Feb 07, 2012 06:51AM

Coke's Q4 Profit Fizzles Amid Restructuring

Coca-Cola managed to beat fourth-quarter expectations despite plummeting profits, sending shares slightly up in pre-market trading.

Feb 07, 2012 09:01AM

3 Energy-Sector Bond Picks

? These under-the-radar names pair guaranteed income with the continuing bull market in commodities, says fund manager John Lekas. He also tells how the domestic and global economic picture affects his outlook for fixed income.

Feb 07, 2012 08:49AM

UBS Warns of Weak Q1

UBS (UBS) announced that profits fell by 76 percent in the fourth quarter, hurt by problems in the Euro zone, low volume in its investment bankingi business, and a $2 billion rogue trading scandal. Profit fell to 393 million Swiss francs ($425 million) in the fourth quarter of 2011, while net profits totaled 1.29 billion francs in the same period last year. The company predicted further weakness in its investment banking business and warned of a weak Q1.

Feb 07, 2012 08:45AM

BP Announces Earnings

BP (BP) announced on Tuesday that it earned a profit of $7.69 billion, 38 percent higher than the $5.57 billion profit in the same period last year. Revenue increased by 15 percent to $96.3 billion. The company also said that payments to the Gulf of Mexico Trust Fund should be completed this year. Replacement cost profit was 65 percent higher at $7.6 billion. The company expects a full year profit of $39.8 billion versus a loss of $3.7 billion in 2010. In addtion, the company raised its quarterly dividend by 14 percent to 8 cents per share, the first increase since the company stopped paying a dividend following the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Feb 07, 2012 08:44AM

Tuesday Sector Leaders: Consumer Services, Cigarettes & Tobacco Stocks

In trading on Tuesday, consumer services shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.6%. Leading the group were shares of Coinstar (CSTR), up about 18.2% and shares of Weight Watchers International (WTW) up about 1.4% on the day.

Feb 07, 2012 08:43AM

Tuesday Sector Laggards: Shipping, Non-Precious Metals & Non-Metallic Mining Stocks

In trading on Tuesday, shipping shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 2.1%. Helping drag down the group were shares of Excel Maritime Carriers (EXM), off about 7.2% and shares of Frontline Limited (FRO) down about 3.9% on the day.

Feb 07, 2012 08:34AM

When It Comes Facebook's Valuation, Throw Logic Out The Window

As Facebook prepares to go public over the next few months, a circus of rational minded pundits attempting to apply logic based on the S-1 filing emerges. These commentators, analysts and traders are making the most out of their fascination with well thought out investment analysis that, in all likelihood, has garnered returns for their portfolio that are no better than a yellow baboon throwing darts.

Feb 07, 2012 08:26AM

Forbes Earnings Preview: PPL

In the month leading up to PPL's (PPL) fourth quarter earnings announcement slated for Friday, February 10, 2012, expectations have risen for the upcoming results. The consensus analyst estimate has gone from 61 cents per share to the current projection of earnings of 63 cents per share.

Feb 07, 2012 08:26AM

Facebook Updates Delhi Status, Looking For Lots Of Friends In India

After an extended legal tussle, both Facebook and Google finally complied with the Delhi High Court court?s directive to remove ?objectionable? material from their websites. The action is a clear acknowledgement that India is one of the most important markets for these companies and since with a negligible Chinese presence at best given restrictions in this country, India remains an important market for adding users and revenue growth.

Feb 07, 2012 08:25AM

Debt and the Single Waif: Charles Dickens As American Debt Analog

Today is the two-hundredth birthday of Charles Dickens. If you end up not reading to the end of this blog post, here's the most important thing I want you to take away from here: Charles Dickens was not paid by the word for his novels. This is a vicious lie. Anyone who hauls out this canard should be immediately silenced, preferably by kicking him in the jimmie.

Feb 07, 2012 08:25AM

Forbes Earnings Preview: NYSE Euronext

Expectations have dropped for NYSE Euronext's (NYX) fourth quarter results in the month leading up to the company's earnings announcement slated for Friday, February 10, 2012. The consensus analyst estimate has dropped from 57 cents a share to the current estimate of earnings of 49 cents a share.

Feb 07, 2012 08:21AM

Forbes Earnings Preview: Arch Coal

Analysts foresee Arch Coal (ACI) announcing decreased profits on Friday, February 10, 2012, when it reports its fourth quarter earnings. Despite this, they are generally optimistic about the stock.

Feb 07, 2012 08:18AM

Forbes Earnings Preview: Laboratory Corp. Of America

LabCorp (LH) is hoping its fourth quarter earnings report on Friday, February 10, 2012 will help continue the momentum its stock price has enjoyed. Shares have risen 12.8% over the last three months to close at $91 on February 6, 2012.

Feb 07, 2012 08:16AM

Netflix Rides Recovery Wave, Now Facing Verizon-Coinstar Combo

Netflix?s stock has shot up nearly 70% in 2012, and the company is beginning to turn around what earlier seemed like the inevitable collapse for this company to many bears.

Feb 07, 2012 08:14AM

Forbes Earnings Preview: FLIR Systems

FLIR Systems (FLIR) reports its fourth quarter earnings on Friday, February 10, 2012.

Feb 07, 2012 07:34AM

Fed's Decision To Leave Interest Rates Unchanged Creates More Dividend Stock Bulls

Bullish sentiment remained above its historical average, while bearish sentiment rebounded to a five-week high in the latest AAII Sentiment Survey.

Feb 07, 2012 07:33AM

Earnings And Greece Feed Anxiety As Stocks Open Lower

U.S. stocks opened slightly lower Tuesday morning with the SPY opening down 0.2%.