<?xml version="1.0"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">
<channel>
<title>BloggingStocks</title>
<link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com</link>
<description>BloggingStocks</description>
<image>
<url>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif</url>
<title>BloggingStocks</title>
<link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com</link>
</image>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.</copyright>
<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>10 tech giants to buy now, new life for grocery store standbys &amp; America's most in-debt households - Today in Money 8/6</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/aapl/" rel="tag">Apple Inc (AAPL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/csco/" rel="tag">Cisco Systems (CSCO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hpq/" rel="tag">Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/twx/" rel="tag">Time Warner (TWX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/intc/" rel="tag">Intel (INTC)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nok/" rel="tag">Nokia Corp. (NOK)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/s/" rel="tag">Sprint Nextel Corp (S)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mandftoday/" rel="tag">Money and Finance Today</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfmi/" rel="tag">Whole Foods Market (WFMI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/orcl/" rel="tag">Oracle Corp (ORCL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nws/" rel="tag">News Corp'B' (NWS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/qcom/" rel="tag">QUALCOMM Inc (QCOM)</a></p><strong>In the News:</strong>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/freddie-mac-reports-loss-of-821-million/120380" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/freddie-mac-reports-loss-of-821-million/120380">Freddie Mac Reports $821 Million Loss in 2Q</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/cisco-profit-up-44-percent-beats-street/119677" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/cisco-profit-up-44-percent-beats-street/119677">Cisco Profit Rises 4.4%; Beats Estimates, Stock Rises</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/business/07warner.html?_r=1&amp;ref=business&amp;oref=slogin" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/business/07warner.html?_r=1&amp;ref=business&amp;oref=slogin">AOL Weights on Time Warner as Profit Drops 26% in 2Q; Tops Street Estimates; Will Split AOL</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/business/07phone.html?ref=business" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/07/business/07phone.html?ref=business">Sprint Nextel Reports a Loss as Revenue Falls</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/whole-foods-misses-lowers-outlook/119691" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/whole-foods-misses-lowers-outlook/119691">Whole Foods Profit Plunges 30%, Drastically Lowers Outlook; Stock Drops</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/26043114" title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/26043114">Priceline Stock Slammed After Warns of Possible Troubles Ahead</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/business/06news.html?ref=business" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/business/06news.html?ref=business">News Corp. Reports Sharp Rise in Profit</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/business/06fuel.html?ref=business" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/business/06fuel.html?ref=business">Winter Heating Bills Expected to Rise</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2008-08-05-retailer-identity-theft_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip" title="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/2008-08-05-retailer-identity-theft_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip">11 Charged in the Massive TJX ID Theft Case That Affected 94 Million Shoppers of 10 Retailers</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/dennys-ihop-try-to-reclaim-breakfast/116179" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/dennys-ihop-try-to-reclaim-breakfast/116179">Denny's, IHOP Try to Reclaim Breakfast</a></div>
<br /><strong>10 Tech Giants to Buy Now</strong><br />Shares of companies such as IBM, Nokia and Microsoft have taken a hit along with the rest of the market, but they don't deserve to be this cheap. Other tech stocks to consider include Apple, Cisco, Google, HP, Intel, Oracle and Qualcomm.<br /><a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/value/archive/2008/va0805.htm">Ten Tech Giants to Buy Now - Kiplinger.com</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>New Life for Grocery Store Standbys</strong><br />Innovation is Pinnacle's lifeblood. The N.J.-based company -- which so far owns or licenses more than a dozen food brands -- specializes in acquiring venerable, but stagnant, brand names in need of TLC. It then works to breathe new life into them with updated formulations, new products, improved packaging, added convenience and smart marketing. Among the brands in Pinnacle's cub bard are Duncan Hines, Lender's Bagels, Log Cabin, Hungry Man, Mrs. Butterworth, Aunt Jemima, Swanson and more.<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2008-08-05-pinnacle-blackstone-brands_N.htm">Pinnacle gives new life to old standbys - USATODAY.com</a> <strong><br /></strong><strong><br /><br />America's Most In-Debt Households<br /></strong>Residents of Modesto, California have the distinction of being the most in-debt city in the country with only 19% of home equity on average in their homes. Residents of Indianapolis, Minneapolis and Atlanta also are among the most in-debt households in the country.<br /><a href="http://www.forbes.com/home/2008/08/05/equity-cities-foreclosure-forbeslife-cx_mw_0805realestate.html">America's Most In-Debt Households - Forbes.com</a> <br /> <strong><br />American Eyeful</strong><br />The clothing company, known for ads resembling 1980s porn and for the pervy antics of controversial founder Dov Charney, is seeing sales climb as it buys up more cheap ad space on sites such as MySpace and Facebook than any other U.S. apparel retailer.<br /><a href="http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/top-5/2008/08/06/American-Apparels-Internet-Ads">American Apparel's Internet Ads - Portfolio.com</a> <br /> <strong><br />Protect Yourself Online &amp; 7 Common Mistakes to Avoid</strong><br />Consumer Reports' exclusive survey and tests reveal where the biggest security threats still exist. We tell you how to avoid becoming one of the millions of victims. Plus: These common mistakes can ruin your computer or invite identity theft.<br /><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/computers/internet-and-other-services/protect-yourself-online/overview/protect-yourself-online-ov.htm">ConsumerReports.org - Protect yourself online: State of the net 2008</a> <br />Also: <a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/computers/internet-and-other-services/7-online-blunders/overview/7-online-blunders-ov.htm">ConsumerReports.org - Online blunders: common mistakes</a> <br /> <strong><br />Is the U.S. Government Exposing You to ID Theft?<br />CR Investigates.</strong> Government is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to exposing your personal information. Here's what you can do about it.<br /><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/credit-loan/identity-theft/government-id-leaks/overview/government-id-leaks-ov.htm">ConsumerReports.org - Government ID leaks: CR Investigates</a> <br /> <strong><br />What's Tops for the Tub: Best Shower Cleaners</strong><br />As frightening as the shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" is, many of us encounter something equally upsetting every time we shower or bathe, a shower or tub spotted with soap scum, mildew, rust, or hard-water stains. Consumer Reports puts 12 cleaners to the test and here is what is best for you. Comet &amp; Ajax powders were the top-rated cleaners.<br /><a href="http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/home-garden/cleaning-supplies/shower-cleaners/overview/shower-cleaners-ov.htm">ConsumerReports.org - Shower cleaners: What's best for your tub?</a> <br /> <strong><br />4 Steps to Boost Your Car's Trade-In Value</strong><br />Getting a great deal on a trade-in comes down to a little preparation and driving a hard bargain on the lot. <br /><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20080723_car_trade_value_a1.asp">4 steps to boost car trade-in value -Bankrate.com</a><br /><br /> <strong>How Brad &amp; Angelina's Twins Can Save the World</strong><br />Brad and Angelina are reportedly donating the proceeds from their $14 million People magazine payday to charity. Here's what that money can accomplish in the third world. <br /><a href="http://www.mainstreet.com/how-brad-and-angelina-s-twins-can-save-world">How Brad and Angelina's Twins Can Save the World | MainStreet</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>The Web's 10 Most Unusual Social Networks</strong><br />Odd hobbies? Bizarre preoccupations? You'll fit right in. Witness the rise of niche social networks, where hamster enthusiasts, mustache lovers, even lonely farmers can find kindred spirits to commune (and sometimes sleep) with.<br /><a href="http://www.fastcompany.com/articles/2008/08/unusual-social-networks.html">The Web's 10 Most Unusual Social Networks | Fast Company</a><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1276891/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/06/2/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><dc:creator>Allan Halprin</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-08-06T09:11:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>RadiSys Corporation (RSYS): Shares cycle in  bullish 'flag' pattern</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nok/" rel="tag">Nokia Corp. (NOK)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nt/" rel="tag">Nortel Networks (NT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analysis/" rel="tag">Technical Analysis</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/radisys-corporation/rsys/nas">RadiSys Corporation</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/radisys-corporation/rsys/nas">RSYS</a>) makes<a href="http://www.stockwinners.com"><img alt="" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/08/stockwinners.jpg" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" /></a> system products for embedded computer applications used in the manufacturing automation, medical, transportation, telecommunications, gaming and test equipment markets. Products include embedded boards, board-level modules and chip-level components. The company also offers system integration and repair services. Clients include <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nokia-corporation/nok/nys">Nokia</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nokia-corporation/nok/nys">NOK</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nortel-networks-corporation/nt/nys">Nortel Networks</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nortel-networks-corporation/nt/nys">NT</a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>).</p>
<p>The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 14 cents and revenues of $97.6 million. Analysts had been expecting six cents and $87.8 million. The CEO attributed success to strong demand for the company's wireless and IP media server products. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 16-22 cents (nine cent consensus) and Q3 revenues to $98-$103 million ($91.2M consensus).</p><p>RSYS shares<img alt="" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/08/rsys08042008.gif" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" /> popped on the news and then moved into a bullish "flag" consolidation pattern. Stocks frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling on entry. In this case, that would be to the upside.</p>
<p>Brokers recommend the issue with one "strong buy", one "buy" and one "hold". Analysts see a 15% average annual growth rate, through the next five years. The RSYS Price to Sales ratio (0.71), Price to Book ratio (1.27), Price to Cash Flow ratio (9.53), Price to Free Cash Flow ratio (7.72), Sales Growth rate (29.61%) and EPS Growth rate (-0.09 to +0.14) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&amp;P 500 averages. Institutional investors hold about 95% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&amp;P 600 SmallCap Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $8.02 and $17.48. A stop-loss of $9.90 looks good here.</p>
<p><em>Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for <a href="http://www.theflyonthewall.com/splashPage.php?source=AOL">Theflyonthewall.com</a> and the Vice-President of <a href="http://www.stockwinners.com">Stockwinners.com</a>. He does not hold positions in any of the stocks mentioned above.</em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1274653/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/08/04/radisys-corporation-rsys-shares-cycle-in-bullish-flag-patt/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>flag</category><category>fundamental analysis</category><category>FundamentalAnalysis</category><category>momentum</category><category>RadiSys Corporation</category><category>RadisysCorporation</category><category>RSYS</category><category>technical analysis</category><category>TechnicalAnalysis</category><dc:creator>Larry Schutts</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-08-04T11:45:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Chinese markets: The truth will set you free -- maybe</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/international-markets/" rel="tag">International markets</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/china/" rel="tag">China</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ptr/" rel="tag">PetroChina Co Ltd ADR (PTR)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hnp/" rel="tag">Huaneng Power Intl ADS (HNP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jci/" rel="tag">Johnson Controls (JCI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hon/" rel="tag">Honeywell Intl (HON)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/utx/" rel="tag">United Technologies (UTX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/lfc/" rel="tag">China Life Insurance ADS (LFC)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/headline-news/" rel="tag">Headline news</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ach/" rel="tag">Aluminum Corp of China ADS (ACH)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/chl/" rel="tag">China Mobile Limited (CHL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cmed/" rel="tag">China Med Technologies Inc. (CMED)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ewbc/" rel="tag">East West Bancorp (EWBC)</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/07/beijing-08.jpg" />The Summer Olympics are only days away and what the Chinese had hoped would be their coming out party to celebrate all that is good, may instead become quite the opposite.<br /><br />The air pollution in Beijing is so bad that even reducing automobile traffic by 50% has not helped much. China is now considering a 90% reduction according to news reports. Athletes are staying in other countries until the games begin so that they may train somewhere they can breathe. There are also reports that many athletes involved in stamina events will be forced to wear masks to protect themselves from the particulates in the air. <br /><br />Now <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080730/ts_nm/olympics_dc">Reuters is reporting</a> that "Some <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1217435120_0">International Olympic Committee officials</span> cut a deal to let China block sensitive websites despite promises of unrestricted access, a senior IOC official admitted on Wednesday."<br /><br />So the world media will not be able to do their jobs in a manner they are accustomed to. But who are we actually referring to? Western media, of course, because half the world still limits access to information to some degree.<br /><br /> <!-- START SWF PUBLISHER Module: 267995 -->
<div id="swfpub_267995"> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/aol_swfobject.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/alt_content.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/aol_swfobject_helper.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/ke_kit_refresh.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/swfpublisherproxy.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script> <script src='http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/jfs_msgr.js' type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'></script>
<div type="kex_002" name="money-money.beijing.olympics-QU9MLkRBTEFKTw-v6" id="money-money.beijing.olympics">
<div style="width: 456px; height: 650px;" id="money-money.beijing.olympics-swf"> </div>
<div id="cs_feed_seo">
<h2><a href="?feeddeeplinkNum=0">Latest Olympics Photos</a></h2>
<ul>
    <p class="caption">Brazil's soccer player Diego (R) fights for the ball with Vietnam's Vu Nhu Thanh during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)</p>
    <p class="credit">Reuters</p>
    <p class="caption">Brazil's soccer player Pato (C) celebrates with his teammates Ronaldinho (L), Diego (R) and Anderson (top) after scoring against Vietnam during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)</p>
    <p class="credit">Reuters</p>
    <p class="caption">Brazil's soccer player Ronaldinho (L) fights for the ball with Vietnam's Huynh Quang Thanh (C) and Nguyen Minh Phuong (R) during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)</p>
    <p class="credit">Reuters</p>
    <p class="caption">Brazil's soccer player Ronaldinho (L) controls the ball as Vietnam's Huynh Quang Thanh watches during their friendly match at the My Dinh stadium in Hanoi August 1, 2008, in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing. REUTERS/Kham (VIETNAM) (BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 PREVIEW)</p>
    <p class="credit">Reuters</p>
    <p class="caption">Italian fencer Andrea Baldini during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press conference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)</p>
    <p class="credit">AP</p>
    <p class="caption">Italian fencer Andrea Baldini reacts during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)</p>
    <p class="credit">AP</p>
    <p class="caption">Italian fencer Andrea Baldini arrives for a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)</p>
    <p class="credit">AP</p>
    <p class="caption">Italian fencer Andrea Baldini during a press conference in Milan, Italy, Friday, Aug. 1, 2008. Baldini will miss the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for a diuretic during last month's European Championships in Ukraine. Baldini won a silver medal in foil at the 2006 and 2007 world championships and was considered a gold-medal candidate for Beijing. In the press coference Baldini said he "did not take anything". (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)</p>
    <p class="credit">AP</p>
    <p class="caption">A night view of the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", is seen during a water columns show in Beijing August 1, 2008. REUTERS/Daniel Aguilar (CHINA) (BEIJING 2008 OLYMPICS)</p>
    <p class="credit">Reuters</p>
    <p class="caption">A total solar eclipse is seen in Jiuquan, in China's western Gansu province Friday Aug 1, 2008. Millions of Chinese along the ancient Silk Road gathered Friday to gaze at a total solar eclipse, an event traditionally fraught with superstitious meaning coming one week before the start of the Beijing Olympics. (AP Photo) ** CHINA OUT **</p>
    <p class="credit">AP</p>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<script type='text/javascript' language='javascript' charset='utf-8'>   soKe.flace('money-money.beijing.olympics', '456', '650');   var uid = new Date().getTime();   var flashProxy = new FlashProxy(uid, 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/modtools/kit_swfpublisher_javascriptflashgateway.swf');   var flashvars = {};   try { flashvars.lcId = uid; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.outlet_w = '456'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.outlet_h = '650'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.targetDivId = 'money-money.beijing.olympics'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.targetAds = 'money-money.beijing.olympics'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.omniture_tracker = '0'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.adrefresh_wrapper = '1'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { flashvars.appswfURL = soKe.fv('http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&amp;dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&amp;id=323470&amp;pid=323469&amp;uts=1217626434'); } catch (Exc) { };     if (typeof(screen_name) != 'undefined') try { flashvars.userName = screen_name; } catch (Exc) { };     var params = {};   try { params.wmode = 'opaque'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { params.quality = 'high'; } catch (Exc) { };   try { params.allowscriptaccess = 'always'; } catch (Exc) { };     var attributes = {};   try { attributes.id = 'outlet'; } catch (Exc) { };    top.exd_space.refresher.mmx('money-money.beijing.olympics', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/_media/channels/ke_blank.html', '');    swfobject.embedSWF('http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf', 'money-money.beijing.olympics-swf', '456', '650', '8.0.0', 'http://www.aolcdn.com/ke/swfobject/expressinstall.swf', flashvars, params, attributes);   top.exd_space.refresher.launcher(    'money-money.beijing.olympics',{    CSS_Title:[''],    CSS_Caption:[''],    CSS_Disclaimer:[''],    CSS_Container:[''],    CSS_PhotoWell:[''],    CSS_Buttons:[''],    CSS_BtnOver:['']    }   ); </script> </div>
<!-- END SWF PUBLISHER --> <br /><br /> The biggest problem for the Chinese and the West is, and has always been, one of communication. The Chinese have made great strides to improve the paltry conditions that I will not even refer to as a living standard for their people. And yes, they are control freaks. I have witnessed that here too, although it is the western media that tries to balance this out. But we want to impose our rules and our timetable on another country and another people without walking a mile in their shoes.<br /><br />They too do not understand much about the West and have been a closed society for so long that what some see as limited progress is actually gargantuan. Then there is Tibet, another controversy that will not go away in our lifetime.<br /><br />In the meantime, investors the world over have been supporting Chinese markets and most large companies can't stop salivating over the expansiveness of China's market potential. I own Chinese stocks and our site has posted a multitude of stories on the subject. Some of the companies worth watching include:<br />
<ul id="catscurrent">
    <li id="6431"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/aluminum-corporation-of-china-limited/ach/nys">Aluminum Corp of China ADS</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/aluminum-corporation-of-china-limited/ach/nys">ACH</a>) </li>
    <li id="6431"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-life-insurance-company-limited/lfc/nys">China Life Insurance ADS</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-life-insurance-company-limited/lfc/nys">LFC</a>) </li>
    <li id="10698"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-medical-technologies-inc-ads/cmed/nas">China Med Technologies Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-medical-technologies-inc-ads/cmed/nas">CMED</a>) </li>
    <li id="10630"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">China Mobile Limited </a>(NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">CHL</a>) </li>
    <li id="6212"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">Huaneng Power Intl ADS </a>(NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">HNP</a>) </li>
    <li id="6211"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">PetroChina Co Ltd ADR</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/china-mobile-limited/chl/nys">PTR</a>) </li>
</ul>
American companies that are likely to benefit or continue to benefit from the Chinese economy as related to pollution clean-up, management, health care and maintenance include:<br />
<ul id="catscurrent">
    <li id="15856"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/east-west-bancorp-inc/ewbc/nas">East West Bancorp</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/east-west-bancorp-inc/ewbc/nas">EWBC</a>) </li>
    <li id="6416"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/honeywell-international-inc/hon/nys">Honeywell Intl </a>(NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/honeywell-international-inc/hon/nys">HON</a>) </li>
    <li id="5419"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">International Business Machines </a>(NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) </li>
    <li id="5471"><a href="http://blogsmith.aol.com/content/posts/edit/1271084/">Johnson and Johnson</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://blogsmith.aol.com/content/posts/edit/1271084/">JNJ</a>) </li>
    <li id="6406"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-controls-inc/jci/nys">Johnson Controls</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-controls-inc/jci/nys">JCI</a>) </li>
    <li id="6417"><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">United Technologies </a>(NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">UTX</a>) </li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2006/05/24/about-the-stock-bloggers-sheldon-d-liber-aia/"><em>Sheldon Liber</em></a><em> is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture &amp; planning firm. He writes the columns <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/chasing-value/">Chasing Value</a> and <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/serious-money/">Serious Money</a>. Disclosure: I own shares of ACH, HNP, JNJ, PTR.</em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1271084/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/chinese-markets-the-truth-will-set-you-free-maybe/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>ACH</category><category>Beijing Olympics</category><category>BeijingOlympics</category><category>China</category><category>CHL</category><category>CMED</category><category>EWBC</category><category>HNP</category><category>HON</category><category>IBM</category><category>JCI</category><category>JNJ</category><category>LFC</category><category>PTR</category><category>Sheldon Liber</category><category>SheldonLiber</category><category>UTX</category><dc:creator>Sheldon Liber</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-31T11:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>4 companies with strong cash flow, securing a dream retirement &amp; airlines sell frequent flier miles - Today in Money 7/31</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/yhoo/" rel="tag">Yahoo! (YHOO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sbux/" rel="tag">Starbucks (SBUX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mot/" rel="tag">Motorola (MOT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dis/" rel="tag">Walt Disney (DIS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mandftoday/" rel="tag">Money and Finance Today</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ba/" rel="tag">Boeing Co (BA)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bmy/" rel="tag">Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/imcl/" rel="tag">ImClone Systems (IMCL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dal/" rel="tag">Delta Air Lines (DAL)</a></p><strong>In the News:</strong>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/business/01bristol.html?_r=1&amp;ref=business&amp;oref=slogin" title="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/01/business/01bristol.html?_r=1&amp;ref=business&amp;oref=slogin">Bristol-Myers Offers $4.5 Billion for Rest of ImClone</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25943822" title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25943822">Exxon Mobil Earnings Have Another Record Quarter, But Stock Slumps</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/stocks-head-for-lower-open-following-gdp/99945" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/stocks-head-for-lower-open-following-gdp/99945">2Q GDP Disappoints</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/starbucks-misses-but-shares-jump/104002" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/starbucks-misses-but-shares-jump/104002">Starbucks Posts Quarterly Loss, Lowers Outlook, But Stock Jumps</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/disney-profit-rises-9-percent/107379" title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/disney-profit-rises-9-percent/107379">ESPN, Paris Theme Park Help Lift Disney Profit 9%</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25932081" title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25932081">Microsoft-Yahoo Deal Is Dead, But Revival Very Possible</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25943830" title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25943830">Motorola Posts Surprise Quarterly Gain, Stock Rises</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-07-30-phonebooks_N.htm" title="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-07-30-phonebooks_N.htm">More Hotels Evicting Phone Books From Rooms</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a href="http://r1.beta.ace.advertising.com/click/site=0000721127/mnum=0000587144/genr=1/tkdt=B0P0R1T0/u=1/xsxdata=1:93218707/zid=11655571/hr=7/hl=0/c=2/scres=4/swh=1024x768/tile=1/f=0/as=3/r=1/aolexp=0/a=1/fv=9/cstr=44636825=_4891a50c,5711808717,721127%5E587144%5E85%5E0,1_/bnum=44636825" title="http://r1.beta.ace.advertising.com/click/site=0000721127/mnum=0000587144/genr=1/tkdt=B0P0R1T0/u=1/xsxdata=1:93218707/zid=11655571/hr=7/hl=0/c=2/scres=4/swh=1024x768/tile=1/f=0/as=3/r=1/aolexp=0/a=1/fv=9/cstr=44636825=_4891a50c,5711808717,721127^587144^85^0,1_/bnum=44636825">What Happens to Bennigan's Franchisees Not That the Chain Shut Down?</a></div>
<br /><strong>4 Companies With Strong Cash Flow</strong><br />These four are in a good position to withstand the slowing economy. They include Boeing, IBM, Johnson &amp; Johnson and VF Corp.<br /><a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/smartmoney-magazine/index.cfm?story=august2008-companies-with-cash">Four Companies With Strong Cash Flow - SmartMoney.com</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>Securing Your Dream Retirement</strong><br />Planning for retirement takes as much time as planning a vacation. Plan the ultimate vacation. The key is making the right choices. Here is your guide to put you on the right path.<br /><a href="http://www.bankrate.com/aol/news/Financial_Literacy/retirement_investing/retirement_overview.asp?caret=99">Control your destiny - Bankrate.com</a><br /> <br /> <strong>Airlines Sell Frequent-Flier Miles for Fast Cash, Travelers Be Wary</strong><br />Airlines searching for extra cash to survive their deepening financial crisis are finding out just how valuable their frequent-flier programs really are. Travelers, however, could see the value of their frequent-flier miles eroded by such deals, especially since all those extra miles will be hitting the market as airlines begin shrinking capacity dramatically.<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2008-07-30-miles-frequent-flier_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip">Airlines sell frequent-flier miles for fast cash - USATODAY.com</a> <br />In the News: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/business/31delta.html?ref=business">Delta Redoes Mileage Plan for Its Fliers</a><strong><br /><br />How the New Housing Bill Can Help You</strong><br />$300 billion is being allocated to help troubled homeowners avoid foreclosure. See if you qualify.<br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/real_estate/housing_rescue_guide/index.htm">How the housing rescue bill can help you - CNNmoney</a> <br /> <strong><br />Bye Bye Baggage Claim</strong><br />With rising baggage fees, you could be better off shipping your luggage the next time you fly.<br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/30/pf/luggage_delivery/index.htm">Flyers consider shipping luggage instead of checking - CNNmoney</a> <br /> <strong><br />Your Essential Emergency Kit</strong><br /> These nine steps will protect your family and finances against disaster, whether natural or personal.<a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/columns/starting/archive/2008/st0730.htm"> Your Essential Emergency Kit - Kiplinger.com</a> <br /> <strong><br />Luxury Basements</strong><br />The basement: That dark underbelly of a house, home to mechanicals, ductwork, and, possibly, the bogeyman. It conjures up images of a spider-infested storage space at worst, a '70s-era rec room with faux-wood paneling and plaid sofa at best. But there's been a substantial trend toward upgrades below ground: That half-finished, half-furnished dungeon has evolved into a luxury playground for the entire family. The lowly basement has come up in the world, with home theaters, spas, and "fun rooms." <a href="http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/goods/real-estate/2008/07/27/Luxury-Basements">Luxury Basements - Portfolio.com</a> <br /> <strong><br />Geeks Freak Over Fat Princess</strong><br />Stuffing the princess full of cake is the key to video game victory in Sony's latest for PlayStation3. But does it cross the line? If so, it isn't alone. <br /><a href="http://www.mainstreet.com/geeks-freaking-over-fat-princess">Geeks Freak Over Fat Princess | MainStreet</a><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1271754/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/31/4/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><dc:creator>Allan Halprin</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-31T09:17:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>For blue chip buyers: 'This too shall pass'</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ge/" rel="tag">General Electric (GE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wmt/" rel="tag">Wal-Mart (WMT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pep/" rel="tag">PepsiCo (PEP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mcd/" rel="tag">McDonald's (MCD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mo/" rel="tag">Altria Group (MO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/adp/" rel="tag">Automatic Data Proc (ADP)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cl/" rel="tag">Colgate-Palmolive (CL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pg/" rel="tag">Procter and Gamble (PG)</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/02/wallstreets.jpg" />"Any further market weakness creates creates another opportunity to acquire some outstanding stocks," suggests <a href="http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/click.php?id=2133">Kelley Wright</a>, noted for his focus on blue chip, dividend-paying stocks.</p>
<p>In his <a href="http://www.thestockadvisors.com/ccount/click.php?id=2133">Investment Quality Trends</a> newsletter, he looks at the benefits of keeping a long-term focus, the value of dividend districutions to an investor's long-term returns, and his current "timely ten" picks for conservative investor.</p>
<p>"The cash dividend for the Dow is $322.40. One year ago the dividend was $284.06. Amidst all the turmoil in the markets and the economy something must be going right with the Dow 30 companies because the dividend is ever climbing. </p>
<p>"Dividends, as we all know, can only come from the reality of earnings; you can't pay what you don't have. The dividend yield on the Dow is currently 2.66%, which represents an 11% downside to a 3.0% yield and the historically repetitive area of Undervalue. </p>
<p>"Will the Average make it down to that level? No one knows but that isn't the point. At current levels the upside is FAR greater, particularly in many of the stocks in our Undervalued area.</p><p>"Fellow value lover and famed contrarian David Dreman cited recently that there have been 12 panics and recoveries since World War II. </p>
<p>"What his studies showed was that after the markets hit their lows, they were up 36.6% a year on average afterwards - and there wasn't one year that was negative. Two years after the panic lows the market, as judged by the Dow Industrials, was up 53% on average. </p>
<p>"Based on the current Dow dividend of $318.41, a 53% advance would still fall below the current Overvalue area of Dow 21,227, based on a dividend yield of 1.50%. </p>
<p>"Pie in the sky you say? Maybe, but over the long-term it is hard to bet against capitalism and the markets. In other words, this too shall pass.</p>
<p>"Meanwhile, the good news is that the retracement on the Industrials has created another opportunity to acquire some outstanding stocks that I suggest we will hold for quite some time. </p>
<p>"Our current 'Timely Ten' consists of Undervalued stocks that generally have a S&amp;P Dividend &amp; Earnings Quality rating of A- or better, and a designation for exemplary long-term dividend growth.</p>
<p>"These stocks also offer a P/E ratio of 15 or less, a payout ratio of 50% or less (75% for Utilities), debt of 50% or less (75% for Utilities), and technical characteristics on the daily and weekly charts that suggests the potential for imminent capital appreciation.</p>
<p>"It is our reasoned expectation based on our methodology and experience for what we believe will perform best over the next five years. </p>
<p>"Do we believe that all 10 will go up simultaneously or immediately? Of course not. Our four decades of research and experience, however, leads us to believe that these stocks, purchased at current Undervalued levels, are well positioned for appreciation." </p>
<p>Here are his most updated Timely Ten:</p>
<p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/colgate-palmolive-company/cl/nys">Colgate Palmolive</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/colgate-palmolive-company/cl/nys">CL</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PepsiCo</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PEP</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys">Procter &amp; Gamble</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys">PG</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">JNJ</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">McDonald's</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">MCD</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wal-mart-stores-inc/wmt/nys">Wal-Mart</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wal-mart-stores-inc/wmt/nys">WMT</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">International Business Machines</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-electric-company/ge/nys">General Electric</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-electric-company/ge/nys">GE</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/altria-group-inc/mo/nys">Altria Group</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/altria-group-inc/mo/nys">MO</a>)<br /><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/automatic-data-processing-inc/adp/nys">Automatic Data Processing</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/automatic-data-processing-inc/adp/nys">ADP</a>)</p>
<p><em>Each day, Steven Halpern's </em><a href="http://www.thestockadvisors.com/"><em>TheStockAdvisors.com</em></a><em> offers the latest market commentary and favorite investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.</em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1266448/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/25/for-blue-chip-buyers-this-too-shall-pass/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>adp</category><category>altria group</category><category>automatic data processing</category><category>AutomaticDataProcessing</category><category>blue chip stocks</category><category>BlueChipStocks</category><category>cl</category><category>colgate-palmolive</category><category>dividend investing</category><category>featured</category><category>ibm</category><category>income investing</category><category>IncomeInvesting</category><category>investment quality trends</category><category>iq trends</category><category>IqTrends</category><category>jnj</category><category>johnson johnson</category><category>JohnsonJohnson</category><category>kelley wright</category><category>mcd</category><category>mcdonalds</category><category>mo</category><category>pep</category><category>pepsico</category><category>pg</category><category>procter gamble</category><category>ProcterGamble</category><category>thestockadvisors.com</category><category>wall-mart-wmt</category><dc:creator>Steven Halpern</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-25T11:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Earnings highlights: Citigroup, eBay, IBM, Merrill Lynch, Microsoft and others</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ebay/" rel="tag">eBay (EBAY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/c/" rel="tag">Citigroup Inc. (C)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ctas/" rel="tag">Cintas Corp (CTAS)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/pg/" rel="tag">Procter and Gamble (PG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/kmb/" rel="tag">Kimberly-Clark (KMB)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ati/" rel="tag">Allegheny Technologies (ATI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hog/" rel="tag">Harley-Davidson (HOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/utx/" rel="tag">United Technologies (UTX)</a></p><p>Here are some highlights from this past week's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" target="_blank">earnings coverage</a> from BloggingStocks: </p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvid/nas"><strong>Activision Blizzard Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/activision-blizzard-inc/atvid/nas">ATVID</a>) sees <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/activision-scores-during-q1-thanks-in-part-to-kung-fu-panda/">strong Q1 results</a> driven by Guitar Hero. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/allegheny-technologies-inc-united-states/ati/nys"><strong>Allegheny Technologies Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/allegheny-technologies-inc-united-states/ati/nys">ATI</a>) raised its <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/allegheny-technologies-ati-price-defines-bullish-flag-forma/">Q2 earnings guidance</a> ahead of its report. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cintas-corporation/ctas/nas"><strong>Cintas Corp.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/cintas-corporation/ctas/nas">CTAS</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/cintas-ctas-jumps-on-good-earnings/">strong Q4</a> and full-year results included a record quarterly revenue. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/citigroup-incorporated/c/nys"><strong>Citigroup</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/citigroup-incorporated/c/nys">C</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/great-news-citi-loses-2-5-billion/">better-than-expected results</a> despite a big loss on further write-downs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas"><strong>eBay Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas">EBAY</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/ebay-just-isnt-what-it-used-to-be/">better-than-expected results</a> and offered a soft outlook (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/16/ebay-s-q2-2008-earnings-transcript/">transcript</a>). </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fastenal-company/fast/nas"><strong>Fastenal Co.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/fastrenal-company/fast/nas">FAST</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/fastenal-fast-nails-earnings/">strong Q2 earnings</a> despite the housing slump but lower revenues. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-w-inc/gww/nys"><strong>Grainger Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-winc/gww/nys">GWW</a>) posted <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/grainger-gww-gets-the-job-done/">strong Q2 results</a> on expansion in Mexico and China. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys"><strong>Harley-Davidson Inc.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys">HOG</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/harley-davidson-rallies-on-q2-earnings-but-im-not-taking-the-r/">beat Q2 expectations</a> despite profit and revenue declines. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys"><strong>International Business Machines Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) easily topped Wall Street <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/">earnings expectations</a>. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys"><strong>Johnson &amp; Johnson</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">JNJ</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/not-all-pharmas-are-created-equal-jnj-beats-estimates/">beat Q2 estimates</a> and raised its full-year forecast (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/johnson-and-johnson-s-q2-2008-earnings-transcript/">transcript</a>). </li>
    <li><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kimberly-clark-corporation/kmb/nys">Kimberly-Clark Corp.</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/kimberly-clark-corporation/kmb/nys">KMB</a>) warned of<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/before-the-bell-leh-dna-aig-kmb-len-aapl/"> lower Q2 earnings</a> due to energy and distribution costs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys"><strong>Merrill Lynch &amp; Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys">MER</a>) reported <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/merrill-gets-gored/">worse-than-expected Q2</a> results on further write downs. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas"><strong>Microsoft Corp.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/">earnings surged</a> but investors were put off by its full-year guidance. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys"><strong>Procter &amp; Gamble Co.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-procter-and-gamble-company/pg/nys">PG</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/procter-and-gamble-tells-investors-not-to-worry-should-they/">reaffirmed its guidance</a> following the Kimberly-Clark warnings. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys"><strong>United Technologies Corp.</strong></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">UTX</a>) <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/united-technologies-utx-lifted-by-strong-q2-earnings/">beat Q2 estimates</a>, lifting shares from a recent 52-week low. </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/valueclick-inc/vclk/nas"><strong>ValueClick Inc.</strong></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/valueclick-inc/vclk/nas">VCLK</a>) posted<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/closing-bell-bears-and-oil-traders-trampled-in-pamplona/"> weak results</a> and warned about the second half of the year. </li>
</ul>
<p>For more highlights from this week, see: <u><font color="#0000ff"><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-google-intel-jpmorgan-coca-cola-nokia-a/">Google, Intel, JPMorgan, Coca-Cola, Nokia and others</a></font></u></p>
<p>The earnings crunch continues next week. Among companies scheduled to report are <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">Apple</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bank-of-america-corporation/bac/nys">Bank of America</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/bank-of-america-corporation/bac/nys">BAC</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merck-and-co-inc/mrk/nys">Merck</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merck-and-co-inc/mrk/nys">MRK</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/texas-instruments-incorporated/txn/nys">Texas Intruments</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/texas-instruments-incorporated/txn/nys">TXN</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/caterpillar-incorporated/cat/nys">Caterpillar</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/caterpillar-incorporated/cat/nys">CAT</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/halliburton-company/hal/nys">Halliburton</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/halliburton-company/hal/nys">HAL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-parcel-service-cl-b/ups/nys">United Parcel Service</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-parcel-service-cl-b/ups/nys">UPS</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wachovia-corporation/wb/nys">Wachovia</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wachovia-corporation/wb/nys">WB</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yahoo-inc/yhoo/nas">Yahoo!</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yahoo-inc/yhoo/nas">YHOO</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/amazon-com-inc/amzn/nas">Amazon</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/amazon-com-inc/amzn/nas">AMZN</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/anheuser-busch-companies-inc/bud/nys">Anheuser-Busch</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/anheuser-busch-companies-inc/bud/nys">BUD</a>), <a href="http//finance.aol.com/quotes/atand-38-t-inc/t/nys">AT&amp;T Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http//finance.aol.com/quotes/atand-38-t-inc/t/nys">T</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">McDonald's</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mcdonald-s-corporation/mcd/nys">MCD</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PepsiCo</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pepsico-inc/pep/nys">PEP</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pfizer-inc/pfe/nys">Pfizer</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/pfizer-inc/pfe/nys">PFE</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys">Boeing</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-boeing-company/ba/nys">BA</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hershey-company-the/hsy/nys">Hershey</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hershey-company-the/hsy/nys">HSY</a>), and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/southwest-airlines-co/luv/nys">Southwest Airlines</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/southwest-airlines-co/luv/nys">LUV</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/earnings" target="_blank">Visit <strong>AOL Money &amp; Finance</strong> for more earnings coverage</a>.</p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1256959/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/19/earnings-highlights-citigroup-ebay-ibm-merrill-lynch-micros/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Activision</category><category>Allegheny</category><category>ATI</category><category>ATVID</category><category>Cintas</category><category>Citi</category><category>Citigroup</category><category>CTAS</category><category>earnings</category><category>eBay</category><category>FAST</category><category>Fastenal</category><category>Grainger</category><category>Guitar Hero</category><category>GWW</category><category>Harley-Davidson</category><category>HOG</category><category>IMB</category><category>JNJ</category><category>Johnson and Johnson</category><category>Kimberly-Clark</category><category>KMB</category><category>MER</category><category>Merrill Lynch</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>PG</category><category>Procter and Gamble</category><category>United Technologies</category><category>ValueClick</category><category>VCLK</category><dc:creator>Trey Thoelcke</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-19T09:40:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Oracle (ORCL) lifted by IBM earnings strength</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/good-news/" rel="tag">Good news</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/industry/" rel="tag">Industry</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/orcl/" rel="tag">Oracle Corp (ORCL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/options/" rel="tag">Options</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analysis/" rel="tag">Technical Analysis</a></p><a href="http://www.oracle.com/corporate/investor_relations/index.html" target="_blank"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/10/orcl-oracle-logo.jpg" alt="ORCL logo" /></a><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/oracle-corporation/orcl/nas">Oracle</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/oracle-corporation/orcl/nas">ORCL</a>) shares are trading higher today after competitor <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) posted <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/ap/_a/ibm-2q-profit-soars-on-services-strength/rfid122835581?channel=%22pf%22">a strong second-quarter profit that beat analysts' estimates. IBM said its sales were strongest in its information technology services division</a>, which could be a good sign for ORCL. If you think that the stock won't fall by too much in the coming months, then now could be a good time to look at a bullish hedged trade on ORCL.<br /><br />After hitting a one-year low of $18.18 in February, the stock hit a one-year high of $23.57 in June. ORCL opened this morning at $20.89. So far today the stock has hit a low of $20.65 and a high of $21.20. As of 1:15, ORCL is trading at $21.14, up 37 cents(1.8%). The chart for ORCL looks bearish and steady, while <a href="http://www.iotogo.com/spoutlookonline" target="_blank">S&amp;P</a> gives the stock its highest 5 Stars (out of 5) strong buy rating.<br /><br />For a bullish hedged play on this stock, I would consider a September <a href="http://www.iotogo.com/HSCS" target="_blank">bull-put credit spread</a> below the $18 range. A bull-put credit spread is an options position that combines the purchase and sale of put options to hedge risk in case the stock doesn't do what you think but still leverage nice returns. For this particular trade, we will make a 7.1% return in just two months as long as ORCL is above $18 at September expiration. Oracle would have to fall by more than 15% before we would start to lose money. Learn more about this type of trade <a href="http://www.iotogo.com/HSCS" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />ORCL hasn't been below $18 at all in the past year and has shown support around $20 recently. This trade could be risky if the company's earnings (due out in mid September) come out before expiration and disappoint, but even if that happens, this position could be protected by the support the stock might find at its year low, which is just above $18.<br /><br /><em>Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at <a href="http://www.iotogo.com/aolblogba" target="_blank">Investors Observer</a>. <br /><br />DISCLOSURE: Mr. Archer owns and/or controls diversified portfolios of long and short stock and option positions that may include holdings in companies he writes about. At publication time, Brent owns and controls positions in ORCL and IBM.</em><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1260417/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/oracle-orcl-lifted-by-ibm-earnings-strength/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>earnings</category><category>IBM</category><category>inthenews</category><category>Investors Observer</category><category>InvestorsObserver</category><category>options</category><category>Oracle</category><category>ORCL</category><dc:creator>Brent Archer</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-18T14:31:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Bank secrets, save thousands on medical bills &amp; states help battle foreclosure - Today in Money 7/18</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/twx/" rel="tag">Time Warner (TWX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/sbux/" rel="tag">Starbucks (SBUX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/c/" rel="tag">Citigroup Inc. (C)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/amd/" rel="tag">Advanced Micro Dev (AMD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mandftoday/" rel="tag">Money and Finance Today</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mat/" rel="tag">Mattel, Inc (MAT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wb/" rel="tag">Wachovia Corp (WB)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/teva/" rel="tag">Teva Pharm Indus ADR (TEVA)</a></p><strong>In the News:</strong>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/citigroup-posts-25-billion-loss/88476" href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/citigroup-posts-25-billion-loss/88476">Citigroup Posts $2.5 Billion Quarterly Loss, But Not As Bad As Expected</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/google-misses-expectations-shares-sink/86655" href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/google-misses-expectations-shares-sink/86655">Is Google Ordinary After All? Earnings Miss Expectations, Stock Sinks</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/merrill-gets-gored/" href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/merrill-gets-gored/">Merrill Lynch Earnings Worst-Than-Expected With $4.9 Billion Loss</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25723095" href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25723095">Microsoft's $4.3 Billion Profit Falls Short</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/17/technology/IBM_earns.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008071717" href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/17/technology/IBM_earns.ap/index.htm?postversion=2008071717">IBM Profits Surge Past Estimates</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/teva-to-buy-barr-pharma-for-more-than-7/89024" href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/teva-to-buy-barr-pharma-for-more-than-7/89024">Teva to buy Barr Pharma for More Than $7 Billion</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot;</strong> <a title="http://www.247wallst.com/2008/07/starbucks-relea.html" href="http://www.247wallst.com/2008/07/starbucks-relea.html">Starbucks Finally Releases List of 600 Stores It Will Close</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/embattled-amd-ceo-ruiz-steps-down/88401" href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/embattled-amd-ceo-ruiz-steps-down/88401">Embattled AMD CEO Steps Down</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/wachovia-raided-over-frozen-accounts/87822" href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/wachovia-raided-over-frozen-accounts/87822">Wachovia Raided Over Frozen Accounts</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.mainstreet.com/mortgage-rates-tumble" href="http://www.mainstreet.com/mortgage-rates-tumble">Mortgage Rates Tumble This Week</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25723756" href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25723756">Will the Dark Knight Bring Light to Time Warner?</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25731482" href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/25731482">Barbie &amp; Bratz Are Sisters, Court Rules</a></div>
<div><strong>&middot; </strong><a title="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-07-17-holiday-fares_N.htm" href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/travel/2008-07-17-holiday-fares_N.htm">Holiday Travel Will Get Costlier This Year</a></div>
<br /><strong>Which States Are Helping Homeowners Battling Foreclosure?</strong><br />Frustrated by the slow pace of federal relief, states around the country are pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into their own programs to stem the rising tide of home foreclosures. See if your state is stepping up to the plate.<br /><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-07-17-foreclosure-help_N.htm">States battle mortgage foreclosure threat; see chart - USATODAY.com</a><br /> <br /> <strong>10 Things Your Bank Won't Tell You</strong><br />With the recent bank failures the industry has been front page news recently. For all that fine print they don't disclose very much. All those branches aren't just about convenience; they're a bank's primary sales floor. Brochures for services as varied as retirement accounts and home loans are on display, and everyone from the teller on up is trained to make a sale. Regardless of what your credit card agreement says, you can never be sure how much interest banks will charge you. <br /><a href="http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm?story=august2008-10-things-banks-will-not-tell-you">Shhh! Secrets Your Bank Keeps - SmartMoney.com</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>Save Thousands on Your Medical Bills</strong><br />Don't let a big IOU ruin you financially. You have more ways to cut the price than you think. Here are practical ways you can trim your health costs.<br /><a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/08/save-thousands-on-medical-bills.html">Save Thousands on Your Medical Bills - Kiplinger.com</a> <br />Plus: <a href="http://www.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/2008/08/tips-to-negotiate-your-medical-bill.html">How to Negotiate to Reduce Your Medical Costs</a><br /> <br /> <strong>Crack Down on Credit Cards on College Campuses</strong><br />Been turned down for a credit card lately? Probably not if you're a teenager with no job and no credit history. Unprepared students have been increasingly targeted by card issuers, and some lawmakers are taking notice.<br /><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/10/pf/credit_cards_college/index.htm?postversion=2008071416">Credit card issuers target college students - CNNmoney</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>Facebook Creeps Me Out</strong><br />It's become the most hyped workplace obsession since the BlackBerry. But something about the social-networking site makes executives squirm.<br /><a href="http://www.portfolio.com/culture-lifestyle/goods/gadgets/2008/07/16/Facebooks-Impact-on-CEOs">Facebooks Impact on CEOs - Portfolio.com</a> <br /> <br /> <strong>Cocktails Guys Can Order and Not Feel Like Wusses</strong><br />Filled with less-than-masculine mixtures ordering a cocktail for a man won't win you any style points. So put down that fruit garnish, take the umbrella out of your straw, and sip in style with these drinks that guys shouldn't be afraid to order. <br /><a href="http://www.mainstreet.com/drinks-guys-can-order-and-not-feel-wusses">Drinks Guys Can Order and Not Feel Like Wusses | MainStreet</a><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1260188/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/b/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><dc:creator>Allan Halprin</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-18T09:23:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Before the bell: Citi earnings push futures higher despite MER, GOOG, MSFT disappointments</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/before-the-bell/" rel="tag">Before the bell</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/major-movement/" rel="tag">Major movement</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/marketmatters/" rel="tag">Market matters</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/c/" rel="tag">Citigroup Inc. (C)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jpm/" rel="tag">JPMorgan Chase (JPM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/oil/" rel="tag">Oil</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/08/bell-green.jpg" />U.S. stock futures turned higher Friday morning after earnings from Citigroup that beat expectations offset disappointment from Merrill, Google and Microsoft. There was also some pressure from oil as prices rebounded to above $131 a barrel, following <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/oil-rises-above-131-a-barrel-in-asia/87714">Nigeria cutting output</a>.<br /><br />Many on Thursday started wondering if we have seen the bottom. Stocks rallied for a second straight session as oil continued its price drop. Better -than-expected earnings for JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) again lifted banks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 207.38 points, or 1.9%, the S&amp;P 500 index rose 15.7 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 27.45 points, or 1.2%.<br /><br />Without any economic releases today, the market will continue to focus on earnings, and investors have a lot to mull, especially after Thursday's wave of financial results releases after the close, and with financials and techs being in the center of attention.<br /><br />After JPMorgan Chase brought on some optimism with its results Thursday morning, Merrill Lynch (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys">MER</a>) reported after the close a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=aLyI5VmegcSw&amp;refer=home">wider-than-expected loss</a> of $4.65 billion, or $4.9 a share, on $9.7 billion of credit-market writedowns. The loss per share was larger than any analyst had expected according to Bloomberg survey. MER shares are declining over 4.8% in premarket trading.<br /><br />But then, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/citigroup-incorporated/c/nys">C</a>) reported this morning a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=aQ1WzivpKyrk&amp;refer=home">smaller-than-expected loss</a>. The largest U.S.  bankposted a $2.5 billion second-quarter loss,  or 54 cents per share on about $7.2 billion of credit-market writedowns. Analysts estimated the loss would be $3.67 billion, according to a Bloomberg survey. Citi shares are up over 4% this morning in premarket trading. <br /><br />Also, three tech giants reported after the close Thursday: Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/microsoft-4q-profit-rises-web-ad/88402">MSFT</a>), Google Inc. (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas">GOOG</a>) and IBM (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>). Google <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/google-posts-profit-gain-falls/story.aspx?guid=%7BEB1D5843%2D95E8%2D4573%2D989D%2D7653D2022065%7D">missed expectations</a> despite posting a 35% growth in profit and its stock is over 7.2% lower in premarket trading. Similarly, Microsoft also <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/bbdp/microsoft-4q-profit-rises-web-ad/88402">missed Wall Street's expectations</a> despite posting a 13% profit growth and MSFT shares are down over 5.5% in premarket trading. IBM, however, <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/ibm-earnings-rise-22-strong/story.aspx?guid=%7BCF143936%2D0A2C%2D4EA9%2DAEE5%2D11255004E7CA%7D">topped estimates</a> with its 22% profit growth.<br /><br />Many more earnings were reported Thursday and this morning. Will the ones that beat expectations offset the disappointments? This is how today's session will likely play out.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1260061/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/18/before-the-bell-citi-earnings-push-futures-higher-despite-mer/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>c</category><category>featured</category><category>goog</category><category>ibm</category><category>jpm</category><category>mer</category><category>msft</category><dc:creator>Melly Alazraki</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-18T07:42:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Tech earnings: IBM wows, Microsoft and Google disappoint</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/09/ibm-international-business-machines-logo.jpg" />The <em>Wall Street Journal</em> reports a mixed picture on technology earnings. <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas"><font color="#888888">Google Inc.</font></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas"><font color="#888888">GOOG</font></a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas"><font color="#888888">Microsoft Corporation</font></a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas"><font color="#888888">MSFT</font></a>) disappointed investors but <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys"><font color="#888888">International Business Machines</font></a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys"><font color="#888888">IBM</font></a>) put impressive numbers on the board.</p>
<p>Here are the details:</p>
<ul>
    <li><strong>Google.</strong> The <em><a href="http://wsj.com/technology?mod=djemalertTECH">Journal</a></em> reports that Google's net was up 35%, but investors expected it to make $4.74 excluding stock options -- 11 cents more than the $4.63 it reported -- Google lost 10% of ita market value after-hours. </li>
    <li><strong>Microsoft.</strong> The <em><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121631713548562585.html?mod=2_1571_topbox">Journal</a></em> reported that Microsoft's net was up 42%, it reported EPS of 46 cents a share. But investors did not like its guidance. Microsoft's guidance of $2.12 to $2.18 per share on revenue from $67.3 billion to $68.1 billion was less than the $2.16 on revenue of $67.3 billion that analysts expected. Microsoft lost 5.7% of ots market value after-hours. </li>
    <li><strong>IBM.</strong> The <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121632606818963011.html?mod=2_1571_topbox"><em>Journal</em> </a>reports that IBM's net was up 22% to $1.98. Investors had expected it to make <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/">$1.82</a> -- its stock was up slightly in after-hours trading. </li>
</ul><p> </p>
<p>What do these results tell us about the companies and the economy? It could be that for the time being the consumer is hurting more than business buyers of technology. IBM's solid earnings suggest that businesses are in better financial shape than cash-strapped consumers. </p>
<p>Microsoft's disappointing outlook is somewhat of a concern but the 10% drop in Google's stock suggests its shareholders would be better off if its started offering guidance to Wall Street. But for a company of IBM's size to post 22% growth in these dire economic times is an eloquent statement of its strength.</p>
<p><em>Peter Cohan is President of</em> <a href="http://petercohan.com/"><em><font color="#0072bc">Peter S. Cohan &amp; Associates</font></em></a><em>. He also </em><a href="http://www3.babson.edu/Academics/Divisions/management/facultyprofile.cfm?pageid=391236"><em><font color="#0072bc">teaches management at Babson College</font></em></a><em> and edits </em><a href="http://petercohan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cohan-letter-up-15-in-2006.html"><em><font color="#0072bc">The Cohan Letter</font></em></a><a href="http://petercohan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cohan-letter-up-15-in-2006.html"><em><the cohan="" letter=""></the></em></a><em>. He has no financial interest in the securities mentioned.</em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1259594/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/tech-earnings-ibm-wows-microsoft-and-google-disappoint/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>google</category><category>ibm</category><category>ibmcorp</category><category>microsoft</category><dc:creator>Peter Cohan</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-17T17:37:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Earnings preview: Can IBM beat the Street?</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/forecasts/" rel="tag">Forecasts</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dell/" rel="tag">Dell (DELL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hpq/" rel="tag">Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a></p><p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/12/ibm-international-business-machines-logo.jpg" />Classic blue-chip tech company <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>), whose colleagues include <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas">Dell</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas">DELL</a>), <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hewlett-packard-company/hpq/nys">Hewlett-Packard</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/hewlett-packard-company/hpq/nys">HPQ</a>), is due to report earnings on Thursday after the market closes up shop. What are investors looking for? Growth, of course. Should they expect it?</p>
<p>Well, according to Trey Thoelcke's <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/">earnings data</a>, Wall Street is looking for IBM to deliver earnings per share around the $1.82 mark for the second quarter. Revenues should be near $25.9 billion. If Big Blue hits both of these numbers, it would show that the company is coming along fine and that the current level of the stock price is justified. Of course, Wall Street doesn't want IBM to merely hit those numbers. Oh no, that would be too easy. Wall Street wants IBM to beat those expectations. In terms of the bottom line, there is positive recent history for an earnings beat. The company <a href="http://finance.aol.com/earnings/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys/actuals-estimates">handily beat estimates</a> in the last two quarters, and met expectations in the two quarters previous to that time frame. </p>
<p>Will the company beat expectations? I think it will. The momentum seems to be favorable for such an outcome. In fact, in a relative sense, the stock isn't signaling a terrible report by any stretch of the imagination. The 52-week low is $97.04 and the 52-week high is $129.99. IBM closed up on Wednesday over 2% to a share price of $125.94. Doesn't sound like the market is worried, does it? </p>Of course, yesterday was a good day overall. Nevertheless, I think all signs point to a relatively nice report. Investors will be watching for how management views the current economic conditions and how IBM can cope. Again, though, if you believe stock prices send messages, then take a look at how strong IBM's shares have been during the equities meltdown. There's something to be said for the price performance and the earnings expectations.
<p>IBM isn't on my watch list, but hey, if you want to throw it on yours, be my guest, I wouldn't argue against it. I'd be careful about buying before the company issues its report; bad timing is not a good thing in this market. But I think IBM's second-quarter stats will show that Big Blue and its business is fine, and that the company will be finding more opportunities for growth going forward.</p>
<p><em>Disclosure: I don't own any company mentioned; positions can change at any time. </em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href=http://finance.aol.com/earnings/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys/actuals-estimates>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1258647/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-preview-can-ibm-beat-the-street/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>Dell</category><category>earnings preview</category><category>earnings season</category><category>EarningsPreview</category><category>EarningsSeason</category><category>featured</category><category>hewlett-packard</category><category>HPQ</category><category>IBM</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><dc:creator>Steven Mallas</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-17T09:35:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Earnings roundup: Merrill to lose, tech to win?</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jpm/" rel="tag">JPMorgan Chase (JPM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfc/" rel="tag">Wells Fargo (WFC)</a></p><p><em><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/business/business-markets-stocks.html?_r=1&amp;oref=slogin">Reuters</a></em> reports that today is a big one for bank and technology earnings. It looks like <strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys">Merrill Lynch</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/merrill-lynch-and-co-inc/mer/nys">MER</a>) will lose big and will try to soften the blow with an announcement about selling its 20% of Bloomberg LP for <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&amp;sid=aiQOV5g.sdEQ&amp;refer=home">$4.5 billion</a> to its founder, New York mayor, Michael Bloomberg. <strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/jpmorgan-and-chase-and-co/jpm/nys">JP Morgan Chase</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/jpmorgan-and-chase-and-co/jpm/nys">JPM</a>) and a handful of big technology companies are expected to report profits. But will they be enough?</p>
<p>Meanwhile, how can we make sense of yesterday's 276 point rally on Wall Street? Nobody knows what happened, but theories abound: the price of oil fell -- possibly due to anticipation that the Fed would raise interest rates to deal with inflation that is roaring out of control. Higher interest rates would strengthen the dollar, which would drive down the price of oil since it's traded in dollars. But I think yesterday's market was a short-covering frenzy. With the SEC foolishly squeezing the shorts, they needed to cover their bets that financials would fall further. Of course <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/stories/2008/07/14/daily33.html?ana=from_rss">good news</a> from <strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wells-fargo-and-company/wfc/nys">Wells Fargo</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/wells-fargo-and-company/wfc/nys">WFC</a>) didn't hurt.</p>
<p>Today's earnings -- with estimates courtesy of a Reuters analyst survey -- are likely to move the market. Here's a roundup:</p>
<ul>
    <li>
    <div>Merrill Lynch is expected to lose $1.94</div>
    </li>
    <li>
    <div>JPMorgan was expected to make $0.44, down 63% from 2007. At a Price/Earnings to Growth (PEG) ratio of 0.4 and a P/E of 12 on earnings forecast to grow <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/analyst/earnest.asp?Symbol=JPM">31%</a> to $3.34 in 2009, it looks cheap. <em><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/17/news/companies/jpmorgan/index.htm?eref=aol">CNNMoney</a></em> reports it made 54 cents -- well ahead of expectations and its shares are up 5% in premarket.</div>
    </li>
    <li>
    <div><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft Corp.</a></strong> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) will earn 47 cents a share, a 21% increase from last year. At a PEG ratio of 1.1 and a P/E of 15 on earnings forecast to grow 14.3% to <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/analyst/earnest.asp?symbol=msft">$2.16</a> in 2009, it looks reasonably priced.</div>
    </li>
</ul><ul>
    <li>
    <div><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas">Google Inc.</a></strong> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas">GOOG</a>) is likely to earn $4.72, up 61% from last year. At a PEG ratio of 1.7 and a P/E of 36 on earnings forecast to grow 25% to <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/analyst/earnest.asp?Symbol=goog">$21.57</a> in 2009, it looks expensive.</div>
    </li>
    <li>
    <div><strong><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">International Business Machines</a></strong> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) is anticipated to earn $1.82, 21% higher than 2007. At a PEG ratio of 1.3 and a P/E of 16 on earnings forecast to grow 12% to <a href="http://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/invsub/analyst/earnest.asp?symbol=ibm">$9.57</a> in 2009, it looks priced about right.</div>
    </li>
</ul>
<p>As always, I predict the market will boost the shares of companies that beat these expectations and raise their revenue and profit growth forecasts. For those that fail to beat and raise, investors could slash their shares. JPMorgan beat expectations this morning and the upside surprise is rewarding those who bet on it prior to the announcement.</p>
<p><em>Peter Cohan is President of</em> <a href="http://petercohan.com/"><em><font color="#0072bc">Peter S. Cohan &amp; Associates</font></em></a><em>. He also </em><a href="http://www3.babson.edu/Academics/Divisions/management/facultyprofile.cfm?pageid=391236"><em><font color="#0072bc">teaches management at Babson College</font></em></a><em> and edits </em><a href="http://petercohan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cohan-letter-up-15-in-2006.html"><em><font color="#0072bc">The Cohan Letter</font></em></a><a href="http://petercohan.blogspot.com/2007/01/cohan-letter-up-15-in-2006.html"><em><the cohan="" letter=""></the></em></a><em>. He owns Wells Fargo shares and has no financial interest in the other securities mentioned.</em></p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1258861/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/earnings-roundup-merrill-to-lose-tech-to-win/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>bloomberg</category><category>bloomberg lp</category><category>BloombergLp</category><category>goog</category><category>google</category><category>ibm</category><category>ibmcorp</category><category>inthenews</category><category>jpm</category><category>jpmorgan</category><category>jpmorgan chase</category><category>jpmorgan chase jpm</category><category>jpmorganchase</category><category>JpmorganChaseJpm</category><category>mer</category><category>merrill lynch</category><category>MerrillLynch</category><category>microsoft</category><category>msft</category><category>wfc</category><dc:creator>Peter Cohan</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-17T08:57:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Before the bell: Futures higher ahead of housing data and a wave of earnings; JPM, KO already reported</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/before-the-bell/" rel="tag">Before the bell</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ebay/" rel="tag">eBay (EBAY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ko/" rel="tag">Coca-Cola (KO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jpm/" rel="tag">JPMorgan Chase (JPM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mer/" rel="tag">Merrill Lynch (MER)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/economic-data/" rel="tag">Economic data</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/wfc/" rel="tag">Wells Fargo (WFC)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/housing/" rel="tag">Housing</a></p><img vspace="4" hspace="4" align="right" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2007/08/bell-green.jpg" alt="" />U.S. stock futures edged higher Thursday morning, a day after market staged a big rally. Investors this morning are bracing for some housing data, but more importantly, a wave of earnings. Already better-than-expected earnings from J.P. Morgan Chase boosted stock index futures from earlier declines this morning.<br /><br />On Wednesday, bulls finally came back in drove to but equity as oil price continued its decline and airlines and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) reported results that Wall Street found       encouraging, sending airline and financials stocks through the roof. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended a three-day losing streak, jumping 276.74 points, or 2.5%. The S&amp;P 500 climbed 30.45 points, or 2.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 69.14 points, or 3.1%.<br /><br />Still, all this sentiment might yet evaporate, or be seriously damped after housing data is released at 8:30 a.m. EDT. Building permits and housing starts for June are due out at that time. Also, weekly jobless claims will continue to paint the picture of the goings on in the labor market. At 10:00 a.m., the Philadelphia Fed index for July will be reported.<br /><br />It would be interesting to see how the data and earnings play out. Already, J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) reported it <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_a/jpmorgan-chase-profit-falls-53-pct-on/n20080717065609990022">profit sank 53%</a> in the second quarter to $2.00 billion, or 54 cents per share. That beat estimates of 44 cents share. JPM shares are up over 5.5% in premarket trading.<br /><br />Meanwhile Coca-Cola (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/coca-cola-co-the-united-states/ko/nys">KO</a>) shares are also rising 2.2% in premarket trading despite reporting a <a href="http://money.aol.com/news/articles/qp/ap/_a/coca-cola-co-2q-profit-drops-23-percent/rfid122438028?channel=%22pf%22">23% decline in second-quarter profit</a> to $1.42 billion, or 61 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, per-share earnings were $1.01, beating estimates of 96 cents per share. Revenue rose 17%.<br /><br />Still due to report today are: From financials, Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER) is due to post earnings after the market close. Then we also have a wave of heavyweight tech companies reporting today like Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and IBM (NYSE: IBM), all reporting after the close as well.<br /><br />On Wednesday, online auctioneer giant eBay (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas">EBAY</a>) reported a 22% jump in quarterly profit, but gave a soft outlook for the current third quarter. EBAY shares are declining over 9% in premarket trading.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1258874/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/17/before-the-bell-futures-higher-ahead-of-housing-data-and-a-wave/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>ebay</category><category>goog</category><category>ibm</category><category>jpm</category><category>ko</category><category>mer</category><category>msft</category><category>wfc</category><dc:creator>Melly Alazraki</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-17T07:38:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Mac clones -- good or bad for Apple?</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/law/" rel="tag">Law</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/aapl/" rel="tag">Apple Inc (AAPL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dell/" rel="tag">Dell (DELL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a></p>So the <em><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121614306199155135.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news">Wall Street Journal</a></em> and a few blogs reported that <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">Apple Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/apple-inc/aapl/nas">AAPL</a>) said Tuesday it has filed a suit against Psystar Corp., a Florida-based company that makes and sells computers that run Leopard, Apple's Macintosh operating system software. The suit was filed July 3.<br /><br />Apple seems to think that Psystar is infringing its copyrighted computers as Psystar's $600 Open Computer "violates an Apple policy that forbids people from installing Apple's Macintosh software on anything other than an Apple-labeled device."<br /><br />But according to <a href="http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/07/15/apple_finally_sues_unauthorized_clone_maker_psystar.html">AppleInsider</a>, "A representative for the company, identified only as Robert [argues] that the Mac OS X end-user license agreement, which prohibits third-party installations of Mac OS X on non-Apple hardware, stands in violation of antitrust laws." Rodolfo Pedraza, Psystar co-founder said in the past to the <em>Journal </em>that his company pays for every copy of the software it sells.<br /><br />I understand what Apple is so worried about. If anyone remembers the IBM Clones of the 80s, they also remember that very quickly IBM has lost the leadership role in the market for IBM PC compatibles by 1990. It wasn't the end for <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">International Business Machines Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>) as it derived a considerable income stream from license fees. But Macs are not just hardware, they're software too, and we all know what operating system has dominated those PCs. <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft Corporation</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>) Windows has become the global leader.<br /><br />So other than the fact that Apple has different rules on what can run on its computers, iPods and iPhones, including the strict iTunes/iPod relationship, seem strenuous to the extreme and definitely borderline violating some consumer protection laws, it's also possible Apple may be missing on a great opportunity here. The <em>Journal </em>mentions that No. 2 computer maker <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas">Dell Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/dell-inc/dell/nas">DELL</a>) is interested in making such Apple OS capable computers, meaning Apple see sales increase ten fold and capitalize on licensing fees as well as software sales.<br /><br />Then again, knowing Jobs' strict attention to details, his Alpha personality and controlling nature, I'd say that's likely never to happen.<p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121614306199155135.html?mod=hps_us_whats_news>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1256923/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/mac-clones-good-or-bad-for-apple/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>aapl</category><category>ibm</category><category>leopard</category><category>mac</category><category>macintosh</category><category>msft</category><category>open computer</category><category>OpenComputer</category><category>psystar</category><category>windows</category><dc:creator>Melly Alazraki</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-15T18:07:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>The week in preview: Expectations as the earnings crunch begins</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/earnings-reports/" rel="tag">Earnings reports</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/forecasts/" rel="tag">Forecasts</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/goog/" rel="tag">Google (GOOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/msft/" rel="tag">Microsoft (MSFT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ebay/" rel="tag">eBay (EBAY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ko/" rel="tag">Coca-Cola (KO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/intc/" rel="tag">Intel (INTC)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/slb/" rel="tag">Schlumberger Limited (SLB)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nok/" rel="tag">Nokia Corp. (NOK)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/jnj/" rel="tag">Johnson and Johnson (JNJ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/amd/" rel="tag">Advanced Micro Dev (AMD)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/abt/" rel="tag">Abbott Laboratories (ABT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/bax/" rel="tag">Baxter Intl (BAX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/swy/" rel="tag">Safeway Inc (SWY)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/gci/" rel="tag">Gannett Co (GCI)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/yum/" rel="tag">Yum Brands (YUM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/mat/" rel="tag">Mattel, Inc (MAT)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/nue/" rel="tag">Nucor Corp (NUE)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/cal/" rel="tag">Contl Airlines'B' (CAL)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hog/" rel="tag">Harley-Davidson (HOG)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/economic-data/" rel="tag">Economic data</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hon/" rel="tag">Honeywell Intl (HON)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/utx/" rel="tag">United Technologies (UTX)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/etn/" rel="tag">Eaton Corp (ETN)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/dal/" rel="tag">Delta Air Lines (DAL)</a></p><p><img height="175" alt="" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/2008/02/wstreet.jpg" width="220" align="right" vspace="4" border="1" />As the second quarter earnings crunch begins in earnest this week, the bear market has investors jittery and prognosticators spinning out dire warnings. In the wake of mixed results from <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/alcoa-inc/aa/nys">Alcoa</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/alcoa-inc/aa/nys">AA</a>) and <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-electric-company/ge/nys">General Electric</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/general-electric-company/ge/nys">GE</a>) kicking things off last week, here's a look at what Wall Street is expecting from many of the companies scheduled to report this coming week.</p>
<p>Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting the following companies to report a rise in earnings when compared to the same period of the previous year.</p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nucor-corporation/nue/nys">Nucor Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nucor-corporation/nue/nys">NUE</a>): $1.80 EPS (36.6%) on sales of $6.4 billion (+53.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas">Google Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/google-inc/goog/nas">GOOG</a>): $4.74 EPS (24.9%) on sales of $3.9 billion (+41.6%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nokia-corporation/nok/nys">Nokia Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/nokia-corporation/nok/nys">NOK</a>): 56 cents EPS (23.2%) on sales of $19.9 billion (+17.8%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/csx-corporation/csx/nys">CSX Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/csx-corporation/csx/nys">CSX</a>): 90 cents EPS (21.1%) on sales of $2.9 billion (+12.8%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/altera-corporation/altr/nas">Altera Corp.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/altera-corporation/altr/nas">ALTR</a>): 27 cents EPS (18.5%) on sales of $346.7 million (+8.4%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/international-business-machines-corporation/ibm/nys">IBM</a>): $1.82 EPS (+17.6%) on sales of $25.9 billion (+9.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas">eBay Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/ebay-inc/ebay/nas">EBAY</a>): 41 cents EPS (17.1%) on sales of $2.2 billion (+18.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-w-inc/gww/nys">W.W. Grainger Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/grainger-w-w-inc/gww/nys">GWW</a>): $1.46 EPS (17.1%) on sales of $1.7 billion (+8.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">Microsoft Corp.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/microsoft-corporation/msft/nas">MSFT</a>): 47 cents EPS (17.0%) on sales of $15.7 billion (+17.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/honeywell-international-inc/hon/nys">Honeywell International Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/honeywell-international-inc/hon/nys">HON</a>): 94 cents EPS (17.0%) on sales of $9.2 billion (+7.9%) </li>
</ul><ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/eaton-corporation/etn/nys">Eaton Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/eaton-corporation/etn/nys">ETN</a>): $1.95 EPS (12.8%) on sales of $4.1 billion (+27.5%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/intel-corporation/intc/nas">Intel Corp.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/intel-corporation/intc/nas">INTC</a>): 25 cents EPS (12.0%) on sales of $9.3 billion (+7.4%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/abbott-laboratories/abt/nys">Abbott Laboratories</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/abbott-laboratories/abt/nys">ABT</a>): 79 cents EPS (12.7%) on sales of $7.2 billion (+13.2%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/baxter-international-inc/bax/nys">Baxter International Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/baxter-international-inc/bax/nys">BAX</a>): 82 cents EPS (12.2%) on sales of $3.1 billion (+7.7%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/coca-cola-co-the-united-states/ko/nys">Coca-Cola Co.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/coca-cola-co-the-united-states/ko/nys">KO</a>): 96 cents EPS (11.5%) on sales of $8.9 billion (+15.6%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/danaher-corporation/dhr/nys">Danaher Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/danaher-corporation/dhr/nys">DHR</a>): $1.06 EPS (11.3%) on sales of $3.2 billion (+18.4%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">United Technologies Corp.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/united-technologies-corporation/utx/nys">UTX</a>): $1.30 EPS (10.8%) on sales of $15.3 billion (+9.9%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/schlumberger-ltd-netherlands-antilles/slb/nys">Schlumberger Ltd.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/schlumberger-ltd-netherlands-antilles/slb/nys">SLB</a>): $1.12 cents EPS (8.9%) on sales of $6.5 billion (+14.8%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/illinois-tool-works-inc/itw/nys">Illinois Tool Works Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/illinois-tool-works-inc/itw/nys">ITW</a>): 97 cents EPS (7.2%) on sales of $4.6 billion (+9.9%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yum-brands-inc/yum/nys">Yum! Brands Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/yum-brands-inc/yum/nys">YUM</a>): 42 cents EPS (7.1%) on sales of $2.6 billion (+7.6%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">Johnson &amp; Johnson</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/johnson-and-johnson/jnj/nys">JNJ</a>): $1.12 EPS (6.3%) on sales of $16.0 billion (+5.7%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/safeway-inc/swy/nys">Safeway Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/safeway-inc/swy/nys">SWY</a>): 52 cents EPS (5.8%) on sales of $10.2 billion (+3.9%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/genuine-parts-company/gpc/nys">Genuine Parts Co.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/genuine-parts-company/gpc/nys">GPC</a>): 79 cents EPS (3.8%) on sales of $2.9 billion (+2.8%) </li>
</ul>
<p>Analysts are looking for a number of the big financials reporting next week to post declines in earnings, but I've focused on those companies in a separate post (see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/financials-expected-to-post-earnings-declines-losses-this-week/" target="_blank">Financials expected to post earnings declines, losses this week</a>). The companies below are also expected to post declines in profit.</p>
<ul>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/novellus-systems-inc/nvls/nas">Novellus Systems Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/novellus-systems-inc/nvls/nas">NVLS</a>): 4 cents EPS (-91.1%) on sales of $251.5 million (-39.6%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/delta-air-lines-inc-del/dal/nys">Delta Air Lines Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/delta-air-lines-inc-del/dal/nys">DAL</a>): 11 cents (-84.3%) on sales of $5.4 billion (+8.3%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mattel-inc/mat/nys">Mattel Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/mattel-inc/mat/nys">MAT</a>): 3 cents EPS (-50.0%) on sales of $1.0 billion (+3.9%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys">Harley-Davidson Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/harley-davidson-inc/hog/nys">HOG</a>): 76 cents EPS (-33.3%) on sales of $1.4 billion (-12.4%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gannett-inc-del/gci/nys">Gannett Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/gannett-inc-del/gci/nys">GCI</a>): $1.02 EPS (-17.7%) on sales of $1.7 billion (-10.0%) </li>
    <li><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-sherwin-williams-company/shw/nys">Sherwin-Williams Co.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/the-sherwin-williams-company/shw/nys">SHW</a>): $1.39 EPS (-8.6%) on sales of $2.2 billion (-0.3%) </li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/continental-airlines-inc-united-states/cal/nys">Continental Airlines Inc.</a> (NYSE: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/continental-airlines-inc-united-states/cal/nys">CAL</a>) is expected to swing to a loss of 52 cents (from $2.10 EPS last year) on $4.1 billion (+9.3%). And <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/advanced-micro-devices-inc/amd/nys">Advanced Micro Devices Inc.</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/advanced-micro-devices-inc/amd/nys">AMD</a>) is expected to narrow its loss to 52 cents per share (from 95 cents per share last year) on sales of $1.5 billion (+5.2%).</p>
<p>With expectations listed out this way Wall Street seems pretty optimistic about earnings (other than for financial companies; see <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/financials-expected-to-post-earnings-declines-losses-this-week/" target="_blank">Financials expected to post earnings declines, losses this week</a>). But we'll see this week whether the companies above can live up to these expectations. Do you think they will?</p>
<p>Other economic data coming out next week include:</p>
<ul>
    <li>Producer price index (June 2008), Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. ET </li>
    <li>Business inventories (May 2008), Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. ET </li>
    <li>Consumer price index (June 2008), Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. ET </li>
    <li>NAHB housing market index (July 2008), Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. ET </li>
    <li>Housing starts (June 2008), Thursday, 8:30 a.m. ET </li>
</ul>
<p>See also <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/market-highlights-for-next-week-google-microsoft-reporting-ear/" target="_blank">Market highlights for next week: Google, Microsoft reporting earnings</a></p>
<p><a href="http://money.aol.com/news/earnings" target="_blank">Visit <strong>AOL Money &amp; Finance</strong> for more earnings coverage</a>.</p><p style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;">&nbsp;</p><p><a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/forward/1252649/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=&amp;fc=1&amp;url=http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/" title="Linking Blogs">Linking&nbsp;Blogs</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/13/the-week-in-preview-expectations-as-the-earnings-crunch-begins/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a></p>]]></description><category>AA</category><category>Abbot Labs</category><category>ABT</category><category>Advanced Micro Devices</category><category>Alcoa</category><category>Altera</category><category>ALTR</category><category>AMD</category><category>BAX</category><category>Baxter</category><category>CAL</category><category>Coca-Cola</category><category>Continental Airlines</category><category>CSX</category><category>DAL</category><category>Danaher</category><category>Delta Air Lines</category><category>DHR</category><category>earnings</category><category>earnings crunch</category><category>earnings season</category><category>Eaton</category><category>eBay</category><category>economic data</category><category>ETN</category><category>Gannet</category><category>GCI</category><category>GE</category><category>General Electric</category><category>Genuine Parts</category><category>GOOG</category><category>Google</category><category>GPC</category><category>Grainger</category><category>GWW</category><category>Harley-Davidson</category><category>HOG</category><category>HON</category><category>Honeywell</category><category>IBM</category><category>Illinois Tool Works</category><category>INTC</category><category>Intel</category><category>ITW</category><category>JNJ</category><category>Johnson and Johnson</category><category>KO</category><category>MAT</category><category>Mattel</category><category>Microsoft</category><category>MSFT</category><category>NOK</category><category>Nokia</category><category>Novellus</category><category>Nucor</category><category>NUE</category><category>NVLS</category><category>Safeway</category><category>Schlumberger</category><category>Sherwin-Williams</category><category>SHW</category><category>SLB</category><category>SWY</category><category>United Technologies</category><category>UTX</category><category>YUM</category><category>Yum Brands</category><dc:creator>Trey Thoelcke</dc:creator><dc:date>2008-07-13T12:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>QLogic Corporation (QLGC): Price defines bullish 'pennant' formation</title><link>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/qlogic-corporation-qlgc-price-defines-bullish-pennant-forma/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/qlogic-corporation-qlgc-price-defines-bullish-pennant-forma/</guid><comments>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/11/qlogic-corporation-qlgc-price-defines-bullish-pennant-forma/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analyst-upgrades-and-downgrades/" rel="tag">Analyst upgrades and downgrades</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/good-news/" rel="tag">Good news</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/csco/" rel="tag">Cisco Systems (CSCO)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/hpq/" rel="tag">Hewlett-Packard (HPQ)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/ibm/" rel="tag">International Business Machines (IBM)</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/analysis/" rel="tag">Technical Analysis</a>, <a href="http://www.bloggingstocks.com/category/stocks-to-buy/" rel="tag">Stocks to Buy</a></p><p><a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/qlogic-corporation/qlgc/nas">QLogic Corporation</a> (NASDAQ: <a href="http://finance.aol.com/quotes/qlogic-corporation/qlgc/nas">QLGC</a>) provides<a href="http://www.stockwinners.com"><img alt="" hspace="4" src="http://www.blogsmit