BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: Missing the big picture ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/17/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-missing-the-big-picture/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/17/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-missing-the-big-picture/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/17/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-missing-the-big-picture/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says don't heed the pundits -- allow yourself to believe things are improving.

Skeptical, or impossible? That's how I am posing the dilemma of the "pull through" argument whether it involves Ford (NYSE: F) (Cramer's Take) and "Cash for Clunkers" or Hovnanian (NYSE: HOV) (Cramer's Take), Lennar (NYSE: LEN) (Cramer's Take), Toll (NYSE: TOL) (Cramer's Take), KB Home (NYSE: KBH) and Pulte (NYSE: PHM) (Cramer's Take) and the $8,000 tax credit.

Right now any time there is a stimulus program of any sort, the pundits/media/money managers all decide the most important single issue isn't what it will do to the numbers, or whether it will work at all, but what will it do to the "pull through." How much of future sales will it "steal"?

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Missing the big picture

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Missing the big picture originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anbdkffeaturedfohdhovjim cramerJimCramerkbhlenphmtolThu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pep Boys tops estimates by a penny in the second quarter, comps decline]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/09/pep-boys-tops-estimates-by-a-penny-in-the-second-quarter-comps/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/09/pep-boys-tops-estimates-by-a-penny-in-the-second-quarter-comps/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/09/09/pep-boys-tops-estimates-by-a-penny-in-the-second-quarter-comps/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Pep Boys -- Manny, Moe & Jack (NYSE: PBY) issued Q2 earnings on Tuesday after the bell. The aftermarket service business for automobiles, whose related companies include AutoZone (NYSE: AZO) and AutoNation (NYSE: AN), said net sales fell about 2%, and earnings per share increased 50% to 15 cents. The earnings growth was actually better than that since there were a couple of items in the previous year's quarter that benefited the bottom line.

According to Reuters, the expectation was for 14 cents per share in net income. Yep, we got the beat-by-a-penny cliche in full effect here. Management credited cost containment and service sales as drivers for the quarter.

Continue reading Pep Boys tops estimates by a penny in the second quarter, comps decline

Pep Boys tops estimates by a penny in the second quarter, comps decline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANauto industryAutoIndustryautonationautozoneAZOcarsfeaturedPBYPep BoysPepBoysWed, 09 Sep 2009 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cash for Clunkers ends the rally in auto retailers]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/cash-for-clunkers-ends-the-rally-in-auto-retailers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/cash-for-clunkers-ends-the-rally-in-auto-retailers/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/08/24/cash-for-clunkers-ends-the-rally-in-auto-retailers/#commentsFiled under:

The U.S. Government's 'Cash for Clunkers' program ends today. It won't be clear for some time whether the program was successful or not in stimulating the auto industry but it was certainly popular with buyers. As the program ends, will the rally in auto retailing stocks also come to a close?

Interestingly, although the program runs through the end of business on today, some dealers stopped using the rebate program on Friday the 21st. For example, AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE: AN) is a publicly owned auto retailer that stopped offering the program to buyers on Friday. Perhaps management has concerns about the government being willing to pay the rebates on time.

Continue reading Cash for Clunkers ends the rally in auto retailers

Cash for Clunkers ends the rally in auto retailers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoautonationclunkersinthenewssahSonic AutomotiveSonicAutomotiveMon, 24 Aug 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Before the bell: Stock futures lower despite better-than-expected GDP]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/31/before-the-bell-stock-futures-higher-ahead-of-gdp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/31/before-the-bell-stock-futures-higher-ahead-of-gdp/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/07/31/before-the-bell-stock-futures-higher-ahead-of-gdp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

U.S. stock futures advanced Friday morning to finish yet another week full of earnings just to be hit with a wave of economic data Friday morning. Ahead of the bell, investors will focus on the release of second-quarter gross domestic product data, with many hoping it would indicate a slower pace of decline and a recovery ahead to the U.S. economy.

On average, economists expect the recession likely eased in the second quarter and shrank at a 1.5% pace -- an improvement over the 5.9% decline in economic growth the previous six months -- as the stimulus programs helped the economy to revive somewhat. Now, analysts are hoping the economy no longer in free-fall. They expect to see less drastic spending cuts by businesses and an improved trade picture factor, although consumer spending has likely continued to shrink on the back on the increasing unemployment.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stock futures lower despite better-than-expected GDP

Before the bell: Stock futures lower despite better-than-expected GDP originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredFri, 31 Jul 2009 07:55:00 EST<![CDATA[My portfolio won't be test-driving CarMax ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/19/my-portfolio-wont-be-test-driving-carmax/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/19/my-portfolio-wont-be-test-driving-carmax/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/06/19/my-portfolio-wont-be-test-driving-carmax/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CarMax (NYSE: KMX), an expert in used automobiles and a colleague of AutoNation (NYSE: AN), is up today nearly 14% in early-afternoon trading on spectacular volume. What's driving (pun intended!) the buying action? You guessed it...earnings. Revenues for the first quarter decreased 17%. Adjusting for items, CarMax earned $0.22 per share, and, according to my colleague Melly Alazraki, that figure simply annihilated earnings projections developed by the analysts.

Well, well, well...what to do now, right? CarMax is an interesting company in an interesting time. It sells used cars during a period when new cars aren't selling too well. We all know about the problems at Ford (NYSE: F) and General Motors (OTC: GMGMQ). But that isn't reason enough to put money down on this stock. Especially not after a rally like we're seeing today.

Continue reading My portfolio won't be test-driving CarMax

My portfolio won't be test-driving CarMax originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANautomobileautonationCarMaxFFordgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsGMinthenewsKMXmelly alazrakiMellyAlazrakiused carsUsedCarsFri, 19 Jun 2009 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/18/analyst-upgrades-downgrades-and-initiations-len-rdc-ffin-si/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Analyst upgrades:
  • Citigroup upgraded Lennar (NYSE: LEN) to Buy from Hold as it believes the company's near-term liquidity profile is improved following the $400M debt issuance. The firm raised its target price to $12 from $11.
  • Jefferies upgraded Rowan Companies (NYSE: RDC) to Buy from Hold as it believes jack-up drillers will continue to outperform deepwater names. The firm raised its target price to $27 from $20.
  • Keefe Bruyette upgraded First Financial (NASDAQ: FFIN) to Market Perform from Underperform to reflect more positive loan data for the Texas banks. The firm raised its target price on shares to $44 from $38.
  • MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.
  • Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at JMP Securities.
  • Brinker (NYSE: EAT) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: LEN, RDC, FFIN, SII, AN, ACHN, UA, LULU, JST originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AchillionACHNAllegheny EnergyAlleghenyEnergyAMCCANAnglogoldApplied MicroAppliedMicroAUAutoNationAYEBrinkerbrinker internationalBrinkerInternationalDean FoodsDeanFoodsDFEATFFINFirst FinancialFirstFinancialGILDgileadgilead sciencesGileadSciencesj. crewJ.CrewJCGJinpan InternationalJinpanInternationalJSTLENLennarMGMMGM MirageMgmMirageMorgan StanleyMorganStanleyMSRDCRowan CompaniesRowanCompaniesSIISmith InternationalSmithInternationalUAUnder ArmourUnderArmourMon, 18 May 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/20/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-seductive-pull-of-the-early-cycle/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer is seeing signs of a coming boom, but he's still being cautious here.

If you had to define the early cycle, if you had to outline what stocks should be soaring coming out of a recession into a boom and which ones should be faltering, you would have to say the action in this market in the last month is the quintessential behavioral pattern.

What are the components of the early cycle? First, it's the homebuilders. As is typical coming out of a recession, the stocks precede the bottom of housing. That's exactly what's happening with the lowest permits and highest affordability and best mortgage rates and massive inventory. Everywhere, except on Wall Street reporting, the bottom is bursting out. When you read the lead story in the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer, and it is all about the thousands of prospective homebuyers heading south to pick up condos and homes for half of what they were worth two years ago -- or even less -- and you know that virtually no one has broken ground in the Sunshine State in a year, you can bet that the bottom's actually behind us. This housing market has wiped out all but the most stable private builders and even the public ones are merging as we know from Pulte (NYSE: PHM) (Cramer's Take) and Centex (NYSE: CTX) (Cramer's Take). So, in the next cycle, you can see some profitability developing year over year even though the new homes don't have much margin because the foreclosed homes next door are going for a song. And don't believe this won't change the dynamic of future foreclosures. In most areas, rent is higher than the interest on mortgages, so you will find that second or third job needed to stay in your home. The incentive structure's radically different than a year ago.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The seductive pull of the early cycle originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abtalvanaxpazoccelgcofctbctxcvseateftcffeaturedfmergildgisgmgpshnzhsyjcijcpjim cramerJimCramerjnsjnyjwnkkmxkssmmnropbypeppgphmpnrarostschwshldtgttjxtrowunwagyumMon, 20 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CarMax speeds past expectations, but is the stock about to enter the slow lane?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/03/carmax-speeds-past-expectations-but-is-the-stock-about-to-enter/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/03/carmax-speeds-past-expectations-but-is-the-stock-about-to-enter/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/03/carmax-speeds-past-expectations-but-is-the-stock-about-to-enter/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Okay, maybe I'm too bearish, but I'm not sure I could possibly buy stock in CarMax (NYSE: KMX). The used-car dealer, a colleague of AutoNation (NYSE: AN), reported some good profit growth on Thursday, but I just don't like the guidance (or lack thereof) and the sales figures.

Most of all, though, I think buying CarMax now might be violating the buy-low-sell-high principle. Who knows, maybe I should just join the momentum party. The stock is up over 60% over the year-to-date period as of Thursday. See the dilemma a potential buyer would be in?

Continue reading CarMax speeds past expectations, but is the stock about to enter the slow lane?

CarMax speeds past expectations, but is the stock about to enter the slow lane? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ANautomobileautonationCarMaxFFordGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMinthenewsKMXFri, 03 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[6 Companies Buffett & Gates are Betting On, most expensive colleges & new mortgage rules - Today in Money 2/5]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/05/6/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/05/6/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/05/6/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

In the News:
· First-Time Unemployment Filings Surges to 26-Year High
· Most Retailers Sales Drop in January; Wal-Mart Sales Rise
· Bernie Madoff Client List Goes Public Including Famous Names on List
· Bank of America to Unload Its Jets
· Toyota Shuts Down All But One Assembly Line
· Digital TV Switch Delayed Until June
· Cisco Earnings Top Estimates, But Profit Slides
· Senate OKs $15,000 Tax Break for Homebuyers
· Bloomberg Cuts 100 Jobs; a First Ever for 28-Year Old Company
· 84% of Cities in Money Trouble
· Mr. Clean Takes Car-Wash Gig; P&G Jump-Starts Plans for Nationwide Mr. Clean Car Wash Franchise
· Botox is Out and Wrinkled Faces In During Recession as People Cut Back

Continue reading 6 Companies Buffett & Gates are Betting On, most expensive colleges & new mortgage rules - Today in Money 2/5

6 Companies Buffett & Gates are Betting On, most expensive colleges & new mortgage rules - Today in Money 2/5 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: eBay auction off eBay]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/serious-money-ebay-auction-off-ebay/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/serious-money-ebay-auction-off-ebay/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/14/serious-money-ebay-auction-off-ebay/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

This is the fourth in a four part series which I hope gives buyers, sellers, shareholders and dare I say management a platform for discussion.

This week I envisioned an eBay (NASADQ: EBAY) without Skype, eBay Motors and Paypal. Everything goes to the highest bidder, excluding handling and delivery of course.

While EBay might benefit from selling Skype and Motors, considering they might be worth more to others like Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) and AutoNation Inc. (NYSE:AN), it should not sell PayPal unless it is contemplating a merger, since the acquiring company most likely would want PayPal to be an integral part of any deal.

Ebay is going through some growing pains right now but it is still a primary center of activity on the web. Although there are many disgruntled sellers that have left the site or been forced off because of the constant changes in the rules, it really has only one main rival and that is Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN).

Continue reading Serious Money: eBay auction off eBay

Serious Money: eBay auction off eBay originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amazon.comAMZNANAutoNationCisco SystemsCiscoSystemsCSCOEBAYfeaturedSerious MoneySeriousMoneySheldon LiberSheldonLiberFri, 14 Nov 2008 14:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Serious Money: eBay should auction off eBay Motors ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/serious-money-ebay-should-auction-off-ebay-motors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/serious-money-ebay-should-auction-off-ebay-motors/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/11/12/serious-money-ebay-should-auction-off-ebay-motors/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

This is the second in a four part series which I hope gives buyers, sellers, shareholders and dare I say, management, a platform for discussion.

Now that I have unloaded Skype from eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) in Tuesday's post (Serious Money: eBay should auction off Skype), it's time to move on to an asset that is not losing money, eBay Motors, but may be of more value to one of its competitors like Carmax (NYSE: KMX) or AutoNation (NYSE: AN).

It might also find a home with Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), its closest competitor in non-automotive categories. There is also the possibility that any number of auto-parts companies like AutoZone Inc (NYSE: AZO) or even the online car referral site Autobytel Inc. (NASDAQ: ABTL) would find eBay Motors a very compelling addition.

The Big Three American automakers might want to compete for this great asset. Since General Motors (NYSE: GM), Ford Motors (NYSE: F) and Chrysler are having difficulty selling new cars, expanding used car sales would be enticing. The problem is they are basically broke and holding on to a thread for dear life. That is not the case for Honda (NYSE: HMC) and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM). Perhaps eBay Motors might find a place in their long term plans.

Continue reading Serious Money: eBay should auction off eBay Motors

Serious Money: eBay should auction off eBay Motors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ABTLAMZNANAutoNationAZOCarMaxEBAYebay motorsEbayMotorsFfeaturedFordGMSerious MoneySeriousMoneySheldon LiberSheldonLiberWed, 12 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/09/11/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

America's Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) operates 91 automotive dealerships, located primarily in the smaller urban markets of eight South-Central states. The dealerships focus on selling and providing the financing for basic, affordable cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Competitors include AutoNation (NYSE: AN) and CarMax (NYSE: KMX).

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 45 cents and revenues of $75.7 million. Analysts had been looking for 38 cents and $73.8 million. The CEO expressed confidence in the firm's ability to maintain a positive sales trend, noting that Q1 retail unit sales had increased 25.8% (yr/yr) and Q1 same store revenues had risen 28.5% (yr/yr).

Continue reading America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant'

America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Americas Car-MartAmericasCar-martCRMTfundamental analysisFundamentalAnalysismomentumpennanttechnical analysisTechnicalAnalysisThu, 11 Sep 2008 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Cramer on BloggingStocks: The breadth of the danger is staggering]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-breadth-of-the-danger-is-staggerin/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-breadth-of-the-danger-is-staggerin/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/cramer-on-bloggingstocks-the-breadth-of-the-danger-is-staggerin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says our problems are so widespread, he sees lots more IndyMacs before we're out.

You don't need me to tell you it's awful out there. You don't need me to tell you that there's no quick fix for any of these things. But what might help you understand why it feels so bad this time is that I have never, in my career, seen so many companies go off track at the same time. This is one unbelievable moment, and it is made more horrible by the day as companies' stocks just get pummeled, causing people to then question the very viability of the companies involved.

First, obviously, are Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) (Cramer's Take) and Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) (Cramer's Take). We don't know what will happen, but we do know that their futures are much darker than their pasts. Their best hope: a Democrat becomes president and shows the usual love to both. But as investments, they are pretty much perma-losers going forward. The losses are that heavy. Yes, it is true that two years from now they will be better, but will the government let them limp through to that? View them as calls on a Democratic win.

We all know that Citigroup (NYSE: C) (Cramer's Take), Wachovia (NYSE: WB) (Cramer's Take), Washington Mutual (NYSE: WM) (Cramer's Take) and National City (NYSE: NCC) (Cramer's Take) are in trouble. Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) (Cramer's Take) says it isn't in trouble, but obviously the market doesn't believe management because the stock failed to rally when it said its dividend was safe. Any short-selling hedge fund could hire 30 actors and have them line up at a Washington Mutual or two and get a bank run going. Then we would have to hear about a "hasty" Treasury department plan to bail out WM. Hasty? How can these guys not see it coming?

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The breadth of the danger is staggering

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The breadth of the danger is staggering originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abkaigamdanbacbbtcchrschscmacnbdhiffeaturedfhnfitbfnmfregmgnwhbanhovimbjim cramerJimCramerkeykrxlehlenmmbimermimtgnccphmpmirfshldsovstiubsvcwbwmxlzionTue, 15 Jul 2008 08:56:00 EST<![CDATA[America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant' formation]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant-for/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/09/americas-car-mart-crmt-shares-cycle-in-bullish-pennant-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

America's Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) operates 91 automotive dealerships, located primarily in the smaller urban markets of eight South-Central states. The dealerships focus on selling and providing the financing for basic, affordable cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Competitors include AutoNation (NYSE: AN) and CarMax (NYSE: KMX).

The company pleased investors late last month, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 47 cents and revenues of $76.5 million. Analysts had been looking for 29 cents and $69.2 million. The firm said it was seeing increased traffic at its dealerships, as the cost of living rose. CL King subsequently upgraded CRMT shares from "accumulate" to "strong buy", noting management's improved execution in sales, underwriting, collections and purchasing. The company was expected to do well, in the current economic environment.

Continue reading America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant' formation

America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares cycle in bullish 'pennant' formation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Americas Car-MartAmericasCar-martCRMTfundamental analysisFundamentalAnalysismomentumpennanttechnical analysisTechnicalAnalysisWed, 09 Jul 2008 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Four CEOs give economic commentary on Squawk Box]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/19/four-ceos-give-economic-commentary-on-squawk-box/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/19/four-ceos-give-economic-commentary-on-squawk-box/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/19/four-ceos-give-economic-commentary-on-squawk-box/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

piggy bankFour well known CEOs weighed in on CNBC's Squawk Box, giving their particular insight on economic conditions one day after the Federal Reserve made yet another basis rate cut. Each of the four Chief Executives acknowledged the tough going in the economy, yet each also sought to inject a thread of optimistic patience into their commentary.

Mike Jackson, CEO, Auto Nation Inc. (NYSE: AN), came to the defense of Reserve Board Chair Ben Bernanke. While admitting that the chairman may have crawled blindly into what is now mostly economic turmoil, Jackson stated: "...I think he absolutely has it right now. He's got to be on full flight recession mode, and we'll worry about the dollar, and commodities and inflation later." Personally, I think Benanke should be making moves to protect the consumers and their dollars first, and let inflation take care of itself until the consumer sector is back up to speed.

Wilbur Ross, CEO, W L Ross & Co. Played the most obtuse card stating: "My own opinion is that it's just more of the same volatility." More of the same volatility? Yeah the economy is volatile ... DUH!

Continue reading Four CEOs give economic commentary on Squawk Box

Four CEOs give economic commentary on Squawk Box originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Auto NationAutoNationBen BernankeBenBernankeClarence OtisClarenceOtisDardenFederal ReserveFederalReservefoodgasolineinflationInterest ratesInterestRatesJohn HofmeisterJohnHofmeisterMike JacksonMikeJacksonoilrestaurantsShell OilShellOilSquawk BoxSquawkBoxwheatWilbur RossWilburRossWL RossWlRossWed, 19 Mar 2008 16:24:00 EST<![CDATA[America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares moving in bullish 'flag']]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/13/americas-car-mart-crmt-shaes-moving-in-bullish-flag/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/13/americas-car-mart-crmt-shaes-moving-in-bullish-flag/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/03/13/americas-car-mart-crmt-shaes-moving-in-bullish-flag/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

America's Car-Mart (NASDAQ: CRMT) operates 94 automotive dealerships, located primarily in the smaller urban markets of eight South-Central states. The dealerships focus on selling and providing the financing for basic, affordable cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles. Competitors include AutoNation (NYSE: AN) and CarMax (NYSE: KMX).

The company pleased investors last week, when it announced that closing underperforming branches and beefing up advertising initiatives generated fiscal Q3 EPS of 28 cents and revenues of $71.1 million. Wall Street analysts had been looking for 27 cents and $67.2 million. Looking ahead, the Jeffries analyst noted that the firm is able to internally fund its growth and is therefore not much impacted by the current credit crunch. Being focused on the used car market, the company was expected to be a relative outperformer in the current economic environment.

Continue reading America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares moving in bullish 'flag'

America's Car-Mart (CRMT): Shares moving in bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>America's Car-MartAmerica'sCar-martCRMTflagfundamental analysisFundamentalAnalysismomentumtechnical analysisTechnicalAnalysisThu, 13 Mar 2008 13:34:00 EST<![CDATA[China storms Detroit Auto Show, sort of]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/china-storms-detroit-auto-show-sort-of/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/china-storms-detroit-auto-show-sort-of/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/16/china-storms-detroit-auto-show-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Geely Leopard Five Chinese manufacturers are fielding display automobiles at the 2008 North American Auto Show. Amid a flurry of drab Chinese displays, misspelled promotional materials and one unscheduled auto tour through an ongoing press conference, China is presenting vehicles in the hope that the American auto-buying public will take them for real. I wonder how they feel about this at General Motors (NYSE: GM), Ford Motors (NYSE: F), Toyota (NYSE: TM), and Chrysler.

This influx of Chinese auto manufacturers represents a 400% increase in their presence at the auto show over just two years ago. Should the big auto makers be scared yet? This blogger hardly thinks so, yet the above picture is the Geely-Beauty Leopard, an automobile of Chinese manufacture which has been marketed quite successfully in Europe since 2002.

Continue reading China storms Detroit Auto Show, sort of

China storms Detroit Auto Show, sort of originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto showautoblogautomobileAutoShowchinaChryslercompetitionDetroitFordGeelyGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMToyotaWed, 16 Jan 2008 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades: AN, COT, HOV and TOL]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/21/analyst-downgrades-an-cot-hov-and-tol/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/21/analyst-downgrades-an-cot-hov-and-tol/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/21/analyst-downgrades-an-cot-hov-and-tol/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: Toll Brothers (TOL), COTT Corp (COT), Tim Hortons (THI) and Linktone (LTON) were today's noteworthy downgrades:
  • Banc of America downgraded shares of Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) to Sell from Neutral, citing expected deterioration in luxury sales due to mortgage distress in the marketplace.
  • COTT Corp (NYSE: COT) was cut to Hold from Buy at Stifel, citing the difficult macro environment and continued profit declines.
  • Tim Hortons (NYSE: THI) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman, citing valuation, and notes that fundamentals remain favorable.
  • Montgomery cut Linktone (NASDAQ: LTON) to Hold from Buy, citing the sudden decline in its wireless VAS revenues following Q2 results...
OTHER DOWNGRADES:
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst downgrades: AN, COT, HOV and TOL originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american axleAmericanAxleananalystautonationaxlcotcottdowngradehovhovnanianlinktoneltonratingspfstandard pacificStandardPacificthitim hortonsTimHortonstoltollTue, 21 Aug 2007 10:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades: AN, CFC, DRI and RARE]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/17/analyst-downgrades-an-cfc-dri-and-rare/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/17/analyst-downgrades-an-cfc-dri-and-rare/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/08/17/analyst-downgrades-an-cfc-dri-and-rare/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: AutoNation (AN), Darden Restaurants (DRI), Rare Hospitality (RARE) and ChoicePoint (CPS) were today's noteworthy downgrades:
  • Goldman cut AutoNation (NYSE: AN) to Sell from Neutral based on potential for additional earnings shortfalls. The firm does not expect a sharp rebound in shares.
  • Bear Stearns downgraded Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) to Peer Perform from Outperform following its acquisition of Rare Hospitality.
  • Rare Hospitality (NASDAQ: RARE) was cut to Hold from Buy at Keybanc following the acquisition offer from Darden.
  • ChoicePoint (NYSE: CPS) was cut to Reduce from Neutral at Suntrust, citing the difficult macro environment, which will impact revenue growth in its low-barrier commoditized non-insurance operations...
OTHER DOWNGRADES:
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst downgrades: AN, CFC, DRI and RARE originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ahgpallianceanautonationboston propertiesBostonPropertiesbxpchoicepointcpsdardendrigreen realityGreenRealityrarerare hospitalityRareHospitalityslgFri, 17 Aug 2007 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst downgrades 7-27-07: AN, CCE, DRI and TSM]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/27/analyst-downgrades-7-27-07-an-cce-dri-and-tsm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/27/analyst-downgrades-7-27-07-an-cce-dri-and-tsm/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/07/27/analyst-downgrades-7-27-07-an-cce-dri-and-tsm/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

MOST NOTEWORTHY: QLogic (QLGC), Cnet Networks (CNET), Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), Darden Restaurants (DRI) and Anadys Pharma (ANDS) were today's noteworthy downgrades:
  • QLogic (NASDAQ: QLGC) was cut by several firms:
    • QLogic was cut to Neutral from Outperform and removed from JP Morgan's Focus List due to the lack of catalysts to drive shares higher.
    • Caris cut shares to Average from Above Average and Pacific
    • Crest downgraded QLogic to Sector Perform from Outperform as the company's profits decline.
  • Citigtroup downgraded CNet Networks (NASDAQ: CNET) to Hold from Buy as they no longer expect material revenue growth acceleration and operating leverage in 2H07; First Albany cut shares to Neutral from Buy.
  • HSBC downgraded shares of Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE: TSM) to Neutral from Overweight to reflect worse than expected pricing pressures.
  • Matrix downgraded shares of Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI) to Hold from Buy on increasing competition and rising costs.
  • Piper cut Anadys Pharma (NASDAQ: ANDS) to Underperform from Outperform following the company's announcement that it has discontinued development of ANA975...
OTHER DOWNGRADES:
  • Bear Stearns downgraded AutoNation (NYSE: AN) to Peer Perform from Outperform.
Analyst summaries provided by TheFlyOnTheWall.com (subscription required).

Analyst downgrades 7-27-07: AN, CCE, DRI and TSM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 27 Jul 2007 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ananadysanalystandsautonationccecnetcoca-coladardendowngradedriqlgcqlogicratingsierraswirtaiwantsmvlcmvolcomzimmerzmhFri, 27 Jul 2007 11:04:00 EST