Tuesday Morning, August 21st
SITE NEWS
"Teaching Brokers Sales"
Thee is a Free training program on Tuesday Night at 5 PM California time. There is no charge for the 45 minute course. Inidividuals are invited also, although it is geared towards brokers. Just write the Ice Man at iceman081@hotmail.com with your email address and phone number and you will be invited onto the free conference call.
"Technical Analysis"
We appreciate all those that participated in our last training program call. We are having another training program next Saturday at 7 AM by Steve Nelson. He is extremely knowledgable on MACD, Stochastics and On-balance Volume. We invite you to write the Ice Man at iceman081@hotmail.com to participate in either call.
There's a new article in the ICS Investor's Health section called "Omega-3 supplements rapidly eliminate ADD, ADHD, and bipolar disorder in children." Read it at http://icecoldstocks.com/investors_health/omega3b.html
Hidden Treasure News:
Lucas Energy Completes $12 Million Private Placement of Restricted
Common Stock and Warrants
HOUSTON- (August 20, 2007) Lucas Energy, Inc. (LUCE), a U.S. based independent oil and gas company, today announced it has closed its previously announced private placement. $12 million was placed in an offering consisting of common stock at a price of $1.15 per share and warrants to purchase common stock at a price of $2.00 per share. Both the stock and warrants issued are restricted securities.
Due to the fact that the deal was oversubscribed, the lead placement agents have exercised their option to the overallotment or "greenshoe" of up to 10% of the offering. When completed, the overallotment will have raised an additional $1.2m for the company for a total of $13.2m.
"We are excited to close this offering as a fully funded, debt free and profitable company," said James Cerna, Jr., CEO of Lucas Energy Inc.
Viewpoint Securities LLC and JMP Securities LLC were joint lead placement agents of the offering...
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NNRF, Inc. Announces Alliance With a Leading Supplier of Services to the International Nuclear Industry
NNRF, Inc.(NNRF), formerly known as NUCON-RF, today announced that it has entered into an alliance with STUDSVIK, a Western European based supplier of services to the international nuclear industry. STUDSVIK has almost 50 years of experience in nuclear technology and service in a radiological environment. STUDSVIK has 1,200 employees in 7 countries.
STUDSVIK operates in the global nuclear market and provides qualified services through four strategic business divisions: Operating Efficiency and Safety, Service and Maintenance, Waste Treatment and Decommissioning.
The alliance with STUDSVIK will initially focus on the marketing and manufacture of NNRF's proprietary shielding materials: FEECOM/BIECOM. The alliance will also focus on the newest derivatives that are being developed for ad hoc shielding applications specified by nuclear power plant managers, hospitals and medical facilities.
STUDSVIK engages in the testing and investigation of nuclear fuel and materials in nuclear reactors across the globe, and its codes and services are currently used at more than 200 of the world's 443 nuclear reactors. In the United States, STUDSVIK's codes are used at approximately 80% of the nuclear reactors. The corresponding share in Europe, not including France, is approximately 50%, and approximately 50% in Japan.
Dr. Hans-Jurgen Engelmann, Director of Shielding & Encapsulation Technologies for NNRF, stated:
``This alliance with STUDSVIK will accelerate the marketing of our shielding materials both in the EU and in international nuclear markets. In addition, the alliance will insure that the manufacturing capacities to satisfy current demands are in place.'' Dr. Engelmann stated further, ``Operations in classified environments require radiation levels to be measured and analyzed, and occupational doses to the personnel concerned must be minimized. STUDSVIK carries out this type of health physics services. We are confident this will continue to open international markets to the core group of proprietary shielding, decommissioning and disposal technologies of NNRF. We believe further that the exceptional capabilities of STUDSVIK in areas of decommissioning nuclear waste management will complement and augment the current capabilities of NNRF to participate in international projects.''
Dow Stock News
The FT writes that GE (GE) plans to sell its Japanese finance unit.
The Wall Street Journal writes that Paramount and Dreamworks will drop the Blu-ray DVD format and only release HD movies on the HD DVD format backed by Toshiba and Microsoft (MSFT). The move is a blow to Sony (SNE), Blu-ray's biggest supporter.
MCD McDonald's Matrix Research Upgraded from Hold to Buy
Ice Man Stocks
Breakouts the Ice Man my consider trading:
NUAN - 19
Regular Trades the Ice Man may consider:
FDRY - 18
TZOO - 18
CHNR - 9
TTWO - 13.50
Depressed stocks the Ice Man may buy:
FXY - 85.65 Gap
MER - 71.15 Gap
MRO - 50.25 Gap
Dollar Man Ideas:
CYTR - 4
SHRP - 4.20
LTON - 2.50
OPWV - 4.60
Media Commentators
Cramer's Comments:
Bullish: KRE, EBAY, GOOG, RIMM, GRMN, UNTD, RVBD
Louis Navallier:
Positive: JLL, RLI, SNDA, TNH, WNR
Cautious: RIO, GMKT, MBT, NOK, BID
Ice Cold Commentators
Break Man Video Summary:
Break out buy (or short sell) watch list for short term gains August 21 includes: CRL, GENZ, BLDP, TWMC, ACEL, CPHD, CCE, REGN, NUAN, RIMM.
Several candidates for break out or short sell plays for at least short term gains by buying the break out (or selling the break down) on good volume and closing at least some on the first day.
Swing Man:
The Swing Man will be teaching a Free Educational Seminar Saturday at 7 am California Time.
News and Events Digest
Breaking News
Warren Buffett one of the last buyers standing, as the subprime shakeout forces private equity and hedge funds to the sidelines. Berkshire could be a buyer for parts of Countrywide, whose shares have been hard hit. - WSJ
China will raise benchmark deposit and lending rates as part of its efforts to stabilize inflation expectations and control credit. - WSJ
The ECB will keep rates steady next month, many economists say. Central banks continued to pump funds into money markets. - WSJ
KKR promised that in a worst-case scenario it would invest $100 million in KKR Financial, a real-estate company 12%-owned by the private-equity firm. - WSJ
Oil extended losses to slip below $71 a barrel on Tuesday on relief Hurricane Dean would spare the U.S. Gulf Coast, an area that is home to half of the country's refining capacity and a third of its oil production. - CNBC
Capital One Financial said Monday it will cut 1,900 jobs and shutter its wholesale mortgage banking business, a move that comes as lenders continue to struggle in the nation's housing and mortgage markets. - CNBC
Viacom Inc's (VIA-B) MTV Networks is expected to on Tuesday announce plans to merge its online digital music offerings into a joint venture with music software company RealNetworks Inc (RNWK), the Wall Street Journal reported. - Reuters
Warehouse club operator BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. said Tuesday its second-quarter profit rose 37 percent on solid sales growth to top Wall Street expectations.
Net income grew to $36.3 million, or 55 cents per share, from $26.4 million, or 39 cents per share, a year ago. - AP
American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO) on Tuesday said second-quarter net income rose to $81.3 million, or 37 cents a share, from $72.1 million, or 31 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Net sales rose to $703.2 million from $602.3 million. Analysts, on average, expected the teen-focused apparel retailer to earn 36 cents a share on revenue of $698 million, according to Thomson Financial. Sales at stores open at least one year, an industry measurement known as same-store sales, rose 2%. Gross profit as a percent of sale declined to 45% from 45.7% last year. The merchandise margin declined 50 basis points as a result of higher markdowns, partially offset by a strong initial mark-up. The Pittsburgh-based company said it is "pleased with month-to-date August sales performance," and set its third-quarter profit forecast at 47 cents to 48 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect it to earn 50 cents a share, on average. - MarketWatch
Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (LEND) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to trade approximately $1 billion of loans under a 90-day purchase agreement with an investor at an advance rate comparable to the advance rates the Company is currently receiving from warehouse lenders. The initial settlement of a pool consisting of approximately $500 million closed on Friday, August 17, 2007, with the remaining loans trading every other week as borrowers make their first payments due under the loan. The final sale of the loans is expected to occur by October 2007.
Target (TGT) says that August sales should be up 4-6%.
Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (DKS) said Tuesday second-quarter profit rose to $47.9 million, or 83 cents a share, from $25.7 million, or 47 cents, a year earlier. Sales climbed to $1.01 billion from $734 million, the Pittsburgh-based comany said. The sporting goods retailer forecast third-quarter profit of 9 cents to 12 cents a share and raised full-year profit outlook to $2.47 to $2.50 from a previous estimate of as much as $2.40. Analysts, on average, had expected profit of 76 cents a share in the second quarter, 7 cents in the third quarter and $2.42 for the year. - MarketWatch
Media Summary:
According to Reuters, Countrywide (CFC) sought to calm investors about it future as it laid of mortgage workers.
Reuters reports that Nasdaq's (NDAQ) failure to buy the London Stock Exchange makes it deal to buy the OMX crucial.
Reuters writes that Nokia (NOK) launched it new 3G handset, the 6555.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Bershire Hathaway may be interested in buying some parts of Countrywide.
The Wall Street Journal writes that KKR said that in a worst-case scenario it would put $100 million into KKR Financial, a real estate operation in which it has a minority piece.
The Wall Street Journal writes that Viacom's (VIA) MTV and RealNetworks (RNWK) will combine online music efforts to challenge the Apple (AAPL) iPod. Verizon Wireless and Vodafone (VOD) have agreed to offer mobile distribution.
The FT reports that the debt in The Tribune Company (TRB) was downgraded ahead of its LBO.
Barron's writes that McAdams Wright intiated Clearwire (CLWR) as a buy with a price target of $36.
Upgrades and Downgrades by Sector:
Beverages
COT Cott Stifel Nicolaus Downgraded from Buy to Hold
Biotech
PDLI PDL BioPharma First Albany Upgraded from Neutral to Buy
ACAD ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Deutsche Securities Initiated at Buy $18
GENT Gentium Oppenheimer Initiated at Buy $30
THRX Theravance Cowen & Co Initiated at Outperform
Business Services
MAN Manpower Matrix Research Upgraded from Hold to Strong Buy
NCMI National Cinemedia Janco Partners Upgraded from Accumulate to Buy $27 to $34
VPRT Vistaprint Bear Stearns Upgraded from Peer Perform to Outperform
VSCN Visual Sciences Avondale Partners Upgraded from Mkt Perform to Mkt Outperform
CCRN Cross Country Banc of America Sec Initiated at Neutral $18
Computer Software
EDU New Oriental Education & Technology Jefferies & Co Initiated at Hold $55
VMW VMware Robert W. Baird Initiated at Neutral $60
TTWO Take-Two Kaufman Bros Cut Price Target Hold $18 to $17
Environmental Prod
SRCL Stericycle CIBC Wrld Mkts Price Target Raised Sector Outperform $49 to $54
AW Allied Waste Banc of America Sec Initiated at Neutral $13
RSG Republic Services Banc of America Sec Initiated at Buy $35
WCN Waste Connections Banc of America Sec Initiated at Neutral $32
WMI Waste Mgt Banc of America Sec Initiated at Buy $41
Finance Companies
COF Capital One Calyon Securities Upgraded from Add to Buy $85
Foods
WWY Wrigley Bear Stearns Upgraded from Underperform to Peer Perform
Healthcare
CBST Cubist Pharma Cowen & Co Initiated at Neutral
AHS AMN Healthcare Services Banc of America Sec Initiated at Neutral $19
Homebuilders
HOV Hovnanian Entrpr Banc of America Sec Downgraded from Buy to Neutral
SPF Standard Pacific Banc of America Sec Downgraded from Buy to Neutral
TOL Toll Brothers Banc of America Sec Downgraded from Neutral to Sell
Industrial Equipment
LNN Lindsay Manu Boenning & Scattergood Downgraded from Market Outperform to Market Perform
Media Services
RGRP ROO Group Cantor Fitzgerald Cut Price Target Buy $3.50 to $3
Medical Information
LIMS Starlims Tech JMP Securities Initiated at Mkt Outperform $14
Mfg - Work Clothes
ICPW Ironclad Performance Wear Brean Murray Initiated at Buy $1.06
Restaurants
RARE Rare Hospitality RBC Capital Mkts Price Target Raised Sector Perform
Retail Trade
BBBY Bed Bath & Beyond Citigroup Initiated at Hold $37
WSM Williams-Sonoma Citigroup Initiated at Sell $26
Semiconductors
ASML ASML Holding Friedman Billings Upgraded from Mkt Perform to Outperform $27 to $35
MU Micron AG Edwards Upgraded from Hold to Buy $14
NSM National Semi Lehman Brothers Upgraded from Equal-weight to Overweight
Telecommunications
INTL Inter-Tel Kaufman Bros Coverage Dropped
Transportation
CP Canadian Pacific UBS Upgraded from Neutral to Buy
LSTR Landstar System Wachovia Initiated at Mkt Perform
Utilities
CTWS Connecticut Water Boenning & Scattergood Price Target Raised Market Outperform $26 to $29
DYN Dynegy Calyon Securities Initiated at Buy $11
NRG NRG Energy Calyon Securities Initiated at Buy $43
RRI Reliant Energy Calyon Securities Initiated at Buy $35