China is Investing Billions in Renewable Energy One firm has already built China’s largest wind turbine manufacturing factory. And it’s working with the Chinese Science Academy to develop new wind, solar, and geothermal technologies… for which it will own 70% of the rights. But this company’s business reaches far beyond the Chinese border, with operations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. It’s first quarter net income increased by 294% over a year ago. Click here for the full report.

Shortly after U.S. President Barack Obama announced hefty import duties on Chinese-made tires, China’s Ministry of Commerce over the weekend said it would explore possible sanctions against U.S. automobile and chicken imports.

The dispute has caused some concern over an escalation in protectionist measures between the two nations, but few analysts believe the dispute will spiral out of control and threaten a global recovery.

President Obama on …

China is Investing Billions in Renewable Energy One firm has already built China’s largest wind turbine manufacturing factory. And it’s working with the Chinese Science Academy to develop new wind, solar, and geothermal technologies… for which it will own 70% of the rights. But this company’s business reaches far beyond the Chinese border, with operations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe. It’s first quarter net income increased by 294% over a year ago. Click here for the full report.

Shortly after U.S. President Barack Obama announced hefty import duties on Chinese-made tires, China’s Ministry of Commerce over the weekend said it would explore possible sanctions against U.S. automobile and chicken imports.

The dispute has caused some concern over an escalation in protectionist measures between the two nations, but few analysts believe the dispute will spiral out of control and threaten a global recovery.

President Obama on Friday …

Consumers are being much more frugal when it comes to eating out during this economic slump, which helped same-store sales at McDonald's (MCD) move higher in February.

However, the world's largest and most popular fast food company warned that volatile foreign exchange rates and commodity costs will have an impact on future results.

Shares of the company are loitering around breakeven this afternoon.

For February, MCD said global same-store sales increased 1.4% - even with an extra day in the year-ago month. Excluding the negative calendar shift, same-store sales were up 5.4%.

Same-store sales in the U.S. rose 2.8% during the month, thanks to its chicken products, core menu, beverages and breakfast menu. Excluding the calendar shift, same-store sales were up 6.8%.

However, the company expects currency translation to hurt first-quarter revenues by at least $600 million and earnings by 7 cents to 9 cents if foreign currency

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Sanderson Farms (SAFM) is the 4th largest poultry processing company in the U.S. The improved efficiencies at the company's poultry complexes in Georgia and Mississippi, along with the new facility in Waco, Texas, should improve unit operating costs and increase production levels in fiscal 2009.However, grain costs increased substantially in fiscal 2008 resulting in a loss. Even though grain prices have declined, the Hold rating is maintained.Due to the company's volatile earnings and losses reported in fiscal 2006 and 2008, the stock is best valued on a price-to-sales basis. During the last five years, the stock has traded in the range of 0.26 to 0.94 times sales.There is considerable commodity risk involved with the production of chicken products, both on the pricing of end-products and the costs of feed, processing, and storage. With stock currently trading at 0.44 times sales, the target ...

The China Securities Regulatory Commission — Beijing's equivalent of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — is pressing the country's listed companies to adopt more generous dividend policies. Previously, China-listed companies that wanted to issue additional stock had to pay out at least 20% of their annual average profit for the past three consecutive years in the form of shareholder dividends (cash or stock). The CSRC wants to raise the minimum amount to at least 30% of profits to shareholders. If a company refuses to comply, it will be punished by not being able to float new bonds or sell additional shares. According to the Chinese agency, "Giving fair returns to shareholders is part of listed firms' responsibilities and is the foundation of stable and healthy development of the securities market." ...

The improved efficiencies at Sanderson Farms, Inc.’s (SAFM) poultry complexes in Georgia and Mississippi, along with the new facility in Waco, Texas, should enhance improve unit operating costs and increase production levels in fiscal 2008. However, grain costs are expected to continue increasing in 2008. As a result, the construction of a new complex in Kinston, North Carolina has been delayed. The Hold rating is maintained.

The company’s new facility, which opened during the fourth quarter of 2007, added 18 percent to the existing capacity. Though construction is currently being delayed, the company plans to build a new feed mill, poultry processing plant, and hatchery in Kinston, North Carolina. The new complex at its full capacity will be equipped to process 6.7 million pounds of dressed poultry meat per week.

Due to the company’s volatile earnings and loss reported in fiscal 2006, the stock is best valued on a price-to-sales basis.

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