Jim Cramer Blog

Bullish:
China Mobile (CHL) instead of KONG
Enterprise Product Parners (EPD)
Schering-Plough (SGP),
Celgene (CELG),
Sanofi-Aventis (SNY): likes Novartis (NVS) and Schering-Plough (SGP) better
Manulife (MFC), Prudential (PRU), Metlife (MET): Likes all three
E-Trade Financial (ETFC): It's a buy.
Furmanite (FRM): Cramer prefers ITT.
ITT (ITT),
Transocean (RIG),
Schlumberger (SLB)
Hudson City (HCBK): Better than NYB.
Bearish:
KongZhong (KONG): Cramer recommended China Mobile (CHL) instead.
Pioneer Drill (PDC); Cramer wants you to sell this driller
NightHawk (NIHK): Don't buy
New York Community Bank (NYB): Cramer thinks Hudson City (HCBK) is a better bank.
MDU (MDU): Don't buy.

Labels: CELG, CHL, EPD, ETFC, FRM, ITT, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MET, MFC, NVS, PRU, RIG, SGP, SNY

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Leap Wireless (NasdaqGS:LEAP - News). LEAP's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - News). VLO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
2-Period RSI Below 2: These are stocks that have a 2-period RSI reading below 2 and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving with a 2-period RSI reading below 2 have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Riverbed Technologies (NasdaqGM:RVBD - News). RVBD's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Jos. A. Bank (NasdaqGS:JOSB - News). JOSB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have closed up for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that close up for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ - News). JNJ's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Zimmer Holdings (NYSE:ZMH - News). ZMH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
2-Period RSI Above 98: These are stocks that have a 2-day RSI reading above 98 and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average 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.
Sanofi Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News). SNY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: JNJ, JOSB, LEAP, RVBD, SNY, Stocks to Watch, VLO, ZMH

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.

U.S. Xpress Enterprises (NasdaqGS:XPRSA) & Willis Group Holdings (NYSE:WSH). XPRSA's PowerRating is 5, and WSH'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.
Red Hat (NYSE:RHT) & Take Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO). RHT's PowerRating is 6, and TTWO's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Industrial Services of America (NasdaqCM:IDSA). IDSA's PowerRating is 8.
Bearish
5+ Consecutive Up Days: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
International Game Technology (NYSE:IGT). IGT's PowerRating is 4.
5+ Consecutive Higher Highs: These are stocks that have made a higher high for five or more consecutive days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that make higher highs for five or more days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Sanofi Aventis (NYSE:SNY). SNY's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: Hot Stocks, IDSA, IGT, RHT, SNY, TTWO, WSH, XPRSA

Yum Brands (NYSE: YUM):Yum is p 20% since the rat incident in a Greenwich Village Taco Bell, and Cramer agrees with Deutsche Bank's upgrade of the company, because KFC is "the dominant food in China." He predicts Yum will reach $76 from $66.83.
Nastech (NasdaqGM: NSTK), Acadia (NasdaqGM: ACAD), Sanofi (NYSE: SNY): On the subject of the upcoming week's biotech conferences, Cramer says he likes Nastech for its obesity drug and Acadia for its Parkinsons and schizophrenia treatments. He would trade Sanofi off of the FDA's decision on its weight loss treatment, since the FDA is "under great pressure" on the growing obesity problem.

Labels: ACAD, Jim Cramer, Jim Cramer's Stop Trading, NSTK, SNY, YUM

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Accenture (NYSE:ACN - News) beat earnings late Tuesday with $0.47 EPS over an expected $0.42 EPS. ACN's PowerRating is 6.
Arrow International (NasdaqGS:ARRO - News) missed earnings Tuesday afternoon; analysts were looking for $0.36 EPS, but the company announced $0.32 EPS. ARRO's PowerRating is 6.
It was reported that Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News) could be eying a partnership with Bristol-Meyers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News). SNY's PowerRating is 4, and BMY's PowerRating is 5.
Paychex (NasdaqGS:PAYX - News), Resources Connect (NasdaqGS:RECN - News) and Sonic (NasdaqGS:SONC - News) all report on Wednesday after the market closes, so watch for heightened price action and volume ahead of the bell. PAYX's PowerRating is 6, RECN's PowerRating is 4 and SONC's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ACN, ARRO, BMY, Hot Stocks, PAYX, RECN, SNY, SONC

The stock market traded cautiously today, ultimately declining on a lack of economic news and few high-profile merger announcements or other news to encourage buying. Quite the opposite occurred, with two potential deals collapsing over the weekend. Investors were also wary ahead of Congressional testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday, at which time he'll discuss the state of the economy. Oil prices retreated sharply, closing under $58 a barrel, while the 10-year Treasury note also fell, with the yield rising two basis points to 4.80%.
The most prominent deal to collapse was the second failed attempt by the NASDAQ Stock Market (Nasdaq: NDAQ - News) to acquire the London Stock Exchange. The LSE's shareholders overwhelmingly rejected NASDAQ's $5.3 billion merger offer on Saturday, agreeing with management that the offer undervalued the European exchange. NASDAQ's shares declined -6% in today's trading. Also falling apart were merger talks between French-based pharmaceutical Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY - News) and Bristol Myers-Squibb (NYSE: BMY - News), according to published reports in London over the weekend. That news sent the former slightly higher but the latter down -3%. Elsewhere, Canada-based aluminum producer Novelis (NYSE: NVL - News) added 13% after it agreed to be acquired by Indian metals producer Hindalco Industries for $3.6 billion. Four Seasons Hotels (NYSE: FS - News) slid -3% on news it would go private in a management-led buyout.
In business news, biotech Onyx Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: ONXX - News) skyrocketed after it reported a successful trial that extends the uses of its principal product. The California company's market value nearly doubled, gaining 97%, after it announced that its cancer treatment Nexavar "significantly" improved the survival rates of patients with advanced liver cancer. The Phase III trial was stopped early so that all patients in the trial could have access to the drug. Nexavar, jointly marketed with Bayer (NYSE: BAY - News), is presently only approved for the treatment of kidney cancer. Analysts speculated that Bayer might move to acquire Onyx based on the trial results.
Partly rebounding from recent selling was Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL - News). The stock's 2% climb today was fueled in part by an upgrade by Citigroup, which raised its rating on Apple to "buy" from "hold." Citigroup cited the expectation for significant new product releases from Apple as the basis for its recommendation. Citigroup's change is in contrast to that of Goldman Sachs, which removed Apple from its "Americas Conviction Buy List" last Thursday due to "negative speculation" in advance of Apple's launch of the iPhone.
Elsewhere, new Home Depot (NYSE: HD - News) CEO Frank Blake reversed a key strategic direction pursued by the company's former boss Robert Nardelli. The home repair retailer said it would examine strategic alternatives for its wholesale supply business. Under Nardelli, Home Depot expanded into the lower-margin wholesale business as part of a diversification plan. Large shareholders had long criticized the move as a distraction from Home Depot's core retail business. The stock finished up 1%.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AAPL, BAY, BMY, FS, HD, NDAQ, NVL, ONXX, SNY

Administaff (NYSE:ASF - News) said its fourth-quarter net income increased 22% to $13.4 million, or 47 cents a share, from $10.9 million, or 39 cents a share, a year earlier. The provider of human resources services said Monday revenue rose 15% to $352.6 million from $305.6 million. The company's average number of worksite employees paid per month advanced 11% and revenue per worksite employee per month rose 4.1%. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, expected the Houston company to earn 44 cents a share on revenue of $357.6 million for the final quarter of 2006. Administaff's board authorized the repurchase of up to 1 million more shares, bringing the total authorization to 9.5 million shares.
Arch Chemicals (NYSE:ARJ - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $28.3 million, or $1.18 per share, up from a year-ago profit of $3.6 million, or 15 cents a share. The latest results include a number of items, most notably an impairment charge of $23.5 million related to the write-down of goodwill associated with the company's industrial coatings business. Sales rose in the latest three months to $315.9 million from $278.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for loss of 9 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Norwalk, Conn.-based Arch said it expects earnings from continuing operations of $1.90 to $2 per share for fiscal 2007 with sales growth of 3% to 5%. For the first quarter, the company anticipates earnings from continuing operations of 10 to 15 cents a share. Wall Street's current consensus estimates are for earnings of $1.95 a share for 2007 and 30 cents a share for the March period.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - News) was downgraded by Bear Stearns to peer perform from outperform, as uncertainties about the drug-eluting stents market and competitive headwinds make sales growth and cost reductions difficult. Analyst Rick Wise said the fundamentals for the company's peers look better, and therefore he upgraded St. Jude Medical to outperform from peer perform, citing the company's strong product pipeline, its recent sales force investment and cost reduction opportunities.
Boyd Gaming Corp. (NYSE:BYD - News) was downgraded to market perform from outperform at Wachovia Securities.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News) and Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News) have reportedly scuttled merger talks, according to U.K. newspaper The Times (of London).
Calamos Asset Management Inc. (NasdaqGS:CLMS - News) said total assets under management as of Jan. 31 fell to $44.5 billion from $44.7 billion the previous month. The company said its mutual-fund assets fell to $33.1 billion from $33.3 billion, while separate-accounts held steady at $11.4 billion.
China BAK Battery Inc. (NasdaqGM:CBAK - News) reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $3.58 million, or 7 cents a share, up from $3.19 million, or 7 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $43.1 million from $26.1 million.
Chindex International (NasdaqCM:CHDX - News) shares fell after the provider of healthcare products and medical services in China reported a fiscal third-quarter net profit of $679,000, or 9 cents a share. In the same quarter last year, the company posted a net loss of $463,000, or 7 cents a share. Revenue rose to $30.3 million from $22.6 million.
Forward Air Corp. (NasdaqGS:FWRD - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at A.G. Edwards.
Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. (NasdaqGM:EBHI - News) said its President and Chief Executive Fabian Mansson has resigned. The apparel retailer said Howard Gross, a member of the board, has been named interim CEO.
Embarq (NYSE:EQ - News) was downgraded to sell from neutral at Goldman Sachs.
Holly Corp. (NYSE:HOC - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose to $47.7 million, or 84 cents a share, from $39.9 million, or 65 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding discontinued operations, earnings would have increased to 86 cents a share from 63 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had been expecting earnings of 83 cents a share, on average. Revenue grew 15% to $938.1 million from last year's $812.4 million, with refined product volumes increasing 10%.
MedCath Corp. (NasdaqGM:MDTH - News) was downgraded to market perform from outperform at Wachovia Securities. "While we expect MedCath to grow faster than the rest of the hospital industry, we believe the market is already discounting that superior growth," Analyst William Bonello said in a research note. "Also, the threat of Medicare cuts to hospitals could keep a lid on multiples as the year progresses."
Micrus Endovascular (NasdaqGM:MEND - News) shares dropped after the San Jose, Calif.-based medical device maker reported a fiscal third-quarter net loss of $1 million, or 7 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $1.65 million, or 12 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $15.5 million from $8.09 million.
Mercury General (NYSE:MCY - News) said fourth-quarter earnings rose 8.5% to $50.1 million, or 91 cents a share, from $46.2 million, or 84 cents, a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, fourth-quarter earnings of $1.17 a share. The Los Angeles-based life insurance company said net realized investment gains increased to $1.34 million, or 2 cents a share, from $457,000, or a cent a share, in the year-ago period. Net premiums written rose to $740.7 million from $728 million, while net premiums earned rose to $753.9 million from $732.9 million.
Nam Tai Electronics Inc. (NYSE:NTE - News) posted a fourth-quarter loss of $2.3 million, or 5 cents a share, down from a year-ago profit of $12.7 million, or 29 cents a share. On a non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) basis, excluding items, the company earned $12.3 million, or 28 cents a share, in the latest quarter. Sales fell 7.1% in the latest three months to $229.6 million from $247.2 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 28 cents a share in the December period. The stock closed Friday at $14.26, down 14 cents.
The Nasdaq Stock Market (NasdaqGS:NDAQ - News) said it failed to secure sufficient support for its planned takeover of the London Stock Exchange.
Nuance Communications (NasdaqGS:NUAN - News) was downgraded to hold from buy at Needham & Co., which cited valuation concerns.
Rainmaker Systems (NasdaqGM:RMKR - News) said it plans to release its fourth-quarter results after the closing bell.
Shares of Sonic Automotive (NYSE:SAH - News) slumped after Bear Stearns downgraded the automotive retailer to peer perform from outperform, due primarily to valuation. Analyst Michael Geoghegan said that with the stock price closing in on his $33 price target, and with the valuation discount relative to its peers narrowing, he urged investors to "take profits."
Published By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: ARJ, ASF, BMY, BSX, BYD, CBAK, CHDX, CLMS, EBHI, EQ, FWRD, HOC, MCY, MDTH, MEND, NDAQ, NTE, NUAN, RMKR, SNY

Wall Street extended its losses Monday as investors awaited a stream of key economic data this week and were left disappointed by the collapse of several closely-watched acquisition deals.
The markets, which pulled back last week amid concern about inflation's impact on interest rates, traded cautiously with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke set to speak before Congress on Wednesday. Government data due on Friday will shed new light on wholesale inflation and the state of the housing market.
Unlike recent Monday mornings, there was a dearth of acquisition announcements to give the market a lift. Instead, investors had to deal with news that the Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. failed in its bid to buy the London Stock Exchange and that French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis called off talks for a possible deal with Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Onyx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Bayer AG advanced after the companies released data from a clinical trial that shows an experimental drug is effective in fighting liver cancer. Apple Inc. moved higher after being upgraded in anticipation of big product launches set this year.
Wall Street fell last week on concerns about higher oil prices and the possibility inflation could lead to higher interest rates. With fourth-quarter earnings reports nearly over, investors have traded hesitantly as they wait for some kind of catalyst to give them direction
In midmorning trading, the Dow Jones industrial average fell 13.62, or 0.11 percent, to 12,567.21.
Broader stock indicators declined. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was down 2.93, or 0.20 percent, at 1,435.13 and the Nasdaq composite index retreated 8.62, or 0.35 percent, to 2,451.20.
Bonds edged lower ahead of economic data due out this week, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rising to 4.79 percent from 4.78 percent late Friday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices dropped.
Oil, which advanced last week as cold weather was seen increasing heating demand, was down on the New York Mercantile Exchange. A barrel of light sweet crude fell $1.21 to $58.68.
Nasdaq, the world's largest electronic equities exchange, edged lower after LSE shareholders did not approve its bid to acquire the British bourse. Shares fell $1.82, or 4.9 percent, to $35.38. Bristol Myers tumbled $1.41, or 4.9 percent, to $27.11 after a report that Sanofi-Aventis called off deal talks amid a disagreement over price.
But aluminum producer Novelis Inc. rose $5.31, or 13.7 percent, to $43.85 after it agreed to be bought by India's Hindalco Industries Ltd.
Apple, which recently unveiled plans to roll out its long-anticipated iPhone, rose $1.06 to $84.33 after it was upgraded by a Citigroup analyst. Meanwhile, good news about a potential treatment for liver cancer sent Bayer up 17 cents to $58 and Onyx up $6.42, or 52.3 percent, to $18.68.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies was down 2.06, or 0.26 percent, at 805.05.
Overseas, Japan's markets were closed. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was down 0.31 percent, Germany's DAX index fell 0.54 percent, and France's CAC-40 was fell 0.62 percent.
Published by Joe Bel Bruno, AP Business Writer

Labels: AAPL, BAY, BMY, NDAQ, NVL, ONXX, SNY

Summary: Novo Nordisk (NYSE: NVO - News) is the world sales leader of insulin-related products. Its insulin-analog products are bio-variants of the human insulin molecule that work better, are more bioavailable, sell for twice the price, and enjoy extended patent protection. Together with competitors Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY - News) and sanofi-aventis (NYSE: SNY - News), they have converted about 1/2 of all insulin-using patients to make the switch -- and Novo's product is the most complete and convenient. Its 2006 insulin analog sales jumped 50%, driving EPS was up 12% and giving it a P/E ratio of 26. Can the company continue to merit such a lofty multiple? Tech trader Bill Alpert says yes. Diabetes 'growth' is widespread; China accounted for over 40% of its international growth last year (though the U.S. government has been slow in accommodating 'biosimilar generics'). The company has other growth opportunities: It has a Phase III drug similar to but better than Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (NasdaqGS: AMLN) Byetta (sold by Lilly) because Novo's version is taken once daily vs. Byetta's twice. And its hemophilia drug NovoSeven promises to reduce severe bleeding in trauma patients and during heart surgery, and may prove to be the first drug to address bleeding strokes.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: AMLN, Barron's, LLY, NVO, SNY

AdvancersAvanir Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:AVNR - News) received an approvable letter and acceptable labeling from the FDA for a new formulation of its antipsychotic drug FazaClo.
Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - News) net income more than doubled in the fourth quarter, capping a year in which it set a record for airplane orders and setting the stage for higher growth in 2007, the company said.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News) shares rose following a report in The Financial Times that the company has hired Lehman Bros., Morgan Stanley and Citigroup to help it field possible takeover bids. Earlier in the week, a report surfaced that the company had drawn acquisition interest from French conglomerate Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News).
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners (NasdaqGM:CPRX - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Stifel Nicolaus with a $9 price target.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (NasdaqGS:CHRW - News) reported fourth-quarter net income of $71.8 million, or 41 cents a share, up from $58.1 million, or 33 cents, a year ago. Quarterly revenue for the trucking company rose to $1.64 billion from $1.58 billion.
CheckFree Corp. (NasdaqGS:CKFR - News) reported a slight profit gain on advances in its core business. For its fiscal second-quarter, CheckFree said net income rose 4% to $35.3 million or 39 cents a share, compared to $33.8 million or 36 cents a share a year ago.
Corus Group Plc (NYSE:CGA - News) shares leapt after India's Tata Steel won a bidding war to acquire the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker for $12.1 billion.
EchoStar Communications (NasdaqGS:DISH - News) was upgraded to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley. The firm lifted its price target on the shares to $44 from $40.
Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL - News) shot up after the cosmetics giant said its second-quarter profit more than doubled amid robust sales of major lines coupled with cost cutting and a favorably currency exchange.
Frontier Oil (NYSE:FTO - News) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
Harris Corp. (NYSE:HRS - News) said second-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $94 million, or 67 cents a share, from $30 million, or 22 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Before items, quarterly per-share income rose to 68 cents from 52 cents in the prior year.
Harris Stratex Networks (NasdaqGM:HSTX - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.
Hologic Inc. (NasdaqGS:HOLX - News) reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $16.1 million, or 30 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $5.7 million, or 12 cents a share. Revenue jumped 86% in the latest three months to $163.2 million from $88 million in the same period a year earlier. The Bedford, Mass.-based company attributed the higher earnings to an increase in product sales of its Selenia full-field digital mammography systems.
Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR - News) fourth-quarter earnings fell 24% as sales of its small earthmover Bobcat vehicle slumped due to weaker demand in the North American market, the company's financial results showed Wednesday.
Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE:JLL - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $80.9 million, or $2.37 a share, from $66.9 million, or $1.99 a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts were looking for per-share income of $2.26.
Kinetic Concepts (NYSE:KCI - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
Levitt Corp. (NYSE:LEV - News) agreed to be acquired by BFC Financial Corp. (NYSEArca:BFF - News) for $286 million in stock. In addition, Levitt said preliminary figures show its home building division generated fourth-quarter revenue of $143.6 million, with 426 homes delivered in the quarter at a margin of 19.6%. Backlog at Dec. 31 was 1,248 units with a sales value of $438.2 million. New home orders totaled 204, but were partly offset by 122 cancellations. The company said it has entered into sales contracts to dispose of certain properties and is expected to realize a pre-tax loss of $9.0 million upon disposition, and will write-off $1.4 million in pre-acquisition costs for properties which will not be acquired.
Lone Star Technologies (NYSE:LSS - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings fell to $18.1 million, or 58 cents a share, from $70.9 million, or $2.28 a share, a year earlier, hurt by an income-tax expense. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, quarterly earnings of 58 cents a share, before items. The Dallas oilfield pipe and tubing company's revenue for the quarter decreased to $334.8 million from $337.5 million a year ago. Wall Street expected quarterly revenue of $334 million.
New York Times Co. (NYSE:NYT - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss after an $814 million charge for write-downs, staff-reduction costs and accelerated depreciation.
Omnicell (NasdaqGM:OMCL - News) shares jumped after the company posted fourth-quarter earnings of $3.8 million, or 13 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $2.2 million, or 8 cents a share. Revenue rose 26.4% in the latest three months to $42.3 million. The Mountain View, Calif., provider of patient safety technology products said its product backlog ended the quarter at $114.3 million, up 64.2% from the same period a year ago.
O'Reilly Automotive (NasdaqGS:ORLY - News) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse. The firm lifted its price target on the stock to $38 from $36.
Quicksilver Resources (NYSE:KWK - News) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse. The firm also boosted its price target on the stock to $47 from $43.
Panera Bread Co. (NasdaqGS:PNRA - News) said same bakery-cafe sales rose 0.8% in January from the same month a year ago. The St. Louis bakery-cafe chain said company-owned same-store sales rose 0.7% while franchise-operated sales were up 0.9%.
ProQuest (NYSE:PQE - News) said Alan Aldworth is leaving its chairman, president and CEO positions, effective immediately. The company named Richard Surratt president and CEO. Surratt had served as the CFO of the Ann Arbor, Mich., publishing company.
RedEnvelope Inc. (NasdaqGM:REDE - News) said third-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $5.31 million, or 56 cents a share, from $4.1 million, or 43 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. The branded online retailer said quarterly revenue rose to $57 million from $53 million in the prior year.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (NasdaqGS:RRGB - News) said it has signed a non-binding letter of intent to acquire the assets of 17 its franchised restaurants in California for $47.5 million, minus any assumed debt.
Sierra Health Services Inc. (NYSE:SIE - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $39.3 million, or 65 cents a share, compared with $28.3 million, or 44 cents a share, in the same period last year, boosted by higher medical premiums revenue.
Sirf Technology Holdings Inc. (NasdaqGS:SIRF - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $9.1 million, down from $10.23 million in the same period the prior year, mainly due to higher stock-based compensation and acquisition-related contingent payments.
U.S. Concrete (NasdaqGM:RMIX - News) said it sees fourth-quarter revenue of $211 million, compared with its prior view of $195 million to $205 million. The company cited stronger-than-anticipated sales volumes of ready-mixed concrete, partially attributable to relatively mild winter conditions. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial are looking for quarterly revenue of $204 million. U.S. Concrete said it sees a fourth-quarter net loss of 62 cents to 63 cents per share, a view that includes a 70-cent-per-share after-tax goodwill impairment charge associated with its Michigan assets. Excluding the charge, the company expects income for the fourth quarter of 7 to 8 cents per share, compared with its November outlook of 3 to 7 cents. Analysts are looking for per-share income of 5 cents.
Published by Michael Baron at MarketWatch

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Avanir Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:AVNR - News) received an approvable letter and acceptable labeling from the FDA for a new formulation of its antipsychotic drug FazaClo.
Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $989 million, or $1.29 a share, up from a year-ago profit of $460 million, or 58 cents a share. On a continuing operations basis, the Dow component earned $980 million, or $1.28 a share, in the latest quarter. On an adjusted basis, excluding tax benefits as well as discontinued operations, the Chicago-based aerospace giant earned $1.16 a share, in the latest quarter, compared to 74 cents a share last year. Revenue rose in the three months ended Dec. 31 to $17.54 billion from $13.9 billion in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson First Call was for a profit of 98 cents a share in the December period on revenue of $16.48 billion. The company also lifted its outlook for fiscal 2007 to earnings of $4.55 to $4.75 a share. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for a profit of $4.75 a share for the year. It forecast earnings of $5.55 to $5.75 a share for fiscal 2008, saying this view reflects expectations for strong revenue growth and expanding margins across all of its businesses.
Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News) shares rose following a report in The Financial Times that the company has hired Lehman Bros., Morgan Stanley and Citigroup to help it field possible takeover bids. Earlier in the week, a report surfaced that the company had drawn acquisition interest from French conglomerate Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News).
Catalyst Pharmaceutical Partners (NasdaqGM:CPRX - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Stifel Nicolaus with a $9 price target.
C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc. (NasdaqGS:CHRW - News) reported fourth-quarter net income of $71.8 million, or 41 cents a share, up from $58.1 million, or 33 cents, a year ago. Quarterly revenue for the trucking company rose to $1.64 billion from $1.58 billion.
CheckFree Corp. (NasdaqGS:CKFR - News) reported a slight profit gain on advances in its core business. For its fiscal second-quarter, CheckFree said net income rose 4% to $35.3 million or 39 cents a share, compared to $33.8 million or 36 cents a share a year ago.
Corus Group Plc (NYSE:CGA - News) shares leapt after India's Tata Steel won a bidding war to acquire the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker for $12.1 billion.
EchoStar Communications (NasdaqGS:DISH - News) was upgraded to overweight from equal-weight at Morgan Stanley. The firm lifted its price target on the shares to $44 from $40.
Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL - News) said its fiscal second-quarter net income more than doubled to $208.4 million, or 99 cents a share, from $81.7 million, or 38 cents a share, a year earlier. The New York cosmetics company said second-quarter income from continuing operations increased 39% to $208.5 million, or 99 cents a share, from $150.4 million, or 70 cents a share, and net sales advanced 12% to $1.99 billion from $1.78 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, on average, had been expecting Estee Lauder to earn 76 cents a share on net sales of $1.91 billion for the second quarter ended Dec. 31. The maker of Aveda and Clinique products expects third-quarter earnings from continuing operations to be about flat from a year earlier as sales rise 4% to 6%.
Frontier Oil (NYSE:FTO - News) was upgraded to neutral from underperform at Credit Suisse.
Harris Corp. (NYSE:HRS - News) said second-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $94 million, or 67 cents a share, from $30 million, or 22 cents a share, during the same period in the prior year. Before items, quarterly per-share income rose to 68 cents from 52 cents in the prior year.
Harris Stratex Networks (NasdaqGM:HSTX - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Merriman Curhan Ford & Co.
Hologic Inc. (NasdaqGS:HOLX - News) reported fiscal first-quarter earnings of $16.1 million, or 30 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $5.7 million, or 12 cents a share. Revenue jumped 86% in the latest three months to $163.2 million from $88 million in the same period a year earlier. The Bedford, Mass.-based company attributed the higher earnings to an increase in product sales of its Selenia full-field digital mammography systems.
Ingersoll-Rand (NYSE:IR - News) said fourth-quarter net income for the three months ended Dec. 31 fell to $222 million, or 72 cents a share, from $291.6 million, or 87 cents a share in the year-ago period. Earnings from continuing operations in the latest quarter were 74 cents a share. Revenue increased by 7% to $2.89 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 73 cents a share, on average. Full-year 2007 earnings from continuing operations are forecasted at $3.61 to $3.71 a share, compared to the Thomson Financial estimate of $3.55 a share.
Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (NYSE:JLL - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose, as revenue gained, to $80.9 million, or $2.37 a share, from $66.9 million, or $1.99 a share, during the same period in the prior year. Analysts were looking for per-share income of $2.26.
Kinetic Concepts (NYSE:KCI - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Deutsche Bank.
Levitt Corp. (NYSE:LEV - News) agreed to be acquired by BFC Financial Corp. (NYSEArca:BFF - News) for $286 million in stock. In addition, Levitt said preliminary figures show its home building division generated fourth-quarter revenue of $143.6 million, with 426 homes delivered in the quarter at a margin of 19.6%. Backlog at Dec. 31 was 1,248 units with a sales value of $438.2 million. New home orders totaled 204, but were partly offset by 122 cancellations. The company said it has entered into sales contracts to dispose of certain properties and is expected to realize a pre-tax loss of $9.0 million upon disposition, and will write-off $1.4 million in pre-acquisition costs for properties which will not be acquired.
Lone Star Technologies (NYSE:LSS - News) said its fourth-quarter earnings fell to $18.1 million, or 58 cents a share, from $70.9 million, or $2.28 a share, a year earlier, hurt by an income-tax expense. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, quarterly earnings of 58 cents a share, before items. The Dallas oilfield pipe and tubing company's revenue for the quarter decreased to $334.8 million from $337.5 million a year ago. Wall Street expected quarterly revenue of $334 million.
New York Times Co. (NYSE:NYT - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss on an $814 million charge for the write-down of intangible assets at the New England Media Group, staff-reduction costs and accelerated depreciation of its Edison, N.J., printing plant. The New York media company reported a fourth-quarter loss of $648 million, or $4.50 a share, compared with earnings of $63.2 million, or 43 cents, a year earlier. Excluding the charges, the company earned $87.9 million, or 61 cents a share, in the latest quarter. The company said revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose 4.3% to $931.5 million from $893.1 million a year ago. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial expected, on average, earnings of 46 cents a share on revenue of $904 million. Analyst earnings forecasts typically exclude unusual items. In addition, New York Times Co. said it expects to complete the sale of its Broadcast Media group for $575 million in the first half of 2007.
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A spate of merger news, a handful of positive earnings reports, and a drop in the price of oil helped keep stocks in the black for the first half of today's session, but stocks weakened over the course of the afternoon, and the S&P 500 closed below the unchanged line, while the Dow Jones and Nasdaq eked out small gains. Many investors, however, were looking ahead to Wednesday when the market will pour over the latest statement from the Federal Reserve. The Fed has kept interest rates unchanged at its last four meetings.
Reflecting the growing unlikelihood that the Fed will lower rates any time soon, bonds showed weakness and the 10-year Treasury note traded lower, pushing the yield higher on the day. Meanwhile, after a brief rally in oil spurred in part by the belated onset of cold weather across much of the U.S., traders took profits and drove the price of a barrel of crude down to below $54 a barrel.
In M&A news, Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER - News) said it will pay about $1.8 billion in cash and stock to acquire First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC - News), a 44% premium to First Republic's Friday closing price. Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) announced that it will spend $1.13 billion to buy Egg, the online banking arm of U.K. insurance firm Prudential PLC (NYSE: PUK - News).
Forest products companies Bowater (NYSE: BOW - News) and Abitibi-Consolidated (NYSE: ABY - News) agreed to combine in an all-stock deal. Security software firm Symantec (Nasdaq: SYMC - News) said it will pay about $830 million for Altiris (Nasdaq: ATRS - News), a maker of IT software. The offer is a 22% premium to Altiris' closing price on Friday. Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY - News) jumped 5% after a report from a French newspaper said that the company is in merger talks with French conglomerate Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY - News). And, finally, education services provider Laureate (Nasdaq: LAUR - News) agreed to a management-led buyout deal worth $3.8 billion.
Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News) reported fourth-quarter results, posting a year-over-year decline in net income due to charges related to the sale of several non-core businesses. Excluding those charges, Verizon's results beat estimates by a penny. On the conference call, Verizon execs also said that they were happy to have turned down Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL - News) offer to be the exclusive partner for the new iPhone because of the onerous terms dictated by Apple. AT&T (NYSE: T - News; formerly Cingular) ultimately agreed to team with Apple.
Toymaker Mattel (NYSE: MAT - News) also reported fourth-quarter results, with net profit rising 3% year over year to 75 cents per share and revenue gaining 14% to $2.11 billion. The results easily beat analyst estimates. However, the company acknowledged that an impressive showing from toys related to the Disney (NYSE: DIS - News) and Pixar film "Cars" would make for tough comparisons in 2007.
In tech news, Intel (Nasdaq: INTC - News) jumped 2% after announcing a technological breakthrough. The world's biggest chipmaker said that it has built working prototypes of new transistors using new materials that improve performance. IBM (NYSE: IBM - News) also announced technology using the new material, the element hafnium. Separately, Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ - News) moved up 2% after positive comments from several analysts.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

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Deutsche Telekom Ag (NYSE:DT - News) cut its profit forecast for 2007, citing fierce competition and an erosion in its U.S. revenue due to recent weakness in the dollar.
Giga-Tronics (NasdaqCM:GIGA - News) shares dropped after the company reported a profit of $58,000, or a penny per share, for the third quarter on sales of $5.6 million. Orders booked for the quarter fell to $3.7 million in the latest period from $4 million last year, while backlog as of Dec. 30 declined to $9.9 million from $12.9 million last year.
Origin Agritech Ltd. (NasdaqGM:SEED - News) shares tumbled after the China-based hybrid crop seed supplier said it expects revenue of between $80 million and $90 million for its fiscal year ending Sept. 30.
Quality Distribution Inc. (NasdaqGM:QLTY - News) lowered its outlook for the fourth quarter and 2006 primarily due to softer-than-anticipated seasonal demand and an unexpected charge for costs associated with legacy environmental remediation projects. The transportation company said it now sees earnings per share of 3 cents to 7 cents for the fourth quarter, compared with its prior view of 17 cents to 19 cents. For 2006, the company now sees earnings per share of 59 to 63 cents, compared with its prior view of 74 to 76 cents.
Radware Ltd. (NasdaqGS:RDWR - News) shares fell after the Israel-based networking services provider reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $110,000, or a penny a share, down from $2.35 million, or 12 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Excluding stock-based compensation, profit came in at 16 cents a share compared with 47 cents a share last year. Revenue rose to $21.09 million from $21.04 million.
Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE:SNY - News) was in focus following a report that the company could merge with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY - News). Lettre de l'Expansion, a weekly French newsletter, said a pre-merger memorandum has even been signed last week, La Lettre de l'Expansion also reported, adding the merger could be finalized by September this year. Both Sanofi-Aventis and Bristol-Myers declined to comment on the report.
Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE:SGP - News) said fourth-quarter net income for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $182 million, or 12 cents a share, from $104 million, or 7 cents a share in the year-ago period. The latest period includes charges of 5 cents a share. Sales rose 14% to $2.7 billion. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial forecast earnings of 17 cents a share and revenue of $2.5 billion, on average.
Sysco Corp. (NYSE:SYY - News) said its second-quarter net income rose 16% to $236.7 million, or 38 cents a share, from $204.2 million, or 33 cents a share, a year earlier, boosted by business reviews and marketing efforts. The Houston food-service marketing and distribution company said Monday that sales for the quarter ended Dec. 30, rose 7.5% to $8.57 billion from $7.97 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, had expected earnings of 38 cents a share on revenue of $8.6 billion.
USG Corp. (NYSE:USG - News) swung to a fourth-quarter profit of $100 million, or $1.11 a share, from a year-ago loss of $1.78 billion, or $30.92 a share, as the year-ago period was hurt by an asbestos claims provision of $3.1 billion. In the latest period, the company had 90.1 million shares outstanding while in the year-ago period it had 57.6 million shares outstanding. The Chicago-based building-products company said sales fell 3.1% to $1.29 billion from $1.34 billion in the year-ago period. The company expects lower wallboard volumes and lower average prices in 2007 which will cause profit to decline "significantly" from the levels of recent years.
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