New Home Sales slipped 2.2% in December to an annual rate of 307,000. The price of a new home fell 12.8% year over year to $210,300, and 2011 was the worst sales year on record. The inventory of new homes fell to a record low of 157,000. Initial jobless claims rose to 377,000 as this series remains reluctant to trend below the recessionary threshold of 350,000. Durable Goods Orders rose 3.0% in December, up 2.1% ex-transportation. Leading Indicators rose 0.4% in December. The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up to 12,841.95 Thursday morning closing in on its May 2nd 2011 high at 12,876.00. The Dow dipped into the red in afternoon trading and traded below 12,700 into the final half hour of trading. The NASDAQ traded up to 2834.30 staying below its May 2nd 2011 high at 2887.75 then dipped into the red trading below 2800 into the final half hour of trading.
Asian stocks were mixed on Thursday with the Nikkei 225 ending their session 8,849 – down 0.39% on the day. The Hang Seng had its first session in the Chinese New Year and closed at 20,439 – up 1.63% on the day. European stocks moved higher on Thursday reacting to the Fed’s pledge to keep interest rates low through late-2014. The FTSE 100 ended their session at 5,793 – up 1.22% on the day; the DAX ended their session at 6,539 – up 1.84% on the day; and the CAC 40 ended their session at 3,363 – up 1.53% on the day. The yield on the 10-Year US Treasury note rose from 1.933 percent to 2.009 then declined to 1.923 closing below its 50-day simple moving average at 1.961.
Gold surged from $1703.0 the Troy ounce to $1731.5 as Fed policy licenses commodity speculation. Crude oil traded up from $99.44 per barrel to $101.39 then dipped to $99.23. The euro versus the dollar traded up from 1.3093 to 1.3183 as Fed policy results in a weaker greenback.
Energy
CONSOL Energy (CNX) beat estimates by 85 cents, while missing revenue by $80M. CARBO Ceramics (CRR) missed estimates by 28 cents and revenue by $20M. Murphy Oil (MUR) reported Q4 EPS of -$0.59 (may not be comparable to consensus EPS of $1.40) and revenue of $6.8B (beating by $0.4B). Energen (EGN) beat estimates by a penny, while missing revenue by $98M. Chesapeake Energy (CHK) is moved to Underweight from Equal Weight at JPMorgan. In afternoon trading: Shares of Carbo Ceramics (CRR) are down about 20%. Shares of Quicksilver (KWK) are down about 10.5%.
Energy Select Sector SPDR (XLE) was trading at $71.63 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 1.36% on the day – up 3.62% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +1.29%.
Materials
Sherwin Williams (SHW) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $20M. Airgas (ARG) missed estimates by a penny with revenue in-line with estimates. Potash (POT) missed estimates by 10 cents and revenue by $230M. Ball (BLL) missed estimates by 5 cents, while beating revenue by $40M. Methanex (MEOH) beat estimates by 13 cents and revenue by $14.3M. Antofagasta (ANFGY) is moved to Sell from Hold by Société Générale. Randgold Resources (GOLD) is now Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan. BASF AG (BASFY) is now Neutral from Overweight at HSBC Securities.
The Materials Select Sector SPDR (XLB) was trading at $37.13 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, relatively unchanged on the day – up 10.84% year-to-date. The 2011 change was -12.78%.
Industrials
Harsco (HSC) beat estimates by 6 cents, while missing revenue by $11M. JetBlue Airways (JBLU) beat estimates by 4 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Caterpillar (CAT) beat estimates by 55 cents and revenue by $1.15B. Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) missed estimates by C$0.04, while beating revenue by C$30M. United Continental (UAL) beat estimates by 13 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Teledyne Technologies (TDY) beat estimates by 13 cents, while missing revenue by $24M. 3M Company (MMM) beat estimates by 4 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Kennametal (KMT) beat estimates by 13 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Navios Maritime Partners (NMM) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $2.3M. Hubbell (HUB.B) beat estimates by 7 cents and revenue by $35M. Briggs & Stratton (BGG) reported FQ2 EPS of $0.05 (in-line), while missing revenue by $10M. Precision Castparts (PCP) missed estimates by 9 cents and revenue by $90M. Raytheon (RTN) beat estimates by 39 cents, while missing revenue by $0.29B. AMTEK (AME) beat estimates by 2 cents, while missing revenue by $3M. Alaska Air Group (ALK) missed estimates by 14 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. LSI Industries (LYTS) beat estimates by 7 cents, while missing revenue by $8M. Eaton (ETN) missed estimates by 3 cents and revenue by $0.13B. WESCO International (WCC) beat estimates by 14 cents and revenue by $60M. Lockheed Martin (LMT) beat estimates by 19 cents, while missing revenue by $120M. Jacobs Engineering (JEC) reported FQ1 EPS of $0.70 (in line), while missing revenue by $90M. Stanley Black & Decker’s (SWK) Q4 earnings beat estimates on a 17% Y/Y gain in revenue, with 11% coming from acquisitions and 6% coming organically. Met-Pro Corp (MPR) is picked up with an Outperform and $12 target at Boenning & Scattergood. Deutsche Lufthansa (DLAKY) is boosted to Buy from Neutral at Nomura. Delta Air Lines (DAL) is increased to Equal Weight from Underweight at Evercore. Illinois Tool Works (ITW) is lifted to Buy from Neutral at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch. Knight Transportation (KNX) is moved to Buy from Neutral at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch. Textron (TXT) gets hoisted to Buy from Hold at EarlyBirdCapital. Corning (GLW) is cut to Underweight from Equal Weight with Morgan Stanley. Ryanair Holdings (RYAAY) is cut to Neutral from Buy at Nomura. Siemens AG (SI) gets downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform by Sanford Bernstein.
The Industrial Select Sector SPDR (XLI) was trading at $36.49 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.19% on the day – up 8.12% year-to-date. The 2011 change was -3.21%.
Consumer Discretionary
Brunswick (BC) beat estimates by 7 cents and revenue by $12M. ITT Educational Services (ESI) beat estimates by 56 cents and revenue by $9.3M. AutoNation (AN) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $160M. Under Armour (UA) beat estimates by 2 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. International Speedway (ISCA) beat estimates by 3 cents and revenue by $3M. Arctic Cat (ACAT) beat estimates by 33 cents and revenue by $26M. 1-800 FLOWERS.COM (FLWS) beat estimates by 2 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Destination Maternity (DEST) beat estimates by a penny, while missing revenue by $3M. Regis (RGS) beat estimates by 11 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Time Warner Cable (TWC) beat estimates by 54 cents and revenue by $20M. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) is initiated with a Perform rating and $50 price target at Williams Capital Group. Sally Beauty (SBH) is a new Neutral at Goldman Sachs. Netflix (NFLX) is now a Buy from Neutral at Citigroup. Thomson Reuters (TRI) is cut to Sell from Neutral at Goldman Sachs. In afternoon trading: Shares of Netflix (NFLX) are up about 22.25% after the company’s Q4 earnings exceeded Street expectations and it said its subscriber base has started to recover following losses last year due to its bungling of price hikes. Shares of JC Penney (JCP) are up about 15%.
The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (XLY) was trading at $41.48 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.17% on the day – up 6.30% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +4.30%.
Consumer Staples
Mead Johnson Nutrition (MJN) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $14M. Lancaster Colony (LANC) missed estimates by 3 cents and revenue by $10.5M. McCormick & Company (MKC) reported Q4 EPS of $0.98 (in-line) with revenue in-line with estimates. Colgate-Palmolive (CL) reported Q4 EPS of $1.30 (in-line) and revenue of $4.2B (in-line). Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) is now Neutral from Sell at Goldman. In afternoon trading: Shares of Star Scientific (CIGX) are up about 17.5%.
The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (XLP) was trading at $32.44 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.37% on the day – down 0.15% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +10.85%.
Health Care
Celgene (CELG) missed estimates by a penny and revenue by $50M. Bristol-Myers (BMY) missed estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $50M. PSS World Medical (PSSI) missed estimates by a penny and revenue by $13M. Zimmer (ZMH) beat estimates by 2 cents and revenue by $10M. Baxter International (BAX) reported Q4 EPS of $1.17 (in-line), while beating revenue by $10M. AmerisourceBergen (ABC) missed estimates by a penny, while beating revenue by $410M. Quality Systems (QSII) missed estimates by 2 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Covidien (COV) beat estimates by 10 cents, while missing revenue by $20M. Hill-Rom (HRC) reported FQ1 EPS of $0.53 (in-line), while missing revenue by $4M. Meridian Bioscience (VIVO) reported FQ1 revenue of $40.3M and EPS of $0.17 (missing consensus by $3M and $0.02). Varian Medical Systems (VAR) beat estimates by 4 cents, while missing revenue by $8M. St. Jude Medical (STJ) is moved to Buy from Hold at Canaccord Genuity. Covance (CVD) is moved to Neutral from Buy at Goldman. WellPoint (WLP) gets moved to Hold from Buy at Jefferies. Valeant Pharmaceuticals (VRX) is now Neutral from Overweight at Piper Jaffray. In afternoon trading: Shares of Micromet (MITI) are up about 32%. Shares of Geron (GERN) are up about 12%. Shares of StemCells (STEM) are up about 11.5%. Shares of Momenta Pharmaceuticals (MNTA) are down about 21%.
The Health Care Select Sector SPDR (XLV) was trading at $35.80 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.44% on the day – up 3.20% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +10.32%.
Financials
Banks could find their profitability hurt by the FOMC yesterday pledging to keep interest rates at minimal levels until 2014 – instead of 2013 previously – as the policy makes it difficult for lenders to find investment with decent yields. HSBC (HBC) has confirmed a report that a U.S. Senate panel is investigating the bank in connection with money laundering, with the probe being the latest in a series of official inquiries. Janus Capital Group (JNS) beat estimates by 4 cents and revenue by $4M. United Bankshares (UBSI) missed estimates by 4 cents. Invesco (IVE) beat estimates by 3 cents, while missing revenue by $264M. First Niagara Financial Group (FNFG) reported Q4 EPS of $0.24 (in-line), while beating revenue by $1M. National Penn Bancshares (NPBC) beat estimates by a penny. Colonial Properties Trust (CLP) reported Q4 FFO of $0.30 (in-line). Valley National Bancorp (VLY) beat estimates by 4 cents. Equitable Resources (EQT) beat estimates by 8 cents and revenue by $8M. Stellent (STEL) reported Q4 EPS of $0.17 (in-line). Artio Global Investors (ART) missed estimates by a penny, while beating revenue by $1M. Cash America International (CSH) missed estimates by a penny, while beating revenue by $28M. Duke Realty (DRE) beat estimates by a penny and revenue by $77M. Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) reported Q4 EPS of $0.13 (in-line). Umpqua (UMPQ) beat estimates by a penny. Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) beat estimates by 7 cents. Raymond James Financial (RJF) missed estimates by 2 cents with revenue in-line with estimates. Equity Residential (EQR) is lifted to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays. Greenhill (GHL) gets a Neutral-from-Sell lift at Goldman. Charles Schwab Corp (SCHW) is now Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan. E*TRADE (ETFC) is downgraded to Neutral from Buy at Goldman. First Horizon (FHN) and SunTrust Banks (STI) are each reduced to Hold from Buy by Deutsche Bank. Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is reduced to Add from Buy at WestLB. Associated Banc-Corp (ASBC) is taken to Neutral from Outperform with a $14 target by Robert W. Baird. Progressive (PGR) is lowered to Sell from Neutral at Goldman. In afternoon trading: Shares of ETrade Financial (ETFC) are down about 14.25%. Shares of Lehman Brothers (LEHMQ) are down about 12%.
The Financial Select Sector SPDR (XLF) was trading at $14.079 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.85% on the day – up 8.30% year-to-date. The 2011 change was -18.50%; the weakest performing sector for the year.
Information Technology
Nokia (NOK) swung to a Q4 net loss of €1.07B ($1.38B) from a profit of €745M a year earlier as revenue plunged 21% to €10B. The number of smartphones Nokia sold fell 29% to 19.6M, although this was above expectations, and the firm did sell well over 1M Lumia devices following their recent launch. NEC (NIPNF) will cut 10,000 jobs after saying it expects to post a ¥100B ($1.3B) loss for the year ending in March, a sharp divergence from earlier estimates of a ¥15B full-year profit. Monster Worldwide (MWW) missed estimates by a penny and revenue by $9M. Travelzoo (TZOO) beat estimates by 5 cents, while missing revenue by $3.2M. Avnet (AVT) beat estimates by 11 cents, while missing revenue by $0.5B. Cypress Semiconductor (CY) missed estimates by 11 cents, while beating revenue by $5M. Network Engines (NEI) beat estimates by a penny, with revenue in-line with estimates. Cabot Microelectronics (CCMP) beat estimates by 5 cents, while missing revenue by $4M. Nintendo (NTDOY) swung to a loss during the first nine months of the year on sluggish Wii sales, costs associated with its new 3DS game system and the impact of currency fluctuations. The damage: net loss of ¥48.35B ($622M), revenue of ¥556.2B (-31%) and on an operating basis a loss of ¥16.4B. Logitech (LOGI) missed estimates by 3 cents and revenue by $35M. Mellanox Technologies (MLNX) Q4 swings to a profit on record revenue. Teradyne (TER) beat estimates by 4 cents and revenue by $13M. SanDisk (SNDK) guides on its earnings call for Q1 revenue of $1.3B-$1.35B and 2012 revenue of $6.2B-$6.6B; below a consensus of $1.46B and $6.65B. Energen (EGN) beat estimates by a penny, while missing revenue by $98M. Ancestry.com (ACOM) is assigned a Buy and $35 price objective at Imperial Capital. Electronics For Imaging (EFII) gets upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform by BMO Capital. NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) is taken to Positive from Neutral at Susquehanna. Automatic Data Processing (ADP) gets downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform with Wells Fargo. In afternoon trading: Shares of LSI Corp (LSI) are up about 11.5% after delivering a mixed Q4 report, as investors are focusing on the chipmaker’s Q1 guidance for revenue of $550M-$590M and EPS of $0.09-$0.15, largely above Street estimates of $509.8M and $0.10. Shares of RealNetworks (RNWK) are up about 31%. Shares of Parametric Technology (PMTC) are up about 20.5%. Shares of Energy Conversion Devices (ENER) are up about 15.75%. Shares of Monster Worldwide (MWW) are down about 19.25%. Shares of Quantum (QTM) are down about 14.75%. Shares of SanDisc (SNDK) are down about 12.25%. Shares of Logitech (LOGI) are down about 11.5%.
The Technology Select Sector SPDR (XLK) was trading at $26.90 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.66% on the day – up 5.70% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +1.03%.
Telecommunication Services
AT&T (T) missed estimates by a penny, while beating revenue by $550M. In afternoon trading: Shares of TerreStar (TSTRQ) are down about 32.75%. Heavily Traded Stocks: Shares of Sprint Nextel (S) are down about a quarter of a percent, while shares of AT&T (T) are down about 2.4% and shares of Verizon (VZ) are down about 0.8%. Shares of Frontier Communications (FTR) are down about 4.75%.
The NASDAQ Telecommunications Index (IXTC) was trading at $212.22 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, down 0.33% on the day – up 7.76% year-to-date. The 2011 change was -12.62%.
Utilities
Consolidated Edison (ED) is upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies. In afternoon trading: Heavily Traded Stocks: Shares of Duke Energy (DUK) are up about a quarter of a percent. Shares of Exelon (EXC) are down about 0.4%. Shares of Southern Company (SO) are relatively unchanged. Shares of FirstEnergy (FE) are up about 1.1%. Shares of AES Corp (AES) are down about a.25%. Shares of PPL Corp (PPL) are down about 0.3%.
The Utilities Select Sector SPDR (XLU) was trading at $35.16 at 4:00 PM on Thursday, up 0.34% on the day – down 2.28% year-to-date. The 2011 change was +14.81%; the strongest performing sector for the year.
Stocks: CNX, CRR, MUR, EGN, CHK, CRR, KWK, XLE, SHW, ARG, POT, BLL, MEOH, ANFGY, BASFY, XLB, HSC, JBLU, CAT, CP, UAL,TDY, MMM, KMT, NMM, HUB.B, BGG, PCP, AMTEK, AME, ALK, LYTS, ETN, WCC, LMT, JEC, SWK, MPR, DLAKY, DAL, ITW, KNX, TXT, GLW, RYAAY, SI, XLI, ESI, AN, UA, ISCA, ACAT FLWS, DEST, RGS, TWC, GMCR, SBH, NFLX, TRI, NFLX JCP, XLY, MJN, LANC, MKC, CL, DPS, CIGX, XLP, CELG, BMY, PSSI, ZMH, BAX, ABC, QSII, COV, HRC, VIVO, VAR, STJ, CVD, WLP, VRX, MITI, GERN, STEM, MNTA, XLV, HBC, JNS, UBSI, IVE, FNFG, NPBC, CLP, VLY, EQT, STEL, ART, CSH, DRE, BRKL, UMPQ, TCBI, RJF, EQR, GHL, SCHW, ETFC, FHN, STI, RBS, ASBC, PGR, ETFC, LEHMQ, XLF, NOK, NIPNF, MWW, TZOO, AVT, CY, NEI, CCMP, NTDOY, LOGI, MLNX, TER, SNDK, EGN, ACOM, EFII, NVDA, ADP, LSI, RNWK, PMTC, ENER, MWW, QTM, SNDK, LOGI, XLK, T, TSTRQ, S, VZ, FTR, IXTC, ED, DUK, EXC, SO, FE, AES, PPL, XLU
