The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES: ^DJI ) started off earnings season on a strong note, gaining 89 points, or 0.6%, in relatively steady trading. On a day with no major economic reports, the good feelings from last week's employment report and optimism about earnings season seemed to carry the blue chips higher. Alcoa (NYSE: AA ) kicked off the quarterly announcements after hours today, as the aluminum maker slightly beat expectations with an adjusted earnings per share of $0.07 versus the consensus at $0.06, and reiterated its forecast for aluminum demand to increase 7% this year. Revenue fell 2% to $5.85 billion on lower metal prices, but that also beat estimates of $5.83 billion. After a gain of 1.4% during the trading session, shares fell back 0.25% following the report.
Tech stocks were behind the curve today, as the Nasdaq gained just 0.16%, mainly because Intel (NASDAQ: INTC ) got downgrades from Citigroup and Evercore Partners, slashing 3.6% off of the chipmaker's share price. Citi analyst Glen Yeung said there was a ceiling in Intel's share price, given weakening PC sales and repeated downward earnings revisions. Evercore, meanwhile, said unit sales of Intel chips could be down as much as 10% this year as PC sales continue to fall further than expected.
Hot Cheapest Stocks To Watch Right Now: Apple Inc.(AAPL)
Apple Inc., together with subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, and markets personal computers, mobile communication and media devices, and portable digital music players, as well as sells related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications worldwide. The company sells its products worldwide through its online stores, retail stores, direct sales force, third-party wholesalers, resellers, and value-added resellers. In addition, it sells third-party Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod compatible products, including application software, printers, storage devices, speakers, headphones, and other accessories and peripherals through its online and retail stores; and digital content and applications through the iTunes Store. The company sells its products to consumer, small and mid-sized business, education, enterprise, government, and creative markets. As of September 25, 2010, it had 317 retail stores, including 233 stores in the United States and 84 stores internationally. The company, formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc., was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images It's been a news-making first half of 2014 for technology, but now let's take a look at new iPhones, wearable computing, and even gaming consoles that could change the market later this year. 1. The iWatch is Coming We've been talking up Apple's (AAPL) inevitable push into wearable computing for years. It's been a couple of years since Pebble revolutionized the watch industry with its Bluetooth wristband that interacts with smartphones for basic apps and functions. Apple is a no-brainer here, but it has stayed on the sidelines as leading smartphone maker Samsung (SSNLF) rolls out not one -- but two -- generations of its Galaxy Gear smart watch. One would think that Apple would be all over this, at the very least as a way to help gain back some share in the smartphone market. If the iWatch only works with the iPhone, it's a safe bet that someone buying Apple's smart watch will stick with the iPhone in the future. Predicting Apple's next niche isn't for the timid. Many have sworn that Apple is about to put out a full-blown smart television for years, but the iTV appears far from a reality. However, wearable computing remains a serious gap in Apple's consumer electronics product line. It's time to correct the oversight. 2. Google Glass Will Get Cheaper It's been two years since Google (GOOG) surprised the market with its high-tech eyeglasses that project images and information on the specs. At first Google vetted early adopters to secure influential bloggers and get celebrities on board. Now it's letting pretty much anybody with $1,500 burning a hole in one's pocket become a beta tester. Google has done its part to justify the steep investment. It has upgraded the product while sticking to its $1,500 price tag (how much it costs Google to make is an interesting question). However, that's not the kind of sticker price that's going to fly these days. The search giant will need to charge less for Google Glass to become a mainstr
- [By Rick Munarriz]
Google (NASDAQ: GOOG ) didn't get this right with the poorly received launch of Google TV, and it's these very negotiations that have reportedly held Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL ) back from making its push into smart televisions.
- [By Steven Russolillo]
As Internet and social-media stocks have attracted attention for their recent struggles, investors have flocked back to more mature tech stocks. Companies ranging from Intel Corp.(INTC) and Hewlett-Packard Co.(HPQ) to Microsoft Corp.(MSFT) and Apple Inc.(AAPL) have seen their stock prices rally by at least 20% this year.
5 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Visa Inc.(V)
Visa Inc., a payments technology company, engages in the operation of retail electronic payments network worldwide. It facilitates commerce through the transfer of value and information among financial institutions, merchants, consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company owns and operates VisaNet, a global processing platform that provides transaction processing services. It also offers a range of payments platforms, which enable credit, charge, deferred debit, debit, and prepaid payments, as well as cash access for consumers, businesses, and government entities. The company provides its payment platforms under the Visa, Visa Electron, PLUS, and Interlink brand names. In addition, it offers value-added services, including risk management, issuer processing, loyalty, dispute management, value-added information, and CyberSource-branded services. The company is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Steve Heller]
It seems that once you've grown large enough to disrupt business as usual for MasterCard (NYSE: MA ) and Visa (NYSE: V ) , you run the risk of getting muscled. MasterCard recently announced plans to raise prices on intermediated payment processors (read: digital wallets) that chose to withhold valuable transaction details from MasterCard. In other words, this measure takes direct aim at eBay's (NASDAQ: EBAY ) PayPal and other digital wallets such as Google Wallet that do not share transaction details with the payment processor.
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Crazybboy When you sign up for those two-year mobile service contracts in exchange for a lower price on the latest high-tech phone, you're generally counting on that phone to last as long as your deal. But what if it gets dropped, is stepped on or just won't turn on? Is Your Phone Less Than a Year Old? If you're within the manufacturer's warranty period, you're probably OK. In the U.S., Apple (AAPL) will repair or replace its products if they fail within the first year. In my experience (two dead iPhones and one laptop with a damaged hard drive), a short visit to the Apple Store generally results in either a same-day repair or a brand-new replacement. However, Apple's warranty won't cover cosmetic damage (such as a cracked screen), normal wear and tear, or damage clearly caused by "misuse" (say, dropping the phone in water). Other popular phones, such as Samsung's (SSNLF) Galaxy line, have a similar warranty policy. Older Than a Year? If you're outside the warranty period or the damage is not covered by the manufacturer, but you still have months left on your contract, what to do? You could shell out for a brand-new phone... or check your credit card statement. That's right: If you originally purchased the phone with a credit card, you may very well be covered for an additional year on top of the manufacturer's warranty. American Express (AXP) and Visa (V) Signature cards even cover wear and tear and refurbished items, which are excluded by some cards' policies. Many of these credit card warranties even add a year on to some warranties. Sounds Too Good to Be True... Of course, as with any type of warranty claim, you'll have to provide documentation -- an original receipt, proof of the card you used to purchase the item, a copy of the manufacturer's warranty and a repair estimate are common requirements. If your claim is approved, the company can choose to cover the repair cost or reimburse your original purchase cost. What If the Damage Still Isn't Co
- [By WWW.DAILYFINANCE.COM]
Alamy NEW YORK -- Visa wants to make it easier for people to spot a cheaper prepaid card. The payment processor said it will put labels on packages of cards that meet a new set of standards it unveiled Tuesday. Those standards include a flat monthly fee and no hidden charges. Companies that issue Visa prepaid cards will have to apply for the new label, and the program is voluntary. It could take up to a year before the seal of approval starts showing up on packaging. Prepaid cards are mainly aimed at people without checking accounts. The cards allow people to pay bills, receive direct deposits and swipe it like a debit card in stores. But critics have said some cards aren't clear about what they charge, even attracting attention from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The federal agency is currently testing fee disclosures that it may propose on prepaid card packaging. Visa (V) hopes its new label will push card issuers to be more transparent and lower fees. To receive the label, the card must have no fees for declined transactions, calling customer service, paying at a cash register, using in-network ATMs or for getting cash back at a register. The cards also must be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. or the National Credit Union Administration. They will also have Visa's fraud protection. The new standards were developed with the Center for Financial Services Innovation and The Pew Charitable Trusts. Visa hasn't come up with a new name for the label yet, said Cecilia Frew, who oversees its prepaid card business. Since card issuers need to apply to receive the label, it could be nine to 12 months before Visa starts awarding them. The new label is only for U.S. cards. Visa has 25,000 prepaid card partners around the world.
- [By Charles Carlson]
The only three Dow stocks that do not are actually, interestingly, two of the newest members, Goldman Sachs (GS) and Visa (V), and the third stock is UnitedHealth Group (UNH), which is also a fairly new member to the Dow.
5 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Chevron Corporation(CVX)
Chevron Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in petroleum, chemicals, mining, power generation, and energy operations worldwide. It operates in two segments, Upstream and Downstream. The Upstream segment involves in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas; processing, liquefaction, transportation, and regasification associated with liquefied natural gas; transportation of crude oil through pipelines; and transportation, storage, and marketing of natural gas, as well as holds interest in a gas-to-liquids project. The Downstream segment engages in the refining of crude oil into petroleum products; marketing of crude oil and refined products primarily under the Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex brand names; transportation of crude oil and refined products by pipeline, marine vessel, motor equipment, and rail car; and manufacture and marketing of commodity petrochemicals, plastics for industrial uses, and fuel and lubricant additives. It a lso produces and markets coal and molybdenum; and holds interests in 13 power assets with a total operating capacity of approximately 3,100 megawatts, as well as involves in cash management and debt financing activities, insurance operations, real estate activities, energy services, and alternative fuels and technology business. Chevron Corporation has a joint venture agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation. The company was formerly known as ChevronTexaco Corp. and changed its name to Chevron Corporation in May 2005. Chevron Corporation was founded in 1879 and is based in San Ramon, California.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By GuruFocus] ref="http://www.gurufocus.com/StockBuy.php?GuruName=Tom+Gayner">Tom Gayner initiated holdings in Chevron Corp. His purchase prices were between $114.81 and $126.43, with an estimated average price of $120.86. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.18%. His holdings were 43,000 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: Brookfield Property Partners LP (BPY)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in Brookfield Property Partners LP. His purchase prices were between $19.57 and $23.64, with an estimated average price of $21.67. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.13%. His holdings were 175,122 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: ONEOK, Inc. (OKE)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in ONEOK, Inc.. His purchase prices were between $41.16 and $52.13, with an estimated average price of $46.98. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.1%. His holdings were 70,000 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: Blackstone Group LP (BX)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in Blackstone Group LP. His purchase prices were between $19.1 and $23.45, with an estimated average price of $21.2. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.09%. His holdings were 116,900 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: BlackRock Inc (BLK)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in BlackRock Inc. His purchase prices were between $245.3 and $291.69, with an estimated average price of $267.9. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.08%. His holdings were 9,100 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: KKR & Co LP (KKR)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in KKR & Co LP. His purchase prices were between $17.8 and $21.15, with an estimated average price of $19.85. The impact to his portfolio due to this purchase was 0.08%. His holdings were 115,000 shares as of 06/30/2013.
New Purchase: Eni SpA (E)
Tom Gayner initiated holdings in Eni SpA. His purchase prices were between $40.39 and $48.96, with an estimate
- [By Travis Hoium]
Chevron (NYSE: CVX ) is down the most on the Dow today, falling 1.3%. Oil is actually up 1.1% today,�but the real challenge for big oil is the rising cost of oil extraction and falling demand in developed markets. In the U.S., daily oil demand is down 10.2% since 2007, and that's a concerning development for energy investors. Explorers are also looking for oil in difficult drilling locations like ultra-deep water and shale here in the U.S. These two issues will be important for current and prospective energy-sector investors to follow. �
- [By Value Line]
Shares of Chevron (CVX) slid 8.6%. However little blame can be placed on anything of the integrated oil company�� own doing. Indeed, its earnings for the June quarter were up 8% compared to the prior-year period, topping consensus estimates by a comfortable margin. More likely, the shares were reacting to the combination of a stronger dollar, rising production from U.S. shale fields, higher stockpiles, and slowing global demand growth, all of which conspired to push U.S. crude oil prices to a recent 17-month low.
5 Best Blue Chip Stocks To Buy Right Now: Colgate-Palmolive Company(CL)
Colgate-Palmolive Company, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and markets consumer products worldwide. It offers oral care products, including toothpaste, toothbrushes, and mouth rinses, as well as dental floss and pharmaceutical products for dentists and other oral health professionals; personal care products, such as liquid hand soap, shower gels, bar soaps, deodorants, antiperspirants, shampoos, and conditioners; and home care products comprising laundry and dishwashing detergents, fabric conditioners, household cleaners, bleaches, dishwashing liquids, and oil soaps. The company offers its oral, personal, and home care products under the Colgate Total, Colgate Max Fresh, Colgate 360 Advisors' Opinion:
- [By Motley Fool Staff]
Andres Cardenal:�Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL ) , generates most of its sales and cash flows from its leadership position in the oral care industry. Management estimates that the company owns a global market share of 44.4% in toothpastes, 33.2% in toothbrushes, and 38.9% in mouthwashes.
- [By Dan Burrows]
Rival Colgate-Palmolive (CL) has different concerns, namely sluggishness in emerging markets where it enjoys commanding market share and derives more than half its revenue.
- [By Douglas A. McIntyre]
Some traditional brand powerhouses have lost ground in the Top 100 since 2009. These include BMW, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL).
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