(OMX) 3 Turkeys to Short Right Now – Investment Ideas
The Zacks Rank is one of the premier rating systems used to unveil market-beating stocks. By focusing on earnings estimate revisions and surprises, the system has consistently produced winning stocks. However, that very same philosophy can be turned around to find stocks that will underperform that market, making great opportunities to short. Same Logic, Different Application There are 4 factors that go into the Zacks Rank. I am taking the flip side to each piece of the puzzle. First there is “Agreement”. If each all or a vast majority of analysts continue to submit higher estimate revision, that is a very bullish sign. Obvio

(PPL) PPL Corporation’s Plant Granted License Approval
Recently, PPL Corp.’s (PPL) Susquehanna nuclear power plant received a 20-year extension of the operating licenses for both reactors at the plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved extension of the license for Unit 1 to 2042 and for Unit 2 to 2044. NRC’s decision to extend the licenses is based on thorough safety and environmental reviews of PPL’s application submitted in September 2006. NRC’s review process included a series of public meetings, onsite inspections, written requests for extra information from the staff, and an additional review by the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguar

(VMED) Virgin Media Opts for TiVo Platform
Virgin Media Inc. (VMED), the UK ’s leading entertainment and communications company, has entered into a strategic agreement with TiVo Inc. (TIVO) under which the latter will develop next-generation TV platform for Virgin Media that will support broadband video services and applications. However, financial term of this deal has not been declared so far. Virgin Media is systematically upgrading its content delivery network to support large-scale IP traffic. For that the company is desperately trying to introduce hybrid transport gateways that

(RAVN) Raven Industries Beats – Retains Weak Outlook
Last week, Raven Industries Inc. (RAVN) reported fiscal third quarter results. The company posted earnings of 40 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. However, quarterly earnings were 13% lower than last year due to the impact of economic downturn on the company’s top-line. Quarterly sales declined 20% to $60.2 million from $75.5 million in the year-ago quarter due to lower sales at three of its four segments. The Engineered Films Division reported a 30% decline in sales to $18.7 million, reflecting continued weakness in two of its major end markets (construction and e

(DE) Deere & Company Has No Change in Outlook
Earlier today, Deere & Company (DE) reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings of 23 cents per share (excluding goodwill impairment charges of 76 cents per share), which is well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents per share. However, quarterly earnings were down 72% year over year, primarily due to a double-digit decline in sales. Quarterly revenue of $5.3 billion was down 28% from the prior-year period. Net sales from the company’s worldwide equipment operations dropped 30% year over year to $4.7 billion due to lower shipment and production volumes. Equipment net sales in the U.S. and Canada fell 26%,