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Saturday, November 01, 2008
Stocks In Focus For Monday
MarketWatch
MarketWatch
SAN FRANCISCO -- Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Monday's session are MasterCard, Anadarko and Hartford.
MasterCard Inc. (MA) is projected to report third-quarter earnings of $2.26 a share, according to a consensus survey by FactSet Research.
Anadarko Petroleum (APC) is expected to post earnings of $1.48 a share in the third quarter, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.
Allegheny Energy (AYE) is forecast to post earnings of 71 cents a share in the third quarter, according to a survey of analysts by FactSet Research.
EOG Resources (EOG) is likely to post earnings of $2.23 a share in the third quarter, according to a consensus survey by Thomson Reuters.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimated Nicor Inc. (GAS) to report earnings of 13 cents a share in the third quarter.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) is expected to report earnings of 35 cents a share in the third quarter, according to a survey by FactSet Research.
Oshkosh Corp. (OSK) is projected to report fourth-quarter earnings of 64 cents a share, according to analysts surveyed by FactSet Research.
Rockwell Collins (COL) is likely to post fourth-quarter earnings of $1.06 a share, according to a FactSet Research survey.
Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research predicted Pepco Holdings (POM) post third-quarter earnings of 71 cents a share.
Principal Financial Group (PFG) is expected to post earnings of 93 cents a share in the third quarter, according to a FactSet Research survey.
After Friday's closing bell, Fitch Ratings lowered Hartford Financial Services Group's (HIG) issuer default rating to A from A+ and the insurer financial strength ratings of Hartford's primary life and property/casualty insurance subsidiaries to AA- from AA. "The rating actions reflect Fitch's more detailed review of HFSG's exposure to the current volatile credit and investment market conditions, which are negatively impacting its asset portfolio as well as earnings and capital needs in its variable annuity business. The combination of these issues has negatively impacted the organization's capital position," said Fitch in a statement. The outlook is negative.
Watch list
Delta Air Lines (DAL) named Steve Gorman as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the new combined entity formed from the merger of Delta and Northwest Airlines. The company also named Hank Halter as senior vice president and chief financial officer. Delta finalized its merger with Northwest on Wednesday, creating the country's largest airline.
Fidelity National Financial Inc. (FNF) said it received about $58 million from The Reserve Primary Fund as part of the initial distribution from the liquidation of the assets of the fund. The distribution is equivalent to about 51% of Fidelity National's investment in the Primary Fund.
ICO Global Communications (ICOG) said that a Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded the company $236 million in punitive damages against Boeing (BA) and its satellite services subsidiary. The verdict is in addition to at least $371 million awarded last week when the jury found Boeing liable for fraud and breach of contract, according to ICO Global. The court is also expected to determine the amount of pre-judgment interest to be added to the award, which ICO estimates will be about $100 million. "The total expected judgment to be entered against Boeing in favor of ICO is approximately $707 million," said ICO Global in a statement. The Wall Street Journal reported that Boeing will file an appeal.
Mformation Technologies Inc., a mobile device management software company, said it filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Research In Motion (RIMM) and its U.S. subsidiary, Research In Motion Corp., over the company's BlackBerry devices. Mformation Technologies alleges in its lawsuit that Research In Motion infringes two of its patents related to methods of "remote device management." The lawsuit was filed in the District Court for the Northern District of California.
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Some mutual funds want you to pay for the privilege of them (or your investment adviser) taking your money to invest. It's called a load, and it works like a cover charge to get into a nightclub. Luckily, there are such things as no-load funds. As the name implies, shares of these funds are sold without a fee paid to a broker or investment advisor.
The entire amount you invest in no-load funds goes to work for your returns. On the other hand, with load funds, right off the bat you're charged commission (not to mention other fees incurred over the life of the investment). Let's say, for example, you invest $25,000 into a load fund that charges a 5% commission. This costs you $1,250 off the top, bringing your actual investment down to only $23,750.
The often-cited horse race analogy argues against investing in load funds. Here's the logic behind it: Would you place a bet on a horse that had to start a race 200 yards behind the others? Well, maybe you would if you got a tip from a sketchy, trench coat-clad man in a dark alley. However, under most circumstances, it's not smart to put your money on that handicapped horse.
But some argue that at times that man in the trench coat (aka your broker) knows more about the horses than you do, and has a better shot at picking a winner. Also, sometimes these fees are unavoidable because some funds are available only through investment advisers.
Cost-benefit analysis can help determine when a load fund is worth it (in other words, when it will score you a load) and when it is better to "do it yourself" and avoid the fees. Load-fund fees range depending on share class and can cover a variety of costs, such as paper work and fund management.
