Buy Italy says Cumberland's Bill Witherell as the far left coming out on top following the split election means government is going to lean more towards growth rather than austerity. Rather than trying to pick individual stocks, he's recommending EWI as a quick way to get exposure to the whole Italian stock market. [View news story]
Until Germany steps in and crushes their economy, like it has the others. No Austerity, No Money.
Evidence suggests some retailers and restaurants have already started to limit staff to working 30 hours or less per week to avoid possible penalties for not offering health insurance to full-time employees, Capital Economics writes. This could explain why average weekly hours in the retail sector has fallen over the past 12 months, "while average hours worked across the private sector as a whole has been broadly unchanged." [View news story]
At this point, now that businesses are shifting this way, if they even repeal ObamaCare would companies bring back full time after getting a custom to the part time work?
Netflix (NFLX +24.6%) continues to skyrocket as sell-side PTs surge following a Q1 beat fueled by higher margins (aided by a Y/Y drop in content cash outflows) and domestic streaming adds at the high end of Netflix's guidance; for now, the Street is willing to overlook Q2 guidance for a sizable Q/Q drop in domestic streaming adds. The results demonstrate Netflix's model "continues to show operating leverage," says Cantor, raising its PT to $230. On the earnings call, Reed Hastings admitted Hulu and Amazon have been "bidding more aggressively" over the last 12 months - that could explain the pending Viacom deal expiration. Content liabilities stood at $5.7B at the end of Q1, up $100M Q/Q. [View news story]
Movie studios (DIS, TWX, CMCSA, LGF, VIA, VIAB, SNE) might be asleep at the switch, according data compiled from an industry trade group. While movies rated PG-13 almost doubled the return of R-rated movies in 2012, studios released twice as many of the R-rated variety. If box office numbers for Q1 are any indicator, execs haven't learned the lesson yet. [View news story]
PG-13 movies are a joke. And only used to bring in the dumber teen generations. As a serious movie fan, the rating system is a joke. If you go back and look Jaws was a PG movie back then and would probably be considered R from all the blood.
Apple (AAPL -1.2%) roundup: 1) The budget for Apple's "spaceship" HQ has soared to nearly $5B from less than $3B, BloombergBusinessweek reports. Apple has already pushed back its move-in date to 2016. 2) France Telecom (FTE) CEO Stephane Richard says the cost-sensitivity of consumers is hurting demand for the iPhone and other high-end phones. Of course, FTE and other European carriers have been up in arms over iPhone subsidies. 3) Explaining why he considers Apple a "storage company," Lazard's Edward Parker points out Apple sells flash memory on higher-capacity iDevices at an 80%-90% incremental margin. [View news story]
It's not a rounding error even if it is a couple of billion. The fact remains that they are now close to 100% cost increase from the original project. That is just bad money management regardless how deep the pockets are. It would be foolish to just overlook this and not worry who is in charge.
Shares of Best Buy (BBY +12.4%) have put together a double-digit rally after its plan to set up Samsung mini stores in outlets is well-received. Analysts think it might be just be the tip of the iceberg with the company aiming to let other retailers set up boutiques inside of its stores as well. [View news story]
Is Best Buy's plan to become a "mini-mall" of electronic names. Apple has its own section, samsung will now have one. Is best buy a retailer or just a rental property for other names? Amazon has beat them to the ground and now they do not know what to do.
Costco's (COST +0.2%) support for higher federal minimum wages might fly in the face of every company's goal of protecting margins but could be another positive for a company that it starting to look a bit like the anti-Walmart. The retailer has higher worker productivity and customer service ratings than peers while its membership growth remains as strong as ever. (Related: Wal-Mart losing sales due to thin workforce) [View news story]
Love Costco. In my eyes they do everything right. Never had a bad experience.
Facing a Monday deadline to craft an acceptable deal, the Cypriot parliament granted the government authority to impose capital controls and voted to nationalize some pension funds as part of an asset pooling plan that may ultimately back an ad hoc bond issue. The country may also adopt a good bank/ bad bank model under which Cyprus Popular Bank will be wound down. Parliament will vote over the weekend on a new iteration of the deposit tax and EU officials will convene in Brussels Sunday. Without a resolution, the country faces an all but certain bank run Tuesday morning. [View news story]
How does a resolution prevent a bank run? Either with or without, people are taking there money the day they reopen. No resolution will prevent that.
The more smart watch rumors, the merrier: a source tells the FTGoogle's (GOOG) Android unit is working on a smart watch project that's independent from Samsung's efforts. The paper makes note of a Google patent (filed in 2011) for a smart watch with a "flip up" display and a "tactile user interface." (iWatch rumors: I, II) [View news story]
Does anyone else think that this whole race to a "smart"watch is a waist of time and money? If Google can get it to coordinate with their Glass eyewear, they will be way out in front of Apple, if they ever bring one to market. The Glass looks amazing with endless possibilities.
Samsung's (SSNLF.PK) Android clout is making Google (GOOG) uneasy, the WSJ reports. Fears are growing Samsung, estimated to have a 29% smartphone share in Q4, will seek a larger cut of Google search ad revenue on its Android devices than the 10%+ it currently receives - Apple is believed to get a 75% cut from Google on iOS/Mobile Safari search ad revenue. There are also concerns Samsung could negotiate more flexibility to use default apps of its own choosing, rather than ones mandated by Google (Maps, Google Play, etc.). (previous) [View news story]
Give us the freedom to choose our own apps from the beginning. I am tried of all the junky apps they fill it up with.
The swoon in shares of 3D Systems (DDD -10.7%) may be attributed to a Seeking Alpha post claiming the ambiguity of the 3D printing market makes DDD, which has gained more than 260% in the last year, overvalued. Stratasys (SSYS -8.2%) has emerged as a formidable competitor in the 3D printing space, but its shares also trade lower in sympathy. Also, PRCP -11.4%. [View news story]
It has been number 1 for weeks now. So your argument is not valid.
Consumers who buy phones from cellular carriers no longer have legal protection to unlock the devices so they can work on another operator's network. Under a change in regulation from the Library of Congress's Copyright Office that came into force yesterday, unlocking phones is not expressly permitted under law. "It may go to court some time, and then it will be up to a judge," says lawyer Mitch Stoltz. [View news story]
Really these are no longer phones but hand held computers. You should be able to customize these just like a regular PC/laptop. I should not be restricted into keeping apps I don't want without having to root a phone.
Best Buy's (BBY +0.4%) Super Bowl advertisement will feature a comedic spin from actress Amy Poehler, but in the larger context will show that the retailer is still focused on separating itself from online rivals by stressing its tech expertise and customer service. The $4M gambit: In 30 seconds the company hopes to convince 100M viewers that a smartphone buyer should visit a Best Buy store for straight advice. [View news story]
Best buy has terrible customer service. The only ones worth anything are the ones who work in the Magnolia Home Theater area. The rest of them are High School kids.
No day trading for Uncle Sam. Instead, the Treasury Department has reportedly taken the next step in its arrangement to sell its stake in General Motors (GM -1.2%) by initiating a prearranged trading plan. According to the schedule, the entire 300M share position in GM will be liquidated within 12 to 15 months. [View news story]
GM is worthless. They will never over come the moniker Government Motors.
Buy Italy says Cumberland's Bill Witherell as the far left coming out on top following the split election means government is going to lean more towards growth rather than austerity. Rather than trying to pick individual stocks, he's recommending EWI as a quick way to get exposure to the whole Italian stock market. [View news story]
Evidence suggests some retailers and restaurants have already started to limit staff to working 30 hours or less per week to avoid possible penalties for not offering health insurance to full-time employees, Capital Economics writes. This could explain why average weekly hours in the retail sector has fallen over the past 12 months, "while average hours worked across the private sector as a whole has been broadly unchanged." [View news story]
Netflix (NFLX +24.6%) continues to skyrocket as sell-side PTs surge following a Q1 beat fueled by higher margins (aided by a Y/Y drop in content cash outflows) and domestic streaming adds at the high end of Netflix's guidance; for now, the Street is willing to overlook Q2 guidance for a sizable Q/Q drop in domestic streaming adds. The results demonstrate Netflix's model "continues to show operating leverage," says Cantor, raising its PT to $230. On the earnings call, Reed Hastings admitted Hulu and Amazon have been "bidding more aggressively" over the last 12 months - that could explain the pending Viacom deal expiration. Content liabilities stood at $5.7B at the end of Q1, up $100M Q/Q. [View news story]
Movie studios (DIS, TWX, CMCSA, LGF, VIA, VIAB, SNE) might be asleep at the switch, according data compiled from an industry trade group. While movies rated PG-13 almost doubled the return of R-rated movies in 2012, studios released twice as many of the R-rated variety. If box office numbers for Q1 are any indicator, execs haven't learned the lesson yet. [View news story]
Apple (AAPL -1.2%) roundup: 1) The budget for Apple's "spaceship" HQ has soared to nearly $5B from less than $3B, BloombergBusinessweek reports. Apple has already pushed back its move-in date to 2016. 2) France Telecom (FTE) CEO Stephane Richard says the cost-sensitivity of consumers is hurting demand for the iPhone and other high-end phones. Of course, FTE and other European carriers have been up in arms over iPhone subsidies. 3) Explaining why he considers Apple a "storage company," Lazard's Edward Parker points out Apple sells flash memory on higher-capacity iDevices at an 80%-90% incremental margin. [View news story]
Shares of Best Buy (BBY +12.4%) have put together a double-digit rally after its plan to set up Samsung mini stores in outlets is well-received. Analysts think it might be just be the tip of the iceberg with the company aiming to let other retailers set up boutiques inside of its stores as well. [View news story]
Costco's (COST +0.2%) support for higher federal minimum wages might fly in the face of every company's goal of protecting margins but could be another positive for a company that it starting to look a bit like the anti-Walmart. The retailer has higher worker productivity and customer service ratings than peers while its membership growth remains as strong as ever. (Related: Wal-Mart losing sales due to thin workforce) [View news story]
Facing a Monday deadline to craft an acceptable deal, the Cypriot parliament granted the government authority to impose capital controls and voted to nationalize some pension funds as part of an asset pooling plan that may ultimately back an ad hoc bond issue. The country may also adopt a good bank/ bad bank model under which Cyprus Popular Bank will be wound down. Parliament will vote over the weekend on a new iteration of the deposit tax and EU officials will convene in Brussels Sunday. Without a resolution, the country faces an all but certain bank run Tuesday morning. [View news story]
The more smart watch rumors, the merrier: a source tells the FT Google's (GOOG) Android unit is working on a smart watch project that's independent from Samsung's efforts. The paper makes note of a Google patent (filed in 2011) for a smart watch with a "flip up" display and a "tactile user interface." (iWatch rumors: I, II) [View news story]
Sturm Ruger (RGR): Q4 EPS of $1.00 beats by $0.18. Revenue of $141.8M (+52% Y/Y) beats by $17.8M. Shares +1.8% AH. (PR) [View news story]
Samsung's (SSNLF.PK) Android clout is making Google (GOOG) uneasy, the WSJ reports. Fears are growing Samsung, estimated to have a 29% smartphone share in Q4, will seek a larger cut of Google search ad revenue on its Android devices than the 10%+ it currently receives - Apple is believed to get a 75% cut from Google on iOS/Mobile Safari search ad revenue. There are also concerns Samsung could negotiate more flexibility to use default apps of its own choosing, rather than ones mandated by Google (Maps, Google Play, etc.). (previous) [View news story]
The swoon in shares of 3D Systems (DDD -10.7%) may be attributed to a Seeking Alpha post claiming the ambiguity of the 3D printing market makes DDD, which has gained more than 260% in the last year, overvalued. Stratasys (SSYS -8.2%) has emerged as a formidable competitor in the 3D printing space, but its shares also trade lower in sympathy. Also, PRCP -11.4%. [View news story]
Consumers who buy phones from cellular carriers no longer have legal protection to unlock the devices so they can work on another operator's network. Under a change in regulation from the Library of Congress's Copyright Office that came into force yesterday, unlocking phones is not expressly permitted under law. "It may go to court some time, and then it will be up to a judge," says lawyer Mitch Stoltz. [View news story]
Best Buy's (BBY +0.4%) Super Bowl advertisement will feature a comedic spin from actress Amy Poehler, but in the larger context will show that the retailer is still focused on separating itself from online rivals by stressing its tech expertise and customer service. The $4M gambit: In 30 seconds the company hopes to convince 100M viewers that a smartphone buyer should visit a Best Buy store for straight advice. [View news story]
No day trading for Uncle Sam. Instead, the Treasury Department has reportedly taken the next step in its arrangement to sell its stake in General Motors (GM -1.2%) by initiating a prearranged trading plan. According to the schedule, the entire 300M share position in GM will be liquidated within 12 to 15 months. [View news story]