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Analyst Comments: FedEx, BT Group, Primedia, Rio Tinto, BASF, Kimberly-Clark, Palm, Carnival, Waddell & Reed, Kinder Morgan, General Motors

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:36:00 GMT

We are maintaining our Hold on FedEx Corp. (FDX), but raising our target price to $90. In line with earnings guidance provided on September 9, FDX reported 2009 fiscal first quarter (August 31) EPS of $1.23, which was up from earlier guidance of $0.80-$1, but down 23% year over year, largely due to a 66% increase in fuel costs. We are raising our fiscal 2009 (May 31) diluted EPS estimate to $5.25 from $4.90, the high end of FDX diluted EPS guidance of $4.75-5.25 and initiating our fiscal 2010 estimate at $6. Fuel surcharges will lag record high fuel costs and the weak economy will hurt LTL freight, U.S. express and copy services. Remedial actions include cost-control measures and cuts in capital spending. FDX recently increased its annual dividend rate by 10% to $0.44 per share, which provides a 0.5% yield. FDX?s long-term goals[More...]

Analyst Comments: Smith Int'l, Plains Exploration, Group 1 Auto, Carnival, UAL Corp, Canon, Quicksilver, BJ Services, Castle Brands

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:32:00 GMT

We are upgrading Smith International, Inc. (SII) shares to Buy from Hold following the stock?s recent weakness, which has made valuation very compelling, in our view. The recent completion of the W-H Energy acquisition provides Smith with entry into new product lines with favorable growth prospects, particularly internationally. Looking ahead, we expect the company to generate strong revenue growth and margin expansion, aided by demand acceleration, price increases and cost discipline. We have raised our EPS estimates (2008: $3.87 vs. $3.78; 2009: $4.90 vs. $4.69) and kept our price objective unchanged. Our price objective remains unchanged. Performance of oilfield service companies, including Smith International, is closely tied to capital expenditures by oil and gas companies on exploration and production (E&P) activities. Peak[More...]

Recession, Recession, Recession...Oh My!

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 23:00:00 GMT

During more difficult economic times, it becomes necessary to allow your investments to take some dives. You should expect this. In times of recession, this can occur across the board and there may not be much that you can do about it. Instead of moving y[More...]

Consumer Discretionary Fights Tough Times

Tue, 06 May 2008 20:42:01 GMT

Zacks senior analyst Sean P. Smith covers several special situation companies in the consumer discretionary space. Today we check in to see how the slowing economic growth is impacting consumer spending within various sectors of his coverage list.[More...]

Analyst Comments: Carnival plc, RAIT Financial Trust, Cleveland BioLabs, Cadence Design Systems, Genta, Incorporated

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:46:20 GMT

We maintain our Hold rating for Carnival plc (CUK) following the release of fourth quarter financial results. We expect Carnival to continue to trade at a premium to its largest competitor over the near-term.[More...]

CCL: Smooth Seas for Carnival?

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:58:49 GMT

The following is a reprint of my January 29, 2008 RealMoney column.[More...]

Analyst Comments - Dec 15 2007 3:14AM

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 07:09:26 GMT

Bleak future prospects and shrinking top-line of pharma giant Pfizer, Inc. (PFE), have led Zacks senior pharmaceuticals analyst Jason Napodano, CFA to reiterate his Sell rating on the shares. The following excerpts explain his position:'We continue to rate shares of Pfizer a Sell based on a shrinking top-line and inadequate late-state pipeline. The key event that resulted in our downgrading the rating on Pfizer in December 2006 was the news that management had halted the ILLUMINATE morbidity and mortality clinical trial program on the request of the independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB). 'Pfizer's...[More...]

Carnival Still Trading at a Premium

Fri, 21 Sep 2007 18:42:57 GMT

An update has recently come out An update has recently come out on Carnival Plc (CUK), in which senior leisure industry analyst Sean P. Smith is restating his Hold rating on the company's American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). We excerpted the following details: 'We maintain our Hold rating for...[More...]

Ahead of Earnings, Carnival a Hold

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:44:15 GMT

Later this week, earnings reports for both Carnival Corporation (CCL) and Carnival PLC (CUK) are expected. Zacks senior travel & leisure industry analyst Sean P. Smith explains why he is taking a 'wait and see' approach with the shares right now: 'We maintain our Hold rating for both Carnival...[More...]

Credit Issues Curbing Hotel Consolidation - Aug 24 2007 2:57AM

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 06:51:51 GMT

With credit market problems affecting seemingly all areas having to do with real estate, we wanted to ask senior hotels & leisure analyst Sean P. Smith if the same was true in the hotels space. We also got in a couple questions about the state of cruise lines. Do you expect, with recent events in the credit market, that we may have seen the last of the big hotel private equity buyouts for awhile? Why or why not? At least in the near term, it is likely that the transaction volume in the hotel space will moderate somewhat, especially as it pertains to the private equity firms. Over the last year, transaction volume in the industry has been at record levels. Nearly every company in the sector has been fair game, from brands such as Four Seasons and Hilton (HLT), to hotel real estate investment trusts (REITs) -[More...]

Jockstrip: The world as we know it.

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:03:00 GMT

Jockstrip: The world as we know it.[More...]

Carnival lifts lifetime ban on family

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:21:00 GMT

Carnival lifts lifetime ban on family[More...]

Man allegedly confesses to killing wife

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:42:00 GMT

Man allegedly confesses to killing wife[More...]

12 overboard incidents on cruises in 2009

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:23:00 GMT

12 overboard incidents on cruises in 2009[More...]

Cruise passport rules changing June 1st

Wed, 20 May 2009 15:26:00 GMT

Cruise passport rules changing June 1st[More...]

Swine flu fears grip world markets

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:59:00 GMT

LONDON - Airlines and travel companies led world stock markets lower Monday as investors worried that a deadly outbreak of swine flu in Mexico could go global and derail any global economic recovery, though pharmaceutical companies rallied on expectations that demand for anti-viral drugs may surge to deal with any pandemic.
"On top of a synchronized global financial and economic crisis, an outbreak of swine fever is the last thing we need just now," said Neil Mackinnon, chief economist at ECU Group.
By early afternoon London time, the FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was down 41.63 points, or 1 percent, at 4,114.36, while Germany's DAX fell 65.66 points, or 1.4 percent, to 4,608.66.

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Holland America Line's Cancellation Protection Plan Allows Guests to Cancel for Any Reason

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:40:00 GMT

Holland America Line guests who purchase Cancellation Protection Plan can cancel their cruise for any reason whatsoever to receive a refund of up to 90 percent of the cruise fare paid. Two variations of the plan allow cancellation of a cruise up to 24 hours prior to the cruise or cruisetour departure for Standard CPP and right up to departure for CPP Platinum.[More...]

Carnival Cruise Lines Encourages Children to Dream Big With the Virtual Book of Dreams Contest

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:46:00 GMT

In celebration of Carnival Cruise Lines' newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, the company today announced the Virtual Book of Dreams contest, inviting residents in the U.S. and Canada to participate in a call for entries. Children between the ages of 7 to 12 have the opportunity to share their awesome dreams online at www.carnivalbookofdreams.com for a chance to become the world's first-ever cruise ship waterslide Godchild, and travel to New York City to christen the spectacular Carnival WaterWorks aqua park on the Carnival Dream. The winning family will also receive a cruise on the Carnival Dream when the ship makes its North American debut in November.[More...]

Arison Family to Sell up to 8.5 Million Shares of Carnival Corporation

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:25:00 GMT

Carnival Corporation & plc announced today that members of the Arison family and certain related entities, including trusts organized by members of the Arison family, have advised Carnival Corporation that they plan to sell up to 8.5 million shares of Carnival Corporation Common Stock in market sales, representing up to approximately 1% of the total combined voting rights of Carnival Corporation & plc.[More...]

Holland America Line Extends 114-Day 2010 Grand World Voyage to 128 Days With Roundtrip From Los Angeles

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:41:00 GMT

Holland America Line's flagship ms Amsterdam will usher in 2010 with a 128-day round-trip Los Angeles, Grand Holiday-and-World Voyage featuring 13 overnight calls -- the most ever offered by the line. Forty-five ports of call showcase some of the world's most remote and exotic regions including South America, Africa, India the Far East and scenic cruising in Antarctica.[More...]

ms Oosterdam Completes 300th Voyage

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:26:00 GMT

- Sailing the Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona, ms Oosterdam recently celebrated a milestone with her 300th cruise. The sailing came a few weeks after extensive upgrades in Fincantieri's Palermo Shipyard in Italy to add new guest staterooms, dining options, public areas and a specialty wine bar. 'The Oosterdam's recent enhancements are just one more example of Holland America Line's commitment to delivering our Signature of Excellence,' said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. 'Our guests will delight in new choices such as the Pinnacle Bar and the Canaletto Restaurant along with enjoying great, panoramic views in the newly located Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times.' From the creation of new eateries -- including the addition of Canaletto, a dedicated complimentary Italian restaurant -- to the addition of 34 new staterooms, Oosterdam reflects spectacular and subtle additions from stem to stern. Also among new enrichment programming are the Digital Workshops powered by Windows. Led by Microsoft-trained 'techsperts,' the innovative and complimentary digital workshops teach the latest computer skills, digital photography and social media applications in a dedicated space with laptops. Oosterdam also added the Explorations Cafe -- powered by The New York Times -- in the Crow's Nest, a larger Pinnacle Grill restaurant and a Pinnacle Bar with a focus on specialty Northwest wines. To reduce waste behind the scenes, the ship installed an environmentally friendly, state-of-the-art 'wet cleaning machine' . The 1,916-guest Oosterdam continues to offer several popular Holland America Line features: the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft.Additional RefinementsTo add to the cruising pleasure of her guests, the Oosterdam now has an expanded and updated shopping arcade, featuring the exclusive, chic jewelry shop, Merabella. A new high-end home theatre-style screening room has also been added for small group audio-visual presentations, to view videos and DVDs, and to accommodate private parties.Amenities Amenities aboard Oosterdam represent the cruise company's focus on providing an elegant ambiance and premium cruise experience. Staterooms include Elemis Aromapure specialty soaps, shampoo, conditioner and lotion and feature plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds, deluxe waffle/terry-cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat-panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional-grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets.For the remainder of 2009, Oosterdam will sail alternating 12-day eastern and western Mediterranean departures between Venice and Barcelona, a 16-day transatlantic crossing, one 19-day Panama Canal voyage and six 7-day Mexico roundtrip San Diego cruises. Signature of Excellence Defines the HAL ExperienceOosterdam's enhancements are part of the comprehensive Signature of Excellence product enhancement program totaling more than $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience. For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL or visit www.hollandamerica.com.Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc ] Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship is scheduled to join the fleet in July 2010.Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds. World's Leading Cruise LinesThe highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. CONTACT: Sally Andrews[More...]

Interactive 'FunHub' to Debut on New Carnival Dream

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:52:00 GMT

The new Carnival Dream will take seagoing technology to an entirely new level with the introduction of the FunHub, a comprehensive shipboard intranet portal featuring the cruise industry's first on-board social network, along with access to a wide variety of information on the ship's services, facilities and daily activities.The 130,000-ton vessel, Carnival's largest ship, is set to debut Sept. 21.Access to the FunHub will be available via 36 state-of-the-art stations located on decks 3, 4 and 5, including 12 within Ocean Plaza, Carnival Dream's spectacular indoor/outdoor cafe and entertainment venue.The FunHub locations will provide guests with free and convenient access to an informative ship-specific intranet portal, and an exclusive shipboard social network, both of which will be available on a 24/7 basis. Guests may also access the sites via their personal laptops or via 10-inch netbooks which are available for rent and can be used anywhere on board.Carnival Dream's on-board social network mirrors the experience one finds on other social networking sites. Guests can create a personal profile and use the application to meet and interact with others on board, send and receive private messages, create groups based on interests, and invite friends to attend shows or participate in on-board events. Guests can also create their own private or public discussion group, inviting others in their traveling party or friends they meet on board to participate.Designed as a convenient resource for wide-ranging information specific to the Carnival Dream, the intranet portal details the ship's numerous on-board activities, including entertainment options, daily events and youth programs. Carnival Dream's extensive food and beverage offerings are showcased with sample menus, hours of operation and more. A filtering application is available to assist guests in planning their day.The portal also includes weather updates for that day and the next port of call; the latest news and sports scores; biographies of key shipboard personnel; ship and cruise director announcements; fun, interactive polls; helpful three-dimensional ship maps, and a frequently asked questions section.A year-long collaboration involving Carnival's hotel operations, marketing, IT and guest experience departments, the Carnival Dream's on-board social network and intranet portal are available on any guest computer or Wi-Fi enabled device free of charge.'Carnival is the industry leader in cruise ship technology and social networking and the FunHub sets a new standard,' said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival's executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. 'The FunHub provides Carnival Dream guests with an exciting and convenient way to keep in touch, meet new friends and learn all about this spectacular addition to the 'Fun Ship' fleet,' he added.Internet access to sites outside the FunHub also is available through all FunHub locations. Netbooks are available free of charge when purchasing a special Internet package on board.Cell phone service, along with bow-to-stern wireless access where guests can check e-mail and surf the Web from any shipboard location, including their staterooms, will be available, as well.To showcase its newest and largest ship, Carnival has created a new micro-site at carnival.com/dream with exclusive images, video, interviews and blogs highlighting the ship's many on-board innovations and features.The line's largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome , followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12.From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream's various European and Caribbean departures. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.Carnival Cruise Lines, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc , is a proud member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together, we offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.[More...]

Holland America Line to Add New High-End Staterooms to ms Prinsendam in Early 2010

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:08:00 GMT

As part of the continuing Signature of Excellence enhancement program, Holland America Line has announced the addition of 22 new staterooms to ms Prinsendam, the Elegant Explorer, in early 2010. The drydock will occur in Freeport, Bahamas, from January 4 through 13, 2010.[More...]

Holland America Line Enters 2010 With Most Diverse Alaska CruiseTour Program Yet

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:32:00 GMT

Thirty-one CruiseTours are 10 to 20 days in length[More...]

Holland America Line's Innovative Lanai Staterooms Prove a Big Hit on ms Veendam

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:39:00 GMT

Holland America Line's latest Signature of Excellence innovation has received rave reviews by guests on ms Veendam. Similar in size to the premium line's spacious outside-view staterooms, the new, unique lanai accommodations were recently added to the ship and feature large sliding glass doors with direct access to the Lower Promenade wrap-around teak walking deck. Lanai staterooms will be added to ms Rotterdam this year and three other ships by 2013.[More...]

Holland America Line's 2010 Europe Line Up to Include New Signature-Class ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 142 Ports of Call, 11 Maiden Ports and New Itineraries

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:16:00 GMT

SEATTLE, June 25 /CNW/ -- Holland America Line is ushering in the 2010 Europe cruise season with its newest ship, the Signature-class ms Nieuw Amsterdam. It, along with five other mid-sized ships -- ms Eurodam, ms Maasdam, ms Prinsendam, ms Noordam and ms Westerdam -- will sail 54 cruises and call at 142 ports from Norway to Turkey.[More...]

Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Nov 04 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:49:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Nov 02 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:42:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 29 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:39:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 27 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:41:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 27 Filed by: ARISON MICKY MEIR (10K)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:36:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 23 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:53:00 GMT

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Form 4 ARISON MICKY MEIR For: Oct 23 (10K)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:49:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 21 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:27:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 21 Filed by: ARISON MICKY MEIR (10K)

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:22:00 GMT

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Form 4 CARNIVAL PLC For: Oct 19 Filed by: NICKEL CONTINUED IRREVOCABLE TRUST (10K)

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:24:00 GMT

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