FRIDAY---STOCKS to watch

[Fishhead]

By Chelsea Bellows, MarketWatch
Last Update: 9:11 PM ET Feb. 24, 2005

Clear Channel Communications (CCU: news, chart, profile) is seen posting fourth-quarter earnings of 37 cents a share, according to analysts polled by Thomson First Call.
MCI Inc. (MCIP: news, chart, profile) said late Thursday it received Qwest Communications' (Q: news, chart, profile) revised $8 billion takeover offer, which includes more cash. The bid is higher than Verizon Communications' (VZ: news, chart, profile) $6.7 billion bid, which MCI accepted Feb. 14. See full story.

Friday's watch list

BEA Systems Inc. (BEAS: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 6 percent as an increase in services revenue more than offset a decline in license fees. See full story.

Blue Coat Systems Inc. (BCSI: news, chart, profile) reported third-quarter earnings of $267,000, or 2 cents a share, vs. $2 million, or 16 cents a share, a year ago. Pro forma earnings were $1.4 million, or 11 cents a share. Revenue was $24.7 million vs. $19.1 million. It forecast fourth-quarter earnings of 7 cents to 9 cents a share, with sequential revenue growth of 6 percent to 8 percent.

Catalyst Semiconductor Inc. (CATS: news, chart, profile) reported third-quarter earnings of $107,000, or 1 cent a share, vs. $2.4 million, or 12 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue was $13.7 million vs. $16.9 million. Analysts expected earnings of 3 cents a share on revenue of $15 million.

Gap Inc. (GPS: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $370 million, or 40 cents a share, vs. $356 million, or 37 cents a share, a year ago. See full story.

H&R Block (HRB: news, chart, profile) reported third-quarter profit fell 14 percent because of weaker earnings at its mortgage division. See full story.

IBM (IBM: news, chart, profile) reported 2004 revenue will be reduced $210 million more because employees at its Japanese operations acted "improperly and inconsistently with IBM's policies and practices." It said it already factored in $50 million for the adjustment. IBM also said it may repatriate up to $8 billion in foreign earnings, which could have a tax impact of up to $550 million.

Ingram Micro (IM: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings rose 70 percent over a year ago, because of a gain from a purchase in Australia. See full story.

KeySpan Corp. (KSE: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $199.7 million, or $1.23 a share, vs. $135.4 million, or 84 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue was $1.89 billion vs. $1.77 billion. It reaffirmed its 2005 earnings forecast of $2.30 to $2.40 a share.

Kohl's Corp. (KSS: news, chart, profile) reported a 33 percent surge in fourth-quarter earnings. See full story.

Marvel Technology (MRVL: news, chart, profile) reported a fourth-quarter profit of 18 cents a share on revenue of $340.7 million. Pro forma earnings were 24 cents a share. Analysts expected earnings of 23 cents a share on revenue of $337 million. See After Hours column.

McAfee Inc. (`US *:MFE: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter revenue fell 10 percent and also said it delayed releasing final earnings for the period while it evaluates tax withholdings. See full story.

McData Corp. (MCDTA: news, chart, profile) reported it broke even on both fourth-quarter net-income and earnings-per-shares levels. See full story.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $38.5 million, or 16 cents a share, down from $60.3 million, or 25 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue was $453.4 million vs. $543.1 million. Analysts expected a loss of 1 cent a share on revenue of $538 million.

Mittal Steel Co. (MT: news, chart, profile) said it wants to cut its workforce of 155,000 people by nearly one-third by 2010, according to reports, but the United Steelworkers said it isn't concerned cuts will affect North American workers.

Plato Learning Inc. (TUTR: news, chart, profile) reported a first-quarter loss of $10.5 million, or 46 cents a share, vs. a loss of $7.5 million, or 35 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue was $25.5 million vs. $26.4 million. Analysts expected a loss of 40 cents a share on revenue of $25 million.

Pride International (PDE: news, chart, profile) said it was rescheduling the release of its fourth-quarter earnings for March 2. It had planned to report Thursday. It blamed the delay on the "extensive workload" associated with tougher accounting requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and its own efforts to close the books on 2004.

R.H. Donnelley Corp. (RHD: news, chart, profile) reported it swung to a fourth-quarter loss of $14.9 million, or 28 cents a share. Last year, it posted a profit of $1.1 million, or 3 cents a share. It said excluding the effects of its acquisition of some of SBC Communications (SBC: news, chart, profile) directory operations, pro forma earnings were $42.9 million, or $1 a share. Revenue was $170.3 million vs. $116.1 million. It also affirmed its 2005 pro forma earnings outlook of $3.88 a share.

Serena Software (SRNA: news, chart, profile) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $9.2 million, or 19 cents a share, vs. $6 million, or 14 cents a share, a year ago. Pro forma earnings were 37 cents a share. Revenue was $65.8 million vs. $29.6 million. It forecast first-quarter earnings of 15 cents to 16 cents a share and pro forma earnings of 30 cents to 31 cents a share, on revenue of $65 million to $67 million.

Verso Technologies (VRSO: news, chart, profile) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $21.5 million, or 16 cents a share, wider than its loss of $5.2 million, or 4 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue was $7.6 million vs. $9.2 million. Analysts expected a loss of 5 cents a share on revenue of $12 million

 

[Fishhead]

H&R Block (HRB: news, chart, profile) reported third-quarter profit fell 14 percent because of weaker earnings at its mortgage division. See full story




This may be a nice stock to buy on the dip down.

I have made money with this stock at this time of year as April 15th approaches.

---FISH---

 

[Fishhead]

DOWN 10 points one-half hour into the session.

---FISH---

 

[aceduecetrey]

Fish- Do you day trade or just hold for a short period of time?

 

[Fishhead]

Fish- Do you day trade or just hold for a short period of time?

Day trade--short trade--longterm trade--short sell.

Currently longterm in a few securities.

Havent day traded for the last 7 months.

---FISH---

 

[THE SHRINK]

I'm not one to usually give out stock tips, because I receive many each week and they are almost always bs...

However, if you want to have some fun, you might want to invest in LIGAND pharmaceuticals (SYMBOL: LGND) short term...

Buy NOW, ask questions later and note the average volume was 4 times normal yesterday, so something may be up...

Best of Luck,

THE SHRINK

 

[dav168]

Ridgeland, MS, FEB 22, 2005 (EventX/Knobias.com via COMTEX) -- Companyrepresentatives of Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (NasdaqNM: LGND) will bepresenting at the Roth Capital Partners 17th Annual Stock Conference today. TheCompany's presentation is scheduled to begin at 11:00 ET.</PRE>

Not sure what was said at their presentation,but it could have contributed to the increased volume.</PRE>

Chart does not look appealing to me but I've been wrong MANY times before when it comes to stocks ! Best of luck.</PRE>

 

[SENDITIN]

Don't daytrade with money you can't afford to lose. It's very difficult. And certainly stay out of the Naz when you're day trading....fastest way to the poorhouse! I've been lucky enough to grind out a few bucks trading over the years by hiding in low beta stocks and looking for opportunity. But it's strictly a HOBBY and not being relied upon for income.

Best strategy to make money in the market is:

1. Figure out what % of your worth you're comfortable with in the market.
2. Based on that % devote the money into a broad based exchange traded fund that mimics the market. Do not waste your time with individual stocks.
3. At the end of each year look at your %'s and buy or sell the ETF accordingly to bring %'s back in line...so you'll sell after a good year and buy after a bad year.
4. Don't fret over the day to day moves!
5. Sit back and over time you WILL make a few sheckels!

By the way the market is up about 65 now and looks like it just about made up for the 175 loss the other day. I thought the world was coming to an end based upon a few posters that day.

 

[Fishhead]

MARCH soybeans up 16 cents on the day.



---FISH---

 

[GreenDoberman]

TSM making a move, Taiwan opening up trade doors with China, could be huge!