Bank of America noted, “Despite results being below our and Street estimates, F1Q13 provided some encouraging signs. Volume improved across most product lines (for

Top Headline In the spotlight today is the FOMC statement and rate decision at 12:30pm EST. Meeting street expectations, the fed will continue

Finisar (NASDAQ: FNSR) is estimated to post its Q2 EPS at $0.14 on revenue of $231.85 million.

SAIC (NYSE: SAI) is projected to post its

JP Morgan noted, "This morning, GEF pre-announced that F4Q operating performance was at the high end of expectations, though F4Q and

This week we turn the calendar page, and that change brings with it a raft of economic data. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver his semiannual monetary policy testimony before Congress, while Wall Street waits on more earnings reports.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Employment, Bernanke and More Retail Earnings

Week in Preview: Employment, Bernanke and More Retail Earnings originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 15:00:00.

Investors nervous about a stalled economic recovery -- or possibly the second dip of a double-dip recession -- will watch for this week's economic data, including construction and consumer spending, factory orders and August jobless figures.

Continue reading Week in Preview: More Housing, Employment Numbers on the Way

Week in Preview: More Housing, Employment Numbers on the Way originally appeared on DailyFinance on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:30:00.

RSI’s Themes:  I know that some folks are disappointed, but RSI again has no ETF/CEF picks today.  I cannot change this fact.  On the stock front, RSI picked four good companies in the materials, financials and bioscience.  Not a bad mix. 

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• FCBC - First Community Bancshares Inc.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• KOP - Koppers Holdings Inc.
• VIVO - Meridian Bioscience Inc.

Stock Picks New to RSI:

• First Community Bancshares, Inc. operates as the holding company for First Community Bank, N. A., which provides commercial banking services in the United States. FCBC pays a 3.40% yield.

FCBC hasn't gone anywhere in the past 200 trading days.  Maybe a bottom fishing candidate?

RSI’s Themes:  There was only one ETF/CEF pick and it is in the energy sector.  RSI's stock picks are many with five new picks.  A lot of names in the energy and materials sectors and many foreign companies too.  Remember all the foreign companies mentioned on this blog trade on US exchanges. 

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• APD - Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
• ATR - Aptargroup, Inc.
• ATU - Actuant Corp.
• BBD - Banco Bradesco
• CAM - Cameron International Corp.
• CMI - Cummins Inc.
• ELP - Companhia Parana De Energ
• ESL - Esterline Tech Corp.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• OI - Owens Illinois, Inc.
• RIG - Transocean, Inc.
• SBS - Companhia de Saneamento
• STRA - Strayer Education, Inc.
• UBB - Unibanco Uniao De Banco
• WMB - Williams Cos., Inc.

Stocks High Volatility:

• MON - Monsanto Co.
• MTL - Mechel Steel Group OAO
• SOHU - Sohu.com, Inc.

Stock Picks New to RSI:

• AptarGroup, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells consumer product dispensing systems for the personal care, fragrance/cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household, and food/beverage markets.
• Companhia Paranaense de Energia, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in the state of Parana, Brazil.
• Esterline Technologies Corporation provides engineered products and systems for aerospace and defense applications worldwide.
• Unibanco-Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros S.A. and its subsidiaries provide financial products and services to individual and corporate customers in Brazil.
• Sohu.com, Inc. provides a range of online products and services to consumers and businesses in the People's Republic of China.

Interesting to note that three of these companies are foreign based, two in Brazil and one in China.

RSI’s Themes:  Aside form the low volatility ETF/CEF income picks, RSI is solidly going for the gold ETFs. RSI's stock picks also mirror the gold theme.  Lots of foreign stocks are on the stock list. No falling knife selections today from RSI.

ETF/CEF Low Volatility:

• ACG - AllianceBernstein Income Fund, Inc.
• TIP - iShares Lehman TIPS Bond Fund
• TLT - 20+ Year Treasury Bond Fund (Leh) iShares

Remember, that I have pointed out before that ACG has a very high expense ratio of 3.35%.  Please keep this in mind.

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• ASA - ASA Ltd.
• GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners
• IAU - iShares COMEX Gold Trust

 
I believe that RSI's gold fund picks represent an inflection point in the gold turn around.  Remember that gold was above $1000/oz. and fell back to $800.  Was this just a pause?  We shall see.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• BBD - Banco Bradesco
• CIB - Bancolombia SA
• FCX - Freeport McMoran Copper&Gold
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• GLW - Corning, Inc.
• ITU - Banco Itau S.A.
• PTNR - Partner Communications Co. Ltd.
• TNE - Tele Norte Leste Particip
• WGOV - Woodward Governor Co.
• YUM - Yum! Brands Inc.

Woodward has been a perennial RSI favorite. But today it was up a huge 13% today, so don't chase the price.

Stocks High Volatility:

• AEM - Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
• GG - Goldcorp, Inc.
• SUTR - Sutor Technology Group Ltd.
• TNH - Terra Nitrogen Co. L P

New stocks picks for RSI:

Corning Incorporated provides specialty glass and ceramics products in the United States. The company was founded in 1851. It was formerly known as Corning Glass Works and changed its name to Corning Incorporated in 1989. Corning Incorporated is based in Corning, New York.

Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of gold.  The company was founded in 1953 and is based in Toronto, Canada.

Sutor Technology Group Limited, through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of steel finishing fabrication products in the People's Republic of China. The company is based in Changshu, the People's Republic of China.

That's it for tonight...catch the blog after Friday's close.

RSI’s Themes:  The ETF/CEF picks centered on materials and Brazil.  Stock picks are a mix of industrials, retailers and food services.  I'm starting some financial stocks starting to poke through, but no solid picks...so far.  No falling knife candidates for today.

ETF/CEF Low Volatility:

• XLB - Materials Select Sector SPDR

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• EWZ - Brazil iShares

Materials and Brazil is a continuing play for RSI.  I "bought" EWZ for the "Way Ahead" portfolio in early April and this position has gained over 11% in a little over one month. 

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• ANSS - ANSYS, Inc.
• ATU - Actuant Corp.
• BKE - Buckle, Inc.
• BLK - Blackrock, Inc.
• COST - Costco Wholesale Corp.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• LUK - Leucadia National Corp.
• PX - Praxair, Inc.
• RIO/P - Companhia Vale do Rio Doce
• SPW - SPX Corp.
• WMB - Williams Cos., Inc.
• YUM - Yum! Brands Inc.

Stocks High Volatility:

• MON - Monsanto Co.
• MTL - Mechel Steel Group OAO

New stock picks for RSI:

Actuant Corporation manufactures industrial products and systems worldwide.  It operates in four segments: Industrial, Electrical, Actuation Systems, and Engineered Products.

Costco Wholesale Corporation operates membership warehouses, which offer a selection of branded and private label products in a range of merchandise categories in no-frills, self-service warehouse facilities.

Yum! Brands, Inc. operates as a quick service restaurant company.  The company operates various restaurant brands, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silver's, and A&W All-American Food Restaurants.

RSI’s Themes:  No ETF/CEF picks for today, so no clear themes.  Stock picks look like a "mishmash" of stuff, again with no clear theme. But nevertheless, this is a good batch of stocks.

Stocks Low Volatility:

• TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• ERES - eResearchTechnology, Inc.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• RTN - Raytheon
• SII - Smith Intl, Inc.
• SPW - SPX Corp.
• WDC - Western Digital Corp.
• WRNC - Warnaco Group, Inc.

Stocks High Volatility:

• PCLN - priceline.com Inc.

Of the stock picks three are new:

eResearchTechnology, Inc. provides technology and services that enable the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries worldwide to collect, interpret, and distribute cardiac safety and clinical data.

Smith International, Inc. provides products and services to the oil and gas exploration and production industry in the United States and internationally.

The Warnaco Group, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets, licenses, and distributes a range of intimate apparel, sportswear, and swimwear worldwide.

Catch a Falling Knife:

• CSQ - Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
• DHS - Wisdom Tree High Yielding Equity Fund
• DLN - Wisdom Tree Large Cap Dividend
• DVY - iShares DJ Select Dividend Index Fund
• ETW - Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Global Buy-Write Opportunities Fund
• IHF - iShares Dow Jones U.S. Healthcare Providers
• IVE - S&P 500 Value iShares
• JKF - iShares Morningstar Large Value Index Fund
• JQC - Nuveen Multi-Strategy Income and Growth Fund 2
• KCE - SPDR KBW Capital Markets Index ETF
• PRF - PowerShares FTSE RAFI U.S. 1000 Portfolio
• SWH - Software Holders

I've been remiss in not reporting all the CFK funds this week, so here is a nice juicy list to savor on all week.

RSI’s Themes:  Gold continues to be a theme for the ETF/CEF crowd.  Stock picks reflect a leaning towards blue chip, steel, gold/mining, and foreign based companies.

ETF/CEF Low Volatility:

• FXA - Currency Shares Australian Dollar Trust

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• ASA - ASA Ltd.
• GDX - Market Vectors Gold Miners
• XME - SPDR S&P Metals & Mining Index

Stocks Low Volatility:

• IBM - International Business Machines
• TEVA - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• ABV - Companhia de Bebidas das Americas
• BTI - British American Tobacco Industries, p.l.c.
• CEDC - Central European Distribution Corp.
• CRM - Salesforce.com, Inc.
• ESV - Ensco Intl, Inc.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• GGB - Gerdau Usa
• GNA - Gerdau AmeriSteel Corp.
• HEW - Hewitt Associates, Inc.
• LUK - Leucadia National Corp.
• MT - ArcelorMittal SA
• NHP - Nationwide Hlth Prop, Inc.
• RTN - Raytheon
• SCHN - Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.
• TUP - Tupperware Brands Corp.
• VMI - Valmont Industries, Inc.
• WFT - Weatherford Intl
• WW - Watson Wyatt & Co.
• X - USX-US Steel Group, Inc.

 
Stocks High Volatility:

• BVN - Compania Minas Buenavntra
• GG - Goldcorp, Inc.
• KGC - Kinross Gold Corp.
• MA - Mastercard
• SID - Companhia Siderurgica Nac

There are several stocks new to RSI:

Salesforce.com, inc. provides on-demand customer relationship management (CRM) services to businesses and industries worldwide.

Leucadia National Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in manufacturing, telecommunications, property management and services, gaming entertainment, real estate activities, medical product development, and winery operations.

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. engages in recycling ferrous and nonferrous metals, and used and salvaged vehicles; and manufacturing finished steel products in the United States and Canada.

United States Steel Corporation produces steel products. It operates through three segments: Flat-rolled Products, U. S. Steel Europe, and Tubular Products.

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. engages in the exploration, mining, and processing of gold, silver, and various metals in Peru and internationally.

Goldcorp, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of precious metal properties in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and central and South America.

Sorry no graphics today.

RSI’s Themes: No ETF/CEF picks for today. However there were only five stocks selected by RSI, and one is the bluest of blue chip stocks....IBM.

Stocks Low Volatility:

• IBM - International Business Machines

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• ABV - Companhia de Bebidas das Americas
• BTI - British American Tobacco Industries, p.l.c.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• ITG - Investment Technology Group

The newbie for for today is:

International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) develops and manufactures information technologies, including computer systems, software, networking systems, storage devices, and microelectronics worldwide.

So RSI is going for the blue chips today. What does that mean? I have to think about this one.

Catch a Falling Knife: none today

RSI’s Themes:  In the ETF/CEF arena metals and mining were certainly the theme.  The stock picks echo the mining theme and adds oil & gas production.  Is this the way ahead?

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• GCS - Scudder Global Commodities Stock Fund Inc.
• SLX - Market Vectors Steel
• XME - SPDR S&P Metals & Mining Index

GCS is a CEF and is new pick for RSI.  It trades at a -14.65% discount to NAV.  The expense ratio of 1.10% is okay.  Global commodities is an interesting sector that may warrant attention.  Its chart for the past year looks strong and I expect it will continue its good performance.  RSI keeps picking SLX and its outstanding performance sure hasn't disappointed us.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• BTE - Baytex Energy Trust
• CPL - CPFL Energia SA
• FMC  - FMC Corp.
• GBN - Great Basin Gold Ltd.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• GGB - Gerdau Usa
• VIV - Vivo Participacoes S.A.

Stocks High Volatility:

• PBR - Petroleo Brasileiro (Petrobras)
• PBR/A - Petroleo Brasileiro Sa

Some new names here:

Baytex Energy Trust operates as an open-end unincorporated investment trust. The company, through its subsidiary, Baytex Energy, Ltd., engages in the exploitation, acquisition, development, and production of oil and natural gas in Canada.  BTE pays out a sizeable 10.6% yield.  Remember to investigate the issues with taxation of the Canadian energy trusts.

Petroleo Brasileiro S.A.—Petrobras, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, exploitation, and production of oil from reservoir wells, shale, and other rocks in Brazil.

Catch a Falling Knife:

• DBV - PowerShares DB G10 Currency Harvest Fund
• IYH - Healthcare iShares
• VHT - Vanguard Health Care VIPERs

These three funds really haven't fallen that much since they have rather low relative volatility.  DBV is an interesting ETF in that it is a play on just three country currency futures.  Research it at http://www.etfconnect.com/select/fundpages/etf_funds.asp?MFID=168359

That's all folks

RSI’s Themes: RSI still likes materials, energy and foreign based businesses. A similar refrain to what RSI has been whispering over the past few weeks. Is this the market posture for the future?

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• IEO - iShares Dow Jones U.S. Oil & Gas Exploration & Production
• ILF - Latin America 40 Index iShares

RSI has picked these two recently and here you have them again. The chart shows they have done well and RSI expects continued good performance.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• AKS - AKSteel Holding Corp.
• BNT - Bentley Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• BTI - British American Tobacco Industries, p.l.c.
• CEDC - Central European Distribution Corp.
• ELN - Elan Corp. PLC
• FDP - Fresh Del Monte Produce
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• HLF - Herbalife Ltd.
• NVO - Novo Nordisk A S
• STR - Questar Corp.
• TECH - Techne Corp.
• WW - Watson Wyatt & Co.
• XTO - XTO Energy Inc.

Of these thirteen, only one of these is newly picked by RSI:

British American Tobacco p.l.c., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. BTI is London based and yields 5.10%, not too shabby.

I have to look into my volatility algorithm, it looks like the volatility disparity in the upper stock chart is more than I expect. I might change my criteria. Anyway, I have a feeling that we are successfully establishing a base and the bottom may be behind us. We shall see...

RSI’s Themes: Only one ETF/CEF pick today and it was in the corporate bond fund sector.  That is a very conservative call. On the other hand RSI has picked a dozen individual stocks that run a gambit of enterprises, many of them foreign companies.  Half of the stock picks are new to RSI.

ETF/CEF Low Volatility:

• LQD - iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund

This is a new (to RSI) ETF which has a PYE of 0.77, 5.17, 0.15 some very nice numbers. For investors wanting a conservative investment that has some price appreciation, take a look at this fund.  Two things to consider about corporate bond funds, the interest rate risk and the viability of corporate businesses. Thus LQD should do well unless the Fed reverses course and raises rates or we dive deeper into a recession that hurts corporate America. As in life, there are risks to consider.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• BKE - Buckle, Inc.
• CPL - CPFL Energia SA
• CVD - Covance, Inc.
• FRO - Frontline Ltd.
• GBN - Great Basin Gold Ltd.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• ITG - Investment Technology Group
• MANT - ManTech Intl Corp.
• SVR - Syniverse Holdings Inc.
• TUP - Tupperware Brands Corp.
• URBN - Urban Outfitters, Inc.
• WW - Watson Wyatt & Co.

Stocks High Volatility:

• CCH - Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A.
• PCLN - priceline.com Inc.

We have several new faces on the stock list so here are their profiles:

Great Basin Gold, Ltd. engages in the acquisition, ownership, exploration, and development of precious metals deposits.  GBN is based in Vancouver, Canada.

Investment Technology Group, Inc. operates as an agency brokerage and technology company, which provides solutions spanning the investment process in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

ManTech International Corporation provides technologies and solutions for national security programs in the United States and internationally.

Syniverse Holdings, Inc. provides technology services for wireless telecommunications companies.

Urban Outfitters, Inc., a lifestyle merchandising company, operates specialty retail stores under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People brands in North America and Europe.

Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company S.A. engages in the production, distribution, and sale of alcohol free beverages, under franchise from The Coca-Cola Company. The company is based in Athens, Greece.

Catch a Falling Knife:

I won't report them today but there were 66 CFK funds on the list.  Almost all are repeats of my big data dump yesterday.  I'll make a compilation of new additions to the list and report them at a later time.

Well there you have it for the end of a good week.  Please stay tuned for a report I am working on discussing portfolio strategies.  I believe it will be instructive.

RSI’s Themes:  A couple of themes stand out...Steel, Energy & Foreign.  Interesting of all the stocks don't include the stars of today's blowout...the financials.  Credicorp Ltd. is a Peru based financial services company and really not involved

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• ILF - Latin America 40 Index iShares
• IYM - Basic Matls iShares
• SLX - Market Vectors Steel

ILF is a new addition and points to a foreign sector.  The others are in the materials sector.  Interesting choices.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• ABV - Companhia de Bebidas das Americas
• AKS -AKSteel Holding Corp.
• BAP -Credicorp Ltd.
• BKE - Buckle, Inc.
• BTM - Brasil Telecom SA
• CPL - CPFL Energia SA
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• KO - Coca Cola Co.
• RBA - Ritchie Bros Auctioneers
• ROS - Rostelecom
• SSL - Sasol Ltd.
• STR - Questar Corp.
• WFT - Weatherford Intl
• WW - Watson Wyatt & Co.

Stocks High Volatility:

• PCLN - priceline.com Inc.

We have five new stocks on RSI's list:

The Buckle, Inc. operates retail stores that offer casual apparel, footwear, and accessories for young men and women in the United States.

CPFL Energia S.A., through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, distribution, and commercialization of electric energy in Brazil.

Sasol Limited operates as an integrated oil and gas company.

Questar Corporation operates as a natural gas-focused energy company.

Watson Wyatt Worldwide, Inc. provides human capital and financial management consulting services worldwide.

RSI’s Themes: Overall RSI selected several materials stocks and funds followed by a couple of energy stocks.  Materials and energy makes sense in this current market environment, although the oil price run has certainly been extended.  Use due caution.

ETF/CEF Medium Volatility:

• BCF - BlackRock Real Asset Equity Trust
• IYM - Basic Matls iShares

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• FRO - Frontline Ltd.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• GNA - Gerdau AmeriSteel Corp.
• OMG - OMGroup, Inc.
• RBA - Ritchie Bros Auctioneers
• TUP - Tupperware Brands Corp.

Half of the stocks are new selections:

Gerdau Ameristeel Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as a minimill steel producer in North America.

OM Group, Inc. develops, processes, manufactures, and markets specialty chemicals, powders, metals, and related products from various base metals feeds, primarily cobalt.

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated operates as an auctioneer of industrial equipment primarily to the used construction, transportation, and agricultural equipment sectors worldwide.

Catch a Falling Knife:

Again, the list grows larger.  This weekend I will have a consolidated list for the bottom pickers out there.

RSI’s Themes:  On the ETF/CEF there were just a few picks however we had a lot of stocks picks today.  Certainly the RSI theme favors energy, materials and technology. Tread lightly on some of these energy names since there is evidence that oil prices may have peaked, and despite what RSI thinks, I would use caution on the energy sector.

ETF/CEF Low Volatility:

• IGE - Natural Resources iShares S&P/GSCI Index Fund
• NPI - Nuveen Prem Incm Muni Fund
• VDE - Vanguard Energy VIPERs

Although these funds are rated low volatility they do jump around.  NPI is new to RSI so a few facts on this CEF.  Its YPE is 5.43, -7.52, 1.16, not bad numbers and the yield is tax free, but check with your tax advisor first.  The muni-bond market has been very nervous of late and its chart reflects the anxiety.

Stocks Low Volatility:

• STR - Questar Corp.

Stocks Medium Volatility:

• AKS - AKSteel Holding Corp.
• BAP - Credicorp Ltd.
• CHU - China Unicom Ltd.
• GEF - Greif Bros. Corp.
• GGB - Gerdau Usa
• HOS - Hornbeck Offshore Services Inc.
• NE - Noble Drilling Corp.
• ORCL - Oracle Corp.
• PEG - Public Service Enterprise
• ROS - Rostelecom
• UL - Unilever PLC
• WFT - Weatherford Intl

Stocks High Volatility:

• AAPL - Apple, Inc.
• RBN - Robbins & Myers, Inc.

There are five newbies on the stock list, so let's have a look at them:

Apple Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells personal computers, portable digital music players, and mobile communication devices, as well as related software, services, peripherals, and networking solutions worldwide.

China Unicom Limited, an integrated telecommunications operator, offers a range of telecommunications services in China.

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides offshore supply vessels (OSVs) to the offshore oil and gas exploration and production industry.

Noble Corporation provides various services for the oil and gas industry in the United States and internationally.

Questar Corporation operates as a natural gas-focused energy company.

Catch a Falling Knife:

I cannot believe this but there are 104 CFK funds on the list.  Too many to list tonight, but maybe later this week I will list them. 

Parting note, in yesterday's blog I goofed and said that it was Tuesday.  Not so, today is Tuesday.  Sorry for the slip.