Traders-Blog.com

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 shows, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Accenture (ACN) (Lightning Round)
Accenture (ACN) (Mad Money)
Altria (MO) (”buy when issued shares”) (Mad Money)
Amgen (AMGN) (Lightning Round)
Apple (AAPL) (Lightning Round)
Apple (AAPL) (Mad Money)
Brocade (BRCD) (”buy before Thursday”) (Mad Money)
CarMax (KMX) (Mad Money)
Celgene (CELG) (Lightning Round)
Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF) (Lightning Round)
Clorox (CLX) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
ConAgra (CAG) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Dean Foods (DF) (Mad Money)
DSW (DSW) (Mad Money)
eTelecare (ETEL) (”pay up to $15″) (Mad Money)
First Solar (FSLR) (”best of breed soloar play”) (Mad Money)
Genzyme (GENZ) (Lightning Round)
Gilead Sciences (GILD) (Lightning Round)
Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) (Mad Money)
Indevus Pharmaceuticals (IDEV) (Lightning Round)
Infosys Technologies (INFY) (Lightning Round)
Movado (MOV) (”before Thursday”) (Mad Money)
Norfolk Southern (NSC) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Phillips-Van Heusen (PVH) (Mad Money)
Six Flags (SIX) (Lightning Round)
Sun Microsystems (SUNW) (Lightning Round)
Union Pacific (UNP) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Vodafone (VOD) (Lightning Round)

Bearish
Baidu.com (BIDU) (Lightning Round)
Boston Scientific (BSX) (Lightning Round)
Motorola (MOT) (Lightning Round)
Nokia (NOK) (Lightning Round)
Photowatt (PHWT) (upcoming IPO) (Mad Money)
Pozen (POZN) (Lightning Round)
Vonage (VG) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)

* Click here for the free booklet “Confessions of a Profitable Trader.
* Click here and receive a free market forecast using VantagePoint software.
* Click here for 2 free books that teach you how to trade the E-mini’s.
* Click here for free cassette “17 Rules for Successful Futures Trading.”

Stocks closed slightly higher as investors rested on strong weekly gains that came on hope that the Federal Reserve has moved closer to cutting interest rates should the economy weaken too much. News that existing home sales rose also helped soothe immediate concerns about the housing market. However, worries about rising oil prices limited gains.

Today, the Dow closed up 19.87 or 0.16% to 12,481.01, the broader S&P 500 closed up 1.57 or 0.11% to 1,436.11, and the Nasdaq closed down 2.81 or 0.11% to 2,448.93. For the week, the Dow gained 3.1%, the S&P rose 3.6% and the Nasdaq closed up 3.2%.

Market breadth was mixed. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners topped losers 18 to 13 on volume of 1.3 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers topped decliners 15 to 13 on volume of 1.7 billion shares.

While investors were happy with housing news, they also remained cautious about the latest news from Iran. An Iranian naval patrol seized 15 British marines and sailors who had boarded a vessel suspected of smuggling cars off the coast of Iraq. The British government had immediately demanded the safe return of its troops.

On the economy, signs are that we will continue to see the economy slowing. We’re going to see slower earnings growth. While, existing home sales rose 3.9% versus forecasts for a decline, and the gain was the biggest in nearly 3 years, the median price of a home fell for the seventh straight month, a sign that the housing market’s problems are far from over. Economists had looked for a slowdown to a 6.3 million pace.

Shares of Amgen closed down $2.45 or 4% to $58.02, after it cancelled a late-stage trial of its colon cancer treatment after finding that it hurt chances of survival. An interim look at the trial found that colon cancer patients treated only with chemotherapy and Avastin, were more likely to live than patients who also received Vectibix.

Stock of Daimler Chrysler closed up $4.77 to $82.37, on a report that auto parts supplier Magna and a private equity partner may have offered to buy its Chrysler unit for as much as $4.7 billion.

Shares of General Motors closed up $1.63 to $31.95, after saying it will pay stock bonuses to its top executives for the first time since 2003. Chairman and Chief Executive Rick Wagoner received restricted stock valued at $2.8 million and 500,000 options, according to a filing with the SEC.

Stock of Citigroup closed down $0.11 to $51.73, on news that it may be considering a rival offer for Dutch bank ABN Amro, which is already in discussions with British bank Barclays about a potential merger. Barclays has signed an exclusive agreement to negotiate with ABN AMRO and has drawn up a broad merger outline for a combined bank worth more than $166 billion.

U.S. light crude oil for May delivery rose 59 cents to $62.28 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. A situation in the Persian Gulf contributed to oil worries: 15 British marines were taken captive by Iranian naval vessels.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter
30-day risk-free trial

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 shows, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Bear Stearns (BSC) (Lightning Round)
Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) (Lightning Round)
Clearwire (CLWR) (Lightning Round)
Countrywide Financial’s (CFC) (CEO on Mad Money) (Mad Money)
Crown Castle (CCI) (Lightning Round)
Dean Foods (DF) (Lightning Round)
FedEx (FDX) (Lightning Round)
Flow International (FLOW) (”best in show”) (Lightning Round)
General Mills (GIS) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Nastech Pharmaceutical (NSTK) (Lightning Round)
Pico Holdings (PICO) (”do homework before buying”) (Mad Money)
Qwest (Q) (Mad Money)
Raytheon (RTN) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
SBA Communications (SBAC) (Lightning Round)
XTO Energy (XTO) (Lightning Round)
Yamana Gold (AUY) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)

Bearish
Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD) (Lightning Round)
Applebee’s (APPB) (Lightning Round)
AT&T (T) (Mad Money)
Blockbuster (BBI) (Sell Block on Mad Money)
Cabot Oil & Gas (COG) (Lightning Round)
Empire Resorts (NYNY) (Lightning Round)
Fuel Tech (FTEK) (Lightning Round)
GSI Commerce (GSIC) (Sell Block on Mad Money)
Nokia (NOK) (Sell Block on Mad Money)
People’s Bank (PBCT) (Lightning Round)
Sprint Nextel (S) (Mad Money)
Usana Health Sciences (USNA) (Lightning Round)
Verizon (VZ) (Mad Money)

* Click here for the free booklet “Confessions of a Profitable Trader.
* Click here and receive a free market forecast using VantagePoint software.
* Click here for 2 free books that teach you how to trade the E-mini’s.
* Click here for free cassette “17 Rules for Successful Futures Trading.”

Stocks closed mixed and little changed as investors consolidated strong gains from the previous session, when the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged but opened the door for possible rate cuts later this year. The tepid action came a day after markets rallied on hopes the Fed will cut rates and stave off a housing-led hard-landing for the economy. However, concern about the sub-prime mortgage market resurfaced as banking regulators were grilled about the issue in the Senate.

Today, the Dow closed up 13.62 or 0.11% to 12,461.14, the broader S&P 500 closed down 0.50 or 0.03% to 1,434.54, and the Nasdaq closed down 4.18 or 0.17% to 2,451.74.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners edged out losers on volume of 1.6 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners by a slim margin on volume of 1.9 billion shares.

The Fed decision to hold key interest rate steady at 5.25% seemed to hint the bank was more likely to cut rates than raise them in the near term. Today, investors displayed more caution and are likely to continue to do so. However, choppiness is likely to continue for another 2-3 weeks.

The market has been rocked amid concerns that a meltdown in the sub-prime mortgage market will restrict financial liquidity, worsen the downturn in the housing market and further slow economic growth.

The jobless claims report showed a surprise decline. The claims unexpectedly fell 4,000 last week to its lowest in six weeks. A separate report, the index of leading economic indicators, declined 0.5% in February after sliding 0.3% in the previous month. Tomorrow, investors will be focused on February’s report on existing home sales.

Shares of Motorola closed down $1.24 or 6% to $17.50, after warning that it will post a first-quarter loss and that full-year sales will miss forecasts, owing to weak sales of mobile devices. It also cut its revenue view to a range of $9.2 billion to $9.3 billion, from its January estimate of $10.4 billion to $10.6 billion.

Stock of homebuilder KB Home fell 0.3% after reporting that first-quarter profit dropped 84% and cautioned that problems in sub-prime mortgages and imposition of stricter lending standards may put more stress on a wobbly market. Its first-quarter net income fell to $27.5 million, from $173.3 million earned in the year-earlier first quarter.

Stock of News Corp closed down $0.05 to $24.75, and that of GE closed up $0.33 to $35.81, after stating that they are creating an online video site that will seek to compete with YouTube. These two companies own Fox television and movie studios, and NBC Universal.

U.S. light crude oil for May delivery jumped $2.08 to $61.69 a barrel, a gain of more than 3%, on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter
30-day risk-free trial

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 shows, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Boeing (BA) (Mad Money)
Caterpillar (CAT) (Mad Money)
Citigroup (C) (Lightning Round)
ConAgra Foods (CAG) (Lightning Round)
Deere (DE) (Mad Money)
Exxon Mobil (XOM) (Lightning Round)
First Solar (FSLR) (Lightning Round)
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) (Mad Money)
Google (GOOG) (Mad Money)
Harley-Davidson (HOG) (Lightning Round)
Haynes International (HAYN) (Mad Money)
Heinz (HNZ) (Lightning Round)
Ingersoll-Rand (IR) (Mad Money)
J.C. Penney (JCP) (Mad Money)
KB Home (KBH) (Lightning Round)
Kohl’s (KSS) (Mad Money)
Lundin Mining (LMC) (Lightning Round)
Nastech Pharmaceutical (NSTK) (”only autism play”) (Mad Money)
Novo Nordisk (NVO) (”should hit $100″) (Mad Money)
NYSE (NYX) (Lightning Round)
PepsiCo (PEP) (Lightning Round)
Sears (SHLD) (Mad Money)
Terra Nitrogen (TNH) (Lightning Round)
Transocean (RIG) (Lightning Round)
United Technologies (UTX) (Mad Money)
Walter Industries (WLT) (Lightning Round)
XTO Energy (XTO) (Lightning Round)

Bearish
FuelCell Energy (FCEL) (Lightning Round)
Occidental Petroleum (OXY) (Lightning Round)
Sourcefire (FIRE) (Lightning Round)
Wal-Mart (WMT) (Mad Money)

* Click here for the free booklet “Confessions of a Profitable Trader.
* Click here and receive a free market forecast using VantagePoint software.
* Click here for 2 free books that teach you how to trade the E-mini’s.
* Click here for free cassette “17 Rules for Successful Futures Trading.”

Stocks rallied and lifted the Dow Jones Industrial Average by over 160 points, after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged as expected, but also opened the door for the central bank to consider risks to the economy on an equal footing with inflation risks. The Fed no longer said that data are suggesting firmer economic growth, instead describing those indicators as mixed. It also dropped a previous reference that additional firming of monetary policy may be needed. This implies that the central bank is more likely to cut rates than raise them anytime soon.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 159.42 or 1.30% to 12,447.52, the broader S&P 500 closed up 24.10 or 1.71% to 1,435.04, and the Nasdaq closed up 47.71 or 1.98% to 2,455.92. The Dow saw its best one-day point gain since July of last year.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners topped losers by nearly 27 to 5 on volume of around 1.63 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners 22 to 7 on volume of 2.21 billion shares.

The Fed policy-makers concluded their two-day policy meeting by keeping the fund rate unchanged at 5.25%, in line with expectations. In the closely watched statement, the central bankers changed the language to suggest that they were a bit more worried about the slower economy than previously, noting that “recent indicators have been mixed.” The statement no longer said “additional firming may be necessary.” Investors took this omission as implying that the Fed was more likely to cut rates going forward than raise them.

Shares of Morgan Stanley closed up $5.22 to $81.33, after the bank reported higher earnings that topped estimates. It posted a 70% rise in profit for the first quarter, handily beating Wall Street estimates.

Stock of Oracle closed up $0.62 or 3% to $18.17, after it posted quarterly sales and earnings that rose from a year ago. Earnings were released after the close Tuesday. Its CFO Safra Catz cited a strong global performance across all product lines and said the world’s biggest database software maker turned in its fastest third-quarter growth in more than five years.

Stock of Adobe Systems jumped 6.3% after it posted a 37% profit rise, even though sales dropped more than predicted. The net income for the quarter rose to $181.9 million, from $156.3 million a year ago as sales rose 34% to $682.2 million, helped by revenue from Macromedia.

Shares of FedEx closed down $1.30 to $110.99, on reporting lower quarterly earnings that topped estimates and issued a 2007 forecast that is short of expectations. The company cited a slower economic environment, lower fuel surcharges and severe winter storms. FedEx reported net income of $420 million, compared with $428 million a year earlier.

U.S. light crude oil for May delivery rose 1 cent to settle at $59.61 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Oil prices were volatile after the release of the weekly oil inventories report.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter
30-day risk-free trial

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 shows, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Bullish
Broadcom (BRCM) (”buy in August”) (Mad Money)
Ceridian (CEN) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Cisco (CSCO) (”best in show, buy at $25″) (Mad Money)
Dell (DELL) (Mad Money)
Foster Wheeler (FWLT) (Lightning Round)
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) (”buy buy buy”) (Lightning Round)
GlobalSantaFe (GSF) (Lightning Round)
Halliburton (HAL) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Heinz (HNZ) (”ultimate defensive play”) (CEO on Mad Money)
J.C. Penney (JCP) (Mad Money)
Jacobs Engineering (JEC) (”best in show”) (Lightning Round)
Landry’s (LNY) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Lockheed Martin (LMT) (Lightning Round)
Reliance Steel (RS) (Lightning Round)
Schlumberger (SLB) (”best of breed”) (Mad Money)
Sysco (SYY) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Temple-Inland (TIN) (”I see 27 points of upside”) (Mad Money)
Transocean (RIG) (Lightning Round)
Transocean (RIG) (Mad Money)
XTO Energy (XTO) (”buy aggressively”) (Mad Money)

Bearish
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) (Lightning Round)
Diamond Offshore (DO) (Lightning Round)
GameStop (GME) (Lightning Round)
Riverbed Technology (RVBD) (Lightning Round)
Southwest Airlines (LUV) (Lightning Round)
United States Steel (XX) (Lightning Round)

* Click here for the free booklet “Confessions of a Profitable Trader.
* Click here and receive a free market forecast using VantagePoint software.
* Click here for 2 free books that teach you how to trade the E-mini’s.
* Click here for free cassette “17 Rules for Successful Futures Trading.”

Stocks rose today, boosted by merger news and speculation that more deals were in the works, which helped offset caution in the market as the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting on interest rates got underway. Return of deals is a sign that confidence is returning to the marketplace. Investors welcomed a strong report on housing and the start of the two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 61.93 or 0.51% to 12,288.10, the broader S&P 500 closed up 8.88 or 0.63% to 1,410.94, and the Nasdaq closed up 13.80 or 0.58% to 2,408.21.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners beat losers by 23 to 9 on volume of nearly 1.46 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers topped decliners 19 to 10 on volume of 1.73 billion shares.

Today’s gains were fueled by technology, transportation and commodity shares and sparked partly by the housing report. Housing starts rebounded from a nine-year low, but ongoing weakness led builders to pull back on plans for more housing. Starts of new homes jumped to an annual rate of 1.53 million last month.

Investors are keenly looking towards the two-day Fed policy meeting, with a decision due tomorrow afternoon. The Fed is expected to hold interest rates steady at 5.25% for the sixth meeting in a row. Investors will be attuned to what the statement says about the outlook for economy and interest rates.

Shares of Halliburton closed down $1.90 or 4.7% to $30.50, on profit warning from the oilfield services company. The oil services company said first-quarter earnings would lag Wall Street’s estimates.

Shares of Accredited Home Lenders closed up $1.82 or 20% to $10.77, on news that it has received a $200 million loan. The sub-prime mortgage lender has seen its stock battered over the past few weeks as it has struggled to raise money, with many of its partners cutting the company off because of the fallout in the sector.

Stock of Affiliated Computer Service closed up $8.66 or 17% to $59.95, on news that it is being taken private by a group that includes the company’s founder. The deal is worth $8.2 billion in cash and debt. They have submitted a proposal to buy all the shares at $59.25 each, equivalent to a 15.5 percent premium over its closing price on Monday.

Stock of ABM AMRO bank closed down $0.13 to $41.23, on news that it is discussing to be acquired by Barclays bank for for $80 billion. Shares of Barklays closed up $1.85 to $55.20. No details of the structure of any deal were released, but at current values a combination would create a $166 billion financial services giant.

U.S. light crude oil for April delivery rose 14 cents to settle at $56.73 a barrel in volatile trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter
30-day risk-free trial

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 shows, where his comments about the stocks often include advice about entry and exit points.

Monday’s episode was a general strategy show with no new picks.

Bullish
Freeport McMoRan (FCX) (”over $80 target”) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
Newcastle (NCT) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)
General Maritime (GMR) (mentioned on Stop Trading!)

Below is the latest recap with new picks, from Friday, March 16, 2007.

Bullish
AAR (AIR) (Mad Money)
Apple (AAPL) (”goes to $100″) (Mad Money)
BHP (BHP) (Mad Money)
Caterpillar (CAT) “best-of-breed” (Mad Money)
CVRD (RIO) (Mad Money)
DaVita (DVA) (Mad Money)
Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS) (Mad Money)
First Solar (FSLR) (Mad Money)
General Mills (GIS) (Mad Money)
Global SantaFe (GSF) (Mad Money)
Goldman Sachs (GS) (Mad Money)
Hercules (HERO) (Mad Money)
ING (ING) (Mad Money)
Jones Soda’s (JSDA) (CEO on Mad Money)
Las Vegas Sands (LVS) (Mad Money)
MGM Mirage (MGM) (Mad Money)
Nastech Pharmaceutical (NSTK) (Mad Money)
National CineMedia (NCMI) (Mad Money)
Qwest (Q) (Mad Money)
Silver Wheaton (SLW) (Mad Money)
Staples (SPLS) (Mad Money)
Transocean (RIG) (Mad Money)
Yamana Gold (AUY) (Mad Money)

Bearish
Pre-Paid Legal Services (PPD) (Mad Money)
Terex (TEX) (Mad Money)
Trina Solar (TSL) (Mad Money)

* Click here for the free booklet “Confessions of a Profitable Trader.
* Click here and receive a free market forecast using VantagePoint software.
* Click here for 2 free books that teach you how to trade the E-mini’s.
* Click here for free cassette “17 Rules for Successful Futures Trading.”

Stocks rallied, lifting the Dow Jones Industrial Average by over 100 points, as a boost from Asian and European markets overnight and a flurry of deals — including talk of a big merger between two European banks — helped investors set aside recent concerns about the sub-prime mortgage market. The advance was pretty broad-based, thanks to a slew of corporate deals. Investors are also gearing up for the start of the two-day Federal Reserve policy meeting.

Today, the Dow Jones industrial average closed up 115.76 or 0.96% to 12,226.17, the broader S&P 500 closed up 15.11 or 1.09% to 1,402.06, and the Nasdaq closed up 21.75 or 0.92% to 2,394.41.

Market breadth was positive. On the New York Stock Exchange, winners beat losers three to one on volume of 1.5 billion shares. On the Nasdaq, advancers topped decliners by 19 to 10 on volume of 1.6 billion shares.

Investors are looking forward to the Fed policy meeting, with a decision on interest rates expected Wednesday afternoon. The central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at 5.25%. But what the bankers say in the statement about the outlook for rates through the rest of the year will be closely watched by investors.

Shares of TXU closed up $1.52 or 2% to $64.27, as it is reportedly being wooed by a private equity group, led by the Blackstone Group. This could upset the record-breaking $32 billion bid for the Texas power company from competing buyout shops. TXU had agreed to be acquired by a private equity group led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group last month in the largest leveraged buyout ever.

Stock of Community Health systems closed down $1.95 to $34.85, after stating that it was buying Triad Hospitals for $5.1 billion in cash, ending an existing $4.5 billion deal for Triad to be taken private by a group of private equity funds. Shares of Triad Hospitals closed up$2.52 to $51.88. The deal pays $54 per share in cash, plus $1.7 billion in debt. This is a 9% premium over Friday’s close at $49.36.

Shares of Service Master closed up $1.67 or 12.3% to $15.14, after it agreed to be taken private by an investment group in a deal worth $5.5 billion in cash and debt. Shareholders will receive $15.625 a share, a premium of 16% over Friday’s closing price.

Stock of Take-Two Interactive closed up $1.76 or 7% to $22.61, after the video game publisher said it was considering putting itself for sale. The company said that there was no guarantee that it would make any specific alternative proposal to shareholders.

U.S. light crude oil for April delivery fell 52 cents to $56.59 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

All the best,
Manuel Jesus-Backus
The Portfolio Crafter
30-day risk-free trial