Filed under: Forecasts, Employees

Just put the latest Obama administration update on the state of the U.S. job market in the category of a small victory, or the initial steps on a long journey.

The percentage of Americans who can't find employment is likely to "remain elevated for an extended period," U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, White House Budget Director Peter Orszag and Council of Economic Chairman Christina Romer said Tuesday in a joint statement submitted to the U.S. House's Appropriations Committee.

Continue reading Obama Administration Currently Sees Only Moderate Job Growth In 2010

Obama Administration Currently Sees Only Moderate Job Growth In 2010 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Major Movement, Bad News, Options, Technical Analysis, Oil

Interoil (IOC - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company said it will have to redrill part of its Antelope-2 well in Papua New Guinea due to mechanical issues. The company now expects the horizontal extension at Antelope-2 to be completed in late April. Despite crude futres being up more than 2.5% today, IOC is down a good deal on this less-than-stellar news. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on IOC.

This morning, IOC opened at $66.43. So far today the stock has hit a high of $67.80 and a low of $65.00. As of 11:50, IOC is trading at $66.53, down $2.05 (-3.0%). The chart for IOC looks bearish.

Continue reading Interoil Drops On Well Re-drilling Issue

Interoil Drops On Well Re-drilling Issue originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Deals

Mergers are always a tricky business, and for an insurance industry with excess capital available, they're likely on the agenda for the coming year. Before giving in to the urge to merge, several major industry executives cautioned at the World Insurance Forum, it's crucial to make sure that the interests of both merging companies are aligned.

According to Brian Duperreault, president and CEO at Marsh & McLennan (MMC), "You are always going to run into problems during a merger so you need to make sure your interests are aligned. If you are divided when you start you will be still be divided at the end. Aligned management interest is what makes for a successful acquisition."

Continue reading From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution

From Bermuda: Insurers Need to Ink Mergers with Caution originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coca-Cola (KO), Options, Technical Analysis

Are shares of The Coca-Cola Company (KO) poised for a technical breakout? One options trader seems to think so -- during the course of Monday's trading, a long strangle was opened on the blue-chip soda stock. In this two-legged spread, the direction of the stock's move doesn't matter -- only its magnitude.

Specifically, a block of 422 April 52.50 puts traded at the ask price of $0.68 around midday Monday. Simultaneously, a matching block of 422 April 55 calls changed hands at the ask price of $0.46. Implied volatility rose with each transaction, and open interest at both strikes rose overnight, confirming that these were newly opened positions.

Continue reading Option Player Strangles Coca-Cola Company

Option Player Strangles Coca-Cola Company originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: International Markets, Newsletters, Commodities, Stocks to Buy

"We have reinstated our buy recommendations for Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW) and Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS)," says Jack Adamo.

The editor of Insiders Plus explains, "First, we look at Pan American Silver; this is one the steadiest growers I've seen in any industry. It has more than tripled its silver production in the last 8 years. Its stock has trounced the S&P 500 over the last five, ten and twenty years.

Continue reading Mining for Value in Silver Sector

Mining for Value in Silver Sector originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Rants and Raves, Exxon Mobil (XOM), Venezuela, Avon Products (AVP), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Procter and Gamble (PG), Kimberly-Clark (KMB), CEMEX S.A.B. de C.V. (CX), Currency

It is mind boggling that Hugo Chavez, the authoritarian President of Venezuela is racing towards a mock socialist political system when the two largest socialist regimes in the world, China and Russia, have done the opposite. Even our long standing communist adversary (now trading partner) Vietnam entered the 21st Century on a capitalist influenced spring loaded economic boom.

BusinessWeek reports in its latest edition that the Chavez government has been taking privately held supermarkets under government control:

Continue reading Hugo Chavez Racing Toward Economic Peril

Hugo Chavez Racing Toward Economic Peril originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Analyst Reports, Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Starbucks (SBUX), Analyst Initiations

Analyst Upgrades

• UBS upgraded Starbucks (SBUX) to buy from neutral, citing expectations for sales momentum. The firm raised its price target to $29 from $27.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Sonic (SONC) two notches to overweight from underweight on expectations the company's sales and margin trends are set to improve. The firm raised its target price for shares to $12 from $8.
• BMO Capital upgraded Chicago Bridge & Iron (CBI) to outperform from market perform, citing its outlook for earnings growth. The firm has a $30 target on the stock.
• Clorox (CLX) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Alexion Pharma (ALXN) was upgraded to conviction buy from buy at Goldman.
• Compellent (CML) was upgraded to buy from hold at ThinkEquity.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: CBI, CLX, PBR, PSYS, SWSI, SONC, SBUX, UNH, VRUS, WU ...

Analyst Calls: CBI, CLX, PBR, PSYS, SWSI, SONC, SBUX, UNH, VRUS, WU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Internet, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Yahoo! (YHOO), Media World, Technology

Nobody's naming names right now, but Social Times reports from SXSW that "a number" of companies are paying Twitter hefty fees for unrestricted access to the "firehose." While some Twitter data is accessible free through the company's developer program, the full data set is only available to those willing to write a check - and, it turns out, a substantial one.

Back in October, Twitter inked high-profile data-licensing deals with Google (GOOG) and Microsoft (MSFT), which brought in $25 million and put the social media service on the revenue map. Since then, it has brought more clients into the fold through its data-licensing program, including Kosmix and Scoopler, by opening up what it calls the "firehose"; i.e., unfettered access to the Twitter data stream.

Continue reading Twitter Getting Six Figures a Month for Data

Twitter Getting Six Figures a Month for Data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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They got a lift just yesterday, when Moody's warned that the the U.S. and Britain are "substantially" closer to losing their triple-A ratings. But too bad for them, it won't come to that. They'll just have to keep watching the Hollywood version of Armageddon, 2012.

Continue reading Economic Doomsday for 2012? Gold Bugs Shouldn't Get Their Hopes Up

Economic Doomsday for 2012? Gold Bugs Shouldn't Get Their Hopes Up originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:40:00.

Filed Under: Columns, Economy, Investing, Moody's Corp., Insurance, Currency

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Filed under: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Starbucks (SBUX), McDonald's (MCD)

Starbucks (SBUX) is set to have a good morning, as the company received an upgrade from UBS to buy from neutral. The brokerage also upped its earnings forecast for Starbucks to $1.14 per share in fiscal 2010, up from $1.09 per share. For 2011, UBS expects Starbucks to pull in $1.34 per share, seven cents better than the brokerage's earlier forecast. UBS believes that benign costs and Starbucks' ongoing productivity programs are key to the company's success. That said, UBS feels that McDonald's (MCD) foray into the world of frappes and smoothies could "cannibalize frappuccino consumers from Starbucks." Such a move could hurt Starbucks' bottom line.

Continue reading Starbucks Receives an Upgrade

Starbucks Receives an Upgrade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Analyst Reports, Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, Boston Scientific (BSX)

Boston Scientific (BSX) announced Monday it is recalling of all of its implantable heart defibrillators as it didn't notify regulators of manufacturing changes. The company stated that the safety of patients was never in question and it doesn't believe that doctors need to remove the defibrillators from patients.

The manufacturing changes are being described as a "documentation problem," and the company said it is working with the Food and Drug Administration to get the problem fixed. Following the news, the stock fell 12.6% to close at $6.80. According to the report, defibrillators made up 15% of BSX's U.S. revenue a year ago. Furthermore, the company stated that this news could have a "material impact" on 2010 earnings.

Continue reading Boston Scientific to Pull Defibrillators

Boston Scientific to Pull Defibrillators originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Economic Data, Housing, Federal Reserve

The Commerce Department reported that housing starts fell 5.9% in February to 575,000. Building permits also fell in February. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg news had forecast starts to fall to between 510,000 to 610,000.

Much of the weakness can be blamed on the weather. You don't start new construction in the midst of snowstorms and blizzards. Also, with a backlog of unsold existing homes, it becomes more difficult start new constructions. Builders remain cautious of moving forward too rapidly.

Here is a breakdown of the stats:

Continue reading Housing Starts Fell 5.9% in February

Housing Starts Fell 5.9% in February originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades, McDonald's (MCD), Yum Brands (YUM), Burger King Hldgs (BKC)

Yum! Brands (YUM), a collection of restaurant chains operating in the same space as McDonald's (MCD) and Burger King (BKC), didn't post the most exciting earnings report last month, but it might not matter. Just recently, shareholders received a couple pieces of good news.

First, UBS offered inspiring comments about the company and the stock last week. Shares were upgraded to buy status, rising from neutral. A higher price target of $44 was issued. The catalyst basically centers on things getting better on a fundamental basis for the restaurant brands; also, China's sales appear to have stabilized.

Continue reading Shareholders of Yum! Brands Receive Good News This Month

Shareholders of Yum! Brands Receive Good News This Month originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Caterpillar (CAT), Citigroup Inc. (C), Alcoa Inc (AA), Boston Scientific (BSX), Options

Alcoa (AA) closed at $13.51. AA is expected to report Q1 EPS in early April. April put option implied volatility is at 42, July is at 41, and October is at 43; below its 26-week average 46, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Citigroup (C) closed at $3.89. C overall option implied volatility of 46 is below its 26-week average of 53, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Three stocks with IV rise on March 15; Boston Scientific (BSX) +18%, Bidu (BIDU) +4%, Caterpillar (CAT) +2% according to IVolatility.

Options Update is by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Alcoa Volatility Near 22-Month Lows originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Before the Bell, International Markets, PepsiCo (PEP), Market Matters, Economic Data, Limited Brands (LTD), Oil, Federal Reserve

U.S. stock futures advanced somewhat Tuesday as investors turn their attention to the Federal Reserve policy meeting with the upcoming decision on interest rates and the accompanying statement. Meanwhile, investors could sink their teeth on some housing data.

It became clear Monday, after the session closed with stocks little changed, that investors are waiting for the Fed. The Federal Open Market Committee decision is due at 2:15 p.m. Eastern. While the Fed is expected to keep interest rates unchanged near zero, it is the statement that will be in focus. As the economy is improving, the Fed will have to start tightening at some point -- hiking rates -- to combat inflation. The question for investors is when. So far, the Fed has promised to keep rates low for an "extended period." But many expect this language, at least, to change soon, which may pressure stocks lower.

Continue reading Before the Bell: Futures Slightly Higher Ahead of Fed

Before the Bell: Futures Slightly Higher Ahead of Fed originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Given all the China-related stories in the news it may be time for investors to look into the relationship between the Chinese and U.S. stock markets. If China's market tends to lead the U.S.'s, then recent weakness in Chinese stocks might offer a valuable heads-up to investors.

Continue reading Does China's Stock Market Lead the U.S. Market?

Does China's Stock Market Lead the U.S. Market? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 09:00:00.

Filed Under: Investing

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Continue reading Daily Blogwatch: 14 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Federal Debt and Should Microsoft Employees Use iPhones?

Daily Blogwatch: 14 Mind-Blowing Facts About the Federal Debt and Should Microsoft Employees Use iPhones? originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 08:30:00.

Filed Under: Investing, Google , Microsoft, Apple, Wal-Mart Stores

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Ahead of the Federal Reserve's latest statement on the economy, which will be released at 2:15, investors will also paying close attention to several stocks in the news Tuesday, including PepsiCo, Limited Brands and Sony.

Continue reading Stocks in the News: Limited Brands, Sequenom, PepsiCo

Stocks in the News: Limited Brands, Sequenom, PepsiCo originally appeared on DailyFinance on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:53:00.

Filed Under: Company News, Investing, Pepsico, Sony, Boeing, American International Group, INC., Starbucks, Citigroup, Yahoo

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