Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Tuesday from TradingMarkets.com:
SanDisk (NasdaqGS:SNDK - News) beat earnings expectations on Monday afternoon, reporting $0.69 EPS over a consensus of $0.64 EPS. SNDK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
JDA Software (NasdaqGM:JDAS - News) also beat earnings with $0.35 EPS over an expected $0.34 EPS. JDAS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
3M (NYSE:MMM - News) reports earnings on Tuesday before the market opens, with traders looking for $1.17 EPS. MMM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
American Electric (NYSE:AEP - News) is expected to report $0.50 EPS on Tuesday before the bell. AEP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Cardinal Health (NYSE:CAH - News) is set to report $0.88 EPS before the market opens on Tuesday morning. CAH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Anaylsts are watching for Countrywide (NYSE:CFC - News) to announce -$0.30 EPS on Tuesday before the bell. CFC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
When Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY - News) announces quarterly results early Tuesday morning, be watching for $0.89 EPS. LLY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.

Labels: AEP, CAH, CFC, Hot Topic, JDAS, LLY, MMM, SNDK

The Dow closed down 211 points and the Nasdaq finishing down 34. The S&P 500 has now given up all of its gains on the year. Najarian continues to like the four horseman names like Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG) and Research In Motion (RIMM) which showed strength on Wednesday. Adami recommended getting long General Motors (GM) right here with a specific stop price in mind. Finerman found it strange that Fannie Mae (FNM) went up Wednesday. Crude oil came close to $100 on Wednesday, but fell just short and finished the day at $97.19. Gartman feels the stock market is behaving horribly and he is short names like Harley-Davidson (HOG), Tiffany (TIF) and Coach (COH) and long Microsoft (MSFT)and Apple (AAPL). Gartman's favorite position right now is short Cummins (CMI).
CNBC Pharmaceuticals Reporter Mike Huckman joined the show to discuss his take on big pharma stocks. Huckman explained that Pfizer (PFE) is having issues with safety concerns on a stop smoking drug, falling Lipitor sales and generic competition. Huckman also mentioned that Merck (MRK), Eli Lilly (LLY) and Bristol Myers (BMY) were all down on Wednesday. Finerman likes Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
Investors tend to sell their biggest losers towards the end of the year to reduce the tax hit they take from their winners. Some of the names at 52-week lows are Citigroup (C), Pfizer (PFE), Merck (MRK), J.C. Penny (JCP), Capital One Financial (COF), Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and AIG (AIG).
Word on the Street
Macke recommended buying The Gap (GPS) on dips. Finerman likes Limited (LTD) on valuation. Adami suggested buying Citi Trends (CTRN) ahead of earnings for Monday. Najarian likes Target (TGT) for its valuation in retail.
Deere & Company (DE) traded up 5% after profits rose 52%.
Najarian suggests looking at Agco (AG)
Najarian noted strong call options trading activity on Tibco Software (TIBX).
Pops & Drops
Pops - Google (GOOG) traded up 2%
U.S. Steel (X) traded up 5% also bucking the down trend in the market.
Drops - Tesoro (TSO) fell 3%
American International Group (AIG) fell 6%.
Circuit City (CC) fell 6% after a JPMorgan analyst downgraded the stock.
Jamba Juice (JMBA) plunged 30%
Final Trade
Macke says don't buy stocks if you don't have to and Adami and Finerman just gave thanks in the holiday spirit.
Najarian likes Apple (AAPL) and he thinks the stock will explode into January.

Labels: AAPL, BMY, CMI, CNBC, CNBC's Fast Money, COF, COH, Fast Money Recap, FNM, GM, GOOG, HOG, LLY, LTD, MRK, MSFT, pfe, RIMM, TGT, TIF

Technology
Google (GOOG) reported quarterly profits that soar 46% and the search giant added 2,130 employees in the third quarter. Nokia (NOK) traded higher after earnings nearly doubled and global market share rose to 39%.
The big pharmaceutical companies will have earnings rolling in with Pfizer (PFE), Eli Lilly (LLY) and Wyeth (WYE) set to report Thursday and Merck (MRK) and Schering-Plough (SGP) set to report Monday. Pfizer issued news that it will no longer sell Exubera which is an inhalable insulin device. This news took down Alkermes (ALKS), MannKind (MNKD) and Nektar (NKTR). Finerman continues to believe that Merck will buy Biogen (BIIB).
Word on the Street
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) reported a quarterly loss but, revenues soared. Adami suggests trading off of AMD with Dell (DELL). However, Macke would buy Microsoft (MSFT) based on this news. Baxter (BAX) traded higher after earnings beat Wall Street estimates. Najarian recommends looking at Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). Bank of America (BAC) traded lower after reporting a 32% drop in earnings. Capital One Financial (COF) reported a third quarter loss as profits fell 32%. Najarian would sell Capital One Financial and buy State Street (STT) and JPMorgan (JPM). Wal-Mart (WMT) announces plans to drop prices ahead of the holiday season. Finerman maintains that Wal-Mart is attractive on valuation and she owns the stock.
Rail Trade: Finerman and Adami picked CSX (CSX) in the rail space. Najarian's favorite was Burlington Northern (BNI) and Macke prefers Union Pacific (UNP).
Oil: As oil continues to hit record highs, Najarian proposes playing off oil with solar stocks and recommends buying Cypress Semiconductor (CY), SunPower (SPWR), JA Solar (JASO) and Suntech (STP). Macke favors NRG Energy (NRG). Adami says buy Shaw Group (SGR) for a play on nuclear power.
Pops & Drops
Pops - Callaway Golf (ELY) traded up 12% on higher profits.
Drops - Allstate (ALL) dropped 4% after revenues fell 16%.
iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund (FXI) fell 3%.
American Standard (ASD) fell 5% after cutting its 2007 forecast.
Final Trades
Macke recommends Intel (INTC).
Adami would short Exxon Mobil (XOM) for the second day in a row.
Finerman is a buyer of Limited Brands (LTD) on a pullback after the retailer was replaced in the S&P 100 index.
Najarian loves and owns Cypress Semiconductor (CY).

Labels: ALKS, AMD, CNBC, Fast Money, Fast Money Recap, GOOG, LLY, MRK, NOK, pfe, WYE

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are 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.
Sun Healthcare (NasdaqGM:SUNH - News). SUNH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
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.
Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY - News). LLY'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.
Target (NYSE:TGT - News) & Reliance Steel (NYSE:RS - News). TGT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7, and RS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (NYSE:KMP - News). KMP's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Stillwater Mining (NYSE:SWC - News). SWC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 2.
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.
Visteon Corporation (NYSE:VC - News). VC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: Hot Stocks, KMP, LLY, RS, SUNH, SWC, TGT, VC

Stocks advanced solidly today, aided by some upbeat news on consumer spending and some better-than-expected profit reports from U.S. corporations. Investors were encouraged by a government report that showed consumer spending resulted in a March retail sales gain of 0.7%. The start of the trading week also saw a slight drop in crude oil prices and firming by the 10-year Treasury note.
The Commerce Department's report on March retail sales was above expectations as well as an improvement over the revised 0.5% increase recorded in February. The government had originally reported a meager 0.1% increase in February retails sales. The Commerce Department also said business inventories rose 0.3% in March, which was more than the 0.2% Wall Street was expecting, but investors shrugged off the gain.
Today's earnings news began with a Q1 report from Citigroup (NYSE: C), the nation's largest bank. Investors were pleased by top-line results that exceeded expectations, pushing the shares up 2.6%. The banking giant's bottom-line results were hurt by charges associated with the cost-cutting measures the company recently announced. Citigroup reported net income of $5 billion, or $1.01 a share, which represented an -11% decline from the $5.64 billion, or $1.12 a share, it earned a year earlier. Excluding charges, the bank would have reported a profit of $1.18 a share. Revenue jumped 15%. Subscribers can read our analysis of Citi's Q1 performance in today's issue.
Citi's results helped boost the shares of several money center banks. Rising today were the shares of Wachovia (NYSE: WB), J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), and Bank of America (NYSE: BAC). J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, along with two private-equity funds, also agreed today to purchase SLM (NYSE: SLM), the student-loan provider widely known as "Sallie Mae." The company's shares jumped 18.4%. The group will pay $60 a share, or $25 billion, for the company.
Elsewhere in the financial sector, California-based mortgage lender Fremont General (NYSE: FMT) surged 26% after the company announced it had found a buyer for its subprime business. Fremont says it has a signed letter of intent for its subprime portfolio, but did not disclose the purchaser.
The report from drugmaker Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) reflected a similar scenario to that of Citigroup, with similar results for its shares. The stock closed up 2.7% despite the fact that Lilly reported a -39% decline in its Q1 profits. Revenue, however, was up 14%. Lilly's bottom line was hurt by charges associated with acquisition costs, plant closings, and a licensing deal with OSI Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: OSIP) for an experimental drug. Lilly raised its full-year forecast.
Toy maker Mattel (NYSE: MAT) said strong sales of its Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels, and Matchbox products helped boost revenue 19% to $940. Profits, however, dropped -60% against last year's Q1, which was aided by 15-cent a share tax benefit.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BAC, C, FMT, JPM, LLY, MAT, OSIP, SLM, WB

Bullish Calls:
Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM): 'We're not going to go into the ethanol business! If we do, we're going to buy the one ethanol company that I think actually has earnings and a business model, which is ADM!'Danaher (NYSE: DHR): 'Down $4 from the high. I want you to pull the trigger. I want you to get long DHR.'Citigroup (NYSE: C): 'Chuck Prince overpaid today, made a dilutive acquisition for a hedge fund... Once again, board members... Mr. George David, Mr. Kenneth Derr, Mr. Rubin... Will you please broom the guy! C'mon! C - I like it, because I think the company will eventually come to their senses and give Chuck Prince the boot... 'Haynes (NasdaqGM: HAYN): 'Did we nail that one after the secondary? What did we pick up? A quick $12 there? This stock is going higher. This is one of those high-performance alloy stocks ... The stock is on a ramp. Yes! HAYN is a keeper!'Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY): 'LLY's finally starting to get a little jiggy here. It is not my favorite at all ... I think it goes to $60 by options expiration next Friday, and then, I want you to sell it. Not until then.'Abbot Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)Crocs (NasdaqGS: CROX): 'How much do we like CROX?! ... Literally, literally, more than a quarter of the stock is short? That's wrong. We like CROX. We think it goes to $60.'National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV): 'It's up a quick $15 but, you know what? NOV at $83 goes to $90. I'm sticking by it. It grows at 25%. It has a 20x multiple.'Transocean (NYSE: )GobalSantaFe (NYSE: GSF)Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News): 'I think HAL is going to make a bid for Weatherford.'Immucor (NasdaqGS: BLUD): 'At $20, I had that management on, and I embraced that stock and, you know what? 52-week high.'Akamai Technologies (NasdaqGS: AKAM): 'I'm still going to send you to AKAM. Because, if you want web, I'm giving you AKAM.'J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP): 'Why don't you buy some JCP? I want to stick with the best of the breed. I want you to stick with those that should get the benefit of the doubt...'
Bearish calls:
Aventine Renewable Energy (NYSE: )JetBlue (NasdaqGS: JBLU): 'Here we are, all the way back to $11 ... We just need to see this quarter. When we find out how much money we had to put into the new systems ... we will get bullish and pull the trigger!'Digital River (NasdaqGS: DRIV): 'Cry me a digital river! This stock is up so much since I recommended it, I'm scared of it. Sell, sell, sell!'Open Text (NasdaqGS: OTEX): 'You know what? That is a good company. I tend not to like this kind of web company.. sell, sell, sell!'Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO): 'No! No! I don't think FDO's having that good a quarter. It's down 10% from its high. I don't want you in that. '
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ABT, ADM, C, DHR, FDO, GSF, HAL, JBLU, JCP, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LLY, Mad Money, NOV, OTEX

Bullish calls:
Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED - News): 'If you're going to go that route, I'd rather see you do ED.'WellPoint (NYSE: WLP - News)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG)Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD)Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ)Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT - News): 'ABT has accelerated growth... because they got the best part of the Guidant deal... because they've got a couple of drugs that I think are still expanding... 'Marshall & Ilsley (NYSE: MI - News): 'I like what they did yesterday, very much... It split off its processing business ... MI is committed to be able to bring out value, even at a time when a lot of regional banks are not to be owned. I salute that management for being probably the only company in that whole industry that I think recognizes that you've got to do more than just play the yield curve, because they haven't done well. That's a good stock.'Dendreon (NasdaqGM: DNDN): 'I think DNDN has now had a major move ... I don't think it's done ... That is a very speculative stock though. It is not for those who want to buy it as a drug company ... Which is why I have not gone out with it on my show.'Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT - News): 'Steve Hayer must be a guy that nobody could work with, because, boy, he is an unbelievable turnaround guy... They just left him in the dust. The rumor is that they're going to be for sale. The stock could go to $90 if it's for sale ... I want to own HOT... I think that's a great selection.'
Bearish calls:
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE - News): 'You're too conservative ... I want more growth than that stock can give you.'Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY - News): 'This is a tough, tough, tough call, because LLY is very well-run, and it's done unbelievable work in the mental health business. The problem with LLY - and this is a problem I see with much of big pharma - it does not have the growth that I want ... I salute the management, but I don't want to buy the company.'MedImmune (NasdaqGS: MEDI): 'I think they're misguided. I do believe that this company should be sold to other people who can do a better job. They have great drugs. They have not succeeded in marketing them.'
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: ABT, DTE, ED, HOT, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LLY, Mad Money, MEDI, MI, WLP

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
Laps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that lap down by 5% or more and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that lap down by more than 5% have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Palm (NasdaqGS:PALM - News). PALM's PowerRating is 5.
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.
PC Mall (NasdaqGM:MALL - News). MALL's PowerRating is 7.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Canetic Resources (NYSE:CNE - News). CNE's PowerRating is 3.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI - News). BHI's PowerRating is 3.
2-Period RSI Above 98: These are stocks that have a 2-day RSI reading above 98 and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average with a 2-period RSI reading above 98 have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Bebe Stores (NasdaqGS:BEBE - News) & Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY - News). BEBE's PowerRating is 2, and LLY's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS:RACK - News). RACK's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: BEBE, BHI, CNE, Hot Stocks, LLY, MALL, PALM, RACK

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.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: BAC, C, CELG, CL, CLX, COF, GILD, GIS, GS, Jim Cramer, LLY, Mad Money, MO, pfe, PG

Deere (NYSE: DE - News), Qwest (NYSE: Q - News), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT - News), Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News) and CSX Corp (NYSE: CSX - News): Cramer listed DE, Q, NSC, CAT and SWY as underappreciated "buys", adding that he sees no reason why DE will stop at $113. He observes that rails are on a "gigantic tear," but notes that although NSC is "delivering its numbers" it is his least favorite railroad stock. He prefers UNP, says that rumors of its guiding down are "nonesense" and predicts that it will reach $125 from $103. He also likes CSX, which is raising its dividend and buying back stock. Concerning Safeway, Cramer likes its gift card business, which he says is worth around $7 billion.
Aetna (NYSE: AET - News), Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY - News), United Health (NYSE: UNH - News), Laboratory Corp of America Holdings (NYSE: LH - News), Schering Plough (NYSE: SGP - News): Cramer comments that the entire healthcare sector is "exploding" because Warren Buffett took a stake in UNH, and LH reported strong numbers. He likes AET, but says "No" to big pharma, especially LLY. While Cramer is bullish on SGP, he would take a breather since it has gone from $17 to $24 "in a straight line."

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AET, CAT, CSX, DE, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, LH, LLY, NSC, Q, SGP, SWY, UNH, UNP

Summary: Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO - News) is the world sales leader of insulin-related products. Its insulin-analog products are bio-variants of the human insulin molecule that work better, are more bioavailable, sell for twice the price, and enjoy extended patent protection. Together with competitors Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY - News) and sanofi-aventis (NYSE: SNY - News), they have converted about 1/2 of all insulin-using patients to make the switch -- and Novo's product is the most complete and convenient. Its 2006 insulin analog sales jumped 50%, driving EPS was up 12% and giving it a P/E ratio of 26. Can the company continue to merit such a lofty multiple? Tech trader Bill Alpert says yes. Diabetes 'growth' is widespread; China accounted for over 40% of its international growth last year (though the U.S. government has been slow in accommodating 'biosimilar generics'). The company has other growth opportunities: It has a Phase III drug similar to but better than Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (NasdaqGS: AMLN) Byetta (sold by Lilly) because Novo's version is taken once daily vs. Byetta's twice. And its hemophilia drug NovoSeven promises to reduce severe bleeding in trauma patients and during heart surgery, and may prove to be the first drug to address bleeding strokes.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: AMLN, Barron's, LLY, NVO, SNY

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.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: ADM, AH, ASD, ATG. ATK, AZN, BCO, CBK, CELG, CLX, CNQR, CRR, CUTR, DELL, GILD, GMCR, HP, LLY, PLCE, RDEN

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.
Legg Mason Jan 100 Calls (NYSE:LM - News). LM's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Las Vegas Sands Jan 90 Puts (NYSE:LVS - News). LVS' 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.
Sears Holdings Mar 165 Calls (NASDAQ:SHLD - News). SHLD'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.
China Life Insurance Company Jan 55 Calls (NYSE:LFC - News). LFC'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.
Medarex (NASDAQ:MEDX - News). MEDX's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Midway Games (NYSE:MWY - News). No PowerRating available due to trading history being less than 200 days.
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.
Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY - News). LLY's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net
Published by TradingMarkets Research

Labels: LFC, LLY, LM, LVS, MEDX, MWY, SHLD

Stock index futures rose Tuesday morning, but trading is expected to be relatively uneventful as many players remain away on vacation. Thirty minutes before the opening bell on Wall Street, stock index futures indicated that the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($INDU) might add ten or fifteen points in early trading. The NASDAQ ($COMPQ) is expected to open modestly higher as well.
There is no economic or earnings data scheduled for today and not much corporate news to report. FedEx (FDX) might weigh on the transports early in the day after European regulators asked the airfreight company for information as part of a probe into anti-competitive behavior in the industry. Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AMLN) and Eli Lilly (LLY) are expected to see action on news the jointly developed diabetes drug Byetta was approved as an add-on therapy for people with type 2 diabetes. Retailers will be worth watching as investors react to the latest round of holiday sales numbers. Mastercard is reporting that early estimates show sales between Thanksgiving and Christmas rose 6.6% above last year, which is below the 8.7% increase during the holiday season a year ago.
Crude oil prices are higher after Iran defied United Nations sanctions and vowed to continue with its nuclear research program. Crude is up 23 cents to $62.64 a barrel. Gold is moving as well. February futures are up $7.70 to $630 an ounce. Bonds are drifting quietly higher, with the benchmark ten-year Treasury note up two ticks. Overall, there isn’t much news to lift stocks early in the day. In fact, the Iran situation is probably the most significant news item of the day, but certainly not a bullish development for equities. Nevertheless, with not much news and many players away on vacation, volume is expected to be light and not much volatility is expected. As a result, stock index futures point to a steady open on Tuesday.
Frederic Ruffy

Labels: AMLN, FDX, LLY

BCE Inc. (NYSE:BCE - News) said it was selling its satellite services subsidiary, Telesat Canada, in a deal valued at C$3.42 billion (US$2.96 billion). The acquirer is a company formed by Loral Space & Communications and Canada's Public Sector Pension Investment Board. Loral and PSP said as part of the deal, they will acquire the stock of Telesat Canada for C$3.25 billion (US$2.8 billion), plus the assumption of C$172 million (US$148 million) in debt.
BioSante Pharmaceuticals (AMEX:BPA - News) shares soared on news that federal regulators had approved its menopause treatment Bio-E-Gel.
Caremark Rx Inc. (NYSE:CMX - News) shares rose after the company received a $26 billion cash-and-stock buyout offer from Express Scripts Inc. (NASDAQ:ESRX - News) in an effort to break up the company's takeover deal with drug chain CVS Corp. (NYSE:CVS - News).
CenturyTel Inc. (NYSE:CTL - News) shares rose the company said it'll pay $830 million in cash and debt to buy Madison River Communications Corp., a provider of rural telephone and broadband services. The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2007.
Citigroup (NYSE:C - News) shares rose after Merrill Lynch upgraded the banking giant to buy from hold. Merrill cited several positive factors including revenue growth from an abating yield curve in 2007; Citi's "unparalleled" international presence; and less deal risk than its peers.
ConocoPhillips said Monday it signed an agreement to buy 376 ConocoPhillips fueling stations in six Eurpoean countries. Financial terms weren't disclosed. Conoco said it is selling 156 stations in Belgium, 49 in Finland, 44 in the Czech Republic, 30 in Hungary, 83 in Poland, and 14 in the Slovak Republic. The stations will be renamed Lukoil stations from Jet stations. ConocoPhillips also said it plans to increase its stake in Lukoil to 20% by the end of the year, as part of a strategic alliance unveiled in 2004.
ElkCorp (NYSE:ELK - News) shares surged after the company said it was being acquired in a deal valued at $1 billion by private equity firm the Carlyle Group. As part of the deal, Carlyle will pay $38 for each ElkCorp share outstanding, which represents a 6% premium to Friday's closing price of $35.85. The deal to buy the Dallas roofing company also includes the assumption of $173 million in debt. Separately, Carlyle is partnering with Hood Companies and its subsidiary Atlas Roofing Corp. When the acquisition of ElkCorp is completed, which is expected to be in the first quarter of 2007, Carlyle plans to merge ElkCorp and Atlas.
Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL - News) said it agreed to collaborate with Bristol-Myers (NYSE:BMY - News) on discovery, development and commercialization of cancer treatments. Under the collaboration, Exelixis will use its drug discovery platform and will identify and be responsible for pre-clinical development of small molecule drug candidates. Bristol- Myers will have the right to select up to three Investigational New Drug (INDs) candidates against three different targets and will lead all global activities, although the parties will co-develop and co-commercialize the programs in the U.S. Bristol-Myers will pay to Exelixis an upfront payment of $60 million in cash, and Exelixis will also receive $20 million for each of up to three different drug candidates selected by Bristol-Myers.
Harrah's Entertainment (NYSE:HET - News) is on the verge of being sold for at least $90 a share to two private-equity firms, Apollo Management and Texas Pacific Group, the online edition of The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.
Icos Corp. (NASDAQ:ICOS - News) shares rose after Eli Lilly and Co. (NYSE:LLY - News) said it raised its offer price for Icos $34 a share, or about $2.3 billion, up from the original offer price of $32 a share. "We are confident that ICOS shareholders will recognize the substantial value and the certainty that Lilly is offering," said Sidney Taurel, Lilly chairman and chief executive.
Joy Global Inc. (NASDAQ:JOYG - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose to $85 million, or 71 cents a share, from $56 million, or 45 cents, a year earlier. The average earnings estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call was 66 cents a share. The Milwaukee mining technology company said sales for the three months ended Oct. 28 rose 21% to $689.3 million from $568.2 million.
MGM Mirage (NYSE:MGM - News) shares rose after the company and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation said Monday they inked a pact to build a new MGM Grand hotel/casino resort adjacent to Foxwoods Resort Casino. The new $700 million MGM Grand at Foxwoods is expected to open in the spring of 2008. The two entities will also develop additional gaming and non-gaming projects, both at Mashantucket and outside of Connecticut. They have formed a jointly owned company, Unity Gaming LLC, to acquire or develop gaming and non-gaming enterprises, including Indian and non-Indian gaming, throughout the United States and abroad.
Realogy (NYSE:H - News) shares jumped after private-equity group Apollo Investment agreed to buy the real-estate brokerage group for about $6.6 billion.
Refco Inc. (Other OTC: