Initial Jobless Claims for the week ending March 3 was 362,000, an increase of 8,000 from the previous week’s revised figure of 354,000. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied to an afternoon high of 12937, but failed to hold above the key 21- day simple moving average at 12914, which keeps the daily cycle negative. The NASDAQ rallied to an afternoon high of 2976.05, back above the key 21- day simple moving average at 2947, which shifted the daily cycle to neutral.
Asian stocks traded higher on Thursday. The Nikkei 225 ended their session at 9,569 – up 2.01% on the day. The Hang Seng ended their session at 20,901 – up 1.32%. European stocks also traded higher. The FTSE 100 ended their session at 5,860 – up 1.18% on the day, the DAX ended their session at 6,835 – up 2.45%, and the CAC 40 ended their session at 3,478 – up 2.54% on the day.
The yield on the 10-Year US Treasury weakened from a morning low yield of 1.969 to an afternoon high yield of 2.024. Gold rallied to a high of $1704.8 the Troy ounce (back above the key 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages at $1691.7 and $1674.8. Crude oil traded between $105.84 per barrel and $107.20. The euro versus the dollar rallied from a morning low of 1.3138 to an afternoon high of 1.3289.
Energy
The Senate may vote today on two rival measures related to TransCanada’s (TRP) Keystone pipeline, but both face difficulty in receiving the 60 votes necessary to pass. Global Partners (GLP) beat estimates by 6 cents and revenue by $500M. Canadian Natural Resource (CNQ) reported Q4 EPS of C$0.89 (versus consensus of C$0.87). Union Drilling (UDRL) reported Q4 EPS of $0.09 (versus consensus of $0.06), while missing revenue by $3.5M. Anadarko Petroleum (APC) is a new Add at Capital One. WPX Energy (WPX) is a new Neutral at JPMorgan. DCP Midstream (DPM) is lifted to Buy from Neutral at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch. American Midstream Partners (AMID) is lowered to Neutral from Buy at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.
Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was trading at $74.26 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 0.81% on the day – up 7.42% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +5.93%. The 2011 change was -1.29%
Heavily Traded: (VLO) +6.5%.
Materials
Flotek Industries (FTK) beat estimates by 5 cents and revenue by $1M. Quaker Chemical (KWR) reported Q4 EPS of $0.75 (versus consensus of $0.78) with revenue in-line with estimates.
The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) was trading at $36.63 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.67% on the day – up 9.34% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was -0.56%. The 2011 change was -12.78%.
Big Mover: (FTK) +10%.
Heavily Traded: (AA) +2.7%, (FCX) +1.1%, (VALE) -1.8%.
Industrials
Navistar International (NAV) missed estimates by $1.80 with revenue in-line with estimates. Fly Leasing (FLY) beat estimates by 38 cents, while missing revenue by $11M. A123 Systems (AONE) missed estimates by 16 cents and revenue by $13M. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) beat estimates by 15 cents, while missing revenue by $12M. The company issued an upbeat forecast for FY12, as it now expects revenue to be around $950M – $1B (above Street estimates of $939M). Korn/Ferry (KFY) FQ3 beat on revenue but misses on a per share basis. The company also issued a cautious outlook for the current-quarter, now projecting to earn between $0.24 – $0.30 (falling short of consensus estimates of $0.31). Pall (PLL) missed estimates by a penny, while beating revenue by $14M. Standard Parking (STAN) beat estimates by 2 cents. MYR Group (MYRG) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $31M. Nielsen (NLSN) is a new Outperform at Macquarie. Cintas (CTAS) is upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at JPMorgan. Gibraltar Industries (ROCK) is raised to Buy from Hold at Keybanc Capital. Kratos Defense and Security (KTOS) is boosted to Buy from Hold at Keybanc Capital. Seaspan (SSW) is taken is taken to Underperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse, which downgrades Danaos (DAC) to Neutral from Outperform.
The Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) was trading at $36.94 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.43% on the day – up 9.45% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +2.79%. The 2011 change was -3.21%.
Big Mover: (MWA) +21.5%.
Consumer Discretionary
The Department of Justice believes that Apple (AAPL) and five major publishers have been colluding to raise prices on ebooks in order to undermine Amazon (AMZN), and plans to sue, The Wall Street Journal reports. The publishers include Simon & Schuster (CBS), Penguin (PSO), and HarperCollins (NWSA). Core Mark (CORE) beat estimates by 9 cents, while missing revenue by $60M. Mac-Gray (TUC) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $1M. Dixie Group (DXYN) missed estimates by a penny with revenue in-line with estimates. Stein Mart (SMRT) missed estimates by 4 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Buckle (BKE) beat estimates by 5 cents and revenue by $5M. Kirkland’s (KIRK) reported Q4 EPS of $0.78 (versus consensus of $0.74) with revenue in-line with estimates. Fuel Systems Solutions (FSYS) missed estimates by 8 cents, while beating revenue by $14M. Williams-Sonoma (WSM) beat estimates by 4 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Stewart Enterprises (STEI) missed estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $7M. AFC Enterprises (AFCE) reported Q4 EPS of $0.24 (in-line) and revenue of $36.3M (in-line). Men’s Wearhouse (MW) beat estimates by 8 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. The company issues cautious guidance for the current quarter however, now seeing an EPS of $0.53 – $0.54 on revenue growth of 2% – 2.5% (below estimates of $0.62 on revenue growth of 4%). ChinaEdu (CEDU) reported Q4 EPS of $0.02 (in-line), while beating revenue by $1.7M. Coldwater Creek (CWTR) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $3M. H&R Block (HRB) missed estimates by 5 cents and revenue by $37M. Jamba (JMBA) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $3M. Hot Topic (HOTT) beat estimates by a penny with revenue in-line with estimates. American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) is boosted by both Goldman Sachs (added to the Conviction Buy List) and Nomura (Buy from Neutral). Cablevision (CVC) is added to Citigroup’s Top Picks Live list. Adidas (ADDYY) gets downgraded to Hold from Buy at Société Générale.
The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) was trading at $43.73 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.02% on the day – up 12.07% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +10.09%. The 2011 change was +4.30%.
Big Movers: (BONT) +19.5%, (HOTT) +13.25%, (HOV) +11.75%.
Consumer Staples
Smithfield Foods (SFD) beat estimates by 5 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Anheuser-Busch InBev (BUD) reported Q4 net profit +91% to $1.85B (vs. forecasts of $1.61B), EBITDA +8.8% to $4.24B (vs. forecasts of $4.14B), and revenues +4.2% to $9.87B.
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) was trading at $33.36 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 0.69% on the day – up 2.68% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +3.75%. The 2011 change was +10.85%.
Big Mover: (CEDC) +13.5%.
Heavily Traded: (RAD) +4.75%, (SLE) +2.5%, (MO) +1.2%.
Health Care
Cantel Medical (CMN) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $2.8M. U.S. Physical Therapy (USPH) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $2M. Hi-Tech Pharmacal (HITK) missed estimates by 8 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Assisted Living Concepts (ALC) reported Q4 EPS of $0.27 (versus consensus of $0.25) with revenue in-line with estimates. RadNet (RDNT) beat estimates by 5 cents and revenue by $7M. Optimer Pharmaceuticals (OPTR) reported Q4 EPS of $0.29 (versus consensus of $0.51), while beating revenue by $21M. Sequenom (SQNM) missed estimates by 4 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Neurocrine Biosciences (NBIX) is a new Outperform at Leerink Swann. Halozyme Therapeutics (HALO) is assigned an Overweight by Barclays.
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) was trading at $36.32 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.11% on the day – up 4.70% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +1.06%. The 2011 change was +10.32%.
Big Movers: (SQNM) +14.5%, (MDVN) +14%, (ITMN) +11.75%, (ZLTQ) -12.25%.
Financials
Simon Property (SPG) is buying a 28.7% stake in Klepierre (KLPEF) from BNP Paribas (BNPQY) for €1.5B ($2B), making Simon the biggest shareholder in the French EU mall owner. Simon is also acquiring the stake of joint-venture partner Farallon in 26 U.S.-wide assets for $1.5B. Wells Fargo (WFC) has started charging customers a monthly checking-account fee of $7 in six more states after implementing the tariff last year in a few western states with less backlash than Bank of America’s (BAC) infamous debit-card fiasco. NGP Capital Resources (NGPC) missed estimates by 2 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Technology Investment Capital (TICC) reported Q4 EPS of $0.26 (versus consensus of $0.25). E-House (China) Holdings (EJ) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $14M. China Real Estate Information (CRIC) missed estimates by 6 cents, while beating revenue by $5M. Compass Diversified (CODI) reported Q4 EPS of $0.36 (versus consensus of $0.33), while beating revenue by $51M. Triangle Capital (TCAP) beat estimates by 4 cents. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is raised to Buy from Add. Macerich (MAC) is moved to Buy from Hold at Jefferies. RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) is taken to Buy from Neutral at Janney Montgomery Scott. Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) is lowered to Hold from Buy at Argus.
The Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was trading at $14.77 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 0.96% on the day – up 13.62% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +5.02%. The 2011 change was -18.50%; the weakest performing sector for the year.
Information Technology
Apple (AAPL) introduced the new iPad, yesterday. Piper Jaffray’s Gene Munster called the new device a “significant upgrade,” while UBS’s Maynard Um wrote that a faster timeline for shipping the new model could help beat his 12M estimate for iPad sales in the March quarter. However, Jefferies’ Peter Misek was less enamored, though, noting the lack of Siri. The Department of Justice believes that Apple (AAPL) and five major publishers have been colluding to raise prices on ebooks in order to undermine Amazon (AMZN), and plans to sue, The Wall Street Journal reports. The publishers include Simon & Schuster (CBS), Penguin (PSO), and HarperCollins (NWSA). Facebook has increased its financial firepower ahead of its IPO to $8B, replacing a $2.5B credit line with one worth $5B and obtaining a one-year $3B bridge loan. JinkoSolar (JKS) reported Q4 EPS of -$2.61 (versus consensus of $-2.01), while missing revenue by $14M. Suntech Power (STP) missed estimates by 45 cents, while beating revenue by $76M. Sigma Designs (SIGM) missed estimates by 14 cents and revenue by $2M. Semtech (SMTC) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $7M. The company now expects sales in the range of $102M – $108M (below the Street view of $113M) and Q1 EPS in the range of $0.28 – $0.32 (versus expectations of $0.36 per share). Angie’s List (ANGI) is begun with a Buy at Canaccord Genuity, which has Holds on HomeAway (AWAY) and Zynga (ZNGA). Glu Mobile (GLUU) gets begun with a Buy recommendation and $7 price objective at Canaccord Genuity. Ciena (CIEN) gets a Buy-from-Hold hoist at Stifel Nicolaus, which sets a $20 target price. STMicroelectronics (STM) is boosted to Neutral from Underperform by BNP Paribas. Aruba Networks (ARUN) is increased to Outperform from Market Perform by brokers William Blair. ARM Holdings (ARMH) is moved to Overweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley. AXIS Capital (AXIS) is hoisted to Buy from Hold at Deutsche Bank. DTS Inc (DTSI) is now Neutral from Underweight at JPMorgan. Kopin (KOPN) is slashed to Hold from Buy with Wunderlich, which trims its target by $1.50 to $5.00. Synnex (SNX) is cut to Hold from Buy at Stifel Nicolaus.
The Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) was trading at $29.05 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.01% on the day – up 14.15% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +7.08%. The 2011 change was +1.03%.
Big Movers: (FFN) +17.5%, (OCLR) +13.5%, (MOTR) +13%, (SIGM) -10%.
Telecommunication Services
The NASDAQ Telecommunications Index (IXTC) was trading at $210.65 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 1.12% on the day – up 6.97% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +1.63%. The 2011 change was -12.62%.
Heavily Traded: (S) +7.8%, (T) +0.4%, (VZ) +1%, (CCI) +2.5%, (FTR) +0.9%, (CLWR) +0.9%.
Utilities
Dynegy (DYN) reported Q4 EPS of -$11.29 (versus consensus of $-10.71), while missing revenue by $334.6M.
The Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) was trading at $35.03 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 0.32% on the day – down 2.64% year-to-date. The February 2012 change was +0.61%. The 2011 change was +14.81%; the strongest performing sector for the year.
Heavily Traded: (DUK) +0.7%, (CNP) +0.6%, (GEN) +4.2%, (AES) +1.3%, (CPN) +2.5%, (EXC) flat, (DYN) -4%.
STOCKS: TRP, GLP, CNQ, UDRL, APC, WPX, DPM, AMID, VLO, FTK, KWR, AA, FCX, VALE, NAV, FLY, AONE, KTOS, KFY, PLL, STAN, MYRG, NLSN, CTAS, ROCK, SSW, DAC, MWA, AAPL, AMZN, CBS, PSO, NWSA, CORE, TUC, DXYN, SMRT, BKE, KIRK, FSYS, WSM, STEI, AFCE, MW, CEDU, CWTR, HRB, JMBA, HOTT, AEO, CVC, ADDYY, BONT, HOV, SFD, BUD, CEDC, RAD, SLE, MO, CMN, USPH, HITK, ALC, RDNT, OPTR, SQNM, NBIX, HALO, MDVN, ITMN, ZLTQ, SPG, KLPEF, BNPQY, WFC, BAC, NGPC, TICC, EJ, CRIC, CODI, TCAP, RBS, MAC, RLJ, VNO, JKS, STP, SIGM, SMTC, ANGI, AWAY, ZNGA, GLUU, CIEN, STM, ARUN, ARMH, AXIS, DTSI, KPON, SNX, FFN, OCLR, MOTR, S, T, VZ, CCI, FTR, CLWR, DYN, DUK, CNP, GEN, AES, CPN, EXC
