Posts for Ticker ‘PLA’

Top Day Trader Alerts (ANF, RINO, CADX, TSTC, PLA, JWN)

These are this morning’s top day trader and active trader alert stocks.  More detailed analysis and data has been offered via a link to each story at VSInvestor.com:

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) is trading higher by 6% despite poor sales.

RINO International Corp. (NASDAQ: RINO) is hitting new 52-week highs after strong earnings.

Cadence Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: CADX) is down 6% after the FDA extended the review for its painkiller Acetavance.

Telestone Technologies Corp. (NASDAQ: TSTC) is the top percentage gainer.

Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) is up again 8% after yesterday’s takeover chatter.

Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) is down about 5% on soft earnings despite raised guidance.

You can join our open email distribution list which goes out several times per week to be notified of key merger news, key analyst calls, top early morning day trader alerts, along with news of IPO’s, key offerings, guru investor data on Buffett and others, mergers, and more.

JON OGG

Posted on: November 13, 2009 – 8:53 am in Pre-Market Activity, Trading Alert, , , , , ,

52-Week High Club (COMS, AMD, PLA, BID)

3Com Corp (NASDAQ: COMS) rose over 30% to a yearly high of $7.52 after Hewlett-Packard, the PC maker, announced plans to buy 3Com for $2.7 billion.

Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) rose over 20% to a yearly high of $6.73 after the announcement that the company would receive $1.25 billion from Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC) under an agreement that ends a legal dispute between the two companies over patents and antitrust accusations.  

Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) rose over 60% to a yearly high of $4.75 because the magazine is in talks to sell itself to Iconix Brand Group (NASDAQ: ICON).

Sotheby’s (NYSE: BID) rose as high as 11% to a yearly high of $19.50 after the action house raised $117 million at a sale yesterday.  

Garrett W. McIntyre

Posted on: November 12, 2009 – 4:31 pm in Earnings, Law, Mergers and Buy Outs, , , , , ,

Today’s Best Market Rumors (September 30, 2009)

newspaperUpdated throughout the day.

Update:  The rapidly falling dollar is causing Asian importers of small cars to lose money on most vehicles and will force European luxury auto companies to raise prices giving American manufacturers an edge in the upcoming months (WWJ-Detroit)

Update:   CIT may get fundingfrom Citigroup (C) and Barclays (BCS). (Bloomberg)

CIT (CIT) could be taken over by its bondholders or it could go into Chapter 11. Yesterday the stock rose sharply on NY Post reports that a hedge fund manager would save the firm. (WSJ) The stock was down to $1 last night but is only off to $1.41 at 8.40 AM.

Apple (AAPL) will try to use its new tablet to redefine the way people read newspapers, magazines, and books. (Gizmodo)

The improvement is housing may just be because of government “goosing”. (The Daily Deal)

Apple (AAPL) may launch a Mac mini (AppleInsider)

TimeWarner’s (TWX) AOL property may be worth$4 million, depending on who is doing the valuation. (AllThingsD)

Playboy (PLA) may be sold (BusinessWeek).

JPMorgan’s (JPM) Jamie Dimon will take a government jobin two to three years.  (Clusterstock)

Microsoft’s (MFST) Courier booklet will run Windows 7 and launch in mid-2010.  (Ars Technica)

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: September 30, 2009 – 9:02 am in Rumors, , , , , , , ,

Playboy Buyout Talk, Difficult Valuations (PLA)

Playboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) is sitting in a tough spot.  This morning there is a report that the company has the bunny franchise up for sale.  We have looked at this very notion in the past with too many issues over its valuation long before the media and market meltdown took this down to new lows.  There are some issues here which go much deeper than the notion of showing too much skin.
Read More »

Posted on: May 22, 2009 – 11:00 am in Entertainment, Media, Mergers and Buy Outs, Private Equity, Rumors, Turnarounds,

Media Digest 5/12/2009 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

newspaperAccording to Reuters, Bernanke says he was encouraged by the stress tests.

Reuters reports that GM (GM) will probably exit the Dow.

Reuters writes that Bank of America (BAC) will probably sell its CCB stage for $7.3 billion.

Reuters writes that the Administration says the stimulus package will save 3.5 million jobs by the end of next year.

Reuters writes that the CEO of AIG (AIG) will fight criticism of his employees. Read More »

Posted on: May 12, 2009 – 3:01 am in Autos, Banking, Bonds, Earnings, Economy, Large Cap Stocks, Media, Mergers and Buy Outs, Press Digest, Regulation, Retail, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Media Digest 12/9/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

NewspaperAccording to Reuters, The Tribune Company filed for Chapter 11.

Reuters reports that Congress and The White House are close to a bill that would give Detroit modest loans.

Reuters reports that Fannie Mae (FNM) and Freddie Mac (FRE) execs were warned years ago about the risks of some of their lending.

Read More »

Posted on: December 9, 2008 – 3:46 am in Press Digest, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

De-Hefnerizing Playboy (PLA)

Playboy_logoPlayboy Enterprises Inc. (NYSE: PLA) has announced that Christie Hefner is stepping down as Chairman & CEO of the company.  Her two-decade reign over the magazine publisher and adult-oriented media and entertainment will come to an end on January 31, 2008.

Read More »

Posted on: December 8, 2008 – 9:05 am in Entertainment, Management Change, Media,

The 52-Week Low Club (AIG, GAIA, HANS, LORL, PLA, RCL, SCUR)

Today was a larger day on the wall of shame in the 52-week low club.  There were some new names and some old familiar names.

American International Group (NYSE: AIG) was down almost 2% at $38.20 late in the day.  Some funding deals in the billions just aren’t that well received.  This had managed to get just back above the low part of the range of $38.15 to $72.96.

Gaiam Inc. (NASDAQ: GAIA) was down 4% at $14.59 late in the day, which was slightly above the prior 52-week low; range of $14.49 to $30.73.  Not all green lifestyle media stocks are created equally; better get the spin-off soon.

Hansen Natural (NASDAQ: HANS) was down almost another 2% late in the day at $28.00, prior low was $28.20 and high was $68.40.

Loral Space (NASDAQ: LORL) was down over 9% at $19.90 late in the day, prior range was $20.04 to $51.56.  This isn’t regularly on the wall of shame, but the company posted a wider loss Monday.

Playboy (NYSE: PLA) better get the Heff’s doing something.  This one keeps getting worse and shares were at $5.58 late in the day; under the $5.84 to $12.00 range.  How much is that L.A. mansion worth?

Royal Caribbean (NYSE: RCL) was down 6% at $29.31 late in the day; prior range was $30.04 to $45.17.  So much for borrowing against the house to take a cruise.  At least the people can choose who they have dinner with now.

Secure Computing (NASDAQ: SCUR) was down 4% at $4.94 late in the day, not so secure it sounds like.  Prior range $5.05 to $10.54.

Jon C. Ogg
May 20, 2008

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

52-Week Low Club (GY, GSAT, LIOX, NCC, PLA, SWWC, WNR)

Today didn’t look like the normal 52-week low brigade.  Usually there is a massive implosion of some sort that took a stock under.  Most of these were just more selling trends on news that has already been out.  Here are today’s featured lows:

  • GenCorp Inc. (NYSE: GY) wasn’t under its 52-week low in the last hour today, but hit $8.23 vs. an $8.28 prior. Aerospace & Defense and Real Estate. Bad combo.
  • Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) got back above its prior $3.08 low over the last 52-weeks, but this one just seems to keep getting worse.
  • Lionbridge Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: LIOX) was down at $2.66, under the $2.70 to $6.29 range.  It looks like the lion’s roar is is a meow, at best.
  • National Citiy Corp (NYSE: NCC) was down over 4% at $5.55, under the $5.76 to $35.86 range.
  • Playboy (NYSE: PLA) going from bad to worse, and still not a cheap stock.  Down another 7% at $6.00 late in the day with a $6.38 to $12.00 52-week range.  If this keeps up Heff might have to turn in that mansion, and his activities too.
  • Southwest Water (NASDAQ: SWWC) managed to get back above the 52-week lows of $10.52 today, but water (and water utilities) is supposed to be one of those safe sectors.
  • Western Refining (NYSE: WNR) merely hit its prior low of $7.81 today.  But this stock was at $66.00 over the last year.

Jon C. Ogg
May 16, 2008

Posted on: May 16, 2008 – 2:15 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (EVR)(PLA)(CMLS)(LGBT)

Evercore Partners (EVR) was knocked down to $12.54 against a 52-week high of $33.

Playboy Enterprises (PLA) sold off to $6.80 on a continuing poor reaction to earnings. The company has a 52-week high of $12.

Cumulus Media (CMLS) fell to $4.25 after a buy-out of the company fell apart. The 52-week high for the shares is $11.74.

Planet Out (LGBT) shares dropped to a 52-week low of $1.87 on now news. The company is supposed to be sold. The 52-week high for the shares is $23.30.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: May 12, 2008 – 2:48 pm in HI/LOW, , , ,

The 52-Week Low Club (BRL)(TSO)(PLA)(SDBT)(HANS)(ARNA)

Barr Pharmaceuticals (BRL) Says business pace is falling off. Down to $37.40 from 52-week high of $58.38.

Tesoro Corporation (TSO) Broker downgrade. Dips to $22.92 from 52-week high of $65.98.

Playboy Enterprises (PLA) Earnings weaken. Falls to $7.01 from 52-week high of $12.

Soundbite Communications  (SDBT) Analyst downgrade. Falls to $2.44 from 52-week high of $8.25.

Hansen Natural (HANS) Earnings miss estimates. Sells off to $28.51. from 52-week high of $68.40.

Arena Pharmaceuticals (ARNA) Misses on earnings. Dips to $4.92 from 52-week high of $14.78.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Posted on: May 8, 2008 – 2:59 pm in HI/LOW, , , , , ,

Playboy, Challenged By Media Trends & Economy (PLA)

Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: PLA) has reported a net loss for the first quarter of $3.1 million, or -$0.09 per basic and diluted share, on and 8% decline in revenues to $78.5 million.  Unfortunately, First Call had estimates pegged at $0.06 EPS on $84.8 million in revenues.

Playboy Chairman & CEO Christie Hefner said: "The quarter’s results reflected the dual challenges of structural transformation in our traditional media business and a difficult U.S. economy…."  She might as well have just said, "A soft economy is hurting sales, and people can get enough nude pictures and adult videos for free on the Internet."

While exact guidance was not offered, the company does still expect its licensing business to show high single-digit growth in 2008 over 2007.  Elsewhere, the picture was stark.  total domestic TV revenues declined 16% to $16.5 million, online revenues declined 3%, and publishing saw revenues drop 14% to $20.1 million.  The company also noted that it sees a 5%  drop in advertising revenues over Q2 2007.  Corporate administration costs rose 7% to $6.1 million.

Unfortunately, this is going to make these 2008 estimates of $0.27 EPS come down for 2008, and it’s hard to imagine that the $0.48 EPS estimate for 2009 won’t be brought down on a dual concern as well.  If so, then even at $8.00 this is not a cheap stock.

Playboy closed at $8.26 yesterday, and shares are indicated down 3% at $8.01 in pre-market trading; its 52-week trading range is $7.76 to $12.00. At the start of 2006, this was a $15.00 stock and this was a $20 to $30 stock back in the late 1990’s.

Jon C, Ogg
May 6, 2008

Posted on: May 6, 2008 – 7:18 am in Earnings, Earnings Warning, Entertainment,

Social Networking Goes Adult (PRVT, LNET, NOOF, PLA)

Private Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRVT) ia announcing a unique launch with Pilgrim Telephone, Inc. for the U.S. and Canada.  This will marry Private’ adult entertainment with Pilgrim’s social networking services for wireless and wire-line subscribers.

The companies are launching Intimate Connections(R) instant voice messaging platform, which is said to be the first step in the development of Private and Pilgrim’s strategic US and Canadian alliance.  Fans will have the opportunity to connect with each other and to hear from Private girls and their friends via both wireless and land line telephones.

As far as who the customers of Pilgrim are, it lists LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: LNET), On Command, New Frontier Media (NASDAQ: NOOF), Playboy (NYSE: PLA), Club Jenna, Digital Playground and Rogers in Canada.  Private Media doesn’t look like it is a small fry either as it says it’s a leader in adult entertainment distributing premium content globally via a wide range of platforms including more than 900 million mobile telephone handsets, IPTV/VOD, broadband Internet, television, DVD’s, and magazines.

Interestingly enough, this says that callers spend on average some $50per call, and the companies expect this to generate substantialincremental revenue for Private going forward.  It sure sounds like this is a new play on the old 900-numbers fused with a new social networking slant.  Let’s just hope that the clients aren’t using this while they are driving.

Jon C. Ogg
April 15, 2008

Posted on: April 15, 2008 – 11:22 am in Entertainment, , , ,

Pre-Market Stock News (June 28, 2007)

(AAPL) Apple’s iPhone launches tomorrow.
(ABPI) Accentia Biopharma announced favorable interim blinded data on SinuNase in its fast-tracked pivotal Phase III clinical trial.
(ALVR) Alvarion in pact with Australian government over a WiMAX contract for rural and regional broadband.
(AMSC) American Superconductor won two new Dept of Energy superconductor power grid projects totaling $21.7 million.
(ATML) Atmel $0.06 EPS vs $0.05e.
(BBBY) Bed Bath & Beyond $0.38 EPS vs $0.37e.
(BZH) Beazer Homes fired chief accounting officer.
(CAMD) California Micro lowered guidance.
(CRMT) America’s Car-Mart $0.12 EPS vs $0.10e.
(D) Dominion will initiate a modified Dutch Auction for roughly 55 million shares of its own common stock.
(DRIV) Digital River traded down more than 10% after an earnings warning.
(F) Ford announced zero percent financing incentives for 3-years.
(GIS) General Mills $0.62 EPS vs $0.63e.
(GRB) Gerber Scientific $0.24 EPS vs $0.23e.
(IMA) Inverness Medical announces FDA clearance of the BinaxNOW malaria antigen detection rapid test.
(KBH) KB Homes -$1.93 EPS vs $0.07e; unsure if charges are in numbers.
(NVLS) Novellus guides orders and bookings toward lower-end of prior range.
(PALM) Palm announces earnings after the close.
(PAYX) Paychex $0.36 EPS vs $0.36e.
(PLA) Playboy is opening a Playboy Mansion in Macau in 2009 according to USA Today.
(RAD) Rite-Aid $0.04 EPS vs -$0.01 estimate; unsure if comparable.
(RHT) Red Hat $0.16 EPS & $118.9M revenues (estimates were $0.15/$117.15M).
(RIMM) R-I-M announces earnings after the close.
(STZ) Constellation Brands names Rob Sands CEO effective July 26.
(TASR) Taser formed an alliance with iRobot.
(VOD) Vodafone is in talks to get Apple’s iPhone exclusive in Europe.

Jon C. Ogg
June 28, 2007

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

Posted on: June 28, 2007 – 7:17 am in Pre-Market Activity, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

IS GE REALLY Paying Paris Hilton $1 Million??? (GE, NWS, PLA)

Today was a bit of an oddball day in true media.  It was all over the media after the New York Post, a News Corp. (NWS-NYSE) company, reported that General Electric (GE-NYSE) was going to pay Paris Hilton an unbelievable hefty sum of $1 Million to conduct her first post-jail interview on NBC’s Today Show.  This is almost laughable, except it shows what media is morphing into. 

The saddest part of this isn’t just that the demand is there for the show and not even about that sum of money.  The real sad part is that it will probably be the most watched television event since the OJ verdict.  It doesn’t sound like the journalist world is too impressed for obvious ‘journalistic’ reasons.  In fact, CNBC’s Larry Kudlow was even making fun or disgust over it AND HE WORKS FOR GENERAL ELECTRIC.

Upon going to the MSNBC website under a "Paris" search it looks like they are also reporting that Hugh Heffner has offered for her to pose in Playboy (PLA-NYSE).  It’s obvious that the version of "news" is out the window.  Television ratings must be sinking even lower than has been said before. 

These are all public companies, using shareholder money.  Right?  Everyone knows the money growns on trees right now in a world awash in liquidity, but it wasn’t known there was money oozing out of the jail cells.

Oh well, I guess it’s time to go look at the real news at The Onion.

Jon C. Ogg
June 21, 2007

Posted on: June 21, 2007 – 7:18 pm in Media, Old Media, Rumors, , ,