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Cautious On Hospice Providers

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:35:16 GMT

We highlight Chemed Corporation (CHE) and Odyssey HealthCare (ODSY). On April 21, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule to update the Medicare Hospice Wage Index for FY10. Payments to Medicare participating hospices are estimated to decrease by approximately 1.1% in FY10. The decrease in the hospice payments reflects a 3.2% reduction in payments due to the phase-out of a temporary adjustment used in calculating the wage index, partially offset by an estimated 2.1% increase in the hospital market basket indicator of costs. According to CMS: "The elimination of this adjustment with a 2-year phase-out would result in more accurate payments and save Medicare $2.9[More...]

S&P 500 Stocks

Sun, 05 Apr 2009 01:35:00 GMT

The S&P 500 comprises of 500 large cap common stocks actively traded in the United States. The largees public companies that are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ are included in the S&P 500 index. The S&P 500 index was lunched in 1957 and is a value weighted index which is based on the 500 American stocks with the largest market capitalizations. The S&P 500 is the most widely followed index After the Dow Jones Industrial Average index and it is considered a barometer for the American economy. The S&P 500 index is included in the Index of Leading Indicators. There are the number of trading vehicle that are designed to follow the S&P 500 index. Hundreds of billions of US dollars have been invested in this index. The SPY (Exchange Traded Fund) is one of the most actively trading stock over the world. The Rydex,[More...]

Busy Week for Dividend Increases

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:58:00 GMT

As more and more large cap companies unveiled their results, there were many dividend announcements as well. Other large cap companies such as Intel, Microsoft, IBM and Google released quarterly results and provided guidance for future quarters. Other companies such as Bank of America set a negative tone with their most recent dividend cut, while others like General Electric provided reassurance that their dividend and triple A rating are safe and will be maintained. Despite the negative news several notable dividend increases occurred over the past week. This has been the most dividend increases I have seen since I began reviewing weekly changes in dividend policies for US publicly traded entities in 2008. Polaris Industries Inc.[More...]

WellPoint a Buy Pre-Earnings - Analyst Blog

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:18:00 GMT

WellPoint, Inc. (WLP) is the largest publicly traded commercial health benefits company, in terms of membership in the US. On January 12, 2009, WLP announced that The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) had suspended the company from enrolling new patients in the health insurance Medicare Advantage plan and the prescription drug benefit, Medicare Part D due to a "sharp" increase in consumer complaints. We believe the action by CMS is reversible and highlights operational issues that can be addressed by management in the short term. We are presently reviewing our 6-month share price target in light of recent guidance by management however maintain our Buy recommendation at current levels. WellPoint had been working with CMS to resolve issues identified as a result of internal compliance audits and findings. The[More...]

Earnings Preview For Nov 3 - 7 - Earnings Preview

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 01:58:00 GMT

Companies that could issue positive surprises include Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), SucessFactors (SFSF) and Sunoco (SUN). Penn Virginia Corporation (PVA) could potentially disappoint investors. The Week's Events November has historically been one of the best months for the major markets, according to the[More...]

Healthcare Industry Awaits Election Outcome - Zacks Analyst Interviews

Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:41:00 GMT

Many analysts have given long-term attention to the healthcare sector; with Baby Boomers retiring over the next decade or so, there may be some strong growth plays to be made for investors willing to be patient. Zacks senior healthcare industry analyst Chris Kallos was available recently to help us figure out some of the more attractive plays. What should investors know about the healthcare industry that you may be concerned they currently do not? The healthcare sector is not homogeneous, and includes many different industries -- ranging from managed care organizations, healthcare facilities providers, medical device manufacturers and biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Investors in healthcare therefore should remain mindful of the different drivers and appropriate metrics associated with the various[More...]

5 Forward-Looking Trends In Healthcare

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:03:00 GMT

The healthcare sector is going through significant changes and many investors are worried about how a change in administration will affect healthcare companies. While the future of managed care and Medicare spending are uncertain, there are a few subsectors that should continue to experience rapid growth regardless of politics. Here is an introduction to 5 trends that could make you big returns. 1. Generics The Generic Utilization rate for the United States was about 60% in 2007 and both candidates have expressed support for raising the utilization rate over[More...]

Analyst Comments: Grey Wolf, Public Storage, ATA, PetSmart, Dow Chemical, Patterson-UTI Energy, Torchmark, Reynolds, Cyberonics, DELL

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:29:00 GMT

Grey Wolf, Inc. (GW) has agreed to be acquired by Precision Drilling Trust (PDS) in a cash and stock valued at approximately $2 billion. Grey Wolf shareholders will own approximately 25% of the combined entity, to be called Precision Drilling. In particular, the GWPDS merger creates a North American land drilling powerhouse with 371 drilling rigs. In addition to getting the significant cash payout, GW shareholders benefit from Precision?s high-tech systems and technology. While we expect GW shares to essentially track PDS from here onwards, we are keeping our Buy recommendation and price objective unchanged. The company remains well positioned to capitalize on the improving operating environment given its large idle capacity, which[More...]

Analyst Comments: CPFL Energia, Grey Wolf, Natural Resource Partners, Clayton Williams, Intellon, PetroChina, Unisys, Anthracite, Assurant, Americal International Group

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 19:45:00 GMT

We are downgrading our rating on CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL) from Buy to Hold as the second quarter results were below expectations. However, the outlook for the following quarters remain positive, mainly considering the growing demand for electricity in Braz[More...]

Inverness Medical: Reiterate Buy and $90 tgt - Jefferies

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 17:02:34 GMT

- Jefferies is out with a good call on Inverness Medical (NYSE:IMA) noting that since the recent secondary offering, IMA common has declined ~11% without any changes in business fundamentals. They believe that the sell off has been unwarranted and that positive catalysts...[More...]

Consumers Energy ordered to partially refund money

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:47:00 GMT

LANSING, Mich. - Consumers Energy has been ordered to give electric customers a partial refund six months after Michigan's second-biggest utility was allowed to increase power bills.
The Michigan Public Service Commission on Monday authorized a $139 million rate increase, about $40 million less than what was authorized in May.
Regulators say customers' bills will be about 1 percent lower than expected.

: iStockAnalyst.com Symbols Feed

Cautious On Hospice Providers

S&P 500 Stocks

Busy Week for Dividend Increases

WellPoint a Buy Pre-Earnings - Analyst Blog

Earnings Preview For Nov 3 - 7 - Earnings Preview

Healthcare Industry Awaits Election Outcome - Zacks Analyst Interviews

5 Forward-Looking Trends In Healthcare

Analyst Comments: Grey Wolf, Public Storage, ATA, PetSmart, Dow Chemical, Patterson-UTI Energy, Torchmark, Reynolds, Cyberonics, DELL

Analyst Comments: CPFL Energia, Grey Wolf, Natural Resource Partners, Clayton Williams, Intellon, PetroChina, Unisys, Anthracite, Assurant, Americal International Group

Inverness Medical: Reiterate Buy and $90 tgt - Jefferies

Consumers Energy ordered to partially refund money

Consumers Energy Seeks $174 Million Funding to Support Smart Grid Project

Malaysian Company Acquires Pearl Thailand to Tap Reserves

Consumers Energy Seeks Approval for Power Supply Contracts

BOE Authorizes Wind Turbine Letter

Discusson Windy for School Board

Alba Well Blocked Indefinitely

CMS Energy reaffirms 2009 outlook

Consumers Energy Wins a Much Smaller Rate Hike

Jonathan Takiff: Hard Drive Backups Made Easy

BenchmarkJournal.Com Free Analyst Review for GG, DRE, FL, CMS, HAR and FRE

Consumers Energy Growing Forward With Renewable Energy, Seeks Approval for Contracts With Six New Projects

September 30 Is Deadline for Filing for State Home Heating Credit

Consumers Energy Completes $15 Million Natural Gas System Upgrade Near Dewitt, Part of 'Growing Forward' Program

Michigan Nonprofits Receive $5,000 From Third Year of Consumers Energy's 'Intern Challenge'

CMS Energy's Utility Unit, Consumers Energy, Declares Quarterly Dividends on Preferred Stock

CMS Energy Announces Second Quarter Net Income of $74 Million, or $0.32 Per Share, and Affirms Adjusted Earnings Guidance

CMS Energy To Announce Second Quarter Results on July 30

CMS Energy Announces Final Results of Cash Tender Offers for its 7.75 Percent Senior Notes Due 2010 and 8.50 Percent Senior Notes Due 2011

CMS Energy's Board of Directors Declares Quarterly Dividends on Common Stock and Preferred Stock

Form 4 Butler John M For: Aug 18 (10K)

Form 4 CMS ENERGY CORP For: Aug 12 Filed by: WEBB THOMAS J (10K)

Form 4 CMS ENERGY CORP For: Aug 12 Filed by: RUSSELL JOHN G (10K)

Form 4 MENGEBIER DAVID G For: Aug 12 (10K)

Form 4 JOOS DAVID W For: Aug 12 (10K)

Form 4 Butler John M For: Aug 12 (10K)

Form 4 Brunner James E For: Aug 12 (10K)

Form 4 CMS ENERGY CORP For: Aug 12 Filed by: BARBA GLENN P (10K)

Form 4 EWING STEPHEN E For: Aug 12 (10K)

Form 4 MENGEBIER DAVID G For: Aug 09 (10K)