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  • Finance 0

    Rankings Remain Bullish On A Promising Q1 Earnings Season

    Given all the geopolitical drama and worrisome news headlines – ranging from tensions with Russia and North Korea to “Brexit 2.0” and “Frexit” to uncertainties of Trump’s fiscal stimulus to the looming debt ceiling – it’s no wonder stocks have stalled for the past several weeks. Especially troubling is the notable underperformance since March 1 in small caps and transports. Nevertheless, economic fundamentals both globally and domestically are still solid. Global growth appears to be on a positive trend that could persist for the next couple of years, and Q1 earnings season should reflect impressive year-over-year corporate ea...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Amazon Price Target Raised To $1,250 Ahead Of Earnings At Wedbush

    Wedbush analyst Michael Pachter raised his price target on Amazon.com shares to $1,250 from $900 ahead of the company’s earnings report, telling investors that he expects the company to report Q1 revenue at or above the high end of guidance and for it to show continued gross margin expansion, driven by Fulfillment by Amazon. The analyst, who said Amazon “appears intent upon growing annual profits” while still investing, keeps an Outperform rating on the stock.  ...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Premarket Biotech Digest – BDX Finalizes Acquisition Deal, VNLPF Receives CRL, EYEG Files S-1

    Top Pick of the Day: JNJ Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced results from  a Phase 2 clinical trial assessing the triple combination ofOlysio (simeprevir), Achillion Pharmaceuticals’ odalasvir (formerly ACH-3102) and Janssen’s Alios BioPharma unit’s AL-335 (JNJ-4178). The results showed a 100% cure rate for six- and eight-week treatment regimens in HCV genotype 1 patients without cirrhosis. However, the three-drug combo did not demonstrate sufficient efficacy in HCV genotype 3 patients to justify continued development in this population. Johnson & Johnson stock has gained over 5 percent this year so far and is trading...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Monday Madness – Le Pen Victory Leads To All-Time Highs

    Marine Le Pen is still in the running. That was supposed to be a disaster but, in fact, she is polling so far behind her remaining opponent, Emmanuel Macron, that Europe has decided not to worry about the Far Right taking over France and the Euro and the European markets are staging a massive rally this morning. As of 5am (I have to be in NYC today for the Nasdaq open), the French markets are up 4.3% with Italy right behind at 3.8%, Spain 3.4%, Germany 2.75% and even the UK, who already elected to leave the madness far behind, are up 1.8%: The Euro has blasted 1.5% higher, sending the Dollar down 1%, back to 98.90 (where we’re long /D...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    E South Africa Inflation Eases As Food Prices Fall

    Consumer prices in South Africa eased in March as the headline inflation rate fell to 6.1% on a year over year basis. Headline consumer prices were seen falling to a 6-month low as a result. The nation’s inflation rate was registered at 6.3% in February. Economists polled by Bloomberg were expecting to see a headline print of 6.3% instead, forecasting the same pace of increase as the month before. South Africa Inflation Rate – March 2017 (Source: Tradingeconomics.com) Excluding food and energy prices, the core inflation rate was registered at 4.9%, down from 5.2% that was registered in February this year. It was also lower than the me...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Risk Is On After French Elections: What’s Next For Euro, Yen And USD?

    Another election, another surprise, and another even more surprising market reaction. Marine Le Pen is advancing to the second round of French elections, to be held on May 7th. As the news that Ms. Le Pen would be advancing made its way around-the-world to start the week, markets gapped-higher and have continued to show strength. Gold prices have driven-lower to test even deeper support, the U.S. Dollar has gapped-down to find support at the previous March low, and French equities are seeing headwinds of strength that haven’t been around since just after Mario Draghi’s ‘whatever it takes’ promise in 2012. This week’s economic cale...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    March 2017 CFNAI Super Index Moving Average Declined

    The economy’s growth slowed based on the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) 3 month moving (3MA) average – but economic growth remains marginally above the historical trend rate of growth. If one views the single month index to grasp what is going on – it significantly declined. Analyst Opinion of the CFNAI This Month The single month index which is not used for economic forecasting which unfortunately is what the CFNAI headlines. Economic predictions are based on the 3-month moving average. The single month index historically is very noisy and the 3-month moving average would be the way to view this index in any e...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    US Equity And Economic Review: The Trump Trade Is Over

    On Thursday, the Conference Board released the latest leading and coincident economic indicators. There are 2 reasons there are some of my favorite statistics. First, they organize 14 economic indicators in an easy-to-understand format. Second, they have a long history of accurately predicting the overall pace of growth. A combined reading of the Conference Board’s LEI/CEI release and the long leading indicators points to an economy that will continue to grow mildly for the foreseeable future. The Long Leading Indicators There are 4 leading indicators, starting with corporate profits and M2’s Y/Y growth. Starting in mid-2014, corporate pr...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Gold Sovereigns – ‘Treasure’ Trove Found In UK – Don’t Be The Piano Owner

    The gold sovereigns – semi-numismatic gold coins made up of both gold sovereigns and half gold sovereigns dating from the reigns of Victoria, Edward VII and George V – were discovered inside an old piano after it was donated to a school last year. A gold sovereign from that period is currently valued at between £200-250, with a half sovereign worth between £100-200. A pouch contains just a sampling of the 913 coins composing the hoard.   Image © Trustees of the British Museum via Coin World The largest ‘hoard’ of gold sovereigns found in the UK ever has been declared ‘treasure’. A piano tuner who discovered £500,000 (€59...
    On April 24, 2017 / By
  • Finance 0

    Illinois Tool Works Inc. Boosts Outlook As Q1 Results Beat The Street

    Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE: ITW) early Monday posted better than expected first quarter earnings results and lifted its 2017 profit outlook, as it continues to improve margins for its products....
    On April 24, 2017 / By