Jim Cramer Blog

Arqule Inc. (NasdaqGM:ARQL - News) shares rose 6.7% Thursday after the company was initiated with a buy rating at WR Hambrecht & Co.
Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (NasdaqGS:BONT - News) shares surged 16% after the York, Pa., retailer reported that February sales tripled and comparable-store sales rose nearly 14.6%. A survey of analysts by Thomson Financial produced a consensus estimate of same-store sales down 2%. Total sales reached $237.6 million from $72.2 million, reflecting $153.4 million from Carson's and Parisian stores acquired in 2006. Carson's sales aren't included in the comparable-store-sales figure. Bon-Ton said that Carson's comparable-store sales for the period increased 7.2%, while the combined Carson's and Bon-Ton comparable sales advanced 9.8%.
California Coastal Communities (NasdaqGM:CALC - News) shares gained 8.7% after the company was upgraded to market outperform from market perform at JMP Securities.
Catalina Marketing (NYSE:POS - News) shares rose 5.5% after the company agreed to be acquired by ValueAct Capital for $1.7 billion, including the assumption of about $135 million in debt. The deal values shares of Catalina, a St. Petersburg, Fla., promotional messaging company, at $32.10 each in cash, compared to the stock's close on Wednesday at $29.85, down 4.1%. The agreement allows Catalina to solicit and entertain alternative acquisition proposals from third parties for the next 45 days. Catalina expects the transaction to close in the next several months.
CSP Inc. (NasdaqGM:CSPI - News) shares gained 15% after the Billerica, Mass.-based IT services provider reported fiscal first-quarter net income of $978,000, or 25 cents a share. In the same quarter last year, the company posted a net loss of $546,000, or 15 cents a share. Revenue rose to $21.1 million from $15.1 million.
Culp Inc. (NYSE:CFI - News) shares rose 5.9% after the company said its third quarter net loss widened slightly to $2.2 million from $2.17 million. The High Point, N.C.-based company's loss per share for the quarter was unchanged at 19 cents a share. Quarterly net sales fell to $55.7 million from $61 million.
Delphi (Other OTC:DPHIQ.PK - News) shares gained 8.8% after the company filed to issue nearly $2 billion worth of common stock to shareholders as a key step toward funding its emergence from bankruptcy. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the auto parts maker is offering current stockholders the right to buy 56,700,000 shares at $35 each.
Fred's Inc. (NasdaqGS:FRED - News) shares rose 6.5% after the company said its February sales at stores open at least one year rose 3.9%. Analysts, on average, had expected its same-store sales to rise 2%, according to Thomson First Call. Total sales for the four weeks ended March 3 rose 8% to $143.9 million.
KLA-Tencor (NasdaqGS:KLAC - News) shares rose 4% after Morgan Stanley upgraded the company to overweight from equal weight and lifted its price target to $65 from $60.
La Jolla Pharmaceutical Co. (NasdaqGM:LJPC - News) shares surged 31% after the company announced positive interim antibody results from its Phase II trial of Riquent, its drug candidate for systemic lupus erythematosus. The results showed a significant dose response when comparing all Riquent-treated patients to placebo-treated patients, the company said. "We are very excited by these results," said Deirdre Gillespie, president and chief executive, in a statement. "The higher the dose, the greater the reduction in antibodies to dsDNA, and the relative magnitude of these reductions is greater than we have seen in previous studies, which used lower doses of Riquent."
Mamma.com (NasdaqCM:MAMA - News) shares gained 19% after the company swung to a fourth-quarter profit on higher revenue as a result of an increase in search advertising revenue, new software licensing contracts and increase in customized development and maintenance support. The Montreal provider of Internet search services said it earned $420,000 or 3 cents a share in the latest quarter versus a loss of $763,000 or 6 cents a year earlier. Revenue rose to $3.6 million from $1.6 million last year.
Men's Wearhouse Inc. (NYSE:MW - News) shares gained 9.4% after the company said it expects first-quarter earnings between 63 cents and 67 cents a share, assuming same-store sales rise 1% to 2% in the U.S. and 5% to 6% in Canada. The Houston-based seller of men's apparel also expects to earnings between $2.80 and $2.91 a share for the fiscal year ending Feb. 2.
New York & Co. (NYSE:NWY - News) shares rose 16% after the company said same-store sales rose 2.7% in February. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for growth of 2.1% for the month. Total sales for the four weeks ended March 3 increased 8.9% to $87.7 million from $80.6 million in the same period a year earlier.
Nighthawk Radiology Corp. (NasdaqGM:NHWK - News) shares gained 5.1% after the company was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Piper Jaffray.
Nucor Corp. (NYSE:NUE - News) shares rose 5.3% Thursday morning after the second-largest U.S. steel producer forecast strong first-quarter earnings and said shrinking steel stockpiles should support profits for the rest of the year.
Omni Energy Services Corp. (NasdaqGM:OMNI - News) shares leapt 17% after the company said it expects fiscal 2007 revenue of more than $175 million, an 80% increase over last year. Excluding certain tax benefits, the Carencro, La.-based company said it expects net income may rise as much as 70% to more than $17 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization could increase more than 60% to exceed $40 million, the company said. Additionally, Omni said it sees slightly improved gross profit margins for the year with the inclusion of a full-year's operations from its rental equipment division.
PriceSmart Inc. (NasdaqGM:PSMT - News) shares jumped 18% after the company said February same-store sales rose 21% over year-earlier levels. Total sales for the month rose 21% to $63.3 million from last year's $52.5 million.
RehabCare (NYSE:RHB - News) shares gained 7.7% after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $2.1 million, or 12 cents a share, on revenue of $182.2 million, up from a loss of $31.8 million, or $1.89 a share, in the same period a year earlier, on revenue of $123.4 million.
Resource Capital Corp. (NYSE:RSO - News) shares rose 6.8% after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings of $6.8 million, or 36 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $4.9 million, or 32 cents a share. The New York City real estate investment trust estimates that it will pay dividends of between $1.65 and $1.80 per common share.
Seattle Genetics (NasdaqGM:SGEN - News) shares gained 7% after the company was initiated with a buy rating at Caris & Co.
Zumiez Inc. (NasdaqGS:ZUMZ - News) shares climbed 14% after the company said its February sales at stores open at least a year increased 12.4%. Analysts, on average, expected the retailer to post a same-store sales increase of 7.1%, according to a survey by Thomson Financial. Total net sales for the four-week period ended March 3 increased 43.9% to $20.7 million, from $14.4 million for the four-week period ended Feb. 25, 2006.
Published By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: ARQL, BONT, CALC, CFI, CSPI, FRED, KLAC, LJPC, MAMA, MW, NHWK, NUE, NWY, OMNI, POS, PSMT, RHB, RSO, SGEN, ZUMZ

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.

Career Education (NasdaqGS:CECO - News). CECO's PowerRating is 5.
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.
NightHawk Radiology Holdings (NasdaqGM:NHWK - News). NHWK's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Cross Country Healthcare (NasdaqGS:CCRN - News). CCRN's PowerRating is 7.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Weight Watchers (NYSE:WTW - News). WTW's PowerRating is 8.
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.
Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE:GRC - News). GRC's PowerRating is 8.
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.
Baidu.com (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU'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.
Advance America (NYSE:AEA - News). AEA's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AEA, BIDU, CCRN, CECO, GRC, Hot Stocks, NHWK, WTW

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.
Career Education (NasdaqGS:CECO - News). CECO's PowerRating is 5.
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.
NightHawk Radiology Holdings (NasdaqGM:NHWK - News). NHWK's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Cross Country Healthcare (NasdaqGS:CCRN - News). CCRN's PowerRating is 7.
5+ Consecutive Lower Lows: These are stocks that have made a lower low for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that make lower lows for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Weight Watchers (NYSE:WTW - News). WTW's PowerRating is 8.
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.
Gorman-Rupp Company (NYSE:GRC - News). GRC's PowerRating is 8.
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.
Baidu.com (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU'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.
Advance America (NYSE:AEA - News). AEA's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AEA, BIDU, CCRN, CECO, GRC, Hot Stocks, NHWK, WTW

InnerWorkings (NASDAQ: INWK - News)
Continuing his week-long discussion of "hot stocks," Cramer discussed InnerWorkings, which outsources printing services and has gone up 87% since its IPO in August. The company has had a record of positive profit and net income and has a "right to exist" in spite of its competition. Cramer says that this stock has room to rise, but suggests that investors keep its Feburary 11 lockup expiration date in mind and to buy half of a position now and half after Feb. 11 or to swap out of the stock during that period. Cramer suggested taking 48 hours to do research on the stock before buying.

Adobe (NASDAQ: ADBE - News)
Cramer comments that Adobe "through no fault of its own, got pummeled on Monday in a vicious Nasdaq selloff," and he would use the opportunity to pick up this "indispensible" stock. Adobe was down because investors were afraid that it would report lower guidance, but when it didn't, the stock spiked. Cramer also mentioned that negative speculation by short-sellers might have kept the stock down. He would buy Adobe which is "too cheap for the wrong reasons" ahead of its Creative Suite 3 release, and ride it on a "four month magic carpet ride."

Verifone (NYSE: PAY - News)
Although holiday stocks have been played out, Cramer likes ancillary seasonal play, Verifone, which makes credit and debit card swiping machines and is "by far the market leader" in this business. The company is going to have a big upgrade in the U.S. and will replace their machines. In addition, Verifone has tremendous growth potential in the developing world, and is a cheap stock which is " one part ancillary Christmas play and 10 parts great stock," according to Cramer.
CEO Interview: Dr. Paul Berger, Nighthawk Radiology (NASDAQ: NHWK - News)
When asked about the company's hospital growth, Dr. Berger commented "At the end of the third quarter this year, we have approximately 981 hospitals which send us images every night, or approximately 18% of the hospitals in the U.S. And that's been a growth of 121 hospitals over the first nine months of 2006." He also discussed the world-class radiologists on staff and the technology which enables physicians to be more efficient. Cramer said he likes Nighthawk, but would not be against ringing the register since he is tired of defending a winning stock which investors are not thrilled about.
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ADBE, INWK, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, NHWK, PAY

New IPOs on The Street: IPG Photonics (NASDAQ: IPGP - News), Guidance Software (NASDAQ: GUID - News) and Artes Medical (ARTE)
Since this is a busy week for IPOs, Cramer outlined some strategies for deciding which IPOs to buy and which to avoid. Investors should pay attention to the IPO's price, its "hotness," and to ask whether the company is desperate and if the stock should be "tossed back." He also said that it is important to have an idea of what price to sell the stock and to use limit orders when buying. Fiber laser manufacturer, IPG Photonics is expected to trade between $13.50 and $15.50. Cramer said it should come public for $11.50, but if it reaches the middle range, it will be more pricey than its competitors. However, he thinks the stock deserves to sell for a premium, and he likes the laser company which garners 60% of the market. Cramer comments that it has good growth potential and could be developed into a core holding. He suggests letting the stock calm down a little and to put the first limit order for this "cream of the crop" company between 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Guidance, which sells digital investigation software to one-fifth of the Fortune 500 companies, is Cramer's "price is right" stock. He likes its high gross margins and the fact that it is a "pure play on digital forensics." However, it is not so "hot" because it has competition, but it is not a "desperation offering." Cramer would buy the stock anywhere up to $18 and definitely not above $20. Cramer says that Artes is " a triple sell to the third power" even though it has yet to go on sale, because it has no revenue and only one product, ArteFill, which seems like a great wrinkle treatment, but Artes can't get approval from the FDA for ArteFill as a permanent wrinkle solution and it allegedly can cause skin inflammation. "There's no room for Artes," Cramer said.
Mad Mail: Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX - News), Capital Southwest Corp. (NASDAQ: CSWC - News), NightHawk Radiology Holdings (NASDAQ: NHWK - News)
When asked about Boston Scientific, Cramer called the stock "dead money" and said that he expected a jump that didn't happen. When asked why CSWC fell 20 points after the Heelys' IPO, Cramer said that people went crazy with the stock, and frenetic activity caused temporary instability, but he reassured investors that it will eventually go back up. Cramer also recommended staying in NHWK.

Labels: BSX, CSWC, GUID, IPGP, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, NHWK