US Stocks rose Thursday as monthly sales from retailers rose the number of Americans filing claims for jobless benefits dropped.

 

The DJIA rose 47.38 pts, or 0.46%, to close at 10,444.14, the S&P 500 added 4.18 pt, or 0.37%, to close at 1,122.97, and the NAS tallied up a + 11.63 pt to end the session at 2,292.31.

 

The market has been strong this week with the S&P 500 + 1.7% as the spring  winds up to tap at 1150 near term. The DJIA turned positive on the year, joining the S&P 500 and the NAS, which rose above the even mark earlier in the week.

The S&P 500 is now down 2.4 percent from a 15-month closing high set on January 19, after falling more than 8 percent through February 8.

The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks closed at another 17 month high, a move that augurs it will be a matter of days before other indexes retest the highs of the rally off of the lows hit on  March 9, 2009.

Fundamentally, small-caps are considered harbingers of an early upturn in the economic cycle since smaller companies are more sensitive than multinationals to domestic business activity.

Of 28 retailers reporting sales, 76% have topped analysts’ expectations, with a median rise of 2.1%.

The S&P consumer discretionary index rose 1%, with that sector one of the strongest in the market today.

Positive brokerage notes helped blue chips head higher, with Boeing Co, Walt Disney, and Coca-Cola Co ranking among the Dow’s top gainers.

Data showed the number of US workers filing new claims for state unemployment benefits fell, and were better than expectations.

Sectors: All sectors Green on Thursday

Volume and Breadth: About 7.38B/shrs traded on the NYSE, the AMEX and NAS, below last year’s estimated daily average of 9.65b/shrs. Advancers outnumbered decliners on both the NYSE and the NAS by 3 to 2.

Todays Sector Leader: Top performing sectors on a percentage basis this morning include: Biotech +3.4%, Steel SLX +2.8%, Coal KOL +2.7%, Shipping SEA +2.4%, Gold Miners GDX +2%, Crude Oil USO +1.9%, Casino BJK +1.8%, Ag/Chem MOO +1.5%, Solar TAN +1.3%, Materials XLB +1.2%, Oil Service OIH +1.2%, Housing XHB +1.1%.

American Express Company (AXP) Up-date 7      Last Look:  January 18, 2010

March 5, 2010 

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. Analyst

Today let’s look at American Express Company (AXP), one of the World’s largest travel agencies, from a Technical POV. The overall indications, after Thursday’s (March 4) market action, are Neutral:  in the near term Neutral, mid-term Neutral , and long term Neutral.  The recent Candlestick Analysis is: Very Bullish.

 

**Chart by: http://www.stockta.com

Latest News:  AmEx Downgraded to Neutral

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AmEx-Downgraded-to-zacks-3533987825.html?x=0&.v=1

 

 

Thursday’s Market Action   Close   38.98    +. 61      Volume 8,899,00/shrs 

There is a Bullish Engulfing Candle on March 4, and one Gap open up on October 8, 2009 at 34.05/34.06, the near term resistance is 39.75, support at 38.80, and the 50 day (EMA) exponential moving average is 39.00.

 

This is American Express Company (AXP): The Company is one of the world’s largest travel agencies, but it is better known for its charge cards and revolving credit cards. And yes, the company still issues traveler’s checks and publishes such magazines as Food & Wine and Travel & Leisure through its American Express Publishing unit. Its travel agency operations have more than 2,200 locations worldwide and its Travelers Cheque Group is the world’s largest issuer of traveler’s checks (it also issues gift cards). But the company’s charge and credit cards are its bread and butter; American Express has more than 92 million cards in circulation worldwide.

 

Competitive Landscape

 

Demand is driven by consumer income and demographics. The profitability of individual companies depends on the correct assessment of repayment likelihood and effective collections activities. Large companies have an advantage in using computers to serve large portfolios of mortgage and credit card loans, and also have access to cheaper sources of funds, but small companies can compete effectively in the cash lending or sales finance segments, where personal contact is more important.

 

Consumer Finance Industry Forecast

 

The output of US credit cards and finance companies, which includes consumer finance, is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 1% between 2008 and 2013. Data Sourced: December 2009

 

American Express Company (HQ)

 

Chairman, Chief Exec. Officer: Kenneth I. Chenault

World Financial Center
200 Vesey Street
New York, NY 10285
United States -
Phone: 212-640-2000
Fax: 212-619-9230

http://www.americanexpress.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boeing Co (BA) Up-date 14           Last Look: January 27, 2010

 

March 5, 2010               

 Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. Analyst

Today let’s have a look at The Boeing Company (BA), the US Aerospace and Defense Giant, from a Technical POV. The overall indications, after Thursday’s (March 4) market action, are Bullish: in the near term Bullish, mid-term Very Bullish, and long term Bullish. The recent Candle Stick analysis is: Neutral

 

 

 

 

**Chart by: http://www.stockta.com

 

Latest News and Opinion: Boeing (BA) Still Profitable In Light Of Delayed Orders: Yielding 4% Dividend

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Boeing-BA-Still-Profitable-In-twst-3878116368.html?x=0&.v=1

Thursday’s  Market Action      Close      65.55      + 1.10                         Volume   7,718,000/shrs

There is a Gravestone Doji  on February 26, are two Gaps open up between December 1, 2009 and February 26, 2010  at 52.69/63.03, the near term resistance is NIL, support at 64.64 and the 50 day (EMA) exponential moving average is 60.17.

 

This is the Boeing Company (BA): The Company conducts business through three operating segments. Boeing Commercial Airplanes (46% of revenue & 26% of operating profit) and EADS’s Airbus division which is the world’s only maker of 130-plus seat passenger jet. BCA family of planes includes 747, 767, 777, and 787 wide body models. Integrated Defense Systems (IDS; 53%, 71%) is the world’s second largest military contractor, closely following Lockheed Martin Corp. Their primary customer is the Department of Defense. Finally, Boeing Capital Corp. (1%, 3%) primarily finances commercial aircraft for airlines.

 

The Competitive Landscape

 

The industry has a relatively high barrier of entry considering the extreme capital intensive nature of building airplanes. Contracts tend to be long-term in nature and competition among few major companies is fierce. General outlook on defense spending is negative due to expected budget cuts of the industry’s biggest client (DOD). Global economic decline is weighing significantly on the commercial aerospace segment of the industry.  

 

Aerospace & Defense Industry Performance

 

The S&P Aerospace & Defense index fell 37.6% in 2008, versus 38.2% decline in the S&P 1500. Year to date through May 8^th, the sub industry rose 2.5%, vs. 3.3% rise in the S&P 1500.

 

The Boeing Company (HQ)

Chairman and Chief Director: W. James McNerney

 

100 N. Riverside Plaza

Chicago, IL 60606

Phone: 312-544-2000

 

http://www.boeing.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) Up-date 3      Last Look: January 14, 2010

 

March 5, 2010

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. Analyst

Today, let’s look at Fifth Third Bankcorp (FITB), the large regional full service customer friendly bank, from a Technical POV. The overall analysis after Thursday’s (March 4) market action is Bullish: in the near term Bullish, mid-term Neutral, and long term Bullish. The recent Candle Stick analysis is: Bullish

**Chart by: http://www.stockta.com

Latest news and Opinion: Fifth Third downgraded by Bernstein

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/03/01/daily55.html?ana=yfcpc

Thursday’s Market Action   Close 12.33   – .21     Volume 14,800,900/shrs

There is a Bullish Engulfing Candle on March 2, and there are no open Gaps up or down on the Chart, the near term resistance is 12.35, support at 12.14, and the 50 day (EMA) exponential moving average is 11.60

 

This is Fifth Third Bankcorp (FITB): The Company operates as a diversified financial services holding company. The company’s Commercial Banking segment offers banking, cash management, and financial services; traditional lending and depository products and services; other services, including foreign exchange and international trade finance, derivatives and capital markets services, asset-based lending, real estate finance, public finance, commercial leasing, and syndicated finance for business, government, and professional customers. Its Branch Banking segment provides a range of deposit and loan, and lease products to individuals and corporations. Its products include checking and savings accounts, home equity loans and lines of credit, and credit cards and loans for automobile and personal financing needs. The company’s Consumer Lending segment involves in mortgage and home equity lending activities, such as origination, retention, and servicing of mortgage and home equity loans; other indirect lending activities, which include loans to consumers through mortgage brokers, automobile dealers, and federal and private student education loans. Its Investment Advisors segment offers a range of investment alternatives for individuals, companies, and not-for-profit organizations. This segment also offers investment, trust, asset management, retirement planning, and custody services, as well as retail brokerage services to individual clients and broker dealer services to the institutional marketplace. Its Fifth Third Processing Solutions segment offers electronic funds transfer, debit, credit, and merchant transaction processing services; and data processing services. As of March 18, 2008, Fifth Third Bancorp. operated 1,227 full-service banking centers, including 102 Bank Mart locations and 2,211 ATMs in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Florida, Tennessee, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Georgia. The company was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio

Competitive Landscape

Demand for banking services is closely tied to economic activity and the level of interest rates. The profitability of individual banks depends on marketing skills, efficient operations, and good risk management. Large economies of scale exist in some segments of the industry, which has encouraged industry consolidation. Smaller banks can compete successfully in segments where customer service or knowledge of the local market is more important. The industry is capital-intensive and highly automated: annual revenue per employee is close to US$300,000.

 

Banks and Credit Unions Industry Forecast

The output of US banks and credit unions is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 1% between 2008 and 2013. Data Sourced: December 2009

Fifth Third Bankcorp (HQ)

Chairman, Chief Exec. Officer, Pres, Kevin T. Kabat 

Fifth Third Center
38 Fountain Square Plaza
Cincinnati, OH 45263
United States 
Phone: 513-534-5300
Fax: 513-579-6246

 http://www.53.com

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT) Up-date 21       Last Look: February 4, 2010 

March 5, 2010               

 Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. Analyst

Today let’s look at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc (WMT), the World’s #1 retailer, from a Technical POV. The overall indications, after Thursday’s (March 4) market action, are Bullish,   in the near term Neutral, mid-term Bullish, and long term Bullish. The recent Candle Stick analysis is: Neutral

**Chart by: www.stockta.com 

Latest News and Opinion: Walmart Will Hold Annual Shareholders’ Meeting June 4

 

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Walmart-Will-Hold-Annual-prnews-2666320095.html?x=0&.v=1

 

 

Thursday’s Market Action   Close    53.96    + .30        Volume 11,211,800/shrs

There is a Hammer on February 26 and one Gap open up on November 9 at 51.27/51.41, the near term resistance is 54.07, support at 53.54, and the 50 day (EMA) exponential moving average is 53.54.

This is Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (WMT): Wal-Mart Stores is an irresistible (or at least unavoidable) retail force that has yet to meet any immovable objects. Bigger than Europe’s Carrefour, Tesco, and Metro AG combined, it is the world’s #1 retailer, with more than 7,250 stores, including about 975 discount stores, 2,800 combination discount and grocery stores (Wal-Mart Supercenters in the US and ASDA in the UK), and 590 warehouse stores (SAM’S CLUB). About 55% of its stores are in the US, but Wal-Mart continues expanding internationally; it is the #1 retailer in Canada and Mexico and it has operations in Asia (where it owns a 95% stake in Japanese retailer SEIYU), Europe, and South America. Founder Sam Walton’s heirs own about 40% of Wal-Mart. I have never been in a Wal-Mart Store, though I have been in Carreforur’s and Tesco.

The Competitive Landscape

Demand depends mainly on the volume of car driving, which in turn depends on economic activity. The profitability of individual stores is closely linked to location and product mix. Large companies have advantages in buying gasoline at bulk prices, but small companies can compete effectively by having superior locations. Annual revenue per worker is close to US$300,000.

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (HQ)

 

Chairman, S. Robson (Rob) Walton

702 SW 8th St.
Bentonville, AR 72716
United States  

Phone: 479-273-4000
Fax: 479-277-1830

 

http://www.walmartstores.com

Wal-Mart Subsidiaries

ASDA Group Limited

SAM’S CLUB

Wal-Mart Brazil

 

Disclaimer

 

DO NOT BASE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION UPON ANY MATERIALS FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE OR IN OUR NEWSLETTERS. Red Roadmaster is not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment advisor either within the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or with any state securities regulatory authority. We are neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.

 The information contained on our website or in any of our newsletters should be viewed as commercial advertisement and is not intended to be investment advice. Any information found on our website, or in any of our newsletters is not provided to any particular individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. The information contained on our website, and in any newsletter we distribute, is not an offer to buy or sell securities. We distribute opinions, comments, and information free of charge exclusively to individuals who wish to receive them.

Our newsletter and website have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. An individual should never invest in the securities of any of the companies’ profiled based solely on information contained in our report. Individuals should assume that all information contained on our website or in one of our newsletters about profiled companies is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research.

Any individual who chooses to invest in any securities should do so with caution. Investing in securities is speculative and carries a high degree of risk; you may lose some or all of the money that is invested. Always research your own investments and consult with a registered investment adviser or licensed stock broker before investing.

Information contained in the Redroadmaster Stock Talk report will contain “forward looking statements” as defined under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Subscribers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties outside of our control that could cause actual operations or results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could affect performance include, but are not limited to, those factors that are discussed in each profiled company’s most recent reports or registration statements filed with the SEC. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward looking statements included in the report and not place undue reliance upon such statements.

Red Roadmaster is committed to providing factual information on the companies that are profiled. However, we do not provide any assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, including information regarding a profiled company’s plans or ability to effect any planned or proposed actions. We have no first-hand knowledge of any profiled company’s operations and therefore cannot comment on their capabilities, intent, resources, nor experience and we make no attempt to do so. Statistical information, dollar amounts, and market size data was provided by the subject company and related sources which we believe to be reliable.

 To the fullest extent of the law, we will not be liable to any person or entity for the quality, accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of the information provided in this report, or for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages that may arise out of the use of information we provide to any person or entity (including, but not limited to, lost profits, loss opportunities, trading losses, and damages that may result from any inaccuracy or incompleteness of this information). We encourage you to invest carefully and read investment information available at the websites of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov and FINRA at http://www.finra.org

Posted by Shayne Heffernan on Mar 5th, 2010and filed underLatest News, Limelight.You can follow any responses to this entry through theRSS 2.0You can leave a response by filling following comment form or trackback to this entry from your site