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
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.
Nuance Communications (NasdaqGS:NUAN - News). NUAN'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.
Reynolds American (NYSE:RAI - News). RAI'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.
XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News). XMSR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 7.
Bearish
Laps Up 5% or More: These are stocks that lap up by 5% or more and are trading below their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading below their 200-day moving average that lap up by more than 5% have shown negative returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Beazer Home (NYSE:BZH - News). BZH's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
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.
Parallel Petroleum (NasdaqGM:PLLL - News). PLLL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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.
Hillenbrand Industries (NYSE:HB - News). HB's PowerRating (for Traders) 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.
Agilisys (NasdaqGS:AGYS - News). AGYS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Published By TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AGYS, BZH, HB, Hot Stocks, NUAN, PLLL, RAI, XMSR

Shares of XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. rose Friday morning after an analyst said he expects the Department of Justice to announce it will not block a deal to unite the two.
Shares of XM gained 90 cents, or 6.7 percent, to $14.64, and shares of Sirius rose 12 cents, or 3.4 percent, to $3.65 after the opening bell.
Bear Stearns analyst Robert Peck said that while he believes junior staffers at the Justice Department moved to block the deal, senior staffers probably disagreed and probably will rule in favor of the deal, which would allow Sirius to buy out the much-larger XM.
If the deal is approved, XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of Sirius' stock for every XM share they own.

Labels: SIRI, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., XMSR

Shareholders approved a deal Tuesday to allow Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to acquire its rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. for about $5 billion, but the largest hurdle has yet to come regulatory approval in Washington.
Shareholders of Sirius and XM had been widely expected to approve the deal, which would allow the companies to save costs on programming, acquiring subscribers and broadcasting. Shareholder advisory firms had already endorsed the deal.
More difficult will be getting the deal approved in Washington, where the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission must both give their blessing. Several consumer groups have opposed the combination, saying it would create a monopoly that could hurt consumers.

Labels: SIRI, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., XMSR

Equity prices meandered most of the session, bouncing back and forth between positive and negative territory. At the close, the Dow and Nasdaq finished the session with small losses, with the S&P 500 eking out a fractional gain. Gold eased a bit from its record run of late, ending the day -40 cents lower to $720.20.
Oil prices crossed the $80 mark for the first time ever, as energy investors worried about current supply in the market. Energy related issues were among the best performing sectors on the session.
Shares of biotech giant Amgen (Nasdaq: AMGN - News) advanced after the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) rejected a proposal to put restrictions on its anemia drugs, Epogen and Aranesp. The ruling alleviated concerns that the company's two drugs would be constrained by regulators. Several investment banks also upped the name on the positive development. Shares surged 3.2%.
Satellite radio purveyors XM Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: XMSR - News) and Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI - News) saw shares rise after investors warmed up to the notion that the two company's would get approval from regulators to merge their two radio platforms.
In earnings news, steelmaker Nucor (NYSE: NUE - News) warned that third quarter earnings would miss expectations due to weak demand from the automotive and housing sectors, in addition to rising metal prices. The company now forecasts earnings of $1.10-1.15 per share, down from reported earnings of $1.70 last year. Analysts were looking for EPS of $1.26.
Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN - News), the world's largest maker of chips used in cell phones saw its shares decline 1.7% despite raising its profit outlook. The company said that revenue would be in the range of $3.56-3.72 billion for the quarter ended June 30th. The sales range represents growth of 4-8% for the quarter. EPS of 49-53 cents per share is now expected, above its previous target of 46-52 cents EPS. The earnings range includes a 2 cent gain related to the sale of a semiconductor product line. The midpoint of its new range matched the consensus estimates of analysts.
Elsewhere, casino operator Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS - News) notched a fresh 52-week high after a JP Morgan analyst raised his price target on the company. Analyst Harry Curtis noted that the current share price does not reflect long-term value creation opportunities in Las Vegas and Macau. Curtis raised his price target to $120 from $105.
By The BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: AMGN, LVS, NUE, SIRI, TXN, XMSR

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Syntax-Brillian (NasdaqGM:BRLC - News) missed earnings on Wednesday, announcing $0.11 EPS versus expectations of $0.12 EPS. BRLC's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Pier 1 Imports (NYSE:PIR - News) reports earnings on Thursday before the market opens; look for -$0.44 EPS. PIR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Amgen (NasdaqGS:AMGN - News) rose over 4% on Wednesday after Merrill Lynch and UBS upgraded the drug company on the heels of a favorable FDA decision for an anemia drug. AMGN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Diana Shipping (NYSE:DSX - News) fell 5% on Wednesday, after the company announced plans to issue 10 million additional stock shares to the public. DSX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Humana (NYSE:HUM - News) rose over 5% Wednesday on news that the U.S. Congress may drop plans to cut Medicare payments for certain children's health insurance programs. HUM's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Sirius (NasdaqGS:SIRI - News) gained just under 4% on speculation that the proposed XM Satellite (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News) merger could be approved by October. XMSR was up just over 4%. SIRI's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4, and XMSR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AMGN, BRLC, DSX, HUM, PIR, SIRI, Stocks to Watch, XMSR

Here are 7 trading ideas for today. These lists come directly from the TradingMarkets Stock Indicators page and are based upon our latest quantitative research.
Bullish
5+ Consecutive Down Days: These are stocks that have closed down for five or more consecutive days and are trading above their 200-day moving average. Our research shows that stocks trading above their 200-day moving average that close down for five or more days have shown positive returns, on average, 1-day, 2-days and 1-week later. Historically, these stocks have provided traders with a significant edge.
Watson Pharmaceuticals (NYSE:WPI - News). WPI'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.
Alliance Data (NYSE:ADS - News). ADS'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.
Amerigon (NasdaqGM:ARGN - News). ARGN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 8.
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.
California Pizza Kitchen (NasdaqGS:CPKI - News). CPKI's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
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.
Take Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO - News) & Sappi Limited (NYSE:SPP - News). TTWO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3, and SPP's PowerRating (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.
XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News). XMSR's PowerRating (for Traders) is 3.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ADS, ARGN, CPKI, Hot Stocks, SPP, TTWO, WPI, XMSR

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.

Goldman Sachs Oct 210.0 Calls (NYSE:GS - News). GS' PowerRating is 6.
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.
Under Armour Oct 55 Puts (NYSE:UA - News). UA's PowerRating is 7.
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.
Baidu.com Sep 250.0 Calls (NasdaqGS:BIDU - News). BIDU's PowerRating is 6.
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.
Bear Stearns Sep 85.0 Puts (NYSE:BSC - News). BSC's PowerRating 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.
XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News). XMSR'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.
Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW - News). SHW's PowerRating 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.
Capital One Financial (NYSE:COF - News). COF's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings are courtesy of www.PowerRatings.net

Labels: BIDU, BSC, COF, GS, SHW, stock options, UA, XMSR

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
3M (NYSE:MMM - News) is expected to report $1.18 EPS before the bell rings on Thursday morning. MMM's PowerRating is 6.
When Aetna (NYSE:AET - News) announces quarterly earnings on Thursday morning, watch for $0.80 EPS. AET's PowerRating is 5.
Beazer Homes (NYSE:BZH - News) should announce -$0.46 EPS before the market opens on Thursday morning. BZH's PowerRating is 7.
Analysts will be watching for Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM - News) to report $1.94 EPS on Thursday. XOM's PowerRating is 5.
Ford (NYSE:F - News) hopes to announce -$0.40 EPS tomorrow morning. F's PowerRating is 5.
Wendy's (NYSE:WEN - News) and XM Satellite (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News) both report on Thursday morning; WEN is looking for $0.33 EPS and XMSR expects -$0.44 EPS. WEN's PowerRating is 6, and XMSR's PowerRating is 5.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: AET, BZH, F, Hot Stocks, MMM, WEN, XMSR, XOM

"Who Needs Satellite Radio? Sirius (NasdaqGS: SIRI - News) and XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR - News)
Investors may wonder why SIRI and XMSR are both proposing price cuts, and Jim Cramer indicates it is an act of desperation, as legislators depend on the survival of "terrestrial" radio stations, the sworn enemies of satellite radio, to run their campaign ads. Therefore, satellite radio has almost no friends in Washington. In addition, since many cars have an Apple facility, there is no need to use satellite radio unless one forgets his iPod at home. "Satellite radio is not indispensable, even though they claim that it is, and their balance sheets are the balance sheets from hell," Cramer said. "So this is the death mill for these companies if they can't get together."

Labels: Jim Cramer, SIRI, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., Wall Street Confidential, XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., XMSR

Bullish Calls:
EMC (NYSE: EMC - News)Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News): 'How about taking a little bit of money out of Target and putting it into Wal-Mart?'Cisco Systems (NasdaqGS: CSCO - News): 'Move into the Cisco.'Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: ACAD - News): 'Lots of ways to win. ... However, this group is under a cloud. ... You need to be patient, but I reiterate buy Acadia Pharma.'Omniture (NasdaqGM: OMTR - News): 'There is nothing like Omniture. It is the super-Nielsen of the Web. ... Stick with Omniture.'TOP Tankers (NasdaqGS: TOPT - News): 'All tanker stocks are hitting their 52-week highs. ... Yours doesn't pay the big dividend, but I'm not going to move away from that dry bulk group. It's really terrific.'Frontline (NYSE: FRO - News)Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD - News): 'I like semiconductors. ... Far be it from me to recommend selling any semiconductor stock.'Cal Dive International (NYSE: DVR - News): 'The perfect stock to own going into hurricane season. ... I like that stock, but people know I like the group.'Hercules Offshore (NasdaqGS: HERO - News): 'That symbol is HERO. It is my hero. ... As good as HERO is, I am still going to tell you that RIG, and Schlumberger are better.'Transocean (NYSE: RIG - News)Global Santa Fe (NYSE: GSF - News)Schlumberger (NYSE: SLB - News)Southern Copper (NYSE: PCU - News): 'It's a monster! It's on the move!'Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX - News)
Bearish calls:
Target (NYSE: TGT - News): ' ... 52-week high, took everybody by surprise, up $4. ... I think it's time to do a little schnitzel. ... How about taking a little bit of money out of Target and putting it into Wal-Mart?'Juniper Networks (NasdaqGS: JNPR - News): ' ... 52-week high. ... Swap out of the Juniper. Move into the Cisco.'XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR - News): 'There's no way we can be in that. ... I'm going to give you a Don'tBuy.'Sirius Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: SIRI - News)Diageo (NYSE: DEO - News): 'I think Diageo is just okay here.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: ACAD, AMD, CSCO, DVR, EMC, FCX, FRO, GSF, HERO, Jim Cramer, JNPR, Lightning Round, Mad Money, OMTR, PCU, RIG, SLB, TOPT, WMT, XMSR

Bullish:
Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL): 'I said, at $85 and change it was anointed. It's up $8....because they indeed blew away the numbers.'Savient Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: SVNT): ' ... still like it as much as I did at the beginning of the year. I like their uric acid product. I'm not backing away.'BioMarin Phramaceutical (NasdaqGM: BMRN):' I know people were disappointed in that last quarter. I think it's a mistake. BMRN is a good biotech stock, and a takeover target.'AT&T (NYSE: T)State Street (NYSE: STT): 'I think that the mutual fund clearing business is a great business, a great way to participate in this rally. STT is a thumb and a half up.'Pozen (NasdaqGM: POZN): 'They get that migraine stuff... I mean, this company... There are so many ways to win.'Nastech Pharmaceutical (NasdaqGM: NSTK): ' ... we identified at $10 and it went to $13.50. I'm going to join you on the buy side there. I think you're in good shape. Buy, buy, buy!'Burger King (NYSE: BKC): ... it's been on fire. BKC is a reformed, better outfit. It's really good ... easily, easily going up to $26-$27.'McDonald's (NYSE: MCD)Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH): 'Do not lose heart! That was a beautiful quarter. They will find it ... Even though it's been up a lot in the last year... you say I want some PH, and then you get the stampede. That stock is going to $100.'Tellabs (NasdaqGS: TLAB): 'Quite frankly, I thought the stock should have been single digits after that call ... I smell merger. I smell buyout. I smell takeout. Sit with your TLAB. I think something good is going to happen.'Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO): Have much have we liked TMO?... 52-week-high? No, no. More ahead. $50 goes to $60, TMO!'Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN):Charter Communications (NasdaqGM: CHTR): 'CHTR's minding its own business, going higher ... CHTR, it reports May 2nd. I like the stock very much.'
Bearish calls:
MetroPCS Communications (NYSE: PCS): 'Let's not be too greedy. That stock has had a run. The other ones haven't. I'd actually be more conservative.'Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG): 'Let that one come in. The commercial real estate market has had a great run. It's not where I want to be right now.'XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR): 'No. That's a bleeding contest. That's one of those where you're darned if you do and darned if you don't. The congress won't let these two companies merge.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AAPL, BKC, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, PCS, PH, SPG, STT, SVNT, TMO, TRN, XMSR

Follow Slim's Picks: Kraft (NYSE: KFT), Saks (NYSE: SKS), American Movil (NYSE: AMX)
Cramer would pay attention to the "overseas Warren Buffett," Carlos Slim Helu, who has surpassed Buffett on Forbes rich list, partly because of his exposure to emerging market stocks. Looking at Slim's portfolio, Cramer found KFT, which is not one of his favorites, SKS, which he didn't want to feature again, and finally AMX, which he thinks is a great play on the growth of cell phones in Latin America. Although AMX is at its 52-week high, Cramer feels it is "too good not to feature."

Green Day Part 4: Tetra Tech (NasdaqGS: TTEK)
Cramer is bullish on TTEK as a way to play the scarcity of clean drinking water, and noted it is in "the sweet spot" since 85% of its revenue is from water management and it has acquired Delaney Group, "a little wind company."

Sell Block: Charter Communications (NasdaqGM: CHTR), Sirius Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: SIRI), XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR), CMGI (NasdaqGM: CMGI), Oilsands Quest (AMEX: BQI) and Crystallex (AMEX: KRY), Vonage (NYSE: VG), Fremont General (NYSE: FMT), Downey Financial (NYSE: DSL)
For his Sell Block Segment, Cramer discussed hot stocks in CNBC's Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge game. Many of the stocks are speculative, and while he encourages speculation it should be undertaken if one's portfolio is balanced. The only one Cramer would buy is CHTR because cable is "on fire" and he predicts the stock will climb to $4 from $3.28. While he is "not totally negative" on SIRI, it is experiencing so many difficulties in its attempts to merge with XMSR that Cramer can not "in good conscience" recommend it. Headspinning changes to its business model make CMGI a sell, and Cramer would also unload BQI and KRY. He reiterated his bearish stance on VG, calling it "the single least investable stock" he's ever seen. While popular, Cramer says FMT has too much subprime exposure and would buy DSL instead.
CEO Interview: Nastech Pharmaceutical's (NasdaqGM: NSTK), Stephen Quay with stocks Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG), Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD), Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ)
When asked what the company's star product is, Stephen Quay replied it was a "horserace" between its obesity and osteoperosis treatments, and its insulin nasal spray for diabetes. While Dr. Eric Hollander has shown that injections can help reverse some symptoms of autism, Stephen Quay comments the treatments are not long-lasting. However, NSTK has been working with Hollander to develop a nasal spray that will last much longer than the injections and expects to begin clinical trials this year. Cramer is bullish on NSTK as well as CELG, GILD and GENZ.

Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AMX, BQI, CHTR, DSL, FMT, Jim Cramer, KFT, KRY, Mad Money, SKS, TTEK, VG, XMSR

Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE:AMD - News) said it's "unlikely" to meet its outlook for revenue of between $1.6 billion and $1.7 billion for the first quarter. The current average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for revenue of $1.66 billion for the March period. The Sunnyvale, Calif., chip maker made the announcement ahead of a presentation by Hector Ruiz, its chairman and chief executive officer, at a conference sponsored by Morgan Stanley.
Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE:BKS - News) gave an outlook for fiscal 2007 that's well below the current Wall Street consensus estimate.
First Bancorp of Puerto Rico (NYSE:FBP - News) agreed in principle to pay $74.25 million to settle all claims in a shareholder class-action lawsuit filed in 2005. The financial holding company said Monday its 2005 financial statements included an accrual of $74.25 million for the settlement. The settlement is subject to final approval by a federal court in Puerto Rico. In December 2005, First Bancorp said it faced several lawsuits alleging securities violations and claims that it artificially inflated the company's earnings and made material misrepresentations and omissions regarding financial conditions.
Fremont General (NYSE:FMT - News) said it plans to sell its subprime real-estate lending business.
Home Solutions of America (NasdaqGM:HSOA - News) shares fell after the Dallas-based provider of rebuilding and remodeling services said it now expects to report fourth-quarter net earnings of 5 cents to 7 cents a share. The company also cuts its full-year 2006 earnings forecast to a range of 43 cents to 46 cents a share from its earlier forecast of 56 cents to 60 cents a share. In addition, Home Solutions said President and Chief Operating Officer Rick O'Brien will resign effective April 15 to pursue other opportunities. O'Brien's operating responsibilities will be assumed by two new division managers, Brian Marshall and Mike Lane.
InfraSource Services Inc. (NYSE:IFS - News) said its fourth-quarter net profit rose 31% to $7.6 million, or 19 cents a share, as revenue increased 12% to $247.9 million. The company, which provides contracting services to the infrastructure industry, said its improved performance was driven by growth in the division that services infrastructure in the electricity sector. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected earnings of 17 cents a share on revenue of $246 million. The company said backlog at the end of the quarter was $902 million, or around 13% higher than at the end of the third quarter.
Lawson Products Inc. (NasdaqGS:LAWS - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $1.34 million, or 16 cents a share, down from $9.58 million, or $1.06 a share, during the year-ago period. Adjusted operating income was $4.9 million compared with $6.8 million last year. The results include a full quarter of the operations of Rutland Tool & Supply Co., which was acquired in December 2005, the company said. The Des Plaines, Il.-based company posted revenue of $126.2 million, up 9% from $115.6 million. Lawson is a provider of products, systems and services to industrial maintenance, repair and replacement markets.
Memory Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM:MEMY - News) said a Phase 2a study of its MEM-1003 drug showed it didn't prove effective for the treatment of bipolar mania. The company said the target symptoms and the nature of the assessment of the ongoing Phase 2a study in Alzheimer's disease are very different.
OM Group Inc. (NYSE:OMG - News) said fourth-quarter net income rose to $56.8 million, or $1.93 a share, from $11.6 million, or 40 cents a share. On a continuing operations basis, the Cleveland-based company posted a loss of 58 cents a share. Net sales rose to $172.1 million from $151.5 million.
Palm Inc. (NasdaqGS:PALM - News) has reportedly hired Morgan Stanley to evaluate options including a sale, an investment by private-equity firms or its own purchase, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday, citing people familiar with the matter. Palm rallied nearly 11% on Friday on speculation that Nokia may buy it.
Research In Motion (NasdaqGS:RIMM - News) said it anticipates a $250 million reduction on previous earnings from erroneously reported stock-option grants when it makes a restatement. The maker of the BlackBerry phone said a special committee determined that all options granted prior to February 27, 2002, were accounted for incorrectly due to not applying variable accounting, and 321 grants -- or 63% of the total awarded -- were incorrect between Feb. 28, 2002 and Aug. 2006. The special committee didn't find intentional misconduct on the part of any director or officer, but said hindsight was used to select grant dates with favorable pricing. Co-CEO Jim Balsillie has voluntarily stepped down as chairman, and Dennis Kavelman will be moving from his position as CFO to become the chief operating officer of administration and operations. Directors and officers will return any benefit from mispriced options, and Co-CEOs Balsillie and Mike Lazaridis will contribute up to C$10 million to defray the costs of the probe.
SL Green Realty Corp. (NYSE:SLG - News) said it's agreed to acquire two properties in Manhattan for a total of $73 million from a group of private investors. The properties are located at 331 Madison Ave. and 48 East 43rd Street.
Sunrise Senior Living Inc. (NYSE:SRZ - News) said it has expanded the scope of its previously established special independent committee of the board, to include the review of facts and circumstances relating to the historical accounting treatment of certain categories of transactions in the pending restatement. The McLean, Va.-based provider of senior living services said it has also directed the committee to develop recommendations regarding any necessary remedial measures.
The South Financial Group (NasdaqGS:TSFG - News) named James Gordon as its new chief financial officer, the company said early Monday. Gordon, who takes over March 15, comes to South from HORNE LLP where he worked as the firm's assurance partner for SEC and financial institutions services since 2004. He replaces Timothy Schools, who will resign to "pursue other opportunities" but stay around until April 30th to assist with the transition.
Universal American Financial Corp. (NasdaqGS:UHCO - News) said it's rejecting a management-led proposal to buy the Rye Brook, N.Y. firm for $18.15 a share. A special committee of the board said the offer is "inadequate and not in the best interests of the company and its stockholders."
XM Satellite Radio Inc. (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News) and Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NasdaqGS:SIRI - News), currently seeking approval for a proposed $13.6 billion merger, pledged again Friday that existing XM and Sirius radios would not become obsolete if the deal is completed.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: AMD, BKS, FBP, FMT, HSOA, IFS, LAWS, MEMY, OMG, PALM, RIMM, SIRI, SLG, SRZ, TSFG, UHCO, XMSR

A sharp decline in the Chinese stock market overnight, a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that the Taliban claimed was directed at Vice President Dick Cheney, followed by a weaker-than-expected reading on durable goods orders this morning, coalesced to provided the initial catalyst for a steep decline in the U.S. equities markets. By the end of a volatile day, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost -3.3%, while the broader S&P 500 was off -3.5% and the Nasdaq composite declined -3.9%. Money, as expected, flowed to the safe haven of the bond market. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell 10 bp to 4.51%.
Market sentiment tended towards bearishness over the last few sessions, and comments by former Federal Reserve head Alan Greenspan about a possible recession later in the year added to a gloomy start to the week yesterday. But then China's stock market went into a tailspin in the U.S. overnight hours. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed -8.8% of its value, or more than $100 billion in market capitalization, and the selling pressure spread westward to European markets and then the U.S. The day was exacerbated by a tabulation delay by Dow Jones data systems due to a bottleneck in order flow that appeared to cause an over -200 point drop in the Dow within a few minutes after the system was switched over to a backup system that instantly registered the outsized move.
On the economic front, the Commerce Department said that orders for big-ticket items like appliances and airplanes plunged -7.8%, or twice the decline that economists expected, in January to a seasonally adjusted $204 billion. The drop came on the heels of a 2.8% increase in December, which was revised from a previous estimate of a 2.9% increase. It was an -18% decline in orders in the transportation sector, especially airplanes, that was the major driver of the decline. On a more positive note, the National Association of Realtors reported that sales of existing homes increased in January at their fastest pace in seven months, though selling prices dropped as the market continues to seek equilibrium.
As expected, major industrial companies were hard hit today as were most tech sector bellwethers. Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL - News) shed -5%, but part of its decline may have been exacerbated by an announcement, late yesterday, that it would delay shipment of its Apple TV device until mid-March. Among the declining industrial stocks were General Motors (NYSE: GM - News), off -5%; Alcoa (NYSE: AA - News), down -4%; and Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT - News) down -4%. Given the weak durable goods report, Boeing (NYSE: BA - News) did well in only declining -2%.
In one of the day's bright spots, electronics retailer Radio Shack (NYSE: RSH - News) climbed 12% after the company reported a 64% increase in its Q4 profit and offered bullish guidance for the rest of the year. The company said cost cutting offset a drop in revenue and same-store sales. The retailer, which is several months into a turnaround plan, said it earned $84.5 million in Q4, or 62 cents per share, compared with $51 million, or 38 cents per share, a year earlier.
Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI - News) followed potential merger partner XM Satellite Radio Holdings (Nasdaq: XMSR - News) in reporting a narrower Q4 loss. Sirius reported a net loss of -$246 million, or -17 cents a share, against a loss of -$311 million, or -23 cents per share, last year. Revenue rose to $193 million from $80 million a year earlier. XM reported a narrower Q4 loss yesterday.
Published By BullMarket.com

Labels: AA, AAPL, BA, CAT, GM, RSH, SIRI, XMSR

The stock market closed out last week tepidly, and equities extended their weak performance at the start of the trading week today as the major stock indices all closed lower. Comments by former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan that the U.S. "may" fall into a recession later this year helped to boost the Treasury market, but also put a damper on stock trading. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note fell to 4.62%, while in the oil markets, crude futures were up modestly.
A major acquisition by a consortium of private equity firms once again dominated the headlines, but did little to help the overall market. Texas utility TXU (NYSE: TXU - News) agreed to be bought by a group that includes Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, Texas Pacific Group, Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News), and three other Wall Street firms for approximately $32 billion, plus the assumption of $13 billion in TXU debt. TXU's shares added 13% on the news of the $69.25 a share offer. It will be the largest corporate buyout in history if it is approved and closes. The deal was notable in that the acquiring companies said they would significantly scale back TXU's controversial plan to build 11 coal-fired power plants, winning the support of environmental groups that had been battling the utility.
TXU's status as the world's largest buyout could be short-lived if a news story published Sunday in London is accurate. According to British newspaper Sunday Express, chemicals giant Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW - News) may be the next target of private equity firms in a deal that could approach $54 billion. Investors reacted cautiously to the story as the stock added 4% to close well below the projected $60-a-share offer price. Several analysts quoted in follow-up news reports suggested such a deal was unlikely to be welcomed by management. The company's CEO had dismissed the idea in response to a question posed in its most recent earnings call.
XM Satellite Radio Holdings (Nasdaq: XMSR - News) said a sharp increase in revenue combined with tighter controls over its marketing costs enabled it to narrow its Q4 loss. The company, which announced plans last week to merge with the nation's other satellite provider, Sirius Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI - News), lost -$263 million, or -90 cents per share, against a loss of -$270 million, or -$1.22 per share, a year ago. The results included a -$57 million charge that reflected the declining value of a stake in a Canadian satellite operator. Without the charge, XM would have bested analyst estimates by a penny, posting a loss of -71 cents per share.
Texas-based Temple-Inland (NYSE: TIN - News) announced plans to break itself into three separate public companies by the end of the year. Investors jumped in, pushing the shares up 13%. Temple-Inland will sell its timberland holdings, retain the packaging and building products businesses that comprises the bulk of its revenue, and spin off its financial services and real estate units into two separate companies. Investor Carl Icahn had bought a stake in the company and advocated the breakup.
Published By Bullmarket.com

Labels: DOW, GS, SIRI, TIN, TXU, XMSR

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Monday from TradingMarkets.com:
Abraxis BioScience (NasdaqGS:ABBI - News) announces quarterly earnings on Monday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.15 EPS. ABBI's PowerRating is 4.
Cablevision (NYSE:CVC - News) is expected to report -$0.02 EPS when the company reports earnings Monday morning. CVC's PowerRating is 6.
Analysts are watching for Entercom Communications (NYSE:ETM - News) to announce $0.34 EPS on Monday before the market opens. ETM's PowerRating is 6.
When Ceradyne (NasdaqGS:CRDN - News) reports earnings on Monday before the bell, look for $1.19 EPS. CRDN's PowerRating is 5.
Marvel Entertainment (NYSE:MVL - News) is looking to announce $0.10 EPS early Monday. MVL's PowerRating is 4.
XM Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS:XMSR - News) should report -$0.72 EPS on Monday before the market opens. XMSR's PowerRating is 3.
Nordstrom (NYSE:JWN - News) reports after the close Monday, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the bell. JWN's PowerRating is 6.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ABBI, CRDN, CVC, ETM, Hot Stocks, JWN, MVL, XMSR

Mad Mergers: Sirius Satellite Radio (NasdaqGS: SIRI) and XM Radio (NasdaqGS: XMSR)
Cramer smells "desperation" in the intended merger between SIRI and XMSR, and predicts that there will be a spate of anticompetitive mergers ahead of the possibility of a Democrat winning the White House, an event which would discourage future monolopistic mergers. Cramer dedicated the program to discussing ten likely scenarios.
10. Kroger (NYSE: KR - News) and Safeway (NYSE: SWY - News)9. Laboratory Corp. (NYSE: LH - News) and Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX - News): Cramer notes that these two companies have been "locked in a ferocious price war to win the HMO business." Their slashed prices have meant less profits, and "it is time for them to get on the anticompetitive bus."8. Carnival (NYSE: CCL - News) and Royal Carribbean (NYSE: RCL - News)7. Office Dep