a summary of various stock recommendations from various sources.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Friday Feb 27th 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Top 5 small-cap, American Physicians Service Group(AMPH) an insurance and financial services firm, NCI(NCIT) provides information technology services to the government, Emergency Medical Services(EMS) provides emergency staffing to hospitials, American Physicians Capital(ACAP) is a medical insurance holding company, Orchids paper products(TIS) manufactures bulk tissue paper. Fast Money recap - final trades, Morgan Stanley(MS), Exxon Mobil(XOM), preferred shares of Wells Fargo(WB). Upgrades - Omnicare(OCR) $34, Thoratec(THOR) $31, Verizon(VZ) $34, Dean Foods(DF) $26, FTI Consulting(FCN) $60, Hansen Natural(HANS) $40, J.P.Morgan(JPM) $46, Nasdaq(NDAQ) $32, Philip morris(PM) $50, Southwestern Energy(SWN) $45. Mad Money - Defensive stocks like Wal-Mart(WMT), McDonald's(MCD), Ralcorp(RAH), Treehouse Brands(THS). For a China play he likes BHP Billton(BHP) with it's juicy 4.5% dividend yield. Shares of BHP have fallen from a high of $95 a share all the way down to just $36 today. Cramer said the company has a strong balance sheet, with more than enough free cash flow to cover its dividend payments. The company is also taking market share, making it the perfect way to play the Chinese recovery. The risk on stocks such as Permian Basin Royalty Trust(PBT), BP(BP), and SPDR Gold Shares(GLD) is low. Bull on Terra Nitrogen(TNH), ConAgra Foods(CAG), Air Products and Chemicals(APD), Walt Disney(DIS), Papa Johns Internationa(PZZA), and Darden Restaurants(DRI).
TheStockAdvisors - Gabelli Global Gold, Natural Resources & Income Trust(GGN), GGN invests primarily in equity securities of gold and natural resources companies and intends to earn income primarily through a strategy of writing (selling) covered call options on equity securities in its portfolio. It has a dividend payout that translates into a whopping 13.35% yield. Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) is one of the largest and oldest MLPs in the US. It owns pipelines, processing facilities and production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico, among other assets. This is one of the steadiest, most cash-flow-positive businesses you'll encounter. The pipeline transportation business offers steady, dependable cash flows that don’t change based on commodity prices. Yielding more than 9%, EPD is a buy under 27. Linn Energy (LINE) isn’t involved in the midstream business but actually produces oil and natural gas. Linn has locked in prices above $8 per MMBtu for gas and $90 a barrel for oil out to 2012. Yielding around 15%, Linn Energy is a buy under 20. Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Fund (TYG) is a buy under 27. Also, Bullish on Coinstar(CSTR) and iShares MSCI Brazil ETF(EWZ).
Zacks - Baxter International(BAX) just declared a quarterly dividend.
Fool - America Movil(AMX) is the dominant cellular provider in Mexico, shown a willingness to repurchase shares and pay a dividend.

Thursday Feb 26th 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Fast Money, final trades, sohu.com(SOHU), preferred stock of Wells Fargo(WF), Visa(V). Upgrades - CenterPoint Energy(CNP) $12, Dollar Tree(DLTR) $42, Smithfield Foods(SFD) $12, Cummins(CMI) $33, Eaton Vance(EV) $21, Herbalife(HLF) $24. Cramer - Worried about Obama killing health-care companies, stick with companies that can raise their dividends like Coca-Cola (KO) and Colgate-palmolive(CL), he's a big fan of gold and oil and would buy Permian Basin Royalty Trust(PBT) under $9. Bull on Marathon Oil(MRO), Del Monte Foods(DLM), Dean Foods(DF), Nucor(NUE), McDonald's(MCD), Alcoa(AA), Smith International(SII).
TheStockAdvisors - Powershares Agriculture(DBA) compelling long-term bull market as long as population growth exceeds arable food supply. It’s the purest way to speculate in these important commodities. Staples(SPLS) is a company with investor-focused management, executive compensation is broken down by base salary, performance-based cash bonuses, long-term equity incentives, and retirement benefits. Bonuses are based on performance measured by sales (20%), earnings (30%), return on net assets (30%), and customer service levels (20%). The CEO must own stock valued at 5x his salary, the CFO and COO at least 4x their salaries, and other officers ranging between 2x to 3x their salaries. Defense, invest in military stocks. Defense will rival infrastructure for receiving large federal contracts over the next few years. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC), Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) and Orbital Sciences (NYSE: ORB) are all in line for rising profits. You can get a stocks in all of these stocks, plus a few more top suppliers, by purchasing the Fidelity Select Defense & Aerospace Fund (FSDAX).
Investopedia - 4 dividend increasing stocks, Archer Daniels Midland(ADM) is a dominant name in the agriculture and food commodities industries; Avon Products(AVP); Honeywell(HON) now yeilds 4%. The company is expected to be a main beneficiary of President Obama's stimulus package, which calls for improvements to the U.S. power grid, a key line of business for Honeywell, trades at approximately 3.2 times book value and at a forward P/E ratio of 9.2; and 3M(MMM).

Wed Feb 25th 2009, dailystocktracking

Street - Top 5 large-caps, (GILD),(MCD),(ABT),Medco Health Solutions(MHS) is a pharmacy benefit manager,(BAX). Fast Money recap, with oil at $40 they like refiners Chevron(CVX), ConocoPhillips(COP) and Exxon Mobile(XOM). Value stocks, Altria(MO), IBM(IBM), Lockheed Martin(LMT), HP(HPQ), XTO Energy(XTO). Final trades, Morgan Stanley(MS), Abbott Labs(ABT), Sasol(SSL), and HP(HPQ). Upgrades - Chubb(CB) $53, Mylan(MYL) $16, AT&T(T) $28, Teva(TEVA) $54, Foster Wheeler(FWLT) $22, Home Depot(HD) $24, Microsoft(MSFT) $21, Wal-Mart(WMT) $58, Amazon.com(AMZN). Cramer bull on, IBM(IBM), PPL Corp(PPL), Exelon(EXC), Consolidated Edison(ED).
IBD - Article on Buffalo Wild Wings(BWLD).
TheStockAdvisors - Inverness Medical(IMA) is a developer of consumer medical diagnostic products. Shares currently trade at 9x 2010 EPS estimates, fair value is 16x forward earnings with a one year price target of $37.
Fool - (BP) involved in biofuels by teaming up with Verenium Corp(VRNM) for a biofuels plant in Florida, this will be aided by government mandates.

Tue February 24th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Top 5 value stocks, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone(NTT) provides telecommunications services in Japan, Wal-Mart Stores(WMT), Raytheon(RTN) specializes in defense, FPL Group(FPL) owns and operated Florida Power & Light Company, Yum Brands(YUM). Fast Money, like Petrobras Energia(PZE), Family Dollar(FDO), Vale(RIO), Amgen(AMGN), Mylan(MYL). Upgrades, Marvell Technology(MRVL) $10, Spectra Energy(SE) $19, Altria(MO) $18, Hot Topic(HOTT). Cramer, Visa(V), MasterCard(MA), Goldman Sachs(GS), Pepsi(PEP) is the better stock to own, but Coca-Cola(KO) is good also. Bull on MAXIMUS(MMS), AT&T(T), Johnson&Johnson(JNJ).
TheStockAdvisors - United Technologies(UTX) is in aerospace, elevators, heating and cooling systems, and fire-protection products. Its "green" activites include development of a fuel cell for automotive use. The stock is now at 10x 2009 earnings, should beat the market in the next year or two, and yields 3%. Immucor(BLUD) makes machines that automate blood analysis, it is state of the art equipment with little competition.
IBD - bullish article on Etna Health(ATHN) which is involved in computerized medical records.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Monday Feb 23rd 2009, dailystocktracking

Street - Problems with Obama Housing Plan; The rules will require that banks modify mortgages such that the maximum debt-to-income ratio (the amount of money you spend each month on your mortgage), or DTI, for a homeowner is 31%. Banks will write down mortgages by principle reduction, lowering rates, extending out the length of the loan or dropping payments - or all of the above - to meet the 31% DTI requirement. The government (taxpayers, 90% of whom are still paying their home loan on time) will then split the difference with the bank. The plan won't work. It doesn't address jumbo mortgages, many of which are about to reset this year and through 2011 and don't qualify for Freddie or Fannie mortgages. It doesn't address the moral hazard of so many people I read about and hear from that are literally not paying their mortgage, but instead are waiting for a government handout. It doesn't address those who are frustrated by seeing big banks and the "Big 3" given billions of our taxpayer dollars while they pay their negative amortization mortgage on a home that is $200,000 under water -- homeowners that are now encouraging their spouses to quit their jobs so they can get an even lower payment under the new 31% DTI. People will re-default on their loans if the property value goes down to have their payments lowered again. Perhaps the most toxic component of the plan is what's known as the cramdown -- allowing bankruptcy judges the ability to force lenders to write principle balances down to something affordable and reasonable by the homeowner. This plan is highly flawed. It doesn't address the jumbo markets and the next wave of foreclosures. It certainly does nothing for those who are dutifully paying their mortgage. It encourages lack of competency and accountability. It will allow refinances through Fannie and Freddie that are paid for and subsidized by the taxpayer. It doesn't stop people who lied on their mortgage applications the first time from lying for a modification. It may hurt many honest hardworking people.
Article - Deflating the hype about Deflation; Deflation is caused by a reduction in the supply of money available in an economy, relative to the goods and services available. The most classic example of this is in Japan. Many people believe that the U.S. is headed for a similar fate because of our housing and stock market collapse combined with the credit crisis. First, the U.S. government has moved forward with these anti-deflationary policies, zero interest rates, quantitative easing and massive government spending, in short order. Second, it is in the national interest of the U.S. and the personal interest of most American consumers to create inflation. This will decrease the value of the dollar and make it easier to repay debt. Third, Japan produces too much and consumes too little, relative to the size of its economy and its stage of development. This is exactly the opposite of the U.S. We are far less likely to fall into a long-term deflationary spiral because there are not likely to be too many goods and services produced relative to demand. People should not confuse short-term declines in commodity prices and asset prices caused by a recession with long-term deflation. Gold and other hard assets are a good long-term value to protect your cash against future inflation. On a relative basis, oil is probably the best value of any investment today, because it has collapsed down to unsustainably low levels and almost has to go up substantially over the next six to 12 months. Consider U.S. Oil Fund ETF(USO) or (UCO), also oil stock funds like (XLE) or (OIH). Wait on a pull-back on gold to buy (GLD) or (DGP). Another way to benefit from future inflation is to take advantage of low-interest rates and lock in long-term financing to buy income property. Cramer, dividen stocks, Terra Nitrogen(TNH) yield 9.8%, and FPL Group(FPL), a Florida based electric utility, yield 3.9%. Bull on, (WMT),(RIMM),(CAT),(AGN),(GS),(V),(MA). Top 5 fast-growth, (GILD), (DV), (STRA), ManTech International(MANT) technologies for national security, and Haemonetics(HAE) is a global leader in blood processing equipment. 5 Buy-rated drug stocks; Johnson&Johnson(JNJ), Novartis(NVS), Abbott Labs(ABT), Wyeth(WYE), and Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY). Each company's shares are attractively priced at less than 14 times analysts' estimates for 2010 earnings, they're forecast to increase profits next year, and their cash flow and balance sheets are healthy, and they have dividend yields of 2.6% to 5.7%. Upgrades, Intuit(INYU) $27, Limited Brands(LTD) $10, Mylan(MYL) $16, Psychiatric Solutions(PSYS) $34, Exxon Mobile(XOM) $80.
TheStockAdvisors - PepsiCo(PEP) has built an impressive lineup of 18 brands, Aquafina, Gatorade, Amp, Lipton and Starbucks partnerships, Frito Lay division which includes Doritos, Tostitos, cheetos, Ruffle's, and Cracker Jack. The stock has pulled back in the last year and now trades at 15x earnings, a discount to the normal 20x. The company is spreading through regions that represent 86% of the worlds population, and 45 of the 50 fasest growing economies. yield is 3.3%. Three China ETFs, iShares FTSE/Xinhua China 25 Index Fund(FXI) is the Chinease version of the Dow and covers 25 companies, iShares MSCI Hong Kong Index Fund(EWH) is much more broadly based covering 85% of Chinease stocks and yields 5.9% at current levels, PowerShares Golden Dragon Halter USX China Portfolio(PGJ) is comprised of U.S. companies that derive a majority of their profits from China.
Zacks - ResMed(RMD) and Steris Corporation(STE) both beat earnings estimates.
Fool - Petroleo Brasileiro(PBR) has several promising big finds offshore. Talks are under-way with China to finance up to $10 billion to recover this oil. This only serves to increase the interest in Petrobras.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Sat Feb 21st 2009, dailystocktracking

Week Summary - OK, as you can see from the variation in my posting date and information date, I am well behing on my blog. This is due to several factors, moving, busy at work, an I've been going snowboarding on my days off!
Health Care still seems to be the most recommended sector, I like Gilead(GILD), and Celgene(CELG) in the biotech, Cerner(CERN) in electronic medical records, and Teva Pharmaceuticals(TEVA) for generic medications. China's stimulus should benefit Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold(FCX), (YUM), (MCD). The Stimulus package has 20B for food stamps for the poor which should benefit Wal-Mart(WMT) and Family Dollar Stores(FDO); construction companies such as URS Corp(URS) for infrastructure, Astec Industries(ASTE) for roads, and MasTec(MTZ) for utilities should benefit. Big, Dividend paying companies with plenty of cash to keep it up are nice, such as (BP) oil, Consolidated edison(ED) utilities, and Southern(SO) utilities. Energy should rebound, look at Petrobras(PBR), (BTU) for coal, and Energy Conversion Devices(ENER) for solar and batteries. I also like Wal-Mart(WMT), (YUM), McDonald's(MCD), (HPQ), and (INTC).
Street - Fast Money recap, like Foot Locker(FL), and Buckle(BKE) as bargin retail stocks, also (GMCR) and Home Depot(HD) for its valuation and balance sheet, final trades (IBM) and Wells Fargo (WF).

Friday, March 6, 2009

Friday Feb 20th 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Upgrades, Aflac(AFL)$36, Dollar Tree(DLTR)$43, FLIR Systems(FLIR)$29, WebMD(WBMD)$25, Apache(APA)$115, First Solar(FSLR)$190, Intuit(INTU)$28, XTO Energy(XTO)$40. 16 ETF's with the lowest P/E ratios, may be undervalued?
ETF Low PE
Fund (Ticker) Rating Total Return 1 Year Avg Price/ Earnings
Market Vectors - Russia ETF (RSX US) E- -76.3% 1.75
Claymore/Delta Global Shipping Index ETF (SEA US) U NA 2.63
SPDR S&P Emerging Europe ETF (GUR US) E- -69.0% 3.6
iShares MSCI Turkey Index Fund (TUR US) U NA 3.61
Market Vectors - Steel Index Fund (SLX US) E- -64.4% 3.94
iShares FTSE China HK Listed Index Fund (FCHI US) U NA 4.03
First Trust Dow Jones STOXX European Select Dividend Index Fund (FDD US) E -62.2% 4.79
iShares Dow Jones EPAC Select Dividend Index Fund (IDV US) D- -57.3% 4.94
iShares MSCI Italy Index Fund (EWI US) C+ -54.2% 5.01
First Trust DJ Global Select Dividend Index Fund (FGD US) E+ -56.3% 5.07
Powershares Dynamic Europe Portfolio (PEH US) E- -56.1% 5.14
iShares MSCI Belgium Investable Market Index Fund (EWK US) C- -62.5% 5.37
PowerShares Dynamic Developed International Opportunities Portfolio (PFA US) D- -56.9% 5.4
Market Vectors - Agribusiness ETF (MOO US) E+ -50.4% 5.51
Claymore/SWM Canadian Energy Income Index ETF (ENY US) E- -59.1% 5.55
iShares MSCI France Index Fund (EWQ US) B- -46.9% 5.67
Source: Bloomberg & TheStreet.com Ratings.
Four companies growing in poor economy, Greem Mountain Coffee Roasters(GMCR), Ralcorp(RAH), The Buckle(BKE), and Marvel Entertainment(MVL). Other good "Street Stocks", Obama health plan, Cerner and CR Bard; Walmart(WMT) best business model; utility dividen plays, (SO)Southern, Consolidated Edison, and Wisconsin Energy; Intel(INTC)nice dividend play and (HPQ) in high-tech; China stimulus plays, (FCX),(RIO),(CAT),(NUE),(THN),(MCD),(YUM),(PEP),(RTP),(X). Mad Money Recap, "I will survive portfolio" Verizon(VZ), AT&T(T), Wal-Mart(WMT), BP(BP) has a 8.3% yield, General Mills(GIS) is cheap by historical standards at 13x earnings, and Agnico-Eagle Mines(AEM). Bull on Vnus Medical Technologies(VNUS), Dominion Resources(D), GMX Resources(GMXR), Merck(MRK), Bristol-Myers Squibb(BMY), and Abbott Laboratories(ABT).
TheStockAdvisors - Celgene(CELG) is a buy under $73. Ensign(ENSG) is a nursing care company, it should be selling in the low $30s 3-5 years from now, and is currently in the mid-teens. Wal-Mart is a value stock, should advance to a minimum sell price of $65.64 in two to three years.
The Motley Fool - 3 dividend dynamos, Waste Management(WM), Procter&Gamble(PG), and StatoilHydro.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Thur Feb 19th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Fast Money stem cell stock picks, Celgene(CELG), Geron(GERN), and Teva Pharmaceutical(TEVA), and health care Amgen(AMGN). Stimulus stock trades, PowerShares Water Resources ETF(PHO), First Solar(FSLR), Capline(CPN). Survival of the fittest, Jefferies(JEF) and Apple(AAPL), like Roche(RHHBY), Celgene(CELG), Stillwater Mining(SWC), Genetech(DNA), Potash(POT), Petrobras(PBR), Monsanto(MON) and metals and gold ETF's like (XME),(DBB),(DBP). Top 5 mid-caps, (DV), (MANT), (STRA), (SHEN), (GTIV). Upgrades, Granite Construction(GVA)$38, Hewlett-Packard(HPQ)$45, URS(URS)$38, Whole Foods(WFMI)$13-$15, Analog Devices(ADI)$23, Baidu(BIDU)$153, Chesapeake Energy(CHK)$37, Deere(DE)$44, IBM(IBM). Cramer - survivor stocks, Morgan Stanley(MS), Goldman Sachs(GS), Visa(V), Mastercard(MA), Wal-Mart(WMT), Costco(COST), Amazon(AMZN), Agnico-eagle Mines(AEM), Qualcomm(QCOM). bull on Ralcorp(RAH), Treehouse Brands(THS), Bucyrus(BUCY), TeleCommunication Systems(TSYS), Copart(CPRT), Celera(CRA), Becton Dickinson(BDX), CR Bard(BCR), Baxter(BAX), Clean Energy Fuels(CLNE), Kinder Morgan(KMP), American Italian Pasta(AIPC).
TheStockAdvisors - 10 cash-rich low-price turnaround stocks, these all trade at under $5. Alcatel Lucent(ALU) telecom company, Cypress Semiconductor(CY) programmable chips, Flextronics(FLEX) outsourcer of electronics manufacturing, Global Industries(GLBL) construction and support to offshore oil and gas, Lawson software(LWSN) resource planning software, Motorola(MOT) has several strong businesses, Office Depot(ODP) closing some stores and distribution centers to cut costs, Orbotech (ORBK) makes high-speed optical inspection systems, there cash per share exceesd the stock price, Sun Microsystems(JAVA), Tellabs(TLAB) provides equipment for major wireless companies. Energy Recovery(ERII) is improving desalinization to help the worlds severe water shortage, its not cheap on a P?E ratio, but its the only major pure play on desalinization.
Investment U - Oil's heading higher, buy Petrobras(PBR) because of new discoveries, long-term focus, low cost, deep-water expertise, and valuation at less than 10x earnings.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Tue Feb 17th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Top 5 all-around value, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone(NTT), Raytheon(RTN), FPL Group(FPL), Archer Daniels Midland(ADM), Hewlett-Packard(HPQ). Upgrades, Entergy(ETR) $92, Corning(GLW) $17, Cabot Oil & Gas(COG) $33, Hewlett-Packard(HPQ) $45, Intuit(INTU) $28, Northern Trust(NTRS) $65, Strayer Education(STRA) $310, Amphenol(APH), Goldcorp(GG). Cramer, cash, some gold, the staples that absolutely cannot be lived without, and health care such as Abbott(ABT), Boston Scientific(BSX), St. Jude(STJ), UnitedHealth(UNH), Aetna(AET), Cephalon(CEPH), Genzyme(GENZ), and Gilead(GILD), will do best.
Investment U- Netflix(NFLX) and Amazon(AMZN) are two growing stocks despite economic downturn.
TheStockAdvisors - SPDR Gold(GLD), two top choices for China wireless demands are Chunghwa Telcom(CHT) and ChinaMobile(CHL).
Fool - dividend-paying stocks with plently of room to increase dividends:
Company
Dividend Yield
5-Year Trailing Dividend Growth Rate
Levered Free Cash Flow Payout Ratio

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ)
3.2%
14%
57%

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP)
4.1%
19%
19%

United Technologies (NYSE: UTX)
3.3%
19%
25%

Waste Management (NYSE: WMI)
3.7%
8%*
40%

Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG)
3.1%
11%
61%

Wed Feb 18th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Obamas' Home Rescue Plan.
President Obama unveiled a $75 billion multi-pronged plan Wednesday that seeks to help up to 9 million borrowers suffering from falling home prices and unaffordable monthly payments. Focusing on homeowners who are still current in their payments but at risk of default, and he puts billions of federal funds into enticing servicers to modify the loans of those who've already stopped paying. It askes Congress to amend bankruptcy laws to allow judges to modify mortgages, a step community advocates say is badly needed but that the financial industry abhors. The plan would help borrowers who owe more than 80% of their home's value to refinance and reduce their monthly payments. Lenders generally won't refinance people who have less than 20% equity in their homes, But only those who are current on their payments and whose loans are held or guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are eligible. Also, the new mortgage, including refinancing costs, can't exceed 105% of the current market value of the property, excluding many of the hardest hit. It allows borrowers to refinance into 15-year or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages at the current market rate, which hovers around 5%. The plan, however, will not reduce the loan balance. The administration is also creating a $75 billion initiative to reduce monthly payments for at-risk borrowers by subsidizing interest rates. The goal would be to bring payments to no more than 31% of a borrower's income. "I also want to be very clear about what this plan will not do: It will not rescue the unscrupulous or irresponsible by throwing good taxpayer money after bad loans." The effort would help borrowers -- both those current and delinquent -- who live in their homes lower their monthly payments for five years. The servicer would reduce interest rates so that the monthly obligation is no more than 38% of a borrower's income and then the government would kick in money to bring payments down to 31% of the homeowner's income. In addition to providing incentives to servicers and investors, the administration will also reduce borrowers' loan balances by up to $1,000 a year for five years if they keep up with payments.
Street - Top 5 large-caps, (MCD), (GILD), Medco Health solution(MHS), (ABT), Baxter(BAX). Fast Money, like Energy Conversion Devices(ENER), and First Solar(FSLR) for the economic stimulus plan, PowerShares Water Resources(PHO), URS(URS), SPDR Gold Trust(GLD), Market Vectors Gold Miners(GDX), Medtronic(MDT), for the lift in stem cell funding look at Celgene(CELG), Geron(GERN), and Teva(TEVA). 4 companies growing in a weak economy, Green Mountain coffee Roasters(GMCR) is benefiting from the decline of Starbucks, offering coffee at a lower cost, Ralcorp(RAH) is the largest U.S. producer of store-brand or generic food, The Buckle(BKE) this denim retalier is a steal at $25, and Marvel Entertainment(MVL) has increased its net sales and income with big movies coming out soon. Upgrades - Barrick Gold(ABX), American States Water(AWR), Centern(CNC)health care company, HLTH(HLTH)health information services provider, Synovis Energy(SYNO), Celgene(CELG) $73, Torchmark(TMK) $37, Medtronic(MDT) $49. Energy Secretary Stimulus Comments - speed up processing energy project loan guarantees earmarked for support to the nuclear industry. He spent most of his remarks discussing the need to build more power transmission lines to move energy from isolated wind farms to urban centers and the need for a "smart" grid to improve transmission efficiency. Obama's Stimulus: 10 Ways to Play It - The recently signed stimulus bill is certainly a hot topic of conversation these days. However, vast assumptions vary among the media, the general public and even elected officials as to the size, scope and duration of its potential affect on the economy. There are two points to make about the stimulus package in its current form: 1. Spending in actually dollars equates to $650 billion. 2. Tax cuts equate to $150 billion. How is the spending broken down? And what equities might benefit? Here are some of the ways the stimulus money is being spent, and some ways investors might be able to capitalize on it. Agriculture, Nutrition and Rural Development: $26.9 billion, which includes $20 billion for government food stamps, $2.8 billion to expand broadband in rural areas and $4.1 billion for rural development. Trade: Family Dollar Stores (FDO). As of September 2008, an estimated 14 million households relied on food stamps, an increase of approximately 17% from September 2007. More than 3,000 Family Dollar stores accept foods stamps nationwide. FDO just reported a 14% rise in quarterly profit and raised its fiscal-year forecast. For the quarter that ended Nov. 29, 2008, profit rose to $59.3 million, or 42 cents per share, from $51.9 million, or 37 cents per share, a year earlier. Family Dollar was recently trading down a penny at $26.50. Commerce, Justice and Science: $13.9 billion, which includes $2.8 billion to extend broadband, $3 billion for state and local law enforcement assistance and $3 billion in technology and research grants. Trade: Axsys Technologies (AXYS), a global leader in the design and development of high-performance surveillance cameras. From 2004 to 2007, net sales rose from $78.2 million to $171.6 million, while operating income went from just $6.8 million t $23.3 million in that time period. Overall, the firm’s backlog, which is a measure of existing orders vs. current production levels, grew from $75.6 million to $140.2 million from 2004 to 2007. Axsys was recently trading down 8.7% at $37.79. Defense: $4.8 billion, which includes $4.8 billion for facility repair and energy projects. Trade: General Dynamics (GD) and Raytheon (RTN), on recent positive new from the defense sector, particularly from these two stocks. For example, Raytheon expects earnings from continuing operations to grow as much as 10% to $4.45 to $4.60 per share in 2009. Raytheon was recently trading up 1.4% at $46.24, while General Dynamics was down slightly at $52.78. Energy and Water: $48.9 billion, which includes $18.5 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, $8 billion for federal loan guarantees for renewable-energy systems and electricity transmission, $17.4 billion for modernizing the nation’s electricity grid and $4.5 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers. Trade: MasTec (MTZ). As of 2008, 60% of MasTec’s revenue came from the communication sector; this involves contracts with such companies as AT&T (T) and Charter Communications (CHTR). Utilities represented 34% of revenue; contacts included deals with such companies as XTO Energy (XTO). For the full year 2008, MasTec is on track to report revenue of $1.21 billion to $1.23 billion, a nearly 18% increase from its 2007 earnings. MasTec has a backlog, an important figurer when analyzing construction companies, of around 18 months deep, with a total value of $1.5 billion. Mastec was recently trading up 0.4% at $10.27. Environment and Interior: $14.3 billion, which includes $8.1 billion in state grants for water infrastructure projects and $6.2 billion for capital improvements toward national parks. Trade: Calgon Carbon (CCC), a pure play in the water-purification sector. Calgon's products are used to remove organic compounds from air, water and other liquids. The company is ramping up its profitability, with analysts expecting the company to go from losing money last year to EPS of 16 cents this year and 30 cents the year after. For a more diversified water play, the PowerShares Water Resources (PHO) ETF offers a way to play water infrastructure. Calgon was recently trading down 3.3% at $14, and the PowerShares Water Resources ETF was down 1.1% at $11.78. Health and Education: $91.3 billion, including $20.2 billion for the department of health and human services, $14.4 billion for employment training programs, $20 billion for elementary and secondary school renovations, $17 billion for grants and other student financial aid and $29 billion for education programs. Trade: An interesting idea here is to short such education stocks as Corinthian Colleges (COCO), Strayer Education (STRA) and Apollo Group (APOL), based on the $29 billion the government will be giving away for education programs. Valuation for the sector is completely stretched, as seen in the market’s reaction toward Strayer Education on Thursday when the company forecasted a penny below expectations. At one point, Strayer was down more than $40 dollars. Strayer was recently trading up 2.4% at $193.40, Apollo was up 1.5% at $82.20, and Corinthian Colleges was down 1.2% at $20.65. Housing and Transportation: $62.3 billion, which includes $30 billion in highway construction, $16.1 billion in other transportation programs, $11.1 billion for housing assistance programs and $5.1 billion for community development grants to states and cities. Trade: Astec Industries (ASTE), the single best way to play Obama's stimulus package, particularly with regards to the $30 billion or so that will be allocated toward road and highway pair. This under-the-radar name trades for just five times cash flows and sported 40% growth last year. Astec was recently trading up 1.7% at $23.46. Cramer - bull on Agnico-Eagle Mines(AEM), buy IBM(IBM) under $90.
TheStockAdvisors - 3 small-cap stocks, HMS Holdings Corp(HMSY) coordinates government provided healthcare benefits, benefits from rising unemployment, Medicaid is biggest client. Neutral Tandem(TNDM) is a telecommunication company that connects calls between different companies. Green Mountain Coffee(GMCR) single-cup brewing systen sold under the name Keurig. Some Blue-chip buys, Union Pacific(UNP), Abbott Labs(ABT), Atmos Energy(ATO), McCormick(MKC). Favorite Coal buy is Peabody Energy(BTU), insider buying recently, under $29 after reaching 52wk high of $88, selling at 10x earnings.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Sat Feb 14th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Bloggingstocks - 10 stocks to fall in love with again: AT&T(T), Caterpillar(CAT), Coca-Cola(KO), Exxon Mobil(XOM), General Electric(GE), Intel(INTC), IBM(IBM), Johnson&Johnson(JNJ), 3M(MMM), Procter&Gamble(PG).
Street - Cramer, Union Pacific(UNP).
Week Summary - 4 main categories of stock recommendations. Dividend, Union Pacific Railway(UNP)2.4%, and Shell(RDS.A)5.8%. A mutual fund I like that concentrates on dividend paying stocks is Vanguard Dividend Growth(VDIGX), this fund is down to where it was 5 years ago, but has many stocks that have been beated down with the rest of the market and should rebound strong. Biotech, too many to list, a good ETF is Biotech SPDR(XBI). Infrastructure, again too many to list, I like Caterpillar(CAT) and some of the battery and wind generator stocks. Health care information, these 3 look promising, Cerner(CERN), Quality Systems(QSII), and Allscripts(MDRX).

Friday, February 13, 2009

Wed Feb 11th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Upgrades, Best Buy(BBY) target $33, Lincare(LNCR) $30, Coventry Health Care(CVH) $19, DirecTV(DTV) $32, Molson Coors(TAP) $46, Viacom(VIAB) $20. Cramer likes infrastructure stocks Aecom(ACM) and URS(URS). Top 5 large caps - (MCD), (GILD), (ABT), (MHS), (APOL). Fast Money - Visa(V), Mastercard(MA), Intel(INTC), Energy Conversion(ENER), Monsanto(MON).
TheStockAdvisors - athenahealth(ATHN) is an automated healthcare company that specializes in billing related functions and medical management, There is a $36.88 target on the stock. Textron(TXT) manufactures civil and defense aircraft, fell from $64.23 to $6.81. It is now selling for 62% of the book value of its assets, or 3.5x earnings. The market for aircraft for 2009 doesn't look good, but they are backloged for $23.2 billion worth of orders, strong balance sheet, the dividends have shot up to 15.1%. Buy up to $7.25.
Zacks - ManTech International(MANT), Family Dollar Stores(FDO), El Paso Pipeline(EPB).
Fool - Obama praises JPMorgan Chase(JPM) CEO Jamie Dimon.

Fri Feb 13th, 2009 dailystocktracking

BloggingStocks - "Our favorite US stock market fund is Vanguard Dividend Growth (VDIGX). "He looks for stocks with histories of rising dividend payouts along with the wherewithal and intention to continue increasing dividends into the future. Plus, he likes to buy these stocks when they appear relatively inexpensive.
AOL - Oil broke out of a weeklong slump Friday, soaring 10 percent, as traders prepared for a long Presidents Day weekend.
Street - Upgrades, Synaptics(SYNA), Tekelec(TKLC), Vina Concha y Toro(VCO), Deltek(PROJ) $7, Ralcorp(RAH) $72, Texas Instruments(TXN), MEMC Electronic(WFR) $20, Intel(INTC) $17. Fast Money, final trades, Research In Motion(RIMM), Viacom(VIA), Genetech(DNA), Freeport McMoRan(FCX). Small-Cap mutual funds to own now, Heartland Value Plus(HRVIX), Evergreen Special Values(ESPAX), Natixis Vaughan Nelson Small Cap Value(NEFJX). Cramer, likes Qualcomm(QCOM) for wireless infrastructure, Pepsico(PEP), McDonald's(MCD), Darden Restaurants(DRI), United Healthcare(UNH), Medco Health(MHS), Freeport McMoRan(FCX), Nucor(NUE), change of heart for Boston scientific(BSX), bull on American Campus(ACC), (MDRX), Rayonier(RVN), Astec Industries(ASTE), (GLD), Agnico-Eagle Mines(AEM).
TheStockAdvisors - Favorite funds for yield, Vanguard GNMA(VFIIX), PIMCO Total Return(PTTDX), Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax Exempt(VWITX). American Superconductor(AMSC) should benefit from an upgrade to the nations power grid, wires and cables, motors, wind power. Netflix(NFLX) doing great in a weak economy.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thur Feb 12th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Stimulus - Caterpillar (CAT, news, msgs) expects to profit handsomely from the infrastructure spending in the bill. The bill provides about $20 million to help health-care companies modernize their information systems, supporting the creation of electronic medical records.
Street - Fast Money, likes Morgan Stanley(MS) and Goldman Sachs(GS), Amgen(AMGN), Weyerhaeuser(WY), Freeport McMoRan(FCX), final trades Turkcell(TKC), Amgen, IBM(IBM), SPDR S&P Biotech(XBI). China company Chinalco plans to invest $19.5 billion in the mining company, this would be Chinas biggest overseas investment so far, BHP Billiton(BHP) may try to break-up the deal. Mad money, Recommend Freeport McMoran(FCX), St.Jude Medical(STJ), VF Corp(VFC), Coca-Cola(KO), Knight Capital Group(NITE), KBR Inc(KBR), Goldman Sachs(GS), Morgan Stanley(MS). Upgrades - Air Products(ARD) $64, continental Airlines(CAL), Grand Canyon(LOPE) $25, Agrium(AGU) $43, Assurant(AIZ) $49, Activision Blizzard(ATVI) $14, Genzyme(GENZ) $83, Tekelec(TKLC).

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Tue Feb 10th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Hilights from Stimulus Plan - Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner would outline rules on Tuesday for $350 billion in bailout funds designed to help the financial industry as well as homeowners facing foreclosure. Obama's call for a tax cut for lower-income wage earners, as well as billions for unemployment benefits, food stamps, health care and other programs to help victims of the worst recession in decades. In a bow to the administration, they also include billions for development of new information technology for the health industry, and billions more to lay the groundwork for a new environmentally friendly industry that would help reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil. Both houses provide for tax breaks for home buyers, but the Senate's provision is far more generous. The Senate bill also gives a tax break to purchasers of new cars. Both houses provide $87 billion in additional funds for the Medicaid program, which provides health care to the low income. The Senate proposed $450 million for NASA for exploration. The Senate bill calls for several billion more in spending for research at the National Institutes of Health.
MSN - moves for investors now, love the unloved like Financial Select Sector SPDR(XLF), and Industrial Select Sector SPDR(XLI). Get paid to wait, iShares Dow Jones Select Dividend(DVY) own 100 high-yielding stocks, current yield 6.9%. Buy your age in bonds, high yield bond fund.
Street - Likes Freeport-McMoRan(FCX) as a China play because they make up 30% of the copper demand, buy if the stock pulls back into the low $20s. Top 5 all-around value, NTT DoCoMo(DCM), Raytheon(RTN), FPL Group(FPL), Archer Daniels Midland(ADM), Verizon Communications(VZ).Fast Money - like health care and technology, like (AAPL), (GOOG), (IBM), like Diageo(DEO) as a safe dividend play at 5.3% and Phillip Morris(PM) at 6%. Also, Nexflix(NFLX), Akamai Tech(AKAM), Priceline(PCLN). Cramer - Two bank stocks Goldman Sachs(GS) and Morgan Stanley(MS), buyer of American Public(APEI) on any pullbackunder $40, like Alcoa(AA), Marathon Oil(MRO), Duke Energy(DUK), BHP Billiton(BHP), Freeport-McMoRan(FCX), ConocoPhillips(COP) and Valero(VLO). Upgrades - Adobe Systems(ADBE) $27, Big Lots(BIG) $19, Corning(GLW) $14.75, Kennametal(KMT) $24, Murphy Oil(MUR) $60, Weyerhaeuser(WY) $53, Energy Conversion Devices(ENER) target $33, XTO Energy(XTO) $57, Hormel Foods(HRL), Lorillard(LO), Sport Supply Group(RBI), Hewitt Associates(HEW), SWS Group(SWS).
Zacks - Myriad Genetics(MYGN), Republic Services(RSG).
TheStockAdvisors - Consider General Electric(GE) for 4 reasons, represents the national economy and will recover when it does, its a natural target for big money investors, dirt cheap at 6x earnings and at book value, higest yield in the DOW at 10.2%. Blackrock Income(BKT) buy up to $6.50, should yield 10-15% over the next 12 months. Ship Finance(SFL) operates a leasing company for Frontline's tankers, the stock seems cheap, P/E 3x only, 1.1x book value!
Investment U - Cashing in on "Cutting Back", Amazon.com(AMZN) and Netflix(NFLX).
Fool - Health-care information technology stocks Cerner Corp(CERN) and Quality Systems(QSII). Big-name consumer staples that have the ability to survive a more difficult financing time like Wal-Mart(WMT) and McDonald's(MCD). High-quality corporate bonds, inflation protected. Roth IRA is a good way to go now with lower taxes, eventually taxes will be raised to pay for this stimulus bill and you can withdraw your money tax free.
IBD - positive article on Gilead Sciences(GILD).

Monday, February 9, 2009

Mon Feb 9th 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Cramer likes Freeport McMoran(FCX) as a copper play with Chinas resurgence, Bull on Goldman Sachs(GS), Morgan Stanley(MS), American Public Education(APEI) on any pullback under $40, Alcoa(AA), Marathon Oil(MRO), Valero(VLO), Google(GOOG), Baldor Electric(BEZ), (RIMM), NYSE Group(NYX), Fortune Brands(FO), (MA), (STJ), (BG), (AGU), (MOS), (TNH). Top 5 fast growth, DeVry(DV), ManTech International(MANT), Haemonetics(HAE), Gilead Sciences(GILD), NCI(NCIT). Upgrades - Costco(COST) target $52, NVR(NVR) target $450, Burger King(BKC) target $25, Cigna(CI) target $25, Adobe Systems(ADBE) target $27, Big Lots(BIG) target $19, Corning(GLW) target $14.75, Kennametal(KMT) $24, Murphy Oil(MUR) $60, Weyerhaeuser(WY) $53, Panhandle Oil & Gas(PHX).
TheStockAdvisors - Immucor(BLUD) is a blood testing equipment specializing in pre-transfusion diagnostics, they have $92 million in cash and $0 debt, target $34. Royal Dutch Shell(RDS.A) is a conservative play on oil and gas recovery, yield is currently 5.8%. ImmunoGen(IMGN) is a biotechnology firm focused on cancer treatment.
Forbes - stock of the week, Polaris Industries(PII) is a maker of all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles, they have taken a huge hit with consumer spending, its come down 60% from its high of $54, and at $21 is looking like a good buy for a value investor, with guidance reduction for 2009 the stock trades at 8x earnings with a 7.4% yield, buy up to $25.52 with a 3-5 year target of $46.

Sun 2009 dailystocktracking

Forbes - High quality, undervalued dividend stocks, Altria Group(MO) 7.6% yield, Johnson & Johnson(JNJ) 3.2% yield, Union Pacific(UNP) 2.4% yield, United Technologies(UTX) 3.1% yield, Coca-Cola(KO) 3.5% yield, Emerson Electric(EMR) 3.9% yield, Nike(NKE) 2.2% yield, Philip Morris(PM) 5.4% yield, Proctor & Gamble(PG) 2.8% yield, IBM(IBM) 2.2% yield.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Sat Feb 7th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Week Summary - Medical and biotech stocks seem to be the most favoried, this has been the case for several weeks now. Energy stocks (oil, coal, gas, and support services) may be good buys betting on an energy rebound. Power grid, infrastructure and several alternative energy plays seem like a safe bet going forward, especially if oil rebounds.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Friday Feb 6th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Top 5 small-caps, American Physicians Service Group(AMPH), NCI(NCI), Balchem(BCPC), Thompkins Financial(TMP), Aceto(ACET). Fast Money - like JPMorgan Chase(JPM), Cisco(CSCO), Exxon Mobil(XOM), Potash(POT), HP(HPQ), Oil Services HLDRS(OIH). Upgrades - Costco(COST) target $52, NVR(NVR) target $450, Burger King(BKC) target $25, Cigna(CI) target $25, Monsanto(MON) target $91. Bull - Southern Peru Copper(PCU), Dollar Tree(DLTR), Family Dollar Stores(FDO), United Parcel Service(UPS), Southern Co(SO), Patriot Coal(PCX), Peabody Energy(BTU), Corning(GLW). Obama health care stocks, CR Bard(BCR) cardiac stents, Gilead Sciences(GILD) HIV drugs, Cerner(CERN) electronic health care records. Health ETFs.
HEALTH/BIOTECH ETFs -- NOT ACTING SICK OVER NEW ADMINISTRATION
NAME, TICKER & TheStreet.com RATINGS GRADE TOTAL NET ASSETS ($MIL.) TOTAL EXPENSE RATIO (%) 1-MO. TOTAL RET'N (%) 3-MO. TOTAL RET'N (%) 12-MO. TOTAL RET'N (%)
First Trust AMEX Biotechnology (FBT) C 49.6 0.60 -1.93 -5.67 -15.71
First Trust Health Care AlphaDEX (FXH) D 8.5 0.70 2.38 1.25 -23.64
Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) B+ 2,377.1 0.22 -1.21 -0.79 -20.61
HOLDRS Biotech (BBH) A- 1,370.8 0.00 -1.22 0.07 7.72
HOLDRS Pharmaceutical (PPH) A+ 1,037.7 0.00 -3.23 -0.56 -16.96
iShares DJ US Medical Devices Idx (IHI) C- 291.4 0.48 3.40 -12.09 -30.41
iShares DJ US Pharmaceuticals (IHE) B 71.5 0.48 -3.29 2.61 -13.50
iShares Dow Jones US Healthcare (IYH) B+ 857.7 0.48 -1.62 -2.60 -19.99
iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology (IBB) C+ 1,754.9 0.48 -0.45 -0.95 -9.34
iShares S&P Global Healthcare (IXJ) A 675.1 0.48 -5.08 -4.22 -21.52
PowerShares Dynamic Biotech&Genome (PBE) C- 199.0 0.63 0.44 -5.88 -20.81
PowerShares Dynamic Hlthcare (PTH) C- 119.0 0.66 -2.55 -6.25 -31.58
PowerShares Dynamic Pharmaceuticals (PJP) B 106.6 0.63 -4.84 -0.38 -11.83
PowerShares FTSE RAFI Health Care (PRFH) C 14.2 0.75 -4.25 -3.97 -22.13
SPDR S&P Biotech ETF (XBI) C- 264.3 0.35 -1.59 -1.33 -4.73
SPDR S&P Pharmaceuticals ETF (XPH) A- 9.3 0.35 -2.82 8.27 -6.44
Vanguard Health Care ETF (VHT) B 614.0 0.20 -1.71 -2.51 -20.47
S&P 500 Total Return Index - - -8.21 -13.76 -38.26
Source: TheStreet.com Ratings & Bloomberg (Data as of 1/31/2009)

Fool - Reading list.
Elementary School:
One Up On Wall Street, by Peter Lynch
Buffett: The Making of An American Capitalist, by Roger Lowenstein
Value Investing With the Masters, by Kirk Kazanjian
Junior High:
The 5 Keys to Value Investing, by J. Dennis Jean-Jacques
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, by Philip Fisher
High School:
John Neff on Investing, by John Neff
The Intelligent Investor, by Benjamin Graham
University:
Stocks for the Long Run, by Jeremy Siegel
Quality of Earnings, by Thornton Oglove
You Can Be a Stock Market Genius, by Joel Greenblatt
Grad School:
Value Investing: A Balanced Approach, by Martin Whitman
The Road to Serfdom, by F.A. Hayek

Zacks - Baxter International(BAX), Fuel Systems Solutions(FSYS).
Investment U - two ways to play the coming water boom, Veolia Enviroment(VE) and Calgon Carbon Corporation(CCC).
TheStockAdvisors - Loews(L) is the holding company of the Tisch family, a way of buying a collection of good stocks at a discount, is a value investor stock of buying quality assets cheaply when they are out of favor, a recent value calculation for Lowes puts it at $39 a share, and trading at a 38% discount to its Net Asset Value. Now at 7x earnings. McDonald's(MCD) is earning a lot of cash, and is a Buy.

Thurs Feb 5th, 2009 dailystocktracking

Street - Upgrades, Affiliated Managers(AMG) target $50, Marvell Technology(MRVL) target $10, Windstream(WIM) target $9. Cramer - China has the big economic stimulus package which is good for stocks like Qualcomm(QCOM), Mosaic(MOS), Deere(DE), Schlumberger(SLB), and Nucor(NUE), bull on Duke Energy(DUK) and Foster Wheeler(FWLT). Top 5 mid-caps, DeVry(DV), Landauer(LDR), ManTech International(MANT), Haemonetics(HAE), New Jersey Resources(NJR).
TheStockAdvisors - Quanta Services(PWR) to rebuild the nations power grid and communications system. Two gold miners, the more conservative Newmont Mining(NEM) would be a good buy in the low $40s, and the more speculative Royal Gold(RGLD) try to get in under $46. Questar(STR) is a "cheap" natural gas utility, buy aggressively on dips into the $20s and nibble in the $30s, now at 11x 2009 earnings with a yield of 1.5%.

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39 year old male with live in girlfriend, two kids