Jim Cramer Blog

General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) and Ford (NYSE: F - News): Cramer is skeptical about GM comments that subprime problems were to blame for the company's lackluster performance when other sectors such as retail have reported great numbers; "I mean, we did go up 15 out of 16 days, despite the fact that we were torching our houses to get the money from Allstate." He added although Ford is a turnaround story, there is not yet tangible evidence.
Barclays' (NYSE: BCS - News), Fifth Third (NasdaqGS: FITB), Comerica (NYSE: CMA - News), SunTrust (NYSE: STI - News), America (NYSE: BAC - News): On Barclay's offer for ABN Amro, Cramer would buy FITB, CMA, and STI here, but comments BAC has acquisition addiciton; "There is no 12-step program for what BAC is doing... They would have to hit bottom. They have to hit banking skid row."
AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN - News) Medimmune (NasdaqGS: MEDI), Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG), Cephalon (NasdaqGS: CEPH), Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI - News), Cummins (NYSE: CMI - News): Cramer called AZN's acquisition of MEDI a "classic overpay" and may make CELG and CEPH seem undervalued. As time was running out, Cramer said, "I like coal! Johnson Controls ... Cummins $9!"
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AZN, BAC, BCS, CEPH, CMA, CMI, GM, JCI, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, MEDI, STI

Stocks moved modestly to the downside today on profit taking in the wake of Friday's strong advance despite the announcement of big merger deals in the banking and biotechnology sectors. Oil prices also rose sharply, topping $65 a barrel in New York trading as traders reacted to instability in Nigeria following national elections in the oil-producing nation that opponents claim were rigged in the government's favor. The 10-year Treasury note moved higher to begin the week.
Today's news was dominated by M&A activity. As anticipated, Britain's Barclay's (NYSE: BCS - News) announced that it has agreed to acquire Dutch bank ABN Amro Holdings (NYSE: ABN - News) for just over $91 billion. As part of the deal, ABN Amro said it would sell its Chicago-based LaSalle National Bank subsidiary to Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News) for $21 billion. Proceeds from that sale will be distributed to shareholders of the combined banks after the sale is concluded. The offering price is slightly below last Friday's close, but represents a more than 30% premium over the price ABN shares were trading at when the talks began.
The Barclay's-ABN combination will create the world's fifth-largest bank and world's largest institutional asset manager. The two companies had been locked in exclusive negotiations for the last month. Recently, Barclay's rivals Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander Central Hispano (NYSE: STD - News) sought to offer their own bids of ABN. The Dutch bank said it favors Barclay's offer, but has not ruled out a competing bid should one arise. The other banks want to see details of the LaSalle transaction before deciding whether to proceed with bids of their own.
In other merger news, Britain's AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN - News) said it would buy biotech MedImmune (Nasdaq: MEDI - News) for $15.2 billion, or $58 a share, which is a 21% premium over Friday's closing price. MedImmune's board had put the company up for sale under pressure from major shareholders. Its top products include the FluMist influenza treatment and Synagis, a treatment for respiratory problems in infants, and it has a solid pipeline of drugs in development. MedImmune's shares rose 17.8% on the news. Subscribers may read our take on this deal and its implications for other pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in today's edition.
In earnings news, Kimberly Clark (NYSE: KMB - News), which makes Kleenex tissue and other paper products, said its Q1 profit jumped 70% on strong sales growth and cost cutting. Revenue rose 8%. The company, however, also noted that rising pulp prices could impact future results. Its shares declined -1.2%. Like other companies with significant overseas sales, Kimberly Clark's results were aided by the weak U.S. dollar, which makes its products cheaper overseas.
Novartis (NYSE: NVS - News) reported an 11% increase in first-quarter earnings. Its profit rose to $2.17 billion, compared with $1.96 billion in the same quarter last year. Strong sales of its hypertension drug Diovan and its leukemia treatment, Gleevec, helped to fuel an 18% increase in revenue to $9.8 billion. Shares of toymaker Hasbro (NYSE: HAS - News) added 7.7% after the company reported a profit of nearly $33 million, or 19 cents a share, for the quarter that ended April 1st, compared with a loss of -$4.9 million, or -3 cents per share, in last year's comparable period.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: ABN, AZN, BAC, BCS, HAS, KMB, MEDI, NVS, STD

AstraZeneca PLC said Monday it is buying U.S.-based biotech drugmaker MedImmune Inc. in a $15.6 billion deal that will allow the British company to enter the vaccines market.
AstraZeneca, which has been looking to strengthen its pipeline of future drugs as it faces patent challenges and escalating generic competition, will pay $58 a share for MedImmune, a 21 percent premium to the stock's close on Friday.
The deal, which AstraZeneca hopes to close in June, will increase the company's proportion of biotechnology drugs in its pipeline from 7 percent to 27 percent, and enlarge its total pipeline by 45 projects to 163 projects.
That includes two late-stage products being developed by MedImmune, which is based in Gaithersburg, Md. The company has more than 2,500 employees in facilities across the United States, Britain and the Netherlands.

Labels: AstraZeneca plc, AZN, MEDI, MedImmune Inc.

Symbol
Name
Last Trade
Change
Volume
Related Info
ALAN
ALANCO TECH INC
4.0876 10:17AM ET
1.5156 (58.93%)
2,808,996

MEDI
MEDIMMUNE INC
56.59 10:17AM ET
8.58 (17.87%)
67,435,228

KRSL
KREISLER MFG CO
22.52 10:15AM ET
2.01 (9.80%)
48,833

GNTX
GENTEX CP
18.90 10:17AM ET
2.42 (14.68%)
1,762,385

BPG
BPI ENERGY HLDGS
1.46 10:10AM ET
0.14 (10.33%)
371,700

MTOX
MEDTOX SCIENTFIC INC
22.55 10:17AM ET
2.39 (11.86%)
357,353

AVNR
AVANIR PHARMACEUTICL
4.86 10:17AM ET
0.46 (10.47%)
12,746,378

NFI
NOVASTAR FINL INC
6.60 10:11AM ET
0.38 (6.13%)
920,300

GTA
GOLF TRUST OF AMER
2.25 10:09AM ET
0.15 (7.14%)
23,900

ICOPW
ICOP DIGITAL WARRANT
1.89 9:43AM ET
0.17 (9.88%)
400

TGE
TGC IND INC
10.01 10:10AM ET
0.61 (6.52%)
55,200

PXD
PIONEER NATURAL RES
51.28 10:12AM ET
4.64 (9.95%)
1,062,400

MBLX
METABOLIX INC.
19.16 10:16AM ET
1.17 (6.50%)
66,882

VOCL
VOCALTEC COMMUNICATI
3.33 10:09AM ET
0.27 (8.79%)
18,414

FTEK
FUEL TECH INC
23.58 10:17AM ET
1.57 (7.13%)
780,968

WSCI
WSI INDUSTRIES INC
4.75 10:10AM ET
0.38 (8.70%)
17,665

II
IVIVI TECHNOLOGIES,
5.61 10:09AM ET
0.36 (6.86%)
30,700

AAME
ATLANTIC AMER CP
5.10 9:58AM ET
0.31 (6.47%)
7,129

HAS
HASBRO INC
32.85 10:12AM ET
2.64 (8.74%)
1,913,900

ACEL
ALFACELL CORP
2.8400 10:16AM ET
0.1700 (6.37%)
200,101

Labels: AAME, ACEL, ALAN, AVNR, BPG, FTEK, GNTX, GTA, HAS, ICOPW, II, KRSL, MBLX, MEDI, MTOX, NFI, PXD, TGE, VOCL, WSCI

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Baidu.com June 115 Calls (NasdaqGM:BIDU). BIDU's PowerRating is 5.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
MedImmune June 50 Puts (NasdaqGS:MEDI). MEDI's PowerRating is 2.
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.
F5 Networks Inc. May 75 Calls (NasdaqGS:FFIV). FFIV's PowerRating is 5.
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.
RH Donnelley Corp. May 80 Puts (NYSE:RHD). RHD's PowerRating is 4.
CBOT Holdings June 170 Puts (NYSE:BOT). BOT's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
None Today
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None Today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (AMEX:EEM). EEM's PowerRating is 6.
Juniper Networks (NasdaqGS:JNPR). JNPR's PowerRating is 7.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BIDU, BOT, EEM, FFIV, JNPR, MEDI, RHD, stock options

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Google Inc. June 540 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG). GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Baidu.com June 125 Calls (NasdaqGM:BIDU). BIDU's PowerRating is 5.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
MedImmune June 50 Puts (NasdaqGS:MEDI). MEDI's PowerRating is 2.
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.
AK Steel Holding June 22.5 Calls (NYSE:AKS). AKS' PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index June 115 Puts (AMEX:EEM). EEM's PowerRating is 6.
iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index May 105 Puts (AMEX:FXI.TO). FXI's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
None Today
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None Today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
F5 Networks Inc. (NasdaqGS:FFIV). FFIV's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AKS, EEM, FFIV, FXI, GOOG, MEDI, stock options

Google Inc. June 530 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG). GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
MedImmune June 50 Puts (NasdaqGS:MEDI). MEDI's PowerRating is 3.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Dendreon May 17.5 Calls (NasdaqGM:DNDN). DNDN's PowerRating is 8.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index June 115 Puts (AMEX:EEM). EEM's PowerRating is 6.
CBOT Holdings June 170 Puts (NYSE:BOT). BOT's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
UBS AG (NYSE:UBS). UBS' PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None Today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Atherogenics Inc. (NasdaqGM:AGIX). AGIX's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AGIX, BOT, DNDN, EEM, GOOG, MEDI, stock options, UBS

MedImmune, the largest and highest revenue-generating drug-development company in the Washington area, might put itself up for sale, dealing a potentially serious blow to the region's biotech community.
After at least one shareholder has pushed for it to sell, the Gaithersburg-based company says it's now evaluating whether to undergo a possible sale to boost shareholder value. MedImmune says it has hired Goldman Sachs and law firm Dewey Ballantine to help explore options.
"The board has to do the right thing by shareholders," says David Katz, president and chief investment officer for Matrix Asset Advisors, a New York shareholder that's sent four letters since December to the board appealing for the sale of the company and calls Thursday's news "wonderful."
In announcing this move, MedImmune says it has received interest from major pharmaceutical companies, but added that it wouldn't disclose any information about its decision-making process until it is completed. Spokeswoman Jamie Lacey declined to comment.
The company didn not give a timeline, but Katz says the visibility of this step and MedImmune's acknowledgement that the process "is well under way" suggests a decision in weeks rather than months.
He says larger pharmaceutical companies whose names have emerged as potential buyers -- Wyeth, Merck, Novartis and Sanofi-Aventis -- would each make a "very good strategic fit," pointing out that Novartis' $5.5 billion sale of its Gerber baby food line to Nestle leaves it with ample cash.
MedImmune has reached this stage in steps. After Matrix Asset Advisors' first letter in December, the company reported its board had voted unanimously to continue as an independent entity. In February, after additional letters, the board said it "reaffirmed its conclusion" to stay independent, but didn't indicate that as a unanimous decision.
Speculation for a sale jumped, however, after billionaire investor Carl Icahn, known for his activism in boosting share prices for his investments, disclosed that he held nearly $90 million worth of shares in the local biotech.
MedImmune says after this process, the board may still decide to continue operating as an independent company, but this latest announcement comes as no shock to Wall Street.
"They wouldn't have made this announcement if they weren't taking it seriously," says Martha Freitag, a senior analyst at Argus Research, an independent research firm. "Shareholders have been pushing for the company to explore strategic options, so it's not a surprise."
Investors reacted well to MedImmune's announcement Thursday. The company's share price (NASDAQ: MEDI), which averaged around $31 for 2006, jumped 15.30 percent in trading Thursday, climbing $5.79 per share to close at $43.63, a 52-week high.
Another analyst says the company offers "a mixed bag" to potential buyers. MedImmune's Synagis, a marketed drug that prevents respiratory infections in infants and is by far its biggest money maker, is expected to grow only 11 percent in annual revenues through 2009, and its FluMist nasal spray vaccine franchise is too early-stage to generate any revenue in the next three years, wrote Joel Sendek, managing director and biotech senior analyst at Lazard Capital Markets in a research report Thursday.
Still, a buyout of the company could send disturbing ripples through the local biotech market.
The company has roughly 2,500 employees, more than 1,000 based locally. It owns a 23-acre corporate campus in Gaithersburg, totaling 361,000 square feet of administrative, research and development and lab space, not including another 148,000 square feet it leases elsewhere in the area.
In Frederick, the company owns nearly 148,000 square feet in biologics manufacturing, administrative and warehouse space. Next door to that, it's building a $250 million, nearly 500,000-square-foot office, lab and manufacturing plant expected to complete by decade's end.
Industry observers say, even with a potential buyout, those facilities are likely to stay where they are. And their new owner would probably boast an even bigger name than MedImmune, which could help more than hurt the area.
"I just can't see a company, an acquirer coming in and selling off those assets," says Alex Euler, spokesman for MdBio/Tech Council of Maryland. "Even if that were to happen, there's only a handful of companies able to purchase assets like those. Either way, I think we end up having a big pharma company in the area."
Though, a new owner and new name would eliminate what's been a poster child for Maryland economic development officials when advertising the state's biotech industry.
"It's nice to keep companies headquartered in Maryland, but at the same time, MedImmune's been successful. A lot of people made money and the company has helped patients," Euler says. "I don't think a sale of the company necessarily takes away from the success the company's had. If anything, I think it still shows that companies in Maryland can grow up and be successful. Lots of companies would love to be acquired by a [GlaxoSmithKline] or an Aventis. That's not necessarily a bad thing either."
Published April 12, 2007 by the Washington Business Journal

Labels: MEDI, MedImmune Inc.

Stocks pushed higher today as investors weighed stronger-than-expected gains in retail sales against scattered warnings of a tepid sales outlook for April and an uptick in unemployment claims. Investors spotted buying opportunities in yesterday's pullback, which was fueled by the release of the minutes from the last Federal Open Market Committee meeting. After moderating somewhat in recent sessions, crude oil prices advanced sharply, while the 10-year Treasury note closed unchanged.
Retailers generally reported solid sales in March, buoyed by the early arrival of the Easter holiday. Their announcements followed on the heels of Wednesday's report of strong March sales by Target (NYSE: TGT - News). An exception was the world's No. 1 retailer, Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News), which warned that it will be a "challenge" to meet Q1 profit expectations. The company made the announcement even though it posted same-store sales figures that rose 4%, topping the 1% to 2% increase it had forecasted. Conversely, the company said April same-store sales could be flat to down -2%.
Easter's early arrival will negatively impact results in April, many retailers warned. Among the other companies that turned in solid March sales results were Costco Wholesale (Nasdaq: COST - News). The warehouse retailer reported a 6% gain in same-store sales, topping estimates of a 4.7% increase. Mid-market retailer J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP - News) reported a 10.6% increase in same-store sales, exceeding forecasts, while high-end department store operator Nordstrom (NYSE: JWN - News) posted a 15% gain in comparative-store results, which was nearly double estimates.
In a move reminiscent of Michael Dell's return to the helm of Dell (Nasdaq: DELL - News), the founder of embattled Internet phone provider Vonage Holdings (NYSE: VG - News) is returning to the CEO's chair. Jeffrey Citron, founder, chairman, and "chief strategist" replaces Michael Snyder, who stepped down as CEO and resigned from the board. The company is embroiled in a patent battle with Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ - News), which it is, by all accounts, losing. Vonage's shares have shed about -80% of their value since the company's IPO last year.
Another executive shake-up occurred at online job-board provider Monster Worldwide (Nasdaq: MNST - News). The company's shares rose 5.4% on news that CEO William M. Pastore would leave the top job. He will be replaced by Sal Iannuzzi, former CEO of Symbol Technologies. Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News) bought Symbol Technologies in January. Monster had to restate past financial results after a probe into its options program.
Shares of MedImmune (Nasdaq: MEDI - News) jumped 15.3% after announcing the company was exploring its possible sale. MedImmune makes the FluMist flu vaccine. The company has been under pressure from large investors who contend the company could fetch a sizable premium from a bigger pharmaceutical company. Research In Motion (Nasdaq: RIMM - News), meanwhile, shed -8.2% after the BlackBerry maker reported Q4 results that came up short of Wall Street's expectations and issued a disappointing forecast.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: COST, DELL, JCP, JWN, MEDI, MNST, MOT, RIMM, TGT, VG, VZ, WMT

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

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

Symbol
Name
Last Trade
Change
Volume
Related Info
MOBI
MOBIUS MGMT SYST
9.79 12:11PM ET
2.35 (31.59%)
2,241,308

CTDC
CHINA TECH DEV GRP
4.81 12:13PM ET
0.79 (19.65%)
729,744

CIPH
CIPHERGEN BIOSYSTE
1.31 12:12PM ET
0.19 (16.96%)
180,265

FMDA
FUTUREMEDIA ADR
1.41 12:12PM ET
0.16 (12.80%)
409,381

MEDI
MEDIMMUNE INC
42.19 12:13PM ET
4.35 (11.50%)
40,127,249

BOO
COLLEGIATE PACIFIC
8.30 12:05PM ET
0.86 (11.56%)
78,100

NFI-PC
NOVASTAR FINL PFD C
12.55 12:06PM ET
1.30 (11.56%)
58,000

VG
VONAGE HOLDINGS CORP
3.38 12:08PM ET
0.38 (12.67%)
3,659,300

SHI
SINOPEC SHANGHAI ADS
59.52 12:06PM ET
5.71 (10.61%)
30,100
ECGI
ENVOY CAPITAL GROUP
3.42 12:10PM ET
0.32 (10.32%)
182,110

CKSW
CLICKSOFTWARE TECHS
3.6300 12:13PM ET
0.3568 (10.90%)
303,002

APOG
APOGEE ENTRPR INC
24.05 12:14PM ET
2.47 (11.45%)
1,081,838

FUEL
SMF ENERGY CORP
1.88 12:12PM ET
0.16 (9.30%)
516,738

FAST
FASTENAL CO
38.61 12:14PM ET
3.66 (10.47%)
3,476,070

GNVC
GENVEC INC
3.76 12:13PM ET
0.33 (9.62%)
523,562

IPS
IPSCO INC
143.38 12:08PM ET
12.48 (9.53%)
5,218,600
GNLB
GENELABS TECH INC
2.31 12:13PM ET
0.21 (10.00%)
1,207,812
SHBK
SHORE FIN CORP
14.45 12:07PM ET
1.25 (9.47%)
627

IDSA
INDUSTRIAL SVCS AM
9.05 12:10PM ET
0.75 (9.04%)
228,294

MWRK
MOTHERS WORK INC
38.50 12:13PM ET
3.19 (9.03%)
166,590

RIC
RICHMONT MINES
2.7500 12:05PM ET
0.1900 (7.42%)
76,200

Labels: APOG, BOO, CIPH, CKSW, CTDC, ECGI, FAST, FMDA, FUEL, GNLB, GNVC, IDSA, IPS, MEDI, MOBI, MWRK, RIC, SHBK, VG

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

JetBlue (NasdaqGS:JBLU - News) was upgraded to buy from neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Knology (NasdaqGM:KNOL - News) was upgraded by UBS to buy from neutral ahead of the communication technology company's earnings next week. The fundamental outlook remains strong, free cash flow should grow significantly in 2007 and refinancing will substantially lower the cost of debt, the broker said.
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings rose 17% to $103.7 million, or 81 cents a share, from $88.9 million, or 64 cents a share, a year earlier. The Burlington, N.C., provider of clinical laboratory services said that excluding $7.7 million in restructuring charges and other charges related to the retirement of the company's chief executive, the company earned $108.4 million, or 85 cents a share, compared with $93.1 million, or 67 cents a share, a year earlier. Laboratory Corp. said revenue for the quarter rose 9.3% to $898.6 million from $822.3 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 72 cents a share on revenue of $874 million. In addition, Laboratory Corp. said it expects 2007 revenue growth of 11% to 13% and earnings of $3.93 to $4.09 a share.
Macquarie Infrastructure Co. (NYSE:MIC - News) was initiated with a neutral rating and a $40 price target at Credit Suisse.
Medimmune (NasdaqGS:MEDI - News) was higher after the company reported favorable results of a study of the use of its FluMist vaccine with children under five years of age. In addition, on Wednesday, investor Carl Icahn and his Icahn Management L.P. affiliate disclosed that they had bought 2.8 million Medimmune shares.
Midland Co. (NasdaqGS:MLAN - News) said its fourth-quarter net income rose to $21.1 million, or $1.07 a share, from $20 million, or $1.03 a share, a year earlier. Excluding realized capital gains, the insurer earned $19.1 million, or 97 cents a share, for the latest period. Fourth-quarter revenue increased 13% to $207.4 million from $183.5 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, expected the Cincinnati company to earn 93 cents a share and generate revenue of $198.7 million for the latest fourth quarter. For 2007, Midland expects net income of $3.25 a share to $3.55 a share.
Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE:TAP - News) reported sharply higher fourth quarter profit Thursday, buoyed by volume increases and an extra selling week. The company said it earned $99.2 million, or $1.15 a share, up from $22.4 million, or 26 cents, in the year ago period. Excluding various items, the company would have earned $108.4 million, or $1.24 a share, up from $53.9 million, or 63 cents. Sales net of excise taxes were $1.5 billion, a gain of 10%, while volume rose to 10.9 million barrels form 10.3 million. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for Molson Coors to earn 94 cents a share on revenue of $1.42 billion.
Ness Technologies Inc. (NasdaqGS:NSTC - News) said it anticipates generating a profit of $1 to $1.05 a share for 2007, on revenue pegged in a range of $560 million to $570 million. The profit forecast includes about 7 per diluted share for one-time expenses, which the company expects will be taken against first-quarter results. Excluding these one-time expenses, Ness Technologies forecast the current quarter's earnings in a range of 21 cents to 23 cents a share on revenue of $123 million to $129 million. Analysts' average profit projections, as compiled by Thomson Financial, stand at 23 cents a share for the first quarter and $1.02 for 2007, with average revenue estimates of $129 million and $560 million, respectively.
Network Appliance (NasdaqGS:NTAP - News) shares gained after the storage-technology company reported third-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street analysts' estimates. The company earned $66.5 million, or 17 cents a share, on revenue of $729.3 million. Excluding one-time items, it would have earned $111.1 million, or 29 cents a share, while analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had forecast a profit of 28 cents a share on $703.8 million in revenue. Brokerage Friedman, Billings & Ramsey raised its rating on the stock to outperform from market perform.
Nutrisystem (NasdaqGS:NTRI - News) shares jumped after the company said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $19.6 million, or 53 cents a share, from a year-earlier profit of $6.27 million, or 17 cents a share. The Horsham, Pa., diet-food company said revenue nearly doubled to $133.6 million, from $69.6 million a year earlier. It also said its board has approved the buyback of up to $200 million worth of its common stock.
Nymex Holdings (NYSE:NMX - News) was upgraded to neutral at J.P. Morgan.
P.H. Glatfelter Co. (NYSE:GLT - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $15 million, or 33 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $26.9 million, or 61 cents a share. Excluding items, such as gains from the disposition of timberlands and shutdown and restructuring charges, the company posted a non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) profit of $10 million, or 22 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Sales rose in the latest three months to $268.6 million from $143.2 million in the same period a year earlier. The York, Pa., specialty papers and engineered products maker noted that the latest results include the impact of its Lydney and Chillicothe acquisitions. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 15 cents a share in the December period.
Pool Corp. (NasdaqGS:POOL - News) said its fourth-quarter loss for the three months ended Dec. 31 widened to $5 million, or 10 cents a share, from a loss of $876,000, or 2 cents a share in the year-ago period. The Covington, La. pool distributor said sales increased 6% to $318.5 million in the wake of its acquisition of Wickham acquisition, growth in the Horizon business and a 1% increase in base business sales. Analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call forecast a loss of 9 cents a share, on average. Operating loss for the fourth quarter was $4.1 million compared to operating income of $2.3 million. For 2007, the company projects 15% to 20% earnings growth.
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $74.6 million, or 98 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $60.6 million, or 91 cent a share. Sales surged 81% in the latest three months to $1.57 billion from $868.7 million in the same period a year earlier. The Los Angeles-based metals company said the latest results include a pre-tax LIFO expense of $37.9 million, or 31 cents a share. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of $1.22 a share in the December period on revenue of $1.56 billion. The company said its gross profit margins were slightly below its earlier expectations due to some inventory de-stocking that caused added competitive pressures. Reliance also said its LIFO expense in the latest quarter was "significantly higher" than anticipated.
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD - News) said it expects earnings for the third quarter of fiscal 2007 to come in a range of 53 to 56 cents a share, down from 63 cents a year ago. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for earnings of 41 cents a share. The company said a 'significant' decline in hog production earnings was partially offset by strong international earnings and 4 cents a share of tax adjustments.
Spartan Motors (NasdaqGS:SPAR - News) shares rose after the Charlotte, Mich.-based maker of chassis and vehicles reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $3.28 million, or 16 cents a share, up from $986,000, or 5 cents a share, last year. The 2006 fourth quarter included a non-cash charge of $2.1 million, 10 cents a share, related to a write-off of goodwill for Spartan's ambulance subsidiary, Road Rescue. Revenue rose to $123.6 million from $75.5 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 17 cents on $102.3 million.
State Auto Financial Corp. (NasdaqGS:STFC - News) said that fourth-quarter net income rose to $44.9 million, or $1.08 a share, from $29.5 million, or 71 cents a share, a year ago reflecting a disciplined underwriting policy. Analysts were expecting the property and casualty insurance holding company to post earnings of 85 cents a share, according to data supplied by Thomson Financial. The company's combined ratio for the fourth quarter of 2006 was 83.5, versus 90.5 a year ago. Revenue rose to $281.0 million, from $280.9 million in 2005. 2007 is expected to be a year of positive transition, the company said.
Stratasys (NasdaqGS:SSYS - News) shares jumped after the Minneapolis-based maker of rapid prototyping devices and 3-D printing systems reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $3.65 million, or 35 cents a share, up from $3.15 million, or 30 cents a share, last year. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, profit came in at 38 cents a share. Revenue rose to $29.7 million from $23.5 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 36 cents on revenue of $27.6 million. Stratasys forecast 2007 earnings of $1.28 to $1.40 a share, or $1.37 to $1.49 a share excluding items, on revenue of $105 million to $110 million.
Strayer Education (NasdaqGS:STRA - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose 7% to $16 million, or $1.11 a share, with revenue up 20% to $74.3 million. Excluding stock-bsed compensation costs, it would've earned $1.22 a share, up 18% from a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of $1.08 a share. The company estimated first-quarter earnings between $1.27 and $1.29 a share, and stock-based compensation expenses of 11 cents a share. Analysts on average see earnings of $1.27 a share in the first quarter.

Published By MarketWatch

Labels: GLT, JBLU, KNOL, LH, MEDI, MIC, MLAN, NMX, NSTC, NTAP, NTRI, POOL, RS, SFD, SPAR, SSYS, STFC, STRA, TAP

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
Gaps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that gap 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 gap 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.
MedImmune (NasdaqGS:MEDI - News). MEDI's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Maguire Properties (NYSE:MPG - News). MPG's PowerRating is 5.
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.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT - News). ABT's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Apache Corporation (NYSE:APA - News)
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.
Cognos (NasdaqGS:COGN - News). COGN's PowerRating is 7.
Stocks Down 10% or More: These are stocks that have lost 10% or more over the past five days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that have lost 10% or more over the past five days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Genomic Health (NasdaqGM:GHDX - News). GHDX's PowerRating is 7.
Bearish
2-Period RSI Above 98: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading above 98 and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving 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.
Valassis Communications (NYSE:VCI - News). VCI's PowerRating is 2.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ABT, APA, COGN, GHDX, Hot Stocks, MEDI, MPG, VCI

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics (NasdaqGS:ARXT - News) said its fiscal second-quarter net profit rose 16.8% to $12.5 million, or 34 cents a share, from $10.7 million, or 29 cents a share. Revenue for the quarter jumped 75% to $110.6 million due to accelerating sales of Mucinex, the acquisition of Delsym and the launch of its children's Mucinex products. The company said it continues to anticipate the gross margin for its guaifenesin product to be around 80% of net sales in fiscal 2007.
American Commercial Lines (NasdaqGS:ACLI - News) said its fourth-quarter net income rose sharply to $35 million, or 56 cents a share, from $8.6 million, or 14 cents a share, a year earlier. Results were boosted by a gain of $4.8 million, or 8 cents a share, on the sale of its Venezuelan operations. The Jeffersonville, Ind., integrated marine transportation and service provider's revenue rose 18% to $265.9 million from $225.6 million a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, revenue of $296.9 million. The company said it approved a two-for-one stock split, to be distributed as a stock dividend Feb. 20 to shareholders of record Wednesday. Fourth-quarter results reflect the stock split.
Aquila (NYSE:ILA - News) shares slid after the company agreed to sell certain gas utility operations in Colorado, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska to Black Hills Corp. (NYSE:BKH - News) for $940 million. Kansas City, Mo.-based Aquila also said it's agreed to be acquired by Great Plains Energy (NYSE:GXP - News) in a cash and stock deal valued at $1.7 billion. The Black Hills' asset purchase will be completely just after the closure of the Aquila/Great Plains deal. The Great Plains' proposal calls for the acquisition of Aquila and its Missouri-based electric utility assets for $1.80 in cash plus 0.0856 of Great Plains' stock for each Aquila share, a value of $4.54 based on Tuesday's close. Great Plains is also set to assume about $1 billion in Aquila debt. Following the closing of the deal, Aquila shareholders will own about 27% of Great Plains' common stock.
Aspect Medical Systems (NasdaqGM:ASPM - News) said it expects non-GAAP earnings of 6 to 8 cents a share on revenue of $22.6 million to $23.6 million for the first quarter. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of 16 cents a share in the March period.
Atwood Oceanics Inc. (NYSE:ATW - News) reported first-quarter net earnings of $21.1 million, or 67 cents a share, up from $14.5 million, or 47 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The Houston-based drilling contractor posted revenue of $88.8 million vs. $55.4 million.
CB Richard Ellis Group Inc. (NYSE:CBG - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose, buoyed by "strong" leasing activity, to $125.1 million, or 53 cents a share, from $95.4 million, or 41 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.
Centene Corp. (NYSE:CNC - News) shares declined after the managed care provider was downgraded to sell from neutral at Merrill Lynch on valuation. The move comes after Centene posted a fourth-quarter profit that was flat compared with the same quarter last year. "Centene is up nearly 90% since sharply disappointing last summer and we think shares have gotten ahead of themselves," analyst Doug Simpson wrote in a research note. Simpson cut his 2007 per-share profit forecast to $1.45 from $1.59 and set a 2008 outlook of $1.63. "[W]e believe the other Medicaid managed care names we cover have better visibility on operating earnings than Centene," he wrote.
Cheesecake Factory (NasdaqGS:CAKE - News) said its fourth-quarter income was off from the prior year's levels, but the casual dining restaurateur's sales climbed 18%, thanks to increased traffic at its Grand Lux outlets.
Corporate Executive Board Co. (NasdaqGS:EXBD - News) said its fourth-quarter net income rose 8.9% to $23.2 million, or 58 cents a share, from $21.3 million, or 52 cents a share, a year earlier. The company, which provides business research and gives executive seminars, said excluding share-based compensation, adjusted income for the quarter was 68 cents a share, up from 52 cents a share a year earlier. Sales rose 26% to $125.5 million from $99.8 million.
Dean Foods (NYSE:DF - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings rose to $73 million, or 53 cents a share, from $66.2 million, or 45 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding discontinued operations, facility closings and the effect of an accounting change, Dallas-based Dean said it earned 61 cents a share in the quarter. Dean Foods said Wednesday that net sales fell to $2.59 billion from $2.62 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected earnings of 61 cents a share on revenue of $2.59 billion. For 2007, Dean Foods forecasts adjusted per-share earnings of $2.33 to $2.38. Wall Street, on average, is looking for full-year earnings $2.38 a share.
EGL Inc. (NasdaqGS:EAGL - News) shares tumbled after the Houston-based logistics company said it has been notified by General Atlantic LLC that it has withdrawn as an equity sponsor from the offer made by James Crane, the company's chief executive and largest shareholder, to acquire EGL for $36 a share in cash. General Atlantic indicated that it is pulling out of the offer because of an expected shortfall in EGL's fourth quarter results, EGL said. The company said its results will be negatively impacted by an 8% decline in revenue per shipment at the company's domestic freight forwarding division compared to last year. The company's results are also expected to be hit by higher-than-expected operating expenses. Crane plans to present a revised acquisition offer with a new equity commitment, EGL said.
Encore Wire (NasdaqGS:WIRE - News) shares dropped after the McKinney, Texas-based maker of copper electrical wire reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $6.18 million, or 26 cents a share, down from $35.4 million, or $1.50 a share, last year. Revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 was $262.3 million, down from $244.2 million in the year-ago period.
Equity Residential Properties Trust reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $465.1 million vs. $225.9 million during the year-ago period. Net income available to common shareholders was $457.6 million, or $1.54 a share, compared with $215.2 million, or 74 cents a share, a year ago. The company was also downgraded to hold at Citigroup.
FMC Corp. (NYSE:FMC - News) said fourth-quarter net income fell, as restructuring charges rose, to $12.9 million, or 33 cents a share, from $25.3 million, or 64 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year.
Forest Laboratories (NYSE:FRX - News) was downgraded to sell at Citigroup.
Genomic Health (NasdaqGM:GHDX - News) shares fell after the Redwood City, Calif.-based company posted a fourth-quarter net loss of $9 million, or 37 cents a share, compared with $8.22 million, or 34 cents a share, last year. Revenue increased to $8.62 million from $1.93 million. Genomic Health forecast a 2007 net loss of $27 million to $30 million on revenue of $57 million to $63 million.
Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. (NYSE:GNA - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $69.4 million, or 23 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $80.4 million, or 26 cents a share. Sales rose in the latest three months to $1.04 billion from $934.2 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for a profit of 29 cents a share in the December period. The company also said its board has approved a special dividend of 27 cents per common share, payable on March 9 to shareholders of record on Feb. 22. Gerdau also said it's budgeted $250 million in capital investments for 2007.
MedImmune (NasdaqGS:MEDI - News) shares fell after the company reported a fourth-quarter profit of $120.7 million, or 50 cents a share, from a loss of $22.4 million, or 9 cents, a year earlier on 7.5% sales growth. Excl