Comments »A House panel is considering a bill Wednesday that would suspend billions in foreign aid to several governments in the Middle East and beyond until the Obama administration can certify they are not controlled by groups hostile to the United States and its allies.
The bill, which provides the blueprint for U.S. foreign aid around the world, contains a big loophole — despite the myriad requirements outlined in the draft, it would allow the president to waive them in the interest of national security.
But the provisions, if passed, would impose a new and rigorous set of standards on how U.S. aid is distributed to nations and a leading group known for hosting a thriving anti-American contingent.
The proposal would require Egypt, Pakistan, Lebanon, Yemen and the Palestinian Authority to meet specific requirements in order to receive U.S. aid.
Monthly Archives: July 2011
Flash: Zillow Soars in IPO Debut
Online real estate specialist, Zillow (ticker: Z), soared today, now up 110% to $40 in its ipo debut.
Comments »Cook Those Books…The Sheeple Will Never Notice
A recent report on nuclear facilities in the U.S. shows many problems with our infrastructure.
To make matters worse claims are being made that books are being cooked across the country as to what is being done regarding safety.
Fun times indeud….
Comments »Gold and Silver Pare Losses After a Report on $1900 Gold by October
Lunch Break: Uncle Sam Never Learns
There are many “big ones” to hit CA.
The latest is an ARkStorm warning by the USGS.
But as profitable as it may sound the Federal gubmint wants to underwrite property insurance in CA.
It is being dubbed the Beverly Hills Bailout.
Comments »Secondary Opportunity Lost
Remember when you could buy something in the first tick of the secondary market and make $
Well recent IPOs have given investors very little chance to do so.
Skullcandy, SKUL, opened up 12-15% higher in the first tick now almost back to the IPO price of $20
Zilliow, Z, traded as high as $59.81 b4 dropping back to earth of $43.50 which is still over 100% above the IPO price.
How does one get in ? You need big nutz to do so!
Comments »ETFs to Benefit From a Debt Ceiling Deal
In the End There is Always a Deal
Wall st has been saying a debt ceiling deal was priced in. But it appears as if this was not the case given yesterday’s rally.
Comments »
Pimco’s El-Erian: Markets to Soar When Europe’s Crisis Eases
Existing Homes Sales: Prior 4.81 Mn, Mkt Expects 4.93 Mn, Actual 4.77 Mn Down 0.8%
Inventories up 119k with total supply of 9.9%
Comments »Johnson Controls, JCI, Profits Fall 15%
JCI posted $0.52 EPs vs $0.61 last year
sales did rise from $8.54 to $10.36 Bn…up 21%
company guided with $0.75 vs consensus of $0.80
Comments »Upgrades and Downgrades This Morning
Upgrades
AOS – A.O. Smith upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies
CMG – Chipotle Mexican Grill upgraded to Market Perform from Underperform at Wells Fargo
VMW – VMware upgraded to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse
GTXI – GTX initiated with a Outperform at Wedbush
NWSA – News Corp upgraded to Outperform from Neutral at Cowen
SBAC – SBA Comm upgraded to Overweight at Evercore Partners
CTCT – Constant Contact initiated with a Market Perform at BMO Capital
AUO – AU Optronics upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein
LPL – LG Display upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Bernstein
MON – Monsanto added to Conviction Buy List at Goldman
BA – Boeing initiated with a Buy at BB&T
OFC – Corp Office Props upgraded to Buy at Stifel Nicolaus
GPRO – Gen-Probe downgraded to Neutral from Accumulate at Madison Williams
ANF – Abercrombie & Fitch initiated with an Outperform at Cowen
KEY – KeyCorp upgraded to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital
ESRX – Express Scripts upgraded to Neutral from Reduce at Citadel
Downgrades
BAC – Bank of America downgraded to Outperform from Buy at Credit Agricole
EE – El Paso Electric downgraded to Hold from Buy at Jefferies
CSIQ – Canadian Solar downgraded to Hold from Buy at Canaccord Genuity
CEO – CNOOC Ltd downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Nomura
AEO – American Eagle initiated with a Neutral at Cowen
YOKU – Youku.com initiated with a Neutral at Susquehanna
Comments »Gapping Up and Down This Morning
Gapping Up
MANH +7.7%, NLC +33.4%, CTAS +7.2%, BBL +2.1%, CRUS +4.1%, OVTI +3%, ARMH +2.8% SWKS+2.2%, HEB +8.1%,HMY +1.9%, RIO +1.7%, AAPL +7.2%, NLC +30.4%, INFN +6.5%, VMW +4.3%, ABT +2.5%, AMR +2.4%, BTU +0.7%, GPRO +1.5%, MON +0.9% CRUS +4.1%, STD +3.2%, ING +3.3%, STD +3.2%, BCS +3.2%, RDS.A +0.7%, SU +0.4%, LOGI +4.4%,BBVA +2.9%, DB +2.9%, NBG +2.4%, UBS +2.4%, OVTI +3%, ISRG +3%, BBVA +2.9%, BP +2.5%, SWKS +2.2%, BHP +1.8%, CSX +1.5%, ALTR +1.5%, E +1.4%, TOT +1.3%, TXT+3.1%, SD +3.2%,
Gapping Down
AIXG -4.1%, ARUN -2.7%, APKT -2.5%, RVBD -26.8%, FTNT -20.8%, ANH -1.7%, BRCD -1.4%, JNPR -1%FFIV -4.8%, GOV -2.2%, YHOO -2.2%, URI -2%, CMG -4.5%,
In Play and On the Wires
Flash: Carl Ichan Raises His Bid for Clorox to $80 Per Share
Great way to boost one’s position when the stock is probably worth more…..
Clorox rejected his lat bid and Ichan’s strategy is a basic floor shop
Comments »Higher Assets Drive Blackrock’s Profits by 43%
United Technologies Post an 18.9% Rise in Profits and Gives Higher Guidance
This is the third time they have raised guidance this year. All divisions are humming full bore.
Company earned $1.45 in EPS vs $1.20 last year. Guidance is now between $5.35-$5.45 per share vs previous estimates of $5.05-$5.35 per share.
Comments »AMR Orders 430 737s From Boeing
This is AMR’s largest airplane order in its history. It’s a good thing since I have not flown them in quite some time due to the tin can nature or shall we say the old feeling of their fleet.
Comments »Mortgage Applications Rise 15.5% on Flood & Refinancing Issues
This was the best number in 4 months.
Funny how natural disasters contribute to good data.
Comments »