ISM Service Economy Holding Positive, Barely
The economic data has been coming out poorly all week. But the last report for the week came in line to slightly higher than expectations and is showing that maybe not everything went to…
All Work
Douglas A. McIntyre
Did General Growth Just Save Itself? (GGP)
General Growth Properties Inc. (NYSE: GGP) is getting a lift this morning on what many would consider bad news. The REIT has replaced its chief financial officer and suspended its dividend, a day after…
Thankfully, Cohen Stepping Down As CEO of Finish Line (FINL, GCO)
Another one of 24/7 Wall St. CEO’s that need to go has come to fruition. This morning Finish Line (NASDAQ: FINL) announced a management succession plan to replace co-founder Alan H. Cohen. Unfortunately for…
Unemployment Shows Jobs Disappearing Rapidly
Today’s jobs numbers are taking the U.S. deeper and deeper into recession. Technically, the U.S. economic data is not showing a recession, but ask anyone on Main Street or Wall Street about the state…
Top Pre-Market Analyst Upgrades (BNI, CMP, CSX, MET, MXB, NI, PLL, XEL)
These are some of the top upgrades from Wall Street analysts we are seeing this Friday morning with about two hours to the open. Burlington Northern (BNI) Raised to Overweight at JPMorgan. Compass Minerals…
Top Pre-Market Analyst Downgrades (ADBE, AGU, CMI, INTU, MOS, NST, PENN, CRM, SCG, SGP, SYMC, TEX, XRTX)
These are the top analyst downgrade calls we are seeing this Friday morning with two hours to the open: Adobe Systems (ADBE) Cut to Sell at UBS. Agrium (AGU) Cut to Hold at Canaccord.…
Wells Fargo Sneaks Into Wachovia, Steals It From Citi (WFC, WB, C, SOV, NCC, FITB)
Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) is now in play as Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) has come out with an alternative merger deal in a stock for stock merger offer for all of Wachovia including all…
Some Companies Don’t Give A Damn About Recession: The Hamburger And Beer Economy (WMT)(PG)(CL)(MCD)
Ronald McDonald has just had a big meal and is picking his teeth.The stock market is telling him that McDonald’s (MCD) won’t be hurt by the recession. At $62, the shares of the largest…
The False Economies Of Falling Oil And Commodities Prices
The cost of a barrel of crude has fallen from $147 this summer to $95. On the abacus that is a drop of 36%. Gas is not down nearly that much and still sells…
Media Digest 10/3/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg
According to Reuters, the House will vote on the bailout bill today. Reuters reports that JP Morgan (JPM) will not keep the CEO of WaMu. Reuters reports that John Thain of Merrill Lynch (MER)…
Asia Markets 10/3/2008 (TM)(PTR)
Markets in Asia were sharply lower and Shanghai was closed. The Nikkei fell 1.9% to 10,938. According to Reuters, Toyota (TM) hit a three-year low and Nissan hit a seven-year low. Kyocera was off…
Companies Hit Hardest By Credit Crisis (AAPL)(SIRI)(CC)(DIS)(WMT)(MCD)
Updated: 31 October 2008 Not all companies and industries will be hit equally hard by the consumer credit crisis. Operations such as Procter & Gamble (PG), McDonald’s (MCD), and Wal-Mart (WMT) may be safe.…
Yahoo Under $16, Breaks Five Year Lows (YHOO)
Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO) is probably wishing it could go back in time and take that $30+ buyout from Microsoft. Shares closed today at $15.58. That is a 52-week low and a 5-year low.…
Freescale Joins Motorola in Purgatory (MOT)
Freescale announced that it is exploring strategic options for its cellular handset business and intends to complete a sale, joint venture agreement or other transaction in the coming months. Former corporate parent Motorola (NYSE:…
The 52-Week Low Club 10/2/2008 (GGP)(MOS)(POT)(WFT)(STLD)(AAPL)(EBAY)(YHOO)
General Growth Properties (GGP) S&P cuts ratings on growth concerns. Falls to $7.25 from 52-week high of $57.84. Mosaic (MOS) Fiscal quarter earnings miss mark. Drops to $39.50 from 52-week high of $163.25. Potash…
Petrobras Analyst Call Adds Fire To Fuel (PBR)
Petroleo Brasileiro (NYSE: PBR), or Petrobras, is down an astonishing 13% to $37.77 today in mid-day trading. It has also almost traded an entire day’s volume. Falling oil prices, economic softness, the migration away…
IBM (IBM) Pessimism Overblown
A number of people are trying to convince IBM (IBM) shareholders that the company may miss its quarterly numbers. Not likely. IBM stock was almost $121 on Friday. It trades at $104 today.
Prediction Market Betting on Congress Bailout Passage
The government’s bailout package is likely to pass if you believe in the new event-driven alternative futures markets. The latest active contract on intrade.com, perhaps the most liquid of the "prediction markets," is still…
Monsanto Raises Guidance In Weak Sector (MON)
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) today raised its 2008 guidance again. This is in response to the clear drop in the agriculture and fertilizer sector weakness. Roundup, other glyphosate-related herbicides, and its seeds-and-traits performance are…
Oil Patch Offers No Great Earnings Assurances (NBR, NE, ESV, PDE)
Oilfield services company Nabors Industrial (NYSE:NBR) revised its guidance downward after the market closed yesterday and its share price is approaching a new 52-week low. And its bringing its competitors down with it. Noble…