Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and is based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
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.
Guess? (NYSE:GES - News). GES's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
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.
W.W. Grainger (NYSE:GWW - News). GWW's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Encore Acquisition (NYSE:EAC - News) & Liberty Global (NasdaqGS:LBTYK - News). EAC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8, and LBTYK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
Broadcom (NasdaqGS:BRCM - News). BRCM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
New York Times (NYSE:NYT - News) & Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV - News). NYT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3, and HOV's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BRCM, EAC, GES, GWW, Hot Stocks, HOV, LBTYK, NYT

General Motors (GM): Hit with its first nationwide strike in 37 years, and the crew at Fast Money was focused on what it means to the market. Adami: has been consistently negative on GM and would rather own Ford (F). Macke agrees that GM is a sell, unless they take a huge hit on health care without giving job guarantees.
Online Ad Play: Microsoft (MSFT) made headlines today as rumors floated around Wall Street that the firm is planning on taking a 5% stake in Facebook.com. Kourosh Karimkhany, manager of wired digital at Conde Naste, sees Microsoft's play for Facebook as one for software development. Macke: time to get long MSFT. Najarian prefers ValueClick (VCLK) and Focus Media (FMCN). Tuesday will be a big day for Microsoft as they will release the hyped up Halo 3 game which is predicted to be the biggest selling game ever.Macke proposes investors play Halo 3 with trades in Gamestop (GME) and Activison (ATVI). He advises getting out of Sony (SNE).
Drug Trade: The UBS health care industry conference could help jump start some of the pharmaceutical and biotech stocks this week. Adami suggests Pfizer (PFE). Najarian: Myraid Genetics (MYGN) and Quest Diagnostics (DGX). Macke: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
Burning Down the House: The homebuilders sector was annihilated on Monday, as investors fear more bad news is on the way when the government reports existing home sales data Tuesday. Adami advises not to trade this sector unless you have to. Finerman: stay away from WCI Communities (WCI) and Hovnanian (HOV).
Chartology: Technical analysis expert Jeff DeGraaf was on the show. DeGraaf likes the technology sector right now and he thinks it will outperform in the coming months. He feels positive about tech because the sector was strong in the summer when it normally tends to trade down. DeGraaf looked at Fedex (FDX) and the chart isn't showing bullish trends. Adami: doesn't like FDX until it trades above $121 and DeGraaf agreed. DeGraaf: loves the pattern in gold and continues to be bullish longer term on the yellow metal. He would look to buy gold on pullbacks.
Word on the Street: Target (TGT) lowered same-store sales on Monday. SABMiller reported an 11% jump in beer volumes on Monday. Macke likes Molson Coors (TAP). Najarian likes BHP Billiton (BHP) and copper and gold producer Freeport McMoRan (FCX).
Alternative Energy: NRG Energy (NRG) submitted its first application for a new US nuclear reactor in 30 years. Najarian would play this news with (BHP) Billiton and Cameco (CCJ). Finerman: Flowserve (FLS) and Adami likes Fluor Corp (FLR). Macke would just play NRG Energy (NRG). Trina (TSL) traded higher 8% as solar stocks were active with a major solar conference started. Najarian likes TSL.
Pops & Drops
Pops- Crocs (CROX) traded up 9%. Adami thinks a big short was forced to cover on Monday. He would take profits on CROX.
NYSE Euronext (NYX) traded up 2% off a JP Morgan upgrade. Finerman continues to be long this stock and she feels it has more room to run higher.
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) traded up 7% off a Jeffries upgrade. Macke says time to get out.
PrimeWest Energy Trust (PWI) exploded 32% on news that Abu Dhabi National Energy Co. bought them out. Finerman hopes we keep seeing deals like this.
EMC Corporation (EMC) traded up 8% after Citigroup and Bear Stearns upgraded the name. Adami still likes it.
Drops- AMR Corp (AMR) fell 14% after revenue forecasts missed Wall Street expectations. This drop took down all the airline companies for the day.
Harman (HAR) dropped 6% after the company said profits would miss Wall Street expectations. Finerman wouldn't touch it.
Adtran (ADTN) plunged 14% after the telecom company warned on 3rd quarter earnings and revenue. Macke suggests avoiding these guys on the telecom side.
Final Trade:
Finerman: likes NYMEX (NMX)
Najarian: ValueClick (VCLK).
Adami: Pfizer (PFE) for its cheap valuation.
Macke: Short Dow30 ProShares (DOG).

Labels: ATVI, CNBC, CROX, DGX, EMC, Fast Money, FDX, FMCN, GM, GME, HOV, JNJ, MSFT, MYGN, NYX, pfe, SNE, VCLK, WCI

The Fed's 50 point cut on Tuesday sparked the stock market, and CNBC's "Fast Money" discussed why the bulls are running, and what it means for financial stocks:
Najarian: Tuesday's actions all about the financials. Financial Select Sector SPDR, ton of volume in call options.
Macke: Can't be short financials now.
Adami: continues to like financials; Lehman Brothers(LEH), Goldman Sachs (GS) and Morgan Stanley (MS)
All Clear on Wall Street? CNBC's Charlie Gasparino discussed whether brokers are a buy now. Gasparino feels confident about most of the brokers except Bear Stearns (BSC)--lease diversed and tied to credit markets.
OIL: Crude oil hit another record touching $81.51 and gold traded to $735, its highest level in 27 years. Author Dennis Gartman: Shocked by feds decision. Thinks stock market will continue to climb.
Housing Market: Adami: housing stocks are back for a trade. He likes Hovanian, (HOV), Toll Brothers (TOL) and Pulte Homes (PHM)
Finerman: Still likes Home Depot(HD), which she owns for its cheap valuation.
Word on the Street: Cummings (CMI) and Caterpillar (CAT) exploded higher on the Fed cut. Najarian: Thinks CAT has much more upside to come.
Global: China and Brazil's markets soared on the rate cuts. Tim Seymour, Principal at Red Star Asset Management, joined the crew to discuss the emerging markets. Seymour likes gold and Brazil ETF (EWZ)
Face 2 Face:
Viewer writes: "What happened to the recommendation to get out of gold if the Fed dropped its rates?" Adami reiterated his bearish stance on gold.
Viewer writes: "Should I sell my October $195 call options on Goldman Sachs (GS) now or is there still more upside?" Najarian- feels strong about GS, but you should take half the position off before earnings.
Viewer writes: "What is your outlook for Tiffany's (TIF) as the holiday season approaches?" Macke is positive about Tiffany's and Blue Nile (NILE)
Pops & Drops:
Pops: Macke-Caterpillar (CAT), Finerman-Target (TGT), Adami-Alcoa (AA)-could be bought out by Najarian's pick-Billiton (BHP), and Finerman-Wendy's (WEN)
Drops: Najarian-E*Trade (ETFC), Macke-Hovnanian(DOG), Adami-Boeing(BA)
Final Trade:
Macke- Macy's (M)
Finerman- Altria (MO)
Adami- Nucor (NUE)
Najarian- Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (RIO)

Labels: BHP, BSC, CAT, CMI, CNBC, ETFC, EWZ, Fast Money, GS, HD, HOV, LEH, MS, NILE, PHM, SPDR, TGT, TIF, TOL, WEN

Stocks were slammed on the final trading day of the week as poor employment data sent bulls looking for the exits. At the close, The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all dropped over -1.5%. Gold, meanwhile, continued to advance in price, with the commodity ending the session up $5.10 to finish at $709.70.
Investors woke up to a job shock, as the Labor Department reported that the economy unexpectedly lost jobs for the first time in nearly four years last month. In all, employers cut -4,000 workers, compared with a revised gain of 68,000 in July. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.6%. Economists got it all wrong as they expected the economy to produce 100,000 jobs in the month. Breaking down jobs in sectors, factory payrolls slid by -46,000, while builders' payrolls fell by -22,000. Even the government sector reported payrolls down -28,000.
In housing sector news, Hovnanian (NYSE: HOV - News) reported a quarterly loss due to land impairment charges related to unprofitable inventory. For its third quarter, the builder reported a loss of -$80.5 million, or -$1.27 a share, compared with a year ago profit of $74.4 million, or $1.15 a share. Sales plunged by -27% to $1.1 billion, as the housing market has continued to worsen. New contracts also fell by -24%. Shares fell 7.1%. Elsewhere in the housing spotlight, Beazer Homes (NYSE: BZH - News) shares sank 13% after the company received a notice of default tied to its senior notes. The company responded by saying the letter was "invalid and without merit."
In other corporate news, motorcycle maker Harley Davidson (NYSE: HOG - News) saw investors flee the name after it announced that it is cutting production in the third quarter following last month's poor sales for its "hogs." The company expects to ship 86,000-88,000 in the third quarter, down from 91,000-95,000 previously forecast. Due to the lower sales, it now sees full-year earnings coming in at $3.69-3.77, analysts were expecting full-year earnings of $4.12. The stock dropped 9.2%.
Office supply retailer Office Depot (NYSE: ODP - News) warned investors that its third and fourth quarters would likely fall below year-ago levels as small business customers have cut back on spending. Citing continued softness in the housing market, management noted that EPS would likely fall by double digits in the third quarter. Investors were unsympathetic, sending the shares reeling 9.8%.
Chip company National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM - News) reported that net income in its latest quarter plunged -29% to $58.6 million, or 30 cents a share, compared to a year ago profit of $12.01 million, or 35 cents. Sales totaled $471.5 million. While its net dropped, it still managed to beat analysts' estimates by a nickel. The company said that looking ahead it sees sales increasing 4-7% sequentially.
In deal news, shareholders of TXU (NYSE: TXU - News) agreed to sell the company for $32 billion to private equity players led by Kohlberg, Kravis & Roberts and TPG. 95% of the votes were in favor of the deal. The company noted that in order for the deal to close, it must gain the approval of regulators. TXU is the largest ever buyout.
By The BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BZH, HOG, HOV, NSM, ODP, TXU

The major stock market averages continued to tack on gains following yesterday's large run-up in equity prices. The Dow Jones set another all-time trading high finishing the day up 45.5 points. The S&P rose 4.8 points, also setting a new trading high for the benchmark average. Stocks continued to advance on positive earnings, as negative retail data did not spoil the bull's mood. Oil hit an 11-month high on reports that a pipeline shutdown in the North Sea will affect oil production. Crude ended the session up $1.43 to $73.93.
The Commerce Department reported today that retail sales dropped -0.9% in June; the decrease was the biggest in nearly two years. The government agency also reported a revision of a 1.5% increase in May. The report cited that one of the worst housing slumps in more than 16 years contributed to shoppers curbing their spending. Not all economic news was bad, as a report showed consumer confidence rose more than expected this month.
In earnings related news, General Electric (NYSE: GE - News) shares notched a 5-year high on news that the industrial and media conglomerate reported earnings of $5.4 billion, or 53 cents a share, a penny ahead of analyst estimates. Revenue rose 12% to $42.3 billion, led by its infrastructure division. The Dow component also upped its share repurchase program to $14 billion, of which $12 billion would be purchased in the second half of the year. Shares finished the session up 1.3%.
Oil services giant Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI - News) fell -5.8% after it warned that its second-quarter earnings would be below forecasts due to a significant deterioration of activity in Canada. The company now expects to earn $1.07-1.09 a share, including 5 cents related to higher taxes and costs associated with repair and maintenance. Analysts expected the company to earn $1.18 a share.
In company news, Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN - News), the world's largest biotech company, announced that its board has authorized an additional $5 billion stock buyback program. It is the company's second multi-billion dollar share repurchase program in the past two months. Back in May, the company said it would purchase $3 billion in stock; the company as $1.5 billion remaining on that repurchase plan. Shares of struggling homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV - News) got a big boost after rumors surfaced that value investor and billionaire Warren Buffet was buying the shares. The news also lifted other homebuilders on the session. Shares of Hovnanian rose 12.0% on the day.
In merger news, Energizer Holdings (NYSE: ENR - News) agreed to purchase Playtex Products (NYSE: PYX - News) for $1.9 billion including debt. Playtex, the maker of sunscreen and wet wipes, received a premium of 18% over where it ended the session on Thursday.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AMGN, BHI, ENR, GE, HOV, PYX

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.
Capital One Financial Corp. Sept 85 Calls (NYSE:COF - News). COF's PowerRating is 5.
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.
Baidu.com Sept 160 Puts (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU's PowerRating is 3.
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.
Mastercard Inc. Aug 180 Calls (NYSE:MA - News). MA's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Southern Copper Corp. Aug 95 Puts (NYSE:PCU - News). PCU'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.
Symantec Corp. (NasdaqGS:SYMC - News). SYMC's PowerRating is 5.
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.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV - News). HOV's PowerRating 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.
Motorola Inc. (NYSE:MOT - News). MOT's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BIDU, COF, HOV, MA, MOT, PCU, stock options, SYMC

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.
Schlumberger Limited July 95 Calls (NYSE:SLB). SLB'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.
Dow Jones & Co. July 60 Puts (NYSE:DJ). DJ's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Mastercard Inc. Aug 200 Calls (NYSE:MA). MA's PowerRating is 3.
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.
Goldman Sachs Aug 200 Puts (NYSE:GS). GS' PowerRating is 6.
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.
Microsoft (NasdaqGS:MSFT). MSFT's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE). NKE's PowerRating is 6.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV). HOV's PowerRating is 7.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: DJ, GS, HOV, MA, MSFT, NKE, SLB, stock options

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.
Goldman Sachs July 260 Calls (NYSE:GS). GS' PowerRating is 5.
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.
Urban Outfitters July 25 Puts (NasdaqGS:URBN). URBN'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.
Google Inc. July 550 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG). GOOG's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Research In Motion July 150 Puts (NasdaqGS:RIMM). RIMM's PowerRating 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.
Citgroup (NYSE:C). C's PowerRating is 5.
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.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV). HOV's PowerRating is 6.
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.
WR Grace & Co. (NYSE:GRA). GRA's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: C, GOOG, GRA, GS, HOV, RIMM, stock options, URBN

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.
Oil Services HOLDRs July 195 Calls (AMEX:OIH - News). OIH'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.
Arena Pharmaceuticals July 15 Puts (NasdaqGM:ARNA - News). ARNA's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Google Inc. July 550 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating is 4.
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.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index July 120 Puts (AMEX:EEM - News). EEM's PowerRating is 5.
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.
KB Home (NYSE:KBH - News). KBH's PowerRating is 5.
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS:RACK - News). RACK's PowerRating 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.
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.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV - News). HOV's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ARNA, EEM, GOOG, HOV, KBH, OIH, RACK

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.
First Solar Inc. June 80 Calls (NasdaqGM:FSLR - News). FSLR's PowerRating not available due to less than 200 days trading history.
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.
Weyerhauser June 80 Puts (NYSE:WY - News). WY'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.
Apple Inc. July 105 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating is 3.
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.
Dendreon May 17.5 Puts (NasdaqGM:DNDN - News). DNDN's PowerRating is 2.
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.
McDermott International (NYSE:MDR - News). MDR's PowerRating is 4.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News). PDE'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.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV - News) . HOV's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, DNDN, FSLR, HOV, MDR, PDE, stock options, WY

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

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

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

Stocks traded weakly today as investors became skittish over fears that problems in the subprime mortgage market are going to spill over into other sectors and lead to a slowing of the economy. Exacerbating those fears was a sharp loss by one of the nation's largest homebuilders, which said it could no longer accurately forecast its results for this year, along with a report of declining consumer confidence. The 10-year Treasury note also traded lower today, while crude oil futures closed up fractionally.
The catalyst for today's slump was the fiscal Q1 profit report from Florida-based homebuilder Lennar (NYSE: LEN - News). The company's FQ1 profit plunged -73%, driven lower by weak sales, the woes of the subprime sector, and rising land prices. Lennar joins fellow builders KB Homes (NYSE: KBH - News), Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV - News), and Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL - News) as reporting sharply lower earnings in the past month. The company acknowledged it would not meet its previously issued forecast for full-year earnings, and said it was "not comfortable" with making any further predictions at this time.
Lennar's report was in many respects not surprising, given what its competitors previously announced and coming as it did on the heels of yesterday's surprisingly weak report on February new-home sales from the Commerce Department. January sales were also sharply lower, the government previously said. The bad news from the housing sector, and a recent surge in prices at the pump, was reflected in a drop in consumer confidence as measured in a monthly survey by The Conference Board, a private business group.
In market news today, Pennsylvania utility operator PPL (NYSE: PPL - News) hit its second-consecutive new 52-week high after Lehman Brothers upgraded the stock to "overweight" from "equal weight," and boosted its target to $47 from $38. The stock added 2.7%, topping the $40.05 one-year high it set on Monday.
Independent refiner Valero Energy (NYSE: VLO - News) closed higher after announcing in a regulatory filing that it was delaying a planned expansion in Quebec and canceling another refinery project in Texas. The company was expected to discuss its plans at an industry conference tomorrow. Valero cited the need for controlling its capital spending in the face of rising refinery construction costs.
Shares of automaker DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX - News), meanwhile, rose on reports that two different private equity groups, assisted by Wall Street banks, would submit bids for the company's troubled Chrysler unit by as early as Thursday. According to a report in the Detroit News, Blackstone Group and Centerbridge Partners have assembled a group of banks that includes Lazard (NYSE: LAZ - News), Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH - News), and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News) for one bid. Another offer for the carmaker, the newspaper reported, may come from Cerberus Capital Management with help from Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE: GS - News).
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BAC, DCX, GS, HOV, KBH, LAZ, LEH, LEN, PPL, TOL, VLO

Most Under Priced 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.
Allegheny Technologies Apr 120 Calls (NYSE:ATI - News). ATI's PowerRating is 5.
Most Under Priced 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.
Whole Foods Market Inc. Apr 45 Puts (NasdaqGS:WFMI - News). WFMI'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.
Intuitive Surgical Apr 115 Calls (NasdaqGS:ISRG - News). ISRG's PowerRating is 4.
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.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index May 105 Puts (AMEX:EEM - News). EEM's PowerRating is 5.
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.
None today.
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.
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD - News). AMD's PowerRating is 6. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (NYSE:HOV - News). HOV's PowerRating is 5. Home Depot (NYSE:HD - News). HD's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AMD, ATI, EEM, HD, Hot Options, HOV, ISRG, WFMI

Stocks partially rebounded from a spate of Friday afternoon profit taking to finish mixed. A government employment report that came in as expected and a drop in the U.S. trade deficit helped give traders some confidence in the economy going forward. The 10-year Treasury note and crude oil futures both dropped sharply. The yield on the 10-year note rose to 4.59%, while crude slipped to just above $60 a barrel.
The Labor Department reported the unemployment rate fell from 4.6% to 4.5% in February as U.S. employers added 97,000 non-farm workers. A drop in construction jobs was offset by gains in the services sector. Average hourly earnings rose 6 cents to $17.16. The employment numbers were in line with expectations. The Commerce Department, meanwhile, reported that the January U.S. trade deficit narrowed by -3.8% to $59.1 billion.
In today's market action, Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO - News) dropped -5% on a report in The Wall Street Journal that the company might lose a long-standing contract with AT&T (NYSE: T - News). Subscribers can read our take on the Journal article and the market's reaction to it in today's issue. National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM - News) was one of the day's better performers after it raised its full-year guidance, despite the fact that it reported a -45% drop in earnings. The maker of analog chips cited improved bookings for its increased outlook. For the quarter ended February 25th, the company reported profits of $71.5 million, or 22 cents a share, down from $130 million, or 37 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue dropped to $431 million, well below last year's $548 million.
In other earnings-related news, homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE: HOV - News) dropped -4% after the company reported a FQ1 loss and cut its full fiscal year target. The company lost -$57 million, or -91 cents per share, for the quarter ended January 31st. The loss was less than the company had forecast, but it nonetheless reduced its full-year earnings target to $1.10-1.50 per share from earlier guidance of $1.50-2.00 a share.
Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN - News) slid -2% to a 52-week low after the Food & Drug Administration announced new label warnings for the company's top-selling anemia treatments Arenesp and Epogen. The new warnings will note an increased risk of death, heart trauma, blood clots, and tumor growth when used at higher-than-recommended doses. The warning also applies to Procrit from Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ - News), but that stock finished modestly higher.
Shares of wireless Internet provider Clearwire (Nasdaq: CLWR - News) sank -10% on their second day of trading following its IPO Wednesday. Intel (Nasdaq: INTC - News) and Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News), which are significant investors in the company founded by cable mogul Craig McCaw, were also slightly lower today.
In the transportation sector, package-delivery giant FedEx (NYSE: FDX - News) was upgraded to a "buy" by Stifel Nicolaus. The firm also cut its rating on C.H. Robinson (Nasdaq: CHRW - News) to "sell." Robinson, a logistics company that coordinates global shipping through other freight-haulers, lost -5% today. Stifel Nicolaus said the stock was overvalued and that the company faces challenges to maintaining margins and growing its business.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AMGN, CHRW, CLWR, FDX, HOV, INTC, JNJ, MOT, NSM, T, YHOO

Frontier Oil Corp. (NYSE:FTO - News) said fourth-quarter earnings fell to $52.4 million, or 47 cents a share, from $63 million, or 55 cents a share, a year earlier. The Houston oil refiner said earnings fell primarily because the gasoline and diesel crack spreads following hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 was not repeated in 2006. The results for the quarter ending Dec. 31 include an inventory loss of 22 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 55 cents a share, on average. Revenue declined 5.5% to $1.09 billion from last year's $1.15 billion.
Guitar Center Inc. (NasdaqGS:GTRC - News) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $1.36 a share, including a charge of $2.49 a share to write down goodwill associated with the music and arts division.
Halliburton Co. (NYSE:HAL - News) plans to dispose of its remaining interest in KBR Inc. (NYSE:KBR - News) through a split-off exchange offer to Halliburton shareholders..
Healthcare Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:HR - News)intends to sell its senior-living-assets portfolio, expecting a total consideration of about $400 million and a net gain of about $57 million.
Health Care REIT Inc.'s (NYSE:HCN - News) fourth-quarter net income fell 34% as revenue increased 15% to $87.8 million.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ - News) said it would acquire closely held PolyServe Inc. to expand the company's offerings of storage-software applications.
Hansen Natural Corp. (NasdaqCM:HANS - News) said that fourth-quarter gross sales rose 51% to $171.5 million, while net sales increased 54.2% to $151.1 million. Gross profit rose to $80.2 million, from $51.9 million a year ago. The sales increase reflected continued strong sales of energy drinks.
Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE:HOG - News) has taken down its targets for motorcycle shipments and earnings growth as the result of a recently ended three-week strike at its York, Pa., manufacturing plant, the company said Tuesday. While full production is expected to resume over the next week, the strike will eventually result in a loss of approximately one month's production. "A disruption of this magnitude has a significant impact on our business, as well as our suppliers, dealers, employees and our retail customers," said Tom Bergmann, Harley's chief financial officer, in a written release. The company expects to ship 64,000 to 66,000 units in the first quarter, down from a previous goal of 82,000 to 84,000 units, although it hopes to make up 4,000 to 5,000 during the remainder of the year. For the full year, Harley said it now expects "moderate" revenue growth, along with lower margins, and earnings per share growth in the range of 4% to 6%. But it forecast a return to 11% to 17% EPS growth in 2008 and 2009.
Hovnanian (NYSE:HOV - News) expects a first-quarter loss. It delivered 3,266 homes in the first quarter while net contracts declined 23% to 2,570.
Magna International (NYSE:MGA - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell 65% to $29 million, or 26 cents a share, from $83 million, or 75 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding one-time items, the company would have earned 99 cents a share. The average forecast of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for earnings of $1.17. The company said the difficult automotive environment, particularly in North America, is taking its toll. Sales rose 9% to 6.34 billion, helped by an increase in the company's European and rest of the world production sales. The company declared a quarterly dividend of 19 cents a share. For 2007, Magna expects consolidated sales of $22.9 billion to $24.2 billion. It sees spending for fixed assets in the range of $800 million to $850 million.
NetEase.com's (NasdaqGS:NTES - News) fourth-quarter profit grew 19% as the Beijing Internet company's revenue grew nearly 15% to $69.2 million.
Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE:JWN - News) fourth-quarter earnings climbed to 89 cents a share from 69 cents as sales rose 15% to $2.63 billion. Same-store sales increased 8.3%.
NYSE Group Inc. (NYSE:NYX - News) named Duncan Niederauer president and co-chief operating officer, effective April 9. Niederauer is currently managing director of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE:GS - News).
Oneok Inc. (NYSE:OKE - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 66 cents a share, down from $2.30 a share in the year ago-period. The year-ago quarter included a gain of $1.57 a share from the sale of Texas gathering and processing assets
Oneok Partners L.P. (NYSE:OKS - News) fourth-quarter earnings were 82 cents per unit, up from 72 cents in the year-ago period. There were 82.9 million units outstanding during the latest quarter vs. 46.4 million units a year earlier.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NasdaqGM:PNCL - News) said its fourth-quarter net income more than tripled to $36.8 million, or $1.67 a share, from $10 million, or 45 cents a share, in the year-earlier period. The 2006 fourth quarter included a benefit of $26.1 million, or $1.18 per share, associated with a settlement with Northwest Airlines Corp. . The Memphis, Tenn., regional airline said revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 fell 4% to $204.5 million from $213 million. Three analysts polled by Thomson Financial forecast earnings, on average, of 57 cents a share.
Sanderson Farms Inc. (NasdaqGS:SAFM - News) narrowed its fiscal first quarter loss, but the poultry producer said Tuesday it remained firmly in the red on high feed costs and soft, though slowly rising, pricing. Sanderson said it lost $2.8 million, or 14 cents a share for the quarter, compared to a loss of $8.6 million, or 43 cents a share in the year-ago period. Revenue came in at $292.7 million, up from $236.2 mi