Jim Cramer Blog

Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC - News), Countrywide Financial's (NYSE: CFC - News), Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM - News), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News), Wachovia (NYSE: WB - News)
Thursday's dash for financials may indicate the sector will be one of the "long-term beneficiaries" of Bernanke's position, but Cramer does not think they are safe. He tacked a double sell on WM but thought BAC and WB could survive. However, he reserved the lion's share of his praise for WFC, and said, "It is the great speculative play that should prosper." He believes WFC will "own the mortgage market" and will win with investors because it offers a great dividend. Cramer would wait for WFC to drop to the $32 - $34 range.
Sell Block: VMware (NYSE: VMW - News), H&R Block (NYSE: HRB - News), Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF - News), Friedman Billings Ramsey Group (NYSE: FBR - News) Lamson & Sessions (NYSE: LMS - News), Six Flags (NYSE: SIX - News)
Cramer urged investors to "stay the course" and added "no one ever made a dime panicking." However, he added it isn't too late to sell minerals and he feels tigher consumer spending will put pressure on retail. Cramer would sell VMW after its highly successful IPO, and would stay away from HRB, COF and FBR. He would also sell LMS as well as SIX because of low attendance due to the weather. He concluded it is better to invest in long-term stocks rather than quick trades in the current environment.
KKR Financial (NYSE: KFN - News), Thornburg Mortgage (NYSE: TMA - News) and Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI - News)
Not all high dividends are good dividends, Cramer declared and used KFN and TMA as examples. He added high-dividend names KFN and TMA aren't worth the investment because as their stocks fall so will the yields. Cramer likes RAI which has a dividend of 5.5% and is a "smart play" in this environment because "nothing is more defensive than cigarettes."
Mad Mail: Bear Stearns (NYSE: BSC - News), Jones Soda (NasdaqCM: JSDA) and Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG - News)
Cramer would avoid BSC and JSDA whose climb was "how to make a million" in the market. He adds GOOG is safe and likes the tech sector for its pristine balance sheets and great products.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: BAC, BSC, CFC, COF, FBR, GOOG, HRB, Jim Cramer, KFN, LMS, Mad Money, RAI, SIX, TMA, VMW, WB, WFC, WM

OM Group (NYSE: OMG - News), Fuel Tech (NasdaqGM: FTEK), Foster Wheeler (NasdaqGS: FWLT), Shaw Group (NYSE: SGR - News)
Completing his week-long segment which featured "green" stocks, Cramer unveiled his two favorite environmental companies: OMG and FTEK. OMG has 25% of the world's supply of cobalt which is used for hybrid car batteries. Cramer predicts cobalt should remain stable or go higher, especially since there are no new sources until 2009. OMG also has exposure to copper, which Cramer thinks will become more valuable, and is fixing its balance sheet. While he recommended FWLT and SGR earlier in the week as clean power picks, Cramer says they are for conservative investors, but for those who are looking for some risk, he likes FTEK as the ultimate speculative Green Day play. The company has technology to make coal power cleaner by reducing nitrogen-oxide emissions and has been getting "contract after contract." Since 49% of electricity in the US is derived from coal, and ethanol is not yet efficient, FTEK is "pretty important." On a general note, Cramer said even though the market is up, he is still bullish; “I am not exaggerating when I say the best is yet to come. We are going to be up 17%" this year."
Picks for the Week Ahead: VF Corp. (NYSE: VFC - News), Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH - News), Eaton (NYSE: ETN - News), Honeywell (NYSE: HON - News), Akamai Technologies (NasdaqGS: AKAM), Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL), Boeing (NYSE: BA - News), PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP - News), Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI - News), Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM - News), Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News), Level 3 Communications (NasdaqGS: LVLT), NYSE (NYSE: NYX - News), Cummins (NYSE: CMI - News), National Oilwell Varco (NYSE: NOV - News)
While Monday will be quiet, Cramer says there will be a lot going on the market for the remainder of the week. On Tuesday, VFC and PH will report, and he expects an upside for both companies since VFC is a "Benefit of the Doubt" play, and he predicts PH will ride the wave with ETN and Honeywell. Wednesday will be busy, and Cramer limited his picks to five; he would buy Akamai for its streaming video and Apple for its iPhone ahead of their earnings reports, BA because it is going to $100, and ATI which will report a "giant number" and Pepsi. On Thursday, he would take a look at XOM, which will report, as well as HAL and LVLT, both of which have "lagged” but may run. Cramer's growth stock of the year, NYX, also reports on Thursday. Cummins and NOV are on the agenda for Friday and are “not done going up"
Mad Mail: Lamson & Sessions (NYSE: LMS - News), Charter Communications (NasdaqGM: CHTR), Dynegy (NYSE: DYN - News), Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD - News)
Cramer likes LMS as a potential acquisition and predicts the risk/reward is 1 point down and 6 points up. Concerning the CNBC 's Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge, Cramer said his favorite stocks are CHTR, DYN and RAD as "great single-digit plays and LVLT as a "good game name."
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: ATI, BA, CMI, DYN, ETN, HAL, HON, Jim Cramer, LMS, Mad Money, NOV, NYX, OMG, PEP, PH, RAD, SGR, VFC, XOM

JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM - News): 'I think that the company itself is really good. At $47, nice 9% pullback. Probably worth buying, but let me tell you something... It doesn't yield 3%... 'Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'I've got BAC that yields 4% ... This stock should pull back .... If it goes below $20, then you do a little buying. 'Jones Soda (NasdaqCM: JSDA): 'But JSDA, other than HANS, is the fastest grower out there. I'm doing a lot of work on JSDA... Do not lose sight of that!'Hansen Natural (NasdaqCM: HANS)Accuray (NasdaqGM: ARAY): 'I think you're fine.'Harsco (NYSE: HSC - News): 'I think that this is a quintessential great industrial management company ... that's the kind of stock to buy right here. HSC, only about $1 off its high, but notice how it's held up. It is not that linked to housing. It is mostly industrial equipment.'Cummins (NYSE: CMI - News)Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH - News)Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT - News)Terex (NYSE: TEX - News)Lamson & Sessions (NYSE: LMS - News): 'Remember, I felt that this company is a natural to be acquired. They are in talks ... I think this company is worth substantially higher than where it's selling ... I am not worried about the earnings, and the P/E is very low. In other words, continue to buy LMS... 'VeriFone (NYSE: PAY - News): ' I think that PAY - which is linked to retail - is a fabulous stock. I am surprised it's come down this much from its high. I actually want to load up the truck with PAY right here. That's too cheap!'Charter Communications (NasdaqGM: CHTR): 'Do not lose heart! This is a play off of what I regard as being the 'virtuous circle' of being able to refinance, now that rates have come down... CHTR is good ... I want you to buy it.'Comcast (NasdaqGS: CMCSA)Time Warner (NYSE: TWX - News)Allegheny Technologies (NYSE: ATI - News): 'Don't forget that you need ATI steel when you build an ethanol plant, and that stock's off nicely from its high. I'm pulling the trigger right here!'Disney (NYSE: DIS - News): 'DIS is doing very well, it's got superior management. It's pulled back $1.50. I'll pull the trigger on DIS.'
Bearish calls:
Six Flags (NYSE: SIX - News): 'is a speculative stock ... I did not put that in the same league as DIS... I will wait until we go to Six Flags, before I will make the determination.'

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ATI, CAT, CMI, DIS, LMS, PAY, SIX, TEX, TWX, VLO

Partner Communications (PTNR)

Composite Rating: 99*. The Israeli wireless communications services provider is trading near seven-year highs. In late January, it reported its second straight quarter of triple-digit profit growth. Sales growth has accelerated for two quarters. Volume % Change**: +186%

Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)

Composite Rating: 97. The GPS device maker is hovering near record highs after the company turned in a 105% jolt in Q4 earnings, 25 cents ahead of analysts’ views. Sales jumped 91% to $611.2 million. It also guided full-year 2007 profit ahead of consensus estimates. Volume % Change: +732%

Mechel Oao (MTL)

Composite Rating: 97. The Russia-based company has operations in coal, iron and nickel mining. It also makes steel and carbon products. The stock’s Accumulation/Distribution Rating jumped to A from C in one month. Volume % Change: +346%

Millicom International Cellular (MICC)

Composite Rating: 97. Millicom provides prepaid voice services to emerging markets such as Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Its fourth-quarter earnings vaulted 257%. Sales climbed 85% to $544 million. Last month, it agreed to sell its majority stake in Paktel Limited to China Mobile for about $284 million in cash. Volume % Change: +230%

Affiliated Managers Group (AMG)

Composite Rating: 97. The asset manager has gained about 12% since the beginning of the year, nearly doubling that of its Finance-Investment Management Group. The company’s after-tax profit margin jumped to 20.9% in its latest reported quarter, the highest in 13 quarters. Volume % Change: +162%

Jones Lang Lasalle (JLL)

Composite Rating: 97. Mutual fund ownership of the real estate and money management firm jumped to 171 funds from 127 three quarters ago. Last year, the company grew profit by 66%, the biggest annual profit growth in two years. Volume % Change: +141%

Cummins Inc. (CMI)

Composite Rating: 97. In late January, the engine maker reported Q4 profit slightly below views, but guided full-year 2007 earnings ahead of consensus estimates. Earlier this month, it formed a joint venture with a Nigerian company to make power generation systems. The stock hovers near an all-time high. Volume % Change: +112%

Deere & Co. (DE)

Composite Rating: 96. The farming machinery maker powered to a new peak after strong fiscal first-quarter results. Longbow upgraded the stock to neutral from sell. Due to rising global consumption of renewable fuels, Deere anticipates worldwide farming activities to be favorable. Volume % Change: +395%

WellCare Health Plans (WCG)

Composite Rating: 96. The managed healthcare provider’s Q4 profit vaulted 156% as membership more than doubled and surpassed analysts’ views. Its full-year earnings guidance was mostly line, but sales are expected to exceed analysts’ estimates. Volume % Change: +195%

Lamson & Sessions (LMS)

Composite Rating: 95. The maker of building products such as pipes and fittings is exploring strategic alternatives, which may include a sale of the company. It has turned in triple-digit profit growth for seven of the past eight quarters. Volume % Change: +278%

Published By IBD

Labels: AMG, CMI, DE, GRMN, JLL, LMS, MICC, MTL, PTNR, WCG

On the Mend: Viacom (NYSE: VIA - News), Time Warner (NYSE: TWX - News)
Cramer says that a broken stock can make a comeback only when the company is prepared to do something drastic to prove that profits are its chief concern. He is bullish on Viacom since it announced that it is cutting 250 jobs at MTV. Cramer compares this scenario to TWX's rise after selling of 18 of its magazines. The mistake Viacom has made, according to Cramer, is that it was being run like a growth company even after it stopped growing, and "became a victim of its own success" by its almost exclusive focus on a younger demographic. Since the company is more concerned about profits than growth, Cramer expects the company will deliver and adds that it is trading at a "big discount."

Lamson & Sessions (NYSE: LMS - News), American Standard (NYSE: ASD - News), Home Depot (NYSE: HD - News)
Cramer discussed the "damned up flood of money in private-equity firms" and commented that if he were working at a private equity firm, he would want to buy LMS which is a gift at $28.25. Since the raw cost of PVC piping, one of LMS' products, is "dropping like a rock," the company should benefit, and its shortfall has already been priced into the stock. LMS is part of Cramer's "private equity dream" which includes ASD's plumbing business and HD's building and supply company. If a private-equity company purchases these three, it can form a "plumbing and construction powerhouse" that could go public in a few years.

Hit or Miss: Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR - News), General Electric (NYSE: GE - News)
Cramer cited a Financial Times article reporting the most earnings misses this quarter since the third quarter of 2004, but he said that an earnings miss is not a reason to sell a stock, but can even be an incentive to buy or to hold, since most of the time, a poor report is already baked into the stock, as was the case with WHR. Cramer likes WHR because it and GE have a "virtual monopoly" on washers and dryers and that it has integrated its acquisition Maytag well. Cramer warned viewers not to buy after hours or before doing research on the stock.
CEO Interview: Michael Wilson, Agrium (NYSE: AGU - News)
Cramer commented that while many fertilizer companies see "capacity come on and new plants being built," he doesn't notice the same thing happening with AGU. Michael Wilson responded that progress has been slow since few anticipated the tight market, and the company hasn't been building new plants. However, fertilizer demand "is a major global phenomenon," he added, and the company already has 500 retail stores. Cramer is bullish on Agrium because he believes in the agricultural complex.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AGU, ASD, GE, HD, Jim Cramer, LMS, Mad Money, TWX, VIA, WHR

Adeza Biomedical Corp. (NasdaqGS:ADZA - News) agreed to be bought by Cytyc Corp. (NasdaqGS:CYTC - News) for $24 a share, or approximately $450 million, Cytyc will fund the purchase through existing cash, the cash on Adeza's balance sheet, and existing credit facilities. The deal, which is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed before the end of March. Cytyc said that, excluding one-time costs related to the acquisition, it expects the acquisition to be break-even to earnings in 2007 and at least accretive by 5 cents to 2008 earnings per share.
Adobe Systems (NasdaqGS:ADBE - News) was upgraded to buy from Oppenheimer & Co., which cited valuation.
Align Technology (NasdaqGM:ALGN - News) shares rose after Piper Jaffray upgraded the teeth misalignment treatment company to outperform from market perform, citing evidence of growing demand for its Invisalign product. Analyst Raj Denhoy also raised his stock price target to $21 from $15, his forecast for 2007 revenue from orthodontists to $85 million from $79 million. "Overall, orthodontists expect their use of Invisalign to increase by approximately 13.4% over the next 12 months; we had previously modeled just 10.6%," Denhoy said in a research note.
Apogee Enterprises (NasdaqGS:APOG - News) lifted its outlook for fiscal 2007, saying it now sees earnings of $1.04 to $1.10 a share. Its previous projection was for a profit of 98 cents to $1.04 a share for the year. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for a profit of $1.01 a share in 2007. The Minneapolis-based glass products maker anticipates it will post revenue growth near the top of its prior range of 12% to 15%. For fiscal 2008, Apogee forecast earnings of $1.20 to $1.30 a share on revenue growth of 8% to 11%. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of $1.19 a share in fiscal 2008.
Apple Inc. (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Citigroup, which cited several meaningful product catalysts and expectations of significant gross market upside due to declines in flash memory and DRAM (dynamic random access memory) pricing. Analyst Richard Gardner kept his 12-month price target at $105.
Asta Funding (NasdaqGS:ASFI - News) agreed to acquire a portfolio with a face value of $6.9 billion for a purchase price of $300 million. Asta said the portfolio is made up of primarily credit card accounts.
Brush Wellman (NYSE:BW - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings jumped to $30.3 million, or $1.48 a share, from $4.1 million, or 93 cents a share, a year earlier, boosted by a $21.3 million benefit related to the reversal of the company's deferred tax valuation allowance. The Cleveland supplier of metal products and engineered material systems said excluding the allowance, the company earned 44 cents a share. Revenue rose 48% to $207.8 million from $140.6 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 41 cents a share on revenue of $189 million. Analyst earnings forecasts typically exclude unusual items. In addition, Brush Engineered said it expects 2007 sales to rise 25% to 30%to $950 million to $1 billion, with earnings of $3 to $3.75 a share, including a $1-per-share benefit from the sale of inventory.
Cell Therapeutics (NasdaqGM:CTIC - News) said it plans to form a new company, Aequus BioPharma, Inc., and spin it off. The company didn't provide details of whether the spin-off will be in the form of an initial public offering or a dividend to its shareholders.
Ciena Corp. (NasdaqGS:CIEN - News) was upgraded by Credit Suisse to outperform from neutral, citing the networking company's strong competitive position in the rebounding optical infrastructure market. Analyst Paul Silverstein also lifted his stock price target to $36 from $29.25, his 2007 earnings estimate to 93 cents a share from 91 cents and his 2007 revenue forecast to $715 million from $710 million. The stock was up 2.2% at $28.90 in pre-open trading. "We expect to see further sustained increase in demand due to increasing bandwidth consumption and the concomitant need for network re-architecture driven primarily by increasing amounts of video on service provider and enterprise networks," Silverstein said in a research note.
Digital Music Group (NasdaqGM:DMGI - News) signed a revenue-sharing content agreement with YouTube. The deal calls for certain components of Digital Music's video and music catalog to be made available by YouTube. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Diversa Corp. (NasdaqGM:DVSA - News) shares gained after the San Diego-based maker of specialty enzymes said it has agreed to merge with privately held Celunol Corp, a developer of technology for producing ethanol from cellulosic biomass feedstocks. Under the terms of the deal, Diversa will issue 15 million shares to acquire the outstanding equity of Celunol. Diversa will also provide Celunol with up to $20 million in debt financing to fund its operations prior to the closing of the transaction. Diversa stockholders will own roughly 76% of the combined company, and Celunol stockholders and option holders will own 24%. The deal is expected to close by the end of the second quarter.
Express Scripts (NasdaqGS:ESRX - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies & Co. The firm boosted its price target on the stock to $90 from $77.
Grubb & Ellis Co. (NYSE:GBE - News) said its second-quarter net income rose to $6.1 million, or 23 cents a share, from $4.9 million, or 36 cents, a year earlier. The average earnings estimate of four analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial was 9 cents a share. The Chicago real-estate services company said revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $145.8 million from $140.6 million.
Home Depot Inc. (NYSE:HD - News) said its board has decided to evaluate strategic alternatives for its HD Supply business, including a possible sale, spin-off or initial public offering. The Atlanta-based retailer said there can be no assurance that any deal will occur or its timing. Home Depot said it hired Lehman Brothers as its financial advisor and it does not expect to update its progress or disclose developments with respect to the exploration of HD Supply strategic alternatives unless the board of directors has approved a definitive transaction.
Hydril (NasdaqGS:HYDL - News) shares leapt after the manufacturer of pressure control products for oil and gas production agreed to be acquire by Tenaris S.A. for $97 a share in cash. The offer represents a premium of roughly 17% to Hydril's closing share price last Friday. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter. Certain members of the Seaver family have agreed to vote Hydril shares, representing roughly 22% of the combined votes rights, in favor of the merger, Luxembourg-based Tenaris said.
Infineon AG (NYSE:IFX - News) was approached by at least three private equity groups in the last six months, according to a report in the Financial Times newspaper. The firm's management do not want a deal, but some potential bidders remain hopeful a deal could still be possible this year, the newspaper said, citing a person familiar with the situation. If Infineon, which has a market capitalization of 8 billion euros ($10.4 billion), were bought, it would be the largest private equity deal ever in Germany, the FT added.
Kraft Foods (NYSE:KFT - News) was upgraded to neutral from reduce at UBS.
Kronos Inc. (NasdaqGS:KRON - News) was upgraded to strong buy from buy at Needham & Co. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $50.
Lamson & Sessions (NYSE:LMS - News) said its board hired Perella Weinberg Partners as financial adviser to explore "a range of strategic and financial alternatives" for the company. The Cleveland thermoplastics company said the potential actions include the sale of certain assets or the entire company, formation of joint ventures, a change to the company's capital structure, or a continuation of the company's business plan.
LCA-Vision Inc. (NasdaqGS:LCAV - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $7.1 million, or 34 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $6.6 million, or 30 cents a share. Revenue jumped 26% in the latest three months to $58.8 million from $46.8 million a year ago. The Cincinnati-based provider of laser vision correction services also said it's increased its quarterly dividend by 50% to 18 cents a share from 12 cents. Looking ahead, LCA-Vision forecast earnings of $2.05 to $2.15 a share for 2007 on revenue growth of 20% to 25%.
Published By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: AAPL, ADBE, ADZA, ALGN, APOG, ASFI, BW, CIEN, CTIC, CYTC, DMGI, DVSA, ESRX, GBE, HD, HYDL, IFX, KRON, LCAV, LMS

Acuate Corp. (NASDAQ:ACTU - News) was downgraded to market perform from market outperform. The firm cited expectations for transitional issues as the company moves toward an open source model.
Cardica Inc. (NASDAQ:CRDC - News) said in a regulatory filing that it is initiating a voluntary recall of 55 units of its C-Port xA blood vessel connection system used in heart bypass operations after internal testing showed a manufacturing defect. The Redwood City, Calif., company said the recall will hurt the company's revenue for the quarters ended March 31, 2007, and Dec. 31, 2006, but did not specify by how much.
Centex Corp. (NYSE:CTX - News) said it expects to swing to a third-quarter loss from continuing operations of $2.00 per share, from a profit of $2.52 a share a year ago. The company said it will record land valuation adjustments of around $300 million due to the declining housing market. It has also decided not to exercise land option contracts on 37,000 lots, which will result in walk-away costs of around $150 million. Centex plans to increase its provision for taxes by around $60 million in connection with its ongoing federal tax audit. Excluding these costs, Centex expects adjusted earnings for the quarter of 75 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 81 cents a share. For the quarter, Centex said home closings fell 12% to 8,360 and net orders fell 24% to 6,139.
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO - News) was downgraded to neutral from buy at Banc of America Sec., due primarily to valuation. Analyst Tim Long said he believes the networker's business is "as good as it gets," and therefore sees limited upside to the shares. In addition, Prudential Equity Group lowered its rating on the networking giant's stock to neutral weight.
Commerce Bancorp (NYSE:CBH - News) shares fell after the bank said it's been advised that an investigation is being conducted by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, in conjunction with the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. "Commerce has further been advised that the scope of the investigation will include but not be limited to transactions with its officers, directors and related parties, including transactions involving bank premises," the company said. "Commerce is fully cooperating with the OCC and the Federal Reserve with respect to the investigation." The company also reported its fourth-quarter results, saying net income jumped 68% to $78.7 million, or 40 cents a share.
Edge Petroleum Corp. (NASDAQ:EPEX - News) said it plans to sell 9.2 million common shares. The deal includes an over-allotment option for the sale of an additional 1.38 million common shares. Houston-based Edge also plans to concurrently offer 2 million shares of Series A cumulative preferred stock. The company anticipates it will use the proceeds to finance its pending acquisition of certain properties from Smith Production Inc. and to refinance its existing revolving credit facility.
Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold (NYSE:FCX - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $441.6 million, or $1.99 per share, down from a year-ago profit of $478.3 million, or $2.19 a share. Revenue rose in the latest three months to $1.64 billion from $1.49 billion in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for a profit of $2.12 a share on revenue of $1.72 billion. Looking ahead, Freeport-McMoran said it expects to close in merger agreement with Phelps Dodge in early March. It anticipates sales for the first quarter will be "the highest of the year" with about 400 million pounds of copper and 850,000 ounces of gold.
Goodrich Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:GDP - News) definitively agreed to sell substantially all its assets in south Louisiana for $100 million, effective as of July 1, 2006. The deal is subject to conditions including a due-diligence financial review by the buyer, which a news release identified as a private purchaser. The purchase price will be adjusted for cash flow to the closing date, which Goodrich estimated as Feb. 27, 2007. Goodrich said the deal enables it to focus on developing its Cotton Valley trend acreage and to reduce operating costs.
Headwaters Inc. (NYSE:HW - News) said it plans to sell $125 million worth of convertible senior subordinated notes due 2014 through a private placement. The deal includes an over-allotment option for the sale of an additional $25 million worth of notes.
Indymac (NYSE:NDE - News) said it expects fourth-quarter net income of 97 cents a share, lower than its earlier forecast of $1.30-$1.40 a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call forecast earnings of $1.34 a share, on average, for the period. "This shortfall reflects the challenging times being faced by the mortgage and housing industries and the difficult nature of forecasting earnings in our business," the Pasadena, Calif., financial services company said.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC - News) shares were lower ahead of the Dow component's quarterly report, which is due after the closing bell. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call is for a profit of 25 cents a share on revenue of $9.44 billion.
KLA-Tencor (NASDAQ:KLAC - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank.
Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank.
Lamson & Sessions (NYSE:LMS - News) took down its profit outlook due to a slump in the price of PVC pipe due at least in part to a weaker-than-expected residential construction. The company now sees earnings of $2.42 to $2.43 a share for 2006. "This segment's operating loss is due to an industry-wide inventory reduction in the fourth quarter following a mild hurricane season along with lower energy costs," the company said. That meant "an accelerated decline in selling prices that outpaced a decrease in raw material costs. In addition, the residential construction market was much weaker than expected." Previously, the company had been expecting to earn $2.50 to $2.53 a share for the year but, Lamson noted, even the lower number is still a record. On the top line, its still expects to bring in sales of $560 million to $561 million.
Marchex (NASDAQ:MCHX - News) was downgraded to market perform from market outperform at JMP Securities. The firm cited a deceleration of the company's direct navigation business.
Medicines Co. (NASDAQ:MDCO - News) plans to sell six million shares of its common stock. The company also intends to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 900,000 shares of common stock. Bear Stearns and Merrill Lynch are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The company was also downgraded to reduce at UBS.
Mesabi Trust (NYSE:MSB - News) declared a distribution of 31.5 cents per beneficial unit late Friday, payable on Feb. 20 to shareholders of record on Jan. 30. The company's distribution was 47 cents per unit for the same period a year earlier, a decline Mesabi attributed to significantly lower shipments of iron ore pellets in the calendar fourth quarter of 2006.
Novellus Systems (NASDAQ:NVLS - News) was downgraded to sell from hold at Deutsche Bank.
Sterling Construction Co. (NASDAQ:STRL - News) forecast earnings of $13.4 million to $15 million, or $1.13 to $1.26 per share, for fiscal 2007 on revenue of between $285 million and $310 million. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call is for a profit of $1.30 a share for the year on revenue of $300.9 million. Also, as of Dec. 31, the company's backlog stood at about $395 million, up 29% from year-ago levels. Shares of the Houston-based civil construction company closed Friday at $20, down 2.4%.
Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ:SYMC - News) said it was lowering its third-quarter earnings and revenue forecast, citing a weaker-than-anticipated performance by its data center management business and higher deferrals than expected as a result of a greater proportion of enterprise maintenance contracts. The Cupertino, Calif. security software company cut its earnings estimate to 10 to 11 cents a share from 14 to 15 cents a share and his revenue forecast to $1.29 billion to $1.31 billion from $1.315 billion from $1.149 billion. Excluding non-recurring items, the company lowered its earnings estimate to 24 to 25 cents a share from 29 to 30 cents, and its revenue projection to $1.30 billion to $1.32 billion from $1.325 billion to $1.355 billion. For the fiscal fourth-quarter, the company expects adjusted earnings of 18 to 20 cents a share, below the average analyst estimate compiled by Thomson First Call of 32 cents.

Published By MarketWatch

Labels: ACTU, CBH, CRDC, CSCO, CTX, EPEX, FCX, GDP, HW, INTC, KLAC, LMS, LRCX, MCHX, MDCO, MSB, NDE, NVLS, STRL, SYMC