Month: November 2016

The bulk of the third-quarter earnings season is behind us with 455 S&P 500 members, representing 91% of the index’s total market capitalization, having already reported their results. As of Nov 11, total earnings of these companies are up 3.9% on a year-over-year basis (72.7% of the companies beat EPS estimates) while total revenue is up 2.7% on a year-over-year basis (55.4% of the companies beat top-line estimates). […]

The Q3 earnings season is drawing to a close and we now have a much clearer picture with results from 445 S&P 500 companies (91% of the index’s total membership) already out. Approximately 72.7% posted positive earnings surprises, while 55.4% have beaten top-line expectations. […]

In the Global Week Ahead, markets likely trade on guidance President-elect Trump supplies about his 100-Day Plan priorities — and on his initial cabinet choices. First-term U.S. […]

Dividend stocks lost some of their shine due to rising yields after Republican Donald Trump was elected as the new president. Yet, investors are still adding some of these to their portfolio. In particular, stocks with a strong history of dividend hike year over year are enjoying a solid run […]

Harman International Industries, Incorporated HAR is being acquired by Asian giant, Samsung Electronics, in an all cash deal worth $8 billion (or $112 per share representing 28% premium to Nov 11, 2016 closing price). Following the takeover, Harman will function as an independent unit with CEO Dinesh Paliwal retaining his responsibilities. The acquisition, which is anticipated to close by mid 2017, has been approved by both the companies […]

Chevron Corporation CVX , the second-largest U.S. oil producer, recently reported that it has started production at the Mafumeira Sul oil field along with Angolan state oil major – Sonangol. The initial production capacity of the field is 10,000 barrels per day. […]

Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited AHL and its affiliates recently received rating action from credit rating giant, A.M. Best. […]

Natural gas pipeline operator Energy Transfer Partners LP ETP reported third-quarter 2016 earnings of 14 cents per limited partner unit, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. The bottom line, however, increased from the year-ago quarter profit of 10 cents per limited partner unit. FindTheCompany | Graphiq Quarterly revenues declined more than 16% year over year to $5,531 million and also lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,562 million […]

On Nov 11, 2016, the stock of UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH climbed to a 52-week high of $147.50. The upside in the stock is believed to have been driven by a profitable third quarter reported last month and raised guidance for 2016. […]

Every year, World Diabetes Day is celebrated on Nov 14. This year, the theme is ‘ eyes on diabetes ’ with a focus on promoting the importance of screening to ensure early diagnosis of type II diabetes and reduce the risk of serious complications. […]

JD.com JD is slated to report third-quarter 2016 results on Nov 15. Last quarter, the company posted a positive earnings surprise of 57.1%. […]

Amgen, Inc. AMGN and partner UCB S.A. […]

Merck & Co., Inc. MRK announced positive data from three phase II trials evaluating its pipeline candidate, MK-3682, in combination with grazoprevir and ruzasvir1 for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Results from two studies showed that treatment with the all-oral, triple combination regimen (MK-3682B) resulted in high rates of sustained virologic response 12 weeks after the completion of the therapy (SVR12) in patients, with chronic HCV genotype (GT) 1 or GT3 infection, who received eight weeks of treatment with combination medicine […]

Dril-Quip Inc. DRQ recently declared that it has closed the TIW Corporation acquisition. On Oct 17, 2016, the company entered into a deal to acquire Houston, TX-based TIW Corporation that provides liner hanger systems and related equipment and services […]