Jim Cramer Blog

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and is 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.
Altria Group (NYSE:MO - News) & Vodafone (NYSE:VOD - News). MO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6, and VOD's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Hormel Foods (NYSE:HRL - News). HRL'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.
Merck (NYSE:MRK - News). MRK's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Stocks Down 10% or More: These are stocks that have lost 10% or more over the past five days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that have lost 10% or more over the past five days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Deere (NYSE:DE - News). DE's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Bearish
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.
Applied Materials (NasdaqGS:AMAT - News). AMAT's PowerRatings (for Traders) is 3.
Stocks Up 10% or More: These are stocks that have gained 10% or more over the past five days and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that have gained 10% or more over the past five days have shown negative returns, on average, 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Big Lots (NYSE:BIG - News). BIG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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Labels: AMAT, BIG, DE, HRL, MRK, Trading Ideas, VOD

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
Vodafone (VOD),
Annaly Capital Management (NLY), thinks that interest rates will be cut tomorrow, and this company will benefit.
Perry Ellis International (PERY),
NexCen Brands (NEXC), would rather recommend it on Friday.
Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH),
Synchronoss Technologies (SNCR), Cramer is bullish
ValueClick (VCLK), Cramer thinks it is valuable to many large internet companies, and that it will be bought out by the end of the year, so he is bullish.
Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG), Research In Motion (RIMM)- Bullish on all three.
Furmanite Corporation (FRM), bullish on this infrastructure play.
Foster Wheeler (FWLT),
Altria (MO)
Colgate-Palmolive (CL).

Bearish
J2 Global Communications (JCOM)- "Don't Buy."
3SBio (SSRX), Cramer is sticking to his Four Horsemen of China
Vimpel-Communications (VIP), stay away from this stock.
E-House (China) Holdings (EJ), China is too hot to speculate in this stock.
ConAgra Foods (CAG), Cramer can't recommend this stock.
Synaptics (SYNA)- Cramer doesn't want to touch this stock.
Procter & Gamble (PG)- would rather have you in Colgate (CL).

Labels: AAPL, CNBC, FRM, GOOG, Lightning Round, Mad Money Lightning Round, NEXC, NLY, PERY, PVH, RIMM, SNCR, VCLK, VOD

Thornburg Mortgage (NYSE: TMA - News), Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM - News), Lehman Brothers (NYSE: LEH - News), KB Home (NYSE: KBH - News), Beazer Homes USA (NYSE: BZH - News), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG - News), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO - News), and Colgate (NYSE: CL - News)
Cramer predicts around 7 million "teaser" mortgages are likely to be defaulted and recommends "staying defensive," by avoiding real estate and bank stocks such as TMA, WM, LEH, KBH and BZH and investing in soft goods such as PG, KO and CL. While the Fed thinks mortgage woes will pass, Cramer still believes the Fed should cut rates.
Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP - News)
Cramer thinks SGP is an excellent stock for the current environment and notes sales are up 13% since last year. He adds the company is not leveged to mortgaes and he believes in Fred Hassan, who was one of Cramer's transformational CEOs. He would wait until buying SGP, and while the current economic climate is not good, "we have no control on what the Fed will do," Cramer said.
Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News),Verizon Wireless (NYSE: VZ - News)
VOD is a good international play and the world's best wireless carrier. Cramer thinks VOD will raise more revenues than the competition, owns a "serious chunk" of VZ, is successful in emerging economies and has a strong dividend.
CEO Interview: Jack Cumming, Hologic (NasdaqGS: HOLX - News) with Cytyc (NasdaqGS: CYTC - News)
Jack Cumming talked about the upcoming merger with CYTC, which will mean $400 million to $50o million in EBITDA and nine top women's health products. Cumming added the company can afford the acquisition and there is no financial risk.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: BZH, CL, CYTC, HOLX, Jim Cramer, KBH, KO, LEH, Mad Money, PG, SGP, TMA, VOD, VZ, WM

Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC): 'I like APC. They loaded the boat up with properties. They still have to pay down some things.'XTO Energy (NYSE: XTO): 'I think APC is good, but I think that XTO rocks the boat, and will beat APC - in the long term race - to $100.'URS (NYSE: URS): 'They finally did something. They bought Washington Group. They got it cheaply, and the stock is, at last, on the move ... Buy, buy, buy! ... Washington is historically not a great operator. But at least there is a pulse at URS.'Level 3 Communications (NasdaqGS: LVLT): 'LVLT is going to sink or swim on the fundies. I think the fundies are good. I want to back up the truck in the mid $5s... 'Olin (NYSE: OLN): ' OLN did not buy Pioneer, they stole Pioneer! ... OLN's on the move... They suddenly have religion. Buy, buy, buy!'Carmike Cinemas (CKE): 'This is the one to play. I would sell the others and buy that one, and that's new information from me.'General Maritime (NYSE: GMR): 'Peter Georgiopolous, CEO and founder of GMR is the guy we back... He spent a lot of money buying back stock. He's got the safest yield. That's who we're going with.'Edison International (NYSE: EIX): 'EIX is one of the great... The utilities had an unbelievable bull market, but that's just one of the effects of the utilities... they're reorganized, they're terrific.'Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED)Dominion (NYSE: D)Cisco (NasdaqGS: CSCO): 'This is a stock that is growing at 15% that has a 20x multiple ... It just didn't say the right things on the conference call ... Let's buy some CSCO here.'Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM): 'The only stock I'm recommending over there [Japanese Market] is Toyota Motor, and even that's stalledthat's stalled. Although I do like that, and I own it for my charitable trust, and I continue to buy that stock.'Vodafone (NYSE: VOD): 'I'm going to send you to Vodafone after that beautiful quarter. VOD's got growth.'Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ): 'You know I'm a backer of WMT down here... Good article about China and WMT in The Wall Street Journal.'
Bearish calls:
Stratasys (NasdaqGS: SSYS): 'Computer-aided design and automation for semiconductors. No thank you. I want you to take your money and run there. Sell, sell, sell!'Ultra Clean Holdings (NasdaqGS: UCTT): 'No ... if the semiconductor capital equipment business is in bear market mode, I don't want to touch it.'DivX (NasdaqGM: DIVX): 'We are not going back to DIVX. Sell, sell, sell! 'American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO): 'AEO is too hard for me, my friend ... I am strictly going to put it in the 'don't buy' category.'Cinemark (NYSE: CNK - News)Regal Entertainment (NYSE: RGC)Nippon Telegraph & Telephone (NYSE: NTT): 'I don't like the Japanese market at all... NTT does not have growth.'

Labels: AEO, CNK, CSCO, DIVX, ED, EIX, GMR, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LVLT, Mad Money, OLN, RGC, SSYS, TM, UCTT, URS, VOD, WMT, XTO

Wall Street eked out a modest gain Tuesday as investors, wary about the upcoming release of the Federal Reserve minutes, bought cautiously amid a series of new takeover deals and upbeat consumer confidence figures.
Stocks drew support from news that a consortium of banks led by Royal Bank of Scotland PLC said it will bid 71.1 billion euros, or $95.5 billion, for the Netherlands' ABN Amro, besting an offer from Barclays PLC. Other takeover news included an announcement that Tishman Speyer Properties and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. are buying Archstone-Smith Trust for at least $13.5 billion.
But trading was erratic with the minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting scheduled to be released Wednesday. The minutes could provide some insight into future interest rate moves. Wall Street also digested strong consumer confidence data, and a report on housing prices. According to preliminary calculations, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 14.06, or 0.10 percent, to 13,521.34.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 2.38, or 0.16 percent, to 1,518.11, while the Nasdaq composite index gained 14.87, or 0.58 percent, to 2,572.06.

Labels: ASN, BCS, LEH, URS, VOD, XOM

Wall Street backtracked Tuesday to trade mixed, after excitement waned over new takeover deals and resilient consumer confidence and investors decided to play it safe ahead of upcoming data.
A sharp decline in oil prices also dampened energy company stocks and weighed on the Dow Jones industrial average, which had risen more than 50 points early in the day and later turned lower.
Initially, stocks rose after a consortium of banks led by Royal Bank of Scotland PLC said it will bid 71.1 billion euros, or $95.5 billion, for the Netherlands' ABN Amro, besting an offer from Barclays PLC. Other takeover news included an announcement that Tishman Speyer Properties and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. are buying Archstone-Smith Trust for at least $13.5 billion.
But with the minutes from the Federal Reserve's last meeting scheduled to be released Wednesday, a report that could provide some insight into future interest rate moves, investors pulled back. Wall Street also digested strong consumer confidence data, and a report on housing prices. By midafternoon trading, the Dow slipped 18.37, or 0.14 percent, to 13,488.91. The blue-chip index has fallen for the fifth time in six sessions.
Broader stock indicators were mixed. The Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 0.76, or 0.05 percent, to 1,514.97, while the Nasdaq composite index added 7.32, or 0.29 percent, to 2,564.51.
Bonds fell after the consumer confidence data, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rising to 4.88 percent from 4.86 percent late Friday. Yields have remained higher in recent sessions as fixed-income investors bet the Fed won't lower rates in the near future. On Tuesday, the consumer appeared strong; the Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index rose to 108.0 in May, up from a revised 106.3 in April and above the average analyst estimate. Also, the Dallas and Chicago Federal Reserves both reported expansions in regional manufacturing activity.
But the housing sector looked weak after the Standard & Poor's housing index indicated that U.S. home prices declined 1.4 percent in the first quarter compared to a year ago, the first time since 1991 that prices posted a quarterly drop. U.S. retail gasoline prices have eased slightly from their record high of $3.227 a gallon, on average, but remained high Tuesday at $3.201, according to AAA. Crude oil futures plunged $2.05 to $63.15 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
In response, Exxon Mobil Corp., one of the 30 Dow components, fell $1.33, or 1.6 percent, to $82.18.
After it was reported that Archstone was being bought, the stock rose $5.60, or 10 percent, to $60.83.
In other takeover news, The Wall Street Journal said technology retailer CDW Corp. and telecommunications equipment company Avaya Inc. are private equity takeover targets. Avaya rose $1.99, or 14.5 percent, to $15.66, and CDW rose $7.17, or 9.5 percent, to $82.73.
And late Monday, engineering and construction company URS Corp. said it will buy competitor Washington Group International for $2.6 billion. Washington Group rose $11.93, or 17 percent, to $81.90, and URS rose $2.41, or 5.1 percent, to $49.30.
The technology sector, which has been weaker than the rest of the stock market in recent months, got a boost Tuesday after Vodafone Group PLC said it narrowed its full-year loss. U.S. shares of the world's biggest mobile phone company rose $1.10, or 3.7 percent, to $31.66.
Bookseller Borders Group Inc. is scheduled to release first-quarter results Tuesday after the markets close. Borders fell 15 cents to $23.26.
Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by about 3 to 2 on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.11 billion shares.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies was up 5.30, or 0.64 percent, at 835.23.
The dollar slipped against other major currencies, and gold prices climbed.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average rose 0.48 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.55 percent, Germany's DAX index was up 0.54 percent, and France's CAC-40 was down 0.25 percent.

Source: AP

Labels: ASN, AV, BCS, CDWC, LEH, URS, VOD, XOM

Stocks traded aimlessly again today as investors waited for the start of earnings season, which traditionally kicks off with an announcement from aluminum producer Alcoa (NYSE: AA - News). The major market averages all managed to post modest gains. Oil prices were also higher, as was the 10-year Treasury note, which saw its yield drop to 4.72%.
Housing was once again in the spotlight as homebuilder D.R Horton (NYSE: DHI - News) announced that is Q2 sales orders fell 37% overall, paced by even steeper declines in the formerly booming California and the Southwest markets. The company's net orders totaled 9,983 homes, down from 15,771 homes last year. Horton's Q2 ended March 31st. The stock closed -1.5% lower.
In corporate news, Swedish telecom equipment maker LM Ericsson (Nasdaq: ERIC - News) signed a deal to manage a portion of the European network of Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News). Ericsson's shares added 3.6% on the news. Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) was up 1.6% as investors waited for the results of its long-anticipated cost review. Generic drugmaker Mylan Laboratories (NYSE: MYL - News) rose 2.8% after it raised its 2007 profit forecast to a range of $1.60 to $1.63 a share, up from its previous guidance of $1.50 to $1.55 per share. Mylan cited strength in its generics business, including new product launches, for its upbeat forecast.
The flip side of the drug business was exemplified by biopharmaceutical company Adolor (Nasdaq: ADLR - News), which saw its shares plunge -58.7% after it announced that it stopped a study of a new drug to treat opioid-induced (OIC) constipation over safety concerns. The drug, Entereg, was being developed in association with British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK - News). Several analysts swiftly issued downgrades for Adolor, while Brean Murray Carret reiterated its "sell" recommendation. Progenics Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: PGNX - News), which submitted its own OIC compound for FDA approval last Friday along with partner Wyeth (NYSE: WYE - News), added 1.5% today.
Shares of ImClone Systems (Nasdaq: IMCL - News) also slid -6.4% on poor trial results. The company said a late-stage trial of its cancer drug Erbitux failed to extend survival in patients with pancreatic cancer. Erbitux is already approved for treatment of colorectal cancer, and head and neck cancer.
In M&A news, Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News) said it will enter merger talks with Inverness Medical Innovations (NYSE: IMA - News), which last week offered $90 a share for the maker of medical diagnostic tests. IMA's bid topped an earlier offer from Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News) of $85. All three companies are in the business of making medical test products.

Labels: AA, ADLR, BEC, BSTE, C, DHI, ERIC, GSK, IMA, IMCL, MYL, PGNX, VOD, WYE

A weaker-than-expected government report on new home sales, plus some profit taking after last week's consistent advance, pressured stocks for much of the day before buyers returned in the afternoon। When trading stopped, the Nasdaq composite and S&P 500 indexes posted slight gains, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average recouped most of 100-plus point drop it recorded earlier in the day. The 10-year Treasury note inched higher, shaving 2 basis points off the yield. Crude oil advanced.
The markets were rattled at the open by the Commerce Department's report on new home sales, which fell by -3.9% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 848,000. Wall Street expected sales to increase 6.7%. The drop followed a -15.8% plunge in January. The median home price dipped to $250,000 and inventories grew. The disappointing results were in contrast to a report last week that showed sales of existing homes rose last month by the sharpest rate in three years.
In market news, Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) announced plans to cut up to 15,000 jobs as part of its efforts to refocus its business on growth opportunities overseas. The shares slipped on the news. See our earlier story for additional details. On the technology front, PC-maker Dell (Nasdaq: DELL - News) added 3.5% on positive comments and an upgrade from Goldman Sachs, which suggested the company will start to see positive returns from its restructuring efforts over the next 12 to 18 months. Goldman raised its rating on Dell to "buy."
Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT - News), meanwhile, was up after the company announced that Vista was selling briskly. According to a company statement posted on its website, during the first month of its wide release to the public, sales of Vista "exceeded 20 million licenses, more than doubling the initial pace of sales for its predecessor, Windows XP."
Shares of telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU - News) gained 3.4% after the company announced it had signed a three-year, $6 billion contract to upgrade the Verizon Wireless network. The wireless operator's owners closed mixed, with Verizon (NYSE: VZ - News) declining and Vodafone Group (NYSE: VOD - News) posting a modest gain.
One of the day's sharpest gains was recorded by Biosite (Nasdaq: BSTE - News), which jumped 51.3% on news that it has agreed to be acquired by Beckman Coulter (NYSE: BEC - News). Both companies are in the business of developing diagnostic medical tests. Beckman Coulter said the Biosite management team would remain following the merger. Biosite's products include tests used to detect conditions such as cancer and congestive heart failure.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: ALU, BEC, BSTE, C, DELL, MSFT, VOD, VZ

Bullish calls:
Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF - News): 'Cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap! This is an iron pellet company, and there is a worldwide shortage of iron ... I believe that CLF - if it does not get the stock higher - will be purchased by another company - buy buy buy!'Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News): 'I think the 3% yield, plus the incredible assets it has in Europe yields a buy, and I would buy the stock.'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): 'I've got the CELG at $55.'Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ)Infosys Technologies (NasdaqGS: INFY): 'You know that's one of my favorite outsourcing companies! Now there are a lot of people who won't want to put money in Bangalor... I think those people are short-sighted.'Accenture (NYSE: ACN - News): ' ... you could always do ACN, ahead of next week's quarter, which I think will be good.'Six Flags (NYSE: SIX - News): 'They reported a quarter that everyone said was bad. And did the stock blink an eye? Absolutely not. I am with you. I believe the comparisons will be really easy for SIX. Pull the trigger my friend.'Sun Microsystems (NasdaqGS: SUNW): 'I think SUNW is okay. This is a new position for me. I have historically disliked SUNW... At $6 bucks, I don't know... enough hate is enough. They've got a new CEO. They've got a KKR shareholder. I think there's a lot of ways to win. $1 down, $3 up.'Indevus Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: IDEV): 'I recommended IDEV... and it is still ramping... but it's a little $6 stock, so I'm not going to push it hard here. They've got a lot of compounds... I would take a shot. It's a flyer. It's a speculative name.'Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL): 'If it's going to $100 and beyond, I don't think $93 is a bad level, but let's do it this way: Let's buy 25 shares, with the hope it comes in so we can get our 100 shares in... I think iPhone is going to be gigantic. 'Amgen (NasdaqGS: AMGN): 'I say buy it here with a minimum risk/reward. Maybe even do it in deep-in-the-money in options.'
Bearish calls:
Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX - News): ' We pulled the trigger, and told people to sell at $18, and I am not changing my mind. I still don't like BSX, even down here at $15. Sell, sell, sell!'Baidu.com (NasdaqGM: BIDU): 'I can never trust the communist Chinese communists to allow a free-speech internet to be able to prosper... which is why I refuse to endorse BIDU. Don't buy, don't buy.'Pozen (NasdaqGM: POZN): ' Too dicey, ever since they did that migraine game... I've got the CELG at $55. That's better. I like the GILD better too. And let's not forget GENZ!Nokia (NYSE: NOK - News): 'NOK is falling apart.'Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News): 'MOT is competely and utterly just (house of pain)।'
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Labels: AAPL, ACN, BIDU, BSX, CLF, IDEV, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MOT, NOK, SIX, SUNW, VOD

LCA-Vision Inc. (NasdaqGS:LCAV - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $7.1 million, or 34 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $6.6 million, or 30 cents a share. Revenue jumped 26% in the latest three months to $58.8 million from $46.8 million a year ago. The Cincinnati-based provider of laser vision correction services also said it's increased its quarterly dividend by 50% to 18 cents a share from 12 cents. Looking ahead, LCA-Vision forecast earnings of $2.05 to $2.15 a share for 2007 on revenue growth of 20% to 25%.
Lions Gate (NYSE:LGF - News) reported third-quarter net earnings of $20.5 million, or 17 cents a share, compared with $3.14 million, or 3 cents a share, in the same period last year, driven by revenue from the company's "Saw III" and "Employee of the Month" films.
Loews Corp. (NYSE:LTR - News) reported consolidated net income of $746.5 million, or $1.11 a share, for the fourth quarter, up from a year-ago equivalent profit of $127.6 million, or 8 cents a share. This performance includes contributions from both Loews Group and Carolina Group, whose net income rose to $137.1 million, or $1.26 per Carolina Group share, in the quarter, from $81.6 million, or $1.11 a share, a year earlier. On a continuing operations basis, Loews earned $633.4 million, or $1.15 per share, in the latest quarter. Loews attributed its higher earnings to improved results at CNA Financial , its 89%-owned subsidiary, and Diamond Offshore Drilling , its 54%-owned subsidiary.
Municipal Mortgage & Equity LLC (NYSE:MMA - News) said it knows of no reason why recent trading in the stock has resulted in a decrease in price. Since Monday, shares of the real estate debt and equity financing concern have dropped almost 15%. MuniMae management noted that it is not engaged in sub-prime or any other single family mortgage lending activities, and that its outlook for the multifamily rental sector is positive.
Novelis was in focus after the company agreed to be acquired by Hindalco Industries Ltd. in a deal worth $6 billion, including debt assumption. The consideration values Novelis at $44.93 a share.
OmniVision (NasdaqGS:OVTI - News) unveiled a 5.17 megapixel auto-focus camera module for mobile handsets based on its OV5623 CameraChip sensor. The company also unveiled its TrueFocus camera with Wavefront Coding technology for the mobile handset market.
Onyx Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:ONXX - News) soared after the company and Bayer (NYSE:BAY - News) said a Phase 3 trial of Nexavar to treat advanced liver cancer was closed early due to a positive outcome. Bayer and Onyx will stop the trial and allow all patients enrolled in this trial access to Nexavar. Given that there are limited approved systemic therapies for this disease, the companies will continue discussions with health authorities worldwide, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European health authorities regarding the next steps in filing for approval for the treatment in advanced liver cancer. Nexavar is currently approved in nearly 50 countries, including the United States and in the European Union, for the treatment of patients with advanced kidney cancer.
Shares of Panera Bread Co. (NasdaqGS:PNRA - News) edged higher after Raymond James upgraded the bakery-café chain to strong buy from outperform, citing valuation. The company reported Friday fourth-quarter earnings that rose over year-earlier levels but fell shy of expectations, according to Thomson Financial, and provided an outlook that was slightly below forecasts. Analyst Bryan Elliott noted that the stock traded up most of the day before turning lower at the close. "We believe that that this reflects intermediate and longer-term capital that has been on the sideline waiting for 2007 guidance to be released," Elliott said in a research note. "We believe there is sufficient interest from this class of investor to keep Panera Bread under accumulation for at least the next several months."
R.H. Donnelly (NYSE:RHD - News) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at J.P. Morgan.
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD - News) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at Wachovia Securities. The firm cited expectations about the benefits of recent acquisitions.
Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV - News) was upgraded to outperform at Bear Stearns.
Triple Crown Media Inc. (NasdaqGM:TCMI - News) said it swung to a fiscal second-quarter net profit of $418,000, or 8 cents a share. The company, which owns and operates local newspapers and runs a collegiate marketing business offering sports marketing services, reported a loss of $802,000 or 16 cents a share in the year-earlier quarter. Revenue for the quarter jumped to $48.1 million from $12.3 million, driven by the acquisition of the marketing business from Bull Run Corp.
Vodafone Group (NYSE:VOD - News) agreed to acquire Hutchison Telecom's (NYSE:HTX - News) 67% stake in Indian mobile operator Hutchison Essar for $11.1 billion and the assumption of $2 billion in debt.
WCI Communities (NYSE:WCI - News) said it's retained Goldman Sachs to assist it in identifying ways to increase shareholder value. The Bonita Springs, Fla. homebuilder said that it expects to generate $1 billion in free cash flow in 2007, and will look at asset sales to help reduce debt. Once the balance sheet is improved, the company will review strategic alternatives, including possible share repurchases are a sale of the company.
Witness Systems' (NasdaqGS:WITS - News) shares rallied after the company agreed to be acquired by Verint Systems (Other OTC:VRNT.PK - News), a unit of Comverse Technology (Other OTC:CMVT.PK - News), for $27.50 a share, or roughly $950 million.
Zoltek Cos. (NasdaqGM:ZOLT - News) shares rose after the St. Louis-based materials reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $5.66 million, or 23 cents a share. The quarter included a charge of $8.4 million related to convertible debt and warrant issuances. In the same quarter last year, the company posted net earnings of $6.29 million, or 3 cents a share. Revenue rose to $30.3 million from $15.6 million.
Published By Michael Baron of MarketWatch

Labels: BAY, CMVT, HTX, LCAV, LGF, LTR, LUV, MMA, ONXX, OVTI, PNRA, RHD, SFD, TCMI, VOD, VRNT, WCI, WITS, ZOLT

Omnifone, a British mobile music company, is unveiling a new music service Monday aimed at cell phone users who crave music while on the go, in the first of what is expected to be many challenges against Apple Inc.'s upcoming iPhone and its ubiquitous iTunes Store.
The London-based company, founded in 2003, said its new MusicStation will be an "all you can eat" service that will let users -- in Europe first, but with plans to expand elsewhere -- download new songs from dozens of major music labels for a weekly cost starting at 1.99 pounds, or about $3.88, per week.
"The launch of MusicStation heralds the next generation mobile music experience for the hundreds of millions of mobile phone subscribers worldwide who want a simple, easy-to-use digital music experience," Omnifone Chief Executive Rob Lewis said.
"MusicStation will give users of any music-capable mobile phone the ability to legally access, download and enjoy an unlimited amount of music, from a global music catalog supported by the music industry, all for a small weekly fee, wherever they are."
Set to debut in Europe and Asia this year, Omnifone said it signed partnerships with 23 mobile network operators with a customer base of 690 million subscribers in 40 countries.
The first major operators include Norway's Telenor ASA and South Africa's Vodacom, which is a partner with Britain's Vodafone Group PLC.

Labels: AAPL, Apple Inc., Omniphone, TELN, VOD

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 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

Vodafone Group PLC, the world's largest mobile phone company, and online search engine Yahoo Inc. said Tuesday that they are forming a strategic alliance to create a mobile advertising business.
Under the deal, Yahoo will become Vodafone's exclusive display advertising partner in the United Kingdom, providing a variety of mobile advertising formats across Vodafone's content services. The companies plan to roll out the initiative in the United Kingdom in the first half of next year.
Customers who agree to accept targeted display ads will receive savings on certain Vodafone services, which may include the "Vodafone live!" portal, games, tel