It is understood that the lawmakers are now planning to put in place a set of rules to govern the use of the remaining half ($350 billion) of the funds available for the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The proposed legislation may come to the House as early as next week. The rules are expected to include, among others:1) Requirements on the part of the banks to assist homeowners facing foreclosures2) Specific mandates on executive compensation3) Tougher disclosure requirements on the use of the moneyLawmakers and taxpayers are so far less than pleased about the way the first $350 billion (or maybe a little more) was spent by the Treasury. No details about the proposed use of the money that the banks receive from the Treasury were sought, no conditions were put and there were no consequences for not lending. As ...

In this post, we discuss EnCana (ECA), EOG Resources (EOG), XTO Energy (XTO) and Chesapeake (CHK).

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported today a below-average withdrawal of natural gas for the week ended January 2, 2009. The agency reported that natural gas in storage totaled 2,830 billion cubic feet (Bcf), representing a net withdrawal of 47 Bcf from the preceding week, significantly below the 147 Bcf withdrawn this week last year. Current storage levels are now 31 Bcf or 1.1% above last year's level, and 3.2% above the 5-year average.

This is the first time since December 2007 that storage levels have exceeded year-ago levels. Warmer-than-average temperatures across the country played a major role in the below-average withdrawal. According to the National Weather Service's degree-day data, temperatures in the country were above normal and above the year-earlier level.

This is a bearish report for natural gas prices, adding to

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Sohu.com, Inc. (SOHU) is the second-largest internet portal and one of the most well-known online brands in China. Sohu's pipeline for its new online games remains strong and is expected to drive meaningful growth in late 2009 and 2010. We are encouraged by the company's growing cash balance as well as its debt free balance sheet. We believe that the current stock price does not fully reflect the company's intrinsic value. Concerns relating to online ad spend and China's macro economy in 2009 still remains. As such, we maintain our Buy rating on the shares of SOHU. Based on our estimate for fiscal 2009 EPS, the stock is trading at a P/E multiple of 9.7x. The stock is also trading at 10.1X our N4Q EPS estimate, which is below the industry mean and median. The PEG ratio of 0.28 is also well below the ...

We are downgrading Priceline.com (PCLN) from Hold to Sell. In our opinion, the stock's recent move from the high $40s to about $80 (a rally of ~65%) should be sold.Recall that the company indicated that it began experiencing an accelerated deterioration in European travel in the third quarter. Global economic conditions have not improved since that time, and Zacks Investment Research believes the global slowdown will accelerate in 2009.As a result, the headwinds impacting the online travel-related services market will persist, and that will pressure Priceline.com's results. We think the stock should trade around $60, which is a more reasonable multiple of 16x our 2009 EPS estimate and 10x our 2009 pro forma EPS estimate.Read the full analyst report on PCLN "PCLN" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

Tele Norte Leste Participacoes SA (TNE) is trading below a short-term level of support at $13.48 on Thursday. Tele Norte is a Zacks #5 (“Strong sell”) stock.

"TNE" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

McDonald's Corp. (MCD) fell more than 2% today and is pressuring its 200-day moving average of $59.14. The Zacks #2 Rank (“Buy”) stock has topped the consensus estimate in all of the last 4 quarters.  

"MCD" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research

If Wal-Mart (WMT) is the "canary in the coalmine" regarding holiday retail sales this past year, the air's not looking too good down there. The mega-retailer has cut its 4th quarter earnings guidance following dismal 2008 holiday shopping season results.Other retailers, such as The Limited (LTD) and The Gap (GPS) also have reduced their outlooks, but Wal-Mart had been widely regarded as one company that would be able to retain at least a modicum of success during the very serious current U.S. economic crisis. Now that the lowest priced of the Big-Box stores is lowering expectations, what chance does anyone else in the retail sector have?Wal-Mart's news early today caused WMT stock to open down around 8%, and shares have not gained much, if any, momentum since then. Not even President-elect Obama's speech about the need for a $775 billion stimulus package ...

U.S. stocks fell on Thursday after most retailers posted weak retail sales and reduced their earnings outlook, even after denting margins with heavy discounts to lure consumers. Bellwether Wal-Mart (WMT) missed Wall Street expectations on December same-store sales and guided to a dismal fourth quarter.

Wal-Mart blamed snowstorms during the crucial holiday season for forecasting quarterly earnings between 91 cents to 94 cents a share, down from a prior view of $1.03 to $1.07. Although Wal-Mart was one of the few retailers that posted comparable-store sales growth for the month of December, the 1.7% increase still fell short of analysts' estimates. The retailer fell more than 8% to $50.31 after the announcement.

Rivals Target (TGT) saw December same-store sales falling 4.1%, while comps were down 4% at Macy's (M). Both the companies warned of lower profits in the fourth quarter. Gap (

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Dollar Financial Corp. (DLLR) of Berwyn, PA is an international financial services company serving under-banked consumers. DLLR provides a range of consumer financial products and services primarily consisting of check cashing, short-term consumer loans, Western Union money orders and money transfers, along with other conveniences such as utility bill payments, currency exchange, and tax preparation.DLLR's 1Q09 (ended September 30, 2008) diluted earnings of $0.55 per share were ahead of consensus estimates. The company continued to deliver outstanding revenue growth (17.0% during the reported quarter), despite a difficult economic environment. Net income increased 12.9%, based on strong growth especially in the U.S. markets, as a result of acquisitions.The company continues to exhibit strong growth both in U.S. and in U.K. and Canada, though the top line will be impacted by the recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Ahead of the 2Q09 results, we are slightly ...

We are downgrading Tractor Supply (TSCO) shares from Hold to Sell and lowering our target price from $36 to $25. While Tractor Supply's business held up fairly well in 2008, it will have a more difficult go of it in 2009.In our view, the consumer spending environment will worsen in 2009, as economic growth slows and unemployment rises. What's more, the company will begin to go up against difficult comparisons in the second quarter of 2009.All told, these factors will pressure Tractor Supply's sales and margins, and we are reducing our 2009 earnings estimates from $2.66 to $2.53. While the market is assessing how much the company's growth will slow, TSCO's P/E multiple should contract to 10x. Tractor Supply should report fourth quarter results during the week of January 26.Read the full analyst report on TSCO "TSCO" ...