In past posts, a discussion about ” hitting ‘em where they ain’t” has been going on. Generally, as the economy and equities take hold once again, this is a solid perspective to consider for profit. There are, however, a few common realities to also consider. What is happening now on the ground, so-to-speak, cannot be ignored. China’s spending of its stimulus monies happens to be one of these realities. While the US and Europe are somewhat constrained by political issues, China is not. The Chinese government works quick and decisively. If it wants domestic spending for infrastructure development, it gets it moving now and not later. Those companies that are in the middle of this ability to act are the ones that will profit.

General Steel Holdings Inc., a specialty steel manufacturer, works to produce specialty steel products in the Peoples Republic of China. The company manufacturers products such as: hot-rolled

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On Oct. 9, United States Steel Corporation’s (X) wholly owned subsidiary U.S. Steel Canada Inc., ArcelorMittal Dofasco and Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (CLF) have agreed to sell their respective interest in the Wabush Mines joint venture to a Montreal-based steel mining company, Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines Ltd., for $120 million. Wabush Mines owns and operates iron ore mining and pellet facilities in Newfoundland in the U.S. and Labrador and Quebec in Canada. Wabush's total rated annual production capacity is 6.4 million tons of iron ore pellets. U.S. Steel holds 44.6%, ArcelorMittal Dofasco holds 28.6% and Cliffs Natural Resources holds 26.8% in the joint venture. Completion of the transaction is subject to a right of first refusal held by the third owner - Cliffs. ArcelorMittal (MT), the world's largest steelmaker, will receive $34.28 million for its interest. Consolidated Thompson plans to finance the transaction with ...

Mechel OAO (MTL), one of the leading Russian mining and metals companies, signed a contract to supply coking coal concentrates and steam coal of various grade to companies in China, Japan and South Korea. Mechel will supply about 2 million tons of coking coal concentrates and about 2.3 million tons of steam coal of various grades to the companies (not disclosed) in 2009.The coking coal and steam coal exports will be performed by Mechel Mining OAO's subsidiary, Yakutugol OAO. The company has not provided any financial details associated these contracts.

Mechel has established itself as one of the largest producers of coking coal in the world by acquiring 100% interests in the U.S. entities Bluestone Industries, Inc. and Dynamic Energy, Inc. (both West Virginian corporations) and JCJ Coal Group, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and some of its West Virginia affiliates. These companies are engaged in the

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The number of unemployed in Russia has reached an eight-year high.  Vladimir Potanin has reduced his stake in Norilsk Nickel to 25%.  Potanin's Rosa Khutor Sochi ski resort development has borrowed $94 million from state bank VEB.  Chrome maker RosSpetsSplav is optimistic that output will revive after summer.  Gold miner Peter Hambro has announced a 53% increase in earnings.  Steel manufacturer Severstal says it expects demand for steel to fall by 25% on last year's rate.  Developer LSR Group lost $238 million last year.  Czech authorities have left Aeroflot out of a tender for Czech Airlines, due to what Russia called 'politicized and artificial' security issues.  VSMPO-Avisma has made a $4 billion deal to supply Airbus with titanium parts up until 2020.  Alfa Bank's profit dropped 9.2% last year, due to ...

The number of unemployed in Russia has reached an eight-year high.  Vladimir Potanin has reduced his stake in Norilsk Nickel to 25%.  Potanin's Rosa Khutor Sochi ski resort development has borrowed $94 million from state bank VEB.  Chrome maker RosSpetsSplav is optimistic that output will revive after summer.  Gold miner Peter Hambro has announced a 53% increase in earnings.  Steel manufacturer Severstal says it expects demand for steel to fall by 25% on last year's rate.  Developer LSR Group lost $238 million last year.  Czech authorities have left Aeroflot out of a tender for Czech Airlines, due to what Russia called 'politicized and artificial' security issues.  VSMPO-Avisma has made a $4 billion deal to supply Airbus with titanium parts up until 2020.  Alfa Bank's profit dropped 9.2% last year, due to ...

With the U.S. stimulus package in place and the politically contentious cap-and-trade program looming, one sector is poised to benefit from both measures. Calling it the “Rodney Dangerfield” of renewable energies, Greg Reid, director of Clean Technology at Wellington West Capital Markets, says geothermal doesn’t get a lot of respect right now—but that’s about to change. In this exclusive interview with The Energy Report, Greg discusses how the political push, and monetary allocation, for clean energy are aligning the political and social stars over geothermal.

The Energy Report: Greg, in one of your articles, you call geothermal the “sleeping giant” of renewable energy. What makes geothermal so interesting to you?

Greg Reid: I think the political and social stars are starting to align here. One of the key things is political will. You now have the governments that are pushing renewable energy. There was a lot of concern that as …

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 14, 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: United States Steel Corporation (X), MIPS Technologies, Inc. (MIPS), Chevron Corp. (CVX), Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd ( MRH) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSM).

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 Monday's Analyst Blog:

U.S. Steel Bending to Pressure

United States Steel Corporation (X) is a leading steel manufacturer in the U.S. Rising supply from China, low demand from the automotive and residential sectors and rising labor costs are affecting

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United States Steel Corporation (X) is a leading steel manufacturer in the U.S. Rising supply from China, low demand from the automotive and residential sectors and rising labor costs are affecting the company's operations. In order to consolidate operations, the company has closed several facilities and plans more shutdowns in the near term.Going forward, U.S. Steel's tubular business will be unsustainable, given the sharp deterioration in energy prices and drilling activity, coupled with the continued onslaught of imports. These lead us to rate the stock a Hold.Steel prices plummeted from record highs last year, though they have recovered modestly in recent months. In addition, U.S. Steel s tubular business will be unsustainable moving forward, given the sharp deterioration in energy prices and drilling activity, coupled with the continued onslaught of imports. Read the full analyst report on "X"Zacks Investment ...

United States Steel Corporation (X) is a leading steel manufacturer in the U.S. However, rising supply from China, low demand from the automotive and residential sector and rising commodity and labor costs lead us to rate the stock a Hold with a six-month target price of $30.00.U.S. Steel Corp. reported fourth quarter 2008 net income of $308 million, or $2.65 per diluted share, compared to fourth quarter 2007 net income of $35 million, or $0.29 per diluted share. Fourth quarter 2008 net income was increased by $76 million, or 65 cents per diluted share.Despite improving profitability and cash flows, there are several challenges in store for U.S. Steel. China's steel output has outpaced demand, causing excess supplies and depressing global steel prices. If the trend continues, it would severely impact the company's bottom-line growth. In addition, U.S. Steel's domestic flat product volumes will suffer ...

The iShares MSCI Brazil Index (EWZ) is down about 55% for the year, however, in the last month, it has risen over 35%. Brazil companies are on the move. Of the four BRIC countries, Brazil seems to be the country that is in the strongest shape and has the greatest potential. So what Brazilian stocks should you invest in? One resource is the book a href="http://www.lulu.com/content/2138480"Investing in Stocks/a.br /br /If you are looking for a petrochemical company, there is Braskem S.A. (BAK), the largest thermoplastics producer in Brazil. Unfortunately, the company has recently generated negative earnings; however, revenues for the latest quarter were up by 8.9%. br /br /With growth in the rebuilding of infrastructure, the demand for steel should increase, and should benefit Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (SID), the second largest Brazilian steel manufacturer. The stock has a PE of 15.5, and a yield, based on historical payments this year, ...