• Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) reported better-than-estimated earnings of $1.29 a share, 13 cents above estimates, after yesterday's market close, as the company benefited from its arthritis drug and tax benefits.  The firm raised its full-year earnings outlook to $4.80-$4.95 per share from $4.55-$4.75 per share and consensus estimates of $4.57

• This morning’s report indicate Amgen (NASDAQ:AMGN) and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE:GSK) have agreed to jointly market an osteoporosis treatment, that could generate $2 billion in annual sales within ten years if given regulatory approval

• Barclays (NYSE:BCS) cut Boeing (NYSE:BA) shares to "equal weight" from "overweight", on delays and undetermined cost overruns in its Dreamliner program. Price targets were cut from $60 to $46

• Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised its rating on the US steel sector to "buy" from "neutral," noting a faster-than-expected recovery in world markets and a leaner US supply chain. Analysts upgraded US Steel (NYSE:X) in advance of today's earnings release to

Consumer sentiment is on the rise, but should it be? “Trend” investors are being led into a trap by some sneaky bears. Pay attention or they will get you too.

The power of the consumer is amazing. Before today’s opening bell, equity futures looked bleak.

Nuclear testing in North Korea spooked global markets. Housing data showed yet another double-digit decline in home prices. And we are down to the last few days before General Motors’ (NYSE:GM) big June 1 deadline.

But all it took was good news from consumers to get the markets surging by more than 2%. Even though the economic data does not show many signs of a long-term improvement, evangelical announcements of “green shoots” appear more than enough to convince Americans the worst is behind us.

With American sentiment on the rise, it is no wonder one of New York’s biggest movers is smack dab in the thick

Under Armour (NYSE:UA) is under pressure from both sides. Analysts say it is going down, while emotional investors continue to fall in love. Somebody is going to lose.

Before the opening bell, I was chatting with my colleague, Laura Cadden. I told her of my dire outlook for Under Armour (NYSE:UA) and its overpriced and over-hyped product pipeline.

“You can’t say that,” she rebutted. “I love Under Armour.”

Because she is a Baltimore native – the home of Under Armour – it is easy to understand her affection for the company. But once I gave her a handful of figures and circled a few key spots on the stock’s chart, she tossed her emotions aside and agreed with my call.

That’s when it happened.

Shortly after sharing my opinion, in what I assumed was confidence, the news feed fires up and word hits the Street that Morgan Stanley downgraded Under Armour and

Yesterday(1/13), Under Armour (NYSE: UA) fell 16%. It’s dropped almost 30% over the past month. Today’s (1/14) price of $18.25 getting close to the 52-week low of $16.05 it reached in November. And to add insult to (sports?) injury, original investors in the athletic wear company will note it’s well below what they paid in the 2005 IPO. 

But while many analysts suggest this company may be a one trick pony – akin to Crocs, (Nasdaq: CROX). They couldn’t be more wrong. The reason its share price was penalized was that analysts were expecting $1.09 instead of the .79 reported.

This is a classic case of overreaction from a negative earnings report.

The fact of the matter is that this brand has developed a premium niche within the sportswear market, and it’s expanding that brand recognition to other areas.

Yes, there are numerous knock-offs of their breathable fabrics. And several competitors for

Yesterday, Under Armour (NYSE: UA) fell 16%. It’s dropped almost 30% over the past month. Today’s price of $18.25 getting close to the 52-week low of $16.05 it reached in November. And to add insult to (sports?) injury, original investors in the athletic wear company will note it’s well below what they paid in the 2005 IPO. 

But while many analysts suggest this company may be a one trick pony – akin to Crocs, (Nasdaq: CROX). They couldn’t be more wrong. The reason its share price was penalized was that analysts were expecting $1.09 instead of the .79 reported.

This is a classic case of overreaction from a negative earnings report.  

The fact of the matter is that this brand has developed a premium niche within the sportswear market, and it’s expanding that brand recognition to other areas.

Yes, there are numerous knock-offs of their breathable

Even the strongest retail brands are suffering heavy losses as consumers flock to low-cost stores. Andrew Snyder says this spells doom for Under Armour (NYSE:UA). The company has a strong marketing strategy, but its sales estimates are too optimistic for a retailer of expensive niche clothing. Andrew says the stock is overvalued right now, creating a good chance for a profitable short play.

This from Today’s Financial News:

It is tough for many investors to admit, but marketers rule Wall Street. On most days, it is not true fundamentals that rule the Dow. It is the change in the way we perceive a company’s valuation that makes a stock go up or do.

If marketers do their job, share price rises. If they fail, shareholders feel the pain.

Investors rarely weigh a company’s marketing talent in their decision-making process. It is a flaw that could cost them dearly. In many cases, a firm’s

Shares for Under Armour (NYSE:UA) jumped 26% yesterday. The retail company’s third quarter results exceeded expectations on the same day as the market posted a major rally. But Andrew Snyder says this is down to marketing hype. Q3 were solid, but the company has a weak business model in a competitive industry that is vulnerable to recession. It also has a PE ratio almost double the S&P500 average. That’s why Andrew says it is one of the few remaining overvalued stocks on the market.

This from Today’s Financial News:

You have to search the equities market pretty hard to find any companies still trading at overvalued prices, but if you look hard enough they are still out there.

One of them is making headlines today. Thanks to the company’s better-than-expected earnings report, shares of Under Armour (NYSE:

The $700bn Paulson Plan came unstuck at the 11th hour last night. Predictably, House Republicans and Democrats disagreed on the details of the bailout.

Andrew Snyder says campaign managers, not economic advisers, are now shaping the bailout plan. This is bad news for US stocks. The Dow Jones Index (DJI) opened 100 points down from Thursday's close.

Andrew says investors need to go short to profit from this mess. Sportswear retailer Under Armour (NYSE:UA) is primed for a heavy fall. Andrew recommends buying the firm's January 30 Puts (UAMF.X) to profit from a weak holiday season for retailers.