Jim Cramer Blog

Bullish calls:
Vodafone (VOD): 'You know I like VOD!... It's part of my European invasion... ' Verizon (VZ): 'Ivan Seidenberg [CEO]... why have you been hiding? Why don't you come on the show? You know I love you... I do. I think he's fabulous.' Unilever (UN) Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI): 'I think the merger happens in the first quarter. I've been recommending this stock since $2.75 … you're going to get $6, when the deal comes across... At $6 bucks, then we're done.' Hologic (HOLX): 'This one is - buy, buy, buy! - my absolute favorite right now, when it comes to diagnostics. It was knocked down a couple of points because of that financing..' FCStone Group (FCSX): 'It's just unbelievable how good FCSX turned out to be, and I'm sorry that I gave it just a trade, and not an investment.' Best Buy (BBY): 'BBY is best in show.' Costco (COST): 'I like BBY. Not as much, though, as I like 52-week high, Costco!' Sonic (SONC): 'But SONC is in there buying back stock. It's a regional-to-national store chain. I reiterate that I like that stock very much!' Diamond Offshore (DO): 'Maybe you take a little off the table, but that is some great company!' Transocean (RIG): 'I don't like [Diamond Offshore] as much as I like Transocean.'
Bearish calls:
Broadcom (BRCM): 'No way, no way... sell, sell, sell! BRCM is just challenged.' LHC Group (LHCG): 'I 'm not a believer in that business.' Qualcomm (QCOM) Centex(CTX)
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: BBY, BRCM, COST, CTX, DO, FCSX, HOLX, Jim Cramer, LHCG, Lightning Round, Mad Money, QCOM, RIG, SIRI, SONC, UN, VOD, VZ

Bullish
Morningstar (MORN),
Blackstone (BX),
Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB),
Sonic (SONC),
Cisco (CSCO),
Motorola (MOT),
Nokia (NOK),
EMC (EMC)
Caterpillar (CAT).

Bearish
Netgear (NTGR)
Infosys Technologies (INFY),
Audiovox (VOXX),
VMware (VMW),
Clearwire (CLWR)
Alvarion (ALVR).

Labels: BX, CAT, CSCO, EMC, FITB, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money Lightning Round, MORN, MOT, NOK, SONC

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
CarMax (NYSE:KMX) should announce $0.30 EPS when the company reports on Wednesday morning. KMX's PowerRating is 5.
When Circuit City (NYSE:CC) reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday morning, be watching for -$0.32 EPS. CC's PowerRating is 5.
Analysts are watching for Commercial Metals (NYSE:CMC) to report $0.79 EPS on Wednesday morning. CMC's PowerRating is 5.
FedEx (NYSE:FDX) should report $1.98 EPS before the market opens on Wednesday. FDX's PowerRating is 4.
Watch for Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) to report $2.01 EPS before the bell tomorrow morning. MS's PowerRating is 6.
Access Integrated (NasdaqGM:AIXD) reports earnings on Wednesday before the bell; watch for -$0.24 EPS. AIXD does not have a PowerRating due to volume constraints.
Sonic Corporation (NasdaqGS:SONC) reports after the close on Wednesday, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. SONC's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AIXD, CC, CMC, FDX, Hot Stocks, KMX, MS, SONC

Buy Back Stock, Get Taken Over: Cigna (NYSE: CI), Sonic (NasdaqGS: SONC), United Stationers (NasdaqGS: USTR)
Cramer observed an interesting fact about takeovers; out of 14 companies which bought back a minimum of 17% of their stock last year, four were taken over. Although four out of 14 may not be an impressive figure at first glance, Cramer comments finding a takeover is like winning the lottery. Companies who buy back stock agressively are keen to increase their own value; "Any company buying back 17% or more of its shares doesn't need to be public." Cramer devoted the program to discussing potential takeover targets with generous buybacks. He gave a passing mention to CI, which is repurchasing stock, although he has covered the company already, and SONC, which he did not discuss because he is concerned about consumer spending. His first featured stock was office products wholesaler USTR, which has a buyback level of 20% and is a "primo" takeover target. He adds the company has a "good margin expansion story" and is currently covered by only three analysts.
On the Brinks (NYSE: BCO)
Brinks bought back 21% of its stock in 2006, and Cramer comments companies like BCO don't "just shrink the float -- they devour it." One segment of the company produces armored cars and the other manufactures security alarms, and BCO could split itself in two or could be bought. Cramer notes BCO is paying off its debts as aggressively as it is buying back stock.

The Skinny on Weight Watchers (NYSE: WTW)
Cramer's favorite stock on Monday was WTW, not only because obesity is a hot issue, but because it has among the most "voracious" buybacks he has ever seen along with a generous cash flow. He adds WTW is a "tremendous" brand, has a good business model, strong licensing and online businesses, and a satisfying quarterly report. Cramer predicts if WTW doesn't get bought, it could take itself private; "takeover or no takeover, Weight Watchers is a buy," Cramer said.
CEO Interview: Peter Georgiopoulos, CEO and Chairman of General Maritime (NYSE: GMR), Chairman of Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE: GNK), and Chairman of Aegean Marine Petroleum (NYSE: ANW)
When Cramer asked why Peter Georgiopoulos wears so many hats, he replied that while it would be simpler to consolidate the three companies, shareholders prefer to be invested in a specific market; "we think we'll get a better valuation for a pure play." Georgiopoulos notes GMR is up 40% since December and has a fixed $2 dividend in the works. Cramer said Georgiopoulos " is the guy I'm sticking with."
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ANW, BCO, CI, GMR, GNK, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, SONC, USTR, WTW

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

Sonic Automotive Inc. (NYSE:SAH - News) said Tuesday its fourth-quarter earnings from continuing operations rose to $28.4 million, or 63 cents a share, from $26.7 million, or 61 cents, a year earlier. The average earnings estimate of eight analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial was 60 cents a share. The Charlotte, N.C., automotive retailer said revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $1.96 billion from $1.84 billion.
Sonic Corp. (NasdaqGS:SONC - News) said it expects fiscal second-quarter earnings to come in at the low end of its previous forecast of 9 cents to 10 cents a share. The Oklahoma City-based restaurant chain also said it expects systemwide same-store sale to be near or slightly below the low end of its target range of a 2% to 4% increase.
Symantec Corp. (NasdaqGS:SYMC - News) said that its security and data management group president, Jeremy Burton, left the company.
Target Corp. (NYSE:TGT - News) said its fourth-quarter profit jumped 19%, helped by robust holiday sales, new store expansion, and its credit card operations.
Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:THC - News) said Tuesday its fourth-quarter loss widened to $386 million, or 82 cents a share, from a loss of $286 million, or 61 cents, a year earlier. The average estimated loss of 18 analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial was 4 cents a share. The Dallas company said revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 rose 2.6% to $2.18 billion from $2.12 billion.
Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (NasdaqGM:THLD - News) Phase III trial of glufosfamide didn't show significant improvement in overall survival among metastatic pancreatic cancer patients.
United Rentals Inc.'s (NYSE:URI - News) fourth-quarter net income rose 8.2% as revenue rose 5.5% to $939 million.
USEC Inc.'s (NYSE:USU - News) shares slipped after the Bethesda, Md.-based energy company late Monday reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $40.1 million, or 46 cents a share, vs. $29.6 million, or 34 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue fell to $544.2 million from $549.7 million. USEC forecast a 2007 loss of $10 million to $20 million on revenue of $1.86 billion.
Vornado Realty Trust (NYSE:VNO - News) said Tuesday its fourth-quarter funds from operations rose to $211.8 million, or $1.34 a share, from $194.1 million, or $1.26. a year earlier. The Paramus, N.J., real-estate investment trust said net income for the three months ended Dec. 31, fell to $105.4 million, or 69 cents a share, or $105.7 million, 71 cents, a year earlier.
Warnaco Group Inc.'s (NasdaqGS:WRNC - News) fourth-quarter net income nearly tripled to $18.9 million, or 41 cents a share, as the New York apparel company's revenue grew 36% to $480.6 million.
Washington Group International Inc. (NasdaqGS:WGII - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $28.9 million, or 95 cents a share, up 42%. Revenue at the Boise, Idaho, provider of design, engineering and construction services was $855.3 million vs. $899.4 million.
WebSideStory Inc.'s (NasdaqGM:WSSI - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss of 7 cents a share, from profit of 28 cents a share, a year earlier. The San Diego provider of on-demand digital marketing and customer analysis applications said revenue increased 55% to $18.2 million.
Xerox Corp. (NYSE:XRX - News) cut its first-quarter earnings estimate to account for restructuring charges at its 25%-held Fuji Xerox.

Labels: SAH, SONC, SYMC, TGT, THC, THLD, URI, USU, VNO, WGII, WRNC, WSSI, XRX

With only two days left in Santas officially sanctioned rally, much of that bull has already been put to rest. For the abbreviated and suspect work week, the NASDAQ Composite ($COMPQ) and S&P500 ($SPX) saw fit to tack on another .60% thereabouts and onto their existing yearly and not-so-ruff gainers of 10% to 14%.There were no Monday morning marriage agreements this past week, seeing how the home offices were closed for the holiday. However, the market did kick things off on the right foot Tuesday. Handily lower oil prices (USO) on a discounting of idle supply threats from Iran and mild weather on the east coast [down -2.40% on week] helped traders along with profit-engine leadership from the energy sector. The bulls had further help in a no headlines required situation, as an existing and well-positioned technical bounce and seasonal window were gifts left for Wall Streeters still watching the flickering red and green lights. Wednesday offered up some pleasant surprises with light fare M & A stories from Cenveo (CVO) and McClatchy (MNI), continued weakness in crude and the bottom is in cheer on the housing front (XHB). All told, the fodder was sufficient to keep the bulls happy for a second session of upside seasonal gifts. Call it a case of investor indigestion, schnitzeling or perhaps concern over what really matters in the investment decision: Thursday and Friday saw the few remaining investors, pressuring ever-so-slightly, Santas window of opportunity. In the weeks heaviest dose of economic realities, Thursdays better-than-expected economic reports were also apparently seen as the stronger-than-wanted variety. Call it a Catch-22 situation for market bulls intent on the Fed lowering rates in early 2007. That said, surprises pointing to a steadier economy courtesy of the Chicago PMI, existing home sales, weekly claims and a happy consumer resulted in across-the-board spikes on interest rate instruments and a definitive change of tune towards the possibility of the Fed easing its monetary policy. Speaking of investors changing their tune, closing out the week and a day without one iota of economic news, Apple (AAPL) received a tune up of sorts with more than a few folks doing more than just listening in. After two sessions of nefarious stock-option headlines that involved the man behind the music, Steve Jobs & Co. reached an agreement with the Feds. Apple announced that while Mr. Jobs did recommend favorable grants for a few key executives back in 2001, that he didnt personally partake in the inflated gratuities. As such, the company agreed to take an $84 million charge linked to the prior accounting mishap and the SEC, for their part, might have to go search for another high-profile whipping boy.
ON TAP THIS WEEK
The abbreviated work week of just three sessions will be a fairly busy one for economic watchdogs. Manufacturing on the national level courtesy of the ISM index will kick off the New Year for investors. With mixed regional reports of late and the index currently at the contraction/expansion level of 50, a reading removed from that key level will have the capacity to induce further rate debates amongst bulls and bears. The most important report however, or at least heralded, will be Fridays jobs data. Both the speed at which the slowdown is occurring, as well as possible wage-based inflation pressures will be the focus of the release and a Street torn as to what might be better for 2007s market-based Drive for Five.
Wednesday Economic: Construction Spend (-.6%), ISM Index (50), Auto / Truck Sales (5.2M, 7.3M) Earnings: Immucor (BLUD), Sonic (SONC), Merix (MERX)
Thursday Economic: Weekly Claims (318K), Factory Orders (1.4%), ISM Services (57) Earnings: Monsanto (MON), Texas Industries (TXI), Constellation Brands (STZ), Healthways (HWAY), Xyratex (XRTX)FridayEconomic: Nonfarm (110K), Unemployment (4.5%), Hourly Wages (.3%)Earnings: Shaw Group (SGR), Global Payment (GPN)
By Chris Tyler, Optionetics.com

Labels: AAPL, BLUD, CVO, GPN, HWAY, MERX, MNI, MON, SGR, SONC, SPX, STZ, TXI, USO, XHB, XRTX

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
The NYSE and Nasdaq will be closed on Tuesday, January 2, in honor of Gerald Ford.
Immucor (NASDAQ:BLUD - News) announces earnings on Wednesday afternoon, with analysts looking for $0.18 EPS. BLUD's PowerRating is 5.
Sonic (NASDAQ:SONC - News) reports quarterly earnings on Wednesday afternoon; watch for $0.19 EPS. SONC's PowerRating is 5.
InterVoice (NASDAQ:INTV - News) announces earnings on Wednesday after the close; look for $0.04 EPS.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL - News) announced that the company was aware of CEO Steve Jobs' options deal, but that the deal was legal and Jobs did not benefit. AAPL's PowerRating is 8.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (NYSE:GT - News) announced a 3-year deal with the United Steelworkers union, which will save the company about $300 million a year. GT's PowerRating is 4.
It was reported that Marsh & McLennan (NYSE:MMC - News) agreed to sell its Putnam Investments money-management unit for $3.9 billion. MMC's PowerRating is 5.
AT&T (NYSE:T - News) agreed to more government concessions in its takeover of BellSouth, which would be the largest telecommunications merger in U.S. history. T's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AAPL, BLUD, GT, Hot Stocks, INTV, MMC, SONC, T