Consumer Staples

In an initial assessment of damages in the wake of Hurricane Irene, Smithfield Foods (NYSE: SFD) announced today that employees will be returning back to work Monday at its meat processing facilities and farms in North Carolina and Virginia.

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., (NASDAQ: GMCR) today announced a definitive Stock Purchase Agreement pursuant to which ARAMARK Refreshment Services, LLC will acquire all outstanding shares of Van Houtte USA Holdings, Inc., also known as the Van Houtte U.S. Coffee Service business or “...

Fortune Brands, Inc. (NYSE: FO) today announced the addition of two directors to the board of Beam, the standalone public spirits company to result from the planned separation of its businesses. Effective December 1, 2011, Stephen W. Golsby, president and chief executive officer of Mead Johnson...

Jones Soda Co. (NASDAQ: JSDA) today announced the resignation of Chief Financial Officer Michael O'Brien. Jones has initiated a search for O'Brien's replacement. O'Brien was hired as chief executive officer for Jones in 2008 and has worked in that capacity since, serving under two chief executive...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Wall Street expects LDK Solar Co Inc (NYSE: LDK) to report a Q2 loss at $0.17 per share on revenue of $$556.3 million. LDK shares gained 0.34% to $5.86 in after-hours trading. Analysts are expecting Donaldson Company Inc (NYSE: DCI) to...

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc (NASDAQ: WINN) is projected to report its Q4 EPS at $0.12 on revenue of $1.60 billion. ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE: ABM) is expected to report its Q3 EPS at $0.47. Calavo Growers Inc (NASDAQ: CVGW) is estimated to report its Q3 earnings at $0.21 per share. LDK Solar...

Last week we only had 2 stocks on our 8/19 "Stocks to Watch This Week" list.  The list is based on stocks reaching 52 week highs on two times relative volume on Friday.  When the US equity market struggles as it has in recent weeks, this is reflected in the number of stocks qualifying for the list...

Direxion Daily Semiconductor Bear 3X Shares (NYSE: SOXS) fell 8.13% on Friday, and it closed at $89.40. In the semiconductor space, Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) spiked 5.20%. PowerShares DB Gold Double Short ETN (NYSE: DZZ) lost 7.72% today as gold traded higher. DZZ closed at $4.36, and...

Global Hunter Securities downgraded its Zhongpin (NASDAQ: HOGS) rating from Neutral to Reduce in a research report published today. In the report, Global Hunter states, "Management of HOGS has hosted several conference calls, filed public responses and hosted investor trips in an attempt to...

Citi Investment Research is out with a research report on Energizer Holdings Inc (NYSE: ENR) and is lowering its price target to $86 from $95. It still rates shares at Buy. In a note to clients, Citi Investment Research writes, "Hurricanes that come on shore and quickly dissipate (as is often...

Shares of ConAgra Foods (NYSE: CAG) are lower on the session by 0.08%, currently trading at $23.64. The stock has been moving largely lower over the past three months and is currently trading below the 50-day average. Options traders are focusing on calls today. A short while ago the October 2011...

Oppenheimer is out with its report today on American Oriental Bioengineering (NYSE: AOB), maintaining Perform. In its report, Oppenheimer writes, "AOB's 2Q11 revenue declined by 30% yoy, as the company shifted product mix to high-margin products in face of headwinds from drug price cut and high...

Wells Fargo is out with its report today on TreeHouse Foods (NYSE: THS), initiating THS at Outperform. In its report, Wells Fargo writes, "We Are Initiating Coverage Of TreeHouse Foods With An Outperform Rating On The Shares And A 12-Month Valuation Range Of $59-61. We believe TreeHouse's current...

Wells Fargo has initiated coverage on TreeHouse Foods (NYSE: THS) with an Outperform rating and a valuation range of $59-$61.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) today announced that its Board of Directors voted to increase Altria's regular quarterly dividend by 7.9% to $0.41 per common share versus the previous rate of $0.38 per common share. The new annualized dividend rate is $1.64 per common share. The quarterly dividend...