Month: September 2012

This morning, Benchmark increased its price target on shares of McGraw-Hill (MHP) to $64 per share as the number of bonds being issued has increased. With the higher price target, Benchmark raised its EPS estimates and maintained its buy rating.

This morning, Goldman Sachs upgraded shares of Corning (GLW) from neutral to buy as the company should see earnings improve as capital spending declines. With the upgrade, Goldman set a price target of $16 per share.

Some good news coming out of Berkshire Hathaway today, but it has nothing to do with investments. CNN reports that the investment firm’s leader, Warren Buffet, has completed his treatment for prostate cancer.Buffett, one of the richest men in the world, is legendary in the investing world for his lucrative accomplishments. He had announced in April that he had an early stage of prostate cancer, but made clear that it was not life threatening.Buffett has completed 44 days of radiation and will recover from the side effects over the coming weeks.

It was a mixed day on Wall Street as concerns over Spain weighed on the markets as did a disappointing outlook from FedEx (FDX). On the economic front, the National Association of Home Builders is reporting a rise in Homebuilder Sentiment Index to a level not seen in over 6 years.

Believe it or not, it was a year ago today that activists began the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City. To mark the occasion, protestors stormed the surrounding areas of the New York Stock Exchange.The movement has a smattering of grievances with the financial system, focusing mainly on financial inequality, unethical business practices, and the increasing influence of large corporations. This year’s showing was far more modest than 2011’s reports the LA Times, with commuters only experiencing minor interruptions on their ways to work. According to organizers, the protests will be day-long.

After the bell on Monday, Hatteras Financial (HTS) declared its quarterly dividend of 80 cents per share, a decrease of about 11% from its prior dividend. Based on the current stock price, investors can expect a yield of about 8.4% going forward.

This morning, Topeka Capital Markets increased its EPS estimates on shares of Amazon. om (AMZN) through 2013 as sales of the new Kindle Fire should drive growth at the company in the short term.

Greek finance minister sees deficit squeezed by recession, but Greece has already accomplished two-thirds of fiscal adjustment. Rough cut (no reporter narration).

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 dollars to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

The Daily Ticker’s Henry Blodget interviews Eurasia Group’s David Gordon