Warner Music Group (WMG) was out of favor with the market today. At the time of this writing, shares of the company were down over 16% on big volume. Wall Street did not appreciate the fourth-quarter release.

According to TheStreet.com, a loss, on an adjusted basis, of 3 cents per share was recorded. Analysts were hoping for a profit of 5 cents per share. The cited article goes on to report a not-so-comforting outlook for the near future. And in further bad news, TheFlyOnTheWall.com mentions a downgrade on the stock.

Continue reading Wall Street hates Warner Music Group's Q4 report

Wall Street hates Warner Music Group's Q4 report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• TARP Banks, AIG: Tuesday's Headlines
• Lloyds to Raise $22.3B in Rights Issue

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The Fed's push for TARP payback

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The Fed's push for TARP payback originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

October seems to have been a good month for consumer spending. Unemployment is holding consumers back, but it isn't keeping wallets clamped shut.

A Bloomberg survey reveals that purchases grew 0.5% last month, based on the thoughts of 61 economists. The U.S. Department of Commerce is releasing its report on Wednesday. In advance of this news, Bloomberg's survey suggests that there are signs of slight improvement.

Continue reading The economy turns the corner? Consumer spending likely up slightly

The economy turns the corner? Consumer spending likely up slightly originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Take the Nook off your Christmas list. The new e-reader from Barnes & Noble (BKS) has already sold out, and more won't be available until after the holiday has passed. The next batch will be available, at best, by January 4, 2010.

In a statement, the company said, "While we increased production based on the high consumer interest, we've sold out of our initial Nook allotment available for delivery before the holidays." If you still want to give the device as a holiday gift, Barnes & Noble will give you a gift certificate to tide the recipient over until the device itself comes around.

Continue reading No more Nookie 'til next year, says Barnes & Noble

No more Nookie 'til next year, says Barnes & Noble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Every day, it's becoming clearer that e-readers will be the hot holiday gifts of 2009. Amazon (AMZN) is obviously in the game with its Kindle, with which it took an early lead in the industry. Barnes & Noble (BKS) has made a play with its new Nook reader, applying some pressure to what was once a wide open space.

Even though we're still short of Black Friday, the weeding process has begun. Sony (SNE), which is also in the e-reader market, has revealed that it makes no guarantees about delivery by Christmas.

Continue reading No guarantees: Sony loses e-reader edge

No guarantees: Sony loses e-reader edge originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Amazon, Inc. (AMZN) is in the clouds. So are Google, Inc. (GOOG), EMC (EMC) and Cisco (CSCO). Now, Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) is joining them, having announced on Tuesday its new Windows Azure cloud computing system. The new product will be released on January 1, 2010 -- a new solution for a new year.

Azure will deliver an online platform for the software development set to build their own mousetraps and provide plenty of storage space for users. Testing began a year ago, and full live version will be celebrated next year. For the first month, Azure will be free. The charges start in February.

Continue reading Microsoft latest to head into the sky: New cloud solution announced

Microsoft latest to head into the sky: New cloud solution announced originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Okay, so we all know retailers are looking for every holiday edge this holiday season. Consumer spending's been down, and the sprint to Christmas offers the last chance to pump up those Q4 numbers. They are trying out new ways to reach and engage shoppers, particularly via social media. But, the most effective way to bring new customers into the fold -- and keep them around for a while -- may be to pick up the shipping tab. It's pretty old fashioned, but it's best by test.

Once considered a bonus, a special effort, free shipping isn't really optional any more. If a shopper has to pay for shipping from one retailer, he may move on, knowing that plenty of others aren't charging for it. Rebecca Lieb, vice president at Econsultancy, a digital marketing news publisher, notes, "You're delighted the first time you get free shipping, but you expect it the second time."

And, free shipping shouldn't come with any strings attached, according to Shop.org's eHoliday Study (Shop.org is the e-commerce division of the National Retail Federation). Five years ago, 25% of retailers didn't charge for shipping during the busiest shopping day of the year. This year, however, 57% are planning not to hit their customers up for the extra cash, making this cost just another expense associated with running the business during the holiday season.

Continue reading Consumers feel entitled to free shipping

Consumers feel entitled to free shipping originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Priceline.com (PCLN) closed at $173.73. PCLN reported better than expected Q3 EPS after the market close yesterday. PCLN November option implied volatility is at 69, December is at 54, January is at 51; versus its 26-week average of 47, according to Track Data, suggesting larger, near term price movement.

Kinross Gold (KGC) closed at $19.41. Gold is recently mixed at $1101. KGC November option implied volatility is at 55, December is at 54; near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Priceline.com calls active into better than expected EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

If Amazon (AMZN) was comfortable with its spot atop the e-reader market, it just got a wakeup call from Barnes & Noble (BKS). The brick-and-mortar book retailer's e-reader, the Nook, which hasn't even hit stores yet, is in pre-order nirvana right now. The first run for the Nook occurred at the end of October (the product was introduced on October 20). These buyers were told the reader would ship on November 30. High demand resulted in backorders, so the next wave of pre-orders was scheduled to ship on December 7. Now, a third group will have to wait until December 11.

This product is on fire, and it still isn't even on shelves yet.

Mary Ellen Keating, a spokeswoman for Barnes & Noble wouldn't reveal how many of these devices have been pre-ordered, but she did say, "Demand for the product in our stores and online has surpassed our expectations." She also noted, "We are working hard to meet demand for the holidays."

Continue reading Barnes & Noble's Nook already makes a splash

Barnes & Noble's Nook already makes a splash originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Amazon (AMZN) closed at $126.20. AMZN December option implied volatility is at 44, January is at 43; versus its 26-week average of 47, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing movement.

Market Vector Gold Miners (GDX) is recently up $1.13 to $48.75 in pre-open trading. Gold is recently up 1.11% to $1107.90. GDX November and December option implied volatility of 49 is below its 26-week average of 52, according to Track Data.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: Amazon volatility low, shares at record high originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Santa hasn't even been tugged down Central Park West yet, and Wal-Mart (WMT) is already slashing its prices. The market among major retailers is intensifying, with many offering products as loss leaders in order to entice customers into the store (physical or otherwise) and boost their basket sizes. Along with Target (TGT) and Amazon (AMZN), Walmart is slashing DVD prices, the same tactic it's using with books.

Retailers are rushing to undercut each other this year, which is causing prices to spiral down quickly. When Walmart announced reduced prices on several titles to $10, Amazon followed at $9.99, with Walmart stepping back in at $9.98.

Continue reading Walmart, Amazon now slash DVD prices: What's next?

Walmart, Amazon now slash DVD prices: What's next? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Bernstein upgraded General Electric (NYSE: GE) to Outperform from Market Perform Thursday after the close. The firm sees an improved risk/reward on the stock and raised its price target to $19 from $18.
• Bernstein also upgraded Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN) to Outperform from Market Perform as it believes sales growth and margin expansion expectations are too low. The firm raised its target on shares to $160 from $125.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded CBS (NYSE: CBS) to Neutral from Underweight following the company's Q3 results and raised its target on shares to $13 from $12.
• JPMorgan upgraded Macy's (NYSE: M) to Overweight from Neutral to reflect the company's improving comps. The firm has a $23 target on the stock.
• Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jefferies.
• Travelers (NYSE: TRV) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
• Air Methods (NASDAQ: AIRM) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Stephens.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, CBS, CVS, DE, GE, M, TRV ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AMZN, CBS, CVS, DE, GE, M, TRV ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While eBay (NASDAQ: EBAY) has been working hard to manage its marketplace in a trying economy, its PayPayl business has been growing comfortably and could become the company's biggest earner. For the past two years, eBay has focused on improving the look of its website and helping buyers and sellers to get along in a virtual world built entirely on trust.

In the background, though, the segment of the business that moves money from Point A to Point B has been on fire. Even with payment processing competition from Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Google (NASDAQ: GOOG), PayPal has been able to do more than hold its own.

Continue reading PayPal on track to lead eBay, opens doors to outside developers for more growth

PayPal on track to lead eBay, opens doors to outside developers for more growth originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) may be the world's largest electronics retailer, but it realizes that it faces a huge threat to a hefty chunk of its business. Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) is moving plenty of movies and other soon-to-be former DVD fare through iTunes, staking a claim on a business that once belonged to Best Buy. The big box store is getting ready to fight back (finally?).

Using technology it's licensing from Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), Best Buy is opening an online store for movies and television shows. Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn says this move will expand the company's presence in services and will bolster company loyalty. That's the press release version, of course. The reality is that Best Buy needed to do something to protect this portion of its revenue and probably should have made the move several years ago.

Continue reading Best Buy follows Amazon into the clouds

Best Buy follows Amazon into the clouds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Two of the newsletter industry's leading growth stock advisors remain bullish on the prospects of online retailer Amazon.com (NASDAQ: AMZN), based on growth in not only online retailing but new market areas ranging from the Kindle e-reader to cloud computing.

Mike Cintolo, editor of The Cabot Top Ten Report, explains, "Amazon.com recently blew away earnings expectations." Meanwhile, Alexander Green, investment director at The Oxford Club, says, "In our view, the best lies ahead for the company." Here are their reviews.

Mike Cintolo continues, "Amazon announced that its Kindle e-book reader is now its most popular selling item, both in units and in dollars. That led to a big acceleration in revenue growth (28%, the fastest in five quarters), while earnings leaped 67%.

Continue reading Amazon (AMZN): 'The best is still ahead'

Amazon (AMZN): 'The best is still ahead' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Small book retailers were buying in bulk from major online booksellers because they could really save some money. One was buying up to 70 copies of a particular title -- it was $5 less a pop from the big guys than it would have been from the publisher. Finally, however, the big retailers have become wise to the trend and taken action, according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), and Target (NYSE: TGT) have decided to cap the number of books customers can buy online, a measure intended to prevent smaller competitors from treating them as partners. Walmart is limiting customers to two copies of a particular book, with Amazon placing the border at three and Target at five.

Continue reading Major booksellers didn't realize they were suppliers to rivals

Major booksellers didn't realize they were suppliers to rivals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) recently announced an electronic e-reader to compete with the likes of the Amazon.com's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Kindle and Sony Corp.'s (NYSE: SNE) Reader.

In perfect holiday fashion, the e-reader is set to become the "must have" gadget for the gift-giving season almost upon us. The newer Nook device has a small color screen that allows easier content locating (but no keyboard), the ability to "lend" digital books to a friend and built-in wireless internet.

Continue reading An Apple e-reader could overshadow Amazon's Kindle and B&N's Nook

An Apple e-reader could overshadow Amazon's Kindle and B&N's Nook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Traditional retailers haven't exactly embraced online sales channels. Sure, they all have websites, and they sell varying amounts of merchandise through them, but they've been slow to tap into the potential. When I was watching the space as an analyst at a major consulting firm (admittedly, back in 2007), many retailers equated a website to a new store opening. Finally, however, this industry is starting to see the potential of this venue, particularly when it comes to tracking consumer behavior.

When the CEO of Macy's (NYSE: M), Terry Lundgren, says that online sales are only good for 6% of last year's total sales, it's a hint. The translation: "We focus on where the revenue is" is much different from "We focus on where the revenue could be." Aeropostale (NYSE: ARO), on the other hand, sees the upside of playing in the online space, which is where it saw revenues spike 85% last year. Aeropostale has seen increases in traditional venues too, but nothing like what it's realized on the web.

So, maybe there's something to this internet, after all.

Continue reading Consumers dislike web tracking, but not enough to change behavior

Consumers dislike web tracking, but not enough to change behavior originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• AirTran Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AAI) reported its third consecutive quarterly profit and will increase capacity.
• Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) shares soared after it reported very strong Q3 numbers.
• Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) reported stellar Q4 results, driven by the popularity of Macs and iPhones.
• BlackRock Inc. (NYSE: BLK) Q3 earnings soared, due in part to a tax benefit, and assets managed grew.
• Broadcom Corp. (NASDAQ: BRCM) revenue surged sequentially but note the would be flat going forward.
• Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) beat Q3 earnings expectations and shares rose though revenue slumped.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Amazon, Apple, Caterpillar, Hershey, McDonald's, UPS ...

Earnings highlights: Amazon, Apple, Caterpillar, Hershey, McDonald's, UPS ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Losing the DJIA 10K (AMZN, BIIB, BRCM, COF, DOLE, MSFT, SPWRA)

Closing Bell: Losing the DJIA 10K (AMZN, BIIB, BRCM, COF, DOLE, MSFT, SPWRA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.