Armed Russian Soldiers Take Over Ukrainian Airports

Armed Russian Soldiers Take Over Ukrainian Airports. In an escalation of events in Ukraine, Russian soldiers have taken over two airports in Crimea.  This comes after armed soldiers stormed government building yesterday and removed the Ukrainian flag while replacing it with the Russian flag. Ukraine's acting interior minister said that the actions by Russia are an "armed invasion and occupation." The heavily armed soldiers equipped with AK47’s, machineguns, and RPG’s are wearing Russian uniformed with all markings removed. The Russian government is not commenting on any troop movements in Ukraine. Ukraine’s interim government has called for emergency U.N. meetings to address the situation. Additionally, Ukraine's central bank has limited foreign-currency bank withdrawals to 15,000 hryvnia ($1,500) a day.

Upgrades:

Deckers Outdoor (DECK): Susquehanna raised their rating from Neutral to Positive and raised their target price from $78.00 to $87.00. Pre-market: 74.47 -10.20 (-12.05%)

Dynergy (DYN): ISI Group raised their rating from Cautious to Neutral and placed a target price of $24.00 on the company.

Gap (GPS): Atlantic Equities raised their rating from Underweight to Neutral. Pre-market: 43.62 -0.06 (-0.14%)

Total S.A. (TOT): UBS raised their rating from Neutral to Buy. Pre-market: 64.48 +0.94 (1.48%)

Downgrades:

Diego PLC (DEO): RBC Capital lowered their rating from Sector Perform to Underperform. Pre-market: 126.22 +0.92 (0.73%)

Fresh Market (TFM): Raymond James Lowered their rating from Strong Buy to Outperform.

Mylan (MYL): Needham lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 55.80 -0.47 (-0.84%)

NII Holdings (NIHD): Raymond James lowered their rating from Outperform to Market Perform. Pre-market: 1.33 -1.25 (-48.35%)

Earning Reports:

Gap (GPS): Reported EPS of $0.68 beating estimates by +$0.02. Pre-market: 43.62 -0.06 (-0.14%)

Iron Mountain (IRM): Reported EPS of $0.22 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 28.89 +0.48 (1.69%)

NII Holdings (NIHD): Reported EPS of -4.33 missing estimates by -$2.48. Pre-market: 1.33 -1.25 (-48.35%)

Ross Stores (ROST): Reported EPS of $1.02 in-line with estimates.

Salesforce.com (CRM): Reported EPS of $0.07 beating estimates by +$0.01. Pre-market: 66.00 -0.22 (-0.33%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:26: Dow -0.04%. S&P -0.07%. Nasdaq -0.07%. Crude -0.21% to $102.19. Gold +0.07% to $1332.70. U.S. 10 Year -7/32 to 2.666%.

Europe: London -0.14%. Paris -0.22%. Frankfurt +0.13%. 

Asia: Japan -0.55% to 14841. Hong Kong +0.04% at 22837. China +0.44% to 2056. India +0.63% to 21120. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #Ukraine #FinancialPlanning #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports

Gunman Storm Buildings in Ukraine

Gunman Storm Buildings in Ukraine. In Ukraine’s Crimea region gunmen stormed government buildings replacing the Ukrainian flag with the Russian flag. Ukraine’s provisional government said they are taking measures “to counter extremist actions.” Russia has a naval base in the area and Ukrainian authorities have also warned Russian troops to stay on their base. This comes after Russian troops staged military drills along Ukraine’s boarder in a show of force yesterday. Reports also indicate that the Russian government has given protection to deposed Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych.

Upgrades:

JCPenney (JCP): Wells Fargo raised their rating from Underperform to Market Perform and raised their target range from $4.00-$5.00 to $6.00-$7.00. Pre-market: 7.35 +1.39 (23.32%)

Molson Coors Brewing (TAP): First Call raised their rating from Hold to Buy.

Sony Corp. (SNE): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy.

Downgrades:

Baidu (BIDU): Morgan Stanley lowered their rating from Overweight to Equal Weight and lowered their target price from $185.40 to $179.50. Pre-market: 175.38 +2.48 (1.43%)

Clean Harbors (CLH): Wedbush lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral and lowered their target price from $74.00 to $50.00. Pre-market: 45.91 -0.17 (-0.37%)

Western Union (WU): SunTrust lowered their rating from Neutral to Reduce and lowered their target price from $15.00 to $13.00.

Coverage Initiated:

Microsoft (MSFT): B. Riley initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $39.00.

Oracle (ORCL): B. Riley initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $48.00.

Ross Stores (ROST): Wedbush initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and target price of $83.00.

SAP AG (SAP): B. Riley initiated coverage with a Neutral.

Textron (TXT): Jeffries initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $46.00.

TJX Cos. (TJX): Wedbush initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and target price of $63.00.

Earning Reports:

Best Buy (BBY): Reported EPS of $1.24 beating estimates by +$0.23. Pre-market: 27.69 +1.87 (7.24%)

Dynegy (DYN): Reported EPS of -$3.56 missing estimates by -$4.31.

Foster Wheeler (FWLT): Reported EPS of $0.47 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 32.60 +0.68 (2.13%)

Kohl's (KSS): Reported EPS of $1.56 beating estimates by +$0.01. Pre-market: 55.10 +0.66 (1.21%)

Sears Holdings (SHLD):  Reported EPS of -$3.37 missing estimates by -$1.77. Pre-market: 42.60 +2.20 (5.45%)

Wendy’s (WEN): Reported EPS of $0.11 beating estimates by +$0.01. Pre-market: 10.09 -0.10 (-0.98%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:47: Dow 0.0%. S&P -0.03%. Nasdaq +0.14%. Crude -0.11% to $102.48. Gold +0.26% to $1331.40. U.S. 10 Year +2/32 to 2.658%.

Europe: London -0.24%. Paris -0.36%. Frankfurt -1.01%. 

Asia: Japan -0.32% to 14923. Hong Kong +1.74% to 22830. China +0.30% to 2047. India closed. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports  #FinancialPlanning #RIA 

Bank of America Faces More Lawsuits

Bank of America Faces More Lawsuits. Bank of America (BAC) is again being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office with regards to the Federal Housing Administration's direct endorsement program. This is occurring while authorities in North America, Europe and Asia are probing BofA's conduct and practices in forex markets. The troubled banks potential litigation liabilities now stand at $6.1B versus just a year ago when it stood at $3.1B. Pre-market: 16.37 +0.03 (0.18%)

Upgrades:

Kroger (KR): JPMorgan raised their rating from Neutral to Overweight and raised their target price from $38.00 to $46.00.

LinkedIn (LNKD): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their target price from $225.00 to $250.00. Pre-market: 216.60 +6.76 (3.22%)

Masco (MAS): KeyBanc raised their rating from Underweight to Hold. Pre-market: 22.99 +0.29 (1.28%)

Downgrades:

DreamWorks Animation (DWA): Piper Jaffray lowered their rating from Neutral to Underweight. Pre-market: 30.73 -4.47 (-12.70%)

Humana (HUM): Citigroup lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell.

Newmont Mining (NEM): Argus lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 23.43 -0.32 (-1.35%)

Safeway (SWY): JPMorgan lowered their rating from Overweight to Neutral and lowered their target price from $41.00 to $40.00. Pre-market: 37.00 -0.13 (-0.35%)

Toll Brothers (TOLL): Keefe Bruyette lowered their rating from Outperform to Market Perform and lowered their target price from $42.00 to $40.00.

Coverage Initiated:

La Jolla Pharmaceutical (LJPC): Wedbush initiated coverage with an Outperform rating and target price of $27.00. Pre-market: 9.54 +1.94 (25.53%)

Earning Reports:

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF): Reported EPS of $1.34 beating estimates by +$0.29. Pre-market: 37.90 +1.91 (5.31%)

Dollar Tree (DLTR): Reported EPS of $1.02 beating estimates by +$0.04. Pre-market: 50.55 -2.13 (-4.04%)

DreamWorks Animation (DWA): Reported EPS of $0.20 missing estimates by -$0.20. Pre-market: 30.73 -4.47 (-12.70%)

Dycom (DY): Reported EPS of -$0.09 in-line with estimates.

Lowe’s (LOW): Reported EPS of $0.31 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 49.73 +1.62 (3.37%)

Royal Bank of Canada (RY): Reported EPS of $1.44 missing estimates by -$0.01.

SodaStream (SODA): Reported EPS of $0.16 beating estimates by +$0.02. Pre-market: 39.78 +0.70 (1.79%)

Target (TGT): Reported EPS of $0.81 in-line with estimates. Pre-market: 57.31 +0.80 (1.42%)

TASER (TASR): Reported EPS of $0.13 beating estimates by +$0.05. Pre-market: 20.50 +1.40 (7.33%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:18: Dow +0.07%. S&P +0.09%. Nasdaq +0.10%. Crude +0.55% to $102.39. Gold -0.79% to $1332.20. U.S. 10 Year -3/32 to 2.713%.

Europe: London -0.46%. Paris -0.51%. Frankfurt -0.45%. 

Asia: Japan -0.54% to 14971. Hong Kong +0.54% to 22437. China +0.35% to 2041. India +0.65% to 20987. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports #FinancialPlanning 

Panic for people with Bitcoins

Panic for people with Bitcoins. One of the largest Bitcoin exchanges has disappeared causing the price of Bitcoins to tank. One of the world’s largest Bitcoin exchanges Mt Gox website is gone. Reports say that the company may have experienced a major security breach and is about to go bankrupt. A leaked document shows that 744,400 bitcoins worth $350M have been stolen from the company.

Upgrades:

Canadian Imperial Bank (CM): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Ensco PLC (ESV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Hormel Foods (HRL): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

McDonalds (MCD): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Nike (NKE): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Royal Bank of Canada (RY): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

UnitedHealth (UNH): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Verizon (VZ): JPMorgan raised their rating from Neutral to Overweight and raised their target price from $54.00 to $57.00. Pre-market: 46.06 -0.17 (-0.37%)

Downgrades:

Sonoco Products (SON): S&P lowered their rating from 3 stars to 1 star.

Tenet Healthcare (THC): CRT Capital lowered their rating from Buy to Fair Value and lowered their rating from $51.00 to $41.50. Pre-market: 47.63 -0.70 (-1.45%)

Coverage Initiated:

Adobe Systems (ADBE): Susquehanna initiated coverage with a Positive rating and target price of $83.00. Pre-market: 68.83 +0.07 (0.09%)

Alaska Air (ALK): Stifel initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $100.00.

Delta Air Lines (DAL): Stifel initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $40.00.

Spirit Airlines (SAVE): Stifel initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $65.00. Pre-market: 56.00 +0.71 (1.28%)

Southwest Airlines (LUV): Stifel initiated coverage with a Hold rating.

United Continental (UAL): Stifel initiated coverage with a Buy rating and target price of $60.00. Pre-market: 46.12 +0.02 (0.04%)

Earning Reports:

EOG Resources (EOG): Reported EPS of $2.00 beating estimates by +$0.05. Pre-market: 183.10 +2.70 (1.50%)

Home Depot (HD): Reported EPS of $0.73 beating estimates by +$0.03. Pre-market: 79.70 +1.83 (2.35%)

Macy’s (M): Reported EPS of $2.31 beating estimates by +$0.14. Pre-market: 51.64 -1.42 (-2.68%)

Office Depot (ODP): Reported EPS of -$0.03 missing estimates by -$0.07. Pre-market: 4.34 -1.01 (-18.88%)

Toll Brothers (TOLL): Reported EPS of $0.25 beating estimates by +$0.06. Pre-market: 38.30 -0.04 (-0.10%)

Markets: 
Futures at 7:43: Dow -0.13%. S&P -0.22%. Nasdaq -0.17%. Crude -0.89% to $101.90. Gold -0.38% to $1332.90. U.S. 10 Year 0/32 to 2.738%.

Europe: London -1.05%. Paris -0.53%. Frankfurt -0.50%. 

Asia: Japan +1.44% to 15051.6. Hong Kong -0.32% to 22317. China -2.05% to 2034. India +0.20% to 20844. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #WallStreet #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports #FinancialPlanning 

Wealth Gap Widest in Large Affluent Cities

Wealth Gap Widest in Large Affluent Cities.  A new report indicates the gap between the wealthy and the poor is most extreme in several of the U.S.’s largest cities. The largest disparities in wealth where found to be in the democratically lead cities of Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.  Some economists are pointing out that many of these cities have higher immigrant and illegal alien populations and higher high school dropout rates that they say add to the wealth gap. Of the nation’s 50 biggest cities, just 18 experienced greater income inequality since the recession. The report also found that not all the 50 largest cities saw large wealth gaps. Some Western and Sun Belt cities, such as Mesa, AZ and Arlington, TX that have smaller downtowns had a noticeably smaller wealth gap than the national average.

Upgrades:

Seagate Tech (STX): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform. Pre-market: 51.10 +1.08 (2.16%)

Tim Hortons (THI): Raymond James raised their rating from Market Perform to Outperform.

Total SA (TOT): Goldman Sachs raised their rating from Sell to Neutral. Pre-market: 62.36 +0.94 (1.53%)

Downgrades:

Columbia Sportswear (COLM): McAdams Wright lowered their rating from Hold to Sell.

Groupon (GRPN): RBC Capital lowered their rating from Sector Perform to Underperform and lowered their target price from $11.00 to $7.00. Pre-market: 9.00 -1.28 (-12.44%)

Wal-Mart (WMT): Stifel lowered their rating from Buy to Hold and placed a target price of $83.00 on the company. Pre-market: 73.26 -0.26 (-0.35%)

Earning Reports:

Charter Comm (CHTR): Reported EPS of $0.35 beating estimates by +$0.06.

DISH Network (DISH): Reported EPS of $0.63 beating estimates by +$0.22.

Groupon (GRPN): Reported EPS of $0.04 beating estimates by +$0.02. Pre-market: 9.00 -1.28 (-12.44%)

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): Reported EPS of $0.90 beating estimates by +$0.06. Pre-market: 30.45 +0.26 (0.86%)

Intuit (INTU): Reported EPS of $0.02 in-line with estimates.

Priceline.com (PCLN): Reported EPS of $8.85 beating estimates by +$0.56. Pre-market: 1,315.93 +32.93 (2.57%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:02: Dow +0.18%. S&P +0.19%. Nasdaq +0.19%. Crude -0.27% to $102.46. Gold +0.38% to $3121.90. U.S. 10 Year -5/32 to 2.768%

Europe: London +0.09%. Paris +0.27%. Frankfurt +0.13%. 

Asia: Japan +2.88% to 14866. Hong Kong +0.78% to 22568. China -1.17% to 2114. India +0.80% to 20701. 

#TopWealthManager #RLPaler #AnalystsRatings #EarningReports #WallStreet #FinancialPlaner