Wednesday, April 21, 2010

WALL STREET GETS BOOST FROM EARNING REPORTS.
In general earning are better than expectations. I would like to point out some of the companies I recommended in the past.
Huntington Bancshares Inc (HBAN:$6.558,0$0.728,012.49%) rose to $6.60 at 2:07 PM ET on April 21, 2010 in heavy volume of 99,066,982 shares. The bank reported earning of $0.01 better than expected.
Hovnanian Jumps Nearly 12% on Reported $1 Mil Settlement 04/21 08:57 AM
-- Hovnanian (HOV:$6.33,00$0.68,0012.04%) is up after news on Tuesday that the company will pay a $1 million civil penalty to settle allegations it violated the Clean Water Act at nearly 600 construction sites around the United States, U.S. authorities said.
Seagate shares rise following better earnings, levels to watch 04/21 06:02 AM
The stock is up nearly 5% in the pre-market, following better than expected earnings news announced last night after market close. The move above the $20 level has broken the stock above resistance at the 50-day moving average. This is bullish price behavior. Resistance levels to watch as potential upside objectives are at $20.70, $21.02, $21.35, $21.70, $22.08. Support is at $20.02, and $19.69.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Mid-Day ETF Update: Shares Higher as Goldman Results Raise Investor Sentiment 04/20 10:33 AM
So what happened to the sell off from Friday ? IT IS FORGOTEN by now.
The DOW is up 25 points after Monday rose 75 points, and just about to recoup all loses from last Friday.
(read BLOG April 19.)
Earning are very strong in general, and those good new are what propel the market higher.
Fixed-Income Trading Roars For Goldman, Others In 2010 04/20 10:40 AM
GOLDMAN SACHS earned $3.3 Billion Dollars.
NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Goldman Sachs Group Inc.'s (GS:$160.96,00$-2.36,00-1.45%) fixed-income group turned in a record performance in the first quarter, underscoring the investment bank's dominance in a business that is driving Wall Street's resurgence.
Some of my past recommendations how they trade today!
“CWTR” at $8.11. ‘NSM’ at $15.66. ‘AMD’ at $9.78. ‘MSFT’ at $31.78. ‘AMAT’ at $14.41.

Monday, April 19, 2010

MOOD OF THE MARKET !
This is influenced by many factors, the economy, politics, social and natural events which may occur anywhere in the world. The event may or may not have a direct bearing on the stock market but can dramatically effect the mode of the market in a positive or negative way. Those events are short lived and have no permanent effect on the FUNDAMENTALS of most companies.
Last Friday the markets went down strongly because the SEC charge ‘GS’ with security fraud. By the end of the day the DOW lost 125 points and the S&P lost 19 points. IS ‘GS’ problems have anything to do with the Technology sectors or any other parts on the market ?
IS THIS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUY STOCKS AT LOWER PRICE ?
Wall Street Reaction to Goldman Sachs Charges Looks Overblown: Barron's
-- Goldman Sachs' (GS:$160.70,00$0.00,000.00%) reputation took a huge hit Friday when the Securities and Exchange Commission charged the firm with securities fraud in the underwriting of a $1 billion collateralized-debt obligation backed by sub prime mortgages. But don't count Goldman out, says a feature in this week's Barron's.
GS fell 12.8% Friday but shares are edging just higher in pre-market trading this morning.
BY THE END OF THE DAY THE DOW WAS UP SO WAS GOLDMAN SACHS.

Friday, April 16, 2010

MERGER AND ACQUISIONS (M&A)
On March 1, 2010 I wrote about the possibility that ’ETFC’ will be bought by a larger company.
TODAY.
e*Trade Rises 7% on Speculation TD Ameritrade May Be Interested in Company .
-- e*Trade (ETFC) is up after Reuters reports that TD Ameritrade (AMTD:$20.41,00$0.23,001.14%) has a lot of cash and could be interested in an acquisition.
The story said that in November, AMTD CEO Fred Tomczyk said an acquisition would be the best use of its cash cushion, and that it would consider a deal for struggling smaller rival ETFC.
He told Reuters on Wednesday ETFC "is on a better footing today than they were a year or two ago, no question. But that doesn't mean it's over. They still have their issues to work out. They're through the worst."
Price: 1.82, Change: +0.12 , Percent Change: +7.06

Thursday, April 15, 2010

IS IT A TIME TO SELL !
One of the most difficult decision investor has to make is when to sell a stock which he has a nice profit.
On 2/3/2010 we recommended ’BRCD’ at $5.30 a share, today is about $6.55 a share, About 20% return for about 2 months. So SELL or HOLD?
On March 3, 2010 we recommended ’C’ at $3.40 a share. Today is trading over $5.00 a share, A profit
Of about 50% within 40 days. So what to do? SELL or HOLD.
‘MSFT’ was recommended the 2nd time to buy on 4/5/2010 at about $28.65. Today is trading at $30.85.
The company will release it’s earning within a week, So Sell or Hold till the earning or sell today?
‘HOV’ and ’BZH’ were recommended on 3/16/2010. ’HOV’ to buy at $4.49 a share, Today is at about $5.72 a share, a gain of 20% for a month. ’BZH’ at the same day was recommended to by at $5.00 a share, today is trading at $5.82 a share, almost 14% return for this month.
If I had to make a decision , I will sell all those mention stock in order to take profit and waiting for a correction to buy them back.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Intel Opens Pre-Market Trade at Fresh Extended-Hours Highs 04/14 04:02 AM
INTC earning are$0.43 vs. $0.38 estimated. VERY GOOD AND UPBET REPORT.
-- Intel (INTC:$22.7699,$0.231,01.02%) is recording a plus-side range of 23.72 to a high of 23.92 in early pre-market action, outpacing an after-hours high of 23.76 recorded Tuesday night after the company reported better-than-expected results and guidance. The stock traded mostly between 23.50 and 23.76 in last night's session.
Also, today as the stock reach yearly high many brokerage houses issue coverage on ’INTC’. (FBR CAPITL, KAUFMAN, OPPENHEIMER, CREDIT SUISSE,)
WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THE STOCK TRADED AT $18.00 a share?
JPM earning $0.74 vs. Thompson Reuters forecast was $0.64 EPS, up 85% from a year earlier.
JPMorgan Touching Fresh Highs in Pre-Market 04/14 04:47 AM
JPMorgan 1Q Profit Rises 55% As Economy Continues To Heal
-- JPMorgan (JPM:$45.87,00$-0.27,00-0.59%) shares are firming from 46 to a recent pre-market high of 47.30. Stock is seeing a good mix of volume as it nears its 52-week high of 47.47. Sellers have been active at 46.80 and above but thus far have not been able to stymie the advance.
Price: 47.28, Change: +1.41, Percent Change:

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

UBS downgrades 5 regional-bank stocks 04/13 07:02 AM
BOSTON (Market Watch) -- UBS analysts led by Heather Wolf on Tuesday downgraded several regional-bank stocks, saying they now see "additional headwinds" to the recovery in earnings. "We continue to believe the pace of earnings recovery will fall well short of expectations," the analysts wrote in a note. "We think the recent rally and ensuing valuations are unsustainable, and the group is poised for a meaningful pullback." UBS cut Huntington Bancshares Inc. (HBAN:$5.62,00$-0.41,00-6.80%) , KeyCorp (KEY:$7.94,00$-0.40,00-4.80%) , Regions Financial Corp. (RF:$8.435,0$-0.305,0-3.49%) and TCF Financial Corp. (TCB:$16.29,00$-0.69,00-4.06%) to sell from neutral, while Commerce Bancshares Inc. (CBSH:$40.60,00$-1.44,00-3.43%) was dropped to neutral from buy. All five stocks traded lower Tuesday morning.
AS for myself, I do not believe in this downgrade. At this point I will buy ‘HBAN’ which is the only bank I follow from this list. To buy it around $5.60 will reward the investor nicely.
‘STX’
Analyst Actions: Wedbush Downgrades Seagate to Neutral from Outperform - Shares Lower in Pre Market 04/13 06:03 AM
-- Shares of Seagate (STX:$18.39,00$-0.69,00-3.62%) were down in pre-market trading after the company was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush.
Seagate (STX:$18.39,00$-0.69,00-3.62%) shares .
‘STX’ will reports it’s earning on April 20,2010. By this time Seagate will be trading much higher , therefore I believe that to buy the stock today is an opportunity to make some money within the next week or so.

Monday, April 12, 2010

The first time in the last 18 months, the DOW is over 11,000. AS earning reports are about to begin, it seems to be that investors are confident that the most earning will be better than estimated.
Merger and acquisitions are on the rise. We wrote about it on 3/10/2010. (see blog). So far none of my recommendations haThe DOW is trading at over 11,000.
s not be taken over, although some of them are in play. (please read blog).
Companies in the news.
‘HBAN’ Huntington Bancshares Inc sets a new 52-week high at $6.60
‘XRX’ XEROX CORP sets a new 52-week high at $10.56
‘LSCC’ Lattice Semiconductor Corp sets a new 52-week high at $425.
‘GE’ General Electric Co sets a new 52-week high at $18.95
‘ MGM‘ MGM Mirage sets a new 52-week high at $15.50
‘MSFT’ Microsoft Ushers in the Next Generation of the Social Phone With KIN, a New Windows Phone
Microsoft, Sharp, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone unveil KIN, a new Windows Phone designed for broadcasting and sharing everyday moments. 04/12 10:05 AM

Friday, April 9, 2010

Intel, AMD seen posting gains on rising PC, server demand
Semiconductor behemoths to kick off technology earnings season
Intel Corp. (INTC:$22.45,00$0.14,000.63%) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD:$9.35,00$-0.07,00-0.74%) will kick off earnings season for the high-tech industry next week, with analysts expecting both chip behemoths to post sales gains on strengthening demand for personal computers and servers.
But analysts also will likely watch for signs of excessive supply as concerns linger about the state of the economy, despite the view that corporate technology demand is on the rise.
Other points of interest.
‘MSFT’ is trading at $30.25 a share.
‘BRCD’ is trading at $6.35 a share.
‘C’ is trading at $4.55 a share.
‘CWTR’ is trading at $7.70.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

NEWS ABOUT OUR STOCKS BUY LIST.
Wet Seal Inc. (WTSLA:$5.03,) , the Foothill Ranch, Calif., retailer, reported that for March, comparable-store sales rose 6.3% as total sales rose 9.3% to $56 million. A survey of analysts by Thomson Reuters was estimating same-store sales up 5.4
‘MSFT’ COVERAGE INITIATED: Microsoft (MSFT) initiated by Soleil. Initial rating Buy. 04/08 04:29 AM
‘SKS’ Saks March Same-Store Sales Up 12.7% - Shares Up 1.5% 04/08 05:39 AM
‘JASO’ China In-Focus: JA Solar Ups Q1 Shipment Guidance 04/08 03:44 AM
‘SOLF’ Trading at $8.57 a share.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

EARNING SEASON
During the month of April, most of the S&P companies will report their first quarter earning.
In general estimated are very positive and anticipations are that most of the companies will do very well.
The sectors that will do the best according to my opinion are the Financial and the Technology.
The ’ETF’ for the financial are ’XLF’ and ’UYG’ and for the Technology is the ’XLK’.( we wrote about them 2/25,2010)
Some companies I recommend to buy before earning release are;
Bank of America ’BAC’, Huntington Bank ’HBAN, Fifth Third Bancorp ’FITB’, Zion Bancorp ’ZION’.
Microsoft ’MSFT’, E-Trade ’ETFC’, Intel Corp ’INTC’ Advanced Micro ’AMD’
Please check the BLOG for recommendations that were made in the last month. LET ME RMINED TO ALL OF YOU THAT investor must always take profit when they are made.
‘XLF’ Jan 1 2010 was at $14.41, today is at $16.41. UP 13%.
‘XLK’ Jan 1 2010 was at $22.91, today is at $23.35.
‘UYG’ Jan 1 2010 was at $5.65, today is at $7.21. UP 27%.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

STOCK IN THE NEWS
‘WTSLA’ was recommended by me on 3/26/2010, (see blog) . Today COVERAGE REITERATED: Wet Seal (WTSLA) reiterated by Credit Suisse. Reiterated rating Outperform. 04/06 05:06 AM
‘MPEL’ I recommended to buy MPEL at $4.64 a share on 4/1/2010. Today the stock was trading at over $5.50 a share, over 20% gained in a week. Time to sell !
‘BRCD’ is trading around $6.10 a share, on 2/23, (see blob 2010) when I recommended to buy it. is it a time to sell in order to take profit or to hold for a take over ? Or just trade it over and over again.

Monday, April 5, 2010

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINS AT 9.7%.
Helped by the Federal Government hiring for the Census, the US economy got its best jobs report in three years as employers added 162,000 jobs in March. Big chunk of the jobs increase were 48,000 positions for the Census Bureau.
Also there were revisions to the last two months reports. (I told you so, see blog March 4, 2010).
MSFT on March 2, 2010 I recommended to buy MSFT at around $28.50, On March 25, the stock could be sold at over $30.50 a share. On last Thursday MSFT was trading just over $28.50, an opportunity to buy it again. The point is that a trader can do very well in this market conditions.
On 4/1/2010 I recommended ‘MPEL’, today UPGRADE: Melco Crown Entertainment (MPEL) upgraded by JP Morgan from Neutral to Overweight. 04/05 02:25 AM.
The US bonds keep losing ground. The 10 years bonds fell to a yearly low of 97.00 with a yield of 4%. A $1,000 bond has a value of $970.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

STOCKS RECOMODATIONS
Micron Technology (MU:$10.37,00$-0.42,00-3.89%) late Wednesday reported Q2 EPS $0.39 vs $0.23 a year earlier and topping the Thomson Reuters mean analyst estimate for $0.24. Sales of $1.96 billion are up from $1.74 billion a year earlier. The Street looked for $1.83 billion.
Target price by the end of the year is $18 a share.
Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (MPEL:$4.64,00$-0.16,00-3.33%) is a developer, owner and through a Macau subsidiary which holds a gaming sub-concession, an operator of casino gaming and entertainment casino resort facilities. The Company currently operates Altira Macau (formerly Crown Macau), a casino hotel located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated urban casino resort located in Cotai, Macau. The Company's business also includes the Mocha Clubs (www.mochaclubs.com), which feature a total of approximately 1,500 gaming machines in eight locations and comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau.
MPEL my target price is around $10 a share by year end.