Posts for Ticker ‘IP’

Top 10 Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades, Initiations (ACOR, IP, OPEN, PBR, SPWRA, ASML, LAZ, PETD, TRW, WDC)

These are this morning’s top 10 pre-market analyst upgrades, downgrades, and initiations which we have seen early from Wall Street research firms:

Acorda (NASDAQ: ACOR) Raised to Buy at Merriman Curhan Ford; Raised to Outperform at Baird.
International Paper (NYSE: IP) Started as Outperform at RBC.
OpenTable (NASDAQ: OPEN) Raised to Buy at Citigroup.
PetroBras, or Petrobras Brasileiro (NYSE: PBR) Started as Outperform at Bernstein.
Sunpower (NASDAQ: SPWRA) Raised to Outperform at Baird.
ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) Cut to Sell at Citi.
Lazard (NYSE: LAZ) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
Petroleum Development (NASDAQ: PETD) Cut to Neutral at Sun Trust.
Travelers Cos (NYSE: TRV) Cut To Market Perform at KBW.
Western Digital (NYSE: WDC) Cut to Hold at Stifel Nicolaus.

You can join our open email distribution list to get updates each morning on analyst upgrades and downgrades, top day trader alerts, IPO’s and secondary offerings, Warren Buffett and other guru activity, M&A and more.

JON C. OGG
OCTOBER 15, 2009

Posted on: October 15, 2009 – 8:27 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades (BBBB, CTXS, EXPE, IP, NTAP, NOK, PKG, PETS, TNK, USB)

These are this Tuesday morning’s top ten analyst calls with upgrades, downgrades, and initiations we have seen in early trading from Wall Street firms:

Blackboard (BBBB) Cut to Neutral at BofA/Merrill.
Citrix Systems (CTXS) Cut to Underperform at BofA/Merrill.
Expedia (EXPE) Started as Buy at Deutsche Bank.
International Paper (IP) Raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.
NetApp (NTAP) Raised to Accumulate at ThinkEquity.
Nokia (NOK) Cut to Hold from Buy at Jefferies.
Packaging Corp (PKG) Raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.
PetMed Express (PETS) Raised to Overweight at Piper Jaffray.
Teekay Tankers (TNK) Raised to Overweight at JP Morgan.
US Bancorp (USB) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.

JON C. OGG
JULY 21, 2009

Posted on: July 21, 2009 – 7:08 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , ,

Top Analyst Downgrades (AXP, BKE, CIEN, ENER, IP, LINTA, RBS, STO, TSM, TIN, VSAT)

These are some of the top analyst downgrades and cautious research calls we have seen from Wall Street early this Tuesday morning:

American Express (AXP) Started as Underperform at RBC.
Buckle (BKE) Cut to Underweight at KeyBanc.
Ciena (CIEN) Cut to Underperform at JMP Securities.
Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) Cut to Hold at Citi; Cut to Neutral at Credit Suisse.
International Paper (IP) Cut to Hold at Deutsche Bank.
Liberty Media (LINTA) Cut to Sell at Citi.
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) Cut to Underperform at Credit Suisse.
StatoilHydro (STO) Cut to Hold at Societe Generale.
Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) Cut To Market Perform at FBR.
Temple-Inland (TIN) Cut to Hold at Deutsche Bank.
ViaSat (VSAT) Cut to Hold at Collins Stewart.

JON C. OGG

Posted on: May 12, 2009 – 6:39 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , , ,

The “Green” Hypocrisy: America’s Corporate Environment Champions Pollute The World

oil1 “Green is green as in the color of money”
- Brand director of General Electric, Brandweek, July 26, 2006

“Greenwashing” is the act of misleading the public regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product, service, or business line.  Due to the public’s increased awareness of environmental issues, including global warming, deforestation, and the loss of endangered species, greenwashing has become a staple of corporations marketing efforts.  All of the companies in this article have made some effort to address these concerns.  Some of them appear to be trying harder than others, and even a few of them have made legitimate efforts to become responsible corporate stewards of the environment.  Evidenced by the support of environmental groups and corporate responsibility professionals, many of these companies’ green initiatives have made a positive impact. Read More »

Posted on: April 2, 2009 – 2:56 am in Green Biz, , , , , , , , , ,

Disappearing Dividends At America’s Best-Known Companies II (GE, PNC, IP, TXT, JPM)

Back in mid-February we discussed the latest trend of big-name companies slashing their dividends and how the trend will likely grow. Well it is growing, and fast.

In this horrible market, dividends have been one of the few saviors for investors, but increasingly shareholders can no longer count on the payouts from many well-known corporate leaders.

Read more…

Posted on: March 3, 2009 – 10:22 am in Uncategorized, , , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (DOW)(IP)(CBS)(SCHW)(EBAY)(MSFT)(PFE)(GE)(C)

sad_clownCitigroup (C) Still fears of nationalization or a larger bailout. Falls to $1.15. from a 52-week high of $27.35.

GE (GE) Market not comforted that GE’s financial services are is not in trouble. Drops to $7.51 from 52-week high of $38.52.

Pfizer (PFE) Concerns about economic activity spreading to healthcare costs. Down to $11.65 from 52-week high of $22.67.

Microsoft (MSFT) New study shows PC sales will collapse this year. Drops to $15.79 from 52-week high of $32.10.

Ebay (EBAY) E-commerce likely next victim of retail contraction. Off to $10.28 from 52-week high of $33.47.

Schwab (SCHW) No one trading stocks, at least not at a profit. Dips to $11.94 from 52-week high of $26.20.

CBS (CBS) Advertising revenue drying up. Down to $3.85 from 52-week high of $25.

International Paper (IP) Cuts dividend. Plunges to $5.05 from 52-week high of $32.75.

Dow Chemical (DOW) Commodities prices and demand crippled. Sells down to $6.90 from 52-week high of $43.43.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: March 2, 2009 – 4:00 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , , , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (IP)(MAT)(HAS)(ADCT)(HBAN)(RF)(NCX)

Sad_clownNOVA Chemicals (NCX) Ratings cut pushes shares down to $1.28 compard to a 52-week high of $32.46.

Regions Financial (RF) Still falling after analyst downgrades. Falls to $2.67 from 52-week high of $25.84.

International Paper (IP) Cut by Goldman Sachs. Drops to $7.87 from 52-week high of $33.77.

Hasbro (HAS) May be reaction to bad earnings at Mattel (MAT) HAS off to $21.68 from 52-week high of $41.68.

A D C Telecommunications (ADCT) Bad outlook. Big earnings charge. Drops to $3.20 from 52-week high of $17.45.

Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) Dragged down by banking sector. Hits $1.93, down from 52-week high of $14.13.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: February 2, 2009 – 4:44 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , ,

Top Analyst Downgrades (AVP, CAH, ETR, ETFC, F, IP, ITRI, LAB, NDAQ, NYX, SNDK, WYN)

Burning_money_picThese are some of the top pre-market analyst downgrades and negative calls we have seen on Wall Street this morning:

  • Avon Products (AVP) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Cardinal Health (CAH) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Entergy (ETR) Cut to Hold at Jefferies.
  • E*TRADE (ETFC) Cut to Equal Weight at Barclays.
  • Ford (F) Cut to Underweight at Barclays.
  • International Paper (IP) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs.
  • Itron (ITRI) Cut to Neutral at UBS.
  • LaBranche (LAB) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • NASDAQ: OMX (NDAQ) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • NYSE (NYX) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs; Cut to Market Perform at KBW.
  • SanDisk (SNDK) Cut to Sell at Auriga.
  • Wyndam Worldwide (WYN) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

Jon C. Ogg
February 2, 2009

Posted on: February 2, 2009 – 7:45 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (RF)(SNV)(IP)(FITB)(CENX)

Sad_clownNOVA Chemicals  (NCX) Bad Q4 and a downgrade by RBC. Falls to $3 from 52-week high of $32.46.

Regions Financial (RF) Downgrade by Bernstein. Runs off to $3.40 from a 52-week high of $25.84.

Synovus Financial (SNV) Bad analyst call. Drops to $3.88 from 52-week high of $13.58.

International Paper (IP) Big quarterly loss. Sells off to $9.06 from 52-week high $33.77.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) Bernstein downgrade sends shares plunging to $2.36 from 52-week high of $28.58.

Century Aluminum (CENX) Company plans to sell more stock. Dips to $3.43 from 52-week high of $80.52.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: January 30, 2009 – 4:05 pm in HI/LOW, , , , ,

Major S&P Stocks On Decade Lows (AA, AMAT, AMD, DOW, EK, GCI, HOG, INTC, IP, JNY, M, MU, MSFT, NWL, NWS, SLE, STX, LUV, HOT, YRCW)

Broken_merger_torn_moneyCovering any part of the positives in this market has been literally as rewarding as jumping in the bear cage with the bears at the zoo.  We have been refraining from doing as many stocks which are on 52-week lows as the list is just too many companies.  But after the close we perused the entire S&P 500 and a few more large companies.  We reached down in the barrel and found an extensive list of stocks which are now trading at lows of the entire decade.   Fortunately for the seriously depressed, we took out the stocks which are financials, autos, housing, REIT’s, and penny stocks.  Below is the full list.

Read More »

Posted on: November 20, 2008 – 6:39 am in HI/LOW, Technical Analysis, Trading Alert, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Early Bird Analyst Downgrades (B, CCL, CTCM, DO, ESS, HAL, HMY, IP, ODFL, PKG)

These are some of the top pre-market analyst downgrades we have seen with more than two hours to the open this Monday morning:

  • Barnes Group (B) Cut to Neutral at Baird.
  • Carnival (CCL) Cut to Sell at S&P.
  • CTC Media (CTCM) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Diamond Offshore (DO) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Essex Property Trust (ESS) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs.
  • Halliburton (HAL) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Harmony Gold (HMY) Cut to Underperform at RBC.
  • International Paper (IP) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.
  • Old Dominion Freight Line (ODFL) Cut to Neutral at Baird.
  • Packaging Corp. (PKG) Cut to Neutral at Goldman Sachs.

Jon C. Ogg
November 3, 2008

Posted on: November 3, 2008 – 7:32 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , ,

Busted IPO: Verso Paper Corp. (VRS, IP)

Verso Paper Corp. (NYSE: VRS) was one we noted yesterday as "slashing terms" after the pricing level was dropped and the share count in the sale was dropped.  The company priced 14 million shares at $12.00 a piece, and shares are now under $10.00.  It’s also only the first day.

Verso was formed as an independent company that was acquired out of International Paper in the last few years, and the problem here is that the company’s use of funds is to repay debt that was used to pay Apollo Management L.P. a dividend last year.

Many investors don’t mind buying from private equity in an IPO, particularly if the investor group made the company stronger.  But investors often shy away from deals where all of the funds are directly or indirectly are going away from the company.

You can join our open email distribution list to hear about other secondary offerings, IPO’s, secondary offerings, special financings, mergers, spin-offs, and other special situations.

Jon C. Ogg
May 15, 2008

Jon Ogg produces and edits the "10 Stocks Under $10" newsletter and he does not own securities in the companies he covers.

Posted on: May 15, 2008 – 10:49 am in IPOs, ,

Verso Paper Corp. Slashes IPO Expectations (VRS, IP)

Verso Paper Corp. has just slashed its IPO terms in an amended IPO filing this morning.  The company’s prior range was up to 18.75 million shares and an expoected price range of $16.00 to $18.00.  That is now history. The company said in its filing that it now expects to sell 14 million shares at an estimated $12.00 price per share.  The company will still keep the proposed "VRS" ticker on the NYSE.

Credit Suisse and Citi are the lead underwriters, with co-managers listed as Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan, Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and  Utendahl Capital Partners.

Verso is a North American supplier of coated papers to catalog and magazine publishers.  As the company says, the coated paper is used primarily in media, catalogs, magazines, commercial printing, high-end advertising brochures, annual reports, and direct mail advertising.  This was also essentially a cave-out from International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP).

After this offering, there will be 52,046,647 shares fully outstanding, or 54,146,647 if the over-allotment is exercised.  This may or ma y not matter, but as of the end of 2007 the company based the results on a share count of 38,046,647 common shares outstanding. Without the over-allotment, the company’s implied market cap at the $12.00 IPO pricing would be an approximate $624.5 million.  On a combined basis, the company would have posted $1.628.8 Billion in 2007 revenues and a net loss including restructuring and other issues of -$111.5 million.

Hmm… rising postage, magazine subscription trends, lower marketing, higher transport and commodity costs, and a softening economy… no wonder the terms were lowered.  Despite the company being the lowest cost producer, there are some outside macro-trends and secular-trends that may be outside of the company’s control.  The company has also rolled its subsidiaries into one company.

Apollo Management L.P. is no longer going to sell 2.8 million shares at the IPO.  Interestingly enough, part of the capital raised will go to repay debt, which looks like was used to finance a dividend to Apollo.

You can join our open email distribution list to hear about other secondary offerings, IPO’s, secondary offerings, special financings, mergers, spin-offs, and other special situations.

Jon C. Ogg
May 14, 2008

Posted on: May 14, 2008 – 11:25 am in IPOs, Private Equity, ,

The 52-Week Low Club (LUM)(RAI)(UNH)(CLX)(GRMN)

Luminent (LUM) Company proposes to restructure. Shares down to $.24 from 52-week high of $10.78.

Reynolds American (RAI) Falling profit and lower guidance. Drops to $52.17 from 52-week high of $72.

International Paper (IP) Increased costs hurt earnings. Sells down to $25.81 from 52-week high of $41.57.

Unitedhealth Group (UNH) Healthcare sector still selling off. Dips to $32.50 from 52-week high of $59.46.

The Clorox Company (CLX) Moving down ahead of earnings. Falls to $52.86 from 52-week high of $68.36.

Garmin (GRMN) Profit misses estimates. Shares down to $38.75 from 52-week high of $125.68.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: April 30, 2008 – 2:50 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , ,

Top 10 Pre-Market Analyst Calls (MT, CBOU, CPHD, IFF, IP, PFCB, PG, RAI, RF, USX, VQ)

These are some of the top analyst calls we are focusing on this morning:

  • ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) Cut to Neutral from Overweight at HSBC.
  • Caribou Coffee (NASDAQ: CBOU) Cut to Neutral from Outperform at Cowen.
  • Cepheid (NASDAQ: CPHD) Raised to Buy from Neutral at UBS.
  • Intl Flavors & Fragrances (NYSE: IFF) Cut to Underweight from Neutral at JPMorgan.
  • International Paper (NYSE: IP) cut To Neutral from Outperform at Credit Suisse.
  • PF Chang’s (NASDAQ: PFCB) Cut to Neutral from Outperform at Cowen.
  • Procter & Gamble (NYSEL PG) Cut to Hold from Buy at Deutsche Bank.
  • Reynolds American (NYSE: RAI) Raised to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs.
  • Regions Financial (NYSE: RF) Raised to Hold from Sell at Citi.
  • US Steel (NYSE: USX) Cut to Hold From Buy at Citigroup.
  • Venoco (NYSE: VQ) Raised to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.

Jon C. Ogg
April 17, 2008

Jon Ogg produces the Special Situation Investing Newsletter.  He can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com and he does not own securities in the companies he covers.

Posted on: April 17, 2008 – 6:52 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (AMGN, AU, BGP, HB, IP, JBL, MOT, HOOK, RVBD, SLRY)

This week felt like a yo-yo of volatility, and frankly that makes it even better that it was a 4-day work week for the stock market.  Despite the huge rally today that was led by the financials, there were plenty of shares that hit the wall of shame on the 52-week low list.  Not all of these closed under their 52-week lows, but the list was far larger than one would guess for the way the market acted today.

  • Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) just keeps going and going.  This broke under $40.00 today as life gets uglier and uglier for anemia drugs. Got back above $40.00 late in the day so it doesn’t look like a low close.
  • Anglogold Ashanti (NYSE: AU) bit the dust with gold prices lower again.  Under $31.00 late in the day; prior range $31.88 to $51.35.
  • Borders Group (NYSE: BGP) bit the dust.  Shares fell sharply after its earnings report.  It’s killing the dividend and "reviewing strategic alternatives." Down 35% late in day at $4.56; prior range $6.90 to $24.15.
  • Hillenbrand (NYSE: HB) hit the list too, although this is sellers unloading before it breaks itself into two at the end of the month.  This is likely just sellers getting out ahead of what they think may be an uncertain event.  Shares down close to $48.00 late in day; prior range $48.40 to $69.45.
  • International Paper (NYSE: IP) is now down to under $27.00. Wasn’t this just at $40.00 a few months ago?  Cyclical business, down 2% late at $26.87; prior range $27.44 to $41.57.
  • Jabil Circuits (NYSE: JBL) looked pretty bad today down almost 6% to $11.51 late in day with prior range $12.02 to $26.18.  Trailing P/E still high.
  • Motorola (NYSE: MOT) wouldn’t be fair to leave off the list… again.. shares traded under $9.00.  Carl Icahn has to be furious that he stayed here.  The good news is that croaker-granola got back above prior $9.12 low to $9.20 at 3:30 PM EST.
  • Redhook Ale (NASDAQ: HOOK) fell over 10% and $5.00 is getting farther and farther away with shares at $4.35 late in day; prior low was $4.55… Maybe we should have some Redhook ale this long weekend to help[ them out.
  • Riverbed Tech (NASDAQ: RVBD) traded down to under $15.00 today before recovering.  Shares were at $15.20 late in the day and the prior 52-week trading range was $15.16 to $52.81.
  • Salary.com (NASDAQ: SLRY) is one we should have stuck with on our short-sell call in "10 Stocks Under $10" as it came back down.  Shares down to $6.32 late in day with prior 52-week trading range of $6.37 to $16.32.

Next week is a full week, and you know there will be more 52-week lows being put in regardless of what the market does.  Stay tuned!

Jon C. Ogg
March 20, 2008

Posted on: March 20, 2008 – 2:41 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , , , , , ,

Early Recovery Laggards (AMGN, ARII, IP, MCD, SRZ, URI)

It almost seems that no matter what happens, there are always some major companies whose shares just won’t recover when the broad market recovers.  Sometimes it’s on news, and sometimes it is just because that sector won’t be the real beneficiary of a market move or a change in the economy.  A 200 point-plus gain in the DJIA and a 43 point gain in the NASDAQ doesn’t mean some aren’t struggling.

American Railcar Industries (NASDAQ: ARII) is one of the worst ones today with shares down over 10% at $19.45, now down more than 50% from 52-week highs.  UBS is the culprit this morning after it downgraded the stock from an already cautious Neutral rating down to a new SELL rating.

Amgen (NASDAQ: AMGN) just can’t catch a break.  Its shares are at a new 52-week low under that $43.02 level down at $42.45 today.  When your core anemia products are under fire from Congress and from the FDA, this is what happens.

International paper (NYSE: IP) is feeling the wrath of a downgrade after JP Morgan cut its rating to Neutral from Overweight, and shares are down almost 2% at $28.94 today.

McDonalds (NYSE: MCD) is so far the only DJIA component trading lower this morning after gapping up.  Maybe this defensive name is going to have a hard time duplicating its massive same-store performance that has been seen over the last two years or more.  Shares are down marginally at $54.21, and its 52-week trading range is $43.65 to $63.69.

Sunrise Senior Living (NYSE: SRZ) shares are down almost 10% at $20.85 this morning, which is another 52-week low.  Two weeks ago it gave preliminary results and noted it would have a 4140 million adjustment.  This morning it noted that it missed the deadline for filing its annual report, a real no-no for investors.

United Rentals Inc. (NYSE: URI) ar also down over 1% today at $17.50 after JPMorgan cuts its rating from an already cautious Neutral down to an "underweight" rating.

Jon C. Ogg
March 18, 2008

Posted on: March 18, 2008 – 9:06 am in HI/LOW, , , , , ,

Top 10 Pre-Market Analyst Calls (MO, AMZN, GS, IP, NCC, NOVL, RMG, SAP, URI, GMR, OSG, TK)

Below are the top analyst upgrades and downgrades we are looking at this Tuesday morning:

  • Altria Group (NYSE: MO) Started as Buy at UBS.
  • Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) started as Buy at Canaccord Adams.
  • Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) raised to Outperform at Wachovia.
  • International Paper (NYSE: IP) downgraded to Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • National City (NYSE: NCC) raised to Market Perform at KBW.
  • Novell (NASDAQ: NOVL) started as Buy at Broadpoint Capital.
  • RiskMetrics (NYSE: RMG) raised to Buy at Banc of America.
  • SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) raised to Outperform at Bernstein.
  • United Rentals (NYSE: URI) downgraded to Underweight at JP Morgan.

Citigroup raised overseas ship tankers to Buy from Hold: General Maritime (NYSE: GMR), Overseas Shipholding (NYSE: OSG), and Teekay Shipping (NYSE: TK).

Jon C. Ogg
March 18, 2008

Posted on: March 18, 2008 – 6:24 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , , , ,

International Paper (IP) Gets Larger

According to Reuters "International Paper (NYSE: IP) has agreed to pay $6 billion in cash to buy the packaging and recycling unit of Weyerhaeuser Co, (NYSE: WY) the timber and forest products company."

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: March 17, 2008 – 5:20 am in Uncategorized, ,

Top 10 Pre-Market Analyst Calls (ADBE, CRUS, DVA, EEQ, EQR, IP, LNCR, RGLD, WIN, BRL, MFLX, MYL, TEVA, WPI)

These are not the only analyst impact calls, but these are the top research notes that 247WallSt.com is focusing on:

  • Adobe Systems (ADBE) raised to Buy at Deutsche Bank.
  • Cirrus Logic (CRUS) raised to Buy at Jefferies.
  • DaVita (DVA) raised to Buy at Oppenheimer.
  • Embarq (EQ) raised to Overweight at J.P.Morgan.
  • Equity Residential (EQR) raised to Overweight at Lehman.
  • International Paper (IP) raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
  • Lincare (LNCR) downgraded to Neutral at Oppenheimer.
  • Royal Gold (RGLD) raised to Overweight at HSBC.
  • Windstream (WIN) downgraded to Underweight at J.P.Morgan.
  • BANC OF AMERICA ON DRUGS: Barr Pharma (BRL) started as Buy; Multi-Fineline (MFLX) started as Buy; Mylan Labs (MYL) started as Buy; Teva Pharma (TEVA) started as Buy; Watson Pharma (WPI) started as neutral; ZymoGenetics (ZGEN) downgraded to Neutral.

Jon C. Ogg
December 18, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com; he produces the SPECIAL SITUATION newsletter and he does not own securities in the companies he covers.

Posted on: December 18, 2007 – 7:59 am in Analyst Calls, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,