Brent Archer
Virginia, US - http://www.investorsobserver.com
Brent Archer is an options analyst and writer at Investors Observer.
Halliburton (HAL) warns of weaker Q4 earnings
Halliburton (HAL - option chain) stock is trading lower after the company said Tuesday that reduced activity by major Mexican customer Petroleos Mexicanos will reduce HAL's Q4 EPS by 2 cents. Analysts previously had expected 0.28 EPS from HAL in the fourth quarter. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on HAL.
Wednesday, HAL opened at $29.95. In early trading, the stock hit a high of $30.05 and a low of $29.30. As of 11:10, HAL was trading at $29.76, down $0.70 (-2.3%). The chart for HAL looks neutral and S&P gives HAL a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading Halliburton (HAL) warns of weaker Q4 earnings
Nuance Communications (NUAN) Q4 earnings beat estimates
Nuance Communications (NUAN - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported earnings last night, posting a fourth-quarter profit of $6.3 million, or 2 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, NUAN earned 32 cents per share on revenue of $275 million, beating analysts' forecasts of 29 cents per share on revenue of $272 million. 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 NUAN.NUAN opened this morning at $14.15. So far today the stock has hit a low of $14.00 and a high of $14.87. As of 11:55, NUAN is trading at $14.75 up 1.00 (7.3%). The chart for NUAN looks bearish.
Continue reading Nuance Communications (NUAN) Q4 earnings beat estimates
Valeant Pharma (VRX) falls on bearish Barron's coverage
Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX - option chain) stock is trading lower today after an article in Barron's (subscription required) over the weekend said the company could see trouble ahead if its experimental epilepsy drug, which is undergoing the regulatory review process, is not profitable enough to offset declining royalties from its hepatitis C treatment. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on VRX.This morning, VRX opened at $32.15. So far today the stock has hit a high of $32.95 and a low of $31.88. As of 11:30, VRX is trading at $32.07, down $1.21 (-3.6%). The chart for VRX looks bullish.
Continue reading Valeant Pharma (VRX) falls on bearish Barron's coverage
ADC Telecom (ADCT) drops sharply on Q4 loss, Q1 forecast
ADC Telecommunications (ADCT - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company posted a fourth-quarter loss last night of $19.8 million, or 20 cents per share, on revenue of $183.9 million. ADCT also forecast a first-quarter adjusted loss of 10 to 0 cents per share on revenue of $250 million to $275 million. Analysts are forecasting a profit of 11 cents per share on revenue of $274 million. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on ADCT.This morning, ADCT opened at $5.46. So far today the stock has hit a high of $5.93 and a low of $5.35. As of 12:05, ADCT is trading at $5.71, down 93 cents (-14.0%). The chart for ADCT looks bullish and S&P gives ADCT a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.
Continue reading ADC Telecom (ADCT) drops sharply on Q4 loss, Q1 forecast
CF Industries (CF) falls as takeover drama continues
CF Industries (CF - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the situation surrounding two takeover deals continues to get murkier. Agrium (AGU) announced this morning that CF's stockholders tendered 62% of their shares into a hostile takeover offer launched by AGU. AGU extended the offer, which originally was to expire yesterday, to December 18. Meanwhile, CF's board said that it does not believe that the tender results reflect stockholder support for Agrium's offer. At the same time, Terra Industries (TRA) is fending off a hostile bid made by CF. The uncertainty surrounding this situation is holding back CF shares and if you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on the stock.This morning, CF opened at $83.60. So far today the stock has hit a high of $82.50 and a low of $84.48. As of 11:50, TRA is trading at $82.71, down $3.58 (-4.2%). The chart for CF looks neutral and S&P gives CF a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading CF Industries (CF) falls as takeover drama continues
Nokia (NOK) lifted by US release of N900
Nokia (NOK - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced that its Nokia N900 is now on sale in the United States. The phone retails for $649. 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 NOK.NOK opened this morning at $13.95. So far today the stock has hit a low of $13.85 and a high of $14.04. As of 11:45, NOK is trading at $13.95 up 27 cents(2.0%). The chart for NOK looks neutral and S&P gives NOK a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading Nokia (NOK) lifted by US release of N900
Insider buying lifts Barnes & Noble (BKS)
Barnes & Noble (BKS - option chain) shares have been moving sharply higher for the past few days and are continuing that trend today. Company insider and billionaire investor Ronald Burkle reported purchasing more than 4.4 million shares of BKS in the past week alone, valued at $90.2M. When a major holder makes a big purchase like that, it is often a sign of good things to come for that stock, if only because other investors may follow his lead. 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 BKS.BKS opened this morning at $21.00. So far today the stock has hit a low of $20.86 and a high of $21.55. As of 12:30, BKS is trading at $21.43 up 93 cents (4.5%). The chart for BKS looks bearish and S&P gives BKS a negative 2 STARS (out of 5) sell ranking.
Continue reading Insider buying lifts Barnes & Noble (BKS)
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) hits 52-week high on reaffirmed outlook
Illinois Tool Works (ITW - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reaffirmed its fourth-quarter EPS guidance of 54 to 66 cents. ITW also said it expects Q4 revenue growth between -1% and 5%, or roughly $3.64 to $3.86 billion. Analysts are expecting the company to post EPS of 62 cents on $3.68 billion. 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 ITW.ITW opened this morning at $49.70. So far today the stock has hit a low of $49.58 and as of 12:00, the stock is trading right near a new 52-week high at $51.11 up $2.13 (4.3%). The chart for ITW looks neutral and S&P gives ITW a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading Illinois Tool Works (ITW) hits 52-week high on reaffirmed outlook
Microsemi (MSCC) Q4 earnings beat estimates before charges
Microsemi (MSCC - option chain) shares are rising today after the company reported earnings last night, posting a fourth-quarter loss of $31.26 million, or 39 cents per share. Excluding one-time items, MSCC earned 24 cents per share on revenue of $109.68 million, beating analysts' forecasts of 23 cents per share on revenue of $109.44 million. 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 MSCC.MSCC opened this morning at $15.22. So far today the stock has hit a low of $15.21 and a high of $15.94. As of 11:55, MSCC is trading at $15.78 up $1.39 (9.7%). The chart for MSCC looks neutral and S&P gives MSCC a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading Microsemi (MSCC) Q4 earnings beat estimates before charges
Dow Chemical (DOW) will sell powder coating business to raise cash
Dow Chemical (DOW - option chain) shares rose Thursday after the company said it will sell its powder coatings business to Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Dow said it will use the proceeds to reduce its debt. The move is part of Dow's plan to sell noncore assets in order to raise more than $3.5 billion. 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 DOW.
DOW opened Thursday morning at $28.20. In morning trading the stock has hit a low of $27.90 and a high of $28.88. As of 12:00, DOW was trading at $28.37 up 1.66 (6.2%). The chart for DOW looks neutral and S&P gives DOW a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.
Continue reading Dow Chemical (DOW) will sell powder coating business to raise cash
Toll Brothers (TOL) announces positive preliminary Q4 results
Toll Brothers (TOL - option chain) shares are rising today after the company announced preliminary Q4 results last night. TOL said that its fourth-quarter homebuilding revenue dropped 30 percent but its fourth quarter net signed contracts rose 42 percent, well above analysts' forecasts. TOL is expected to report full Q4 earnings on December 3 before the market opens. 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 TOL.TOL opened this morning at $20.14. So far today the stock has hit a low of $20.00 and a high of $21.47. As of 11:40, TOL is trading at $21.13 up $2.74 (14.9%). The chart for TOL looks bullish and S&P gives TOL a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.
Continue reading Toll Brothers (TOL) announces positive preliminary Q4 results
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) tumbles on Q3 loss
Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported third-quarter earnings yesterday evening, posting a loss of $18.46 million, or 31 cents per share, on revenue of $31.18 million. Analysts had forecast a 30-cent loss per share on revenue of $34.96 million. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on CLNE.This morning, CLNE opened at $12.25. So far today the stock has hit a high of $12.25 and a low of $11.55. As of 11:40, CLNE is trading at $11.87, down 97 cents (-7.6%). The chart for CLNE looks bearish.
Continue reading Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE) tumbles on Q3 loss
Fuqi drops on weak Q3 revenue, in-line Q4 forecast
(FUQI - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the Chinese jewelry company reported a third-quarter profit this morning that easily topped analysts' estimates. However, FUQI forecast fourth-quarter EPS of 55 to 60 cents and revenue of $182 to $191 million, compared to analysts' forecasts of 58 cents and $184 million, respectively. Revenues for Q3 about 2% below estimates, which is not a great sign. At this point in the economic cycle, traders are looking for optimistic indicators rather than weak or in-line ones. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on FUQI.
This morning, FUQI opened at $24.90. So far today the stock has hit a high of $25.74 and a low of $21.62. As of 12:00, FUQI is trading at $21.23, down $2.10 (-9.0%). The chart for FUQI looks bearish.
Continue reading Fuqi drops on weak Q3 revenue, in-line Q4 forecast
Netflix (NFLX) recent insider selling tops $2.2M
Netflix (NASDAQ: NFLX - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported some recent insider selling. According to SEC filings, NFLX Director Gregory Strangre sold over 19,000 shares of NFLX on Wednesday for $54.48 per share. He and other insiders have combined to sell more than $2.2M of NFLX stock in the past week, which could be interpreted as a bearish sign for the company. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on NFLX.This morning, NFLX opened at $54.96. So far today the stock has hit a high of $55.84 and a low of $54.00. As of 11:50, NFLX is trading at $55.26, down $1.13 (-2.0%). The chart for NFLX looks bullish and S&P does not currently have a STARS rating for NFLX.
Continue reading Netflix (NFLX) recent insider selling tops $2.2M
October sales fall way short at Aeropostale (ARO)
Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported its same-store sales rose 3.0 percent in October, well below analysts' forecasts of 13.8 percent. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on GE.This morning, ARO opened at $34.50. So far today the stock has hit a high of $37.27 and a low of $32.05. As of 11:55, ARO is trading at $32.68, down $5.35 (-14.1%). The chart for ARO looks bullish and S&P gives ARO a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.
Continue reading October sales fall way short at Aeropostale (ARO)
Closing Bell: Economic Catapult for Thanksgiving & Black Friday (WMT, TGT, GRMN, GOOG, MSFT)
Deere up on Q4 earnings performance
Reid Hoffman: LinkedIn will go public (at some point)
