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Wells Fargo Securities Rates Assured Guaranty (AGO) Outperform
Friday, March 12, 2010 - 10:19am | 165Wells Fargo Securities analysts Jim Shanahan and Nathan Burk rated shares of Assured Guaranty Ltd. (NYSE: AGO) Outperform, with a valuation range of $28 to $30. Wells Fargo Securities hosted a luncheon with Dominic Frederico, the Chairman and CEO of Assured Guaranty Ltd. on March 11. The analysts...
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Big After-Hours Leap in InterMune (ITMN) on the Heels of FDA Lung Drug Approval
Friday, March 12, 2010 - 10:04am | 1436InterMune (ITMN) definitely had a busy week. Last Friday the stock was up 59% to $23.28 because the FDA decided not to ask for a more thorough review of its data. This was just the preview to the main event Tuesday: the actual panel ruling on the company’s lung drug. Well, trading in the stock was...
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Unusual Activity in SPX
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 7:58pm | 1147The SPX has seen unusually high activity in the December 2010 1075 puts over the past two days. Yesterday near the close of the trading day, 18,000 contracts were lifted in these puts. Today another 16,000 are on the tape with over 200 million in premium spent, buying about 20 million dollars...
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Market Movers: Heavy Options Activity in Allstate (ALL), Research in Motion (RIMM), and Several Others
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 5:12pm | 1832More relative low volatility today, but the major indices are beginning to show some weakness and slowly move lower. The VIX and VXN are both moving higher, even with the lack of a dramatic move. This may indicate a rise in the average implied volatility of the S&P and NASDAQ. Options...
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Benzinga’s Top Upgrades (ELMG, AYR, CLNE, PRA, DPS)
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 2:21pm | 248EMS Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: ELMG) was upgraded by Boenning & Scattergood from “neutral” to “outperform.” ELMG’s shares gained 2.25% to $15.92. ELMG’s shares have risen 7.38% so far this year. Read more about this company here. Citigroup upgraded Aircastle Limited (NYSE: AYR) from “hold” to “...
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Volume Talks Wednesday March 10: Two Option Ideas on One Hot Stock
Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 10:32am | 3236Today I am going to introduce my new breakout report which will also include stocks which traded the session lower on heavier volume. If this is your first time reading one of my breakout reports you'll want to read the section below, however if you are familiar with my daily breakout report you...
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Micromet Raises Funds - Analyst Blog
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 4:55pm | 323Recently, Micromet (MITI) announced a 10 million share offering of common stock. In Aug 2009, Micromet received net proceeds of about $75 million from a common stock issuance. We believe with the advancement of clinical trials, the company’s R&D costs are expected to increase further, hence...
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Benzinga’s Top Downgrades (DKS, XL, AVAV, PSS, BCS)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 2:34pm | 260Dick's Sporting Goods Inc (NYSE: DKS) was downgraded by Sterne Agee from “buy” to “neutral.” DKS’ stock had gained 1.02% to $25.71 by 12:19 a.m. DKS has a 52-week trading range of $10.26 - $26.28. Read more about this company here. Janney Mntgmy Scott downgraded XL Capital Ltd (NYSE: XL) from “buy...
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Progressive Corporation (PGR) Maintains Hold Rating
Monday, March 8, 2010 - 4:56pm | 93Soleil Securities has released an update on Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR). The company appears poised to embark upon another attempt at growth. However, Soleil believes that the company’s growth strategy depends largely on retention, which is an area where the firm has not excelled. This is...
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Benzinga’s Top Downgrades (CCRN, ESI, RCNI, HGIC, ERIE)
Monday, March 8, 2010 - 3:15pm | 263Cross Country Healthcare Inc (NASDAQ: CCRN) was downgraded by Ladenburg Thalmann from “buy” to “neutral.” CCRN’s shares slipped 3.96% to $9.70 by 11:53 a.m. CCRN has a 52-week trading range of $4.84-$10.36. Read more about this company here. RBC Capital Markets downgraded ITT Educational Services...
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Bookkeeping: Weekly Changes to Fund Positions Year 3, Week 31
Monday, March 8, 2010 - 8:55am | 2020Year 3, Week 31 Major Position Changes To see historic weekly fund changes click here OR the label at the bottom of this entry entitled 'fund positions'. Cash: 66.5% (v 80.6% last week) 18 long bias: 22.1% (v 12.1% last week) 6 short bias: 12.4% (v 7.3% last week) [Includes 1 'long dollar' position...
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Micromet Misses Expectations - Analyst Blog
Friday, March 5, 2010 - 10:45am | 481Micromet’s (MITI) fourth quarter loss per share came in at 34 cents, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 18 cents and a loss of 12 cents reported in the prior-year period. For 2009, the company reported a loss per share of 98 cents compared to a loss of 77 cents in 2008. Micromet reported...
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Stock Market News for March 3, 2010 - Market News
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 10:18am | 426U.S. stock rose for a third straight session as hopes grew European leaders would soon find a resolution to Greece’s debt problems, and as key banking analyst Richard Bove said the banking industry is showing signs of stabilization. Recovery expectations gained further ground after Qualcomm...
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Top 5 Stocks For March 3, 2010 (TTWO, PETM, FL, DAVE, PGR)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010 - 8:51am | 289Analysts expect Take-Two Interactive Software Inc (NASDAQ: TTWO) to post a loss of $0.64 per share for the latest quarter when the company reports its results after the market closes. TTWO’s shares fell 1.69% to close at $9.28 yesterday. Read more about this company here. Long time pet supply...
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2010 Fund Performance Period 2
Tuesday, March 2, 2010 - 5:40pm | 2896The mutual fund is now on schedule for a summer 2010 launch. If, after reading the blog content you might have an interest in participation, please consider reading why this blog exists. [Jan 2008: Reader Pledges Toward Mutual Fund Launch] [May 2008: Frequently Asked Questions] Our story in...