Consumer Staples

In more benign market pullbacks, investors can usually count on a couple of sectors to provide some shelter from the storm. Utilities, telecom and food producers not only offer tidy dividends, but the defensive traits that make those groups worth embracing during what considered be a “normal”...

Gilford Securities reiterated its Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) Buy rating in a research report published today. In the report, Gilford Securities states, "A correction of errors is underway in time for the back-to-school season, and we think US Walmart's same-store sales will be positive before the end of...

Yesterday was not a great day for the company. Tomorrow might not be any better. While shares of Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) are moving upward today, the company was among the many corporations that nearly lost their lunch on Monday. Granted, Take-Two's downfall can be partially attributed...

Here are today's Put/Call Ratio leaders… 1. Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) 5,469 puts, 53 calls 2. CB Richard Ellis Group (NYSE: CBG) 9,706 puts, 128 calls 3. Central European Distribution (NASDAQ: CEDC) 9,646 puts, 153 calls 4. Temple Inland (NYSE: TIN) 13,568 puts, 233 calls 5. Chemtura Corp. (NASDAQ:...

Consumer staples perform "extremely well" in times of market turmoil, serving as an excellent place to hide during market collapses and times of economic uncertainty. High dividends combined with consistent earnings provide some sense of relief even during the bleakest of moments. Recent events...

Shares of Chiquita Brands International (NYSE: CQB) are higher on the session by 4.76%, trading at $8.81. Overall call volume is now running at 6.08x the daily average, with 63% of all calls traded being purchases on the offer. 12,925 contracts have traded on the session so far. Chiquita Brands...

Shares of Pacific Gas & Electric Corp (NYSE: PCG) fell about 0.2% after the company named a Michigan energy executive as its new president and CEO. Shares of Snyder's-Lance Inc (NASDAQ: LNCE) dropped about 2.3% after the company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of George Greer...

Dish Network Corp (NASDAQ: DISH) reported a 30% rise in its second-quarter profit. Dish Network's quarterly profit surged to $335 million, or $0.75 per share, from $257 million, or $0.57 per share, in the year-ago period. Its revenue climbed 13% to $3.59 billion. However, analysts were expecting...

Wells Fargo is out with a research report on Church & Dwight Co. (NYSE: CHD) and is upgrading to Outperform on valuation. It has a $40-$42 price target on shares. In a note to clients, Wells Fargo writes, "We are upgrading our rating on CHD shares to Outperform from Market Perform given 10-15...

Ralcorp Holdings Inc (NYSE: RAH) reported a 47% decline in its fiscal third-quarter profit. Ralcorp reported its quarterly earnings at $28.3 million, down from $53 million, in the year-ago period. Its adjusted earnings surged to $1.15 per share from $1.11 per share. Its revenue climbed 22% to $1....

Wells Fargo has upgraded Church & Dwight (NYSE: CHD) to Outperform.

This is your Benzinga news summary and traders' outlook for Tuesday, August 9, 2011, covering headlines from overnight and Tuesday's pre-market session. Today in domestic pre-market trading, U.S. equity futures are set for another volatile morning as traders wait for the Federal Reserve's...

According to Goldman Sachs, Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) price target is lowered to $20. Goldman Sachs said that it is lowering the 4Q11 EPS estimates to $0.29 from $0.49 prior and the 2011- 2013 EPS estimates move to $1.92/$2.05/$2.20 from $2.01/$1.88/$2.04 prior. “We are Neutral as we remain...

J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. is out with a research report on Kellogg (NYSE: K) and it has an Overweight rating and a $62 price target on shares. In a note to clients, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. writes, "Following a meeting in Boston with Kellogg management, we are reiterating our Overweight...

Goldman Sachs has lowered the price target on Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN) from $21 to $20 and maintains its Neutral rating.