Month: October 2012

President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney traded jabs over outsourcing during Tuesday’s presidential debate. Romney said he will label China as a currency manipulator if he is elected, while Obama said Romney’s tax proposals favor outsourcing.

Mitt Romney and Barack Obama both say their tax plans would benefit the middle class and spur job creation, and both are suggesting their opponent’s plan would do the opposite.

Stocks were higher on Thursday, with the market showing its best gain in a month, after Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, and Mattel all announce results that beat estimates. The Labor Department also announced that consumer prices rose only 0.1 percent last month, excluding food and energy costs, while gasoline prices came down since then.

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.

PNC Financial Services Group (PNC) announced that third-quarter earnings increased by 6 percent from the same period last year to $876 million, or $1.64 a share from $826 million, $1.55 cents a share. Revenue increased to $4.1 billion from $3.5 billion a year earlier.

Alliance Data (ADS) was upgraded by Wells Fargo (WFC) to out perform due to good earnings visibility. Shares are higher by about two tenths of a percent.

Goldman Sachs (GS) announced its quarterly dividend of 50 cents per share, an increase of about 9% over its prior dividend in August of 46 cents. The dividend will be paid on December 28, 2012.

In trading on Tuesday, sporting goods & activities shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 4.3%. Leading the group were shares of Premier Exhibitions (PRXI), up about 19% and shares of Wms Industries (WMS) up about 1.9% on the day.

UnitedHealth Group (UNH) announced that profit increased by 23 percent during the third quarter due to increased enrollment, as well as lower spending. Net income increased to $1.56 billion, or $1.50 per share, up from $1.27 billion, or $1.17 per share, in the same period last year.

As the saying goes, there are many possible reasons for an insider to sell a stock, but only one reason to buy — they expect to make money. So let’s look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.