U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments

U.S. Market Set to Open Flat After ADP Report and Ukraine Developments. ADP reported that private employers added 139,000 jobs in February, missing economists' expectations of 160,000 jobs. Additionally, January's number was revised downward by 48,000 to only 127,000 jobs. Ukraine and Russian remain at a standoff while Secretary Kerry visited the region yesterday, Russia’s President Putin said that he has no control over the Russian troops in the Ukraine Crimea region calling the troops local security forces. According to Ukrainian officials Russia has moved over 16,000 troops into the Crimea region.  Additionally, Russia test fired a ICBM missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads yesterday breaking a treating with the U.S.

Upgrades:

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): S&P raised their rating from 3 Stars to 5 Stars. Pre-market: 118.67 +0.10 (0.08%)

Ericsson (ERIC): RBC Capital raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform and raised their rating from $13.00 to $16.00. Pre-market: 12.91 +0.20 (1.57%)

Pandora Media (P): MKM Partners raised their rating from Sell to Neutral and placed a target price of $39.00 on the company. Pre-market: 39.45 +0.28 (0.71%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Cowen raised their rating from Sector Perform to Outperform. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Towers Watson (TW): Goldman Sachs raised their rating from Buy to Conviction Buy and placed a target price of $134.00 on the company.

Downgrades:

Staples (SPLS): B. Riley lowered their rating from Buy to Neutral and lowered their target price from $18.00 to $15.00. Pre-market: 13.35 -0.12 (-0.89%)

Walt Disney (DIS): S&P lowered their rating from 5 Stars to 4 Stars. Pre-market: 82.08 +0.37 (0.45%)

Coverage Initiated:

Santander Consumer USA (SC): Stephens initiated coverage with an Overweight rating and target price of $30.00.

Earning Reports:

Brown Forman (BF.B): Reported EPS of $0.82 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 85.12 +0.82 (0.97%)

Navistar (NAV): Reported EPS of -3.07 missing estimates by -$1.27. Pre-market: 36.00 -1.79 (-4.74%)

PetSmart (PETM): Reported EPS of $1.28 beating estimates by +$0.07. Pre-market: 68.60 +0.94 (1.39%)

Smith & Wesson (SWHC): Reported EPS of $0.35 beating estimates by +$0.06. Pre-market: 13.00 +1.20 (10.17%)

Markets: 
Futures at 7:58: Dow +0.10%. S&P +0.15%. Nasdaq +0.17%. Crude -0.31% to $103.01. Gold -0.16% to $1336.00. U.S. 10 Year -3/32 to 2.709%.

Europe: London -0.49%. Paris -0.09%. Frankfurt -0.15%. 

Asia: Japan +1.20% to 14898. Hong Kong -0.34% to 22580. China -0.89% to 2053. India +0.32% to 21277. 

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

Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets

Russian Aggression Drives Down World Markets. Markets around the world are lower today after Russian troops continue their military aggression against Ukraine. Military analysts say that Russian President Putin has little to fear as President Obama’s foreign policy of leading from behind had little effect in Egypt, Syria and Iran. Additionally, if the U.S. does not act in a very strong manner analysts say that China, North Korea and Iran will be emboldened to continue to act aggressively to their neighbors. Just prior to the Ukrainian invasion, Russian warships also docked in Cuba 50 miles of the coast of Florida. Some are now saying the move was a warning to Obama not to interfere in Ukraine. Russia's stock market has plunged and the country's central bank raised interest rates from 5.5% to 7%. The USD-RUB was +1.3% at 36.4489 rubles.

Upgrades:

AFLAC (AFL): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 63.76 -0.32 (-0.50%)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A/BRK.B): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 116.44 +0.66 (0.57%)

ConoccoPhillips (COP): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 66.01 -0.49 (-0.74%)

Intuit (INTU): Citigroup raised their rating from Neutral to Buy and raised their target price from $75.00 to $94.00. Pre-market: 78.15 0.00 (0.00%)

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 91.15 -0.97 (-1.05%)

Microsoft (MSFT): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 37.87 -0.44 (-1.15%)

National Oilwell Varco (NOV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold. Pre-market: 76.45 -0.59 (-0.77%)

Nokia (NOK): Canaccord raised their rating from Hold to Buy and raised their target price from $8.00 to $10.00. Pre-market: 7.53 -0.05 (-0.66%)

Southwest Airlines (LUV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Hold to Accumulate.

Travelers Cos (TRV): ResearchTeam raised their rating from Reduce to Hold.

Downgrades:

Autodesk (ADSK): Citigroup lowered their rating from Neutral to Sell and maintained their target price of $36.00. Pre-market: 51.30 -1.18 (-2.25%)

Brinker International (EAT): Miller Tabak lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 54.45 -0.55 (-1.00%)

Infosys (INFY): RW Baird lowered their rating from Outperform to Neutral and maintained their target price of $66.00. Pre-market: 60.66 -1.01 (-1.64%)

NII Holdings (NIHD): Gabelli lowered their rating from Buy to Hold. Pre-market: 1.22 +0.07 (6.09%)

Markets: 
Futures at 8:44: Dow -0.85%. S&P -1.01%. Nasdaq -0.99%. Crude +2.04% to $104.67. Gold +1.88% to $1346.40. U.S. 10 Year +7/32 to 2.623%.

Europe: London -1.70%. Paris -2.30%. Frankfurt -2.93%. 

Asia: Japan -1.27% to 14652. Hong Kong -1.47% to 22501. China +0.92% to 2075, India -0.82% to 20947. 

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

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. 

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