Analysis Topic: Companies Analysis
The analysis published under this topic are as follows.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
SEC Shorting Restrictions Results in Some Banks Tossed to the Dogs / Companies / Government Intervention
By: Mike_Shedlock
While pondering SEC Restricts Shorting 19 Financial Stocks I could not help but notice the financial institutions conspicuously absent from the ruling.With that in mind let's recap the list of shorting curbs placed by the SEC.
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Thursday, July 17, 2008
General Motors and Ford Increasing Probability of Permanent Meltdown / Companies / US Auto's
By: Mike_Stathis
The recent Merrill (MER) research report on General Motors (GM) should not be treated with any urgency, although I agree with the overall assessment of a potential bankruptcy. But I would also add Ford (F) into that picture. As you will recall, we heard the same thing from analysts less than three years ago only to see GM's share price more than double over the ensuing two years.Read full article... Read full article...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Abbey and Alliance & Leicester Merger Impact on Customers / Companies / Mergers & Acquisitions
By: MoneyFacts
Darren Cook, mortgage expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk, comments: “The merger of these two high street names will likely briefly bring increased confidence to the industry. However, it will also bring further reduction in consumer choice, which is already under pressure and has seen significant reductions, particularly in the mortgage market.Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, July 14, 2008
Fannie & Freddie Bailout: Truth or Consequences / Companies / US Housing
By: Mike_Stathis
Amidst speculation that Freddie and its big brother Fannie are facing insolvency, U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson said the primary focus was supporting Fannie and Freddie "in their current form as they carry out their important mission." Well, the fact of the matter is that “carrying out their mission” is what got them into this mess to begin with. Paulson delivered the subtle message that has been interpreted by most that he won't bail the GSEs out. But if the GSEs aren't able to raise sufficient capital, it's going to initiate a printing frenzy by Bernanke, with or without a conservatorship. Before we consider exactly what Paulson's statement means, have a look at the following excerpts I put into print in 2006. Read full article... Read full article...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Operation "Rescue Fannie Mae " Underway- Paulson a Blatant Liar / Companies / Credit Crisis 2008
By: Mike_Shedlock
On Friday Treasury Secretary Paulson Said Keep Fannie and Freddie in Current Form .
U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson signaled that a government takeover of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac won't be necessary, saying they should continue as shareholder-owned companies with federal charters.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Indymac America 's Northern Rock Goes Bust as US Housing Market Implodes / Companies / Credit Crisis 2008
By: Nadeem_Walayat
One of America 's biggest savings and loans mortgage banks, Indymac goes bust as regulators stepped in to seize the banks assets on Friday. The bank saw panicking savers withdraw more then $1.3 billion in deposits in one day alone as the bank teetered on the brink of collapse under the weight of mortgage defaults as result of the meltdown in the US housing market in similar style to Britains Northern Rock bank run during September 2007. Read full article... Read full article...
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Protect Your Stocks Portfolio- Industries to Avoid, Industries to Buy / Companies / Sector Analysis
By: Mike_Stathis
While some of the recommendations in this commentary may seem like no-brainers, its real purpose is to illustrate how investment themes relate to the bigger picture.
U.S. Auto Industry: AVOID
Most of you are familiar with the history of the U.S. automotive industry. If you aren't, all you need to do is look at Detroit 's decline since the 1950s when it once stood as a great city with a strong economy. Once the world's envy, the Big Three became embattled in a struggle between labor unions and foreign imports in the 1980s.
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Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Collapsing Bradford & Bingley Forced Bailout by Major UK Banks / Companies / Banking Stocks
By: Nadeem_Walayat
As I warned on 8th and 15th of June 2008, the problems for Bradford and Bingley and its rights issue cash call were far from over and that the bank was on the brink of a
Northern rockesque style collapse with the market now extremely reluctant to entertain cash calls from banks spiraling downwards towards ZERO. The last few trading days have seen Bradford and Bingley shares collapse straight through the 55p rights issue price trading down all the way to just 30p yesterday or 45% below the rights issue price. Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Profit from Asia's E-Commerce Boom / Companies / Tech Stocks
By: Money_and_Markets
Tony Sagami writes: MasterCard knows a thing or two about consumer spending, so I pay close attention to what the credit-card giant has to say about spending patterns. Such information often helps me connect the dots in identifying big picture trends, which can prove to be quite lucrative.
And the latest study from MasterCard, which examined Asian e-commerce trends, looks like the mother lode! There are going to be some big, big winners out there.
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Monday, July 07, 2008
Earnings Season Again, Watch the Multinationals for Stock Market Trend / Companies / Corporate Earnings
By: William_Patalon_III
Can it be earnings season already?
It sure is, but don't expect too much. With its report tomorrow (Tuesday), Alcoa Inc. ( AA ) leads off what is expected to be a pretty dismal series of profit reports. Thomson Reuters now estimates that second-quarter earnings declined by 11.1%, which is significantly worse than the projected 2% decline that was made back in April.
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Saturday, July 05, 2008
Banking Stocks Still Not a Buy, Heading for New Lows Into August / Companies / Banking Stocks
By: Donald_W_Dony
The unprecedented decline in global financials, since early 2007, has most investors wondering when the bottom will arrive. Many world financial indexes are now sitting on half of their value from 18 months ago. Attractive fundamental valuation levels, provided by many analysts, have proven to be of little consequence since stocks have continued to waterfall 20%-40% below those 'attractive levels' and show no signs of stopping. But as many financial indexes plunge to the same levels as the 2002 bear market lows, the big question remains; when will the banks stop their fall? Read full article... Read full article...
Saturday, July 05, 2008
US Auto Makers Feel the Heat of High Gas Prices / Companies / US Auto's
By: Salman_Khan
The Sport Utility Vehicle has been an American icon ever since it was born into mass popularity during the days of World War II when the American WillysJeep was introduced in the US car market. Vehicle buyers were drawn to their large cabins, higher ride height, and perceived safety. Additionally, full-size SUVs have greater towing capabilities than conventional cars, and can haul trailers, campers and boats. SUVs had the added benefit that they could carry more passengers than a pick-up truck. Finally, a perception of social wealth SUV owners grew.Read full article... Read full article...
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Algae a Greener Biofuel Than Ethanol? / Companies / Renewable Energy
By: Jennifer_Barry
In my May article, Food Shock , I mentioned that biofuel production was consuming many of the crops normally used for food. Riots have broken out over the sharp price rises of 37% last year, and 16% so far in 2008. Coffee, soybeans and wheat are increasingly diverted to biodiesel production, driving prices higher. Almost a quarter of America's corn crop was distilled into ethanol last year, and the percentage is expected to grow another 10% in 2008.
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Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Marks & Spencer Shares Crash on Real Retail Sales Slump / Companies / Corporate Earnings
By: Nadeem_Walayat
Marks & Spencer's share price crashed by 25% today following announcement of a sharp drop in sales of 5.3% for the second quarter. The slump in sales translates into a sharp fall in profits for the same period that defies the retail sales statistics released for May 2008. M&S earnings could fall by as much as 1/3rd for the current financial year on existing expectations of £900 million, as consumers continue to cut back on spending in the face of loss of household equity, increased debt servicing costs and higher energy and food costs.Read full article... Read full article...
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Can Battery Technology Save General Motors / Companies / US Auto's
By: Mike_Shedlock
The saga at GM continues. On Monday I spoke of GM's Ridiculous Bluff to raise prices on the 2009 line of autos. GM and GMAC were in the news again on Tuesday on cash burning concerns. Let's take a look. Bloomberg is reporting GMAC's $60 Billion Deal Loses Traction as Cash Burns .
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Expansive Monetary Policy Bullish for Small Cap Stock Performance / Companies / Sector Analysis
By: Joseph_Dancy
Numerous studies have presented evidence investors receive excess returns, or an investment premium, when investing in small and micro capitalization stocks. The findings indicate that even after considering the higher risk associated with investing in the small companies the small cap sector generates excess returns on a risk-adjusted basis.Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
General Motors Ridiculous Bluff / Companies / US Auto's
By: Mike_Shedlock
GM needs some poker playing lessons. The first rule of bluffing is that it's important that not everyone else at the table not know it's a bluff. The Kansas City Star is reporting GM to raise prices on 2009 models, cut production .
General Motors Corp. told dealers Monday it plans to raise prices on 2009 models by an average of 3.5 percent despite a tough market that is forcing the automaker to cut production and discount its 2008 models.
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Friday, June 20, 2008
US Banking Stocks Downward Spiral to Zero / Companies / Credit Crisis 2008
By: Mike_Shedlock
On Wednesday, BankUnited Financial Corporation Announced Public Offering of Stock . BankUnited Financial Corporation (BKUNA) today announced the launch of a public offering of its Class A common stock, with gross proceeds of $400 million. The offering is expected to be pursuant to customary underwriting terms for a firm commitment offering of this type.
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Banking Sector Earnings Won't Recover / Companies / Credit Crisis 2008
By: Mike_Shedlock
Minyan Peter, former bank treasurer at a very large national bank, was writing this morning about the financial sector in general and Goldman Sachs in particular in a post called Immunity. Let's take a look.Read full article... Read full article...
Monday, June 16, 2008
Barclays SWF Cash Call, Nationwide Mortgage Interest Rate Hikes / Companies / Credit Crisis 2008
By: Nadeem_Walayat
One of Britain's biggest banks, Barclays after weeks of cash call rumours finally looks set to follow the rest of the banking sector in another cash call rights issue that aims to raise £4 billion from investors in an attempt to improve the banks balance sheet in the face of a deepening credit crisis. Barclays may even go so far as using some of the cash raised to bid for Bradford & Bingley which has seen its share price collapse from £4.50 to as low as 60p, however I personally doubt it will. Read full article... Read full article...