Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Marvell could be a boon for the semis

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Marvell could be a boon for the semis originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• American Express (NYSE:AXP) was upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at FBR Capital, as the firm sees limited near-term downside in the stock. The firm raised its target price on the shares to $37 from $25.
  
• RBC Capital upgraded Estee Lauder (NYSE:EL) to Outperform from Sector Perform. Target to $44 from $34. UBS upgraded Nestle on expectations the company will begin returning cash to shareholders via buybacks and dividends.
  
• Piper Jaffray raised Dicks Sporting (NYSE:DKS) to Neutral from Underweight following positive channel checks and raised its target on the shares to $28 from $18.
  
• Sohu.com (NASDAQ:SOHU) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell by Pali Capital.
  
• Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) was raised to Buy from Hold by Natixis.
  
• Sunpower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) was upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Macquarie.
• China Automotive (NASDAQ:CAAS) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Merriman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, HAL, EL, MAT, CAT....

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AXP, HAL, EL, MAT, CAT.... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) Q2 profit fell short of estimates as same-store sales declined.
• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) Q2 earnings beat very low expectations and same-store sales fell.
• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported better-than-expected numbers for Q2, sending shares upward.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) posted a better-than-expected Q4 profit though revenue declined.
• China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. posted a record Q2 profit after restrictions on fuel prices were lifted.
• Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) said its Q2 earnings declined, but they still topped analysts' expectations.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Burger King, Dell, Dollar Tree, J. Crew, Staples, Toll Bros. ...

Earnings highlights: Burger King, Dell, Dollar Tree, J. Crew, Staples, Toll Bros. ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late yesterday, Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL) reported a lower second-quarter profit, thanks to a large drop in sales amid struggles throughout the chip sector. That said, the company did vault higher after its announcement, thanks to its sales forecast.

The chipmaker reported second-quarter earnings of nine cents per share, down from 11 cents per share a year ago. Adjusted quarterly income checked in at 18 cents per share. Quarterly revenue slipped to $640.6 million, which was down from $842.6 million in the second quarter a year ago. Expectations called for earnings of 13 cents per share on revenue of $615 million.

Continue reading Marvell Technology jumps after its earnings report and forecast

Marvell Technology jumps after its earnings report and forecast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Investors gear down earnings expectations (AIG, HNSN, MRVL, MYL, UNH)

Closing Bell: Investors gear down earnings expectations (AIG, HNSN, MRVL, MYL, UNH) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Can't run, and can't hide (AAPL, DIA, SPY, MRVL, MSFT, STP, SIRI, WMT, YHOO)

Closing Bell: Can't run, and can't hide (AAPL, DIA, SPY, MRVL, MSFT, STP, SIRI, WMT, YHOO) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ: MSFT) personal finance tracking program MS Money (not to be confused with msmoney.com) has been futilely chasing Intuit's (NASDAQ: INTU) Quicken since the early days of Windows. Apparently, the company has finally taken note of all the red on its financials and is mercifully pulling the plug on the program.

According to CNet's Ina Fried, Microsoft will put the program down tomorrow. It is currently only distributed online, and the company will discontinue updating it for current users after January of 2011.

I don't expect much wailing and gnashing of teeth from those savvy enough to track their finances with a computer program. Quicken has proven a reliable program so widely adopted that it serves as a template for other, similar programs.

Continue reading Say goodbye to Microsoft Money

Say goodbye to Microsoft Money originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Bulls hold the high ground (AXP, STP, PG, TXN, SQNM, MRVL)

Closing Bell: Bulls hold the high ground (AXP, STP, PG, TXN, SQNM, MRVL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded American Capital (NASDAQ: AGNC) to Outperform from Market Perform on expectations the company's book value and earnings are trending higher. The firm raised its target price to $22.
• Jefferies upgraded Spartan Stores (NASDAQ: SPTN) to Buy from Hold as it believes the company's EPS and sales momentum will return with the Michigan economy likely bottoming out. Despite upgrading, the firm lowered its target price to $18 from $24.
• Morgan Stanley upgraded U.S. Steel (X) to Overweight from Equal Weight due to its favorable product mix and leverage to improving operating rates.
• CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Mueller Water (NYSE: MWA) was raised to Perform from Underperform at Oppenheimer.
• Marvell Technology (NASDAQ: MRVL) was upgraded to Outperform from Underperform at JMP Securities.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CSX, JBL, MRVL, NUE, STT, X ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CSX, JBL, MRVL, NUE, STT, X ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, lifting shares.
• AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) posted a better-than-expected Q3 profit said it will continue to buy back shares.
• Bank of Montreal (NYSE: BMO) reported lower Q2 earnings and also announced 1,100 layoffs.
• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) higher Q1 earnings topped estimates even though same-store sales fell.
• BioMed Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: BMR) earnings prospects after the recent capital raise led to a downgrade.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Costco, Dell, Heinz, Staples, Tiffany, Tivo and more

Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Costco, Dell, Heinz, Staples, Tiffany, Tivo and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 30 May 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Marvell Technology forecasts a solid second quarter

Marvell Technology forecasts a solid second quarter originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 29 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading A peek at Marvell Technology's fourth-quarter earnings report

A peek at Marvell Technology's fourth-quarter earnings report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Dow up; Bernanke must have bought stocks; JPM, HD, MRVL, AIG, AXP

Closing Bell: Dow up; Bernanke must have bought stocks; JPM, HD, MRVL, AIG, AXP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• UBS upgraded STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) to Neutral from Sell and Advanced Semiconductor (NYSE: ASX) to Buy from Neutral as it is seeing early signs of stabilization in the semiconductor industry.
  
• Jefferies upgraded VCA Antech (NASDAQ: WOOF) to Hold from Underperform as it does not see significant downside in the stock given the low expectations. It raised its target price to $22 from $15.
  
• Baird upgraded Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $16 from $9 as it expects revenue growth to resume in 2009 driven by IPTV end-demand.
• Goldman removed Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) from the Conviction Sell List.
  
• Portfolio Recovery (NASDAQ: PRAA) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform at Keefe Bruyette.
  
• Post Properties (NYSE: PPS) was upgraded at Deutsche Bank to Hold from Sell.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, JAVA, POT, PALM ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: DELL, JAVA, POT, PALM ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded shares of Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM) to Buy from Hold following the company's Q4 results as they believe fundamentals are stabilizing. The firm raised their target price to $22 from $12.
  
• Baird upgraded Theravance (NASDAQ: THRX) to Outperform from Neutral. The firm said the company looks poised to realize the two-product success necessary to drive profitability, and Horizon will likely play a role in succeeding $7B+ Advair. Note that last night Theravance/Glaxo (GSK) reported positive results for Horizon.
  
• RBC Capital said Aeterna Zentaris (NASDAQ: AEZS) is on the cusp of a Cetrorelix deal and has turned more positive on shares. Shares were upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform.
  
• Marvell Tech (NASDAQ: MRVL) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman and added to the firm's Conviction Buy List.
  
• Sangamo BioSciences (NASDAQ: SGMO) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Merriman.
  
• Arthur J. Gallagher (NYSE: AJG) was upgraded at Piper Jaffray to Buy from Neutral.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AKAM, MRVL, THRX, DELL, CRNT, TRV, AEIS ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AKAM, MRVL, THRX, DELL, CRNT, TRV, AEIS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q3 results beat estimates despite the dismal retail environment.
• Alpha Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: ANR) lowered its full-year forecast due to lower demand for coal.
• America's Car-Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) reported higher Q2 earnings and higher same-store sales.
• Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE: BZH) losses in Q4 more than tripled as revenue declined.
• Collective Brands Inc. (NYSE: PSS) Q3 profits were in line with estimates, enough to send shares higher.
• General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) cut its Q4 earnings forecast, which now falls in line with estimates.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) warned that it may see its first quarterly loss ever in Q4.
• Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) strong Q3 results beat estimates but offered a conservative outlook.
• Infineon Technologies AG (NYSE: IFX) posted a wider Q4 loss on restructuring and warned of further losses.
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) 2009 earnings are expected to be diluted by an acquisition.
• Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) reported strong Q3 numbers, sending shares higher.
• Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp. (NYSE: MRX) earnings prospects after a settlement led to an analyst's upgrade.
• Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MRK) lowered its 2009 earnings guidance below analysts' expectations.
• Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) said that it expects Q2 revenues to come in below analysts' estimates.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Sears, GE, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Staples and others

Earnings highlights: Sears, GE, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Staples and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 06 Dec 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Stocks rally; CEG, MRVL, RIMM, SNDK soar

Closing Bell: Stocks rally; CEG, MRVL, RIMM, SNDK soar originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Marvell Technology Group's (NASDAQ: MRVL) Q3 earnings report had some great numbers that made me want to consider the stock as a potential buy. However, some things about the long-term price action of the company's shares makes me want to avoid the stock altogether.

The bottom line for the storage and networking tech company increased 64% to $0.23 per diluted share; this number beat estimates by three pennies. Pretty cool, right? Here are a couple more positives: operational cash flow increased 41% on a sequential basis compared to Q2 of this year, and free cash flow increased 47% on the same basis. On a year-over-year basis, operational cash flow increased more than ten times, leading to a huge increase in free cash flow. And non-GAAP gross margin, while not seeing an increase, saw fit to at least remain flat instead of decreasing. Not bad. Marvell's shares traded 8% higher in premarket action.

Here's the deal, though. I'm not sure I'd want to buy Marvell at this point in the dreadful economic cycle. Going back to the long-term price action, there's no escaping the significant decline in the stock price as a result of potential future weakness in its business. For example, recently, Melly Alazraki wrote about Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone and how sales of that device might be affected by the recession. Marvell is a supplier to the iPhone.

With the stock in single-digit territory, and with the global markets acting horribly, I just can't see buying Marvell. Indeed, I enjoyed the earnings report. But one must consider the company is unsure about demand for the stuff it sells going forward. Maybe Marvell might make a trade or something, but I'm not ready to go long-term on it just yet.

Disclosure: I don't own any company mentioned; positions can change at any time.

Marvell (MRVL): Great Q3, but can this be sustained going forward? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, F, RIMM, BAC, CEG, FCX, MRVL, GS, IFX, BBBY, MOT ...

Stocks in the news: GM, F, RIMM, BAC, CEG, FCX, MRVL, GS, IFX, BBBY, MOT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stocks higher on Election Day; GE, MA, VIA, ADM, DF, MRVL, AAPL ...

Before the bell: Stocks higher on Election Day; GE, MA, VIA, ADM, DF, MRVL, AAPL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.