The latest S&P scorecard of active vs. passive funds gives an edge to the former.

 

The average dollar invested in an actively managed equity mutual fund over the past one, three and five years outperformed its benchmark index through June 30, according to a new report released by Standard & Poor’s on Thursday.

The so-called Midyear 2009 S&P Indices Versus Active Funds Scorecard, or SPIVA, compared the returns of active funds vs. S&P benchmarks in a variety of different asset classes. The data takes into account survivorship bias, which eliminates funds that go under or merge into other funds.

Historically, the results of the SPIVA analyses heavily favor the indexes. That’s what happened with the last report, covering year-end 2008, when indexes won in a landslide.

But the Midyear 2009 report contains a surprise. While the average actively managed funds trailed their benchmarks on an equal-weighted basis, when measured on an

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SIGM, Sigma Designs Inc.

CLZR, Candela Corporation

DrStockPick Watch List!

 

DrStockPick Watch List! for Wednesday August 19, 2009

 

My Picks for Wednesday August 19, 2009 are:

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SIGM, Sigma Designs Inc.

SIGM Designs develops and markets high-performance, highly-integrated System-on-a-Chip (SoC) semiconductors for the following key markets:

* IPTV Set-top Boxes, Gateways and Thin Clients * Blu-ray Players * HDTVs and A/V Receivers * Network Players (DMAs) * Portable Media Player * UWB (Ultra-Wideband) Connectivity Products * Z-Wave® Wireless Products including RF Remote Controls, Home Control and Home Automation

Complementing the core technology, SIGM also offers complete reference designs for these market segments. Sigma Designs’ products are sold worldwide through a direct

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PennyOmega.com Stock Report!

PennyOmega.com Hot Stock News & Alerts!

 

Thursday August 13, 2009

PennyOmega.com Stock Report!

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Ventiv Professional Development Group, an inVentiv Health company (Nasdaq:VTIV) and a leading provider of learning solutions to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, today announced it has rebranded under the new name, “Preceptiv Learning Solutions.”

AAON, INC. (NASDAQ: AAON), a leading manufacturer of heating and cooling products, is pleased to announce that it has been added to Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index. AAON will be added to the S&P SmallCap 600 GICS Building Products Sub-Industry index.

Cobra Oil & Gas Co. (OTCBB:CGCA) (Hereafter “Cobra”), an independent oil and gas exploration and production company and focused on the strategic

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Credit Suisse Global High Yield (RBSFX) was incepted in March 1993. The investment seeks high total return by focusing on high-yield fixed-income securities of issuers located in a broad range of countries.

The fund primarily invests in high-yield, high-risk fixed-income securities of U.S. and foreign issuers. It typically maintains a weighted-average portfolio maturity of between five and 15 years.

Unit holders have to make a minimum initial investment of $3,000,000 to enter this Zacks#1 Rank ("Strong Buy") fund. It has an expense ratio of 0.70%.

Credit Suisse High Income A (CHIAX) seeks to provide investors high current income, with capital appreciation as a secondary objective.

The fund invests primarily in a diversified portfolio of high risk fixed income securities including convertible and non-convertible debt securities and preferred stock. It may invest up to 30% of assets in securities of non-U.S. issuers.

The fund has topped the total returns

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If the consensus earnings estimates coming out of Standard & Poor’s and “the Street” (via Thompson Reuters) are realistic, then it looks pretty good for a stable to rising market value.  We say value instead of prices, because price and value don’t always coincide.

At 923 the S&P 500 is about 12 times the 2010 $74.10 forecast for the S&P 500 operating earnings by Standard and Poor’s, or the $74.48 forecast by “the Street” according to Thompson Reuters.  Barron’s reports a Capital IQ survey of six strategists’ forecast of $68.45 for 2010, making today’s 923 index price about 13.5 times 2010 operating earnings.

Actual S&P 500 operating earnings in 2007 and 2008 were $82.54 and $49.51.  That puts $74 at almost 90% of the 2007 earnings level — quite an amazing and surprising expected accomplishment given all we’ve been through.

S&P forecasts $55.61 operating earnings in 2009 for the S&P 500, while “the

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top longs/(shorts) w/ TOTAL returns since 1st purchase making me money TODAY: ASCA 48% SOLR 40% INOD 40% KONG 28% ARST 25% (MOS 46% CHTT 15%)

Today was owned by the banking sector as the “Bank Stress Tests” were released today. By in large this stress was viewed vastly different from all sides of the aisle. Regardless of anyone’s opinion, the market’s opinion was positive as banks roared higher pushing the NYSE composite Index and S&P500 higher. Lagging behind was the NASDAQ composite index and the IBD indexes. It shouldn’t be a major surprise seeing the banks leading for one day as the stress tests showed most banks can withstand further downside, but we’ll need to see leadership from the IBD indexes. Once again, we did see major support for the NASDAQ and other indexes showing there is a bullish tint …

So the Nasdaq snagged that eighth-straight week of gains after all. A flurry of buying at the end of the session saved the day. That the IBD 100 led the way with a 2.8% gain for the week is what impresses me though. According to my records, there were 62 winners to 38 losers. GMCR, of course, went on the warpath to the tune of a 35% plus gain, leaving in its wake the carcass of many an unwise short-seller. Even before blowing away earnings, GMCR had printed a new all-time high and formed a very bullish three-weeks tight pattern. I remember quite clearly Bill O’Neil being asked at a workshop last December what most caught his attention when he looked at a stock’s chart: “Tight closes,” he said. “When you see tight price action you’re seeing institutions at work.” …

Abu Dhabi Buys Daimler Stake; Tata Launches Nano; Walgreen Beats 2Q Estimates; Banks Hurt by Plunging Commercial Property Prices; Gannett Furloughs Workers Again; Oil Nears 3-Month High; TreeHouse Foods Climbs on Private-Label Buying

Abu Dhabi’s state-controlled International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) said it would buy a 9.1% stake in the German automaker Daimler AG (DAI) for almost $2.72 billion (2 billion euros). It also pumped $1.41 billion into Aabar Investment PJSC, giving the Middle East emirate majority control in the IPIC, Reuters reported. Tata Motors Ltd. (ADR: TTM) announced it will begin sales of the Nano, the world’s ...

News of new measures to curb foreclosures scare short positions giving a boost to stock prices.

Thursday’s intraday action prior to 3:00pm EST looked as if the market was headed for a race towards the November 2008 lows.  However, at 3pm EST just as equity prices were on the verge of collapse a leak from the Obama Administration saved the market from utter collapse.  A new action by the Obama Adminstration to curb home foreclosures spooked enough shorts to race for the exits.  Friday’s stock failed to capitalize on the move Thursday and build on the gains produced by a short covering rally.  This market has proven that staying on the sidelines has been a very good place to be overthe past several months.

The NASDAQ is holding a short-term uptrend but let’s remember that the overall health of the economy remains in question.

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Ongoing turmoil in the financial markets has resulted in a highly challenging environment for the U.S. insurance industry, a trend that is expected to continue in 2009. We also expect further consolidation in the industry.

Life Insurers

Increased losses in the investment portfolio and lower income from the variable annuity business will continue to hurt earnings. The Industry's statutory capital levels have fallen sharply in 2008 and some companies are trying to raise capital through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). We are not sure whether the lawmakers will allow the insurers access to TARP money. Further, many life insurers have substantial exposure to commercial-real-estate-backed securities, which will result in further losses during FY09.

Property & Casualty Insurers

Insurers' losses from natural disasters surged in 2008, with maximum losses resulting from Hurricane Ike (insured losses of approximately $15 billion). Six named storms -- Dolly, Edouard, Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike hit the

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