ValueClick Inc. (VCLK) is set to announce its third quarter results on Oct 27. We expect the company to report in-line third quarter results, if not higher than the guidance, due to the continued deterioration in the lead generation business.   Headquartered in Westlake Village, California, ValueClick is a diversified provider of Internet advertising solutions and online marketing services for online advertisers and website publishers.   ValueClick directly competes only with Marchex (MCHX) for placing web advertisements on affiliate networks. However, large Web portals such as Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO) and MSN continue to increase competition for ValueClick’s display ad business. Over the long-term, we are very positive on online advertising growth; however, current economic conditions are creating significant headwinds for ValueClick and others in the industry. We have a neutral rating on ValueClick.   Revenue Outlook   For the third quarter, the company expects ...

Headquartered in Westlake Village, California, ValueClick Inc. (VCLK) is a diversified provider of Internet advertising solutions and online marketing services for online advertisers and website publishers.

ValueClick is one of the largest online display advertising network operators in the industry. We believe the rebound in the company’s Comparison Shopping and Search segment and positive display ad trends in the U.S. will drive growth in the near-term.   The company’s second quarter earnings were above expectations, demonstrating its focus on driving bottom-line growth. However revenue was down year over year in the most recent quarter, impacted negatively by weakness in the lead generation business, which pulled down the Media segment’s revenue significantly. The lead generation business continues to deteriorate and has been taken into account in the subdued outlook for the third quarter.   ValueClick directly competes only with Marchex (MCHX) for placing web advertisements on affiliate networks. Moreover large

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Have we hit bottom? The U.S. unemployment crisis has changed the purchasing habits for the American consumer. The Investment U Research Team gives us two stocks that are benefiting from the recession and this new way of life .

Theses stocks act as an early warning for what is to come and you don’t need the data from the U.S. Labor Department to give you the figures or warning.

This from the Team:

During most recessions, the auto sector has traditionally taken it on the chin. This week, we found out some interesting news that gives us some new insight into the changing buying habits of American consumers, and perhaps, new insight on investing.

AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) reported increased sales and profits as customers lined up to fix old vehicles instead of purchasing new ones. It’s a logical and expected result of consumers saving more and

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AutoZone and ADP, Non-traditional Indicators

by Investment U Research Team

During most recessions, the auto sector has traditionally taken it on the chin. This week, we found out some interesting news that gives us some new insight into the changing buying habits of American consumers, and perhaps, new insight on investing.

AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) reported increased sales and profits as customers lined up to fix old vehicles instead of purchasing new ones. It’s a logical and expected result of consumers saving more and splurging less.

Another lesser-known indicator, this time on jobs and joblessness, are the numbers coming from payroll heavy Automatic Data Processing (Nasdaq: ADP). From the ADP Employer Service gauge we know that 697,000 jobs were cut from payrolls in February. 

What these data streams tell us is that we can find investment information outside sources

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