December 29, 2008

Monday, December 29, 2008

Diamonds

Today's small-cap percentage diamond is Linn Energy (LINE) up more than 17% today. LINE is trading over $14 after Barron's called the company's stock "enticing" in a favorable article published this weekend. The article noted that analysts expect the gas and oil developer, which was over $25 in June, to rise back above $20 in the next year.

Dogs

No deal here! Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) shares slumped again today $3.39, or 17.92%, to $15.53. On Sunday, Kuwait's government pulled back a multibillion-dollar ($17.4 billion) joint venture with the Michigan-based petrochemicals company that was to be effective Thursday. This could make it difficult for Dow to raise money for its $18 billion Rohm acquisition set for July. Dow said earlier this month that it will cut about 5,000 jobs and close 20 facilities in a massive restructuring. That's a hard hit&





Friday, December 26, 2008

Diamonds

Best year ever for Amazon (AMZN)!!! The retailer said their top-sellers were Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007, Apple iPods, Acer Netbooks, DVDs, music and their best-seller was the Nintendo Wii. "Amazon customers ordered more than 6.3 million items on Dec. 15, compared with roughly 5.4 million on its peak day last year, the company said. It shipped more than 5.6 million products on its best day, a 44 percent surge over 2007, when it shipped about 3.9 million on its busiest day." AMZN stock rose 2.1% and saw a 17% increase in orders on its busiest day. Cheers to that!

Let's leave it at that& No stock market dogs today!!! Have a wonderful Holiday weekend, travel safe & best wishes for the New Year.


Thursday, December 25th, 2008

Warm wishes for the Holiday Season from all of us at Leigh Baldwin & Company!!!


Wednesday, December 24th, 2008

Diamonds

Christmas Eve sparkles for Wal-Mart (WMT)& The world's largest retailer's shares rose 15 cents or 0.3 percent, to $55.44. WMT and attorneys for the plaintiffs jointly announced the settlement of 63 wage and hour class action lawsuits that have been pending against the company for several years. Apparently, the final amount that will be paid out will depend on the claims submitted for a minimum of $352 million and maximum of $640 million. Wow, that's BIG money!!

Dogs

Merrier times for Sirius XM Radio Inc. (SIRI)! The commercial-free satellite radio company has about $1 billion in debt due to mature in 2009, with the first portion due in February. Shares of Sirius fell 1.58% to 11 cents mid-day. This company is trying&


Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008

Diamonds

Toned and ready! Lululemon Athletica (LULU), the Canadian company that went public about 2 years ago, is worth around $500 million. The yoga-inspired athletic apparel company's stock most recently traded at $7.80. Lululemon reported third-quarter net income of $8.83 million or $0.13 per share, compared to $7.57 million or $0.11 per share last year. A growing story!

Dogs

When you care enough to send the very best?!? American Greetings (AM) shares fell to an all-time low today ($3.42, or 34.8 percent, to close at $6.40) after the greeting card company reported a loss in its 3rd quarter due to higher charges and lower sales. AM reported a loss of $193.3 million, or a loss of $4.25 per share, compared with a profit of $29 million, or 52 cents per share, last year. Season's Greetings!!!


Monday, December 22nd, 2008

Diamonds

Times sure have changed!! Fedex Corp (FDX), who won't advertise in the Super Bowl 43 for the first time in 12 years, reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance of $3.50 to $4.75 a share after reducing their workforces. The courier barely beat expectations, but it's cutting costs to survive in tough times. FDX just slashed average compensation by an unbelievable 45% and some bonuses may be down as much as 80%. Good time to call a time out Mr. Pacheco!

Dogs

Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI) takes some hits. The operator of Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse and other restaurants lowered its future '09 outlook on comparable sales to -2 to -4% (it was zero to minus 2, earlier). It's expecting in same-store sales to fall between 1.25 percent and 2.25 percent in fiscal 2009. At the dead lows DRI hit $13.21. Consumers reduce spending habits in this tough economy.