CF Industries profit widely beats; shares jump

CF Industries profit widely beats; shares jump Stock Market PredictionsNEW YORK (Global Markets) - Fertilizer producer CF Industries Holdings Inc's (CF.N) quarterly profit soundly beat Wall Street's expectations as higher nitrogen prices offset a dip in sales due to a wet spring. Shares rose 5.8 percent in after-hours trading on Thursday, partly erasing a steep drop in regular trading with the broader markets.CF makes nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers, both crucial material for farmers.CF is bullish on the 2011 U.S. corn crop, saying that despite...

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JPMorgan, BofA sued over mortgage debt losses

JPMorgan, BofA sued over mortgage debt losses Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - JPMorgan Chase & Co and Bank of America Corp were hit with new lawsuits by investors claiming losses on $4.5 billion of soured mortgage debt, adding to litigation targeting the two largest U.S. banks. The plaintiff Sealink Funding Ltd said it lost money after buying nearly $2.4 billion of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) from JPMorgan and $1.6 billion from Bank of America from 2005 to 2007, relying on offering materials that were misleading...

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Cablevision down 15 percent as executive quits

Cablevision down 15 percent as executive quits Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Shares of Cablevision Systems Corp (CVC.N) fell more than 15 percent in early trading on Friday as investors sold off on uncertainty surrounding the sudden departure of the New York cable operator's well-regarded chief operating officer. Cablevision announced the sudden resignation of Tom Rutledge, a nine-year veteran of the company, late on Thursday, leading to speculation that he would be joining a larger rival such as Charter Communications Inc (CHTR.O)....

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Brightcove glitters on debut; competition worries

Brightcove glitters on debut; competition worries Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Online video publisher Brightcove Inc's (BCOV.O) shares got off to a flying start on their debut, rising as much as 43 percent, continuing the tech sector's strong run in the IPO market. The company's shares closed at $14.30 on the Nasdaq, 30 percent above the IPO price, valuing the company at $377.2 million. More than 4.3 million Brightcove shares changed hands on the first day.Investors have lapped up shares of most companies across sectors that debuted...

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Discounts weigh on Ann Taylor parent's margins; shares fall

Discounts weigh on Ann Taylor parent's margins; shares fall Stock Market PredictionsBANGALORE (Global Markets) - Ann Inc (ANN.N), the parent of Ann Taylor and LOFT stores, saw first-quarter margins slip as it discounted more to get sales in an unseasonably cold spring and a highly competitive space, raising concerns about the company's turnaround this year. Shares of the women's clothing retailer fell 6 percent to a near two-month low of $28.47 in Friday morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange.Chains like Ann and Chico's FAS Inc (CHS.N),...

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Moody's may downgrade UBS and Morgan Stanley

Moody's may downgrade UBS and Morgan Stanley Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Moody's warned on Thursday it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global and 114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the euro zone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system. It was reviewing the long-term ratings and standalone credit assessments of a range of banks, Moody's added. Markets were unaffected by the Moody's announcement."Capital markets firms are confronting evolving challenges, such as more...

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Hartford Financial sees lower Q3 credit loss

Hartford Financial sees lower Q3 credit loss Stock Market PredictionsHartford Financial Services Group Inc (HIG.N) sees lower credit losses in the third quarter and said it has no direct exposure to sovereign European debt. The Hartford, which is one of the oldest companies in America, said it expects a third-quarter credit loss of about $61 million, primarily on structured securities, and a net unrealized gain of $2.6 billion as of Sept 30.Shares of the Hartford, Connecticut-based insurer were trading nearly flat at $17.76 in the morning session...

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UniCredit 3-day share plunge reaches 37 percent

UniCredit 3-day share plunge reaches 37 percent Stock Market PredictionsMILAN (Global Markets) - Shares of UniCredit (CRDI.MI), Italy's biggest bank by assets, sank for a third day as investors punished the stock after the lender priced a 7.5 billion-euro ($9.5 billion) rights issue at a deep discount. The shares closed down 11.1 percent at 3.98 euros on Friday, the last trading day before the new share offer takes effect on Monday, extending losses over the past three days to 37 percent.Since it priced the rights issue on Wednesday, UniCredit's...

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Muddy Waters' Block says OSC move a "major positive"

Muddy Waters' Block says OSC move a "major positive" Stock Market PredictionsNEW YORK (Global Markets) - Carson Block, director of research at Muddy Waters Research, said on Friday that the Ontario Securities Commission's moves against Sino-Forest (TRE.TO) were "a major positive." The OSC ordered all trading in Sino-Forest securities to cease and ordered several executives to resign, though it rescinded that order."It seems the OSC has some information investors do not that it believes is material to investment decisions," Block said. "I'm impressed...

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Top Vulcan shareholder backs Martin Marietta deal

Top Vulcan shareholder backs Martin Marietta deal Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Southeastern Asset Management, an investment management firm that holds nearly 10 percent of Vulcan Materials Co's (VMC.N) shares, said the construction materials company should strike a deal with rival Martin Marietta Materials (MLM.N). Southeastern, which is also a top Martin Marietta shareholder, said in a letter filed with U.S. regulators on Friday that it strongly recommended the two companies resume talks.Martin Marietta launched a hostile, nearly...

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Alcoa stock down after announcing metal output cut

Alcoa stock down after announcing metal output cut Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Alcoa Inc (AA.N) stock dropped over 2 percent on Friday, a day after the largest U.S. aluminum producer said it will cut global smelting capacity by 12 percent in the face of slumping metal prices. In early trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Alcoa shares were down 2.4 percent at $9.14.On Thursday, the company said it was closing down its Tennessee smelter and two potlines at a smelter in Rockdale, Texas, as part of a plan to cut 531,000 tonnes in...

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Why stock market predictions are so often misses the

Why stock market predictions are so often misses the?What was the oracle in ancient times , which is now the expert. To find out what happens to the economy or the stock exchanges, we rely on the knowledge of modern prophets : On Financial Market researchers , analysts and fund managers – even on those who earn their money by watching the markets.Success makes arrogantBut how accurate are the stock market predictions of the experts? Three researchers from Germany and wanted to know Canada and compared with the old estimates of future actual values.Cause...

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Brokerages cut earning estimates on BofA

Brokerages cut earning estimates on BofA Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - JMP Securities said Bank of America Corp has the capital levels to absorb $100 billion in mortgage losses without technically needing to raise capital, but practical considerations could force the issue at half that loss amount. Though the largest U.S. bank by assets currently has a pro-forma $37 billion capital cushion under the Basel III framework, mounting mortgage losses could transcend earnings and cut into the capital buffer, leading the bank issue stock...

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Analysis: Gol bond rally seen limited as Delta deal falls short

Analysis: Gol bond rally seen limited as Delta deal falls short Stock Market PredictionsSAO PAULO (Global Markets) - Gol Linhas Aereas' (GOLL4.SA) (GOL.N) sale of a minority stake to Delta Air Lines Inc (DAL.N), is sparking gains in Gol's bonds, but some investors say the rally will be short-lived. While Delta's investment of $100 million for a 3 percent stake will earn it a seat on Gol's board, it will not bolster the Brazilian airline's finances as much as bondholders hoped.The benefits of codesharing and shared efficiencies between the airlines...

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Bombardier stock hit again by regional jet outlook

Bombardier stock hit again by regional jet outlook Stock Market PredictionsVANCOUVER (Global Markets) - Shares of Bombardier Inc (BBDb.TO) fell for a second day on Thursday after the world's No. 3 commercial planemaker raised cash flow concerns and spooked investors with a dismal sales outlook for its regional jets. Several brokerages cut their price targets for Bombardier stock and at least one analyst downgraded it even though the company's second-quarter earnings and revenue, released on Wednesday, beat market expectations.Bombardier shares...

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Yingli Green posts loss, cuts shipment view

Yingli Green posts loss, cuts shipment view Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - China-based Yingli Green Energy Holding Co posted a quarterly loss, hurt by a steep slide in solar panel prices, and cut its full-year photovoltaic module shipment outlook. Like other solar makers, Yingli has been hit hard this year as a glut of panels has knocked prices lower, squeezing profit margins and pushing its shares down 64 percent so far since 2010.On Tuesday, Suntech Power Holdings, JA Solar and other Chinese companies reported disappointing earnings...

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Yingli profit beats Wall Street, sees sector bounce

Yingli profit beats Wall Street, sees sector bounce Stock Market PredictionsNEW YORK (Global Markets) - Rosy earnings from Chinese solar panel maker Yingli Green Energy on Friday stood in stark contrast to the dismal reports from its rivals, and the company said market signs pointed to a rebound in the second half of the year. The solar industry has been battered in 2011 by steep declines in the prices for the modules that turn sunlight into electricity, shrinking profit margins and pushing some of the largest players into the red.The MAC Solar...

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Aon Q2 beats on Hewitt buy, says soft pricing to continue

Aon Q2 beats on Hewitt buy, says soft pricing to continue Stock Market PredictionsBANGALORE (Global Markets) - Aon Corp (AON.N) posted an estimate-topping quarterly profit as its acquisition of Hewitt Associates paid off, but the world's largest insurance broker said it still expects soft insurance pricing to continue. High unemployment and stiff competition made it hard for insurers to raise premiums, hurting insurance brokers like Aon, Marsh & McLennan (MMC.N) and Willis Group (WSH.N) that depend on commissions for much of their revenue.As...

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Affymetrix shares fall on weak Q2 revenue view

Affymetrix shares fall on weak Q2 revenue view Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Shares of Affymetrix Inc (AFFX.O) fell about 20 percent on Thursday, a day after the genetic analysis products maker reported preliminary second-quarter revenue below market expectations. "Affymetrix described its academic business (nearly 70 percent of revenue) as weak across all geographies, particularly in North America. Some of this business is pushed into third-quarter, as we believe it restricted its salesforce's ability to offer end-of-quarter discounts...

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Diamond Foods may breach debt covenants: analysts

Diamond Foods may breach debt covenants: analysts Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Diamond Foods Inc (DMND.O) is likely to breach its debt covenants and cancel its biggest-ever deal, analysts said, as its stock tumbled 37 percent a day after the company removed its two top executives and said it would restate results for the last two years. "Diamond's (earnings) restatements will cause debt covenant default and ultimately raise interest expense," Janney Capital Markets analyst Mitchell Pinheiro said in a note, adding that Diamond's proposed...

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Nintendo president puzzled by investor reaction to Wii U

Nintendo president puzzled by investor reaction to Wii U Stock Market PredictionsLOS ANGELES (Global Markets) - Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said he was surprised at the tumble in the company's share price following the unveiling of a successor to its smash hit Wii games console, adding that the new gadget had to be played to be understood. Shares in Nintendo fell almost 10 percent in the two days following the company's splashy presentation of the Wii U, which features a tablet-style controller and high-definition graphics, and goes on sale...

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Storm clouds gather for RIM after profit warning

Storm clouds gather for RIM after profit warning Stock Market PredictionsTORONTO (Global Markets) - Storm clouds over Research In Motion have darkened with a dismal profit warning, and the company's shares fell sharply on Friday after the company's third jolt of bad news in a month. The BlackBerry maker, out of favor even with its fans, will need flawless execution on a promised next generation of gadgets to convince increasingly skeptical investors that it can run with mobile leaders Apple and Google.Ontario-based RIM on Thursday slashed its...

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Massachusetts subpoenas Bank of America documents

Massachusetts subpoenas Bank of America documents Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Massachusetts securities regulators said on Friday that they were subpoenaing Bank of America Corp for documents to determine whether the lender had knowingly overvalued assets in some investment products. Local investors lost about $150 million in investment vehicles structured by the company's affiliate Banc of America Securities LLC, said William Galvin, the state's top securities regulator.Now his office is asking the Charlotte, North Carolina-based...

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Google's Schmidt may sell about 2.4 million shares

Google's Schmidt may sell about 2.4 million shares Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Google Inc (GOOG.O) chairman Eric Schmidt could sell as many as 2.4 million shares of the company's class A common stock as part of a predetermined stock trading plan. In a filing with the U.S. regulators, the Mountain View, California-based company said Schmidt adopted the Rule 10b5-1 plan last November and could begin selling shares this month.Schmidt, who stepped down as Google's chief executive last April after a decade of "adult supervision," could...

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Jefferies eyes big deals in ambitious growth drive

Jefferies eyes big deals in ambitious growth drive Stock Market PredictionsNEW YORK (Global Markets) - Jefferies Group Inc (JEF.N), a midsized brokerage with an equities trading lineage, is making an ambitious bet on investment banking when many of its larger rivals are cutting back. The bank is hiring aggressively and has ordered its bankers to focus on bigger, more profitable deals to move up the Wall Street pecking order.Founded almost 50 years ago as a firm that facilitated trading of large blocks of stock by institutional investors off traditional...

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Olympus capitulates to investor pressure, launches M&A probe

Olympus capitulates to investor pressure, launches M&A probe Stock Market PredictionsTOKYO (Global Markets) - Scandal-hit Japanese firm Olympus Corp (7733.T) on Friday gave in to shareholder pressure over massive fees paid to advisers in a 2008 acquisition, announcing it would set up a third-party panel to examine its past M&A deals. This marks an end to a dramatic week for the maker of endoscopes and cameras, which unexpectedly fired its British chief executive citing management incompetence, only to have him turn whistleblower. Olympus...

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Jefferies shares fall, analyst cuts price target

Jefferies shares fall, analyst cuts price target Stock Market Predictions(Global Markets) - Shares of Jefferies Group Inc (JEF.N) fell on Friday as a Keefe, Bruyette & Woods analyst cut her price target on the stock, saying stricter regulation of its leverage and funding could meaningfully reduce earnings. Jefferies shares were down 3.8 percent at $11.55 in morning trade on the New York Stock Exchange, after falling as low as $11.12.KBW analyst Lauren Smith lowered her price target on Jefferies to $17 from $22, after running a scenario to quantify...

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China's XCMG delays $1.2 bln Hong Kong IPO: IFR

China's XCMG delays $1.2 bln Hong Kong IPO: IFR Stock Market PredictionsHONG KONG (Global Markets) - China's XCMG Construction Machinery Co Ltd (000425.SZ) has postponed its planned $1.2 billion Hong Kong stock offering, IFR reported on Saturday, citing four sources with direct knowledge of the matter. XCMG's decision came only a few days after bigger rival Sany Heavy Industry Co Ltd (600031.SS) pulled its $3.3 billion Hong Kong share offer due to market turmoil.IFR did not indicate a reason for the delay. Bookbuilding of the offering was originally...

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Good times roll for auto suppliers

Good times roll for auto suppliers Stock Market PredictionsDETROIT (Global Markets) - Major auto suppliers blew past profit expectations on Friday, suggesting the recovery in the global auto market remains strong despite rising oil prices and the disaster in Japan. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co (GT.N), powertrain maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holding Inc (AXL.N) and Lear Corp (LEA.N), which makes seating and electrical power management systems, posted first-quarter earnings that easily exceeded Wall Street estimates on improving global...

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Sino-Forest clobbered by short-seller's report

Sino-Forest clobbered by short-seller's report Stock Market PredictionsTORONTO/NEW YORK (Global Markets) - A damning short-seller's report accusing Sino-Forest Corp (TRE.TO) of theft and fraud put the skids under the Canadian-listed company on Friday, even as it denied there was a problem. Sino-Forest, which operates forest plantations in China, told investors to exercise "extreme caution" in assessing the report, issued by research firm Muddy Waters."Muddy Waters has a short position in the company's shares and therefore stands to realize significant...

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