Month: March 2012

Datsun has returned. Yes, the brand that made Japanese carmaker Nissan a household name is being revived after three decades. The carmaker announced the decision on Tuesday, saying the return of the brand will increase sales in developing markets such as Russia and India. The brand will most likely focus on the compact/mini-car segment with stress on reliability and affordability. Nissan will hold press conferences in Tokyo and Mumbai tomorrow to announce its plans for the brand.Datsun debuted in Japan in 1932 and sold cars in America over 50 years ago. It was discontinued in 1981 to to unify the model lineup under the Nissan brand.

GE (NYSE:GE) announced its plans to open a new factory for appliances in Louisville, Kentucky.Along with a new factory opening, the company revealed its new line of refrigerators, which GE hopes to launch by 2014.General Electric (NYSE:GE) has potential upside of 9.2% based on a current price of $20.1 and an average consensus analyst price target of $21.94.General Electric is currently above its 50-day moving average (MA) of $19.09 and above its 200-day of $17.39.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) shares fell over 2% in midday trading on Tuesday after the company announced sales of its retail machines slowed in the past months.In January, sales were up 47% then fell to 39% by mid-February even in Asia where sales fell to 20% in February.Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) has potential upside of 17.3% based on a current price of $110.89 and an average consensus analyst price target of $130.11.

Resource America Incorporated (REXI) maintained its quarterly dividend of 3 cents per share. The cash dividend will be paid on April 30, 2012 to all holders of record at the close of business on April 20, 2012.

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) plans to announce a major restructuring plan today that will include the merger between its PC and printing divisions.Included in the restructuring plans is the firing of chief V.J. Joshi, sources told AllThingsD.Both of the HP units posted weak revenue in its fiscal Q1, as each fights to offset cannibalization from competing technologies, tablets cutting into PC sales and online photo sharing cutting into the printing figures.

Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) plans to announce a major restructuring plan today that will include the merger between its PC and printing divisions.Included in the restructuring plans is the firing of chief V.J. Joshi, sources told AllThingsD.Both of the HP units posted weak revenue in its fiscal Q1, as each fights to offset cannibalization from competing technologies, tablets cutting into PC sales and online photo sharing cutting into the printing figures.

JP Morgan (NYSE:JPM) just announced that it will doll out $150 million in order to settle a class-action suit filed by 3 pension funds over losses in medium-term notes issued by investment vehicle Sigma Finance, which went belly up in 2008.JP Morgan invested in Sigma notes for the plaintiff.JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM) has potential upside of 5% based on a current price of $45.48 and an average consensus analyst price target of $47.75.

Source: ForexYard

The Japanese yen was up and down on Wednesday against the USD. The beginning of Wednesday saw the yen making gains against the greenback but as the day moved on the dollar eventually came out on top. Towards the end of the afternoon, the yen was trading at 83.83 against the dollar.

A combination of mixed news from the U.S. as well as continued uncertainty regarding where the yen will move is contributing to the back and forth behavior of the USD/JPY. The U.S. has recently released various reports indicating strength in the economic recovery underway but yesterday’s home sales figures were a disappointment to many. Meanwhile, the yen continues to trade well above the 80.00 mark as investors express their uncertainty as to which way the Japanese economy and, subsequently, the currency will move.

Forex Market Analysis provided by ForexYard.

© 2006 by FxYard Ltd

Disclaimer: Trading Foreign Exchange carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. There is a possibility that you could sustain a loss of all of your investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with Foreign Exchange trading.

Source: ForexYard

Crude oil made modest gains on Wednesday as a combination of various events around the market put things in a stand still for oil. For most of Wednesday crude oil didn’t make many moves one way or the other but seemed to take advantage of possible nervous sentiment regarding U.S. home sales numbers being released later in the day. Towards the end of the afternoon crude oil stayed close to the 106.22 mark, indicating a mild jump from Tuesday’s high point.

Following the release of the U.S. home sales figures investors turned bearish on the dollar due to the lackluster numbers. In other news, the U.S. Department of Energy indicated the level of crude oil reserves has increased by 2 million barrels as of last week. The combination of these developments could lead to the possibility that crude oil will continue to hover around its current position.

Forex Market Analysis provided by ForexYard.

© 2006 by FxYard Ltd

Disclaimer: Trading Foreign Exchange carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. There is a possibility that you could sustain a loss of all of your investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with Foreign Exchange trading.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE:KKD) will release its Q4 earnings after the close today.Analysts are expecting EPS of $0.06 and revenues of $101.29 million.Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (NYSE:KKD) has potential upside of 7% based on a current price of $8.26 and an average consensus analyst price target of $8.84.Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is currently above its 50-day moving average (MA) of $7.85 and above its 200-day of $7.77.