Google’s Pre-Earnings Mystery At $800

Google (GOOG) reports earnings tonight (October 18th). I ran out of time for running my “earnings trade template,” but I wanted to take a few minutes to post some interesting observations on GOOG options. These may become good references for the next round of earnings. (See “Chipotle Bears Ready For Another Poor Earnings Performance But … Read more

Consol Energy’s Breakout Survives A Reduction In Earnings Guidance

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on October 17, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) Consol Energy (CNX) is the U.S.’s largest producer of coal from underground mines. {snip} The charts below show how CNX recently broke out and how it has traded relative to its … Read more

Chipotle Bears Ready For Another Poor Earnings Performance But Watch Pre-Earnings Close

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on October 17, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) After Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) reported earnings in July, the stock fell 21.6%. This loss was CMG’s biggest in its almost seven years as a publicly traded company. The stock sold … Read more

KBH Shines Again But Keep An Eye On California’s Recovering Housing Market

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on October 14, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) U.S. homebuilders continue to beat a drum of optimism. KB Home (KBH) is no exception. In its July earnings report, KBH established a strategy of “Going on Offense”. KBH provided more … Read more

priceline.com Breaks Out As Post-Earnings Recovery Continues

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on September 23, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) Over a month ago I wrote that priceline.com (PCLN) was not likely to recover its post-earnings losses in the near-term. Based on the bearish commentary on its European business and reminders … Read more

Cognizant Technology Fills Earnings Gap

This is a quick follow-up on a piece I wrote about Cognizant Technology (CTSH) called “Planning to Accumulate Cognizant Technology Even As It Fights To Hold 2-Year Lows.” Since then, CTSH has rallied to fill its earnings gap from May. Source: FreeStockCharts.com I sold my position after the August earnings gap up thinking I would … Read more

Pan American Silver Remains A Cheap Play On A Recovery In Silver Prices

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on September 3, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) {snip} {snip} First, why bother with a silver miner that is experiencing operational difficulties due to political turmoil? I think the company’s description of itself provides a good summary of the … Read more

A Swell Of Pent-Up Demand Supports the Surge in Toll Brothers

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 24, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) {snip} TOL reported earnings the morning of August 22nd. The tone of the conference call was bullish and the market responded by pushing TOL to fresh 5 1/2 year highs. TOL’s … Read more

Chart Review: Breakouts, Breakdowns, And In Between: GOOG, FSLR, BIDU, INTC, JOY, CAT

The stocks market’s slow action hides all sorts of dramatic action in individual stocks. For this chart review, I take a look at a range of performers. Google (GOOG) has broken out to fresh five-year highs. First Solar (FSLR) has more than doubled since its June lows. Baidu (BIDU) has sold off for over a … Read more

High Valuation Hinders W.W. Grainger’s After Historic Post-Earnings Response

(This is an excerpt from an article I originally published on Seeking Alpha on August 17, 2012. Click here to read the entire piece.) Almost two months ago, I wrote about Fastenal (FAST), an industrial and construction supplier, describing the stock as expensive but worth buying at lower prices. Within a month, FAST jumped over … Read more