Commodity Chemicals

Below are the top 5 basic materials stocks in terms of cash. Ultrapar Holdings Inc (NYSE: UGP) had $1.29 billion cash in the latest quarter. UGP’s quarterly earnings are 118.70% y/y. Celanese Corp (NYSE: CE) had $1.26 billion cash in the latest quarter. The trailing-twelve-month return on equity...

The 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 Barron...

Markets just about managed to stay in the black yesterday. The stocks that made significant contributions to the markets are: Gainers White Electronic Designs Corp (NASDAQ: WEDC) soared 27.8% after Microsemi Corp (MSCC) announced the acquisition of the chip manufacturer for roughly $100 million....

Analysts Frank J. Mitsch and Sabina Chaterjee at BB&T Capital Markets have released an update on Innophos Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: IPHS). BB&T Capital Markets recently hosted the company at its 2010 Commercial & Industrial Conference. During the conference, Innophos Holdings’ management...

Apollo Group Inc (NASDAQ: APOL) was upgraded by RBC Capital Markets from “underperform” to “sector perform.” APOL’s shares closed at $63.16 yesterday. APOL’s shares have gained 4.26% year-to-date. Read more about this company here. JP Morgan upgraded Westlake Chemical Corporation (NYSE: WLK) from...

UBS AG (USA) (NYSE: UBS) reported today that it currently expects revenue in its fixed income, currencies and commodities arm to be slightly below the $2.3 billion figure reported earlier by Bloomberg. UBS AG increased 0.68% to $16.28 in the pre-market session. The 52-week trading range for UBS is...

Braskem (BAK) was on my short list of names to punt this week, and this morning's performance has caused some relatively serious damage to the technical outlook.  This was a failed breakout (5 of the 7 sessions since the jump over the 50 day moving average it has dropped), so my reasons for buying...

Year 3, Week 33 Major Position Changes To see historic weekly fund changes click here OR the label at the bottom of this entry entitled 'fund positions'. Cash: 71.6% (v 73.1% last week) 18 long bias: 19.3% (v 22.1% last week) 5 short bias: 9.1% (v 7.4% last week) [Includes 1 'long dollar' position...

On Wednesday, MGM Mirage (MGM) closed a debt offering and raised approximately $826 million. The company used the proceeds from this offering to fulfill certain requirements for its amended credit facility agreement.   The company closed the private offering of $845 million of its 9% senior secured...

Quality Systems (QSII) broke over early March highs after being completely dead the past 5 weeks, so we'll see if we can catch a breakout here.  I tried the same idea with Braskem (BAK) and it has not worked at all as the stock stalled immediately after the breakout.  If QSII can rally from here,...

Below are the top consumer goods stocks on the NYSE in terms of PEG ratio. Standard Motor Products Inc (NYSE: SMP) has a PEG ratio of 0.06. Analysts at BB&T Capital Markets upgrade SMP from “hold” to “buy.” Read more about this company here. ArvinMeritor Inc (NYSE: ARM) has a PEG ratio of 0.24...

Year 3, Week 32 Major Position Changes To see historic weekly fund changes click here OR the label at the bottom of this entry entitled 'fund positions'. Cash: 73.1% (v 66.5% last week) 17 long bias: 19.2% (v 22.1% last week) 5 short bias: 7.7% (v 12.4% last week) [Includes 1 'long dollar' position...

We had a short 3 week estrangement with Brazilian chemical maker Braskem (BAK), leaving her Feb 24th, (she only wanted me for my attention, I only wanted her for her industrial exposure) but the stock looks ready to rumble again after doing nothing for a few weeks.   In fact BAK is pulling off an...

The 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...

Year 3, Week 30 Major Position Changes To see historic weekly fund changes click here OR the label at the bottom of this entry entitled 'fund positions'. Cash: 80.6% (v 70.3% last week) 18 long bias: 12.1% (v 24.0% last week) 5 short bias: 7.3% (v 5.7% last week) [Includes 2 'long dollar' positions...