The StockMasters - Financial News, Stock Market Trading, the Best Stocks for the Savvy Investor

'Cash for Clunkers' Law: At Most Boost Auto Sales 3% in 2009

theStockMasters Staff — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:10:52 -0700

The Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) -- Uncle Sam will cut checks of $3,500 to $4,500 to dealers so they can buy old cars that get 18 miles per gallon or less and then sell the owner a more fuel-efficient replacement. The probem is that the feds have approved only $1 billion for the program. That could help fund the purchase of just 250,000 cars—not much more than a week's worth at current sales levels—between August, when the program likely will start, and Nov. 1, when it ends.

Biggums Watch: Unemployment Is Really 10%, not 9.something %

theStockMasters Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:12:12 -0700

Deep in the BLS unemployment report, you can find discouraged worker statistics in Table A-12. According to that table, the seasonally adjusted percentage of unemployed workers, including discouraged workers, is 10% for June. That's up from 9.8% in May. As you can see, those numbers are significantly worse -- a half percentage higher than reported unemployment in June. That increase of 0.2% also matches the market's expectation for the increase in unemployment. So much for that kind of good news.

Guerrilla Trading with Take-Two Interactive: 21% Gain in 15 Trading Days

theStockMasters Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:47:34 -0700

On June 10th, I picked up 300 shares of Take Two-Interactive Software Inc. (NASDAQ:TTWO) at $8.13 shares as they were heading down, finally stopping at $7.52 on June 16th. I took a chance it could keep going, but my educated analysis lead me to believe this stock was due for a type of bounce I like to call the Guerrilla Bounce. The Guerrilla Bounce is mean and tough and its not fair to all that bailed out on the way down, scared they would never recover their losses -- welcome to stock trading in 2009.

AssetWealthDev.com: Investing using High Yield CDs - 3, 6, or 9 Months in 2009

theStockMasters Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:39:24 -0700

Another financial blog for our readers to review, it was only a matter of time before one of our own Masters (Frank Lara Jr) started an investment holding company -- Asset Wealth Development, LLC. Watch their blog which will highlight future investments and trading strategies, enjoy the article - Investing using High Yield CDs - 3, 6, or 9 Months in 2009.

Boeing Dreamliner Problems bring Shares to $40

theStockMasters Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:29:16 -0700

To follow the canceled and Hail Mary New Orders for Boeing's (NYSE:BA) Dreamliner requires an entire blog devoted to the subject. Boeing Company shares have been all over the place thanks to turbulent Dreamliner developments, since June 8th BA shares have lost 22% of their value. Have Boeing shares finally hit bottom?

TiVO vs. Dish: Both Stocks Lose in the Fight

Frank Lara Jr — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:21:40 -0700

The never ending saga of Dish Network Corp. (NASDAQ:DISH) versus TiVO Inc. (NASDAQ:TIVO) ends up hurting shareholders more while the two companies duke it out in court over technology patents. Today TIVO shares are the big loser down 14% while DISH shares are off 2%, but the battle is far from over.

Priceline (PCLN) nears a 52 week high: Time to short

Eric Cheshier — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:11:42 -0700

Priceline.com Incorporated (NASDAQ:PCLN), which during the financial crisis had as much as 50% short interest, has had a massive short squeeze since February - this was due to a Q1 statmenet where they issued revenue guidance above analyst estimates.

McDonald's Gets Classy with new Angus High Price Burger

theStockMasters Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 09:01:47 -0700

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE:MCD) is adding the all new ANGUS THIRD POUNDERS and damn if they don't look tasty. These bad boys are about $4 a pop and one of the options is an ANGUS with hickory-smoked bacon. Fatties Rejoice because thanks to America's appetite MCD shares could break $60.

Revisiting EZCORP, Timing is Everything

theStockMasters Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:49:01 -0700

Back on June 12th the Masters wrote about EZCORP, Inc. (NASDAQ:EZPW) and told you to be patient after watching shares fall 15% that day. EZPW shares hit a bottom on June 15th and are now in the high $10 range but have yet to recover after disappointing the Street for cutting their forward guidance. So, now what, how long to you have to wait for EZPW shares to trend up?

George Soros May be Bullish - Caution Masters

theStockMasters Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:13:06 -0700

Minyanville.com has a good article on Soros' recent bullish comments but digs into why you should question his position and more important, how to play it and what to keep in mind with investing your own money. Our favorite idea "the importance of not losing money in the first place", enjoy the article.

Is Oilsands Quest, Inc. (BQI) worth a look?

theStockMasters Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:00:22 -0700

In the last 52 weeks, Oilsands Quest, Inc. (AMEX:BQI) is down a crippling -83.50%. Why anything oil sands related? Oil sands stocks are engaged in one of the more expensive ways of producing crude oil. The sector has made a notable monthly rally after being crushed when oil prices fell from their highs last summer. Gains in energy prices should continue as the economy stabilizes, according to the Energy Information Administration. The U.S. Energy Department bureau predicted that a barrel of oil will cost $110 by 2010 -- gitty up.

Tata Motors Shares Beatup 14% Since Friday, Really?

Frank Lara Jr — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:43:35 -0700

Tata Motors (NYSE:TTM) shares have gone from bad to worse since Friday, down almost 14% and falling 10% today to the low $8 range. Tata just posted its first annual loss in seven years but the company didn't say they were going out of business, in fact this latest selloff may provide an opportunity to would-be investors on the sidelines.

Visa Keeps Throwing Away Billions for Lawsuits

Steve Reeves — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:45:36 -0700

Its a good thing Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) raked in $6.2 billion in revenue last year as today they are setting aside another $700 million to cover lawsuits. Let's not forget Visa put $3 Billion in its litigation fund in March 2008, and another $1.1 billion in December. But hey, what the hell, just charge it!

Sony PS3 Price Cut Would Benefit Shareholders

Frank Lara Jr — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:24:56 -0700

The Masters have been searching for a reason to take a chance on Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE) that goes beyond the recent rush to buy everything Michael Jackson (think Sony's Music label planning a MJ five-album tribute set). There are decent rumors that a PS3 price cut could come this fall and if that's the case then for SNE it's a classic...

World wheat crop threatened by stem rust - buy the PowerShares Agriculture Fund (DBA)?

Eric Cheshier — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:34:20 -0700

Time to start hoarding your frosted mini-wheats. If stem rust does make it over to the States, you may want to buy the PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSE:DBA). The Index is a rules-based index composed of futures contracts on some of the most liquid and widely traded agricultural commodities – corn, wheat, soy beans and sugar.

The Ug99 fungus, called stem rust, could wipe out more than 80% of the world's wheat as it spreads from Africa, scientists fear. The race is on to breed resistant plants before it reaches the U.S.

Fun Tidbit on General Electric - What Bailout?

theStockMasters Staff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:23:15 -0700

The U.S. Treasury Department is considering closing loopholes that allowed General Electric (NYSE:GE) to participate in a government bailout program, a spokesman said. GE Capital, the company's finance firm, qualified for assistance through the Temporary Liquidity Guarantee Program, due to its ownership of a modest savings and loan in Utah, The Washington Post reported Monday.

Monday Madoff: Bernie Gets 150 Years, Max. Sentence

theStockMasters Staff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:17:00 -0700

Justice is served. Bernard L. Madoff was sentenced to 150 years today, so much for that 12 years his lawyer was trying to get him. Judge Chin sentenced Madoff on 11 charges, including securities fraud and money laundering. He said "the breach of trust was massive". Go Directly to Jail.

Clearwire Corp.: Buy, Sell or Run?

Frank Lara Jr — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:59:42 -0700

Clearwire Corp. (NASDAQ:CLWR) was supposed to be the future of everything 'wireless internet' and was going to take in millions in revenue. Enter Reality. Since the much hyped IPO back in 2006 Clearwire shares are down 78%, hitting the $2 level back in March and now trading in the high $4 range. The question now remains, is this stock worth getting into or do you leave it alone?

Study Finds Working At Work Improves Productivity (theonion.com)

theStockMasters Staff — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:22:30 -0700

It's Friday afternoon, which means it's MILLER TIME at thestockmasters.com. Read this article to find out how to improver your working productivity, courtesty of theonion.com:

A light of Hope from Google: CEO Eric Schmidt "Says Worst of Crisis is Over"

theStockMasters Staff — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:03:20 -0700

A U.S. recovery is likely to begin later this year, the worst of the crisis has passed and it is "reasonable to be optimistic for 2010," internet search giant Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) CEO Eric Schmidt said on Friday.

Speaking at the Cannes Lions advertising festival in southern France, Schmidt said U.S. jobless claims indicated "the beginning of the bottom."

Get Ready for an All New Cast of 'FAST MONEY'

Frank Lara Jr — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:46:14 -0700

CNBC's "Fast Money" just hasn't been the same since host Dylan Ratigan and contributor Jeff Macke left the show. The Masters have been pondering who could replace them and what other hosts would investors like to see on the show? The answer is simple, the new show should be hosted by the all knowing Papa Smurf, he can finally get the contributors under control. To replace Macke it's the simple choice of Fred Flintstone and to heat it up, add in Skeletor and someone who they can all push around -- Beaker.

Red Hat's Profit and Revenue Rise but Not Enough for the Street

theStockMasters Staff — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:50:57 -0700

Red Hat Inc. (NASDAQ:RHT) managed to increase profit by 7% when compared to the quarter last year, an amazing feat for any software/tech company given the state of the economy. However, those results weren't good enough for the Street, RHT shares are down 6.6% today and in the $18 range.

Onyx Pharma (ONXX) Should be trading higher with Nexavar

Eric Cheshier — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:49:57 -0700

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Public, NASDAQ:ONXX) is trading just 5 points away from it's 52 week low. The stock is a steal at current levels - here's why:

Nexavar

Morgan Joseph analyst Shiv Kapoor had this to say in a recent note to clients: "Onyx is one of the few companies in the biotechnology sector benefiting

Durable Goods news good for Metalico (MEA)

theStockMasters Staff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:37:20 -0700

Steel stocks are up big Wednesday on better-than-expected durable goods data. This is great news for Metalico, Inc. (AMEX:MEA) which is enjoying watching their share price rise 10%.

Yamana Gold Shares have fallen 22% in June, Time for a Look

Frank Lara Jr — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 09:13:46 -0700

Good ol' Yamana Gold Inc. (NYSE:AUY), the Masters favorite choice for playing the Gold sector. Now that Yamana shares have come down to the low $9 level after hitting almost $12 at the start of June, its time to decide if the pullback in share price is worth building a small position. To quote Mr. T - "I believe in the Golden Rule, the man with the gold, rules."