We also want to call out some of the other mergers and acquisitions announced this morning. Mattel Inc. (NYSE: MAT) acquired HIT Entertainment for $680 million. J.M. Smucker Co. (NYSE: SJM) is paying $350 million for the food service coffee and tea business of Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE). Today’s biggest deal has insurance company CIGNA Corp. (NYSE: CI) paying $3.8 billion for HealthSpring Inc. (NYSE: HS) as the insurance industry keeps on consolidating.

Here are today’s big post-earnings news reactions with prices during the last half-hour of trading: Caterpillar’s shares are up nearly 5%, at $91.66; Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) up about 4.5%, at $44.12; Lorillard, Inc. (NYSE: LO) down less than -0.5%, at $115.16 after missing EPS estimates this morning; Metro Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: METR) down nearly -8% after posting an EPS loss of -$0.41; Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) up more than 1.5% in anticipation of the company’s earnings release after the bell today; and Texas Instruments Inc. (NYSE: TXN) up more than 3.6% on expected earnings after today’s markets close.

Several other standouts from today are as follows…

Adolor Corp. (NASDAQ: ADLR) is up about 132%, at $4.49, on news of its acquisition by Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBST) for $190 million, or $4.25/share. Adolor’s 52-week trading range is $1.09-$4.53, and the high was set today, anticipating that the company will hit milestones in the acquisition offer that could add up to $35 million to the purchase price.

Sky-mobi Ltd. (NASDAQ: MOBI) is up 42%, at $5.55, on a strategic partnership with SINA Corp. (NASDAQ: SINA). Sky-mobi’s Maopao mobile social network will now be able to offer SINA’s Weibo.com microblog as a downloadable application.

Amtech Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASYS) is up more than 23%, to $11.25. The company, which makes manufacturing equipment for solar makers, is getting boost from today’s rise in solar stocks.

SXC Health Solutions Corp. (NASDAQ: SXCI) is down more than -20%, at $44.98. HealthSpring, which is being acquired by CIGNA, is one of SXC’s biggest customers, accounting for about a third of the company’s sales.

Dataram Corp. (NASDAQ: DRAM) is off more than -10%, at $1.10. Spot prices for dynamic RAM continue to weaken, a trend that caused Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) results to tumble last quarter.

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Paul Ausick

Aetna Inc. (NYSE: AET) added to Strong Buy List at Zacks.
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) Started as Buy at UBS.
Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ: DECK) Started as Buy at Canaccord Genuity.
Global Payments Inc. (NYSE: GPN) named as Value Stock of the Day at Zacks.
Grupo Televisa S.A. (NYSE: TV) named as Bear of the Day at Zacks.
Home Inns & Hotels Management Inc. (NASDAQ: HMIN) Started as Buy at Goldman Sachs.
ITC Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ITC) Cut to Hold at Argus.
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (NYSE: IVN) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
LM Ericsson Telephone Co. (NASDAQ: ERIC) maintained Neutral but cut target and estimates by Goldman Sachs.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: MMC) Raised to Overweight at Barclays.
McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE: MCD) Maintained Outperform on Focus List and target raised to $104 at Credit Suisse.
North American Palladium Ltd. (NYSE: PAL) Started as Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Royal Gold, Inc. (NASDAQ: RGLD) Raised to Outperform at National Bank.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (NASDAQ: TEVA) Cut to Neutral at Piper Jaffray.
Tellabs Inc. (NASDAQ: TLAB) Cut to Underperform at Zacks.
Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: TCBI) named Bull of the Day at Zacks.

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BP plc (NYSE: BP) Raised to Buy at BofA/ML.
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: BRCD) Started as Buy with $8 target at Janney.
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) Started as Neutral with $18 target at Janney.
Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) Cut to Hold at Jefferies.
EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) STarted as Buy with $34 target at Janney.
Encore Wire Corporation (NASDAQ: WIRE) maintained Strong Buy as Value at Zacks.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) Cut to Sell at Goldman Sachs.
Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE: JNPR) Started as Buy with $48 target at Janney.
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ: LRCX) Raised to Buy at Goldman Sachs.
NeAtpp, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) Started as Neutral at Janney.
North American Palladium Ltd. (AMEX: PAL) Raised to Neutral at BofA/ML.
OfficeMax Incorporated (NYSE: OMX) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
Petroleum Development Corporation (NASDAQ: PETD) Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse.
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) Cut to Perform at Oppenheimer.
Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd. (NYSE: STP) Cut to Neutral at Collins Stewart.
Teradyne Inc. (NYSE: TER) Started as Buy at Citigroup.
Universal Tech Institute (NYSE: UTI) Maintained Underperform as Bear of the Day at Zacks.
Virgin Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: VMED) Raised to Outperform as Bull of the Day at Zacks.

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JON C. OGG

This otherwise inert sector is being buoyed by the announced $112 million acquisition of the Dialysis Corporation of America (NASDAQ: DCAI) by U.S. Renal Care, a privately held company. This trend, however, could quickly move in the other direction, as DCAI is currently under investigation for potentially failing to fulfill its fiduciary duties.

Semiconductor Packaging and Assembly Up 4.2% today

The Semiconductor assembly sector continued a month of strong performance as Kulicke & Soffa (NASDAQ: KLIC) beat estimated second quarter earnings and projected a better than expected third quarter. ASML Holding (NASDAQ: ASML) also released solid earnings data today. Chip manufacturer Intel’s (NASDAQ:  INTC) strong report on Tuesday will also continue to boost the sector.

Platinum and Palladium Stocks Up 4.3% today

Platinum and Palladium equities are coming off a bad dip yesterday, as Credit Agricole strengthened investor confidence by predicting the two precious metals will beat gold as demand from China continues to increase. North American Palladium (AMEX: PAL) is up more than seven percent as the company announced the reopening its prolific mine in Ontario.

Data provided by Tickerspy.

ETFS noted that the Platinum and Palladium plates and ingots are stored on behalf of each trust, and will undergo a bi-annual audit performed by an independent external bullion specialist auditor with results to be published.  Both the platinum and palladium ETFs have an expense ratio of 0.60% per year.

This will give ETF Securities a broader metals lineup after its ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares (NYSE: SGOL) and ETFS Physical Silver Shares (NYSE: SIVR) ended with combined assets under management of $492 million (US dollars) as of the end of the year.

We noted earlier in the week how these ETF launches were creating underlying moves in two key stocks: Stillwater Mining Co. (NYSE: SWC) and North American Palladium Ltd. (NYSE: PAL).

• The first, Stillwater Mining (SWC) is up another 5.5% at $12.42  after it hit a new 52-week high today of $12.65.  This one was at $9.48 on December 31 and $8.89 on December 24.
• The second, North American Palladium (PAL) has seen its shares get within a penny of the $4.20 high today and shares are now selling off on the news and down at $4.01 on 1.3 million shares.  That was a $3.50 stock on December 31 and was at $2.96 on December 24.

As far as other competing ETF (actually ETN) products, there are the UBS E-TRACS Long Platinum Trust ETN (NYSE: PTM) and iPath DJ AIG Platinum Tust Sub-Index ETN (NYSE: PGM).

At 11:41 AM EST we have seen just over 48,000 shares trade in PPLT and the last trade was at $157.64 (versus approximately $1.559.00 for platinum according to Kitco.com) and PALL has traded just over 85,000 shares with a last price of $43.43 (versus a palladium price of $423.00 according to Kitco.com).

JON C. OGG

We have seen varying reports on the proposed size of these ETF products, so we are not going to cover the proposed sizes.  ETF Securities Ltd. already offers the ETFS GOLD TRUST (NYSE: SGOL) as a gold ETF rival, and plans to launch a platinum ETF and a palladium ETF.  Both are to be backed by the physical metals rather than just contracts and tracking instruments seen in other commodity-related exchange traded notes.  This has speculation rising in some of the names around these instruments.

BS E-TRACS Long Platinum Trust ETN (NYSE: PTM) has been around since mid-2008.  The problem is that it trades under 100,000 shares on more than 80% of its last 90 days.  iPath DJ AIG Platinum TR Sub-Index ETN (NYSE: PGM) has been around since late-Summer-2008 and also has thin volume, trading 100,000 or more in not even one-third of its last 90 days.  The PTM is up only 1.3% today at $19.39 and the 52-week range is $11.20 to $20.63; while the PGM is up 1.05% at $41.09 and has a 52-week trading range of $22.48 to $47.90.

Platinum’s top use is for catalytic converters in automobiles and in jewelry.  But it also has uses in lab equipment and other commercial applications.  Palladium is part of the platinum group metals and is softer than platinum and is used in eliminating harmful emissions produced by internal combustion engines, jewelry, dentistry, electronics, fuel cells and more.

There are more recent reports that vary, but the USGS said 239 tonnes of platinum sold in 2006.  Of this, some 130 tonnes were for auto emission control devices, about 49 tonnes for jewelry, 13.3 tonnes in electronics, 11.2 tonnes in the chemical industry, and the rest of tonnes in other applications.

Stillwater Mining Co. (NYSE: SWC) produced 9,770 kg of palladium and 2,950 kg of platinum in 2006 according to the same 2006 USGS report used to show the size of the market in recent years.  Guess whose shares are up 13% today and guess whose shares hit a new 52-week high today… Yep, Stillwater.  Shares hit a high of $12.19 and have already traded over 3.2 million shares versus an average volume of 921,000 shares.  Just five trading days ago this was not even a $9.00 stock.

North American Palladium Ltd. (NYSE: PAL) has also been on a tear and shares are up 8% today.  At $3.90 currently, it hit a 52-week high of $4.11 today as well.  Thomas Weisel recently initiated coverage on this one with an “Overweight” rating and shares were at $2.84 on that recorded day in December.  That is a 40% run since before Christmas.

It is good that investors will have more avenues to take part in the price moves of these underlying commodities.  It will just be interesting to see if these new ETF products really change the underlying demand for these metals.  Kitco.com lists the base prices as $1,138.70 for gold, but listed around $15,50 as the price for platinum.  Platinum at one point crossed under the price of gold as demand cratered from all sources during the recession.  And palladium was shown to have a price of about $425.00.  Historically, the price of platinum was often in-line with gold but rarely under it on a longer-term basis.  But the price of platinum has also exceeded twice the price of gold at other extremes.

I have yet to see anyone post much thought to this, but it seems very likely and very sensible that if the regulators like the CFTC have looked into instruments trading oil and natural gas, then there is no reason that the metals markets would be immune to scrutiny nor that they would be immune from trying to curb or regulate the size of speculative instruments.  Yes that includes gold.  And ditto for platinum if this instrument gets very large and if it is believed to cause major price moves in the underlying commodity.

JON C. OGG
January 6, 2010

Stock Tickers: MDRX, CSCO, CCRT, ERTS, LMIA, PAL, PZZA, FACE, SIRI, SONS, TRLG, DIS

Allscripst Healthcare Solutions (MDRX) is trading down over 6% to$25.25 after eraffirming targets after earnings.  Its shares are stillup 70% in 18 months, so reaffirming may not be enough.

Cisco Systems (CSCO) trading down 5.5% to $26.75 after estimates and guidance failed on a "wow-factor" like in prior quarters.

CompuCredit (CCRT) is getting shelled 8% in after-hours to $35.00after posting a loss in the quarter.  It still sees $4.00 or higher EPSfor 2007, but you have to trust them, and their customers are the"undesireables" compared to most financial institutions.

Electronic Arts (ERTS) trading down close to 3% at $51.50 after nextquarter guidance is not up to snuff.  The full year for fiscalMarch-2008 looks ahead, but you have to trust they will deliver in thesame two quarters that Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto releases will becoming.

LMI Aerospace (LMIA) fell 9% on thin volume after posting lower earnings.

North American Palladium (PAL) rose 9% to $11.11 after Cramer toutedit as a stealthy way to speculate on a nickel play with 22% of itsrevenues coming from nickel.

Papa John’s International (PZZA) traded up 2.2% to $32.50 inafter-hours. Earnings wer elower than last year but guidance had beenbrought in enough that they were able to raise their outlook.

Physicians Formula (FACE) fell nearly 10% after beating guidance but guiding lower for the coming quarter.

Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) traded up 1.7% after Cramer noted itin the lightning round as a positive if the governemnt will approve themerger.

Sonus Networks (SONS) traded up 5.7% in normal trading and went upanother 2% in after-hours to $7.95.  Revenues looked a bit light, sothis one is worth a look.

True Religion Apparel (TRLG) traded up almost 4% to $16.27 afterclosing up 3.5% in normal trading.  The company did reiterate 20% salesgrowth for 2007 and put EPS at $1.24 to $1.27 for 2007.

Walt Disney (DIS) fell 2% after meeting expectations, but that’safter trading up almost 1.4% in regular trading.  Shares were close torecent highs.

Jon C. Ogg
May 9, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com; he does not own securities in any of the companies he covers.

Allscripst Healthcare Solutions (MDRX) is trading down over 6% to $25.25 after eraffirming targets after earnings.  Its shares are still up 70% in 18 months, so reaffirming may not be enough.

Cisco Systems (CSCO) trading down 5.5% to $26.75 after estimates and guidance failed on a "wow-factor" like in prior quarters.

CompuCredit (CCRT) is getting shelled 8% in after-hours to $35.00 after posting a loss in the quarter.  It still sees $4.00 or higher EPS for 2007, but you have to trust them, and their customers are the "undesireables" compared to most financial institutions.

Electronic Arts (ERTS) trading down close to 3% at $51.50 after next quarter guidance is not up to snuff.  The full year for fiscal March-2008 looks ahead, but you have to trust they will deliver in the same two quarters that Halo 3 and Grand Theft Auto releases will be coming.

LMI Aerospace (LMIA) fell 9% on thin volume after posting lower earnings.

North American Palladium (PAL) rose 9% to $11.11 after Cramer touted it as a stealthy way to speculate on a nickel play with 22% of its revenues coming from nickel.

Papa John’s International (PZZA) traded up 2.2% to $32.50 in after-hours. Earnings wer elower than last year but guidance had been brought in enough that they were able to raise their outlook.

Physicians Formula (FACE) fell nearly 10% after beating guidance but guiding lower for the coming quarter.

Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) traded up 1.7% after Cramer noted it in the lightning round as a positive if the governemnt will approve the merger.

Sonus Networks (SONS) traded up 5.7% in normal trading and went up another 2% in after-hours to $7.95.  Revenues looked a bit light, so this one is worth a look.

True Religion Apparel (TRLG) traded up almost 4% to $16.27 after closing up 3.5% in normal trading.  The company did reiterate 20% sales growth for 2007 and put EPS at $1.24 to $1.27 for 2007.

Walt Disney (DIS) fell 2% after meeting expectations, but that’s after trading up almost 1.4% in regular trading.  Shares were close to recent highs.

Jon C. Ogg
May 8, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com; he does not own securities in any of the companies he covers.

Cramer thinks the next one to be consolidated in the sector is speculative, but he wants you to look at it: North American Palladium (PAL-NYSE).  It is a thin volume $10 stock but they do have 22% of their revenues from nickel.  No analysts follow it.  He thinks this could jump massively if it became valued as a nickel operator.  This is the second best speculative play in nickel according to him.  Cramer doesn’t think this one is imminent at all and he thinks you need to take your time to do this over the next few weeks.  They also do not hedge metals production anymore so all the benefit of the metals markets will go to the bottom line.

Jon C. Ogg
May 8, 2007

Jon Ogg can be reached at jonogg@247wallst.com; he does not own securities in any of the companies he covers.