Month: April 2012

Alliance Data (ADS) today had its price target and estimates increased by Credist Suisse (CS). The firm believes that Alliance Data shares should reach $150 after the company announced positive revised guidance.

Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned cash to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

Shares of MEMC Technology (NYSE:WFR) are trading 10% higher along with First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) on news the latter would dramatically restructure itself.First Solar, which manufactures polysilicon wafers, has outperformed its sector by 1% year-to-date.First Solar said it would cut 2,000 jobs or 30% of its workforce and close a plant in Frankfurt. The company added that it would indefinitely idle four production-lines in Kulim, Malaysia.First Solar said it is projecting savings of $100 million – $120 million a year, but will take charges of $245 million – $370 million.First Solar will also pay down $145 million of debt.

In trading on Friday, general contractors & builders shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.8%. Leading the group were shares of Beazer Homes USA (BZH), up about 5.7% and shares of D R Horton (DHI) up about 4.9% on the day.

GE (GE) reported that it earned $3.03 billion, or 29 cents per share, down from $3.43 billion, or 31 cents per share, in the same period last year. The results included a $200 million charge for exiting its Irish mortgage business.

According to yahoo news, Verizon has revealed its plan to auction a parcel of radio frequencies worth billions of dollars. As the number of cell phone users in the country grows exponentially, cell service seem to be dwindling in availability. Already the nations largest cell phone carrier, Verizon is smoothing out several deals to buy cell phone spectrum from cable companies and Leap Wireless. They propose to spend over $4 billion to take a gigantic stride ahead of other carriers, but are being barred by public interest groups claiming verizon would be bordering on a monopoly. In 2008, Verizon started buying up UHF Television stations across the country, much of which is contributing spectrum to their newest, 4-G light network. Despite Fears from anti-monopoly-verizonites, Verizon spokeswoman Robin Nicol claims that Verizon intends to provide the newly acquired spectrum to other, smaller cell phone providers, giving them an edge in the market. AT&T, Verizon’s top competitor, has denied to comment on Verizon’s proposal.At midday, verizon was trading at $37.62, down 10 cents or .26%.

Small business owners should beware of the upcoming United States Post Office closings around May 15. In a plan to save money across the board, the USPS will move toward the execution phase of their plan, closing a potential of 250 post offices and distribution centers, across the country. Unless Congress prevents the motion, this could mean traveling greater distances and more crowded waits to mail your packages.This move may only be noticed in smaller counties and areas that are serviced by local branches, but it is not to be balked at. Customers have already experienced an increase in the lines at Post Offices having to wait up to 45 minutes or an hour, to see a clerk–this on top of a commute to Post Offices further than twice the distance as the one they are covering for.Many small companies are feeling the effects directly from an employment/sales standpoint. Thousands of small stores that employ only one or two people would have to close in order to make the post office in time for a delivery. This, in turn, could cost them much needed sales. If a company isn’t technologically prepared to do business online and remotely, the upcoming closings could be drastic.For updates of closings in your area, check about.usps.com/service-alerts.

While many US companies have embraced the Ipad and Iphone as in store necessities such as cash registers, product scanners, and information guides, the LOUVRE in Franch has partnered up with a different, and unlikely technology.The new NINTENDO 3ds has worked it’s way into the hands of 1500 Louvre patrons, giving them unprecedented control and insight into the world famous museum’s attractions. While several Janese attractions have been utilizing the original handheld Nintendo DS, this current unit boasts an internal gyroscope, programmable memory cards, and a 3d display with camera and video functionality. IT will surely change the way to spend your time at the museum.Nintendo is currently down 48 cents at $17.10 amidst a range of 17.02 and 17.30, but should find support in the upcoming weeks.

American Express (AXP) today had its price target increased by Morgan Stanley (MS) to $61 with an equal weight rating, as the company has been experiencing higher sales growth. Shares are lower by about nine tenths of a percent.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) was upgraded from Neutral to Buy at Longbow today. The stock closed yesterday at $106.74 on volume of 6.2 million shares, below average daily volume of 6.8 million.Caterpillar has overhead space with shares priced $106.74, or 18.5% below the average consensus analyst price target of $131.00. The stock should hit resistance at its 50-day moving average (MA) of $110.42, as well as support at its 200-day MA of $97.26.Over the past year, Caterpillar has traded in a range of $67.54 to $116.95 and closed yesterday at $106.74, 58% above that low. Over the past week, the 200-day moving average (MA) has remained constant while the 50-day MA has declined 0.2%.