Jim Cramer Blog

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.
Merck (NYSE:MRK) & Acorda Therapeutics (NasdaqGM:ACOR). MRK's PowerRating is 7, and ACOR's PowerRating is 8.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
EchoStar Communications (NasdaqGS:DISH). DISH's PowerRating 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.
Becton, Dickinson & Company (NYSE:BDX). BDX's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Medifast (NYSE:MED) & W&T Offshore (NYSE:WTI). MED's PowerRating is 2, and WTI'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.
United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS). UPS's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ACOR, BDX, DISH, Hot Stocks, MED, MRK, UPS, WTI

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO - News) beat earnings Thursday, with $1.00 EPS over an expected $0.99 EPS. ARO's PowerRating is 5.
True Religion Apparel (NasdaqGM:TRLG - News) missed earnings expectations Thursday; analysts were looking for $0.22 EPS, but TRLG only announced $0.21 EPS. TRLG's PowerRating is 5.
Pacific Sunwear (NasdaqGS:PSUN - News) matched earnings expectations on Thursday afternoon with $0.37 EPS. PSUN's PowerRating is 5.
AnnTaylor (NYSE:ANN - News) reports earnings Friday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.29 EPS. ANN's PowerRating is 4.
Carnival (NYSE:CCL - News) is looking to report $0.34 EPS on Friday morning before trading begins. CCL's PowerRating is 6.
When Kellwood (NYSE:KWD - News) reports earnings Friday morning, look for $0.42 EPS. KWD's PowerRating is 5.
After the close Friday, Medifast (NYSE:MED - News) will report earnings, with analysts watching for $0.05 EPS. MED's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ANN, ARO, CCL, Hot Stocks, KWD, MED, PSUN, TRLG

Amcol International Corp. (NYSE:ACO - News) said its fourth-quarter income from continuing operations rose to $12 million, or 39 cents a share, from $8.4 million, or 27 cents, a year earlier. The Arlington Heights, Ill., company said sales rose 16% to $155.9 million for from $134.6 million. The average earnings estimate of five analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call was 34 cents.
Applera Corp.-Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA - News) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Piper Jaffray. The firm also lifted its price target on the stock to $16 from $14.
Briggs & Stratton (NYSE:BGG - News) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Raymond James.
Callaway Golf Co. (NYSE:ELY - News) said it expects preliminary 2006 sales of $1.02 billion, with earnings of 33 cents to 35 cents a share. Excluding charges, the golf-products company sees a per-share profit of 50 to 52 cents.
Capital One (NYSE:COF - News) reported a 39% jump in fourth-quarter net income. The results, as well as the credit-card and banking company's 2007 forecast, fell short of Wall Street expectations.
Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI - News) agreed to repurchase about 17.7 million common shares for $600 million cash. The Houston-based company said it will buy the shares through a private transaction with Fortress Investment Funds, Greenhill Capital Partners LLC and affiliated funds, and funds affiliated with Abrams Capital LLC.
DaimlerChrysler (NYSE:DCX - News) was upgraded to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley, which cited the potential for growth at the firm's truck-making division.
Del Monte Foods (NYSE:DLM - News) was upgraded to outperform from peer perform at Bear Stearns.
Easylink Services Corp. (NASDAQ:EASY - News) shares jumped after Internet Commerce (NASDAQ:ICCA - News) said it's offered to buy the company for $5 per share. The proposal represents a premium of about 47% based on Wednesday's closing price for Easylink shares. Including the assumption of $5 million in Easylink debt, the transaction would be worth about $60 million.
Equinix Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX - News) was initiated with an outperform rating at RBC Capital Markets.
ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE:ITC - News) signed a deal to acquire the transmission assets of Interstate Power & Light Co. from Alliant Energy (NYSE:LNT - News) for about $750 million.
JDSU (NASDAQ:JDSU - News) raised its view for fiscal second-quarter revenue to a range of $360 million to $365 million. Previously, the communications-test-products company had been looking for $332 million to $352 million. JDSU cited its Communications Test & Measurement segment performing "particularly well."
Leapfrog Enterprises (NYSE:LF - News) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Piper Jaffray. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $14 from $7, citing significantly improved business prospects.
Logitech (NASDAQ:LOGI - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
Medifast (NYSE:MED - News) was initiated with a buy rating at BB&T Capital Markets.
Merrill Merchants Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ:MERB - News) agreed to be acquired by Chittenden Corp. (NYSE:CHZ - News) for about $111.4 million in cash and stock. The deal values Merrill Merchants' shares at $31 each. Chittenden expects the consideration to consist of $44.6 million in cash and 2.2 million common shares. Burlington, Vermont-based Chittenden anticipates the transaction will close in the second quarter. Merrill Merchants, headquartered in Bangor, Maine, had total assets of $449 million as of Dec. 31.

Labels: ACO, BGG, CCI, CHZ, COF, CRA, DCX, DLM, EASY, ELY, EQIX, ICCA, ITC, JDSU, LF, LNT, LOGI, MED, MERB

Electro Scientific Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:ESIO - News) shares fell 6.5% Friday after the company reported second-quarter net earnings of $3.79 million, or 13 cents a share, compared with $3.19 million, or 11 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The Portland, Ore.-based provider of manufacturing systems to the electronics market posted revenue of $59.3 million vs. $48.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast second-quarter earnings of 16 cents a share on revenue of $59 million. Additionally, the company said it expects third-quarter shipments and revenue of $55 million to $65 million, and a gross margin increase of 2 to 3 percentage points from the second quarter.
Global Payments Inc. (NYSE:GPN - News) shares tumbled 16% after the company reported net income of $34 million, or 42 cents a share, for the second quarter ended Nov. 30, up from $30.6 million, or 37 cents, earned during the same period during fiscal 2006. The Atlanta-based provider of electronic transaction processing services generated quarterly revenue of $260.7 million, up 19% from the prior year's $219.7 million. Adjusted to exclude one-time items, the company said earnings were 44 cents a share in the latest quarter, up from 38 cents a year earlier. Analysts, were looking for earnings of 44 cents a share on revenue of $260 million, according to the average estimate compiled by Thomson First Call. In addition, Global Paymemts affirmed its full-year forecast calling for a profit of $1.79 to $1.85 a share, excluding the impact of stock-option expenses. The company also revised its projected revenue range for the year to $1.057 billion to $1.069 billion. The First Call-derived average forecasts for fiscal 2007 stand at $1.87 a share and $1.069 billion, respectively.
Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF - News) shares plunged 24% after the company forecast fourth-quarter 2006 sales of $482.7 million to $484.7 million, and said it still sees earnings in the range of 52 cents to 55 cents a share, excluding expenses associated with its realignment. For full-year 2007, the company reaffirmed its earnings forecast of $2.40 to $2.47 a share, excluding items. For the first-quarter of 2007, the Los Angeles-based herbal supplement maker forecast earnings of 50 cents to 55 cents a share on sales growth of 6% to 10%.
Lenox Group (NYSE:LNX - News) shares tumbled 37% after the company said Susan Engel, its chairwoman and chief executive, has resigned, effective immediately. In a statement, Engel said she and the board of directors agreed that "this is an appropriate time for the company to bring in an individual with substantial operational expertise and skills that will complement the strengths of the existing management team." Stewart Kasen, lead director of the Lenox board, will assume the role of chairman, while Marc Pfefferle, a partner at Carl Marks Advisory Group, LLC, becomes interim chief executive. Engel said the company's 2006 results will fall short of its expectations, impacted by slower than expected sales and lower than expected margins as it focused on an effort to liquidate excess inventory. Lenox now expects that its 2006 loss from continuing operations, excluding items, will be between 20 cents and 30 cents a share.
Medifast Inc. (NYSE:MED - News) shares lost 6.4% after the company said Bradley MacDonald will transfer his responsibilities as chief executive to Michael McDevitt, the company's president and chief financial officer, on March 1. MacDonald will continue to serve as executive chairman of the Owings Mills, Md.-based weight-loss company. As part of a board-approved succession plan, McDevitt will retain CFO responsibilities and has selected Margaret MacDonald to be president and chief operating officer.
Micrel Inc. (NASDAQ:MCRL - News) shares sank 8.1% after the company cut its outlook for its fiscal fourth quarter ended Dec. 31. Micrel now expects fourth-quarter earnings of 9 cents to 10 cents a share on revenue of $64 million to $65 million. The San Jose, Calif.-based chipmaker had previously forecast earnings of 11 cents to 13 cents a share on revenue of $67 million to $70.5 million. The company said the revenue shortfall is primarily a result of weakness in demand during the last two weeks of December across its end markets. Micrel added that it expects first quarter 2007 revenue to increase sequentially from the fourth quarter of 2006.
Motorola (NYSE:MOT - News) shares dropped 7.8% in heavy trading after the world's No. 2 mobile phone maker cut its fourth-quarter sales and profit forecast as handset prices fell amid fierce competition..
Nokia (NYSE:NOK - News) shares fell 5.3% after the company was downgraded to neutral from outperform at Credit Suisse. The firm said the handset maker's fourth quarter is expected to be weak, with continued average selling price and gross margin pressure. "Given the near term risk, we are issuing a trading sell," the bank added.
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA - News) shares lost 6.3% after the company was downgraded to neutral from buy at American Technology Research, citing valuation.
Openwave Systems (NASDAQ:OPWV - News) shares fell 5.7% after the company forecast a second-quarter per-share loss of 24 cents, or a loss of 8 cents to 9 cents on a pro forma basis, on revenue of $83 million to $84 million. The pro forma loss outlook excludes stock-based compensation expense of 8 cents a share, amortization of acquisition-related costs of 6 cents a share, and restructuring and other expenses of 2 cents a share. The Redwood City, Calif.-based software company also said it has authorized a $100 million share buyback program, scheduled to begin later this month. Additionally, Openwave said it expects third-quarter pro forma earnings to be breakeven on a per-share basis, on revenue of $85 million to $90 million. For the fourth quarter, the company said it expects pro forma earnings to increase slightly from the prior quarter on revenue of revenue of $90 million to $95 million.
PC Connection (NASDAQ:PCCC - News) shares sank 105 after the company was downgraded to underperform from market perform at Raymond James on valuation concerns.
Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE:PNK - News) shares fell 9.9% after the company said it plans to offer 10 million common shares from a shelf registration. The Las Vegas casino company said it will grant underwriters an option to purchase up to 1.5 million shares. Pinnacle expects to have 58.2 million common shares outstanding after the offer. The company plans to use the proceeds for one or more of its capital projects.
RightNow Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:RNOW - News) shares fell 8.2% after the company said it expects fourth-quarter results to come in below its previous outlook. The Bozeman, Mont.-based company had previously forecast results in a range of a net loss of 2 cents a share to breakeven. RightNow also said it expects fourth-quarter revenue of $28 million.
UAP Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:UAPH - News) shares lost 7.8% after the company reported a fiscal third-quarter net loss of $13.2 million, or 26 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $9.35 million, or 19 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue at the Greely, Colo.-based distributor of agricultural and non-crop inputs rose 16% to $375.7 million from $323.1 million. UAP revised its fiscal 2007 earnings forecast to a range of $1.15 to $1.25 a share, excluding charges related to the refinancing of debt.
Virage Logic Corp. (NASDAQ:VIRL - News) shares sank 10% after the Fremont, Calif.-based provider of intellectual property for the design of integrated circuits said late Thursday it expects to post a fiscal first-quarter net loss of 3 cents to 8 cents a share on revenue of $11 million to $12 million. In addition, the company announced that Adam Kablanian, a company co-founder, has resigned as president and chief executive effective immediately and will become Virage Logic's chairman. Dan McCranie, previously executive chairman, will become president and CEO effective immediately.
Westaff Inc. (NASDAQ:WSTF - News) shares tumbled 17% after the Walnut Creek, Calif.-based staffing services provider late Thursday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $2.6 million, or 16 cents a share, down from $18.8 million, or $1.14 a share, in the year-ago period. Last year's fourth quarter included a $16.7 million deferred tax valuation allowance reversal. Revenue in the quarter ended Oct. 28 fell to $196.9 million from $201 million. Westaff said it is experiencing "some softening in domestic revenues" in the first fiscal quarter of 2007 when compared with last year. However, the company said there is "a reasonable chance" its first-quarter net income will improve from a year ago.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: ESIO, GPN, HLF, LNX, MCRL, MED, MOT, MSTF, NOK, NVDA, OPWV, PCCC, PNK, RNOW, UAPH, VIRL

Diet and nutrition products and services company Medifast Inc. said Tuesday its third-quarter profit jumped as revenue doubled.
The company earned $4.6 million, or 34 cents per share, compared with a profit of $1.6 million, or 13 cents per share a year ago. Revenue nearly doubled to $58.8 million from $29.9 million last year.
Medifast said a mix of product sales and higher revenue from services boosted results. The company operates diet clinics.
The company expects fourth-quarter profit between 38 cents and 40 cents per share on revenue between $70 million and $72 million.
-AP

Labels: MED, Medifast Inc.