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ETFs Skid On Greece (VGK, EWG, FXE, DIA, SPY)

John Nyaradi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:11:10 +0000

Greece was “saved” for less than 24 hours but now major ETFs around the world skid into the weekend on Greek fears After wangling for a week or more, Greek took their new deal to the European Ministers meeting, only to have it promptly rej...

Consumer ETFs Die On Consumer Sentiment (XLP, XLY, VDC, VCR)

John Nyaradi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:08:09 +0000

Consumer ETFs decline in reaction to negative Consumer Sentiment Report: Economic Report Card Consumer ETFs, particularly Consumer Discretionary ETFs, died on a vine today in reaction to the negative Consumer Sentiment report released earlier this morn...

2-9-12 SmallCapVoice Interview with Mustang Alliances Inc (OTCBB: MSTG)

Stuart T. Smith — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:00:12 +0000

Leonard Sternheim, CEO of Mustang Alliances Inc (OTCBB: MSTG) called into SmallCapVoice.com to go over his Company’s business model and market. Mustang is a junior mining company with a focus on the acquisition and development of precious metals properties in Honduras. Mustang has 5 concessions totaling 4,400-hectares under agreement in the Choluteca District of Honduras. [...]

Invesco’s January AUM Perks Up – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:00:01 +0000

Invesco reported a 3.7% increase in its preliminary month-end AUM for the month of January 2012.

Working Against Their Own Self Interest

Guy M. Lerner, MD — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:51:14 +0000

I was out and about, and I was listening to CNBC on the Sirius Radio, and the panic in the air over a three quarter of a percent down day is palpable. The fellow with a British accent is in an absolute tizzy, and the stream of guests are spewing fort...

SCANA Stands at Neutral – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:45:01 +0000

We are maintaining a Neutral rating on SCANA Corporation, based on its growth momentum and various upcoming projects.

U.S. OKs 1st Nuke Plant in 34 Years – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:36:01 +0000

For the first time in decades, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved licenses for the construction of two new nuclear reactors at power generator Southern Company's existing site in Vogtle, Georgia.

Limited Brands Cheers Higher Same-Store Sales – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:30:01 +0000

Limited Brands' comparable-store sales for January 2012 rose 9% following an increase of 7% in December 2011.

Insurance Industry Stock Update – Feb. 2012 – Industry Outlook

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:25:01 +0000

The impact of a series of natural disasters in 2011 and the ongoing economic uncertainty is still quite palpable in the performance of U.S. insurers.

Beacon Beats Estimates – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:16:01 +0000

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (BECN) reported adjusted EPS of 39 cents in the first quarter of fiscal 2012, way ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 29 cents

Buckeye Slips on EPU, Sales Top – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:15:01 +0000

Buckeye Partners L.P. reported fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 results with fourth quarter EPU below and revenue above the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Arch Coal Lags Top and Bottom Lines – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:11:01 +0000

Arch Coal's earning and revenue for both fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Investors Take Note: A Seismic Shift Has Begun in China…

Graham Summers — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:07:22 +0000

Graham’s note: this is an excerpt from a recent client note I sent out to subscribers of Rapid Fire Options Alert regarding the situation in China (we’ve locked in both a 55% and a 15% thanks to some well timed trades regarding this). The impact of the coming change will be dramatic both in terms [...]

Tenneco Misses but Profits Up 68% – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:07:01 +0000

Higher original equipment light vehicle production volumes, incremental revenue from commercial vehicle launches and increases in global aftermarket sales contributed to the revenue growth in the quarter.

UDR Marginally Beats Estimates – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:02:01 +0000

UDR reported fourth quarter 2011 FFO of $80.2 million or 35 cents per share compared with $53.4 million or 28 cents in the year-earlier quarter.

Why Aren’t You Getting the Returns You Want? – Weekend Wisdom

Kevin Matras — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:01 +0000

Nobody invests so they can underperform the market. But if you are, you don't have to.

Montpelier Beats Est., Incurs Loss – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:01 +0000

Montpelier's fourth quarter and full year 2011 operating loss beat the market pessimism.

Wind Stock; Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB: CWET) Letter to Shareholders

Investor Ideas — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:00:00 +0000

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - February 10, 2012 (InvestorIdeas.com Newswire) - Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB: CWET) announced today that the Company sent the following Letter to their Shareholders of Record

Record 2011 EPS at The Andersons – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:57:01 +0000

For fiscal 2011, Andersons reported a record EPS of $5.09, a 46% year-over-year climb, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.92.

Warren Buffett On Why Stocks Are Better Investments Than Gold and Bonds

FinancialArticleSummariesToday.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:52:56 +0000

Investing is often described as the process of laying out money now in the expectation of receiving more money in the future. Investment possibilities are both many and varied. There are three major categories 1) currency-based investments, 2) gold bullion and 3) investment in productive assets, and it's important to understand the characteristics of each. [Let me explain the differences and why I choose the latter.] Words: 1780

Meritor Makes Profits but Misses – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:51:01 +0000

Sales went up 21% to $1.2 billion primarily due to stronger truck demand in all regions

PPL Corp. Beats Estimates – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:47:01 +0000

PPL Corp.'s strong results surpassed our estimates for top line and earnings per share

LabCorp Beats on EPS, Revs Miss – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:45:01 +0000

LabCorp has of late put more and more emphasis on specialized testing.

Petrobras Misses Badly, Net Sinks – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:44:01 +0000

Brazil's state-run energy giant Petrobras' fourth quarter earnings were dragged down by rising operating costs and impairment charges.

(APEI) American Public Education Provides Small-Cap Growth At A Reasonable Price

Charles (Chuck) C. Carnevale — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:37:00 +0000

…. Like most for-profit education companies, American Public Education's stock price has suffered due to Department of Education threats against the industry. However, American Public Education has continued to produce strong earnings growth, a...

TOTAL 4Q Scrapes Through, Prices Up – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:30:01 +0000

TOTAL S.A. reported strong results in the fourth quarter backed by higher production and strong realized prices.

ResMed Inc. (RMD): A Mid Cap Offering Consistent Above-Average Growth At A Below-Average Price

Charles (Chuck) C. Carnevale — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:29:00 +0000

….This report presented essential "fundamentals at a glance" illustrating the past and present valuation based on earnings achievements as reported. Future forecasts for earnings growth are based on the consensus of leading analysts. Although, w...

Why US Job Creation Heats Up in Cold Weather

Bill Bonner — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:24:05 +0000

We used to like traveling. Now, it’s a drag. “No, we don’t want to go through your new x-ray machine,” we told the TSA guard. “Whassa matter? It’s safe…” she replied. “How do you know that?” “The government said it was safe.” “Do you believe everything the government tells you?” “Heh…heh… Okay…” then, turning to [...]

Why US Job Creation Heats Up in Cold Weather originally appeared in the Daily Reckoning. The Daily Reckoning, published by Agora Financial provides over 400,000 global readers economic news, market analysis, and contrarian investment ideas.

Singing Machine Reports 25 Percent Jump in Q3 Net Sales

Andrew Klips — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:16:55 +0000

Karaoke machine maker The Singing Machine Company, Inc. (OTCBB:SMDM) reported results from its third fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2011. Bolstered by strong sales from the holiday season, net sales rose approximately 25% to $8.6 million from $6.9 million in the year prior quarter. With the increased sales, so came increased expenses, but as a [...]

Alere Beats in 4Q, Incurs Loss – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:15:01 +0000

Alere's fourth quarter earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate but the company incurs a loss in the quarter.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) Is Still A Great Large-Cap Buy

Charles (Chuck) C. Carnevale — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Growth stocks are defined as companies with high rates of change of earnings growth of 15% to 20% or better. Growth stocks offer the potential for share prices to rise in lockstep with their profit growth in the long run. Therefore, the PEG ratio formu...

Earnings Preview: Omnicom Group – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:00:01 +0000

Omnicom Group Inc. will report its fourth-quarter and FY11 earnings on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Fragile Europe Hits Vodafone 3Q – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:45:01 +0000

Vodafone revenue declined 2.3% year over year to ??11.62 billion in the third quarter owing to mobile termination rate cuts and challenging conditions in southern Europe.

Kona Grill Reports Profits in Q4 – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:01 +0000

Kona Grill's fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

The Bear bites back … Is the move over for Stocks and Gold?

Trading School — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:29:39 +0000

Hello fellow traders everywhere! Adam Hewison here, co-founder of MarketClub with your mid-day market update for Friday, the 10th of February. The Bear Bites Back! After six weeks of uninterrupted weekly gains in the equity markets, the bear bites back...

Cincinnati Bell ’11 Rev at New High – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:15:01 +0000

Cincinnati Bell generated lackluster earnings in fiscal 2011 but the highest annual revenue and adjusted EBITDA since 2003.

Earnings Preview: Gerdau S.A. – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:00:01 +0000

Gerdau is slated to release its fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011 results on Wednesday, February 15. The current Zacks Consensus Estimates for the fourth quarter and fiscal year are 12 cents and 68 cents per share, respectively.

Ireland Says It Won’t Need Additional Bailouts

The Daily Reckoning — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:51:50 +0000

The currency markets were pretty exciting yesterday with the dollar losing steam early on but slowly building some momentum on the upside throughout the day. This morning, the dollar has spiked higher as investors start to seek out the “haven” of U.S. Treasuries. The currency markets continue to be held hostage by the Greeks. As [...]

Ireland Says It Won’t Need Additional Bailouts originally appeared in the Daily Reckoning. The Daily Reckoning, published by Agora Financial provides over 400,000 global readers economic news, market analysis, and contrarian investment ideas.

Comment Notifications!

Frode Haukenes — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:46:57 +0000

A few months ago we added Notifications to the WordPress.com Toolbar and recently we released a Chrome extension so that you can always keep up with the activity on your blog. Today we’re adding comment notifications, complete with comment moderation and reply functionality. When your post receives a comment, you’ll get a Notification that looks something like [...]

Earnings Preview: Fidelity – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:45:01 +0000

Fidelity National Information Services Inc. is all set to announce its fourth quarter and full-year 2011 results on February 13, 2012, after the market closes.

FLIR Beats Qtly Est., Lags FY11 – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:30:01 +0000

FLIR Systems reported fourth-quarter 2011 earnings from continuing operations of 49 cents, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 45 cents.

Social Networking Stock Alert: LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD) Trades Up on Fourth Quarter News

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:57 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- LinkedIn Corporation (NYSE:LNKD) is trading up at $84.64 8.25(10.80%) 10:10AM EST, with a morning high of $86.10.The Company reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31...

Social Networking Stock Alert: LinkedIn (NYSE:LNKD) Trades Up on Fourth Quarter News

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:18:57 +0000

NYSE Beats, Growth Sluggish – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:15:01 +0000

NYSE Euronext Inc.'s fourth quarter operating earnings per share was a penny ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate and slightly higher than the year-ago quarter.

Imperial Sugar (NASDAQ:IPSU ) Up Over 12% In Spite of Recent Health Warnings on Sugar

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- www.InvestorIdeas.com, a global investor research portal for independent investors, issues a trading alert for sugar company, Imperial Sugar Company (NASDAQ:IPSU). Imperial Sugar has moved up since it reported it...

Imperial Sugar (NASDAQ:IPSU ) Up Over 12% In Spite of Recent Health Warnings on Sugar

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:13:00 +0000

Mixed Results for Sonoco – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:04:01 +0000

Sonoco Products Co. (SON) reported fourth-quarter results delivering an adjusted EPS of 46 cents compared with 59 cents in the year-earlier quarter

AMSC Beats, Still In Red – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:01 +0000

American Superconductor Corporation reported an adjusted loss of 38 cents per share which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 47 cents.

Battery Stocks; A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE), to Supply Six Battery Energy Storage Solutions to Northern Powergrid for the U.K.’s Largest Smart Grid Project

Investor Ideas — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

WALTHAM, Mass. - February 10, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy newswire) A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE), a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate(R) lithium ion batteries and systems, today announced that it will supply six Grid Bat...

SmartCard Marketing Systems (OTCBB:SMKG) Launches Broadcastproduct.com Direct Response Service

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) – SmartCard Marketing Systems Inc. (Pinksheets:SMKG) announced today the launch of a direct response service for Manufactures and Retailers with a new twist to attract "opt in" consumers. The new offering allo...

SmartCard Marketing Systems (OTCBB:SMKG) Launches Broadcastproduct.com Direct Response Service

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0000

Foreclosure Mess: The End? – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:55:01 +0000

The five large U.S. banks accused of faulty foreclosure practices, have finally agreed to the $25 billion settlement deal.

Can Sony Rebound Before Apple Enters the Ring?

Michael Lombardi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:52:30 +0000

The battle in the retail sector has continued to become more difficult over the years, as competition has come from a variety of companies. Sony Corporation (NYSE/SNE) is a perfect example of a once steady firm, one of the old blue-chips, which has fallen on hard times, as corporate earnings have been hit by tough competition in the retail sector.

Firms in the retail sector for electronic devices are usually blue-chips, but over the years the fall in the corporate earnings of Sony has been quite pronounced. The firm, synonymous with TVs, was recently questioned whether it should leave that market altogether. Who can imagine that thought occurring 20 years ago?

Sony recently made an important change, bringing in new Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai to try to turn corporate earnings around. Currently Sony is on pace to lose money on TVs for an eighth consecutive year! A once-strong area for corporate earnings has become a black hole.

Sony has been trying to reduce costs and boost corporate profits with job layoffs. According to the company, in 2011, it had 168,200 employees, down from 180,500 three years ago. In the third quarter ended December 31, 2011, sales were down 17.4% from the previous year. Part of the hit was due to the floods in Thailand and a portion is due to the strength in the Japanese yen.

Sony once had a market capitalization of $100 billion. It currently trades with a valuation at just under $20.0 billion, quite a hit to a firm that was once one of the top blue-chips. The company is looking to exit poor markets in the retail sector and cutting costs, to try to become as lean as possible to increase corporate profits. With a significant decrease in employees already, the question is: who else is being laid off? If the firm is losing its visionary employees, those who will be part of the process to improve and create new products for the retail sector, this could be a huge mistake.

As much as cost-cutting is good, true value is generated with new products that are unique and stand apart from the crowd in the retail sector. This is how Sony originally became one of the blue-chips, generating strong corporate earnings from innovative products in the retail sector like the “Walkman” and the original “Sony TV”. Us older investors can remember when owning a Sony TV meant getting the best quality possible, it was a product we really wanted above others. The main company that seems to be executing in the retail sector today like that is one of the new blue-chips, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ/AAPL).

Just as Sony is trying …

CAT Loss Fells XL Group – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:45:01 +0000

XL Group reported fourth-quarter 2011 operating loss of 25 cents per share and full year 2011 operating profit of 28 cents per share, both lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimates.

How China’s Craving for Raw Materials Will Affect You

Michael Lombardi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:44:01 +0000

I have long been a supporter of looking for growth in Chinese stocks. The reverse merger fiasco concerning fraud at numerous Chinese reverse merger companies killed the positive bias towards Chinese stocks, but I feel it was overdone and not justified to that extent.

The reality is that China is the world’s second largest economy and could vault ahead of the U.S. by 2040 if the growth continues, according to Goldman Sachs. China’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at an average of 9.3% annually from 1989 to 2010. That is impressive. Its Asian neighbor and former economic powerhouse in Asia, Japan, continues to struggle for renewal with its GDP growing an anemic 0.55% average from 1980 to 2010. China’s economy expanded at 9.8% in the fourth quarter, above the 2.8% in the U.S. and estimated 0.1% drop in Japan.

As I have said in the past, China has done well largely because it has marketed it massive cheap labor workforce and significant manufacturing capacity to the world. When you can produce goods for a fraction of the cost versus domestic production, you tend to go for the cheaper cost, especially if you’re a public company trying to make money for its shareholders.

China’s mega-power economic engine is stalling, but the growth in the country continues to be well ahead of that of the rest of the G7 countries

For 2012, China’s GDP is estimated to slow marginally to 8.6% from the previous 9.2%%, according to Goldman Sachs. This is impressive compared to the industrialized world.

Economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region is promising, including seven-percent projected growth in the developing Asian economies and a stellar 8.3% in neighbor India.

In contrast, Europe has stalled its economic engine, with Germany on the verge of a mild recession in the first quarter.

With China continuing to grow, the demand for raw materials will remain high across many sectors; from industrial, to mining, to technology. The country is the world’s largest consumer and producer of gold. In 2010, the country produced a record 345 tons of gold, which was tops worldwide, according to research by precious metals consultant GFMS. This demand has helped to drive up gold prices and will continue.

The reality is that China is trying to reduce its need for foreign sources of metals. The country is also the leading domestic producer of aluminum, zinc and lead, and is second in tin. China is also a major producer of copper, nickel and silver. Look at some of the many Chinese mining companies, as there is huge potential under the ground.

Yet the country continues to scour the world looking at acquisitions in raw materials. …

ImmunoCellular (OTCBB: IMUC) Shareholder Update Validates Strong Potential for Growth

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:43:24 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) – Biotechnology topics are hot in the investment community. Acquisitions are regularly being reported, new treatments are advancing in cancer therapy and stem cell research is being pursued down multiple aven...

ImmunoCellular (OTCBB: IMUC) Shareholder Update Validates Strong Potential for Growth

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:43:24 +0000

What It Will Take for Me to BecomeBullish on the U.S. Stock Market

Michael Lombardi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:33:35 +0000

We’re in the lull between earnings seasons and investors have only economic news and geopolitical events to go on. Being an election year, you can bet that policymakers in the U.S. and Europe will be doing everything they can to avoid any crises and/or shocks to global financial markets. Who would want to mess up the stock market’s strong start to the year?

Commensurate with the main stock market averages, a lot of large-cap companies that pay dividends performed extremely well since the beginning of the year. I think this year can produce a positive result in the broader stock market, but, over the near term, it’s fair to expect some consolidation in share prices. We have reasonable valuations among most large-cap companies, but by no means should anyone expect the stock market to begin a new bull market. Business isn’t that good.

Many large-cap companies didn’t give specific guidance for 2012. Instead, a lot of them just said that they expect a “good” year. No doubt, corporate balance sheets continue to get stronger and this is a very positive trend. But this also means that, to a material degree, large-cap companies aren’t spending their bulging cash balances. They aren’t investing much in new plant and equipment, new hiring or training. This is keeping the good health of the corporate economy from trickling down to the Main Street economy. Austerity, it would seem, is just as pervasive among well-heeled corporations as it is with individual consumers.

If there is another recession in 2013/2014, then large-cap companies will be well-positioned to ride it out. Even though we have very low interest rates and the certainty of an extended low interest rate environment, another U.S. recession is a real possibility next year. With economic growth in emerging markets slowing and Europe virtually in recession now, getting gross domestic product (GDP) to accelerate is going to be a very difficult thing to accomplish. That is, of course, until large-cap companies start spending. This is why I’m not particularly bullish on the stock market, even though I think it has a reasonable chance of finishing higher this year. (Are We in a Sucker’s Rally?)

Large-cap companies are sitting on record amounts of cash and debt financing is easy in a low interest rate environment. But this doesn’t mean that share prices won’t be vulnerable if the economy sputters. Like I’ve been writing, I do believe that the main stock market averages will be able to complete the right shoulder formation of the large head-and-shoulders formation that’s been taking place over the last 15 years. But if the economy does teeter with recession next year, then with …

Chesapeake Fined in Pennsylvania – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:30:01 +0000

Chesapeake Energy Corporation has been fined $565,000 by the state authorities.

Deyu Agriculture Acquires Deep Processed Food Manufacturer Taizihu Group

Andrew Klips — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:29:37 +0000

Deyu Agriculture Corp. (OTCBB: DEYU), a Beijing, China-based vertically integrated producer and distributor of organic and non-organic corn and grain products, announced today that it has acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital of Shanxi Taizihu Food Co., Ltd. and its subsidiary, Shanxi Huichun Bean Products Co., Ltd. (together, the “Taizihu Group”) for [...]

Unconfirmed Reports North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un assassinated

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Northern, WI 2/10/2012 (Streetbeat) -- Unconfirmed Reports North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un has been assassinated...be back with more as soon as I get confirmation. Currently Bloomberg and CNN are NOT confirming this, but m...

Unconfirmed Reports North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un assassinated

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:24:00 +0000

Quantum Fuel System Technologies Worldwide Inc. (QTWW) Extended Range Vehicle Showcased at the Chicago Auto Show

QualityStocks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:23:23 +0000

Today, Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., a global leader in natural gas, hydrogen, and hybrid electric vehicle technologies, announced that the U.S. Army’s Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) is sending the company’s Quantum Clandestine Extended Range Vehicle (CERV) to the Chicago Auto Show. TARDEC will display two Quantum CERVs from its [...]

Cobalt (NYSE: CIE) Angola pre-salt oil test beats expectations

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:22:39 +0000

Northern, WI 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) – Cobalt International Energy Inc (NYSE: CIE) said results from tests at a deep sea oil well off the coast of Angola had exceeded expectations and increased the company's confidence in its West African pre-salt e...

Cobalt (NYSE: CIE) Angola pre-salt oil test beats expectations

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:22:39 +0000

Zacks #1 Ranked Healthcare Mutual Funds – Best of Funds

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:22:01 +0000

Infuse these Zacks #1 rated healthcare mutual funds into your portfolio for safety but not at the expense of returns.

TAROF Taro Pharmaceutical (TAROF) Posts Q4, FY 2011 Preliminary Financial Results

QualityStocks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:18:55 +0000

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., a multinational science-based pharmaceutical company, today provided unaudited financial results for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2011. Fourth-quarter revenues for 2011 were $148.1 million, a 44.3 percent increase over fourth-quarter revenue for 2010. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales was 71.6 percent, compared to 59.6 percent. [...]

How the Massive Global EconomicSlowdown Will Affect Us

Michael Lombardi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:18:33 +0000

There can be no doubt about it; we live in an increasingly global economy. As I’ve been writing often, dear reader, how the rest of the world is faring with the global economic slowdown will be a big factor in how the U.S. economy does in 2012.

China’s Lunar New Year holiday is equivalent to North America’s Thanksgiving; it is a gauge for retailers on how confident the consumer is, and how the following year will develop, since it is one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year.

As I’ve been saying, in spite of digging deeper into debt, the U.S. consumer was unable to muster a strong holiday season. The economic slowdown affected China’s Lunar New Year as well.

Although holiday sales grew 16% in China, this was the slowest rate of growth in three years. Large retailers to jewelers admitted that sales were disappointing and, while some refused to forecast for 2012 because of the uncertainty, others pointed to the economic slowdown in Europe and the U.S. as affecting consumer sentiment. (See: 2102 Economic Growth Forecast Slashed Across Most Countries.)

This was further confirmed by China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, which sees China’s industrial output as slowing to 11% in 2012, from 13.9% in 2011…but admits that there are significant downside risks to the forecast due to the global economic slowdown. This is consistent with the message from China’s central bank.

Remaining in Asia, South Korea’s central bank cut its economic forecast for the first half of 2012, after experiencing 3.6% growth in 2011. The central bank noted the global economic slowdown as one of the factors tempering its outlook.

India’s government forecast 2012 as the year of slowest growth since 2009—three years ago. In a 180-degree turn, India’s central bank has expressed that it will stop raising rates to fight inflation, as the attention has now turned to possibly cutting rates, because of inflation slowing as well as economic growth due to…wait for it…the global economic slowdown.

Over to Europe now, where the dominant economy that drives the eurozone, Germany, saw its exports fall in December at the fastest pace in three years due to the economic slowdown.

Once again, dear reader, the fact that Asian economies experienced the slowest economic growth in three years and the fact that Germany’s exports fell at the fastest pace in three years is no coincidence. It proves the economic slowdown and how interconnected we are economically.

Seasonally adjusted exports fell 4.3% in December in Germany, far worse than the one percent that economists had expected. Industrial production dropped off 2.9%, which is clearly pointing to an economic slowdown, as confirmed by …

Valero Set to Meet Demand Surge – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:15:01 +0000

Valero Energy Corp. aims to meet the growing demand for distillate in 2012.

Russia Behind Bulgarian Anti-Fracking Protests?

OilPrice.com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:13:13 +0000

Pity the poor Eastern Europeans. Fifty years under the domination of their massive Soviet eastern neighbor then the collapse of Communism there two decades ago offered undreamed of opportunities to join both the European Union and NATO. But they still remain dependent on the Russian Federation for the majority of their oil and gas needs, [...]

UTStarcom Holdings (UTSI) Contracted to Build Two New IPTV Platforms

QualityStocks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:12:19 +0000

UTStarcom Holdings Corp., a leading provider of interactive, IP-based network solutions, today announced that it has won two new contracts that will support its IPTV network expansion with Fujian Telecom and Zhejiang Telecom, provincial subsidiaries of China Telecom. UTStarcom currently serves nearly 1 million IPTV users in Fujian and approximately 650,000 IPTV users in Zhejiang. [...]

Could the U.S.’s Credit Rating Be Downgraded Again?

Michael Lombardi — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:09:27 +0000

It’s not too late for this country…

On that historic day when Standard & Poor’s stripped the U.S. of its elite AAA status last year, because of its large government debt and budget deficit, it has been forgotten that the rating agency placed a negative outlook on the country’s rating.

The negative outlook centered on the fact that our country had no concerted medium- or long-term plan to reduce the debt, let alone the budget deficit. Of course, such a plan will be difficult to conceive or even implement in an election year, but the budget deficit is nonetheless estimated to be $1.3 trillion this year.

Standard & Poor’s came out this week warning that the U.S. faces another rating cut in the next six to 24 months if a credible plan is not put in place to tackle the relentlessly rising government debt and the budget deficit.

Standard & Poor’s acknowledges that not much can be done about the U.S. fiscal problems until after the elections, but at least it is putting the current/new administration on alert, warning them that if one of their first mandates is not creating a plan to bring the budget deficit under control, then another downgrade will follow.

Yes, after the downgrade of the U.S. credit rating last summer, demand for U.S. bonds went up and interest rates continued to fall. This was due to a confluence of events: the crisis in Europe; the Arab Spring; and the privilege of being the reserve currency.

Privileges are earned, not given. Just because we have the reserve currency now, doesn’t mean we will retain it in the future; not with trillion-dollar budget deficits. In order to continue to earn that right, we need to address the ballooning government debt (and trillion-dollar budget deficit), which stands at over $15.0 trillion. In addition to this, our unfunded liabilities are at the very least $55.0 trillion.

I commend Standard & Poor’s for drawing attention to one of the most important issues facing our country. The problem is that tackling the debt and budget deficit means tackling entitlements: Medicare and Social Security are the major ones.

This will cause an uproar among Americans, which is why politicians don’t want to touch it; it will greatly reduce their chances of being re-elected.

With budget deficits of at least a trillion dollars being created annually, clearly we are on a path that is unsustainable. We need true leaders to stand up, discuss the issues in a concise manner, and make very difficult decisions that will steer us onto a path of fiscal discipline—budget surpluses, not budget deficits—on the road to reducing the government debt.

It is not …

Apple’s (Nasdaq: AAPL) Gain Is Nuance’s (Nasdaq: NUAN) Pain

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:08:04 +0000

Palm Beach, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) – Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is edging ever closer to $500 a share, but not all of its suppliers are basking in the iPhone maker's glow. Just ask Nuance Communications (Nasdaq: NUAN).Apple has long been known to driv...

Apple’s (Nasdaq: AAPL) Gain Is Nuance’s (Nasdaq: NUAN) Pain

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:08:04 +0000

Affymetrix Misses as Sales Dip – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:01 +0000

Affymetrix's loss per share for fourth quarter and fiscal 2011 were higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimates.

Kitcommentary from Kitco Metals Inc. – "On Borrowed Time and Money"

Dawn Van Zant — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:00:00 +0000

February 10, 2012 (Investorideas.com Mining stocks newswire) The agreement on further austerity measures that was reached by Greece's political leaders not only failed to ignite the orbital launch of many a risk asset

True Religion (Nasdaq: TRLG) slumps after weak forecast; analysts cut ratings

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:46:26 +0000

Palm Beach, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- Shares of denim maker True Religion Apparel Inc (Nasdaq: TRLG) lost as much as a quarter of their value on Friday after the company forecast weak 2012 results, prompting at least two brokerages to downgrade the st...

True Religion (Nasdaq: TRLG) slumps after weak forecast; analysts cut ratings

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:46:26 +0000

Alexion Exits 2011 on a Strong Note – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:45:01 +0000

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 36 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents.

GelTech Solutions, Inc. (GLTC) Video Chart for Friday, February 10, 2012

QualityStocks — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:43:33 +0000

GLTC has made a nice run over the last couple weeks and looks to be starting to pull back some at this point. This video discusses support areas that should be held if the retrace continues as well as the MACD setup before the move happened. To view the video chart, visit the following link: [...]

EURODOLLAR C OF B WAVE DOWN IN PROGRESShttp://bit.ly/ywtHJh

Steven Vincent — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:33:00 +0000

SPX CORRECTION UNDER WAY http://bit.ly/ytMdIv

Steven Vincent — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:32:00 +0000

LinkedIn Delivers Strong 4Q – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:30:01 +0000

LinkedIn Corporation reported adjusted net earnings of 7 cent per share in fourth quarter 2011, much better than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of one cent.

Sanofi Beats Earnings Estimates – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:15:01 +0000

Sanofi reported fourth quarter 2011 business earnings of $1.15 per American Depository Share

Amerco reported Third quarter results – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:13:01 +0000

The moving and storage revenue was in line with our estimates:

Deyu Agriculture Corp. (OTCBB: DEYU) Acquires Deep Processed Food Manufacturer, Taizihu Group

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:04:30 +0000

Orlando, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- Deyu Agriculture Corp. (OTCBB: DEYU), a Beijing, China-based vertically integrated producer and distributor of organic and non-organic corn and grain products, announced today that it has acquired 100% of the issued ...

Deyu Agriculture Corp. (OTCBB: DEYU) Acquires Deep Processed Food Manufacturer, Taizihu Group

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:04:30 +0000

Benihana Lags Estimates, Comps Grow – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:01 +0000

Benihana reported earnings of 6 cents per share in the third quarter of 2012, missing both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 9 cents.

Electric Car Stocks: Video: Tesla Unveils Model X at Its Los Angeles Design Studio

Investor Ideas — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 +0000

February 10, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Tesla Motors (NASDAQ:TSLA) unveiled its latest one-of-a-kind vehicle last night: the highly anticipated Model X.

Cono Italiano Inc. (OTCBB: CNOZ) and Spuntibreak Secures Distributor Agreement With Ashcroft Management Ltd.

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:54:52 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- Cono Italiano, Inc. (OTCBB: CNOZ), the exclusive license holder for the North American Distribution and Manufacturing rights for "pizza cono," a one-of-a-kind, drip-free, cone-shaped pizza made from proprietary d...

Cono Italiano Inc. (OTCBB: CNOZ) and Spuntibreak Secures Distributor Agreement With Ashcroft Management Ltd.

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:54:52 +0000

Energy stocks: Poseidon aims to grow with the shale gas boom

TSI Network — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:54:15 +0000

Pat McKeough responds to many personal questions on specific stocks and other investing topics from the members of his Inner Circle. Every week, his comments and recommendations on a selection of the most intriguing questions of the past week go out to all Inner Circle members. And every Friday, we offer you one of the …

InterMune Widens Loss, Sales Dip – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:45:01 +0000

InterMune's Q4 loss per share of 69 cents was wider than the year-ago adjusted loss per share of 42 cents, afflicted by lower revenues and higher operating expenses.

View Systems (OTCBB: VSYM) Announces Partnership With National Security Resources

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:43:14 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- View Systems, Inc. (OTC.BB: VSYM), a security solutions provider, announced a partnership with facial recognition company National Security Resources (NSR).View Systems announces that the companies are working to...

View Systems (OTCBB: VSYM) Announces Partnership With National Security Resources

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:43:14 +0000

Are Bonds Dangerous? – Real Time Insight

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:33:01 +0000

The Oracle of Omaha recently called bonds "among the most dangerous of assets". Is he right?

Santa Fe Gold (OTCBB: SFEG) Reports Strong Operating Results for 2012 Fiscal First Half

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:30:18 +0000

Tallahassee, FL 2/10/12 (StreetBeat) -- Santa Fe Gold Corporation (OTCBB: SFEG) is pleased to announce the financial results for its 2012 fiscal first half ending December 31, 2011.Continued Growth in RevenueSanta Fe recorded revenue of $4,469,219 for ...

Santa Fe Gold (OTCBB: SFEG) Reports Strong Operating Results for 2012 Fiscal First Half

PennyPayDay .com — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:30:18 +0000

Ingram Beats EPS, Guides Cautiously – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:30:01 +0000

Ingram Micro Inc. has reported fourth-quarter 2011 earnings per share of 70 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 55 cents.

How do you feel about the US economy?

Trading School — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:27:39 +0000

With increasingly better job numbers each month and a feeling around the country that things are getting better. We want to know… We would love to hear your thoughts. Please leave a comment below. Every Success, The MarketClub Team