Jim Cramer Blog

U.S. stocks experienced a roller coaster ride on Monday, after a global sell off was triggered by the collapse of Bear Stearns. The Federal Reserve took emergency action, cutting the discount rate by 25bp and offering to lend to securities dealers at the same rates as banks.
The Dow gained +21.16, while the Nasdaq Composite lost -35.48, and the S&P 500 -11.54.
Here are 7 stocks to watch...
Bear Stearns (NYSE:BSC) agreed to be sold to JPMorgan Chase for $2 per share, or $236 million. BSC shares closed at $30 on Friday, valuing the 85-year old investment bank at $3.5 billion. BSC's Short Term PowerRating is 8.
Many analysts felt the price JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) is paying significantly undervalues Bear Stearns, even allowing for litigation, de-leveraging and integration costs. Especially since the Fed is providing up to $30 billion in financing for BSC's illiquid assets. The decision means the Fed, not JPMorgan Chase, is carrying substantial risk. JPM's Short Term PowerRating is 3.
MF Global (NYSE:MF) shares fell as much as 80%, despite reassurances from the company that it was not experiencing liquidity problems.
Shares of Lehman Brothers (NYSE:LEH) plunged more than 20%, also on liquidity concerns. LEH is due to report earnings of $0.72 before the market open on Tuesday. LEH's Short Term PowerRating is 6.
Also before the market open, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) is expected to report earnings of $2.58. GS's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
In deal news, CME Group (NYSE:CME) agreed to acquire Nymex Holdings (NYSE:NMX) for $9.3 billion. CME's Short Term PowerRating is 5. NMX's Short Term PowerRating is also 5.
And, International Paper (NYSE:IP) agreed to acquire the packaging and recycling businesses of Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY) for $6 billion. IP's Short Term PowerRating is 5. WY's Short Term PowerRating is 4.
Do you think International Paper will close up or down on Wednesday? Go to TradingMarkets.com to play our Up or Down Daily Stock Contest for the chance to win $1000 every month by predicting the direction of a stock.

Labels: BSC, CME, CME Group Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc., GS, Hot Stocks, IP, JPM, LEH, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., MF, NMX, WY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Brightpoint (NasdaqGS:CELL - News) beat earnings estimates on Thursday, reporting $0.31 EPS over a consensus of $0.26 EPS. CELL's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
McAfee (NYSE:MFE - News) also beat earnings on Thursday, with $0.46 EPS over expectations of $0.45 EPS. MFE's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU - News) reports quarterly earnings on Friday before the market opens, with traders looking for $0.14 EPS. ALU's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
Coventry Health Care (NYSE:CVH - News) announces results on Friday morning; look for $1.18 EPS. CVH's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News) reports earnings before the bell on Friday morning, with traders and analysts watching for $0.35 EPS. WY's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
Analysts are watching for Fannie Mae (NYSE:FNM - News) to report -$1.29 EPS on Friday before the bell. FNM's Short Term PowerRating is 5.
When Lubrizol (NYSE:LZ - News) reports earnings on Friday morning, look for $0.71 EPS. LZ's Short Term PowerRating is 5.

Labels: ALU, CELL, CVH, FNM, Hot Stocks, LZ, MFE, WY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Wednesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Dollar Financial (NasdaqGS:DLLR - News) also beat earnings, with $0.52 EPS over a consensus of $0.48 EPS. DLLR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Watts (NYSE:WTS - News) also performed better than analysts expected, announcing $0.58 EPS over a consensus of $0.57 EPS. WTS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE:CMG - News) beat earnings on Tuesday afternoon, announcing $0.62 EPS over an expected $0.53 EPS. CMG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU - News) reports earnings on Wednesday before the bell, with analsyts looking for $0.04 EPS. ALU's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Brinks (NYSE:BCO - News) is expected to report $0.66 EPS on Wednesday morning before the market opens. BCO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Mastercard (NYSE:MA - News) should announce $1.42 EPS before the bell on Wednesday morning. MA's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Analysts will be watching for Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News) to announce $0.50 EPS tomorrow morning. WY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.

Labels: ALU, BCO, CMG, DLLR, MA, Stocks to Watch, WTS, WY

Here are 7 options to watch for today.
Most Under-Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual calls.

NYMEX Holdings Dec 150 Calls (NYSE:NMX - News). NMX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Most Under-Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most under-priced individual puts.
Google Dec 600 Puts (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual calls.
Research in Motion Dec 145 Calls (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News). RIMM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. This stock comes from today's list and is among the most overpriced individual puts.
CME Group Nov 560 Puts (NYSE:CME - News). CME's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News). WY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
PNC Financial Services (NYSE:PNC - News). PNC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Constellation Energy Group (NYSE:CEG - News). CEG's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.

Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: CEG, CME, GOOG, NMX, PNC, RIMM, stock options, WY

Equities once again fell hard in afternoon trading after credit worries and some rather soft economic news brought the bears out of their two-day hibernation. The Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 all ended the week on a sour note with each losing more than -2%. In the energy pits, news of a slowing economy helped drive down the price of oil, with crude ending the session lower by -$1.38 to $75.48.
On the economic docket today, the Labor Department said that employers added fewer jobs in July than forecast. For the month just ended, payroll growth slowed to 92,000 jobs, down from 126,000 in the prior month. The jobless rate increased to 4.6% from 4.5%. In a separate report, the Institute for Supply Management showed service industries, which include banks and retailers, expanded less than expected.
Shares of Bear Sterns (NYSE: BSC - News) plunged -5.9% on the day after the company said its profitability in the current quarter may sink to a historical low following losses in its hedge funds as well as exposure to the tumbling mortgage market. However, top brass at the Wall Street investment firm defended its company stating, "The firm's liquidity position, capital adequacy, and funding capacity remains extremely solid, notwithstanding the current market conditions." Also on the day, Standard & Poor's downgraded Bear's long-term credit to negative from stable.
On the earnings front, Japanese automaker Toyota Motor (NYSE: TM - News) posted a 32% jump in profits in its fiscal fourth quarter. The company reported net income of 491.5 billion yen on sales of 6.52 trillion yen, an increase of 15.7% over the same period last year. Profits were fueled by increased sales of vehicles overseas.
Consumer product giant Proctor & Gamble (NYSE: PG - News) earned $2.27 billion, or 67 cents a share, in its fourth quarter, up from $1.9 billion, or 55 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Sales rose 8% to $19.27 billion. Analysts were looking for a profit of 66 cents per share on revenue of $19.11 billion. The company also said it would buy back $24-30 billion of its own stock over the next three years and that it expects to post earnings of 88-90 cents for the first quarter. It sees full-year earnings coming in at a range of $3.44-3.47. Shares fell -0.5%. Subscribers can read our analysis of Proctor & Gamble in today's issue.
Timber company Weyerhauser (NYSE: WY - News) said net earnings plunged -89% on the back of a weak housing market. For the second quarter, the company reported net earnings of $32 million, or 15 cents a share, down from $298 million, or $1.19 a share, last year. Excluding one-time items, it earned $104 million, or 48 cents a share. Revenue declined -11% to $4.33 billion. Shares reversed earlier gains and ended the session down -3.1%.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BSC, PG, TM, WY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Scientific Games (NasdaqGS:SGMS - News) beat earnings estimates after Thursday's close. The company reported $0.35 EPS versus estimates of $0.30 EPS. SGMS' PowerRating is 6.

Brush Engineered Materials (NYSE:BW - News) should report $0.42 EPS before the market opens on Friday morning. BW's PowerRating is 5.
EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG - News) is expected to announce $1.06 EPS on Friday morning. EOG's PowerRating is 5.
Hercules Offshore (NasdaqGS:HERO - News) is looking to report $0.75 EPS when the company announces earnings on Friday morning. HERO's PowerRating is 5.
Olympic Steel (NasdaqGM:ZEUS - News) should report $0.99 EPS early Friday. ZEUS' PowerRating is currently unavailable.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News) is looking to have EPS of $0.40 on Friday before the market opens. WY's PowerRating is 5.
Tenaris (NYSE:TS - News) reports after the bell on Friday. Look for heightened price and volume before the company reports. TS' PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BOG, BW, Hot Stocks, TS, WY, ZEUS

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
First Solar Inc. June 80 Calls (NasdaqGM:FSLR - News). FSLR's PowerRating not available due to less than 200 days trading history.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Weyerhauser June 80 Puts (NYSE:WY - News). WY's PowerRating is 5.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Apple Inc. July 105 Calls (NasdaqGS:AAPL - News). AAPL's PowerRating is 3.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Dendreon May 17.5 Puts (NasdaqGM:DNDN - News). DNDN's PowerRating is 2.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
McDermott International (NYSE:MDR - News). MDR's PowerRating is 4.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News). PDE's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Hovnanian Enterprises (NYSE:HOV - News) . HOV's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AAPL, DNDN, FSLR, HOV, MDR, PDE, stock options, WY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
Crocs (NasdaqGS:CROX - News) beat earnings on Thursday afternoon, with $0.61 EPS compared to a consensus of $0.49 EPS. CROX's PowerRating is 4.
Chesapeake Energy (NYSE:CHK - News) beat earnings on Thursday afternoon, announcing $0.87 EPS over expectations of $0.78 EPS. CHK's PowerRating is 3.
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE:ATK - News) reports earnings on Friday before the bell; watch for $1.43 EPS. ATK's PowerRating is 5.
Eastman Kodak (NYSE:EK - News) should report -$0.02 EPS before the market opens on Friday. EK's PowerRating is 5.
When KBR Incorporated (NYSE:KBR - News) announces earnings before the bell tomorrow morning, watch for $0.23 EPS. KBR does not have a PowerRating due to its short trading history.
Analysts are watching for Public Service (NYSE:PEG - News) to report $1.15 EPS on Friday morning. PEG's PowerRating is 6.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News) should report $0.37 EPS when the company reports earnings tomorrow morning. WY's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ATK, CHK, EK, Hot Stocks, KBR, PEG, WY

Most Underpriced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Google Inc. June 530 Calls (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News). GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Most Underpriced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Baidu.com June 80 Puts (NasdaqGM:BIDU - News). BIDU's PowerRating is 4.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Dendreon May 15 Calls (NasdaqGM:DNDN - News). DNDN's PowerRating is 10.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Oil Services HOLDRs May 145 Puts (AMEX:OIH - News). OIH's PowerRating is 5.
CBOT Holdings June 170 Puts (NYSE:BOT - News). BOT's PowerRating is 4.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Marsh & Mclennan Companies (NYSE:MMC - News). MMC's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
None Today
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Weyerhauser Co. (NYSE:WY - News). WY's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BIDU, BOT, DNDN, GOOG, MMC, OIH, stock options, WY

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
Gaps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that gap down by 5% or more and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that gap down by more than 5% have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Clean Harbors (NasdaqGS:CLHB - News). CLHB's PowerRating is 7.
Laps Down 5% or More: These are stocks that lap down by 5% or more and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that lap down by more than 5% have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Diamond Management & Tech (NasdaqGM:DTPI - News). DTPI's PowerRating is 9.
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.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News). WY'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.
American International Group (NYSE:AIG - News). AIG's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Empire Resorts (NasdaqGM:NYNY - News). NYNY's PowerRating is 8.
Bearish
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.
Magna International (NYSE:MGA - News). MGA's PowerRating is 4.
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.
Genesis Microchip (NasdaqGM:GNSS - News). GNSS's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AIG, CLHB, DTPI, GNSS, Hot Stocks, MGA, NYNY, WY

American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NasdaqGS:AEOS - News) said its fourth-quarter net income increased to $150.2 million, or 66 cents a share, from $107.5 million, or 47 cents a share, a year ago, helped by a higher merchandise margin. A Thomson Financial survey of analysts, on average, projected earnings of 66 cents a share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates usually exclude items. The Warrendale, Pa., retailer's revenue for the quarter ended Feb. 3 rose 27% to $973.4 million from $769.1 million, while quarterly same-store sales rose 14%. The company said due to the extra week in fiscal 2006, fourth quarter same-store sales are compared to a 14 week period ended February 4, 2006.
Conseco Inc. (NYSE:CNO - News) reported a large drop in fourth-quarter net income late Tuesday after the insurer was hit with significant losses in its long-term care business.
Copart Inc. (NasdaqGS:CPRT - News) reported second-quarter net earnings of $30.4 million, or 32 cents a share, up from $7.85 million, or 8 cents a share, during the year-ago period. Last year's results were adversely impacted by about $4.9 million as a result of the Gulf coast hurricanes. The Fairfield, Calif.-based provider of vehicle salvage disposition services posted revenue of $128.9 million vs. $125.1 million.
CV Therapeutics Inc. (NasdaqGM:CVTX - News) shares plunged after the biopharmaceutical company said its angina drug Ranexa was shown to be ineffective in treating patients with acute coronary syndrome.
Danaher Corp. (NYSE:DHR - News) said it now sees earnings of 75 to 77 cents a share in the first quarter. The company's previous outlook was for a profit of 72 to 77 cents a share in the March period. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for a profit of 77 cents a share in the first quarter. The company issued the forecast ahead of a presentation by H. Lawrence Culp at a conference in New York City sponsored by Citigroup.
EFJ Inc. (NasdaqGM:EFJI - News) shares tumbled after the Irving, Texas-based wireless company reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $7.79 million, or 30 cents a share. In the same quarter last year, the company posted a net profit of $15.4 million, or 59 cents a share. Revenue fell to $23.9 million from $29.8 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share loss of 8 cents on revenue of $31.3 million. Separately, EFJ forecast fiscal 2007 revenue of $185 million to $195 million and operating income of $7 million to $10 million.
Fairchild Semiconductor (NYSE:FCS - News) said it continues to expects a 3% to 6% decline in its first-quarter revenue. The outlook doesn't include the results of consolidating System General Corp.
Genesco Inc. (NYSE:GCO - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $35.3 million, or $1.35 a share, up from a year-ago profit of $31.3 million, or $1.15 a share. On a continuing operations basis, the Nashville, Tenn., footwear company said it earned $35.7 million, or $1.36 a share, in the latest quarter. This performance includes a gain of a penny per share from the recognition of gift card-related income and favorable litigation settlement. Sales rose in the latest three months to $476.9 million from $406.3 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of $1.31 a share in the January period. Looking ahead, Genesco forecast earnings of $2.78 to $2.81 a share for the fiscal year ending Feb. 2, 2008 on sales of about $1.6 billion. For the first quarter, it sees earnings of 28 cents a share on sales of between $339 million and $341 million. Wall Street's current consensus estimates are for profits of $2.97 a share and 47 cents a share in the respective periods. The company said it expects the performance of its Underground Station Group and Hat World Group businesses to continue to be impacted by ongoing softness in the urban market in the first half of the year.
Jupitermedia Corp. (NasdaqGS:JUPM - News) terminated talks with Getty Images Inc. over a potential transaction between the two companies.
Goodrich Petroleum Corp. (NYSE:GDP - News) shares fell after the Houston-based company rescheduled the release of it fourth-quarter financial results to March 13 due to a delay in finalizing its year end 2006 independent reserve report.
Heelys Inc.'s (NasdaqGM:HLYS - News) fourth-quarter earnings rose sharply to $11.5 million, or 44 cents a share, from $1.44 million, or 6 cents a share, a year earlier. The Dallas maker of sports-related products said revenue for the quarter rose sharply to $71.1 million from $14.9 million. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected fourth-quarter earnings of 28 cents a share on revenue of $61 million. Analyst estimates typically exclude items.
Hypercom (NYSE:HYC - News), a Phoenix-based firm involved in electronic transactions, said it narrowed its fourth-quarter loss to $2.74 million, or 5 cents a share, from $10.6 million, or 20 cents a share. Hypercom's revenue fell 5% to $64.8 million on a decline in multi-lane product revenue. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected earnings of 2 cents a share on revenue of $61.7 million. It sees 2007 revenue between $284 million and $290 million.
Insmed Inc. (NasdaqGM:INSM - News) said it's restructuring its operations as a result of its litigation settlement with Tercica Inc. and Genentech Inc. , which was announced Tuesday. As a result, Richmond, Va.-based Insmed expects its workforce of 150 to be reduced by roughly 34%. The company said its sales and marketing group will be eliminated and production at its manufacturing site in Boulder, Colo., will be scaled back to reflect the reduced drug product requirement. The company expects the savings to allow it to fund its operations into the fourth quarter of 2007. As of Dec 31, Insmed had $24.1 million of cash on hand.
Plato Learning Inc. (NasdaqGM:TUTR - News) shares fell after the Minneapolis-based provider of computer-based educational products late Tuesday reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $4.53 million, or 19 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $3.2 million, or 14 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue fell to $17 million from $23.5 million. The company expects fiscal 2007 revenue in the mid-$70 million range and for its net loss to approximate its 2006 net loss excluding restructuring, impairment and other charges.
Rocky Brands (NasdaqGS:RCKY - News) shares dropped after the Nelsonville, Ohio-based footwear company reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $77,875, or a penny a share. In the same quarter last year, Rocky Brands posted a net profit of $2.61 million, or 46 cents a share. Revenue fell to $70.6 million from $74.9 million. The company expects fiscal 2007 earnings per share growth of 35%, and revenue growth of 5%.
Westwood One Inc. (NYSE:WON - News) swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $488.6 million, or $5.68 a share, from net income of $22.5 million, or 25 cents a share, a year ago, on a goodwill impairment charge of $515.9 million in the latest period. Excluding items, the New York media company said Wednesday it earned $14.6 million, or 17 cents a share, for the final quarter of 2006. Net revenue decreased 12% to $129.8 million from $147 million. National commercial advertisement revenue declined 14% and local/regional commercial advertisement revenue fell 9.4%. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected, on average, fourth-quarter earnings of 10 cents a share and revenue of $125.8 million for the provider of sports, news and traffic updates to radio stations.
Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY - News) was downgraded by UBS to reduce from neutral due primarily to valuation. Analyst Richard Schneider said that based on fundamentals, the stock should be trading around $70 a share, as the company's wood products business is posting losses, homebuilding is declining and as its containerboard business is being hurt by higher wastepaper costs. The stock was down $1.65, or 1.9%, at $84.55 in pre-open trading. As of Tuesday's closing, the stock has gained 22% since the end of 2006, and reached an all-time high of $87.09 in intraday trading on Feb. 27. Schneider said the stock may be trading on expectations that the company will make moves to unlock shareholder value, with some pressuring the company to become a real estate investment trust.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: AEOS, CNO, CPRT, CVTX, DHR, EFJI, FCS, GCO, GDP, HLYS, HYC, INSM, JUPM, RCKY, TUTR, WON, WY

Here are 7 options to watch for today. This list comes directly from the TradingMarkets Options Indicators page. The list is created using OptionVue options analysis software.
Most Under Priced Calls: These are the most under priced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Bear Sterns Apr 165 Calls (NYSE:BSC - News). BSC's PowerRating is 7.
Most Under Priced Puts: These are the most under priced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Explosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are under priced, this list finds the most under priced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely under priced.
Frontline Ltd. Mar 35 Puts (NYSE:FRO - News). FRO's PowerRating is 4.
Most Overpriced Calls: These are the most overpriced calls of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of calls for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual calls. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
EchoStar Communications Corp. Mar 40 Calls (NasdaqGS:DISH - News). DISH's PowerRating is 7.
Most Overpriced Puts: These are the most overpriced puts of all stocks in our database. While the Equities Implosion List finds groups of puts for individual equities that are overpriced, this list finds the most overpriced individual puts. Thus, the options listed here will tend to be more severely overpriced.
Weyerhaeuser Co. Mar 85 (NYSE:WY - News). WY's PowerRating is 5.
Stocks with Abnormal Call Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual call option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Call Volume Alerts list suggests a possible takeover, extraordinarily good earnings report, or other news which may favorably affect the stock.
Worthington Industries (NYSE:WOR - News). WOR's PowerRating is 6.
Stocks with Abnormal Put Volume: These are stocks which showed unusual put option volume not easily explained by arbitrage operations. The appearance of a stock on the Put Volume Alerts list suggests an extraordinarily negative earnings report, or other news which may negatively affect the stock.
USANA Health Sciences (NasdaqGS:USNA - News). USNA's PowerRating is 7.
Abnormal Put/Call $ Volume: These stocks have the highest dollar put volume in relation to their call volume. These high ratios are indicative of extreme bearish sentiment in the underlying stock.
Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW - News). LOW's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: BSC, DISH, FRO, LOW, stock options, USNA, WOR, WY

Stocks reversed course in the afternoon session as earnings season wound towards a conclusion. Earlier in the day, the market appeared poised for a rally until Federal Reserve governors William Poole of St. Louis and Richard Fisher of Dallas each said in separate speeches that interest rates could go higher if inflation doesn't taper off. Those comments proved to be the catalyst for the afternoon's selling pressure. Oil prices hovered in the vicinity of $60 a barrel, while bond prices also slipped with the yield on the 10-year Treasury note moving to 4.78%.
MasterCard (NYSE: MA - News) reported results that beat expectations, but the stock dropped -10% after the company warned that margins could come under pressure in 2007 and that it did not plan any price increases. The credit card company said it earned $41 million, or 30 cents a share, compared with a loss of -$53 million, or -39 cents per share, a year earlier. The company's revenue increased 17% to $839 million. The company also upped its quarterly cash dividend to 15 cents a share from 9 cents. MasterCard's shares have more than doubled since its IPO last year.
Automotive stocks were one of the day's stronger performers following upgrades by Deutsche Bank, which raised its rating on both General Motors (NYSE: GM - News) and Ford Motor (NYSE: F - News) to "buy." GM rose 7% and Ford gained 2%. DaimlerChrysler (NYSE: DCX - News), meanwhile, was upgraded to a "buy" by Citigroup and subsequently rose 2%. In the automotive parts sector, Lear (LEA, $xxxxx) agreed to be taken private by an affiliate of investor Carl Icahn for $2.8 billion, though the company left itself open to other bidders. One major investor criticized the price as too low. Lear finished down -2%.
Upgrades to the semiconductor sector by Deutsche Bank and J.P. Morgan failed to keep most stocks in that sector from succumbing to the day's negative tone. Deutsche Bank raised its rating on chip stocks to "overweight," highlighting market leader Intel (Nasdaq: INTC - News) and Broadcom (Nasdaq: BRCM - News). Broadcom last night reported that net income in the most recent quarter fell -76% due to a change in the way it accounts for stock options. Were it not for the one-time charges, the company would have earned $185 million, or 31 cents a share, compared to $197 million, or 34 cents per share. J.P. Morgan raised its rating for the semiconductor sector to "bullish," but the Semiconductor Sector Index (Philadelphia: ^SOXX) nonetheless closed down -1%.
Telecom equipment maker Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU - News) declined -3% after posting a Q4 loss and warning that it expects revenue to decline in the current quarter. The company also said it plans to cut 3,500 more jobs than originally planned, or 12,500 in total. In other news, a proxy advisory firm suggested shareholders of Caremark RX (NYSE: CMX - News) reject the merger offer from drug-store operator CVS (NYSE: CVS - News). The advisor, Glass Lewis, said that while the deal made strategic sense, Caremark's board should have allowed shareholders to consider a competing offer from Express Scripts (Nasdaq: ESRX - News).
In other earnings news, lumber and paper products company Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY - News) reversed a year-earlier Q4 loss. For the most-recent quarter, the company earned $450 million, or $1.88 per share, against a loss of -$211 million, or -86 cents a share, in Q405, which included costs associated with plant closings.
By Bullmarket.com Staff

Labels: ALU, BRCM, CMX, CVS, DCX, ESRX, F, GM, INTC, LEA, MA, WY

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Friday from TradingMarkets.com:
McAfee (NYSE:MFE - News) beat earnings on Thursday after the market closed, announcing $0.36 EPS over an expected $0.34 EPS. MFE's PowerRating is 6.
Andersons (NasdaqGS:ANDE - News) beat earnings on Thursday after the close, with $0.76 EPS over a consensus of $0.64 EPS. ANDE's PowerRating is 4.
AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AG - News) announces earnings on Friday before the market opens, with analysts expecting $0.32 EPS. AG's PowerRating is 3.
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE:ALU - News) reports quarterly earnings Friday morning; watch for $0.22 EPS. ALU's PowerRating is 4.
Coventry Health Care (NYSE:CVH - News) is looking to announce $0.97 EPS on Friday before the market opens. CVH's PowerRating is 4.
When MasterCard (NYSE:MA - News) announces earnings Friday morning, look for $0.12 EPS. MA does not have a PowerRating because the stock has not traded for 200 days yet.
Analysts are watching for Weyerhauser (NYSE:WY - News) to report $0.75 EPS on Friday before the market opens. WY's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AG, ALU, ANDE, CVH, Hot Stocks, MA, MFE, WY

The trading week started with the major indexes rising, but the news wasn't positive for Nuvelo Inc.
Shares of the San Carlos, Calif., biotech drug maker plunged Monday after two trials of a blood thinner drug it was developing with Bayer HealthCare failed, and the companies suspended a second study.
Nuvelo shares plummeted as much as 82 percent after the news broke, bottoming out at a 52-week low of $3.35, after closing on the Nasdaq the previous Friday at $19.55. Shares recovered a bit, to close the session at $4.05, still down more than 79 percent on the session. Volume of more than 90 million shares was more than 176 times normal daily trading in the shares.
Shares continued to trade heavily through the rest of the week, with more than 33 million shares changing hands Tuesday and about half that Wednesday. The stock did not recover from Monday's blow, however, edging up just slightly to close the week at $4.16.
Tuesday, microcap Internet search engine Mamma.com caught investors' eyes, when it introduced a new video search function that offers features not found even on Google.com.
Shares of the Montreal-based company soared 80.6 percent to close at $4.28 on the Nasdaq, while volume surged to nearly 30 million shares, about 25 times normal trading. Shares closed Monday at $2.37.
The rally continued Wednesday as share gained as much as 10 percent before settling back down, as volume remained extraordinary. After edging back Thursday, the exuberance for Mamma.com shares returned to end the week with shares hitting a new 52-week high of $5.28, a 30 percent gain, before giving up some of the surge to end up 9.6 percent at $4.44. Volume again topped 26 million.
For the week, Mamma.com shares gained 87 percent.
Wednesday, news and rumors of industry consolidation sent airline shares flying high, with Midwest Air Group Inc. getting the biggest lift, after the Oak Creek, Wis. regional carrier received a hostile takeover bid from AirTran Holdings Inc.
Midwest rejected the $290 buyout offer, but AirTran said it won't give up its quest.
That was enough for investors to keep the shares aloft. After spiking up almost 28 percent, shares edged backed a bit to close Wednesday up $1.30, or 22.2 percent, at $11.10, from their prior day close at 9.08. Trading topped 2 million shares, more than 7 times normal daily volume.
Shares continued to trade heavily and gained 8.6 percent Thursday, but gave up some of the gain even as trading volume ebbed in Friday's session. Nevertheless, shares were up 29 percent since AirTran made its bid, closing the week at $11.72.
Thursday it was more takeover talk, as shares of Worthington Industries Inc. shot up on speculation the metal processing company may be a buyout target. There was no bid for the Columbus, Ohio, company, but at least one analyst said it would be an attractive buy in a consolidating industry.
The stock leaped as high as $21.36 before retreating a bit, to end the session up $2.02, or 11 percent, at $20.32 from their close Wednesday at $18.30. Volume was nearly seven times normal daily trading.
Trading remained about twice as heavy as normal Friday, a share gained 10 cents more to close the week at $20.42.
And Friday, Weyerhaeuser Co., gained nearly 4 percent from their prior day close of $69.49, in trading more than nine times normal, after the lumber and paper producer was upgraded to "Buy," by Deutsche Bank following an announcement it would close one sawmill in Washington and build a newer, more efficient plant.
The move was seen as part of a needed effort to revamp the Federal Way, Wash., company's operations.
Shares gained $2.44, or 3.5 percent, to close at $71.93 on the New York Stock Exchange, after matching their 52-week high of $75.50 earlier in the session, on volume of 14.5 million shares.

Labels: AAI, DB, MAMA, MEH, NUVO, WOR, WY