Encouraging economic data and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s view that the recession was “very likely over" sent stocks higher for a second straight day.  A better-than-expected rise in retail sales, helped in part by the government’s cash-for-clunkers program and higher gasoline prices, eased concerns that consumers were spending with restraint. 

Speaking at a Brookings Institution conference, Bernanke, however, added a note of caution, saying, “Even though from a technical perspective the recession is very likely over at this point, it’s still going to feel like a very weak economy for some time."

This morning’s stock futures indicate Wall Street would open with gains, helped by increased M&A activity, optimistic guidance from companies, and words from Warren Buffett that Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) is "buying stocks right as we speak."

Yesterday, the 30-stock Dow Jones industrial average gained 57 points, or 0.6%, to 9,683.41, its highest point since October 6. 

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 14, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Tyco International (TYC) as the Bull of the Day and Valero (VLO) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Textron (TXT), Outboard Marine (OM) and Walmart (WMT).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

We are initiating coverage on Tyco International (TYC) shares with an Outperform rating and $36 target price.

The company's third-quarter results benefited from the improvement in key metrics like account growth, average revenue per user and the disconnect rate, which helped sustain recurring revenues.

Tyco is increasing capital expenditure on Research & Development at its two new centers in Shanghai and Bangalore, which are focused on developing products tailored to respective local

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• MetLife (NYSE:MET) shares fell 7.4% after the shares were downgraded by Raymond James Financial on valuation concerns

• BP (NYSE:BP) announced a "giant" new oil discovery in the Gulf of Mexico, named "Tiber," one of the deepest wells ever drilled

• Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD) reported disappointing Phase III trail results for its primavanserin drug in treatment of Parkinson's disease psychosis

• Joy Global (NASDAQ:JOYC) announced fiscal third quarter earnings of $1.21 per share, beating estimates of 95 cents a share, on revenues of $956 million, up from projections of $902.4 million. The firm said it sees 2009 revenues to equal its prior $3.5 billion to $3.6 billion guidance, and raised its earnings guidance to $4.00 to $4.20 per share, from its view of $3.80 to $4.00 per share

• Textron (NYSE:TXT) was upgraded by Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) to "buy" from "neutral."  Goldman also added the firm to its conviction buy list with a

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div style="text-align: justify;"Goldman Sachs is upgrading span style="font-weight: bold;"Textron (NYSE:TXT)/span to Conviction Buy from Neutral and raising price target to $23 (prev. $16)br /br /All of TXT’s cyclical businesses (Cessna, Industrial, TFC) are at or near trough and likely turning the corner, valuation is compelling, and catalysts lie ahead. The three key drivers of the upgrade are:br /br /1) business jet data likely keeps improving in 2H09/2010,br /br /2) Industrial could surprise to the upside near-term given that 60% of revenue is from Autos, andbr /br /3) continued credit and capital market improvement means more run-off success, potential asset sales, and liquidity enhancements.br /br /span style="font-weight: bold;"Catalyst/spanbr /The following could act as positive catalysts and drive shares higher, 1) TXT’s Analyst Day on Sept. 9, 2) improved Auto production driving upside at Industrial, given that 60% is Auto, 3) business jet data continuing to improve, 4) asset sales or additional ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 27, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Medtronic (MDT) as the Bull of the Day and KeyCorp (KEY) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Boeing (BA), Textron (TXT) and Ford (F).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Medtronic’s (MDT) long-term story is intact - product approvals and launches will drive healthy top-line growth. This was witnessed in the first quarter when the company reported sales growth in all its operating segments.

Higher demand for pacemakers and ICDs has rejuvenated growth in the CRDM segment. This will bolster the company's strong position in the cardiac market against its closest rivals, Boston Scientific Corporation and St. Jude Medical.

First quarter earnings of 79

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New orders for durable goods rose 4.9% in July, well above consensus expectations for a 3.2% increase. In addition, the June numbers were revised to a drop of just 1.3% instead of a 2.5% decline. This was the biggest increase in two years. Since aircraft count as durable goods -- and a few orders for jumbo jets can really jerk the numbers around -- it is important to look at the orders excluding transportation equipment. There the news was good, but not as good. Orders rose 0.8%, just slightly below consensus expectations of a 1.0% rise. However it did mark a thrid straight month of increases, following rises of 2.5% in June and 0.8% in May. Apparently Boeing (BA) had a good month, as orders for transportation equipment jumped 18.4% -- more than reversing a 12.0% slide last month. It's mostly Boeing, and perhaps some of the private jet firms like ...

• Media reports say Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) have struck a revenue-sharing deal that could be finalized today.  The internet-search alliance could see a fierce competition with rival Google (NASDAQ:GOOG), the reports say

• Time Warner (NYSE:TWX) reported second quarter adjusted earnings 45 cents a share, ahead of consensus estimates of 37 cents a share, on revenues of $6.81 billion, versus estimates of $6.97 billion. The firm maintained its 2009 earnings guidance of flat adjusted results from continuing operations versus $1.98 a year ago

• Moody's (NYSE:MCO) second quarter earnings exceeded estimates by 3 cents at 43 cents as revenues fell 7.6% to $451 million

• Medco Health Solutions (NYSE:MHS) reported second quarter earnings of 69 cents, 4 cents ahead of estimates

• Qwest Communications (NYSE:Q) reported earnings of 13 cents, 3 pennies above estimates, on in-line revenues of $3.1 billion, that was off 9% from a year ago

• Textron (NYSE:TXT) reported second

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Coming to a skirmish near you: MRAPATVsFirst there were ATV -- All Terrain Vehicles. Then came MRAP(V)s -- Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected Vehicles. Put them together and what do you get? Correct: Mine-Resistant, Ambush-Protected All-Terrain Vehicles! Give that man a UAV!So, why do we need MRAPATVs? Well, in turns out that the current models of MRAPs are OK for deployment on the IED-laced "paved" roads in Iraq. However, for the "Istani" campaign (yes, there is now more than one "stan" with which we must contend), there aren't many paved roads (they are, however, fairly-well lined with IEDs).This has the consequence that the axles of the existing MRAPs -- which, like the almost extinct Pontiac, are relatively wide-tracked -- are snapping. Hence, we need a new, improved off-road model...really quickly!Accordingly, our military is now testing newer MRAP-types at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - Apr 27, 2009 - Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week's list includes Ameristar Casinos (ASCA), Corning Inc. (GLW), Commscope Inc. (CTV), Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR), Textron (TXT). To see more earnings analysis, visit http://at.zacks.com/?id=3207.

Every day, Zacks.com makes 4 stock picks available, free of charge. To see them, go to http://at.zacks.com/?id=3567.

The Week's Events

It is going to be a very busy week. Earnings season continues, the economic calendar is pretty packed, the Fed will hold its April meeting and automotive makers face deadlines.

Nearly 800 companies will release profit reports, 154 of which are in the S&P 500. Dow components include Chevron Corporation (CVX), Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM), Pfizer (PFE) and Proctor

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 13, 2009 - Zacks Equity Research highlights Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) as the Bull of the Day and Internap Network Services (INAP) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Northrop Grumman (NOC), Textron (TXT) and Ceradyne (CRDN).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Myriad Genetics, Inc. (MYGN) is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products. The company employs a variety of proprietary proteomic technologies to identify genes, proteins and their pathways.

Research in these areas has helped the company develop diagnostic tests

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