Merrill Lynch Put Options Up 150%
On September 5, I mentioned Goldman Sachs (GS, $157.00, down $4.67) had downgraded Merrill Lynch (MER, $22.75, down $2.01) to […]
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Company Commentary
Market Analysis, Company Commentary, Daily Update
Market Notes – Strangle Option Play Up Sharply
As we head to lunch, here’s some tidbits on some of the stocks we are currently following. On September 2,
Daily Update, Company Commentary
UAL Hit By False Bankruptcy News
And yet another reason never to buy an Airline stock. One of the best pieces of advice someone ever gave
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Fannie and Freddie Under a Buck
Fannie Mae (FNM, $0.73, down $6.31) and Freddie Mac (FRE, $0.88, down $4.22) did their best Enron imitation on Monday
Company Commentary, Daily Update
RIMM at $100
Research in Motion (RIMM, $100.90, down $6.05) is trading lower after opening the morning at $111. The volatility has picked
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Merrill Lynch Downgraded to Sell
Seems like someone on Wall Street doesn’t trust Merrill Lynch (MER, $25.45, down $0.76) either. The stock is down 3%
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Potash In a Freefall?
If a stock drops $90 from $240 to $150 in 2 1/2 months is it a buy? That’s an open-ended
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Home Depot Option Calls up 50%
Home Depot (HD, $29.33, up $1.26) had another big day Wednesday, rising 4.5% ahead of the August same-stores sales figures
Company Commentary, Daily Update
McDonald's Update
McDonald’s (MCD, $62.91, up $0.91) soared with the market yesterday and here’s the quick update. The stock hit a high
Daily Update, Company Commentary
McDonald's Could Surprise
The recent drop in McDonald’s (MCD, $62.00, down $0.85) stock price may have provided us an opportunity to go long.
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Opening Bell/ Closing Trades
The market has just opened and the financial stocks look like they will be trading lower. I’ve been mentioning four
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Fannie and Freddie Continue Surge
Fannie Mae (FNM, $6.48, up $0.86) and Freddie Mac (FRE, $4.75, up $0.78) each gained 15% and 20%, respectively, on
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Home Depot LEAPs Higher
Home Depot’s (HD, $27.40, up $0.38) stock has managed to trade higher since the company announced earnings despite a choppy
Daily Update, Company Commentary
NetFlix Trades Under $30
It”s almost been a couple of weeks since I’ve mentioned NetFlix (NFLX, $30.09, up $0.15) and the last time I
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Market Analysis
Financial Stocks Rally
A week ago, we scaled into a few positions in the financial stocks hoping for a quick rebound. In the
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Lehman Up on Buyout Rumor
Lehman Brothers (LEH, $15.82, up $2.10) is trading higher this morning on news that the Korea Development Bank was considering
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Fannie and Freddie: The Other Side of the Coin
Yesterday I mentioned that I couldn’t find a compelling reason to go long on Fannie Mae (FNM, $4.40, down $1.61)
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Yahoo / Microsoft
Timing is Everything
The “timing is everything” quote couldn’t have had more meaning today with a few of our trades. The bears had
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Sectors
Financial Stocks Weaker
The ride for the financial stocks has accelerated to the downside over the past few weeks and some big names
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Harley-Davidson Stopped Out
Harley-Davidson (HOG, $40.17, down $2.27) took a stab at $43 but folded like a cheap lawn chair when the market
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Earnings
Nvidia Options Active
Nvidia (NVDA, $13.00, up $0.74) is up 25% for the month despite reporting a lousy quarter. You know when the
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Netflix Could Fall
NetFlix (NFLX, $31.78, up $0.62) has just reported an outage of some sorts with its website or database that could
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Sonic Marches Higher
Sonic (SONC, $16.70, up $0.13) continues to trade higher on no real news. The restaurant sector has done well over
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Genentech Hits All-Time High
Genentech (DNA, $98.12, up $0.29) has hit an all-time high this morning. Although we still haven’t heard from the company’s
Daily Update, Company Commentary
McDonald's at 52-Week High/ Sonic Up
McDonald’s (MCD, $64.23, up $2.37) is bending over backwards and doing cartwheels as we head into the Olympics. The timing
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Abercrombie Hits New Lows
Tough day for Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF, $50.51, down $5.22). The stock is shedding 9% after reporting same-store sales were
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Financial Stocks Moving Higher
Wachovia (WB, $18.32, up $1.20) is the top performer among financial stocks today as we get closer to the Federal
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Biotech Sector Mixed
The biotech stocks were hot on Thursday but some of them are taking huge blows today after a drug safety
Daily Update, Market Analysis, Company Commentary
Market Back in Bear Territory
Just when it looked like the market had turned a corner, the bears once again seized control. Oil had a
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Chipotle Mexican Grill Update
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG, $66.04, down $0.27) has continued its downtrend today following last week’s drubbing. The stock was hit
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Earnings
Wachovia Continues Higher
Wachovia (WB, $17.65, up $0.86) was up another 5% yesterday following Tuesday’s massive 29% gain despite an earnings report that
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Merck Update
It’s been a rough couple of days for Merck (MRK, $31.33, down $4.00). The stock followed Monday’s 6% decline with
Daily Update, Sectors, Company Commentary
LEAP Lottery Plays Doing Well
Let’s go over the report card for the Financial sector and see where we stand as far as it concerns
Daily Update, Sectors, Company Commentary
News Flash: Bernanke Set to Speak
We’re moments away from testimony from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke who will speak before the Senate Banking Committee any
Daily Update, Market Analysis, Company Commentary
Why You Never Buy at the Open
Regular readers of the blog know that I always try and wait to buy options at least 30 minutes after
Daily Update, Company Commentary
It's Official: Anheuser-Busch Agrees to Merger
Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $67.50, up $1.00) said “yes” to InBev’s $52 billion takeover bid in a deal that will create the
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Sectors
Financial Stocks Get Lift
Over the weekend, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department announced a plan to help hurting mortgage giants Fannie Mae
Daily Update, Market Analysis, Company Commentary, Stock Earnings
Breaking News: Dow Slips Below 11,000
The Dow has just traded below 11,000 for the first time in two years as it is down 235 points
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Fannie and Freddie Spell T-I-M-B-E-R!
When there’s smoke that usually means fire and that was my theme for Fannie Mae (FNM, $7.39, down $5.81) and
Daily Update, Company Commentary
InBev Raises Offer for Anheuser-Busch
It looks like InBev and Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $65.73, up $4.52) have begun negotiations for a friendly merger after InBev reportedly
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Fannie and Freddie Spell F-I-R-E!
Fannie Mae (FNM, $13.49, down $1.82) and Freddie Mac (FRE, $7.64, down $2.59) are having a tough week as concerns
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Cisco Systems Hits 52-Week Low
One of the biggest names in technology, Cisco Systems (CSCO, $21.65, down $1.23), took out its 52-week low today after
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Rambus on the Move
Shares of Rambus (RMBS, $17.67, up $1.17) have been volatile lately. The stock is up 7% today, following yesterday’s 9%
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Merrill Lynch Selling Assets
Merrill Lynch (MER, $30.12, down $1.00) started the morning in positive territory but is now down over 3% as we
Daily Update, Market Analysis, Company Commentary
Market Lower, GM Puts Soar, Chipotle Breaks Down
After spending the morning in positive territory, the market faded yesterday as oil climbed to a new high of $144
Daily Update, Company Commentary
GM's Wild Ride/ Merrill Update
General Motors (GM, $10.50, down $1.25) has been insane over the past 24 hours. Tuesday, the stock ended the session
Daily Update, Company Commentary
FedEx, UPS Update
A week ago I gave an update on FedEx’s (FDX, $75.01, down $3.78) after United Parcel Service (UPS, $59.73, down
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Ford Continues Lower
As we head to lunch, the market is slightly higher but not by much. Meanwhile, Ford Motor (F, $4.80, down
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Bud Rejects InBev
Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $62.54, up $1.19) is rejecting InBev’s $46 billion bid and gave a forecast of higher 2008 and 2009
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Research In Motion Update
Research In Motion (RIMM, $123.46, down $18.88) got one yesterday, falling 13%, after the market digested its earnings report. The
Company Commentary, Daily Update
General Motors Gets Sacked, Ford Puts Double
General Motors (GM, $11.46, down $1.35) is at a 50-year low. Yes, that’s right, GM is at multi-decade lows after
Daily Update, Company Commentary
What's Wrong With General Electric?
Shares of General Electric (GE, $27.59, up $0.19) hit a 52-week low yesterday before rebounding to close in positive territory.
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Cooper Tire Going Flat
Cooper Tire & Rubber (CTB, $7.92, down $0.37) delivered more bad news on Tuesday. The company said it is cutting
Daily Update, Yahoo / Microsoft, Company Commentary
Breaking News: Microsoft/ Yahoo Talks Back On
1:10PM EST It looks like Microsoft (MSFT, $27.82, down $0.15) and Yahoo (YHOO, $22.43, up $0.98) are crying “wolf” again.
Company Commentary, Daily Update
UPS Warns
United Parcel Service (UPS, $63.48, down $2.78) came out this morning and said that 2Q earnings would be below expectations
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Research in Motion Gets Price Upgrade
Research in Motion (RIMM, $144.28, down $0.28) is trading lower as we head to lunch despite an analyst raising his
Daily Update, Company Commentary
S&P Cuts Automakers
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered its corporate credit ratings for three U.S. automakers today. Chrysler, Ford Motor (F, $5.37,
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Ford Delays F-150
Ford Motor (F, $5.88, down $0.44) said it will delay the launch of the new F-150 pickup and will cut
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Merrill Lynch Dispels Rumors
Merrill Lynch (MER, $36.46, down $1.23) is under heavy selling pressure amid rumors of an impending profit-warning and further write-downs.
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Anheuser-Busch's Next Move
Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $61.18, up $0.13) is expected to have its board meeting within the next day or two to discuss
Daily Update, Earnings, Company Commentary
Sonic is Struggling
Sonic (SONC, $16.40, down $0.60) is trading lower this morning on a downgrade by Credit Suisse to “Neutral” from “Outperform,”
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Apple Gets Another Upgrade
Apple (AAPL, $181.43) shares were upgraded this morning ahead of the bell by Morgan Stanley (MS, $40.59). Morgan raised its
Daily Update, Earnings, Company Commentary
FedEx Earnings Preview
FedEx (FDX, $85.74, down $0.29) will report earnings Wednesday morning and I thought I would take a look at how
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Watch List: Casino/ Gaming Stocks
Casino stocks have taken the brunt of rising oil and food prices, and the credit crunch. Many of them are
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Goldman Sachs Earnings Watch
Goldman Sachs (GS, $178.29, up $11.54) is slated to report earnings before the opening bell Tuesday. The stock had a
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Harley-Davidson's LEAP of Faith
Shares of Harley-Davidson (HOG, $38.93, up $0.84) have been in a downtrend for 18 long months as the stock has
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Lehman Boots Top Brass
In an attempt to stop the bleeding at Lehman Brothers Holdings (LEH, $22.70, down $1.05), the company cut ties with
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Dude! InBev Makes Offer
InBev announced an unsolicited $46 billion bid for Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $62.70, up $4.35) after the market closed on Wednesday pushing
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Apple Falls on iPhone Details
The weakness in Apple (AAPL, $181.61, down $4.03) continued from the opening bell yesterday and actually got worse as the
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Lehman Comes Clean
Lehman Brothers Holdings (LEH, $29.48, down $2.81) confessed to the market yesterday about what the company’s plans were for raising
Daily Update, Company Commentary
McDonald's Is "Lovin' It"
McDonald’s (MCD, $59.20, up $2.25) is trading up 4% today after reporting world-wide sales for May were up nearly 8%
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Apple In Focus
The wait is over. Today, Apple (AAPL, $185.64, down $3.79) will hold its annual developers’ conference which is always an
Daily Update, Sectors, Company Commentary
Sector Watch: Coal Stocks
I’ve been getting hit with a few emails lately asking if coal is still a good buy… Coal has been
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Market Analysis
Lehman Brothers Making Market Nervous
The market went on a wild ride Tuesday after opening higher on positive comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Kaydon Hits Blue-Skies
Kaydon Corporation (KDN, $60.47, up $1.36) is doing well today and is in “blue-sky territory.” If you are unfamiliar with
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Black Box Recovers
Last Friday Black Box (BBOX, $29.31, up $1.30) fell nearly 15% after reporting earnings. Yesterday, the stock recovered about 5%
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Commodities
Chipotle Mexican Grill Update
I’ve been fielding a lot of questions on Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG, $85.07, down $1.03) lately and I thought I
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Ford/ General Motors Not Seeing Green
It has been a tough road for Ford (F, $6.87, down $0.29) and General Motors (GM, $17.60, down $0.83) lately.
Daily Update, Commodities, Company Commentary
Sector Watch: Shipping Stocks
Shipping stocks went the way of the market capping a two day sell-off as traders were nervous holding positions ahead
Daily Update, Company Commentary
This Bud's For…InBev?
There are reports out that Belgian brewer InBev is interested in making a bid for Anheuser-Busch (BUD, $56.13, up $3.55).
Company Commentary, Daily Update, Market Analysis
Got Grease?
Interesting tid-bits from the market that may or may not affect your portfolio: Fannie Mae’s (FNM, $27.77, up $0.03) CEO
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Citigroup Continues Slide
I’ve covered Citigroup (C, $21.47, down $0.64) in the past like grass on dirt but lost interest in the stock
Daily Update, Earnings, Company Commentary
What's the Deal with Imax?
It’s been a couple of months since I have mentioned Imax (IMAX, $7.38, down $0.11) so I thought I’d give
Daily Update, Company Commentary
Wind Power Plays
There were a couple of stocks which made huge moves yesterday after some positive comments on wind power plays. MasTec
Daily Update, Yahoo / Microsoft, Company Commentary
Microsoft Reopens Yahoo Discussions
You really didn’t believe Microsoft (MSFT, $29.56, down $0.42) was totally “walking away” from Yahoo (YHOO, $27.85, up $0.19) did
Company Commentary, Daily Update
Chipotle Mexican Grill Revisted
I profiled Chipotle Mexican Grill’s (CMG, $95.47, down $3.22) earnings about three weeks ago after the company beat Wall Street’s