Industry

Is FedEx's Stock a Bargain by the Numbers? Sat, 25/12/2010 - 08:35 by Anand Chokkavelu Numbers can lie -- yet they're the best first step in determining whether a stock is a buy. In this series, we use some carefully chosen metrics to size up a stock's true value based on the following clues: Comments Read more	How Cheap Is Xerox's Stock by the Numbers? Sat, 25/12/2010 - 08:15 by Anand Chokkavelu Numbers can lie -- yet they're the best first step in determining whether a stock is a buy. In this series, we use some carefully chosen metrics to size up a stock's true value based on the following clues: Comments Read more	The Best Dividend Stocks of 2011 Fri, 24/12/2010 - 12:27 by Jim Royal I love fat payouts from dividend stalwarts. In fact, I've recommended a couple that I called "dividend plays for a lifetime" for their strong competitive positions and hidden assets. Those two stocks -- Microsoft andMcDonald's -- are solid long-term dividend plays. But often, it can be more valuable to find higher-yielding stocks that are slower- growing, rather than a Microsoft that is fattening dividends at a prodigious clip. Comments Read more
Is Applied Materials Working Hard Enough for You? Fri, 24/12/2010 - 10:30 by Seth Jayson Margins matter. The more Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why I check on my holdings' margins at least once a quarter. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, comparisons to sector peers and competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Applied Materials's competitive position could be. Comments Read more	Will Lender Processing Services Earn or Burn? Fri, 24/12/2010 - 10:23 by Seth Jayson Margins matter. The more Lender Processing Services (NYSE: LPS) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why I check on my holdings' margins at least once a quarter. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, comparisons to sector peers and competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Lender Processing Services' competitive position could be. Comments Read more	Here's How Diamond Offshore Drilling May Be Failing You Fri, 24/12/2010 - 09:53 by Seth Jayson Margins matter. The more Diamond Offshore Drilling (NYSE: DO) keeps of each buck it earns in revenue, the more money it has to invest in growth, fund new strategic plans, or (gasp!) distribute to shareholders. Healthy margins often separate pretenders from the best stocks in the market. That's why I check on my holdings' margins at least once a quarter. I'm looking for the absolute numbers, comparisons to sector peers and competitors, and any trend that may tell me how strong Diamond Offshore Drilling's competitive position could be. Comments Read more
Don't Get Too Worked Up Over Olin's Earnings Fri, 24/12/2010 - 09:48 by Seth Jayson Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls. Comments Read more	Is Chico's Stock Cheap by the Numbers? Fri, 24/12/2010 - 07:46 by Seth Jayson Numbers can lie -- but they're the best first step in determining whether a stock is a buy. In this series, we use some carefully chosen metrics to size up a stock's true value based on the following clues: Comments Read more	How Much of a Bargain Is Lubrizol's Stock by the Numbers? Fri, 24/12/2010 - 07:41 by Anand Chokkavelu Numbers can lie -- but they’re the best first step in determining whether a stock is a buy. In this series, we use some carefully chosen metrics to size up a stock's true value based on the following clues: Comments Read more
Why Wall Street Should Love Medtronic's Earnings Fri, 24/12/2010 - 07:36 by Seth Jayson Although business headlines still tout earnings numbers, many investors have moved past net earnings as a measure of a company's economic output. That's because earnings are very often less trustworthy than cash flow, since earnings are more open to manipulation based on dubious judgment calls. Comments Read more	Is Arbitron Going to Burn You? Fri, 24/12/2010 - 07:30 by Seth Jayson There's no foolproof way to know the future for Arbitron (NYSE: ARB) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result. Rest assured: Even if you're not monitoring these metrics, short-sellers are. Comments Read more	Steven Madden Passes This Key Test Fri, 24/12/2010 - 07:24 by Seth Jayson There's no foolproof way to know the future for Steven Madden (Nasdaq: SHOO) or any other company. However, certain clues may help you see potential stumbles before they happen -- and before your stock craters as a result. Rest assured: Even if you're not monitoring these metrics, short-sellers are. Comments Read more