TARP Payback Scorecard
Wikimedia CommonsFollowing the financial crisis of 2008, the U.S. Treasury was authorized to commit up to $700 billion to a Troubled Asset Relief Program — TARP — in an effort to stop the bleeding…
All Work
Paul Ausick
Blank-Check Firm Capitol Acquisition II Holds IPO
A special purpose acquisition vehicle (SPAC), or as they are sometimes called, a blank-check company, held an initial public offering (IPO) this morning. Capitol Acquisition Corp. II (NASDAQ: CLACU) offered 18 million units at…
Short Interest in Solar Energy Companies Lacks Direction
thinkstockWe have tracked the short interest in the following North American Solar companies as of April 30: Canadian Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: CSIQ), First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), GT Advanced Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: GTAT), MEMC…
Short Interest Drops in 3D Systems, Stratasys
Courtesy of 3D Systems Inc.We’ve recently begun tracking short interest in the publicly traded companies that either make 3D printing systems or provide design and other services using the machines. Here are short interest…
OPEC Maintains Lower Demand Forecast; Oil Futures Dive
ThinkstockThe Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) released its May Oil Market Report this morning. The cartel did not materially change its forecast for global demand growth of 800,000 barrels a day to a…
Winners and Losers Among Chipmaker Short Sellers
ThinkstockWe have tracked the key short interest changes as of April 30 in the following semiconductor leaders: Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC), Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD), Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ: MU), SanDisk Corp.…
Among Actively Traded Stocks, Short Interest Doubles in Apple
We have tracked the key short interest changes as of April 30 in these large cap stocks: General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE), Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK), Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC), Verizon Communications…
Priceline Forecast Stifles Enthusiasm on Earnings
Thinkstockpriceline.com Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLN) reported first quarter 2013 results after markets closed today. The online travel and hotel reservation company posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $5.76 per share on revenues of…
Molycorp Shares Overcome Earnings Loss with Revenue Beat
ThinkstockMolycorp Inc. (NYSE: MCP) reported first quarter 2013 results after markets closed today. The rare earths miner posted an adjusted diluted loss of $0.15 per share on revenues of $146.4 million. For the first…
Closing Bell for Thursday on Wall Street: Lower Opening and Close Despite Jobs Report
U.S. equity markets opened slightly lower this morning after the Bank of England left its key interest rate and asset purchase program unchanged (more coverage here). In Asia, China’s consumer price index rose 2.4%…
Boost in New Home Demand for Americans 55 and Older
ThinkstockThe National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported today that its housing market index for 55+ single-family housing rose to 46 in the first quarter of 2013, up 19 points year-over-year and the highest…
Wireless Devices Outnumber People
ThinkstockThe number of wirelessly connected devices now outnumbers the total population of the globe. The score is wireless devices, more than 10 billion, to people, nearly 7 billion. By 2020, devices will number 30…
Home Foreclosures Drop, Mortgage Loan Delinquencies Rise in First Quarter
ThinkstockThe delinquency rate for mortgage loans at the end of the first quarter of 2013 rose to a seasonally adjusted rate of 7.25%. That is 16 basis points higher than the delinquency rate at…
Natural Gas Futures Weighed Down by Rise in Inventory
thinkstockThe U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today reported the U.S. natural gas stocks increased by 88 billion cubic feet last week, above the expected build of about 83 billion cubic feet anticipated by analysts.…
Fannie Mae Will Repay $59.4 Billion to Taxpayers
ThinkstockThe quasi-private mortgage-finance company, Fannie Mae, posted a $58.7 billion profit in the first quarter, thanks to recognition of a tax benefit worth $50.6 billion. Fannie Mae generated $8.1 billion in pretax earnings in…
L Brands, Zumiez Lead Rise in April Retail Sales
thinkstockRetailers are announcing April same-store sales figures today. Research firm Retail Metrics projected an overall gain of 3.5% year-over-year, compared with a 2% gain in February and a 1.4% gain in March. In general,…
Microsoft Mulls Acquisition of Nook Media
courtesy Barnes & Noble Inc.Almost exactly a year ago, Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) agreed to pay $300 for a 17.6% stake in a joint venture with Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) that was…
Dish Network Earnings Cut by Slowing Satellite TV Subscriber Growth
ThinkstockDish Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) reported first-quarter 2013 results before markets opened this morning. The satellite TV provider posted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.47 on revenues of $3.56 billion. In the same…
Groupon Earnings Report Delights Investors
courtesy of Groupon Inc.Groupon Inc. (NASDAQ: GRPN) reported first quarter 2013 earnings after markets closed today. For the quarter, the daily deals company posted adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.03 on revenues…
Closing Bell for Wednesday on Wall Street: Markets Open Lower, Stock Prices Rise All Day
U.S. equity markets opened lower this morning on relatively little economic data. In Europe, Germany reported that industrial production rose 1.2%, while a house price index in the U.K.rose 1.1% month-over-month. In Asia, China…