The merger has been unanimously approved by Gymboree’s board of directors.  The price represents a 57.4% premium to the ‘unaffected share price’ on September 30, 2010 before market rumors of a transaction.  Furthermore, this represents a 23.5% premium to Friday’s closing price.

Under the terms of the agreement, it is anticipated that affiliates of Bain Capital will commence a tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Gymboree shortly following the execution of the agreement.  Gymboree has a 40-day go-shop provision in the deal.

Some deals happen fast, others happen faster than fast.  The 52-week trading range is $37.26 to $55.27, or at least it was before the deal reaction this morning.  Shares are indicated up about 30% around $69.00 as some hope a higher buyout price will be offered.  Keep in mind, this is an all-time high for Gymboree and that goes back to the mid-1990′s.

JON C. OGG

Zumiez, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) is expected to be a winner with same store sales approaching +12.4%, although we already were told about a strong quarter by the company.  Even Abercrombie & Fitch (NYSE: ANF) is expected to show a recovery with gains of 3.6%.  Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) finds itself in an interesting place as it has reportedly now hired Goldman Sachs to explore a sale of the company, but its expected same-store sales in September are expected to be slightly in the red at -0.8%.

As far as which companies are expected to have the largest upward revisions, lululemon Athletica (NASDAQ: LULU) is expected to be the winner with double-digit gains for the quarter.  AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) is expected to come in at the higher-half of its 3% to 9% guidance at 7.3% gains led by its flagship Ann Taylor Stores over the Ann Taylor Loft stores.  The dud is expected to be the troubled American Apparel (AMEX: APP) with a drop of -10% or so.

Retail Metrics noted that teen apparel chains in this back-to-school season were far more promotional and started sales earlier than they had in some time.  The group feels that this helped to drive traffic in August for an upside surprise in that month while sales and traffic in the first half of the month were solid but began to drop off as back to school sales ended.

If you want to know where the continued gains seem to be falling, Retail Metrics noted that the discounter segment ex-WalMart was the leader with an expected gain of 3.7% for Septemner 2010.

The research gives a list of positive catalysts.  September had the best stock market gains in over 70 years, late Labor Day pulled sales into September along with a later back to school season, promotional sales picked up, car sales picked up, Fall Fashion generally looks good, August income and spending rose, select stores talked up sales and many beat estimates.  There were some negative items prevailing as well.  For starters, unepmloyment remains very high, consumer confidence fell, housing remains weak, weather may have been a drag on sales, and credit remains tight.

Most of the retail data will be out by Wednesday and Thursday of this week and it could act as a catalyst for the overall sector.

JON C. OGG

Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLDX) is trading up 14% to $4.47 versus a 52-week range of $2.91 to $9.49 after reports that its brain cancer vaccine doubled the survival rates.  Shares were up over 20% last night and it traded over 200,000 shares after Monday’s closing bell.

Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB) is up 4.7% at $50.50 after hiring Goldman Sachs to find a buyer.  Keep in mind this rose 20% initially on the news Friday.

Geron Corporation (NASDAQ: GERN) is trading up ahead of a Stem Cell conference presentation and on the launch of GE Healthcare’s human cardiomyocyte product for drug discovery and toxicity screening.  Shares are up 4% at $5.38.

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. (NYSE: WFR) is rising by about 5.6% at $12.42 after the company’s SunEdison unit announced the sale of PV factory in Italy for about $378 million.

MaxLinear, Inc. (NYSE: MXL) is trading down about 15.5% at $9.60, a 52-week low under the prior year range of $9.65 to $19.50, on news that it lowered his third quarter guidance.

SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. (NYSE: SIRI) is up again this morning with a gain of under 1% but at $1.28 which matches the 52-week high put in yesterday.  As noted at VSInvestor.com late yesterday, stock options trading is elevated and that is odd for a $1.00 stock.

The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB) is getting clipped after mixed guidance for he quarter and after setting targets out to2014.  Shares are down 10.6% at $11.21.

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.

JON C. OGG

We have compiled the news or events on each company here and we have offered color and handicapping figures on each if applicable for the week ahead or for longer-term developments in each.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI) has been stuck in a dead video game sector but it may have a new catalyst.  Rumors abound that its new World of Warcraft “Cataclysm” edition will be out in early December in time for the holidays.  Whether this will happen is unknown, but that might add a nice boost to end of year sales if it occurs.  For its part, the company is keeping quiet.  Speaking of video games, Barron’s called Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO) a ‘bargain in the sagging video game sector’ and at $10.25 its 52-week range is $7.00 to $12.57.

Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) could see additional pressure as earnings season gets closer because even after a 2.1% drop to $153.71 Friday,  shares are almost 30% since before its last earnings.  A pair of analysts voiced concerns on high valuations and a 25% run in the last month.  As a reminder, Amazon.com has signaled in its prior quarter that margin issues are present and the competition for the eReader space is tight.  The 52-week trading range is $88.27 to $161.78.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is about to enter its second week after disclosing its accounting issues and SEC inquiry, and the damage could have more room to come as the class action suits are starting to come up.  Shares closed down again on Friday with a 5.2% drop to $29.57.  The stock was just under $30.00 as recently as late-July and the stock was at an adjusted $23+ handle when its 3 for 1 split went into effect in May.  With a $19.87 to $37.97 range over the last year, there could still be more weakness as a bear raid continues to gain strength.  Jim Cramer also added it to the SELL BLOCK this last week.

Fidelity National Financial Inc. (NYSE: FNF) and First American Financial Corp. (NYSE: FAF) could face continued pressure as reports of bank foreclosure document errors could throw millions of property titles into question.  It will increase these firms’ operating costs to review each mortgage title and will bring down more scrutiny on their operations ahead.  FNF closed down over 4% Friday at $15.04 versus a 52-week range of $12.60 to $17.00 and FAF closed down 3.1% at $14.48 versus a 52-week range of $11.90 to $19.57.  Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE: STC), owner of Stewart Title, was only down 1.24% at $11.18.

• 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.
  
  Filed under: Banking, Business Services, Calendar, Conglomerates, Cult Stock, Earnings, Economy, Editor's Picks, Media, Rumors Tagged: AMZN, ATVI, FAF, FNF, GERN, GMCR, GYMB, JPM, MON, NBG, NFLX, SDTH, SIRI, TSLA, TTWO, UAL, UTX, WDR ]]> http://247wallst.com/2010/10/03/the-unusual-suspects-for-the-week-ahead-atvi-ttwo-amzn-gmcr-fnf-faf-gern-gymb-jpm-mon-nbg-nflx-sdth-siri-tsla-ual-utx-wdr/feed/ 0 AMZNATVIFAFFNFGERNGMCRGYMBJPMMONNBGNFLXSDTHSIRITSLATTWOUALUTXWDR Administrator bull-and-bear-image http://247wallst.com/2010/10/01/top-active-trader-alert-stocks-aib-dvox-gmcr-gymb-hpq-nflx-unfi/ http://247wallst.com/2010/10/01/top-active-trader-alert-stocks-aib-dvox-gmcr-gymb-hpq-nflx-unfi/#comments Fri, 01 Oct 2010 12:47:29 +0000 Administrator http://247wallst.com/?p=81397 ]]> Active traders and day traders have many stocks to choose from this morning.  We are tracking moves in Allied Irish Banks plc (NYSE: AIB), Dynavox Inc. (NASDAQ: DVOX), Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR), Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB), Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX), and United Natural Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNFI)

  Allied Irish Banks plc (NYSE: AIB) was down yesterday on Irish bailout cost projections and shares were downgraded to SELL at Societe Generale this morning.  Shares are down 1.4% at $1.40 on about 100,000 shares.  This was at $1.62 before the Irish concerns popped.

  Dynavox Inc. (NASDAQ: DVOX) is trading sharply lower after withdrawing its sales projections and all guidance.  Shares are down 23% at $6.25, under its prior 52-week low of $7.89.

  Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) is on a third-day reaction now.  Shares are down 2.2% at $30.50 after Jim Cramer said it was a SELL BLOCK stock now after its accounting irregularities and SEC inquiry.

  Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB) is surging on word that it is considering a sale of the company to private equity.  Shares are up 20% at $50.05 on about 200,000 shares.

  Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ) is trading down 2.6% at $40.95 on active trading after naming Leo Apotheker as its new CEO.  The move does not make sense to most.

  Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) is trading lower on an analyst downgrade as shares were cut to “Negative” at Susquehanna on valuation.  Shares are down 1.45 at $159.94 on over 60,000 shares.

  United Natural Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNFI) is going to be active today after pricing a secondary offering of 3.85 million shares at $33.00 per share.  The stock closed at $33.12 yesterday and the stock was above $35.00 just on Monday.  Average volume is only 253,000 shares, so look for an exponential volume alert later this morning.

  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.

  JON C. OGG

  
  Filed under: Pre-Market Activity, Trading Alert Tagged: AIB, DVOX, GMCR, GYMB, HPQ, NFLX, UNFI ]]> http://247wallst.com/2010/10/01/top-active-trader-alert-stocks-aib-dvox-gmcr-gymb-hpq-nflx-unfi/feed/ 0 AIBDVOXGMCRGYMBHPQNFLXUNFI Administrator bull-and-bear-image http://247wallst.com/2010/04/08/retail-business-daily-tgt-gps-rad-aeo-anf-gymb-rth/ http://247wallst.com/2010/04/08/retail-business-daily-tgt-gps-rad-aeo-anf-gymb-rth/#comments Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:31:39 +0000 Administrator http://247wallst.com/?p=64092 ]]> Today’s Retail Business Daily has a roundup of names in the retail sector that are responding to changes and news in the Industry. The market continues to improve for many top retailers. A combination of an early Easter and improved consumer spending has left many companies in the sector with strong same store sales reports for March-though against easy comparisons on a year-over-year basis. This weeks earnings and same store sales reporting is creating price moves and/or strong volume in a number of companies including Target Corp (NYSE: TGT), Gap Inc., (NYSE:GPS), Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD), American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO), Abercrombie and Fitch (NYSE: ANF), Gymboree Corp (Nasdaq: GYMB) and JC Penney Company, Inc. (NYSE: JCP).

  Recent Same Store Sales, Price action and Volume are included.

  Target Corp (NYSE:TGT)-This bellwether retailer saw its stock price gap up over 3% on earnings and same store sales this morning. Traders jumped all over this one after the company reported that April net sales experienced a 12.5% increase from $6.233 million to $5,543 on a year-over-year basis. March same store sales were 10.3% as the company joined top performers for the quarter in the sector. The company expects earnings to exceed current first quarter street estimates of 74 cents by about 10 cents. The stock is currently $55.69 and has big volume with 8.9 million shares already trading. Average volume is in the 6.4 million range.

  Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS)– Shares of Gap moved up over 4.5% on this mornings report with March same store sales up 11% on a year-over-year basis. A top performer in the group this week GAP showed same store sales strength in all four major divisions which include Gap North America, Banana Republic, Old Navy and International. Net sales for the April quarter were up from $2.08 billion to $2.28 billion on a year-over-year basis. Current price action in the stock is a continuation of an upward trend since late February. With over 11.8 million shares traded GAP has already exceeded its average volume of 8.8 million. The stock is currently at $24.53 up 2.85 % on the day…”

  Rite Aid (NYSE: RAD)-Shares of this drugstore retailer are down 4.93% at $1.35 as the company reports March same store sales down 0.1%. Rite Aid also saw revenues at $6.7 billion-a 3.6% year-over-year decline and a 24 cent per share loss. Competitive pressures may be hurting the company as Walgreen Company (NYSE: WAG) reported year-over-year same store sales up 2.3 for March earlier in the week. The 52 week range for the stock is $0.40 – $2.35. The current stock price continues a downward trend from the $1.74 level in late March. The company is generating big volume with 16 million shares traded vs. a 7.6 million average.

  American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO)-This teen retailer sold off after today’s news. The company reported that the last 5 weeks ended April 3rd produced a 15% increase in sales. Traders seem to have some uncertainty in this brand name retailer as it is trading at $17.55 down 5.82%.  Still, the 52 week range is $11.70-$19.86 so the stock is not far from its high. AEO has already nearly doubled its daily volume with 9.7 million shares trading.

  Abercrombie and Fitch (NYSE: ANF)-is one of the few retailers to disappoint analysts with March same store sales of 5% vs. street expectations of 8.4%. Net sales for the company’s recently reported 5 week period ending April 3rd was up 19% with year to date sales up 18% on a year-over-year basis. ANF shares rebounded from a $45.60 open today and is $46.30 down 1.24%. With a 52 week range of $22.40 to $48.25 the stock is still not far off it’s high. Share volume is large with 5.3 million shares trading against a daily average of $3.7 million.

  Gymboree Corp (NASDAQ: GYMB)-The street seems to be focusing on upcoming same store sales. GYMB increased earnings guidance for the upcoming period ending May 1st to $0.93 to $0.96 cents from prior guidance of $0.90 to $0.94 cents. Yet the company’s mention of an upcoming mid single digit increase in same store sales seems to be uninspiring to the street. Shares are at $52.70 down $2.57 or 4.65%.

  JC Penney Company, Inc (NYSE: JCP)-This well-known retailer is down $1.79 or 5.47%.  Investors are a bit worried about future department store sales and JCP missed analyst same store sales numbers with a 5.5% increase instead of the widely expected 5.7%. Shares are down on big volume with 8.4 million shares trading against an average of 5.4 million.

  One of the key retail stock ETFs was up along with the sector today.  Retail HOLDRs (NYSE: RTH) was up 1.4% at $103.35 shortly before the closing bell.

  by Steve Gear

  
  Filed under: Apparel, Consumer Goods, Retail Tagged: AEO, ANF, GPS, GYMB, RAD, RTH, TGT ]]> http://247wallst.com/2010/04/08/retail-business-daily-tgt-gps-rad-aeo-anf-gymb-rth/feed/ 0 AEOANFGPSGYMBRADRTHTGT Administrator http://247wallst.com/2009/11/13/retail-apparel-earnings-dominate-next-week-sks-bj-gymb-ann-dks-fl-gps-shld-plce-wtsla-zumz/ http://247wallst.com/2009/11/13/retail-apparel-earnings-dominate-next-week-sks-bj-gymb-ann-dks-fl-gps-shld-plce-wtsla-zumz/#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:36:00 +0000 247wallst http://247wallst.com/?p=53497 ]]> It seems that earnings season is winding down, but next week we have many of the key retail and apparel players reporting earnings.  Saks Incorporated (NASDAQ: SKS), BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ), Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB), and Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) are all reporting next week.  Next Thursday may feel like a retail and apparel earnings bonanza as we have Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS), Foot Locker Inc. (NYSE: FL), Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD), The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCE), Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ: WTSLA), and Zumiez, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) all reporting earnings in one day.

  We have provided estimates from Thomson Reuters, recent sale store sales data, share performance, and added color on what else to consider where applicable.
  
  Saks Incorporated (NASDAQ: SKS) reports on Tuesday.  This is still deemed the troubled and challenged of the higher-end retailers, and it is after the sell-off seen so far in Nordstrom.  Earnings are expected to be -$0.12 EPS and $621.95 million in revenues.  The problem is that analysts still see a loss for the ever-important Q4 period of -$0.04 EPS and $792.7 million in revenues.  Investors are not exactly keen on retail plays that lose money in the holiday quarter.  That being said, it may take a “we should be profitable in Q4″ statement to garner much excitement.  Another issue is that Saks is expected to lose money not just for fiscal Jan-2010 but also for Jan-2011.  The good news is that Carlos Slim invested in it and it recently showed October same-store sales were up 0.7%.  At $6.00+ today, its 52-week range is $1.50 to $7.45.

  BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) is on deck next Wednesday, and we have already seen Wal-Mart and Costco data.  Estimates for the big box-club retailer are $0.45 EPS and $2.48 billion.  For the Q4 period the estimates are $0.97 EPS on $2.76 billion in revenues.  A significant problem for many investors is that BJ’s stock has been range-bound for some time despite some gains it has made.  The company’s same-store sales were -1.1%, but that included gasoline. At $36.50, the 52-week trading range is $27.26 to $40.77.

  Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB) is also on deck for earnings on Wednesday.  The special situation and turnaround kid’s retail destination is 20% off of a recent 52-week high, but is still up about 200% from its 52-week low.  Earnings estimates are $1.10 EPS and $270.8 million in revenues.  For the holiday quarter those estimates are $1.12 EPS and $302.2 million in revenues.  While this is not quantifiable without seeing it, the notion that this is for kids does put its swine flu risks higher than most companies elsewhere in the retail stocks reporting next week.  Same-store sales were also down 4% for October.

  Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS) is on deck next Thursday, Nov. 19.  Estimates are $0.08 EPS and $957.6 million; estimates for the holiday quarter are $0.56 EPS and $1.26 billion in revenues.  With shares at $24.00, its 52-week trading range is $9.21 to $26.00.  A look at forward annual earnings estimates of $1.11 EPS for Jan-2010 and $1.26 for Jan-2011 will bring up some of the same valuation concerns we have seen elsewhere in retail.

  Foot Locker Inc. (NYSE: FL) is reporting next Thursday and estimates are $0.13 EPS on $1.19 billion in revenues.  For the holiday quarter ahead estimates are $0.28 EPS and $1.29 billion in revenues.  The stock is probably not overly expensive at $10.80 at 17.7-times the $0.61 EPS target for FY Jan-2010 and 14.5-times the $0.74 EPS target for FY Jan-2011.  They are not exactly cheap either.  The 52-week trading range is $3.65 to $12.95.

  Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) is also on deck next Thursday.  The new CEO has really gotten this longstanding turnaround candidate turned around and heading in the right direction.  We are not even calling Old Navy by the name of ‘Old Lamie’ any longer.  Estimates are $0.44 EPS and $3.57 billion in revenues.  Next quarter estimates are $0.43 EPS and $4.15 billion in revenues die to higher inventory costs.  The CEO deserves praise, but the question here is one of how to value Gap shares.  It is mature and no longer the great growth story.  Estimates are $1.50 EPS for FY Jan-2010 and $1.65 EPS for FY Jan-2011.  With a $22.20 price, Gap trades at 14.8-times this year’s earnings and trades at 13.5-times next year’s expected earnings.  That is not expensive in the current climate, particularly when you consider that it has provided an upside surprise for each of the last four quarters.  We don’t expect it to come any time soon, but we have always had Gap as a break-up candidate where it could break the three major brands apart.  October same-store sales rose by 4% and the total sales rose 5% led by gains at Banana Republic and Old Navy, and dragged by Gap.

  Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD) is due next Thursday from Eddie Lampert and friends.  The shares are up massively, yet Eddie’s minions at the retail giant keep showing dull earnings.  Estimates are for another loss at -$1.09 EPS on $9.89 billion in revenues.  For the ever-important holiday quarter the estimates are $2.64 EPS and $12.6 billion in revenues.  This has a huge premium at over 70-times this year’s expected earnings of $0.85 EPS and about 50-times FY Jan-2011 estimates.  The premium is because there is a huge asset play here for Lampert’s real estate under the stores.  Investors are probably betting that Lampert traded well in investments too.  So the traditional P/E ratio here doesn’t matter.  At $72.40, the 52-week trading range is $26.80 to $79.35.  Sears has a history of very spotty earnings, yet shares are up significantly from lows and went well above our “stocks to double” price target.

  The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCE) is also on deck next Thursday.  We had a severe discrepancy in estimates here when we were looking them up, so we are not going to provide that data on this stock.  Sorry.  We recently saw October sales metrics down 2%, but online sales were up 36% in October.  Again, the unquantifiable risk here is what happens in flu season because of the kid factor.  With shares around $35.00, and the 52-week trading range is $16.45 to $37.68.

  Wet Seal Inc. (NASDAQ: WTSLA) is on deck as a young women’s apparel retailer.  Normally, we might not cover this one, but it is a retailer that has been very range-bound because of a turnaround and because of its mixed performance metrics.  Estimates are $0.03 EPS and $139.79 million in revenues for the past quarter, yet the coming holiday quarter-end estimates are $0.08 EPS and $155.19 million in revenues, yet the company gave guidance of $0.04.  We will hold off on forward valuation multiples because each penny in an EPS scenario for a $3.36 stock will skew the ratios.  October same-store sales were down 1.3%.

  Zumiez, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZUMZ) is the last of the retailers we track for next Thursday.  As much as you have seen “Thursday” you may have figured that was never-ending.  Estimates for the action sports equipment and apparel retailer are $0.14 EPS and $111.89 million in revenues for the last quarter.  For the important holiday quarter-end ahead the estimates are $0.24 EPS and $130.97 million in revenues.  Before last quarter, Zumiez had a habit of beating estimates handily. Unfortunately, its same store sales in October were off by -8.9%.

  Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) is on deck next Friday morning.  Estimates are $0.06 EPS and $476.2 million in revenues.  Shares are just under $13.00 and the 52-week trading range is $2.41 to $17.50.  While shares have recovered handily from 2008 lows, this one has never recaptured its mojo from when it lost its growth trajectory from 2000 to 2007.

  Again, these estimates are likely to change slightly ahead of the actual earnings report next week.  This is also not every single company in the retail and apparel sector with earnings on deck and it follows a sloppy reaction from the retail and apparel reports from many peers this week.  The notion that many CEOs and CFOs this week have not been very clear on what to expect for the holiday season leaves us with even more pause after the significant stock runs we have seen.

  Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) is also on deck next Tuesday.  That one is large enough compared to the rest of the crowd that we are holding to give a very detailed analysis and preview on Monday.

  JON C. OGG
  NOVEMBER 13, 2009

  
  Posted in Apparel, Calendar, Earnings, Retail Tagged: ANN, BJ, DKS, FL, GPS, GYMB, PLCE, SHLD, SKS, WTSLA, ZUMZ ]]> http://247wallst.com/2009/11/13/retail-apparel-earnings-dominate-next-week-sks-bj-gymb-ann-dks-fl-gps-shld-plce-wtsla-zumz/feed/ 0 ANNBJDKSFLGPSGYMBPLCESHLDSKSWTSLAZUMZ 247wallst Bull and Bear Image http://247wallst.com/2009/09/22/top-analyst-upgrades-bcsi-cvd-trak-dndn-dish-gymb-hpq-m-btu-petm-x/ http://247wallst.com/2009/09/22/top-analyst-upgrades-bcsi-cvd-trak-dndn-dish-gymb-hpq-m-btu-petm-x/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 12:17:18 +0000 247wallst http://247wallst.com/?p=47416 ]]> These are this Tuesday morning’s top pre-market analyst upgrades and positive research calls seen from Wall Street:

  Blue Coat Systems (BCSI) started as Buy at BofA/Merrill.
  Covance (CVD) upgraded to Buy at Jefferies.
  DealerTrack Holdings (TRAK) upgraded to Outperform at Cowen.
  Dendreon (DNDN) Started as Outperform at Leerink Swann.
  DISH Network (DISH) upgraded to Outperform at Wells Fargo.
  Gymboree (GYMB) upgraded to Outperform at FBR Capital.
  Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) upgraded to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
  Macy’s (M) upgraded to Buy at Citigroup.
  Peabody Energy (BTU) upgraded to Buy at Citigroup.
  Petsmart (PETM) Started as Overweight at Thomas Weisel.
  US Steel (X) upgraded to Neutral at BofA/Merrill.

  You can join our open email distribution list which goes out several times per week for top analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader alerts, IPO’s, key secondary offerings, guru investor data on Buffett and others, mergers, and more.

  JON C. OGG

  
  Posted in Analyst Calls Tagged: BCSI, BTU, CVD, DISH, DNDN, GYMB, HPQ, M, PETM, TRAK, X ]]> http://247wallst.com/2009/09/22/top-analyst-upgrades-bcsi-cvd-trak-dndn-dish-gymb-hpq-m-btu-petm-x/feed/ 0 BCSIBTUCVDDISHDNDNGYMBHPQMPETMTRAKX 247wallst http://247wallst.com/2009/05/19/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-wtr-dl-ehth-gymb-meoh-shw-stt/ http://247wallst.com/2009/05/19/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-wtr-dl-ehth-gymb-meoh-shw-stt/#comments Tue, 19 May 2009 11:52:19 +0000 247wallst http://247wallst.com/?p=34868 ]]> It is looking pretty thin in new great research calls from Wall Street today.  Here are the top analyst calls seen as of 7:30 AM EST this Tuesday morning:

  Aqua America (WTR) Raised to Buy at Janney Montgomery Scott.
  China Distance Learning (DL) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
  eHealth (EHTH)  Cut to Underperform at Oppenheimer.
  Gymboree (GYMB) Raised to Positive at Susquehanna.
  Methanex (MEOH) Cut to Sector Perform at CIBC.
  Sherwin Williams (SHW) Raised to Overweight at JPMorgan.
  State Street (STT) Raised to Top Pick at RBC.

  JON C. OGG
  May 19, 2009

  
  Posted in Analyst Calls Tagged: DL, EHTH, GYMB, MEOH, SHW, STT, WTR ]]> http://247wallst.com/2009/05/19/top-analyst-upgrades-downgrades-wtr-dl-ehth-gymb-meoh-shw-stt/feed/ 0 DLEHTHGYMBMEOHSHWSTTWTR 247wallst http://247wallst.com/2009/04/09/marchs-retail-winners-bke-fred-gymb-hott-jcp-tjx/ http://247wallst.com/2009/04/09/marchs-retail-winners-bke-fred-gymb-hott-jcp-tjx/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:13:59 +0000 247wallst http://247wallst.com/?p=30120 ]]> We are still seeing overall weak trends in the retail sector.  This is no shock based upon the overall drop in the economy and the growing army of unemployed workers out there.  But there are  some retail winners out there.  Companies such as Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE), Fred’s Inc. (NASDAQ: FRED), Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB), Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT), J.C. Penney Company (NYSE: JCP), and The TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE: TJX)  posted strong March same-store sales.
  
  Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) is trading up this morning marginally after reporting that its same store-sales rose 14.7%.  The casual retail also noted that its total sales were up 21.5% for the month. Shares are trading up about 1.6% to $34.25.

  Fred’s Inc. (NASDAQ: FRED) said that its same-store sales were up by +1.9% based on increased bargain shoppers.  No volume or trading indications have been seen yet, but there is still a while before the open.

  Gymboree Corp. (NASDAQ: GYMB) said it saw a mid-teens percentage drop, but this is much better, or less-bad, than the 20% to 25% drop it was expecting.  The company raised its earnings guidance to $0.50 to $50.56 EPS rather than a prior forecast of $0.18 to $0.25 EPS.  The company attributed product reception and promotional campaigns as contributing to margins.  Its shares are up over 16% and flirting with the $25.00 mark this morning.

  Hot Topic (NASDAQ: HOTT) is continuing to win from its ‘Twilight’ ties with a gain of +7.1% n same store sales.  The company now expects to earn money with $0.01 to $0.02 EPS rather than a loss to gain of -$0.01 to $0.01 EPS.  Shares are up over 3% to north of $12.00.

  J.C. Penney Company (NYSE: JCP) posted a drop of 7.2% in same-store sales.  While this is a big drop, it is less than elsewhere and less than estimates of double-digit drops.  The loss of the quarter is now seen at -$0.05 to -$0.10 rather than a loss of -$0.20 to -$0.20.  Shares are up 5% at $23.80.

  The TJX Companies Inc. (NYSE: TJX) said its same-store sales rose 2% rather than an expected drop of about 2% seen by analysts.  Its total sales remained flat at $1.7 billion, but the discount seller now sees earnings at the high end or slightly above its previous forecasts of $0.32 to $0.38 EPS.  Shares are now up over 4% at $27.85.

  JON C. OGG

  
  Posted in Apparel, Retail, Trading Alert Tagged: BKE, FRED, GYMB, HOTT, JCP, TJX ]]> http://247wallst.com/2009/04/09/marchs-retail-winners-bke-fred-gymb-hott-jcp-tjx/feed/ 0 BKEFREDGYMBHOTTJCPTJX 247wallst money-stack-image20