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NYT: China / Australia - Where Iron Is Bigger Than Gold & Oil

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:29:21 GMT

I don't necessarily agree with the title of the piece, but it's an interesting observation within this New York Times story. For newer readers, let me remind how the Baltic Dry Index (a pricing index for shipping costs which now is seized by investment pundits as one of "the tells on global growth") has been completely dominated by the Chinese and their interest in iron ore. When they are making purchases - the BDI rises, when they are not so interested, it drops. (Feb 9, 2009: China and the Baltic Dry Index - What's Really Going On?)[More...]

Best Big Companies For The Long Term

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:37:00 GMT

In the current market, small caps are not the only companies that are undervalued or mispriced. Although the markets have risen substantially from its lows there are still bargains to be had, especially if your focus is on buying for the long run. Late last year, Forbes released their platinum 400 best big companies and 200 best small companies which is a[More...]

Small Cap Stocks: How to Find the Russell 2000 All Stars

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:45:00 GMT

Small Cap Stocks: How to Find the Russell 2000 All Stars Alex Williams, Advisory Panelist, Investment U Over the last 52 weeks, 2,725 stocks outperformed the S&P 500. And 2,356 of them – or 87% – were small caps. Trouble is, the small-cap universe, as a whole, can be tough to navigate. Over the same period, the Russell 2000 Index lagged the S&P 500. The trick is to find the right small-cap stock – one that’s safe, yet growing its business quickly… and rewarding shareholders for taking an early position. Here’s one way to sift through the potent Russell 2000 Index and uncover a winner – using the stock screener of your choice: Size: Isolate stocks with a market capitalization between $1 billion and $5 billion. Growth: Screen your results again for[More...]

Stocks Higher, Anticipating Rate Cut

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Markets were up on expectations the Federal reserve will cut the lending interest to a record or near record rate low interest rate. Dow rose 109, advancers ahead of decliners almost 3-1 & NAZ was up 33. The indices I follow are marginally up awaiting developments. Meanwhile recession economic news keeps coming. Housing starts dropped 18%, largest drop in 24 years. The inflation news, reported ahead of the Federal Reserve meeting, was good, although the decline was attributable to lower energy & food prices. Core inflation (excluding food & energy) was even. Housing starts fall more than[More...]

Dividend Cuts Could Be Spreading To Commodities Companies

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:14:00 GMT

There were several dividend cuts last week, including a notable one from a commodities company. A report from Deutsche Bank analysts predicted dividend cuts in several mining companies, including Alcoa (AA), Southern Copper (PCU), Cliffs Natural Resources (CLF) and Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (RIO), which further depressed investor sentiment, and sent basic materials stocks lower. The negative dividend news concerning the materials sectors shouldn’t really affect overall dividend sentiment, as the dividend payments that these companies pay are typically not as consistent and smooth in terms of size of payment, due to the cyclical nature of the commodities business. With metals prices dropping significantly off of their record highs over the past few months it is no surprise that Deutsche Bank is expecting dividend cuts in the above mentioned companies. On December 3, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. announced a reduction in its copper production and[More...]

Cliffs Near-Term Outlook Neutral

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:09:00 GMT

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (CLF) expects to benefit from robust industrial growth in China and India, which are pushing demand for steel, fueling higher demand for iron ore. However, the company is suffering from a weak production profile, rising energy costs, and high customer concentration. Recently, it terminated the definitive merger agreement with Alpha Natural Resources, which would have created the largest North American producer of metallurgical coal. Combination of these factors lead us to rate the shares a Hold with a target of $20.00. In 2008, Cliffs expects revenue per ton in its North American Iron Ore segment to average $91. The company indicated that revenue per ton in its North American Coal segment is expected to average $93 for 2008. Cliffs' Asia-Pacific Iron Ore segment[More...]

Cliffs Calls Off Merger Plan

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:56:00 GMT

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. (NYSE: CLF) shares fell sharply after the proposed with rival Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE: ANR) fell through toady. This didn't come as a surprise to many shareholders as the value of the deal fell from $8.3 billion when announced to just $2.9 billion right now. However, the failure marks a victory for Philip Falcone's Harbinger Capital who faught the merger agreement since it was announced. The activist hedge fund criticized the move and suggested that Cliffs instead put itself up for sale. Harbinger owns about 15% of Cliffs Natural Resources and is now facing further declines in the stock price. As part of the settlement, Cliffs will have to pay a $70 million breakup fee, but the hedge[More...]

Weekly Mergers and Acquisitions Report (Oct 29 - Nov 4)

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:21:00 GMT

Barr Pharmaceuticals (BRL) - Teva Pharmaceutical (TEVA) , *Rio Tinto (RTP) - BHP Billiton (BHP), Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. (ANR) - Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (CLF), $Datascope Corp. (DSCP) - Getinge AB[More...]

Picking Some Stocks To Survive The Market

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:04:00 GMT

I have not done well in the markets for the last six weeks. Here is why: Overweight in Life Insurers. Yes, they are in better shape than the banks, but that only means they got hit later, not that they would not get hit. Too much economic sensitivity. I felt that global demand would hold up better than US demand, but that only means they got hit later, not that they would not get hit. I suspect that hedge funds have been blowing out my positions. I’ve ben talking about stock survivability lately. What does that mean? Low levels of short-term debt. Few major debt maturities coming in the next three years. Low levels of total debt relative to tangible capital. Still earning money and producing free cash flow, even in a tough environment. If a company is[More...]

Thoughts On Inflation And Gold

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:25:00 GMT

With today's mild rally, followed by a weak close, the market demonstrated indecision more than anything. Looking at the SPY one day chart, we can see the range bound action late in the day, and the end of day selloff. I kept expecting the market to take off, but every move toward the highs was met with sellers. The sense I get is that too many participants are in a forced sell mode due to margin calls or other manifestation of investment strategies that are now failing. It is[More...]

Power Plant Opponent Hosts Meeting

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:47:00 GMT

Nov. 3--SALEM -- A leading New England environmental organization is holding a public meeting tonight on its efforts to close the oil- and coal-burning Salem Harbor Station power plant.
The Conservation Law Foundation said the local power plant is at a "tipping point" and is facing several challenges, including a new one: the need to renew a permit for its water cooling system.
"It's been expired since 1999," said Shanna Cleveland, a staff attorney for the CLF.

: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

NYT: China / Australia - Where Iron Is Bigger Than Gold & Oil

Best Big Companies For The Long Term

Small Cap Stocks: How to Find the Russell 2000 All Stars

Stocks Higher, Anticipating Rate Cut

Dividend Cuts Could Be Spreading To Commodities Companies

Cliffs Near-Term Outlook Neutral

Cliffs Calls Off Merger Plan

Weekly Mergers and Acquisitions Report (Oct 29 - Nov 4)

Picking Some Stocks To Survive The Market

Thoughts On Inflation And Gold

Power Plant Opponent Hosts Meeting

Parks Managers Want Stronger Air Pollution Controls

Cliffs to Boost Iron Ore Production

KWG to Acquire Ring of Fire Royalties

Hibbing Taconite Shutdown to Last Nearly One Year

Up North Utilities Are Giving More of Their Attention to Renewable Energy

Alpha Merger Creates 3rd-Largest U.S. Coal Producer

Alpha Natural Resources, Foundation Coal Holdings Plan Merger

Alpha Natural buying Foundation Coal for $1.4B - May 12 2009 4:58PM

Alpha Natural buying Foundation Coal for $1.4B - May 12 2009 12:53PM

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Increases Production and Sales Volume Expectations for North American Business Unit

BenchmarkJournal.Com Free Analyst Review for CLF, FCS, CAT, FTO, EXC and MDR

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Releases First Sustainable Development Report

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Reports Second-Quarter 2009 Earnings

KWG Completes Ring of Fire Royalty Purchase

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. to Announce Second-Quarter 2009 Results July 29; Conference Call July 30

Cliffs Natural Resources Declares Quarterly Cash Dividend on Common Stock

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Provides North American Business Unit Update

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Closes Common Share Offering

Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Prices Common Share Offering

Form 4 CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES For: Oct 01 Filed by: RIEDERER RICHARD K (10K)

Form 4 SCHWARTZ ALAN G For: Oct 01 (10K)

Form 4 CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES For: Oct 01 Filed by: HENRY JANICE K (10K)

Form 4 Eldridge Barry J For: Oct 01 (10K)

Form 4 GREEN SUSAN MIRANDA For: Oct 01 (10K)

Form 4 Mehan Richard R. For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 4 PRICE DUNCAN For: Sep 01 (10K)

Form 3 CLIFFS NATURAL RESOURCES For: Sep 01 Filed by: HENRY JANICE K (10K)

Form 4 SCHWARTZ ALAN G For: Jul 01 (10K)

Form 4 CUNNINGHAM SUSAN M For: Jul 01 (10K)