BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc., a pioneer in cellulosic ethanol production via its proprietary conversion process utilizing concentrated acid hydrolysis, disclosed today that their CEO, Arnold Klann, will attend the 4th Annual Cellulosic Biofuels Summit (CBS) next week on Nov. 17. The event will be held in Washington, D.C.

Standing alongside executives from across the cellulosic biofuel industry, such as Dr. Kristina M. Johnson, Under Secretary for the Department of Energy, and Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, Klann will help resolve financing issues facing the industry.

Klann expressed BFRE’s pleasure at participating in the CBS and emphasized the importance of funding challenges faced by the entire industry. Klann cited BFRE’s Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process as being a commercially-ready, proven and patented vehicle whereby non-foodstock urban, agricultural and forestry waste (collectively biomass) could be converted to ethanol, while growing the industry. Klann went on to say

...

BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. received a reimbursement from the Department of Energy (DOE) for $3.8 million, signifying a continued commitment by the current administration and the DOE to bolster such alternative energy sources.

The liquidity provided by this reimbursement will allow BlueFire to capitalize the development of its second ethanol plant, to be located in Fulton, Mississippi. BlueFire is currently operating under a $40M grant from the DOE received in 2007.

BlueFire’s ethanol refining from non-food cellulosic biofuel is achieved via its fully operational, and proprietary, Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process. This technology presents a robust solution to the disposal of waste plant matter and a powerful framework for agricultural production of high-yield cellulosic feedstock. The forms of ethanol produced are competitive with gasoline and commercially ready for use in an existing market infrastructure.

CEO of BlueFire, Arnold Klann was quoted as saying, “The DOE’s continued financial support coupled with the

...

Lancaster Colony Corp. (LANC)) recently announced great year-end results and shares are surging on the news.

Company Description

Lancaster makes a variety of products in 3 general areas: home goods, specialty foods, and automotive. However the company has been transitioning out of certain areas for the past few years.

Exceeded Expectations

On Aug 20 the company reported full-year results for fiscal 2009 that included sales of $1.05 billion, a 7% improvement compared to last year. The final quarter of the year also saw a 7% improvement in sales to $253 million.

Earnings per share for the quarter came in at $1.01, 25 cents higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Corporate officers also had positive comments about the Lancaster's position and growing financial strength.

Rising Estimates

Since the report the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2010 has jumped 26 cents to $3.30. Estimates for next year are averaging $3.51, up from

...

TESSCO Technologies Inc. (TESS) continues to trade higher on strong fundamentals and a bullish Zacks Consensus Estimate.

Receiving an extra boost on solid quarterly results, shares have soared past the market by about 20% since TESSCO reported in late July. The stock is trading near a 52-week high and has outpaced the market over the long-term.

Bullish Forecasts

Encouraged by strong first-quarter that saw earnings per share of 38 cents soar past the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 124%, the company hiked its fiscal year earnings guidance to a range of $1.15 to $1.40 per share.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate has been holding steady over the past month at $1.31 per share or the year ending May 2010. The forecast was at $1.22 per share 3 months ago.

Strong Fundamentals

The company continues to boast stellar fundamentals. TESSCO's return on equity (ROE) of 10% tops the industry average of 0.25%. Its

...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 1, 2009 – Four free stock picks are being made available today on Zacks.com. The industry’s leading independent research firm highlights one Zacks #1 Rank Strong Buy or a Zacks #2 Rank Buy stock for each of the four main styles of investing: Aggressive Growth, Growth & Income, Momentum, and Value.

The four highlighted picks are: Apollo Group, Inc. (APOL), Lancaster Colony Corporation (LANC), Autonation, Inc. (AN) and Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. (WW).      Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Four daily picks are offered free at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5607

Zacks #1 Rank Stocks have nearly tripled the S&P 500 since 1988, producing an average annual return of +26%. Performance has been notable even during volatile and down times. For example, during the last bear market, 2000-2002, the market tumbled -37.6% – but Zacks #1 Rank stocks gained +43.8%.

Here is

...

Lancaster Colony Corporation (LANC) recently announced fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $1.01 per share, coming in well ahead of the previous year's 37 cents and exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 33%. Lancaster also recently declared a quarterly dividend 28.5 cents per share, which translates into an industry-leading yield of 2.3%.

Company Description

Lancaster Colony Corporation manufactures and markets specialty foods as well as glassware and candles for the retail and foodservice markets. Specialty Foods and Glassware and Candles are the company's 2 segments, each operating autonomously and focusing on their specific customer base and market opportunities.

The Specialty Foods segment offers such items as T. Marzetti salad dressings, Jack Daniel's mustards, Romanoff caviar, New York garlic bread and Reames egg noodles to a few. The Glassware and Candles product offerings include Candle-lite candles and Lancaster Colony Commercial Products.

Solid Earnings

The company recently announced fiscal fourth-quarter earnings of $1.01

...

In last week's edition of Trading Tools, office supply sultan Staples, Inc. (SPLS) was examined, as it appeared on the Zacks Unusually High Option Volume filter. However, utilizing the Zacks Put/Call Ratio Greater than 1.0 screener today, I stumbled upon another equity that piqued my curiosity: Columbus, Ohio-based Lancaster Colony Corp. (LANC), which manufactures an array of products, including specialty foods, glassware, and candles.

< ?DART(15);?> For an explanation of the contrarian stance that makes Schaeffer's so unique, check out a recent version of Trading Tools.

The Put/Call Ratio Greater than 1.0 screener

Before we begin, let's break down today's stock screener. The filter looks for stocks with a high put/call open interest ratio, indicating a preference for bearish bets among near-term options. Why is this important? Simply put, a high Schaeffer's put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) – measuring options with less

...

Lancaster Colony Corp. (...

Dow components Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Home Depot (HD) headline the last official week of second-quarter earnings season. Joining them will be S&P 500 members Gap (GPS), Lowe's (LOW), Limited (LTD) and Target (TGT).

Overall, we have confirmed reports from 106 companies, 13 of which are in the S&P 500. Retailers will again be prominent, with 40 listed to release results.

There is not much on the economic calendar, though we will get inflation numbers on Tuesday. Key data will include: Tuesday: July producer prices (PPI), July housing starts, July building permits Wednesday: Weekly crude inventories Thursday: July Leading Indicators, August Phili Fed survey, weekly initial jobless claims

The Kansas City Fed will hold its economic symposium at Jackson Hole, WY. Fed Chairman Fed Ben Bernanke will speak about financial stability on Friday.

Volume could be modest through Labor Day as traders try to get in late

...