Stock Market News & Stocks to Watch from StraightStocks » Colorado

Soligenix Inc. (SNGX.OB) Taking Steps to Meet Challenges of Vaccine Technology and Biological Warfare

QualityStocks — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:28:41 +0000

Soligenix Inc., formerly known as DOR BioPharma Inc., a late-stage biotechnology company, today announced it has formed a consortium to develop technology to enhance acting vaccines, including RiVax, the company’s proprietary vaccine for ricin toxin, which can be used as a biological weapon. Soligenix also announced it was awarded a $9.4 million grant from the [...]

WNR Suffers Quarterly Loss – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:48:19 +0000

Oil refiner and marketer Western Refining Inc. (WNR) reported weaker-than-expected third quarter results, pulled down by lower margins and throughput on the back of weak fuel demand and high inventories caused by the prolonged economic slowdown. This was partially offset by lower costs and expenses. Its loss per share came in at 5 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 3 cents.

In the year-ago period, the Texas-based company earned $1.60 per share. Revenues were down 40.1% year over year to $1.9 billion. Western follows larger rivals Valero Energy Corp. (VLO) and Sunoco Inc. (SUN) that also posted bigger-than-expected losses.

Refining Segment Results

Western’s refining segment experienced a significant decline in operating income (operating income of $22.2 million vs. $180.8 million in the year-earlier quarter), adversely impacted by weak values for finished products, relative to crude and other feedstock prices.

Throughput

Total refining throughput averaged 223,129 barrels per day (Bbl/d), compared to 230,814 Bbl/d in the year-ago quarter. Overall throughput volumes in the El Paso refinery decreased 1.8% year-over-year to 130,142 Bbl/d. Throughput in the company’s Yorktown refinery fell 5.8% year-over-year to 64,538 Bbl/d, while for the Four Corners refineries, it was down approximately 4.4% to 28,449 Bbl/d.

Refining Margins

Gross refining margin decreased 51.6% year-over-year to $7.28 per barrel. In terms of different regions, refining margin was down approximately 38.2% in El Paso to $8.05 per barrel, 82.1% in Yorktown to $2.67 per barrel, and roughly 39.0% in the Four Corners to $14.04 per barrel.

Operating Expenses

Direct operating expenses during the quarter averaged 4.29 per barrel, down 11.0% year-over-year. Costs in El Paso, Yorktown and Four Corners were $3.01 per barrel (down 21.2% year-over-year), $4.98 per barrel (up 5.5%), and $7.64 per barrel (down approximately 2.6%), respectively.

Capital Expenditure & Balance Sheet

Western’s total capital spending during the third quarter of 2009 was $24.0 million, primarily comprising of regulatory projects at its refineries. As of September 30, 2009, Western had cash on hand of $65.0 million and long-term debt of approximately $1.1 billion, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 57.7%.

Company Initiatives

Given the weak refining margin environment, Western has taken certain strategic actions to improve the company’s performance and competitiveness in a cost-effective manner. As part of this effort, Western plans to consolidate the operations of its Four Corners refineries (Bloomfield and Gallup) into one at the Gallup refinery. The company hopes to save $25 annually through this streamlining.

Despite shuttering the Bloomfield facility, Western will continue to operate the refinery’s products terminal and may use the idled plant to produce alternative fuels. The company is likely to incur charges of $55 - $65 million in the fourth quarter related to the consolidation.

Guidance

For the fourth quarter, total refinery throughput is anticipated to be approximately 212,000 Bbl/d. Operating costs are likely to be approximately $4.36 per barrel at El Paso, $8.71 per barrel at the Four Corners refineries and $5.42 per barrel at Yorktown. The company further informed that it expects capital spending for 2009 to be within $120 million, as against its originally stated budget of $155 million. For 2010, Western plans to spend approximately $100 million.

Company Overview

Western Refining is an independent oil refiner that operates 4 refineries, 2 terminals, 4 asphalt terminals as well as retail service stations and convenience stores in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western also transports petroleum products throughout the Southwest.
Read the full analyst report on "WNR"
Read the full analyst report on "VLO"
Read the full analyst report on "SUN"
Zacks Investment Research

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 11/13/09, CSRH, AIRV, DUG, KBH, BBSI, SUNV

Dr. Stock Pick — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:59:11 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Friday November 13, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** Consorteum Holdings Inc. (OTCBB: CSRH) announced that it has proceeded to launch its consumer stored value rebate card. The consumer rebate card program will offer manufacturers and retailers a new way to process mail-in rebates that [...]

Small Cap Voice Featured Company: BioMedical Technology Solutions Inc. (BMTL.OB)

QualityStocks — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:46:37 +0000

BioMedical Technology Solutions Inc. is focused on providing innovative solutions for environmentally friendly disposal of biomedical waste. Located in Englewood, Colorado, the company sells and leases the patented Demolizer® II System. BMTS offers safer, more environmentally sound, biomedical waste treatment solutions for medical, dental and veterinary offices, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other health [...]

Ball Strengthens Presence in China – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:30:35 +0000

Ball Corporation (BLL) announced its plans to acquire the remaining 65% interest in a joint venture metal beverage can and end plant in Sanshui, China, from Guangdong Jianlibao Group Co., Ltd. Ball has owned 35% of the joint venture plant since 1992.

Ball agreed to buy the plant and related assets for approximately $90 million in cash and assumed debt. The transaction, which is expected to close in 2010, will strengthen the company’s presence in the fast growing Chinese market.

In the past couple of months the company reiterated its focus on expanding worldwide beverage can business. It recently acquired four low-cost manufacturing plants for metal beverage packaging in the U.S from AB InBev. Also, the company expanded its metal beverage packaging pilot manufacturing line at the Ball Technology & Innovation Center (BTIC) in Broomfield, Colorado.

Given its ability to generate strong cash flows, we believe Ball is well-positioned to invest in business expansion. The company generated free cash flow of $321 million in 2008 and expects to generate approximately $375 million in 2009. The company is focusing on its core businesses and is exiting from the businesses outside its strategic focus area.

Accordingly, Ball recently agreed to sell its plastic pail assets to BWAY Corporation (BWY) for approximately $32 million. Apart from investing in long-term growth, Ball has streamlined its operations and implemented pricing initiatives and other cost-cutting plans in response to the current market conditions. The company expects to post higher earnings in 2009 compared to 2008 despite lower revenues.
Read the full analyst report on "BLL"
Read the full analyst report on "BWY"
Zacks Investment Research

Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: TRW Automotive, Dish Network Corp., TiVo Inc., DirecTV and AT&T – Press Releases

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:44:17 +0000

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 11, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: TRW Automotive (TRW), Dish Network Corp. (DISH), TiVo Inc. (TIVO), DirecTV (DTV) and AT&T (T).

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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

TRW Posts Robust Profit

TRW Automotive (TRW) has revealed a staggering rise in profits to $76 million or 68 cents per share in the third quarter ended Oct. 2, 2009, from a net loss of $22 million or 22 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.

The profit was also significantly higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents per share. The Michigan-based manufacturer of advanced technology products and services for the automotive markets commended its restructuring and cost containment actions for its impressive rise in profit.

Operating income for the quarter went up to $165 million from $44 million in the prior-year period. Apart from restructuring and cost containment actions, this was driven by lower raw material prices and favorable non-recurring supplier and customer settlements.

During the quarter, TRW continued to reduce its salaried workforce by an additional 200 employees, which brings the total salaried reductions to about 3,000 since the commencement of programs last year.

Dish Network’s Q3 Disappoints

Satellite TV major Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) third-quarter earnings slipped 12.3% on higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). The company reported earnings of $80.6 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $91.9 million, or 20 cents in the year-ago quarter and well behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said total revenue declined 1.5% to $2.89 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was caused by a 0.8% contraction in subscriber related revenue to $2.86 billion as average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) reduced by $0.31 to $69.51.

The lower ARPU was the result of discounts on programming to new subscribers, retention efforts and reduced premium movie revenue, partially offset by price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix towards high-definition (HD) packages and advanced hardware offerings. Equipment sales and other revenue plunged 44.2% year over year to $23.4 million, due to lower sales of non-subsidized direct broadcast satellite (DBS) accessories and digital converter boxes.

Dish added 241,000 new subscribers during the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover rate) decreased 45 basis points (bps) to 1.57%. The growth in subscribers was driven by sales and marketing promotions as well as improved churn. The company’s churn rate reduced due to the recent completion of the security access device replacement program and increased new subscriber commitment period.

However, growth in subscribers continued to be adversely affected by sluggish economic conditions, intense competition from rivals, such as DirecTV (DTV), fiber- and Internet-based pay TV operators and signal theft. Dish Network, which focuses on the lower-end of the market, was also affected by the termination of distribution relationship with AT&T (T) in January of this year.

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Zacks Investment Research

Dish Network’s Q3 Disappoints – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:23:59 +0000

Satellite TV major Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) third-quarter earnings slipped 12.3% on higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). The company reported earnings of $80.6 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $91.9 million, or 20 cents in the year-ago quarter and well behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said total revenue declined 1.5% to $2.89 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was caused by a 0.8% contraction in subscriber related revenue to $2.86 billion as average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) reduced by $0.31 to $69.51.

The lower ARPU was the result of discounts on programming to new subscribers, retention efforts and reduced premium movie revenue, partially offset by price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix towards high-definition (HD) packages and advanced hardware offerings. Equipment sales and other revenue plunged 44.2% year over year to $23.4 million, due to lower sales of non-subsidized direct broadcast satellite (DBS) accessories and digital converter boxes.

Dish added 241,000 new subscribers during the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover rate) decreased 45 basis points (bps) to 1.57%. The growth in subscribers was driven by sales and marketing promotions as well as improved churn. The company’s churn rate reduced due to the recent completion of the security access device replacement program and increased new subscriber commitment period.

However, growth in subscribers continued to be adversely affected by sluggish economic conditions, intense competition from rivals, such as DirecTV (DTV), fiber- and Internet-based pay TV operators and signal theft. Dish Network, which focuses on the lower-end of the market, was also affected by the termination of distribution relationship with AT&T (T) in January of this year.

Subscriber-related expenses increased 5.8% year over year to $1.62 billion, caused by higher programming content costs and expenses related to call center operations. Subscriber acquisition costs rose marginally by 0.4% to $439.6 million, primarily due to a rise in new subscribers, partially offset by a decline in advertising and hardware costs per activation.

During the quarter, Dish also recorded an expense of $131.9 million related to a patent infringement dispute with TiVo, which makes digital video recorders (DVRs). General and administrative expenses grew 6.8% to $157.6 million on higher personnel costs and professional fees to support the network. Accordingly, operating income plunged 53.4% to $194.7 million, while operating margin slipped to 6.7%, from the year-ago level of 14.2%.

Year to date, the company generated $1.89 billion of cash from operations and deployed $724.3 million towards capital expenditure. Dish raised $1 billion in senior notes due 2019, bought back stock worth $18.6 million and made debt repayments of $20.0 million. The company also purchased marketable securities worth $4.06 billion, while proceeds from matured and sale of investments were $2.12 billion during the first 9 months of 2009.

Last week, archrival DirecTV reported third-quarter earnings of $366 million, or 37 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. The company added 136,000 subscribers in the U.S. during the quarter driven by its co-branded satellite service with AT&T and record demand for premium services.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate (derived from 12 covering analysts) on Dish Network’s full-year earnings has slipped by 6 cents over the past week, and is currently pegged at $1.73 per share. The most accurate estimate is more bearish at $1.70 per share.
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Read the full analyst report on "TIVO"
Read the full analyst report on "DTV"
Read the full analyst report on "T"
Zacks Investment Research

Continucare Corp. (CNU) First Quarter Fiscal Year 2010 Results Show 116% Increase in Operating Profit

QualityStocks — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:03 +0000

Continucare Corp. yesterday reported its first quarter fiscal year 2010 financial results. The company reported a 113% increase in net income and continued strength in the business with higher quarter-ending cash and working capital balances. Richard C. Pfenniger, Jr., Continucare’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer commented, “We are extremely pleased with our first quarter results,” “Record [...]

American Oil Gas Inc. (AEZ) Sees Solid Opportunity

QualityStocks — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:35:43 +0000

Many investors often look to the larger oil and gas developers for a safe investment, and in a certain sense these types of companies are perhaps one of your more safe investments. Energy after all is always a need. There are, however, companies on the verge that may make better investments as they move forward [...]

VGZ, DUSS, DrStockPick.com Watch List! for Thursday November 5, 2009, Vista Gold Corp. and Dussault Apparel Inc., DUSS.OB

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:02:14 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ DrStockPick.com Watch List! My Picks for Thursday November 5, 2009, are: ************************************************************** VGZ, Vista Gold Corp. VGZ is an international gold mining company based in Littleton, Colorado, with a plus 20-year history of gold exploration, development and operations. ** VGZ reported an update on activities at the Paredones Amarillos [...]

BMTS Announces the Introduction of the Demolizer II System Into the Geisinger Health System

Stuart T. Smith — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:23:06 +0000

ENGLEWOOD, CO — (Marketwire) — 11/04/09 — Biomedical Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (”BMTS” or the “Company”; www.bmtscorp.com) (OTCBB: BMTL) is pleased to announce the introduction of the Demolizer® II System into the Geisinger Health organization for the onsite treatment of biomedical waste. The Geisinger Health System is one of the nation’s leading fully integrated health services [...]

Magnum D’Or Resources Inc. (MDOR.OB) to have Colorado Politicians Visit Their US Recycling Facility

QualityStocks — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:12:47 +0000

One company that has been getting attention from the investment community is Magnum D’Or Resources. The young Florida Company with a Canadian presence has positioned itself to become a global leader in rubber and scrap tire recycling and its Next Generation technology could potentially revolutionize the industry worldwide. Today, all of their hard [...]

Ventas’ Modest Quarter – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:31:50 +0000

Ventas Inc. (VTR), a leading healthcare real estate investment trust (REIT), reported relatively modest third quarter results with steady performances across its diversified portfolio of healthcare and senior housing assets. Funds from operations (FFO), a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs and obtained after adding depreciation and other non-cash expenses to net income, were $98.3 million or 63 cents per share during the quarter compared to $113.0 million or 80 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter. The year-over-year decrease in FFO was primarily due to the reversal of a $23.3 million previously recorded contingent liability.

Ventas currently has an operating portfolio of 79 senior housing communities in North America that are managed by Sunrise Senior Living Inc. (SRZ). In about 19 of these, Ventas has 100% ownership stake, while in the remaining 60 communities Ventas has a partnership share of 75% to 85% with the balance being owned by Sunrise. During the quarter, net operating income from these properties was $33.4 million compared to $35.2 million in the year-ago period. Average occupancy in the same-store portfolio increased sequentially to 88.1% during the quarter from 87.2% in the second quarter.

During the quarter, Ventas completed the development of a 75,000 rentable square medical office building in Parker, Colorado. The property was over 80% leased at completion of the development work. In a marked development during the quarter, Ventas received a positive verdict against HCP, Inc. (HCP), related to the latter’s interference in the acquisition of Sunrise Senior Living REIT in Apr 2007. Ventas was awarded approximately $101.7 million in compensatory damages.

At quarter end, Ventas had $9.7 million outstanding under its revolving credit facility, about $853 million available under its other credit facilities, and $126.6 million of cash and short-term cash investments. The debt to total capitalization was approximately 30% and net debt to pro forma earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) was 4.2x.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, Ventas obtained a mortgage debt of $58.4 million, and increased its revolving credit facility to $965 million. Currently, the company has $14.6 million debt maturing in the remainder of 2009 and $169.9 million of debt maturing in 2010. With relatively low leverage and adequate liquidity, Ventas expects its 2009 normalized FFO to vary within $2.62 to $2.65 per share, which is significantly higher than its previous guidance range of $2.55 to $2.62.

Read the full analyst report on "VTR"
Read the full analyst report on "SRZ"
Read the full analyst report on "HCP"
Zacks Investment Research

Magnum D’Or Resources, Inc. (MDOR.OB) Receives Coverage in Prominent Investor Magazine

QualityStocks — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:51 +0000

Next generation rubber recycling solutions company, Magnum D’Or Resources, Inc., takes the opportunity today to release market updates. MDOR and Magnum SRI ‘Next generation’ Custom Compounds have recently received front-page coverage from Malaysia’s best selling and highly regarded publication on business and investment, ‘The Edge.’ The publication caters to clients with interest in the Malaysian [...]

Legal Charges Hit Janus Capital – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:33:00 +0000

Janus Capital Group, Inc. (JNS) reported third-quarter 2009 revenues of $227.6 million, up 13.7% sequentially but down 17.3% year over year.

The sequential improvement in revenues was driven by higher average assets under management, primarily due to improving global markets.

Operating margin declined significantly to 13.0% in the quarter from 23.5% in the previous quarter and 33.9% in the year-ago quarter. The decline in operating margin was primarily due to a 29% sequential increase in operating expenses as a result of severance charges and higher revenue-based expenses. The company paid $20.5 million of legal settlement charges in the third quarter, mainly related to compensation matters with former employees.

Earnings per share of 5 cents were significantly short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate at 14 cents.

As of Sep 30, 2009, the company's total assets under management were $151.8 billion, compared with $132.6 billion on Jun 30, 2009 and $160.5 billion on Sep 30, 2008. The increase in firmwide assets during the third quarter primarily reflects $20.0 billion of market appreciation, partially offset by long-term net outflows of $0.6 billion.

During the reported quarter, the company raised approximately $382 million of capital through a public offering of 20.9 million shares and $170 million of convertible senior notes due 2014. The combined proceeds of the offerings were used to repurchase approximately $443 million of senior notes of different maturity. As a result, total long-term debt was reduced by approximately $316 million. At the end of the quarter, the company had cash and equivalents of $337 million and debt of $790 million.

Based in Denver, Colorado, Janus Capital Group, Inc. is a publicly-owned asset management holding company that provides retirement planning, investment planning, tax planning, investment for college, and tax planning services to its clients.

Global markets declined significantly during 2008, causing a significant decline in the company's total assets under management, revenues, operating margin and net income. In response, management reduced its workforce by approximately 9% during the fourth quarter 2008 and reduced other discretionary administrative, marketing and advertising costs.

All these actions have helped the company retain profitability, but top-line expansion is the key to growth in the long-run. Significant expansion in assets is not expected before mid 2010. Nevertheless, with the improvement of market scenario, we expect the company to post solid performance with an increase in revenues and efficient cost management.

Read the full analyst report on "JNS"
Zacks Investment Research

Mountain West Business Solutions, Inc. (MWBN.OB) Announces Acquisition of Sunshine Biopharma

QualityStocks — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:22:35 +0000

Mountain West Business Solutions, Inc. recently announced that the company has acquired Sunshine Biopharma, Inc. Based in Colorado, Sunshine Biopharma is a leading pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of drugs for the treatment of various forms of cancer. Mountain West Business Solutions intends to change its name to Sunshine Biopharma, Inc. [...]

Restaurant Industry – Industry Outlook

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:13:29 +0000

The Restaurant Industry has been facing extremely tough challenges due to the ongoing economic turmoil. With rising unemployment and lower discretionary spending, we believe it will be too early to predict improvement in the industry, which is grappling with sluggish consumer demand.

Although the current economic indicators show some signs of improvement, we believe that job losses will continue to adversely impact the restaurant industry even several months after the recovery is on track.

The U.S. restaurant industry, which constitutes fast food, casual dining and upscale chains, is facing its toughest times in three decades. A report by market research firm, NPD Group asserted that U.S. restaurant guest traffic plunged 2.6% for the quarter ended May 31, the steepest fall in 28 years. However, the quick-service restaurants (traffic down 2%), which are generally less susceptible to an economic downturn, are faring better than casual dining restaurant chains (down 4%) and mid-scale segment (down 6%).

A recent survey by the National Restaurant Association revealed that the Restaurant Performance Index that measures the health and outlook for the U.S. Restaurant Industry softened in August (down 0.2% to 97.9 from July), after posting a marginal improvement in the month of July (up 0.3% to 98.1 from June), sending mixed signals in the industry. The index has remained below 100 for 22 consecutive months indicating that the industry is scaling back its development plans and is in contraction.

The Current Situation Index, which measures comparable store sales, traffic counts, labor costs and capital expenditures fell 0.9% to 96.0 due to sharp declines in sales and traffic in August. Approximately 68% of restaurant operators reported same-store sales decline in August, up from 58% reported in July. Moreover, 65% of operators reported a traffic decline in August compared to 59% reported in July.

The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ outlook on comparable sales, employees, capital expenditures and business environment, rose 0.5% to 99.9. Approximately 32% of restaurant operators (up from 31% in July) now expect to have higher sales in 6 months compared to the same period in the last year. Thirty percent of restaurant operators (down from 33% in July) now expect their sales volume to be lower in 6 months compared to the same period in the last year.

In the midst of what is expected to be a tepid recovery, there are three potential drivers of net income growth: Unit Expansion, Improved Same-Store Sales and Cost Cuts.

There seems little chance that upside will come from more aggressive unit expansion, as most of the companies have either scaled back or postponed further unit development. BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (BJRI) plans to grow the unit base by 12% in fiscal year 2009, much lower than 21% achieved in fiscal year 2008. Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) expects to open 50 to 55 net new restaurants in fiscal year 2010, drastically down from 71 restaurants opened in the last fiscal year.

The second driver, same-store sales, consists of menu price increases and traffic counts. Any price increases other than minimal ones would drive away value-conscious customers in this fiercely competitive environment. Moreover, to enhance the perception of value and to drive traffic, companies are remodeling restaurants, with an up-market feel, and are rolling out new, smaller prototype restaurants that reduce construction and occupancy costs, and in turn boost returns on capital.

Finally, some of the cost cuts have been achieved through integrated information systems including point-of-sale, automated kitchen display, labor-scheduling and theoretical food cost systems. Restaurant companies try to optimize their restaurant operations and achieve decent restaurant operating cash flow margins.

OPPORTUNITIES

Despite the restaurant industry facing the brunt of the economic downturn, there are defensive stocks in the industry promising long-term growth opportunities. Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (BWLD) offers investors one of the strongest growth stories in this space with growth target of 15% in units, 25% in revenue, and 20% to 25% in net earnings. The company has also been able to deliver positive comps consistently, when other restaurant operators are grappling with deteriorating same-store sales.

McDonald’s Corporation (MCD) with consistent earnings and healthy balance sheet provides relative safety and moderate growth in a turbulent environment and exposure to faster-growing international markets. Another stock, Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (CMG), which remains largely unruffled by the slowdown, plans to open 120-130 restaurants in fiscal year 2009 -- a growth of 14.3%-15.5%.

WEAKNESSES

Offsetting these opportunities are the sagging same-stores sales and waning traffic counts. The shares of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. (RRGB) are vulnerable to economic headwinds, and we believe that the stock will continue to underperform the restaurant industry. The chain expects guest counts to remain negative, and expects restaurant-level operating margins to decline by 50 to 80 basis points in fiscal year 2009. The company’s second-quarter 2009 same-store sales fell 11.5%.

Another stock obstructing the recovery is BJ’s Restaurants Inc. (BJRI), which has also been experiencing declining comps and guest traffic. In addition, more than two-thirds of BJ’s Restaurants are located in areas that have been hit hard by the housing downturn and economic slowdown. These include California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. This may dampen the company’s growth potential.

Zacks Investment Research

NCS, NVNC, DrStockPick.com Watch List! for Monday October 19, 2009, NCI Building Systems Inc. and Novo Energies Corporation, NVNC.OB

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:15:12 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ DrStockPick.com Watch List! My Picks for Monday October 19, 2009, are: ************************************************************** NCS, NCI Building Systems Inc. NCS manufactures and markets metal products for the nonresidential construction industry in North America. The major milestones for the completion of NCS’s investment agreement (which includes a $250 million equity investment) with [...]

Novo Energies Corp. (NVNC.OB) Executes 10-Year Supply Agreement for Tire Feedstock

QualityStocks — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:22:43 +0000

Novo Energies Corp., through its wholly-owned subsidiary WTL Renewable Energy, plans to build, own and operate renewable energy plants throughout North America. Using a novel technology, these plants will transform residual plastics and tires into valuable liquid low carbon fuels such as diesel, gasoline and fuel additives. The company announced today that it has executed a [...]

Synergy Resources Corp. (SYRG.OB) Announces Completion of Drilling for Seven Wells Program

QualityStocks — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:46:49 +0000

Synergy Resources Corporation has completed its drilling program in Weld County, Colorado, announcing finalization of the initial seven wells. Synergy, whose corporate offices are in Platteville, Colorado, is an up-and-coming exploration and production company for domestic oil and natural gas. The majority of the company’s footprint consists of the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the 7th [...]

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 10/15/09, PWRM, SOA, DGLY, AWH, TOD, PAS

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:57:49 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Thursday October 15, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** Power3 Medical Products, Inc. (OTCBB: PWRM), a leader in neurodegenerative disease and cancer biomarkers and diagnostic tests, announces further international recognition of validity as the company’s President and CSO, Dr. Ira Goldknopf, will deliver an invited [...]

Ball Sheds Extra Flab – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:45:00 +0000

Yesterday, metal and plastic packaging manufacturer, Ball Corporation (BLL), announced the sale of its plastic pail assets to BWAY Corporation (BWY) for approximately $32 million. The sale, which is expected to close by the end of October, primarily involves the sale of a pail manufacturing plant in Newnan, Georgia.

Ball acquired this plant in 2006 as part of its purchase of U.S. Can Corporation. The plant produces injection molded plastic pails and drums for products such as building materials and pool chemicals and employs approximately 110 people. Ball said that the plastic pail product line is a small part of its Plastic Packaging segment (9.7% of 2008 revenue) and is not a strategic focus area.

The company is now focusing on its core businesses. As a part of this strategy, Ball plans to expand its global metal beverage can business. Accordingly, the company recently acquired four low-cost metal beverage packaging manufacturing plants in the U.S.

Also, it upgraded its metal beverage packaging pilot manufacturing line at the Ball Technology & Innovation Center (BTIC) in Broomfield, Colorado, by adding a new palletizer, a state-of-the-art decorator and several other improvements. Given its ability to generate strong cash flows, we believe Ball is in a good position to invest for growth in its core businesses.

Ball generated free cash flow of $321 million in 2008 and expects to generate approximately $375 million in free cash flows in 2009. However, until we see some substantial recovery in the company’s end markets, we would remain on the sidelines. We maintain a Neutral recommendation on the stock.
Read the full analyst report on "BLL"
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BMTS Furthers Development of Its Demolizer(R) Home Unit

Stuart T. Smith — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:29:35 +0000

ENGLEWOOD, CO–(Marketwire – 10/14/09) – Biomedical Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (”BMTS” or the “Company”; www.bmtscorp.com) (OTC.BB:BMTL) is pleased to announce significant developments on the commercialization of its Demolizer(R) Home unit, a safe and environmentally friendly biomedical waste disposal device designed to enable diabetics and others using syringes at home to safely destroy their sharps waste [...]

Neutral on MarkWest – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 21:17:37 +0000

Denver, Colorado-based partnership MarkWest Energy Partners LP (MWE) has come back strongly from a rocky second half of 2008, when there were doubts regarding its ability to sustain distribution levels in the face of weak commodity prices and reduced access to credit. These concerns have largely been laid to rest following the partnership's improved liquidity position and growing signs of vitality in the credit and equity markets.

We believe that MarkWest's recent successful completion of a notes offering and formation of joint ventures have buttressed the partnership’s financial profile and provided it with sufficient liquidity to meet its near- to medium-term needs.

These favorable developments, in conjunction with the partnership's hedge program, have improved our confidence in MarkWest's ability to maintain current distribution levels (64 cents per unit, or $2.56 per unit annualized) over the next few quarters.

However, we believe that these positives are already reflected in its current valuation and do not foresee much upside from current levels. As such, we rate MarkWest units as Neutral.

In particular, gathering and processing partnerships such as MarkWest are more sensitive to commodity prices compared to other partnership subgroups. As a result, collapsing energy prices over the last few quarters have adversely affected MarkWest’s cash flow stability.

Considering the current uncertain economic environment, we believe the partnership’s revenue and profitability to be under pressure in the near-to-medium term.

Our $26 target price reflects an unchanged distribution run rate of $2.56 per unit and a target yield of 10%. Our target yield assumes a 625 bps spread over our 10-year Treasury bond yield expectation of 3.75% over the next 12 months.
Read the full analyst report on "MWE"
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Capital Gold Corp. (CGLD.OB) Boosts Reserve Estimates

QualityStocks — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:47:15 +0000

Capital Gold Corp. increased its estimates of gold reserves by 67% over the previous level. The company estimates that the El Chanate open pit mine contains 1.5 million ounces of proven and probable reserves of gold, up from the 913,000 ounces at the previous update. The mine is located in Sonora, Mexico, and is 100% [...]

XsunX Inc. (XSNX.OB) Receives “Speculative Buy” Rating from Beacon Equity Research

QualityStocks — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:13:10 +0000

One company that has been catching the eyes of investors due to their “Green Technology” is XsunX Inc. XsunX has become a leader in the solar energy field by using its thin-film photovoltaic process knowledge to revolutionize the solar industry by combining state-of-the-art, sophisticated, magnetic media thin-film manufacturing technologies used by the hard disc [...]

BMTS Announces Sales Agreement With Med Pro Associates

Stuart T. Smith — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 02:39:27 +0000

ENGLEWOOD, CO — (Marketwire) — 10/07/09 — Biomedical Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. (”BMTS” or the “Company”; www.bmtscorp.com) (OTCBB: BMTL) is pleased to announce an agreement with Med Pro Associates of Colorado to serve as a non-exclusive independent sales and marketing representative to solicit sales, obtain orders and provide sales and marketing support for the company’s [...]

China Wi-Max Communications, Inc. (CHWM.OB) Spearheads Broadband Initiative

QualityStocks — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:50:58 +0000

China Wi-Max Communications, Inc., a Denver, Colorado-based telecommunications company formed to exploit the booming Chinese broadband market, has announced a comprehensive strategy to leverage its network foothold in Beijing. The Founder and Chairman, Dr. Allan Rabinoff, said he was pleased to announce this offering of wireless broadband to customers in Beijing and that the initiative [...]

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 10/06/09, FDML, TXN, GLOB, EMC, FCSC, CICI

Dr. Stock Pick — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:27:46 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Tuesday October 6, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** The first aluminum diesel piston rolled off the line today at Federal-Mogul Corporation’s (Nasdaq: FDML) joint venture with KAMAZ, the leading manufacturer of heavy-duty trucks in Russia. The 50/50 JV, called Federal-Mogul Naberezhnye Chelny, located [...]

IMCI, GRMN, AQNM, CVS, CSRH, LVLT, CVAT, LMT, DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

Dr. Stock Pick — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:39:49 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Friday October 2, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, GRMN, AQNM, CVS, CSRH, LVLT, CVAT, LMT ************************************************************** IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB IMCI is a world-class IT services and solutions provider serving a range of government and commercial organizations. Headquartered in Pittsford, New York, with offices in the Washington, D.C., [...]

Skymark Research Initiates Independent Research Coverage On Infinite Group, Inc.

Dr. Stock Pick — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:40:19 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Friday October 2, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB ************************************************************** Skymark Research Initiates Independent Research Coverage On Infinite Group, Inc. CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 2, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Skymark Research, a leading provider of small- and micro-cap independent investment research, today initiated coverage on Infinite Group, [...]

Donald W. Upson Joins Infinite Group’s Board of Directors

Dr. Stock Pick — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 13:01:44 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Friday October 2, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB ************************************************************** Donald W. Upson Joins Infinite Group’s Board of Directors PITTSFORD, N.Y.–(CRWENEWSWIRE)–Infinite Group, Inc. (OTCBB:IMCI) today announced that Donald W. Upson has joined the company’s Board of Directors. Currently the principal partner at ICG Government, a management [...]

IMCI, IBM, PWRM, ADSK, CSRH, CVAT, ADBE, HON, DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:45:26 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Thursday October 1st, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, IBM, PWRM, ADSK, CSRH, CVAT, ADBE, HON ************************************************************** IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB IMCI is a world-class IT services and solutions provider serving a range of government and commercial organizations. Headquartered in Pittsford, New York, with offices in the Washington, [...]

CMCSA, PWRM, CSCO, AQNM, IMCI, BHI, DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:21:06 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Thursday October 1st, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! CMCSA, PWRM, CSCO, AQNM, IMCI, BHI ************************************************************** PWRM, Power 3 Medical Products Inc, PWRM.OB Power3 Medical Products, Inc. is a leading bio-medical company engaged in the commercialization of neurodegenerative disease and cancer biomarkers, pathways, and mechanisms of diseases through the development of [...]

Cloud-CastSM Named to Amazon Web Services Solution Provider Program

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:22:44 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Thursday October 1st, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB ************************************************************** Cloud-CastSM Named to Amazon Web Services Solution Provider Program PITTSFORD, N.Y.–(CRWENEWSWIRE)–Cloud-CastSM, a division of Infinite Group, Inc. (OTCBB:IMCI), today announced that it has been selected by Amazon Web Services, an Amazon.com company, to join the Amazon [...]

Infinite Group Inc. Achieves Microsoft Virtualization Solutions Competency. IMCI, X-Treme Hot Stock Alert by DrStockPick.com

Dr. Stock Pick — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 01:50:35 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _________________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _________________________________________ Wednesday September 30, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! IMCI, Infinite Group Inc., IMCI.OB ************************************************************** Infinite Group Inc., (OTCBB:IMCI) is a world-class IT services and solutions provider serving a range of government and commercial organizations. Headquartered in Pittsford, New York with offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and Colorado [...]

Magnum D’Or Resources, Inc. (MDOR) Fat Contracts Prompt Personnel Additions

QualityStocks — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:54:12 +0000

Magnum D’Or Resources, Inc. is an innovator in rubber reprocessing with the logistical capacity to easily satisfy its 5-year, $131.2 million in open contracts for the production of rubber buffings and nuggets. However, as Magnum President and CEO Joseph Glusic recently stated, the infrastructural expansion this capital represents demands the immediate retention of several key [...]

Comcast Extremely Fast Now – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:15:22 +0000

Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) has installed its residential “Extreme" tier DOCSIS 3.0 network in Colorado offering 50 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream speed for a price of $99.95 per month. The company is aggressively deploying the DOCSIS 3.0 (also called Wideband) technology to upgrade its existing customers to high-speed network. Management predicted that 80% of its residential networks will be upgraded to DOCSIS 3.0 by the end of 2009 and the rest by mid 2010.

With the introduction of the super fast Extreme package, Comcast can now compete head-on with Denver-based Quest Communications International Inc (Q) that provides VDSL-2 services offering a package of 40 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream speeds for a price of $109.99 per month. Comcast can offer a much cheaper package because implementation of the wideband network has also improved Comcast’s bottom-line. For most of its installations, the company is using denser cable modem termination system blades that reduce downstream port costs by more than 50%. The company has also undertaken a project to reclaim 40 to 50 of its existing analog channels to free up spectrum for DOCSIS 3.0.

As residential VoIP and HDTV services continue to grow, communications service providers are dealing with increased network traffic driven by strong demand for video download and file sharing. This massive requirement for data transport has encouraged cable operators seeking to improve their transport offerings. Furthermore, Cable MSOs are facing fierce competition from telecom service providers. Telecom operators are quickly gaining market share from cable MSOs by offering Mobile TV and other high-speed broadband services to subscribers.

Recently, Comcast launched its first commercial wideband network in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul offering a downstream speed of 100 Mbps and upstream speeds of 15 Mbps for a price of $369.95 per month. This package is bundled with Microsoft Corp’s (MSFT) Communications Service and Mcafee Inc’s (MFE) PC Security Suite. The company is targeting DOCSIS 3.0 at small and medium size enterprises primarily, a potential market size of $15 billion.
Read the full analyst report on "CMCSA"
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DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 9/28/09, EMC, RTN, DEO, ADVS, AEHI, IAGX

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:38:30 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ Monday September 28, 2009 DrStockPick.com Stock Report! ************************************************************** The RSA® Adaptive Authentication solution and the RSA® Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Suite from RSA, The Security Division of EMC (NYSE: EMC), have been certified to meet the security requirements defined by the Common Criteria Evaluation [...]

Solar Stocks News – Ascent Solar (NASDAQ:ASTI) and Energy Technologies, Inc. Sign Cooperation Agreement

Dawn Van Zant — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

THORNTON, Colo. - September 25, 2009 - Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of flexible thin-film photovoltaic modules, today announced the signing of a definitive Cooperation Agreement with Energy Technologies, Inc. of Mansfield, Ohio.

PRKR, FORC, PWRM, DrStockPick.com Watch List! for Monday September 21, 2009, Parkervision Inc., Force Energy Corp., FORC.OB and Power 3 Medical Products Inc, PWRM.OB

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 03:28:50 +0000

Dr Stock Pick HOT News & Alerts! _______________________________________ FREE Daily Stock Alerts From DrStockPick.com _______________________________________ DrStockPick.com Watch List! My Picks for Monday September 21, 2009, are: ************************************************************** PRKR, Parkervision Inc. PRKR designs, develops and sells its proprietary RF technologies which enable advanced wireless communications for current and next generation mobile communications networks. Its solutions for wireless transfer of radio frequency (RF) waveforms enable significant [...]

Newmont Boosts Reserves Forecasts – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:45:30 +0000

Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM), the largest U.S. gold producer, is emphasizing on exploration near its existing mines in Nevada to bolster its reserves. Newmont is exploring 18 deposits near its existing mines, which could add 4 million to 7 million ounces to its gold reserves.

Based in Colorado, Newmont is trying to boost reserves to benefit from historically high gold prices. In June, the company concluded its purchase of the remainder of the Boddington gold project, the largest in Australia, from AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (AU). The $2.9 billion mine will have an annual capacity of about 1 million ounces at a projected cost of $300 an ounce.

Newmont’s gold sales fell 5.7% to 1.2 million ounces in the second quarter. After which the company lowered the higher end of its 2009 gold sales forecast range to 5.4 million ounces from 5.5 million ounces. The company sold 5.2 million ounces of gold in 2008.

Newmont also boosted the reserve estimate of its Minas Conga copper-gold project in Peru to 11.8 million ounces of gold and 3.2 billion pounds of copper from the previous forecast of more than 6 million ounces of gold and roughly 1.7 billion pounds of copper.

Minas Conga is a deposit with reserves of nearly 12 million ounces of gold and 3.2 billion pounds of copper. The project has an annual production potential of 480,000 to 780,000 ounces of gold and an expected mine life of 15 to 20 years. Copper production capacity is between 175 million and 225 million pounds and around 90,000 tons of fine copper per year.

Currently, the company is evaluating its decision to develop the Minas Conga mine, which was delayed by the high projected cost of development on the back of global economic and credit crunch last year.

Newmont controls the Yanacocha gold pit with a 51.35% stake while Buenaventura (BVN), the Peruvian precious metals miner holds 43.65%. The International Finance Corporation holds the remaining 5% stake in the mine.

Buenaventura, Newmont’s partner in the Yanacocha mine, is expecting to produce 17.5 million ounces of silver this year, down from an earlier forecast of 19.5 million ounces. The company held its 2009 gold outlook stable at nearly 1.3 million ounces, including its share of production from Yanacocha, one of the largest gold mines in South America. Buenaventura churned out 1.2 million ounces of gold, including Yanacocha and 17.5 million ounces of silver last year.

Read the full analyst report on "NEM"
Read the full analyst report on "AU"
Read the full analyst report on "BVN"
Zacks Investment Research

Solar Stocks News – First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) to Supply 27 Megawatts of Solar Modules to Juwi for U.S. Utility Installations

Dawn Van Zant — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) - September 18, 2009 - today announced that it has been selected by Colorado-based developer and EPC contractor juwi solar Inc., a subsidiary of juwi Holding AG, to supply solar modules for two U.S. projects.

Enterprise Inks New Contract – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:58:34 +0000

Yesterday, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) signed a long-term agreement with one of the largest and most active producers in the developing Eagle Ford Shale play in South Texas to provide natural gas transportation and processing services.

The agreement covers more than 150,000 acres in the heart of the Eagle Ford Shale play. The partnership’s integrated network of energy infrastructure in the region is strategically positioned and well suited to accommodate the Eagle Ford Shale's extremely NGL-rich (Natural Gas Liquids) gas.

The proximity of the partnership’s infrastructure to this shale play will require only modest capital expenditures for the partnership to start providing services under the agreement. The agreement reflects the partnership’s initiative for strengthening long-term position in the shale plays.

Enterprise’s pipeline of growth opportunities is one of the best in MLP (master limited partnership) space. Like this agreement, the partnership’s operations are supported by long-term contracts, which enhance its earnings visibility. An example of such contracts is the 30-year agreement with ExxonMobil to provide gathering, compression and processing-related services for natural gas produced as part of a development program planned by ExxonMobil in the Piceance Basin of Colorado.

Given the recent positive performance of its assets, we believe that with the new contracts coming online in the near term and growth investments over the medium term, the partnership will be able to accelerate its distributions.
Read the full analyst report on "APD"
Zacks Investment Research

Stock-PR Stock Headlines September 9, 2009

Stock-PR — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:42:59 +0000

Spectrum Control Receives $2 Million in Orders for RCIED Jammer Products Spectrum Control, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPEC), a leading designer and manufacturer of custom electronic products and systems, today announced that it has received $2 million in orders for microwave and EMI products used in RCIED (Radio Controlled Improvised Explosive Devices) Jammer Systems. In accordance with the [...]

Layne Christensen’s Lackluster Q2 – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:44:44 +0000

Layne Christensen Co. (LAYN) announced fiscal second-quarter results yesterday after the closing bell. The company reported GAAP net loss of $8.6 million or 45 cents per share, compared to GAAP net income of $15.1 million or 78 cents per share in the year-ago quarter.

Excluding a non-cash impairment charge, net income came in at $4.4 million or 23 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by nearly 92%, or 11 cents.

Layne Christensen is engaged in providing drilling services and related products and services in 4 principal markets: water infrastructure, mineral exploration, geotechnical construction and oil and gas. The company’s customers include municipalities, industrial, mining, oil and gas companies and consulting and engineering firms.

The Mission Woods, Kansas-based company’s revenue slumped 19.4% year over year to $217.2 million, still it came in ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $214.8 million.

Sales from Water Infrastructure, the company’s flagship segment, slipped 11.2% to $174.1 million primarily due to lackluster performance across all major product lines, partially offset by growth in pipeline construction due to a significant project in Colorado.

Revenues were particularly sluggish in the Western U.S. on account of a slump in housing construction coupled with budget constraints on municipal government spending. The segment’s backlog also fell by 5.1% year over year to $453.4 million.

Revenue from Minerals Exploration plunged 49.2% year over year to $30.3 million as markets were impacted by a tight credit environment and sluggish economic conditions. The Energy division recorded a slight 0.8% year-over-year decline, mainly attributable to management’s decision to slash production on account of depressed natural gas prices.

The company’s gross profit reduced 27.1% year over year to $51.7 million, while gross margin contracted 250 basis points to 23.8%. The decline was primarily caused by a shift in the mix towards low margin heavy construction projects and pricing pressures.

Meanwhile, Layne Christensen posted a pretax loss of $13.0 million, against a pretax profit of $24.8 million in the year-ago period. The loss was the result of sluggish revenues and gross margin coupled with an impairment charge of $21.6 million related to oil and gas reserves determination.

Layne Christensen ended the quarter with cash and equivalents of $64.8 million, compared to $62.7 million at the end of the previous quarter. The company‘s total long term debt was $13.3 million at the end of the quarter, against $26.7 million in the last quarter.

Looking ahead, management expects weak demand for additional water supply to affect performance in the rest of the fiscal year. The company also warned that its Energy division may suffer further impairments if natural gas prices remain depressed or if it is unable to replace current forward sales contracts at favorable prices.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate, derived from 6 covering analysts, on earnings for the fiscal year ending January 2010 is currently pegged at 47 cents per share, which has moved down by 6 cents over the past 3 months.
Read the full analyst report on "LAYN"
Zacks Investment Research

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 9/03/09, GRMN, ASTI, CYTX, APOL, CIEN, PNR

PennyOmega.com — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:00:47 +0000

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Carrier Acquires StrionAir – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 17:45:14 +0000

Carrier Corp., a division of United Technologies Corp. (UTX), acquired StrionAir, a producer of proprietary air purification systems employing patented "capture and kill" technology. StrionAir developed and patented advanced electronic filtration methods and products, including the sole whole-house air purifier in the market validated by third-party tests to capture and kill airborne germs, viruses and mold.

StrionAir has been the provider of Carrier's residential Infinity Air Purifier since 2006, and has also developed, marketed and sold over 6,000 commercial systems. StrionAir is headquartered in Louisville, Colorado and was founded in 1997.

This acquisition will enable Carrier to incorporate Infinity Air Purifier into its products as well as provide an opportunity for accelerated product development for both residential and commercial applications.

Carrier has consistently been the leader in developing energy-efficient, environmentally sound solutions in home and building comfort and indoor air quality. Carrier, headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, is the world's largest provider of heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, with operations in more than 170 countries.

United Technologies was incorporated in Delaware in 1934. It provides high technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. Operating units include businesses with operations throughout the world. Otis, Carrier and UTC Fire & Security – collectively referred to as the commercial businesses – serve customers in the commercial and residential property industries worldwide. Carrier also serves commercial, industrial, transport refrigeration and food service equipment customers. Its major competitors include Boeing Co. (BA) and General Electric Co. (GE).

We currently have a Neutral recommendation on United Technologies.

Read the full analyst report on "UTX"
Read the full analyst report on "BA"
Read the full analyst report on "GE"
Zacks Investment Research

Cannabis Science, Inc. (CBIS.OB) Signs Strategic Agreement to Advance State and Federal Agencies Programs

QualityStocks — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 17:36:36 +0000

Cannabis Science Inc., an emerging pharmaceutical cannabis company, was pleased to announce this morning that it has signed an agreement with Leading Points Corp. to represent its products, services and initiatives to various government and military agencies. Leading Points is led by its founder who retains 20 years of service as an active duty commissioned [...]

Lockheed Martin’s New Arm – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:00:38 +0000

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., a Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) subsidiary, recently set up a new Missile Defense Systems operating unit. The new unit, which is part of the Lockheed Martin's Strategic and Missile Defense Systems division, includes program management, engineering and production facilities in Huntsville and Courtland, Alabama, and program operations in Denver, Colorado, and Sunnyvale, California. Retired Army Major General John W. Holly will head the unit.

The new operating unit will provide support to Lockheed Martin's various projects. These include the tri-national medium extended air defense system (MEADS) program led by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, the land environment air picture provision (LEAPP) air defense program led by Lockheed Martin U.K and the targets and countermeasures program of the Missile Defense Agency. It will also be in charge of the Battle Management Technology Center at North Alabama and the ground-based midcourse defense (GMD) operations and sustainment contract.

Shares of Lockheed Martin closed at $74.43 on Tuesday, trading at 9.9X trailing-12 month EPS. We presently have Neutral recommendation for the company.

Read the full analyst report on "LMT"
Zacks Investment Research

Pointing a Finger at the Rich

Bill Bonner — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 18:30:16 +0000

pPity the poor rich! Pity the poor! Pity us all! /p pHere at the a href="http://www.dailyreckoning.com" class="alinks_links"Daily Reckoning/a, we always take the part of the humble#8230; the despised#8230; the oppressed#8230; and the misbegotten./p pToday, that means the rich#8230;/p pYes, dear reader, the rich are getting beaten up. Maligned. Mistreated./p pTheir governments all have in it for them#8230; taxes on ‘the rich’ are rising. In the US, the strongDemocrats are talking about financing the entire nation’s health care system on the backs of the super-rich/strong./p pAnd their salaries are being targeted by prosecutors and politicians. No more million-dollar paydays#8230; not with the feds looking over their shoulders. Oh#8230; and their investment earnings are down too. The dividend yield on the stock market is scarcely 3% #8212; try living#8230;/p

Wells Fargo Going Slow on Wachovia – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:15:40 +0000

Six months after acquiring Wachovia Corp., the Wells Fargo (WFC) name and stagecoach logo have yet to be seen in the Kansas City area. Indeed it will not be visible till the next year. San Francisco-based Wells Fargo has been moving slowly to consolidate Wachovia Bank into its system.

During December last year, the brokerage firm Wachovia Securities became part of Wells Fargo. All 4,800 branches of the residential lender Wachovia Mortgage have been folded into Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.

Wachovia Corp. was purchased by Wells Fargo on Dec 31, 2008, when it ceased to be an independent corporation. The company had been battered by heavy losses – especially in its portfolio of flexible, interest-only home loans – and was suffering a run on its deposits.

The consolidation of Wachovia bank branches into Wells Fargo's network is scheduled to begin this November. The integration will begin in Colorado, one of a half-dozen states where both the institutions have overlapping branches.

After Colorado, the branch-conversion process will move to five other states – California, Arizona, Illinois, Nevada and Texas – where Wells Fargo and Wachovia offices also overlap. Conversion in these states is expected to begin in 2010, though the conversion dates haven’t been announced for the Wachovia-only markets in the Carolinas and along the East Coast.

Wells Fargo’s growth plans have included a large number of acquisitions, Wachovia being the latest in December 2008. The company has demonstrated its ability to assimilate local franchises offering a wider range of products than the acquired company could have had.

The Wachovia merger is expected to generate an internal rate of return (IRR) of about 20% and be accretive to earnings starting from the third year without any adjustments. Further, as a result of the merger, Wells Fargo substantially expanded its distribution network and has a Community Banking presence for the first time in 16 states – Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington D.C.

Last month, Wells Fargo reported net income of 57 cents per share. The company reported that the Wachovia merger is on track and expects to realize $5 billion of annual merger-related savings upon completion of the integration process. During the latest reported quarter, 39% of the combined revenue came from Wachovia. With the combined resources, Wells Fargo will be in an even better position to satisfy its customers’ financial needs.

We maintain a Neutral recommendation on the shares of Wells Fargo.

Read the full analyst report on "WFC"
Zacks Investment Research

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 8/24/09, DCBR, NEXS, CAL, AET, BKS, MGI

PennyOmega.com — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:22:45 +0000

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DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 8/24/09, DCBR, NEXS, CAL, AET, BKS, MGI

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:17:56 +0000

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! Monday August 24, 2009 ************************************************************** Today, DC Brands International, a publicly traded company under the ticker symbol (PINKSHEETS: DCBR), is extremely proud to announce that they have reached an agreement with one of the nation’s leading retailers in sports equipment and apparel, The Sports Authority. The roll-out will begin with [...]

BBV, PWRM, DrStockPick Watch List! for Monday August 24, 2009, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. and Power 3 Medical Products Inc, PWRM.OB

Dr. Stock Pick — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:35:40 +0000

BBV, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. PWRM, Power 3 Medical Products Inc, PWRM.OB DrStockPick Watch List! DrStockPick Watch List! for Monday August 24, 2009 My Picks for Monday August 24, 2009 are: ************************************************************** BBV, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. BBV is a financial services group with more than $750 billion in total assets, 48 million clients, 8,000 branches and approximately 108,000 [...]

Bullion Monarch Mining, Inc. (BULM.OB) Posts Record Profits for Fiscal Year 2009

QualityStocks — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:57:37 +0000

Bullion Monarch Mining, Inc. is a domestic natural resource company with interests in gold and oil shale. The company has mining properties in Nevada and elsewhere in the western United States. The company also has an 80% interest in EnShale, an oil shale company with properties in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado. Bullion Monarch Mining continues its [...]

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 8/17/09, MTN, LMT, ITT, TKTM, NDAQ, WYE

PennyOmega.com — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:35:52 +0000

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DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 8/17/09, UNH, HRBN, GAIA, RPRX, CACI, KFY

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:26:46 +0000

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! Monday August 17, 2009 ************************************************************** UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:UNH) company, announced it will launch the Connected Care program in Colorado, giving patients in certain rural locations expanded access to physicians and specialists using advanced telehealth technology. The Colorado program is among the first in UnitedHealthcare’s work with Cisco [...]

DISH Network Profit Plunges – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:26:18 +0000

Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) second-quarter profit plunged 81% on litigation expenses related to TiVo Inc. (TIVO) and higher subscriber-related costs. The company reported earnings of $63.4 million, or 14 cents per share, compared to $335.9 million, or 73 cents in the year-ago quarter and significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said revenue came in at $2.90 billion, which was basically flat against the prior-year sales of $2.91 billion. The company added 26,000 new subscribers in the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover) improved 14 basis points to 1.73%. The growth in subscribers was driven by the digital transition on June 12, completion of security access device replacement program and new sales and marketing initiatives.

Total subscriber base still decreased 1.3% year over year to 13.6 million, as it faced intense competition from larger rival DirecTV (DTV) as well as from cable providers and Internet-based pay TV operators. Dish Network, which focuses on the lower-end of the market, was also affected by sluggish economic conditions and by the termination of distribution relationship with AT&T (T) in January of this year. Monthly average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) recorded a growth of 1.9% year over year to $70.73 primarily due to price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix toward HD packages and advanced hardware offerings.

Subscriber-related expenses increased 7.6% year over year to $1.53 billion. This was attributable to higher programming content costs, increased expenses related to call center operations and higher customer retention expenses associated with upgrading existing customer base to HD and DVR receivers. Subscriber acquisition costs rose 4.5% year over year to $388.3 million mainly due to additional advertising costs per activation, partially offset by a shift in the mix of sales from independent retailers to direct sales, which reduced incentives.

The company also recorded an expense of $196.4 million pertaining to TiVo litigation. The expense includes $103 million in fines and interest imposed by a district court on Dish Network and former unit EchoStar (SATS) in June related to a 4-year old patent infringement case with TiVo. However, last month a federal circuit court stayed the order providing the company with temporary relief.

Meanwhile, G&A costs increased 15.5% to $155.9 million on higher personnel costs and professional fees to support the network. Static revenue coupled with higher expenses caused operating income to plunge 57.7% to $262.8 million, while operating margin slipped to 9.0% from the year-ago level of 21.3%.

Dish Network ended the first-half with cash and marketable securities of $1.32 billion, a reduction of 30% compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the weak earnings performance. During the period, cash was primarily deployed for buying marketable securities worth $1.77 billion, partially offset by $1.09 billion generated by sale of securities, and for capital expenditure of $466.7 million.

Last week, archrival DirecTV reported an 11% decline in second-quarter earnings to $407 million, or 40 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents. The company added 224,000 subscribers in the quarter, helped by the launch of a co-branded satellite service with AT&T.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate, derived from 13 covering analysts, on Dish Network’s full-year earnings has climbed a penny over the past month and is currently pegged at $2.32 per share. The most accurate estimate is slightly bearish at $2.27 per share.
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Read the full analyst report on "TIVO"
Read the full analyst report on "DTV"
Read the full analyst report on "T"
Read the full analyst report on "SATS"
Zacks Investment Research

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 8/10/09, ICE, SWSI, PTNR, MIL, GTXI, ACTG

Dr. Stock Pick — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:40:28 +0000

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! Monday August 10, 2009 ************************************************************** IntercontinentalExchange((R)) (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of regulated global futures exchanges, clearing houses and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, today announced ICE Clear Europe((R)) cleared 699 transactions totaling euro 31.9 billion ($45.2 billion) in credit default swap (CDS) indexes during the week of August 3. Open interest reached [...]

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 8/07/09, MIPI, TEO, OYOG, AVAV, CTT, SPNG

PennyOmega.com — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 14:03:19 +0000

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PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 8/06/09, VPHM, MNTX, EMKR, LMAT, SPAN, FXEN

PennyOmega.com — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:29:53 +0000

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DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 8/05/09, APC, TRA, RADS, NCOC, PPO, SLG

Dr. Stock Pick — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:00:14 +0000

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! Wednesday August 5, 2009 ************************************************************** Anadarko Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:APC) today announced that Jim Kleckner, Vice President, Operations, will present at the 2009 EnerCom Oil & Gas Conference in Denver, Colo. on Thursday, Aug. 13 at 10:30 a.m. MDT. A link to the webcast presentation will be available at www.anadarko.com. The [...]

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! 8/04/09, VSEA, AMOT, SKH, GNBT, IWA, CVG

Dr. Stock Pick — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 15:12:35 +0000

DrStockPick.com Stock Report! Tuesday August 4, 2009 ************************************************************** Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSEA) today announced that the company will deliver a presentation at the 11th Annual Pacific Crest Technology Leadership Forum in Vail, Colorado on Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 9:30 am mountain time. Allied Motion Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: AMOT) today [...]

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 8/03/09, GOK, AVT, UMPQ, ADEP, VTIV, IHR

PennyOmega.com — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:24:15 +0000

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GRMN, WRI, DrStockPick Watch List! for Friday July 31, 2009, Garmin Ltd. and Weingarten Realty Investors

Dr. Stock Pick — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:55:53 +0000

GRMN, Garmin Ltd. WRI, Weingarten Realty Investors DrStockPick Watch List! DrStockPick Watch List! for Friday July 31, 2009 My Picks for Friday July 31, 2009 are: ************************************************************** GRMN, Garmin Ltd. Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of GRMN, the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices [...]

MFN, FRNTQ, PennyOmega.com Watch List ! for Friday July 31, 2009, Minefinders Corp. Ltd. and Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc, FRNTQ.PK

PennyOmega.com — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:02:21 +0000

MFN, Minefinders Corp. Ltd. FRNTQ, Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc, FRNTQ.PK PennyOmega.com Watch List! PennyOmega.com Watch List ! for Friday July 31, 2009 Our Picks at PennyOmega.com for Friday July 31, 2009 are: ************************************************************** MFN, Minefinders Corp. Ltd. MFN engages in the mining, exploration, and development of precious metal properties primarily in Mexico and the United States. MFN principal property includes Dolores Mine, an [...]

Petroleum Development Corp. (PETD) Bulks Up in the Marcellus Shale

QualityStocks — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:04:57 +0000

Petroleum Development Corp. is an oil and gas exploration and production company headquartered in Colorado. The company operates in four segments: Oil and Gas Sales, Drilling and Development, Well Operations and Natural Gas Marketing through its Riley Natural Gas subsidiary. The company’s most attractive asset on the exploration and production side of its [...]

State Auto Misses Estimates – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 22:08:48 +0000

State Auto Financial Corp.’s (STFC) second quarter loss of $0.12 per share was significantly down from both our estimate as well as that of the Street. Results reflect increased losses from catastrophes and a decrease in investment income. These negatives were partially offset by increased premiums in the personal line, though premium writings in the business segment remain restricted.

Business insurance underwriting results were adversely affected by a continuation of large fire losses from the first quarter and several unusually large liability losses from prior accident years. Also, there was one large worker's compensation loss.

For the quarter, State Auto’s net loss was $3.2 million, or 8 cents a share. This has reduced slightly from the loss of $3.3 million a year ago.

The top line continues to grow, with the company posting around 6% growth in premium writings. This upswing was contributed by the personal segment (up 13.1% year-over-year), driven by significant growth from three new states, Texas, Arizona and Colorado. All three accounted for about 4% gain within the segment. Rate increases in Private Passenger Auto and Homeowners' segments also contributed to the top line.

Even though State Auto reported a rise in premiums during the quarter, overall premium growth has experienced steady pressure from competition. The business insurance segment continues to face pricing pressures. Policy count was flat while premium writings were down over 5% in the quarter.

While the management is looking for a flat to slightly positive pricing, we expect premium growth -- particularly in the commercial lines -- to remain constrained due to the current stressed economy and a slow turn in pricing. Also, the top line will continue to be pressured by a declining exposure base. Given the impact of the economy on premium bases such as payrolls, sales and number of vehicles, it will be difficult to generate measurable growth in the next few quarters.

State Auto’s combined ratio (a ratio indicating the percentage paid out as claims and expenses from premiums earned) for the quarter was 110.6%, compared with 115.9% reported last year. The company is also incurring some expenses related to the restructuring of its field and claim operations.

A decrease in invested assets and reduced yields have resulted in a 6.7% decline in investment income. However, we note that an improvement in the capital market during the quarter has resulted in the company reporting a minor net realized investment gain ($2.5 million) during the quarter. The company also recorded unrealized gains net of tax of $13.5 million in the quarter. As a result, book value grew over 2% sequentially to $19.64 per share.

Though growth trends have experienced continued pressure from competition, economic conditions and upward pressure on loss ratios, State Auto has been able to grow organically and experiences steady retentions. In addition, the technology improvements and cost-containment initiatives are expected to benefit the company. Hence we reiterate our Hold recommendation on the shares of STFC.
Read the full analyst report on "STFC"
Zacks Investment Research

PennyOmega.com Stock Report! 7/24/09, IRIS, KCAP, MTW, BBX, GMET, MFLI

PennyOmega.com — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 18:27:44 +0000

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Buckeye Plans to Restructure – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:34:09 +0000

Buckeye Partners (BPL) will retrench 260 staffs -- nearly 25% of its workforce -- as part of the restructuring plan that the company announced today. This is pursuant to the outcome of the "best practices" review of the business processes and organizational structure that Buckeye had initiated earlier this year to improve operational efficiency and bring down cost.

Buckeye estimates to incur around $30-$34 million for this purpose -- out of which approximately $22-$30 million will be recorded in the second quarter and the balance during remaining half of this year. These charges mostly involve severance payments, early retirement benefits and other employee-related costs. Buckeye anticipates an annualized savings of $18-$22 million 2010 onwards.

Moreover, Buckeye has evaluated one of its natural gas liquids (NGL) pipelines -- that carries NGL from Wattenberg (Colorado) to Bushton (Kansas) -- as non-core to existing operations of the company. As a consequence of the strategic review, Buckeye estimates to record a non-cash charge of around $65-$75 million in the second quarter of this year, in order to reflect the fair value of the asset in its books.

Buckeye closed at $44.13 on Monday. It will report its second quarter financial results on 28th of this month. We reiterate our Buy recommendation for the company.
Read the full analyst report on "BPL"
Zacks Investment Research

RHT, VSYM, PennyOmega.com Watch List ! for Monday July 20, 2009, Red Hat Inc. and View Systems Inc, VSYM.OB

PennyOmega.com — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 03:57:51 +0000

RHT, Red Hat Inc. VSYM, View Systems Inc, VSYM.OB PennyOmega.com Watch List! PennyOmega.com Watch List ! for Monday July 20, 2009 Our Picks at PennyOmega.com for Monday July 20, 2009 are: ************************************************************** RHT, Red Hat Inc. RHT is the leader in enterprise Linux and is the most recognized open source brand in the world. RHT serve global enterprises with technology and services made [...]

Array Seeks Cancer Treatment – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:53:29 +0000

On Jul 15, 2009, Colorado-based biopharmaceutical company Array BioPharma Inc. (ARRY) filed an investigational new drug application (NDA) with the objective of initiating a phase I trial in cancer patients with its most advanced, wholly-owned MEK inhibitor, ARRY-162.

The open-label, multiple dose study is designed to evaluate the tolerability, safety and efficacy of the inhibitor following the oral administration of the drug to advanced cancer patients with solid tumors on a daily basis. The study is expected to commence in the third quarter of 2009.

Array is also evaluating the candidate for arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Currently, a worldwide phase II, double-blinded study (n=200) for ARRY-162 with active rheumatoid arthritis is in progress.

We think that Array's decision to evaluate its most advanced MEK inhibitor in the field of cancer will benefit cancer patients immensely. Further, management believes that ARRY-162 is not only well-suited for cancer treatment but possesses significant advantages over other MEK inhibitors currently in development, including greater potency, and improved safety and pharmacokinetics.

In addition to its proprietary pipeline, the company has entered into collaborations with leading pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies like AstraZeneca (AZN) and Celgene Corporation (CELG). However, we are concerned about all of Array's R&D programs being in a very early stage of development. This contains high operational risks. Any trial failure(s) is bound to affect its share price adversely. It has no product in the market and, given the early-stage of its pipeline, an Array product hitting the market looks like a distant possibility.

The company is currently seeking to enter new drug discovery collaborations, which will provide research funds. We have a Hold rating on the company's shares since Array possesses a higher risk profile than most investors may be interested in undertaking due to its early-stage pipeline, and its reliance on third-party clinical support.

Read the full analyst report on "ARRY"
Read the full analyst report on "AZN"
Read the full analyst report on "CELG"
Zacks Investment Research

Don’t Miss FSX’s Next Conference!

QualityStocks — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:07:54 +0000

From July 16th through the 18th, investors will be meeting with CEO’s to learn about incredible investment opportunities at the upcoming “Connect for Success” conference hosted in Denver, Colorado. Participants will also listen to financial industry experts as they speak about market strategies. The conference will take place at the Grand Hyatt Denver Hotel where guests [...]

Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Citigroup, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, US Bancorp and Wells Fargo – Press Releases

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:51:26 +0000

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – July 9, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), US Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo (WFC).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Mortgage Fraud on the Rise

There typically two types of mortgage fraud. The first, fraud for property focuses on applicants making misstatements to obtain a loan (embellishing income and concealing debt), and the second fraud for profit focuses on elaborate schemes to focus on falsifying appraisals and loan documents, which include identity theft and shell companies.

Reports of fraud have not moderated during the 1H09 as losses are $208 million higher compared to the year ago level. The FBI believes attempts have the potential to spread as expectations for the current economic downward trend is expected to continue into 2009 and perhaps into 2010.

The top 10 mortgage fraud states were California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Florida, Missouri and New York. Therefore it its extremely probable that financial institutions such as but not limited to Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), US Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo (WFC) will continue to experience negative credit quality trends during the coming quarters.

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About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

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Zacks Investment Research

Ascent Solar Exceeds 10% Module Efficiency Milestone

Dawn Van Zant — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:00:00 +0000

THORNTON, Colo. - July 8,2009 - Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a developer of state-of-the-art flexible thin-film solar modules, today announced that it has achieved its initial target module efficiency goal of 10.0% for its flexible Copper, Indium, Gallium, Selenide (CIGS) monolithically integrated modules.

Mortgage Fraud on the Rise – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:50:42 +0000

Based on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) report released July 7, 2009, suspicions of mortgage fraud increased significantly in 2008.

During 2008, financial institutions reported losses of at least $1.4 billion, up by 83.4% over the 2007 level, and suspicions of fraud increased approximately 36.0% to 63,713 over the same time period. Interestingly, nearly two-thirds of all pending FBI mortgage fraud investigations during 2008 involved dollar losses totaling more than $1 million (basically McMansions; please see our "The Looming McMansion Attack"). The negative trend in the housing markets around the country have created an favorable environment for mortgage fraud schemes.

There typically two types of mortgage fraud. The first, fraud for property focuses on applicants making misstatements to obtain a loan (embellishing income and concealing debt), and the second fraud for profit focuses on elaborate schemes to focus on falsifying appraisals and loan documents, which include identity theft and shell companies.

Reports of fraud have not moderated during the 1H09 as losses are $208 million higher compared to the year ago level. The FBI believes attempts have the potential to spread as expectations for the current economic downward trend is expected to continue into 2009 and perhaps into 2010.

The top 10 mortgage fraud states were California, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, Maryland, Florida, Missouri and New York. Therefore it its extremely probable that financial institutions such as but not limited to Citigroup (C), Bank of America (BAC), JPMorgan Chase (JPM), US Bancorp (USB) and Wells Fargo (WFC) will continue to experience negative credit quality trends during the coming quarters.
Read the full analyst report on "C"
Read the full analyst report on "BAC"
Read the full analyst report on "JPM"
Read the full analyst report on "USB"
Read the full analyst report on "WFC"
Zacks Investment Research

Viral Genetics Inc. (VRAL.PK) is “One to Watch”

QualityStocks — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:59:28 +0000

Viral Genetics Inc. is a company that discovers and develops drug compounds to treat diseases such as cancer, Lyme disease, and HIV. The company discovers and develops immune-based therapies for autoimmune diseases using their thymus nuclear protein compound (TNP). Viral Genetics recently entered into an Exclusive License Agreement with the University of Colorado and V-Clip Pharmaceuticals [...]

State Budgets Are Anti-Stimulus – Analyst Blog

Dirk Van Dijk — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:54:00 +0000

Today is the end of the 2009 fiscal year, and many states are still scrambling to get budgets in place for the 2010 fiscal year.

It is not easy since when the economy turns south, so do tax revenues, and states are not allowed to run deficits or borrow for operating needs. Some states have managed to cut costs or raise taxes enough to close their deficits for the upcoming year. The only two states without a budget problem are Montana and North Dakota.

As shown in the table below (from http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=711), the total spending cuts or revenue increase needs to be $166 billion or 24% of the projected budget. To some extent states have used "rainy day funds" and the money from the Federal Stimulus bill to close some of the gap. Still the problem is very severe with 5 states (CA, AZ, NV, IL, NY) facing shortfalls of greater than 30%. California is in the worst shape with a gap of 58.2%.

STATES WITH PROJECTED FY2010 BUDGET GAPS
State	FY2010 pre-budget	FY2010 mid-year gap	FY2010 Total	FY2010 Total % of Budget
Alabama	$1.2 billion	0	$1.2 billion	16.70%
Alaska	$1.3 billion	0	$1.3 billion	30.00%
Arizona	$4.0 billion	0	$4.0 billion	41.10%
Arkansas	$146 million	0	$146 million	3.20%
California*	$34.2 billion	$19.5 billion	$53.7 billion	58.20%
Colorado	$1.0 billion	$384 million	$1.4 billion	18.60%
Connecticut	$4.1 billion	0	$4.1 billion	23.20%
Delaware	$557 million	0	$557 million	17.60%
District of Columbia	$650 million	$150 million	$800 million	12.70%
Florida	$5.9 billion	0	$5.9 billion	22.80%
Georgia	$3.1 billion	$750 million	$3.9 billion	22.30%
Hawaii	$682 million	$297 million	$978 million	19.10%
Idaho	$411 million	0	$411 million	16.40%
Illinois	$9.2 billion	0	$9.2 billion	33.00%
Indiana	$1.1 billion	0	$1.1 billion	7.50%
Iowa	$779 million	0	$779 million	13.20%
Kansas	$1.4 billion	Yes, DK size	$1.4 billion	22.60%
Kentucky	0	$1.1 billion	$1.1 billion	11.30%
Louisiana	$1.8 billion	0	$1.8 billion	21.60%
Maine	$640 million	0	$640 million	21.40%
Maryland	$1.9 billion	Yes, DK size	$1.9 billion	13.60%
Massachusetts	$5.0 billion	0	$5.0 billion	17.90%
Michigan	$2.4 billion	0	$2.4 billion	12.00%
Minnesota	$3.2 billion	0	$3.2 billion	21.00%
Mississippi	$480 million	0	$480 million	9.60%
Missouri	$923 million	0	$923 million	10.30%
Nebraska	$150 million	0	$150 million	4.30%
Nevada	$1.2 billion	0	$1.2 billion	37.80%
New Hampshire	$250 million	0	$250 million	16.20%
New Jersey	$8.8 billion	0	$8.8 billion	29.90%
New Mexico	$345 million	0	$345 million	6.30%
New York	$17.9 billion	0	$17.9 billion	32.30%
North Carolina	$4.6 billion	0	$4.6 billion	21.90%
Ohio	$3.3 billion	0	$3.3 billion	12.30%
Oklahoma	$600 million	0	$600 million	10.50%
Oregon*	0	0	0	0.00%
Pennsylvania	$4.8 billion	0	$4.8 billion	18.00%
Rhode Island	$590 million	0	$590 million	19.20%
South Carolina	$725 million	0	$725 million	12.50%
South Dakota	$32 million	0	$32 million	2.90%
Tennessee	$1.0 billion	0	$1.0 billion	9.70%
Texas	$3.5 billion	0	$3.5 billion	9.50%
Utah	$721 million	$279 million	$1.0 billion	19.80%
Vermont	$278 million	0	$278 million	24.80%
Virginia	$1.8 billion	Yes, DK size	$1.8 billion	10.90%
Washington	$3.4 billion	$195 million	$3.6 billion	23.30%
West Virginia	$200 million	0	$200 million	5.30%
Wisconsin	$3.2 billion	0	$3.2 billion	23.20%
Wyoming	0	$32 million	$32 million	1.70%
Total	$143.2 billion	$22.7 billion	$165.9 billion	24.40%

This will lead to very drastic cuts in state budgets. Access to medical care by the poor will likely be one of the first things to be cut.

Education budgets will also probably be pared. This could be decreased spending on new textbooks, which would not be good news for publishers like McGraw-Hill (MHP) and Scholastic (SCHL).

Another area that is likely to be hit is new equipment at the municipal level. For example, I would not expect Oshkosh (OSK) to have a very good year selling new fire engines and snow removal equipment to municipalities.

Layoffs of state and municipal workers will simply add to the already high and rising unemployment rate. In short, a big part of the federal stimulus spending is being offset by (legally mandated) anti-stimulus actions at the state level.

As the graph shows, state fiscal problems tend to persist well after the recession is officially over. Indeed the problem is usually worse in the second or third year since by then the "rainy day funds" have already been used up.

Following the last recession, states collectively had their worst year in 2004 with a shortfall of $80 billion (or less than half what they face for fiscal 2010), which was well after the recession officially ended. Thus 2011, and possibly even 2012, will be a very lean year at the state level as well.

Read the full analyst report on "MHP"
Read the full analyst report on "SCHL"
Read the full analyst report on "OSK"
Zacks Investment Research

MarkWest Shares Head Northward – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:50:33 +0000

Shares of Colorado-based MarkWest Energy Partners (MWE) were up as much as an additional percentage point today following a 6.3% gain in Thursday's trading. The natural gas gathering and processing master limited partnership (MLP) has seen its unit price soar 78% since March.

MarkWest has come back strongly from a rocky second half of 2008, in which there were doubts regarding its ability to sustain distribution levels in the face of weak commodity prices and reduced access to credit. Those concerns have largely been laid to rest following the partnership's improved liquidity position and growing signs of vitality in the credit and equity markets.

We believe that MarkWest's Marcellus joint venture with NGP Midstream & Resources (and the concurrent credit facility expansion) and the recent senior notes offering adequately address its near-to-medium term liquidity needs. Additionally, the recent formation of a separate joint venture with ArcLight Capital Partners LLC to construct and operate the Arkoma Connector pipeline has the potential to further buttress the partnership's liquidity position.

These favorable developments, in conjunction with the partnership's hedge program, have improved our confidence in MarkWest's ability to maintain current distribution levels ($0.64 per unit, or $2.56 per unit annualized) over the next twelve months.

Despite impressive recent gains, valuation in this MLP remains at extremely attractive levels. As such, we see substantial upside potential in MarkWest units and therefore maintain our Buy recommendation with 12-month target price of $20.

We continue to view MarkWest as a core MLP holding. Our other Buy-rated names in this space are Kinder Morgan Energy Partners (KMP), Enterprise Products Partners (EPD), NuStar Energy (NS), Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and TC PipeLines (TCLP).

MarkWest is a MLP engaged in the gathering, processing and transmission of natural gas, transportation, fractionation and storage of natural gas liquids, and the gathering and transportation of crude oil. MLPs are securities having a unique corporate structure that exhibit hybrid financial features (fixed income as well as equity).
Read the full analyst report on "MWE"
Zacks Investment Research

Viral Genetics, Inc. (VRAL.PK) Receives Patent for Cancer Treatment Therapies

QualityStocks — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 18:51:41 +0000

Viral Genetics, Inc., a company that develops drug compounds to treat cancer, Lyme Disease, and HIV, has received a patent for cancer treatment therapies. This patent protects cancer drugs that have used mice as clinical research subjects. Issued on March 31, 2009, the U.S. Patent Number is: 7,510,710. M. Karen Newell, PhD., tenured professor [...]

Corrections Corporation of America – Value – Zacks Rank Buy

Tracey Ryniec — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Corrections Corporation of America (CXW), one of the largest operators of prisons in the United States, has surprised on estimates 3 out of the last 4 quarters by an average of 4.61%. Revenue grew 6.5% in the first quarter.

Company Description

Corrections Corporation of America ("CCA") is the largest operator of correctional and detention facilities in the United States. Only the federal government and three states are larger prison operators.

The company operates 64 facilities, with 44 of those being company owned. It has a total design capacity of about 86,000 beds in 19 states and the District of Columbia.

CCA also operates educational and rehabilitation programs as well as providing health care and food services within the correctional facilities.

Revenue Climbed 6.5% in the First Quarter

On May 7, CCA reported first quarter 2009 results that surprised on analysts' estimates by 11.54%. Earnings per share were 29 cents compared to Wall Street estimates of 26 cents per share.

Revenue rose 6.5% to $404.2 million from $379.4 million during the year ago quarter. Total compensated man-days increased 3%. The average inmate population gained 4.2% during the quarter.

Revenue from federal customers rose 5.5% to $160.1 million from $151.8 million fueled by per diem increases during 2008.

Revenue for managing state customers increased 9.5% to $211.8 million from $193.5 million in the year ago time frame.

State revenue growth was primarily due to increased inmate populations in the states of California, Colorado and Idaho, which offset declining inmate populations in Minnesota, Washington, New Mexico, and Kentucky, as well as per diem increases during 2008.

"We are pleased that we were able to capitalize on our bed developments in 2008 through the award of three new contracts during the first quarter of 2009 for nearly 4,000 additional inmates," said John Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer.

"The remaining 6,700 beds in inventory positions us for additional growth in the future," he added.

Share Repurchase Program

In Nov 2008, the company announced a $150 million share repurchase program. Through May 1, 2009, CCA repurchased 10.7 million shares for a cost of $125 million. The company accelerated share repurchases in the first quarter, spending $108.4 million on 9.6 million shares.

Guidance Clouded by State Budget Concerns

CCA provided second quarter earnings per share guidance in the range of 26 cents to 28 cents. Full year 2009 EPS is expected to be between $1.17 to $1.25 per share.

The magnitude of the economic crisis on state budgets is a not yet apparent as fiscal year 2010 budgets are due by July 1. The company cautioned that the earnings guidance included its best estimate of potential outcomes in states that are customers.

However, the company believes it will see long-term benefits from the supply and demand imbalance in the number of beds that continues in the industry.

Consensus Estimates Rise

Covering analysts appear to be cautious despite the company's guidance. Second quarter estimates are at the high end of the forecast range, at 28 cents per share, but they've been there for the last 60 days.

Full-year estimates are up 5 cents to $1.21 per share in the last 2 months but 2 have lowered and 1 has raised within the last 30 days.

Value Fundamentals

Corrections Corporation of America is a Zacks #1 Rank (strong buy) stock. It has a forward P/E of 13.33. Its price-to-book ratio is 1.48. The company has a 5-year average return on equity (ROE) of 10.15%.

Zacks Investment Research

Enhance Skin Products Inc. (EHSK.OB) is “One to Watch”

QualityStocks — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:45:52 +0000

Enhance Skin Products, Inc. develops and sells cosmeceutical products. Trading on the OTCBB, the Company has their headquarters in Toronto, Ontario and offices in Denver, Colorado. They are part of the Personal Products industry in the Consumer Goods sector. Founded in 1992, Enhance Skin Products Inc. sells their products under the Visible Youth™ trademark. Enhance Skin [...]

Basic Earth Science Systems Inc. (BSIC.OB) Announces Completion of North Dakota Well in Bakken Formation

QualityStocks — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:28:28 +0000

Independent oil and gas exploration and production company Basic Earth Science Systems Inc. recently updated shareholders on its Roscoe 2H-8 well in the Banks Prospect in eastern McKenzie County, N.D. The company announced the well went into production in early May 2009, testing at a rate of 543 barrels of oil, 1,185 thousand cubic feet [...]

China Leads the Way, The Trade of the Next Decade, CEO Pay and More!

Contrarian Profits — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:22:02 +0000

pAmerican markets at a standstill… can the Far East drive stocks forward? #8230; a href="http://www.contrarianprofits.com/articles/author/chris-mayer/" class="alinks_links"Chris Mayer/a on buying “what China needs, but can’t make for itself” #8230; a href="http://www.contrarianprofits.com/articles/author/dan-denning/" class="alinks_links"Dan Denning/a’s pair trade for the next decade #8230; a href="http://www.contrarianprofits.com/articles/author/bill-bonner/" class="alinks_links"Bill Bonner/a and Goldman Sach’s CEO on the current “bull market” #8230; Plus, a CEO pay debate fills our inbox… your letters and our response, below#8230;/p p The Dow crashed 1.4 points yesterday, wiping out Monday’s 1.3 point moonshot. Desperate for something beyond these 0.014% “swings,” strongthe market’s putting China in the driver’s seat today… and these guys still have quite a lead foot:/strong/p p strongChinese auto sales soared 34% in May/strong, year over year. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, the Red Nation scooped up 1.12 million vehicles last month, outpacing any nation#8230;/p

Saturday Success Story – Roland, Colorado

Trading School — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 12:00:23 +0000

At MarketClub, our mission is to help you become a better trader. Our passion is creating superior tradingtools to help you achieve your goals—no matter which way the markets move—we promise objective and unbiased recommendations not available from brokers. Here is one of our member’s story… “My use of MarketClub is based mostly on convenience. During the [...]

Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: PepsiCo, Pepsi Bottling Group, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., Vale and Rio Tinto – Press Releases

Zacks Market Commentaries — Wed, 27 May 2009 13:12:23 +0000

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - May 27, 2009 - Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: PepsiCo (PEP), Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS) and Vale (VALE) and Rio Tinto (RTP).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:

PepsiCo, PBG Thrust & Parry

There is sword-play between PepsiCo (PEP) and Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG). Back on April 19th, PepsiCo proposed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Pepsi Bottling Group at $29.50 per share. However, on May 5th, the Board of Directors of Pepsi Bottling Group rejected a proposal as grossly undervaluing the company.

Then on May 11th, PepsiCo sued Pepsi Bottling Group on the grounds of not giving PepsiCo's two board members proper notice of the Pepsi Bottling Group board meeting, in which the bottler's board voted to reject the PepsiCo's offer and approved a shareholder rights plan -- aka a "poison pill."

We expect PepsiCo will ultimately announce a higher offer for the Pepsi Bottling Group. PepsiCo obviously believes that the shares of Pepsi Bottling Group are attractive. In addition, management of PepsiCo is seeking not only to invest its cash flow in a growth vehicle, but also gain more control over the distribution of its products.

Over the last year, the company acquired Pepsi-Cola Batavia Bottling, which serves parts of upstate New York; Lane Affiliated Companies, the eighth largest Pepsi bottler in the U.S. with operations in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico; and Better Beverages, a Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS) franchised bottler that serves portions of central Texas.

Iron Miners Get Price Adjustment

The mining market has been waiting with some anxiety the news on the renegotiation of the price of iron ore with China for 2009. As we said here many times, we expect a price cut between 30% and 40%.

In the particular case of Vale (VALE), price adjustment should be less intense, as in 2008 Vale got a lower price adjustment. The difference in the price cut for Vale and the other mining companies should be something around 400 and 500 basis points.

Today Rio Tinto (RTP) announced that it reached a deal with Nippon Steel for a price reduction between 33% and 44% for 2009, depending on the quality of the iron ore shipped. This was the first real deal announced, and should establish a basis for renegotiation with Chinese clients.

After the announcement, we reinforce our view that Vale's renegotiation with Chinese clients should reach a price reduction between 25% and 35%. It is important to remember that Vale's iron ore is of higher quality.

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About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2677

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Zacks Investment Research

PepsiCo, PBG Thrust & Parry – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:52:32 +0000

There is sword-play between PepsiCo (PEP) and Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG). Back on April 19th, PepsiCo proposed to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Pepsi Bottling Group at $29.50 per share. However, on May 5th, the Board of Directors of Pepsi Bottling Group rejected a proposal as grossly undervaluing the company.

Then on May 11th, PepsiCo sued Pepsi Bottling Group on the grounds of not giving PepsiCo's two board members proper notice of the Pepsi Bottling Group board meeting, in which the bottler's board voted to reject the PepsiCo's offer and approved a shareholder rights plan -- aka a "poison pill."

We expect PepsiCo will ultimately announce a higher offer for the Pepsi Bottling Group. PepsiCo obviously believes that the shares of Pepsi Bottling Group are attractive. In addition, management of PepsiCo is seeking not only to invest its cash flow in a growth vehicle, but also gain more control over the distribution of its products.

In the meantime, management of Pepsi Bottling Group is implementing its plan to expand the company's U.S. footprint across contiguous territories. Most recently, on May 14, 2009, the Pepsi Bottling Group announced the intent to acquire Pepsi-Cola Bottlers for the Merrimack Valley, which serves northeastern Massachusetts.

Over the last year, the company acquired Pepsi-Cola Batavia Bottling, which serves parts of upstate New York; Lane Affiliated Companies, the eighth largest Pepsi bottler in the U.S. with operations in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico; and Better Beverages, a Pepsi-Cola and Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS) franchised bottler that serves portions of central Texas.

Read the full analyst report on "PEP"
Read the full analyst report on "PBG"
Read the full analyst report on "DPS"
Zacks Investment Research

PEIX Subsidiaries Bankrupt – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:28:58 +0000

Pacific Ethanol Subsidiaries File Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

In the latest in a wave of ethanol companies suffering from poor conditions in the U.S. ethanol market, Pacific Ethanol (PEIX), the largest West Coast producer of ethanol, announced that its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on May 18.

Subsidiaries that own four ethanol plants in California, Oregon, and Idaho filed for bankruptcy in Delaware court. The company itself and two marketing units -- Kinergy Marketing LLC and Pacific AG Products LLC -- didn't file for protection from creditors.

Pacific Ethanol disclosed that lenders agreed to $20 million in debtor-in-possession financing.

Kinergy is the ethanol sales and distribution arm of Pacific Ethanol. It sells ethanol made by Pacific Ethanol as well as ethanol made by Midwestern producers. Pacific AG sells wet distillers feed grain to California's big dairy industry. The grain is a byproduct of producing ethanol, made after the fermentation process.

Pacific Ethanol is at a disadvantage to many of its rivals. It had to buy most of its corn from the Midwest, which raised its operating costs. The company also buys some corn in California. Pacific Ethanol said it plans to sell its ethanol and feed production under existing agreements.

As recently as 2007, the ethanol industry had a bullish outlook. However, with high corn prices it's become a very difficult market for ethanol producers. There are currently 10 other ethanol producers in bankruptcy, including VeraSun Energy (VSUNQ), Aventine Renewable Energy (AVRNQ) and Renewable Energy (REC). Aventine began the reorganization process in April 2009. VeraSun filed for bankruptcy in October 2008.

Pacific Ethanol lost $23.9 million during the 1st quarter of 2009, compared to a net loss of $35.2 million in the year-earlier period. The company's average sales price per gallon of ethanol fell 28%, to $1.65 from $2.30.

Street analysts maintain a consensus Underperform rating with a $0.23 share price and continued net losses through fiscal 2010.

California-based Pacific Ethanol produces and sells ethanol and its co-products, including wet distillers grain (WDG), and provides transportation, storage and delivery of ethanol through third-party service providers in the Western United States, primarily in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, Idaho and Washington.
Read the full analyst report on "PEIX"
Read the full analyst report on "AVRNQ"
Zacks Investment Research

SGMS Wins Lottery Again – Analyst Blog

Zacks Market Commentaries — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:33:22 +0000

Scientific Games Corporation (SGMS) announced that the company has been selected again to be the primary vendor to supply instant tickets and related services for the Massachusetts State Lottery. The contract's initial term is three years with two one-year extension options. Scientific Games expects to generate revenues of approximately $12 million per year from this contract.

Scientific Games has a leading position in several markets, including the instant ticket and online lottery markets. The company continues to win significant contracts in both the instant ticket and online lottery markets from both domestic and international lottery authorities. We rate the stock a Buy.

Also this year, the company signed an amendment contract which extends for four years the Tennessee Lottery Contract, which designates the company as the primary vendor to supply instant tickets and related services (including warehousing and distribution). The amendment covers the period between April 2011 and 2015. The Tennessee Lottery Contract is expected to generate revenues of approximately $9 million per year.

In 2008, The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue selected Scientific Games in an open and competitive procurement process to supply a new range of lottery equipment, including the "next-generation" WAVE terminals. The contract has an initial term of five years and provides for five one-year extension options.

Also in 2008, the company received a contract as the primary vendor to supply instant tickets and related services to the Florida Lottery, which should generate annual revenues of approximately $35 million. In addition, the company was granted three year extension of instant ticket contract with the Georgia Lottery, which generates annual revenues of approximately $28 million.

Within the instant ticket lottery market, the company also has instant ticket lottery contracts in Tennessee, Texas, California, New York, Illinois, Colorado, Vermont, Indiana, Kentucky, Washington, Idaho, and West Virginia.

Based in New York City, Scientific Games Corporation is a global information technology systems and services company that provides instant ticket and online lottery products, systems and services to lottery authorities worldwide. Scientific Games is a provider of computerized systems and services to the pari-mutuel wagering industry, an operator of off-track betting (OTB) facilities, and a manufacturer of paper-based prepaid phone cards. Scientific Games' customers are not only in the United States, but also in more than 60 other countries worldwide.
Read the full analyst report on "SGMS"
Zacks Investment Research

DigitalGlobe Shines on Day 1 – Zacks Tale of the Tape

Zacks Market Commentaries — Thu, 14 May 2009 20:35:34 +0000

DigitalGlobe Inc. (DGI) jumped more than 30% in debut trading on Thursday after becoming the latest initial public offering to price above its expected range.

The Longmont, Colorado-based firm provides satellite images to Google (GOOG) Maps, Microsoft's (MSFT) Visual Earth, the U.S. government as well as oil, telecommunications and Internet companies.

The company's IPO was heavily subscribed and raised $279.3 million on Wednesday, pricing 14.7 million shares at $19 each. That was higher than the estimated range of $16 to $18. The company, which generates most of its revenue from U.S. government contracts, is expected to gain further from the Obama administration's stress on satellite imagery for intelligence purposes.

DigitalGlobe's fist-day gains have been similar to four other stocks that went public this year and the second IPO to price above its expected range. According to industry experts, this could be an early indication that the IPO market is finally recovering.

DigitalGlobe reached an intraday high of $25 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange before settling down at $21.70 around midday. Shares of its chief competitor, GeoEye (GEOY) fell more than 2% to $24.10 at noon.

"DGI" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?
Zacks Investment Research

Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation Announces Board of Director Appointment

Stuart T. Smith — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:07:17 +0000

KENNEWICK, Wash., May 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Advanced Medical Isotope Corporation (”AMIC”) (Pink Sheets:ADMD)(http://www.isotopeworld.com), a company engaged in the production and distribution of medical isotopes, announced today the appointment of Dr. Michael Korenko to its Board of Directors. Dr. Korenko was the Westinghouse Vice President in charge of the 300 and 400 areas, including the [...]

Keep Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC) on Radar!

QualityStocks — Tue, 12 May 2009 13:28:58 +0000

Uranium Energy Corp. is a US-based junior resource uranium mining company focused on becoming a near-term ISR uranium producer in the United States. The company controls one of the largest historical uranium mining exploration and development databases in the US, which it has used to acquire advanced uranium properties throughout the southwestern US. Uranium Energy has focused [...]

Casino Stocks: The One Sin Stock You Should Be Betting On

Investment U — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:02:51 +0000

Casino Stocks: The One Sin Stock You Should Be Betting On by David Fessler, Advisory Panelist Casino stocks have been more than down on their luck lately. In fact, they’ve been on the ropes more than one of their prizefighting boxers. And it’s no wonder. The recession has hit consumers hard. And many have cut their spending, [...]

AMNE to Take Eco Safe on the Road

Stuart T. Smith — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:44:55 +0000

NEW HAVEN, CT — (Marketwire) — 05/05/09 — American Green Group, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: AMNE) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Eco-Built Systems LLC, D/B/A Paradigm Polymers plans to take its recent acquisition Eco Safe Premium Foam Insulation® on the road. AMNE is planning events in Colorado, Iowa, California, New England and a return [...]

Profit From A Satellite IPO

Andrew Snyder — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:50:48 +0000

pI first realized satellite imagery was going to be a hit when it came to the world of fishing. Thanks to innovative companies like Digital Globe, the same kind of technology the government uses to spy on its enemies helps guys like me catch more fish./p pFor just a few bucks each month, I have access to daily current reports, water temperature charts and some pretty crazy satellite maps. If the technology is loved by the sportfishing industry, image what the defense and oil explorations sectors think./p pThe reason I mention Digital Globe is the company is about to go public. In just the fifth American IPO this year, the Colorado-based company will look to raise $250 million during its debut on#8230;/p

Green Investor News – UQM Technologies PowerPhase 125 Electric Propulsion System Powers Citroen C4 Hybrid World Rally Car

Dawn Van Zant — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

FREDERICK, Colo. -- UQM Technologies, Inc. (NYSE Amex: UQM), a developer of alternative energy technologies, announced today that its PowerPhase 125 electric propulsion system is powering the Citroen C4 Hybrid Rally Car currently being tested by Citroen Racing.

Robert DeYoung on payday loans

James Hamilton — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:07:53 +0000

I thought this was an interesting editorial in Tuesday's WSJ.

Robert DeYoung writes:

For those who depend on taking out a loan in advance of a paycheck, life may soon get harder if Congress passes the Payday Loan Reform Act.
The bill's sponsors, which include Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D., Ill.), say they want to clean up abuse in credit markets by clamping down on the prices lenders charge for payday loans. In reality, the legislation will reduce the supply of these loans and make borrowing more expensive.
The reform is based on the false premise that consumers take out these loans without realizing how much they are paying. True enough, these loans are expensive. A two-week payday advance of $300 typically comes with a $45 finance charge-- an implied annual percentage rate (APR) of 391%. Critics say borrowers could not possibly intend to pay that much for an advance on their paychecks, and that the cost alone is evidence of exploitation of the working poor.
But new research suggests that most payday borrowers are more rational and informed than critics believe. A January 2009 study by Gregory Elliehausen at George Washington University found that payday borrowers make informed choices. About half of the 1,173 payday borrowers he surveyed considered other credit alternatives-- such as bank, credit card, or personal loans-- before taking out a payday loan. Over 80% lacked sufficient funds in their bank accounts to meet their expenses, so by taking out a payday loan they avoided expensive checking account overdraft fees. Nearly 90% said they were either very or somewhat satisfied with the transaction.
A November 2008 FDIC report on overdraft protection provides the context. According to this exhaustive study, the average APR on a two-week checking account overdraft is 1,067%, more than double the rate on the typical payday loan. Worse, a large percentage of banks studied by the FDIC take deliberate measures to increase the frequency of customer overdrafts-- such as displaying account balances on ATM screens only after the overdraft has occurred, and increasing the number of insufficient funds checks by clearing large customer checks before small ones. Compared to these overdraft practices, payday loans are transparent.
Nonetheless, the legislation pending before the House would cap payday-loan finance charges, even though government price limits almost always have negative effects. Price controls are especially harmful when competition is robust, as in payday-loan markets.
Ron Phillips of Colorado State University and I examined seven years of payday-loan prices in 117 Colorado neighborhoods. We found that local markets with more payday stores tend to enjoy lower prices, but that the benefits of competition were largely been washed away when Colorado imposed a cap on finance charges. Over time, the longer a price cap remains in place the more borrowers get charges the legal maximum price. Price caps make these loans more expensive and less available.

Details of the proposed legislation can be found here, and the DeYoung Phillips paper is available here.

Technorati Tags: payday loans, economics

If You Like Earning Steady Income, There’s No Better Business Than This

Tom Dyson — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +0000

BBy Tom Dyson/BBRBR "We've had a good turnout with them," said Sue Moore. "It upped our occupancy."BRBR Sue Moore runs a Super 8 Motel in Bowling Green, Missouri. The recession has been hard on some areas of the Midwest, but in Bowling Green, things have held up well. A nearby construction project is the reason. Nearly 1,000 workers have been holed up in Bowling Green... filling up the motels, booking up the restaurants, and keeping the waitresses busy at the local diners.BRBR The contractors are working on a project to lay a pipeline across America. The pipeline is 42 inches in diameter and – when finished – will run 2,053 miles from Colorado to New Jersey. This month, the workers will complete the Midwest section of the pipeline and move away from Bowling Green.BRBR They call this pipeline "Rex" for Rockies Express. It will be the largest natural gas pipeline in America... And at a cost of over $6 billion, it is one of the most expensive natural gas infrastructure projects ever undertaken.BRBR The western section of the pipeline is already operating. Now the Ohio section is complete, gas will start running across the Midwest, too. Construction on the final leg of the project – the piece from Ohio to New Jersey – will begin soon.BRBR The Rockies Express will carry between 11.5 billion and 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day. According to the owners, there was so much demand for this pipeline, it will run at full capacity, immediately.BRBR Pipeline construction is a major headache, but once you've completed the project, there's no better business... especially if you like earning a steady income stream. Here's why:BRBR There's almost no cost to run Rex. It needs almost no maintenance or labor. And it'll do its job for the next 100 years. Rex doesn't care about recessions or wars. Buried underground, your investment is completely safe.BRBR And Rex will always be full, so it'll keep cranking out cash flow. There's a massive surplus of gas in Wyoming and Colorado. There's a shortage of gas in the cities of the Northeast and the Midwest. There's no competition. Rex is fully subscribed under long-term contracts... even though it's still under construction.BRBR The government will set the tariffs for transporting gas in the Rex pipeline. This is a good thing. The government sets the tariffs high to make businesses undertake these costly construction projects. Price stability is another benefit of the government's regulation. Cash flows from Rex will be so steady, they'll resemble bond coupons.BRBR In sum, Rex is a perfect investment for the investor who wants to earn 10% a year on his money without taking big risks. Unfortunately, you can't invest directly in Rex... it's owned by a syndicate of the biggest energy companies in the U.S. But it is easy to invest in pipelines with similar investment characteristics to Rex.BRBR The bear market trimmed most pipeline stock prices by over 50%. The Alerian MLP index is an index of the 50 largest pipeline companies. The index yields 10.5% right now, but it's easy to find individual pipeline companies with yields as high as 15%. Click here for a list of the pipeline companies in the index.BRBR Good investing,BRBR TomBRBRdiv class="feedflare" a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:yIl2AUoC8zA"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?d=yIl2AUoC8zA" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:7Q72WNTAKBA"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?d=7Q72WNTAKBA" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:V_sGLiPBpWU"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?i=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:V_sGLiPBpWU" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:gIN9vFwOqvQ"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?i=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:gIN9vFwOqvQ" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:TzevzKxY174"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?d=TzevzKxY174" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:69LSlcDtVW8"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?d=69LSlcDtVW8" border="0"/img/a a href="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?a=KOnb48GvOnA:N2_XLewgi88:qj6IDK7rITs"img src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~ff/dailywealth/rss?d=qj6IDK7rITs" border="0"/img/a /divimg src="http://feeds2.feedburner.com/~r/dailywealth/rss/~4/KOnb48GvOnA" height="1" width="1"/

First Solar to Develop 30 Megawatt AC Solar Power Plant for Tri-State

Dawn Van Zant — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 13:00:00 +0000

TEMPE, Ariz.---First Solar, Inc., (Nasdaq: FSLR) has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc., a wholesale electric power supplier serving more than 1.4 million consumers through 44 electric cooperatives and public power districts in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.