Morning Market Roundup (12/12/2011)

Of the nearly 800 job categories listed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 48 occupations require at least 2,100 hours annually — roughly 100 more than the national average. Most of these positions also are paid very well, averaging more than $80,000 per year. Seven jobs work more than 2,100 per year and pay the same or less than the national average. These are the jobs where people work hard for little pay.

As always, here are the top major media headline summaries from WSJ, FT, Bloomberg, and more. Today’s top analyst upgrades and downgrades were in shares of ALTR, AZO, BWP, BA, BYI, EPB, DD, EW, KND, LEN, LLTC, PCS, PLL, PNM, PSB, SAP and TOL. Here are the top rumors of the day. The most important financial developments that will affect the day ahead (Berkshire’s new chairman, unemployment benefits for 2012).

Diamond Foods, maker of the good almond milk, had a huge Friday after an analyst said its accounting review has been greatly overblown. New questions from the weekend are hurting the stock.

Are Tobacco Dividends Still Safe Beyond 2012 and 2013? (MO, RAI, LO, PM) 24/7 Wall St. has just released its 2012 Model Dividend Portfolio for investors.  While we have many names we have featured as buys in our income and defensive stock sectors, this is the first time in awhile that we have eliminated tobacco stocks from the mix.

GE managed to hike its dividend yet again, much sooner than we expected in our 2012 Model Dividend Portfolio.

There is more evidence of an unexpected surge in holiday shopping. Today is projected to be the busiest shopping day in history.

The Bank of International Settlements confirmed what many other agencies believe. The global slowdown has spread to Asia.

The jobs situation may not have improved much. People are willing to work for fewer benefits that they have before.

Have a great day!

JON C. OGG