the SEC’s Naughty list
From dumb and dumber investment decisions made to dramatic “You Can’t Handle the Truth” shout-outs roared by actor-wanna-be (Jack Nicholson’s) Colonel Nathan R Jessep-types (“A Few Good Men”), 2011 was a bad year to…
All Work
David J. Phillips
Fashion and Financial Failures at Chico’s
Chico’s FAS (NYSE: CHS) said its growth story remains intact, even though consumer spending is expected to remain soft. Additionally, despite falling margins at its flagship stores and rising inventories, the women’s clothing retailer…
Dendreon Buyout, How Imminent?
Though near-term growth visibility for its cancer vaccine Provenge remains cloudy, Seattle-based Dendreon (DNDN) could be an attractive takeover candidate – especially to a major pharmaceutical house seeking a unique oncology platform. Consensus on…
Dendreon: Not Running Out Of Cash
In the last four months, Dendreon Corp. (DNDN) has shed almost 84 percent in market value as disgruntled investors washed hands due to disappointing sales of prostate-cancer drug Provenge. Contrary to the growing growls…
MF Global and Corzine’s Folly
MF Global Holdings (NYSE: MF) became the first U.S. casualty of the European sovereign debt crisis, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Monday. Chairman and chief executive Jon Corzine has yet to acknowledge shared culpability…
Can Utica Shale Discovery Transform Chesapeake Energy? (CHK)
Ever the consummate pitchman, Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK) Chairman and CEO Aubrey McClendon has promulgated in print and on television that its Utica Shale strike will be the catalyst to higher stock prices. For…
Job Destruction at First Solar and SunPower (SPWRA, FSLR)
SunPower (NASDAQ: SPWRA) and First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) are two prominent U.S. solar manufacturers receiving billions in government-backed loans — funding meant to facilitate deployment of utility-scale photovoltaic projects on U.S. soil. Energy Secretary…
Poor Judgment by Ralcorp’s Board
Ralcorp’s (NYSE:RAH) board of directors unanimously rejected the latest merger proposal from ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG), saying the $5.18 billion unsolicited bid was not in the best interest of the company. Given the tender…
Dunkin’ Donuts Problems Rise
Stock in Dunkin’ Brands (NASDAQ: DNKN) has soared 34% since an initial public offering in July at $19 a share, driven by investor optimism on the coffee and doughnut chain’s growth potential in markets…
Talbots Revamps Its Image
Sycamore Partners disclosed a 9.9% ownership stake in Talbots (NYSE:TLB), and shared its views in an August 1 regulatory filing that the women’s apparel retailer was “undervalued.” The private-equity fund request for a meeting with…
Is Gold Fields Too Good to Be True?
Gold Fields Ltd. (NYSE: GFI) continues to benefit from record gold prices, reporting a sequential 15% gain in second-quarter profits. Although the South Africa-based gold producer is diversifying its geographic footprint, future profitability and…
Cloudy Skies Forecasted for ReneSola
ReneSola Ltd (NYSE: SOL) admitted on the earnings call that both shipments and realized prices for silicon wafer and modules fell faster than expected in quarter-ending June 30. Contrary to company optimism, gross margin…
An Unexpected Blockbuster Resurrection
Blockbuster Inc. (BLOAQ.PK) is trading at price levels not seen since early spring, as traders responded enthusiastically to a published report that new owner, Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH), has no plans to shutter…
Frontier Dividend At Risk
Frontier Communications (FTR) remains committed to an annual dividend yield of 10 percent, despite a 12-month trailing payout ratio that has exceeded earnings by almost 340 percent. Notwithstanding continued management optimism, funding the rural…
Is Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Heading Toward A Brick Wall?
courtesy Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc.Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (NASDAQ: GMCR) has delivered compounded annual earnings growth rate of 80% in the last three years. So why is the specialty beverage purveyor still cash poor?…