Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Countrywide Financial (NYSE:CFC - News) rallied 47% on reports that Bank of America (NYSE:BAC - News) is in advanced talks to buy the biggest U.S. mortgage lender. CFC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7, and BAC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
AnnTaylor (NYSE:ANN - News) fell 15% after reporting a drop in same-store sales for the holiday season and cutting its earnings forecast. ANN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
IHS (NYSE:IHS - News) beat earnings expectations on Thursday afternoon, reporting $0.47 EPS over a consensus of $0.43 EPS. IHS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Shuffle Master (NasdaqGS:SHFL - News) matched earnings expectations on Thursday afternoon with $0.10 EPS. SHFL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Synnex (NYSE:SNX - News) also beat earnings estimates, reporting $0.61 EPS over $0.53 EPS. SNX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Infosys (NasdaqGS:INFY - News) reports earnings on Friday before the market opens, with traders looking for $0.51 EPS. INFY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.

Labels: ANN, BAC, CFC, Hot Stocks, IHS, INFY, SHFL, SNX

Infosys Technologies Limited ("Infosys" or "the company") today announced financial results for the second quarter ended September 30, 2007. Revenues for the quarter aggregated $ 1,022 million, up 37.0% from $ 746 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2006.
"We have achieved yet another milestone by crossing one billion dollars in revenues this quarter," said S. Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Managing Director. "In an increasingly flat world, our unique business model combined with our value proposition continues to help our clients grow profitably."
During the quarter, 48 clients were added. Infosys drove growth in Europe with new wins and strengthened existing client relationships with a focus on increasing its share of the sourcing pie.
Infosys' multimillion-dollar contract with Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands was among the largest Finance & Accounting business process outsourcing (BPO) engagements from India and has expanded Infosys' global network into Poland and Thailand while strengthening its European operations.
Growth in North America continued to be strong. To improve proximity to clients in the region, Infosys opened its first Latin American subsidiary in Monterrey, Mexico. The subsidiary, Infosys Technologies S. De RL De CV, provides business consulting and information technology services as well as key offerings in business process outsourcing, infrastructure management and packaged solutions implementation.
Infosys became the first company outside North America to join the Financial Institution Shared Assessments Program, the financial services industry's leading standards body that provides tools for evaluating the security practices of information technology (IT) services providers. Infosys' participation in the program is a reaffirmation of its commitment to providing a secure outsourcing environment for clients.
In the energy sector, one of the largest drilling contractors in the Middle East has signed up Infosys to conduct a scoping exercise for SAP-based Business Intelligence implementation.
A leading global bank is using an Infosys-built application to mine and assimilate distributed customer data, enabling it to tailor services for its customers. A Fortune 500 manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive labels has signed up Infosys to build a global order management and sourcing application to align its IT and business objectives and create global best practices around vital business processes.
In a multi-year engagement with a leading software vendor with worldwide operations, Infosys is maintaining and enhancing core corporate applications for finance, HR, legal and corporate services. A global pharmaceutical and medical products company has selected Infosys' product engineering services to enable it to rapidly innovate and bring high quality products to the market.
In the UK, a leading retailer turned to Infosys to set up a governance process and streamline project management to improve delivery effectiveness.
Infosys is executing multiple research and product development projects for a top telecom provider in Europe to help the client introduce products to the market faster.
"Our operating margins improved during the quarter despite the appreciating rupee," said V. Balakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer. "We are proactively hedging our currency exposures to mitigate this impact. Our hedging position as of September 30, 2007, was $ 1.4 billion."

Labels: Infosys Technologies Ltd., INFY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
China Sunergy (NasdaqGM:CSUN - News) rose 18% after announcing a 2-year contract to produce solar-power cells. CSUN does not have a PowerRating (for Traders) due to its short trading history.
Microchip Technology (NasdaqGS:MCHP - News) fell 11% on Tuesday, after missing analyst earnings estimates. MCHP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Costco (NasdaqGS:COST - News) reports earnings on Wednesday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.83 EPS. COST's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
When Helen of Troy (NasdaqGS:HELE - News) reports earnings on Wednesday morning, watch for $0.41 EPS. HELE's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Infosys (NasdaqGS:INFY - News) should announce $0.46 EPS on Wednesday before the market opens. INFY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Monsanto (NYSE:MON - News) is looking to report -$0.17 EPS tomorrow morning. MON's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Analysts are watching for Progressive (NYSE:PGR - News) report $0.38 EPS tomorrow before the market opens. PGR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.

Labels: COST, CSUN, HELE, Hot Stocks, INFY, MCHP, MON, PGR

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 6.
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.
Infosys Jun 50 Puts (NasdaqGS:INFY). INFY'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 115 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL). 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.
Intuitive Surgical July 120 Puts (NasdaqGS:ISRG). ISRG's PowerRating is 6.
Oil Service HOLDRs July 140 Puts (AMEX:OIH). OIH's 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.
Oracle Corp. (NasdaqGS:ORCL). ORCL'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.
MidCap SPDRs (AMEX:MDY). MDY's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, GS, INFY, ISRG, MDY, OIH, ORCL, stock options

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Krispy Kreme (NYSE:KKD - News) missed earnings on Thursday afternoon, announcing -$0.39 EPS when analysts were looking for $0.01 EPS. KKD's PowerRating is 5.
General Electric (NYSE:GE - News) announces earnings before the open on Friday; look for $0.44 EPS. GE's PowerRating is 5.
Infosys (NasdaqGS:INFY - News) reports earnings before the market opens on Friday, with analysts looking for $0.40 EPS. INFY's PowerRating is 5.
Advanced Magnetics (NasdaqGM:AMAG - News) announced positive test results for a new iron-replacement drug. AMAG's PowerRating is 3.
Retailers Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE:ANF - News) and Dillards (NYSE:DDS - News) both announced positive same-store sales results for March. ANF's PowerRating is 5, and DDS's PowerRating is 5.
MedImmune (NasdaqGS:MEDI - News) announced that the board has granted management authority to explore the sale of the company. MEDI's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AMAG, ANF, DDS, GE, Hot Stocks, INFY, KKD, MEDI

Bullish calls:
MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM - News): '... Look, it's the 2nd-largest casino, it's very well-run, we know that the casino business is consolidating... but we're so worried about China now that the stock's had a pullback... You know what? It's had enough of a pullback. MGM works. I want to own the stock.'Blockbuster (NYSE: BBI - News): ' ... we have recommended - and continue to recommend - BBI as the play, because they're moving aggressively into NFLX's turf, and I think they're doing a great job.'Infosys Technologies (NasdaqGS: INFY): The stock has taken a hit here. Indian outsourcing is a powerful concept that is not going away ... I actually want to buy it here right now. It's ridiculously low. It's earnings are great. Let's put some on our sheets.'IAC/InterActive Corp (NasdaqGS: IACI): ' ... absolutely the biggest buyback I know.'Tyco International (NYSE: TYC - News): The company is worth more than $30 bucks! It's been just biding time ... I think the split-up will bring a lot of value. I think there's 25% upside, but you're going to have to wait for the split-up, because nobody's a believer except you and me.'Texas Roadhouse (NasdaqGS: TXRH): 'I like TXRH more [than SNS].'Sonic (NasdaqGS: SONC): 'I'm going to go with SONC.'Great Plains Energy (NYSE: GXP - News): 'It's got a great wholesale competitive business, it's got a 5% yield. It's hit my radar screen as something to buy. I'm going to encourage you to stay in that.'Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL): ' Your fine in AAPL. It's meandering. It's biding time. It's making its way toward a great base of $83-87.'Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG): ' GOOG was up $16 yesterday. It's come down a little. It's meandering now ... Below $440, I think it's the price to pull the trigger.'Yahoo! (NasdaqGS: YHOO): 'GOOG is now anointed, along with EBAY, along with YHOO - I think both those stocks make a ton of sense.'eBay (NasdaqGS: EBAY)Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I think BAC's incredibly well-run; it's got a big buyback. I think they've renounced the kind of acquisitions that have historically killed the stock.'Cognizant Technology (NasdaqGS: CTSH): 'This is another Indian company, although it's based in Teaneck [NJ] ... It has been a fantastic performer, and it will continue to be so.'Dean Foods (NYSE: DF - News): 'I like DF ahead of what I think is just a terrific buyback that they're doing for their company.'
Bearish calls:
Netflix (NasdaqGS: NFLX)Shutterfly (NasdaqGM: SFLY): 'SFLY's an okay dot-com. It does a little social stuff. I would rather see you in IACI.'Steak n Shake (NYSE: SNS - News): 'SNS is a not-great restaurateur ... I'm giving that a distinctive 'don't buy, don't buy.'First Marblehead (NYSE: FMD - News): 'It's had a big run. I would actually right here say let it go back under $40, before I want to buy it. Don't buy, don't buy.'Melco PBL Entertainment (NasdaqGM: MPEL): ' Macau is so close to China - like it is China - that MPEL - which has got the Chinese casino coming - is worrisome ... I'd rather fess up, be wrong than I would stick with something that I'm worried about.'Cal-Maine Foods (NasdaqGM: CALM): ' Uh, egg company. You know what? Just okay.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AAPL, BAC, BBI, CALM, DF, FMD, GOOG, GXP, INFY, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MGM, MPEL, SNS, TYC

1.
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 99*. Casino and resort operator recently announced the advancement of its Hengqin International Convention and Resort project. Mutual fund ownership has risen to 173 funds from 137 three quarters ago. 3-year EPS growth rate: 111%
2.
Goldman Sachs (GS) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 99. The investment banker is pulling back after recent all-time highs. Its private equity arm recently agreed to buy insurance broker USI Holdings for $993 million. 3-year EPS growth rate: 45%
3.
Infosys Technologies (INFY) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 99. Indian IT services firm’s Q3 earnings jumped 50% to 39 cents a share. Banc of America Securities upgrades stock to buy from neutral. 3-year EPS growth rate: 40%
4.
Wipro Ltd. (WIT) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 99. Indian consulting firm said fiscal third-quarter profit jumped 50% to 12 cents a share. Sales growth rose 49%, the most in eight quarters. 3-year EPS growth rate: 39%
5.
Research In Motion (RIMM) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 98. Mutual fund ownership of the BlackBerry device maker rises to 292 funds from 264 three quarters ago. 3-year EPS growth rate: 115%
6.
Google (GOOG) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 98. Internet search giant will report earnings on Jan. 31. Analysts see profit rising 88% to $2.90 a share. 3-year EPS growth rate: 105%
7.
American Movil (AMX) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 97. Deutsche Securities upgrades Mexican wireless service provider to buy from hold. 3-year EPS growth rate: 115%
8.
Company Vale Do Rio (RIO) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 96. Brazilian mining firm is world’s largest iron ore producer. Owns a return on equity of 52%. 3-year EPS growth rate: 63%
9.
Lehman Brothers (LEH) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 96. Investment banker agreed to buy Australia’s Grange Securities for undisclosed sum. Planning Asian expansion. 3-year EPS growth rate: 27%
10.
Mittal Steel (MT) - View IBD Stock Checkup

Composite Rating 92. Steel producer’s earnings growth rebounded sharply after five quarters of declining growth. 3-year EPS growth rate: 33%
Published by Investor's Business Daily

Labels: AMX, GOOG, GS, INFY, LEH, LVS, MT, RIMM, RIO, WIT

1. Las Vegas Sands (LVS)
Composite Rating 99*. Casino and resort operator recently announced the advancement of its Hengqin International Convention and Resort project. Mutual fund ownership has risen to 173 funds from 137 three quarters ago. 3-year EPS growth rate: 111%

2. Goldman Sachs (GS)
Composite Rating 99. The investment banker is pulling back after recent all-time highs. Its private equity arm recently agreed to buy insurance broker USI Holdings for $993 million. 3-year EPS growth rate: 45%

3. Infosys Technologies (INFY)
Composite Rating 99. Indian IT services firm’s Q3 earnings jumped 50% to 39 cents a share. Banc of America Securities upgrades stock to buy from neutral. 3-year EPS growth rate: 40%

4. Wipro Ltd. (WIT)
Composite Rating 99. Indian consulting firm said fiscal third-quarter profit jumped 50% to 12 cents a share. Sales growth rose 49%, the most in eight quarters. 3-year EPS growth rate: 39%

5. Research In Motion (RIMM)
Composite Rating 98. Mutual fund ownership of the BlackBerry device maker rises to 292 funds from 264 three quarters ago. 3-year EPS growth rate: 115%

6. Google (GOOG)
Composite Rating 98. Internet search giant will report earnings on Jan. 31. Analysts see profit rising 88% to $2.90 a share. 3-year EPS growth rate: 105%

7. American Movil (AMX)
Composite Rating 97. Deutsche Securities upgrades Mexican wireless service provider to buy from hold. 3-year EPS growth rate: 115%

8. Company Vale Do Rio (RIO)
Composite Rating 96. Brazilian mining firm is world’s largest iron ore producer. Owns a return on equity of 52%. 3-year EPS growth rate: 63%

9. Lehman Brothers (LEH)
Composite Rating 96. Investment banker agreed to buy Australia’s Grange Securities for undisclosed sum. Planning Asian expansion. 3-year EPS growth rate: 27%

10. Mittal Steel (MT))
Composite Rating 92. Steel producer’s earnings growth rebounded sharply after five quarters of declining growth. 3-year EPS growth rate: 33%
Source: IBD

Labels: AMX, GOOG, GS, INFY, LEH, LVS, MT, RIMM, RIO, WIT

Outsourcing Winners: Accenture (NYSE: ACN - News), Electronic Data Systems (NYSE: EDS - News), Infosys Technologies (NasdaqGS: INFY) and Wipro (NYSE: WIT - News)
Sporting a referee's uniform, Cramer placed four of the best outsourcing consulting firms in a competition to determine which is the best investment. In the right corner were U.S. companies ACN and EDS with a combined annual revenue of $39.5 billion, and in the left corner were Indian challengers INFY and WIT with a total yearly revenue of $5.6 billion. Putting the politics of outsourcing aside, Cramer says that these companies have a "huge market" since many new businesses are in need of original strategies. On the American team, Cramer thinks that ACN is best of breed because it has a top notch business, "record utilization levels" and strong growth to 12.9% from the 6.4% in the previous quarter. On the Indian team, Cramer likes Infosys, because it has "some baked-in underpromise, overdeliver Indian-style potential," has 10,000 hires completing training, and is getting its China business moving; Cramer calls this "a recipe for better-than-expected numbers." He likes Infosys' low 12% attrition rate, which is an important metric for an outsourcing firm. Wipro's attrition rate is higher, but he would still pay attention to its earnings on Wednesday. While Cramer prefers the Indian team for their "overall prospects," his favorite two companies are Accenture for its consulting business and Infosys for its growth.
Related: Hans E. Wagner expects continued growth for Accenture.
CEO Interview: Ronald Hermance Hudson City Bancorp (NasdaqGS: HCBK)
Cramer asked Ronald Hermance how his comany is thriving in spite of negativity surrounding banking. "Quite candidly, our model sets us apart," Hermance responded. "The reason we've outlasted in most credit cycles is that we're retaining all our mortgages and not selling them to the secondary market." The result has been solid credit quality in the third quarter, and he added that HCBK has not had a net charge off in seven years. Impressed by this statement, Cramer added that Hudson City is "basically only lending to people that don't need a loan but are taking one out for a mortgage deduction." He recommnended the stock to investors who want a no-risk banking play.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: ACN, EDS, HCBK, INFY, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, WITS

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Genentech (NYSE:DNA - News) beat earnings on Wednesday afternoon, with $0.61 EPS over an expected $0.55 EPS. DNA's PowerRating is 5.
U.S. Airways (NYSE:LCC - News) upped its hostile takeover bid for Delta Airlines to $5 billion in cash. LCC's PowerRating is 5.
Infosys (NASDAQ:INFY - News) reports earnings on Thursday before the open; look for $0.36 EPS. INFY's PowerRating is 6.
M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB - News) announces quarterly earnings on Thursday morning, with analysts expecting $1.88 EPS. MTB's PowerRating is 6.
MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG - News) is expected to report $1.53 EPS on Thursday before trading begins. MTG's PowerRating is 6.
IHS (NYSE:IHS - News) reports earnings on Thursday afternoon, so watch for heightened price action and volume ahead of the close. IHS's PowerRating is 6.
Oil stocks remain a focus as crude continues to fall steadily. Chevron (NYSE:CVX - News) warned that Q4 revenues will be negatively effected by crude prices. CVX's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: CVX, DNA, Hot Stocks, IHS, INFY, LCC, MTB, MTG

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Genentech (NYSE:DNA - News) beat earnings on Wednesday afternoon, with $0.61 EPS over an expected $0.55 EPS. DNA's PowerRating is 5.
U.S. Airways (NYSE:LCC - News) upped its hostile takeover bid for Delta Airlines to $5 billion in cash. LCC's PowerRating is 5.
Infosys (NASDAQ:INFY - News) reports earnings on Thursday before the open; look for $0.36 EPS. INFY's PowerRating is 6.
M&T Bank (NYSE:MTB - News) announces quarterly earnings on Thursday morning, with analysts expecting $1.88 EPS. MTB's PowerRating is 6.
MGIC Investment (NYSE:MTG - News) is expected to report $1.53 EPS on Thursday before trading begins. MTG's PowerRating is 6.
IHS (NYSE:IHS - News) reports earnings on Thursday afternoon, so watch for heightened price action and volume ahead of the close. IHS's PowerRating is 6.
Oil stocks remain a focus as crude continues to fall steadily. Chevron (NYSE:CVX - News) warned that Q4 revenues will be negatively effected by crude prices. CVX's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: CVX, DNA, Hot Stocks, IHS, INFY, LCC, MTB, MTG