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<title>Weyerhaeuser Company (WY) Stock News & Articles - 24/7 Wall St.</title>
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<title>Tuesday Top Analysts Upgrades and Downgrades: Advance Auto Parts, Blackrock, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, CAVA Group, Charles Schwab, First Solar, Fox Corporation, Invesco, Northern Trust, Shockwave Medical, Tesla and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/07/11/tuesday-top-analysts-upgrades-and-downgrades-advance-auto-parts-blackrock-bristol-myers-squibb-company-cava-group-charles-schwab-first-solar-fox-corporation-invesco-northern-trust-shockwave/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Jul 2023 12:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1266865</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen before markets opened on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/07/11/tuesday-top-analysts-upgrades-and-downgrades-advance-auto-parts-blackrock-bristol-myers-squibb-company-cava-group-charles-schwab-first-solar-fox-corporation-invesco-northern-trust-shockwave/">Tuesday Top Analysts Upgrades and Downgrades: Advance Auto Parts, Blackrock, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, CAVA Group, Charles Schwab, First Solar, Fox Corporation, Invesco, Northern Trust, Shockwave Medical, Tesla and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1266865">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures are trading higher after a back-and-forth Monday that saw the major indices finish the day solidly to the upside. With second-quarter earnings starting in a big way later this week, as many of the major banks report on Friday, all eyes are now turned to Wednesday when the consumer price index for June will hit the tape. While it may indicate some progress is being made, it’s a solid bet that the numbers won’t be good enough to change the path of the Federal Reserve in lifting rates another 25-basis-points at the end of the month.</p>
<p>Treasury yields were modestly higher Monday across the board on the shorter maturities after buyers jumped in on Friday to grab government debt that was at some of the highest yield levels across the curve since early March. The longer maturities yields all finished lower as buyers continued to add to positions. The 10-year note finished Monday at 4%, while the short 2-year paper closed the day at 4.86%. While the worrisome inversion between the two securities has narrowed, the case for a recession later this year remains strong.</p>
<p>Brent Crude and West Texas Intermediate were lower after printing a 10-week high back on Friday. Concerns over the economy and the slow response from the Chinese government in boosting their country’s sagging economy both weighed on the black gold on Monday. Natural gas was a winner on Monday, closing up over 3% at $2.67.</p>
<p>Gold closed modestly lower on Monday as profit takers took advantage of the $20 gain in the bullion on Friday. The move higher Friday was triggered by the June non-farm payroll numbers that came in slightly below expectations. Bitcoin closed up 2% Monday at $30,747.90.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.</p>
<p>Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/aap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464134">NYSE: AAP</a>) Atlantic Equities downgraded the shares to Neutral from Buy and crushed the target price down to $50 from $130. The consensus target access Wall Street is $82.54 for now. The stock closed Monday’s session at $68.80.</p>
<p>Azul S.A. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/azul/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464135">NYSE: AZUL</a>) Barclays upgraded the stock to Equal Weight from Underweight and raised the target price to $14 from $8. The consensus on Wall Street is posted at $13.77. The stock was last seen Monday at $12.17, up almost 3% on upgraded and positive analysts’ comments.<!--nextpage--></p>
<p>Ball Corporation (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bll/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464136">NYSE: BLL</a>) BofA Securities downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy and slid the target price to $63 from $65. The consensus target across Wall Street is $60.70. The final trade for Monday was filled at $56, down almost 3%.</p>
<p>BlackRock, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/blk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464137">NYSE: BLK</a>) Keefe Bruyette upgraded the stock to Outperform from Market Perform and boosted their target price up to $835 from $770. The consensus is posted lower at $760.64. The shares were last seen Monday at $696.53.</p>
<p>Boise Cascade Company (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bcc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464138">NYSE: BCC</a>) BofA Securities upgraded the shares to Neutral from Underweight and has a $103 target price. The consensus price objective on Wall Street is $83.20. The stock closed Monday at $93.04.</p>
<p>Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bmy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464139">NYSE: BMY</a>) SVB Securities started coverage with a Market Perform rating to go with a $66 target price objective. The consensus is posted higher at $79.24. The shares ended Monday at $62.48.</p>
<p>Cava Group, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cav/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464140">NYSE: CAV</a>) Sitfel started coverage on the recent red-hot IPO with a Buy rating and a $48 target price. Jefferies also began covering the trendy restaurant with a Buy rating and also has a $48 target price objective, while Baird started covering the shares with an Outperform rating and a $50 target. The consensus was not available as the stock just came out of the quiet period. The last Monday trade hit the tape at $44, up a massive 11%.</p>
<p>Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/crl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464141">NYSE: CRL</a>) Citigroup downgraded the company to Neutral from Buy and slashed the price target to $260 to a $225 target price. The consensus is higher at $249. The last trade Monday was filled at $208.76.</p>
<p>The Charles Schwab Corporation (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/schw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464142">NYSE: SCHW</a>) JMP Securities upgraded the legacy discount brokerage to Market Outperform from Market Perform with a $73 target price. The consensus is $67.89. The final trade Monday was recorded at $57.87.</p>
<p>Columbia Banking System Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/colb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464143">NASDAQ: COLB</a>) UBS downgraded the shares to Sell from Neutral and cut their target price to $18.50 from $21.50. The consensus target is $26.75. The shares were last seen on Monday at $20.74.</p>
<p>First Solar, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fslr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464144">NASDAQ: FSLR</a>) BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage with a Market Perform rating on the solar leader and has a $204 target price. The consensus target is $226.95. Monday’s final trade was reported at $190.82.</p>
<p>Fox Corporation (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/foxa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464145">NASDAQ: FOXA</a>) Wells Fargo downgraded the stock to Underweight from Equal Weight and lowered their target price to $31 from $35. The consensus is posted at $35.67. The shares closed trading Monday at $33.70.<!--nextpage--></p>
<p>Franklin Resources, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ben/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464146">NYSE: BEN</a>) BMO Capital Markets resumed coverage with a Market Perform rating on the mutual fund behemoth and raised the price target to $24 from $20. The consensus target is $24.60. Monday’s final trade was reported at $27.15, up close to 4%.</p>
<p>Invesco Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ivz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464147">NYSE: IVZ</a>) BMO Capital Market resumed coverage with a Market Perform rating on the investment giant and raised the price target to $21 from $15. The consensus target is $17.75. Monday’s closing trade was reported at $17.37, up close to 3%.</p>
<p>Northern Trust Corporation (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ntrs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464148">NASDAQ: NTRS</a>) UBS downgraded the shares to Neutral from Buy and lowered their target price to $80 from $100. The consensus target is $84.42. The shares were last seen on Monday at $73.73.</p>
<p>Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pten/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464149">NASDAQ: PTEN</a>) RBC Capital Markets upgraded the stock to Outperform from Sector Perform and has the price target set at $19. The consensus target is posted at $16.81. The stock closed Monday at $13.36, up almost 3% on the upgrade.</p>
<p>Sealed Air Corporation (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/see/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464150">NYSE: SEE</a>) BofA Securities upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold and trimmed the target price to $52 from $61. The consensus across Wall Street is posted at $54. The stock ended trading Monday at $41.87.</p>
<p>ShockWave Medical, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/swav/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464151">NASDAQ: SWAV</a>) Morgan Stanley upgraded the company to Overweight from Equal Weight and boosted the target price objective to $335 from $291. That compares with the consensus target being lower at $289.33. The shares closed the day at $277.52, a gain of over 6% on the upgrade and commentary.</p>
<p>Tesla, Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tsla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464152">NASDAQ: TSLA</a>) Jefferies reiterated a Hold rating while raising their target price on the electric vehicle and space giant to $265 from $185. The consensus target is posted at $209.81. The last trade Monday was reported at $269.61.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Company (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="464153">NYSE: WY</a>) BofA Securities upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold and bumped the target price to $38 from $34. The consensus across Wall Street is posted at $37.10. The stock ended trading Mon</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/07/11/tuesday-top-analysts-upgrades-and-downgrades-advance-auto-parts-blackrock-bristol-myers-squibb-company-cava-group-charles-schwab-first-solar-fox-corporation-invesco-northern-trust-shockwave/">Tuesday Top Analysts Upgrades and Downgrades: Advance Auto Parts, Blackrock, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, CAVA Group, Charles Schwab, First Solar, Fox Corporation, Invesco, Northern Trust, Shockwave Medical, Tesla and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1266865">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades Downgrades: Block, Hasbro, McDonald’s, Pioneer Natural Resources, Tyson Foods, Warner Bros Discovery and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/04/11/tuesday-upgrades-downgrades-block-catalent-hasbro-mcdonalds-netapp-pioneer-natural-resources-regions-financial-southwestern-energy-tyson-foods-warner-bros-discovery-weyerhaeuser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Apr 2023 12:53:49 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1220895</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Tuesday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included American Homes 4 Rent, Block, Catalent, Cushman & Wakefield, Hasbro, McDonald's, NetApp, Pioneer Natural Resources, Regions Financial, Southwestern Energy, Tyson Foods, Warner Bros. Discovery and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/04/11/tuesday-upgrades-downgrades-block-catalent-hasbro-mcdonalds-netapp-pioneer-natural-resources-regions-financial-southwestern-energy-tyson-foods-warner-bros-discovery-weyerhaeuser/">Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades Downgrades: Block, Hasbro, McDonald’s, Pioneer Natural Resources, Tyson Foods, Warner Bros Discovery and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1220895">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded lower in what will be a busy week for economic data on Wall Street. The major indexes finished Monday mixed, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq the only loser on the day, and barely one at that. It was down just 0.03% to close at 12,804. Top strategists will be watching closely as the consumer price index numbers and the Federal Open Market Committee minutes drop Wednesday, while the producer price index and initial jobless claims come in Thursday.</p>
<p>The big banks will mark the unofficial kick-off for the first-quarter earnings reporting parade on Friday. While the money center leaders should be able to deliver predictable results, the smaller regional banks will be watched closely, as many lost huge deposits after the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in March.</p>
<p>One of the flies in the equity market ointment Monday was that interest rates across the Treasury curve jumped sharply higher on Monday, especially on the short end. The two-year note crossed back over 4% to end the day at 4.01%, and the five-year note yield jumped a stunning 16 basis points. The inversion with the 10-year note tightened as the benchmark paper finished the session at 3.42%. The inversion suggests the potential for recession.</p>
<p>After a big week last week, both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude finished Monday modestly lower. This came despite chatter across Wall Street that energy giant Exxon Mobil was in acquisition discussions with Permian Basin leader Pioneer Natural Resources. This would mark the energy giant’s biggest deal since the merger with Mobil in 1999. Natural gas finished the day at $2.17, up over 8% for the day.<br />
<br />
Gold dropped almost 1% on Monday, falling back below the $2,000 level to close at $1,992, after a strong move over the past few weeks. Bitcoin was a winner Monday, closing up over 3% at $29,232.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding fresh ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.</p>
<p>American Homes 4 Rent (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/amh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441521">NYSE: AMH</a>): Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to Outperform from In Line and has a $36 target price. The consensus target is $34.39. The stock closed on Monday at $31.85.</p>
<p>AvalonBay Communities Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/avb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441522">NYSE: AVB</a>): Evercore ISI raised its In Line rating to Outperform with a $194 target price. The consensus target is $184.19, and the stock closed on Monday at $168.62.</p>
<p>Block Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/sq/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441523">NYSE: SQ</a>): Keefe Bruyette downgraded the stock to Market Perform from Outperform and lowered its $90 target price to $75. The consensus target is $94.75. Monday’s closing share price was $66.36.<br />
<br />
Booking Holings Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bkng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441524">NASDAQ: BKNG</a>): This travel website operator is the Zacks Bull of the Day stock, with the analyst making the case that it should outperform over the next 6 to 12 months. The shares last closed at $2,572.57 apiece, and the $2,773.85 consensus price target would be an all-time high.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Catalent Inc. (NYSE: CTLT): Deutsche Bank’s upgrade was to Buy from Hold, and the analyst raised the $56 target price to $88. The consensus target is $77.92. The stock closed more than 3% higher on Monday at $67.26.</p>
<p>Chesapeake Energy Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/chk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441525">NYSE: CHK</a>): Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating with a $130 target price. The consensus target is $114.88. Monday’s $77.54 close was up 3% on the day.</p>
<p>Cushman & Wakefield PLC (NYSE: CWK): Goldman Sachs downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy. Its $15 target price dropped to $11.50, even lower than the $16.79 consensus target. The last trade for Monday came in at $9.60, which was down more than 2.5% for the day on the downgrade.</p>
<p>Essex Property Trust Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ess/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441526">NYSE: ESS</a>): Evercore ISI downgraded the stock from Outperform to In Line with a $236 target price. The consensus target is $238.05. The shares ended trading on Monday at $210.77.</p>
<p>Fiverr International Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nvda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441527">NYSE: FVRR</a>): BTIG Research initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $50 target price. The consensus target is $50.78. The stock closed on Monday at $35.05.</p>
<p>GXO Logistics Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nvda/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441528">NYSE: GXO</a>): Jefferies reiterated a Buy rating and kept its $65 target price. The consensus target is $60.94. Monday’s close at $49.82 was up over 3% for the day.</p>
<p>Hasbro Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/has/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441529">NASDAQ: HAS</a>): Stifel lowered its $73 target price on the Buy-rated toymaker to $68. The consensus target is $70.30. The shares finished Monday at $52.21.</p>
<p>Incyte Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/incy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441530">NASDAQ: INCY</a>) The RBC Capital Markets downgrade to Sector Perform from Outperform included a target price trim to $79 from $81. The consensus target is $88.94. The stock closed on Monday at $73.93.<br />
<br />
Intuit Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/intu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441531">NASDAQ: INTU</a>): Oppenheimer reiterated an Outperform rating with a $476 target price. The consensus target is $484.87. The shares closed on Monday at $444.72.</p>
<p>Kemper Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/kmpr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441532">NYSE: KMPR</a>): Credit Suisse’s upgrade was to Outperform from Neutral, and its $56 target price is now $78. The consensus target is $70.20. On Monday, shares closed at $57.69.</p>
<p>McDonald’s Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mcd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441533">NYSE: MCD</a>): Northcoast upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy with a $321 target price. The consensus target is just $295.84. Monday’s close was at $283.78.</p>
<p>NetApp Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ntap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441534">NASDAQ: NTAP</a>): Stifel upgraded the stock to Buy from Hold and has a $75 price objective. The consensus target is $71.63. The stock closed at $65.05 on Monday.<br />
<!--nextpage-->New Fortress Energy Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nfe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441535">NYSE: NFE</a>): Deutsche Bank started coverage with a Buy rating and a $60 target price. The consensus target is $71.63. Monday’s final trade was for $65.05 a share.</p>
<p>Northern Trust Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ntrs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441536">NASDAQ: NTRS</a>): though J.P. Morgan upgraded the stock to Neutral from Underweight, it also trimmed its $97 target price to $96.50. The consensus target is $97, and shares closed on Monday at $87.74.</p>
<p>Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pxd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441537">NYSE: PXD</a>): Stifel lowered its $293 target price to $286. The consensus target is $256.45. The stock closed almost 6% higher on Monday due to the acquisition chatter.</p>
<p>Regions Financial Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441538">NYSE: RF</a>): UBS upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral and has a $21 target price. The consensus target is $23.37. The stock closed on Monday at $18.41.</p>
<p>Southwestern Energy Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/swn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441539">NYSE: SWN</a>): Siebert Williams Shank started coverage with a Hold rating and a $6 target price. The consensus target is $8.38. Monday’s close at $5.28 was up over 5% on the day.</p>
<p>Tyson Foods Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tsn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441540">NYSE: TSN</a>): Zacks pointed to headwinds that meat producers face as it named this one its Bear of the Day stock. Shares have traded as high as $99.54 in the past year but closed most recently at $61.05, which is down about 7% in the past 90 days.<br />
<br />
Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wbd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441541">NYSE: WBD</a>): Truist Financial initiated coverage with a Buy rating and a $19 target price. The consensus target is $21.18. Monday’s close was at $15.40.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441542">NYSE: WY</a>): As D.A. Davidson upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral, its $34 target price was nudged up to $35. The consensus target is $36.60. Monday’s close was at $30.43.</p>
<p>Xometry Inc. (NASDAQ: XMTR): JMP Securities started coverage with a Market Outperform rating and a $20 price target. The consensus target is $28.89. The positive coverage had shares closing at $14.96 on Monday, up 10% for the day.<br />
<br />
A wave of mergers and acquisitions in the energy space may be starting, and these five <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/04/11/these-5-dividend-paying-oil-stocks-could-be-next-if-exxon-buys-pioneer-natural-resources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441543">top exploration and production companies</a> could be swallowed up next. Plus, they all pay solid dividends while investors wait and see.</p>
<p>Monday’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/04/10/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-alphabet-amazon-com-apple-comerica-datadog-fedex-leslies-monster-beverage-mosaic-pinterest-pure-storage-toast-wells-fargo-welltower/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="441544">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, Comerica, Datadog, FedEx, Ferrari, Leslie’s, Monster Beverage, Mosaic, Pinterest, Pure Storage, Skyworks Solutions, Toast, Wells Fargo and Welltower.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2023/04/11/tuesday-upgrades-downgrades-block-catalent-hasbro-mcdonalds-netapp-pioneer-natural-resources-regions-financial-southwestern-energy-tyson-foods-warner-bros-discovery-weyerhaeuser/">Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades Downgrades: Block, Hasbro, McDonald’s, Pioneer Natural Resources, Tyson Foods, Warner Bros Discovery and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1220895">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Wednesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AutoZone, Etsy, Luminar, Nike, Norwegian Cruise, PayPal, Western Digital, Weyerhaeuser and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/09/21/wednesdays-top-upgrades-and-downgrades-autozone-eog-resources-etsy-huntsman-luminar-technologies-nike-norwegian-cruise-line-paypal-pioneer-natural-resources-western-digital-weyerhaeuser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:51:51 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1170495</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Wednesday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included AutoZone, EOG Resources, Etsy, Huntsman, Luminar Technologies, Nike, Norwegian Cruise Line, PayPal, Pioneer Natural Resources, Western Digital and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/09/21/wednesdays-top-upgrades-and-downgrades-autozone-eog-resources-etsy-huntsman-luminar-technologies-nike-norwegian-cruise-line-paypal-pioneer-natural-resources-western-digital-weyerhaeuser/">Wednesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AutoZone, Etsy, Luminar, Nike, Norwegian Cruise, PayPal, Western Digital, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1170495">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded higher Wednesday. After a two-month wait, all of Wall Street expects the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 75 basis points. The horrific core inflation numbers last week sealed the deal. While the Fed does not meet again until early November, it is probably a given it will raise rates then and in December as well.</p>
<p>The major indexes closed lower Tuesday, as bond yields soared to some of the highest levels in 15 years. Toss in some red-hot inflation numbers out of Germany and Japan, and talk of the Fed’s terminal rate going higher for longer, and the risk-off crowd started hitting bids right from the open.</p>
<p>The aforementioned Treasury yields were up across the curve Tuesday, with the five-year and 10-year notes and the benchmark 30-year bond all trading at 52-week highs. The continued flattening of the curve and the two-year note closing at 3.97% keeps the dreaded inversion with the 10-year front and center. The inversion is considered a recession indicator.</p>
<p>Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude were down on the news that even more oil will be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) over the next month or so. The SPR is now at the lowest level in decades. Some energy strategists warn that once the drawdowns end, we could be in for a severe shortage. Natural gas closed flat, while both gold and Bitcoin ended the session lower.<br />
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24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding fresh ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Wednesday, September 21, 2022</p>
<p>America Movil SAB de C.V. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/amx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404661">NYSE: AMX</a>): UBS upgraded the stock to Buy from Neutral but trimmed the $20.50 price target to $20.40. The consensus target is higher at $22.08. The stock closed over 4% higher on Tuesday at $17.42.</p>
<p>AutoZone Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/azo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404662">NYSE: AZO</a>): Goldman Sachs reiterated a Buy rating and has a $2,334 target price. The consensus target is $2,292.89. The shares closed on Tuesday at $2,131.47.<br />
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AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ): Stifel lowered its $62 price target to $54 while keeping a Buy rating. The consensus target is $53. The stock closed almost 3% lower on Tuesday at $39.33.</p>
<p>Brigham Minerals Inc. (NYSE: MNRL): Citing its solid growth and expanding margins, Zacks selected this holder of mineral and royalty interests as its Bull of the Day stock. Shares last closed at $26.52, and the $37.29 price target would be an all-time high.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Darden Restaurants Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dri/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404663">NYSE: DRI</a>): Oppenheimer maintained an Outperform rating and a $155 price target. The consensus target is $139.83. The stock closed on Tuesday at $132.75.</p>
<p>EOG Resources Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/eog/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404664">NYSE: EOG</a>): KeyBanc Capital Markets initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $157 target price. The $148.43 consensus target is closer to Tuesday’s final print of $119.63.</p>
<p>Etsy Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/etsy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404665">NASDAQ: ETSY</a>): BofA Securities started coverage with a Neutral rating and a $120 price objective. The consensus target is $117.19. The stock on Tuesday at $103.97, down 7% on the day with the weak tape.</p>
<p>Humana Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404666">NYSE: HUM</a>): As Morgan Stanley upgraded the stock to Overweight from Equal Weight, it boosted its $494 target price to $549. The consensus target for the healthcare giant is $541.48. Tuesday’s close was at $502.89.</p>
<p>Huntsman Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hun/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404667">NYSE: HUN</a>): J.P. Morgan downgraded the stock to Underweight from Neutral. Its $25 target price is less than the $35.16 consensus target and near Tuesday’s close at $25.22.</p>
<p>Innoviz Technologies Ltd (NASDAQ: INVZ): J.P. Morgan started coverage with an Overweight rating and a $22 target. The consensus target is just $8.67. The shares closed on Tuesday at $5.78, up 4% for the day on the initiation.</p>
<p>Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jazz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404668">NASDAQ: JAZZ</a>): Goldman Sachs slashed the $192 price target on the Neutral-rated shares to $148. The consensus target is $201.78. The stock closed down 7% at $137.84 on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lpx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404669">NYSE: LPX</a>): The BofA Securities downgrade to Underperform from Neutral included a target price cut to $56 from $64. The consensus target is $70.22. The stock closed trading Tuesday at $52.44, a 4% drop for the day, likely on the downgrade.<br />
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Luminar Technologies Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lazr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404670">NASDAQ: LAZR</a>): J.P. Morgan initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $30 target. The consensus target is just $13.82. The stock closed on Tuesday at $9.53, up almost 5% for the day on the upgrade.</p>
<p>Martin Marietta Materials Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mlm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404671">NYSE: MLM</a>): Exane BNP Paribas raised its Neutral rating to Outperform with a $407 price target. The consensus target is $410.63. The stock closed at $334.57 on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Nike Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nke/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404672">NYSE: NKE</a>): Barclays downgraded the athletic shoe and apparel heavyweight to Equal Weight from Overweight. It also lowered its $125 target price to $110, well lower than the $131.08 consensus target. Tuesday’s closing print of $102.42 was a 5% drop on the day after the downgrade.</p>
<p>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nclh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404673">NASDAQ: NCLH</a>): Truist Financial upgraded the shares to Buy from Hold and slid its $18 target price up to $19, the same as the consensus target. Tuesday’s close was at $15.19.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Papa John’s International Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pzza/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404674">NASDAQ: PZZA</a>): Stifel kept a Buy rating on the popular pizza purveyor while lowering its $120 price objective to $100. The consensus target is $111.80, and Tuesday’s last trade was for $75.45 a share.</p>
<p>Parker-Hannifin Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ph/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404675">NYSE: PH</a>): BofA Securities resumed coverage with a Neutral rating and a $315 target price. The consensus target is $325.69. The last trade for Tuesday was reported at $258.96.</p>
<p>PayPal Holdings Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pypl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404676">NASDAQ: PYPL</a>): When Susquehanna lowered its Positive rating on the payments giant to Neutral, it also cut the $115 price objective to $100. The consensus target is $120.74. The $91.63 closed on Tuesday was down almost 4% on the day.</p>
<p>Pioneer Natural Resources Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pxd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404677">NYSE: PXD</a>): KeyBanc Capital Markets started covering the stock with an Overweight rating and a $290 target price. The $290.39 consensus target also is well above Tuesday’s last print of $231.74.</p>
<p>Vista Outdoor Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vsto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404678">NYSE: VSTO</a>): Jefferies started coverage with a Hold rating and a $26 target. The consensus target is $48.97 for now. Tuesday’s close at $26.29 was down almost 7%, likely due to the weak tape.<br />
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Western Digital Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wdc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404679">NASDAQ: WDC</a>): Deutsche Bank downgraded shares of the hard-disk-drive giant to Hold from Buy, and it cut its $56 target price to $40. The consensus target is higher for now at $70. The stock closed Tuesday at $35.54, down 3% for the day.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="404680">NYSE: WY</a>): BofA Securities downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy and trimmed the $38 price target to $34. The consensus target is $40.30. The stock closed on Tuesday at $29.82, down almost 6% after the downgrade.</p>
<p>Ziff Davis Inc (NASDAQ: ZD): Evercore ISI initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and a $90 target price. The consensus target is $109.71. The stock closed at $74.56 on Tuesday.<br />
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Given the looming potential for massive downside as interest rates head higher, seven <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/09/21/stock-market-could-plunge-these-7-dividend-aristocrats-can-survive-the-fall/" data-lasso-id="404681">Dividend Aristocrat stocks</a> in defensive sectors that look poised to do well for the rest of 2022 and into next year make a ton of sense for nervous investors now.</p>
<p>Tuesday’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/09/20/tuesdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-adobe-cheniere-energy-cnx-resources-edwards-life-sciences-eog-resources-huntsman-kraft-heinz-ncr-peloton-pultegroup-take-two-interactive-udr/" data-lasso-id="404682">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Adobe, Cheniere Energy, CNX Resources, Edwards Lifesciences, EOG Resources, Huntsman, Kraft Heinz, NCR, Peloton Interactive, PulteGroup, Take-Two Interactive Software and UDR.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/09/21/wednesdays-top-upgrades-and-downgrades-autozone-eog-resources-etsy-huntsman-luminar-technologies-nike-norwegian-cruise-line-paypal-pioneer-natural-resources-western-digital-weyerhaeuser/">Wednesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AutoZone, Etsy, Luminar, Nike, Norwegian Cruise, PayPal, Western Digital, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1170495">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Thursday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, DraftKings, Goldman Sachs, Las Vegas Sands, Lyft, SunPower, Twitter, Weyerhaeuser, Wynn Resorts and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/30/thursdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-com-azek-draftkings-goldman-sachs-las-vegas-sands-lyft-sunpower-twitter-unity-software-weyerhaeuser-wynn-resorts/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Jun 2022 12:48:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1145311</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Thursday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included Amazon.com, Azek, DraftKings, Goldman Sachs, Las Vegas Sands, Lyft, SunPower, Twitter, Unity Software, Weyerhaeuser and Wynn Resorts.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/30/thursdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-com-azek-draftkings-goldman-sachs-las-vegas-sands-lyft-sunpower-twitter-unity-software-weyerhaeuser-wynn-resorts/">Thursday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, DraftKings, Goldman Sachs, Las Vegas Sands, Lyft, SunPower, Twitter, Weyerhaeuser, Wynn Resorts and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1145311">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded lower on Thursday, as the final trading day for the second quarter began. The major indexes closed mixed Wednesday, as typical quarter-end window dressing by portfolio managers moved shares back and forth throughout the session, with only the Dow Jones industrials closing higher.</p>
<p>The third and final gross domestic product reading for the first quarter came in down 1.6%. Not surprisingly, many across Wall Street have stated that the second quarter numbers also may be negative. If that is the case, then we are already in a recession, which many have said would not happen until next year.</p>
<p>One positive on Thursday was that yields across the Treasury curve were lower after consistent selling this week. Again, this could be additions to portfolios to close out the quarter. The yield on the 30-year Treasury bond fell back to 3.21%</p>
<p>Both Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude closed lower, with Brent well below the psychologically important $120 level. Natural gas also traded lower, after getting hit hard earlier this week. Gold closed down on the day, while Bitcoin ended modestly higher.<br />
<br />
24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding fresh ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Thursday, June 30, 2022.</p>
<p>Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/amzn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394943">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>): Redburn started coverage of the technology behemoth with a Buy rating and a $270 target price. The consensus target is lower at $176.35. The shares closed Wednesday at $108.92.</p>
<p>Azek Co. Inc. (NYSE: AZEK): This building products stock was named as the Zacks Bear of the Day. The analyst points out that falling estimates continue to drag the shares lower. They have traded as high as $46.56 apiece in the past year but closed most recently at $17.05. That is down about 63% since the beginning of the year.<br />
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Cadence Design Systems Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cdns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394944">NASDAQ: CDNS</a>): BofA Securities upgraded the stock to Neutral from Underperform and lifted the $160 price target to $175. The $193.15 consensus target is higher, and Wednesday’s closing print was $150.92.</p>
<p>Chefs’ Warehouse Inc. (NASDAQ: CHEF): Despite the weak market, bulls are feasting on this sizzling stock, says Zacks, which selected it as the Bull of the Day. The shares last closed at $38.98, and the $44.71 consensus target would be a 52-week high.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Crown Castle International Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cci/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394945">NYSE: CCI</a>): Deutsche Bank lowered its Buy rating to Hold and cut the $204 price target to $183. The consensus target is $200.11. The final trade on Wednesday was recorded at $167.31.</p>
<p>DraftKings Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dkng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394946">NASDAQ: DKNG</a>): Barclays initiated coverage on shares of the popular fantasy sports and gaming site with an Equal Weight rating and a $14 target price. The consensus target is higher at $28.02. The closed almost 3% lower on Wednesday at $12.41.</p>
<p>Federated Hermes Inc. (NYSE: FHI): Keefe Bruyette’s upgrade to Outperform from Market Perform included a price target hike to $40 from $32. The consensus target is $34.00. Wednesday’s closed was at $31.83.</p>
<p>Generac Holdings Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/gnrc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394947">NYSE: GNRC</a>): Wells Fargo initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and a $285 target price. That compares with the much higher $386.65 consensus target and the $214.61 closing share price on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/gs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394948">NYSE: GS</a>): BofA Securities upgraded the white glove investment bank to Buy from Neutral. It also raised the $360 target price to $380, but the consensus target is still higher at $417.58. The last trade on Wednesday was reported at $303.28.</p>
<p>Icosavax Inc. (NASDAQ: ICVX): Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to Outperform from In Line and has an $18 target price. The consensus target is up at $25.50. The shares closed Wednesday at $7.01, which was down almost 17% on the day despite announcing positive clinical results.</p>
<p>Las Vegas Sands Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lvs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394949">NYSE: LVS</a>): Barclays started coverage of the gaming giant with an Overweight rating and a $39 target. The consensus is $48.31. The stock closed almost 3% lower on Wednesday at $33.61.<br />
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Lyft Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lyft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394950">NASDAQ: LYFT</a>): Wedbush resumed coverage of the ride-sharing stock with an Outperform rating and a $32 price target. The consensus target is up at $41.79. The stock closed almost 4% lower on Wednesday at $14.03.</p>
<p>MongoDB Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mdb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394951">NASDAQ: MDB</a>): Redburn started coverage with a Sell rating and a $190 target. The consensus target is higher at $384.44. Wednesday’s final trade was reported at $276.77 a share.</p>
<p>O’Reilly Automotive Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/orly/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394952">NASDAQ: ORLY</a>): D.A. Davidson raised its Neutral rating to Buy and lifted the $700 price target to $740. The consensus target is $734.50. Wednesday’s close was at $637.13.</p>
<p>Rent-A-Center Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rcii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394953">NASDAQ: RCII</a>): Stephens downgraded the stock to Equal Weight from Overweight. Its $42 price target is less than the $46.75 consensus target. The last trade on Wednesday hit the tape at $19.62.<br />
<!--nextpage-->SunPower Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/spwr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394954">NASDAQ: SPWR</a>): Wells Fargo started coverage with an Underweight rating and a $17 target price. The consensus target is $19.83. The shares closed Wednesday at $15.14, down close to 11% on the day as U.S. solar policies and a slowing housing market are turning into headwinds.</p>
<p>Twitter Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/twtr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394955">NYSE: TWTR</a>): Wedbush resumed coverage with a Neutral rating and a $54 target. The consensus target for the possible Elon Musk acquisition is $49.66. The stock closed on Wednesday almost 3% lower at $37.80.</p>
<p>Ulta Beauty Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ulta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394956">NASDAQ: ULTA</a>): Raymond James raised its rating on the popular cosmetics and accessories retailer to Strong Buy from Outperform and bumped the $475 target price to $485. The consensus target is $457.70. Wednesday’s final trade was reported at $391.64 a share.</p>
<p>Unity Software Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/u/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394957">NYSE: U</a>): BTIG Research lowered its price target to $72 from $110 while staying with a Buy rating. The consensus target is $74.94, and Wednesday’s closing trade was for $39.52 per share.</p>
<p>Universal Display Corp. (NASDAQ: OLED): The BofA Securities downgrade was to Neutral from Buy, and it slashed the $170 price target to $135. The consensus target is $187.36. The shares ended trading Wednesday at $103.78, down close to 6% for the day.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394958">NYSE: WY</a>): Truist Financial started coverage with a Hold rating and a $37 price target. The consensus target is higher at $43.11. The shares ended Wednesday trading at $33.04.</p>
<p>Wynn Resorts Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wynn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394959">NASDAQ: WYNN</a>): Barclays started coverage of the luxury gaming property with an Equal Weight rating and a $62 target price. The higher $91.27 consensus target also compares with Wednesday’s close at $58.00 a share.<br />
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Seven top <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/30/7-reits-with-fat-dividends-to-grab-now-as-rates-and-inflation-rise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394960">real estate investment trusts</a> are solid ideas now, as they offer the best entry points in well over a year and come with large and dependable dividends.</p>
<p>In the semiconductor space, BofA favors <a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2022/06/29/bofa-sees-big-upside-in-semiconductor-stocks-upgrades-2-chip-design-picks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394961">two chip design stocks</a>. Meanwhile, <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/29/wells-fargo-cuts-targets-and-coverage-on-blueprint-medicines-carnival-deckers-outdoor/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394962">Wells Fargo has low expectations</a> for Carnival and other stocks.<br />
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Wednesday’s early top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/29/wednesdays-upgrades-and-downgrades-airbnb-cogent-biosciences-csx-fortinet-mcdonalds-merck-microsoft-mgm-resorts-nike-oracle-ovintiv-penn-national-gaming-state-street-union-pacific/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394963">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Airbnb, Cogent Biosciences, CSX, Fortinet, McDonald’s, Merck, Microsoft, MGM Resorts International, Nike, Oracle, Ovintiv, Penn National Gaming, State Street and Union Pacific . <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/29/more-wednesday-upgrades-and-downgrades-accenture-altria-bath-body-works-royal-caribbean-cruises-skyworks-solutions-texas-instruments/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="394964">Analyst calls seen</a> later in the day were on Accenture, Altria, Bath & Body Works, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Skyworks Solutions, Texas Instruments and more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/06/30/thursdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-com-azek-draftkings-goldman-sachs-las-vegas-sands-lyft-sunpower-twitter-unity-software-weyerhaeuser-wynn-resorts/">Thursday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, DraftKings, Goldman Sachs, Las Vegas Sands, Lyft, SunPower, Twitter, Weyerhaeuser, Wynn Resorts and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1145311">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>As Recession Concerns Mount, Analysts Upgrade or Downgrade Bath & Body Works, CarMax, Weyerhaeuser and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/more-monday-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-accolade-bath-body-works-carmax-empire-state-realty-trust-keycorp-tal-education-weyerhaeuser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lange]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 May 2022 15:02:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1102858</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Monday’s additional top analyst upgrades and downgrades were on Accolade, Bath & Body Works, CarMax, Empire State Realty Trust, KeyCorp, TAL Education, Weyerhaeuser and more.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/more-monday-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-accolade-bath-body-works-carmax-empire-state-realty-trust-keycorp-tal-education-weyerhaeuser/">As Recession Concerns Mount, Analysts Upgrade or Downgrade Bath & Body Works, CarMax, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1102858">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Markets turned lower to start out May. While April rained on markets with one of the worst performances in at least a couple of decades, a recovery does not appear to be in the picture near term. Concerns about whether a recession is on the way, or if we are already in one, are at the forefront of many investors’ minds.</p>
<p>Compounding with these recessionary concerns, the Federal Reserve is set to meet later this week, and most likely it will announce a hike in interest rates. Many are expecting the Fed to raise the federal funds rate by 50 basis points, a move in magnitude not seen since 2000. In a sense, this is admitting that the central bank printed too much money over the course of the pandemic.</p>
<p>Too much money chasing too few goods has led to inflation not rivaled in over 40 years. Some analysts previously argued that the markets would naturally bounce back as COVID-19 waned, and the trillion-dollar government spending bills were far too much and unnecessary at that. Initial statements by the Fed and the U.S. Department of Treasury when inflation was just picking up last year were in regards to its “transitory” nature, but it appears these were a grave miscalculation.</p>
<p>There is still some uncertainty about where the markets will go from here, as earnings season has held up despite the overwhelming market headwinds. However, these headwinds could prove to be too much, as gross domestic product growth turned negative for the first quarter. If they should persist, then the direction for the markets becomes unfortunately much clearer. All this makes for a real stock-picker’s market.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. is reviewing additional analyst calls seen on Monday. We have included the latest call on each stock, as well as a recent trading history and the consensus targets among analysts. Note that <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-com-apple-caterpillar-comcast-comerica-gilead-sciences-intel-lululemon-athletica-mcdonalds-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385324">analyst calls seen earlier in the day</a> were on Amazon, Apple, Caterpillar, Intel, McDonald’s and many more.</p>
<p>Accolade Inc. (NASDAQ: ACCD): Wells Fargo upgraded the stock to Equal Weight from Underweight and has a $6 price target. The 52-week trading range is $4.61 to $55.47, and shares traded near $6 apiece on Monday.</p>
<p>Bath & Body Works Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bbwi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385325">NYSE: BBWI</a>): Cowen upgraded the shares from Market Perform to Outperform with an $82 price target. The 52-week trading range is $44.17 to $82.00, and shares traded near $53 apiece on Monday.</p>
<p>CarMax Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/kmx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385326">NYSE: KMX</a>): Needham started coverage with a Hold rating. The stock traded near $86 on Monday. The 52-week trading range is $85.49 to $155.98.</p>
<p>Community Bank System Inc. (NYSE: CBU): Piper Sandler’s downgrade to Underweight from Neutral included a price target cut to $66 from $74. The 52-week trading range is $63.69 to $82.10, and shares were trading near $64 on Monday.</p>
<p>Empire State Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE: ESRT): Evercore ISI’s upgrade was to Outperform from In-Line and it has an $11 price target. The stock traded near $9 on Monday, in a 52-week range of $8.36 to $13.11.</p>
<p>KeyCorp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/key/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385327">NYSE: KEY</a>): Piper Sandler lowered its Neutral rating to Underweight and cut the $23 price target to $20.50. Shares were trading near $19. The 52-week range is $17.90 to $27.17.</p>
<p>Mohawk Industries Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mhk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385328">NYSE: MHK</a>): BofA Securities upgraded the stock to Neutral from Underperform and raised the $125 price target to $150. The 52-week trading range is $117.56 to $231.80, and shares traded near $143 apiece on Monday.</p>
<p>SJW Group (NYSE: SJW): J.P. Morgan upgraded it to Overweight from Neutral and has a $67 price target. The stock traded near $61 on Monday. The 52-week trading range is $58.50 to $73.69.</p>
<p>TAL Education Group (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385329">NYSE: TAL</a>): J.P. Morgan raised its Underweight rating to Neutral but cut the price target to $3.90 from $7.60. The 52-week trading range is $1.60 to $58.50, and shares were trading near $3 on Monday.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385330">NYSE: WY</a>): BMO Capital Markets downgraded the shares from Outperform to Market Perform with a $42 price target. Shares traded near $41 on Monday, in a 52-week range of $32.65 to $43.04.</p>
<p>With the potential for a sizable correction looming, 24/7 Wall St. thought it would be a good idea to look for Dividend Aristocrats that are in defensive sectors but look poised to do well the rest of 2022. <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/8-dividend-aristocrat-leaders-to-buy-now-with-the-stock-market-ready-to-blow-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385331">Eight stocks fit the bill</a> perfectly.</p>
<p><br />
Top oil exploration and development companies are among those expected to lift the dividends they pay to shareholders this week, making their stocks good <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/red-hot-energy-companies-among-5-strong-buy-stocks-with-expected-dividend-hikes-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="385332">total return candidates</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/05/02/more-monday-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-accolade-bath-body-works-carmax-empire-state-realty-trust-keycorp-tal-education-weyerhaeuser/">As Recession Concerns Mount, Analysts Upgrade or Downgrade Bath & Body Works, CarMax, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1102858">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Earnings Previews: Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/27/earnings-previews-chevron-exxon-mobil-phillips-66-weyerhauser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2022 17:38:49 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1099931</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Here are four top commodity-related firms that are set to report quarterly results before markets open on Friday. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/27/earnings-previews-chevron-exxon-mobil-phillips-66-weyerhauser/">Earnings Previews: Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1099931">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Between the time markets closed on Tuesday and before they opened again on Wednesday, more than 600 U.S.-listed firms reported quarterly results. We have included quick takes on some of these stocks in earlier reports.</p>
<p>After markets close Wednesday, seven firms we have covered in our previews will report results: <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/26/earnings-previews-ford-meta-platforms-paypal-qualcomm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384690">Ford, Meta Platforms, PayPal and Qualcomm</a>, as well as <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/26/earnings-previews-altria-las-vegas-sands-sirius-xm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384691">Altria, Las Vegas Sands and Sirius XM</a>.<br />
<br />
Companies reporting before Thursday’s opening bell will include <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/26/earnings-previews-caterpillar-peabody-energy-southwest-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384692">Caterpillar, Peabody Energy and Southwest Airlines</a>, as well as <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/26/earnings-previews-comcast-mcdonalds-twitter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384693">Comcast, McDonald’s and Twitter</a>.</p>
<p>We have previewed results due Thursday afternoon from <a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2022/04/27/earnings-previews-amazon-apple-robinhood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384694">Amazon, Apple and Robinhood</a>, as well as from <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/27/earnings-previews-intel-roku-us-steel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384695">Intel, Roku and U.S. Steel</a>. These reports also include roundups of the most recent quarterly results.<br />
<br />
Here is a look at four resource-focused companies expected to report results before markets open on Friday.</p>
<h2>Chevron</h2>
<p>Over the past 12 months, shares of Chevron Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cvx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384696">NYSE: CVX</a>) have risen by more than 62%, including a drop of about 9.8% from an all-time high in just seven trading sessions. Since peaking at around $124 a barrel in March, the price has dropped to about $100 (a dip of 19.4%). Investors and analysts are going to want to hear about production increases, share buybacks and dividend hikes. It is salad days for the energy giants now, and people will be looking for signs of when the rocket will come back to earth.</p>
<p>Analysts’ sentiment has cooled somewhat since Chevron reported fourth-quarter earnings in January. Of 28 brokerages covering the shares, 16 (compared to 22 in January) have a Buy or Strong Buy rating on the stock and 11 (up from the earlier eight) Hold ratings. At a recent price of around $157 a share, the upside potential based on a median price target of $184 is 17.2%. At the high price target of $213, the upside potential is 35.7%.<br />
<br />
First-quarter revenue is forecast at $54.96 billion, up 14.2% sequentially and 68.5% higher year over year. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are forecast at $3.44, up 34.3% sequentially and up a whopping 282% year over year. For the full 2022 year, analysts currently expect Chevron to post EPS of $15.54, up 91.2%, on revenue of $226.26 billion, up 39.3%.</p>
<p>Chevron stock trades at 10.1 times expected 2022 EPS, 11.5 times estimated 2023 earnings of $13.74 and 13 times estimated 2024 earnings of $12.08 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $92.86 to $174.76. Chevron pays an annual dividend of $5.68 (yield of 3.61%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 61%.<br />
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<div>
<h2>Exxon Mobil</h2>
</div>
<p>Shares of Exxon Mobil Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/xom/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384697">NYSE: XOM</a>) have risen by about 61% over the past 12 months. Since a recent low in mid-December, the stock has gained 45.2%. Everything we said earlier about Chevron is at work for Exxon as well. An added issue for both these integrated giants and their independent producer rivals is the threat of a slowdown in China’s economy due to the country’s No-COVID policy and ensuing lockdowns. An end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine would send crude prices lower as well.<br />
<br />
Of 27 analysts covering the stock, 17 rate the shares at Hold, five have a Strong Buy rating and four more rate the shares at Buy. At a share price of around $84.80, the upside potential based on a median price target of $95 is 12%. At the high target of $120, the upside potential is nearly 41.5%.</p>
<p>First-quarter revenue is forecast at $83.57 billion, down 1.6% sequentially but 46.4% higher year over year. Adjusted EPS are pegged at $2.23, up 8.7% sequentially and 243% year over year. For full fiscal 2022, current estimates call for EPS of $9.38, up 74.3%, on sales of $366.4 billion, up almost 28.3%.</p>
<p>Exxon shares trade at 9.0 times expected 2022 EPS, 10.1 times estimated 2023 earnings of $8.34 and 11.0 times estimated 2024 earnings of $7.72 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $52.10 to $91.50, and Exxon pays an annual dividend of $3.52 (yield of 4.28%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 58.4%.<br />
</p>
<h2>Phillips 66</h2>
<p>Typically, when oil prices rise, refiners’ stocks decline because their input costs rise. A lot of that can be passed along to consumers, but not all of it. Over the past 12 months, with crude oil up 62%, Chevron stock is up 62.0%, Exxon stock is up 60.5% and shares of Phillips 66 (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/psx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384698">NYSE: PSX</a>) are up about 14.4%. Because crude prices have been relatively low over the past 10 years, Phillips 66 shares are up almost 230%, compared with a rise of 124% in Chevron stock and 49.5% in Exxon stock.</p>
<p>Analysts remain mostly bullish on the stock, with 14 of 17 brokerages assigning a Buy or Strong Buy rating and the other three having a Hold rating. At a share price of around $83.70, the upside potential based on a median price target of $100.50 is 20.1%. At the high price target of $119, the upside potential is 42.2%.<br />
<!--nextpage-->The consensus estimate for first-quarter revenue is $34.86 billion, up 3.8% sequentially and 59.0% higher year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $1.26, down 57.2% sequentially but up 265% year over year. For full fiscal 2022, analysts are looking for EPS of $8.17, up 43.4%, and revenue of $140.56 billion, up 22.4%.<br />
<br />
Phillips 66 stock trades at 10.2 times expected 2022 EPS, 10.2 times estimated 2023 earnings of $8.20 and 9.1 times estimated 2024 earnings of $9.19 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $63.19 to $94.34. Phillips 66 pays an annual dividend of $3.68 (yield of 4.49%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 12.1%.<br />
</p>
<h2>Weyerhaeuser</h2>
<p>Lumber and wood products giant Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="384699">NYSE: WY</a>) saw its stock sink to a 52-week low in mid-July before rising to an all-time high last week. Lumber prices have come off their own August low but are still about 50% below their May 2021 high. Weyerhaeuser is among the world’s largest forest landowners and the company keeps buying more. It is also worth noting that Weyerhaeuser is a real estate investment trust and must pay out 90% of its earnings as a dividend.</p>
<p>Analysts show little interest in Weyerhaeuser. Just 10 cover the stock, and of those, eight have rated the stock a Buy or Strong Buy. The other two have Hold ratings. At a share price of around $41.40, the implied upside based on a median price target of $45 is about 8.7%. At the high target of $50, the implied upside is 20.8%.</p>
<p>Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 is forecast at $2.99 billion, up 35.7% sequentially and 19.1% year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $1.23, up 150.2% sequentially and 35.0% higher year over year. For the full fiscal year, EPS are forecast at $2.80, down 17.1% year over year, on sales of $9.93 billion, down 2.3%.<br />
<br />
Weyerhaeuser shares trade at 14.8 times expected 2022 earnings, 23.5 times estimated 2023 earnings of $1.77 and 17.8 times estimated 2024 earnings of $2.32. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $32.65 to $43.04. The company pays an annual dividend of $0.72 (yield of 1.76%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 12.6%.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/04/27/earnings-previews-chevron-exxon-mobil-phillips-66-weyerhauser/">Earnings Previews: Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1099931">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Friday’s Premarket Winners and Losers Include Apple, Robinhood and Visa</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/28/fridays-premarket-winners-and-losers-include-apple-robinhood-and-visa/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2022 13:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1036356</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Friday's premarket movers included the world's largest company by market cap moving up and a heavily traded newcomer that was sinking.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/28/fridays-premarket-winners-and-losers-include-apple-robinhood-and-visa/">Friday’s Premarket Winners and Losers Include Apple, Robinhood and Visa</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1036356">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The three major U.S. equities indexes closed lower again Thursday. Stocks could not hold on to early morning gains, and by early afternoon only the Dow Jones industrial average was able to hold the break-even line. The Nasdaq closed down 1.4%, the Dow ended essentially flat, and the S&P 500 slipped 0.5%. Among S&P 500 stocks, losers outnumbered winners by about 1.8 to 1 on Thursday. Five of 11 sectors closed lower, led by consumer cyclicals (down 2.4%) and real estate (1.8%). The energy (up 1.1%) and utilities (0.9%) sectors posted the best gains.</p>
<p>Crude oil settled at $86.61 on Thursday and traded up about 0.8% in early trading Friday to $87.24. The 10-year/two-year U.S. Treasury note spread ended the day at 0.63%, narrower by nine basis points.</p>
<p>The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis releases its monthly report on personal income and outlays for December 2021 Friday morning. Economists have forecast a rise of 0.5% in income and a decline of 0.5% in expenditures. The core PCE price index is forecast to rise 0.5% month over month and 4.8% year over year.</p>
<p>Here are the five S&P 500 stocks that closed with the biggest gains on Thursday: ServiceNow (up 9.14%), Ball (8.57%), Seagate (7.65%), Packaging Corp. of America (7.56%) and Netflix (7.51%).</p>
<p>Thursday’s biggest losers among S&P 500 stocks were Teradyne (down 22.40%), Tesla (11.60%), AMD (7.30%), Northrop Grumman (7.30%) and Textron (7.11%).</p>
<p>At around 7:00 a.m. ET Friday morning, S&P 500 futures traded down about 0.5%, the Nasdaq traded down about 0.1%, and the Dow was down by 0.6%.</p>
<p>The leading gainer among S&P 500 stocks in Friday’s premarket trading was Visa Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/v/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368551">NYSE: V</a>), up by around 4.3%, at $215.04 in a 52-week range of $190.10 to $252.67. The company reported results late Thursday that beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines.</p>
<p>Apple Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/aapl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368552">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) traded up about 4% to $165.53, in a 52-week range of $116.12 to $182.94. The company beat top-line and bottom-line estimates when it reported results Thursday. For the current quarter, Apple said it expects “solid” revenue growth, but less than the 11.3% year-over-year growth rate in the December quarter. The current consensus estimate calls for year-over-year revenue growth of 0.07%.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368553">NYSE: WY</a>) traded up about 0.8% before markets opened Friday, at $38.20 in a 52-week range of $30.87 to $41.80. The wood products giant beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines Friday morning. The company also will pay a “supplemental dividend” of $1.45 on February 28 to shareholders of record on February 18.</p>
<p>Fidelity National Information Services Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368554">NYSE: FIS</a>) traded up by about 0.7% to $110.00, in a 52-week range of $101.79 to $155.96. The company announced a 21% dividend increase on Thursday.</p>
<p>Penn National Gaming Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/penn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368555">NASDAQ: PENN</a>) traded up 0.5% to $42.56, in a 52-week range of $37.76 to $142.00. On Thursday, the company received approval to offer online sports betting in Louisiana.</p>
<p>Stocks trading lower in Friday’s premarket session include Robinhood Markets Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hood/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368556">NASDAQ: HOOD</a>), which had retreated 13% at $10.10, a new 52-week low if that price carried over into the regular trading session. The current trading range is $11.15 to $85.00. Robinhood missed both earnings and revenue estimates when it reported quarterly results on Thursday. The company also said it expects slower growth going forward.</p>
<p>Western Digital Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wdc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368557">NASDAQ: WDC</a>) traded down 11.1% to $47.87, in a 52-week range of $49.50 to $78.19. The hard drive and flash storage maker reported better-than-forecast earnings and revenue but issued downside guidance for the March quarter.</p>
<p>Stryker Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/syk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368558">NYSE: SYK</a>) traded down by 3% in Friday’s premarket, at $238.00 in a 52-week range of $220.90 to $281.16. The company beat revenue estimates but missed on profits and then issued downside guidance for its 2022 fiscal year.</p>
<p>KLA Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/klac/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368559">NASDAQ: KLAC</a>) traded down by 3.3% in Friday’s premarket session to $350.00, in a 52-week range of $273.24 to $457.12. The semiconductor equipment maker beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines but issued downside guidance for the current quarter on both profits and revenues.</p>
<p>Robert Half International Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rhi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368560">NYSE: RHI</a>) traded down about 2.7% Friday morning, at $108.00 in a 52-week range of $64.84 to $120.83. The staffing company beat December-quarter estimates, but it appears to have made no difference to investors. Total return to shareholders over the past 12 months was about 74%, about 67% in share price growth and the rest in dividend yield (1.37%) and buybacks.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/28/fridays-premarket-winners-and-losers-include-apple-robinhood-and-visa/">Friday’s Premarket Winners and Losers Include Apple, Robinhood and Visa</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1036356">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Earnings Previews: Caterpillar, Chevron, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/26/earnings-previews-caterpillar-chevron-phillips-66-weyerhauser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:35:34 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=1035021</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Before markets open on Friday, we shall hear quarterly results from two energy companies, an industrial giant and a lumber producer.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/26/earnings-previews-caterpillar-chevron-phillips-66-weyerhauser/">Earnings Previews: Caterpillar, Chevron, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1035021">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Companies beating earnings and revenue estimates far outnumber those that missed late Tuesday. The gap narrowed a little among companies reporting before markets opened on Wednesday, but the margin remained more than two to one.</p>
<p>Microsoft beat the revenue estimate by about $1.3 billion and the per-share earnings estimate by nearly 7%, and shares traded higher by around 5% shortly after the opening bell. Texas Instruments beat the earnings estimate by 16% and the revenue estimate by 9%, and it was also trading up by around 5%.<br />
<br />
Among companies reporting before the opening bell Wednesday, AT&T beat on both the top and bottom lines, while Boeing missed on both. Both stocks traded higher, however.</p>
<p>We have already previewed four companies reporting results after markets close on Wednesday (<a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/25/earnings-previews-intel-lam-research-las-vegas-sands-tesla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368039">Intel, Lam Research, Las Vegas Sands and Tesla</a>), along with previews of four more reporting results before Thursday’s opening bell (<a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/25/earnings-previews-altria-comcast-mcdonalds-southwest-airlines/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368040">Altria, Comcast, McDonald’s and Southwest Airlines</a>). Earlier, we previewed four companies reporting quarterly results later on Thursday (<a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/26/earnings-previews-apple-robinhood-us-steel-visa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368041">Apple, Robinhood, U.S. Steel and Visa</a>).<br />
<br />
Here is a look at four firms scheduled to report results first thing on Friday.</p>
<h2>Caterpillar</h2>
<p>After setting a new 52-week high in June, shares of heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368042">NYSE: CAT</a>) have dropped by nearly 11%. For the past 12 months, the shares are up about 18%. The Dow Jones industrial average component has become more capital-efficient in the past few years, but rising costs may outrun the company’s ability to raise prices. On Monday, analysts at Oppenheimer reiterated a Buy rating on competitor Deere and raised the price target from $395 to $425. Deere’s target is nearly a third higher than Caterpillar’s, and Deere’s price multiples are also lower.</p>
<p>Of 29 brokerages covering the shares, 12 have put a Hold rating on the stock, while 14 rate it at Buy or Strong Buy. At the recent share price of around $216.90, the upside potential based on a median price target of $240 is 10.7%. At the high target of $349, the upside potential is above 60%.</p>
<p>Caterpillar is expected to report fourth-quarter revenue of $13.22 billion, which would be up 6.7% sequentially and 17.7% higher year over year. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) are forecast at $2.26, down 15% sequentially but up 6.6% year over year. For the full 2021 fiscal year, analysts are expecting EPS of $10.36, up 58%, on revenue of $50.41 billion, up 20.8%.</p>
<p>Caterpillar stock trades at about 21 times expected 2021 EPS, 17.5 times estimated 2022 earnings of $12.39,and 14.3 times estimated 2023 earnings of $15.18. The stock’s 52-week range is $179.34 to $246.69. Caterpillar pays an annual dividend of $4.44 (yield of 2.07%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 18.4%.<br />
</p>
<h2>Chevron</h2>
<p>Over the past 12 months, shares of Chevron Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cvx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368043">NYSE: CVX</a>) have risen by about 55%, including a jump of more than 40% since late September. Rising crude oil prices and a close watch on capital spending will keep Chevron on the good side of investors who also like the stock’s healthy dividend. Independent producers are seeing share prices go through the roof on higher energy prices and cost-saving measures that have allowed the smaller companies to raise payouts to shareholders.</p>
<p>There are no Sell ratings from any of the 30 analysts covering the stock. Eight Hold ratings are offset by 22 Buy or Strong Buy ratings on the shares. At a share price of around $133.90, the upside potential based on a median price target of $140 is 4.6%. At the high price target of $167, the upside potential is nearly 25%.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Fourth-quarter revenue is forecast at $44.25 billion, up 1.1% sequentially and 79% year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $3.13, up 5.7% sequentially and far above the year ago’s loss of $0.01 per share. For the full 2021 year, analysts expect Chevron to post EPS of $8.61, compared to a loss per share of $0.20 in 2020, on revenue of $159 billion, up 67.9%.</p>
<p>Chevron stock trades at about 15.6 times expected 2021 EPS, 13.1 times estimated 2022 earnings of $10.20 and 13.8 times estimated 2023 earnings of $19.77 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $84.57 to $134.51. The high was posted Wednesday morning. Chevron pays an annual dividend of $5.36 (yield of 4.04%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 58.1%.<br />
</p>
<h2>Phillips 66</h2>
<p>Typically, when oil prices rise, independent refiners’ stocks move in the opposite direction. The country’s second-largest refiner, by market cap, is Phillips 66 (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/psx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368044">NYSE: PSX</a>), and its shares have added about 123% since tumbling to a trough in March of 2020, about 25% less than Chevron’s share price increase for the same period. However, since the end of 2021, Phillips 66 stock has jumped by nearly 19% compared to Chevron’s gain of around 13%.</p>
<p>The refiner’s stock jumped when the Biden administration reduced the ethanol blending requirements for 2021 in December. Now the administration is considering rolling back its 15 billion gallon requirement for 2022. That could further enhance the company’s share price.</p>
<p>Analysts remain mostly bullish on the stock, with 15 of 18 rating it a Buy or Strong Buy. The other three rate the shares at Hold. At a share price of around $86.60, the upside potential based on a median price target of $95 is 9.7%. At the high price target of $107, the upside potential is 23.6%.</p>
<p>The consensus estimate for fourth-quarter revenue is $27.12 billion, down nearly 14% sequentially but up 61.7% year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $1.93, down 39.4% sequentially and up from a loss per share of $1.16 in the year-ago quarter. For the full fiscal 2021, analysts are looking for EPS of $4.41, up from a loss per share of $0.89 in 2020, and revenue of $108.4 million, up 65.5%.</p>
<p>Phillips 66 stock trades at about 19.6 times expected 2021 EPS, 11.8 times estimated 2022 earnings of $7.29 and 12.1 times estimated 2023 earnings of $7.13 per share. The stock’s 52-week range is $63.19 to $94.34. Phillips 66 pays an annual dividend of $3.68 (yield of 4.28%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 26.8%.<br />
</p>
<h2>Weyerhaeuser</h2>
<p>Lumber and wood products giant Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="368045">NYSE: WY</a>) has had an up and down 12 months. The stock reached a peak in early May, dropped the entire gain by mid-July, and posted a new 52-week high just two weeks ago. Lumber prices have fallen from a recent peak of $1,340 per contract to just over $1,000, signaling perhaps that rising costs and supply chain issues will stifle demand. Early last year, rising costs did nothing but lift demand. How times change.</p>
<p>Analysts have not shown much interest in Weyerhaeuser. Just 10 cover the stock and of those, eight have rated the stock a Buy or Strong Buy. The other two have Hold ratings. At a share price of around $38.90, the implied upside based on a median price target of $44 is about 13%. At the high target of $50, the implied upside is 28.5%.</p>
<p>Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 is forecast at $2.17 billion, down 7.4% sequentially and up 5.3% year over year. Adjusted EPS are forecast at $0.48, down 19.8% sequentially and flat year-over-year. For the full fiscal year, EPS are forecast at $3.37, up 161% year over year, on sales of $10.14 billion, up 34.6%.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser shares trade at about 11.5 times expected 2021 earnings, 17.5 times estimated 2022 earnings of $2.23 and 20.6 times estimated 2023 earnings of $2.55. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $30.87 to $41.80. The company pays an annual dividend of $0.68 (yield of 1.75%). Total shareholder return for the past 12 months was 21.2%.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2022/01/26/earnings-previews-caterpillar-chevron-phillips-66-weyerhauser/">Earnings Previews: Caterpillar, Chevron, Phillips 66, Weyerhauser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1035021">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AbbVie, Alibaba, American Airlines, Chipotle, JD.com, Pfizer, Starbucks and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/27/tuesdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abbvie-alibaba-american-airlines-chipotle-jd-com-pfizer-starbucks-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Jul 2021 12:50:55 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=922812</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Tuesday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included AbbVie, Alibaba, American Airlines, AT&T, Chipotle Mexican Grill, JD.com, Kimberly-Clark, Pfizer, Starbucks and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/27/tuesdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abbvie-alibaba-american-airlines-chipotle-jd-com-pfizer-starbucks-and-more/">Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AbbVie, Alibaba, American Airlines, Chipotle, JD.com, Pfizer, Starbucks and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=922812">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures were lower on Tuesday after we started the week with all three of the major indexes again printing fresh intra-day all-time highs. Almost 165 S&P 500 companies are due to report in this the biggest earnings week of the season, with most of the technology heavyweights ready to step up to the plate. Wall Street pundits are watching China’s regulatory crackdown, which has expanded to for-profit education and property management sectors. In addition, the bipartisan infrastructure deal appears to be on track to come together this week. Speaker Pelosi reiterated it will not get a House vote without progress on a pork-packed reconciliation bill focused on Democratic priorities</p>
<p>Many across Wall Street remain leery of the beginning of the tapering of the quantitative easing program after the clear building of inflationary pressures, despite the fact the Federal Reserve is vowing to keep interest rates contained. That could be one reason for the continued moves higher in the equity markets even after sell-offs. Also note that money markets continue to see massive inflows, which is another big plus.</p>
<p>With major Wall Street firms still warning of the potential for impending 5% to 10% correction across the board, it makes sense for investors to continue building some cash reserves into the market strength while repositioning portfolios for the rest of 2021.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.<br />
<br />
These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Tuesday, July 27, 2021.</p>
<p>AbbVie Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/abbv/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335726">NASDAQ: ABBV</a>): Truist Securities resumed coverage of the pharmaceutical giant’s stock with a Buy rating and a $118 price target. The consensus target is higher at $124.08. The final trade on Monday came in at $117.79 a share.</p>
<p>Advance Auto Parts Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/aap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335727">NYSE: AAP</a>): Raymond James raised its Outperform rating on the popular retailer to Strong Buy and also lifted the price target to $250 from $215. The $218.60 consensus price objective is closer to Monday’s closing print of $214.09.<br />
<br />
<!--nextpage-->Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/baba/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335728">NYSE: BABA</a>): DZ Bank downgraded the Chinese mega-stock to Sell from Buy and has a $192 price target. The consensus price objective is much higher at $292.21. Monday’s final trade was reported at $191.76, which was down over 7% for the day. The shares retreated an additional 3% in Tuesday’s premarket.</p>
<p>American Airlines Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/aal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335729">NASDAQ: AAL</a>): Susquehanna raised the carrier to Neutral from Negative, while Berenberg upgraded it to Hold from Sell and raised the price target to $19 from $16. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $10.63 to $26.09, and it has a consensus price target of $18.85. The shares popped over 4% on Monday to close at $22.08.</p>
<p>AT&T Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/t/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335730">NYSE: T</a>): Argus downgraded the telecommunications giant to Hold from Buy. The stock has traded between $26.35 and $33.88 a share over the past 52 weeks, and it has a $30.87 consensus price objective. Monday’s last trade came in at $28.18.</p>
<p>AutoZone Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/azo/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335731">NYSE: AZO</a>): Though Raymond James downgraded the stock to Outperform from Strong Buy, it also raised the price target to $1,750 from $1,700. The consensus target is just $1,637.12. Monday’s close was at $1,622.16.</p>
<p>Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bmy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335732">NYSE: BMY</a>): Truist Securities resumed coverage with a Buy rating and a $74 price target. The consensus target is $75.37, and Monday’s last trade came in at $67.69.</p>
<p>Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cmg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335733">NYSE: CMG</a>): Guggenheim started coverage of the wildly popular restaurant chain with a Neutral rating and a $1,750 price target. The consensus price objective is $1,769.72. The closing share price on Monday was above both levels at $1,806.87.</p>
<p>Cummins Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cmi/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335734">NYSE: CMI</a>): The Vertical Research upgrade of the engine maker’s shares to Buy from Hold included a $280 price target. The consensus target is $292.17. Monday’s close was at $236.50 a share.<br />
<br />
Datto Holding Corp. (NYSE: MSP): Berenberg started coverage with a Buy rating and a $34 price target. The consensus target is $31.56. Monday’s final trade came in at $26.28.</p>
<p>HollyFrontier Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hfc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335735">NYSE: HFC</a>): Credit Suisse raised the refiner to Outperform from Neutral, but the firm also lowered the price target to $42 from $45. The consensus target is $39.18. Shares closed Monday at $29.03, after rising almost 4% for the day.</p>
<p>JD.com Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335736">NYSE: JD</a>): DZ Bank downgraded the stock to Sell from Buy and has a $62 price target. The posted consensus target is much higher at $103.24. The stock tumbled almost 9% on Monday and closed at $66.08. The trend continued in the premarket, with the stock dropping another 4%.</p>
<p>Kimberly-Clark Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/kmb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335737">NYSE: KMB</a>): Zacks selected this as its Bear of the Day stock. The analyst pointed out that it has missed earnings in each of the past two quarters and estimates are dropping. Shares last closed at $135.10, and the consensus price target is just $141.89.<br />
<!--nextpage-->PACCAR Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pcar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335738">NASDAQ: PCAR</a>): Vertical Research raised its Hold rating to Buy. Its $100 price target is near the $100.56 consensus target. Monday’s last trade hit the tape at $86.91.</p>
<p>Pfizer Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pfe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335739">NYSE: PFE</a>): Trust Securities resumed coverage with a Buy rating and a $43 price target. The consensus target is $43.32, and the shares closed at $41.81 on Monday.</p>
<p>Range Resources Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rrc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335740">NYSE: RRC</a>): Raymond James upgraded the stock to Market Perform from Underperform. The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $5.93 to $17.47 and have a $15.35 consensus price objective. The last Monday trade came in at $15.99, which was up almost 5% for the day.</p>
<p>Southwestern Energy Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/swn/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335741">NYSE: SWN</a>): Raymond James raised the stock to Outperform from Underperform and has a $6 price target. The consensus target is right in line at $6.08. The stock was last seen trading at $5.18 a share on Monday.</p>
<p>Starbucks Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/sbux/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335742">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>): Guggenheim started coverage of the popular coffee retailer with a Neutral rating and a $125 price target. The posted consensus target is $124.99, and Monday’s closing share price was $126.06.</p>
<p>Vista Outdoor Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vsto/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335743">NYSE: VSTO</a>): This stock was named as the Bull of the Day at Zacks, which said that this stock is beating earnings and it looks like shares could shoot higher. Shares most recently closed at $39.42 and have a consensus price target of $50.33.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335744">NYSE: WY</a>): The BofA Securities upgrade was from Neutral to Buy with a $41 price target. The consensus target is $40.17, and the last trade on Monday came in at $34.66 per share.<br />
<br />
With bond yields remaining at generational lows and unlikely to head meaningfully higher in the near term, it makes sense for growth and income investors to consider top dividend-paying stocks. Chevron and Verizon are among <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/27/sp-500-dividend-yield-lowest-in-20-years-5-blue-chips-to-buy-now-with-huge-dividends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335745">five blue chip stocks</a> that are not as crowded and as overbought as most of the market is.</p>
<p>See which seven <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/27/7-chinese-stocks-ark-invest-is-dumping/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335746">stocks ARK Invest is dumping</a> due to turmoil in the Chinese markets.</p>
<p>The analysts at Goldman Sachs have initiated coverage <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/26/goldman-sachs-starts-coverage-on-4-sizzling-stocks-to-buy-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335747">four stellar stocks</a> with Buy ratings. These picks could offer some outstanding alpha potential for aggressive growth investors.</p>
<p>Monday’s early top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/26/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-analog-devices-bilibili-chewy-dish-network-d-r-horton-hpe-krispy-kreme-southwest-airlines-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335748">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Analog Devices, Bilibili, Chewy, Dish Network, D.R. Horton, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Krispy Kreme, Lowe’s and Southwest Airlines. <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/26/gap-palo-alto-networks-schlumberger-spotify-and-more-monday-afternoon-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="335749">Analyst calls seen</a> later in the day were on Gap, Palo Alto Networks, Schlumberger, Spotify and more.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/07/27/tuesdays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abbvie-alibaba-american-airlines-chipotle-jd-com-pfizer-starbucks-and-more/">Tuesday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: AbbVie, Alibaba, American Airlines, Chipotle, JD.com, Pfizer, Starbucks and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=922812">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Baker Hughes, Carvana, Chewy, DraftKings, Halliburton, Raytheon, Tenet Healthcare and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/05/03/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-baker-hughes-carvana-chewy-draftkings-halliburton-raytheon-tenet-healthcare-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 03 May 2021 12:39:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=874846</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Monday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included Baker Hughes, Carvana, Chewy, DraftKings, Halliburton, Raytheon Technologies and Tenet Healthcare.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/05/03/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-baker-hughes-carvana-chewy-draftkings-halliburton-raytheon-tenet-healthcare-and-more/">Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Baker Hughes, Carvana, Chewy, DraftKings, Halliburton, Raytheon, Tenet Healthcare and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=874846">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded higher on Monday, the first trading day of a new month. While earnings are still coming in, 60% of the S&P 500 earnings have been posted, with an incredible 85% of the companies beating analyst estimates. The biggest data point this week will be Friday’s release of the April payroll numbers, and estimates across Wall Street range from the 965,000 consensus estimate to some as high as 2.1 million. All the major indexes closed in the red Friday, so clearly many were selling the news last week.</p>
<p>Despite inflationary pressures, the Federal Reserve vowed to keep interest rates contained, which could be one reason for the continued moves higher in the equity markets, even after sell-offs. It also should be noted that money markets continue to see massive inflows, which is another big plus.</p>
<p>With major Wall Street firms still warning of the potential for impending 5% to 10% correction across the board, it makes sense for investors to continue building some cash reserves into the market strength while repositioning portfolios for the second quarter and the rest of 2021.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.<br />
<br />
These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday, May 3, 2021.</p>
<p>Baker Hughes Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bkr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319702">NYSE: BKR</a>): Barclays upgraded the oilfield services giant to Overweight from Equal Weight and also raised the price target to $28. The consensus target is $27.48. The stock closed Friday at $20.08 a share.</p>
<p>Cactus Inc. (NYSE: WHD): Barclays upgraded the stock to Overweight from Equal Weight and raised the price target to $37. The posted consensus target is $33.55, and the shares closed on Friday at $29.81.</p>
<p>Carvana Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cvna/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319703">NYSE: CVNA</a>): BofA Securities raised its Neutral rating to Buy and has a $350 price target. The consensus target is $310.50, and Friday’s final trade was at $285.26.</p>
<p>Chewy Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/chwy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319704">NYSE: CHWY</a>): Guggenheim started coverage with a Buy rating and a $95 price target. The consensus target for the online pet food company is up at $101.15. Friday’s closing trade was reported at $79.72.</p>
<p>DraftKings Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dkng/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319705">NASDAQ: DKNG</a>): Cowen upgraded it to Outperform from Market Perform and has a $70 price target. The consensus price objective for the popular sports betting site is $73.50. The stock closed Friday at $56.66.</p>
<p>Empire States Realty Trust Inc. (NASDAQ: ESRT): Evercore ISI raised both the rating (to Outperform from Market Perform) and the price target (to $13). The consensus target is $11.93, and the shares ended trading on Friday at $11.39.</p>
<p>Fidelity National Financial Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fnf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319706">NYSE: FNF</a>): Credit Suisse started the insurance provider with an Outperform rating and a $56 price target. That compares with the lower $52 consensus and Friday’s last trade of $45.62.</p>
<p>Graphic Packaging Holding Co. (NYSE: GPK): Morgan Stanley’s downgrade to Equal Weight from Overweight came with a $20 price target. The consensus target is $21, and the stock closed Friday at $18.55.</p>
<p>Halliburton Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319707">NYSE: HAL</a>): Barclays upgraded the oilfield services leader to Overweight from Equal Weight. The firm also raised the price target to $29. The consensus price objective is just $22.62, and the stock closed on Friday at $19.56.<br />
<br />
<!--nextpage-->Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hig/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319708">NYSE: HIG</a>): BofA Securities resumed coverage with a Neutral rating and a $75 price objective. The consensus target is in line $75.08. Friday’s last trade came in at $65.96.</p>
<p>Medical Properties Trust Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mpw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319709">NYSE: MPW</a>): RBC Capital Markets downgraded the stock to Sector Perform from Outperform and also lowered the price target to $23. The posted consensus target is $24.17, and the stock closed Friday at $22.05 a share.</p>
<p>Raytheon Technologies Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rtx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319710">NYSE: RTX</a>): Ladenburg Thalman’s Neutral rating on the aerospace and defense giant was raised to Buy, with a $100 price target. The lower $92 consensus also compares to Friday’s closing print of $83.24.</p>
<p>Tenet Healthcare Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/thc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319711">NYSE: THC</a>): Goldman Sachs started coverage with a Buy rating and an $89 price target. The consensus price objective is just $64.54, and the stock closed at $59.26 on Friday.</p>
<p>U.S. Physical Therapy Inc. (NYSE: USPH): Jefferies raised the shares to Buy from Hold. Its $115 target price is lower than the consensus target of $118.33, and the stock closed trading Friday at $112.45.</p>
<p>VICI Properties Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vici/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319712">NASDAQ: VICI</a>): Morgan Stanley downgraded the gambling real estate properties company to Equal Weight from Overweight. However, the firm raised its price target on the shares to $33. The consensus target is $32.16, and Friday’s closing print was $31.70. As shares are trading right below the 52-week high, this could be a valuation call.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319713">NYSE: WY</a>): Stephens downgraded it to Equal Weight from Overweight and has a $35 price objective The consensus target is up at $38.72, and the last trade to hit the tape Friday came in at $38.77.</p>
<p>Welltower Inc. (NYSE: WELL): RBC Capital Markets upgraded the shares to Outperform from Sector Perform and raised the price target to $82. The consensus target is $72.67, and the last trade on Friday was posted at $75.03.</p>
<p>W.P. Carey Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wpc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319714">NYSE: WPC</a>): As Evercore ISI upgraded the stock to Outperform from In Line, it also lifted the price target to $80. The consensus target is $74.93, and the stock ended Friday’s trading session at $74.89.<br />
<br />
Aggressive investors may want to look at these four <a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2021/05/03/semiconductors-have-lagged-the-market-4-stocks-to-buy-right-now/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319715">Buy-rated semiconductor stocks</a> offering great entry points after the companies posted stellar numbers and the shares sold off.</p>
<p>Friday’s early top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/30/fridays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-bristol-myers-carrier-comcast-draftkings-nvidia-textron-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319716">upgrades and downgrades</a> included AvalonBay Communities, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Carrier, Comcast, CyrusOne, DraftKings, Nvidia and Textron. <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/30/amazon-cme-gilead-twitter-and-more-friday-afternoon-analyst-calls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319717">Analyst calls seen later</a> in the day were on Amazon.com, CME, Gilead Sciences, Twitter and more.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/05/03/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-baker-hughes-carvana-chewy-draftkings-halliburton-raytheon-tenet-healthcare-and-more/">Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Baker Hughes, Carvana, Chewy, DraftKings, Halliburton, Raytheon, Tenet Healthcare and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=874846">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Earnings Previews: Enterprise Products, Estée Lauder, Weyerhaeuser</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/29/earnings-previews-enterprise-products-estee-lauder-weyerhaeuser/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Apr 2021 16:28:22 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=873316</guid>
<description><![CDATA[One of the country's largest lumber and wood products suppliers reports quarterly results Friday morning, with other notable firms releasing numbers before Monday's opening bell.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/29/earnings-previews-enterprise-products-estee-lauder-weyerhaeuser/">Earnings Previews: Enterprise Products, Estée Lauder, Weyerhaeuser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=873316">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Next week promises to be just like the past week, with more than 900 publicly traded companies scheduled to report March quarter earnings. Energy exploration and production companies will be among the industries heavily represented next week. Some top brands like Google, Ferrari, Pfizer and T-Mobile are on deck as well.<br />
<br />
Looking ahead to companies reporting earnings after Thursday’s closing bell, we have previewed <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/28/earnings-previews-amazon-first-solar-nio-twitter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319003">Amazon, First Solar, Nio and Twitter</a>. Four more stocks reporting results before markets open Friday, <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/28/earnings-previews-abbvie-astrazeneca-chevron-exxon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319004">AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Chevron and Exxon Mobil</a>, were previewed in a second story also posted Tuesday.</p>
<p>The four companies previewed in this story include one scheduled to report earnings before Friday’s opening bell, along with two others set to report before Monday’s opening bell.<br />
</p>
<h2>Weyerhaeuser</h2>
<p>Lumber and wood products giant Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319005">NYSE: WY</a>) is set to report March quarter results before markets open Friday morning. Lumber prices have more than tripled over the past 12 months and homebuilders, home buyers and just about every investor with a pulse has a theory about what’s caused the price hikes, but the short answer is that <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-26/why-the-price-of-lumber-has-soared-day-after-day-after-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319006">demand has outrun supply</a>. As the chart indicates, Weyerhaeuser stock nearly doubled over the past 12 months. Since the beginning of 2021, shares are up another 64%. The company is organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT).</p>
<p><a><img fetchpriority="high" class="aligncenter" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/koyfin_20210429_090037112.png?w=645" alt="" width="645" height="363" data-id="873319" data-caption="" /></a></p>
<p>Analysts have kept a rein on their enthusiasm, however, with eight of 14 rating the stock a Hold, while six rate the shares as Buy or Strong Buy. The stock already has blown past its consensus price target of $38.50 to trade around $39.75 Thursday morning. At the high target of $46, upside potential in Weyerhaeuser shares is nearly 16%.</p>
<p>The consensus earnings per share (EPS) estimate for the March quarter is $0.91, a year-over-year increase of more than 400%, on sales of $2.52 billion, a jump of 46% year over year. For the full fiscal year, EPS is forecast at $2.45, up 90% year over year.</p>
<p>At the current price, Weyerhaeuser shares trade at 17.0 times expected 2021 earnings, 31.2 times estimated 2022 earnings and 24.0 times estimated 2023 earnings. The stock trades in a 52-week range of $16.05 to $40.56. The high was posted Thursday morning, but shares dropped back to around $39.70. The company pays an annual dividend of $0.68 (yield of 1.71%).<br />
<br />
<!--nextpage--></p>
<div>
<h2>Enterprise Products</h2>
</div>
<p>Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/epd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319007">NYSE: EPD</a>) is the second-largest oil and gas midstream (pipeline and infrastructure) company in the country, with a market cap of about $51 billion. While pipeline companies are typically insulated from the price swings of the commodities they transport, Enterprise has sued a natural gas company in Texas to recover $100 million in transport fees during the February/March freeze in the state. The brutal weather could drive Enterprise’s March quarter profit up by as much as $475 million, according to one analyst.<br />
<br />
Of the 24 firms covering the stock, 22 rate the shares a Buy or Strong Buy. At a recent price of around $23.25, the stock trades nearly 19% below its consensus price target of $27.63. At the high target of $33, upside potential on Enterprise stock is almost 42%.</p>
<p>March quarter EPS is forecast at $0.48, a 21% drop year over year, on sales of $7.18 billion, down 4% compared with the year-ago quarter. For the full year, analysts expect to see $2.00 in EPS, up 17% year over year, on sales of $30.03 billion, an increase of 10.4%.</p>
<p>At the current price, Enterprise stock traded at 11.8 times expected 2021 EPS, 11.4 times estimated 2022 earnings and 10.4 times estimated 2023 earnings. The stock’s 52-week range is $14.90 to $23.71, and the company pays an annual distribution of $1.80 (yield of 7.61%).<br />
</p>
<h2>Estée Lauder</h2>
<p>Cosmetics and skincare products maker Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/el/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="319008">NYSE: EL</a>) is the third-largest beauty products company traded on U.S. exchanges. Its market cap is nearly $114 billion. Like most of its peers, Estée Lauder had a dismal June quarter last year, but sales and profits picked up again in the third and fourth quarters as the company’s sales in China rebounded. That was due to more growth in China, along with an expected boost in Estée Lauder’s travel business. Shares have gone up in value by more than 88% in the past 12 months.</p>
<p>Analysts are hugely favorable to the stock, with 19 of 24 rating the shares a Buy or Strong Buy. The stock already trades above its consensus price target, but there is plenty of headroom to the high target of $355, which implies upside potential of more than 12%.</p>
<p>Fiscal third-quarter EPS is forecast at $1.31, a year-over-year jump of 54%, while revenues is forecast to reach $3.93 billion, up more than 17% year over year. For the full fiscal year ending in June, EPS is projected at $5.99, up 44% year over year, on sales of $15.96 billion, up 11.7%.</p>
<p>At a current price of around $316.25, the stock trades at 52.8 times expected 2021 EPS, 45.3 times estimated 2022 earnings and 39.0 times estimated 2023 earnings. The stock’s 52-week range is $158.25 to $317.46, and Estée Lauder pays an annual dividend of $2.12 (yield of 0.67%).<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/29/earnings-previews-enterprise-products-estee-lauder-weyerhaeuser/">Earnings Previews: Enterprise Products, Estée Lauder, Weyerhaeuser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=873316">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Best Buy, Discover Financial, Dollar General, Etsy, HCA, KeyCorp, Simon Property, ViacomCBS and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/26/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-best-buy-discover-financial-dollar-general-etsy-hca-keycorp-simon-property-viacomcbs-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Apr 2021 12:45:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=869688</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Monday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included Best Buy, Discover Financial, Dollar General, Etsy, HCA Healthcare, KeyCorp, Simon Property, ViacomCBS and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/26/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-best-buy-discover-financial-dollar-general-etsy-hca-keycorp-simon-property-viacomcbs-and-more/">Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Best Buy, Discover Financial, Dollar General, Etsy, HCA, KeyCorp, Simon Property, ViacomCBS and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=869688">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures were mixed on Monday as we start the final trading week for April. Stocks rebounded on Friday, with all the major indexes and the transport index closing higher after a dreadful Thursday, which many attributed to the Biden tax plan for wealthy individuals and corporations. Many across Wall Street feel the punitive increase to fund many of the progressive initiatives will have a negative effect on stocks down the road.</p>
<p>The Federal Reserve pledges to keep interest rates contained could be among the reasons for the continued moves higher in the equity markets. It also should be noted that money markets continue to see massive inflows, which is another big plus.</p>
<p>With major Wall Street firms still warning of the potential for impending 5% to 10% correction across the board, it makes sense for investors to continue building some cash reserves into the market strength while repositioning portfolios for the second quarter and the rest of 2021.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.<br />
<br />
These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday, April 26, 2021.</p>
<p>Atlantic Capital Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: ACBI): Gabelli raised the shares to Buy from Hold. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $9.18 to $27.22 and has a $26.25 consensus price objective. The last trade for Friday was reported at $26.22.</p>
<p>Best Buy Co. Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bby/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318295">NYSE: BBY</a>): Wedbush downgraded the retail giant to Neutral from Outperform and lowered the price target to $125 from $135. That compares with a $116.90 consensus and a Friday closing print of $117.74.</p>
<p>Blackstone Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: BXMT): JPMorgan downgraded the stock to Neutral from Overweight and has a $31 price target. The consensus price objective is $30.57, and the stock ended trading on Friday at $32.87. As it is just shy of the 52-week high, this could be a valuation call.</p>
<p>Boston Beer Co. Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/sam/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318296">NYSE: SAM</a>): While Citigroup downgraded the brewer to Neutral from Buy, it also raised the price target on the shares to $1,395. The consensus target is $1,389.64. The stock closed Friday at $1,283.90 per share.<br />
<br />
<!--nextpage-->Brunswick Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318297">NYSE: BC</a>): Citigroup’s upgrade to Buy from Neutral included a price target hike to $125 from $94. The consensus target is lower at $105.92. Friday’s last trade came in at $104.52 a share.</p>
<p>Casper Sleep Inc. (NASDAQ: CSPR): Wedbush upgraded the stock to Outperform from Neutral and raised the price target to $10.50 from $10. The posted consensus target is $10.61, and the stock closed on Friday at $7.04.</p>
<p>Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/clf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318298">NYSE: CLF</a>): Keybanc Capital Markets downgraded the stock to Sector Weight from Overweight. The 52-week trading range is $3.80 to $20.87, and analysts have a $20.38 consensus target. Shares popped over 5% on Friday to close at $17.98.</p>
<p>Discover Financial Services (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dfs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318299">NYSE: DFS</a>): BofA Securities upgraded it to Buy from Neutral and has a $120 price target. The consensus target is $115.29, and Friday’s close was at $102.84.</p>
<p>Dollar General Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318300">NYSE: DG</a>): Zacks named this the Bear of the Day stock. The firm said that the shares have been a standout in the retail space for the past several years, but the near-term outlook is tough and earnings revisions have moved in the wrong direction recently. Shares last closed at $213.31 and have a consensus price target of $233.12.</p>
<p>Etsy Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/etsy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318301">NASDAQ: ETSY</a>): KeyBanc Capital Markets downgraded it to Sector Weight from Overweight. The shares have traded in a wide 52-week range of $61.31 to $251.86 and have a $237.38 consensus price target. Friday’s last trade was reported at $214.59.<br />
<br />
HCA Healthcare Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318302">NYSE: HCA</a>): Though Citigroup downgraded it to Neutral from Buy, the firm also raised its price target to $215 from $191. The consensus target is $215.42. The last trade on Friday was posted at $202.50.</p>
<p>KeyCorp (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/key/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318303">NYSE: KEY</a>): The Wedbush upgraded to Outperform from Neutral included a price target hike to $25 from $23. The consensus target on the bank is $22.32, and Friday’s close at $20.77 came after almost a 4% gain on the day.</p>
<p>Paysafe Ltd. (NASDAQ: PSFE): RBC Capital Markets started coverage with an Outperform rating and a $31 price target. No consensus target was available. Friday’s close was at $13.50, and shares were up almost 4% in premarket action.</p>
<p>Polaris Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pii/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318304">NYSE: PII</a>): Citigroup downgraded the shares from Buy to Neutral with a $160 price target. That compares with a $142.13 consensus and Friday’s close at $146.45.</p>
<p>Proofpoint Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pfpt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318305">NASDAQ: PFPT</a>): Summit Insights upgraded the shares to Buy from Hold and have a $165 price target. The consensus target is just $149.33, and the closing price on Friday was at $131.78.<br />
<!--nextpage-->Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/srpt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318306">NASDAQ: SRPT</a>): Credit Suisse resumed coverage with a Neutral rating and a $72 price target. The consensus target is much higher at $134.35, and the stock was last seen at $70.94 a share.</p>
<p>Simon Property Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/spg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318307">NYSE: SPG</a>): Evercore ISI upgraded the real estate giant to Outperform from In Line and raised its price target to $128 from $112. The posted consensus target is $118, and the stock closed on Friday at $116.92.</p>
<p>Sonos Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/sono/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318308">NASDAQ: SONO</a>): This was selected as Bull of the Day at Zacks. The analyst said that shares of this higher-end home audio company have soared in the past year and its outlook appears strong as it continues to expand and diversify its portfolio. Shares closed most recently at $41.34 and have a consensus price target of $44.17.</p>
<p>ViacomCBS Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/viac/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318309">NASDAQ: VIAC</a>): MoffettNathanson upgraded the programming and broadcasting leader to Neutral from Sell. The shares have traded in a wide 52-week range of $14.79 to $101.97 and have a $54.50 consensus price objective. The most recent close was at $41.71.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318310">NYSE: WY</a>): Raymond James not only upgraded the packaging and cardboard leader to Strong Buy from Outperform but lifted the price target to $50. The consensus target is just $37.33, and the stock was last seen on Friday trading at $38.20.<br />
<br />
Three consumer staples giants and an outstanding utility are <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/26/top-strategist-says-get-defensive-for-the-next-6-months-4-safe-stocks-to-buy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318311">top defensive picks</a> at BofA Securities. They all pay dependable dividends, which can soften the blow some if we see a big sell-off over the next six months.</p>
<p>Friday’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/23/fridays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-activision-adobe-american-airlines-electronic-arts-harley-davidson-kraft-heinz-skillz-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="318312">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Activision Blizzard, Adobe, American Airlines, Electronic Arts, Harley-Davidson, Kraft Heinz and Skillz.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/04/26/mondays-top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-best-buy-discover-financial-dollar-general-etsy-hca-keycorp-simon-property-viacomcbs-and-more/">Monday’s Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Best Buy, Discover Financial, Dollar General, Etsy, HCA, KeyCorp, Simon Property, ViacomCBS and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=869688">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, McDonald’s, Tesla, 3M, Wells Fargo and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/01/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-coca-cola-credit-suisse-jpmorgan-mcdonalds-tesla-3m-wells-fargo-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:56:40 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=827800</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Thursday's top analyst upgrades and downgrades included Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, McDonald's, Royal Caribbean, Tesla, 3M and Wells Fargo.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/01/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-coca-cola-credit-suisse-jpmorgan-mcdonalds-tesla-3m-wells-fargo-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, McDonald’s, Tesla, 3M, Wells Fargo and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=827800">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded higher Thursday morning after a wild Wednesday that saw a big market rally, with the Dow Jones industrials and the S&P 500 hitting all-time highs. This despite the unrest in Washington, D.C., and some big dips in technology as investors size up how a Biden administration may deal with Silicon Valley. It is a pretty good bet now that 2021 could resemble last year, as many of the same tailwinds, like stimulus and low interest rates, remain on the table.</p>
<p>Investors should be reviewing portfolios very closely now and making adjustments in positioning for the first quarter and the balance of 2021.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week with a goal of finding new ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy. Other calls cover stocks to sell or avoid. Remember that no single analyst call should ever be used as a basis to buy or sell a stock. Consensus analyst target data is from Refinitiv.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Thursday, January 7, 2021.</p>
<p>Air Products and Chemicals Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/apd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303656">NYSE: APD</a>) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies, which kept a $324 price target. The Wall Street consensus target is $307, and shares were last seen Wednesday trading at $289.97, up almost 3% on the day.</p>
<p>American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. (NYSE: AEL) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at B. Riley Securities, which also lifted the price target to $36 from $30. The consensus target is $30.44. The last trade on Wednesday was posted at $29.30, up almost 8% on the day.</p>
<p>American Water Works Co. Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/awk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303657">NYSE: AWK</a>) was started with an Overweight rating a $173 price target at Atlantic Equities. The consensus target is $159.17, and the stock closed Wednesday at $152.36 a share.</p>
<p>Arista Networks Inc. (NYSE: ANET) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a hefty $335 price target at Rosenblatt. That compares to the $283.23 consensus target and Wednesday’s $285.87 closing print.</p>
<p>Coca-Cola Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ko/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303658">NYSE: KO</a>) was downgraded at JPMorgan from Overweight to Neutral with a $55 price target. That compares with a $57.29 consensus target and Wednesday close at $50.52.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse Group A.G. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/cs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303659">NYSE: CS</a>) was raised to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan. Shares of the investment bank have traded between $6.47 and $14.12 and have a consensus price target of $14.47. The stock ended Wednesday trading at $13.79.</p>
<p>Ferrari N.V. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/race/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303660">NYSE: RACE</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup. The shares have traded in a 52-week range of $127.73 to $233.66 and have a consensus price target of $231.46. The final trade on Wednesday came in at $221.75.</p>
<p>FootLocker Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303661">NYSE: FL</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Cowen, which also lifted the price objective to $55. The consensus target $43.33. The stock closed Wednesday at $43.60. The shares were up almost 4% in premarket trading.</p>
<p>JPMorgan Chase & Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jpm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303662">NYSE: JPM</a>) was raised to Buy from Neutral at BofA Securities. The money center and banking giant has traded between $76.91 and $140.76 a share over the past 52 weeks and carries a consensus target of $131.18. The shares closed above that level Wednesday at $131.55 and were higher in the premarket.</p>
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<p>Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ktos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303663">NASDAQ: KTOS</a>) was downgraded at Jefferies from Buy to Hold with a $27 price target. That compares to a $25.80 consensus target. Wednesday’s closing price was $26.69.</p>
<p>McDonald’s Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mcd/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303664">NYSE: MCD</a>) was raised from Perform to Outperform with a $240 price objective at Oppenheimer. The slightly higher consensus target is $241.67, and Wednesday’s close was at $211 a share.</p>
<p>Mosaic Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mos/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303665">NYSE: MOS</a>) was raised at JPMorgan from Neutral to Overweight with a $32 price target. The consensus target is $24.62, and shares were last seen on Wednesday at $26.05, after a gain of over 6% on the day. They were following through nicely in the premarket, up an additional 4%.</p>
<p>Royal Caribbean Group Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/rcl/" data-lasso-id="303666">NYSE: RCL</a>) was named as the Zacks Bear of the Day stock. The firm said that some of 2020’s dogs have been lifted to inequitable levels, and who would want to be left holding the bag? Shares last closed at $72.20 but have a consensus price target of $68.33.</p>
<p>Teladoc Health Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tdoc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303667">NYSE: TDOC</a>) was started with a Buy rating and a $240 price objective at BTIG Research. The consensus price objective is $242.78. The shares were last seen on Wednesday at $204.15.</p>
<p>Tesla Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tsla/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303668">NASDAQ: TSLA</a>) was upgraded to Sector Perform from Underperform at RBC Capital Markets, which also lifted the price target on the electric vehicle giant to $700. Note that the consensus target price is only $438.83 and the most recent close was at $755.98 a share. The shares were up yet again, almost 3%, in the premarket.</p>
<p>3M Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mmm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303669">NYSE: MMM</a>) was downgraded at BofA Securities from Neutral to Underperform with a $170 price target. The posted consensus target is $179.44. The last trade for Wednesday came in at $174.19.</p>
<p>U.S. Bancorp Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/usb/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303670">NYSE: USB</a>) was raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies, which also boosted the price target to $38. That compares with a $50.55 consensus target and Wednesday’s $49.01 close.</p>
<p>Wells Fargo & Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wfc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303671">NYSE: WFC</a>) was also raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies, with a $38 price objective. The $34.10 consensus target compares with a Wednesday closing trade of $32.69.</p>
<p>Wendy’s Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wen/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="303672">NYSE: WEN</a>) was downgraded to Perform from Outperform at Oppenheimer, even though the analyst remains upbeat toward a continuation of strong fundamentals the company has shown. The shares have traded between $6.82 and $24.91 over the past 52 weeks and closed Wednesday at $21.54.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" data-lasso-id="303673">NYSE: WY</a>) was named as the Bull of the Day at Zacks, which said that this stock is positioned to continue surging with lumber prices and the recovery of the economy. Shares most recently closed at $33.29 and have a consensus price target of $34.33.</p>
<p>Raymond James analysts are very positive on three <a href="https://247wallst.com/apps-software/2021/01/07/cybersecurity-software-may-be-red-hot-in-2021-3-top-stocks-to-buy-now/" data-lasso-id="303674">top cybersecurity stocks</a>, as corporate spending is expected to increase in the space.</p>
<p>Note that <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2021/01/06/why-mining-and-metal-stocks-are-setting-new-highs/" data-lasso-id="303675">mining and metals stocks</a> have been hitting new 52-week highs.</p>
<p>Wednesday morning’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/01/06/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-accenture-barrick-gold-beyond-meat-capital-one-coca-cola-hershey-mastercard-wingstop-and-more/" data-lasso-id="303676">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Accenture, Barrick Gold, Beyond Meat, Capital One, Coca-Cola, Hershey, Kellogg, Mastercard, Wingstop and Winnebago. <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/01/06/citigroup-goldman-sachs-jpmorgan-tesla-and-more-tuesday-afternoon-analyst-calls/" data-lasso-id="303677">Analyst calls</a> made later in the day included Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Tesla and more.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2021/01/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-coca-cola-credit-suisse-jpmorgan-mcdonalds-tesla-3m-wells-fargo-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, JPMorgan, McDonald’s, Tesla, 3M, Wells Fargo and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=827800">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>6 Construction Materials Companies Could Reap Big Rewards With a President Biden</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2020/08/12/6-construction-materials-companies-could-reap-big-rewards-with-a-president-biden/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2020 11:53:44 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Infrastructure]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=728667</guid>
<description><![CDATA[If Joe Biden is elected in November, he has promised to spend some $2 trillion to repair the country's roads, bridges and other infrastructure. These six companies provide the materials for construction that could profit from a Biden presidency.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2020/08/12/6-construction-materials-companies-could-reap-big-rewards-with-a-president-biden/">6 Construction Materials Companies Could Reap Big Rewards With a President Biden</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=728667">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>In an earlier report on publicly traded construction companies that could <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2020/08/11/what-a-biden-presidency-could-mean-for-the-construction-industry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="294604">benefit from the infrastructure plans</a> laid out by Joe Biden, the all-but anointed Democratic candidate for U.S. president, we focused on engineering, procurement and construction firms. In this installment, we want to look at a number of companies that provide the materials that construction companies use to build roads, bridges and buildings.</p>
<p>In late July, Biden released an updated plan for infrastructure and clean energy projects that committed to spending $2 trillion over four years to put the United States “on an irreversible course to meet the ambitious climate progress that science demands.” The projects included in the Biden plan do not have price tags attached, but meaningful investments in infrastructure, the auto industry, mass transit, electric utilities, housing and buildings, agriculture and conservation, research and development, and environmental justice won’t come cheap.</p>
<p>In 2017, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) released its quadrennial infrastructure “report card” that established the country’s needed infrastructure investment at $4.6 trillion over the 10-year period between 2016 and 2025. The report card included $2 trillion in upgrades to surface transportation, more than $900 billion in the U.S. power generation and transmission system, and $870 billion in upgrading the nation’s schools. The gap between available funding and total funding needed was nearly $2.1 trillion.</p>
<p>A fair share of the work will go to smaller, privately held companies that supply materials and skilled labor to make all these projects work. But larger publicly traded companies will supply a lot of materials and a lot of project management expertise.</p>
<p>Of the six largest materials firms, two are based in Europe and five trade on major U.S. exchanges. The two European firms are also the largest.</p>
<p>Looking at potential outcomes of a Biden presidency by themselves ignores many variables that could improve or weigh down the business effects on a sector. Tax changes, for example, could lower after-tax net income, regulation costs and industry practice changes can increase operating expenses, and changes to employment laws also could come into play. While it may be easy to see an opportunity for some companies, it’s hard to predict what the eventual result will be.</p>
<h2>CRH</h2>
<p>Though headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, CRH PLC (NYSE: CRH) has operations in both Europe and the Americas. The company’s market cap is around $31 billion, and it employs nearly 29,000 people at more than 1,400 locations in the United States, Canada and Brazil. CRH supplies aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, cement, paving and construction services across North America.</p>
<p>According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making cement is the third-largest source of industrial pollution, emitting more than half a million tons annually of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide. Using cement to make concrete raises the environmental impact significantly because, next to water, concrete is the most widely used substance on Earth. According to a report in The Guardian, “If the cement industry were a country, it would be the third-largest carbon dioxide emitter in the world with up to 2.8bn tonnes, surpassed only by China and the US.”</p>
<p>If Biden does become president and is serious about mitigating climate change, he will have to contend with the pluses and minuses of concrete.</p>
<p>CRH stock closed at $39.13 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $17.73 to $40.88. The stock trades about 3% below its 52-week high and higher than its consensus price target of $36.31. Shares trade at a multiple of around 17 times expected 2021 earnings.</p>
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<h2>LafargeHolcim</h2>
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<p>LafargeHolcim is based in Switzerland and trades on both the Swiss Exchange and Euronext under the symbol LHN and over-the-counter in the United States (HCMLF, HCMLY). The firm’s market cap is around $28 billion, and it operates in four segments: cement, aggregates, ready-mix concrete, and solutions and products. The company employs more than 70,000 people in more than 70 countries.</p>
<p>Like CRH, LafargeHolcim’s cement and concrete businesses are or could become an impediment if environmental concerns force changes in how the materials are made and used.</p>
<p>Shares closed at €41.39 ($48.57) in Paris, nearly 18% below the 52-week high of around $57.20. The stock traded at just 13.7 times expected 2021 earnings.</p>
<h2>Weyerhaeuser</h2>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="294605">NYSE: WY</a>) is one of the country’s largest timber and wood products companies. It is also a real estate investment trust (REIT). While timber and engineered wood products are not in great demand for road building and similar projects, Biden has proposed spending $10 billion on buildings and housing in an effort to revitalize some distressed cities and to upgrade and weatherize 2 million American housing units.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s stock closed at $28.89 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $13.10 to $31.58. It is trading about 8.5% below its high and with a potential upside of just over 8% to its consensus price target of $31.22. The shares are a little pricey at 35 times expected 2021 earnings.</p>
<h2>Vulcan Materials</h2>
<p>Vulcan Materials Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vmc/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="294606">NYSE: VMC</a>) produces and supplies construction materials primarily in the United States. The company’s products include aggregates, asphalt and concrete, all of which are necessary for building and repairing roads and highways. Vulcan’s market cap is near $17.6 billion. When the company reported second-quarter results last week, it beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines.</p>
<p>The company’s shares closed Tuesday at $133.24, in a 52-week range of $65.56 to $152.49, and trading about 12.6% below the 52-week high. The implied upside to the price target of $138.95 is 4.3%, and the stock trades at around 27 times expected 2021 earnings.</p>
<h2>Martin Marietta</h2>
<p>Another natural resource-based building materials company, Martin Marietta Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mlm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="294607">NYSE: MLM</a>) supplies aggregates and heavy building materials to the construction industry. The company’s market cap is $14.1 billion, and its pipeline of new projects in Texas and Florida total $7.1 billion and $9.0 billion, respectively. Profitability in the first half of 2020 was the company’s best ever and led to a rise of more than 10% in the share price.</p>
<p>Shares closed at $225.55 on Tuesday, in a 52-week range of $135.08 to $281.82. With a price target of $245.41, the stock’s potential upside is 8.8%, and it trades at 20% below its 52-week high. With expected earnings of $10.03 per share in 2021, the stock trades at a multiple of about 22.5. Martin Marietta pays an annual dividend of $2.20 (yield of 0.98%).</p>
<h2>Nucor</h2>
<p>Nucor Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="294608">NYSE: NUE</a>) manufactures and sells steel, steel products and raw materials. In addition to steel sheets and bars, the company’s products division also manufactures steel joists and girders, decking and a variety of other products for the nonresidential construction industry. The steelmaker is another materials company that blew past second-quarter estimates on the strength of demand in the nonresidential construction sector, a trend the company expects to continue into the third quarter.</p>
<p>Shares closed at $45.41 on Tuesday. At that price, the stock trades slightly above its price target of $45.33, but nearly 23% below its 52-week high of $58.70. The 52-week low is $27.53. Based on expected earnings per share of $2.82 in 2021, the stock’s multiple is around 16. Nucor pays a dividend of $1.61 (yield of 3.49%).</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2020/08/12/6-construction-materials-companies-could-reap-big-rewards-with-a-president-biden/">6 Construction Materials Companies Could Reap Big Rewards With a President Biden</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=728667">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>8 Cyclical Stocks With Significant Upside Potential in the Recovery</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/industrials/2020/06/08/8-cyclical-stocks-with-significant-upside-potential-in-the-recovery/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2020 16:09:31 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Industrials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=711926</guid>
<description><![CDATA[With America having been given a hard lesson about distant supply chains over the past 18 months or so, it's time to look at some of the industry leaders and well-known cyclical companies again. Despite the recent rallies, there may still be more room ahead in some of the top cyclical names.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2020/06/08/8-cyclical-stocks-with-significant-upside-potential-in-the-recovery/">8 Cyclical Stocks With Significant Upside Potential in the Recovery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=711926">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Is it fair to say that the state of the markets and the economy in 2020 is unprecedented and uncharted? Imagine that the economy went from strong gross domestic product and the lowest unemployment rate in decades to a period of unprecedented selling in the stock market, massive rate cutting and stimulus, surging unemployment and layoffs. At the start of the year, this was not what the charts (nor the tea leaves and chicken bones) were suggesting at all. Zoom forward about 75 days from the lows in March, and stocks have somehow surged and regained almost all their losses.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. has been tracking the moves ahead of and during the COVID-19 instant recession, and the current theme for the stock market has been how the “reopening and cyclical stocks” are now leading the way. Many other sectors are recovering as well, from travel and leisure to retail to housing. With America having been given a hard lesson about distant supply chains over the past 18 months or so, it’s time to look at some of the industry leaders and well-known cyclical companies again. Despite the snapback rallies since mid-March, there may still be more room ahead in some of the top cyclical names.</p>
<p>These are what some might even think of “base economy” stocks, because none of the buildings, industrial goods, manufactured goods and consumer products that are enjoyed all over the world could nor would ultimately exist without them. That said, none of these are consumer products companies as their primary operations.</p>
<p>Before looking for the next big great stocks to buy, note that the current market euphoria could easily have risen too far. It could be that the current enthusiasm may be too far ahead of itself or just misplaced. The stock market is a live-money voting pool full of trillions of dollars betting on how the economy will be six months or so down the road. As of the start of June in 2020, there is still a recession, there is still a widespread (yet dwindling) fear of the coronavirus, and the nation is facing civil unrest, with protests and demonstrations turning to violence in many locations.</p>
<p>Zero assurances can be offered up about the stock market. Now that the S&P and Dow Jones industrials have recovered the lion’s share of their losses (and the tech-heavy Nasdaq is challenging new highs), some investors still so far have not participated. Jumping in on days or weeks of huge gains comes with great risk of overpaying or getting in just in time for the next drop.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. has specifically looked at industry leaders and well-known companies in their sectors that are cyclical and would tie in with a “base economy” theme, and with shares that have not yet come close to their prior 52-week highs. We have showed how much they were up from their lowest daily closing price (not intraday lows) from March, and we have shown how far they would need to run to hit their 52-week high. We also have shown the latest data on the Refinitiv consensus analyst price targets to see if Wall Street thinks there is room to run or if they are feeling toppy again. Oh, and there are some charts to consider as well. There also has been a review of dividends in these selections.</p>
<h2>Dow</h2>
<p>Dow Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/dow/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289959">NYSE: DOW</a>) thinks of itself as a materials science solutions company, but let’s break it down as plastics, industrial chemicals and products, coatings and other segments within materials, and it caters to just about every product and industry that makes and consumes “widgets.” Dow’s share price was up 4.65% at $44.70 on Friday afternoon, up a whopping 100%-plus from the $21.61 low close that was seen on March 21. The drop from $40 to under $25 and to that low close only took seven trading days, proof enough of a panic selling frenzy. It took until May 27 for Dow to see $40 again, and it took until June 2 to close above $40 again.</p>
<p>Despite the doubling from the bottom, Dow’s stock price would have to rise 26% to hit the 52-week high of $56.25. The consensus price target was $38.57 ahead of this last move, and the bias from the analyst calls throughout May was overwhelmingly negative to cautious right into a major rally.</p>
<h2>Huntsman</h2>
<p>Huntsman Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hun/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289960">NYSE: HUN</a>) was trading at $24.00 heading into 2020, but by the panic-selling nadir in March it was closer to $12. At $20.20 on Friday, shares had rallied 57% since the closing low of $12.87 seen on March 23. Friday was also its very first day to reach $20 since late in February. Huntsman would have to rally another 23% to hit its 52-week high of $24.90 after having been up at close to $35 at the start of 2018.</p>
<p>The consensus price target is only $19.61, and that is down from a consensus target of $24.00 earlier in the year. The chemicals company has a market cap of $4.5 billion, and its four units are Polyurethanes, Performance Products, Advanced Materials and Textile Effects.</p>
<h2>Nucor</h2>
<p>Nucor Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289961">NYSE: NUE</a>) is a leader in steel, from mills to basic and advanced product uses to raw materials, with close to a $14 billion market cap. After nearly a 3% gain on Friday to $45.90, its stock price had risen 63% from its closing low of $28.08 on March 23. Its stock also would have to rise another 28% before it attacks its 52-week high of $58.70. Nucor’s prior peak was closer to $69 at the start of 2018.</p>
<p>The consensus price target is currently only $43.56, and most of the post-recession analyst calls have taken the price targets down rather than up. With how low the targets went around stock prices and some of the positive ratings maintained, some investors will be looking for analysts to raise their targets ahead.</p>
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<h2>PPG</h2>
</div>
<p>PPG Industries Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ppg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289962">NYSE: PPG</a>) is a global player in making and distributing paints, coatings and specialty materials for many applications throughout many industries. It is also rather large, with a $27 billion market cap, and it has a 1.8% dividend yield that should still be able to grow if the company maintains capital discipline. Despite sales and earnings taking a hit from its cyclical business nature in 2020, it is expected to recover in 2021 as the sales losses are projected to compress in 2020.</p>
<p>PPG recently traded at $115.00 a share. That is down from a 52-week high of $134.36, but it is up from a low close of $72.51 on March 18. During the selling panic in March, it only took six trading days to fall from $100 to the low, and it took until May 26 to get back to $100. Its stock price is currently above the $106.73 consensus price target. PPG would have to run 17% to challenge is highs again, and some investors might want to look at a five-year chart to see if the old $120 resistance level would be a major factor.</p>
<h3>Sealed Air</h3>
<p>Sealed Air Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/see/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289963">NYSE: SEE</a>) is a leader in packaging, sealing and wrapping for foods and other products being shipped. It is known for bubble wrap in many shipping situations. The company ran into accounting issues in 2018, and it fired its chief financial officer in 2019 after an internal review and receiving a second U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission subpoena. It still has a $5.5 billion market cap and a dividend yield that should be very safe at about 1.8%. In fact, Sealed Air actually has room to improve its dividend as things normalize.</p>
<p>It now trades near $35.25 a share. The lowest closing price of $17.47 on March 18 did not last long. It had been a $30 stock as recently as March 5, before the real panic set in, but this stock rapidly recovered to $30 by April 9. It would have to run 30% before challenging its old highs, but its consensus target price was $35.75 on last look. Analysts had been lowering their targets on Sealed Air, but on May 28, Robert W. Baird maintained its Outperform rating and raised its target to $40 from $35. This was briefly a $50 stock as recently as 2015.</p>
<h2>Weyerhaeuser</h2>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289964">NYSE: WY</a>) is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands, with roughly 11 million acres in the United States and additional timberlands managed under long-term licenses in Canada. The company is a real estate investment trust (REIT), and in some ways could almost be considered a potential applicant to be the 51st state. It is among North America’s largest manufacturers of wood products.</p>
<p>With shares at $24.25, the 52-week trading range is $13.10 to $31.58, so it would have to run 30% before challenging its annual high again. Weyerhaeuser’s lowest of close of $13.47 on March 23 did not last long, and this had been a $30 stock as recently as February 24. The consensus target price is nearly $26, and as a REIT, it will want to pay dividends again after halting that payment in May.</p>
<h2>And the Rest</h2>
<p>Two additional companies also could be considered in this cyclical review. There were some exceptions in these two, hence shorter reviews. They likely would be given more favorable reviews on any real share price weakness.</p>
<p>Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fcx/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289965">NYSE: FCX</a>) has close to a $16 billion market cap and recently had better than a 3% dividend yield. The Arizona-based company operates globally in many mineral plays, and it has significant proven and probable reserves of copper, gold and molybdenum.</p>
<p>Westlake Chemical Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wlk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289966">NYSE: WLK</a>) has a $7.5 billion market cap and is primarily in basic chemicals, vinyls, polymers and building products around the globe. It has a 1.8% dividend yield, but the peak earnings were back in 2017 and 2018, when the stock was above $100. Who knows whether the company can get back to where it was, but now at $58 a share, it was at $70 or so before the panic selling dragged it down. As with Freeport-McMoRan, Westlake probably would be given higher marks on pullbacks.</p>
<p><br />
We have included a six-month chart review from StockCharts.com showing each ticker and showing the Industrial Select SPDR Fund (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wlk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="289967">NYSE: XLI</a>) for a reference. At $75.75 a share, the exchange-traded fund has a 52-week high almost 15% higher at $85.33. Its lowest adjusted closing price was $48.77 on March 23, but that was the only trading day it closed under $50, and it had been at $80 on February 24.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Industrials-Cyclicals-Chart-6-8-2020.png" data-lasso-id="289968"><img class="aligncenter" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Industrials-Cyclicals-Chart-6-8-2020.png?w=400" alt="" width="645" height="380.5" data-id="711938" data-caption="" /></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2020/06/08/8-cyclical-stocks-with-significant-upside-potential-in-the-recovery/">8 Cyclical Stocks With Significant Upside Potential in the Recovery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=711926">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amarin, BofA, Citi, JPMorgan, Liberty SiriusXM, Microsoft, Tesla, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Workday and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/11/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amarin-bofa-citi-jpmorgan-liberty-siriusxm-microsoft-tesla-tripadvisor-twitter-workday-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Nov 2019 13:55:24 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=593259</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Monday's top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations included Amarin, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan, Liberty SiriusXM, Microsoft, Tesla, TripAdvisor, Twitter and Workday.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/11/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amarin-bofa-citi-jpmorgan-liberty-siriusxm-microsoft-tesla-tripadvisor-twitter-workday-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amarin, BofA, Citi, JPMorgan, Liberty SiriusXM, Microsoft, Tesla, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Workday and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=593259">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks hit new highs on Friday with the Dow Jones industrials closing above 28,000 for the first time and with the S&P 500 up over 3,100, but stocks were looking for any direction without a clear bias on Monday. Despite the record levels in the past two weeks, investors still have a lot of pressing issues and risks to consider, now that the bull market is over 10 and a half years old. This is a time for investors to consider what changes they should be making for their portfolios and assets heading into late 2019 and as 2020 approaches.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week. Our goal is to find new ideas for traders and long-term investors alike. Some of the daily analyst calls cover stocks to buy, while some calls cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>We have provided these calls in a quick-hit summary for easy reading, and additional comments and trading data have been added on some of the calls. The consensus analyst price targets and other valuation metrics are from the Refinitiv sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations for Monday, November 18, 2019.</p>
<p>Amarin Corp. PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/amrn" data-lasso-id="278243">NASDAQ: AMRN</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy but the target price was raised to $27 from $23 at Citigroup.</p>
<p>AmerisourceBergen Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/abc" data-lasso-id="278244">NYSE: ABC</a>) was reiterated as Buy with a $110 target price at Argus.</p>
<p>Applied Materials Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/amat" data-lasso-id="278245">NASDAQ: AMAT</a>) was up handily after earnings on Friday, and Argus joined other analysts by reiterating its Buy rating and raising its target price to $72.</p>
<p>Bank of America Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/bac" data-lasso-id="278246">NYSE: BAC</a>) was reiterated as Overweight and the target price was raised to $38 from $35 (versus a $32.93 prior close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>CarMax Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/kmx" data-lasso-id="278247">NYSE: KMX</a>) was reiterated as Neutral with an $80 target price (versus a $98.00 close) at Wedbush Securities.</p>
<p>Citigroup Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/c" data-lasso-id="278248">NYSE: C</a>) was reiterated as Overweight and the target price was raised to $90 from $84 (versus a $74.40 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/gs" data-lasso-id="278249">NYSE: GS</a>) was reiterated as Equal Weight and the target price was raised to $250 from $244 (versus a $220.25 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Huntsman Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hun" data-lasso-id="278250">NYSE: HUN</a>) was reiterated as Buy with a $29 target price (versus a $23.21 close) at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>JPMorgan Chase & Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jpm" data-lasso-id="278251">NYSE: JPM</a>) was reiterated as Overweight and the target price was raised to $141 from $138 (versus a $129.53 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Liberty Global PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lbtya" data-lasso-id="278252">NASDAQ: LBTYA</a>) was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.</p>
<p>Liberty SiriusXM Group (NASDAQ: LSXMA) was started with an Outperform rating and a $55 target price (versus a $47.01 close) at Credit Suisse. The firm noted that this is the tracking stock of Liberty Media’s 71% ownership stake in Sirius, and it sees the shares trading in tandem with room for further multiple expansion and its significant stock repurchases to keep driving shares higher.</p>
<p>LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/lyb" data-lasso-id="278253">NYSE: LYB</a>) was reiterated as Buy with a $121 target price (versus a $96.00 close) at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Microsoft Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/msft" data-lasso-id="278254">NASDAQ: MSFT</a>) was reiterated as Outperform with a $155 target price (versus a $149.97 close) at Credit Suisse, with the firm noting that Microsoft and Salesforce.com have expanded their strategic partnership with Azure being adopted as its public cloud provider and Microsoft Teams will be integrated in Salesforce.com’s Sales and Service Clouds.</p>
<p>Okta Inc. (NASDAQ: OKTA) was downgraded to Hold from Buy with a $120 target price (versus a $117.72 close) at Canaccord Genuity.</p>
<p>Owens Corning (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/oc" data-lasso-id="278255">NYSE: OC</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform with a $77 target price (versus a $65.15 close) at Wells Fargo.<br />
<br />
<!--nextpage-->Progressive Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pgr" data-lasso-id="278256">NYSE: PGR</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy and the target price was lowered to $81 from $91 at Goldman Sachs. Shares previously closed at $72.90, in a 52-week range of $56.71 to $84.96 and with a consensus target price of $86.29.</p>
<p>Sherwin-Williams Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/shw" data-lasso-id="278257">NYSE: SHW</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman Sachs. It previously closed at $592.77, in a 52-week range of $365.20 to $597.00 and with a consensus target price of $610.14.</p>
<p>Splunk Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/splk" data-lasso-id="278258">NASDAQ: SPLK</a>) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight and the target price was raised to $169 from $140 at Morgan Stanley. The stock previously closed at $119.20 and was indicated up almost 3% at $122.65 on Monday, and it had a prior consensus target price of $150.26.</p>
<p>Tesla Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/tsla" data-lasso-id="278259">NASDAQ: TSLA</a>) was reiterated as Hold but the target price was raised by 12% to $290 (versus a $352.17 close) at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>TripAdvisor Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/trip" data-lasso-id="278260">NASDAQ: TRIP</a>) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform but the target price was lowered to $30 at Cowen in a post-earnings scenario. At $31.14 a share on Friday’s close, this was a $40 stock earlier in November.</p>
<p>Twitter Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/twtr" data-lasso-id="278261">NYSE: TWTR</a>) was maintained as Market Perform but its price target was lowered to $33 from $45 (versus a $29.25 close) at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Ultra Clean Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: UCTT) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel.</p>
<p>U.S. Concrete Inc. (NASDAQ: USCR) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight and its target price was lowered to $47 from $60 at Stephens.</p>
<p>Viasat Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vsat" data-lasso-id="278262">NASDAQ: VSAT</a>) was raised to Overweight from Neutral with a $90 target price (versus a $71.83 close) at JPMorgan.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy" data-lasso-id="278263">NYSE: WY</a>) was reiterated as Buy and its target price was raised to $32 from $27 at Argus.</p>
<p>Wolverine World Wide Inc. (NYSE: WWW) was raised to Buy from Hold and assigned a $39 price target at Argus.</p>
<p>Workday Inc. (NASDAQ: WDAY) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight and the target price was cut to $180 from $220 (versus a $165.98 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse is out with its 2020 outlook efforts, calling for earnings per share to improve and for price-to-earnings ratios to expand. The firm is initiating its 2020 S&P 500 price target of 3,425, which represents 9.8% upside from current levels and is based on an per-share earnings of $164.50 in 2019 (reduced from $166.50) and $173 per share in 2020 (reduced from $176) and imply earnings per share growth of 5.2% next year (from just 1% in 2019). The firm projects that the forward multiple will expand to 18.9 times by year-end 2020 from 18.1 times currently. Several assumptions are key to its 2020 outlook:</p>
<blockquote><p>1) revenues to advance in-line with nominal GDP;<br />
2) margin headwinds to be substantially less onerous;<br />
3) buybacks to remain abundant;<br />
4) reversal of decelerating economics to support multiple expansion.</p></blockquote>
<p>Zacks has released its daily picks, and the Bull of the Day was Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jazz" data-lasso-id="278264">NASDAQ: JAZZ</a>), with strength after earnings having the shares look solid ahead. The firm’s Bear of the Day is Canon Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/caj" data-lasso-id="278265">NYSE: CAJ</a>), with the earnings trend looking troubling for the company.</p>
<p>Friday’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/11/15/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-ambev-american-water-works-apple-beigene-centerpoint-microsoft-netapp-pinterest-realreal-walmart-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="278266">upgrades and downgrades</a> included Ambev, American Water Works, Apple, BeiGene, CenterPoint Energy, Microsoft, NetApp, Pinterest, RealReal, Walmart and many more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/11/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amarin-bofa-citi-jpmorgan-liberty-siriusxm-microsoft-tesla-tripadvisor-twitter-workday-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amarin, BofA, Citi, JPMorgan, Liberty SiriusXM, Microsoft, Tesla, TripAdvisor, Twitter, Workday and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=593259">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Apple, China Mobile, Duke Energy, Facebook, JetBlue, Oracle, Spirit Air, TCR2, Vivint Solar and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/11/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apple-china-mobile-duke-energy-facebook-jetblue-oracle-spirit-air-tcr2-vivint-solar-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2019 12:40:34 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=533399</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday included Apple, China Mobile, Duke Energy, Facebook, JetBlue, Oracle, Spirit Airlines, TCR2 Therapeutics and Vivint Solar.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/11/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apple-china-mobile-duke-energy-facebook-jetblue-oracle-spirit-air-tcr2-vivint-solar-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Apple, China Mobile, Duke Energy, Facebook, JetBlue, Oracle, Spirit Air, TCR2, Vivint Solar and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=533399">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated to have a mixed open, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures up, but Dow Jones industrial average futures were lower due to a 10% drop in Boeing shares after another plane crash. The recent selling in stocks was after the Dow had rallied some 3,500 points from its lows at the start of the year. Investors have to be considering how they want their investments and assets positioned for the rest of 2019.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week. The goal is to find new investing and trading ideas for investors and traders alike. Some of these analyst reports cover stocks to buy, while some of the analyst reports cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>Additional commentary and trading data have been added on some of the daily analyst reports. The consensus analyst price targets mentioned and other valuation metrics are from the Thomson Reuters (Refinitiv) sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday, March 11, 2019.</p>
<p>Anchiano Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ANCN) was started as Outperform and assigned a $16 target price (versus a $7.80 prior close) at Oppenheimer. This is a thin volume company with a mere $60 million market cap, and its 52-week trading range is $7.33 to $11.50.</p>
<p>Apple Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/aapl" data-lasso-id="258580">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Merrill Lynch, which raised its price objective to $210 from $180 (versus a $172.91 close) in the call. Merrill Lynch sees the risk/reward and valuation as favorable and is now bullish over inventory reductions and order cuts stabilizing, better China services, a revision overshoot on estimates, increased services penetration, competitor pricing, a loyal user base and strong cash flows.</p>
<p>China Biologic Product Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CBPO) was downgraded to Underperform from Hold at Jefferies.</p>
<p>China Mobile Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/chl" data-lasso-id="258581">NYSE: CHL</a>) was raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.</p>
<p>Duke Energy Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/duk" data-lasso-id="258582">NYSE: DUK</a>) was maintained as Neutral but the price objective was raised to $91 from $89 at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>Facebook Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/fb" data-lasso-id="258583">NASDAQ: FB</a>) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the price target was raised to $215 from $175 (versus a $169.60 close) at Nomura/Instinet. The shares have a 52-week range of $123.02 to $218.62 and a consensus target price of $195.52.</p>
<p>FireEye Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/feye" data-lasso-id="258584">NASDAQ: FEYE</a>) was raised to Overweight from Neutral with a $20 price target (versus a $16.10 close) at JPMorgan, with the firm talking about strong billings and conservative guidance understating the growth upside. The consensus target price is $20.30, and a 52-week trading range is $14.20 to $20.61.</p>
<p>Greenbrier Companies Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/gbx" data-lasso-id="258585">NYSE: GBX</a>) was downgraded to Sector Weight from Overweight at KeyBanc Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Hudson Pacific Properties Inc. (NYSE: HPP) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $40 target price (versus a $33.27 close) at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>JetBlue Airways Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/jblu" data-lasso-id="258586">NASDAQ: JBLU</a>) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays. After closing down 0.7% at $16.08 on Friday, it was indicated down 1.7% at $15.80 on Monday, in a 52-week range of $15.19 to $22.80. The consensus target price is $20.66.</p>
<p>Keane Group Inc. (NYSE: FRAC) was started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Kilroy Realty Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/krc" data-lasso-id="258587">NYSE: KRC</a>) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the target price was raised to $81 from $80 at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p><br />
<!--nextpage--><br />
New York Community Bancorp Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nycb" data-lasso-id="258588">NYSE: NYCB</a>) was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight with an $11.50 target price (versus a $12.22 close) at Morgan Stanley. The consensus analyst target is $11.87.</p>
<p>Oceaneering International Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/oii" data-lasso-id="258589">NYSE: OII</a>) was started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Oracle Corp. (NYSE: ORCL) was downgraded to Reduce from Buy and the target price was lowered to $42 from $53 (versus a $52.77 close) at Nomura/Instinet. The stock has a 52-week range of $42.40 to $53.48 and a consensus target price of $52.45.</p>
<p>PGT Innovations Inc. (NYSE: PGTI) was raised to Overweight from Sector Weight with a $20 price target at KeyBanc Capital Markets. It closed up 0.8% at $14.16 on Friday and was indicated up 2.6% at $14.53 on Monday, with a consensus target price of $22.67.</p>
<p>Spirit Airlines Inc. (NYSE: SAVE) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight with a $70 target price (versus a $51.68 close) at Barclays. The consensus target price is $76.06. The 52-week trading range is $34.36 to $65.35.</p>
<p>SunTrust Banks Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/sti" data-lasso-id="258590">NYSE: STI</a>) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight and the price target was lowered to $73 from $80 (versus a $63.49 close) at Morgan Stanley. It has a 52-week range of $46.05 to $75.08 and a consensus target price of $71.20.</p>
<p>Superior Energy Services Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/spn" data-lasso-id="258591">NYSE: SPN</a>) was started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>TCR2 Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: TCRR) was started with an Outperform rating and assigned a $28 price target (versus a $15.64 close, after a 13% drop) at Wedbush Securities. The shares were called undervalued based on the firm’s positive outlook on its “differentiated and potentially best-in-class CAR-T cell platform” for both solid tumor and hematologic malignancies, and the price target is a sum-of-parts valuation for each of the company’s three clinical or near-clinical programs. BMO Capital Markets also started it as Outperform, with a $37 target, and Jefferies started it with a Buy rating and $31 price target.</p>
<p>Trinity Industries Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/trn" data-lasso-id="258592">NYSE: TRN</a>) was downgraded to Sector Weight from Overweight at KeyBanc Capital Markets.</p>
<p>UDR Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/udr" data-lasso-id="258593">NYSE: UDR</a>) was downgraded to Sell from an already cautious Neutral rating, and its target price was lowered to $39 from $43 (versus a $44.89 close), at Goldman Sachs. The consensus target price is $44.59.</p>
<p>Vivint Solar Inc. (NYSE: VSLR) was reiterated as Buy and the price objective was raised to $10.00 from $9.50 (versus a $4.75 close) at Merrill Lynch. The firm sees the shares as undervalued after a meaningfully positive update, with stronger deployments, better marketing channels and scaling residential solar. The consensus target price is $8.05.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy" data-lasso-id="258594">NYSE: WY</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform with a $32 target price (versus a $24.66 close) at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Zumiez Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/zumz" data-lasso-id="258595">NASDAQ: ZUMZ</a>) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Pivotal Research.</p>
<p>The bull market turned 10 years old on Saturday, and here is how much better the top and most <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/08/top-stocks-have-dominated-since-the-start-of-the-decade-long-bull-market/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258596">favorite stocks of the market have outperformed</a> against the broader index gains.</p>
<p>Five long-term beaten-down stocks <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/11/5-fallen-angel-stocks-could-be-huge-winners-down-the-road/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258597">could offer material upside</a> ahead in turnarounds and value strategies.</p>
<p>Robert W. Baird has four <a href="https://247wallst.com/services/2019/03/11/market-volatility-have-you-worried-4-stocks-to-buy-that-should-do-fine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258598">consumer-oriented stocks</a> to withstand the market volatility.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/10/broadcom-dollar-general-oracle-and-more-major-earnings-coming-this-week/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258599">This week’s earnings</a> will be dominated by Broadcom, Dollar General, Oracle and more.</p>
<p>Analysts have <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/09/5-stocks-trading-under-10-that-could-have-gigantic-upside-potential/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258600">five stocks under $10</a> with fresh calls for big upside ahead.</p>
<p>Friday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/08/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abercombie-exxon-etsy-gamestop-kraft-heinz-netflix-tilray-vodafone-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="258601">top analyst calls</a> were in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch, Exxon Mobil, Etsy, GameStop, Kraft Heinz, Netflix, Tilray, Vodafone and many more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/03/11/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apple-china-mobile-duke-energy-facebook-jetblue-oracle-spirit-air-tcr2-vivint-solar-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Apple, China Mobile, Duke Energy, Facebook, JetBlue, Oracle, Spirit Air, TCR2, Vivint Solar and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=533399">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top 20 Highest Yielding Stocks in the S&P 500</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/01/10/top-20-highest-yielding-stocks-in-the-sp-500/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lange]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jan 2019 14:55:52 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=520153</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It’s worth noting that dividend yields change all the time and as of Tuesday’s closing prices, these are the highest yielding stocks in the S&P 500.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/01/10/top-20-highest-yielding-stocks-in-the-sp-500/">Top 20 Highest Yielding Stocks in the S&P 500</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=520153">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>December was a rough month for investors, with the major exchanges putting up losses not seen since the 1930s. While this solidified concerns of a bear market, it also drove investors into more defensive stocks with sizable market caps and big dividends.</p>
<p>Short-term interest rates have risen in 2018 as well, after having risen in 2017, but long-term rates remain lower than many strategists would have expected. Those Treasury rates also still look quite low by historical standards beyond the past decade. In 2019, more investors are worried that interest rates are going to keep rising this year.</p>
<p>For reference, the yield on the 10-year Treasury was just 2.708% on Thursday, with the 30-year Treasury’s long bond yielding 3.015%. Ultimately this means that the top 20 yielding stocks in the S&P 500 are all paying way better dividends than both the 10-year Treasury and 30-year Treasury.</p>
<p>It’s worth noting that dividend yields change all the time and as of Wednesday’s closing prices, these are the highest yielding stocks in the S&P 500.</p>
<p>CenturyLink Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ctl" data-lasso-id="254620">NYSE: CTL</a>) normally boasts a strong dividend as one of the larger companies within the telecom industry. In this case, CenturyLink leads the S&P 500 as the highest yielding stock in the index. Shares were recently trading at $16.17, in a 52-week range of $13.97 to $24.20. The stock has a market cap of $17.4 billion and a dividend yield of 13.4%.</p>
<p>Ford Motor Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/f" data-lasso-id="254621">NYSE: F</a>) historically has paid a decent dividend as one of the biggest automakers in the nation. However, this rank is more the result of shares dropping by more than one-third in the past year. Ford stock currently yields 6.9%. Shares were trading at $8.72, in a 52-week range of $7.41 to $13.48. The market cap is $34.4 billion.</p>
<p>Kimco Realty Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/kim" data-lasso-id="254622">NYSE: KIM</a>) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that is one of the largest owners and operators of open-air shopping centers in North America. Shares were trading at $15.74, in a 52-week range of $13.16 to $17.96. The market cap is $6.6 billion and the dividend yield is 7.1%.</p>
<p>Iron Mountain Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/irm" data-lasso-id="254623">NYSE: IRM</a>) operates a storage and information management business, which stores and protects billions of valued assets, including critical business information, highly sensitive data and cultural and historical artifacts. The firm has more than 1,400 facilities in over 50 countries that serve over 225,000 different organizations. Iron Mountain boasts a dividend yield of 7.1%. Shares were trading at $34.42, in a 52-week range of $30.22 to $37.11. The market cap is $9.8 billion.</p>
<p>Invesco Ltd. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ivz" data-lasso-id="254624">NYSE: IVZ</a>) is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, public entities, corporations, unions and many more. Shares were trading at $17.32, in a 52-week range of $15.38 to $38.43. The $7.1 billion market cap comes with a dividend yield of 6.9%.</p>
<p>Philip Morris International Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/pm" data-lasso-id="254625">NYSE: PM</a>) is one of the largest tobacco firms in North America. It historically has been known as a defensive play due to the nature of its products. It currently yields 6.7%. Shares were trading at $67.91, in a 52-week range of $64.67 to $111.25. The market cap is $106.4 billion.</p>
<p>Altria Group Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mo" data-lasso-id="254626">NYSE: MO</a>) is another sizable tobacco firm, although it takes a backseat to Philip Morris in terms of market cap and yield. Shares were trading at $49.66, in a 52-week range of $46.49 to $71.86. Altria’s market cap is $93.1 billion and its dividend yield is 6.4%.</p>
<p>AT&T Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/t" data-lasso-id="254627">NYSE: T</a>) is the second largest U.S. telecom, and with that comes a historically high yield, which this industry has had for years. AT&T boasts a dividend yield of 6.8%. Shares were trading at $30.10, in a 52-week range of $26.80 to $39.29. The market cap is $218.7 billion.</p>
<p>Macerich Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/mac" data-lasso-id="254628">NYSE: MAC</a>) is another REIT and it primarily focuses on regional malls and shopping centers throughout the United States. The company currently owns 52 million square feet of real estate, consisting mainly of interests in 48 regional shopping centers. Shares were trading at $46.46, in a 52-week range of $40.90 to $69.73. The market cap is $7.0 billion. The dividend yield is 6.5%.</p>
<p>Seagate Technology PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/stx" data-lasso-id="254629">NASDAQ: STX</a>) is a data storage firm that manufactures and distributes hard disk drives, solid-state drives and much more. While it might be strange to see a tech firm yielding this much, shares of Seagate have dropped over 33% in just the past six months alone, pumping up the yield. The stock currently yields 6.3%. Shares were trading at $40.14, in a 52-week range of $35.38 to $62.70. The market cap is $11.5 billion.</p>
<p><br />
<!--nextpage-->Navient Corp. (NASDAQ: NAVI) provides asset management and business processing services to education, health care and government clients. The firm holds the portfolio of education loans, as well as the portfolio of private education loans, and it originates private education refinance loans. Shares were trading at $10.39. The 52-week range is $8.23 to $15.02, the market cap is $2.7 billion and the dividend yield is 6.2%.</p>
<p>ONEOK Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/oke" data-lasso-id="254630">NYSE: OKE</a>) is a sizable natural gas firm that owns natural gas gathering pipelines and processing plants in the Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions. Of all the companies on this list, this is the only one that had a solid performance in the past 52 weeks. The stock boasts a dividend yield of 5.7%. Shares traded at $59.73, in a 52-week range of $50.26 to $71.99. The market cap is $24.6 billion.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wy" data-lasso-id="254631">NYSE: WY</a>) is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands. The firm owns or controls 12.4 million acres of timberlands in the United States and manages additional timberlands under long-term licenses in Canada. Shares were trading at $23.70. The 52-week range is $20.52 to $38.39, and the market cap is $17.8 billion. It has a dividend yield of 5.7%.</p>
<p>PPL Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/ppl" data-lasso-id="254632">NYSE: PPL</a>) is a utility holding company that delivers electricity and natural gas in the United States and the United Kingdom. In terms of utilities, this industry historically has been very defensive, with high dividends. It currently yields 5.6%. Shares were trading at $29.29, in a 52-week range of $25.30 to $32.46. PPL has a market cap of $21.1 billion.</p>
<p>Helmerich & Payne Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/hp" data-lasso-id="254633">NYSE: HP</a>) primarily engages in drilling oil and gas wells for exploration and production companies. The company operates through U.S. Land, Offshore, and International Land segments. Shares were trading at $53.51, in a 52-week range of $44.56 to $75.02. The market cap is $5.8 billion, and the dividend yield is 5.3%.</p>
<p>Kraft-Heinz Co. (NASDAQ: KHC) is one of the larger food and beverage firms in the United States. With a sizeable portfolio of brands, this firm acts as a defensive haven, and it can afford to pay investors a high dividend. Kraft-Heinz boasts a dividend yield of 5.5%. Shares were trading at $45.13, within a 52-week range of $41.60 to $80.67. The market cap is $55.0 billion.</p>
<p>Nielsen Holdings PLC (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/nlsn" data-lasso-id="254634">NYSE: NLSN</a>) operates as an information and measurement company. The company provides media and marketing information, analytics and manufacturer and retailer expertise about what and where consumers buy, read, watch and listen to. Shares were trading at $25.67, in a 52-week range of $20.53 to $39.25. The market cap is $9.1 billion and the dividend yield is 5.5%.</p>
<p>Williams Companies Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wmb" data-lasso-id="254635">NYSE: WMB</a>) operates as an energy infrastructure company primarily in the United States. It owns and operates multiple natural gas pipeline systems extending throughout North America. The stock currently yields 5.4%. Shares were trading at $25.15, in a 52-week range of $20.36 to $33.67. Its market cap is $30.4 billion.</p>
<p>Ventas Inc. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/vtr" data-lasso-id="254636">NYSE: VTR</a>) is another REIT making the list. The firm owns over 1,400 properties in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, including seniors housing communities, medical office buildings, life science and innovation centers, among other properties. Shares were traded at $58.22, in a 52-week range of $46.55 to $65.70. The $20.9 billion market cap is matched by a dividend yield of 5.4%.</p>
<p>Western Digital Corp. (<a href="https://247wallst.com/companies/wdc" data-lasso-id="254637">NASDAQ: WDC</a>) develops, manufactures and sells data storage devices and solutions worldwide. Of all the companies on this list, this one has seen its stock drop the most, down 54% in the past 52-weeks. It boasts a dividend yield of 5.0%, and shares were trading at $39.79. The 52-week range is $33.83 to $106.96. The market cap is $11.5 billion.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2019/01/10/top-20-highest-yielding-stocks-in-the-sp-500/">Top 20 Highest Yielding Stocks in the S&P 500</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=520153">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>25 Stocks Down 20% That Could Be Steals</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/30/25-great-stocks-hitting-bear-market-inflection-points-for-new-buyers/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 2018 12:45:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=501776</guid>
<description><![CDATA[24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of 25 great stocks that had been loved by investors during the major bull market but now have sold off 20% or more.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/30/25-great-stocks-hitting-bear-market-inflection-points-for-new-buyers/">25 Stocks Down 20% That Could Be Steals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=501776">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Now that 2018 has reminded investors just how volatile the stock market can be at times, it’s important to look at the big picture. The selling pressure of October has rattled even some of the largest bulls on Wall Street. It’s also important to consider that this current bull market is now over nine and a half years old, and it’s very possible the selling pressure can continue.</p>
<p>Fear and greed are the two driving forces when it comes to the decision of whether to buy or sell a stock. When the markets are screaming higher, as we have seen frequently over the past few years, many investors said that they just couldn’t wait to get an opportunity to buy some of their favorite companies of the bull market — if they would just dare pull back 20% or 25%. That has happened as a result of October’s major selling, and then some!</p>
<p>The undeniable problem investors run into is that when the pullbacks finally arrive, most investors become paralyzed by fear. That has been the case in October of 2018, even though many stocks seem as though they are pricing in the death of growth in their business and in the economy. Slowing growth, trade war fears, midterm elections, rising interest rates and unwinding of the great growth names, and a few dozen other issues, have sent the bull market into correction mode. At what point does selling pressure overshoot on the downside?</p>
<p>After a Finviz review on Monday, there were a whopping 225 members of the S&P 500 that have sold off by 20% or more from their 52-week highs. And to make matters worse, almost 20% of the S&P 500 stocks were down 30% or more from those highs. These losses are astronomical when you consider that as of Monday’s close the S&P 500 and Dow Jones industrial average were down 10.2% and 9.3% from their respective 52-week and all-time highs.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list of 25 great stocks that had been loved by investors during the major bull market but now have sold off 20% or more. With only one exception, the list cuts off at 40% because the technical damage done when companies lose that much value becomes too large for any bottom-fishing investor to trust. We also have screened out companies tied to autos, oil and gas, banking and financial services, and other troubled sectors that are littered full of major losses so far in 2018.</p>
<p>The reality is that nobody can keep picking absolute bottoms. And please understand that investors should never plow in all at once trying to catch the proverbial falling knife. Just because stocks start looking oversold or like great values does not in any way mean that the market cannot drag these shares even lower. That said, these are all great companies that investors have wanted to own during the great bull run.</p>
<p>Here are 25 of the solid bull market stocks that were down at least 20% from their 52-week highs as of October 29, 2018. The exact drop may have changed due to Monday’s selling, but this was how much each was down from their 52-week when the report was compiled. Additional color has been added on each.</p>
<p><strong>Lowe’s Companies Inc.</strong> (NYSE: LOW) was last seen trading at $92.86, down over 21% from its 52-week high of $117.70. Its current market cap is $75 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.1%. A slowing in housing trends and an underperformance on metrics versus Home Depot has led Lowe’s lower. The company has not issued end-of-the-world guidance, and analysts are still looking for earnings and revenue growth in 2018 and 2019.</p>
<p><strong>Intel Corp.</strong> (NASDAQ: INTC) was last seen trading at $45.40, down over 21% from its 52-week high of $57.60. Its current market cap is $207 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.6%. Intel has suffered with the major chip stocks, albeit not as much as many peers. The Dow stock actually maintained strong guidance for the remainder of 2018, and being a little over 10 times expected earnings doesn’t exactly sound too bad for the world’s top processor company.</p>
<p><strong>United Parcel Service Inc.</strong> (NYSE: UPS) was last seen trading at $105.07, down over 22% from its 52-week high of $135.53. Its current market cap is $90 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 3.5%. UPS shares peaked in the very few first days of 2018, and things were actually lower than here back in March for what has been one of America’s top transporter of goods.</p>
<p><strong>Sherwin-Williams Co.</strong> (NYSE: SHW) was last seen trading at $366.76, down over 24% from its 52-week high of $479.64. Its current market cap is $34 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 0.9%. The acquisition of Valspar was supposed to help solidify some markets for the top independent paint company, but it has fallen handily over the past month and technical damage is being done on its chart. Despite soft markets, analysts still see earnings growth coming down the pipe in 2018 and 2019.</p>
<p><!--nextpage--><strong>FedEx Corp.</strong> (NYSE: FDX) was last seen trading at $211.04, down over 23% from its 52-week high of $274.66. Its current market cap is $56 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 1.2%. Another one of the top transporters of goods is seeing a slowing expectation in results that simply has not yet arrived in the real numbers. Analysts are still expecting growth ahead.</p>
<p><strong>AT&T Inc.</strong> (NYSE: T) was last seen trading at $29.64, down over 25% from its 52-week high of $39.33. Its current market cap is $215 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 6.9%. AT&T is no longer the same defensive telecom player that it used to be, and the acquisition of DirecTV and Time Warner have not yet turned into the defensive powerhouse that AT&T and value investors have hoped for. Sadly, AT&T shares were well above $40 back in 2016.</p>
<p><strong>Deere & Co.</strong> (NYSE: DE) was last seen trading at $130.56, down over 26% from its 52-week high of $175.26. Its current market cap is $42 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.1%. Deere has suffered with other industrial, trade war and infrastructure names. Despite the major correction, analysts are still looking for growth in 2018 and 2019.</p>
<p><strong>Carnival Corp.</strong> (NYSE: CCL) was last seen trading at $54.07, down over 26% from its 52-week high of $72.70. Its current market cap is $38 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 3.7%. The top cruise line has suffered from higher oil prices, but that has abated some in recent weeks. Still, if any slowing in the economy lasts, it will show up in lower travel spending. That’s the notion behind this anyhow.</p>
<p><strong>Colgate-Palmolive Co.</strong> (NYSE: CL) was last seen trading at $57.88, down over 26% from its 52-week high of $77.91. Its current market cap is $50 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.8%. Aren’t consumer products supposed to be defensive in a down market? Colgate shares are witnessing serious technical breaks under key support levels, and it still trades at 19 times expected earnings.</p>
<p><strong>Amazon.com Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: AMZN) was last seen trading at $1,538.88, down over 25% from its 52-week high of $2,050.50. Its current market cap is $752 billion. Is it possible that a whopping $250 billion can come out of a stock market value that fast? Yep. Just being a tad short of revenue expectations means that investors wanted perfection from the high-beta leader. Acquiring Whole Foods was a game-changer, and AWS is expected to have growth as long as the eyes can see. That said, expectations for boundless growth sometimes are hard to live up to — even for Jeff Bezos.</p>
<p><strong>Monster Beverage Corp.</strong> (NASDAQ: MNST) was last seen trading at $51.32, down over 27% from its 52-week high of $70.22. Its current market cap is $28 billion. Getting a $2 billion investment in 2014 from Coca-Cola was supposed to translate into endless growth for this sports drink leader. That said, competition has become quite fierce in this beverage sector. It’s hard to scream “value stock” when Monster is still valued at 27 times blended 2018 and 2019 earnings.</p>
<p><strong>Tyson Foods Inc.</strong> (NYSE: TSN) was last seen trading at $61.56, down over 27% from its 52-week high of $84.65. Its current market cap is $23 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.0%. It turns out that being one of the world’s top chicken and meat suppliers doesn’t make it immune during trade wars. Despite serious slowing growth trends, Tyson is valued at just over 10 times expected current year earnings.</p>
<p><strong>Dollar Tree Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: DLTR) was last seen trading at $83.79, down over 28% from its 52-week high of $116.65. Its current market cap is $20 billion. It has to hurt when almost every item your store sells comes from overseas in a world that is becoming paralyzed by more tariff fears. Still, this dollar store giant is supposed to be somewhat defensive for investors, but it isn’t yet acting that way.</p>
<p><strong>Northrop Grumman Corp.</strong> (NYSE: NOC) was last seen trading at $256.30, down over 29% from its 52-week high of $360.88. Its current market cap is $44 billion and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 1.8%. Many defense giants are considerably down from highs. That said, military spending is expected to continue and the world doesn’t seem any nicer of place than a month ago.</p>
<p><strong>3M Co.</strong> (NYSE: MMM) was last seen trading at $185.79, down over 28% from its 52-week high of $259.77. Its current market cap is $108 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 2.9%. 3M has run into serious issues around earnings now, and Wall Street may be feeling that the company is just too diversified to grow as it used to. Still, 3M has been in the list of companies with endless dividend growth, and very few investors expect that to end despite the past two earnings hiccups.</p>
<p><strong>Southwest Airlines Co.</strong> (NYSE: LUV) was last seen trading at $47.91, down over 28% from its 52-week high of $66.99. Its current market cap is $27 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 1.3%. Airlines have not exactly been enjoying some of the great growth metrics in 2018, and Southwest has had a bad year. Despite higher jet fuel costs, the company is supposed to have some oil hedging in place. This is still valued at higher earnings multiples than peers, but 10 times expected 2019 earnings doesn’t exactly sound crazy for a top airline that is still predominantly a U.S. carrier.</p>
<p><!--nextpage--><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (NYSE: WY) was last seen trading at $26.43, down over 31% from its 52-week high of $39.39. Its current market cap is $20 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 5.1%. Weyerhaeuser may not be exciting, and its growth days may be hampered with slowing in housing and industry. Still, this company owns and leases so much timberland it could petition the United States to become the 51st state.</p>
<p><strong>PVH Corp.</strong> (NYSE: PVH) was last seen trading at $118.39, down over 30% from its 52-week high of $169.22. Its current market cap is $9 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 0.1%. The company has been a powerhouse in fashion and apparel, but it’s an obvious trade war victim as tariffs will pressure its margins. Still, PVH is valued at only about 12 times a blended 2018 and 2019 earnings. Maybe it should change to a larger dividend policy if investors do not want to pay up for growth from a very diversified line of fashion brands.</p>
<p><strong>Netflix Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: NFLX) was last seen trading at $284.84, down over 33% from its 52-week high of $423.21. Its current market cap is $124 billion. Netflix was looking like the poster-child of a strong earnings season reporter, but the selling pressure has been so strong that not even Mr. Hastings and the mighty Netflix have been able to escape the black hole’s gravity. Will new competition from AT&T, Disney and others kill its growth in 2019 and beyond? Will its endless international growth opportunity begin to diminish? Its bullish analysts don’t think so — just don’t try to figure out what is an acceptable P/E ratio here.</p>
<p><strong>Kraft Heinz Co.</strong> (NASDAQ: KHC) was last seen trading at $55.52, down over 33% from its 52-week high of $82.48. Its current market cap is $68 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 4.5%. The problems of Kraft-Heinz seem endless, and the food business is changing rapidly. This company has yet to find any ways to entice new investors, and Warren Buffett probably isn’t even that happy he’s knee-deep in ketchup and cheese here. How the company can grow remains elusive. Does 15 times earnings make it a value stock or a value trap?</p>
<p><strong>Caterpillar Inc.</strong> (NYSE: CAT) was last seen trading at $113.98, down over 34% from its 52-week high of $173.24. Its current market cap is $68 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 3.0%. The maker of giant equipment has gone from a darling to a scoundrel rather harshly in 2018. An obvious trade war loser, or so the thought goes, is still valued at just 11 times expected 2019 earnings — if it lives up to lowered expectations.</p>
<p><strong>Facebook Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: FB) was last seen trading at $142.09, down over 35% from its 52-week high of $218.62. Its current market cap is $410 billion. Being the social media leader hasn’t helped the company fight fake news, tampering and dwindling use among younger Americans. Will Facebook be regulated into the dirt? Will advertisers flee? That remains to be seen here, and the market cap destruction has been massive in 2018.</p>
<p><strong>Nvidia Corp.</strong> (NASDAQ: NVDA) was last seen trading at $185.62, down over 37% from its 52-week high of $292.76. Its current market cap is $113 billion, and its new share price comes with a dividend yield of 0.3%. Nvidia has suffered with other chip names, and no one should expect that its old crypto-mining franchise was permanent. Still, Nvidia is the leader in graphics and its wins are going to come from artificial intelligence, self-driving cars and probably every next-generation idea that requires high graphics and computing power.</p>
<p><strong>Electronic Arts Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: EA) was last seen trading at $91.19, down over 40% from its 52-week high of $151.26. Its current market cap is $28 billion. The video game business is great on the way up, but any game delays and any slowing in consumer spending on games can sure hurt here. EA is down worse than most gaming peers in 2018. It’s valued at about 18 times blended 2018 and 2019 earnings estimates, if it lives up to its growth expectations next year.</p>
<p><strong>United Rentals Inc.</strong> (NYSE: URI) was last seen trading at $109.29, down over 43% from its 52-week high of $190.74. Its current market cap is $9 billion. United Rentals was one of the key beneficiaries of the expected infrastructure build-out and was considered one of the primary “Trump winners” in 2017. That said, after a series of acquisitions, United Rentals is having a hard time even finding investors who want to rent rather than buy its shares.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/30/25-great-stocks-hitting-bear-market-inflection-points-for-new-buyers/">25 Stocks Down 20% That Could Be Steals</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=501776">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, Caterpillar, HUYA, Ligand Pharma, Verizon, Weyerhaeuser and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/29/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-anheuser-busch-caterpillar-huya-ligand-pharma-verizon-weyerhaeuser-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Oct 2018 13:10:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=501599</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday included Amazon.com, Anheuser-Busch Inbev, Caterpillar, HUYA, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Verizon and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/29/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-anheuser-busch-caterpillar-huya-ligand-pharma-verizon-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, Caterpillar, HUYA, Ligand Pharma, Verizon, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=501599">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>The futures traded up big Monday morning as investors had the weekend to survey the damage to their accounts after the train wreck of last week. With earnings season for the third quarter starting to wind down, and October almost over, there’s a chance that some of the heavy selling is almost done. In addition, a huge technology deal in which IBM is buying Red Hat also is helping to improve the mood.</p>
<p>The trend of buying the dips has not worked as well in 2018 as it has in prior years, and many investors have been considering how they want their investments positioned for the longer term. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some of the top analyst reports cover stocks to buy. Other analyst calls cover stocks to sell or avoid.</p>
<p>Additional color and commentary has been added on some of these daily analyst calls. The consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday, October 29, 2018.</p>
<p>Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) saw its price target lowered to $2,050 from $2,075 at JMP Securities. That compares with the Wall Street consensus price target of $2,145.16. The tech giant’s shares closed Friday at $1,642.81, down almost 8% on the day.</p>
<p>Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A./N.V. (NYSE: BUD) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital Markets. The 52-week trading range is $72.88 to $123.24, and the consensus price target is $102.29. Shares closed trading last Friday at $74.08.</p>
<p>Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) saw its price target lowered to $142 from $168 at Stifel. That compares with a consensus target of $156.38. Shares closed on Friday at $115.05</p>
<p>HUYA Inc. (NYSE: HUYA) was started with a Buy rating at Citigroup. The stock has traded in a broad range over the past year between $15.25 and $50.82. The consensus price objective is $29.69, which compares with a Friday close of $18.93. Shares traded up 3% in the premarket action.</p>
<p>Kodiak Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: KOD), which had a recent initial public offering, was started with an Overweight rating and a $20 price target at Morgan Stanley. Barclays started it at Overweight with a $20 price target. Merrill Lynch started it with a Buy rating and a $14 target. The shares have been weak since the deal and closed Friday at $9.98.</p>
<p>Ligand Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: LGND) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Roth Capital. Shares have traded between $126.50 and $278.62 over the past year, and the consensus price target is a whopping $257.33. Shares closed at $167.06 on Friday.</p>
<p>Methanex Corp. (NASDAQ: MEOH) was raised to Buy from Hold at Tudor Pickering. The 52-week trading range is $48.55 to $88.23. The consensus price target is $78.54, and shares closed Friday at $65.89, up over 3%.</p>
<p>Mohawk Industries Inc. (NYSE: MHK) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Northcoast. The 52-week range for the carpet and flooring giant is $113.45 to $286.85, and the consensus price target is $185.28. Friday’s close was $115.03.</p>
<p>Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) saw its target price raised to $58 from $56 at Morgan Stanley, which compares with a consensus target of $57.79. Shares closed Friday at $55.51</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Inc. (NYSE: WY) was raised to Buy from Neutral at D.A. Davidson. It has traded in a 52-week range of $26 to $38.39 and has a consensus price target of $35.14. Shares were crushed Friday, down 8.5% to close at $26.49.</p>
<p>Other key analysts upgrades and downgrades were seen in the following:</p>
<p>Greenbrier Companies Inc. (NYSE: GBX) was raised to Positive from Neutral at Susquehanna. The 52-week range is $43.05 to $64.87. The consensus price objective is $61.60, and the stock ended Friday at $48.81, down almost 10%.</p>
<p>Group 1 Automotive Inc. (NYSE: GPI) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Buckingham Research. The 52-week range is $52.41 to $84.47, and the consensus price is $81. The stock ended Friday at $57.55.</p>
<p>Hilltop Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTH) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform at Raymond James. The Dallas-based financial services firm has traded in a 52-week range of $17.16 to $28.31, and the consensus price target is $24.60. The stock closed on Friday at $18.83, up over 6%.</p>
<p>Inspire Medical Systems Inc. (NYSE: INSP) was started with an Outperform rating at Leerink Partners. The 52-week trading range is $22.50 to $57.87, and the consensus price objective is $51. The shares closed Friday at $40.</p>
<p>Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) was started with a Buy rating at Citigroup. The 52-week range is $16.70 to $23.49, and the consensus price objective was unavailable. The stock closed Friday at $18.69.</p>
<p>Vulcan Materials Co. (NYSE: VMC) was started with a Neutral rating and a $100 price target at Nomura. The consensus target is $130.17, and shares closed Friday at $88.37.</p>
<p>Friday’s top analyst <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/26/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-goldcorp-gilead-grubhub-hilton-worldwide-kkr-raymond-james-western-digital-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="252361">upgrades and downgrades</a> included GoldCorp, Gilead Sciences, GrubHub, Hilton Worldwide, KKR, Raymond James, Western Digital and more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/29/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-anheuser-busch-caterpillar-huya-ligand-pharma-verizon-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Amazon, Anheuser-Busch, Caterpillar, HUYA, Ligand Pharma, Verizon, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=501599">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Sears, Exelixis Drop into Monday’s 52-Week Low Club</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/15/sears-exelixis-drop-into-mondays-52-week-low-club/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Oct 2018 20:04:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=498922</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Sears, Weyerhaeuser, Laredo Petroleum, and Exelixis were among the stocks posting new 52-week lows Monday.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/15/sears-exelixis-drop-into-mondays-52-week-low-club/">Sears, Exelixis Drop into Monday’s 52-Week Low Club</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=498922">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><em>October 15, 2018:</em> Here are four stocks trading with heavy volume among 212 equities making new 52-week lows in Monday’s session. On the NYSE advancers led decliners by about 1.57 to 1, and on the Nasdaq, advancers led decliners by about 1.25 to 1.</p>
<p>Sears Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: SHLD) traded down about 7.3% Monday to post a new 52-week low of $0.28 after closing Friday at $0.41. The stock’s 52-week high is $6.79. Volume was more than six times the daily average of around 2.5 million shares. The venerable retailer finally <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2018/10/15/who-eventually-will-own-the-sears-brand/" data-lasso-id="251944">filed for bankruptcy protection</a>.</p>
<p>Laredo Petroleum Inc. (NYSE: LPI) dropped about 2.5% Monday to set a new 52-week low of $6.32. Shares closed at $6.48 on Friday and the stock’s 52-week high is $12.91. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 5 million. The company had no specific news. Shares have turned around and are on track for a daily gain of around 1%.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) traded down about 0.7% Monday to set a new 52-week low of $27.88 after closing at $28.08 on Friday. The stock’s 52-week high is $38.39. Volume was about equal to the daily average of around 3.8 million. The company had no specific news and shares were trading up about 0.3% for the day just ahead of the closing bell.</p>
<p>Exelixis (NASDAQ: EXEL) traded down about 4.7% Monday and posted a new 52-week low of $15.49 after closing Friday at $16.24. The stock’s 52-week high is $32.50. Volume was about 15% below the daily average of around 3.3 million. The company had no specific news.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2018/10/15/sears-exelixis-drop-into-mondays-52-week-low-club/">Sears, Exelixis Drop into Monday’s 52-Week Low Club</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=498922">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Alibaba, Blue Apron, Gap, Harmony Gold, Myriad Genetics, Noble, Walmart and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-alibaba-blue-apron-gap-harmony-gold-myriad-genetics-noble-walmart-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Aug 2017 13:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=408906</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Friday include Alibaba, Blue Apron, Gap, Harmony Gold, Myriad Genetics, Noble and Walmart.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-alibaba-blue-apron-gap-harmony-gold-myriad-genetics-noble-walmart-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Alibaba, Blue Apron, Gap, Harmony Gold, Myriad Genetics, Noble, Walmart and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=408906">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated to open marginally higher on Friday after Thursday’s big-sell-off. Even with the turmoil in Washington, D.C., the markets are still very close to all-time highs. The one trend that has dominated the markets for more than half of the eight-year bull market is that investors have kept finding new reasons to buy stocks after every sell-off. Those same investors are also searching for new investing and trading ideas.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week. Our goal is to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some of the top analyst reports cover stocks to buy, but some calls cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>Additional color and commentary has been added on most of the daily analyst calls. Consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Friday, August 18, 2017.</p>
<p>Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE: BABA) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $190 from $180 at Stifel. Credit Suisse reiterated its Outperform rating and raised its target price to $197 from $178. Its American depositary shares closed up 2.8% at $163.92 on Thursday after strong earnings. Merrill Lynch reiterated its Buy rating as well. It has a 52-week trading range of $86.01 to $168.00 and a consensus analyst price target of about $178.00.</p>
<p>Blue Apron Holdings Inc. (NYSE: APRN) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Stifel, and the price target was cut to $6 from $8. The downgrade is after earnings were called as being challenged. Shares closed down 2% at $5.39 on Thursday and were indicated down 1.5% at $5.30 ahead of Friday’s opening bell. Blue Apron has a post-IPO range of $5.00 to $11.00 and a consensus price target of $6.68.</p>
<p>Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) closed up 0.5% at $22.68 ahead of earnings and was last seen up more than 5% at $23.95 ahead of Friday’s opening bell. It was reiterated as Buy with a $35 price target (versus a $22.68 prior close) at Jefferies, after a solid earnings performance in a tough environment. The 52-week range is $21.02 to $30.74, and the consensus price target is $25.12.</p>
<p>Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (NYSE: HMY) was raised to Hold from Sell at Deutsche Bank, while Merrill Lynch was maintained as Buy even with a target cut. The stock closed up 3.5% at $1.78 on Thursday and was indicated up 6.5% at $1.89 on Friday. Harmony Gold has a 52-week range of $1.56 to $4.14 and a consensus price target of $2.38.</p>
<p>Myriad Genetics Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN) was raised to Hold from Sell with a $28 price target (versus a $27.86 close) at Deutsche Bank. Its 52-week range is $15.15 to $28.39, and it has a consensus analyst target of $21.70.</p>
<p>Noble Corp. PLC (NYSE: NE) was maintained as Sell at Argus, based on weak industry outlook. Argus noted that Noble continues to face pressure from the decline in offshore drilling activity and that it has been hurt by lower fleet utilization and day rates. Credit Suisse maintained its Outperform rating with a $6 price target, noting that there was a nice long-term win in Guyana that allowed it to raise estimates. The stock closed down 1.9% at $3.17 a share on Thursday and was indicated up 2.7% at $3.25 on Friday.</p>
<p>Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was reiterated as Underperform but the price target was raised to $77 from $76 at RBC Capital Markets. Walmart has a 52-week range of $65.28 to $81.99 and a consensus price target of $82.11.</p>
<p>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/jonogg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="242192">@Jonogg</a> on Twitter to receive the daily analyst calls and other market research calls directly on your feed.</p>
<p>Other top analyst calls were seen as follows:</p>
<p><!--nextpage-->Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) was reiterated as Outperform at Credit Suisse, and the price target was raised to $62 from $54.</p>
<p>Brunswick Corp. (NYSE: BC) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Wedbush, as the firm works to gain clarity on weak industry data.</p>
<p>Heron Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: HRTX) was started as Overweight with a $31 price target (versus a $15.25 close) at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>Infosys Ltd. (NASDAQ: INFY) was maintained as Neutral with an $18 price target (versus a $15.93 close) at Wedbush, with the firm noting that the CEO resignation raises uncertainty.</p>
<p>LATAM Airlines Group S.A. (NYSE: LTM) was reiterated as Buy with a $14.50 price objective at Merrill Lynch, noting stronger top-line drivers being followed by lower fleet capex and rationality.</p>
<p>Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE: NBR) was raised to Buy from Neutral with an $8 price target (versus a $6.35 close) at Seaport Global. It has a 52-week range of $6.18 to $18.40 and a consensus price target of $11.08.</p>
<p>Quanta Services Inc. (NYSE: PWR) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $43 price target (versus a $33.83 close) at Citigroup.</p>
<p>Tonix Pharma Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: TNXP) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $6 target price (versus a $2.97 close) at Roth Capital Partners.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) was reiterated as Buy with a $37 price target at Argus.</p>
<p>Zoe’s Kitchen Inc. (NYSE: ZOES) was up 8.3% at $13.28 ahead of earnings and was down 7.4% at $12.30 afterward. It was reiterated as Underperform and the target price was cut to $12.50 from $13.00 at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>S&P sent out a scorecard for second-quarter earnings, with some 94% of S&P 500 Index companies having reported. They call second-quarter earnings strong on several measures and noted that this was the second quarter in a row in which the S&P 500 Index posted double-digit earnings growth since emerging from the earnings recession in the first quarter of 2015 (at −6.7% growth). While earnings per share growth for the S&P 500 did moderate slightly from the first quarter, that increased by 10.8% and S&P showed that the last time there were two quarters in a row of double-digit growth was in 2011.</p>
<p>Thursday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/17/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abbott-labs-baxter-cisco-nov-nucor-pg-target-and-many-more/" data-lasso-id="242193">top analyst upgrades and downgrades</a> were in Abbott Laboratories, Baxter International, Cisco Systems, National Oilwell Varco, Nucor, Procter & Gamble, Target and more. Wednesday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/16/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-agilent-biogen-cbi-dicks-home-depot-mylan-teva-and-more/" data-lasso-id="242194">top analyst upgrades and downgrades</a> included Agilent Technologies, Biogen, CB&I, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Depot, Mylan, Teva Pharmaceutical and more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/18/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-alibaba-blue-apron-gap-harmony-gold-myriad-genetics-noble-walmart-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Alibaba, Blue Apron, Gap, Harmony Gold, Myriad Genetics, Noble, Walmart and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=408906">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: CenterPoint, NetApp, NiSource, Nvidia, Orbital ATK, Weyerhaeuser and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/14/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-centerpoint-netapp-nisource-nvidia-orbital-atk-weyerhaeuser-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2017 13:05:13 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=407940</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday include CenterPoint Energy, NetApp, NiSource, Nvidia, Orbital ATK and Weyerhaeuser. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/14/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-centerpoint-netapp-nisource-nvidia-orbital-atk-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: CenterPoint, NetApp, NiSource, Nvidia, Orbital ATK, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=407940">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated to open strong on Monday, with the Dow up almost 100 points and the S&P 500 up about 13 points. Even with the market being just under all-time highs, the one trend that dominated more than half of the eight-year bull market is that investors have managed to keep finding new reasons to buy stocks after every sell-off. Those same investors are also searching for new investing and trading ideas.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week. Our goal is to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some of the top analyst reports cover stocks to buy, but some calls cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>Additional color and commentary has been added on most of the daily analyst calls. Consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday, August 14, 2017.</p>
<p>CenterPoint Energy Inc. (NYSE: CNP) was raised to Neutral from Underperform with a $29 price target (versus a $28.82 prior close) at Credit Suisse. It has a 52-week trading range of $21.83 to $29.45 and consensus analyst target price of $28.33.</p>
<p>NetApp Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) was raised to Buy from Hold at Maxim Group. It has a 52-week range of $28.32 to $45.24 and a consensus price target of $42.48.</p>
<p>NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) was raised to Outperform from Neutral and the price target was raised to $29 from $25 at Credit Suisse. NiSource has a 52-week range of $21.17 to $26.69 and a consensus price target of $26.39.</p>
<p>Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) was down late last week after earnings. Many analysts defended Nvidia, and now Argus noted that the sell-off was overdone and it reiterated its $175 target price. Shares closed down 5.3% at $155.96 on Friday and were indicated up 1.1% at $157.70 on Monday. The 52-week range is $57.32 to $174.56, and the consensus price target is $145.20.</p>
<p>Orbital ATK Inc. (NYSE: OA) was raised to Buy from Hold and assigned a price target of $120 (versus a $106.58 close) at Argus. The 52-week range is $71.52 to $107.45. The consensus price target is $116.70.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at BMO Capital Markets. The stock closed at $32.22 on Friday, and it has a 52-week range of $28.58 to $35.50 and a consensus price target of $36.00.</p>
<p>Other key analyst calls were see in the following:</p>
<p>Allergan PLC (NYSE: AGN) was reiterated as Buy with a $280 price target at Argus.</p>
<p>Calyxt Inc. (NASDAQ: CLXT) was started as Buy and assigned a $16 price target (versus an $11.82 close) at Jefferies, and Wells Fargo started coverage as Outperform with a $17 price target.</p>
<p>Eiger BioPharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: EIGR) was reiterated as Outperform and with a $34 price target (versus an $8.05 close) at Wedbush Securities.</p>
<p>FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) was raised to Outperform from In-Line at Evercore ISI.</p>
<p>HCA Healthcare Inc. (NYSE: HCA) was maintained as Buy but the price target was lowered to $93 from $100 at Argus.</p>
<p>Kala Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: KALA) was started as Outperform with a $46 price target (versus a $19.66 close) at Wedbush. JPMorgan started coverage as Overweight and assigned a $35 price target. Merrill Lynch started it with a Buy rating and a $33 price objective.</p>
<p>TPG RE Finance Trust Inc. (NYSE: TRTX) was started as Buy and assigned a $20 price objective at Merrill Lynch, which noted that it is the new kid on the block and offers a good yield and modest upside.</p>
<p>Ultimate Software Group Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTI) was maintained as Outperform and on the Focus List at Credit Suisse, but the firm cut its price target to $245 from $260.</p>
<p>Friday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/11/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-blue-apron-edison-international-goldman-sachs-kohls-nvidia-perrigo-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="587760">top analyst calls</a> included Blue Apron, Edison International, Goldman Sachs, Kohl’s, Nvidia, Perrigo and more.<br />
</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/08/14/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-centerpoint-netapp-nisource-nvidia-orbital-atk-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: CenterPoint, NetApp, NiSource, Nvidia, Orbital ATK, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=407940">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: American Airlines, Celgene, Citigroup, Facebook, Hertz, Hilton, Ulta Beauty and Many More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/31/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-american-airlines-celgene-citigroup-facebook-hertz-hilton-ulta-and-many-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Jul 2017 13:15:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=405203</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday include American Airlines, Celgene, Citigroup, Facebook, Hertz, Hilton and Ulta Beauty.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/31/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-american-airlines-celgene-citigroup-facebook-hertz-hilton-ulta-and-many-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: American Airlines, Celgene, Citigroup, Facebook, Hertz, Hilton, Ulta Beauty and Many More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=405203">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated to open higher yet again on Monday, with the Dow and S&P 500 challenging all-time highs. The bull market is now well over eight years old, but the one theme that persists is that investors keep finding new reasons to buy the major indexes and their favorite stocks after each and every single sell-off. Investors are also searching for new investing and trading ideas.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some analyst reports cover stocks to buy and some cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>Additional color and commentary has been added on most of the daily analyst calls. Consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service.</p>
<p>These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Monday, July 31, 2017.</p>
<p>American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform with a $57 price target (versus a $50.49 prior close) at Cowen. American Airlines was indicated up 1.2% at $51.10, and it has a 52-week trading range of $33.00 to $54.48. Its consensus analyst target price is $58.06.</p>
<p>Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG) was raised to Buy from Hold with target of $160 at Argus. The upgrade reflects the strong second-quarter sales of Pomalyst and Otezla, which are providing Celgene with additional growth drivers and reducing its reliance on Revlimid. The firm also expects new indications for Pomalyst, Otezla and for Revlimid, which could all be additional revenue and growth drivers. The stock has a 52-week range of $96.93 to $139.00 and consensus target price of $146.55.</p>
<p>Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform with a $65 price target (versus a $67.43 close) at BMO Capital Markets. Citigroup was actually indicated higher by 0.6% with the markets up on Monday, and the call was signaling a valuation call. Another supporting call for Citi was Barron’s, noting over the weekend that Citi shares might be able to rise another 50%. Citigroup has a 52-week range of $42.50 to $68.91 and a consensus price target of $71.62.</p>
<p>Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB) was downgraded to Sell from Hold with a $140 price target (versus a $172.45 close) at Pivotal Research. Facebook has a 52-week range of $113.55 to $175.49 and a consensus price target of $187.59, but many analysts have been raising their targets in a much different view than this call from Pivotal.</p>
<p>Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HTZ) was downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight with a $9 price target (versus a $17.34 close) at Barclays. Hertz was down 6% at $16.30 on Monday, in a 52-week range of $8.52 to $52.27. The prior consensus target price was $17.00.</p>
<p>Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HLT) was raised to Hold from Sell with a $65 price target (versus a $62.46 close) at Berenberg. Hilton has a 52-week range of $44.73 to $67.79 and a consensus price target of $69.10.</p>
<p>ULTA Beauty Inc. (NASDAQ: ULTA) was downgraded to Perform from Outperform with a $270 price target (versus a $248.60 close) at Oppenheimer. Ulta has a 52-week range of $225.13 to $314.86 and a consensus analyst target of $324.45.</p>
<p>Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/jonogg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="587751">@Jonogg</a> on Twitter to receive the daily analyst calls and other market research calls directly on your feed.</p>
<p>Other key analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations were seen as follows:</p>
<p><!--nextpage--></p>
<p>AxoGen Inc. (NASDAQ: AXGN) was started with an Outperform rating and assigned a $22 target price (versus a $15.10 close) at Leerink.</p>
<p>Cision Ltd. (NYSE: CISN) was started with a Buy rating and assigned a $16 target price (versus a $10.75 close) at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Coach Inc. (NYSE: COH) was downgraded to Hold from Buy and the price target was cut to $45 from $53 (versus a $48.69 close) at Jefferies. The firm believes that the Kate acquisition is factored in now in an Amazon-centric world.</p>
<p>Covanta Holding Corp. (NYSE: CVA) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform with a $17 price target (versus a $14.40 close) at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Cytokinetics Inc. (NASDAQ: CYTK) was started as Overweight and was given a $24 price target (versus a $14.20 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Echo Global Logistics Inc. (NASDAQ: ECHO) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform and the price target was cut to $14 from $23 at Credit Suisse. The firm said it was capitulating on its growth thesis and lowered earnings estimates. Echo Logistics shares were down 20% at $13.85 as of Friday, and the new 52-week range is $13.70 to $28.90.</p>
<p>Eldorado Gold Corp. (NYSE: EGO) closed down almost 6% at $2.26 on Friday and was indicated down another 4% at $2.17 on Monday. It was downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at Scoitia. Credit Suisse also downgraded Eldorado Gold to Underperform from Neutral and the target price was cut to $2.40 from $3.25.</p>
<p>MicroStrategy Inc. (NASDAQ: MSTR) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight with a $140 price target (versus a $139.99 close) at First Analysis.</p>
<p>National Oilwell Varco Inc. (NYSE: NOV) was reiterated as Hold but the price target was cut to $34 from $38 at Jefferies. Credit Suisse maintained its Neutral rating, but noted that the company is beginning its comeback.</p>
<p>Rockwell Collins Inc. (NYSE: COL) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform with a $115 price target (versus a $113.73 close) at Cowen.</p>
<p>Virtus Investment Partners Inc. (NASDAQ: VRTS) was raised to Outperform from Neutral and the price target was raised to $147 from $141 at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Visteon Corp. (NYSE: VC) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform with a $140 price target (versus a $111.44 close) at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) was maintained as Buy but was removed from the prized Conviction Buy list at Goldman Sachs. The stock closed down 3.8% at $32.94 on Friday, in a 52-week range of $28.58 to $35.50 and with a consensus target price of $36.58.</p>
<p>Jefferies noted in its Equity Strategy call on Monday: Sean Darby upped the firm’s S&P 500 target to 2500. The Russell 2000 is trading above the firm’s 1410 mark, and the firm is not moving up its target because is thinks the market is ripe for pullback. The firm pointed out that the Russell 2000 is trading at 20.2 times with only 85 stocks “cheap.”</p>
<p>Credit Suisse’s U.S. Equity Strategy team issued a note showing that the firm remains neutral on small cap versus large cap over the short term (three-month view) but is biased toward small over large on a longer six to 12 month basis, noting that the firm continue to prefer small caps in the longer term. Credit Suisse also thinks it is possible that given better performance track records in the first half of 2017, investors could look to lock in profits on winners from the first half and explore opportunities in areas of the market that have lagged. Credit Suisse’s view on earnings season in the United States is that the net sales surprises for S&P 500 companies are so far the highest on record and earnings beats are the fourth best in the past six years.</p>
<p>Friday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/28/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amazon-conoco-deutsche-bank-first-solar-intel-mattel-starbucks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="587752">top analyst calls</a> included Amazon, ConocoPhillips, Deutsche Bank, First Solar, Intel, Mattel and Starbucks.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/31/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-american-airlines-celgene-citigroup-facebook-hertz-hilton-ulta-and-many-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: American Airlines, Celgene, Citigroup, Facebook, Hertz, Hilton, Ulta Beauty and Many More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=405203">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: BHP Billiton, Capital One, Chemours, Constellation Brands, Novartis, Teradyne, Weyerhaeuser and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/05/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-bhp-billiton-capital-one-chemours-constellation-brands-novartis-teradyne-weyerhaeuser-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:00:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=400644</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Wednesday include BHP Billiton, Capital One, Chemours, Constellation Brands, Novartis, Teradyne and Weyerhaeuser.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/05/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-bhp-billiton-capital-one-chemours-constellation-brands-novartis-teradyne-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: BHP Billiton, Capital One, Chemours, Constellation Brands, Novartis, Teradyne, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=400644">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated to open marginally higher on Wednesday after a day off and after a strong Dow rally on Monday. Nasdaq stocks were also indicated higher on Wednesday despite falling on Monday. Even though this bull market is now well over eight years old, equity investors keep finding myriad new reasons to buy any major pullback or sell-off. Investors are also continuing to search for new investing and trading ideas.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each day of the week in an effort to find new investing and trading ideas for our readers. Some of the daily analyst reports cover stocks to buy. Other reports cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>Consensus analyst price target data are from the Thomson Reuters sell-side research service. Additional color and commentary also has been added on most of the daily analyst calls.</p>
<p>These were the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and other research calls from Wednesday, July 5, 2017.</p>
<p>BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE: BHP) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein. The firm talked up plans of the new chairman to change how the company is run.</p>
<p>BioLife Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: BLFS) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $5 fair value estimate (versus a $2.62 prior close) at Janney. Shares closed at $2.62 and were indicated up 8% at $2.84 on Wednesday morning, but the pre-upgrade market cap was just $34 million. BioLife Solutions has a 52-week trading range of $1.43 to $3.58.</p>
<p>Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE: COF) was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Wedbush Securities, and the price target was cut to $80 from $94 (versus an $83.56 close). The downgrade was driven by suboptimal ROE and return of capital measures.</p>
<p>Chemours Co. (NYSE: CC) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $45 price target (versus a $38.10 close) at Citigroup.</p>
<p>Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $220 from $194 (versus a $191.73 close) at Argus.</p>
<p>EQT Corp. (NYSE: EQT) was downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform with an $80 price target (versus a $59.75 close) at RBC Capital Markets. It has a consensus analyst target price target of $76.21 and a 52-week range of $49.63 to $78.84.</p>
<p>Novartis A.G. (NYSE: NVS) was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse. The firm sees core EBITDA running 3% to 4% under estimates in the next few years. Novartis American depositary shares were indicated down 1.5% at $82.25 on Wednesday.</p>
<p>PPG Industries Inc. (NYSE: PPG) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $136 price target (versus a $110.61 close) at Argus.</p>
<p>Teradyne Inc. (NYSE: TER) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $39 price target (versus a $29.69 close) at Stifel.</p>
<p>Two Harbors Investment Corp. (NYSE: TWO) was reinstated as Outperform and was given a $10.50 price target (versus a $10.02 close) at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy with a $35 price objective (versus a $33.69 close) at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>The 11 <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/01/the-11-biggest-and-best-analyst-upgrades-of-june/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="241289">top analyst upgrades of June</a> had 100% to 400% upside to the analyst price targets.</p>
<p>Merrill Lynch released eight top <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/01/merrill-lynchs-top-thematic-chart-stocks-to-buy-for-q3-of-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="241290">thematic chart and fundamental buys</a> for the third quarter.</p>
<p>Also, <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/06/30/5-companies-that-are-immune-to-amazons-endless-expansion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="241291">five retail plays may be immune</a> to the endless expansion efforts of Amazon.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2017/07/05/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-bhp-billiton-capital-one-chemours-constellation-brands-novartis-teradyne-weyerhaeuser-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: BHP Billiton, Capital One, Chemours, Constellation Brands, Novartis, Teradyne, Weyerhaeuser and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=400644">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Altria, BB&T, Capital One, CenterPoint, Occidental Petroleum, Vale, Workday and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/05/09/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-altria-bbt-capital-one-centerpoint-occidental-petroleum-vale-workday-and-many-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 May 2016 13:05:15 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=330743</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday morning include Altria, BB&T, Capital One, CenterPoint Energy, Occidental Petroleum, Vale and Workday.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/05/09/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-altria-bbt-capital-one-centerpoint-occidental-petroleum-vale-workday-and-many-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Altria, BB&T, Capital One, CenterPoint, Occidental Petroleum, Vale, Workday and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=330743">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated slightly higher on Monday morning, but the futures were lower toward the opening bell versus the earlier hours and overseas trading. With the Dow still down about 500 points from the April highs, investors are still looking for opportunities ahead. Buying the dips has not died.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst research reports each morning of the week to find new investing and trading ideas. Some of these analyst reports cover stocks to buy, while other reports cover stocks to sell or avoid.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Monday morning:</p>
<p><strong>Altria Group Inc.</strong> (NYSE: MO) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $68 price target (versus a $62.93 prior close) at Argus. It has a consensus analyst price target of $66.25 and a 52-week trading range of $47.31 to $64.16.</p>
<p><strong>BB&T Corp.</strong> (NYSE: BBT) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Raymond James. The stock closed at $34.02, has a consensus price target of $38.44 and has a 52-week range of $29.95 to $41.90.<br />
<br />
<strong>Capital One Financial Corp.</strong> (NYSE: COF) was raised to Neutral from Sell with a $67 price target (versus a $69.39 close) at Guggenheim. The consensus price target is $82.28, and the 52-week range is $58.49 to $92.10.</p>
<p><strong>CenterPoint Energy Inc.</strong> (NYSE: CNP) was raised to Neutral from Sell with a $21 price target (versus a $21.63 close) at Goldman Sachs. It has a consensus price target of $20.67 and a 52-week range of $16.05 to $21.89.</p>
<p><strong>Occidental Petroleum Corp.</strong> (NYSE: OXY) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight but the price target was lifted to $80 from $74 (versus a $76.06 close) at JPMorgan. The consensus price target is $76.06, and the 52-week range is $58.24 to $79.89.</p>
<p><strong>Vale S.A.</strong> (NYSE: VALE) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Societe Generale. Shares closed up 3.2% at $4.78 on Friday but were indicated down 4.5% at $4.55 on Monday. The 52-week range is $2.13 to $7.95.</p>
<p><strong>Workday Inc.</strong> (NYSE: WDAY) was downgraded to Sell from Hold with a $55 price target (versus a $70.97 close) at Brean Capital. Its consensus target price is $76.59, while the 52-week range is $47.32 to $93.62.</p>
<p><em>You can <a href="https://twitter.com/jonogg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="230281">follow @Jonogg</a> to get the daily analyst calls and market reports directly on your Twitter feed.</em></p>
<p>Here are more analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls:<br />
<!--nextpage-->Aeglea Biotherapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AGLE) was started with a Buy rating and was assigned an $18 price target (versus an $8.71 close) at Needham.</p>
<p>Casella Waste Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST) was raised to Buy from Hold at Stifel.</p>
<p>Cvent Inc. (NYSE: CVT) was downgraded to Market Perform from Market Outperform at JMP Securities.</p>
<p>Depomed Inc. (NASDAQ: DEPO) was raised to Buy from Neutral with a $19 price target (versus a $15.51 close) at Mizuho.</p>
<p>DCP Midstream Partners L.P. (NYSE: DPM) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>eGain Corp. (NASDAQ: EGAN) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy with a price target that was cut to $3.75 from $7.50 (versus a $3.50 close) at Ladenburg Thalmann.</p>
<p>Equifax Inc. (NYSE: EFX) was started with a Hold rating and was assigned a $128 price target (versus a $119.92 close) at Jefferies.</p>
<p>GATX Corp. (NYSE: GMT) was started with an Outperform rating at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>Golar LNG Ltd. (NASDAQ: GLNG) was raised to Outperform from Neutral and the price target was raised to $30 from $20 (versus a $16.23 close) at Credit Suisse.<br />
<br />
L Brands Inc. (NYSE: LB) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy and the price target was cut to $74 from $101 (versus a $69.59 close) at UBS.</p>
<p>News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) was downgraded to Outperform from Buy at CLSA.</p>
<p>ONEOK Inc. (NYSE: OKE) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.</p>
<p>PACCAR Inc. (NASDAQ: PCAR) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>PGT Inc. (NASDAQ: PGTI) was started with a Buy rating at Gabelli.</p>
<p>Smith & Nephew PLC (NYSE: SNN) was raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.</p>
<p>Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight with a $20 price target (versus an $18.35 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: TCBI) was raised to Strong Buy from Outperform at Raymond James.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy with a $33 price target (versus a $31.61 close) at D.A. Davidson.</p>
<p>Wisconsin Energy Group Inc. (NYSE: WEC) was raised to Neutral from Sell and the price target was raised to $58 from $53 (versus a $59.25 close) at UBS.</p>
<p>Last Friday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/05/06/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-activision-blizzard-berkshire-hathaway-fireeye-immunomedics-square-sunpower-weatherford-williams-and-yelp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="230282">top analyst upgrades and downgrades</a> included Activision Blizzard, Berkshire Hathaway, FireEye, Immunomedics, Square, SunPower, Weatherford International, Williams Companies and Yelp.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/05/09/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-altria-bbt-capital-one-centerpoint-occidental-petroleum-vale-workday-and-many-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Altria, BB&T, Capital One, CenterPoint, Occidental Petroleum, Vale, Workday and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=330743">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>International Paper Moves to Acquire Weyerhaeuser’s Pulp Business</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/industrials/2016/05/02/international-paper-moves-to-acquire-weyerhaeusers-pulp-business/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Lange]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 May 2016 14:10:08 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Industrials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=329370</guid>
<description><![CDATA[International Paper has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Weyerhaeuser's pulp business.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2016/05/02/international-paper-moves-to-acquire-weyerhaeusers-pulp-business/">International Paper Moves to Acquire Weyerhaeuser’s Pulp Business</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=329370">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP) was making waves early Monday morning following a merger announcement. The company announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Weyerhaeuser Co.’s (NYSE: WY) pulp business. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2016.</p>
<p>Under terms of the agreement, International Paper will acquire five pulp mills and two converting facilities that produce fluff pulp, softwood pulp and specialty pulp for a number of consumer applications, including diapers, other hygiene products, tissue and textiles.</p>
<p>International Paper expects to realize a tax benefit with an estimated net present value of approximately $300 million. Including this benefit, the net price is roughly $1.9 billion. International Paper forecasts annual synergies of about $175 million by the end of 2018, which will require the need for one-time costs of approximately $85 million.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s pulp business has roughly 1900 employees throughout the United States.<br />
<br />
Mark Sutton, chairman and CEO of International Paper, commented:</p>
<blockquote><p>Weyerhaeuser’s pulp business has an outstanding customer base served from low-cost, well-run assets that complement our existing system and offers significant synergy opportunities. This transaction will position us as the premier global supplier of fluff pulp and will enhance our ability to generate additional free cash flow. We look forward to working with the talented employees of Weyerhaeuser as we integrate our businesses and create an even stronger company.</p></blockquote>
<p>Shares of International Paper were trading at $43.30 Monday morning, with a consensus analyst price target of $45.87 and a 52-week trading range of $32.50 to $54.40.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2016/05/02/international-paper-moves-to-acquire-weyerhaeusers-pulp-business/">International Paper Moves to Acquire Weyerhaeuser’s Pulp Business</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=329370">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Cerner, Intel, Peabody Energy, Rackspace, Weyerhaeuser, Whole Foods and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/02/17/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-cerner-intel-peabody-energy-rackspace-weyerhaeuser-whole-foods-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2016 13:55:15 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=315341</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Wednesday, February 17, include Cerner, Intel, Peabody Energy, Rackspace, Weyerhaeuser and Whole Foods.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/02/17/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-cerner-intel-peabody-energy-rackspace-weyerhaeuser-whole-foods-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Cerner, Intel, Peabody Energy, Rackspace, Weyerhaeuser, Whole Foods and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=315341">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Stocks were indicated higher again on Wednesday, which might make for a three-day rally. Is it possible that investors are wanting to rejoin their prior four-year trend of buying pullbacks? In 2016, at least so far, investors have used rallies to sell into.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of analyst reports each day to find new investing and trading ideas for its readers. Some analyst reports cover stocks to buy, while others cover stocks to sell or to avoid.</p>
<p>These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Wednesday, February 17, 2016.</p>
<p><strong>Cerner Corp.</strong> (NASDAQ: CERN) reported inline earnings but bookings appear to be a tad light on contract slips, and shares were indicated down 12.5% at $48.55. Jefferies maintained its Buy rating but cut the price target from $76.00 to $68.00. Evercore ISI downgraded it to Hold from Buy and cut the price target to $52 from $68.</p>
<p><strong>Intel Corp.</strong> (NASDAQ: INTC) was maintained as Sector Perform but the price target was lowered to $31 from $33 at RBC Capital Markets. Intel closed at $28.78, has a consensus analyst target of $36.24 and has a 52-week trading range of $24.87 to $35.59.</p>
<p><strong>Peabody Energy Corp.</strong> (NYSE: BTU) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Sterne Agee CRT. This is a day after BB&T downgraded Peabody as well, and shares were down almost 5% to $2.31 on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
<strong>Rackspace Hosting Inc.</strong> (NYSE: RAX) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform and the price target was slashed to $22 from $50 (versus an $18.17 prior close) at Credit Suisse. Stifel downgraded it to Hold from Buy, and Barclays cut its rating to Equal Weight from Overweight and lowered the target price to $21 from $35. Rackspace closed up 3% at $18.17 ahead of earnings, but seeing 2016 revenues below plan had shares down 15% at $15.40 on last look.</p>
<p><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (NYSE: WY) was maintained as Buy at Argus, but the price target was cut to $28 from $43. Shares closed up 5% at $23.77 on Tuesday. The consensus analyst target is $34.50, and the 52-week range is $22.06 to $35.75.</p>
<p><strong>Whole Foods Market Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: WFM) was started as Market Perform at Wells Fargo. The stock closed at $30.90, and it has a consensus analyst target of $29.50 and a 52-week range of $28.07 to $57.57.</p>
<p><em>You can follow <a href="https://twitter.com/jonogg" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="228407">@Jonogg</a> if you want to receive the daily analyst upgrades and downgrades and other research and market reports directly on your Twitter feed.</em></p>
<p>Other key analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen on Tuesday were in the following:<br />
<!--nextpage-->Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) was reiterated as Buy after earnings with a fair value estimate of $45.00 (versus a $37.08 close) at Janney Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Antero Resources (NYSE: AR) was raised to Neutral from Reduce at SunTrust Robinson Humphrey.</p>
<p>Carlyle Group L.P. (NYSE: CG) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight with a $20 price target (versus a $13.42 close) at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Community Health Systems (NYSE: CYH) was maintained as Outperform but the price target was cut to $18 from $45 at RBC Capital Markets on the heels of Tuesday’s massive drop. Wedbush Securities has a Neutral rating and lowered its price target to $18 from $27.</p>
<p>Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) was raised to Hold from Sell with a $48 price target (versus a $44.15 close) at Wunderlich.</p>
<p>Energy Transfer Equity L.P. (NYSE: ETE) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>EnLink Midstream LLC (NYSE: ENLC) was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>EnLink Midstream Partners L.P. (NYSE: ENLK) also was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Merrill Lynch.<br />
<br />
Flexion Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: FLXN) was reiterated as Buy and the fair value estimate was raised to $33 from $27 (versus a $10.90 close) at Janney Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Hormel Foods Corp. (NYSE: HRL) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies based on its premium valuation.</p>
<p>IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (NYSE: ICE) was raised to Buy from Hold with a $270 price target (versus a $237.89 close) at Argus.</p>
<p>KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE: KKR) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight and the price target was cut to $14 from $18 at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>Martin Midstream Partners L.P. (NASDAQ: MMLP) was downgraded to Underperform from Buy at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>Southern Copper Corp. (NYSE: SCCO) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JPMorgan.</p>
<p>SunEdison Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ: SEMI) was raised to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Western Gas Equity Partners L.P. (NYSE: WGP) was downgraded to Underperform from Neutral at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>If you missed Tuesday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/02/16/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-broadcom-dollar-general-goldman-sachs-peabody-energy-qualcomm-sunedison-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="228408">top analyst upgrades and downgrades</a>, they included Broadcom, Dollar General, Goldman Sachs, Peabody Energy, Qualcomm, SunEdison and over a dozen more.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2016/02/17/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-cerner-intel-peabody-energy-rackspace-weyerhaeuser-whole-foods-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Cerner, Intel, Peabody Energy, Rackspace, Weyerhaeuser, Whole Foods and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=315341">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Earnings OK, but Outlook Weak on Lower Pulp Sales</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/02/05/weyerhaeuser-earnings-ok-but-outlook-weak-on-lower-pulp-sales/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 05 Feb 2016 12:35:15 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=313185</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser reported fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 results before markets opened Friday morning.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/02/05/weyerhaeuser-earnings-ok-but-outlook-weak-on-lower-pulp-sales/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings OK, but Outlook Weak on Lower Pulp Sales</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=313185">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 results before markets opened Friday. For the quarter, the wood products REIT posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.24 on revenues of $1.73 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.27 on revenues of $1.78 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $0.24 and $1.72 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>For the full year, Weyerhaeuser reported EPS of $1.04 and revenues of $7.08 billion, compared with 2014 EPS of $1.25 and sales of $7.4 billion. Analysts had been looking for EPS of $1.03 and revenues of $7.06 billion.</p>
<p>In the fourth quarter, the company’s GAAP EPS totaled $0.11, which excluded some $62 million in one-time charges, including a $14 million charge related to the proposed $8.3 billion merger between Weyerhaeuser and Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL). The merger is expected to be completed in the first half of this year and will create a $23 billion giant in the timber and wood products business. The combined company will own some 13 million acres of timberland.</p>
<p>Sales in the company’s wood products segment fell by $101 million in the fourth quarter, and that decline more than offset small revenue increases in the timberlands segment (up $11 million) and the cellulose fiber segment (up $4 million).</p>
<p>In its outlook statements, Weyerhaeuser said that timberlands segment earnings in the first quarter would be comparable to fourth-quarter earnings of $134 million. In the wood products segment, the company expects higher earnings than the $45 million net loss in the fourth quarter as a result of “moderately higher average sales realizations for lumber and increased production volumes across all product lines.” First-quarter earnings in the cellulosic fiber segment are forecast to be “significantly lower” than the fourth-quarter net loss of $99 million primarily due to lower pulp prices and sales.<br />
<br />
Weyerhaeuser CEO Doyle R. Simons said:</p>
<blockquote><p>2015 was a milestone year for Weyerhaeuser, as we announced a transformational merger that will create the world’s premier timber, land and forest products company. At the same time, we maintained our relentless focus on improving our relative performance and delivered on our 2015 operational excellence targets. Finally, we fulfilled our commitment to return cash to shareholders through a 7 percent dividend increase and the repurchase of over $500 million of common shares. Looking forward to 2016, completion of our merger with Plum Creek, the strategic review of our Cellulose Fibers business, and our continued focus on operational excellence and disciplined capital allocation will position us to drive value for our shareholders.</p></blockquote>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares were inactive in Friday’s premarket session, having closed up about 1.1% at $25.74 on Thursday, in a 52-week range of $23.73 to $35.75. The consensus price target for the shares was around $35.92 before this report.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/02/05/weyerhaeuser-earnings-ok-but-outlook-weak-on-lower-pulp-sales/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings OK, but Outlook Weak on Lower Pulp Sales</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=313185">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Lumber Prices Tumble as Demand From China Falls</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/01/20/lumber-prices-tumble-as-demand-from-china-falls/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2016 15:05:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=309551</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Lumber prices are down nearly 30% in the past 12 months as housing construction and remodeling in China have slowed due to the country's tightening economy.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/01/20/lumber-prices-tumble-as-demand-from-china-falls/">Lumber Prices Tumble as Demand From China Falls</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=309551">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Lumber prices are down nearly 30% in the past 12 months as housing construction and remodeling in China have slowed due to the country’s tightening economy. The value of Chinese imports in November totaled $498 million, down 26% year over year and down from an all-time high of nearly $900 million in April of 2014.</p>
<p>Log prices are also down about 30% from their April 2014 level and are now at their lowest level since early in 2009, according to the monthly Wood Resources International report. According to Wood Resources:</p>
<blockquote><p>The reduction in house construction in China has resulted in a substantial decline in the importation of forest products during 2015 … . The total value of imported softwood logs and lumber has fallen 25% and import prices have declined almost 30% that past 12 months.</p></blockquote>
<p>The following Nasdaq chart shows the rise and fall of lumber prices for the past eight years. Prices rose from a trough at the end of 2009 to a peak in early 2013 driven primarily by demand from China. Since that time, prices have been trending downward from a peak near $400 per thousand board feet to just below $250.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lumber-prices-jan-2016.jpg?w=400" alt="lumber prices Jan 2016" width="400" height="291" data-id="309578" data-caption="" /><br />
<br />
The high end of the Chinese market is currently dominated by Swedish and Finnish logs, and that market grew from a 7% market share in November 2014 to a 9% share in November 2015.</p>
<p>The announced $8.3 billion merger between Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) and Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL), which is expected to be completed in the first half of this year, will create a $23 billion giant in the wood products business. The combined company will own some 13 million acres of timberland, including Douglas fir and other varieties that remain in high demand both in China and Japan.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2016/01/20/lumber-prices-tumble-as-demand-from-china-falls/">Lumber Prices Tumble as Demand From China Falls</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=309551">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Earnings Improve, but Strong Dollar, Lack of New Building Hurt</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/industrials/2015/07/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-improve-but-strong-dollar-lack-of-new-building-hurt/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:31:27 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Industrials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=281949</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported fiscal second quarter 2015 results before markets opened Friday morning. For the quarter, the wood products REIT posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.26 on revenues of $1.8 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.17 on revenues of $1.7 billion. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2015/07/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-improve-but-strong-dollar-lack-of-new-building-hurt/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings Improve, but Strong Dollar, Lack of New Building Hurt</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=281949">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" alt="hauling logs" width="400" height="330" data-id="176249" data-caption="" />Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported fiscal second quarter 2015 results before markets opened Friday morning. For the quarter, the wood products REIT posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.26 on revenues of $1.8 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.17 on revenues of $1.7 billion. Second-quarter results compare to consensus estimates for EPS of $0.20 and $1.77 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>The company said that sales volumes increased seasonally across all product lines and that manufacturing costs improved as a result of higher operating rates and operational excellence initiatives. Western log costs were also lower. These higher sales volumes and lower costs were partially offset by lower average sales realizations for lumber and oriented strand board.</p>
<p>In its outlook for the third quarter, Weyerhaeuser said it expects significantly higher earnings from the cellulose fibers segment primarily due to minimal scheduled maintenance outage days. Additionally, the company anticipates lower average pulp sales realizations, partially offset by increased sales volumes.</p>
<p>Consensus estimates call for third-quarter EPS of $0.20 on revenue of $1.82 billion. For the full year, the consensus estimate for EPS is $1.09 on $7.26 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>CEO Doyle Simmons said:</p>
<p>Each of our businesses delivered solid second quarter operating results, as operational excellence efforts helped mitigate the delayed arrival of the spring building season and the continuing challenge of a strong U.S. dollar. In addition, we repurchased over $150 million of common shares in the quarter and neared completion of our existing authorization. Looking forward, we are well positioned to capitalize on the improving housing market, and we remain relentlessly focused on driving value for our shareholders through operational improvements and disciplined capital allocation.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares traded down about 1% in pre-market trading Friday morning, having closed at $30.45 last night, in a 52-week range of $29.63 to $37.04. The consensus price target for the shares was around $36.00 before today’s report.</p>
<p>ALSO READ:</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2015/07/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-improve-but-strong-dollar-lack-of-new-building-hurt/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings Improve, but Strong Dollar, Lack of New Building Hurt</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=281949">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Profit Rises, Outlook Appears Soft</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/industrials/2014/10/31/weyerhaeuser-profit-rises-outlook-appears-soft/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2014 11:50:26 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Industrials]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=247246</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser reported mixed third-quarter 2014 results before markets opened Friday morning. ]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2014/10/31/weyerhaeuser-profit-rises-outlook-appears-soft/">Weyerhaeuser Profit Rises, Outlook Appears Soft</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=247246">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" alt="hauling logs" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" />Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported third-quarter 2014 results before markets opened Friday morning. The wood products real estate investment trust (REIT) posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.33 on revenues of $1.92 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.27 on revenues of $2.18 billion. Third-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.30 and $1.97 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>Excluded from adjusted earnings is $966 million in discontinued operations related to Weyerhaeuser’s sale of its real estate company and another $9 million in special items. Including these benefits, EPS totaled $2.15 in the quarter.</p>
<p>In its outlook for the fourth quarter, Weyerhaeuser said it expects the Timberland division to post lower earnings due primarily to reduced earnings from disposition of non-strategic timberlands. Earnings fell $34 million sequentially to $136 million in the third quarter. Sales in the division fell from $397 million in the second quarter to $364 million.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser also expects fourth-quarter earnings to fall in its Wood Products division, where pretax earnings rose $3 million sequentially to $105 million in the third quarter. Second-quarter revenues totaled $1.08 billion and third-quarter revenues fell to $1.05 billion. Earnings are forecast to be “significantly weaker” in the fourth quarter due to weaker realizations in lumber and oriented strand board, as well as seasonally lower sales volumes across all product lines.</p>
<p>Earnings in the Cellulose Fibers division are forecast to rise “significantly” in the fourth quarter due to reduced maintenance expenses. Pretax earnings in the division totaled $59 million in the third quarter, down by $32 million sequentially. In the second quarter, sales totaled $490 million and rose to $503 million in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Consensus estimates call for fourth-quarter EPS of $0.34 on revenue of $1.93 billion. For the full year, the consensus estimate for EPS is $1.33 on $7.81 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser raised its quarterly dividend 32% during the third quarter, from $0.22 to $0.29, and repurchased $130 million in company stock. The dividend yield is 3.4%.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares were inactive in premarket trading Friday morning, having closed previously at $33.54, in a 52-week range of $27.48 to $34.60. The consensus target price for the shares was around $36.00 before the latest report.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2014/10/09/10-safest-high-yield-dividends/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="197970"><strong>ALSO READ: The 10 Safest High-Yield Dividends</strong></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2014/10/31/weyerhaeuser-profit-rises-outlook-appears-soft/">Weyerhaeuser Profit Rises, Outlook Appears Soft</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=247246">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Google, GoPro, Infinity Pharma, 3D Systems, LifeLock and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/09/04/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-google-gopro-infinity-pharma-3d-systems-lifelock-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2014 12:50:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=239278</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are the top analyst upgrades and downgrades covered by 24/7 Wall St. on Thursday, September 4, 2014.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/09/04/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-google-gopro-infinity-pharma-3d-systems-lifelock-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Google, GoPro, Infinity Pharma, 3D Systems, LifeLock and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=239278">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg" data-lasso-id="193994"><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=400" alt="Bull and Bear" width="400" height="298" data-caption="" data-id="95230" /></a>Stocks were up on Thursday on the heels of European Central Bank actions. Investors remain optimistic with the U.S. markets close to all-time highs, and they are looking for value and individual overlooked stocks. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of research reports each morning, on the hunt for new trading and investing ideas for our readers. Some of these analyst research reports cover stocks to buy, while others cover stocks to sell or stocks to avoid.</p>
<p>These are this Thursday’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades covered by 24/7 Wall St.</p>
<p>Analog Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: ADI) was reiterated as Buy with a $65 price target (versus a $50.25 close and a $57.08 consensus price target) at Argus, based on the weakness after the company’s first quarterly earnings report with Hittite attached, now that it was acquired.</p>
<p><strong>Google Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: GOOGL) was reiterated as Outperform with a $745 price target (versus a $589.52 close) at Credit Suisse, with the firm signaling that it sees upside to its earnings estimates based on Google Play.</p>
<p><strong>GoPro Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: GPRO) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight by J.P. Morgan. Keep in mind that its stock has now doubled from its post-IPO low. GoPro shares were down by 5% at $56.86 in early bird trading indications.</p>
<p><strong>Infinity Pharmaceuticals Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: INFI) was a stock we just gave <a href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2014/09/03/is-infinity-fully-valued-now-or-is-more-upside-left/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193995">a 360-degree review</a> after it jumped 50% on Wednesday. Now we have the stock being raised to Market Outperform with a high $24 price target at JMP Securities.</p>
<p><strong>3D Systems Corp.</strong> (NYSE: DDD) was downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform at Pacific Crest, based on the concern that the 3D printing leader is stretching itself too thin in too many areas. Canaccord said a recent deal is expanding its metal printing footprint.</p>
<p><!--nextpage--><strong>Annie’s Inc.</strong> (NYSE: BNNY) was started as Outperform and a $42 price target at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p><strong>Boulder Brands Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: BDBD) was started as Outperform with a $16 price target at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p><strong>British American Tobacco PLC</strong> (NYSE: BTI) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at BNP Paribas.</p>
<p><strong>China Unicom Ltd.</strong> (NYSE: CHU) was called the best placed of the Chinese telecoms by Credit Suisse.</p>
<p><strong>D.R. Horton Inc.</strong> (NYSE: DHI) was raised to Buy from Neutral at UBS.</p>
<p><strong>Foot Locker Inc.</strong> (NYSE: FL) was started as Buy at Jefferies. Note that Foot Locker shares hit an all-time high of $57.90 just on Wednesday.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2014/09/03/credit-suisse-positive-on-some-biotechs-very-cautious-on-others/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193996"><strong>ALSO READ: Credit Suisse Positive on Some Biotechs, Very Cautious in Others!</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>IAC/InterActiveCorp</strong> (NASDAQ: IACI) was raised to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.</p>
<p><strong>International Paper Co.</strong> (NYSE: IP) was started as Market Perform with a $51 price target (versus a $49.06 close) at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p><strong>Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: IRWD) was downgraded to Market Perform from outperform at Cowen.</p>
<p><strong>Las Vegas Sands Corp.</strong> (NYSE: LVS) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Argus, based on a weaker Macau outlook.</p>
<p><strong>LifeLock Inc.</strong> (NYSE: LOCK) was reiterated as Buy but the price target was raised to $20 from $18 (versus a $15.40 close) at Sterne Agee. The call is on the heels of management meetings and also on the growing concern of data breaches.</p>
<p><strong>Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.</strong> (NASDAQ: NCLH) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman Sachs after the stock rallied on news that it was spending $3 billion to buy Prestige Cruises so that it will own the Regent and Oceania cruise line brands.</p>
<p><strong>Teradata Corp.</strong> (NYSE: TDC) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2014/09/03/dual-words-of-caution-eat-up-25-billion-in-apple-market-value/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193997"><strong>ALSO READ: The Two Analysts Worried About Apple and iPhone 6 Launch</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (NYSE: WY) was started as Outperform at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p><strong>WhiteWave Foods Co.</strong> (NYSE: WWAV) was started as Outperform with a $43 price target at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p>In case you missed Wednesday’s <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/09/03/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-abb-bofa-j-p-morgan-sandisk-micron-mylan-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193998">top analyst upgrades and downgrades</a>, they included shares of ABB, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, SanDisk, Micron Technologies, Mylan and many more.</p>
<p>You can also take our poll: <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/09/02/will-the-sp-500-hit-3000-in-the-next-5-years/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193999">How high can the S&P 500 rise</a> before the next real bear market kicks in?</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/09/04/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-google-gopro-infinity-pharma-3d-systems-lifelock-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Google, GoPro, Infinity Pharma, 3D Systems, LifeLock and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=239278">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>10 Fresh Higher Dividends and Buybacks That Should Not Be Overlooked</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/08/22/10-fresh-higher-dividends-and-buybacks-that-should-not-be-overlooked/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Aug 2014 14:20:56 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=238008</guid>
<description><![CDATA[24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list and reviewed several key dividends and stocks buyback plans that have been announced recently.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/08/22/10-fresh-higher-dividends-and-buybacks-that-should-not-be-overlooked/">10 Fresh Higher Dividends and Buybacks That Should Not Be Overlooked</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=238008">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/87716889.jpg" data-lasso-id="193411"><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/87716889.jpg?w=400" alt="difidends" width="400" height="267" data-id="209359" data-caption="" /></a>The trend has been around for years: companies reward their shareholders by paying out dividends or buying back stock. Some companies do both. But what stands out the most is when companies keep raising their dividends or when they keep buying up their stock and keep renewing additional stock buyback plans.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. has compiled a list and reviewed several key dividends and stocks buyback plans that have been announced recently. We have offered links to those dividends and buybacks we have covered in more detail.</p>
<p>With this being the dog days of summer, it is actually very easy to overlook some of the great news that has come out of some key companies. Despite Russia-Ukraine tensions and despite new Iraqi developments, the U.S. stock market has challenged all-time highs yet again.</p>
<p><strong>Altria Group Inc.</strong> (NYSE: MO) announced on Thursday that its board of directors had voted to increase its quarterly dividend by 8.3% to a new total of $0.52 per share. This is up from the previous dividend of $0.48. Altria’s yield is 4.9%, based on its August 21 closing price of $42.46. This is nothing new to Altria, which has increased its dividends 48 times in the past 45 years. As we noted, <a href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2014/08/21/altria-dividend-hike-brings-telecom-yield-ambitions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193412">Altria still greatly under-yields ATT</a> — should telecom or tobacco have higher dividends?</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/08/20/the-10-most-dominant-warren-buffett-stocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193413"><strong>READ ALSO: The 10 Most Dominant Warren Buffett Stocks</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Bank of America Corp.</strong> (NYSE: BAC) may have had fresh news of a $16.65 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice and other states and agencies. What has been somewhat forgotten about was that the Federal Reserve approved <a href="https://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2014/08/06/bofa-dividend-hike-may-just-be-the-first-step-in-capital-returns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193414">its new and revamped capital allocation plan</a> on August 6. This allows for Bank of America to lift its dividend of $0.01 all the way to $0.05. The new yield jumped to 1.3% from about 0.25% at the time. Our take: this was just the first step of a return to normalcy for Bank of America.</p>
<p><strong>Brinker International Inc.</strong> (NYSE: EAT) announced on August 21 that it was raising its dividend by roughly 17% to $0.28 per share. Its board also authorized an additional $350 million in share repurchases, which was said to now bring the total share repurchase authorization to approximately $3.9 billion over time. This takes a 1.9% yield up to 2.3%, and we would point out that the market cap was almost $3.2 billion.</p>
<p><strong>GNC Holdings Inc.</strong> (NYSE: GNC) has been having a very rough year, but word recently surfaced that the company’s brand new non-executive chairman <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2014/08/20/major-insider-buying-at-gnc-a-key-gamble-or-a-dream/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193415">spent more than $1 million buying shares</a> on the open market. What had been released previously was that GNC recently authorized another multiyear $500 million stock buyback plan, replacing the prior $500 million plan, under which it had spent approximately $250 million already. This compared to GNC’s market cap of about $3.35 billion.</p>
<p><strong>Green Plains Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: GPRE) announced that its board of directors has approved a share repurchase program of up to $100 million. The board of directors instituted a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share on the ethanol maker’s common stock. This new cash dividend represents a 100% increase from the previous quarterly cash dividend. The market cap for the company is $1.65 billion.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2014/08/21/what-16-65-billion-really-means-to-bank-of-america/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193416"><strong>READ ALSO: <span class="post-237896-link">What $16.65 Billion Really Means to Bank of America</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.</strong> (NYSE: IFF) announced on August 4, along with 4% sales growth and 8% operating profit growth, that its board had authorized a 21% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.47 per share (up from $0.39). The company said that its quarterly dividend payment will have grown by a compounded annual growth rate of 15% over the past four years. The 1.5% current yield now will jump to about 1.85% for new investors.</p>
<p><strong>Intuit Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: INTU) <a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2014/08/21/intuit-keeps-growing-sales-offers-guidance-out-to-2017/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193417">released earnings in August</a> that were not the most straightforward we have seen. Still, it offered up guidance out to 2017. What was not discussed much was its ongoing buyback plan and a dividend hike. Intuit said that it repurchased $152.5 million of shares in the fourth quarter and that about $1.9 billion remains on the authorization, versus a market cap of $24 billion. The annualized dividend jumped to $1.00 from $0.76, based on a new $0.25 quarterly payout. The old yield being just shy of 1% was not very impressive, but the path to more hikes is likely because Intuit said the hike reflects “a large and growing cash position, as well as more recurring and predictable revenue streams.”</p>
<p><strong>Sally Beauty Holdings Inc.</strong> (NYSE: SBH) authorized <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2014/08/21/more-than-meets-the-eye-in-sally-beauty-stock-buyback/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193418">a new $1 billion share repurchase program</a> for its common stock, which would terminate the previous plan. As of June, the previous plan had spent $546 million of a budget of $700 million for repurchases. Since May of 2012, the company is said to have repurchased more than $1 billion worth of common stock. Sally Beauty has a market cap of $4.3 billion.</p>
<p><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (NYSE: WY) announced on August 13 that its board of directors had approved a 32% dividend increase for its common stock, up to $0.29 per share from a prior $0.22 payout. The timberland giant has been a real estate investment trust since 2010. Additionally, the board has authorized a new share repurchase program of $700 million of the company’s common stock. This new program will replace the previous repurchase authorization. Weyerhaeuser’s market cap is $18.1 billion.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/10/merrill-lynch-picks-10-growth-stocks-to-buy-for-the-rest-of-2014/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="193419"><strong>READ ALSO: <span class="post-233166-link">Merrill Lynch Picks 10 Growth Stocks to Buy for the Rest of 2014</span></strong></a></p>
<p><strong>Williams Companies Inc.</strong> (NYSE: WMB) announced on August 21 that its board raised the dividend by 32% to $0.56 per share. What investors need to know here is that this is on the heels of the July 1 acquisition of controlling interests in Access Midstream Partners, as well as the decision to accelerate a planned shift to a pure play GP holding company. If you add them up, the company showed that this was an increase of $0.193, or 52.9% higher, from the third-quarter 2013 dividend. The new yield jumps up to 3.8%, based on a $58.32 share price for new investors.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/08/22/10-fresh-higher-dividends-and-buybacks-that-should-not-be-overlooked/">10 Fresh Higher Dividends and Buybacks That Should Not Be Overlooked</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=238008">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>CBS Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/25/cbs-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2014 12:00:15 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=234956</guid>
<description><![CDATA[CBS saw a sharp rise in short interest between the June 30 and July 15 settlement dates, lifting it into the top five most shorted stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. Among these five, Bank of America had the most significant drop in the number of shares short during the period, falling below 100,000, […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/25/cbs-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/">CBS Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=234956">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cbs_corporation_logo.jpg" data-lasso-id="191901"><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cbs_corporation_logo.jpg?w=400" alt="CBS_Corporation_logo" width="400" height="177" data-id="197906" data-caption="" /></a>CBS saw a sharp rise in short interest between the June 30 and July 15 settlement dates, lifting it into the top five most shorted stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. Among these five, Bank of America had the most significant drop in the number of shares short during the period, falling below 100,000, but it still held on to its spot in the top five.</p>
<p>The number of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) shares short increased about 4.4% in the first two weeks of the month to about 199.96 million. That was the highest level of short interest since the end of March, and it represents 3.9% of the float. It would take more than 11 days to cover all short positions. During the period we recognized AT&T as one of <a href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2014/07/03/americas-most-patriotic-brands/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191902">America’s most patriotic brands</a>. AT&T shares rose less than 3% in the two-week period to July 15, and it closed at $35.50 Thursday, up less than 2% from the beginning of the year. The 52-week range is $31.74 to $36.86.</p>
<p>Brazilian iron ore producer Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) had little change in short interest during the period, landing at 132.38 million shares on the settlement date. Short interest had been rising since the middle of April. It would take more than eight days to cover all short positions. Shares closed at $14.56, in a 52-week range of $12.29 to $17.14. The stock rose more than 7% in the two-week short-interest period.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/25/who-bucked-the-trend-among-the-5-most-heavily-shorted-nasdaq-stocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191903"><strong>ALSO READ: Who Bucked the Trend Among the 5 Most Heavily Shorted Nasdaq Stocks?</strong></a></p>
<p>Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) saw a fractional rise in short interest to more than 112.53 million shares by the middle of the month. That totaled 18.3% of the company’s float, and it was the third period in a row to see an increase in the number of shares short. The days to cover fell to less than three. We wondered <a href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2014/07/11/why-amd-short-sellers-may-be-misguided-particularly-against-intel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191904">the wisdom of shorting AMD</a> in the period, and the stock’s price rose more than 8% in those two weeks. However, it now is down more than 5% year-to-date. The stock closed at $3.72 on Thursday, in a 52-week range of $3.04 to $4.80.</p>
<p>CBS Corp.’s (NYSE: WY) short interest surged from around 35.47 million shares to more than 110.55 million in the first two weeks of the month. It was 21.3% of the float. That is by far the largest number of shares short in the past year. The days to cover is less than three. Speculation has CBS acquiring CNN if Rupert Murdoch buys Time Warner. Short sellers watched the share price retreat more than 4% in the two-week period. Shares closed at $58.51 Thursday, in a 52-week range of $50.51 to $68.10, and down more than 7% year-to-date.</p>
<p>After a pullback of less than 4% in short interest in Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) in the previous period, it retreated again in early July, this time by 7.7%, to around 95.31 million shares. That was 0.9% of the bank’s float, and it would take a little more than a day to cover all short positions. <a href="https://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2014/07/16/bank-of-america-earnings-still-battered-by-legal-costs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191905">Legal costs</a> continue to impact earnings. The stock’s price was up almost 3% during the two-week period, and now it is down about 3% year-to-date. Shares closed at $15.62 and have traded in a range of $13.60 to $18.03 in the past year.</p>
<p>Rounding out the top 10 are Cemex SAB de C.V. (NYSE: CX), Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC), Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY), J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) and Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S). Note that after it jumped into the top five in the previous period, Weyerhaeuser saw short interest decline by more than 14% in the most recent period. A similar decline in the current period could see it drop back out of the top 10.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/24/5-analyst-stocks-to-buy-yielding-10-or-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191906"><strong>ALSO READ: 5 Analyst Stocks to Buy Yielding 10% or More</strong></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/25/cbs-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/">CBS Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=234956">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>UBS Lists 6 Stocks With Positive Catalysts Coming Soon</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/18/ubs-lists-6-stocks-with-positive-catalysts-coming-soon/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2014 14:15:35 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=234144</guid>
<description><![CDATA[In a recent research report, UBS specifically mentions six companies that it advises investors not to use an option strategy on, as they expect near-term catalysts to drive the stocks higher.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/18/ubs-lists-6-stocks-with-positive-catalysts-coming-soon/">UBS Lists 6 Stocks With Positive Catalysts Coming Soon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=234144">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/97940567.jpg" data-lasso-id="191431"><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/97940567.jpg?w=400" alt="uncertainty market evolution" width="400" height="266" data-id="176955" data-caption="" /></a>Wall Street firms all have derivatives departments that are charged with coming up with large and often daily amounts of exotic strategies. From simple covered call writing ideas to extremely complex collars and put selling, they constantly screen stocks, especially ones within their own research coverage universe for ideas to promote to their client base.</p>
<p>UBS has a derivatives department that regularly posts research on over-writing calls on stocks. Often these stocks are rated Neutral or Sell and the analysts expect them to at best trade sideways, or hopefully to trade down. In a recent research report, they specifically mention six companies that they advise investors not to use an option strategy on, as they expect near-term catalysts to drive the stocks higher.</p>
<p>Here are the six stocks the UBS team expects to have catalysts that will drive near-term stock outperformance.</p>
<p><strong>Abercrombie & Fitch Co.</strong> (NYSE: ANF) has slowly but surely started to rebuild what once was a very dominant brand, and it has a huge 19 million followers on Facebook. The UBS analysts cite continuing share repurchases, leaner inventory and improving fashion offering as catalysts that soon could drive earnings and the stock higher. Investors are paid a 1.9% dividend. The Thomson/First Call consensus price target is $44.20. Shares closed Thursday at $39.39.</p>
<p><strong>Air Products & Chemicals Inc.</strong> (NYSE: APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases, as well as performance materials, equipment and technology. The UBS analysts say to not overwrite or hedge this stock for 60 days. They see activist investors becoming much more aggressive in the name over the next two months. Investors are paid a 2.4% dividend. The consensus price target is $122.44, but the stock closed Thursday at $128.74.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2014/07/18/analyst-issues-top-biotech-stocks-to-buy-ahead-of-earnings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191432"><strong>SEE ALSO: Analyst Lists Top Biotech Stocks to Buy Ahead of Earnings</strong></a></p>
<p><strong>PetSmart Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: PETM) is a top name in the fragmented pet supply area, and two activist investors very involved with the stock now. In fact, PetSmart is currently talking with Wall Street investment banks for possible strategies as the activist pressure to unlock value has stepped up. Investors are paid a 1.4% dividend. The consensus price target is $61.52. PetSmart closed trading Thursday way above that at $69.05.</p>
<p><strong>Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.</strong> (NYSE: TEVA) is one of the world’s largest generic drug manufacturers, and it is well positioned to take advantage of the high number and dollar amount of branded drugs going off-patent over the next few years. In addition, the UBS team sees higher volatility in the space, and with mergers and acquisitions rampant, they would not be hedging the stock in any way now. Investors are paid a 2.2% dividend. The consensus price target is $57.25. Shares closed Thursday at $53.65.</p>
<p><strong>Tesla Motors Inc.</strong> (NASDAQ: TSLA) has been the momentum buyer’s dream stock over the past year. The electric car maker has historically been very volatile around earnings time, and it is currently scheduled to report on July 3. The UBS team also mentioned the possibility of a Gigafactory announcement, which could boost the stock as well. The consensus price target for the stock is $224.83. Tesla shares ended Thursday at $215.40.</p>
<p><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (NYSE: WY) is a forest products company that grows and harvests trees, builds homes and manufactures forest products worldwide. It grows and harvests trees for use as lumber, other wood and building products, and pulp and paper. After it completes a corporate structural change, the UBS analysts expect volatility as it unwinds. They also point to an expected capital allocation announcement in a month could also prove to be a catalyst. Investors are paid a 2.8% dividend. The consensus price target is $33.78. Shares closed Thursday at $32.25.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/18/credit-suisses-top-gold-stocks-to-buy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="191433"><strong>ALSO READ: Credit Suisse’s Top Gold Stocks to Buy</strong></a></p>
<p>While the specific catalysts may or may not play out, they are noted by a large firm that has Neutral and Sell ratings on the six stocks. All the companies are growth stocks, and some are speculative. Trading on this research is only suitable for investors with a very high risk tolerance.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/18/ubs-lists-6-stocks-with-positive-catalysts-coming-soon/">UBS Lists 6 Stocks With Positive Catalysts Coming Soon</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=234144">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/11/weyerhaeuser-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2014 12:15:26 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=233287</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser saw a sharp rise in short interest between the June 13 and June 30 settlement dates, lifting it into the top five most shorted stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. Among these five, only Bank of America had drop in the number of shares short during the period. They all had short positions […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/11/weyerhaeuser-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/">Weyerhaeuser Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=233287">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg" data-lasso-id="190964"><img class="alignleft" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" alt="hauling logs" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" /></a>Weyerhaeuser saw a sharp rise in short interest between the June 13 and June 30 settlement dates, lifting it into the top five most shorted stocks on the New York Stock Exchange. Among these five, only Bank of America had drop in the number of shares short during the period. They all had short positions of more than 90 million shares by the end of the month.</p>
<p>The number of AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) shares short increased only marginally in the final two weeks of the month to about 191.55 million. That the highest level of short interest since the middle of April, and it represents 3.7% of the float. It would take about 10 days to cover all short positions. During the period it was announced that <a href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2014/06/17/att-exclusive-carrier-for-amazon-phone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="190965">AT&T would be the sole carrier</a> for the new Amazon.com smartphone. AT&T shares rose nearly 1% in the two-week period to June 30, and it closed at $35.70 Thursday, up only about 2% from the beginning of the year. The 52-week range is $31.74 to $36.86.</p>
<p>Brazilian iron ore producer Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) saw a 4.4% rise in short interest to more than 133.17 million shares. That was on top of a more than 7% gain in the previous period. It would take about eight days to cover all short positions. Shares closed at $13.83, in a 52-week range of $12.29 to $17.14. They rose more than 3% in the two-week short-interest period.</p>
<p>Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) had a 2.5% rise in short interest to more than 111.69 million shares by the end of the month. That totaled 18.1% of the company’s float and followed a 5% increase in the number of shares short in the previous period. The days to cover fell to about four. We noted the <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/06/14/twelve-analyst-stocks-trading-under-10-with-huge-implied-upside/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="190966">huge potential upside in AMD</a> early in the period, but the stock’s price pulled back about 2% in the period. It now is up about 7% year-to-date. The stock closed at $4.29 on Thursday, in a 52-week range of $3.04 to $4.65.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/11/short-sellers-get-aggressive-in-defensive-high-yield-dividend-stocks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="190967"><strong>ALSO READ: Short Sellers Get Aggressive in Defensive High-Yield Dividend Stocks</strong></a></p>
<p>After a rise of about 15% in short interest in Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) in the previous period, it retreated in late June by 3.4% to around 103.23 million shares. That was 1.0% of the bank’s float, and it would take about two days to cover all short positions. The stock’s price was about the same at the end of the two-week period as where it began, and now it is down more than 3% year-to-date. Shares closed at $15.44 and have traded in a range of $13.31 to $18.03 in the past year.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co.’s (NYSE: WY) short interest grew from around 60.96 million shares to more than 95.37 million in the final two weeks of the month. That was 16.6% of the float. The number of shares short has been rising since the end of March. The days to cover grew to around eight. The company is preparing to sell its homebuilding business to TRI Point Homes. Short sellers watched the share price rise more than 7% in the two-week period. Shares closed at $32.57 Thursday, in a 52-week range of $26.64 to $33.75, and up less than 6% year-to-date.</p>
<p>Cemex SAB de C.V. (NYSE: CX) saw the number of its shares short increased by around 4.15 million from the previous period to almost 93,68 million by the end of June. That was a gain of about 4.6% and represents about 7.7% of the total float. At the current average daily volume, it would take about 10 days to cover all short positions. Shares rose only about 1% in the two-week period but are up more than 24% year-to-date. Shares closed at $13.33 on Thursday, in a 52-week range of $9.43 to $13.82.</p>
<p>Rounding out the top ten are J.C. Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP), Exelon Corp. (NYSE: EXC) (which also saw a surge of short interest in the period), Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S) and Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F). The latter two saw their short interest fall at more than 5% in the period.</p>
<p><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/11/apple-short-interest-drops-by-13-million/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="190968"><strong>ALSO READ: Apple Short Interest Drops by 13 Million</strong></a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2014/07/11/weyerhaeuser-joins-the-5-most-shorted-nyse-stocks/">Weyerhaeuser Joins the 5 Most Shorted NYSE Stocks</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=233287">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Earnings: Missed It by That Much</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2014/01/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-missed-it-by-that-much/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Trey Thoelcke]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2014 12:20:06 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=215008</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results before markets opened Friday. Earnings for both periods missed consensus estimates by a penny.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2014/01/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-missed-it-by-that-much/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings: Missed It by That Much</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=215008">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg" data-lasso-id="183222"><img class="alignleft" alt="hauling logs" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" /></a>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2013 results before markets opened Friday. For the quarter, the forest products company posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.27 on revenues of $2.25 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.26 on revenues of $2.20 billion. Fourth-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for $0.28 EPS and $2.29 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>For the full year, Weyerhaeuser posted EPS of $1.14 on revenues of $8.53 billion, compared with consensus estimates calling for EPS of $1.15 on revenues of $8.57 billion. Revenues rose about $1.5 billion year-over-year and EPS almost doubled.</p>
<p>Full year earnings include after-tax charges of $114 million for special items, primarily for a previously announced real estate impairment. Including these charges, EPS came to $0.95.</p>
<p>The company’s CEO said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Our vision is to grow a truly great company for our shareholders, customers and employees. In 2013, we made initial progress toward this goal, as we doubled earnings before special items, increased our per share dividend by nearly 30 percent, announced an agreement to combine our real estate operation with TRI Pointe Homes, and acquired approximately 645,000 acres of outstanding timberlands in the Pacific Northwest through the purchase of Longview Timber.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Sales volumes declined in the Wood Products division in the quarter due in part to unusually severe winter weather. But construction markets in China drove increased demand in the Timberlands unit, and the recovery in the U.S. housing market boosted performance in the Real Estate division.</p>
<p>The company did not offer guidance, but the consensus forecasts so far call for EPS of $0.29 and revenue of $2.16 billion in the current quarter, as well as $1.41 per share and $9.46 billion for the full year.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser shares were inactive in premarket trading, after closing at $30.77 in a 52-week range of $26.38 to $33.24. Thomson Reuters had a consensus analyst price target of around $33.32 before the report.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2014/01/31/weyerhaeuser-earnings-missed-it-by-that-much/">Weyerhaeuser Earnings: Missed It by That Much</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=215008">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Homebuilder Confidence Gains Strength in December</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/12/17/homebuilder-confidence-gains-strength-in-december/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Dec 2013 15:40:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=211295</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo housing market index for December rose four points to 58 from a reading of 54 in November. The reading was higher than a forecast of 55 from Bloomberg. An index reading above 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than view them as poor. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/12/17/homebuilder-confidence-gains-strength-in-december/">Homebuilder Confidence Gains Strength in December</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=211295">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" alt="home building" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/144280696.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="265" data-id="209289" data-caption="" />The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo housing market index for December rose four points to 58 from a reading of 54 in November. The reading was higher than a forecast of 55 from Bloomberg. An index reading above 50 indicates that more builders view sales conditions as good than view them as poor.</p>
<p>The current sales conditions sub-index jumped six points in December, from 58 to 64, and the sales expectations sub-index came in at 62, up two points month-over-month. The sub-index that estimates prospective buyer traffic rose three points to come in at 44.</p>
<p>The NAHB’s chief economist noted:</p>
<blockquote><p>The recent spike in mortgage interest rates has not deterred consumers as rates are still near historically low levels. Following a two-month pause in the index, this uptick is due in part to release of the pent-up demand caused by the uncertainty generated by the October government shutdown. We continue to look for a gradual improvement in the housing recovery in the year ahead.</p></blockquote>
<p>Among homebuilder stocks Tuesday morning, KB Home (NYSE: KBH) was off the most, down about 1.5% at $16.93 in a 52-week range of $14.93 to $25.14. The consensus price target is $19.20, and current year earnings per share are estimated at $0.60, which analysts expect to more than double to $1.25 in the next fiscal year. The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio for the trailing 12 months is nearly 72, but that drops to 13.6 for the next year, a much more reasonable number. The price target implies a gain of more than 13%, compared with a rise of less than 4.5% in the past 12 months.</p>
<p>TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) was the biggest gainer Tuesday, up 2% in morning trading at $18.39, in a post-IPO range of $13.43 to $21.25. The company in November announced a merger of its homebuilding business with the building division of Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY), and that is what has jolted the stock up from its lows set in October.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/12/17/homebuilder-confidence-gains-strength-in-december/">Homebuilder Confidence Gains Strength in December</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=211295">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Citigroup, GE, Melco Crown, Oracle and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/12/12/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-citigroup-ge-melco-crown-oracle-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Dec 2013 13:40:49 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=210903</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Investors and traders alike have been positioning their portfolios and assets going into year-end, at the same time that stocks keep challenging all-time higher highs almost each week. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of Wall Street analyst reports each morning to find ideas for stocks to buy and stocks to sell for our readers. These […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/12/12/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-citigroup-ge-melco-crown-oracle-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Citigroup, GE, Melco Crown, Oracle and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=210903">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/164178895.jpg" data-lasso-id="573832"><img class="alignleft" alt="investor research" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/164178895.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="261" data-id="209361" data-caption="" /></a>Investors and traders alike have been positioning their portfolios and assets going into year-end, at the same time that stocks keep challenging all-time higher highs almost each week. 24/7 Wall St. reviews dozens of Wall Street analyst reports each morning to find ideas for stocks to buy and stocks to sell for our readers. These are this Thursday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from Wall Street research firms.</p>
<p><strong>Citigroup Inc.</strong> (NYSE: C) is being defended with six reasons to stay long into 2014 by Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Its $61 price target implies a 20% total return for 2014. The firm said that Citigroup remains one of the most compelling ideas among large-cap financials at this mid-stage of the recovery, trading below tangible book value and with plenty of capital. The firm even called it a “self-help” story.</p>
<p><strong>General Electric Co.</strong> (NYSE: GE) was reiterated as Buy with a $29 price target at Merrill Lynch on Thursday. Where this call gets interesting is not the rating itself, but in the specific mention and outlook for its U.S. retail finance business due to be spun out. The firm believes the new structure of the plan is more tax efficient and that GECC can release up to $30 billion of incremental capital by 2016. Merrill Lynch also believes that the move will lead to earnings multiple expansion afterward.</p>
<p><strong>Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd.</strong> (NASDAQ: MPEL) was called a Top Pick for 2014 by Sterne Agee. The rating is reiterated as Buy with a $46 price target (versus $37.41 close) after management meetings this week. The Macau casino group apparently reiterated that it is reviewing its shareholder capital return policy, including dividends and share repurchases. The company also anticipates gross gaming revenue growth of 15% to 20%, above the consensus estimate of about 12%.</p>
<p><strong>Oracle Corp.</strong> (NYSE: ORCL) was downgraded to Equal Weight from Overweight at Morgan Stanley. The enterprise software giant was also downgraded to Sector Perform from Outperform with a $35 price target at RBC Capital Markets. Oracle shares were trading down 2.6% around $33.90 on the dual downgrades, and we would point out that Oracle shares have fallen more than $1 in the past two trading sessions.</p>
<p>Other calls worth noting on Thursday were as follows:</p>
<p>Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup.</p>
<p>ARM Holdings PLC (NASDAQ: ARMH) was started with an Outperform rating at FBR Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) was reiterated as Buy and the price target was raised to $130 from $125 at Argus.</p>
<p>Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) was raised to Buy from Hold at Societe Generale.</p>
<p>Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Citigroup.</p>
<p>Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the price target was raised to $30 from $16 at Nomura.</p>
<p>Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Societe Generale.</p>
<p>Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the price target was raised to $23 from $18 at Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>Tetra Technologies Inc. (NYSE: TTI) was started as Neutral with a $15 price target. What is interesting for a Neutral rating is that the closing price of $11.75 implies upside of almost 30%.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) initiated with an Overweight rating at J.P. Morgan.</p>
<p>Yelp Inc. (NYSE: YELP) initiated at Neutral at B. Riley</p>
<p>Xilinx Inx. (NASDAQ: XLNX) was raised to Buy from Neutral and the price target was raised to $50 from $40 at Nomura.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/12/12/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-citigroup-ge-melco-crown-oracle-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: Citigroup, GE, Melco Crown, Oracle and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=210903">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Large Cap Stocks To Buy in Exporting for 2014</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/11/25/top-large-cap-stocks-to-buy-in-exporting-for-2014/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Lee Jackson]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Nov 2013 13:03:45 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=209476</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Robust export gains played an important role earlier in this economic cycle by lifting factory output and employment. However, this tailwind to growth subsequently entered a phase of steady deceleration from mid-2010 through the end of last year. The equity strategists at Deutsche Bank did not expect much of a positive lift to activity from […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/11/25/top-large-cap-stocks-to-buy-in-exporting-for-2014/">Top Large Cap Stocks To Buy in Exporting for 2014</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=209476">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cargo-ship.jpg" data-lasso-id="181861"><img class="alignleft" alt="cargo ship" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/cargo-ship.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="266" data-caption="" data-id="168029" /></a>Robust export gains played an important role earlier in this economic cycle by lifting factory output and employment. However, this tailwind to growth subsequently entered a phase of steady deceleration from mid-2010 through the end of last year. The equity strategists at Deutsche Bank did not expect much of a positive lift to activity from the export sector in 2013. Then the sector added a full percent to growth in the second quarter and 60 basis points to growth in the third quarter. These are numbers that bode well for large American companies that are the major exporters.</p>
<p>The Deutsche Bank team has plowed through everything from the ISM export orders to container loadings. They feel comfortable that strong exports next year to larger emerging market countries like China and Brazil will help drive Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth here at home. Here are the top large cap exporters to buy.</p>
<p>The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) is expecting record sales of the 737 and 777 models despite ongoing problems with the flagship Dreamliner. The stock has had a tremendous run over the last year, and may be a better buy on a pullback. Investors are paid a 1.4% dividend. The Thomson/First Call price target for the stock is $142. Boeing closed Friday at $135.97.</p>
<p>Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) continues to have strong sales into China, which is the top export category in to that country from the U.S. The stock has had a difficult time this year as earnings have disappointed Wall Street A strong 2014 may be just what the doctor ordered. Investors are paid a decent 2.9% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is $89.50. Caterpillar closed Friday at $82.88.</p>
<p>Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) delivered much stronger earnings than expected last week despite a drop in sales and revenues. Most importantly from an export standpoint, Deere & Company is positioned worldwide to deliver high quality farming and construction equipment to help customers increase farm efficiency. Investors are paid a 2.4% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is posted at $87 and Deere closed Friday at $84.77.</p>
<p>E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (NYSE: DD), or simply DuPont, is benefitting from incredible overseas demand for their chemical products. The company is also experiencing strong momentum in its agriculture business, driven by higher corn seeds and crop protection sales. The agriculture division, which accounted for 30% of sales in 2012, is gaining market share in seed genetics following strong planting activity in North and Latin America. Investors are paid a 2.9% dividend. The consensus price objective for the stock is $63. DuPont closed Friday at $61.70.</p>
<p>Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F) continues on its astounding growth in sales domestically and around the world. Ford continues to implement its ‘ONE FORD’ plan successfully and accelerate development of new vehicles customers want. The company continues to have success driving operating margin improvement and has reduced North America’s structural costs by more than $9 billion since 2005. Ford pays shareholders a 2.4% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is set at $21. Ford closed Friday at $17.01.</p>
<p>General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is a huge benefactor in the explosion of aircraft sales. Despite some recent issues with potential icing issues on some of their engines, sales have been very strong here and overseas, and exports may stand out more when analyzing the company after the spin-off of the consumer finance operations in 2014. Investors receive a 2.8% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is almost $28.50 and GE shares closed on Friday at $27.08.</p>
<p>General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) has also benefitted from incredible sales in China to boost revenue. GM invested heavily in China, and grabbed a big chunk of what is now the world’s largest auto market. GM delivered 2.84 million vehicles in China in 2012, representing 11% growth. The consensus price target for the stock is $48. GM closed Friday at $37.63.</p>
<p>International Paper Company (NYSE: IP) was a recent addition in a big way to the portfolio of George Soros. International Paper’s last quarterly earnings report topped expectations due to growth in packaging. The company recently upped their dividend 17% and plans to buy back $1.5 billion worth of their shares over the next few years. Investors are paid a solid 3% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is $54. The company closed Friday at $46.89.</p>
<p>Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) acquired The Climate Corporation on November 1st and effectively took control of all of the variables that farmers cannot control on their own. The goal of the acquisition is to provide farmers with more information and tools regarding the climate, and is in-line with Monsanto’s goals of improving agricultural productivity. Monsanto sees the weather-predicting prowess of The Climate Corporation as not only a tool to help increase crop productivity, but also as a business capable of producing substantial annual returns. Investors receive a 1.5% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is $120. Monsanto closed Friday at $113.86.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) is a forest products company, that grows and harvests trees, builds homes, and manufactures forest products worldwide. It grows and harvests trees for use as lumber, other wood and building products, and pulp and paper. The company manages 6.4 million acres of private commercial forestland; and has long-term licenses on 13.9 million acres of forestland. Continued export growth has lifted revenues solidly. Shareholders are paid a very solid 3% dividend. The consensus price target for the stock is $34. Weyerhaeuser closed Friday at $29.56.</p>
<p>If the Deutsche Bank team is right and exports grow in 2014 owning these top stocks may be a solid portfolio move. We continue to caution investors on buying stock after such a gigantic run in the markets. The S&P 500 gain of over 26% is the most since 1997. Scaling money in or waiting for a correction makes good sense now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/11/25/top-large-cap-stocks-to-buy-in-exporting-for-2014/">Top Large Cap Stocks To Buy in Exporting for 2014</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=209476">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Time to Re-evaluate Homebuilding Stocks?</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/time-to-re-evaluate-homebuilding-stocks/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2013 18:03:36 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=207314</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The reverse merger announced Monday morning between the homebuilding group associated with Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) and homebuilder TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) is causing some investors to take another look at the homebuilding sector. Shares are up today, but perhaps not as much as some observers think they should be. TRI Pointe shares […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/time-to-re-evaluate-homebuilding-stocks/">Time to Re-evaluate Homebuilding Stocks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=207314">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" alt="New home" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/153750462.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="344" data-id="168092" data-caption="" />The reverse merger announced Monday morning between the homebuilding group associated with Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) and homebuilder TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) is causing some investors to take another look at the homebuilding sector. Shares are up today, but perhaps not as much as some observers think they should be.</p>
<p>TRI Pointe shares are up about 7% from Friday’s close, but the stock was up nearly 16% at one point. What TRI Pointe gained from the transaction was approximately 27,000 building lots in exchange for $700 million in cash. As a land bank, TRI Pointe controlled or owned just under 2,700 lots as of the end of June. A tenfold increase in building sites should probably have given the company a bigger boost.</p>
<p>But TRI Point’s shares were off nearly 20% between coming public in February and last Friday. Other homebuilders are also down for the year, and their land banks are even larger. Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL), for example controlled more than 47,000 home sites as of July 31st.</p>
<p>Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) reported that it controlled more than 146,000 home sites. KB Home (NYSE: KBH) reported that its portfolio of land totalled nearly 56,000 lots at the end of its third quarter. PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE: PHM) controlled more than 126,000.</p>
<p>During the housing market collapse, some homebuilders sold off land and their inventories of building sites may no longer be viewed as the solid foundation it once was.</p>
<p>Share prices in all these firms is down about 10% since TRI Pointe’s public offering in February. Investors clearly don’t place an awful lot of value on home sites when rising interest rates, falling consumer confidence, and higher prices for new homes look to be weighing down new building. Share prices are flat to up 2% for the other homebuilders today.</p>
<p>Today’s transaction between TRI Pointe and Weyerhaeuser could signal that homebuilders are only going to enjoy a temporary halt in what has been a downward trend in their share prices.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/time-to-re-evaluate-homebuilding-stocks/">Time to Re-evaluate Homebuilding Stocks?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=207314">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser, TRI Pointe Pull the Trigger on Merger</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/weyerhaeuser-tri-pointe-pull-the-trigger-on-merger/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Nov 2013 13:30:55 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=207234</guid>
<description><![CDATA[After several months of trying to find a buyer for its home building business, a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) has signed a definitive agreement to combine with TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) in a reverse merger transaction valued at $2.7 billion. Weyerhaeuser will either spin-off or split-off its Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Co., […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/weyerhaeuser-tri-pointe-pull-the-trigger-on-merger/">Weyerhaeuser, TRI Pointe Pull the Trigger on Merger</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=207234">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" alt="construction" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/78400766.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="400" data-id="166925" data-caption="" />After several months of trying to find a buyer for its home building business, a subsidiary of Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) has signed a definitive agreement to combine with TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) in a reverse merger transaction valued at $2.7 billion.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser will either spin-off or split-off its Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Co., known as WRECO, in a transaction that will be followed immediately by a merger of WRECO with a subsidiary of TRI Pointe. Weyerhaeuser shareholders will hold about 80.5% of the new company and TRI Pointe shareholders will hold the rest. Weyerhaeuser also pockets $700 million in cash when the transaction is completed, now expected for sometime in the second quarter of 2014.</p>
<p>We noted late last month that, as a builder, <a title="Weyerhaeuser and the Questionable Home Builder Sale" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/10/22/weyerhaeuser-and-the-questionable-home-builder-sale/" data-lasso-id="181312">Weyerhaeuser was not among the top ten</a> in the United States. Its value as a builder is really a function of its land holdings. The company owns about 27,000 building lots, some 17,000 of which are located in California. TRI Pointe builds homes in California and Colorado.</p>
<p>The deal is a good one for TRI Pointe, which is controlled by Starwood Capital Group and has been a publicly traded company only since January. A week before TRI Point’s initial public offering, Starwood Capital and Starwood Capital Trust Inc. (NYSE: STWD) paid $1.05 billion for distressed property firm LNR Property. Real estate mogul Barry Sternlicht controls Starwood Capital and TRI Pointe, and he will remain as chairman of Tri Pointe’s board of directors.</p>
<p>We were skeptical that this deal would be attractive enough for Weyerhaeuser, but apparently the company wants out of the home-building business as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Early reaction in Monday’s pre-open trading declared TRI Pointe the winner. Shares were up more than 4%, at $16.00 in a 52-week range of $13.43 to $21.25.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares were up about 1.3%, at $30.73 in a 52-week range of $24.75 to $33.24.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/11/04/weyerhaeuser-tri-pointe-pull-the-trigger-on-merger/">Weyerhaeuser, TRI Pointe Pull the Trigger on Merger</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=207234">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser and the Questionable Home Builder Sale</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/10/22/weyerhaeuser-and-the-questionable-home-builder-sale/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 14:15:32 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=205987</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) soon will be a paper and forestry company that is merely a paper and forestry company, if reports that have resurfaced turn out to be fact. Reports hit yet again on Monday that the company is seeking to sell is home builder division. What is interesting is what the unit could […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/10/22/weyerhaeuser-and-the-questionable-home-builder-sale/">Weyerhaeuser and the Questionable Home Builder Sale</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=205987">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg" data-lasso-id="180924"><img class="alignleft" alt="hauling logs" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" /></a>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) soon will be a paper and forestry company that is merely a paper and forestry company, if reports that have resurfaced turn out to be fact. Reports hit yet again on Monday that the company is seeking to sell is home builder division. What is interesting is what the unit could fetch. Reuters reported that TRI Pointe Homes Inc. (NYSE: TPH) was in advanced discussions to buy the home builder unit for somewhere around $2.7 billion. We have been waiting for a deal of sorts to come up here, but this deal may be too small to make the company’s board punch out.</p>
<p>Where we take issue is that some reports in the past had Weyerhaeuser’s home builder unit valued at more than $3 billion. That was what the Wall Street Journal <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323446404579011043990237318" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="180925">floated in August</a>, but we would point out that Weyerhaeuser’s builder unit is not even in the top 10 builders in America. Its 2012 sales were about 2,300 units.</p>
<p>The value may not be in the inventory of homes but as a land bank. Weyerhaeuser’s home builder unit has thousands of lots available, when you consider its giant land holdings. This was put at 27,000 lots, with more than 17,000 of those being in California.</p>
<p>We would caution that the company has been exploring alternatives for the unit since June. The value that Reuters floated is one we think actually may not force Weyerhaeuser into unlocking the value, because the value could be deemed as too low, based on the last bit of softening home sales driving values down.</p>
<p>TRI Pointe shares have rallied on the hope that it is getting the unit, which would be a big win for the company since it is relatively new on the public markets. Weyerhaeuser shares ended effectively flat, so what does that tell you as far as who the market thinks is getting the better side of the deal?</p>
<p>Other names thrown out as possible bidders were Taylor Morrison Home Corp. (NYSE: TMHC), also a new home builder and home owning company to the public markets, and Brookfield Residential Properties Inc. (NYSE: BRP). What we would caution is that the sizes of potential buyers could come up as an issue on financing and the like:</p>
<ul>
<li>The Brookfield unit has a market cap of $2.67 billion, although the controlling company Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (NYSE: BAM) is worth nearly 10 times that value.</li>
<li>Taylor Morrison’s market cap is listed as only $727 million.</li>
<li>TRI Pointe is worth only about $500 million in market cap, and that is after the pop.</li>
</ul>
<p>We are not sure that one of the established home builders will not try to come in at the last minute. Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) is worth some $6.8 billion, and PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE: PHM) is just behind that with a market cap of $6.4 billion. Then you have DR Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI), worth about $6.1 billion, and Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL), worth some $5.5 billion. It would be far easier for any of these home builders to do a deal, but we are not so certain that any of them want to leverage up now that home prices have caught so far back up to where they were before housing imploded. Here are some existing issues with each, as their shares are much closer to 52-week lows than 52-week highs:</p>
<ul>
<li>Lennar’s stock is down 20% from its 52-week high.</li>
<li>Pulte is down about 32% from its 52-week high.</li>
<li>DR Horton is down just over 30% from its 52-week high.</li>
<li>Toll Brothers is down about 17% from its 52-week high.</li>
</ul>
<p>On last look, Weyerhaeuser managed about 6.4 million acres of private commercial forestland and has long-term licenses on 13.9 million acres of forestland. We once opined that the company’s land holdings were so vast that Weyerhaeuser should apply to become the 51st state in America, and that is still the case now, in a manner of speaking.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser was up 0.5% at $30.26 shortly after the open on Tuesday, but its 52-week trading range is $24.75 to $33.24. Note that its market cap is over $17.6 billion. Unlocking $3 billion or $4 billion in value is one thing. Unlocking less is another matter entirely.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/10/22/weyerhaeuser-and-the-questionable-home-builder-sale/">Weyerhaeuser and the Questionable Home Builder Sale</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=205987">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Closing Bell for Friday on Wall Street: Markets Open Lower, Late Rally Boosts Finish</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/26/closing-bell-for-friday-on-wall-street-markets-open-lower-late-rally-boosts-finish/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jul 2013 20:04:53 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=197670</guid>
<description><![CDATA[July 26, 2013: U.S. equity markets opened lower this morning on a day when the only U.S. economic data of note was the revised University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters consumer sentiment index, which came in above expectations. In Europe, the German import price index fell more than expected and consumer confidence was higher than expected in […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/26/closing-bell-for-friday-on-wall-street-markets-open-lower-late-rally-boosts-finish/">Closing Bell for Friday on Wall Street: Markets Open Lower, Late Rally Boosts Finish</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=197670">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><em>July 26, 2013:</em> U.S. equity markets opened lower this morning on a day when the only U.S. economic data of note was the revised University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters <a title="Consumer Sentiment Makes Big Move Higher in July" href="https://247wallst.com/economy/2013/07/26/consumer-sentiment-makes-big-move-higher-in-july/" data-lasso-id="176384">consumer sentiment index</a>, which came in above expectations. In Europe, the German import price index fell more than expected and consumer confidence was higher than expected in France. Greece received approval for its next bailout payment. In Asia, Japan’s CPI and core CPI both came in higher than expected.</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index is trading down 0.41% today, now at 81.6340. The GSCI commodity index is down 0.2% at 640.68. WTI crude oil closed down 1.4% today, at $103.98 a barrel. Brent crude trades down 0.6% at $107.00 a barrel. Natural gas is down 2% today at about $3.57 per million BTUs. Gold for August delivery settled down 0.6% today at $1,321.50 an ounce, to close the week up 2.2%.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up about 2 points to 15,557.60 (0.02%), the NASDAQ rose about 8 points (0.22%) to 3,613.16, and the S&P 500 rose 0.08% or about 1 point to 1,691.65.</p>
<p>There were a several analyst <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades and Stocks to Buy: Baidu, Tesla, L3, OpenTable and More" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/26/top-analyst-upgrades-and-stocks-to-buy-baidu-tesla-l3-opentable-and-more/" data-lasso-id="176385">upgrades</a> and <a title="Top Analyst Downgrades and Stocks to Sell: Facebook, Freescale, Southwest and More" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/26/top-analyst-downgrades-and-stocks-to-sell-facebook-freescale-southwest-and-more/" data-lasso-id="176386">downgrades</a> today, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>Southwest Airlines Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/southwest-airlines/luv" data-lasso-id="176387">NYSE: LUV</a>) cut to ‘market perform’ at Raymond James;</li>
<li>Deckers Outdoor Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/deckers-outdoor-corp/deck" data-lasso-id="176388">NASDAQ: DECK</a>) cut to ‘underperform with price target of $47 at Credit Suisse;</li>
<li>Tesla Motors Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/tesla-motors/tsla" data-lasso-id="176389">NASDAQ: TSLA</a>) raised to ‘buy’ with a price target of $160 at Deutsche Bank;</li>
<li>Baidu Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/baidu/bidu" data-lasso-id="176390">NASDAQ: BIDU</a>) raised to ‘overweight’ at both Morgan Stanley and Barclays; and</li>
<li>PulteGroup Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pultegroup-inc/phm" data-lasso-id="176391">NYSE: PHM</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ but price target cut to $21 at Credit Suisse.</li>
</ul>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night resulted in some prices move today:</p>
<ul>
<li>Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="176392">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>) is up 2.7% at $311.53 after posting an all-time high of $313.62 earlier today, even though <a title="Jeff Bezos Proves Earnings Reports Don’t Count for Amazon" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/07/26/jeff-bezos-proves-earnings-reports-dont-count-for-amazon/" data-lasso-id="176393">earnings were disappointing</a>;</li>
<li>Starbucks Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/starbucks/sbux" data-lasso-id="176394">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>) is up 7% at $72.96 after posting a new 52-week high of $73.52, as <a title="Starbucks Menu Risk as Food Sales Overwhelm Coffee" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/07/26/starbucks-menu-risk-as-food-sales-overwhelm-coffee/" data-lasso-id="176395">store menu changes multiply</a>;</li>
<li>Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kohlberg-kravis-roberts-co/kkr" data-lasso-id="176396">NYSE: KKR</a>) is down 2% at $20.53;</li>
<li>Total SA (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/total-sa-adr/tot" data-lasso-id="176397">NYSE: TOT</a>) is up 0.3% at $53.32;</li>
<li>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="176398">NYSE: WY</a>) is down 1.4% at $28.74 on <a title="Weyerhaeuser Posts Solid Results, Fails to Impress Investors" href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/07/26/weyerhaeuser-posts-solid-results-fails-to-impress-investors/" data-lasso-id="176399">unimpressive results</a>;</li>
<li>TransCanada Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/transcanada/trp" data-lasso-id="176400">NYSE: TRP</a>) is up 0.3% at $45.24;</li>
<li>Stanley Black & Decker Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/stanley-black-decker-inc/swk" data-lasso-id="176401">NYSE: SWK</a>) is up 1.8% at $84.00 after posting a new 52-week high of $84.68 earlier today;</li>
<li>NuStar Energy LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nustar-energy-lp/ns" data-lasso-id="176402">NYSE: NS</a>) is up 3% at $45.25; and</li>
<li>LyondellBasell Industries NV (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/lyondellbasell-industries-nv-ordinary-shares-class-a-netherlands/lyb" data-lasso-id="176403">NYSE: LYB</a>) is down 0.9% at $67.44.</li>
</ul>
<p>Before markets open Monday morning we are scheduled to hear earnings results from Hertz Global Holdings Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/hertz-global-holdings-inc/htz" data-lasso-id="176404">NYSE: HTZ</a>), Loews Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/loews/l" data-lasso-id="176405">NYSE: L</a>), Simon Property Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/simon-property-group-inc/spg" data-lasso-id="176406">NYSE: SPG</a>), Sohu.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/sohucom/sohu" data-lasso-id="176407">NASDAQ: SOHU</a>), and Wynn Resorts Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/wynn-resorts-limited/wynn" data-lasso-id="176408">NASDAQ: WYNN</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts among heavily traded stocks today include:</strong></p>
<p>Activision Blizzard Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/activision-blizzard/atvi" data-lasso-id="176409">NASDAQ: ATVI</a>) is up 14.9% at $17.44 after posting a new 52-week low of $17.76 earlier today. The video game maker has <a title="Activision Blizzard Nears All-Time High on Independence from Vivendi" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2013/07/26/activision-blizzard-nears-all-time-high-on-independence-from-vivendi/" data-lasso-id="176410">bought its independence</a> from former parent Vivendi for about $8.2 billion.</p>
<p>Zynga Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/zynga-inc/znga" data-lasso-id="176411">NASDAQ: ZNGA</a>) is down 14.7% at $2.98. The social games maker posted poor results last night, but its <a title="Zynga Users Dying Off Faster Than Smokers" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/25/zynga-users-dying-off-faster-than-smokers/" data-lasso-id="176412">problems run deeper</a>.</p>
<p>Expedia Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/expedia-inc/expe" data-lasso-id="176413">NASDAQ: EXPE</a>) is down 26.6% at $47.71 after posting a new 52-week low of $47.55 earlier today. The Internet travel company posted dismal results last night.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>10:00 a.m. – Pending home sales index</li>
<li>10:30 a.m. – Dallas Fed manufacturing index</li>
<li>11:30 p.m. – 3- and 6-month bill auctions</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/07/26/closing-bell-for-friday-on-wall-street-markets-open-lower-late-rally-boosts-finish/">Closing Bell for Friday on Wall Street: Markets Open Lower, Late Rally Boosts Finish</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=197670">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Posts Solid Results, Fails to Impress Investors</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/07/26/weyerhaeuser-posts-solid-results-fails-to-impress-investors/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:30:53 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=197614</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported second-quarter fiscal 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The wood products REIT posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.35 on revenues of $2.1 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.09 on revenues of $1.8 billion. Second-quarter results also compare to the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/07/26/weyerhaeuser-posts-solid-results-fails-to-impress-investors/">Weyerhaeuser Posts Solid Results, Fails to Impress Investors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=197614">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" alt="hauling logs" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" />Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="572651">NYSE: WY</a>) reported second-quarter fiscal 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The wood products REIT posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.35 on revenues of $2.1 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.09 on revenues of $1.8 billion. Second-quarter results also compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.30 and $2.04 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>In its outlook for the third quarter, Weyerhaeuser said it expects the Timberland division to post lower earnings due primarily to normal seasonal decline. Sales fell from $1.07 billion in the second quarter a year ago to $988 million this year. Weyerhaeuser also expects earnings to fall in its Wood Products division, while staying steady in the Cellulose Fibers division. The company expects “slightly” higher profits in its Real Estate division, where it expects to sell more than 700 homes in the quarter.</p>
<p>The company’s CEO noted:</p>
<blockquote><p>This was a milestone quarter for Weyerhaeuser. We moved forward both strategically and operationally with the acquisition of Longview Timber LLC and by delivering strong operating results in this improving housing market.</p></blockquote>
<p>Consensus estimates call for third-quarter EPS of $0.28 on revenue of $2.1 billion. For the full year, the consensus estimate for EPS is $1.15 on $8.27 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>Prices for lumber, which provides half of Weyerhaeuser’s revenues, fell from around $380 on a futures contract to below $300 during the second quarter. Currently, prices are climbing back up, at around $320, and the futures contract going out to September 2014 is trading around $375. As new building increases, lumber prices will too, but we are heading into the slower part of the building season now and then comes winter. Weyerhaeuser’s looking soft for a while more.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares are down 0.9% in premarket trading, at $28.88, in a 52-week range of $22.62 to $33.24. The consensus target price for the shares was around $31.90 before today’s report.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/07/26/weyerhaeuser-posts-solid-results-fails-to-impress-investors/">Weyerhaeuser Posts Solid Results, Fails to Impress Investors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=197614">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top 10 Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: FedEx, HP, Sprint, Walmart and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/20/top-10-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-fedex-hp-sprint-walmart-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jun 2013 12:20:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=194083</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations from select Wall Street research calls on Thursday, June 20, 2013. They include FedEx, HP, Sprint and Walmart.]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/20/top-10-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-fedex-hp-sprint-walmart-and-more/">Top 10 Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: FedEx, HP, Sprint, Walmart and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=194083">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg" data-lasso-id="172916"><img class="alignleft" alt="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="298" data-id="95230" data-caption="" /></a>Investors and traders are usually on the lookout for new research ideas that will generate higher income or more profits. 24/7 Wall St. reviews many analyst research calls from Wall Street and from boutique firms to find great ideas in value stocks, growth stocks and dividend stocks. Some are stocks to buy, while some ideas are even stocks to sell. These are 10 of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from select Wall Street research calls this Thursday.</p>
<p>Ann Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/ann-inc/ann" data-lasso-id="172917">NYSE: ANN</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Perform at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p>FedEx Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/fedex/fdx" data-lasso-id="172918">NYSE: FDX</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at J.P. Morgan.</p>
<p>Hewlett-Packard Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/hewlett-packard-company/hpq" data-lasso-id="172919">NYSE: HPQ</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>L Brands Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/limited-brands/ltd" data-lasso-id="172920">NYSE: LTD</a>) initiated with an Underperform at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p>Newmont Mining Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/newmont-mining-corp/nem" data-lasso-id="172921">NYSE: NEM</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform at Cowen & Co.</p>
<p>SodaStream International Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/sodastream/soda" data-lasso-id="172922">NASDAQ: SODA</a>) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at William Blair.</p>
<p>Sprint Nextel Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/sprint-nextel/s" data-lasso-id="172923">NYSE: S</a>) was downgraded to Hold from Buy at Argus on the post-merger saga.</p>
<p>Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/wal-mart-stores/wmt" data-lasso-id="172924">NYSE: WMT</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Raymond James.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="172925">NYSE: WY</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at BMO Capital Markets.</p>
<p>Walt Disney Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/walt-disney/dis" data-lasso-id="172926">NYSE: DIS</a>) was downgraded to Neutral from the prized Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>UBS has issued a <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/20/ubs-retail-stocks-to-buy-focus-is-online-sales-leaders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="172927">list of online retail stocks to buy</a> that are leaders in online sales.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/20/top-10-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-fedex-hp-sprint-walmart-and-more/">Top 10 Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades: FedEx, HP, Sprint, Walmart and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=194083">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser Names New CEO, Issues Stock for Acquisition, Boosts Dividend</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/06/17/weyerhaeuser-names-new-ceo-issues-stock-for-acquisition-boosts-dividend/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:40:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=193590</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Yesterday was a busy day for the board of directors at Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY). The REIT named a new chief executive officer, announced a deal to spend $2.65 billion to acquire another 645,000 acres of timberland in Washington and Oregon, and said it is exploring “strategic alternatives” for its real estate company. The company […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/06/17/weyerhaeuser-names-new-ceo-issues-stock-for-acquisition-boosts-dividend/">Weyerhaeuser Names New CEO, Issues Stock for Acquisition, Boosts Dividend</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=193590">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" alt="hauling logs" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" />Yesterday was a busy day for the board of directors at Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="571901">NYSE: WY</a>). The REIT named a new chief executive officer, announced a deal to spend $2.65 billion to acquire another 645,000 acres of timberland in Washington and Oregon, and said it is exploring “strategic alternatives” for its real estate company.</p>
<p>The company named Doyle Simons its new CEO, who had been the CEO and chairman of Temple-Inland prior to its acquisition by International Paper Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/international-paper-company/ip" data-lasso-id="571902">NYSE: IP</a>). Simons has been a director at Weyerhaeuser since February of 2012.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser also said it intends to offer 28 million common shares to finance its $2.65 billion acquisition of Longview Timber, which is currently owned by Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/brookfield-asset-management/bam" data-lasso-id="571903">NYSE: BAM</a>). Weyerhaeuser said the acquisition will immediately boost company earnings and has raised its dividend from $0.20 to $0.22 beginning with the September payment.</p>
<p>Finally, the company will explore strategic alternatives for its Weyerhaeuser Real Estate Company (WRECO). Now is a “prudent time” to do this, according to the company’s retiring CEO, given the improvement in the housing market. WRECO is among the 20 largest home builders in the U.S.</p>
<p>The acquisition of more timberland is the biggest news here. Lumber prices have fallen since the beginning of the year, after running up in the final few months of last year. Random length lumber contracts are trading around $285, down from around $400 in February and March. Whether the acquisition pays off even better for shareholders will depend in large part on demand for homebuilding, which should pick up soon.</p>
<p>Shares in Weyerhaeuser are up 3% in premarket trading this morning at $29.15 in a 52-week range of $20.11 to $33.24.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/06/17/weyerhaeuser-names-new-ceo-issues-stock-for-acquisition-boosts-dividend/">Weyerhaeuser Names New CEO, Issues Stock for Acquisition, Boosts Dividend</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=193590">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Stocks to Buy: BHP, Facebook, Monsanto, AT&T and More</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/10/top-analyst-upgrades-and-stocks-to-buy-bhp-facebook-monsanto-att-and-more/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2013 12:10:40 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=192822</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Investors and traders are often looking out for new research ideas that will lead to higher income or more profits. 24/7 Wall St. reviews many fresh research calls each morning to find great ideas from value stocks to growth stocks to dividend stocks. We are breaking out the positive analyst calls as far as stocks to […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/10/top-analyst-upgrades-and-stocks-to-buy-bhp-facebook-monsanto-att-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Stocks to Buy: BHP, Facebook, Monsanto, AT&T and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=192822">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Investors and traders are often looking out for new research ideas that will lead to higher income or more profits. 24/7 Wall St. reviews many fresh research calls each morning to find great ideas from value stocks to growth stocks to dividend stocks. We are breaking out the positive analyst calls as far as stocks to buy and positive research calls and these are some of this Monday’s top analyst upgrades, initiations and positive analyst research calls seen from Wall Street today.</p>
<p>AT&T Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/att/t" data-lasso-id="171693">NYSE: T</a>) was upgraded to Buy from Hold with a $42 price target at Argus.</p>
<p>BB&T Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bbt-corp/bbt" data-lasso-id="171694">NYSE: BBT</a>) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight by Evercore.</p>
<p>BHP Billiton PLC (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bhp-billiton-limited-adr/bhp" data-lasso-id="171695">NYSE: BHP</a>) was upgraded to Buy at BofA/Merrill Lynch.</p>
<p>Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/edwards-lifesciences-corp/ew" data-lasso-id="171696">NYSE: EW</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Enersis S.A. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/enersis-sa-adr/eni" data-lasso-id="171697">NYSE: ENI</a>) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral by Citigroup.</p>
<p>Entergy Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/entergy-corp/etr" data-lasso-id="171698">NYSE: ETR</a>) was upgraded to Buy from Hold by Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Facebook Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/facebook/fb" data-lasso-id="171699">NASDAQ: FB</a>) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Stifel Nicolaus.</p>
<p>Monsanto Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/monsanto/mon" data-lasso-id="171700">NYSE: MON</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Macquarie.</p>
<p>Semtech Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/semtech-corp/smtc" data-lasso-id="171701">NASDAQ: SMTC</a>) was started as Buy at Stern Agee.</p>
<p>Standard Pacific Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/standard-pacific-corp/spf" data-lasso-id="171702">NYSE: SPF</a>) was upgraded to Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="171703">NYSE: WY</a>) was upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.</p>
<p>Read also: <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/10/top-analyst-downgrades-and-stocks-to-sell-micron-tesla-morgan-stanley-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="171704">Top Analyst Downgrades and Cautious Calls</a></p>
<p>Merrill Lynch has a list of <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/10/top-technology-stocks-to-buy-from-the-merrill-lynch-global-technology-conference/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="171705">tech stocks to buy after its latest technology conference</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/06/10/top-analyst-upgrades-and-stocks-to-buy-bhp-facebook-monsanto-att-and-more/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Stocks to Buy: BHP, Facebook, Monsanto, AT&T and More</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=192822">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Value Hunting Among the Hardest Hit Large-Cap Dividend REITs</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/06/06/value-hunting-among-the-hardest-hit-large-cap-dividend-reits/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:25:32 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Retail]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=192532</guid>
<description><![CDATA[24/7 Wall St. has been analyzing and evaluating the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector during the past couple of weeks as the risk of rising interest rates is shaking out many of the REIT investors. The sector’s high dividends had reached what some were calling a bubble as the dividend yields had compressed to […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/06/06/value-hunting-among-the-hardest-hit-large-cap-dividend-reits/">Value Hunting Among the Hardest Hit Large-Cap Dividend REITs</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=192532">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/monopoly-houses.jpg" data-lasso-id="171383"><img class="alignleft" alt="Monopoly houses" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/monopoly-houses.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="300" data-id="117830" data-caption="" /></a>24/7 Wall St. has been analyzing and evaluating the real estate investment trust (REIT) sector during the past couple of weeks as the risk of rising interest rates is shaking out many of the REIT investors. The sector’s high dividends had reached what some were calling a bubble as the dividend yields had compressed to relative historic lows. Now that stocks, and REITs in particular, have been hit so hard, we wanted to take a look out there to see which REITs in the S&P 500 Index had sold off the most.</p>
<p>The good news is that it appears some investors are now starting to pick through the rubble to look for bargains. If the economy is going to keep improving, some of the battered stocks likely will recover handily, even if they do have interest rate risks attached to them.</p>
<p>We evaluated performance over the past week and month before today’s price changes, and then looked at today’s mid-day price performance. We evaluated the discounts to 52-week highs and the dividend, and also took a look at the market cap of each so that investors can understand how many billions of valuation have eroded in the past month out of the REIT sector.</p>
<p><strong>Kimco Realty Corp.</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kimco-realty-corp/kim" data-lasso-id="171384">NYSE: KIM</a>) was off 7.8% in the past week alone and down a total of 11.6% in the past month, but shares so far on Thursday are up 0.9% at $21.55, against a 52-week trading range of $17.77 to $25.09. Kimco is a shopping center REIT with a market cap of $8.8 billion, and its dividend yield is 3.8%.</p>
<p><strong>Weyerhaeuser Co.</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="171385">NYSE: WY</a>) was down by 7.2% in the past week and down a total of 8.2% over the past month, but shares so far on Thursday are up 0.5% at $28.46, against a 52-week trading range of $20.06 to $33.24. This is a forest-lands REIT with a dividend yield currently of 2.7%, and its market cap is $15.6 billion.</p>
<p><strong>ProLogis Inc.</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/prologis/pld" data-lasso-id="171386">NYSE: PLD</a>) was off by 7.2% in the past week and down 9.3% over the past month. Unfortunately, these losses are even worse as the shares are down 0.6% at $38.63 for this office warehouse REIT leader. Its 52-week trading range is $30.79 to $45.52, its dividend yield is currently 2.8% and its market cap is $19.2 billion.</p>
<p><strong>Macerich Co.</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-macerich-company/mac" data-lasso-id="171387">NYSE: MAC</a>) was off 6.4% in the past week but was down almost twice as much in the past month with a loss of 12.2%. Thursday’s mid-day performance is up about 1.4% at $62.48, against a 52-week trading range of $54.32 to $72.19. This shopping center REIT has a yield of 3.6% and its market cap is $8.6 billion.</p>
<p><strong>Vornado Realty Trust</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/vornado-realty-trust/vno" data-lasso-id="171388">NYSE: VNO</a>) was down by 6% in the past week and down 8.4% over the past month. Shares are by and large unchanged with the price down two cents at $79.19 so far on Thursday. Vornado is a commercial real estate REIT with a 52-week trading range of $72.64 to $88.73, a dividend yield of 3.7% and a market cap of $14.8 billion.</p>
<p><strong>Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.</strong> (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/host-hotels-resorts-inc/hst" data-lasso-id="171389">NYSE: HST</a>) was down by 5.4% in the past week and down 7.8% over the past month. Thursday’s performance for this hotel REIT is down only three cents at $16.97, against a 52-week trading range of $13.58 to $18.87. Its dividend yield currently is only 2.2%, and its market cap is $12.6 billion.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that these are not the worst performing of all REITs. These are just the worst among those listed in the S&P 500, as we wanted to see how much money has come out of the sector’s leadership players. We used weekly and monthly performance metrics from Finviz.com and other valuation metrics came from Yahoo! Finance.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/06/06/value-hunting-among-the-hardest-hit-large-cap-dividend-reits/">Value Hunting Among the Hardest Hit Large-Cap Dividend REITs</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=192532">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Wall Street Analyst Upgrades Include eBay, CIT and Oil Services</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/04/24/top-wall-street-analyst-upgrades-include-ebay-cit-and-oil-services/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:40:17 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=187700</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Investors and traders are always on the lookout for fresh research ideas from Wall St. that will lead to higher income or more profits. 24/7 Wall St. reviews many fresh research calls to find great ideas from value stocks to growth stocks to dividend stocks. We are breaking out the positive analyst calls as far […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/04/24/top-wall-street-analyst-upgrades-include-ebay-cit-and-oil-services/">Top Wall Street Analyst Upgrades Include eBay, CIT and Oil Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=187700">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Investors and traders are always on the lookout for fresh research ideas from Wall St. that will lead to higher income or more profits. 24/7 Wall St. reviews many fresh research calls to find great ideas from value stocks to growth stocks to dividend stocks. We are breaking out the positive analyst calls as far as stocks to buy and positive research calls today.</p>
<p>These are some of this Wednesday’s top analyst upgrades, initiations and positive analyst research calls seen from Wall St. today.</p>
<p>Baker Hughes Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/baker-hughes-inc/bhi" data-lasso-id="569059">NYSE: BHI</a>) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>CIT Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/cit-group-inc/cit" data-lasso-id="569060">NYSE: CIT</a>) was raised to Outperform with a $54 price target at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p>EBay Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/ebay/ebay" data-lasso-id="569061">NASDAQ: EBAY</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>Halliburton Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/halliburton/hal" data-lasso-id="569062">NYSE: HAL</a>) was raised to Buy from Hold at Soc-Gen.</p>
<p>ITT Educational Services Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/itt-educational-services-inc/esi" data-lasso-id="569063">NYSE: ESI</a>) raised to Hold from Sell at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Ryder System Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/ryder-system-inc/r" data-lasso-id="569064">NYSE: R</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="569065">NYSE: WY</a>) was named Bull of the Day with a Strong Buy rating due to strong revenue growth potential and excellent cost management, according to Zacks Investment Research.</p>
<p>We would also direct you to the best of the <a href="https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2013/04/24/the-best-big-corporate-earnings-indicators-this-earnings-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="569066">best large corporate earnings reports</a> so far this earnings season from the large sector leaders.</p>
<p><strong>See also: <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/04/24/top-wall-street-analyst-downgrades-include-apple-amgen-banks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="569067">Top Analyst Downgrades and Negative Views</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/04/24/top-wall-street-analyst-upgrades-include-ebay-cit-and-oil-services/">Top Wall Street Analyst Upgrades Include eBay, CIT and Oil Services</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=187700">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Analyst Upgrades Housing Stocks — the Big Chase Marches On (KBH, LEN, TOL, WY, XHB, ITB)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/03/19/analyst-upgrades-housing-stocks-the-big-chase-marches-on-kbh-len-tol-wy-xhb-itb/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:50:45 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=183319</guid>
<description><![CDATA[By now you are likely well aware that the housing crisis is not just over. The housing market is undersupplied and many markets are experiencing huge booms in their pricing. Many economists preach that housing has to be strong for the much broader U.S. economy to be strong. If so, then Raymond James is signaling that […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/03/19/analyst-upgrades-housing-stocks-the-big-chase-marches-on-kbh-len-tol-wy-xhb-itb/">Analyst Upgrades Housing Stocks — the Big Chase Marches On (KBH, LEN, TOL, WY, XHB, ITB)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=183319">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/153750462.jpg" data-lasso-id="161161"><img class="alignleft" alt="New home" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/153750462.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="344" data-id="168092" data-caption="" /></a>By now you are likely well aware that the housing crisis is not just over. The housing market is undersupplied and many markets are experiencing huge booms in their pricing. Many economists preach that housing has to be strong for the much broader U.S. economy to be strong. If so, then Raymond James is signaling that housing (and therefore the broader economy) is going to get a boost again in 2013.</p>
<p>Today’s research upgrade was before the report on February housing starts showed an increase of 0.8% for the month. Housing starts tie directly into the home builders because its is a measurement of new construction projects.</p>
<p>Raymond James raised its ratings to Outperform from Market Perform on K.B. Home (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kb-home/kbh" data-lasso-id="161162">NYSE: KBH</a>), Lennar Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/lennar-corp/len" data-lasso-id="161163">NYSE: LEN</a>) and Toll Brothers Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/toll-brothers-inc/tol" data-lasso-id="161164">NYSE: TOL</a>). The firm also raised estimates due to strong housing market pricing trends around the nation. Even Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="161165">NYSE: WY</a>) was raised to Outperform from Market Perform for its timber gains coming down the road.</p>
<p>We would at least caution investors and traders that today’s upgrade is not just with many of these approaching or at 52-week highs. Most of these are at highs not seen since before the recession took hold. Lennar did not hit a high, and it is now only up six cents at $41.64. Toll Brothers is up 1.4% to $34.64 and is about 10% under its 52-week high, while K.B. Home is up more than 3% at $21.10m and shares reached a new high of $21.44 today.</p>
<p>The Commerce Department on Tuesday morning reported that single-family starts were up by 0.5% to a rate of 618,000 units, and that is the highest reading back to mid-2008. The total housing starts, including multifamily starts, was a rate of 917,000 annually. The number of permits is another indication of housing starts to continue rising, as this was up 4.6% to an annualized reading of 946,000 in February.</p>
<p>The move has shares of SPDR S&P Homebuilders (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nysemkt/spdr-sp-homebuilders-etf/xhb" data-lasso-id="161166">NYSEMKT: XHB</a>) up 0.4% at $29.90, but the exchange traded fund hit a 52-week high of $30.13 this morning. Actually, go ahead and make that a five-year high! The iShares Dow Jones U.S. Home Construction (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nysemkt/ishares-dow-jones-us-home-const-etf/itb" data-lasso-id="161167">NYSEMKT: ITB</a>) also reached a 52-week high of $24.35 this morning.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/03/19/analyst-upgrades-housing-stocks-the-big-chase-marches-on-kbh-len-tol-wy-xhb-itb/">Analyst Upgrades Housing Stocks — the Big Chase Marches On (KBH, LEN, TOL, WY, XHB, ITB)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=183319">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Argus Changes Model Growth and Income Portfolio Stocks (AAPL, WY, UPS, MON, CTL, MSI)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/03/14/argus-changes-model-growth-and-income-portfolio-stocks-aapl-wy-ups-mon-ctl-msi/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:40:52 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=182780</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Argus is making some key changes to its model portfolios. This firm is truly considered to be an independent researcher, so it is not full of the traditional possible conflicts on interest seen in other Wall Street broker sell-side drive research. The firm has made several key changes to its model Growth and Income portfolios. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/03/14/argus-changes-model-growth-and-income-portfolio-stocks-aapl-wy-ups-mon-ctl-msi/">Argus Changes Model Growth and Income Portfolio Stocks (AAPL, WY, UPS, MON, CTL, MSI)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=182780">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg" data-lasso-id="160632"><img class="alignleft" alt="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="298" data-caption="" data-id="95230" /></a>Argus is making some key changes to its model portfolios. This firm is truly considered to be an independent researcher, so it is not full of the traditional possible conflicts on interest seen in other Wall Street broker sell-side drive research. The firm has made several key changes to its model Growth and Income portfolios.</p>
<p>The big change is that it suggests adding Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="160633">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>), for 6% of the portfolio. It also says to add shares of Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="160634">NYSE: WY</a>), for 2.4% of the portfolio, and to add United Parcel Service Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/united-parcel-service/ups" data-lasso-id="160635">NYSE: UPS</a>), for another 2.4% of the portfolio.</p>
<p>As this is a “changes” list, there are some sale suggestions as well. Argus said to sell out 100% of the positions in Monsanto Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/monsanto/mon" data-lasso-id="160636">NYSE: MON</a>), CenturyLink Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/centurylink-inc/ctl" data-lasso-id="160637">NYSE: CTL</a>), and Motorola Solutions Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/motorola-solutions-inc/msi" data-lasso-id="160638">NYSE: MSI</a>).</p>
<p>The firm’s quotes show the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>“Apple retains enormous brand cachet and loyalty; the first attribute helps it cultivate growth in emerging markets, while the second helps it hold share in established markets. The competitive challenges in front of Apple are not to be taken lightly. Currently, however, the shares trade at less than 9-times FY13 earnings and — adjusted to remove balance sheet cash — at about 6-times earnings. The shares also provide a 2.5% annual yield, with prospects for additional return to shareholders.”</li>
<li>“Weyerhaeuser operates as a real estate investment trust. The company posted better-than-expected 4Q12 earnings, as improvement in the U.S. housing market drove significant gains in the Wood Products division, as well as in the Real Estate and Timberlands segments. We expect these trends to continue in 2013, positioning Weyerhaeuser for another year of solid earnings growth. We also expect a recovery in the Cellulose Fibers segment in the second half of the year, driven by higher selling prices, improved productivity and reduced input costs.”</li>
<li>“UPS provides a wide range of transportation, distribution and logistics services. In 2012, the company shipped an average of 16.3 million packages per day and had total sales of $54.1 billion.”</li>
<li>“We see the potential for disappointment (in Monsanto) if farmers impacted by last year’s drought are conservative in acres planted. We prefer to take profits on the Monsanto shares, which since inclusion in January 2011 have appreciated more than 30%.”</li>
<li>“Although Motorola Solutions has been able to maintain growth in its government business through the multi-year downsizing in the public sphere, the U.S. sequestration program and ongoing budget reduction efforts present new challenges for the company. Since inclusion in February 2012, the MSI shares have appreciated more than 31%.”</li>
<li>“The Qwest deal doubled CenturyLink’s size, just a few years after prior deals doubled CenturyLink’s size. We believe CenturyLink has major capital spending ahead as it seeks to integrate disparate assets. The company also faces expiration of its net operating loss carry-forwards, which will negatively impact its tax rate.”</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/03/14/argus-changes-model-growth-and-income-portfolio-stocks-aapl-wy-ups-mon-ctl-msi/">Argus Changes Model Growth and Income Portfolio Stocks (AAPL, WY, UPS, MON, CTL, MSI)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=182780">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Buy-Rated Stocks Getting a Direct Boost From the U.S. Housing Recovery (LEN, TOL, HD, LOW, BAC, GE, WY, HON, PIR, BAST, FLXS)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/28/buy-rated-stocks-getting-a-direct-boost-from-the-us-housing-recovery-len-tol-hd-low-bac-ge-wy-hon-pir-bast-flxs/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 2013 18:09:03 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=176796</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Last month we wrote about the huge rally in the homebuilding stocks since the lows of the stock market in March of 2009. Stocks that were written off for dead like Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) and Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) have had spectacular rallies since then. If homebuilders are back in the business of […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/28/buy-rated-stocks-getting-a-direct-boost-from-the-us-housing-recovery-len-tol-hd-low-bac-ge-wy-hon-pir-bast-flxs/">Buy-Rated Stocks Getting a Direct Boost From the U.S. Housing Recovery (LEN, TOL, HD, LOW, BAC, GE, WY, HON, PIR, BAST, FLXS)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176796">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/home-prices.jpg" data-lasso-id="153716"><img class="alignleft" alt="home prices" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/home-prices.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="300" data-id="167456" data-caption="" /></a>Last month we wrote about the huge rally in the homebuilding stocks since the lows of the stock market in March of 2009. Stocks that were written off for dead like Lennar Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/lennar-corp/len" data-lasso-id="153717">NYSE: LEN</a>) and Toll Brothers Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/toll-brothers-inc/tol" data-lasso-id="153718">NYSE: TOL</a>) have had spectacular rallies since then. If homebuilders are back in the business of building new homes then it just makes sense that there must be vendors that sell to those homebuilders that are doing much better as well.</p>
<p>In difficult times like we experienced in the fall of 2008 it’s not unusual for consumers to tighten their belts and close their wallets. Rather than buy a new home they will typically fix, maintain and upgrade their current residence which usually benefits companies like Home Depot Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/home-depot/hd" data-lasso-id="153719">NYSE: HD</a>) and Lowe’s Companies Inc. (LOW). Both are buy-rated stocks at Bank of America (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bank-of-america-corp/bac" data-lasso-id="153720">NYSE: BAC</a>) Merrill Lynch and both are also big beneficiaries of new home construction.</p>
<p>When new homebuilding heats back up like we are experiencing now companies that supply in bulk to the homebuilders are often the big winners. Here are some buy rated stocks we located that are directly benefitting from the surge in new home construction.</p>
<p>Bank of America – Merrill Lynch also ranks General Electric Company as a buy. As one of the top suppliers of appliances to homebuilders it’s not uncommon for them to supply the refrigerator, oven, stove, microwave and dishwasher in a new home. Trading today at $22.40 the Bank of America price target is $25. The Wall Street consensus target is $24.50. Buy rated Weyerhaeuser (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="153721">NYSE: WY</a>) is one of the companies that provides the much needed lumber for construction. Trading at $30.64 the Bank of America target is $35 while the Wall Street consensus is higher at $36. They also like Honeywell International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/honeywell-international-inc/hon" data-lasso-id="153722">NYSE: HON</a>) and have a $77 price target. Trading today at $68.76, the Thomson/First call consensus is $72.</p>
<p>Mohawk Industries Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/mohawk-industries-inc/mhk" data-lasso-id="153723">NYSE: MHK</a>) together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production and sale of floor covering products for residential and commercial markets for remodeling and new construction primarily in the United States and Europe. Over the past 60 days all nine earnings estimates for Mohawk were revised upwards, which lifted the Zacks Consensus estimates by 1.1% to $3.71. This indicates year over year growth of 26.9%. The estimate for 2013 increased to $4.94 per share a 33.4% year over year increase. Trading today at $103.17 the Wall Street consensus price target is $104.50.</p>
<p>Furniture stores and makers also reap the rewards of new home construction. Buy rated Pier One Imports, Inc. (PIR) is at the top of Bank of Americas list. Trading today at $21.72 they have a $25 target and the Wall Street consensus is $24. Investors may also want to consider furniture makers like Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/bassett-furniture-industries-inc/bset" data-lasso-id="153724">NASDAQ: BSET</a>) and Flexsteel Industries Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/flexsteel-industries-inc/flxs" data-lasso-id="153725">NASDAQ: FLXS</a>).</p>
<p>The jump in new home construction not only bodes well for the companies we mentioned, but it also bodes well for the overall economy. The tremendous amount of job creation itself helps to provide an increase in consumer spending. With consumer spending being the largest component in gross domestic product, the industry that sent the economy into a tailspin five years ago might just be the one that helps lift it out.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/28/buy-rated-stocks-getting-a-direct-boost-from-the-us-housing-recovery-len-tol-hd-low-bac-ge-wy-hon-pir-bast-flxs/">Buy-Rated Stocks Getting a Direct Boost From the U.S. Housing Recovery (LEN, TOL, HD, LOW, BAC, GE, WY, HON, PIR, BAST, FLXS)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176796">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 25, 2013: Markets Open Higher, S&P Closes Over 1,500 (JNS, AMZN, AMGN, AAPL, EBAY, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, CAT, ROP, SIFY, BIIB, NFLX, BFAM, SCSS)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-25-2013-markets-open-higher-sp-closes-over-1500-jns-amzn-amgn-aapl-ebay-t-jnpr-msft-sbux-hal-hon-kmb-wy-cat-rop-sify-biib-nflx-bfam-s/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:05:28 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=176643</guid>
<description><![CDATA[U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning before dipping following the report on new home sales in the U.S. Stocks regained positive momentum during most of the remaining session. In Europe, Germany’s Ifo Institute’s business climate index came in stronger than expected, boosting most European markets and putting U.S. pre-market trading higher (more coverage here). […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-25-2013-markets-open-higher-sp-closes-over-1500-jns-amzn-amgn-aapl-ebay-t-jnpr-msft-sbux-hal-hon-kmb-wy-cat-rop-sify-biib-nflx-bfam-s/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 25, 2013: Markets Open Higher, S&P Closes Over 1,500 (JNS, AMZN, AMGN, AAPL, EBAY, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, CAT, ROP, SIFY, BIIB, NFLX, BFAM, SCSS)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176643">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>U.S. equity markets opened higher this morning before dipping following the report on new home sales in the U.S. Stocks regained positive momentum during most of the remaining session. In Europe, Germany’s Ifo Institute’s business climate index came in stronger than expected, boosting most European markets and putting U.S. pre-market trading higher (more coverage <a title="German Industry and Trade Rise for the Third Straight Period" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/german-industry-and-trade-rise-for-the-third-straight-period/" data-lasso-id="153514">here</a>). The U.K’s fourth quarter GDP shrank more than expected and full-year 2012 GDP showed no growth (more coverage <a title="U.K. GDP Disappoints" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/u-k-gdp-disappoints/" data-lasso-id="153515">here</a>). In Asia, there was little new data out, but the Japanese yen weakened to more than 90 to the U.S. dollar. New home sales in the U.S. were lower in December, mainly due to a sharp upward revision in the November figures (more coverage <a title="New Home Sales Slip in December, but Up for the Year" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2013/01/25/new-home-sales-slip-in-december-but-up-for-the-year/" data-lasso-id="153516">here</a>).</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index fell 0.27% today, now at 79.736. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.3% at 664.22, with commodities prices mostly higher today. WTI crude oil closed down 0.1% today, at $95.88 a barrel and closed the week down 0.2%. Brent crude trades up 0.1% at $113.35 a barrel. Natural gas is up 0.1% today at about $3.45 per million BTUs. Gold settled down 0.8% today at $1,656.60 an ounce and closed the week down 1.8%.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 70 points to 13,895.83 (0.51%), the NASDAQ rose about 19 points (0.62%) to 3,149.71, and the S&P 500 rose 0.54% or about 8 points to 1,502.95.</p>
<p>There were a several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (ATK, AMZN, AMCX, AMGN, AAPL, ADSK, EBAY, FLEX, JNS, ORCL, TIF, WPRT, GS, JPM, UBS)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-atk-amzn-amcx-amgn-aapl-adsk-ebay-flex-jns-orcl-tif-wprt-gs-jpm-db-ubs/" data-lasso-id="153517">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Janus Capital Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/janus-capital-group-inc/jns" data-lasso-id="153518">NYSE: JNS</a>) cut to ‘sell’ at Citigroup; Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="153519">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>) maintained as ‘buy’ and price target raised to $290 at Canaccord Genuity; Amgen Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amgen-inc/amgn" data-lasso-id="153520">NASDAQ: AMGN</a>) raised to ‘buy’ with a price target of $96 at Argus; Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="153521">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) removed from Conviction Buy List and price target lowered to $670 at Goldman Sachs (more coverage <a title="Apple Shares Slashed at Goldman" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2013/01/25/apple-shares-slashed-at-goldman/" data-lasso-id="153522">here</a>); and eBay Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/ebay/ebay" data-lasso-id="153523">NASDAQ: EBAY</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at Bernstein and started as ‘positive’ at Susquehanna.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night resulted in several price moves today, including these: AT&T Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/att/t" data-lasso-id="153524">NYSE: T</a>) is up 0.5% at $33.92; Juniper Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: JNPR) is up 4.7% at $22.51; Microsoft Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/microsoft/msft" data-lasso-id="153525">NASDAQ: MSFT</a>) is up 0.9% at $27.88 (more coverage <a title="Microsoft Turns In Mixed Earnings Report" href="https://247wallst.com/apps-software/2013/01/24/microsoft-turns-in-mixed-earnings-report/" data-lasso-id="153526">here</a>); Starbucks Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/starbucks/sbux" data-lasso-id="153527">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>) is up 4.5% at $57.03 (more coverage <a title="Starbucks Earnings In Line, Outlook Doesn’t Impress" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2013/01/24/starbucks-earnings-in-line-outlook-doesnt-impress/" data-lasso-id="153528">here</a>); Halliburton Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/halliburton/hal" data-lasso-id="153529">NYSE: HAL</a>) is up 5.3% at $39.81 after posting a new 52-week high of $40.28 earlier today (more coverage <a title="Halliburton Earnings Look Better Than They Are" href="https://247wallst.com/energy-business/2013/01/25/halliburton-earnings-look-better-than-they-are/" data-lasso-id="153530">here</a>); Honeywell International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/honeywell-international-inc/hon" data-lasso-id="153531">NYSE: HON</a>) is down fractionally at $68.22 after posting a new 52-week high of $69.25 earlier today (more coverage <a title="New 52-Week High Follows Honeywell Earnings Report" href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2013/01/25/new-52-week-high-follows-honeywell-earnings-report/" data-lasso-id="153532">here</a>); Kimberly-Clark Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kimberly-clark-corp/kmb" data-lasso-id="153533">NYSE: KMB</a>) is down 0.5% at $86.11 after posting a new 52-week high of $89.27 earlier today; and Weyerhaeuser Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="153534">NYSE: WY</a>) is down 1.9% at $30.89 after posting a new 52-week high of $32.67 earlier today.</p>
<p>After markets close today and before they open Monday morning we are scheduled to hear from Caterpillar Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/caterpillar-inc/cat" data-lasso-id="153535">NYSE: CAT</a>), Roper Industries Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/roper-industries-inc/rop" data-lasso-id="153536">NYSE: ROP</a>), Sify Technologies Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/sify-limited-adr/sify" data-lasso-id="153537">NASDAQ: SIFY</a>), and Biogen Idec Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/biogen-idec/biib" data-lasso-id="153538">NASDAQ: BIIB</a>). We also have a preview of other notable earnings due out next week <a title="Major Earnings Previews for the Week Ahead" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/major-earnings-previews-for-the-week-ahead/" data-lasso-id="153539">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Netflix Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/netflix/nflx" data-lasso-id="153540">NASDAQ: NFLX</a>) is up 16% at $170.40 after posting a new 52-week high of $172.68 earlier today. The video distribution firm continues its high-flying ways following its blowout earnings report.</p>
<p>Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc. (NYSE: BFAM) is up 28.2% today at $28.21 after posting a high of $28.93. The employer-provided day-care company held its IPO today. More coverage <a title="Bright Horizons IPO Goes Out Big" href="https://247wallst.com/services/2013/01/25/bright-horizons-ipo-goes-out-big/" data-lasso-id="153541">here</a>.</p>
<p>Select Comfort Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/select-comfort-corp/scss" data-lasso-id="153542">NASDAQ: SCSS</a>) is down 17.7% at $23.22. The mattress maker reported lower profits on higher revenues for the fourth quarter. Investors didn’t like what they heard.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following event on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30 a.m. – Durable goods orders</li>
<li>10:00 a.m. – Pending home sales</li>
<li>10:30 a.m. – Dallas Fed manufacturing survey</li>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 3- and 6-month Treasury bill auctions</li>
<li>1:00 p.m. – 3-year Treasury note auction</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-25-2013-markets-open-higher-sp-closes-over-1500-jns-amzn-amgn-aapl-ebay-t-jnpr-msft-sbux-hal-hon-kmb-wy-cat-rop-sify-biib-nflx-bfam-s/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 25, 2013: Markets Open Higher, S&P Closes Over 1,500 (JNS, AMZN, AMGN, AAPL, EBAY, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, CAT, ROP, SIFY, BIIB, NFLX, BFAM, SCSS)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176643">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 24, 2013: Markets Mixed After Apple Earnings (AAPL, PG, EMR, CVS, GOLD, TIF, AMGN, SNDK, FFIV, NE, NVR, WDC, MMM, BMY, LMT, RTN, LUV, UNP, UAL, XRX, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, NOK, NFLX, SWFT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-24-2013-markets-mixed-after-apple-earnings-aapl-pg-emr-cvs-gold-tif-amgn-sndk-ffiv-ne-nvr-wdc-mmm-bmy-lmt-rtn-luv-unp-ual-xrx-t-jnpr-msft/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:05:41 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=176485</guid>
<description><![CDATA[U.S. equity markets opened mixed this morning with the DJIA and the S&P 500 higher, and the Nasdaq lower, dragged down by concern over the earnings of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) (more coverage here). Apple’s troubles, though, may be traced more accurately to options trading (more coverage here). In Europe, preliminary PMI readings were better […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-24-2013-markets-mixed-after-apple-earnings-aapl-pg-emr-cvs-gold-tif-amgn-sndk-ffiv-ne-nvr-wdc-mmm-bmy-lmt-rtn-luv-unp-ual-xrx-t-jnpr-msft/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 24, 2013: Markets Mixed After Apple Earnings (AAPL, PG, EMR, CVS, GOLD, TIF, AMGN, SNDK, FFIV, NE, NVR, WDC, MMM, BMY, LMT, RTN, LUV, UNP, UAL, XRX, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, NOK, NFLX, SWFT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176485">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>U.S. equity markets opened mixed this morning with the DJIA and the S&P 500 higher, and the Nasdaq lower, dragged down by concern over the earnings of Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="153302">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) (more coverage <a title="Apple Posts Record iPhone and iPad Sales, Weak on Mac Sales" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2013/01/23/apple-posts-record-iphone-and-ipad-sales-weak-on-mac-sales/" data-lasso-id="153303">here</a>). Apple’s troubles, though, may be traced more accurately to options trading (more coverage <a title="Apple Stock Options Volume More Telling Than Apple Stock Volume" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2013/01/24/apple-stock-options-volume-more-telling-than-apple-stock-volume/" data-lasso-id="153304">here</a>). In Europe, preliminary PMI readings were better if still not positive (more coverage <a title="Europe Economy Catches a Falling Knife as PMI Flattens" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/europe-economy-catchs-a-falling-knife-as-pmi-flattens/" data-lasso-id="153305">here</a>). Unemployment levels in Spain reached an all-time high (more coverage <a title="Spain’s Unemployment Jumps to 26.02%, a High" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/spain-unemployment-jumps-to-26-02-a-high/" data-lasso-id="153306">here</a>). In Asia Chinese PMI came in higher than expected (more coverage <a title="China’s PMI Surges" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/china-pmi-surges/" data-lasso-id="153307">here</a>) and Japan’s trade deficit was wider than expected. In the U.S., new claims for unemployment benefits fell sharply (more coverage <a title="Strong Report on Weekly Jobless Claims — a Trend in the Making?" href="https://247wallst.com/jobs/2013/01/24/strong-report-on-weekly-jobless-claims-a-trend-in-the-making/" data-lasso-id="153308">here</a>). The S&P 500 briefly topped 1,500 this morning for the first time in more than five years.</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index rose 0.02% today, now at 79.941. The GSCI commodity index is down 0.3% at 661.98, with commodities prices mixed again today. WTI crude oil closed up 0.8% today, at $95.95 a barrel following a rise in crude stocks (more coverage here). Brent crude trades up 0.5% at $113.28 a barrel. Natural gas is down 2.8% today at about $3.45 per million BTUs after this week’s storage report (more coverage here). Gold settled down 1% today at $1,669.90 an ounce.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up 46 points to 13,825.33 (0.33%), the NASDAQ fell more than 23 points (-0.74%) to 3,130.38, and the S&P 500 was flat at 1,494.82.</p>
<p>There were a several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAPL, BBBY, SNP, CHD, CLX, CL, CPA, CVS, DDS, EMR, GMCR, KMB, NFLX, PG, GOLD, ROST, SWC, SYMC, TIF, VECO)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aapl-bbby-snp-chd-clx-cl-cpa-cvs-dds-emr-gmcr-kmb-nflx-pg-gold-rost-swc-symc-tif-veco/" data-lasso-id="153309">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Procter & Gamble (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/procter-gamble/pg" data-lasso-id="153310">NYSE: PG</a>) started as ‘neutral’ at Credit Suisse; Emerson Electric Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/emerson-electric-co/emr" data-lasso-id="153311">NYSE: EMR</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Deutsche Bank; CVS Caremark Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/cvs-caremark-corp/cvs" data-lasso-id="153312">NYSE: CVS</a>) removed from U.S. Focus List at Goldman Sachs; Randgold Resources Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/randgold-resources-ltd-adr/gold" data-lasso-id="153313">NASDAQ: GOLD</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at BofA/ML; and Tiffany & Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/tiffany-co/tif" data-lasso-id="153314">NYSE: TIF</a>) cut to ‘hold’ at Canaccord Genuity.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last Friday resulted in several price moves today, including these: Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="153315">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) is down 12% at $452.53 (more coverage <a title="Bad News for Apple: Samsung Galaxy S IV to Launch in Spring" href="https://247wallst.com/telecom-wireless/2013/01/24/bad-news-for-apple-samsung-galaxy-s-iv-to-launch-in-spring/" data-lasso-id="153316">here</a>); Amgen Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amgen-inc/amgn" data-lasso-id="153317">NASDAQ: AMGN</a>) is down 0.5% at $82.63; SanDisk Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/sandisk-corp/sndk" data-lasso-id="153318">NASDAQ: SNDK</a>) is up 3.2% at $49.19 (more coverage <a title="SanDisk Marched Past Estimates As SSD Is 10% of Sales" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2013/01/23/sandisk-marched-past-estimates-as-ssd-is-10-of-sales/" data-lasso-id="153319">here</a>); F5 Networks Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/f5-networks/ffiv" data-lasso-id="153320">NASDAQ: FFIV</a>) is up 4.9% at $103.60; Noble Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/noble-corp/ne" data-lasso-id="153321">NYSE: NE</a>) is down 5.4% at $37.70; NVR Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nvr-inc/nvr" data-lasso-id="153322">NYSE: NVR</a>) is up 2% at $1,001.58 after posting a new 52-week high of $1,023.99 earlier today; Western Digital Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/western-digital-corp/wdc" data-lasso-id="153323">NASDAQ: WDC</a>) is up 2.2% at $48.08 after posting a new 52-week high of $49.42 earlier today; 3M Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/3m/mmm" data-lasso-id="153324">NYSE: MMM</a>) is up 0.2% at $99.68 after posting a new 52-week high of $99.80 earlier today (more coverage <a title="Earnings Lifts 3M to New Annual High" href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2013/01/24/earnings-lifting-3m-to-new-annual-high/" data-lasso-id="153325">here</a>); Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bristol-myers-squibb-co/bmy" data-lasso-id="153326">NYSE: BMY</a>) is up 2.6% at $35.82; Lockheed Martin Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/lockheed-martin-corp/lmt" data-lasso-id="153327">NYSE: LMT</a>) is down 2.6% at $93.56; Raytheon Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/raytheon-company/rtn" data-lasso-id="153328">NYSE: RTN</a>) is down 3% at $56.49; Southwest Airlines Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/southwest-airlines/luv" data-lasso-id="153329">NYSE: LUV</a>) is up 0.9% at $11.46 after posting a new 52-week high of $11.62 earlier today (more coverage <a title="Earnings Point to New High at Southwest Airlines" href="https://247wallst.com/aerospace-defense/2013/01/24/earnings-point-to-new-high-at-southwest-airlines/" data-lasso-id="153330">here</a>); Union Pacific Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/union-pacific-corp/unp" data-lasso-id="153331">NYSE: UNP</a>) is down 0.7% at $134.35; United Continental Holdings Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/united-continental-holdings-inc/ual" data-lasso-id="153332">NYSE: UAL</a>) is up 1.3% at $25.33 after posting a new 52-week high of 26.36 earlier today; and Xerox Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/xerox-corp/xrx" data-lasso-id="153333">NYSE: XRX</a>) is up 2.6% at $7.78.</p>
<p>After markets close today and before they open tomorrow morning we are scheduled to hear from AT&T Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/att/t" data-lasso-id="153334">NYSE: T</a>), Juniper Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: JNPR), Microsoft Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/microsoft/msft" data-lasso-id="153335">NASDAQ: MSFT</a>), Starbucks Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/starbucks/sbux" data-lasso-id="153336">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>), Halliburton Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/halliburton/hal" data-lasso-id="153337">NYSE: HAL</a>), Honeywell International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/honeywell-international-inc/hon" data-lasso-id="153338">NYSE: HON</a>), Kimberly-Clark Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kimberly-clark-corp/kmb" data-lasso-id="153339">NYSE: KMB</a>), and Weyerhaeuser Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="153340">NYSE: WY</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Nokia Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nokia/nok" data-lasso-id="153341">NYSE: NOK</a>) is down 8.7% today at $4.24. The mobile handset maker posted earnings that were better than expected, but the outlook is weak. More coverage <a title="Nokia Posts Profit, Tosses Dividend" href="https://247wallst.com/telecom-wireless/2013/01/24/nokia-posts-profit-tosses-dividend/" data-lasso-id="153342">here</a>.</p>
<p>Netflix Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/netflix/nflx" data-lasso-id="153343">NASDAQ: NFLX</a>) is up 42.5% at $147.16 after posting a new 52-week high of $149.17 earlier today. The video distribution firm posted much better earnings than expected and grew subscriber numbers significantly. More coverage <a title="Netflix Blows the Doors Off" href="https://247wallst.com/media/2013/01/23/netflix-blows-the-doors-off/" data-lasso-id="153344">here</a>.</p>
<p>Swift Transportation Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/swift-transportation-co-inc/swft" data-lasso-id="153345">NYSE: SWFT</a>) is up 28.7% at $13.16 after posting a new 52-week high of $13.24 earlier today. The trucking company posted strong earnings last night.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Friday. We have noted the following event on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>10:00 a.m. – New home sales</li>
</ul>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2013/01/24/247-wall-st-closing-bell-january-24-2013-markets-mixed-after-apple-earnings-aapl-pg-emr-cvs-gold-tif-amgn-sndk-ffiv-ne-nvr-wdc-mmm-bmy-lmt-rtn-luv-unp-ual-xrx-t-jnpr-msft/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — January 24, 2013: Markets Mixed After Apple Earnings (AAPL, PG, EMR, CVS, GOLD, TIF, AMGN, SNDK, FFIV, NE, NVR, WDC, MMM, BMY, LMT, RTN, LUV, UNP, UAL, XRX, T, JNPR, MSFT, SBUX, HAL, HON, KMB, WY, NOK, NFLX, SWFT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176485">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Boise Cascade Launches IPO</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/01/23/boise-cascade-launches-ipo/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 2013 14:55:41 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=176242</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Forest products company Boise Cascade Co. (NYSE: BCC) will launch an initial public offering (IPO) today. About 11.8 million shares will be offered with an estimated price range of $16 to $18 a share. Underwriters include BofA/Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo have been granted a 30-day overallotment option on […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/01/23/boise-cascade-launches-ipo/">Boise Cascade Launches IPO</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176242">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg" data-lasso-id="153038"><img class="alignleft" alt="hauling logs" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dv197014.jpg?w=400" width="400" height="329" data-id="176249" data-caption="" /></a>Forest products company Boise Cascade Co. (NYSE: BCC) will launch an initial public offering (IPO) today. About 11.8 million shares will be offered with an estimated price range of $16 to $18 a share.</p>
<p>Underwriters include BofA/Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo have been granted a 30-day overallotment option on 1.76 million shares. If the option is exercised, Boise Cascade’s net proceeds would be in the range of $216.5 million to $243.6 million.</p>
<p>The company plans to use $25 million to repay its revolving debt and the remainder for general corporate purposes. Following the IPO, there will be about 44.46 million shares outstanding.</p>
<p>Boise Cascade ultimately is controlled by private equity firm Madison Dearborn, which holds three of six board seats. According to the Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company intends to add at least one additional director following the IPO.</p>
<p>The lumber business has been positive over the past 12 months, with Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="153039">NYSE: WY</a>) up about 54%, Universal Forest Products Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/universal-forest-products-inc/ufpi" data-lasso-id="153040">NASDAQ: UFPI</a>) up more than 21% and Plum Creek Timber Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/plum-creek-timber-co-inc/pcl" data-lasso-id="153041">NYSE: PCL</a>) up nearly 20%.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2013/01/23/boise-cascade-launches-ipo/">Boise Cascade Launches IPO</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=176242">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AMX, COH, EV, HTWR, HP, HPQ, LNCO, MPC, MDT, NYX, OSK, PMT, WY, YUM)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/21/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amx-coh-ev-htwr-hp-hpq-lnco-mpc-mdt-nyx-osk-pmt-wy-yum/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:17:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=169531</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall St. research calls this Wednesday. With tomorrow being one of America’s top holidays, there will be no analyst calls on Thursday and Friday as brokerage firms and trading desks will be on skeleton crews after noon EST on Wednesday. America Movil S.A.B. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/21/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amx-coh-ev-htwr-hp-hpq-lnco-mpc-mdt-nyx-osk-pmt-wy-yum/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AMX, COH, EV, HTWR, HP, HPQ, LNCO, MPC, MDT, NYX, OSK, PMT, WY, YUM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=169531">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Bull and Bear" alt="" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=400" height="298" width="400" data-id="95230" data-caption="" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall St. research calls this Wednesday. With tomorrow being one of America’s top holidays, there will be no analyst calls on Thursday and Friday as brokerage firms and trading desks will be on skeleton crews after noon EST on Wednesday.</p>
<p>America Movil S.A.B. de C.V. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/america-movil/amx" data-lasso-id="146044">NYSE: AMX</a>) cut to Neutral at Citigroup.</p>
<p>Coach Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/coach/coh" data-lasso-id="146045">NYSE: COH</a>) reiterated Buy with $70 target at Argus.</p>
<p>Eaton Vance Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/eaton-vance-corp/ev" data-lasso-id="146046">NYSE: EV</a>) cut to Sell at Citigroup.</p>
<p>Heartware International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/heartware-international/htwr" data-lasso-id="146047">NASDAQ: HTWR</a>) cut to Market Perform at Wells Fargo and cut to Neutral at UBS.</p>
<p>Helmerich & Payne Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/helmerich-payne-inc/hp" data-lasso-id="146048">NYSE: HP</a>) reiterated Buy and raised target to $60 at Argus.</p>
<p>Hewlett-Packard Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/hewlett-packard-company/hpq" data-lasso-id="146049">NYSE: HPQ</a>) cut to Sector Perform at RBC, but multiple firms downgraded this one yesterday.</p>
<p>LinnCo LLC (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/linn-co-llc/lnco" data-lasso-id="146050">NASDAQ: LNCO</a>) started as Neutral at BofA/ML, started as Neutral at Goldman Sachs, started as Neutral at Credit Suisse and started as Buy at UBS.</p>
<p>Marathon Petroleum Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/marathon-petroleum/mpc" data-lasso-id="146051">NYSE: MPC</a>) resumed as Buy at BofA/ML.</p>
<p>Medtronic Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/medtronic-inc/mdt" data-lasso-id="146052">NYSE: MDT</a>) reiterated Buy with $48 target at Argus.</p>
<p>NYSE Euronext Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nyse-euronext/nyx" data-lasso-id="146053">NYSE: NYX</a>) named as Bear of the Day at Zacks.</p>
<p>Oshkosh Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/oshkosh-corporation/osk" data-lasso-id="146054">NYSE: OSK</a>) named as Value stock of the day at Zacks.</p>
<p>PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pennymac-mortgage-investment-trust/pmt" data-lasso-id="146055">NYSE: PMT</a>) started as Buy at Stern Agee.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="146056">NYSE: WY</a>) named as Bull of the Day at Zacks.</p>
<p>Yum! Brands Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/yum-brands/yum" data-lasso-id="146057">NYSE: YUM</a>) started as Outperform at Macquarie.</p>
<p>Speaking of analyst calls after bad mergers like HP-Autonomy, here is the list of <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/21/the-other-10-worst-big-mergers-of-the-past-10-years/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="146058">The Other 10 Worst Mergers of the Past 10 Years</a>.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/21/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-amx-coh-ev-htwr-hp-hpq-lnco-mpc-mdt-nyx-osk-pmt-wy-yum/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AMX, COH, EV, HTWR, HP, HPQ, LNCO, MPC, MDT, NYX, OSK, PMT, WY, YUM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=169531">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (APD, BERY, CL, CXS, DOW, FFIV, FMS, IMGN, LF, MCP, NS, OMC, PDLI, REGN, SGEN, WU, WY, XOMA)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/13/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apd-bery-cl-cxs-dow-ffiv-fms-imgn-lf-mcp-ns-omc-pdli-regn-sgen-wu-wy-xoma/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:15:39 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=168417</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall St. research calls this Monday. Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (NYSE: APD) raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs. Berry Plastics Group Inc. (NYSE: BERY) started as Buy at Goldman Sachs. Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL) reiterated Buy and Focus List with $118 […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/13/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apd-bery-cl-cxs-dow-ffiv-fms-imgn-lf-mcp-ns-omc-pdli-regn-sgen-wu-wy-xoma/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (APD, BERY, CL, CXS, DOW, FFIV, FMS, IMGN, LF, MCP, NS, OMC, PDLI, REGN, SGEN, WU, WY, XOMA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=168417">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall St. research calls this Monday.</p>
<p>Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/air-products-chemicals-inc/apd" data-lasso-id="144991">NYSE: APD</a>) raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Berry Plastics Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/berry-plastics-group/bery" data-lasso-id="144992">NYSE: BERY</a>) started as Buy at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Colgate-Palmolive Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/colgate-palmolive-company/cl" data-lasso-id="144993">NYSE: CL</a>) reiterated Buy and Focus List with $118 target at Argus.</p>
<p>Crexus Investment Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/crexus-investment/cxs" data-lasso-id="144994">NYSE: CXS</a>) cut to Neutral at JPMorgan and cut to Hold at Deutsche Bank..</p>
<p>Dow Chemical Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-dow-chemical-company/dow" data-lasso-id="144995">NYSE: DOW</a>) raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>F5 Networks Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/f5-networks/ffiv" data-lasso-id="144996">NASDAQ: FFIV</a>) raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Fresenius Medical Care A.G. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/fresenius-medical-care-ag-co-kgaa-adr/fms" data-lasso-id="144997">NYSE: FMS</a>) raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>ImmunoGen Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/immunogen/imgn" data-lasso-id="144998">NASDAQ: IMGN</a>) started as Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>LeapFrog Enterprises Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/leapfrog-enterprises/lf" data-lasso-id="144999">NYSE: LF</a>) named as Value stock of the day at Zacks.</p>
<p>Molycorp Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/molycorp-inc/mcp" data-lasso-id="145000">NYSE: MCP</a>) cut to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.</p>
<p>NuStar Energy L.P. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nustar-energy-lp/ns" data-lasso-id="145001">NYSE: NS</a>) raised to Neutral at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Omnicom Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/omnicom-group-inc/omc" data-lasso-id="145002">NYSE: OMC</a>) reiterated Buy with $56 target at Argus.</p>
<p>PDL BioPharma (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/pdl-biopharma/pdli" data-lasso-id="145003">NASDAQ: PDLI</a>) started as Neutral at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/regeneron-pharmaceuticals-inc/regn" data-lasso-id="145004">NASDAQ: REGN</a>) started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Seattle Genetics Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/seattle-genetics-inc/sgen" data-lasso-id="145005">NASDAQ: SGEN</a>) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Western Union Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/western-union/wu" data-lasso-id="145006">NYSE: WU</a>) cut to Underperform as Bear of the Day at Zacks.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="145007">NYSE: WY</a>) raised to Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.</p>
<p>XOMA Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/xoma-limited/xoma" data-lasso-id="145008">NASDAQ: XOMA</a>) started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/11/13/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-apd-bery-cl-cxs-dow-ffiv-fms-imgn-lf-mcp-ns-omc-pdli-regn-sgen-wu-wy-xoma/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (APD, BERY, CL, CXS, DOW, FFIV, FMS, IMGN, LF, MCP, NS, OMC, PDLI, REGN, SGEN, WU, WY, XOMA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=168417">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 26, 2012: Markets Wiggle Higher Finally (AAPL, P, PSX, KMX, CME, RCL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, HLS, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, PBR, BKW, HRS, L, LUFK, EDU, PCG, SNH, ACI, DV, CTCT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-26-2012-markets-wiggle-higher-finally-aapl-p-psx-kmx-cme-rcl-amzn-byi-clwr-cstr-hls-cmcsa-kkr-mrk-osk-wy-pbr-bkw-hrs-l-lufk-edu-pcg-snh/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 20:04:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=166130</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The three major U.S. stock indexes opened flat this morning following a disappointing quarterly report from Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) last night (more coverage here) which weighed on Asian tech stocks particularly. The Bank of Japan is apparently still considering more stimulus, which helped soften the drop somewhat. In Europe Spain reported an unemployment rate […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-26-2012-markets-wiggle-higher-finally-aapl-p-psx-kmx-cme-rcl-amzn-byi-clwr-cstr-hls-cmcsa-kkr-mrk-osk-wy-pbr-bkw-hrs-l-lufk-edu-pcg-snh/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 26, 2012: Markets Wiggle Higher Finally (AAPL, P, PSX, KMX, CME, RCL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, HLS, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, PBR, BKW, HRS, L, LUFK, EDU, PCG, SNH, ACI, DV, CTCT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=166130">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" alt="" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" height="133" width="200" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />The three major U.S. stock indexes opened flat this morning following a disappointing quarterly report from Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="559650">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) last night (more coverage <a title="Apple Ecosphere Stocks After Earnings" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/25/apple-ecosphere-stocks-after-earnings/" data-lasso-id="559651">here</a>) which weighed on Asian tech stocks particularly. The Bank of Japan is apparently still considering more stimulus, which helped soften the drop somewhat. In Europe Spain reported an unemployment rate of 25% (more coverage <a title="Spain’s Unemployment Above 25%, as Recovery Becomes Impossible" href="https://247wallst.com/jobs/2012/10/26/spains-unemployment-above-25-as-recovery-becomes-impossible/" data-lasso-id="559652">here</a>), and S&P lowered its economic risk score on France citing exposure at the country’s banks to a longer recession in the eurozone. The advance U.S. GDP growth number came in at 2% this morning, in line with expectations (more coverage <a title="Q3 GDP Tops Estimates on Huge Spike in Government Spending" href="https://247wallst.com/economy/2012/10/26/q3-gdp-tops-estimates-on-huge-spike-in-government-spending/" data-lasso-id="559653">here</a>) and the consumer sentiment index dropped slightly but there was some good news to be had from today’s numbers (more coverage <a title="October Consumer Sentiment Ticks Down but Remains Strong" href="https://247wallst.com/economy/2012/10/26/october-consumer-sentiment-ticks-down-but-remains-strong/" data-lasso-id="559654">here</a>). Equities finished mixed today, with slight gains for the DJIA and the Nasdaq and a slight loss for the S&P 500.</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index rose slightly today, now up 0.03% at 80.068. The GSCI commodity index is up fractionally at 637.47, with commodities prices mostly lower again today. WTI crude oil closed up 0.3% today, at $86.28 a barrel, but the price fell 4% for the week. Brent crude trades up 1% at $109.55 a barrel. Natural gas is down 1.3% today at about $3.39 per thousand cubic feet. Gold closed at $1,711.90 an ounce, down less than 0.1% for the day and ended the week off 0.7%.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 4 points to 13,107.37 (0.03%), the NASDAQ rose nearly 2 points (0.06%) to 2,987.95, and the S&P 500 fell -0.07% or about 1 point to 1,411.95.</p>
<p>There were several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (ALKS, AVT, KMX, CTCT, CME, DK, EXPD, HBAN, MPC, MYL, P, PSX, RCL, SPR, STJ, TRV)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/26/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-alks-avt-kmx-ctct-cme-dk-expd-hban-mpc-myl-p-psx-rcl-spr-stj-trv/" data-lasso-id="559655">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Pandora Media Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pandora-media-inc/p" data-lasso-id="559656">NYSE: P</a>) cut to ‘neutral’ at HSBC; Phillips 66 (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/phillips-66/psx" data-lasso-id="559657">NYSE: PSX</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at Credit Suisse; CarMax Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/carmax-inc/kmx" data-lasso-id="559658">NYSE: KMX</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at Credit Suisse; CME Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/cme-group-inc/cme" data-lasso-id="559659">NASDAQ: CME</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at Raymond James; and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/royal-caribbean/rcl" data-lasso-id="559660">NYSE: RCL</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night resulted in some price moves today, including these as of the last half hour of trading: Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="559661">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>) is down 0.7% at $605.31 (more coverage <a title="Apple Disappoints on Earnings and Guidance" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2012/10/25/apple-disappoints-on-earnings-and-guidance/" data-lasso-id="559662">here</a>); Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="559663">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>) is up 6% at $236.27 (more coverage <a title="Amazon Loses Money" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2012/10/25/amazon-loses-money/" data-lasso-id="559664">here</a>); Bally Technologies Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bally-technologies-inc/byi" data-lasso-id="559665">NYSE: BYI</a>) is up 5.6% at $49.88 after posting a new 52-week high today of $51.16; Clearwire Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/clearwire-corp/clwr" data-lasso-id="559666">NASDAQ: CLWR</a>) is up 4.2% at $1.88 (more coverage <a title="Clearwire Losses Narrow — a Little" href="https://247wallst.com/services/2012/10/25/clearwire-losses-narrow-a-little/" data-lasso-id="559667">here</a>); Coinstar Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/coinstar-inc/cstr" data-lasso-id="559668">NASDAQ: CSTR</a>) is up 4.1% at $45.01; Healthsouth Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/healthsouth-corp/hls" data-lasso-id="559669">NYSE: HLS</a>) is up 0.9% at $22.85; Comcast Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/comcast-corp/cmcsa" data-lasso-id="559670">NASDAQ: CMCSA</a>) is up 3.6% at $37.66 after posting a new 52-week high of $37.78 earlier today (more coverage <a title="Comcast Struck Olympic Gold" href="https://247wallst.com/media/2012/10/26/comcast-struck-olympic-gold/" data-lasso-id="559671">here</a>); KKR & Co. LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kohlberg-kravis-roberts-co/kkr" data-lasso-id="559672">NYSE: KKR</a>) is down 0.9% at $14.71; Merck & Co. Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/merck-co-inc/mrk" data-lasso-id="559673">NYSE: MRK</a>) is down fractionally at $46.28 (more coverage <a title="Merck’s Q3 Revenues Dinged by Patent Expiry" href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2012/10/26/mercks-q3-revenues-dinged-by-patent-expiry/" data-lasso-id="559674">here</a>); Oshkosh Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/oshkosh-corporation/osk" data-lasso-id="559675">NYSE: OSK</a>) is up 0.8% at $29.98 (more coverage <a title="Oshkosh Profit Up but Revenues Slip" href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2012/10/26/oshkosh/" data-lasso-id="559676">here</a>); and Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="559677">NYSE: WY</a>) is up 0.3% at $27.38 (more coverage <a title="Weyerhaeuser’s Outlook Fails to Excite Investors" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/10/26/weyerhaeusers-outlook-fails-to-excite-investors/" data-lasso-id="559678">here</a>).</p>
<p>Before markets open on Monday we are scheduled to hear from Petroleo Brasileiro SA, aka Petrobras, (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/petroleo-brasileiro-sa-adr/pbr" data-lasso-id="559679">NYSE: PBR</a>), Burger King Worldwide Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/burger-king-worldwide/bkw" data-lasso-id="559680">NYSE: BKW</a>), Harris Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/harris-corp/hrs" data-lasso-id="559681">NYSE: HRS</a>), Loews Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/loews-corp/l" data-lasso-id="559682">NYSE: L</a>), Lufkin Industries Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/lufkin-industries-inc/lufk" data-lasso-id="559683">NASDAQ: LUFK</a>), New Oriental Education & Technology Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/new-oriental-education/edu" data-lasso-id="559684">NYSE: EDU</a>), PG&E Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pge-corp/pcg" data-lasso-id="559685">NYSE: PCG</a>), and Senior Housing Properties Trust (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/senior-housing-properties-trust/snh" data-lasso-id="559686">NYSE: SNH</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Arch Coal Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/arch-coal-inc/aci" data-lasso-id="559687">NYSE: ACI</a>) is up 10.5% at $8.07. The coal miner reported sharply better results than expected this morning. More coverage <a title="Arch Coal Reports Surprise Profits" href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2012/10/26/arch-coal-reports-surprise-profits/" data-lasso-id="559688">here</a>.</p>
<p>DeVry Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/devry-inc/dv" data-lasso-id="559689">NYSE: DV</a>) is up 24.9% at $26.01. The for-profit education company posted better than expected results and, more important, enrollment gains in some of its programs.</p>
<p>Constant Contact Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/constant-contact/ctct" data-lasso-id="559690">NASDAQ: CTCT</a>) is down 29.8% at $11.96 after posting a new 52-week low of $11.90 earlier today. The online marketing provider lowered guidance after posting decent results last night.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following event on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30 a.m. – Personal income and outlays</li>
<li>10:30 a.m. – Dallas Fed manufacturing survey</li>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 3- and 6-month Treasury bill auctions</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-26-2012-markets-wiggle-higher-finally-aapl-p-psx-kmx-cme-rcl-amzn-byi-clwr-cstr-hls-cmcsa-kkr-mrk-osk-wy-pbr-bkw-hrs-l-lufk-edu-pcg-snh/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 26, 2012: Markets Wiggle Higher Finally (AAPL, P, PSX, KMX, CME, RCL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, HLS, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, PBR, BKW, HRS, L, LUFK, EDU, PCG, SNH, ACI, DV, CTCT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=166130">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Weyerhaeuser’s Outlook Fails to Excite Investors</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/10/26/weyerhaeusers-outlook-fails-to-excite-investors/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:09:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=165982</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported third-quarter 2012 results before markets opened this morning. The wood products REIT posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.22 on revenues of $1.77 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.12 on revenues of $1.57 billion. Third-quarter results compare to the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/10/26/weyerhaeusers-outlook-fails-to-excite-investors/">Weyerhaeuser’s Outlook Fails to Excite Investors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=165982">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Lumber" alt="" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lumber1.jpg?w=200" height="156" width="200" data-id="85196" data-caption="" />Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="559458">NYSE: WY</a>) reported third-quarter 2012 results before markets opened this morning. The wood products REIT posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.22 on revenues of $1.77 billion. In the same period a year ago, the company reported adjusted EPS of $0.12 on revenues of $1.57 billion. Third-quarter results compare to the Thomson Reuters consensus estimates for EPS of $0.18 and $1.79 billion in revenues.</p>
<p>The company’s CEO noted:</p>
<blockquote><p>As our third quarter performance indicates, the operational improvements within our businesses are demonstrating clear results, and we are capitalizing on an improving housing market to the benefit of our shareholders.</p></blockquote>
<p>Consensus estimates call for fourth-quarter EPS of $0.15 on revenue of $1.73 billion. For the full year, the consensus estimate for EPS is $0.44 on $6.75 billion in revenues. The company did not provide specific guidance, but did comment on fourth-quarter expectations by segment:</p>
<ul>
<li>Timberlands expects comparable earnings to $80 million pretax in the third quarter.</li>
<li>Wood Products expects lower earnings than $59 million in GAAP pretax in the third quarter due to “seasonal declines in pricing and demand.”</li>
<li>Cellulose Fibers expects comparable earnings to $78 million pretax in the third quarter.</li>
<li>Real Estate expects slightly lower earnings to $17 million pretax in third quarter due to higher costs related to more sales closing and lower average margins.</li>
</ul>
<p>In both the Wood Products and Real Estate groups, the seasonal declines in homebuilding are showing up right on schedule. This is worth bearing in mind when looking at forecasts for homebuilders in the next quarter or two.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares are down 1.4% in premarket trading, at $26.91, in a 52-week range of $15.40 to $28.82. The consensus target price for the shares was around $26.15 before today’s report.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/10/26/weyerhaeusers-outlook-fails-to-excite-investors/">Weyerhaeuser’s Outlook Fails to Excite Investors</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=165982">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 25, 2012: Markets Off to Good Start, But Lose Steam (CBST, ISIL, FB, BA, BP, ANGI, CLF, CROX, FFV, RRC, RYL, AET, ALK, AN, BG, CL, DNKN, NOV, POT, UAL, AAPL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, DV, HLS, ACI, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, ZNGA, PSSI, MCK, NYT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-25-2012-markets-off-to-good-start-but-lose-steam-cbst-isil-fb-ba-bp-angi-clf-crox-ffv-rrc-ryl-aet-alk-an-bg-cl-dnkn-nov-pot-ual-aapl-amzn/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:05:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=165874</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The three major U.S. stock indexes opened higher this morning following the report on new jobless claims, which rose by 369,000, less than the expected 375,000 (our coverage here). In Europe, GDP in the U.K. rose by 1%, well above an expected contraction of 0.5%. In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose for the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-25-2012-markets-off-to-good-start-but-lose-steam-cbst-isil-fb-ba-bp-angi-clf-crox-ffv-rrc-ryl-aet-alk-an-bg-cl-dnkn-nov-pot-ual-aapl-amzn/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 25, 2012: Markets Off to Good Start, But Lose Steam (CBST, ISIL, FB, BA, BP, ANGI, CLF, CROX, FFV, RRC, RYL, AET, ALK, AN, BG, CL, DNKN, NOV, POT, UAL, AAPL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, DV, HLS, ACI, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, ZNGA, PSSI, MCK, NYT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=165874">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" alt="" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" height="133" width="200" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />The three major U.S. stock indexes opened higher this morning following the report on new jobless claims, which rose by 369,000, less than the expected 375,000 (our coverage <a title="Weekly Jobless Claims Report Splits Estimates" href="https://247wallst.com/jobs/2012/10/25/weekly-jobless-claims-report-splits-estimates/" data-lasso-id="559394">here</a>). In Europe, GDP in the U.K. rose by 1%, well above an expected contraction of 0.5%. In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index rose for the tenth straight day, the longest streak in seven years. In Japan, a rumored stimulus program lifted equities, but the Shanghai exchange closed lower on weaker real estate stocks. U.S. pending home sales rose slightly, but not nearly as much as expected (more coverage <a title="September Pending Home Sales Rise Slightly" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/10/25/september-pending-home-sales-rise-slightly/" data-lasso-id="559395">here</a>). Share prices trickled downward most of the day from those early morning highs to finish with small gains.</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index rose slightly today, now up 0.15% at 80.033. The GSCI commodity index is down about 0.3% at 636.75, with commodities prices mostly lower today. WTI crude oil closed up 0.4% today, at $86.05 a barrel. Brent crude trades up 0.6% at $108.53 a barrel. Natural gas is down 0.5% today at about $3.43 per thousand cubic feet following an inventory build of 67 billion cubic feet (more coverage <a title="Natural Gas Inventories Rise as Expected, Price Falling" href="https://247wallst.com/energy-business/2012/10/25/natural-gas-inventories-rise-as-expected-price-falling/" data-lasso-id="559396">here</a>). Gold closed at $1,713.00 an ounce, up 0.7% for the day.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 26 points to 13,103.91 (0.20%), the NASDAQ rose about 4 points (0.15%) to 2,986.12, and the S&P 500 0.30% or about 4 points to 1,412.98.</p>
<p>There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/cubist-pharmaceuticals/cbst" data-lasso-id="559397">NASDAQ: CBST</a>) started as ‘sell’ at Cantor Fitzgerald; Intersil Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/intersil-corp/isil" data-lasso-id="559398">NASDAQ: ISIL</a>) cut to ‘sell’ at Citigroup; Facebook Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/facebook/fb" data-lasso-id="559399">NASDAQ: FB</a>) maintained as ‘hold’ with a view in the high-$20s at Argus; Boeing Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-boeing-company/ba" data-lasso-id="559400">NYSE: BA</a>) maintained as ‘outperform’ but target price cut to $86 at Credit Suisse; and BP plc (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bp-plc-adr/bp" data-lasso-id="559401">NYSE: BP</a>) started as ‘neutral’ at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night resulted in some price moves today, including these as of the last half hour of trading: Angie’s List Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/angies-list-inc/angi" data-lasso-id="559402">NASDAQ: ANGI</a>) is up 24.9% at $11.35; Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/cliffs-natural-resources/clf" data-lasso-id="559403">NYSE: CLF</a>) is down 10.2% at $38.32; Crocs Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/crocs/crox" data-lasso-id="559404">NASDAQ: CROX</a>) is down 21% at $12.79 after posting a new 52-week low of $12.61 earlier today (more coverage <a title="Crocs Fights Value Trap vs. Value" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2012/10/25/crocs-fights-value-trap-vs-value/" data-lasso-id="559405">here</a>); F5 Networks Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/f5-networks/ffiv" data-lasso-id="559406">NASDAQ: FFIV</a>) is down 11.1% at $83.00 after posting a new 52-week low of $81.07 earlier today; Range Resources Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/range-resources-corp/rrc" data-lasso-id="559407">NYSE: RRC</a>) is down 0.7% at $66.23; Ryland Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-ryland-group-inc/ryl" data-lasso-id="559408">NYSE: RYL</a>) is up 3.1% at $33.79 after posting a new 52-week high of $35.40 earlier today; Aetna Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/aetna-inc/aet" data-lasso-id="559409">NYSE: AET</a>) is up 0.8% at $44.31; Alaska Air Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/alaska-air-group-inc/alk" data-lasso-id="559410">NYSE: ALK</a>) is down 0.7% at $38.08; AutoNation Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/autonation-inc/an" data-lasso-id="559411">NYSE: AN</a>) is down 4.5% at $45.88; Bunge Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bunge-limited/bg" data-lasso-id="559412">NYSE: BG</a>) is up 2.8% at $70.21 after posting a new 52-week high of $72.20 earlier today; Colgate-Palmolive Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/colgate-palmolive-company/cl" data-lasso-id="559413">NYSE: CL</a>) is down 1.9% at $104.50; Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/dunkin-brands-group-inc/dnkn" data-lasso-id="559414">NASDAQ: DNKN</a>) is up 1.8% at $31.36; National Oilwell Varco Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/national-oilwell-varco/nov" data-lasso-id="559415">NYSE: NOV</a>) is down 2.6% at $74.81; Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/potashcorp/pot" data-lasso-id="559416">NYSE: POT</a>) is down 0.5% at $40.40 (more coverage <a title="Weak Asian Sales Hit Potash Corp. Results" href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2012/10/25/weak-asian-sales-hit-potash-corp-results/" data-lasso-id="559417">here</a>); and United Continental Holdings Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/united-continental-holdings-inc/ual" data-lasso-id="559418">NYSE: UAL</a>) is down 5.1% at $19.25 (more coverage <a title="United Airlines Takes a Hard Landing" href="https://247wallst.com/transportation/2012/10/25/united-airlines-takes-a-hard-landing/" data-lasso-id="559419">here</a>).</p>
<p>Before markets open tomorrow we are scheduled to hear from Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="559420">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="559421">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>), Bally Technologies Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bally-technologies-inc/byi" data-lasso-id="559422">NYSE: BYI</a>), Clearwire Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/clearwire-corp/clwr" data-lasso-id="559423">NASDAQ: CLWR</a>), Coinstar Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/coinstar-inc/cstr" data-lasso-id="559424">NASDAQ: CSTR</a>), DeVry Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/devry-inc/dv" data-lasso-id="559425">NYSE: DV</a>), Healthsouth Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/healthsouth-corp/hls" data-lasso-id="559426">NYSE: HLS</a>), Arch Coal Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/arch-coal-inc/aci" data-lasso-id="559427">NYSE: ACI</a>), Comcast Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/comcast-corp/cmcsa" data-lasso-id="559428">NASDAQ: CMCSA</a>), KKR & Co. LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kohlberg-kravis-roberts-co/kkr" data-lasso-id="559429">NYSE: KKR</a>), Merck & Co. Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/merck-co-inc/mrk" data-lasso-id="559430">NYSE: MRK</a>), Oshkosh Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/oshkosh-corporation/osk" data-lasso-id="559431">NYSE: OSK</a>), and Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="559432">NYSE: WY</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Zynga Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/zynga-inc/znga" data-lasso-id="559433">NASDAQ: ZNGA</a>) is up 12.7% at $2.40. The social media game maker beat earnings expectations last night, announced a $200 million share buyback, and said it would fire 5% of its staff. More coverage <a title="Zynga Earnings Reaction Boosted by Buyback and Short Covering" href="https://247wallst.com/media/2012/10/24/zynga-earnings-reaction-boosted-by-buyback-and-short-covering/" data-lasso-id="559434">here</a>.</p>
<p>PSS World Medical Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/pss-world-medical-inc/pssi" data-lasso-id="559435">NASDAQ: PSSI</a>) is up 32.3% at $28.58 after posting a new 52-week high of $28.72 earlier today. The medical equipment supplier is being acquired by drug wholesaler McKesson Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/mckesson/mck" data-lasso-id="559436">NYSE: MCK</a>) for $1.46 billion.</p>
<p>The New York Times Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-new-york-times-company/nyt" data-lasso-id="559437">NYSE: NYT</a>) is down 23.2% at $8.18. The newspaper and media company posted an unexpected net loss in the third quarter.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Friday. We have noted the following event on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30 a.m. – GDP</li>
<li>9:55 a.m. – University of Michigan/Thomson Reuters consumer sentiment index</li>
</ul>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/10/25/247-wall-st-closing-bell-october-25-2012-markets-off-to-good-start-but-lose-steam-cbst-isil-fb-ba-bp-angi-clf-crox-ffv-rrc-ryl-aet-alk-an-bg-cl-dnkn-nov-pot-ual-aapl-amzn/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — October 25, 2012: Markets Off to Good Start, But Lose Steam (CBST, ISIL, FB, BA, BP, ANGI, CLF, CROX, FFV, RRC, RYL, AET, ALK, AN, BG, CL, DNKN, NOV, POT, UAL, AAPL, AMZN, BYI, CLWR, CSTR, DV, HLS, ACI, CMCSA, KKR, MRK, OSK, WY, ZNGA, PSSI, MCK, NYT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=165874">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — September 7, 2012: Markets Mostly Flat on Weak Jobs Report (APOL, GMCR, NVDA, WY, PCLN, MFRM, SWHC, CMVT, KR, LULU, PPHM, RFIL, TITN, JW-A, ANR, AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, INTC)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/247-wall-st-closing-bell-september-7-2012-markets-mostly-flat-on-weak-jobs-report-apol-gmcr-nvda-wy-pcln-mfrm-swhc-cmvt-kr-lulu-pphm-rfil-titn-jw-a-anr-aapl-amzn-goog-intc/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 20:07:58 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=158701</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The three major U.S. stock indexes opened mixed this morning following a lower-than-expected increase in non-farm payrolls (more coverage here). In Asia and Europe, though, markets were higher for different reasons. Asian markets got a big boost from China’s announcement of a RMB1 trillion infrastructure spending plan (more coverage here). Both the Shanghai and Hong […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/247-wall-st-closing-bell-september-7-2012-markets-mostly-flat-on-weak-jobs-report-apol-gmcr-nvda-wy-pcln-mfrm-swhc-cmvt-kr-lulu-pphm-rfil-titn-jw-a-anr-aapl-amzn-goog-intc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — September 7, 2012: Markets Mostly Flat on Weak Jobs Report (APOL, GMCR, NVDA, WY, PCLN, MFRM, SWHC, CMVT, KR, LULU, PPHM, RFIL, TITN, JW-A, ANR, AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, INTC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=158701">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />The three major U.S. stock indexes opened mixed this morning following a lower-than-expected increase in non-farm payrolls (more coverage <a title="August Unemployment Ticks Down, Yet Payrolls Is Huge Disappointment" href="https://247wallst.com/jobs/2012/09/07/august-unemployment-ticks-down-yet-payrolls-is-huge-disappointment/" data-lasso-id="135870">here</a>). In Asia and Europe, though, markets were higher for different reasons. Asian markets got a big boost from China’s announcement of a RMB1 trillion infrastructure spending plan (more coverage <a title="China’s Extraordinary Stimulus Package" href="https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2012/09/07/chinas-extraordinary-stimulus-package/" data-lasso-id="135871">here</a>). Both the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges closed more than 3% higher and the Nikkei closed up more than 2%. In Europe, major exchanges also closed higher as Spanish and Italian bond yields fell, and economic data was generally positive. Some U.S. stocks also got a boost from the Chinese announcement, with coal, steel, and heavy equipment stocks all rising (more coverage <a title="Some U.S. Stocks Jumping on Big News from China (BTU, ANR, ACI, JRCC, X, NUE, MT, AKS, STLD, CAT, JOY, DE)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/some-u-s-stocks-jumping-on-big-news-from-china-btu-anr-aci-jrcc-x-nue-mt-aks-stld-cat-joy-de/" data-lasso-id="135872">here</a>).</p>
<p>The U.S. dollar index is lower today, now down 0.95% at 80.270. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.4% today at 671.72, with commodities prices mostly higher and corn inching above $8.00/bushel again. WTI crude oil closed up 0.9% today, at $96.42/barrel. Brent crude trades up 0.7% at $114.29/barrel. Natural gas is down 0.1% today to $2.68/thousand cubic feet. Gold closed at $1,740.50/ounce, up 2.1% today, reacting to the Chinese stimulus package and new hopes for more stimulus in the U.S. following the poor jobs report.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 14 points to 13,306.64 (0.11%), the NASDAQ rose less than 1 point (0.02%) to 3,136.42, and the S&P 500 rose 0.40% or nearly 6 points to 1,437.92.</p>
<p>There were several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAP, APOL, ADNC, BCS, BGFV, GME, GMCR, NVDA, PCLN, RKT, SGEN, SON, STI, URBN, WY, FINL, DSW, FL, CNK, NCMI, RGC)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aap-apol-adnc-bcs-bgfv-gme-gmcr-nvda-pcln-rkt-sgen-son-sti-urbn-wy-finl-dsw-fl-cnk-ncmi-rgc/" data-lasso-id="135873">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Apollo Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apollo-group-inc/apol" data-lasso-id="135874">NASDAQ: APOL</a>) cut to ‘sell’ at Deutsche Bank; Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/green-mountain-coffee-roasters/gmcr" data-lasso-id="135875">NASDAQ: GMCR</a>) started as ‘buy’ with a target price of $39 at Lazard; Nvidia Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/nvidia-corporation/nvda" data-lasso-id="135876">NASDAQ: NVDA</a>) cut to ‘hold’ at Cantor Fitzgerald; Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="135877">NYSE: WY</a>) removed from the ‘Conviction Buy List’ and cut to ‘neutral’ at Goldman Sachs; and Priceline.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/pricelinecom/pcln" data-lasso-id="135878">NASDAQ: PCLN</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Nomura.</p>
<p>Some companies that reported earnings since markets closed last night and have recent share price changes today include Mattress Firm Holding Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/mattress-firm-holding-corp/mfrm" data-lasso-id="135879">NASDAQ: MFRM</a>) is down 2.5% at $31.65; Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/smith-wesson-holding-corp/swhc" data-lasso-id="135880">NASDAQ: SWHC</a>) is up 13.1% at $10.18 after posting a new 52-week high of $11.00 earlier today; Comverse Technology Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/comverse-technology-inc/cmvt" data-lasso-id="135881">NASDAQ: CMVT</a>) is up 4.9% at $6.30; Kroger Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-kroger-co/kr" data-lasso-id="135882">NYSE: KR</a>) is down 1.8% at $22.68 and Lululemon Athletica Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/lululemon-athletica/lulu" data-lasso-id="135883">NASDAQ: LULU</a>) is up 12.5% at $77.15 (more coverage <a title="Lululemon Results a Little Out of Shape" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2012/09/07/lululemon-results-a-little-out-of-shape/" data-lasso-id="135884">here</a>).</p>
<p>Earnings releases scheduled before markets open on Monday morning include Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/peregrine-pharmaceuticals/pphm" data-lasso-id="135885">NASDAQ: PPHM</a>), RF Industries Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/rf-industries-ltd/rfil" data-lasso-id="135886">NASDAQ: RFIL</a>), Titan Machinery Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/titan-machinery/titn" data-lasso-id="135887">NASDAQ: TITN</a>), and John Wiley & Sons Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/john-wiley-sons/jw-a" data-lasso-id="135888">NYSE: JW-A</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Alpha Natural Resources (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/alpha-natural-resources-inc/anr" data-lasso-id="135889">NYSE: ANR</a>) is up 16.7% at $6.90. The coal miner’s shares jumped on the announcement of China’s latest spending spree. More coverage <a title="Some U.S. Stocks Jumping on Big News from China (BTU, ANR, ACI, JRCC, X, NUE, MT, AKS, STLD, CAT, JOY, DE)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/some-u-s-stocks-jumping-on-big-news-from-china-btu-anr-aci-jrcc-x-nue-mt-aks-stld-cat-joy-de/" data-lasso-id="135890">here</a>.</p>
<p>Peregrine Pharmaceuticals Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/peregrine-pharmaceuticals/pphm" data-lasso-id="135891">NASDAQ: PPHM</a>) is up 45.6% at $4.47 after posting a new 52-week high of $5.08 earlier today. The drug company’s lung cancer drug has shown a significant improvement in patient survival rates. More coverage <a title="Blast Off For Peregrine Pharma on Lung Cancer Update" href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2012/09/07/blast-off-for-peregrine-pharma-on-lung-cancer-update/" data-lasso-id="135892">here</a>.</p>
<p>Pandora Media Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pandora-media-inc/p" data-lasso-id="135893">NYSE: P</a>) is down 15.1% at $10.67. The Internet streaming radio company could be getting competition from Apple Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apple/aapl" data-lasso-id="135894">NASDAQ: AAPL</a>). More coverage <a title="Apple Radio: The Next Big Thing?" href="https://247wallst.com/media/2012/09/07/apple-radio-the-next-big-thing/" data-lasso-id="135895">here</a>.</p>
<p>Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="135896">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>) is up 2.8% at $258.45 after posting a new all-time high of $259.42 earlier today. The ecommerce giant introduced new models of its Kindle and Kindle Fire tablets yesterday. Apple, Google Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/google/goog" data-lasso-id="135897">NASDAQ: GOOG</a>), and Rackspace Hosting Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/rackspace-hosting/rax" data-lasso-id="135898">NYSE: RAX</a>) also posted new highs today. More coverage <a title="New Highs for Some High Fliers (AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, RAX)" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-electronics/2012/09/07/new-highs-for-some-high-fliers-aapl-amzn-goog-rax/" data-lasso-id="135899">here</a>.</p>
<p>Intel Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/intel-corp/intc" data-lasso-id="135900">NASDAQ: INTC</a>) is down 4.2% at $24.04. The chip-making giant lowered its revenue forecast and brought most chip stocks down with it. More coverage <a title="Chip Stocks Following Intel’s Lead (INTC, AMD, TXN, NVDA, MRVL, BRCM, QCOM, ARMH, MIPS)" href="https://247wallst.com/technology-3/2012/09/07/chip-stocks-following-intels-lead-intc-amd-txn-nvda-mrvl-brcm-qcom-armh-mips/" data-lasso-id="135901">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 3- and 6-month bill auctions</li>
<li>3:00 p.m. – Federal Reserve report on consumer credit</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/247-wall-st-closing-bell-september-7-2012-markets-mostly-flat-on-weak-jobs-report-apol-gmcr-nvda-wy-pcln-mfrm-swhc-cmvt-kr-lulu-pphm-rfil-titn-jw-a-anr-aapl-amzn-goog-intc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — September 7, 2012: Markets Mostly Flat on Weak Jobs Report (APOL, GMCR, NVDA, WY, PCLN, MFRM, SWHC, CMVT, KR, LULU, PPHM, RFIL, TITN, JW-A, ANR, AAPL, AMZN, GOOG, INTC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=158701">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAP, APOL, ADNC, BCS, BGFV, GME, GMCR, NVDA, PCLN, RKT, SGEN, SON, STI, URBN, WY, FINL, DSW, FL, CNK, NCMI, RGC)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aap-apol-adnc-bcs-bgfv-gme-gmcr-nvda-pcln-rkt-sgen-son-sti-urbn-wy-finl-dsw-fl-cnk-ncmi-rgc/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:55:31 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=158580</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from Wall St. research calls this Friday. Advance Auto Parts Inc. (NYSE: AAP) named Bear of the Day at Zacks. Apollo Group Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL) cut to Sell at Deutsche Bank. Audience Inc. (NASDAQ: ADNC) cut to Neutral at JPMorgan, cut to Sell […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aap-apol-adnc-bcs-bgfv-gme-gmcr-nvda-pcln-rkt-sgen-son-sti-urbn-wy-finl-dsw-fl-cnk-ncmi-rgc/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAP, APOL, ADNC, BCS, BGFV, GME, GMCR, NVDA, PCLN, RKT, SGEN, SON, STI, URBN, WY, FINL, DSW, FL, CNK, NCMI, RGC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=158580">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" data-caption="" data-id="95230" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen from Wall St. research calls this Friday.</p>
<p>Advance Auto Parts Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/advance-auto-parts-inc/aap" data-lasso-id="135723">NYSE: AAP</a>) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=AAP&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="135724">Bear of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>Apollo Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/apollo-group-inc/apol" data-lasso-id="135725">NASDAQ: APOL</a>) cut to Sell at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Audience Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/audience/adnc" data-lasso-id="135726">NASDAQ: ADNC</a>) cut to Neutral at JPMorgan, cut to Sell at Deutsche Bank and cut to Underperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Barclays PLC (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/barclays-plc-adr/bcs" data-lasso-id="135727">NYSE: BCS</a>) raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/big-5-sporting-goods-corp/bgfv" data-lasso-id="135728">NASDAQ: BGFV</a>) cut to Underperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>GameStop Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/gamestop/gme" data-lasso-id="135729">NYSE: GME</a>) started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/green-mountain-coffee-roasters/gmcr" data-lasso-id="135730">NASDAQ: GMCR</a>) started as Buy with $39 target at Lazard.</p>
<p>NVIDIA Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/nvidia-corporation/nvda" data-lasso-id="135731">NASDAQ: NVDA</a>) cut to Hold at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>Priceline.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/pricelinecom/pcln" data-lasso-id="135732">NASDAQ: PCLN</a>) raised to Buy at Nomura.</p>
<p>Rock-Tenn Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/rock-tenn-company/rkt" data-lasso-id="135733">NYSE: RKT</a>) raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Seattle Genetics Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/seattle-genetics-inc/sgen" data-lasso-id="135734">NASDAQ: SGEN</a>) cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.</p>
<p>Sunoco Products Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/sonoco-products-company/son" data-lasso-id="135735">NYSE: SON</a>) cut to Neutral at Citigroup.</p>
<p>SunTrust Banks Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/suntrust-banks-inc/sti" data-lasso-id="135736">NYSE: STI</a>) raised to Buy at BMO.</p>
<p>Urban Outfitters Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/urban-outfitters-inc/urbn" data-lasso-id="135737">NASDAQ: URBN</a>) raised to Outperform as the <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=URBN&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="135738">Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="135739">NYSE: WY</a>) was removed from the prized Conviction Buy List and cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse on footwear retailers: Finish Line Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/the-finish-line-inc/finl" data-lasso-id="135740">NASDAQ: FINL</a>) and DSW Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/dsw-inc/dsw" data-lasso-id="135741">NYSE: DSW</a>) started as Neutral; Foot Locker Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/foot-locker-inc/fl" data-lasso-id="135742">NYSE: FL</a>) started as Outperform.</p>
<p>Credit Suisse on movie and entertainment properties: Cinemark Holdings Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/cinemark-holdings-inc/cnk" data-lasso-id="135743">NYSE: CNK</a>) and National CineMedia Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/national-cinemedia-inc/ncmi" data-lasso-id="135744">NASDAQ: NCMI</a>) started as Outperform; Regal Entertainment Group (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/regal-entertainment-group/rgc" data-lasso-id="135745">NYSE: RGC</a>) started as Neutral.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/09/07/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aap-apol-adnc-bcs-bgfv-gme-gmcr-nvda-pcln-rkt-sgen-son-sti-urbn-wy-finl-dsw-fl-cnk-ncmi-rgc/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AAP, APOL, ADNC, BCS, BGFV, GME, GMCR, NVDA, PCLN, RKT, SGEN, SON, STI, URBN, WY, FINL, DSW, FL, CNK, NCMI, RGC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=158580">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — July 26, 2012: Market Jumps on ECB President’s Vow</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/07/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-july-26-2012-market-jumps-on-ecb-presidents-vow/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:04:18 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=152481</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The three major US stock indexes opened higher this morning following European Central Bank president Mario Draghi’s promise to “do whatever it takes to preserve the euro” (our coverage here). What he didn’t say is that the ECB’s options are both well-known and the subject of intense debate within the Eurozone. US durable goods orders […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/07/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-july-26-2012-market-jumps-on-ecb-presidents-vow/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — July 26, 2012: Market Jumps on ECB President’s Vow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=152481">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />The three major US stock indexes opened higher this morning following European Central Bank president Mario Draghi’s promise to “do whatever it takes to preserve the euro” (our coverage <a title="ECB Pledges to Preserve the Euro" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/07/26/ecb-pledges-to-preserve-the-euro/" data-lasso-id="130085">here</a>). What he didn’t say is that the ECB’s options are both well-known and the subject of intense debate within the Eurozone. US durable goods orders rose more than expected (our coverage here), and the weekly report on new claims for unemployment benefits also came in better than expected (our coverage <a title="Big Drop in Weekly Jobless Claims … QE3 Killer?" href="https://247wallst.com/jobs/2012/07/26/big-drop-in-weekly-jobless-claims-qe3-killer/" data-lasso-id="130086">here</a>). The pending home sales index fell by -1.4% in June, due mainly to a lack of inventory, which is not altogether bad news (our coverage <a title="Pending Home Sales Drop in June" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/07/26/pending-home-sales-drop-in-june/" data-lasso-id="130087">here</a>). The anticipation for tonight’s first quarterly results release from Facebook Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/facebook/fb" data-lasso-id="130088">NASDAQ: FB</a>) is not nearly as great as the IPO flutter. Wonder why?</p>
<p>The US dollar index fell today, now down -0.83% at 82.833. The GSCI commodity index rose about 0.6% to 633.92, with commodities prices mostly lower today. WTI crude oil rose 0.5% today, closing at $89.39/barrel. Brent crude trades up 0.78% at $105.19/barrel. Natural gas is up 0.85% today to $3.096/thousand cubic feet following an in-line storage report. Gold settled at $1,615.10/ounce, up 0.4%.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up more than 211 points to 12,887.32 (1.67%), the NASDAQ rose about 39 points (1.37%) to 2,893.25, and the S&P 500 rose 1.65% or more than 22 points to 1,360.02.</p>
<p>There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including Altria Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/altria-group-inc/mo" data-lasso-id="130089">NYSE: MO</a>) cut to ‘neutral’ at UBS; Wellpoint Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/wellpoint-inc/wlp" data-lasso-id="130090">NYSE: WLP</a>) cut to ‘market perform’ at BMO; Caterpillar Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/caterpillar-inc/cat" data-lasso-id="130091">NYSE: CAT</a>) cut to ‘market perform’ at Wells Fargo; The Fresh Market (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/the-fresh-market/tfm" data-lasso-id="130092">NASDAQ: TFM</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Deutsche Bank; and Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/marvell-technology-group-ltd/mrvl" data-lasso-id="130093">NASDAQ: MRVL</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at JMP Securities.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Akamai Technologies Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/akamai-technologies/akam" data-lasso-id="130094">NASDAQ: AKAM</a>) is up 24.5% at $35.18; Angie’s List Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/angies-list-inc/angi" data-lasso-id="130095">NASDAQ: ANGI</a>) is down -10.6% at $13.01; LSI Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/lsi-corporation/lsi" data-lasso-id="130096">NYSE: LSI</a>) is up 17% at $7.08; O’Reilly Automotive Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/oreilly-automotive-inc/orly" data-lasso-id="130097">NASDAQ: ORLY</a>) is down -3.4% at $87.06; Tesla Motors Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/tesla-motors/tsla" data-lasso-id="130098">NASDAQ: TSLA</a>) is down -2.8% at $28.15; 3M Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/3m-company/mmm" data-lasso-id="130099">NYSE: MMM</a>) is up 2.3% at $90.77 after posting a new 52-week high of $92.00; Alaska Air Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/alaska-air-group-inc/alk" data-lasso-id="130100">NYSE: ALK</a>) is up 0.35% at $34.57; Alcatel Lucent SA (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/alcatel-lucent-adr/alu" data-lasso-id="130101">NYSE: ALU</a>) is down -3.8% at $1.02 after posting a new 52-week low of $0.99 earlier today; Barrick Gold Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/barrick-gold-corp-usa/abx" data-lasso-id="130102">NYSE: ABX</a>) is down -2.4% at $32.97 after posting a new 52-week low of $31.00 earlier today (more coverage <a title="No Earnings Gold for Barrick" href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2012/07/26/no-earnings-gold-for-barrick/" data-lasso-id="130103">here</a>); Agco Corp. (NASDAQ: AGCO) is up 5.9% at $43.40; CME Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/cme-group-inc/cme" data-lasso-id="130104">NASDAQ: CME</a>) is up 2.5% at $52.52; Colgate-Palmolive Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/colgate-palmolive-company/cl" data-lasso-id="130105">NYSE: CL</a>) is up 4.2% at $106.50 after posting a new 52-week high of $106.83 earlier today; CONSOL Energy Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/consol-energy-inc/cnx" data-lasso-id="130106">NYSE: CNX</a>) is up 2.4% at $28.54; MetroPCS Communications Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/metropcs-communications-inc/pcs" data-lasso-id="130107">NYSE: PCS</a>) is up 38.4% at $8.69; and Syngenta AG (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/syngenta/syt" data-lasso-id="130108">NYSE: SYT</a>) is up 5.7% at $68.52.</p>
<p>After markets close today we are set to hear from Acme Packet Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/acme-packet/apkt" data-lasso-id="130109">NASDAQ: APKT</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="130110">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>), Clearwire Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/clearwire-corp/clwr" data-lasso-id="130111">NASDAQ: CLWR</a>), Deckers Outdoor Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/deckers-outdoor-corp/deck" data-lasso-id="130112">NASDAQ: DECK</a>), Gilead Sciences Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/gilead-sciences/gild" data-lasso-id="130113">NASDAQ: GILD</a>), Green Dot Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/green-dot-corporation/gdot" data-lasso-id="130114">NYSE: GDOT</a>), Healthsouth Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/healthsouth-corp/hls" data-lasso-id="130115">NYSE: HLS</a>), and Starbucks Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/starbucks/sbux" data-lasso-id="130116">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>).</p>
<p>Before markets open tomorrow we are scheduled to get earnings results from Arch Coal Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/arch-coal-inc/aci" data-lasso-id="130117">NYSE: ACI</a>), Barclays PLC (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/barclays-plc-adr/bcs" data-lasso-id="130118">NYSE: BCS</a>), Chevron Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/chevron-corp/cvx" data-lasso-id="130119">NYSE: CVX</a>), D.R. Horton Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/dr-horton-inc/dhi" data-lasso-id="130120">NYSE: DHI</a>), KKR & Co. L.P. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/kohlberg-kravis-roberts-co/kkr" data-lasso-id="130121">NYSE: KKR</a>), Merck & Co. Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/merck-co-inc/mrk" data-lasso-id="130122">NYSE: MRK</a>), Ruth’s Hospitality Group Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/ruths-hospitality-group-inc/ruth" data-lasso-id="130123">NASDAQ: RUTH</a>), and Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="130124">NYSE: WY</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Some standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Sprint Nextel Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/sprint-nextel-corp/s" data-lasso-id="130125">NYSE: S</a>) is up XX% at $XX. The wireless carrier reported better-than-expected revenues and its outlook improved. More coverage <a title="Wireless Madness at Sprint, MetroPCS" href="https://247wallst.com/telecom-wireless/2012/07/26/wireless-madness-at-sprint-metropcs/" data-lasso-id="130126">here</a>.</p>
<p>Zynga Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/zynga-inc/znga" data-lasso-id="130127">NASDAQ: ZNGA</a>) is down -XX% at $XX. The social games maker was downgraded by a fleet of analysts today. More coverage <a title="The Death of Zynga, 2012 Earnings Guidance Cut By More Than Half" href="https://247wallst.com/media/2012/07/25/the-death-of-zynga-2012-earnings-guidance-cut-by-more-than-half/" data-lasso-id="130128">here</a>.</p>
<p>NovaGold Resources Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nysemkt/novagold-resources-inc-usa/ng" data-lasso-id="130129">NYSEMKT: NG</a>) is down -XX% at $XX. The junior gold miner got hammered on comments from Barrick Gold Corp. More coverage <a title="NovaGold Tanks on Barrick Decision" href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2012/07/26/novagold-tanks-on-barrick-decision/" data-lasso-id="130130">here</a>.</p>
<p>PulteGroup Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/pultegroup-inc/phm" data-lasso-id="130131">NYSE: PHM</a>) is up XX% at $XX. The homebuilder reported good earnings and a strong order book going forward. More coverage <a title="Homebuilder PulteGroup Beats EPS Estimate, Revenues Light" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/07/26/homebuilder-pultegroup-beats-eps-estimate-revenues-light/" data-lasso-id="130132">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Friday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30 a.m. – Gross domestic product</li>
<li>9:55 a.m. – University of Michigan/Reuters consumer sentiment index</li>
</ul>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/07/26/247-wall-st-closing-bell-july-26-2012-market-jumps-on-ecb-presidents-vow/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — July 26, 2012: Market Jumps on ECB President’s Vow</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=152481">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — June 11, 2012 (AKS, DUK, WY, SO, EMC, UEC, AEPI, KORS, FDS, GAME, FNSR, COOL, ES, NOK, CNC)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/247-wall-st-closing-bell-june-11-2012-aks-duk-wy-so-emc-uec-aepi-kors-fds-game-fnsr-cool-es-nok-cnc/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 20:07:20 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=147118</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The three major US stock indexes opened higher this morning as investors reacted positively to the $125 billion bailout of Spain’s banks (more coverage here). Once investors understood that this was yet another of the Eurozone’s wash-rinse-repeat cycles, stocks headed south and spent the rest of the day in negative territory. Weaker economic data out […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/247-wall-st-closing-bell-june-11-2012-aks-duk-wy-so-emc-uec-aepi-kors-fds-game-fnsr-cool-es-nok-cnc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — June 11, 2012 (AKS, DUK, WY, SO, EMC, UEC, AEPI, KORS, FDS, GAME, FNSR, COOL, ES, NOK, CNC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=147118">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />The three major US stock indexes opened higher this morning as investors reacted positively to the $125 billion bailout of Spain’s banks (more coverage <a title="Global Markets Rally on Spain Bailout" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/global-markets-rally-on-spain-bailout/" data-lasso-id="124153">here</a>). Once investors understood that this was yet another of the Eurozone’s wash-rinse-repeat cycles, stocks headed south and spent the rest of the day in negative territory. Weaker economic data out of China also helped keep the market subdued today.</p>
<p>The US dollar index rose slightly today, now up 0.01% at 82.523. The GSCI commodity index is down -0.06% at 582.95, with commodities prices mostly lower today. WTI crude oil closed down -1.7%% at $82.7/barrel. Brent crude trades down -2% at $97.49/barrel. Natural gas fell about -3.5% today to $2.217/thousand cubic feet. Gold settled up 0.3% today, at $1,596.80/ounce.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA down nearly 143 points to 12,411.31 (-1.14%), the NASDAQ fell nearly 49 points (-1.7%) to 2,809.73, and the S&P 500 fell -1.26% or nearly 17 points to 1,308.93.</p>
<p>There were several analyst upgrades and downgrades today, including AK Steel Holding Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/ak-steel-holding-corp/aks" data-lasso-id="124154">NYSE: AKS</a>) cut to ‘sell’ at Goldman Sachs; Duke Energy Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/duke-energy-corp/duk" data-lasso-id="124155">NYSE: DUK</a>) raised to ‘outperform’ at Credit Suisse; Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="124156">NYSE: WY</a>) raised to ‘Conviction Buy’ list at Goldman Sachs; Southern Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/southern-company/so" data-lasso-id="124157">NYSE: SO</a>) cut to ‘neutral’ at Credit Suisse; and EMC Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/emc-corp/emc" data-lasso-id="124158">NYSE: EMC</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last Friday have been scarce, but here are some price changes for reporting companies as of the last half hour of trading today: Uranium Energy Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/amex/uranium-energy-corp/uec" data-lasso-id="124159">AMEX: UEC</a>) is down -10.9% at $1.89 after setting a new 52-week low of $1.88 earlier and AEP Industries Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/aep-industries/aepi" data-lasso-id="124160">NASDAQ: AEPI</a>) is up 4.2% at $36.36 after posting a new 52-week high of $37.65.</p>
<p>Tomorrow we are scheduled to have earnings from Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/michael-kors-holdings-ltd-com-npv/kors" data-lasso-id="124161">NYSE: KORS</a>), FactSet Research Systems Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/factset-research-systems/fds" data-lasso-id="124162">NYSE: FDS</a>), and Shanda Games Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/shanda-games-limited/game" data-lasso-id="124163">NASDAQ: GAME</a>). After markets close today we’ll get earnings from Finisar Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/finisar-corp/fnsr" data-lasso-id="124164">NASDAQ: FNSR</a>) and Majesco Entertainment Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/majesco-entertainment-co/cool" data-lasso-id="124165">NASDAQ: COOL</a>).</p>
<p>Other standouts from today include the following stocks:</p>
<p>EnergySolutions Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/energysolutions/es" data-lasso-id="124166">NYSE: ES</a>) is down -55.7% at $1.59 after posting a new 52-week low of $1.55. The nuclear waste management company issued new, lower guidance today. More coverage <a title="Nuclear Waste Company Fires CEO, Reduces Guidance (ES, UEC, URRE, CCJ, DNN, D, EXC, DUK, GE)" href="https://247wallst.com/infrastructure/2012/06/11/nuclear-waste-company-fires-ceo-reduces-guidance-es-uec-urre-ccj-dnn-d-exc-duk-ge/" data-lasso-id="124167">here</a>.</p>
<p>Nokia Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/nokia/nok" data-lasso-id="124168">NYSE: NOK</a>) is down -8% at $2.78. Samsung Electronics said bluntly that it was not going to buy the Finnish handset maker. More coverage <a title="Samsung Denies Interest in Acquiring Nokia (NOK, MSFT, AAPL, GOOG, SSNLF)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/samsung-denies-interest-in-acquiring-nokia-nok-msft-aapl-goog-ssnlf/" data-lasso-id="124169">here</a>.</p>
<p>Centene Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/centene-corp/cnc" data-lasso-id="124170">NYSE: CNC</a>) is down -21% at $28.00 after posting a new 52-week low of $24.31 earlier today. The managed health care company revised guidance downward. More coverage <a title="Revised Guidance Sinks Health Care Company (CNC, MOH, AGP, UNH, WCG)" href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-economy/2012/06/11/revised-guidance-sinks-health-care-company-cnc-moh-agp-unh-wcg/" data-lasso-id="124171">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Tuesday. We have also noted the following event (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>7:30 a.m. – National Federation of Independent Businesses optimism index</li>
<li>8:30 a.m. – Import and export prices</li>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 4-week bill auction</li>
<li>1:00 p.m. – 3-year note auction</li>
<li>2:00 p.m. – Treasury budget</li>
</ul>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/247-wall-st-closing-bell-june-11-2012-aks-duk-wy-so-emc-uec-aepi-kors-fds-game-fnsr-cool-es-nok-cnc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell — June 11, 2012 (AKS, DUK, WY, SO, EMC, UEC, AEPI, KORS, FDS, GAME, FNSR, COOL, ES, NOK, CNC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=147118">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AKS, ATO, BRCM, BRCD, DUK, EMC, HA, HNT, IRM, MCD, NTAP, NVDA, SKX, SO, TPX, TWX, VAL, WPI, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aks-ato-brcm-brcd-duk-emc-ha-hnt-irm-mcd-ntap-nvda-skx-so-tpx-twx-val-wpi-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:28:25 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=147041</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Monday. AK Steel Holding Corporation (NYSE: AKS) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs. Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) Maintained Hold but cut estimates at Argus. Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM) Started as Outperform at Wedbush. Brocade Communications Systems, […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aks-ato-brcm-brcd-duk-emc-ha-hnt-irm-mcd-ntap-nvda-skx-so-tpx-twx-val-wpi-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AKS, ATO, BRCM, BRCD, DUK, EMC, HA, HNT, IRM, MCD, NTAP, NVDA, SKX, SO, TPX, TWX, VAL, WPI, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=147041">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" data-caption="" data-id="95230" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Monday.</p>
<p>AK Steel Holding Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/ak-steel-holding-corp/aks" data-lasso-id="124056">NYSE: AKS</a>) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Atmos Energy Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/atmos-energy-corp/ato" data-lasso-id="124057">NYSE: ATO</a>) Maintained Hold but cut estimates at Argus.</p>
<p>Broadcom Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/broadcom-corp/brcm" data-lasso-id="124058">NASDAQ: BRCM</a>) Started as Outperform at Wedbush.</p>
<p>Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/brocade-communications-systems-inc/brcd" data-lasso-id="124059">NASDAQ: BRCD</a>) Raised to Buy at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>Duke Energy (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/duke-energy-corp/duk" data-lasso-id="124060">NYSE: DUK</a>) Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>EMC Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/emc-corp/emc" data-lasso-id="124061">NYSE: EMC</a>) Raised to Buy at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>Hawaiian Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HA) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=HA&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="124062">Value Stock of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>Health Net, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/health-net-inc/hnt" data-lasso-id="124063">NYSE: HNT</a>) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=HNT&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="124064">Bear of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>Iron Mountain Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/iron-mountain-inc/irm" data-lasso-id="124065">NYSE: IRM</a>) Raised to Buy at Stifel Nicolaus.</p>
<p>McDonald’s Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/mcdonalds-corp/mcd" data-lasso-id="124066">NYSE: MCD</a>) Maintained Outperform on Focus List but cut target to $104 at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>NetApp, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/netapp/ntap" data-lasso-id="124067">NASDAQ: NTAP</a>) Raised to Buy at Cantor Fitzgerald.</p>
<p>NVIDIA Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/nvidia-corporation/nvda" data-lasso-id="124068">NASDAQ: NVDA</a>) Raised to Buy at UBS.</p>
<p>Skechers USA Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/skechers-usa-inc/skx" data-lasso-id="124069">NYSE: SKX</a>) Raised to Buy at Stern Agee.</p>
<p>Southern Company (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/southern-company/so" data-lasso-id="124070">NYSE: SO</a>) Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Tempur Pedic International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/tempur-pedic-international-inc/tpx" data-lasso-id="124071">NYSE: TPX</a>) Cut to Market Perform at William Blair.</p>
<p>Time Warner Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/time-warner/twx" data-lasso-id="124072">NYSE: TWX</a>) Raised to Market Perform at Bernstein.</p>
<p>The Valspar Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-valspar-corp/val" data-lasso-id="124073">NYSE: VAL</a>) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=VAL&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="124074">Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/watson-pharmaceuticals-inc/wpi" data-lasso-id="124075">NYSE: WPI</a>) Cut to Neutral at Piper Jaffray</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="124076">NYSE: WY</a>) Raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/09/247-wall-st-top-analyst-calls-of-the-week-bsft-fb-rad-sndk-sti-ve-vra/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="124077">Last Week’s Top Analyst Calls</a> </strong>where analysts created the most impact or offered keen insight based on their calls with a review of how the stocks reacted after the calls were made.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed the top analyst upgrades and downgrades, you can join our free email newsletter that includes analyst summaries each morning sent right to your inbox. We also cover top issues such as IPOs, special financial exclusives, mergers and more. Sign up in the box below.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/06/11/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aks-ato-brcm-brcd-duk-emc-ha-hnt-irm-mcd-ntap-nvda-skx-so-tpx-twx-val-wpi-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AKS, ATO, BRCM, BRCD, DUK, EMC, HA, HNT, IRM, MCD, NTAP, NVDA, SKX, SO, TPX, TWX, VAL, WPI, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=147041">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AMAT, ARBA, BX, CPLA, CHA, DELL, DNDN, EMC, FB, GMT, ICE, JAZZ, NDAQ, PCX, PG, SBUX, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/05/23/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-amat-arba-bx-cpla-cha-dell-dndn-emc-fb-gmt-ice-jazz-ndaq-pcx-pg-sbux-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 12:22:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=145278</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Wednesday. Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) Raised to Neutral at Goldman Sachs. Ariba Inc. (NASDAQ: ARBA) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs. The Blackstone Group LP (NYSE: BX) Raised to Buy at Stern Agee. Capella Education Co. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/05/23/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-amat-arba-bx-cpla-cha-dell-dndn-emc-fb-gmt-ice-jazz-ndaq-pcx-pg-sbux-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AMAT, ARBA, BX, CPLA, CHA, DELL, DNDN, EMC, FB, GMT, ICE, JAZZ, NDAQ, PCX, PG, SBUX, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=145278">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" data-id="95230" data-caption="" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations seen in Wall Street research calls this Wednesday.</p>
<p>Applied Materials Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/applied-materials-inc/amat" data-lasso-id="551849">NASDAQ: AMAT</a>) Raised to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>Ariba Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/ariba-inc/arba" data-lasso-id="551850">NASDAQ: ARBA</a>) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>The Blackstone Group LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-blackstone-group-lp/bx" data-lasso-id="551851">NYSE: BX</a>) Raised to Buy at Stern Agee.</p>
<p>Capella Education Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/capella-education-company/cpla" data-lasso-id="551852">NASDAQ: CPLA</a>) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=CPLA&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="551853">Bear of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>China Telecom (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/china-telecom-corp-limited-adr/cha" data-lasso-id="551854">NYSE: CHA</a>) Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Dell Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/dell/dell" data-lasso-id="551855">NASDAQ: DELL</a>) Cut to Neutral at Mizuho; Maintained Underperform and target cut to $14 at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Dendreon Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/dendreon-corp/dndn" data-lasso-id="551856">NASDAQ: DNDN</a>) Started as Underperform at Jefferies; Maintained Hold with $11 target at Canaccord Genuity.</p>
<p>EMC Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/emc-corp/emc" data-lasso-id="551857">NYSE: EMC</a>) Reiterated Buy with $36 target at Argus.</p>
<p>Facebook, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/facebook/fb" data-lasso-id="551858">NASDAQ: FB</a>) Started as Buy with $40 target at Needham.</p>
<p>GATX Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/gatx-corp/gmt" data-lasso-id="551859">NYSE: GMT</a>) named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=GMT&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="551860">Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks.</p>
<p>IntercontinentalExchange, Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/intercontinentalexchange-inc/ice" data-lasso-id="551861">NYSE: ICE</a>) Raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Jazz Pharmaceuticals (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/jazz-pharmaceuticals-inc/jazz" data-lasso-id="551862">NASDAQ: JAZZ</a>) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>NASDAQ OMX Group (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/nasdaq-stock-market-inc/ndaq" data-lasso-id="551863">NASDAQ: NDAQ</a>) Cut to Hold at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Patriot Coal (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/patriot-coal-corp/pcx" data-lasso-id="551864">NYSE: PCX</a>) Cut to Hold at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>Procter & Gamble Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-procter-gamble-company/pg" data-lasso-id="551865">NYSE: PG</a>) Reiterated Buy with $70 target at Argus.</p>
<p>Starbucks Corporation (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/starbucks/sbux" data-lasso-id="551866">NASDAQ: SBUX</a>) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="551867">NYSE: WY</a>) Started as Buy at Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed the top analyst upgrades and downgrades, you can join our free email newsletter that includes analyst summaries each morning sent right to your inbox. We also cover top issues such as IPOs, special financial exclusives, mergers and more. Sign up in the box below.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/05/23/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-amat-arba-bx-cpla-cha-dell-dndn-emc-fb-gmt-ice-jazz-ndaq-pcx-pg-sbux-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AMAT, ARBA, BX, CPLA, CHA, DELL, DNDN, EMC, FB, GMT, ICE, JAZZ, NDAQ, PCX, PG, SBUX, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=145278">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (PM, SNDK, BIDU, AMZN, ALU, ELY, CLWR, DECK, WY, TRP, GT, PG, NWL, MRK, HELE, F, COV, CVX, MDRX, EXPE, WDC)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/247-wall-st-closing-bell-pm-sndk-bidu-amzn-alu-ely-clwr-deck-wy-trp-gt-pg-nwl-mrk-hele-f-cov-cvx-mdrx-expe-wdc/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:05:47 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=142560</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Markets opened higher this morning following a lower-than-expected GDP growth estimate of 2.2%. That was weaker, but not awful (our coverage here). The consumer sentiment survey rose a couple of ticks in April, but Americans still believe the future will better than the present (our coverage here). The US dollar index fell today, now down […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/247-wall-st-closing-bell-pm-sndk-bidu-amzn-alu-ely-clwr-deck-wy-trp-gt-pg-nwl-mrk-hele-f-cov-cvx-mdrx-expe-wdc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (PM, SNDK, BIDU, AMZN, ALU, ELY, CLWR, DECK, WY, TRP, GT, PG, NWL, MRK, HELE, F, COV, CVX, MDRX, EXPE, WDC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=142560">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />Markets opened higher this morning following a lower-than-expected GDP growth estimate of 2.2%. That was weaker, but not awful (our coverage <a title="Q1-2012 GDP Not Strong But No Recession Fears" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/q1-2012-gdp-not-strong-but-no-recession-fears/" data-lasso-id="118741">here</a>). The consumer sentiment survey rose a couple of ticks in April, but Americans still believe the future will better than the present (our coverage <a title="Consumer Sentiment Steady in April" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/consumer-sentiment-steady-in-april/" data-lasso-id="118742">here</a>). The US dollar index fell today, now down -0.25% at 78.725. The GSCI commodity index is up 0.07% at 682.08, with commodities mostly higher on the slightly weaker dollar. WTI crude oil closed up 0.4% at $104.93/barrel, and Brent crude trades down -0.23% at $119.64/barrel. Gold settled up 0.3% today, at $1,664.80/ounce.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 24 points to 13,228.24 (0.18%), the NASDAQ rose nearly 19 points (0.61%) to 3,069.20, and the S&P 500 rose 0.24% or more than 3 points to 1,403.37.</p>
<p>There were several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AEM, APD, ALU, MDRX, AMZN, AMCC, BIDU, CBG, CTCT, DECK, EBAY, LOGI, PCS, PM, REGN, SNDK, STX, WDC, ZNGA)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-aem-apd-alu-mdrx-amzn-amcc-bidu-cbg-ctct-deck-ebay-logi-pcs-pm-regn-sndk-stx-wdc-znga/" data-lasso-id="118743">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Philip Morris International Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/philip-morris-international/pm" data-lasso-id="118744">NYSE: PM</a>) reiterated as ‘buy’ and target price raised to $94 at Argus; SanDisk Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/sandisk-corp/sndk" data-lasso-id="118745">NASDAQ: SNDK</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at Jefferies; Baidu Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/baidu/bidu" data-lasso-id="118746">NASDAQ: BIDU</a>) maintained as ‘neutral’ but target price cut at Credit Suisse; Amazon.com Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/amazoncom/amzn" data-lasso-id="118747">NASDAQ: AMZN</a>) raised to ‘buy’ at BofA/ML, Nomura, and Goldman Sachs; and Alcatel-Lucent SA (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/alcatel-lucent-adr/alu" data-lasso-id="118748">NYSE: ALU</a>) maintained as ‘underperform’ and estimates cut at Jefferies.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Amazon.com is up 15.6% at $226.64; Callaway Golf Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/callaway-golf-company/ely" data-lasso-id="118749">NYSE: ELY</a>) is down -14.9% at $5.94 (our coverage <a title="Golf World Still Under Par (ELY, GOLF, ADGF, DKS, PERY)" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2012/04/27/golf-world-still-under-par-ely-golf-adgf-dks-pery/" data-lasso-id="118750">here</a>); Clearwire Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/clearwire-corp/clwr" data-lasso-id="118751">NASDAQ: CLWR</a>) is down -2.7% at $1.43; Deckers Outdoor Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/deckers-outdoor-corp/deck" data-lasso-id="118752">NASDAQ: DECK</a>) is down -25.5% at $51.78 after posting a new 52-week low of $51.03 (our coverage <a title="Deckers Comes Clean With Bad News (DECK)" href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2012/04/26/deckers-comes-clean-with-bad-news-deck/" data-lasso-id="118753">here</a>); Weyerhaeuser Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="118754">NYSE: WY</a>) is down -0.3% at $20.81 (more coverage <a title="Chain of Demand: Lumber, Wood Products, New Homes (WY, PCL, RYN, POPE, LPX, UFPI, BXC, BLDR, DEL)" href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/04/27/chain-of-demand-lumber-wood-products-new-homes-wy-pcl-ryn-pope-lpx-ufpi-bxc-bldr-del/" data-lasso-id="118755">here</a>); TransCanada Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/transcanada/trp" data-lasso-id="118756">NYSE: TRP</a>) is up 0.5% at $44.01; The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-goodyear-tire-rubber-company/gt" data-lasso-id="118757">NYSE: GT</a>) is down -5.1% at $11.32; Procter & Gamble Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/the-procter-gamble-company/pg" data-lasso-id="118758">NYSE: PG</a>) is down -4% at $64.18 (our coverage <a title="P&G’s Forecast Dims Consumer Goods Sector (PG, JNJ, CL, KMB)" href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2012/04/27/pgs-forecast-dims-consumer-goods-sector-pg-jnj-cl-kmb/" data-lasso-id="118759">here</a>); Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/newell-rubbermaid-inc/nwl" data-lasso-id="118760">NYSE: NWL</a>) is up 3.6% at $18.61; Merck & Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/merck-co-inc/mrk" data-lasso-id="118761">NYSE: MRK</a>) is down -0.2% at $38.38; Helen of Troy Ltd. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/helen-of-troy-limited/hele" data-lasso-id="118762">NASDAQ: HELE</a>) is up 4.4% at $35.33; Ford Motor Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/ford/f" data-lasso-id="118763">NYSE: F</a>) is down -2.1% at $11.62 (our coverage <a title="North American Sales Hike Ford Revenues, Profits (F, GM, TM, HMC)" href="https://247wallst.com/autos/2012/04/27/north-american-sales-hike-ford-revenues-profits-f-gm-tm-hmc/" data-lasso-id="118764">here</a>); and Covidien plc (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/covidien-ltd/cov" data-lasso-id="118765">NYSE: COV</a>) is up 0.5% at $55.32.</p>
<p>Be sure to look at our <a title="The Top Earnings Previews For The Week Ahead (NYX, ACI, ADM, BRCM, CHK, SIRI, VLO, AWK, NLY, CMCSA, FSLR, GRMN, HIG, MA, SYMC, V, WFM)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/the-top-earnings-previews-for-the-week-ahead-nyx-aci-adm-brcm-chk-siri-vlo-awk-nly-cmcsa-fslr-grmn-hig-ma-symc-v-wfm/" data-lasso-id="118766">list of next week’s big earnings</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Other standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Chevron Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/chevron-corp/cvx" data-lasso-id="118767">NYSE: CVX</a>) is up 0.2% at $106.44. The supermajor oil company reported earnings in line, but production was down. More coverage <a title="Chevron Follows Conoco, Exxon on Production Declines (CVX, COP, XOM)" href="https://247wallst.com/energy-business/2012/04/27/chevron-follows-conoco-exxon-on-production-declines-cvx-cop-xom/" data-lasso-id="118768">here</a>.</p>
<p>Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/allscripts/mdrx" data-lasso-id="118769">NASDAQ: MDRX</a>) is down -36% at $10.25 after posting a new 52-week low of $9.00. The healthcare services provider fired its chairman, and the list of woes goes on. More coverage <a title="Allscripts Plunges on Perfect Storm of Bad News (MDRX)" href="https://247wallst.com/healthcare-business/2012/04/27/142530/" data-lasso-id="118770">here</a>.</p>
<p>Expedia Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/expedia-inc/expe" data-lasso-id="118771">NASDAQ: EXPE</a>) is up 24.4% at $40.59. The Internet travel company posted better-than-expected quarterly results. More coverage <a title="Expedia Sails, Lifts All Boats (EXPE, HOT, HST, WYN, MAR, OWW, PCLN, TRIP)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/expedia-sails-lifts-all-boats-expe-hot-hst-wyn-mar-oww-pcln-trip/" data-lasso-id="118772">here</a>.</p>
<p>Western Digital Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/western-digital-corp/wdc" data-lasso-id="118773">NYSE: WDC</a>) is down -14.2% at $37.83. The disk drive maker had solid earnings, but worries abound about next quarter. More coverage <a title="Western Digital Shares Hammered on Bad Karma (WDC, STX)" href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2012/04/27/western-digital-shares-hammered-on-bad-karma-wdc-stx/" data-lasso-id="118774">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>8:30 a.m. – Personal income and spending</li>
<li>9:45 a.m. – Chicago PMI</li>
<li>10:30 a.m. – Dallas Fed manufacturing survey</li>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 3- and 6-month bill auctions</li>
<li>3:00 p.m. – Farm Prices</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend!</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/04/27/247-wall-st-closing-bell-pm-sndk-bidu-amzn-alu-ely-clwr-deck-wy-trp-gt-pg-nwl-mrk-hele-f-cov-cvx-mdrx-expe-wdc/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (PM, SNDK, BIDU, AMZN, ALU, ELY, CLWR, DECK, WY, TRP, GT, PG, NWL, MRK, HELE, F, COV, CVX, MDRX, EXPE, WDC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=142560">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Chain of Demand: Lumber, Wood Products, New Homes (WY, PCL, RYN, POPE, LPX, UFPI, BXC, BLDR, DEL)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/04/27/chain-of-demand-lumber-wood-products-new-homes-wy-pcl-ryn-pope-lpx-ufpi-bxc-bldr-del/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:06:31 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=142477</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Timber and wood products firm Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported first quarter earnings this morning, and the results were somewhat better than expected. The company posted adjusted EPS of $0.02, better than the consensus estimate of break-even. Revenues totaled $1.49 billion versus an estimate of $1.53 billion. Weyerhaeuser and competitors Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/04/27/chain-of-demand-lumber-wood-products-new-homes-wy-pcl-ryn-pope-lpx-ufpi-bxc-bldr-del/">Chain of Demand: Lumber, Wood Products, New Homes (WY, PCL, RYN, POPE, LPX, UFPI, BXC, BLDR, DEL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=142477">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Lumber" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lumber1.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="156" data-id="85196" data-caption="" />Timber and wood products firm Weyerhaeuser Co. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="118638">NYSE: WY</a>) reported first quarter earnings this morning, and the results were somewhat better than expected. The company posted adjusted EPS of $0.02, better than the consensus estimate of break-even. Revenues totaled $1.49 billion versus an estimate of $1.53 billion.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser and competitors Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/plum-creek-timber-co-inc/pcl" data-lasso-id="118639">NYSE: PCL</a>) and Rayonier Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/rayonier-inc/ryn" data-lasso-id="118640">NYSE: RYN</a>) are REITs, while smaller competitor Pope Resources LP (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/pope-resources-lp/pope" data-lasso-id="118641">NASDAQ: POPE</a>) is a limited partnership. Over the past 12 months, only Rayonier has significantly boosted its share price. Rayonier’s jump was almost entirely due to a 1-for-1.5 stock split in late July.</p>
<p>Wood products companies such as Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/louisiana-pacific-corp/lpx" data-lasso-id="118642">NYSE: LPX</a>), Universal Forest Products Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/universal-forest-products-inc/ufpi" data-lasso-id="118643">NASDAQ: UFPI</a>), BlueLinx Holdings Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/bluelinx-holdings-inc/bxc" data-lasso-id="118644">NYSE: BXC</a>), Builders FirstSource Inc. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nasdaq/builders-firstsource-inc/bldr" data-lasso-id="118645">NASDAQ: BLDR</a>), and Deltic Timber Corp. (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/deltic-timber-corp/del" data-lasso-id="118646">NYSE: DEL</a>) have performed better. These companies are more closely tied to the US homebuilding and remodeling market, which has been improving in the first quarter of this year.</p>
<p>But will that continue? The bigger companies like Weyerhaeuser, Plum Creek, and Rayonier depend on exports to China to keep revenues and profits up. Chinese log imports totaled $8 billion last year, and North American logs contributed 22% of China’s total imports in 2011.<br />
The bad news is that Chinese imports fell -11% in the first three months of this year, but the losses hit New Zealand and Russia hardest. Canadian log exports to China rose 23% in the first quarter and US exports rose 2%. And those gains were due, at least in part, to lower prices for North American logs.</p>
<p>New home construction in the US will drive log and lumber prices. If more homes are built, US demand will rise and so will prices. The various indicators for increased homebuilding in the US are mixed, but the optimistic view that construction will increase is certainly problematic. A warm winter could have pulled some construction starts ahead into the first quarter. The same is true of remodeling projects that would have improved the first quarter performance of the wood products companies.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser, which also builds and sells houses, “anticipates a small loss from single family homebuilding operations” in the second quarter. The company’s first quarter revenue from home sales fell by about -50% sequentially. While that’s not a leading indicator for the rest of the country’s homebuilders, it could be the canary in the coal mine.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s shares are up 0.9% in pre-market trading this morning, at $21.06, in a 52-wekik range of $14.82-$23.91.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2012/04/27/chain-of-demand-lumber-wood-products-new-homes-wy-pcl-ryn-pope-lpx-ufpi-bxc-bldr-del/">Chain of Demand: Lumber, Wood Products, New Homes (WY, PCL, RYN, POPE, LPX, UFPI, BXC, BLDR, DEL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=142477">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Ten States Where Green Jobs Thrive</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/energy/2012/03/27/ten-states-where-green-jobs-thrive/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 Mar 2012 10:42:40 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=137906</guid>
<description><![CDATA[The green economy often is cited as a key driver of the national economic recovery. At the very least, it is creating jobs. The total number of jobs related to green products and services in 2010 was 3.13 million, according to the first-ever green jobs report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last week. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/energy/2012/03/27/ten-states-where-green-jobs-thrive/">Ten States Where Green Jobs Thrive</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=137906">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/windmills.jpg" data-lasso-id="114933"><img class="alignleft" title="Windmills" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/windmills.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="150" data-caption="" data-id="85411" /></a>The green economy often is cited as a key driver of the national economic recovery. At the very least, it is creating jobs. The total number of jobs related to green products and services in 2010 was 3.13 million, according to the first-ever green jobs report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics last week. However, to put things in perspective, these jobs accounted for only 2.4% of the country’s total employment that year.</p>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><strong><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/27/ten-states-where-green-jobs-thrive/2/" data-lasso-id="114934"><span style="color:#008000;">Read The Ten States Where Green Jobs Thrive</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p>In many states, jobs associated with the production of green goods and services represented a slightly larger share of employment. In 11 states, green jobs accounted for 3% or more of total jobs. Vermont had the highest proportion of clean economy jobs at 4.4%. Green jobs in these states are represented in many sectors, including manufacturing and construction.</p>
<p>Although the states with the greatest numbers of green jobs relative to total employment vary in many ways, they share several characteristics. Many of these states have among the highest rates of public land — land owned by federal and state governments. Colorado, Idaho and Alaska have among the highest rates of public land in the country, which allows for conservation and conservation related jobs to flourish.</p>
<p>The states with the highest proportion of green jobs also tend to have below-average unemployment rates. As of January 2012, the national unemployment rate stood at 8.3%. Only one of the states with the most green jobs had a higher unemployment rate; two states had the same rate; and the remaining seven states had lower unemployment rates than the national average. Vermont had an unemployment rate of just 5% — among the lowest in the country.</p>
<p>Of course, this is not to suggest that green jobs are improving the unemployment situation in these areas. Instead, these states may simply do a good job of promoting job growth in general — including green jobs.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall St. examined the BLS report to identify the 10 states with the greatest number of green jobs as a percentage of total jobs in the state. Green jobs are those found “in businesses that produce goods and provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.” Data on green job growth by state from 2003 to 2010 were taken from the Brookings Institution’s “Sizing the Clean Economy: A National and Regional Green Jobs Assessment.”</p>
<p>These are the states where green jobs thrive.<br />
<!--nextpage--><br />
<strong>10. New York</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 1.9%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 8.3%</p>
<p>New York’s clean economy is driven primarily by its public mass transit segment, which employs 56,500 people. This is more than twice as many jobs as the state’s second-largest green segment, waste management and treatment. Although it only employs around 500 people, New York’s wind energy sector is the state’s fastest-growing, with job growth of 96.8% from 2003 to 2010. In 2010, 6.3% of all jobs in the Albany metropolitan area were green — the largest share of any large metropolitan area in the U.S. A few of the state’s major private green employers are Cpower, MTI Microfuel Cells and Novomer.</p>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><strong><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/26/highest-paid-hosts-on-late-night-tv/" data-lasso-id="114935"><span style="color:#008000;">Also Read: The Highest-Paid Hosts on Late Night TV</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>9. Washington</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.3%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 3%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 8.3%</p>
<p>Washington has nearly 92,000 green jobs, the vast majority of which are in the private sector. Although there is n0 one segment that dominates the state’s green industry, the largest areas of employment are conservation, hydropower and organic food and farming. The fastest growing sector in the state is renewable energy services, which has had a job growth of more than 69% from 2003 to 2010, primarily centered in Seattle. A few major employers in the state are wind energy company Gear Works Seattle, green construction services company McKinstry and sustainable forestry products company Weyerhaeuser (<a href="http://247wallst.dailyfinance.com/quote/nyse/weyerhaeuser-company/wy" data-lasso-id="114936">NYSE: WY</a>).</p>
<p><strong>8. Pennsylvania</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.3%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 3.1%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 7.6%</p>
<p>Green job growth in Pennsylvania is slower than the national average growth of clean economy jobs. Public mass transit is the largest green segment for employment in the state, employing nearly 25,000 people. Other major employment areas include waste management and treatment and conservation. Environmentally friendly lighting is the fastest growing sector, with a growth rate of 68.1% from 2003 to 2010. Major companies include energy-saving consumer products company Lutron Electronics and energy services company Mechanical Operations.</p>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><strong><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/23/fast-food-chains-with-the-most-unhealthy-customers/" data-lasso-id="114937"><span style="color:#008000;">Also Read: Fast-Food Chains With the Most Unhealthy Customers</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>7. Colorado</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.3%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 3%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 7.8%</p>
<p>Colorado’s clean economy has grown at nearly twice the rate of the nation’s between 2003 and 2010. Now, more than 72,000 state residents have green jobs. Conservation is the largest segment for green jobs, although companies like Ball Aerospace & Technologies have helped make fuel cells the fastest growing green sector. The Colorado Springs metropolitan area has among the country’s highest rates of clean economy jobs that are green collar. Green collar is defined by Brookings as jobs “with moderate wages and moderate educational requirements in production, installation, maintenance, transportation, construction, social services, office support, or protective services.”</p>
<p><strong>6. Oregon</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.4%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 2.9%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 8.8%</p>
<p>Although Oregon is one of the nation’s top green jobs employers, job growth in the clean economy has leveled off since 2007, despite national green job growth increasing. The state is a major center for organic food production, as well as green building materials and sustainable forestry products. Major companies in the state include Columbia Forest Products and Valley Fresh Foods.<br />
<!--nextpage--><br />
<strong>5. Montana</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.5%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 2.4%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 6.5%</p>
<p>Montana has among the largest share of green jobs in the public sector. The state has a particularly large amount of public lands, such as state parks, which allow for a large amount of jobs in solar PV, or photovoltaic systems<strong>,</strong> and hydropower. The largest clean economy sector, however, is conservation. Two of the state’s largest employers are the National Park Service and Forest Service.</p>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><strong><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/22/americas-most-corrupt-states/" data-lasso-id="114938"><span style="color:#008000;">Also Read: America’s Most Corrupt States</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>4. Maryland</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.6%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 2.8%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 6.5%</p>
<p>Clean economy job growth in Maryland has largely mirrored that of the U.S. between 2003 and 2010. Waste management and treatment and conservation are the state’s largest green sectors. The fastest growing segment is solar energy, which has had a job growth rate of nearly 64% from 2003 to 2010. Some of the state’s major clean economy employers are environmental services companies Century Engineering, Kci Holdings and Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson.</p>
<p><strong>3. Alaska</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.6%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 2.8%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 7.2%</p>
<p>More than 89% of Alaska is owned by federal and state governments. Not only does the state’s clean economy account for a particularly large share of total employment, but its job growth rate from 2003 to 2010 has been significantly greater than the national average. The largest segment in the state’s green economy is by far conservation, as it employs more than five times the people as the second-largest segment. Major employers include the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.</p>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><strong><a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/03/22/americas-least-corrupt-states/" data-lasso-id="114939"><span style="color:#008000;">Also Read: America’s Least Corrupt States</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><strong>2. Idaho</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 3.7%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 2.8%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 8.1%</p>
<p>Idaho is another state with a large amount of land — nearly 67% — owned by either the state or federal government. The largest segment of the state’s clean economy is conservation, followed by the production of energy-saving building materials and hydropower. A few of the state’s major green companies are Boise Cascade, Power Engineers and Windsor Window.</p>
<p><strong>1. Vermont</strong><br />
<strong> > Green jobs as percentage of total:</strong> 4.4%<br />
<strong>> Green jobs in private sector as percentage of total:</strong> 3.9%<br />
<strong>> Unemployment rate:</strong> 5.0%</p>
<p>Vermont is the country’s largest center for green job employment relative to its entire workforce by a substantial margin. Additionally, of the nearly 13,000 green jobs in the state, more than 9,000 are in the private sector. The state’s primary sectors of employment are organic food production and farming and, to a lesser extent, green building materials. It is not clear whether Vermont will maintain its position as the nation’s green leader. Job growth in the clean economy has increased at a slower rate than the national level between 2003 and 2010.</p>
<p>Charles B. Stockdale</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/energy/2012/03/27/ten-states-where-green-jobs-thrive/">Ten States Where Green Jobs Thrive</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=137906">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Building Products Company Stumbles (LPX, WY, PCL, UFPI, DEL)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/07/building-products-company-stumbles-lpx-wy-pcl-ufpi-del/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:43:58 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=130296</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE: LPX) reported a diluted EPS loss of -$0.34, nearly 40% worse than analysts had been expecting. The annual EPS loss came in at -$1.21, compared with a consensus estimate for an EPS loss of $0.79. The company doesn’t compete directly with lumber giants Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) or Plum Creek Timber Co. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/07/building-products-company-stumbles-lpx-wy-pcl-ufpi-del/">Building Products Company Stumbles (LPX, WY, PCL, UFPI, DEL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=130296">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE: LPX) reported a diluted EPS loss of -$0.34, nearly 40% worse than analysts had been expecting. The annual EPS loss came in at -$1.21, compared with a consensus estimate for an EPS loss of $0.79.</p>
<p>The company doesn’t compete directly with lumber giants Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) or Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL), although it does own about 450,000 acres of woodlands in the southeast. L-P makes siding and other wood products and competes more directly with Universal Forest Products Inc. (NASDAQ: UFPI) and Deltic Timber Corp. (NYSE: DEL), both of which have outperformed L-P over the past 12 months.</p>
<p>The company said single-family housing starts were at a 50-year low in 2011 and that:</p>
<blockquote><p>Because the economy is still fragile, with slow job growth and little progress made to address our country’s underlying fiscal issues, we are planning on a slow recovery in 2012.</p></blockquote>
<p>L-P shares are down about -3.5% at $8.57 in a 52-week range of $4.41-$11.63.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/07/building-products-company-stumbles-lpx-wy-pcl-ufpi-del/">Building Products Company Stumbles (LPX, WY, PCL, UFPI, DEL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=130296">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (FDX, WY, CMA, GLW, RDS-A, IDTI, MCK, PCL, CYOU, HUM, LAZ, L, SYY, SURW, CHUX, SOHU, GBG, DNDN)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/247-wall-st-closing-bell-fdx-wy-cma-glw-rds-a-idti-mck-pcl-cyou-hum-laz-l-syy-surw-chux-sohu-gbg-dndn/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:07:48 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=130074</guid>
<description><![CDATA[US equity markets opened lower this morning and never moved into positive territory all day. Greek debt swap negotiations made no discernible progress today and there was no scheduled data on tap to move the market one way or the other. The dollar picked up strength against the euro today, but faltered against the British […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/247-wall-st-closing-bell-fdx-wy-cma-glw-rds-a-idti-mck-pcl-cyou-hum-laz-l-syy-surw-chux-sohu-gbg-dndn/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (FDX, WY, CMA, GLW, RDS-A, IDTI, MCK, PCL, CYOU, HUM, LAZ, L, SYY, SURW, CHUX, SOHU, GBG, DNDN)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=130074">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />US equity markets opened lower this morning and never moved into positive territory all day. Greek debt swap negotiations made no discernible progress today and there was no scheduled data on tap to move the market one way or the other. The dollar picked up strength against the euro today, but faltered against the British pound and the Japanese yen. The dollar index rose 0.1385 to 79.051. Crude oil was mixed with WTI crude down -0.76% at $97.10/barrel and Brent crude up 1.39% at $116.17/barrel. Gold closed down -0.9% at $1,724.90/ounce.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA down about 17 points to 12,845.20 (-0.13%), the NASDAQ fell almost 4 points (-0.13%) to 2,901.99, and the S&P 500 fell -0.04% or less than 1 point to 1,344.33.</p>
<p>There were several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AVAV, AET, ALU, ANN, CAH, CMA, GLW, FDX, JAKK, M, PNC, PPO, RDS-A, SKX, TEVA, UA, WY)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-avav-aet-alu-ann-cah-cma-glw-fdx-jakk-m-pnc-ppo-rds-a-skx-teva-ua-wy/" data-lasso-id="548585">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) raised to ‘buy’ at BofA/ML; Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) cut to ‘sell’ at UBS; Comerica Inc. (NYSE: CMA) raised to ‘outperform’ at RBS; Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) raised to ‘outperform’ at Piper Jaffray; and Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE: RDS-A) cut to ‘neutral’ at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last week have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Integrated Device Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: IDTI) is down -0.98% at $6.60; McKesson Corp. (NYSE: MCK) is up 1.71% at $82.18; Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL) is up 0.32% at $39.81; Changyou.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: CYOU) is down -12.43% at $25.50; Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is down -5.8% at $84.90; Lazard Ltd. (NYSE: LAZ) is down -4.3% at $27.65; Loews Corp. (NYSE: L) is down -0.85% at $38.28; and Sysco Corp. (NYSE: SYY) is down -4% at $29.66.</p>
<p><strong>Other standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>SureWest Communications (NASDAQ: SURW) is up more than 44% at $22.50 after posting a new 52-week high of $22.69 earlier. The telecom provider has agreed to be acquired by Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: CNSL) for about $341 million, or $23/share.</p>
<p>O’Charley’s Inc. (NASDAQ: CHUX) is up nearly 42% at $9.81 after posting a new 52-week high of $9.88. The company has agreed to be acquired by Fidelity National Financial Inc. (NYSE: FNF) for $221 million, about $9.85/share.</p>
<p>Sohu.com Inc. (NASDAQ: SOHU) is down nearly -15% at $53.61. The Chinese internet company posted solid earnings, but its Q1 forecast was below expectations.</p>
<p>Great Basin Gold Ltd. (AMEX: GBG) is down -11% at $1.05. The junior gold miner reported preliminary results today that were worse than expected and lowered first quarter production estimates.</p>
<p>Dendreon Corp. (NASDAQ: DNDN) is up about 17.6% at $16.66. The drug maker is getting a boost from a negative report on a prostate cancer drug treatment that would compete with Dendreon’s Provenge.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Tuesday. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke testifies before Senate Budget Committee. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 4- and 52-week Treasury bill auction</li>
<li>3:00 p.m. – Consumer credit report</li>
</ul>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/247-wall-st-closing-bell-fdx-wy-cma-glw-rds-a-idti-mck-pcl-cyou-hum-laz-l-syy-surw-chux-sohu-gbg-dndn/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (FDX, WY, CMA, GLW, RDS-A, IDTI, MCK, PCL, CYOU, HUM, LAZ, L, SYY, SURW, CHUX, SOHU, GBG, DNDN)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=130074">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AVAV, AET, ALU, ANN, CAH, CMA, GLW, FDX, JAKK, M, PNC, PPO, RDS-A, SKX, TEVA, UA, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-avav-aet-alu-ann-cah-cma-glw-fdx-jakk-m-pnc-ppo-rds-a-skx-teva-ua-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:29:51 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=129945</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street brokerage and research firms this Monday morning. AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs. Aetna, Inc. (NYSE: AET) named Bull of the Day at Zacks. Alcatel-Lucent S.A. (NYSE: ALU) Cut to Sell at S&P Equity Research. Ann […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-avav-aet-alu-ann-cah-cma-glw-fdx-jakk-m-pnc-ppo-rds-a-skx-teva-ua-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AVAV, AET, ALU, ANN, CAH, CMA, GLW, FDX, JAKK, M, PNC, PPO, RDS-A, SKX, TEVA, UA, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=129945">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" data-id="95230" data-caption="" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street brokerage and research firms this Monday morning.</p>
<p>AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Aetna, Inc. (NYSE: AET) named Bull of the Day at Zacks.<br />
Alcatel-Lucent S.A. (NYSE: ALU) Cut to Sell at S&P Equity Research.<br />
Ann Inc. (NYSE: ANN) Cut to Underperform at Barclays.<br />
Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) Reiterated Buy with $52 price target at Argus.<br />
Comerica Inc. (NYSE: CMA) Raised to Outperform at RBC.<br />
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) Raised to Overweight at Piper Jaffray.<br />
FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.<br />
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) named Bear of the Day at Zacks.<br />
Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) named as value stock of the day at Zacks.<br />
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) Cut to Market Perform at BMO.<br />
Polypore International Inc. (NYSE: PPO) Raised to Outperform at Baird.<br />
Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A) Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse.<br />
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. (NYSE: SKX) Raised to Neutral at Stern Agee.<br />
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (NASDAQ: TEVA) Cut to Equal-weight at Morgan Stanley.<br />
Under Armour Inc. (NYSE: UA) Reiterated Buy with $90 target at Argus.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) Cut to Sell at UBS.</p>
<p>If you enjoyed the top analyst calls, you can sign up in the box below to join our morning email list to receive news directly in your inbox each morning. We include major analyst upgrades and downgrades, IPO and M&A news, special situation developments, observations on Warren Buffett and key market gurus, as well as special exclusive feature stories.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/06/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-avav-aet-alu-ann-cah-cma-glw-fdx-jakk-m-pnc-ppo-rds-a-skx-teva-ua-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AVAV, AET, ALU, ANN, CAH, CMA, GLW, FDX, JAKK, M, PNC, PPO, RDS-A, SKX, TEVA, UA, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=129945">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (MRO, PEET, RIMM, URBN, CHK, GILD, GNW, PCCC, NVLS, PKI, BEAM, EL, WY, THLD, TUDO, ZOLT, STRI, MNKD)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/247-wall-st-closing-bell-mro-peet-rimm-urbn-chk-gild-gnw-pccc-nvls-pki-beam-el-wy-thld-tudo-zolt-stri-mnkd/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:09:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=129789</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Major indexes reacted positively to this morning’s non-farm payrolls report and the drop in the US unemployment rate from 8.5% to 8.3%. Expectations for the unemployment rate had been no better than flat, and jobs growth of 243,000 was also a big surprise. The report ISM service jobs was also higher than expected this morning, […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/247-wall-st-closing-bell-mro-peet-rimm-urbn-chk-gild-gnw-pccc-nvls-pki-beam-el-wy-thld-tudo-zolt-stri-mnkd/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (MRO, PEET, RIMM, URBN, CHK, GILD, GNW, PCCC, NVLS, PKI, BEAM, EL, WY, THLD, TUDO, ZOLT, STRI, MNKD)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=129789">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" data-id="82326" data-caption="" />Major indexes reacted positively to this morning’s non-farm payrolls report and the drop in the US unemployment rate from 8.5% to 8.3%. Expectations for the unemployment rate had been no better than flat, and jobs growth of 243,000 was also a big surprise. The report ISM service jobs was also higher than expected this morning, although data on new factory orders was lower than expected. The Nasdaq composite posted an 11-year high today, and yields on US Treasuries also rose as investors headed into equities. Crude oil rose sharply today on the good economic news. WTI crude is up 1.32% at $97.63/barrel and Brent crude is up 2.10% at $114.42/barrel. Gold, as might be expected, dropped -1.64% today to $1,730.50/ounce.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly 157 points to 12,862.23 (1.23%), the NASDAQ rose nearly 46 points (1.61%) to 2,905.66, and the S&P 500 rose 1.46% or more than 19 points to 1,344.90.</p>
<p>There were several <a title="Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (APA, BBT, CVC, CHK, DRI, EMN, EW, MRO, NBL, PEET, RIMM, RBS, SLM, URBN)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-apa-bbt-cvc-chk-dri-emn-ew-mro-nbl-peet-rimm-rbs-slm-urbn/" data-lasso-id="111622">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO) cut to ‘hold’ at Argus; Peet’s Coffee & Tea Inc. (NASDAQ: PEET) raised to ‘outperform’ at Baird; Research in Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM) cut to ‘underperform’ at Jefferies; Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ: URBN) raised to ‘buy’ at Janney Capital; and Chesapeake Energy Corp. (NYSE: CHK) started as ‘neutral’ at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Earnings reports since markets closed last night have led to some price changes as of the last half hour of trading today: Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) is up more than 11% at $54.83 after posting a new 52-week high of $54.90 earlier (see our coverage <a title="Gilead, Idenix Slug it Out (GILD, IDIX)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/gilead-idenix-slug-it-out-gild-idix/" data-lasso-id="111623">here</a>); Genworth Financial Inc. (NYSE: GNW) is up more than 13% at $9.12; PC Connection Inc. (NASDAQ: PCCC) is down nearly -20% at $10.22; Novellus Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: NVLS) is down -0.73% at $48.98, but posted a new 52-week high of $49.92 earlier in the day; PerkinElmer Inc. (NYSE: PKI) is up more than 6% at $26.21; Beam Inc. (NYSE: BEAM) is up 2.4% at $54.28; Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. (NYSE: EL) is down -3.64% at $56.71 (more coverage <a title="Estee Lauder Falls on Increased Ad Spending (EL)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/estee-lauder-falls-on-increased-ad-spending-el/" data-lasso-id="111624">here</a>); and Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) is up more than 5% at $21.19.</p>
<p><strong>Other standouts from today include the following stocks:</strong></p>
<p>Threshold Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: THLD) is up nearly 115% at $2.77. The pharmaceuticals firm has announced a global development deal with Germany’s Merck.</p>
<p>Tudou Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: TUDO) is up nearly 19% at $16.66. The Chinese online video company has signed a deal with Sina Corp. (NASDAQ: SINA) to provide a video platform for Sina Weibo, a Twitter-like social site.</p>
<p>Zoltek Cos. Inc. (NASDAQ: ZOLT) is up nearly 39% at $13.14. The specialty fibers maker posted good earnings number and forecast continued growth in the market for wind turbines which use its carbon fibers in blade construction.</p>
<p>STR Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: STRI) is down nearly -20% at $9.08. The company manufactures materials used in solar PV modules, and lowered its fourth-quarter guidance this morning.</p>
<p>Mannkind Corp. (NASDAQ: MNKD) is down nearly -13% at $2.15 after posting a new 52-week low of $2.14 earlier. The biotech company has priced its public offering of units containing one share of stock and warrant to purchase another 0.6 shares. More coverage <a title="MannKind Holders Brace For Offering (MNKD)" href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/02/mannkind-holders-brace-for-offering-mnkd/" data-lasso-id="111625">here</a>.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following events on the schedule (all times Eastern):</p>
<ul>
<li>11:30 a.m. – 3- and 6-month Treasury bill auction</li>
<li>3:00 p.m. – Treasury STRIPS</li>
</ul>
<p>Have a great weekend.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/02/03/247-wall-st-closing-bell-mro-peet-rimm-urbn-chk-gild-gnw-pccc-nvls-pki-beam-el-wy-thld-tudo-zolt-stri-mnkd/">24/7 Wall St. Closing Bell (MRO, PEET, RIMM, URBN, CHK, GILD, GNW, PCCC, NVLS, PKI, BEAM, EL, WY, THLD, TUDO, ZOLT, STRI, MNKD)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=129789">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Some Hope For International Paper & Peers (IP, MWV, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/20/some-hope-for-international-paper-peers-ip-mwv-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:04:46 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=127012</guid>
<description><![CDATA[There is an interesting research report in shares of International Paper (NYSE: IP). A report from Zacks may have some impact on the company and also in shares of MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV) and Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY). The new rating was lifted to Outperform from Neutral based upon IP’s M&A strategy, joint ventures, and projects […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/20/some-hope-for-international-paper-peers-ip-mwv-wy/">Some Hope For International Paper & Peers (IP, MWV, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=127012">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>There is an interesting research report in shares of International Paper (NYSE: IP). A report from Zacks may have some impact on the company and also in shares of MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE: MWV) and Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY). The new rating was lifted to Outperform from Neutral based upon IP’s M&A strategy, joint ventures, and projects in Russia and China all working toward earnings growth.</p>
<p>Another boost is the a hiked dividend an unprecedented three times in the last year after having cut the payout by 90%. One caveat is continued high debt and Zacks sees “upward pressure on the stock over the near term.”</p>
<p>This is also coming when the stock is close to a year high. At $32.45, the 52-week range is $21.55 to $33.01 and the market cap is just over $14 billion. The Thomson Reuters consensus price target is $37.00 for a comparison and if the consensus estimates are achieved this one trades at barely 10-times earnings.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=IP&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="111212">full Zacks note is available here</a>.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/20/some-hope-for-international-paper-peers-ip-mwv-wy/">Some Hope For International Paper & Peers (IP, MWV, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=127012">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Argus Making Many Model Portfolio Changes (AEP, WMB, MON, CSX, OXY, WY, PAY, MDU, ICE, HAIN)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/12/argus-making-many-model-portfolio-changes-aep-wmb-mon-csx-oxy-wy-pay-mdu-ice-hain/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:03:52 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=125505</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Argus has made quite a few changes to its model portfolio for 2012 after the first week of trading this year. The company has broken these out in equity income, growth and income, and mid-cap growth sector. We also have implied price entry and exit points as well. In the firm’s equity income allocations, the […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/12/argus-making-many-model-portfolio-changes-aep-wmb-mon-csx-oxy-wy-pay-mdu-ice-hain/">Argus Making Many Model Portfolio Changes (AEP, WMB, MON, CSX, OXY, WY, PAY, MDU, ICE, HAIN)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=125505">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Argus has made quite a few changes to its model portfolio for 2012 after the first week of trading this year. The company has broken these out in equity income, growth and income, and mid-cap growth sector. We also have implied price entry and exit points as well.</p>
<p>In the firm’s equity income allocations, the firm is selling 100% of its allocation in American Electric Power Co. (NYSE: AEP) at $41.14 and is adding in Williams Companies Inc. (NYSE: WMB) at $28.22.</p>
<p>As far as growth and income, Argus is recommending to buy CSX Corp. (NYSE: CSX) at $23.32 and Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) at $79.00; and it is recommending that the model portfolio sell all of its positions in Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) at $97.17 and Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) at $19.18.</p>
<p>Finally, in mid-cap growth the firm’s model portfolio is buying VeriFone Systems Inc. (NYSE: PAY) at $37.12 and buying MDU Resources Group Inc. (NYSE: MDU) at $21.50. It is selling 100% of its position in IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (NYSE: ICE) at $113.13. Another selling stock, but only by 20% of its allocation is Hain Celestial Group Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN).</p>
<p>Speaking of model portfolios, here were the <a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/01/03/the-5-most-undervalued-djia-stocks-aa-bac-cat-jpm-utx-dia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="547615">5 most undervalued DJIA stocks</a> and the <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/03/the-five-least-attractive-djia-stocks-hd-mcd-trv-vz-wmt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="547616">5 least attractive DJIA stocks</a> based upon consensus targets. Here are the <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2012/01/07/jim-cramers-top-4-djia-picks-for-2012-t-ba-ge-kft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="547617">top 4 DJIA stock picks from Jim Cramer</a> for 2012.</p>
<p>Also, we made a lot of changes this year to the <a href="https://247wallst.com/special-report/2012/01/05/the-247-wall-st-2012-model-dividend-portfolio-aep-awk-t-ge-gov-kmb-snh-wmt-jnk-amj-amlp-pgf-mo-dlr-epd-kmp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="547618">24/7 Wall St. 2012 Model Dividend Portfolio</a>.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2012/01/12/argus-making-many-model-portfolio-changes-aep-wmb-mon-csx-oxy-wy-pay-mdu-ice-hain/">Argus Making Many Model Portfolio Changes (AEP, WMB, MON, CSX, OXY, WY, PAY, MDU, ICE, HAIN)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=125505">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Closing Bell (AET, AGP, JBHT, SNDK, WY, CRM, SWY, SHAW, L, INVE, HUM, MNTA, PATH, NPSP, YGE, TSL, GEVO)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/247-closing-bell-aet-agp-jbht-sndk-wy-crm-swy-shaw-l-inve-hum-mnta-path-npsp-yge-tsl-gevo/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:17:38 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=116311</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Markets opened lower this morning, and continued to fall before holding at around -150 points for most of the day on the DJIA. Japan’s yen sale pushed the dollar sharply higher and pushed down commodity prices, virtually all of which are priced in dollars. There might also have been some profit-taking, but Japan’s intervention in […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/247-closing-bell-aet-agp-jbht-sndk-wy-crm-swy-shaw-l-inve-hum-mnta-path-npsp-yge-tsl-gevo/">24/7 Closing Bell (AET, AGP, JBHT, SNDK, WY, CRM, SWY, SHAW, L, INVE, HUM, MNTA, PATH, NPSP, YGE, TSL, GEVO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116311">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p style="text-align:left;"><img title="Money" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/money1.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="150" />Markets opened lower this morning, and continued to fall before holding at around -150 points for most of the day on the DJIA. Japan’s yen sale pushed the dollar sharply higher and pushed down commodity prices, virtually all of which are priced in dollars. There might also have been some profit-taking, but Japan’s intervention in the currency market set the tone. The Chicago PMI index came in a bit lower than expected and had no visible impact on equity prices. Crude oil has recovered to be nearly flat, but gold is down about -1.3%, at $1,724/ounce in the last hour of trading. Silver, copper, platinum, and palladium are all down as well. The DJIA fell almost -50 points in the final half hour of trading.The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA down more than -276 points to 11,955.70 (-2.25%), the NASDAQ fell more than -52 points (-1.93%) to 2,684.41, and the S&P 500 fell -2.48% or nearly -32 points to 1,253.29.</p>
<p>There were several <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-agp-e-jbht-jnpr-kr-nwsa-res-swy-crm-sndk-skt-tms-vod-wpi-wy-wfm/" data-lasso-id="109144">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including the addition of Aetna, Inc. (NYSE: AET) to Goldman Sachs’ Conviction Buy list. Goldman also raised Amerigroup Corp. (NYSE: AGP) to ‘buy’. JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) cut to ‘hold’ at Stifel Nicolaus; Sandisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) cut to ‘neutral’ at Sterne Agee; Weyerhaeuser Corp. (NYSE: WY) raised to ‘hold’ at Deutsche Bank; Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM) cut to ‘equal-weight’ at Global Equities Research; and Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) started at ‘neutral’ by JP Morgan.Here are today’s big post-earnings news reactions with prices during the last half-hour of trading: Shaw Group (NYSE: SHAW) up nearly 5.5%, at $23.39; Loews Corp. (NYSE: L) is down about -3%, at $40.07; Identive Group Inc. (NASDAQ: INVE) is down more than -6.5%, at $2.37; and Humana, Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is up more than 6.5%, at $85.68.</p>
<p>Several other standouts from today are as follows…</p>
<p>Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTA) is up more than 22%, at $14.96. The shares jumped following a court ruling that will hamper the introduction of competing drugs.</p>
<p>NuPath Inc. (NASDAQ: PATH) is up more than 15%, at $2.68. The company reported positive results on tests of its patch treatment for migraine headaches.</p>
<p>NPS Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: NPSP) is down more than 33%, at $5.18. The company said that two patients for its new bowel drug died and another developed cancer.</p>
<p>Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. Ltd. (NYSE: YGE) is down more than -15%, at $4.06. This could well be caused by bit of profit-taking on solar stocks that posted sharp gains on Friday.</p>
<p>Trina Solar Ltd. (NYSE: TSL), another solar maker, is also down about -14%, at $8.04. Just another day in the solar whirlwind.</p>
<p>Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) is down about -16%, at $7.31. The biofuel maker was refused a re-examination of a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Tuesday. A two-day meeting of the Federal Reserve board of governors begins tomorrow. The first data on auto sales in October is expected tomorrow as well. We have noted the following events (all times Eastern):</p>
<p>10:00 a.m. — ISM Manufacturing index released<br />
10:00 a.m. — US construction spending for September 2011</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/247-closing-bell-aet-agp-jbht-sndk-wy-crm-swy-shaw-l-inve-hum-mnta-path-npsp-yge-tsl-gevo/">24/7 Closing Bell (AET, AGP, JBHT, SNDK, WY, CRM, SWY, SHAW, L, INVE, HUM, MNTA, PATH, NPSP, YGE, TSL, GEVO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116311">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AGP, E, JBHT, JNPR, KR, NWSA, RES SWY, CRM, SNDK, SKT, TMS, VOD, WPI, WY, WFM)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-agp-e-jbht-jnpr-kr-nwsa-res-swy-crm-sndk-skt-tms-vod-wpi-wy-wfm/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:29:29 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=116232</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of Monday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls. Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs. AMERIGROUP Corporation (NYSE: AGP) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs. Eni SpA (NYSE: E) Raised to Buy at S&P. JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) Cut […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-agp-e-jbht-jnpr-kr-nwsa-res-swy-crm-sndk-skt-tms-vod-wpi-wy-wfm/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AGP, E, JBHT, JNPR, KR, NWSA, RES SWY, CRM, SNDK, SKT, TMS, VOD, WPI, WY, WFM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116232">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-95230" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" />These are some of Monday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls.</p>
<p>Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.<br />
AMERIGROUP Corporation (NYSE: AGP) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Eni SpA (NYSE: E) Raised to Buy at S&P.<br />
JB Hunt Transport Services Inc. (NASDAQ: JBHT) Cut to Hold at Stifel Nicolaus.<br />
Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE: JNPR) Raised to Outperform at RBC.<br />
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Started as Neutral at JPMorgan.<br />
News Corp. (NASDAQ: NWSA) Started as Neutral at UBS.<br />
RPC, Inc. (NYSE: RES) Raised to Buy at Canaccord Genuity.<br />
Safeway Inc. (NYSE: SWY) Started as Neutral at JPMorgan.<br />
Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM) Cut to Equal-weight at Global Equities Research.<br />
SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) Cut to Neutral at Stern Agee; named <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=SNDK&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="546600">value stock of the day</a> at Zacks.<br />
Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. (NYSE: SKT) Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse.<br />
TMS International Corp. (NYSE: TMS) Started as Outperform with $11 target at Credit Suisse.<br />
Vodafone Group Plc (NYSE: VOD) Cut to Underperform as <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=VOD&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="546601">Bear of the Day</a> at Zacks.<br />
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) named as <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=WPI&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="546602">Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) Raised to Hold at Deutsche Bank.<br />
Whole Foods Market Inc. (NASDAQ: WFM) Started as Neutral at JPMorgan.</p>
<p>We also have some more data on analysts and the calendar. Here are the <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/29/247-wall-st-top-analyst-calls-of-the-week-avp-bbby-fslr-knd-nflx-pot-rsh-rgld-siri-s-tlab-wfm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="546603">top analyst upgrades and downgrades of the last week</a>. We also have the <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/30/top-12-earnings-economic-events-this-coming-week-adm-dnkn-pfe-gm-f-cmcsa-kft-qcom-wfm-aig-ek-lnkd-sbux-gmcr-alu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="546604">top twelve earnings reports and an economic calendar</a> for what is coming down the pipe this week.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/31/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-agp-e-jbht-jnpr-kr-nwsa-res-swy-crm-sndk-skt-tms-vod-wpi-wy-wfm/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AGP, E, JBHT, JNPR, KR, NWSA, RES SWY, CRM, SNDK, SKT, TMS, VOD, WPI, WY, WFM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116232">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>24/7 Closing Bell (AMD, FSLR, POT, PAAS, S, OXY, CVX, CSTR, MRK, BIDU, WY, IPG, SWC, ALGN, STMP, CPSI, CODE, DRIV)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/28/247-closing-bell-amd-fslr-pot-paas-s-oxy-cvx-cstr-mrk-bidu-wy-ipg-swc-algn-stmp-cpsi-code-driv/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Paul Ausick]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:04:59 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=116148</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Markets opened slightly lower this morning and spent the morning trying to decide on a direction. The Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose more than expected, but even that was not enough to charge up investors. In the early afternoon, advances were leading declines on the NYSE, while the status was just the reverse […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/28/247-closing-bell-amd-fslr-pot-paas-s-oxy-cvx-cstr-mrk-bidu-wy-ipg-swc-algn-stmp-cpsi-code-driv/">24/7 Closing Bell (AMD, FSLR, POT, PAAS, S, OXY, CVX, CSTR, MRK, BIDU, WY, IPG, SWC, ALGN, STMP, CPSI, CODE, DRIV)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116148">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><div>
<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-82326" title="Stock Market Image" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/stock-market-image.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" />Markets opened slightly lower this morning and spent the morning trying to decide on a direction. The Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index rose more than expected, but even that was not enough to charge up investors. In the early afternoon, advances were leading declines on the NYSE, while the status was just the reverse on NASDAQ. Both oil and gold prices were slightly lower after rising sharply yesterday. So far this month, markets are up a solid 13%.</p>
<p>The unofficial closing bells put the DJIA up nearly more than 21 points to 12,230.35 (0.18%), the NASDAQ fell about -1.5 points (-0.05%) to2,737.15, and the S&P 500 rose 0.03% or about 0.47 points to 1,285.06.</p>
<p>There were several <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/28/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-amd-xom-fslr-gdi-jcom-mdr-oxy-paas-plxs-pot-spb-s-tsm-vmed-wfm/" data-lasso-id="109091">analyst upgrades and downgrades today</a>, including a raise for Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) to ‘outperform’ at Wells Fargo. First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) was maintained at ‘buy’ but the target price was cut to $90 at Argus; Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. (NYSE: POT) cut to ‘sector perform’ at Scotia; Pan American Silver Corp. (NASDAQ: PAAS) cut to ‘sector perform’ at CIBC; Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) raised to ‘outperform’ at Macquarie; and Occidental Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: OXY) raised to ‘outperform’ with a new target price of $135 at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>Here are today’s big post-earnings news reactions with prices during the last half-hour of trading: Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) is up 0.3%, at $109.99, two pennies short of a new 52-week high; Coinstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSTR) is down about -7.6%, at $48.91; Merck (NYSE: MRK) is up 2.3%, at $35.10; Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) is up 4.33% (our coverage <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/28/baidu-better-for-now-than-apple-google-combined-bidu-aapl-goog/" data-lasso-id="109092">here</a>), at $144.38; Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) is up 1.6%, at $18.23; and The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. (NYSE: IPG) is up 11.6%, at $9.94 (our coverage <a href="https://247wallst.com/media/2011/10/28/advertising-going-strong-for-now-but-softness-ahead-wppgy-ipg-omc-pubgy-gci-nyt/" data-lasso-id="109093">here</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Several other standouts from today follow …</strong></p>
<p>Stillwater Mining Co. (NYSE: SWC) is up more than 27%, at $12.65. The company beat earnings estimates this morning, and has reiterated its production estimates for platinum and palladium for 2011. Stillwater recycled 133,500 ounces of platinum, palladium, and rhodium in the third quarter, up 70% from the same period a year ago.</p>
<p>Align Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: ALGN) is up more than 34%, at $23.94. The company posted solid earnings for the third quarter and announced a $150 million stock buyback program. Align manufactures and sells Invisalign teeth straightening products.</p>
<p>Stamps.com Inc. (NASDAQ: STMP) is up more than 25%, at $32.48 — a new 52-week high — following an outstanding earnings report. Stamps.com raised its non-GAAP EPS estimate for the second time this year, to $1.20-$1.40. The company originally estimated non-GAAP EPS of $0.85-$1.05.</p>
<p>Computer Programs and Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CPSI) are down more than -28%, at $51.10. The company missed both revenue and EPS estimates for the quarter, and the fourth-quarter outlook is also weak. The company’s $1.44/share dividend takes some of the sting out of the poor results.</p>
<p>Spansion Inc. (NYSE: CODE) is down more than -25%, at $10.46, after posting a new 52-week lower earlier today of $9.17. The company released a weaker fourth-quarter forecast and announced the closure of its plant in Kuala Lumpur as part of its effort to cut costs.</p>
<p>Digital River Inc. (NASDAQ: DRIV) is down more than -19%, at $18.52. The company’s third-quarter earnings were short of expectations and the fourth-quarter forecast was lowered.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for Monday. We have noted the following events (all times Eastern):</p>
<p>9:45 a.m. — Chicago Purchasing Managers Index<br />
3:00 p.m. — USDA farm prices<br />
<br />
Paul Ausick</p>
</div>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/28/247-closing-bell-amd-fslr-pot-paas-s-oxy-cvx-cstr-mrk-bidu-wy-ipg-swc-algn-stmp-cpsi-code-driv/">24/7 Closing Bell (AMD, FSLR, POT, PAAS, S, OXY, CVX, CSTR, MRK, BIDU, WY, IPG, SWC, ALGN, STMP, CPSI, CODE, DRIV)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=116148">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>The Frontlines in a US-China Trade War (WMT, TGT, BTU, ACI, FCX, RIO, WY, PCL, ADM, BG, CAT, DE, GM, F, GE)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/11/the-frontlines-in-a-us-china-trade-war-wmt-tgt-btu-aci-fcx-rio-wy-pcl-adm-bg-cat-de-gm-f-ge/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:32:18 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=114394</guid>
<description><![CDATA[While the debate rages over whether or not the U.S. should enact legislation aimed to curb currency manipulation — and specifically the Chinese peg to the U.S. dollar — the impact of such legislation has been made abundantly clear by the Chinese government. China has, in effect, said that the enactment of the currency manipulation […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/11/the-frontlines-in-a-us-china-trade-war-wmt-tgt-btu-aci-fcx-rio-wy-pcl-adm-bg-cat-de-gm-f-ge/">The Frontlines in a US-China Trade War (WMT, TGT, BTU, ACI, FCX, RIO, WY, PCL, ADM, BG, CAT, DE, GM, F, GE)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=114394">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/china.jpg" data-lasso-id="546254"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-97731" title="China" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/china.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="133" /></a>While the debate rages over whether or not the U.S. should enact legislation aimed to curb currency manipulation — and specifically the Chinese peg to the U.S. dollar — the impact of such legislation has been made abundantly clear by the Chinese government. China has, in effect, said that the enactment of the currency manipulation bill now being debated in the U.S. Senate would lead to an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China, reminiscent of the trade wars following the Smoot-Hawley tariffs of the 1930s.</p>
<p>Which U.S. industries and companies stand to get hit the hardest in the event a trade war gets started? The U.S. Census Bureau provides data on the <a href="http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/www/index.html" data-lasso-id="546255">dollar amounts of U.S. imports from and exports to China</a> that we have looked at to see where the impacts could be the largest.</p>
<p>According the Census Bureau data, in 2010 the U.S. imported goods from China worth about $365 billion, while exporting goods worth about $92 billion. If the U.S. were to implement tariffs on imports, the likeliest targets would be the goods with the largest dollar value. These imports include computer, semiconductors and telecom gear worth about $88 billion in 2010, clothing and other household goods worth an aggregate of about $71 billion, toys and similar items worth about $27 billion, televisions and other video equipment worth about $15 billion.</p>
<p>If all that sounds like the stuff you can buy at Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) or Target (NYSE: TGT) or any number of other U.S. department stores, then be prepared to pay more for these items. Because comparatively little clothing or TVs or toys are manufactured in the U.S. any longer, an import duty on these items would hurt U.S. consumers without providing a lot of help to U.S. manufacturers. Hopes that a new manufacturing segment might spring up are not likely to be realized among large companies but smaller manufacturers could gain some benefit.</p>
<p>However, if China responds with import tariffs of its own, several major U.S. industries could get seriously hurt. Raw materials exports such as coal, copper, iron ore, lumber, and other metals are particularly vulnerable. So are agricultural products like soybeans, cotton, and corn. Industrial and agricultural machinery exports could also face penalties. Another substantial U.S. export is automobiles.</p>
<p>Coal miners like Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) and Arch Coal (NYSE: ACI) could get hit, as could copper miners Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO). Lumber companies Weyerhaeuser (NYSE: WY) and Plum Creek Timber (NYSE: PCL) could face higher duties on log exports.</p>
<p>Agricultural products companies such as Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) and Bunge (NYSE: BG) could be in China’s sights if duties are applied to food exports. Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) and Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) are likely to see prices for their equipment rise with a concomitant loss of sales to competitors from Japan and Korea.</p>
<p>General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Ford Motor (NYSE: F) both look to China as a growth opportunity. In 2010 U.S. car sales in China totaled more than $3 billion. Slapping a tariff on U.S. cars could really chill the hopes of the U.S. automakers. General Electric (NYSE: GE) could also face tariffs on industrial engines and parts, as well as aircraft parts and other equipment.</p>
<p>China has been fighting inflation for most of this year by restricting bank lending and raising interest rates. Absent a significant currency adjustment, this does little good for the global economy and not much long-term good for China’s domestic economy. If the yuan were allowed to float freely, it could appreciate by as much as 30%. That would quickly eliminate the inflation threat in China, bringing the cost of the country’s goods more into line with foreign costs, slowing the country’s exports, and giving other economies a chance to fill the gap and begin growing again.</p>
<p>But that outcome does not appear likely. Instead, China appears willing to fight the Senate legislation with a trade war. The war of words is likely to last well into next year, but the first real shot is already being primed.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/10/11/the-frontlines-in-a-us-china-trade-war-wmt-tgt-btu-aci-fcx-rio-wy-pcl-adm-bg-cat-de-gm-f-ge/">The Frontlines in a US-China Trade War (WMT, TGT, BTU, ACI, FCX, RIO, WY, PCL, ADM, BG, CAT, DE, GM, F, GE)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=114394">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Paper & Pulp Earnings… Changing M&A Opportunities In the Sector? (WY, IP, TIN, BZ, LL, PCL, RYN, POPE, CUT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/07/29/paper-pulp-earnings-changing-ma-opportunities-in-the-sector-wy-ip-tin-bz-ll-pcl-ryn-pope-cut/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:16:50 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=109055</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported a -29% decline in profits this morning. The company’s EPS came in at $0.02, compared with estimates of $0.19. Weyerhaeuser also missed on revenue, posting a number of $1.61 billion compared to estimates of $1.76 billion. Excluding items, the company’s EPS came in at $0.06 on revenue of $1.77 billion. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/07/29/paper-pulp-earnings-changing-ma-opportunities-in-the-sector-wy-ip-tin-bz-ll-pcl-ryn-pope-cut/">Paper & Pulp Earnings… Changing M&A Opportunities In the Sector? (WY, IP, TIN, BZ, LL, PCL, RYN, POPE, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=109055">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) reported a -29% decline in profits this morning. The company’s EPS came in at $0.02, compared with estimates of $0.19. Weyerhaeuser also missed on revenue, posting a number of $1.61 billion compared to estimates of $1.76 billion. Excluding items, the company’s EPS came in at $0.06 on revenue of $1.77 billion.</p>
<p>The company is selling its hardwoods and shipping lines businesses as it tries to deal with continuing problems with demand for lumber in the US housing market. And while Weyerhauser is shedding assets, other companies in the forest products industry are trying to acquire some. The most noticeable is International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP), which has taken an already rejected offer of $3.3 billion for Temple-Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) directly to Temple-Inland shareholders. Rock-Tenn Co. (NYSE: RKT) recently completed its acquisition of Smurfit-Stone Container Corp. and Boise Inc. (NYSE: BZ) has also picked up another packaging firm.</p>
<p>In a <a href="http://www.standardandpoors.com/prot/ratings/articles/en/us/?assetID=1245315285421" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="545028">recent report</a>, Standard & Poor’s showed that strong balance sheets and attractive financing terms will increase M&A over the next several quarters in the forest products industry in North America. S&P believes that all of the action will occur in the paperboard and packing sectors, but that consolidation in the wood products sector is unlikely due to the weak recovery in the housing market.</p>
<p>That sounds about right. Weyerhaeuser isn’t the only lumber company that’s having earnings troubles. Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LL) recently cut its forecast and the stock got pounded. Weyerhaeuser, Plum Creek Timber Co. (NYSE: PCL), and Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN) are all trading below 52-week highs. Pope Resources LP (NASDAQ: POPE) has posted a share price gain of around 80% in the past twelve months, but its market cap is still only about $205 million, far smaller than any of the others.</p>
<p>Rayonier missed estimates yesterday and Plum Creek missed estimates earlier this week.</p>
<p>S&P suggests that “[a]cquisitions that result in further industry consolidation could potentially improve our business risk assessments” in the forest products sector. But with the possible exception of Pope, with its low market cap, it doesn’t appear that any large-scale deals are on tap for the lumber business.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser shares are trading up fractionally just before noon today, at $20.06, within a 52-week range of $15.06-$25.33. The Guggenheim Timber ETF (NYSE: CUT) is trading down fractionally, at $19.62, within a 52-week range of $17.26-$23.56.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/07/29/paper-pulp-earnings-changing-ma-opportunities-in-the-sector-wy-ip-tin-bz-ll-pcl-ryn-pope-cut/">Paper & Pulp Earnings… Changing M&A Opportunities In the Sector? (WY, IP, TIN, BZ, LL, PCL, RYN, POPE, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=109055">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Go Figure… Lumber Prices Rising on Exports (POPE, RYN, PCL, WY, LL, CUT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/07/11/go-figure-lumber-prices-rising-on-exports-pope-ryn-pcl-wy-ll-cut/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:15:30 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=107819</guid>
<description><![CDATA[A contract for 110,000 board feet of lumber traded for as much as $320 in mid-March before plummeting below $220 in mid-June. Now lumber is rising again and it could be one of those times when supply can’t keep up with demand. But not for the usual reasons. Traditionally, homebuilding soaks up a lot of […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/07/11/go-figure-lumber-prices-rising-on-exports-pope-ryn-pcl-wy-ll-cut/">Go Figure… Lumber Prices Rising on Exports (POPE, RYN, PCL, WY, LL, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=107819">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>A contract for 110,000 board feet of lumber traded for as much as $320 in mid-March before plummeting below $220 in mid-June. Now lumber is rising again and it could be one of those times when supply can’t keep up with demand. But not for the usual reasons.</p>
<p>Traditionally, homebuilding soaks up a lot of U.S. timber production, but the market for new houses is very soft and has been for two years or more. Timber companies have been supported primarily by exports to Asia and real estate sales. Timber producers like Pope Resources LP (NASDAQ: POPE), Rayonier Inc. (NYSE: RYN) and Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL) have seen share prices rise from nearly 20% to more than 80% in the past 12 months. The Guggenheim Timber ETF (NYSE: CUT) is also up more than 20% in the past 12 months. Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) and Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LL) have seen stock prices fall — Weyerhaeuser when it converted to a REIT in July 2010, and Lumber Liquidators last week when the company cut its forecast for 2011.</p>
<p>The exports to Asia aren’t leaving the docks without controversy however. In 2010, timber exports to China doubled to $270 million when total log shipments to Asia reached a 14-year high of 1.1 billion board feet from Pacific Northwest ports, up from 700 million board feet in 2009. Prices for logs have gone up for Pacific Northwest timber, but prices in the southeast U.S. are at their lowest point in 15 years.</p>
<p>In the logging country of Oregon and Washington, the central issue of log exports becomes jobs. When whole logs are shipped instead of milled lumber, mills close and jobs are lost. By one estimate, for every million board feet of log exports the Northwest loses 12 jobs, mostly in family-owned and operated mills. In the past two years more than 20,000 jobs have left for Asia, and as many as 26,000 could depart in 2011, when shipments to Asia could top 1.5 billion board feet. It is important to note that logs exported to Asia are cut from private land only because U.S. law forbids exporting logs cut on public lands.</p>
<p>Timber companies ship more logs to Asia because demand within the U.S. for milled lumber has dried up. China, Japan, and Korea operate their own mills and want to employ their own citizens to mill the lumber imports from the U.S. Demand for lumber in Asia keeps the price of U.S. logs high.</p>
<p>And with high export prices come higher prices for the commodity lumber contract. Timber producers in the southeast U.S. are selling to pulp and paper mills at lower prices than milled lumber, while northwest timber producers drive up the cost of lumber even though U.S. domestic demand is very weak. It’s an unusual situation, to say the least.</p>
<p>Lumber Liquidators has set another 52-week intra-day low today, at $18.04, down more than 3% from Friday’s close. The shares are threatening a two-year low of around $17/share. The Guggenheim Timber ETF (NYSE: CUT) is also down more than 3% to $20.54, and the 52-week range is $17.26-$23.56.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/07/11/go-figure-lumber-prices-rising-on-exports-pope-ryn-pcl-wy-ll-cut/">Go Figure… Lumber Prices Rising on Exports (POPE, RYN, PCL, WY, LL, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=107819">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AEG, AFL, ANDE, BCSI, BRCM, CSC, DNDN, ETR, ITRI, RRGB, UIL, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/05/27/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aeg-afl-ande-bcsi-brcm-csc-dndn-etr-itri-rrgb-uil-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 May 2011 12:06:06 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=104590</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls this Friday morning. AEGON (NYSE: AEG) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML. AFLAC Inc. (NYSE: AFL) Cut to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley. The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) Reiterated Buy as Value at Zacks. Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCSI) Reiterated […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/05/27/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aeg-afl-ande-bcsi-brcm-csc-dndn-etr-itri-rrgb-uil-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AEG, AFL, ANDE, BCSI, BRCM, CSC, DNDN, ETR, ITRI, RRGB, UIL, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=104590">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-95230" title="Bull and Bear" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bull-and-bear.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="149" />These are some of the top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls this Friday morning.</p>
<p>AEGON (NYSE: AEG) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.<br />
AFLAC Inc. (NYSE: AFL) Cut to Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.<br />
The Andersons, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANDE) Reiterated <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=ANDE&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="544024">Buy as Value</a> at Zacks.<br />
Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BCSI) Reiterated Underperform and cut target to $20 at BofA/ML.<br />
Broadcom Corporation (NASDAQ: BRCM) Raised to Top Pick at FBR Capital Markets.<br />
Computer Sciences Corp. (NYSE: CSC) Reiterated <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=CSC&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="544025">Underperform as Bear of the Day</a> at Zacks.<br />
Dendreon Corporation (NASDAQ: DNDN) Maintained Underperform with $29 target at Credit Suisse.<br />
Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR) Raised to Outperform at Wells Fargo.<br />
Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) Cut to Underperform at Baird.<br />
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (NASDAQ: RRGB) Raised to <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=RRGB&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="544026">Outperform as Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks.<br />
UIL Holdings Corp. (NYSE: UIL) Cut to Hold at Argus.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) Cut to Sell at Deutsche Bank.</p>
<p>You are invited to join our free daily email distribution list to hear more about analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader and active trader alerts, dividend trends, news on Buffett and other investment gurus, IPOs, secondary offerings, private equity, and more.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/05/27/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aeg-afl-ande-bcsi-brcm-csc-dndn-etr-itri-rrgb-uil-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AEG, AFL, ANDE, BCSI, BRCM, CSC, DNDN, ETR, ITRI, RRGB, UIL, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=104590">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Commodities Watch: Stronger Dollar Weakens Commodities; Lumber Prices Continue Falling; Cotton Prices Uncertain; Gold, Silver Could Stay Soft for a While (WY, PCL, LPX, GPS, ARO, GLD, SLV, GDX, GDXJ, SIL)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/23/commodities-watch-stronger-dollar-weakens-commodities-lumber-prices-continue-falling-cotton-prices-uncertain-gold-silver-could-stay-soft-for-a-while-wy-pcl-lpx-gps-aro-gld-slv-gdx-gdxj/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 May 2011 18:24:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=104206</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today’s commodities news is all about the effect of a stronger dollar on commodities prices. Cotton prices, which rose almost non-stop beginning in August 2010, could be moderating and giving a break to struggling retailers. And the flight to the dollar is also affecting gold and silver prices. The US dollar is more appealing today […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/23/commodities-watch-stronger-dollar-weakens-commodities-lumber-prices-continue-falling-cotton-prices-uncertain-gold-silver-could-stay-soft-for-a-while-wy-pcl-lpx-gps-aro-gld-slv-gdx-gdxj/">Commodities Watch: Stronger Dollar Weakens Commodities; Lumber Prices Continue Falling; Cotton Prices Uncertain; Gold, Silver Could Stay Soft for a While (WY, PCL, LPX, GPS, ARO, GLD, SLV, GDX, GDXJ, SIL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=104206">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-102123" title="Commodity Watch" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/commodity-watch1.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="145" />Today’s commodities news is all about the effect of a stronger dollar on commodities prices. Cotton prices, which rose almost non-stop beginning in August 2010, could be moderating and giving a break to struggling retailers. And the flight to the dollar is also affecting gold and silver prices. The US dollar is more appealing today than it has been for a while, as the apparently worsening problems in Greece keep weighing down the euro. The euro is trading below $1.40, still slightly higher than where it began the year, and about even with the beginning of both 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the euro rose to more than $1.50 before declining in mid-2010 to about $1.21.</p>
<p>The sharp rise in commodities prices coincided with the rise in the euro for the last half of 2010 and the first four months of 2011, but what now appears to be a near-certain restructuring/default of Greek sovereign debt is chilling the appetite for risk.</p>
<p>But Europe isn’t the only issue. China’s battle against inflation is being waged with higher interest rates on bank loans, which in turn appears to be slowing down the country’s growth. Chinese energy import growth could be slowing down and there is some belief that some of the construction that is going on in China is really just make-work projects to keep workers employed building housing that no one either can afford or wants to buy — the Chinese version of Potemkin villages.</p>
<p>The odd thing about flight to the dollar is that the US economy itself remains pretty weak. If this economy is the best that the world has to offer, things might be worse than everyone fears.</p>
<p>Take lumber prices for example. A contract for a thousand board feet can be purchased today for less than $220, compared with more than $320 in early March. Timber companies like Weyerhaeuser Corp. (NYSE: WY), Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (NYSE: PCL), and Louisiana Pacific Corp. (NYSE: LPX) have been counting on demand from China to make up for slack demand in the US, but the cavalry has not arrived yet. Worse, the cavalry may never arrive, at least in the hoped-for strength due to the slower-growing Chinese economy.</p>
<p>US homebuilders have done nothing to support lumber prices either, as they all continue to struggle with a collapse in new housing starts. And in a reverse situation, rising cotton prices have hurt share prices at retailers like Gap Stores Inc. (NYSE: GPS) and Aeropostale, Inc. (NYSE: ARO). That maybe about to turn around though.</p>
<p>Cotton prices have been falling since hitting a peak near $2.10/pound in early March. Currently sitting at about $1.55/pound, falling cotton prices may help retailers in the second half of the year, but inventories of higher-priced goods remain high and a continuing drop in cotton prices is not a sure thing. The risk to retailers remains high.</p>
<p>Cotton growers appear to be expecting prices to remain high and are planting more acres in cotton. In one district in California’s central valley, as much as 90,000 more acres will be planted this year, although not all in cotton. There will also be more wheat, another crop that remains near 12-month highs.</p>
<p>Growers are betting that cotton prices stay high, even though they plan to plant more. Retailers are hoping that cotton prices fall as growers plant more. While not exactly a zero-sum game, an outcome that supports both growers and retailers could be pretty hard to come by.</p>
<p>Finally today, gold and silver prices have moved up only marginally, with gold trading at about $1,514/ounce in the early afternoon, and silver at $34.88/ounce. The stronger dollar is also dampening enthusiasm for the precious metals. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) is up about 0.22%, to $147.71, in a 52-week range of $113.08-$153.61, and the iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV) is down about -0.3%, at $34.08, in a 52-week range of $16.94-$48.35.</p>
<p>The mining ETFs are faring a bit worse, with the Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDX) down more than -1% and the Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE: GDXJ) off more than -3%. GDX is trading at $55.16, in a 52-week range of $45.88-$64.62. GDXJ is trading at $35.03, in a 52-week range of $25.10-$44.86. The Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE: SIL) is down about -2.5%, to $23.56, in a range of $12.90-$31.34.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/23/commodities-watch-stronger-dollar-weakens-commodities-lumber-prices-continue-falling-cotton-prices-uncertain-gold-silver-could-stay-soft-for-a-while-wy-pcl-lpx-gps-aro-gld-slv-gdx-gdxj/">Commodities Watch: Stronger Dollar Weakens Commodities; Lumber Prices Continue Falling; Cotton Prices Uncertain; Gold, Silver Could Stay Soft for a While (WY, PCL, LPX, GPS, ARO, GLD, SLV, GDX, GDXJ, SIL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=104206">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Commodities Watch: Silver Goes Lower, Copper Higher; Wheat Continues Losses; Canada Sees Growth in Lumber Prices, Exports (SLV, GLD, JJC, MOO, DBA, WY, PCL, LPX)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/12/commodities-watch-silver-goes-lower-copper-higher-wheat-continues-losses-canada-sees-growth-in-lumber-prices-exports-slv-gld-jjc-moo-dba-wy-pcl-lpx/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 May 2011 19:15:22 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=103476</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today’s commodities news is not quite a repeat of yesterday’s because oil is staying essentially flat and yesterday’s commodities sell-off is not being repeated. Wheat prices, however are continuing to fall, as are lumber prices, which Canada thinks are due for a turnaround. Shortly after noon today, WTI crude prices were flat with yesterday’s close […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/12/commodities-watch-silver-goes-lower-copper-higher-wheat-continues-losses-canada-sees-growth-in-lumber-prices-exports-slv-gld-jjc-moo-dba-wy-pcl-lpx/">Commodities Watch: Silver Goes Lower, Copper Higher; Wheat Continues Losses; Canada Sees Growth in Lumber Prices, Exports (SLV, GLD, JJC, MOO, DBA, WY, PCL, LPX)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=103476">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-102123" title="Commodity Watch" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/commodity-watch1.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="145" />Today’s commodities news is not quite a repeat of yesterday’s because oil is staying essentially flat and yesterday’s commodities sell-off is not being repeated. Wheat prices, however are continuing to fall, as are lumber prices, which Canada thinks are due for a turnaround.</p>
<p>Shortly after noon today, WTI crude prices were flat with yesterday’s close at around $98.21/barrel. Crude prices fell early, to $95.25/barrel, but pushed near $100/barrel before falling back again. Silver prices are down about -4%, to $34.10, after plunging to $32.30 early. Gold prices are also recovering from a dip to $1,477.60, and are now down less than -0.5% at $1,498.10.</p>
<p>Today’s wobbly prices are likely due to a wobbly greenback. The dollar gained strength against the euro early this morning, but has given it all back since. The dollar has gained about 3% on the euro since the beginning of the month which helps keep the prices of dollar-priced commodities in check and cools demand for safe haven investments like gold and, to some extent, silver. When there are a lot of uncertainties in the currency markets, that translates into uncertainty about commodity futures. And that’s where we are today.</p>
<p>The iShares Silver Trust (NYSE: SLV) is down about -3%, at $33.36, within a 52-week range of $16.73-$48.35. The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD) is off less than -0.5%, at $145.89, within a 52-week range of $113.08-$153.61.</p>
<p>Copper prices are up again today, at nearly $3.97/pound after falling to around $3.85/pound. Copper fell yesterday on fears that Chinese growth was slowing and that the country’s rising inflation would cause the government to put more capital controls in place. The government did increase the reserve ratio requirement for banks by 50 basis points today, but copper’s expected fundamental supply deficit this year still helps keep the price from collapsing. The iPath DJ-UBS Copper Total Return Sub-Index ETN (NYSE: JJC) is up more than 1.5%, to $52.24, within a 52-week range of $36.60-$61.69.</p>
<p>Wheat prices have continued their slide today as the market continues to adjust to the projected rise in imports from Russia and other former Soviet Union countries. Wheat is down about -3%, to $7.36/bushel after coming back from a intra-day low of about $7.28. The Market Vectors Agribusiness ETF (NYSE: MOO) is down more than -1%, to $52.87, within a 52-week range of $35.62-$57.93. The PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE: DBA) is also down, but by less than -0.5%, at $32.28, within a 52-week range of $22.85-$35.58.</p>
<p>Lumber prices, like wheat, are down today by about -1.5%, at $230.70/thousand board feet, its lowest point in about seven months. Weakness in lumber is directly related to weakness in new home construction, and with US housing starts in April forecast at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 549,000, the outlook for much higher lumber prices is not terribly strong.</p>
<p>Except in Canada, where the country’s export development commission expects Canadian export growth of 12% in 2011 and another 7% in 2012. Oil accounts for 20% of the total thru 2012, but the country is also expecting good things from its forestry industry. Canada expects forestry exports to grow by 9% in 2011 and another 13% in 2012.</p>
<p>The Canadians are looking south for a big part of that growth, to the US housing market, which they predict will see 700,000 new housing starts in 2011, and 1 million housing starts in 2012. That’s nearly double the April 2010 rate.</p>
<p>A look at the forward P/E ratios for three US lumber companies seems to back up the Canadian view. Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) posts a trailing P/E of 5.53, but a forward P/E of 24.23. Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE: PCL) has a trailing P/E of a whopping 41.46 and a forward P/E of 25.41. Even Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE: LPX), which is expected to post a full-year loss in 2011, has a forward P/E of 26.52. Maybe all that timber is going to build homes in China and rebuild homes in Japan.</p>
<p>It would take some sort of economic miracle for the US to support that kind of earnings growth. A forestry consultancy in Vancouver thinks it will be 2013 before US housing starts hit 1 million. Even that could be a stretch, though, given the nearly 3.5 million houses currently for sale in the US. Until that number comes down significantly, demand for new housing in the US simply won’t grow at the rates that the Canadians are expecting.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/05/12/commodities-watch-silver-goes-lower-copper-higher-wheat-continues-losses-canada-sees-growth-in-lumber-prices-exports-slv-gld-jjc-moo-dba-wy-pcl-lpx/">Commodities Watch: Silver Goes Lower, Copper Higher; Wheat Continues Losses; Canada Sees Growth in Lumber Prices, Exports (SLV, GLD, JJC, MOO, DBA, WY, PCL, LPX)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=103476">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Commodities Watch: Iron Ore Prices Hit China’s Steelmakers; Caterpillar Soars; Lumber Prices Remain Soft; Coffee at Near-Record High (BHP, RIO, VALE, CAT, WY, DHI, SBUX)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/04/29/commodities-watch-iron-ore-prices-hit-chinas-steelmakers-caterpillar-soars-lumber-prices-remain-soft-coffee-at-near-record-high-bhp-rio-vale-cat-wy-dhi-sbux/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:38:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=102412</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Today’s report on commodities begins with some sobering news from Chinese steel makers and some roaring news from a maker of heavy equipment. Lumber prices remain low, but arabica coffee beans are at their highest point in 34 years. A steel industry association in China reports that profit margins among 77 large and mid-sized steel […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/04/29/commodities-watch-iron-ore-prices-hit-chinas-steelmakers-caterpillar-soars-lumber-prices-remain-soft-coffee-at-near-record-high-bhp-rio-vale-cat-wy-dhi-sbux/">Commodities Watch: Iron Ore Prices Hit China’s Steelmakers; Caterpillar Soars; Lumber Prices Remain Soft; Coffee at Near-Record High (BHP, RIO, VALE, CAT, WY, DHI, SBUX)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=102412">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><a href="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/commodities.jpg" data-lasso-id="104032"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-96839" title="Commodities" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/commodities.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="132" /></a>Today’s report on commodities begins with some sobering news from Chinese steel makers and some roaring news from a maker of heavy equipment. Lumber prices remain low, but arabica coffee beans are at their highest point in 34 years.</p>
<p>A steel industry association in China reports that profit margins among 77 large and mid-sized steel makers reached a paltry 2.91% in the first calendar quarter of 2011. Across China, the all-industry profit margin average was 6.2%. Ten of the country’s steel makers actually posted losses.</p>
<p>The culprit is the price for iron ore. Prices for iron ore are up more than 62% year-over-year, averaging about $156/ton. Iron ore producers like BHP Billiton plc (NYSE: BHP), Rio Tinto plc (NYSE: RIO), and Vale (NYSE: VALE) are reaping the rewards.</p>
<p>Another company reaping the benefits of higher metals prices is Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), which this morning reported record profits of $1.225 billion and record EPS of $1.84. Revenue rose to $12.95 billion. The company cited significantly higher sales volume, including demand from commodities producers that are now scaling up spending in order to produce more.</p>
<p>In stark contrast, Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) posted EPS of $0.18 this morning, but the gain was due almost entirely to the $96 million after-tax gain on a sale of timberland. Without that sale, the company’s earnings would have been a weak $3 million.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser’s problem, as the company so baldly stated it, stem from “anemic housing market conditions.” As if to add support for that, homebuilder D.R. Horton Inc. (NYSE: DHI) reported a positive EPS surprise of $0.09, or net income of $27.8 million. A tax benefit of $59.2 million provided the gain. The company’s homebuilding revenue fell by about -18%, from $897 million in the same period a year ago to just $733 million this year.</p>
<p>Homebuilders have been coaxing every dollar they can from every conceivable item on their balance sheets and income statements. Everything, that is, except building more houses. Until the demand for new housing turns around, lumber companies and lumber prices can’t expect to improve much.</p>
<p>Finally, the price for arabica coffe has climbed above $3.02/pound for the first time since 1977. The steady rise in coffee prices appears to be primarily down to the old reliable — supply and demand. Coffee supplies are expected to trail demand in 2011 for the fourth consecutive year, and prospects for 2012 include another year of short supply.</p>
<p>Dollar weakness is contributing to demand for coffee because it is priced in dollars and weaker dollars buy more coffee for less money in other currencies. Some traders think arabica coffee could approach $3.30/pound by summer.</p>
<p>The CEO of Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) said yesterday that he does not believe that the current high prices are sustainable, and that he is hopeful that prices will come down. Starbucks expects coffee prices to lower its profits by $0.22/share in 2011.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/04/29/commodities-watch-iron-ore-prices-hit-chinas-steelmakers-caterpillar-soars-lumber-prices-remain-soft-coffee-at-near-record-high-bhp-rio-vale-cat-wy-dhi-sbux/">Commodities Watch: Iron Ore Prices Hit China’s Steelmakers; Caterpillar Soars; Lumber Prices Remain Soft; Coffee at Near-Record High (BHP, RIO, VALE, CAT, WY, DHI, SBUX)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=102412">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Commodities Daily: Ag Prices Rise, Severely Lag Rare Earths (WY, MCP, REE, AVL, VALE, RIO, BHP)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/03/22/commodities-daily-ag-prices-rise-severely-lag-rare-earths-wy-mcp-ree-avl-vale-rio-bhp/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:01:45 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=98562</guid>
<description><![CDATA[It’s 4:00 pm and time for our daily look at commodity prices and news. Today’s biggest upside move in ag products came in cotton, up about 3.5%, while wool was up about 2.5%. The biggest downside move came in lumber, down more than -2.5%. Publicly traded rare earths miners Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), Rare Element […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/03/22/commodities-daily-ag-prices-rise-severely-lag-rare-earths-wy-mcp-ree-avl-vale-rio-bhp/">Commodities Daily: Ag Prices Rise, Severely Lag Rare Earths (WY, MCP, REE, AVL, VALE, RIO, BHP)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=98562">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-87198" title="corn-image2" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/corn-image23.jpg" alt="" width="268" height="136" />It’s 4:00 pm and time for our daily look at commodity prices and news. Today’s biggest upside move in ag products came in cotton, up about 3.5%, while wool was up about 2.5%. The biggest downside move came in lumber, down more than -2.5%.</p>
<p>Publicly traded rare earths miners Molycorp, Inc. (NYSE: MCP), Rare Element Resources Ltd. (AMEX: REE), and Avalon Rare Metals, Inc. (AMEX: AVL) are trending back up, but because Japan’s industries take such a large share of China’s rare earth metals, a longer-than-expected delay in restarting Japanese industrial production could bring these stocks back down. None of these companies have yet produced a single ounce of rare earth metals and none will until at least the end of this year.</p>
<p>Less rare and less costly, iron ore remains in strong demand even though the consequences of the Japan disasters have yet to be determined. Vale S.A. (NYSE: VALE) and Rio Tinto plc (NYSE: RIO) have both stayed on a quarterly contract pricing system while BHP Billiton plc (NYSE: BHP) has varied contract pricing to include some based on monthly changes, some on quarterly changes, and some on spot prices. Rio Tinto is still trying to recover from the flooding in its Australian mines earlier this year.</p>
<p>Exports of rare earth metals from China are falling in volume and rising in price. A metric ton of the metals topped $100,000 for the first time in February. Because the Chinese remain the only source of these metals, the defense, electronics, and electric car industries have no choice but to pay the price.</p>
<p>Cotton prices continue to rise as demand from India, a major cotton producer, outstrips the country’s ability to produce. China, too, is expected to produce less cotton this year. The rising price for cotton hits clothing makers particularly hard. Higher clothing prices also took a share of the blame for the 4.4% inflation rate in the UK in February.</p>
<p>Wool prices have also been rising, partly as a result of near parity between the Australian and US dollars, but also on greater demand for wool clothing. Polyester clothing, made from petroleum products, follow the price of crude oil, and wool and cotton clothing are more in demand and supply is tight.</p>
<p>The lumber industry is still hit hard by the lack of new home construction in the US. Demand for lumber from China picked up some of the slack late last year and earlier this year, but the pick-up has not been sustained. Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) said that it would be cutting down fewer trees to keep prices from falling.</p>
<p>The disaster in Japan should begin to have an impact on lumber sales, once the country gets into rebuilding mode. Right now, the Japanese are still struggling to get their nuclear reactors under control and to finish locating the dead and missing. But repairing the utter devastation of the area hit by the tsunami should give lumber suppliers a boost within a few months.</p>
<p>One commodity to watch is corn and the continuing fight over the grain’s use as food or fuel. The amount of corn going to make ethanol is now equal to about 40% of last year’s total corn crop. As long as the US government continues to pay a credit of $0.45/gallon of corn-ethanol in expanding quantities, corn prices will continue to rise. The good news is that the subsidy is set to end (again) at the end of this year.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2011/03/22/commodities-daily-ag-prices-rise-severely-lag-rare-earths-wy-mcp-ree-avl-vale-rio-bhp/">Commodities Daily: Ag Prices Rise, Severely Lag Rare Earths (WY, MCP, REE, AVL, VALE, RIO, BHP)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=98562">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ADTN, AET, CLWR, GLW, D, NFLX, NVDA, SPLS, STP, UNH, UTX, VLO, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/02/07/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-adtn-aet-clwr-glw-d-nflx-nvda-spls-stp-unh-utx-vlo-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:13:40 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=94449</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of this Monday’s top analyst calls with upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research firms. ADTRAN Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML. Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs. Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR) Started as Neutral at Credit Suisse. Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) Cut to […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/02/07/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-adtn-aet-clwr-glw-d-nflx-nvda-spls-stp-unh-utx-vlo-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ADTN, AET, CLWR, GLW, D, NFLX, NVDA, SPLS, STP, UNH, UTX, VLO, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=94449">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-88510" title="Analyst Upgrd Dngrd Pic" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/analyst-upgrd-dngrd-pic3.jpg" alt="" width="206" height="155" />These are some of this Monday’s top analyst calls with upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research firms.</p>
<p>ADTRAN Inc. (NASDAQ: ADTN) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.<br />
Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ: CLWR) Started as Neutral at Credit Suisse.<br />
Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) Cut to Hold at Citigroup.<br />
Dominion Resources, Inc. (NYSE: D) Cut to Hold at Argus.<br />
Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) Raised to Buy at Altantic.<br />
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) Cut to Hold at ThinkEquity.<br />
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Suntech Power Holdings Co. (NYSE: STP) Raised to Outperform as the <a href="http://www.zacks.com/registration/pfp/?ALERT=ZER_LINK&d_alert=ZER_CONF&t=STP&ADID=247WALL_CONTENT_ZER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="541828">Bull of the Day</a> at Zacks Investment Research.<br />
Unitedhealth Group, Inc. (NYSE: UNH) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.<br />
United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) Raised to Buy at Argus.<br />
Valero Energy Corp. (NYSE: VLO) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) Cut to Underperform at Credit Suisse.</p>
<p>You can join our free daily email distribution list to hear more about analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader and active trader alerts, dividend trends, news on Buffett and other investment gurus, IPOs, secondary offerings, private equity, and more.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2011/02/07/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-adtn-aet-clwr-glw-d-nflx-nvda-spls-stp-unh-utx-vlo-wy/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (ADTN, AET, CLWR, GLW, D, NFLX, NVDA, SPLS, STP, UNH, UTX, VLO, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=94449">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>2010’s Worst-Performing Companies On the S&P 500</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/12/09/the-scum-of-the-sp-how-investors-can-profit-from-their-redemption/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:34:20 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=89052</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Meet the Nine Worst Performers Of The S&P 500, the broadly followed stock market index, that analysts expect will improve next year. The reasons why they are in the Wall Street dog house may be well-known to some, but what many investors may not realize is the opportunities that they may present. According to an analysis […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/12/09/the-scum-of-the-sp-how-investors-can-profit-from-their-redemption/">2010’s Worst-Performing Companies On the S&P 500</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=89052">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-85406" title="Lipstick On A Pig" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/lipstick-on-a-pig.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="237" />Meet the Nine Worst Performers Of The S&P 500, the broadly followed stock market index, that analysts expect will improve next year. The reasons why they are in the Wall Street dog house may be well-known to some, but what many investors may not realize is the opportunities that they may present.</p>
<p>According to an analysis by 24/7 Wall St., analysts expect the shares of 9 out of the 10 members of the Worst to actually appreciate. The expected increases can be significant. Whether the potential risk outweighs the potential reward is up to an individual investor to decide. There are some issues to consider before deciding whether to “adopt” these mutts for your portfolio.</p>
<p>For instance, stocks are sometimes cheap for a very good reason such as the CEO being under federal investigation or if a competitor is gaining market share at their expense or if customers are being maimed by their main product. Wall Street conventional wisdom oftentimes is wrong. That’s what makes it so conventional. Also, remember when someone asks whether a stock can go lower, the answer is always “of course.”</p>
<p>Data for the list below comes from Capital IQ. Share prices are year-to-date as of December 2.</p>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>1.) Dean Food Inc. (NYSE:DF) — Down 59.6%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $7.44 with a mean price target of $9.44;</li>
<li>Bad News: Last week, Fitch downgraded the debt of the milk producer further into junk territory because of “higher than expected declines in earnings and cash flow and the expectation leverage will remain elevated through 2011,” <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20101203-712605.html" data-lasso-id="541223">Dow Jones says;</a></li>
<li>Good News: The stock <a href="http://www.fool.com/investing/small-cap/2010/12/07/how-cheap-is-dean-foods-stock-by-the-numbers.aspx" data-lasso-id="541224">appears cheap on a number</a> on a number of metrics including price-to-earnings ratio.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>2.) Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY) — Down 59.3%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $17.21 with a mean price target of $19.62;</li>
<li>Bad News: The lumber producer is expected to benefit from the housing boom which has not happened yet. Stock is a favorite of short-sellers. UBS recently cut its rating from “buy” to “neutral.”;</li>
<li>Good News: Jim Cramer, among others, believes that the sell-off is overdone. Third Avenue Management has recently added to its position.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>3.) Apollo Group Inc. (NYSE:APOL) — Down 41.6%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $38.15 with a mean price target of $49.87;</li>
<li>Bad News: The operator of the for-profit University of Phoenix faces heightened regulatory scrutiny. Earlier this month, the company eliminated 700 jobs at the<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2010/12/01/apollo-laying-off-700-at-university-of.html?ana=yfcpc" data-lasso-id="541225"> University of Phoenix.</a> Apollo recently predicted that student enrollment will fall 40%;</li>
<li>Good News: For-profit college operators have launched a PR campaign to counter the government crackdown.</li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/12/09/ethanol-producers-on-track-for-more-tax-credits-adm-vlo-peix/" data-lasso-id="541226">Read More: Ethanol Producers On Track For More Tax Credits (ADM, VLO, PEIX)</a>.</span></p>
<ul></ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>4.) H&R Block Inc. (NYSE:HRB) — Down 40.9%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $12.70 with a mean price target of $18.80.;</li>
<li>Bad News: More people continue to prepare their taxes on their own.;
<div>
<div>The company is in a legal battle with the US division of HSBC Holdings PLC to force the bank to provide the controversial Refund Anticipation Loans;</div>
</div>
</li>
<li>Good News: H&R recently reported better-than-expected quarterly results, a sign that the company’s cost cutting is working. Rival Jackson-Hewitt faces severe financial problems as well.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>5.) AK Steel Holdings Corp. (NYSE: AKS) — Down 35.2%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $14.13 with a mean price target of $13.92</li>
<li>Bad News: It is the only company on the list with no expected upside surprise. The reason is obvious. “…a stubbornly reluctant economic recovery and soaring raw material costs will continue to challenge us in the near term,”CEO James L. Wainscott said <a href="http://www.aksteel.com/news/press_release.aspx?doc_id=823&year=2010" data-lasso-id="541227">in the last earnings press release.</a></li>
<li>Good News: Demand for steel should rebound as the economy recovers.</li>
<p><!--nextpage--></ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>6.) PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE:PHM) — Down 32.5%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $6.82 with a mean price target of $8.41;</li>
<li>Bad News: What else? The housing market continues to be lousy. Stock is a target of short-sellers.</li>
<li>Good News: The company continues to pay down debt. No one expects the housing crisis to last forever.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>7.) Diamond Offshore Drilling Inc. (NYSE: DO) — Down 32.2%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $65.21 with a mean price target of $69.52;</li>
<li>Bad News: The offshore drilling contractor was hurt by the moratorium after the Gulf Oil Spill that has since been lifted.</li>
<li>Good News: Demand for U.S. based oil remains strong in the light of concerns about energy security. The US rig count recently hit a 23 month high.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>8.) SUPERVALU Inc. (NYSE: SVU) — Down 31.9%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $8.68 with a mean price target of $11.09;</li>
<li>Bad News: The grocer faces stiff competition from a host of rivals including Walmart.;</li>
<li>Good News: Under CEO Craig Herkert, the company has closed underperforming stores and gotten more competitive on pricing; Valuation is compelling, <a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/215566-supervalu-compelling-valuation?source=qp_investment_views" data-lasso-id="541228">according to some pundits</a></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="color:#008000;"><a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2010/12/09/us-home-values-to-drop-1-7-trillion-in-2010/" data-lasso-id="541229">Read More: US Home Values To Drop $1.7 Trillion in 2010.</a></span></p>
<ul></ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>9.) Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. (NYSE:GT) — Down 30.1%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $10.46 with a mean price target of $13.75;</li>
<li>Bad News: The tiremaker is being hurt by rising raw material costs. Auto sales are nowhere close to pre-recession levels;</li>
<li>Good News: During the last earnings conference call, CEO Rich Kramer sounded an optimistic note: “… We have raised our industry outlook throughout the year in Europe and North America, and in emerging markets, particularly Brazil and China, industry volumes are continuing to grow and have already exceeded volume levels reached before the great recession.”</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align:left;"><strong>10.) Office Depot Inc. (NYSE: ODP) — Down 27.4%</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Currently trades at about $5.04 with a mean price target of $5.43;</li>
<li>Bad News: In October, the company settled SEC charges that the company’s CEO and CFO selectively disclosed information to certain shareholders. Office Depot did not admit or deny guilt and agreed to pay a $1 million penalty. The two executives paid $50,000 fines each. without admitting wrongdoing. A separate SEC investigation is underway into charges that Office Depot inflated earnings from 2006 to 2007;</li>
<li>Good News: Maybe one of its larger rivals such as Staples Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) will buy the beleaguered retailer one day.</li>
</ul>
<p>Jonathan Berr</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/12/09/the-scum-of-the-sp-how-investors-can-profit-from-their-redemption/">2010’s Worst-Performing Companies On the S&P 500</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=89052">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Massive Gains for Dividends in 2010, More to Come (CSCO, MCD, JPM, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, T, WY, AAPL, GE, MMM)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/10/05/massive-gains-for-dividends-in-2010-more-to-come-csco-mcd-jpm-sbux-unh-msft-t-wy-aapl-ge-mmm/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:43:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=81793</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Standard & Poor’s has released a very positive dividend development trend for 2010 that covers roughly 7,000 public shares that report dividend information. It is no small sum. The third quarter of 2010 saw a gain of $5.1 billion in dividend payouts, up from a gain of about $3.0 billion for the same period in […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/10/05/massive-gains-for-dividends-in-2010-more-to-come-csco-mcd-jpm-sbux-unh-msft-t-wy-aapl-ge-mmm/">Massive Gains for Dividends in 2010, More to Come (CSCO, MCD, JPM, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, T, WY, AAPL, GE, MMM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=81793">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-81796" title="money-image5" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/money-image52.jpg" alt="" width="160" height="127" />Standard & Poor’s has released a very positive dividend development trend for 2010 that covers roughly 7,000 public shares that report dividend information. It is no small sum. The third quarter of 2010 saw a gain of $5.1 billion in dividend payouts, up from a gain of about $3.0 billion for the same period in 2009. As far as year-to-date in 2010, the first nine months showed a dividend hike rate of a whopping $18.5 billion. As far as fresh dividend trends, here are some key issues covered that are not time-sensitive from 24/7 Wall St.:</p>
<ul>
<li>McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2010/09/23/mcdonalds-resets-dividend-leadership-in-fast-food-mcd-yum/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98786">hiked its dividend</a>;</li>
<li><a href="https://247wallst.com/apps-software/2010/09/15/5-tech-giants-likely-to-follow-ciscos-dividend-csco-msft-intc-aapl-dell-hpq-wdc-stx-ebay-amzn-emc-vmw/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98787">Tech giants that should follow</a> Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) in dividends;</li>
<li>Get ready for the JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) <a href="https://247wallst.com/banking-finance/2010/09/14/jamie-dimon-speaks-out-dividends-and-all-jpm/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98788">dividend return</a>;</li>
<li><a href="https://247wallst.com/consumer-products/2010/09/10/killer-dividend-hikes-in-tobacco-pm-mo-lo-rai-vgr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98789">Hikes in tobacco dividends</a>;</li>
<li>The <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/29/the-10-biggest-dividend-stories-of-2010-ge-sbux-unh-msft-intc-jpm-vz-t-wmt-wy-bp-csco-aapl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98790">10 Biggest Dividend Stories of 2010</a> (GE, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, INTC, JPM, VZ, T, WMT, WY, BP, CSCO, AAPL)</li>
<li><a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/06/29/10-safest-dividend-stocks-by-sector-mmm-pg-wmt-msft-pfe-ko-yum-v-vz-aep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98791">10 safest dividends by sector</a> (MMM, PG, WMT, MSFT, PFE, KO, YUM, V, VZ, AEP)</li>
</ul>
<p>S&P noted in its research that only 35 cut their dividend payments in Q3-2010, down from 135 in Q3-2009. The hikes were impressive at more than 56% to 299 in Q3-2010 from the 191 in Q3-2009. Year-to-date, 117 cut dividends versus a whopping 730 who cut the dividends for the same period of 2009. As far as gains for the year to date in the first 9 months, that comes to 1033 companies versus 707 that raised dividends for the same period in 2009.</p>
<p>The $5.1 billion in increased payouts announced in Q3 compares to a gain of $3.0 billion a year ago. S&P noted, “On a dollar-weighted basis, the first nine months of 2010 saw a net gain in annual dividend rates of $18.5 billion compared to a $45.7 billion decline in rates during the comparable period of 2009.”</p>
<p>We have now seen more than 1,000 dividend hikes in 2010 and dividend cuts are down 84%. More detail and data can be found in the <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-us-companies-add-51-billion-to-dividend-payments-in-3rd-quarter-104337918.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="98792">full S&P report</a>.</p>
<p>You can join our free daily email distribution list to hear more about dividend trends, analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader and active trader alerts, news on Buffett and other investment gurus, IPOs, secondary offerings, private equity, and more.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/10/05/massive-gains-for-dividends-in-2010-more-to-come-csco-mcd-jpm-sbux-unh-msft-t-wy-aapl-ge-mmm/">Massive Gains for Dividends in 2010, More to Come (CSCO, MCD, JPM, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, T, WY, AAPL, GE, MMM)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=81793">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>The 10 Biggest Dividend Stories of 2010 (GE, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, INTC, JPM, VZ, T, WMT, WY, BP, CSCO, AAPL)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/29/the-10-biggest-dividend-stories-of-2010-ge-sbux-unh-msft-intc-jpm-vz-t-wmt-wy-bp-csco-aapl/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:37:05 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=75063</guid>
<description><![CDATA[2009 was the year that dividends were cut or went on hold. 2010 is becoming the greatest year of increases and initiations of dividends that the markets have ever seen. There are dividend hikes galore, dividend initiations, and there are a few companies which are still trying to act as dividend holdouts. 24/7 Wall Street […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/29/the-10-biggest-dividend-stories-of-2010-ge-sbux-unh-msft-intc-jpm-vz-t-wmt-wy-bp-csco-aapl/">The 10 Biggest Dividend Stories of 2010 (GE, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, INTC, JPM, VZ, T, WMT, WY, BP, CSCO, AAPL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=75063">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>2009 was the year that dividends were cut or went on hold. 2010 is becoming the greatest year of increases and initiations of dividends that the markets have ever seen. There are dividend hikes galore, dividend initiations, and there are a few companies which are still trying to act as dividend holdouts.</p>
<p>24/7 Wall Street has picked the biggest dividend stories of 2010 that will be with shareholders well beyond this year. Although some of these dividend changes may not be the biggest in payouts this year, for 2010 these are the biggest dividend stories by our count.</p>
<p>The biggest dividend stories of 2010 revolve around General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC), J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY), BP plc (NYSE: BP), Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL).</p>
<p>We have broken each grouping out individually and covered the situation in detail.</p>
<p><strong>THREE HIKES & THEN SOME</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong>General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) is one of the greatest dividend stories of 2010. After the Great Recession went into full speed and when companies and the country was on the verge of collapse, GE joined in with large dividend cuts. The rate went from $0.31 per quarter to $0.10 per quarter. Even today, that old dividend rate is not possible.</p>
<p>But GE has finally <a href="https://247wallst.com/industrials/2010/07/23/ge-brings-back-dividend-buybacks-some-may-have-wanted-more-ge/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="540451">started its dividend hiking process</a>. The $0.10 dividend is soon to go to $0.12 per quarter. At $16.00, this generates a dividend yield of 3%, and that rate was 3.1% on July 23, 2010, the date the hike was announced. GE is also immediately restarting its share buyback plan this quarter, but that unfortunately uses competing dollars for dividend checks versus keeping the share float lower. While 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) has raised and raised its payout, GE is now back above 3M as far as dividend yields at 3.0% versus 2.45%. This also puts GE back in the top-half of the 30 companies in the DJIA as far as a dividend yield is concerned. Our original projection was that the dividend would jump up by about 40% rather than by 20%. The good news is that while some may have taken the 20% hike as a disappointment, GE’s share price action has not shown that the disappointed crowd had more power than the crowd which was pleased with the hike.</p>
<p>Here is our next prediction… As long as there is no true double-dip recession, GE will take that hike up to the $0.14 or $0.15 per quarter in 2011.</p>
<p>Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) may have fully achieved its turnaround and its shares may have <a href="https://247wallst.com/retail/2010/07/21/earnings-growth-dividend-hike-meet-valuation-at-starbucks-sbux/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="540452">run into some fresh headwinds</a> based upon value and growth. Regardless of that, the Starbucks dividend story became the biggest dividend story for the entire food and beverage sector in 2010. For years during its growth it never paid a dividend. April was its first dividend ever paid at $0.10 per quarter, which was roughly 1.6% at the time the dividend was paid. But at the most recent earnings in July, Starbucks raised its quarterly payout again. This is almost unheard of for a company to start a dividend and then immediately hike the payout. That 30% hike in the dividend payout comes to $0.13 per quarter, and that generates a yield of almost 2.1%. In the food and beverage sector, in just two quarters Starbucks went from no dividend to one of the highest against peers.</p>
<p>UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) was one of the biggest surprises in the dividend hike trends of 2010. This is the largest public stock health insurance provider in the country. There is also that thing nagging on its Achilles heel called Healthcare Reform. You’ve probably heard of it about 16,000 times. The big goal, which some may say is to just kill the companies with cost constraints on the revenue-side and unlimited costs on the expense-side, is for Uncle Sam to effectively turn the surviving health insurance providers into large regulated utilities.</p>
<p>The company now expects to pay out 12% to 13% of its projected cash flow from operations and the $0.03 per year payout was hiked up to a quarterly payout of $0.125. That is $0.50 per year, and that comes to a payout of about 1.65%. This was a jump of about seventeen-fold at the time of the dividend announcement in May.</p>
<p>The 1.65% yield might not sound like much on the surface against other business sectors, but this is THE dividend story of the healthcare sector when you consider that Washington D.C. has the health insurance sector under fire from all angles over all aspects of the business.<br />
<strong><br />
THE TECH DIVIDEND DUEL</strong></p>
<p>In technology, a broad sector of course, we have noted that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) has perhaps the <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/06/29/10-safest-dividend-stocks-by-sector-mmm-pg-wmt-msft-pfe-ko-yum-v-vz-aep/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="540453">safest of all dividends</a> in the sector. There is still a shot that Microsoft will choose to make a rather large one-time dividend payment again before the end of the year to capture the tax efficiency.</p>
<p>But the biggest technology dividend on size and scale belongs to Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC). It was in mid-November of 2009 that the hike was announced, but it was not paid until the first quarter of 2010. You have to consider where Intel was in the cycle at the peak of the panic in the recession. Intel was actually warning that a quarterly loss could be a possibility. (That hasn’t happened in years.)</p>
<p>The hike was from $0.14 per quarter, a dividend payout that had been in place for about two years, up to $0.158 per quarter. The new rate is just over 2.90% based on a $21.50 current share price. The $0.632 payout of today compares to Thomson Reuters estimates of $2.06 EPS in 2010 and $2.13 EPS in 2011, generating implied dividend coverage ratios of more than 3.0. It may be unfair to ask for or demand that even higher payouts come sooner rather than later.</p>
<p>Microsoft has an even wider dividend coverage ratio, closer to 5.0 based on expected 2011 (June) annual estimates. Intel is the current dividend story of 2010 for technology, but the technology dividend story of 2010 could end up being Microsoft.</p>
<p><strong>THE <em>“I WANNA BUT THEY WON’T LET ME…”</em> BANK DIVIDEND HIKE</strong></p>
<p>Jamie Dimon is probably the best bank CEO on Wall Street and Main Street, and he is probably the only bank CEO that has a chance of standing up to politicians who can say they bailed out the banks and the economy. Dimon confidently boasts that J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) was forced to participate in the bailouts and that his bank was one of the ones that would have survived had the government just let the cards fall where they may. Whether you believe it is another matter.</p>
<p>Dimon wants to raise that dividend back up to a higher rate on the common stock. The current rate is only $0.05 per quarter, which generates a tiny 0.50% yield based on a $40.00 share handle. Under no circumstances will Dimon be able to get back up to the old $0.38 per quarter. At $40.00, that rate would be nearly 3.8% for a dividend in today’s terms. President Obama and Congress would raise hell until the end of their days if Dimon took the payout back up there, although Thomson Reuters has earnings estimates at $3.59 EPS for 2010 and $4.61 EPS for 2011. That would be a dividend coverage ratio of more than 2.0 this year and 3.0 next year.</p>
<p>Under “The New Normal” that is not likely. Still, Dimon will probably be the first or among the very first of bankers who challenges Washington D.C. Whether that can happen in 2010 under Fin-Reg is still up for debate, but Dimon is the only banker that has expressed that the bank could immediately begin dividend hikes.<br />
<strong><br />
THE NEVER-ENDING TELECOM DIVIDEND WAR</strong></p>
<p>Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) (NASDAQ: VZ) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) have been at war on who has the highest dividend yield payout. The key difference is that Verizon recently gave out shares of Frontier Communications Corporation (NYSE: FTR) based on the merger so that Verizon holders held the majority of the company. The big issue ahead is whether Verizon gets that iPhone and breaks the AT&T exclusivity. There is also the Verizon Wireless partnership with Vodafone plc (NYSE: VOD), which the company is expected to begin receiving dividends for. If that pans out and if Verizon gets the iPhone, then the dividend investor interest is likely to head over to Verizon regardless of where AT&T’s yield compares.</p>
<p>We ran a comparison late last year after they had both hiked their dividends to see if each could keep raising dividends indefinitely. At the time we did the analysis, Thomson Reuters had AT&T’s 2010 earnings targets at $2.24 EPS versus $2.34 EPS expected now. At the same time we did the Verizon projections, the estimate from Thomson Reuters was $2.50 EPS for 2010 versus $2.21 EPS today. The Verizon yield based upon today’s prices is 6.70% versus 6.50% for AT&T. Both companies have announced dividend payout hikes almost each year. If one of the two hikes its payout in the coming weeks, the other is certain to follow. AT&T currently pays $1.68 per year in dividends awith $2.34 EPS estimates for this year and Verizon currently pays out $1.90 versus $2.21 EPS estimates for this year. That implies that AT&T pays out close to 72% of its earnings as dividends versus about 85% of income paid as dividends by Verizon. The difference in Verizon is that the recent earnings adjustments are based partly on the Frontier deal, and that has skewed matters. If you look at the old estimates of a year ago before Verizon did this then that payout would be implied as being 76% of income. AT&T could boost its payout and Verizon could claim it already did boost its payout via Frontier even if it does not make a formal dividend hike.</p>
<p>These are the two highest dividend yields of the thirty DJIA components by a wide margin, which makes the Verizon-AT&T dividend story one of the top dividend stories whether we like it or not.</p>
<p><strong>THE BIG RETAIL DIVIDEND THAT MAY BE… MAYBE</strong></p>
<p>Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is hard to count just as being a retailer. It is arguably a consumer staple even though it is a retailer by its industry codes. The issue to consider here for dividend investors is that Wal-Mart has effectively raised its dividend every single year for years and years. The current yield of about 2.4% is not very high in the DJIA component rankings and the stock has definitely been dead money for a decade. The current payout is just over $1.21 per year and that compares to Thomson Reuters estimates for the next two fiscal years of $4.00 EPS and $4.39 EPS. Wal-Mart has chosen to spend its cash on billions worth of share buybacks rather than by making an incredible dividend yield for its holders. If Wal-Mart would stop buying back the float (like someone is going to acquire the $190 billion company), it could adopt the same sort of dividend payout ratio that seems to be a current standard of about 40% of income. That would allow the 2011 dividend announcement to jump up all the way to $1.60, and that would result in a current yield of 3.1%.</p>
<p>Arguably, Wal-Mart could pay out closer to half of its income and offer a $2.00 annualized dividend, which would bring the yield based upon today’s share price for a yield of almost 4.0%. Does Wal-Mart need to consider any acquisitions? It would not be allowed to do so by regulators. The only expansion that Wal-Mart has for major growth vehicles ahead is internationally. The company might not be Machiavellian enough to realize this, but a huge dividend hike would also put pressure on all of its major peers to pay out more in dividends and therefor handcuff its peers’ cash balances. Wal-Mart is now fluctuating between #4 and #5 on our own Real-Time 500 on companies ranked by market cap. There is just very little buzz left to do. The company probably does not want to hear a call to create a REIT around its gas stations and it probably wants to hear for calls to spin Sam’s off to holders even less. Until Wal-Mart does something drastic, this is going to be a range-bound stock indefinitely. The easy solution would be to stop buying back stock and put pressure on its entire peer group by making its dividend yield significantly more.</p>
<p><strong>A LONG-TIME FORESTRY-PAPER REIT CALL FINALLY COMES TRUE</strong></p>
<p>It was just on July 12, 2010 that Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) took the dividend scene over by storm. It was also close to a decade overdue. The company declared a special dividend of $5.6 billion as it plans to convert to a real estate investment trust. Forestry, wood, and paper conglomerates have started adopting the REIT trends in order to keep investors around and to attract new investors. To qualify as a REIT, a company must invest at least 75% of total assets in real estate, deriving at least 75% of gross income as rents from real property or interest from mortgages on real property, and most important for you dividend investors, it must distribute at least 90% of taxable income to shareholders in the form of dividends. Weyerhaeuser holders could elect stock or cash for the special dividend, with the total cash payment limited to 10% and capped at $560 million total. The remaining was in stock. The ex-date was a $26.42 price adjustment on July 20. To show just how well this went: on the July 12 announcement the shares rose over 8% to an adjusted price of $14.32; after the event shares were at $15.94; shares were at $16.65 at the time this was written.</p>
<p>Once upon a time, we called Weyehaeuser’s ownership and/or control of enough timber land to be the unofficial 51st state in America. The current environment, and an environment which may last for years, does not exactly scream a sudden boom coming back in paper demand and in wood demand for building houses. This was long overdue, but it has been very well received.</p>
<p><strong>THE GREATEST DIVIDEND CUT OF THE YEAR, MAYBE A CHANGE</strong></p>
<p>BP Plc (NYSE: BP) is one of the greatest dividend stories of 2010, but in a really bad sense. The company capitulated to politicians and decided it needed all its cash as well.</p>
<p>The old $0.84 per share payout would have been a 10% dividend yield IF it had been kept and if you bought during the month that ADRs were trading at $34 and lower. Those are of course big IFs. When BP can begin to pay a dividend is up in the air. It has committed to a $20 billion clean-up fund. It has endless costs. Now the company is under a new CEO, or will be this year. The company has also committed to $30 billion in asset sales and to cleaning up its act. That old $0.84 dividend per quarter per ADR is not likely to be seen for quite some time. Bob Dudley might not want to start a fight with politicians from the day he takes over, but it could become fathomable that IF the BP plug stays capped, then Dudley could at least start talking about the dividend even if he doesn’t take formal action about the dividend.</p>
<p><strong>THE GREATEST DIVIDENDS THAT ARE NOT… YET</strong></p>
<p>Then there is the notion of the greatest dividends that should be, but are not yet there. This comes to a near-tie, making two into one and the same for a single dividend story, between Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL). Both are growing, but these two are at different stages of growth and at different stages of their cycle. Neither reward their shareholders with a dividend, so it is arguable that owning these growth stocks is effectively nothing more than owning a right to all that future money that could be paid out.</p>
<p>Steve Jobs has panned the notion of dividends for Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL). His attitude does not even seem like a ‘for now’ period. The company wants to hold vast sums of cash for flexibility. The company generated $4 billion in cash in the last quarter alone, and its tally of cash, short-term assets, and longer-term securities now comes to over $45 billion all combined on the latest consolidated balance sheet. With a $241 billion market cap, it is not as though Apple seems likely to make a huge acquisition. How much flexibility does the company need? Apple is expected to grow and keep having solid results. Even if the $4 billion last quarter was a fluke and even if you cut it in half, Apple could be back up to $16 billion in cash in two-years if it emptied out its coffers. Gross margins are roughly 39.1%, well above PC companies. We of course are not suggesting such a notion, but it could actually pay out a one-time dividend of nearly 20% this year while the dividend tax rates are likely lower than they ever will be again after this year.</p>
<p>Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) is another company with high margins, massive cash, and what has so far been a refusal to pay a dividend. Its latest quarter-end had cash and short-term investments come to $39 billion. Cisco has been a serial share repurchaser and a serial acquirer of smaller companies. The company is also embarking on its moves into the data-center and has more future-tech initiatives than you can easily count. The company is a leader in its field and its gross margin is through the roof. Not having a dividend currently is an opportunity missed by the company, even if its direct long-term debt is over $12 billion. Cisco’s biggest problem is that it has become a utility in the sector with a stock that has spent most of the last decade in a trading range rather than making endless money for its shareholders. With a $134 billion market cap, even if Cisco kept one-third of its cash and sent the rest out as a one-time dividend while tax rates are the lowest they will be through the end of this year it could pay out about $26 billion. That would be almost a 20% dividend.</p>
<p>Will that happen? Highly unlikely. This is meant to show how much it can pay out if it chooses to. The share buybacks keep its share count from growing endlessly, but if you ask dividend investors if they like buybacks or dividends better it is the dividend that matters more.</p>
<p>It should be noted that Cisco is the only one of the thirty DJIA components which does not reward shareholders with quarterly income checks.</p>
<p>The Chinese calendar should have called 2010 <em>“The Year of the Dividend.”</em></p>
<p>You can join our free daily email distribution list to hear more about dividend trends, analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader and active trader alerts, news on Buffett and other investment gurus, IPOs, secondary offerings, private equity, and more.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/29/the-10-biggest-dividend-stories-of-2010-ge-sbux-unh-msft-intc-jpm-vz-t-wmt-wy-bp-csco-aapl/">The 10 Biggest Dividend Stories of 2010 (GE, SBUX, UNH, MSFT, INTC, JPM, VZ, T, WMT, WY, BP, CSCO, AAPL)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=75063">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Day Trader Alerts (AA, BIDU, GOOG, BP, HEW, SNDK, VVUS, WMT, WY)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-day-trader-alerts-aa-bidu-goog-bp-hew-sndk-vvus-wmt-wy/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:53:11 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=73227</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Many stocks are on the move for day traders and active traders this Monday morning ahead of earnings season. Today’s top alerts are in Alcoa, Inc. (NYSE: AA), Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), BP plc (NYSE: BP), Hewitt Associates Inc. (NYSE: HEW), SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS), Wal-Mart Stores, […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-day-trader-alerts-aa-bidu-goog-bp-hew-sndk-vvus-wmt-wy/">Top Day Trader Alerts (AA, BIDU, GOOG, BP, HEW, SNDK, VVUS, WMT, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=73227">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-73228" title="money-image5" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/money-image53.jpg" alt="" width="140" height="111" />Many stocks are on the move for day traders and active traders this Monday morning ahead of earnings season. Today’s top alerts are in Alcoa, Inc. (NYSE: AA), Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG), BP plc (NYSE: BP), Hewitt Associates Inc. (NYSE: HEW), SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK), VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS), Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT), and Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY).</p>
<p><span id="more-73227"></span>Alcoa, Inc. (NYSE: AA) is up almost 1% at $11.04 this morning ahead of earnings after the close. This will mark the start of earnings season today.</p>
<p>Baidu, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) is probably feeling lucky that shares are hardly down and that they did not get too hard last week. China confirmed that it renewed the license for Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) to operate in China. Baidu is down 0.5% at $70.88 and Google is up 0.5% at $469.75.</p>
<p>BP plc (NYSE: BP) is up on word that may be able to capture all of the oil in the next week or so and on word that it is in talks with Apache Corp. (NYSE: APA) on selling some assets for as much as $10 billion. Shares were higher earlier in the U.K., but the stock’s ADRs are trading up 3.2% at $35.14 this morning.</p>
<p>Hewitt Associates Inc. (NYSE: HEW) is surging on word that Aon (AON) has agreed to buy the HR consulting and outsourcing firm in a cash and stock deal valued at $4.9 billion. Shares are up 32% at $46.75.</p>
<p>SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) is trading up on an analyst upgrade this morning with shares up over 2% at $43.82 on fairly strong volume of over 30,000 pre-market shares.</p>
<p>VIVUS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VVUS) is going to be one to watch for stock and options ahead of this week’s Qnexa FDA panel review. <a href="http://vsinvestor.com/2010/07/vivus-options-signaling-huge-move-vvus.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-lasso-id="540381">Options are calling for a huge move in the stock</a>. Shares are down marginally this morning, but that is after a 21% gain last week.</p>
<p>Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is firm on a Barron’s article from the weekend noting that it almost can’t go lower with extremely low multiples and having underperformed peers. It also noted a target north of $60 from Citigroup in the article. Shares are up only 0.75%% at $49.77, a gain that seems lower than most “Barron’s effect” pieces.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE: WY) is surging on news that it declared a special dividend of $5.6 billion as part of its plan to convert to a REIT by distributing its earnings and profits to shareholders. Shares are up almost 8% at $38.70 this morning.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-day-trader-alerts-aa-bidu-goog-bp-hew-sndk-vvus-wmt-wy/">Top Day Trader Alerts (AA, BIDU, GOOG, BP, HEW, SNDK, VVUS, WMT, WY)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=73227">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AUO, COWN, MAR, MDT, MSFT, NUS, SNDK, WY, YHOO)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-auo-cown-mar-mdt-msft-nus-sndk-wy-yhoo/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon C. Ogg]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:28:21 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=73216</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of this Monday’s top analyst calls with upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street firms: Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Cut to Neutral at UBS. AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO) Cut to Hold at BNP Paribas. Cowen Group Inc. (NASDAQ: COWN) Cut to Market Perform at KBW. Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-auo-cown-mar-mdt-msft-nus-sndk-wy-yhoo/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AUO, COWN, MAR, MDT, MSFT, NUS, SNDK, WY, YHOO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=73216">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>These are some of this Monday’s top analyst calls with upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street firms:</p>
<p>Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) Cut to Neutral at UBS.<br />
AU Optronics Corp. (NYSE: AUO) Cut to Hold at BNP Paribas.<br />
Cowen Group Inc. (NASDAQ: COWN) Cut to Market Perform at KBW.<br />
Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE: MAR) Cut To Market Perform at Wells Fargo.<br />
Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) Raised to Outperform at BMO.<br />
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) Raised to Buy with $30 target at Janney.<br />
Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: NUS) Started as Overweight at JPMOrgan.<br />
SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) Raised to Buy at UBS.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) Raised to Buy at UBS.<br />
Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) Raised to Buy at Needham.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/07/12/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-aet-auo-cown-mar-mdt-msft-nus-sndk-wy-yhoo/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (AET, AUO, COWN, MAR, MDT, MSFT, NUS, SNDK, WY, YHOO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=73216">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Lumber Prices Have Crashed On Weak Outlook For Builders</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/housing/2010/05/27/lumber-prices-have-crashed-on-weak-outlook-for-builders/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Thu, 27 May 2010 18:03:01 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=69220</guid>
<description><![CDATA[On May 17th and May 25th, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange stopped trading in lumber futures because the contract price had fallen by the maximum allowable amount of $10. On the 25th, lumber was halted at a price of $225/thousand board feet, which is the price that the contract opened at again this morning. The July […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2010/05/27/lumber-prices-have-crashed-on-weak-outlook-for-builders/">Lumber Prices Have Crashed On Weak Outlook For Builders</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=69220">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><div id="_mcePaste">
<p><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-69223" title="Lumber" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/lumber.jpg?w=200" alt="" width="200" height="156" />On May 17th and May 25th, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange stopped trading in lumber futures because the contract price had fallen by the maximum allowable amount of $10. On the 25th, lumber was halted at a price of $225/thousand board feet, which is the price that the contract opened at again this morning. The July contract is trading now at $234. Since April 21st, the contract price is down more than $100.</p>
<p>This price drop will have an impact on the four large US lumber companies, Weyerhauser Co. (NYSE:WY), Leucadia National Corp. (NYSE:LUK), Masco Corp. (NYSE:MAS), and Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE:LPX) as well as paper makers International Paper Co. (NYSE:IP) and Fibria Celulose S.A. (NYSE:FBR). Nor is this good news for the rest of the year for homebuilders such as Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE:TOL), KB Home (NYSE:KBH), Lennar Corp. (NYSE:LEN), or PulteGroup Inc. (NYSE:PHM).</p>
<p>Traders believe that the homebuilders and paper makers, especially, are not buying in anticipation of even lower prices to come. The rush of buyers into the market in March and April was due to the expiration of the federal homebuyers’ credit on April 30th. That is expected to kill demand for new homes in the near-term, keeping the market for new homes soft for the next six months.<br />
<span id="more-69220"></span><br />
Just a few months ago, builders faced lumber prices that were rapidly rising, threatening their margins. With lumber above $300/thousand board feet, about $1,400 would have been added to the cost of new house. In a soft housing market, builders were confronted with the nasty choice of eating the higher cost or risking a rise in price.</p>
<p>Now that prices have fallen, the belief is that demand for new houses has declined and the builders don’t need to buy more. Suppliers, like Weyerhaeuser and Louisiana-Pacific were already planning for softer lumber prices in the current quarter which will weigh on profits.</p>
<p>Here’s a chart of the DJ US home construction index for the past 3 months:</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69221" title="home_constr_chart-5-26-10" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/home_constr_chart-5-26-10.gif" alt="" width="527" height="316" /></p>
<p>Paper companies were already expecting a boost in demand this year, following five years of declines. The demand for corrugated and paperboard boxes for items like food and beverages is the main driver of the better forecast. Corrugated and solid fiber boxes account for more than 70% of paper good shipments.</p>
<p>In its quarterly earnings report, International Paper suffered from the high wood prices, but noted that its costs were moderating, that prices would rise because demand was up. As long as supplies are readily available, the paper makers should see improvement in profits and revenues.</p>
<p>Here’s a chart of the DJ US forestry & paper index for the past 3 months:</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69222" title="forestry-lumber-chart-5-27-10" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/forestry-lumber-chart-5-27-10.gif" alt="" width="527" height="316" /></p>
<p>When you see the two charts together, the two paths they trace are almost identical. Lumber, home construction, and paper making are all dancing to the same tune. And that tune is concern about the US economy in the second half of 2010.</p>
<p>The end of the homebuyers tax credit, the almost invisible recovery in employment, tight consumer credit, and the lower predicted effects from last year’s $787 billion economic stimulus package are all going to weigh down the second half of the year.</p>
<p>Today’s market rebound, now up more than 2%, is almost entirely due to China’s denial of a rumor that it would no longer invest in European debt. Oil prices are rising again, to more than $74/b. The shares of the lumber companies mentioned in this article are up between 1.5% and 4.5%. International Paper shares are up about 3% and FBR shares are up more than 8%. Pulte is up about 2.5% and the other homebuilders are up less than 1%.</p>
<p>Today’s advancing stocks number 8x more than decliners on the first bit of good news in over a week. Prospects for the second half of the year are not as rosy.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"color:black;">Sponsor: 3 Recovery Stocks to Own Now – Get the names of the </span><a href="http://www.investorplace.com/order/?sid=DU3244&utm_source=24%2F7%2BWall%20St.%20Post&utm_medium=website&utm_term=n%2Fa&utm_content=3%2BRecovery%20Stocks%20to%20Own%20Now&utm_campaign=Investorplace%2BText%20Ad" data-lasso-id="96724"><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"">best cheap stocks to rebuild your wealth</span></a><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"color:black;"> </span><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"color:black;">in 2010 and beyond.</span></p>
</div>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/housing/2010/05/27/lumber-prices-have-crashed-on-weak-outlook-for-builders/">Lumber Prices Have Crashed On Weak Outlook For Builders</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=69220">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Timber Companies Follow Homebuilders (LPX, WY, BZH, PHM, DHI, XHB, CUT)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2010/05/10/timber-companies-follow-homebuilders-lpx-wy-bzh-phm-dhi-xhb-cut/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2010 15:45:33 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Commodities & Metals]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=67232</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Perhaps one way to get a read on where housing construction in the US is headed is to look at the companies who supply the lumber that goes into new construction. Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE:LPX) reported first quarter earnings today, following last week’s report from Weyerhauser Co. (NYSE:WY). Among homebuilders that have already reported, Beazer Homes […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2010/05/10/timber-companies-follow-homebuilders-lpx-wy-bzh-phm-dhi-xhb-cut/">Timber Companies Follow Homebuilders (LPX, WY, BZH, PHM, DHI, XHB, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=67232">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-67233" title="WW I" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ww-i.jpg" alt="" width="143" height="105" /></p>
<p>Perhaps one way to get a read on where housing construction in the US is headed is to look at the companies who supply the lumber that goes into new construction. Louisiana-Pacific Corp. (NYSE:LPX) reported first quarter earnings today, following last week’s report from Weyerhauser Co. (NYSE:WY).</p>
<p>Among homebuilders that have already reported, Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE:BZH) and PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM) both reported narrower losses than the year-ago quarter, and D.R. Horton, Inc. (NYSE:DHI) even posted a surprise profit.<span id="more-67232"></span></p>
<p>Louisiana-Pacific reported an EPS loss of -$0.18, worse than analysts’ expectations of a loss of -$0.11. Sales were expected to total $292.55 million and LP exceeded expectations there, coming in at $297 million. Weyerhauser reported a smaller than expected loss for the first quarter.</p>
<p>The outlook for the lumber companies is tentative at best. LP expects a “bumpy recovery” with rising numbers of foreclosures and continued uncertainty about employment. Increased foreclosures mean that fewer new houses will be build and high unemployment means that no one can afford to buy either an existing or new home. The expired federal tax credit will also have an impact on the rest of the year.</p>
<p>Weyerhauser’s first-quarter results were upbeat due primarily to sales of “non-strategic timberland” and sales of two commercial partnership interests. Weyerhauser saw a 49% decline in real estate sales and the average realized home price fell. The company sees second quarter logging earnings to be lower and real estate earnings to be no better than flat.</p>
<p>LP shares are up about 0.5% this morning and Weyerhauser shares are up about 5.5%. With the S&P 500 up around 4% on the $900 billion bailout package in Europe, it’s no surprise that a rising tide is lifting all boats. Where equities were shunned last week, today they’re all the fashion again.</p>
<p>Without the rising tide, LP would certainly be trading down and Weyerhauser would be up only slightly. Beazer Homes is up more than 11%, Pulte is up nearly 8%, and DR Horton is up nearly 6%. The SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (NYSE:XHB) is up more than 6%, and the Claymore/Beacon Global Timber Index ETF (NYSE:CUT) is up nearly 6% as well.</p>
<p>Paul Ausick</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/commodities-metals/2010/05/10/timber-companies-follow-homebuilders-lpx-wy-bzh-phm-dhi-xhb-cut/">Timber Companies Follow Homebuilders (LPX, WY, BZH, PHM, DHI, XHB, CUT)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=67232">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AOL, DT, DOW, ECA, FNSR, PM, SWIR, TEN, MMM, WY, ZBRA)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/01/06/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aol-dt-dow-eca-fnsr-pm-swir-ten-mmm-wy-zbra/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:04:37 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=57174</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are this Wednesday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls: AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) Started as Neutral at JPMorgan. Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) Started as Underweight at Morgan Stanley; Cut to Sell at UBS. Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) Raised to Overweight at Barclays. EnCana (NYSE: ECA) Cut to Market […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/01/06/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aol-dt-dow-eca-fnsr-pm-swir-ten-mmm-wy-zbra/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AOL, DT, DOW, ECA, FNSR, PM, SWIR, TEN, MMM, WY, ZBRA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=57174">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>These are this Wednesday’s top analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations seen from Wall Street research calls:</p>
<p>AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) Started as Neutral at JPMorgan.<br />
Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) Started as Underweight at Morgan Stanley; Cut to Sell at UBS.<br />
Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW) Raised to Overweight at Barclays.<br />
EnCana (NYSE: ECA) Cut to Market Perform at Raymond James.<br />
Finisar Corp. (NASDAQ: FNSR) Raised to Overweight at Thomas Weisel.<br />
Philip Morris International, Inc. (NYSE: PM) Cut to Reduce at Nomura.<br />
Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) Raised to Outperform at Raymond James.<br />
Tenneco Inc. (NYSE: TEN) Raised to Outperform at Wells Fargo.<br />
3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) Raised to Conviction Buy List at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE: WY) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.<br />
Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA) Cut to Neutral at Baird.</p>
<p>You are invited to join our free daily email distribution list to hear about ongoing day trader and options trader alerts, analyst upgrades and downgrades, stock and market rumors, Buffett and guru investor news, M&A and IPOs, and more.</p>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2010/01/06/top-analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades-aol-dt-dow-eca-fnsr-pm-swir-ten-mmm-wy-zbra/">Top Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (AOL, DT, DOW, ECA, FNSR, PM, SWIR, TEN, MMM, WY, ZBRA)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=57174">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (KG, MXIM, NWL, WFMI, WY, LM, POWI, S)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2009/03/16/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-kg-mxim-nwl-wfmi-wy-lm-powi-s/</link>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:06:34 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/?p=27079</guid>
<description><![CDATA[These are some of the top pre-market analyst upgrades and downgrades from Wall Street this Monday morning: King Pharma (KG) Raised to Overweight at Wachovia. Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM) Raised to Market Perform at FBR. Newell-Rubbermaid (NWL) Raised to Buy at B of A Merrill. Whole Foods (WFMI) Raised to Market Perform at FBR. Weyerhaueser […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2009/03/16/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-kg-mxim-nwl-wfmi-wy-lm-powi-s/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (KG, MXIM, NWL, WFMI, WY, LM, POWI, S)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=27079">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>These are some of the top pre-market analyst upgrades and downgrades from Wall Street this Monday morning:</p>
<ul>
<li>King Pharma (KG) Raised to Overweight at Wachovia.</li>
<li>Maxim Integrated Products (MXIM) Raised to Market Perform at FBR.</li>
<li>Newell-Rubbermaid (NWL) Raised to Buy at B of A Merrill.</li>
<li>Whole Foods (WFMI) Raised to Market Perform at FBR.</li>
<li>Weyerhaueser (WY) Raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.</li>
<li>Legg Mason (LM) Cut to Underperform at B of A Merrill.</li>
<li>Power Integrations (POWI) Cut to Sell at Piper Jaffray.</li>
<li>Sprint-Nextel (S) Cut to Market Weight at Wachovia.</li>
</ul>
<p>JON C. OGG</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2009/03/16/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-kg-mxim-nwl-wfmi-wy-lm-powi-s/">Top Analyst Upgrades & Downgrades (KG, MXIM, NWL, WFMI, WY, LM, POWI, S)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=27079">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>The 52-week Low Club (YHOO)(WY)(LLTC)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/10/15/the-52-week-l-9-3/</link>
<comments>https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/10/15/the-52-week-l-9-3/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:57:09 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/2008/10/15/the-52-week-l-9-3</guid>
<description><![CDATA[Jones Apparel (JNY) Profit warning. Drops to $9.26 from 52-week high of $23.08. Liz Claiborne (LIZ) Pulled down by JNY news. Falls to $9.75 from 52-week high of $31.93. Weyerhaeuser (WY) Tried to raise prices. Customers said "no". Sells down to $37.16 from 52-week high of $78. Linear Technology (LLTC) Forecast weak for next quarter. […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/10/15/the-52-week-l-9-3/">The 52-week Low Club (YHOO)(WY)(LLTC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1821">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p><img title="Sad_clown_3" height="133" alt="Sad_clown_3" src="https://247wallst.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/sad_clown_3.jpg" width="100" border="0" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 5px 5px 0px" /> Jones Apparel (JNY) Profit warning. Drops to $9.26 from 52-week high of $23.08.</p>
<p>Liz Claiborne (LIZ) Pulled down by JNY news. Falls to $9.75 from 52-week high of $31.93.</p>
<p>Weyerhaeuser (WY) Tried to raise prices. Customers said "no". Sells down to $37.16 from 52-week high of $78. </p>
<p>Linear Technology (LLTC) Forecast weak for next quarter. Plunges to $20.53 from 52-week high of $37.77.</p>
<p>Yahoo! (YHOO) Wall St. hates internet and possible AOL deal. Down to $11.88 from $34.88.</p>
<p>Douglas A. McIntyre</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/10/15/the-52-week-l-9-3/">The 52-week Low Club (YHOO)(WY)(LLTC)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=1821">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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<title>52-Week Low Club (WTR, BMY, CELL, DDS, EK, EXPE, GCI, GE, HST, NOK, PFE, Q, VLO, WY, WGO)</title>
<link>https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/06/20/52-week-low-c-1-3/</link>
<comments>https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/06/20/52-week-low-c-1-3/#respond</comments>
<dc:creator><![CDATA[Douglas A. McIntyre]]></dc:creator>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:21:00 +0000</pubDate>
<category><![CDATA[Investing]]></category>
<guid isPermaLink="false">https://247wallst.com/2008/06/20/52-week-low-c-1-3</guid>
<description><![CDATA[If you thought this was a bad day for the market with the DJIA trading well under that 12,000 psychological level, there were some 400 stocks that hit 52-week lows today when you include the closed end funds, preferred stocks, and ETF’s.  Today was ugly enough that we won’t even add our little personal prodding […]]]></description>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/06/20/52-week-low-c-1-3/">52-Week Low Club (WTR, BMY, CELL, DDS, EK, EXPE, GCI, GE, HST, NOK, PFE, Q, VLO, WY, WGO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=3703">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p><p>If you thought this was a bad day for the market with the DJIA trading well under that 12,000 psychological level, there were some 400 stocks that hit 52-week lows today when you include the closed end funds, preferred stocks, and ETF’s. Today was ugly enough that we won’t even add our little personal prodding on these. Here is just a partial list of fifteen active stocks on this list today that aren’t airlines, autos, or financials: </p>
<ul>
<li>AQUA AMERICA INC (NYSE: WTR)</li>
<li>BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB (NYSE: BMY)</li>
<li>BRIGHTPOINT INC (NASDAQ: CELL)</li>
<li>DILLARD’S INC (NYSE: DDS)</li>
<li>EASTMAN KODAK CO (NYSE: EK)</li>
<li>EXPEDIA INC. (NASDAQ: EXPE) </li>
<li>GANNETT CO INC (NYSE: GCI)</li>
<li>GENERAL ELECTRIC CO (NYSE: GE)</li>
<li>HOST HOTELS & RESORT (NYSE: HST)</li>
<li>NOKIA (NYSE: NOK)</li>
<li>PFIZER INC. (NYSE: PFE)</li>
<li>QWEST COMMUNICATIONS (NYSE: Q)</li>
<li>VALERO ENERGY (NYSE: VLO)</li>
<li>WEYERHAEUSER CO (NYSE: WY)</li>
<li>WINNEBAGO IND INC (NYSE: WGO)</li>
</ul>
<p>Jon C. Ogg<br />June 21, 2008</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://247wallst.com/investing/2008/06/20/52-week-low-c-1-3/">52-Week Low Club (WTR, BMY, CELL, DDS, EK, EXPE, GCI, GE, HST, NOK, PFE, Q, VLO, WY, WGO)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://247wallst.com?utm_campaign=feed&utm_content=3703">24/7 Wall St.</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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