Daily Analysis

Mar 30, 2016 4:59 A.M. EST

BY ROBERT GUY

The on-again, off-again deal between Hon Hai Precision - aka Foxconn - and Sharp (6753.JP) has finally been inked with the Taiwan-based company ponying up $3.5 billion for a 66% stake in the Japanese electronics maker.

Mar 30, 2016 3:31 A.M. EST

BY ROBERT GUY

The impressive 2015 full year results from Chinese electric car maker BYD (1211.HK) impressed Daiwa, with the broker raising its earnings estimates and its price targets.

Mar 29, 2016 11:01 P.M. EST

BY ROBERT GUY

The trans-Tasman aviation market is set for a shakeup after Air New Zealand (AIR.NZ) announced it was reviewing its 25.89% stake in Virgin Australia (VAH.AU).

Mar 29, 2016 6:51 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

We're not headed for global recession, but beware China's ambitious growth targets and the possibility of a Brexit, Wells Fargo says.

Mar 29, 2016 4:00 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Exchange operator Bats Global Markets will buy ETF.com, according to a news release.

Mar 29, 2016 3:53 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Citigroup's Alastair Syme and team argue that the earnings from big oil companies like Chevron (CVX), Total (TOT) and Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A) will be bad...real bad. But that won't stop the stocks from outperforming. They explain why:

Mar 29, 2016 3:43 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Nomura U.S. Equity Research's Sanjay Chaurasia today reiterates a Neutral rating on shares of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and a $3 price target, writing that the company could take share of "graphics processing units," or GPUs, from Nvidia (NVDA) with the help of technology called “async."

Mar 29, 2016 3:28 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Yes, it's a rhetorical question, but Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen really isn't doing financial stocks any favors. While her dovish comments today have proppelled the stock market to decent gains, financial stocks have not reacted with the same type of vigor.

Mar 29, 2016 2:53 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

A dovish Federal Reserve is boosting gold prices on Tuesday.

Mar 29, 2016 2:50 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN) lost a patent case with Amgen (AMGN) and now a judge will have to make a decision regarding an injunction on sales of Praluent. Citigroup's Robyn Karnauskas and Mohit Bansal provide and update:

Mar 29, 2016 1:54 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stocks are rising this afternoon after Federal Reserve Chief Janet Yellen gave an ultra-dovish speech at the Economic Club of New York.

Mar 29, 2016 12:53 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Morgan Stanley's Joseph Moore this morning raised his rating on shares of video chip maker Ambarella (AMBA) to Overweight from Equal Weight, arguing that the business should “grow nicely from here” with sales into a variety of product categories, including wearable tech, drones, surveillance cameras, and automobiles.

Mar 29, 2016 12:45 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of solar energy system installation firm SunEdison (SUNE) are down 52 cents, or 41%, at 75 cents, on the combined effect of a Securities & Exchange Commission investigation and one its YieldCos. warning SunEdison could go bankrupt.

Mar 29, 2016 12:28 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of chip maker ON Semiconductor (ON) are up 10 cents, or 1%, at $9.51, after B. Riley & Co.'s Craig Ellis this morning reiterated his Buy rating on the shares, and $13 price target, arguing for the compelling “accretion” that will come should the company consummate ...

Mar 29, 2016 12:20 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

A merger in the oil-and-gas industry means that shares of Foot Locker (FL) are coming off the bench to join the U.S. stock market's most widely followed stock benchmark.

Mar 29, 2016 12:02 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continue to lose ground ahead of regional elections.

Mar 29, 2016 11:53 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Deutsche Bank's Ryan Todd and team see "attractive remaining upside" in oil stocks like Marathon Oil (MRO), Devon Energy (DVN), Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD), ConocoPhillips (COP) despite their big rallies:

Mar 29, 2016 11:45 A.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Democracy is good, but the voting process in India threatens the speed of reform measures and needed infrastructure spending as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) continue to lose ground ahead of regional elections.

Mar 29, 2016 11:26 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Nomura's Simeon Siegel asks if stocks like Michael Kors Holdings (KORS), Kate Spade (KATE), Signet Jewelers (SIG) and Express (EXPR) are really "uninvestable" or just "easy to avoid":

Mar 29, 2016 10:54 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of wireless chip vendor Skyworks Solutions (SWKS), a prominent supplier to Apple (AAPL) and Samsung Electronics (005930KS) in mobile devices, are down $1.55, or 2%, at $75.37, after Citigroup's Atif Malik cut his rating on the shares to Neutral from Buy this morning, while maintaining a ...

Mar 29, 2016 10:42 A.M. EST

BY ROBERT GUY

The knives were out for China Shenhua (1088.HK) this morning as analysts reacted to the disappointing full year results from China's largest coal producer before the Easter break.

Mar 29, 2016 10:34 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Citigroup's Yigal Nochomovitz and team argue that it might take some time, but big biotech companies will go shopping for smaller competitors like Medivation (MDVN), Puma Biotechnology (PBYI), Relypsa (RLYP), and Portola Pharmaceuticals (PTLA). They explain:

Mar 29, 2016 10:32 A.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Oil prices sank to near $38 per barrel, causing emerging market angst: producers Russia and Brazil want stronger crude prices, while importer India benefits.

Mar 29, 2016 10:14 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Deutsche Bank's Ryan Todd and team explain why Chevron (CVX) "remains [their] preferred mega-cap" oil stock:

Mar 29, 2016 9:58 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Wedbush analysts Nick Setyan and Colin Radke argue that the 34% drop in shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) during the past six months is "no reason to own shares." They explain why:

Mar 29, 2016 9:51 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stifel's Robert McCarthy and team contend that 3M's (MMM) investor update held "no major surprises" for investors:

Mar 29, 2016 9:47 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of Micron Technology (MU) are down 20 cents, or 2%, at $10.18, in early trading, after the stock got a downgrade from Hold to Underperform from Needham & Co.'s Rajvindra Gill, and a bunch of other mixed coverage in advance of the company' s ...

Mar 29, 2016 9:42 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

UBS analysts Colin Langan and Eddie Hsieh wonder if the rally in shares of Tesla Motors (TSLA) will end when the upstart automaker finally unveils its Model 3:

Mar 29, 2016 9:41 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Credit Suisse analyst Jason West and team explain why McDonald's (MCD) same-store sales could be better than expected:

Mar 29, 2016 9:15 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of Yahoo! (YHOO) are up 7 cents at $35.30, in early trading, following an article early this morning by The Wall Street Journal's Douglas MacMillan claiming the company has set a deadline to bidders for its “core” advertising business of April 11th, citing multiple unnamed sources.

Mar 29, 2016 9:04 A.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Links to the best reading in funds investing:

Mar 29, 2016 8:51 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stocks look set for a lower open as oil continues to fall.

Mar 29, 2016 8:36 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of Apple (AAPL) are down 24 cents at $104.95, after the U.S attorneys last night said in a filing with the District Court of the Central District of California that they had gained access to the data on a phone used by the San ...

Mar 28, 2016 7:11 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stocks went nowhere today because, well why should they? Not everyone thinks the calm can last, however.

Mar 28, 2016 6:40 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

The U.S. Department of Justice intends to withdraw its attempt to force Apple (AAPL) to unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino, California shooters, after managing to unlock the device with the help of a third party, according to a story this evening by USA Today's and Jon ...

Mar 28, 2016 6:40 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Federal securities regulators last year proposed new rules that would curtail the use of derivatives in mutual and exchange-traded funds. The idea was to enhance investor protection.

Mar 28, 2016 6:20 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

With this week's extended holiday, Asia's economic calendar is crammed on Thursday and Friday.

Mar 28, 2016 5:40 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of data visualization technology maker Qlik Technologies (QLIK), which is currently the subject of an activist campaign involving Elliott Management, are up $2.38, or 9%, at $29.07, following a story out Friday afternoon from Reuters's Liana Baker saying the company is exploring the possibility of ...

Mar 28, 2016 5:11 P.M. EST

BY AMEY STONE

On March 23, Energy Transfer Equity (ETE) filed some updated forms with the Securities and Exchange Commission about its planned merger with Willams Cos. (WMB). The documents total more than 400 pages, not including the appendices.

Mar 28, 2016 5:06 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes (GOL) said Monday it hired well-known Wall Street dealmaker Paul J. Taubman's new boutique investment bank as it struggles to meet its debt obligations.

Mar 28, 2016 4:47 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Drexel Hamilton's Brian White today reiterates a Buy rating on shares of data visualization and analytics software maker Tableau Software (DATA), and a $75 price target, arguing that the company's wares will “eventually become a 'must have tool' for information workers."

Mar 28, 2016 3:47 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Deutsche Bank's Vijay Bhagavath today reiterates a Buy rating on shares of optical networking equipment provider Infinera (INFN), and a $26 price target, after making “checks” of the sales channle for its gear that show opportunities in the data center.

Mar 28, 2016 3:05 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

UBS's Steve Milunovich today asks whether Apple's (AAPL) a “hits-driven annuity business” or a “platform” business, and concludes it's the latter, which to him means Apple's stock price is not getting sufficient credit for its staying power.

Mar 28, 2016 3:02 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Exchange-traded fund company Direxion Shares closed three of its "strategic beta" products even as the company aims to diversify away from leveraged ETFs, which face potentially stiffer regulation.

Mar 28, 2016 2:26 P.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stifel's Michael Scialla and Daniel Guffey warn investors not to chase the biggest gainers among the exploration & production stocks, including Denbury Resources (DNR) and Whiting Petroleum (WLL), and instead stick with more stable fare such as Anadarko Petroleum (APC), Rice Energy (RICE), and Continental ...

Mar 28, 2016 1:05 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Argentina saw hydrocarbon output increase 1.9% in 2015 after roughly a decade of contraction.

Mar 28, 2016 12:58 P.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Fund-ratings firm Morningstar cut its forward-looking rating on Sequoia Fund (SEQUX) in the wake of a high-profile executive departure and sharp losses related to Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX).

Mar 28, 2016 12:27 P.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of online streaming radio pioneers Pandora Media (P) are down $1.06, or almost 10%, at $9.87, after the company this morning said founder Tim Westergren would take over as CEO replacing Brian McAndrews, effective immediately.

Mar 28, 2016 12:13 P.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

With weak demand from China, India's metal exports aren't expected to pick up, one reason Moody's Investors Services downgraded miner Vedanta's credit earlier this month.

Mar 28, 2016 11:54 A.M. EST

BY AMEY STONE

One of the new tools the Federal Reserve is using to keep the fed funds rate at the 0.25% to 0.5% target it set last December is reverse repurchase agreements, known as repos. Essentially a lender sells a security and agrees to buy it back ...

Mar 28, 2016 11:53 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Morgan Stanley's David Risinger and team give their thoughts on one of the most pressing questions for investors in shares of Valeant Pharmaceuticals International (VRX)--when will it be safe to invest? The answer is unclear:

Mar 28, 2016 10:46 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Evercore ISI's Ken Sena today reiterates an Overweight rating on shares of Facebook (FB), and raises his price target to $150 from $140, writing that messaging applications are primed to become more and more important on the Internet, and that Facebook is “best positioned” to benefit from ...

Mar 28, 2016 10:30 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of Apple (AAPL) are up 18 cents at $105.85, after RBC Capital's Amit Daryanani today told investors to get set for an increase in the company's capital allocation, and perhaps 100% of its cash flow paid out over time.

Mar 28, 2016 10:26 A.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

Russian internet search player Yandex (YNDX) announced its 90-year-old chairman, Alfred Fenaughty, died Saturday.

Mar 28, 2016 10:21 A.M. EST

BY TIERNAN RAY

Shares of wireless chip giant Qualcomm (QCOM) are down 75 cents, or 1.5%, at $50.11, after Barclays's Blayne Curtis this morning cut his rating on the shares to Equal Weight from Overweight, writing that the company is likely to lose business to Intel (INTC) in Apple's (AAPL) ...

Mar 28, 2016 10:05 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Citigroup's Andrew Kaplowitz and Vladimir Bystricky visited General Electric's (GE) gas turbine factory in South Carolina...and like what they see:

Mar 28, 2016 9:59 A.M. EST

BY DIMITRA DEFOTIS

A few headlines in developing economies with the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets exchange-traded fund (EEM) up fractionally at the open.

Mar 28, 2016 9:55 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Susquehanna's Charles Minervino and team explain why they cut offshore driller Ensco (ESV) to Sell from Neutral:

Mar 28, 2016 9:52 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

JPMorgan's Ann Duignan and Michael Conlon "remain cautious" on Joy Global (JOY) despite the stock's rally this year:

Mar 28, 2016 9:50 A.M. EST

BY CHRIS DIETERICH

Links to the best reading in funds investing: 

Mar 28, 2016 9:42 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Credit Suisse analyst Moshe Orenbuch and team calls Citigroup's (C) new Costco Wholesale (COST) rewards card "significantly more appealing" that the one American Express (AXP) used to offer, and a lesson to American Express on "how to step it up." They explain:

Mar 28, 2016 9:38 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Leerink's Geoffrey Porges contends that even the launch of Merck's (MRK) Zepatier at a 40% discount to Gilead Sciences' (GILD) Harvoni hasn't been to dent the biotech giant's dominance. He explains:

Mar 28, 2016 8:39 A.M. EST

BY BEN LEVISOHN

Stocks look set to follow up last week's loss with a small gain this morning.