Archive for January, 2006

Cramer’s Mad Money Daily Recap 1/23/06

Monday, January 23rd, 2006

CramersMadMoney.comWe have done our best to record the calls for you, but remember that the show is fast moving, and sometimes Cramer bangs on the sell! sell! sell!, bull roar, train wreck, suicide jump, hallelujah chorus, backing up truck, creepy house of pain voice, machine gun, fanfare, toilet flush, all aboard, applause, cash register, bear growl, bowling pins, and submarine diving alarm buttons all at once, while he is screaming.

Please do your own research, and verify all information before acting on it. This summary of Cramer’s picks is not intended to replace watching the show, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)
Alkermes (ALKS) ))))
Ameritrade (AMTD) ))))
Anglo American (AAUK) ))))
Apple (AAPL)
Apple (AAPL) ))))
Bear Stearns (BSC) ))))
Broadcom (BRCM) ))))
Celanese (CE) ))))
Cemex (CX)
Charles Schwab (SCHW) ))))
Citi Trends (CTRN)
Coldwater Creek (CWTR)
Conexant Systems (CNXT)
Darden Restaurants (DRI) *
Dow Chemical (DOW)
Dow Chemical (DOW) ))))
E*trade (ET) ))))
General Electric (GE) ))))
Gilead Sciences (GILD) *
Goldcorp (GG) ))))
Goldman Sachs (GS) ))))
Google (GOOG)
Intel (INTC)
JDS Uniphase (JDSU) ))))
Lehman Brothers (LEH) ))))
Marvell Technology (MRVL) ))))
Oregon Steel Mills (OS) Stock of the Week *
Pearson (PSO) *
Powerwave Technologies (PWAV) ))))
Samsung (SSNLF)
Seagate Technology (STX)
UPS (UPS)
VeriSign (VRSN) ))))
Votorantim (VCP)
Williams Companies (WMB)
Williams Sonoma (WSM) ))))
XM Satellite Radio (XMSR)

Bearish
3Com (COMS)
aQuantive (AQNT)
Bank of America (BAC) ))))
Citigroup (C) ))))
Emcore (EMKR)
Ford (F) ))))
Google (GOOG) ))))
LG.Philip (LPL)
Mittal Steel (MT)
Netflix (NFLX) ))))
Plug Power (PLUG)
PolyMedica (PLMD)
Restoration Hardware (RSTO) ))))
Sirius Satellite (SIRI)
Western Digital (WDC)

All stocks called during Lightning Round on Mad Money TV show except:
* discussed on the Mad Money TV show
)))) discussed on the RealMoney Radio show

Having trouble writing down all of Cramer’s picks?
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PortfolioCrafter - Market Commentary 1/23/06

Monday, January 23rd, 2006

PortfolioCrafterA dip in crude-oil prices and Ford Motor Company’s better-than-expected results offered the market an opportunity for a modest rebound. However, investors continue to be concerned about mixed corporate earnings.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 21.38 or 0.2% to 10,688.77, the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index closed up 2.33 or 0.2% to 1,263.82, and the Nasdaq composite index closed up 0.77 to 2,248.47.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners beat losers nearly two to one on volume of 1.7 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers edged out decliners on volume of 1.9 billion shares.

The Conference Board reported that the index of leading economic indicators, which offers an outlook on future U.S. growth, rose 0.1% in December. This was slightly below expectations but follows on two strong monthly gains. However, it does appear that investors are being cautious and are waiting for overwhelming evidence that earnings are not weaker than expected.

Today in after hours trading shares of Texas Instruments, E*Trade and Wyeth rose on better than expected fourth quarter profits. American Express closed up $0.04 to $51.44, after reporting fourth quarter results that were as expected. The Auto sector was the star today with Ford gaining over 6% to close up $0.42 to $8.32, on posting better-than-expected fourth-quarter results. The company also plans to close 14 plants in North America and cut around 25000 jobs in the coming years. Stock of GM closed up $1.80 or over 9% to $21.85, on the news about Ford Motors.

Amongst tech shares, Google closed up $28.04 or 7% to $427.50, after several Wall Street analysts reiterated their bullish price targets for the Internet giant. Rambus closed up $0.80 or nearly 3% to $34.84, after its board authorized the repurchase of up to 5 million shares, in addition to existing buyback plans.

Amongst losers, Research in Motion closed down $2.37 or over 3% to $64.25, after the Supreme Court turned down a request to review a major patent infringement ruling against the maker of the BlackBerry e-mail device. eBay lost $1.27 or 3% to $43.70, as a continuation to last week’s disappointing 2006 outlook.

On news that Polo Ralph Lauren has agreed to buy back its its Polo jeans business from Jones Apparel Group, the shares f the company rose 15% up $0.74 to $53.73. Walt Disney closed down $0.20 to $25.52, on reports that it is close to a deal to sell its ABC Radio unit to Citadel Broadcasting for $3 billion which in turn closed down $0.65 to $12.25.

Crude futures fell even as the nuclear standoff with Iran and ongoing unrest in Nigeria, two oil-rich countries, stoked supply concerns. Suspected sabotage of oil and gas pipelines in Russia and India also raised worries. The benchmark March contract ended down 38 cents at $68.10 a barrel in New York trading.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter

Cramer’s Mad Money Daily Recap 1/20/06

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

CramersMadMoney.comWe have done our best to record the calls for you, but remember that the show is fast moving, and sometimes Cramer bangs on the sell! sell! sell!, bull roar, train wreck, suicide jump, hallelujah chorus, backing up truck, creepy house of pain voice, machine gun, fanfare, toilet flush, all aboard, applause, cash register, bear growl, bowling pins, and submarine diving alarm buttons all at once, while he is screaming.

Please do your own research, and verify all information before acting on it. This summary of Cramer’s picks is not intended to replace watching the show, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Alon USA Energy (ALJ)
Ameritrade (AMTD)
Ameritrade (AMTD) ))))
Apple (AAPL) ))))
Broadcom (BRCM) ))))
Chubb (CB)
DuPont (DD)
Dynegy (DYN) ))))
GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (GOL)
Goldcorp (GG) ))))
Google (GOOG) ))))
HealthExtras (HLEX)
JDSU (JDSU)
Louis Vuitton (Paris stock exchange) *
Marvell (MRVL) ))))
Mirant (MIR) ))))
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MTU) *
Motorola (MOT)
Motorola (MOT) ))))
Nabors (NBR)
Noble (NE)
Scientific Games (SGMS)
St. Paul Travelers (STA)
The Pantry (PTRY) *
Union Drilling (UDRL)
UnitedHealth Group (UNH) *
Urban Outfitters (URBN)
Weatherford International (WFT)
Williams Companies (WMB)
Yahoo! (YHOO)
Yahoo! (YHOO) ))))
Zoltek (ZOLT) *

Bearish
American Pacific (APFC) ))))
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (BCRX)
Bookham (BKHM)
Charles River Laboratories (CRL) ))))
Continental (CAL)
Electroglas (EGLS) ))))
Integra Lifesciences (IART)
Jupitermedia (JUPM)
Target (TGT)
TII Network Technologies (TIII) ))))
Top Image Systems (TISA) ))))

All stocks called during Lightning Round on Mad Money TV show except:
* discussed on the Mad Money TV show
)))) discussed on the RealMoney Radio show

Having trouble writing down all of Cramer’s picks?
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PortfolioCrafter - Market Commentary 1/20/06

Saturday, January 21st, 2006

PortfolioCrafterIt was ‘Black Friday’, it was ‘Mayhem all over’ and your Model Portfolio came out with ‘Flying Colors’ - proving yet once again the ‘Good Stuff’ that we are made of. Stocks closed sharply lower with the Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbling more than 200 points and posting its biggest one-day loss since March 2003, after oil prices hit a four-month high and General Electric Co. and Citigroup Inc. disappointed with their fourth-quarter earnings.

Today, the Dow industrials index closed down 213.32 or 2% to 10,667.39, the Standard & Poor’s Index closed down 23.55 or nearly 2% to 1,261.49, and the Nasdaq composite index skidded 2.4% to close down 54.11 to 2,247.70. Today was the biggest one day point-loss for both the Dow and the S&P since March, 2003. For the Nasdaq, this was the biggest one day point-loss since Sept., 2003.

For the week, the Dow closed lower by 2.7% (down 50 points from its 2005 close), the S&P closed 2% lower and the Nasdaq is down 3%.

In comparison, your Model Portfolio is up more than 3% for the week (that’s a larger than 6% swing in relation to the market) and the Model Portfolio is more than 17% up since the close of 2005.

Market breadth was negative. On the New York Stock Exchange, losers beat winners more than two to one on volume of 2.1 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, decliners topped advancers by nearly three to one on volume of 2.4 billion shares.

While more than 60% S&P 500 companies have reported better than expected results, a lot of big household names like Yahoo!, Apple and GE have raised concerns about corporate profits in 2006. A combination of rising energy prices and some high profile earnings misses have provided the catalyst for a correction. The Dow needs to hold around 10,700, because if it fails, the next level of support looks to be around 10,600. The last time oil prices were at current levels, the Dow was down around the 10,400 level.

After reporting a 46% fall in fourth quarter results, GE fell 4% down $1.31 to $33.37. Citigroup closed down $2.25 or 4% to $45.69, on reporting that earnings from continuing operations fell 3%. Motorola reported fourth quarter earnings up 86% but indicated that first-quarter earnings and revenue will fall. Xilinx closed down $2.40 or 8% to $27.39, and Supertex closed down $11.76 or 27% to $31.49, after posting third-quarter profit that fell short of Wall Street estimates. Shares of Google closed down $36.98 or 9% to $399.46, on news that it is fighting a subpoena from the Justice Department asking it to turn over search records in an effort to defend a child pornography law. Stock of Ford fell $0.32 or 3.5% to $7.90, ahead of its announcement about restructuring plan.

Crude oil jumped $1.52, or over 2%, to $68.35 a barrel as tensions mounted over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, adding to the jitters on the Street.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter

Cramer’s Mad Money Daily Recap 1/19/06

Friday, January 20th, 2006

CramersMadMoney.comWe have done our best to record the calls for you, but remember that the show is fast moving, and sometimes Cramer bangs on the sell! sell! sell!, bull roar, train wreck, suicide jump, hallelujah chorus, backing up truck, creepy house of pain voice, machine gun, fanfare, toilet flush, all aboard, applause, cash register, bear growl, bowling pins, and submarine diving alarm buttons all at once, while he is screaming.

Please do your own research, and verify all information before acting on it. This summary of Cramer’s picks is not intended to replace watching the show, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Advance Micro Devices (AMD)
Allscripts Healthcare (MDRX) ))))
Amplifon (Milan Stock Exchange) *
Birch Mountain Resources (BMD) ))))
Broadcom (BRCM) ))))
Capital One Financial (COF) *
Cemex (CX)
Click Commerce (CKCM)
Conexant (CNXT) ))))
ConocoPhillips (COP)
Crystallex (KRY)
Cypress Semiconductor (CY) ))))
Dynegy (DYN)
eBay (EBAY) ))))
El Paso (EP)
JDS Uniphase (JDSU) ))))
Lexar Media (LEXR)
Marvell (MRVL) ))))
Micron Technology (MU)
Motorola (MOT) ))))
Penn Treaty American (PTA) ))))
Portfolio Recovery Associates (PRAA) *
Qualcomm (QCOM) ))))
Radiant Systems (RADS)
Seagate (STX) ))))
Starbucks (SBUX) ))))
SunPower (SPWR) ))))
Sysco (SYY)
Ultra Petroleum (UPL)
UnitedHealth (UNH) ))))
ValueClick (VCLK)
Varian Medical Systems (VAR) *
Vasco Data (VDSI) ))))

Bearish
Alcoa (AA)
AMR (AMR) *
Cisco Systems (CSCO)
EarthLink (ELNK)
General Maritime (GMR)
IBM (IBM)
International Game Technology (IGT)
Lions Gate Entertainment (LGF)
LSI Logic (LSI)
Nektar Therapeutics (NKTR)
NovaStar Financial (NFI)

All stocks called during Lightning Round on Mad Money TV show except:
* discussed on the Mad Money TV show
)))) discussed on the RealMoney Radio show

Having trouble writing down all of Cramer’s picks?
Free daily recap newsletter to your inbox

PortfolioCrafter - Market Commentary 1/19/06

Friday, January 20th, 2006

PortfolioCrafterBetter than expected results from Pfizer and AMD lifted the market sentiment and put an end to the four-session losing streak. Stocks shrugged off rising oil prices and gained on news on stabilizing Japanese market and results from eBay.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 25.85 or 0.2% to 10,880.71, the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index ended up 7.11 or 0.5% to 1,285.04, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index closed up 22.17 or 1% to 2,301.81.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners beat losers more than three to one on volume of 1.8 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers topped decliners by two to one on volume of 2.4 billion shares.

Today’s reaction showed that focus is clearly on earnings. While initially blue-chip stocks lost some ground following a report from Al Jazeera TV of an audiotape message from Osama bin Laden that threatened new attacks inside the U.S - the good results overcame that threat. The bad start from Intel Corp. and Yahoo Inc., gave way to relief with strong results from AMD. Additionally, a rebound in the Japanese stock market after a steep three-day sell-off helped the sentiment to a large extent.

Story of the day was Advanced Micro Systems that closed up $3.76 or over 12% to $37.13, after the chipmaker said it reversed a year-earlier loss and issued a bullish forecasts for the first quarter. Intel and Yahoo continued to fall with Intel losing $0.20 to $22.40, and Yahoo closing down $0.85 to $34.33. Adding cheer was eBay that beat analyst expectations and closed up $2.33 or 5.5% to $46.77.

The biggest gainer n the Dow was Pfizer that closed up $0.88 or over 3% to $24.97, after declaring that despite fall in fourth quarter profits it beat Wall Street’s expectations through cost cutting. Merrill Lynch too closed up $2.20 or 3% to $72.05, after stating that fourth-quarter earnings rose 25% and beat analyst expectations.

It is believed that Walt Disney may be looking to acquire Pixar. Stock of both companies closed up $1.02 to $26.24, and $1.61 to $58.87 respectively. The buy out is expected at a small premium to the company’s current stock market value of $6.7 billion.

Crude futures approached $67 a barrel as the energy pits weighed terrorism threats and ongoing political tensions surrounding oil-rich nations Iran and Nigeria, against an Energy Department report showing a rise in weekly crude and distillate inventories. The benchmark February contract closed up $1.10 at $66.83 a barrel in New York trading.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter

Cramer’s Mad Money Daily Recap 1/18/06

Thursday, January 19th, 2006

CramersMadMoney.comWe have done our best to record the calls for you, but remember that the show is fast moving, and sometimes Cramer bangs on the sell! sell! sell!, bull roar, train wreck, suicide jump, hallelujah chorus, backing up truck, creepy house of pain voice, machine gun, fanfare, toilet flush, all aboard, applause, cash register, bear growl, bowling pins, and submarine diving alarm buttons all at once, while he is screaming.

Please do your own research, and verify all information before acting on it. This summary of Cramer’s picks is not intended to replace watching the show, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Accredited Home Lenders (LEND)
Ameritrade (AMTD) ))))
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) ))))
Broadcom (BRCM) ))))
C.R. Bard (BCR) ))))
Cameco (CCJ) *
Caterpillar (CAT) ))))
Ceradyne (CRDN) ))))
Cimarex (XEC) ))))
Citi Trends (CTRN) ))))
Conexant (CNXT) ))))
Corning (GLW) ))))
Cynosure (CYNO)
Energy Conversion Devices (ENER)
ENGlobal (ENG) *
Evergreen Solar (ESLR) ))))
Finmeccanica (Milan Stock Exchange) *
Foster Wheeler (FWLT) *
General Electric (GE) ))))
Gilead (GILD) ))))
Grey Wolf (GW)
Hercules Offshore (HERO)
JDSU (JDSU) ))))
Marvell (MRVL) ))))
Myogen (MYOG) ))))
Northwestern (NWEC) ))))
OptionsXpress Holdings (OXPS)
Palomar (PMTI)
Procter & Gamble (PG) ))))
Qualcomm (QCOM) ))))
Rentech (RTK)
Rio Tinto (RTP) *
Rowan (RDC)
Ruth’s Chris Steak House (RUTH)
Saks (SKS) *
Schlumberger (SLB)
Statoil (STO) *
Vertex (VRTX)
Whole Foods (WFMI) ))))

Bearish
3Com (COMS)
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
Digital River (DRIV)
Eastman Kodak (EK)
Empire Resorts (NYNY) ))))
HomeBanc (HMB)
Huntsman (HUN)
Ivanhoe Energy (IVAN)
LeapFrog (LF)
Metretek Technologies (MEK) ))))
Parker Drilling (PKD)
RadioShack (RSH)
Rentech (RTK)
Six Flags (PKS)
Syneron Medical (ELOS)
Tyco (TYC)
Tyco (TYC) *
Unisys (UIS)
Yahoo! (YHOO) ))))

All stocks called during Lightning Round on Mad Money TV show except:
* discussed on the Mad Money TV show
)))) discussed on the RealMoney Radio show

Having trouble writing down all of Cramer’s picks?
Free daily recap newsletter to your inbox

PortfolioCrafter - Market Commentary 1/18/06

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

PortfolioCrafterStocks closed lower as weak results from Intel Corp. and Yahoo Inc. raised concern that the fourth-quarter earnings season may not live up to expectations. During the extended session today, shares of EBay and Apple Computer Inc. fell more than 5% after both companies disappointed investors with conservative outlooks.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 41.46 or 0.4% to 10,854.86, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index closed down 5.00 or 0.4% to 1,277.93, and the Nasdaq composite ended down 23.05 or almost 1% to 2,279.64.

Market breadth was negative. On the New York Stock Exchange, losers beat winners 18 to 15 on volume of 1.63 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, decliners topped advancers by 4 to 3 on volume of 2.24 billion shares.

The big news was the severe plunge in Tokyo market that had to close early. This decline is an extension of losses triggered yesterday by a probe into Japanese Internet company Livedoor. This however has been disconcerting for equity traders as it raises the possibility that U.S. markets could follow suit with a similar run of down days.

On the other hand, the Fed said inflationary pressures were less intense at year-end than earlier. This once again is an indication that we are close to Fed tightening along with a Beige Book saying inflation is not a problem and we have moderate growth. The Fed apparently is much closer to the end point of its cycle of interest-rate hikes.

While the market had a great start in the new Year, investors have since been cashing out of some of the gains. It is opined that the stock market is fairly valued, but there are a lot of issues around that are causing investor concern. Some of these are the standoff with Iran, the potential disruption in Nigeria, the Japanese market downdraft, disappointing earnings news and the concern about interest rates. These would all get resolved in the near future.

After close today, Apple Computers reported fiscal first quarter earnings that rose from a year ago and met forecasts. eBay also released its earnings that rose from a year ago and beat Wall Street forecasts. However, both companies issued future earnings that are below forecasts. However, Advanced Micro Devices reported quarterly earnings that were above estimates.

Based on released results that did not meet expectations, Intel closed down $2.92 or 11% to $22.60, Yahoo closed down $4.93 or 12.3% to $35.18. Stock of IBM closed up $0.80 to $83.80, and Exxon Mobil closed down $0.86 or 1.4% to $60.68.

U.S. light crude oil for February delivery fell 58 cents to settle at $65.73 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil prices are still way up on a mix of worries about Nigeria, and Iran’s nuclear program threatening supplies.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter

Cramer’s Mad Money Daily Recap 1/17/06

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

CramersMadMoney.comWe have done our best to record the calls for you, but remember that the show is fast moving, and sometimes Cramer bangs on the sell! sell! sell!, bull roar, train wreck, suicide jump, hallelujah chorus, backing up truck, creepy house of pain voice, machine gun, fanfare, toilet flush, all aboard, applause, cash register, bear growl, bowling pins, and submarine diving alarm buttons all at once, while he is screaming.

Please do your own research, and verify all information before acting on it. This summary of Cramer’s picks is not intended to replace watching the show, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Anadarko (APC)
Anglo American (AAUK) ))))
Aon (AOC)
BHP Billiton (BHP) ))))
Birch Mountain Resources (BMD)
Chevron (CVX) ))))
ConocoPhillips (COP) ))))
Devon Energy (DVN)
Devon Energy (DVN) ))))
El Paso (EP)
El Paso (EP) ))))
Finish Line (FINL)
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) ))))
GlobalSantaFe (GSF) ))))
Google (GOOG) ))))
Hansen Natural (HANS)
Hudson’s Bay Company (Toronto Stock Exchange) *
Hutchison Whampoa (Hong Kong Stock Exchange) *
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)
MEMC Electronic Materials (WFR)
Micron Technology (MU)
Motorola (MOT)
Nabors (NBR) ))))
Qualcomm (QCOM)
Range Resources (RRC)
Rio Tinto (RTP) ))))
Schering-Plough (SGP)
Schlumberger (SLB) ))))
Southwestern Energy (SWN)
Terex (TEX)
Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) *
Ultra Petroleum (UPL) ))))
Unocal (UCL) ))))
Valero (VLO) ))))
Whole Foods (WFMI)
ZymoGenetics (ZGEN)

Bearish
BioCryst Pharmaceuticals (BCRX) ))))
Boston Scientific (BSX) ))))
Burlington Resources (BR) ))))
DSW (DSW)
Elan (ELN)
Exxon Mobil (XOM) ))))
JLG Industries (JLG)
Martek Biosciences (MATK)
R.H. Donnelley (RHD) ))))
RSA Security (RSAS)
Sify (SIFY)
Sify (SIFY) ))))
Top Tankers (TOPT)
Trimble Navigation (TRMB)
Wild Oats (OATS)

All stocks called during Lightning Round on Mad Money TV show except:
* discussed on the Mad Money TV show
)))) discussed on the RealMoney Radio show

Having trouble writing down all of Cramer’s picks?
Free daily recap newsletter to your inbox

PortfolioCrafter - Market Commentary 1/17/06

Wednesday, January 18th, 2006

PortfolioCrafterSpike in Oil prices hit the Dow to lose for a third session in a row. Adding fuel to fire were mixed banking sector earnings and a new set of broker downgrades. Investors were unnerved by a 4% hike in oil prices. Tomorrow appears to be gloomy too with disappointment after-hours earnings reports from IBM, Intel and Yahoo.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 63.55 or 0.6% to 10,896.32, the broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index closed down 4.68 or 0.3% to 1,282.93, and the Nasdaq composite index closed down 14.35 or 0.6% to 2,302.69. Despite these losses, for the year, the Dow is up 1.7%, the S&P is up 2.7% and the Nasdaq is up 4.5%.

Market breadth was negative. On the New York Stock Exchange, losers beat winners by about 7 to 4 on volume of 1.64 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers topped decliners by 3 to 2 on volume of 1.73 billion shares.

U.S. industrial output, increased 0.6% in December while capacity utilization soared to 80.7%. This increase in capacity utilization could raise red flags for monetary-policy overseers at the Federal Open Market Committee, which warned in December that decreasing slack in the economy could fuel inflationary pressures.

During after-hours, IBM reported higher quarterly earnings on lower quarterly revenue, Intel reported higher quarterly earnings and revenue that missed analysts’ forecasts, and Yahoo reported quarterly earnings that missed forecast. This sent the stock of the three companies spiraling downwards. The market could be in for rough sledding at the open tomorrow. Disappointing earnings news after the bell could provide the excuse for a pullback in the market.

On the Dow, 25 out of 30 components closed lower. Prominent amongst those were, Verizon that lost $0.70 to $31.48, Pfizer closed down $0.39 to $24.28, and GM closed down $0.55 to $19.82.

Advanced Micro Systems closed down $1.27 to $32.86, after Merrill Lynch downgraded the stock to “sell” from “neutral” on concerns that it will have a hard time sustaining gains going forward. SanDisk lost $1.29 to $71.54, after Citigroup downgraded it to “hold” from “buy.” Applied Materials closed down $0.39 to $19.76, and Varian Semiconductor closed down $1.52 to $45.75, after Deutsche Bank Securities downgraded the stocks to “hold” from “buy”.

The battle for Guidant continues and the stock of Guidant closed up $5.38 to $76.22. Boston Scientific made an offer of $80 per share and its own stock closed down $1.30 to $23.90. The rival suitor Johnson and Johnson closed down $0.54 to $61.28. Guidant announced that it has deemed Boston Scientific’s bid superior to that of J&J.

U.S. crude oil for February delivery jumped $2.39 to settle at $66.31 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a gain of 3.7 percent. Oil futures rose to a level not seen in more than three months amid supply concerns as attacks continued on Royal Dutch facilities in Nigeria threatening exports from that country. Possible fallout from Iran’s resumption of its nuclear program was another factor boosting crude prices. The jump in oil prices sparked fears that the Federal Reserve may not be able to pause or end its rate-hiking cycle as soon as has been hoped. Additionally, higher energy prices will cut into economic growth.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter