UK inflation woe 'set to worsen'
The UK's outlook for inflation has deteriorated in the past few months, the head of the Bank of England says.

Action to 'help family finances'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has announced a series of plans that will affect people's finances, homes and work.

US inflation eases but food soars
US food prices jumped at the fastest pace for 18 years in April, figures show, but overall inflation eased.

UK jobless up by 14,000
UK unemployment rose by 14,000 to 1.61 million in the three months to March, official figures show.

US retail sales dip 0.2% in April
US retail sales fell 0.2% in April amid high fuel costs and slowing economic growth, official figures show.

Basic rate taxpayers to get £120
The chancellor announces a change in tax allowances which means all basic rate taxpayers gain £120 this year.

Shanghai shares fall after quake
China's main stock market falls - despite efforts to minimise economic disruption caused by the earthquake.

UK inflation jumps to 3% in April
UK consumer inflation hits 3% in April, its highest level in 13 months, on food and fuel costs, official figures show.

Oil hits new high on Iran fears
Oil prices hit a new high of $126.98 a barrel after a report that Iran was studying a plan to cut crude output.

No slowdown for China's shoppers
Chinese shoppers continue to spend in April, with retail sales rising at a record annual level of 22%.

Mortgage lending hits 33-year low
Mortgage lending to home buyers has hit its lowest level for 33 years, industry figures from the CML show.

House price falls 'are spreading'
The number of UK surveyors reporting falls in property prices has risen for the ninth month in a row, a report says.

UK producer inflation at record
UK factory gate prices and producers' input costs rose at a record pace in April, official figures show.

Second negative month for sales
UK retail sales fall for the second month in April, according to the British Retail Consortium.

Food prices drive China inflation
China's consumer price inflation nears a 12-year high in April, as the cost of food continues to take its toll.

Firms 'up prices as costs soar'
Manufacturers are raising prices as they face the strongest cost pressures in over 20 years, the CBI says.

Wednesday's News Recap: Soft U.S. CPI Report, Increase in Canadian Home Listings (CEP News)
(CEP News) - A surprisingly soft consumer price report from the United States and calls from Fed policy-makers urging for better practices and reforms to the financial system were the focus of the day's economic news, with a small build in DOE crude oil inventories sparking some choppy trading in oil.

Closing Market Recap: Stocks Rally, Treasuries Slip, Loonie Can't Hold USD Parity (CEP News)
(CEP News) - A tame report on U.S. inflation sparked a round of buying in stocks and Treasuries along with a U.S. dollar sell-off. The moves were fleeting, however, as equity markets closed moderately high, Treasuries continued yesterday's bear flattener and the U.S. dollar rebounded.

Market Recap: Treasuries Sell Off as Stocks Hold Gains (CEP News)
(CEP News) - The Treasury curve flattened as the front end led a broad selloff. The down leg came after equities hit session highs on what has been the third straight day of gains in U.S. equity markets. Canadian government bonds are outperforming the U.S. while crude oil is back below $125 a barrel.

Midday Market Update: Moderation in U.S. CPI Helps Stocks but Hinders USD (CEP News)
(CEP News) - Equity markets are stronger after U.S. statistics revealed consumer prices may not be climbing as quickly as economists were anticipating. The Canadian dollar hit a seven-week high and is the day's strongest major currency.

Midday News Recap: Soft U.S. CPI Report, Fed Speakers Call For More Reforms (CEP News)
(CEP News) - A surprisingly soft consumer price report from the United States and calls from Fed policy-makers urging for better practices and reforms to the financial system have been the focus of the day's economic news, with a small build in DOE crude oil inventories sparking some choppy trading in oil.

Mid-Morning Market Recap: Stocks Continue to Push Ahead, Treasury Curve Flatter (CEP News)
(CEP News) - North American fixed income markets are mixed and equities are up with yields on U.S. 10-year Treasury Notes flat at 3.91% and Canadian 10-year CGBs flat at 3.60%. The Dow Jones industrial average is up 126 points to 12,958 and the S&P TSX Composite Index up 98 points to 14,715. The Canadian dollar is up 0.0040 cents to 1.0003 USD and the euro is down 0.0020 to 1.5455 USD.

Morning Market Update: Equity Futures Higher; Canadian Dollar at Parity (CEP News)
(CEP News) - North American fixed income markets are mixed and equities are up with yields on U.S. 10-year Treasury notes down 3.6 bps to 3.88% and Canadian 10-year CGBs down 1.6 bps to 3.59%. Futures on the Dow Jones industrial average are up 40 points to 12,866. The Canadian dollar is up 0.0031 to 0.9994 USD and the euro is down 0.0012 to 1.54625 USD.

European Market Recap: European Bonds Fall, Equities Lower (CEP News)
(CEP News) - European equity markets are trading lower with the Eurostoxx losing 4.36 points on the day. In Germany, the bund was down 61.0 ticks to 113.74 with yields up 7.8 bps to 4.16% while the 10-year gilt was down 82.0 ticks to 107.36 with yields up 11.4 bps to 4.82%. The euro was down 0.30 cents to 1.5445 USD.

Wednesday's Events: U.S. CPI, Fed Speakers, DOE Oil Inventories (CEP News)
(CEP News) - U.S. CPI and comments from some Fed speakers will garner most of the attention on Wednesday along with the release of weekly oil inventories from the Department of Energy.

Overnight News Recap: UK Facing Inflation Problems, PBOC to Fight Higher Prices (CEP News)
(CEP News) - Continuing concerns over the UK's inflation rates and hawkish comments from the People's Bank of China highlighted the bulk of Wednesday's economic news as several euro zone countries released regional CPI data.

Study: Number of Wireless-Only U.S. Homes Grows
More Americans are cancelling their landlines and using only wireless phones, according to a new study from the National Center for Health Statistics. In the last half of 2007, the number of homes without landlines — 16 percent — had more than doubled from the same period in 2004.

Most Fattening Profession: Finance
A new survey from the online jobs site CareerBuilder.com shows that 45 percent of workers have gained weight at their current jobs. About one-quarter of the workers surveyed reported gaining more than 10 pounds; 12 percent gained more than 20. The most fattening profession seems to be finance.

On Reality TV, Less Sleep Means More Drama
Research shows that sleep deprivation makes people emotionally volatile and temperamental — a fact that hasn't escaped the notice of some reality TV producers, who deny contestants sleep in an effort to kick up televised drama.

Delphi Chief: Skills Key to U.S. Factory Turnaround
The economy shed 326,000 factory jobs in the past 12 months. Steve Miller, executive chairman of giant auto parts maker Delphi Corp., says improving worker skills is key to turning around the embattled U.S. manufacturing sector.

Earthlink to End Philadelphia WiFi Network
Earthlink notified Philadelphia subscribers that it will dismantle its WiFi network in the city on June 12. Negotiations to transfer the network to another operator broke down. Earthlink is giving subscribers 30 days to find other paths to the Internet.

Nissan Builds Buzz with Plans for Electric Car
Despite warning of "tougher times" because of the weak U.S. economy, Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said Tuesday that the automaker plans to become the global leader in zero-emission vehicles.

Good Times in Texas
High oil and natural gas prices are keeping Texas business humming along, despite economic problems elsewhere. Companies are hiring, real estate is selling and the state budget is on track for a huge surplus.

Inflation Calculation Leaves Out Food, Energy Prices
The government releases new inflation statistics Wednesday, and consumer prices are expected to rise. While the Federal Reserve does keep an eye on inflation, it usually doesn't take food and energy prices into account. David Wessel, economics editor at the Wall Street Journal, talks about the Fed data.

U.S. Railroad Industry Thriving as Economy Slumps
The railroad freight industry is booming. Executives say higher fuel prices and a weak dollar are helping freight lines. Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern, talks about how the industry can thrive despite an economic slump.

HP Offers $14 Billion for Electronic Data Systems
The world's largest maker of personal computers and printers, Hewlett-Packard, says it is buying technology outsourcing giant Electronic Data Systems for nearly $14 billion.

Shippers Accuse Railroads of Price-Fixing
Co-host Renee Montagne reports on a group of shippers who have charged the railroad companies with fixing prices.

Cablevision Acquires 'Newsday'
Long Island-based Cablevision Systems Corp. buys New York Newsday from Sam Zell's Tribune Company for $650 million. The Dolan family, which owns Cablevision, outbid media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Bill and Melinda Gates Name New Foundation Head
Jeff Raikes, a 27-year veteran of Microsoft, will take over the $37 billion Gates Foundation in September. Bill and Melinda Gates tell NPR that they picked Raikes because he shares their passion to try to help minimize poverty around the globe.

Young Workers Flee Midwestern States
Upper Midwestern states are in danger of losing a precious economic commodity: young people. Many are leaving for other parts of the country after finishing school. Without young, educated workers, there's little incentive for businesses to locate in economically hard-hit states.

'Marketplace' Report: Oil Industry Pushes Back
The gas and oil industry has begun a campaign to convince the public that rising energy prices are not the producers' fault. The American Petroleum Institute says government efforts to punish the industry with higher taxes or greater regulation would only make the situation worse.

Oil Prices Make Slight Dip
Crude oil futures weakened Wednesday as traders awaited weekly data expected to show increases in U.S. crude and distillates stockpiles

Inflation Data Awakens Bulls; Techs Limit Gains
A tame inflation report brought the bulls back to Wall Street on Wednesday as traders expressed relief that consumer prices moderated even as food prices soared in April.

Yahoo Activist Investor Calls for New Board of Directors
Yahoo (YHOO), the Sunnyvale, Calif. listed Internet company that fought off an unsolicited bid by Microsoft (MSFT) is seeing activist investor Erick Jackson of Ironfire Capital call for investors to vote against the company’s existing board of directors.

Wal-Mart First-Quarter Profit Up 6.9%
Wal-Mart's profit rose 6.9% in the first quarter, beating Wall Street's expectations.

Sprint Nextel Reports Weak First-Quarter Results
Sprint Nextel's first quarter profits fell 18 cents per share as subscribers fled to other mobile carriers.

Welcome Back Bulls: Dow Rebounds 130 Points
The bulls were back at the helm on Wall Street on Monday, provoking a triple-digit surge on the Dow thanks to tumbling crude oil prices, strength from retailers like Ann Taylor and some serious M&A talk. 

Circuit City to Allow Blockbuster to Conduct Due Diligence
Circuit City said Friday it will allow Blockbuster and its largest shareholder Carl Icahn, to conduct due diligence in connection with Blockbuster's bid to buy the consumer electronics retailer.

Clear Channel Reports 4% Revenue Growth
Clear Channel Communications reported strong first-quarter profits .

Crude End to Week: Dow Falls 120 on AIG, Oil
Stubbornly high crude oil prices and new damage inflicted by the credit crisis darkened the mood on Wall Street this week, sending the stock market to its first weekly loss in a month.

Gas Prices Hit New Records as Oil Retreats
Oil prices fell slightly Thursday, but still remain near record-breaking levels.

Icahn Moving Ahead with Proxy Battle for Yahoo

GE Plans to Sell Appliances Unit for Up to $8 Billion

John Edwards Throws Support Behind Barack Obama

Fast Money: Your First Trade For Thursday 

Tame Inflation? Tell That To People Buying Gasoline

Home Foreclosures: Crisis Is Only Getting Deeper 

United Air, Continental in Alliance Talks: Source

More Homeowners Try to Get Property Tax Lowered

Cramer: Woodward Governor's a Wind-Win Situation 

Sallie Mae Error Wrecks Borrowers' Credit Scores

Pimco's El-Erian: Fed's Tools Won't Fix Housing Crisis

Buffett to Reveal Berkshire Hathaway Holdings Soon

New Merrill Rule: 20% of Stocks Rated 'Underweight'

J&J Stent Ad Under Fire in Medical Journal

AIG's Chairman: Board Stands Behind CEO Sullivan 

Deere Profit Up as Crop Prices Soar, But Outlook Dims

Banks Disclosed 80% of Subprime-Related Losses: Fitch

Baby Boomer Portfolios: Retirement Stocks 

Overview: Inflation data in contrast across Atlantic
Contrasting inflation scenarios in the US and UK provided the main focus for financial markets

Wall St rises after benign inflation data
US stocks ended the day in positive territory as investors responded to relatively benign inflation data and digested better-than-expected earnings reports from Macy's and Freddie Mac

Stable inflation data slow bond sell-off
US bond yields rose towards their highest levels since the start of the year before the sell-off was stemmed with the release of a stable April consumer inflation report

FSA shies away from credit swaps
Financial Security Assurance, the bond insurer, which has avoided many of the mortgage-related losses plaguing rivals such as Ambac and MBIA, said the volatility in the credit default swaps market had made it reluctant to write new contracts

Freddie Mac rises after rules eased
Shares in Freddie Mac rose more than 9 per cent after the government-sponsored mortgage financier was granted greater flexibility to support the US housing market

Banks write off 80% of subprime losses
Global banks have now written off more than 80 per cent of their losses against assets linked to the US subprime mortgage market, according to a report by Fitch Rating

Bleak Bank of England outlook hits pound
Sterling had a volatile session against the dollar after US inflation data contrasted with the Bank of England's hawkish projections for UK consumer prices

US inflation data ease European concerns
European equity markets recovered ground in late trade on Wednesday after US inflation data eased investor jitters

Kazakh miner leads as sector strikes rich seam
Mining stocks were the standout performers in a London market that crept higher in spite of more worrying inflation news

Asia markets boosted by yen and strong data
After a lacklustre start to the day, Asia-Pacific equities managed to end mostly higher

BIS warns over forex settlements risk
More action is needed to reduce foreign exchange settlement risk to avoid a meltdown in the global financial system, the Bank for International Settlements said

Money market funds defy crisis
European money market funds that supply cash to financial institutions have seen funds under management grow by 35 per cent to €400bn ($620bn) over the past year in spite of the credit crunch, according to a trade body

Buyers return to property derivatives
Buyers are returning to the commercial property derivatives market to take advantage of the low prices offered on indirect investments in the beleaguered sector

KfW in year's biggest convertible bond
KfW, the German development bank, has launched the year's biggest convertible bond issue as it seeks a way to unload more of its shareholding in Deutsche Telekom, the part-privatised telecoms company

Crude extends record run
Crude oil came within touching distance of $127, extending its record-breaking run for a seventh session, while US petrol and heating oil prices climbed to new peaks

The Economist commodity-price index

Output, prices and jobs

Trade, exchange rates, budget balances and interest rates

Overview

America's jobs market is less fragile than had been feared. Employers, excluding farms, cut 20,000 from their payrolls in April?fewer than in the previous three months, when the headcount dropped by an average of 80,000 per month. The unemployment rate edged down from 5.1% to 5%, reflecting an increase in the number of part-time workers.

Job cuts and shorter hours lifted productivity growth in the first quarter. Output per hour in America's non-farm businesses rose at an annualised rate of 2.2%, up from 1.8% in the final three months of 2007. That helped cap unit wage costs, which slowed from an annualised rate of 2.8%, to 2.2%. ...

The Economist poll of forecasters, May averages

Markets

Broad money supply

Many central banks keep one eye on broad measures of the money supply for signs that the economy is overheating or cooling. If money flowed around the economy at a stable rate, an annual increase much above 5% in a rich country would provide an early warning of inflation?too much cash would be chasing too few goods. A rate below that benchmark may signal faltering growth or falling prices. In fact money-supply growth is an unreliable indicator, because its rate of circulation varies. In times of economic stress, as now, firms and households prefer to keep more of their wealth in cash or in liquid bank deposits. This helps explain why broad money has either picked up or stayed strong despite weaker economic growth.

...

Productivity

?Productivity isn't everything, but in the long-run it is almost everything,? said Paul Krugman in his book ?The Age of Diminished Expectations?. The more productive an economy is?the more effectively it uses capital and labour?the greater its prosperity. ?Unleashing Prosperity?, a forthcoming report from the World Bank, shows how improved productivity led to economic growth in developing countries from 1999 to 2005. The bank's economists first calculated how much growth was explained by a bigger workforce and how much by more plant. What is left is total factor productivity?how efficiently capital and labour were combined. This indeed accounted for the bulk of rising affluence.

...

Internet protocol television

Nearly a third of Hong Kong's households get their television service via the internet, according to a new report from Telecommunications Management Group, a consultancy. Internet protocol television (IPTV) uses the same technology that links together computer networks. In addition to the services provided by traditional broadcast television, IPTV also offers subscribers services such as on-demand video. Europe accounts for more than half of the world's subscribers to IPTV. Less than 1% of American households with a television use IPTV's extra services. Among large countries, France has the deepest IPTV penetration.

...

Ireland

Top exporters

The volume of global merchandise trade grew by 5.5% in 2007, according to a preliminary assessment of trade figures from the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Germany topped the WTO's ranking of leading exporters, with 9.5% of global sales last year. China and America were close behind. Together, these three accounted for more than a quarter of world exports. Outside the top three, only Japan has an export share above 5%. America was by some distance the world's biggest importer in 2007, sucking in a staggering $2 trillion of merchandise from abroad. Its share of global imports, 14.2%, was almost twice that of the next largest importer, Germany. China was ranked third among importers, with 6.7%.

...

Knocking On The Door
The bulls keep knocking on the door to S&P 1420, but once again no one answered. Going into the day we knew two things: 1) to expect a rally following the "better than expected" CPI, and 2) afternoon volatility. That's...

Casino Finance
While massive risk looms, the bulls have reasons to hope Bernanke provides a status report on the financial markets 6 signs of an economic rebound A real powerlunch Some serious dough The same economists who failed to spot this year's...

Better Than Expected CPI
Good morning. Premarket futures are up as a better than expected CPI report gets investors excited about buying stocks. Along with that, we have reaction to some notable earnings reports from Freddie Mac (FRE), Deere (DE), Whole Foods Market (WFMI),...

Nothing But Noise
Like most option expiration weeks, there was a lot of noise on several fronts, but the trading action itself was pretty much as expected - i.e. lots of choppy action and another 11:AM Tuesday turnaround move. Tomorrow morning we have...

A Simple Moving Average Screen
Using IBD's custom screen wizard, here's a fun little screen I like to run at least once a week. This morning I searched for stocks which are trading 50% above both their 50 day and 200 day moving averages. This...

Healthcare Investment Opportunities
As I promised last week, I spent some time over the past few days focusing my stock screening tools on the healthcare sector. It is my view that sector is relatively undervalued and it presents some attractive longer-term opportunities with...

Retail Sales, M&A, & Fedspeak
Good morning. Premarket futures have been volatile this morning, but currently indicate a positive start. In focus this morning include a better than expected retail sales report, disappointing second quarter guidance from Wal-Mart, and the Hewlett-Packard/EDS deal. The dollar is...

Buy The Dippers Return
After last week's pullback, the buy the dippers got busy. Once the S&P held its 20 day moving average (now support), confidence surged as buyers moved back into internet, real-estate, consumer services, retail, regional banking, and technology. Merger talk surrounding...

Searching For Direction
Is the U.S. in recession — yes or no? Recession odds tick lower "Inflating our way out of trouble is tempting but it's another buy now, pay later strategy, both for the economy and investors." - James Saft Why all...

Awaiting New Catalysts
Good morning. We start the new week with some M&A news between Cablevision (CVC) & News Corp. (NWS), some mixed news from financials (see MBI & HBC), and lowered earnings guidance at Fedex (FDX). The dollar is up amid chatter...

One Week Pullback
After three straight weeks of gains, the market lost its mojo this week as trouble stirred in the financials, oil prices set a new highs, and there were few positive catalysts to keep the "worst is behind us" rally going....

Questions From Members
As always, thank you for sending in your questions to my mailbag! I had a lot of good questions to choose from and there were many I did not have time to answer but will keep them for the next...

More Bad News From Financials
Good morning. As oil prices hit fresh new highs, more bad news from the financials are bringing out the sellers this morning. As we head lower, traders will be watching whether any support can be found at the 20 Day...

Stay Tuned
White House's economist sees no recession Happy days aren't quite here again Oh, the doubts begin to creep back in More jobs report analysis The housing crisis is over Why $120 oil is good! SEC to require banks to disclose...

FINVIZ
A few months ago I linked to FINVIZ and since then I keep hearing positive comments about the website. Upon further review, I like this website even more. Among the many neat features include a simple and easy-to-use stock screener,...

Stocks manage slim gains
Stocks gained Wednesday after a milder-than-expected inflation report and falling oil prices helped dampen worries about inflation. But a late-session technology selloff caused Wall Street to give up bigger gains.

Soros: Global investing's godfather
Broke and friendless in postwar London, having just spent his last penny on food, 22-year-old George Soros made the first of a lifetime of prescient economic calls. "I have touched bottom," he told himself, "and I am bound to rise."

Gas prices are not priority for refineries
Oil refineries are ramping up production, but they are focused on making heating oil and diesel fuel, not gasoline - as a result, summer drives may not get any cheaper.

Treasurys mixed on mild inflation
Read full story for latest details.

Clear Channel agrees to lower buyout offer
Read full story for latest details.

Dollar gains as inflation eases
Read full story for latest details.

Nikkei rises to highest in 4 months
Read full story for latest details.

Oil eases from record
Read full story for latest details.

Congress OKs halt to oil reserve shipments
Read full story for latest details.

HP to buy EDS for $13.9 billion
Hewlett-Packard announced Tuesday it is buying Electronic Data Systems for about $13.9 billion in cash, as it aims to step up competition for the computer services business with rival IBM.

Bonds fall on consumer spending report
Read full story for latest details.

Dollar strengthens, despite gloom
Read full story for latest details.

New records for oil, gas
Read full story for latest details.

Japan shares rally on Wall Street's gains

Dollar rally gains traction
Read full story for latest details.

The Fed: Betting on a rate hike
There is a growing sense that the worst of the credit crunch may be behind us. And despite a tamer-than-expected reading for April, inflation is still very much a concern for many Americans.

The only 7 investments you need
It's a tough market, but that doesn't mean you need more weapons for your portfolio. Now more than ever, don't complicate your strategy. Simplify it.

Is your money fund safe?
Money market mutual funds are known for being both liquid and solid. Liquid because you can get your money out of them at any time; solid because they maintain a steady value of $1 per share. And they're popular because they tend to pay slightly higher rates than Treasury bills or bank savings accounts. Individuals and institutions alike use them to park cash they are waiting to deploy and to ride out market storms. Amid the turmoil of the past year, assets have soared 45%, to $3.5 trillion. But with the credit crunch casting doubt on many formerly safe-seeming securities, the big question for many investors has become, Is my money fund safe?

Financial stocks we love
The subprime mortgage meltdown and resulting credit crisis have slammed financial stocks recently. But there are still some diamonds in the rough.

6 funds that let you sleep at night
If the stock markets' wild swings have been making you nervous, it might be time to consider an asset-allocation fund. These hybrids mix stocks, bonds, and cash in parachute portfolios designed to catch wind in boom times and to cushion against sharp drops.

Clear Channel Cleared For Takeover
Shareholders aren't likley to complain about price of $36.00 a share.

Jack In The Box Jammed
The hamburger chain's second-quarter profits fell, but it still managed to beat the Street's expectations on lower labor and operating costs.

Diana Shipping Rides High
The dry bulk carrier more than doubles its first-quarter profit on more operating days, an enlarged fleet and higher charter rates.

A Mighty Wind For Fluor
Construction company wins $1.8 billion contract to build world's largest offshore windfarm off the British coast.

Sponsor's Content: Earth in the Balance Sheet: Sustainability Reports
Sure, the pictures are nice. But in-depth sustainability reports are more than good PR. They provide better information to stakeholders and rich data to guide wiser management decisions.

Global Water Wants To Pipe Into Southwestern Markets
Phoenix-based water utility files IPO to make water a sustainable resource for booming southwestern cities.

Crude Clips Wings Of Air Midwest
The Mesa Air Group announced it will cut service for its subsidiary because of record-high fuel costs.

China Architectural Profits By Western Exposure
The design and construction firm attributes its strong first quarter to higher margin contracts in global markets.

Freddie Gets Moody
Freddie's new accounting method helped lessen Q1 losses and boost sales.

Diana Shipping Rises With The Tide
The Greek dry bulk carrier's profit more than doubled on more operating days, a larger fleet, and higher charter rates.

Global Water's Trickle-Down Approach
Phoenix-based water utility files IPO to make water a sustainable resource for booming southwestern cities.

Late-day selling pulls the Dow from its intraday highs; earnings results put Sony (SNE) and Freddie Mac (FRE) in focus
Despite surprising earnings from Freddie Mac (FRE) and positive news for Clear Channel Communications (CCU), futures were pointed lower ahead of the opening bell...(Read More)

Despite a wealth of investor optimism, Energizer (ENR) is running low on buying power
By popular request, this week we are shifting gears in Schaeffer's Tool Box and seeking out potential bearish picks for your portfolio...(Read More)

Encore Wire Corporation (WIRE) is on the rise, and Wall Street is finally starting to take notice
Let's end the suspense now - this week's Undiscovered Gem does, indeed, have a foot in the commodities sector...(Read More)

Short sellers, options players, and analysts remain bearish toward uptrending drug maker Elan (ELN)
Playing with one of the awesome filters on SchaeffersResearch.com, I decided to check out some uptrending stocks with heavy short interest - a bullish implication from a contrarian standpoint...(Read More)

Freddie Mac (FRE) surprises with stronger-than-expected earnings, boosts financial sector
The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has skyrocketed to a gain of more than 150 points this afternoon and is fast approaching the 13,000 level...(Read More)

Bearish option activity dominates the day's activity on Schering-Plough
Plough-ing HigherPharmaceutical firm Schering-Plough (SGP: sentiment, chart, options) is making its way higher today, and it has a positive note from Bernstein to thank for the move...(Read More)

C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) in a long-term uptrend, however investors expect a top
Logistics company, C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (CHRW: sentiment, chart, options) provides freight transportation services to other companies...(Read More)

Evergreen Solar's (ESLR) poor technical performance could leave many bulls on the sidelines despite added brokerage attention
Wall Street Partly Cloudy Despite Jefferies Upgrade Ahead of the open this morning, Jefferies upgraded Evergreen Solar (ESLR: sentiment, chart, options) to "buy" from "hold." In an accompanying statement, Jefferies said that "Evergreen continues to take risk out of its growth story through execution...(Read More)

Pessmism builds toward BMC Software (BMC) ahead of its earnings report
It's earnings time for BMC Software (BMC: sentiment, chart, options) once again...(Read More)

MercadoLibre (MELI) capitalizes on widespread skepticism to march higher
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the company, Buenos Aires-based MercadoLibre (MELI: sentiment, chart, options) is the eBay (EBAY) of the Latin American world...(Read More)

A technical and sentiment look at Panera Bread's (PNRA) strong price action and investor sentiment
This week on the Casual Contrarian we are going to take a look at specialty sandwich maker and bakery Panera Bread, ticker symbol PNRA...(Read More)

News from Applied Materials (AMAT), Clear Channel Communications (CCU), J.M. Smucker (SJM), and Whole Foods Market (WFMI)
Today's headlines include earnings from Applied Materials (AMAT), an acquisition agreement for Clear Channel Communications (CCU), an acquisition for J.M...(Read More)

Electronic Arts (ERTS) and Freddie Mac (FRE) reveal quarterly earnings in the red
U.S. stock futures are mildly lower this morning, indicative of a potentially negative start to the regular session...(Read More)

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) dropped after announcing an acquisition, while Canadian Solar (CSIQ) boosted its peers in the solar sector
Once again, U.S. stocks were ushered lower by finance-sector anxiety - but the panic levels on Wall Street are definitely abating, with equities suffering only mild losses today...(Read More)

A short-covering rally could help fuel VeriSign (VRSN) through overhead resistance
Playing with one of the awesome filters on SchaeffersResearch.com, I decided to check out some uptrending stocks with heavy short interest...(Read More)

Hewlett-Packard's (HPQ) buyout of EDS sends traders running for call options
Buyout Heats Up the Ratings Game Technology stocks are getting pounded today, and Hewlett-Packard (HPQ: sentiment, chart, options) isn't helping matters any...(Read More)

Option activity picks up on Washington Mutual (WM) ahead of expiration Friday
No News is Good News?I have spent the better part of the past 30-plus minutes searching for some sort of news on Washington Mutual (WM: sentiment, chart, options) , but I have found just 1 recent article, published yesterday by the Dow Jones Newswires...(Read More)

Options players flock to calls on SINA Corporation (SINA) ahead of earnings report
SINA Corp. (SINA: sentiment, chart, options) is set to join Ctrip.com in the earnings spotlight after the close on Wednesday, May 14...(Read More)

Bed Bath and Beyond (BBBY) shares climb higher, investors remain pessimistic
Homes goods store-Mecca, Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY: sentiment, chart, options) is the number-1 superstore domestics retailer in the U.S.  Its more than 880 stores throughout the U.S., and single store in Ontario, Canada, sell a wide assortment of merchandise including giftware, food, health and beauty care items, bed linens, bath items and kitchen textiles.The housewares business, not unlike many retail businesses, has been suffering during these rough economic times...(Read More)

Long-term underperformer Amgen (AMGN) inspires a spike in pessimistic option activity
It seems that nobody on Wall Street is too excited about Amgen (AMGN: sentiment, chart, options) ...(Read More)

Wal-Mart Stores' (WMT) long-term uptrend hits a snag on earnings guidance
Weak Second-Quarter Guidance Pressures Wal-Mart Shares While some retailers are being pinched by the current state of the U.S. economy and rising fuel prices, Wal-Mart Stores (WMT: sentiment, chart, options) is finding a bit of success by attracting bargain-hunting consumers...(Read More)

Comparing the benefits and drawbacks of LEAPS to those of short-term options
Before I came to Schaeffer's Investment Research, I had no background in options trading...(Read More)

Pessimism swells toward Ctrip.com (CTRP) ahead of earnings
Ready to take a trip to the earnings spotlight? Ctrip.com International (CTRP: sentiment, chart, options) is...(Read More)

News from American International Group (AIG), LDK Solar (LDK), Staples (SPLS), and Toll Brothers (TOL)
Today's headlines include a stock offering from American International Group (AIG), earnings from LDK Solar (LDK), an increased offer from Staples (SPLS), and Toll Brothers (TOL) sees second-quarter home-building revenue drop...(Read More)

Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI) and Wal-Mart Stores (WMT) step into the earnings spotlight
U.S. stock futures are mildly lower this morning, indicative of a potentially negative start to the regular session of trading...(Read More)

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Play Schaeffer's New Addictive Game: Stockdoku
Addicted to Sudoku or crossword puzzles? Then you'll love Schaeffer's Stockdoku. It's Sudoku with a stock market twist!..(Play the Game Now)

Japan's core machinery orders drop 8.3% in March
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Japan's core machinery orders declined a greater-than-expected 8.3% in March from the previous month, indicating weak capital spending by companies over the next few months, official data showed Thursday.

Asia Markets: Financials, exporters lift Tokyo stocks
HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Asian stocks gained early Thursday, with exporters such as Toyota Motor Corp. and Sharp Corp., as well as financials such as Mizuho Financial Group, climbing after U.S. shares nudged higher overnight.

Vital Signs: Genetic testing poised for big expansion with new law in place
Call it a preventive law for preventive medicine.

Icahn moving ahead with Yahoo proxy fight: reports
Billionaire investor Carl Icahn has reportedly decided to press ahead with a proxy fight to oust Yahoo Inc.'s current board in favor of members who might be more amenable to negotiating a merger with Microsoft Corp.

Marshall Loeb's Daily Money Tip: How to vacation for less this summer
Want to go on a vacation this summer but not sure you can afford it? Sure, gas and food prices are high, but it’s still possible to get away. By concentrating on ways to save, you’ll find yourself at the beach or in the mountains for less than you think.

Jennifer Openshaw: The 15-minute tip: More ways to save on gas costs
As a columnist, reader interest keeps me going. I love it. The feedback on my recent column “Err on the side of more air” convinced me to do a follow-up. See previous column.