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Despite stock's sluggishness, Hess remains a buy

So far, institutional investors (IIs) have not noticed that Hess Corp.'s (NYSE: HES) upstream operations (exploration and production) should benefit from high oil prices in the $80 per barrel range. But the argument here is that eventually they will, preferably starting in early 2010, which is why I'm reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on April 22, 2009 at a price of $50.41.

Right now, IIs are fixated on the lower margins of downstream operations, which Hess and other refiners are coping with, as a result of recession-induced sluggish U.S. gasoline sales. The First Call FY2009/FY2010 EPS estimates for HES are $1.63 to $3.66.

Continue reading Despite stock's sluggishness, Hess remains a buy

Comcast's stock continues to meander

It's a difficult call, but I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA), first recommended on April 22, 2009 at a price of $14.05,

Comcast posted a decent rebound in subscriber growth in Q3, but concerns about intensifying competition in cable television, broadband, and advanced video services persist. In particular broadband competition from telephone/telecom companies, who are offering cheaper DSL services represent the biggest threat. Moreover, as these telecom companies build-out fiber-based video and broadband services, they'll begin to chip away at Comcast's (and other cable companies') conventional cable television services.

Continue reading Comcast's stock continues to meander

Chasing Value: 16% yield -- Prospect Capital Corp

When you run across a stock with a 16% yield you at least have to check out the story. Prospect Capital Corp (NASDAQ: PSEC) is just such a company. Last week PSEC declared its 20th consecutive increased dividend.

In sharing my adventures and opinions in the investment world I try very hard to be candid without crossing the line into being a promoter. That said, I have been buying stock regularly over the last 12 months and buying on fear has paid off handsomely. As the market has catapulted upward since March the opportunities have diminished. However, I did add PSEC in the last month.

Continue reading Chasing Value: 16% yield -- Prospect Capital Corp

Chevron: Riding out the U.S. gasoline market's doldrums

Now that there's credible evidence that the U.S. economy is recovering, U.S. gasoline demand may stabilize, helping refiners like Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX), hence I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on February 15, 2009 at a price of $66.18.

Look for Chevron's oil/natural gas production to increase more than 5% in FY2009, and then at about a 4-4.5% annual rate 2010-2012.

Continue reading Chevron: Riding out the U.S. gasoline market's doldrums

Marathon Oil: Snail's pace progress

Marathon Oil Corp. (NYSE: MRO) continues to inch along, 'totally un-spectacularly,' with performance weighed-down by the recession's impact on refined products.

I am Reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on April 20, 2009 at a price of $28.55, but the call recommends only establishing a 25% position, in total.

Continue reading Marathon Oil: Snail's pace progress

Fuel Systems Solutions: Buy on a pull-back

Alternative fuel system company Fuel Systems Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: FSYS) continues to progress. The company Thursday reported Q3 EPS of 77 cents versus the 43 cents First Call EPS estimate and the stock was up $8.82 to $42.63 at mid-day. I'm reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on August 17, 2009 at a price of $30.42, but wait for a pull-back following Thursday's surge. If bought FSYS in August, you're up about 40%.

Fuel Systems' Q3 revenue increased 10% to $116.2 million, with the company reporting a record 47,000 systems installations, up from 37,000 and 30,000 in Q2 and Q1, respectively. Demand for alternative fuel vehicles was strong, especially in Italy, which offset weakness in its industrial business, and a negative foreign exchange impact, the company noted.

Continue reading Fuel Systems Solutions: Buy on a pull-back

Gilead (GILD): New potential in 4-in-1 HIV drug

"Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD) develops treatments for life-threatening diseases and specializes in drugs for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS," notes Hannah Choe.

The contributing editor to Personal Finance explains, "Already the market leader in HIV antivirals, Gilead is in the beginning stages of developing Quad, the first-ever, four-in-one AIDS pill.

"The manufacture of HIV drugs, which accounts for more than three-quarters of revenue, is Gilead's highest-grossing business. This segment has held up through the recession; in the second quarter product sales for the antiviral franchise grew 26% from a year ago to $1.41 billion.

Continue reading Gilead (GILD): New potential in 4-in-1 HIV drug

Franco Nevada (FNV): A core holding in gold

"We have very few buy recommendations currently; one exception is Franco-Nevada (Toronto: FNV.CA)," says resource expert Adrian Day.

In his The Global Analyst, the advisor explains, "Franco Nevada is one of our all-time favorites; it has top management, a solid balance sheet, and risk-averse business plan.

He continues, "The company previously merged with Newmont, and was reborn in a spin off nearly two years ago. Although the stock has nearly doubled since the IPO, it still represents good value.

Continue reading Franco Nevada (FNV): A core holding in gold

Cramer on BloggingStocks: All I'm asking for is rigor

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says you can be bearish, but you have to admit when you're wrong.

Oh boy, I hit a nerve. My last two days of donning the bear suit and imitating the bears has brought on a cacophony of critics, all of whom think that I am attacking them personally! That's right, they think I have read them, seen them and heard them and that I am spoofing them or making fun of them.

Moreover, they think that I am wildly bullish and that I am mocking them for not wanting to buy things here.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: All I'm asking for is rigor

3M is in an uptrend

I'm reiterating my Buy rating for 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM), first recommended on April 20, 2009 at a price of $51.97. If you bought 3M in April, you're up an impressive 46%.

Way back in the spring, I argued, among other factors, that a strong case for buying 3M shares could be made based on the company's large free cash flow and net returns on capital, and reasonable P/E (then about 11), before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon.

Well, with a current P/E of about18, 3M is no where near as cheap, but I still like the shares here, around $75.

Continue reading 3M is in an uptrend

Sunoco: Modest progress amid tepid gasoline sales

I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for Sunoco, Inc. (NYSE: SUN), first recommended on April 20, 2009 at a price of $26.58, but there are qualifiers, so close attention is warranted. If you bought SUN in April, you're up about 19%.

Sunoco has been hurt by the high oil price/low gasoline demand condition pervasive in the giant U.S. market that's squeezed margins. Further, Sunoco's primarily sweet crude oil refining operation prevents it from capitalizing on larger-margin sour crude refining. However, the sweet focus has enabled SUN to produce larger amounts of higher-grade products.

Continue reading Sunoco: Modest progress amid tepid gasoline sales

Alcoa: Upside potential, but with high risk

Look for Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) to benefit from the the U.S./global economic recoveries, which is I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on August 17, 2009 at a price of $12.41.

Alcoa's revenue in FY2010 should increase 13-15%, assuming likely stabilization in the U.S. housing and auto sectors. Aluminum companies also should benefit from modestly higher aluminum prices next year.

Continue reading Alcoa: Upside potential, but with high risk

Dividend growth trio: Aflac, Medtronic and Colgate-Palmolive

"One way to build an inflation hedge into your investment cash flows is to focus on stocks that are likely to boost their dividends on a regular basis," explains dividend specialist Chuck Carlson.

In his The DRIP Investor, which focuses on blue chip companies offering dividend reinvestment programs, he notes, "Since dividends are paid with cold cash, they can't be faked. Either you pay the dividend or you don't. They can't be some figment of accounting magic." Here, he looks at three favorite blue chips with strong dividend records.

Continue reading Dividend growth trio: Aflac, Medtronic and Colgate-Palmolive

Like its parts, Precision Castparts is soaring

With Precision Castparts Corp. (NYSE: PCP), as air travel goes, so go the profits, which is why I'm Reiterating my Buy rating for the company, first recommended on April 20, 2009, at a price of $61.92. If you bought PCP in April, you're up an impressive 50%.

Precision is a major maker of jet engine components, and PCP will benefit as engine orders ramp-up in FY2010. By most measures, an industrial bottom is occurring in the U.S. and global economies in Q3/Q4. Hence, rising demand coupled with the need to re-stock inventories of parts bodes well for Precision. The key revenue drivers: 1) emerging market economies that are modernizing their airline fleets and increasing fleet sizes and 2) Boeing's (NYSE: BA) new 787 Dreamliner, which should undergo its first test flight by the end of 2009.

Continue reading Like its parts, Precision Castparts is soaring

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Stunning elections put health care names back in play

TheStreet.com's Jim Cramer says stocks like WellPoint are buys again because the months of rhetoric will end.

Buy WellPoint (NYSE: WLP) (Cramer's Take). Right now. That's what I thought the moment I saw Chris Christie's shocking triumph in my home state last night. It was a stunning referendum of the anti-jobs nature of health care and how the Democrats are now being tagged with job losses and a health care obsession that hurts hiring.

Not everyone has a seat as safe as Nancy Pelosi. Many have seats thought to be as safe as Corzine's. They have to be shaking today.

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Stunning elections put health care names back in play

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DJIA+17.4610,023.42
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S&P 500+2.671,069.30

Last updated: November 07, 2009: 06:50 AM

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