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Cramer on BloggingStocks: It's go with the flow on tech stocks

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says Nasdaq is so strong it's downright eerie.

Tech can't be fought here. Because people are partying like it is 1999, when firms used $400 price targets for Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) (Cramer's Take) and Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) (Cramer's Take) had all the wireless network answers and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) (Cramer's Take) had the audacity to think that it could control the music business.

We've seen it going on since the market bottom, the endless driving of tech higher and higher. We get the wireless bottom, thanks Nokia (NYSE: NOK) (Cramer's Take); the personal computer bottom, thanks Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) (Cramer's Take); the gadget bottom, thanks Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM) (Cramer's Take); the TV bottom, thanks Corning (NYSE: GLW) (Cramer's Take) and Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) (Cramer's Take); the software bottom, thanks to Oracle (NASDAQ: ORCL) (Cramer's Take) buying Sun Microsystems (NASDAQ: JAVA) (Cramer's Take) for its software and IBM (NYSE: IBM) (Cramer's Take) celebrating its software on its quarter; and the dot-com bottom represented by great earnings from Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) (Cramer's Take) and decent numbers from rejuvenated management teams at Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO) (Cramer's Take) and eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) (Cramer's Take).

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: It's go with the flow on tech stocks

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations

Analyst upgrades:
  • Jefferies upgraded shares of SourceFire (NASDAQ:FIRE) to Buy from Hold as they believe the company is benefiting from recent spending by the U.S. Federal government and private enterprises to improve cybersecurity. The firm raised their price target on the stock to $11 from $7.
  • Piper Jaffray upgraded Brocade (NASADAQ:BRCD) to Buy from Neutral as they believe an expanded OEM announcement with IBM (NYSE:IBM) could be announced as early as the end of April, creating a positive catalyst. The firm raised their price target on the stock to $6 from $4.
  • UBS upgraded Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) to Buy from Sell but lowered their target to $4 from $21 citing reduced churn and cashflow concerns, expectations for FY10 to be a trough year, and a potential reacceleration in deferred growth.
  • AK Steel (NYSE:AKS) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  • Strattec (NASDAQ:STRT) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.
  • Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) was upgraded at William Blair to Outperform from Market Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations

Cramer on BloggingStocks: So you missed the recent run -- now what?

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says if you don't want to wait for a pullback, look abroad for the next leg or find values at home.

What do you do when everyone knows we have come up too far, too fast; no one knows who is actually buying; and we are going into earnings season?

What do you do when the animal spirits are taking up the market and yet other than a handful companies -- Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) (Cramer's Take), Xilinx (NASDAQ: XLNX) (Cramer's Take), Corning (NYSE: GLW) (Cramer's Take), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) (Cramer's Take) and Taiwan Semi (NYSE: TSM) (Cramer's Take) -- almost all companies that have spoken during the "off-season" earnings reports have been dismal?

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: So you missed the recent run -- now what?

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GLW, A, BHP, MJN, AET ...

Analyst upgrades:
  • Citigroup upgraded shares of Corning (NYSE: GLW) to Buy from Hold as it believes LCD glass production and sales have bottomed and will pick-up in Q2. The firm raised its target price to $16 from $11.25.
  • Thomas Weisel upgraded Celera (NASDAQ: CRA) to Overweight from Market Weight based on valuation and its strong business model.
  • ThinkEquity upgraded Varian Semi (NASDAQ: VARI) to Buy from Accumulate and raised its target to $32 from $20 based on valuation and weakness at its sole competitor.
  • Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies.
  • Agilent (NYSE: A) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
  • Liberty Interactive (NASDAQ: LINTA) was upgraded at JP Morgan to Neutral from Underweight.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GLW, A, BHP, MJN, AET ...

ETF Stocks: Use BDH for a play on broadband technologies

topgoldThe old adage to new investors has always been to invest in something that you use or believe in. Right now, you're probably reading this online and there's a good chance you got online through a broadband connection, so why not invest in the companies that continue to supply equipment for the growth of the broadband revolution?

The exchange-traded fund (ETF) Broadband HOLDRs (NYSE: BDH) is a great way to invest in the broadband industry without having to select one company. BDH consists of about 22 companies that develop, manufacture and market products and services that facilitate the transmission of data, video and voice more quickly and efficiently than traditional telephone line communications.

Continue reading ETF Stocks: Use BDH for a play on broadband technologies

Stocks in the news: NSANY, BCS, GM, NYX, AMZN, HAS, ADBE, PFE, LDK ...

Nissan Motor Co. (NASDAQ: NSANY) reported a $904 million quarterly loss and said it expects this year to be its first annual loss in nine years. Nissan is cutting 20,000 jobs, or 8.5% of its workforce. NSANY shares declined over 6.5% in premarket trade.

Barclays PLC (NYSE: BCS) reported Monday that its net profit for 2008 fell just 1% after several major one-off gains helped compensate for over 8 billion pounds ($11.8 billion) of write-downs. The bank's balance sheet, meanwhile, ballooned 67% to 2.05 trillion pounds. Pretax profit for the year dropped 14% to 6.08 billion pounds, well ahead of analyst estimates. Barclays said it will resume dividend payments in the second half of the year. Shares in Barclays soared over 12% in premarket trade.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: NSANY, BCS, GM, NYX, AMZN, HAS, ADBE, PFE, LDK ...

Here come the tax cuts, layoff list of 2009, boost your tax refund - Today in Money 1/27

Continue reading Here come the tax cuts, layoff list of 2009, boost your tax refund - Today in Money 1/27

Stocks in the news: DD, VZ, YHOO, AXP, TXN, IBM, SI, VMW, EMC, AMGN ...

DuPont (NYSE: DD) reported Tuesday morning, saying it swung to a fourth-quarter loss. DuPont reported a loss of $629 million, or 70 cents per share, but excluding a restructuring charge the loss is 28 cents per share. Revenue fell 16% to $6.07 billion. Results were below analyst estimates of a loss of 24 cents per share on revenue of $6.17 billion.

Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ)
also reported Tuesday morning, saying it earned $1.24 billion, or 43 cents a share, in the fourth quarter. On an adjusted basis, Verizon earned 61 cents a share compared to 62 cents a share a year ago. Sales were $24.6 billion. Verizon missed estimates only slightly and shares gained 1.6% in premarket trading.

Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO) is reporting after the close today and analysts expect earnings of 13 cents a share for the period, on $1.4 billion in net revenue, according to FactSet Research. Shares indicated higher in premarket trading.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: DD, VZ, YHOO, AXP, TXN, IBM, SI, VMW, EMC, AMGN ...

Nortel can't cheat the Reaper any longer

I have stated numerous times that in our system of capitalism, killing a company is almost impossible to do. It just doesn't happen very often, especially with older companies with deep roots.

Years of losses, shrinking markets, and a failed business strategy matter little. If there is a will, there is a way. Until the credit crisis in November, there was always a way to raise needed capital to keep the dream alive.

A great example of this is Nortel Networks Corporation (NYSE: NT). The giant telecommunication networking firm was a darling for investors during the dot-com boom. In early 2000, the stock peaked at close to $1,000 per share on a split adjusted basis.

As the crash unfolded, NT collapsed. By the end of 2002, NT was a stock on life support and trading for pennies a share (pre split). At the time, the company was bleeding cash and facing an entirely different market for its products and services.

Continue reading Nortel can't cheat the Reaper any longer

Can flat screens save Corning again?

As an early adopter of the flat-screen television craze, I can attest to the wonderful benefits of the device. I love mine, especially when watching movies or my favorite sporting event, hockey (it's so much easier following the puck in HD).

For a while there a few years ago, flat-screen TVs were flying off the shelves. Builders were using them as perks for new home purchases, and restaurants and bars seemed to buy them in bulk.

A main beneficiary of the flat-panel boom was Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) -- the largest maker of glass for flat-panel televisions.

In 2002, the stock was unduly pummeled in tandem with the rest of the technology sector. At that time, one could fetch shares for the eye-catching price of a buck a share. Investors were speculating that GLW would ultimately fail as demand for its products crashed.

Flat-panel displays saved the day. The company fixed its balance sheet and shares rocketed higher off its lows. By 2006, shares of GLW peaked above $26 per share. It was a great run, but with the collapse of the housing bubble, the easy money in GLW was made.

Continue reading Can flat screens save Corning again?

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Any downside should now be muted

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says seasonality is finally working in our favor.

Here's a new one: I don't trust the futures, but this time on the downside. We could get giant cuts from Europe and the Brits this week and given that it is international trade that is weighing us down, I would think that the declines we all expect after that record-breaking advance last week will not be vicious and will be muted.

I think that we have to watch the Nasdaq again for tells. I'm sure that this time some people will say that gadgets didn't sink as low as we thought on Black Friday, which means a return to big glass screens -- Corning (NYSE: GLW) (Cramer's Take) and Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) (Cramer's Take) -- and perhaps once again hopes for Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) (Cramer's Take) and for Research In Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) (Cramer's Take).

There is also a newfound expectation that with all the money the Fed is printing, if you get any sign that Europe is willing to play ball, you are going to see the world trade stocks moving back up.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Any downside should now be muted

Earnings highlights: Target, Heinz, Barnes & Noble, Pepsi, Disney and others

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Target, Heinz, Barnes & Noble, Pepsi, Disney and others

Stock picks and pans for troubled times: RIMM, ED, ISRG, GLW, LEA, SLB, GOOG ...

The question on everybody's mind this week was when will the declines end? Was that the so much talked about capitulation? Have the stock markets bottomed?

Well, I can't answer that, and suffice it to say that many market analysts, fundamental and technical, are still quite gloomy. Pretty much all we can do in this time is hope for flat performance from a few select stocks, which perhaps would yield good returns once the economy starts rebounding and the bear market has completed its course.

Here are some picks and pans from the past week from BloggingStocks contributors:

Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) -- Steven Halpern brought a recommendation from one of The Forbes Wireless Stock Watch advisors, Nikhil Hutheesing. In Hutheesing's words: "In the long run, smart investments today will lead to profits down the road. One of those companies, that I now think looks attractive, is the Canadian maker of the BlackBerry." Not only is RIMM's corporate business strong, it is also working on getting its phones to consumers. In addition, it has lots of cash and little to no long-term debt and great prospects, what the advisor is looking for in addition to value and fundamentals in this environment.

Lear Corp. (NYSE: LEA) is an auto parts supplier. Jamie Dlugosch bets on a bailout for the auto industry here. Today, Lear has a $110 million market capitalization, down from its peak within the last 52 weeks of $2.6 billion. If the bailout finally happens, owners of LEA could benefit greatly.

Continue reading Stock picks and pans for troubled times: RIMM, ED, ISRG, GLW, LEA, SLB, GOOG ...

Closing Bell: Was that a win or loss? BUD is no more; GLW, FSLR, HPQ, HD

Today was another one of those days where it was hard to tell if the market was up. The market gapped up and then posted a great morning rally, and then proceeded to give back most of the gains from noon until late in the afternoon. Housing was dismal, producer prices were down, and Bernanke and Paulson testified about the TARP usage.

Below are today's unofficial closing bell levels:
DJIA: 8,424.75 +151.17 +1.83%
NASDAQ: 1,483.27 +1.22 +0.08%
S&P 500: 859.12 +8.37 +0.98%
Analyst Calls: Top Upgrades and Top Downgrades

Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc. (NYSE: BUD) is no more..... The merger was completed today with InBev and the stock will now be European listed and be called Anheuser-Busch InBev. Shareholders of common stock receive $70.00 per share in cash as part of this $52 billion merger.

Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) gave disappointing LCD panel guidance which was "below" the $1.1 to $1.2 billion in revenues previously offered and "at the low end of below" the $0.20 to $0.28 EPS range previously offered just a few weeks ago. Shares were down 7% right before the the close.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Was that a win or loss? BUD is no more; GLW, FSLR, HPQ, HD

Corning (GLW) lowers guidance, but still looks cheap

This post was written by Minyanville contributor Sean Udall.

Corning Inc. (NYSE: GLW) lowered its guidance on what sounds like even weaker glass sales. This should not surprise anyone, and I have been negative on the glass side of the shop for nearly a year. However, GLW pointed out in its release that it had a strong cash position with very little debt due for the next four years.

Additionally, even though GLW is forecasting lower EPS, it's still in the black. During the last tech crash, it suffered huge losses. At some point we should see people start looking at "old school" valuation concepts like normalized EPS and Book Value. On these metrics, GLW is cheap at 65-100% higher levels. Give GLW a normalized EPS of roughly $1.25 and a seven multiple and you're getting the entire Corning BV operation for free, the IP portfolio for free and the net cash for free.

I was last stopped out of GLW at around $15. I want to see how the stock acts today, but I'm going to start rebuilding a position on this in hours or days. Longer term, glass sales should become a solid cash cow again, while new products take over producing higher margins and a resumption of sales growth. Also, at these levels I would not be surprised to hear some rumbling merger rumors, though I am doubtful about GLW being acquired. More likely, GLW might be looking at doing some asset purchases.

Continue reading Corning (GLW) lowers guidance, but still looks cheap

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-223.328,280.74
NASDAQ-49.201,796.52
S&P 500-26.91896.42

Last updated: July 03, 2009: 09:08 PM

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