Housewares & Specialties

Longbow has downgraded the following companies from Buy to Neutral: Fortune Brands (NYSE: FO) Eaton (NYSE: ETN) Parker-Hannifin (NYSE: PH) Wolverine World Wide (NYSE: WWW) Kennametal (NYSE: KMT)

Fortune Brands Inc (NYSE: FO) was downgraded by Robert W Baird from "outperform" to "neutral." FO's shares closed at $55.85 on Friday. Fortune Brands Inc's 52-week trading range is $36.90-$59.40. JP Morgan downgraded Prudential Public Limited Company (NYSE: PUK) from "neutral" to "underweight." PUK...

Jefferies & Company is out with a research report this morning, where it takes a look at the consumer sector. The analysts said that they remain bullish on global direct sellers. The analysts said that they remain “favorably disposed to the global direct sellers,” with Avon Products, Inc. (...

Interline Brands Inc (NYSE: IBI) was upgraded by RW Baird from “neutral” to "outperform." IBI's shares closed at $18.61 yesterday. Interline's quarterly earnings jumped 37.25% y/y. Goldman upgraded Tupperware Brands Corporation (NYSE: TUP) from "neutral" to "buy." TUP's shares closed at $45.93...

We recently upgraded our recommendation on Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NWL), a global manufacturer and marketer of consumer and commercial products, to Neutral with a price target of $19.00. Previously, we had an Underperform rating on the stock. Newell is one of the leading manufacturers of home...

The stock market is still climbing a wall of worry greased with lies, according to Barron's. For anyone owning stocks this may come as comforting, however the staggeringly high number of takeover rumors looming may also provide some caution. According to Barron's "September's Standard & Poor...

RBC Capital Markets analysts recently went on the road with Tupperware Brands (NYSE: TUP) CFO and continues to like the long-term story. RBC feels trends are fine and within expectations heading into 3Q earnings and remain comfortable with estimates. TUP still is a good long-term holding....

Gold futures moved down after reaching $1,315 previously in the day. Gold for December delivery fell $0.30 to $1,308 an ounce on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX). Silver maintained its 30-year high, with its December contract moving up $0.08 to $21.79 an ounce. Shares...

Shares of Sealy Corporation (NYSE: ZZ) are getting smacked hard this morning, losing more than 11% after the company reported weaker than expected earnings and guidance. The company reported third quarter earnings of 4 cents versus the 5 cents analysts had been expecting. Sealy's missed on revenues...

American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced outlook for 2011. For fiscal year 2011, the Company continues to anticipate cash flow from operating activities of about $165 million and capital expenditures of approximately $40 million resulting in cash flow from operating activities...

American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) today announced its results for the second fiscal quarter ended August 27, 2010. For the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company reported total revenue of $342.8 million, pre-tax income of $17.0 million, and net income of $8.5 million or 21 cents per...

Dollar Stores Inc (NYSE: FDO) is expected to post its FQ4 EPS of $0.51. Worthington Industries Inc (NYSE: WOR) may earn $0.24 per share in the fiscal first quarter. Actuant Corporation (NYSE: ATU) is likely to post its Q4 EPS at $0.29. Xyratex Ltd (NASDAQ: XRTX) may report its Q3 earnings of $0.99...

Some of the stocks that may grab the investor focus today are: Wall Street expects Family Dollar Stores Inc (NYSE: FDO) to post its FQ4 EPS of $0.51. FDO's shares gained 0.48% to $43.55 in after-hours trading. Sealy Corp (NYSE: ZZ) posted a Q3 loss of $0.16 per share. The company's earnings, after...