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Bill Maurer's  Instablog

Bill Maurer
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  • on Dividend Ideas
  • on Consumer Goods
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Bill Maurer, in addition to writing for Seeking Alpha, is currently a part-time trader. Bill holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Lehigh University, where he double majored in Finance and Accounting, with a focus on Investments and Financial Analysis. While at Lehigh, he was a Head Portfolio... More
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  • If You Like Earnings, Thursday Is Your Day
    If you are one of those people that either loves earnings seasons, whether just for the excitement or because you trade during it, Thursday is your day.

    Before the bell, Bank of America (BAC) and Morgan Stanley reported, along with Johnson Controls (JCI). The two financial names were up nicely at the open, while Johnson Controls was selling off.

    Thursday after the bell is where the real fun starts:

    We get huge names reporting, Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Intel (INTC), IBM (IBM), and Intuitive Surgical. Last quarter, I played Google's earnings and that went well, this quarter I am playing ISRG.

    I'm not going to throw out any formal estimate numbers here, but here are my general feeling on how the names will do post-earnings:

    Up: IBM, ISRG, MSFT
    Down: GOOG, INTC

    Disclosure: I am long ISRG.

    Tags: BAC, MS, JCI, GOOG, MSFT, INTC, IBM, ISRG, earnings, financial, technology
    Jan 19 10:03 AM | Link | Comment!
  • Netflix Launches In UK And Ireland
    This morning, Netflix (NFLX) launched their service in the UK and Ireland. The company set different prices for each country, and it will be interesting to see if the company's idea of on demand media and content can catch on in these two countries. It also remains to be seen whether Amazon's (AMZN) subsidiary in the area will be a big competitor for Netflix.

    Netflix shares are up about 2% this morning, to their highest level in a few months. Shares have rallied hard since bottoming around $62 after last quarter's terrible earnings report. I think the name is still a short, but I wouldn't try to play earnings this quarter with this one. There is just no certainty that either side is a good idea. I'll have more out on Netflix throughout the day.



    Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
    Tags: NFLX, AMZN, services
    Jan 09 10:01 AM | Link | 1 Comment
  • Winners Keep Winning
    A couple of quick updates on some recent winners:

    Boston Beer (SAM): The company known for its flagship Sam Adams beers has done incredibly well of late, hitting new 52-week highs this week. I recently covered this name as a winning investment for the long term, and it is up 7% since then. The stock is also up about 20% in the past few months. There has been some nice volume piling in lately, which I think bodes well going forward.

    Visa (V): The credit card company is up over 10% in the past month, and I explain in my 2012 predictions why this name could rally another 25% in the coming year. Visa recently broke the $100 mark and went over $103 in that recent rally. Given the growth ahead, this name is a definite buy if it drops back below $100.

    Mcdonalds (MCD): Shares of the fast food company recently broke $100, and remains close to 52-week highs. The name has a great balance of value (in its close to 3% dividend) and growth (almost 10% EPS growth in 2012 projected). Mcdonalds remains a favorite and a market leader.

    Philip Morris (PM): Shares of the tobacco company are closing in again on all-time highs, and remain the best value in the industry. The company boasts a nearly 4% dividend, and has rebounded quite nicely from its October 4th low. It's at $79 now, and its low just a few months ago was $60.45. For a name that isn't supposed to move much, that's quite a nice rally for long investors.

    Tags: SAM, V, MCD, PM, consumer goods, services, long ideas
    Dec 29 10:13 AM | Link | Comment!
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  • Got some really interesting articles planned for next week. Starting work today, extra day kinda helps.
    about 7 hours ago
  • $GOOG down $50 from the high. Seems like a fall instead of a decline from $92 to $85. Stock split...
    about 11 hours ago
  • $GMCR about to lose $70. My short recommendation looking good now. But shorts should not be too greedy.
    1 day ago
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