Jim Cramer Blog

Shares of Micron Technology Inc. tumbled Wednesday as investors were concerned about memory chip pricing following the company's fiscal fourth-quarter report.
Late Tuesday, Micron posted quarterly results that were slightly better than Wall Street's expectations. But the company's outlook was "subdued," on what continues to be a tough pricing environment, wrote Lehman Brothers analyst Tim Luke in a note to investors.
"Over the past few weeks, there has been growing concern surrounding the supply/demand imbalance in both the DRAM and NAND markets exiting 2007 and into 2008," the analyst wrote. DRAM and NAND are types of memory chips.
With "memory pricing likely to trend lower over the near term, as spot pricing is still significantly below contract price levels, our low-end estimates are unchanged," Luke wrote.
Luke rates Micron "Equal Weight."

Labels: Micron Technology Inc., MU

Commodity Stocks
Adami: Exxon Mobil (XOM)- Take profits. US Bancorp (USB)- Sees trade opportunity. Gold- Down. Oil- Down. KB Home (KBH)- Likes for a trade. Morgan Stanley (MS) and Bank of America (BAC) also traded higher.
Macke: warns against shorting the financials because he believes the sector will continue to work on the long side. Before earnings, Macke also likes TCF Financial (TCB). Macke also believes that Activison (ATVI) and Electronic Arts (ERTS) make more money off the games for the Wii than games for the Playstation.
China: iShares FTSE/Xinhau China 25 Index (FXI) traded higher for the second day in a row. Najarian: U.S. investors can trade China ETF's and ADR's even when the market in China is closed. Although it has had a monster run, he still believes that Baidu.com (BIDU) will trade higher. Najarian owns BIDU. He also likes the Macau trade with Wynn (WYNN) and Las Vegas Sands (LVS).
Micron (MU) traded lower after hours on a $158 million loss. Najarian believes the run in Micron has already happened. He prefers Sandisk (SNDK) and Rambus (RMBS). Adami believes that Micron will trade higher from current levels.
Pops & Drops
POPS -- Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) traded up 2%, hitting an all-time high. PDL BioPharma (PDLI) traded up 9%. Kohl's (KSS) popped 2% on news the firm is going to increase the number of stores by 67%. Ciena (CIEN) traded up 9% on a bullish gross margin forecast.
DROPS- Garmin (GRMN) fell 7%. Finerman sees Garmin's only solution is to buy NAVTEQ (NVT).
Face2Face
First viewer: Las Vegas Sands and Melco Entertainment (MPEL). Najarian responds that Wynn Resorts looks better then Las Vegas Sands.
CB Richard Ellis (CBG): which has fallen from $42 and is now trading at $28. Adami concedes that CB Richard is OK for a trade with a stop at $24.
Research In Motion (RIMM), NVIDIA (NVDA), EMC Corporation (EMC), Blue Nile (NILE) and Apple (AAPL) Macke believes it's a good idea to take some off the table in these momentum names.
Final Trade
Macke likes Johnson & Johnson (JNJ).
Finerman recommends Kohl's (KSS).
Adami is drawn to the action in Dean Foods (DF).
Najarian prefers PDL BioPharma (PDLI)

Labels: ATVI, BAC, BIDU, CNBC, ERTS, Fast Money, Fast Money Recap, FXI, GRMN, KBH, LVS, MU, SNDK, USB, WYNN, XOM

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Oracle (NasdaqGS:ORCL) beat earnings on Tuesday after the bell, announcing $0.37 EPS over an expected $0.35 EPS. ORCL's PowerRating is 6.
Nike (NYSE:NKE) matched earnings expectations on Tuesday with $0.86 EPS. NKE's PowerRating is 5.
ConAgra (NYSE:CAG) reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday before the bell; watch for $0.31 EPS. CAG's PowerRating is 6.
When McCormick (NYSE:MKC) announces earnings before the bell on Wednesday, look for $0.33 EPS. MKC's PowerRating is 4.
Standard Microsystems (NasdaqGS:SMSC) should report $0.25 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday. SMSC's PowerRating is 6.
Micron (NYSE:MU) and Red Hat (NYSE:RHT) both report earnings on Wednesday after the close, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. MU's PowerRating is 5, and RHT's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: CAG, Hot Stocks, MKC, MU, NKE, ORCL, RHT, SMSC

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 June 510 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). 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.
InterContinental Exchange June 130 Puts (NYSE:ICE - News). ICE's PowerRating is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Apple Inc. July 120 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Oil Services HOLDR July 150 Puts (AMEX:OIH - News). OIH's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Nasdaq Stock Market (NasdaqGS:NDAQ - News). NDAQ's PowerRating is 3.
Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News). MU's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Lexmark International (NYSE:LXK - News). LXK's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, GOOG, ICE, LXK, MU, NDAQ, OIH, stock options

Bullish:

Tata Motors (NYSE: TTM): ' This one's going back to its high. India has been the swing factor.'Ciena (NasdaqGS: CIEN)Corning (NYSE: GLW)Stryker (NYSE: SYK): 'Stryker is fabulous! Orthopedic implants'Zimmer (NYSE: ZMH)'Let's not forget though... As good as SYK is, you know what's even better? Zimmer! What a quarter from the Zim machine!... As of yesterday, up $3. That's okay.'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS): 'If you want to own an investment firm, I'm going to send you to the one that sells at 10x earnings, which has been a continual theme on this show that I have been dead right on... I am talking about Goldman Sachs and I think GS is going to $325.'FuelCell Energy (NasdaqGM: FCEL): 'Okay, this is what I call an 'optionality play'... If oil spikes this weekend - up $5, or spikes... - your $7 stock will go up 3-4 points. I am not going to bless this stock as an investment. I will bless it as a speculative play - buy, buy, buy!'Yamana Gold (NYSE: AUY): 'AUY grows and grows and grows! And we want growth from a gold stock. We are not getting off the AUY horse!'Kinross Gold (NYSE: KGC)
Bearish calls:
JDS Uniphase (NasdaqGS: JDSU): 'I remain skeptical, because I have been burned so many times by this company, but I have to be honest, it does act well. I'm keeping it in the 'don't buy' but I can't blame anyone who wants to speculate...'DreamWorks (NYSE: DWA): 'I missed it! I missed it! It bottomed and I missed it, and I am angry at myself for missing it, but I can't recommend it up here. It's had too big a move. Don't buy, don't buy.'U.S. Global Investors (NasdaqCM: GROW): 'No. This is an investment advisory firm. C'mon man. Don't buy, don't buy. 'Quiksilver (NYSE: ZQK): 'Everyone tells me that they're bottomed... I went out the other day and said I was negative on it. I didn't like the acquisition they made. People have been telling me that I'm dead wrong about that... That stock is a house of pain, and I'm staying away from it!'Micron Technology (NYSE: MU): 'Let me tell you something, that's a loser! ' (buzzer sounds)

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AUY, CIEN, DWA, FCEL, GLW, GS, JDSU, Jim Cramer, KGC, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MU, SYK, TTM, ZMH, ZQK

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. Jun 520 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating is 6.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Apple Inc. Apr 95 Puts (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Apr 30 Calls (NasdaqGS:VRTX - News). VRTX's PowerRating is 3.
Intuitive Surgical Apr 120 Calls (NasdaqGS:ISRG - News). ISRG's PowerRating is 7.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Sears Holdings June 175 Puts (NasdaqGS:SHLD - News). SHLD's PowerRating is 4.
Advanced Magnetics May 55 Puts (NasdaqGM:AMAG - News). AMAG's PowerRating is 3.
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.
Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News). MU's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, AMAG, GOOG, ISRG, MU, SHLD, stock options, VRTX

Stocks traded modestly higher to record their sixth-straight advance ahead of a three-day weekend. Despite the gains, there was little news to propel a stronger advance. One exception was DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX - News), which gained 5.3% on a report that it had a cash offer on the table for its Chrysler unit. Oil prices declined slightly, and the 10-year Treasury note also closed lower.

The activity in DaimlerChrysler was spurred by a report in The Wall Street Journal that investor Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. offered to buy Chrysler for $4.5 billion in cash. Kerkorian had been an active investor in Chrysler before it merged with Daimler Benz. He recently sold his 10% stake in General Motors (NYSE: GM - News), which gained 2.8% today.
Tech stocks came under some pressure early in the session after Micron Technology (NYSE: MU - News) posted a fiscal Q2 loss late Wednesday. The flash memory maker posted a loss of -$52 million for the quarter ended March 30th, or -7 cents per share, compared with a profit of $193 million, or 29 cents per share, last year. Wall Street expected the company to lose a penny a share. The stock traded down -4.6%, and Goldman Sachs advised clients to sell the stock.
Business software maker WebMethods (Nasdaq: WEBM - News) jumped 27.2% on news that it agreed to be acquired by Germany's Software AG. Shares of Constellation Brands (STZ, $21.49, 0.67), the world's biggest wine producer, rose 3.2% after the company reported its fiscal Q4 profit rose 21%. The company reported net income in the quarter ended February 28th of $70 million, or 29 cents a share, up from $58 million, or 24 cents a share, a year earlier. Strong wine sales offset a weak performance in Britain and a drop in beer imports in the U.S.
Shares of data storage maker Rackable Systems (Nasdaq: RACK - News) shed -15.6% to hit a 52-week low after the company issued reduced guidance for Q1. The company is now forecasting a loss. Caris & Co. reiterated a "sell" recommendation for Rackable Systems.
In other news, Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: VRTX - News) rose 3.6% in advance of what are expected to be favorable results from a clinical trial of the biotech company's hepatitis C drug Telaprevir. Medical diagnostic company Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News) jumped 10.5% on news of an unsolicited $90-a-share purchase offer from Inverness Medical Innovations (NYSE: IMA - News). Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News), a maker of medical tests, put an $85-a-share offer on the table for Biosite in March. Inverness already owns 4.9% of Biosite's stock.

By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BEC, BSTE, DCX, GM, IMA, MU, RACK, VRTX, WEBM

After the close, Micron (MU, 12.07) reported results for its fiscal second quarter. The company reported lower than expected results with revenues and earnings of $1.43 billion, up 16% year/year, and a 7 cent loss. This compares to the street's expectations for $1.46 billion in revenues and a penny loss in earnings. This boom/bust cycle is typical for Micron.
Micron raised production of DRAM and NAND flash memory by 15% and 60%, respectively, during the quarter. As memory production outpaced demand, inventories rose and average selling prices declined, causing the drop in profitability.
In November, we warned that the clock could strike twelve in the first quarter. It has indeed struck. Inventory is higher, DRAM revenues and margins are heading lower, and image sensors are weak.
Now the question is, where is the bottom? It all depends on where NAND and DRAM prices head over the near-term. We expect there could be further weakness over the next few quarters in prices until a sustained reversal is achieved. As such, the street will continue to lower earnings estimates, reflecting these risks.
The bottom line is, while the near-term may be a bit volatile, we would be buyers of the stock around the mid-$11 range. The outlook for the memory producers hinges on the Vista O/S release in terms of adoption rates and memory demand per box. It's too early to get a good read on how Vista will perform. We continue to argue that Vista is more an '08 story than '07, which has implications for Micron, the world's largest maker of PC memory chips.
--Kimberly DuBord, Briefing.com

Labels: Micron Technology Inc., MU

Symbol
Name
Last Trade
Change
Volume
Related Info
MU
MICRON TECHNOLOGY
11.67 10:48AM ET
0.40 (3.31%)
21,422,400
Chart, Profile, More
KFT
KRAFT FOODS INC
31.40 10:48AM ET
0.68 (2.21%)
12,196,134
Chart, Profile, More
WEBM
WEBMETHODS INC
9.20 10:53AM ET
1.92 (26.37%)
15,454,005
Chart, Profile, More
SUNW
SUN MICROSYS INC
5.92 10:53AM ET
0.06 (1.02%)
14,028,328
Chart, Profile, More
QQQQ
NASDAQ 100 TR SER I
44.35 10:53AM ET
0.01 (0.02%)
12,944,114
Chart, Profile, More
SPY
S&P DEP RECEIPTS
143.86 10:48AM ET
0.01 (0.01%)
12,146,325
Chart, Profile, More
INTC
INTEL CP
19.47 10:53AM ET
0.09 (0.46%)
10,973,209
Chart, Profile, More
TWX
TIME WARNER INC
20.90 10:48AM ET
0.29 (1.41%)
9,945,143
Chart, Profile, More
RACK
RACKABLE SYSTEMS INC
14.50 10:53AM ET
2.38 (14.10%)
8,881,409
Chart, Profile, More
CSCO
CISCO SYS INC
26.07 10:53AM ET
0.03 (0.11%)
8,101,357
Chart, Profile, More
F
FORD MOTOR CO
7.94 10:48AM ET
0.10 (1.24%)
8,087,393
Chart, Profile, More
AMGN
AMGEN
58.13 10:53AM ET
1.45 (2.56%)
7,682,781
Chart, Profile, More
MSFT
MICROSOFT CP
28.51 10:53AM ET
0.01 (0.04%)
7,705,976
Chart, Profile, More
BTU
PEABODY ENERGY CORP
44.29 10:48AM ET
1.50 (3.51%)
6,091,800
Chart, Profile, More
H
REALOGY CORP
29.78 10:48AM ET
0.10 (0.33%)
6,254,700
Chart, Profile, More
GLW
CORNING INC
23.71 10:48AM ET
0.59 (2.55%)
5,854,528
Chart, Profile, More
GE
GEN ELECTRIC CO
34.94 10:48AM ET
0.17 (0.48%)
5,778,200
Chart, Profile, More
PFE
PFIZER INC
25.76 10:48AM ET
0.05 (0.19%)
5,862,100
Chart, Profile, More
S
SPRINT NXTEL CP
19.34 10:48AM ET
0.30 (1.53%)
6,138,343
Chart, Profile, More
IWM
ISHARE RUS 2000 INDX
80.57 10:48AM ET
0.00 (0.00%)
5,777,600
Chart, Profile, More

Labels: AMGN, BTU, CSCO, F, GE, GLW, H, INTC, IWM, KFT, MSFT, MU, pfe, QQQQ, RACK, S, SPY, SUNW, TWX, WEBM

Bullish calls:
RPM International (NYSE: RPM - News): 'Rustoleum! The stock got hit for $2 bucks. Down to 3% yield again. C'mon! Back up the truck for RPM, one of the great long-term performers and, by the way, a very conservative management.'Six Flags (NYSE: SIX - News): 'You should buy SIX in the spring, ahead of the summer season... We had that guy Mark Shapiro on... That guy just rocks.'General Maritime (NYSE: GMR - News): ' Remember, I have not been a fan of the tanker stocks, but the one guy I trust is Georgiopoulos. He's the CEO. He's actually the founder. It's his money man. We've got to go with him.'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News): 'You keep your HAL! The prince ... is now the king! ... has a 10% buyback ... HAL is awakening from its slumber. It is now marching upward. It has been my value stock of the year.'Staples (NasdaqGS: SPLS): 'Sport, I recommended this thing right here (at its current price) and it has not moved at all. And yet, it keeps delivering and delivering and delivering. I am not abandoning it. It's one of the best-run retailers out there.'Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ - News): 'I like HPQ. It's been stuck here, under $40. I want you to make the switch out of the DELL and into the HPQ.'Under Armour (NYSE: UA - News): 'That stock holds in like you won't believe! ... I think the breakdown in Reebok, which is now owned by Adidas, where it's now going to lose a lot of shelf space, is going to be UA's gain. I like UA so much, that I have to contain myself!'Charter Communications (NasdaqGM: CHTR): ' ... this is the level. Anybody who bought CHTR at $3.10, you must buy it here. This company is going to be able to refinance and refinance and refinance, because interest rates are so low. I am sticking by CHTR. 'Graco (NYSE: GGG - News): 'I didn't believe that the stock should be this low. He does have a lot of North America that's weak... I think that guy is great. I would take advantage of the fact that GGG is down. Take advantage of his honesty. I would pull the trigger.'
Neutral calls:
Cadbury Schweppes (NYSE: CSG - News): 'It yields 3.68% and it's all the way down to $41?... I've got to look at that .... Let's do a segment on CSG - I don't know whether it's going to be positive or negative - next week.'
Bearish calls:
Bausch & Lomb (NYSE: BOL - News): ' Here's the deal: I think that BOL - as long as it's run by Ron Zarella - is a nightmare. And he is in my hall of shame. Sell, sell, sell! He's ridiculous. He should step down. And, you know what Ron? It's not personal. It's just business.'American Home Mortgage (NYSE: AHM - News): 'That dividend is 18%, and I think some large dividends, unlike hips, do lie. I want to be careful of that ... that dividend is a distinct red flag. I'm nervous.'Dell (NasdaqGS: DELL): 'No. Sell, sell, sell! No, Michael Dell cannot work miracles. I like HPQ*. It's been stuck here, under $40. I want you to make the switch out of the DELL and into the HPQ.'Iconix Brand (NasdaqGM: ICON): 'This stock has so much momentum that it actually - and I don't mean this to be negative - this one scare's me, it's got so much momentum... I keep reading about it virtually everywhere ... I don't want to buy it, even though I know it's doing the right thing. Don't buy, don't buy.'Gmarket (NasdaqGM: GMKT): 'You know, GMKT's bad ... This has been a tough market. GMKT I was too bullish on it ... I hope it really goes up so we can really dump on it and get everybody out of it.'Melco PBL Entertainment (NasdaqGM: MPEL):Micron Technology (NYSE: MU - News): 'Not in our lifetime. Sell, sell, sell! Stay away my friend!'Pfizer (NYSE: PFE - News):Crown Media Holdings (NasdaqGM: CRWN): 'Your stock stinks! Sell, sell, sell!'

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AHM, BOL, CHTR, CRWN, CSG, DELL, GGG, GMR, HAL, HPQ, ICON, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MU, pfe, RPM, SIX, UA

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 Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Mastercard Apr 125 Calls (NYSE:MA - News). PowerRating not available due to less than 200 days of trading history.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Digital River Mar 55 Puts (NasdaqGS:DRIV - News). DRIV's PowerRating is 4.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Apple Apr 90 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL'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.
Bear Sterns Apr 145 Puts (NYSE:BSC - News). BSC'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.
Simon Property Group (NYSE:SPG - News). SPG's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock. IndyMac Bancorp (NYSE:NDE - News). NDE's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News). MU's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, BSC, DRIV, MA, MU, NDE, SPG, stock options

Micron (NYSE: MU - News), Broadcom (NasdaqGS: BRCM), Marvell (NasdaqGS: MRVL): In spite of upgrades from JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank, Cramer would stay away from semiconductors and would not buy tech stocks until the second half of the year. He points to the fact that MU is down 3% and a 1.2% decline in the SOX index of chip stocks as evidence that investors should avoid the sector now. Although he might see the logic of buying Broadcom, given its fall, and Marvell, Cramer cautions that these are strictly long-term investments.
Chesapeake (NYSE: CHK - News), Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO - News), Agco (NYSE: AG - News): Cramer says that CHK is "not my cup of tea" because management has "financed the heck out of it." He doesn't see CHK moving, but predicts that MRO is going up. Finally, on AG's rally, Cramer says that bullishness on ethanol can obscure AG's terrible fundamentals.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AG, CHK, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, MRO, MRVL, MU

Cramer said glut talk from big memory chipmaker Micron (MU) points up the futility of trying to buy tech out of season. Cramer said it's unwise to buy tech stocks till the latter end of the year, because of the way Wall Street works. Thus he said he's not surprised to see Micron down 3% and the SOX index of chip stocks down 1.2% even in the wake of upgrades from JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank.
Cramer said he could "make a case" for buying Broadcom (BRCM), given how far the stock has fallen, and he owns Marvell (MRVL) for his charitable trust. But he said those plays are strictly long-term holdings, based on how poor results have been and the seemingly low risk that they can get any worse.
Cramer doesn't like gas driller Chesapeake (CHK), saying it's "not my cup of tea" because management has "financed the heck out of it." Cramer said while Chesapeake goes from $29 to $29 to $29, Marathon Oil (MRO) is moving ahead.
Cramer also said the rally in Agco (AG ) shows that the bull case on ethanol and agriculture can overcome even the most pathetic, quarter-missing fundamentals.
Published By TheStreet.com

Labels: AG, BRCM, CHK, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, MRO, MRVL, MU

Wave of mergers has been unable to push stocks higher to start the trading week. A number of multi-billion dollar deals have benefited some individual stocks, but the broader market has stayed close to the flat line Monday. Same-store sales news from Wal-Mart (WMT) and a major order for Boeing (BA) have kept the Dow ($INDU) in the black, but not by much. WMT announced that same-store sales rose 2.2 percent in January, above its prior forecast. The retailing giant didnt go into details, preferring to wait until the official report on Thursday. Nonetheless, WMT shares are up more than one percent on the session. Retailers will be in focus this week as they provide January sales data. The S&P Retail Index ($RLX) is trading slightly in the red in midday action.Boeing shares are up almost one percent Monday as well following a major order from UPS (UPS). BA received an order for 27 Boeing 767-300ER freighters at a list price of $3.9 billion. BA shares have done quite well this past year, up 27 percent. The stock has advanced 12 percent in the past three months alone. In merger news, State Street Corp (STT) has agreed to buy Investors Financial Services (IFIN) for $4.5 billion in stock. IFIN shareholders will receive 0.906 shares of STT for each share of IFIN they own. This values IFIN shares at $65, which is $18 above its closing price on Friday. IFIN shares are up nearly 30 percent on the news. STT shares, as is usually the case, are down more than 5 percent. Other deals include Triad Hospitals (TRI) decision to go private in a deal valued at $6.4 billion. This news has pushed TRI shares up 15 percent on the session. Hanover Compressor (HC) and Universal Compressor (UCO) agreed to merge in a deal valued at $3.8 billion. Both stocks are up sharply on the news at 16 percent and 13 percent respectively.The chip sector has been a story Monday on a downgrade of Micron (MU) and earnings news from KLA-Tencor (KLAC). MU was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies & Company with the broker not liking the state of deteriorating memory prices. MU shares are down about one percent. KLAC shares are up three percent Monday despite announcing earnings that fell short of expectations. The company has restated past financial dealing with stock option grants and now believes it is not at risk of delisting on the Nasdaq. Overall, the Philly Semiconductor Index ($SOX) is up only slightly on the session.
By Jody Osborne

Labels: BA, HC, IFIN, KLAC, MU, RLX, STT, TRI, UCO, UPS, WMT

Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS - News) said that it is planning to offer $15 million of its stock in a public offering. The offer proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Applica Inc. (NYSE:APN - News) shares rose after Nacco Industries Inc. (NYSE:NC - News) said it has increased its tender offer price for Applica to $7 from $6.50 a share. In October, Applica, a Miramar, Fla.-based home appliance maker, agreed to be acquired by affiliates of Harbinger for $6.50 a share.
Bally Technologies said that it sold around 9,000 gaming devices in the first half of fiscal 2007, up from 6,500 at the same point a year ago. Gross margins are expected to improve in 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. Richard Haddrill, chief executive officer of the technology solutions company, said: "In the first half of our fiscal 2007, we are beginning to see the benefits of our efforts." The company also said that it has filed its form Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 2005. It expects to file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and for the year ended June 30, 2006 before March 15, 2007. It anticipates reporting a net loss per share of between 66 cents and 76 cents for the year to June 30, 2006.
Cabot Corp. (NYSE:CBT - News) shares rose after the chemical company was upgraded to neutral from underweight by J.P. Morgan, which cited improving earnings growth as raw materials costs fall. J.P. Morgan said it expects net gains due to falling raw materials costs and selling price increases to be around $26 million, or 27 cents a share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG - News) shares rose after its subsidiary Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $301.9 million in its initial public offering.
El Paso Corp. (NYSE:EP - News) said it sold ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission to TransCanada Corporation and TC PipeLines LP for $4.14 billion, including $744 million of debt. El Paso said the deal would be neutral to slightly positive for earnings and would result in after-tax proceeds of $3.3 billion.
Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL - News) said that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of its XL880 drug in patients with gastric cancer. As previously announced, a Phase II trial of XL880 in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma was initiated in June 2006. XL880 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor.
Hutchison Telecom International (NYSE:HTX - News) said it's received approaches from multiple parties for its 67% stake in Hutchison Essar, an Indian mobile operator. Vodafone Group (NYSE:VOD - News) said it's interested in buying a controlling stake in the Indian operator.
IMS Health (NYSE:RX - News) said it has approved a buyback of up to 10 million shares under a new stock repurchase program.
Memory chip maker Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News) tripled its profit on 16% sales growth.
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ:ONCY - News) said it has begun patient enrolment in its U.K. Phase II clinical trial to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of Reolysin in combination with low-dose radiation in patients with advanced cancers.
Pinnacle Airlines Corp. (NASDAQ:PNCL - News) shares shot up after it announced a deal to fly for Northwest Airlines Corp. (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News) through 2017 and analyst upgrades of hte regional carrier. The Amex Airlines Index gained 0.3% to 57.37 points, with Mesa Air Group climbing on a plan to form a regional airline in China with Shenzen Airlines.
Software maker Red Hat (NYSE:RHT - News) reported a stronger-than-forecast 45% sales growth.
Research In Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM - News) reported a 47% profit rise on 49% sales growth.
Resources Connection Inc. (NASDAQ:RECN - News) reported second-quarter net earnings of $14.7 million, or 29 cents a share, compared with $16 million, or 31 cents a share, in the same period last year. Excluding stock-based compensation expense, among other items, the Costa Mesa, Calif. -based provider of professional services posted per-share earnings of 36 cents. Revenue rose 16% to $182.8 million from $158.1 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected per-share earnings of 27 cents, on revenue of $177 million.
SciClone Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:SCLN - News) and Sigma-Tau said that a large phase 2 trial treating patients with stage IV malignant melanoma, showed positive interim survival data. Data from the first four arms of this ongoing five-arm trial showed that the addition of 3.2 mg of ZADAXIN to standard dacarbazine chemotherapy increased the median survival to 10.2 months, the companies said.
Shuffle Master (NASDAQ:SHFL - News) reported fiscal fourth-quarter net earnings of $4.9 million, or 14 cents share, down from $8.2 million and 23 cents a year ago. Revenue rose 39% to $46.1 million. The per-share profit figure includes 7 cents of charges and 3 cents for stock-option expensing; the average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been for Shuffle Master to earn 19 cents a share on revenue of $44 million. Shares ended the day down slightly at $26.22 but jumped more than 5% in after-hours action.
Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE:TM - News) said it expects 2007 world-wide sales will rise 6% to 9.3 million autos. The company expects world-wide sales of its Toyota brand autos to rise 6% to 8.4 million units. Toyota forecast combined overseas sales for its Toyota, Daihatsu and Hino brands will grow 8% to 6.9 million autos, and combined sales in Japan to rise 1% to 2.4 million units.
Walgreen Co. (NYSE:WAG - News) said first-quarter income rose 25% to $432 million, or 43 cents a share, from $346 million, or 34 cents, a year ago. Sales for the three months ended Nov. 30 gained 17% to $12.71 billion from $10.9 billion, while same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, rose 9.7%. Analysts, on average, forecast earnings of 41 cents a share on sales of $12.55 billion.
Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ:WTSLA - News) said a secondary offering of 16 million Class A common shares was priced $6 each. The Foothill Ranch, Calif., specialty retailer said the shares are being sold by affiliates of Prentice Capital Management LP, Capital Associates LLC and GMM Capital LLC. The offering's underwriters received an over-allotment option to buy up to 2.4 million shares.
-MarketWatch

Labels: APN, ASYS, CBT, EP, EXEL, HTX, KAR, LNG, MU, NC, PNCL, RHT, RIMM, SCLN, SHFL, TM, VOD, WAG

Amtech Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:ASYS - News) said that it is planning to offer $15 million of its stock in a public offering. The offer proceeds will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Applica Inc. (NYSE:APN - News) shares rose after Nacco Industries Inc. (NYSE:NC - News) said it has increased its tender offer price for Applica to $7 from $6.50 a share. In October, Applica, a Miramar, Fla.-based home appliance maker, agreed to be acquired by affiliates of Harbinger for $6.50 a share.
Bally Technologies said that it sold around 9,000 gaming devices in the first half of fiscal 2007, up from 6,500 at the same point a year ago. Gross margins are expected to improve in 2007 compared to fiscal 2006. Richard Haddrill, chief executive officer of the technology solutions company, said: "In the first half of our fiscal 2007, we are beginning to see the benefits of our efforts." The company also said that it has filed its form Form 10-Qs for the quarters ended September 30 and December 31, 2005. It expects to file its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006 and for the year ended June 30, 2006 before March 15, 2007. It anticipates reporting a net loss per share of between 66 cents and 76 cents for the year to June 30, 2006.
Cabot Corp. (NYSE:CBT - News) shares rose after the chemical company was upgraded to neutral from underweight by J.P. Morgan, which cited improving earnings growth as raw materials costs fall. J.P. Morgan said it expects net gains due to falling raw materials costs and selling price increases to be around $26 million, or 27 cents a share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Cheniere Energy Inc. (AMEX:LNG - News) shares rose after its subsidiary Cheniere Energy Partners L.P. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to raise up to $301.9 million in its initial public offering.
El Paso Corp. (NYSE:EP - News) said it sold ANR Pipeline Co., its Michigan storage assets and its 50% interest in Great Lakes Gas Transmission to TransCanada Corporation and TC PipeLines LP for $4.14 billion, including $744 million of debt. El Paso said the deal would be neutral to slightly positive for earnings and would result in after-tax proceeds of $3.3 billion.
Exelixis Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL - News) said that it has initiated a Phase II clinical trial of its XL880 drug in patients with gastric cancer. As previously announced, a Phase II trial of XL880 in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma was initiated in June 2006. XL880 is an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor.
Hutchison Telecom International (NYSE:HTX - News) said it's received approaches from multiple parties for its 67% stake in Hutchison Essar, an Indian mobile operator. Vodafone Group (NYSE:VOD - News) said it's interested in buying a controlling stake in the Indian operator.
IMS Health (NYSE:RX - News) said it has approved a buyback of up to 10 million shares under a new stock repurchase program.
Memory chip maker Micron Technology (NYSE:MU - News) tripled its profit on 16% sales growth.
Oncolytics Biotech (NASDAQ:ONCY - News) said it has begun patient enrolment in its U.K. Phase II clinical tr