per share. The dividend is payable March 5 to shareholders as of Feb. 26.
Don Ackerman, chairman of WCI Communities Inc. (NYSE:WCI - News), said Carl Icahn's plans to run his own slate of candidates for the WCI Board "would be highly disruptive to our company and not in the best interests of all our shareholders."
Xerox (NYSE:XRX - News) said it expects 2007 operating cash flows to fall to a range of $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion from $1.6 billion last year. The forecast confirms an estimate for cash flows made at an investor meeting in November.
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AGL Resources (NYSE:ATG - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $47 million, or 60 cents a share, and said it expects a profit of $2.75 to $2.85 a share for fiscal 2007. The Atlanta-based energy services provider also said its board has approved an 11% hike in its annual dividend rate to $1.64 a share.
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK - News) reported third-quarter earnings rose 8.8% on 17% higher revenue. Earnings reached $51.2 million, or $1.53 a share, from $47.1 million, or $1.26, in the year-earlier period. Revenue rose to $900.3 million from $770 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estimates of $1.32 a share on revenue of $844 million. ATK lifted its estimate of earnings for fiscal 2007 to $5.10 to $5.15 a share, from its previous estimate of $4.95 to $5.05. And it now estimates sales at $3.5 billion, up from an earlier estimate of more than $3.45 billion.
American Standard Cos. Inc. (NYSE:ASD - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $114.3 million, or 56 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $64.4 million, or 30 cents a share. On an adjusted basis, excluding certain items, the company earned $104.5 million, or 51 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Sales at the Piscataway, N.J., maker of air conditioning systems as well as bath and kitchen products rose to $2.7 billion in the three months ended Dec. 31 from $2.55 billion in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 51 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the company forecast adjusted earnings of $3.15 to $3.25 a share for fiscal 2007 on sales growth of about 8%. For the first quarter, it sees adjusted earnings of 48 to 52 cents a share with sales rising about 6%. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of $3.08 a share for the year and 48 cents a share in the March period. The company also announced a restructuring plan calling for the separation of its three businesses.
Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE:ADM - News) said higher prices for the biofuel offset rising corn costs in its fiscal second quarter. Overall corn processing operating profits rose $99 million for the quarter to $335 million. "Increased starch, sweetener and ethanol selling prices contributed to the earnings improvement and were partially offset by increasing net corn costs," the company said. The Decatur, Ill.-based company also said fiscal second-quarter earnings rose to $441.3 million, or 67 cents a share, from $367.7 million, or 56 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue for the quarter ending December increased 18% to $10.98 billion from last year's $9.3 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 60 cents a share and revenue of $9.52 billion, on average.
Armor Holdings Inc. (NYSE:AH - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose to $37.8 million, or $1.02 a share, from $37.6 million, of $1.04 a share, during the same period in the prior year.
AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN - News) announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs over the next three years. It will take $500 million in charges, of which $300 million will be in cash, the drugmaker said. The company also reported that its fourth-quarter profit before tax jumped 25% to $2.1 billion, after sales climbed 14% to $7.15 billion. The Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical said sales of its top five growth products -- Nexium, Seroquel, Crestor, Arimidex and Symbicort -- rose 23% to $3.7 billion. It hikes its dividend 32% for the year to $1.72 a share and plans to buy back $4 billion in shares during 2007. AstraZeneca said 2007 earnings are seen in the range of $3.80 to $4.05 a share, excluding the impact of U.S. sales of Toprol XL and any productivity initiatives.
Brink's Co. (NYSE:BCO - News) reported fourth-quarter net income more than doubled due to earnings from discontinued operations. Fourth-quarter net reached $126.6 million, or $2.71 a share, from $47.7 million, or 83 cents, in the year-earlier period. Shares outstanding fell 19% to 46.7 million. Earnings from continuing operations were 71 cents a share against 11 cents as profit and revenue rose in both of Brink's operating units. Revenue rose 14% to $755.9 million from $663.1 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced consensus estimates of 62 cents of profit on $723 million of revenue.
Carbo Ceramics (NYSE:CRR - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $15 million, or 61 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $10.4 million, or 43 cents a share. Revenue rose in the latest three months to $87 million from $63.6 million a year earlier.
Celgene (NasdaqGS:CELG - News) fourth-quarter earnings rose to $22.9 million, or 6 cents a share, from $3.93 million, or a cent a share, a year earlier. The company said adjusted earnings rose to $74.5 million, or 18 cents a share, from $10.2 million, or 3 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, fourth-quarter earnings of 18 cents a share on revenue of $268.4 million. The Summit, N.J., pharmaceutical company said total revenue rose 84% to $275 million from $149.3 million in the year-ago period, helped by sales of Revlimid and Thalomid. Product sales rose to $251.9 million from $128.7 million.
Children's Place Retail Stores (NasdaqGS:PLCE - News) said it earned $38 million in the third quarter as sales rose 25% to $550.4 million, according to preliminary data. The figures may be revised as the company continues to work on a restatement of past results to correct the accounting for stock option grants. Same-store sales rose 14% in the quarter, the Secaucus, N.J. retailer said in a statement. Thomson Financial was looking for sales of $548.5 million. The company said it now expects net income of $45 to $48 million in the fourth quarter. For January, same-store sales are expected to decline at a mid-single digit rate at its Children's Place stores and rise at a pace in the mid-twenties at Disney stores. For fiscal 2007, the company is expecting earnings of $3.55 to $3.65 a share.
Christopher & Banks Corp. (NYSE:CBK - News) said it expects earnings of 7 to 8 cents a share for the fourth quarter, below Wall Street's consensus estimate for a profit of 14 cents a share. The Minneapolis-based women's clothing retailer said aggressive markdowns in the quarter led to lower average unit retails.
Clorox (NYSE:CLX - News) said its second-quarter earnings rose 16%, boosted by record sales of its Fresh Step cat litter, higher sales of Kingsford grilling products and increased shipments of home-care products in Mexico and Argentina.
Concur Technologies Inc. (NasdaqGM:CNQR - News) reported first-quarter net earnings of $993,000, or 2 cents a share, up 53% from $648,000, or 2 cents a share, during the year-ago period. There were 40.2 million shares outstanding during the quarter compared with 36.5 million a year ago.
Cutera (NasdaqGS:CUTR - News) shares rose after the Brisbane, Calif.-based company reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $7.12 million, or 50 cents a share, up from $5.81 million, or 41 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding items, earnings came in at 55 cents a share. Revenue rose to $30.5 million from $24 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting earnings of 41 cents a share on revenue of $30.2 million. The company expects first-quarter earning of 21 cents a share, or 28 cents a share excluding items, on revenue of $26 million, and 2007 earnings of $1.30 a share, or $1.57 a share excluding items, on revenue of $126 million.
Dell (NasdaqGS:DELL - News) named company founder Michael Dell chief executive effective immediately, to replace Kevin Rollins. The Round Rock, Texas, computer company said Dell will retain his duties as chairman.
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY - News) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at Prudential Equity, which cited expectations for earnings growth of around 10% over the next four years as well as an attractive current valuation. "Due to low generic exposure and what we believe is an increasingly stable base business, we see Eli Lilly growing earnings at above average rates for the next several years," Prudential said.
Elizabeth Arden (NasdaqGS:RDEN - News) posted a fiscal second-quarter profit of $26.2 million, or 92 cents a share, as sales rose 18.8% to $410.8 million. Looking ahead, the New York-based beauty products provider lifted the lower end of its outlook for fiscal 2007 earnings to $1.15 to $1.20 a share from the prior projection of $1.10 to $1.20 a share.
Gilead Sciences Inc. (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $1.67 billion, or $3.62 a share. In the same period the year before, the company posted net earnings of $281.6 million, or 59 cents a share.
Green Mountain Coffee (NasdaqGS:GMCR - News) shares jumped after the company reported first-quarter earnings of $2.4 million, or 30 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $3 million, or 38 cents a share. On a non-GAAP basis, the Waterbury, Vt.-based coffee provider earned $3.7 million, or 46 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Looking ahead, Green Mountain sees non-GAAP earnings of $2.11 to $2.17 a share in fiscal 2007.
Helmerich & Payne (NYSE:HP - News) reported first-quarter earnings of $110.8 million, or $1.06 a share, on operating revenue of $386.4 million. In the same period a year earlier, the company earned $50.8 million, or 48 cents a share, on revenue of $255.4 million. The latest results include a gain of 15 cents a share from the sale of portfolio securities, while last year's report reflects 2 cents a share in similar gains.
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Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) beat earnings on Wednesday after the close, announcing $0.78 EPS over an expected $0.68 EPS. GILD's PowerRating is 5.
Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News) beat earnings Wednesday afternoon with $3.18 EPS over an anticipated $2.91 EPS. GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Archer-Daniels (NYSE:ADM - News) reports quarterly earnings on Thursday before the bell; look for $0.60 EPS. ADM's PowerRating is 4.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - News) is expected to announce $0.17 EPS on Thursday morning. BSX's PowerRating is 4.
When Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM - News) reports earnings Thursday morning, look for $1.51 EPS. XOM's PowerRating is 5.
International Paper (NYSE:IP - News) is expected to announce $0.35 EPS Thursday morning. IP's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts are watching for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - News) to report $1.37 EPS Thursday before the market opens. VLO's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ADM, BSX, GILD, GOOG, Hot Stocks, IP, VLO, XOM

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) beat earnings on Wednesday after the close, announcing $0.78 EPS over an expected $0.68 EPS. GILD's PowerRating is 5.
Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News) beat earnings Wednesday afternoon with $3.18 EPS over an anticipated $2.91 EPS. GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Archer-Daniels (NYSE:ADM - News) reports quarterly earnings on Thursday before the bell; look for $0.60 EPS. ADM's PowerRating is 4.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - News) is expected to announce $0.17 EPS on Thursday morning. BSX's PowerRating is 4.
When Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM - News) reports earnings Thursday morning, look for $1.51 EPS. XOM's PowerRating is 5.
International Paper (NYSE:IP - News) is expected to announce $0.35 EPS Thursday morning. IP's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts are watching for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - News) to report $1.37 EPS Thursday before the market opens. VLO's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ADM, BSX, GILD, GOOG, Hot Stocks, IP, VLO, XOM

It’s going to be a second week of heavy and influential corporate reporting for earnings hounds.
Reports from the likes of Boeing (BA), US Steel (X), Verizon (VZ), Exxon (XOM) and Comcast (CMCSA) will be in the spotlight and could impact the broader market. So far, the damage inflicted due to sub par results or just matching estimates has been minimal. However, sentiment did take a turn for the worse on both Thursday and Friday. Without corrective action, the thought is that similar results will beget further selling pressure as the idea of multiple contraction comes into play.Economic watchdogs are going to busy as well, beginning with a slug of reports on Wednesday. On that day, the FOMC meeting will take center stage, but other data could prove to be more important. Rates are widely expected to remain unchanged at 5.25%. However, price pressures and slightly better growth for the economy has sparked talk of potential increases. That said, the policy statement and any wording that might hint at the Fed’s intentions on the future path of rates will be important. For many investors, with earnings growth accepted as slowing down, without a rate cut provision sometime later this year, the view is that 2007 will be a bumpy one.Other economic data coming both before and after the FOMC statement could ultimately ease or inflate Fed policy and viewed as taking top billing for the week. The Q4 GDP out Wednesday morning is one that investors should be on the lookout for. The Street is looking for 3.0% annual growth, which has been quickly adjusted upwards since last month. Sinking gas prices, warmer temperatures in the northeast and a decent holiday shopping season are seen as being key catalysts for the bump up by analysts. Meanwhile, the core PCE price index is expected to show an increase of 2.2%. And on Friday, the jobs report will be dissected for any clues over a firm labor market which might lean the Fed towards a tighter monetary policy.
Monday
Economic: NAEarnings: Mattel (MAT), Phelps Dodge (PD), USG Corp (USG), Verizon (VZ), Schering (SGP), Atheros (ATHR), Gol Air (GOL), Zimmer (ZMH)
Tuesday
Economic: Consumer Confidence (109.5)Earnings: 3M (MMM), Black & Decker (BDK), Illinois Tool (ITW), JetBlue (JBLU), Merck (MRK), UPS (UPS), Cymer (CYMI), Flextronics (FLEX), SanDisk (SNDK), US Steel (X), Websense (WBSN)
Wednesday
Economic: GDP Advance (3.0%), Chain Deflator (1.7%), Employment Cost Index (1.0%), Chicago PMI (52), Construction Spending (0.0%), Weekly Crude, FOMC Policy (5.25%)Earnings: Altria (MO), Boeing (BA), Kodak (EK), CBOT (BOT), Hilton (HLT), OptionsXpress (OXPS), NYMEX (NMX), Eagle Matls (EXP), Gilead (GILD), Google (GOOG), Armor Hldg (AH), JDS Uniphase (JDSU), Starbucks (SBUX), Sunoco (SUN), Pulte (PHM)
Thursday
Economic: Inc & Spend (.5%, .7%), Weekly Claims (318K), ISM Index (51.5), Auto / Truck Sales (5.4M, 7.4M)Earnings: Archer Dan (ADM), Comcast (CMCSA), CVS (CVS), Exxon (XOM), Celgene (CELG), Monster (MNST), Under Armour (UA), Valero (VLO), Amazon (AMZN), Dolby (DLB), Electronic Arts (