Stocks News

Below are the top small-cap meat products stocks on the NYSE, the NASDAQ and the AMEX in terms of return on equity. The trailing-twelve-month return on equity at Balchem Corporation (NASDAQ: BCPC) is 19.89%. BCPC's operating margin for the same period is 19.51%. The trailing-twelve-month return on equity at Sanderson Farms Inc (NASDAQ: SAFM) is 16.19%. SAFM's revenue for the same period is $1.93 billion. The trailing-twelve-month return on equity at Cagle's Inc (AMEX: CGL-A) is 14.36%. Cagle's revenue for the same period is $304.82 million. The trailing-twelve-month return on equity at Industrias Bachoco S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: IBA) is 12.94%.

Asian stocks fell today as oil expanded its gains, which increased worries about the effect of the rising energy prices on the global recovery. The Japanese car producing companies saw a decline in their shares today after City Group lowered their rating today. The MSCI Asia Pacific was almost unchanged today at 136.63 at 13:55 in Tokyo. The yen started rising again against the dollar, which brought more losses to the Japanese companies. Nikkei 225 Nikkei 225 fell today by 0.50% or 48.38 points closing at 9719.70. From 225 shares, 90 advanced, 119 declined and 16 unchanged. Sectors leading the decline were the industrials that lost 16.73 points and consumer goods that lost 15.19 points. Lagging shares today were TDK Corp which fell by 3.06% closing at 4600 yen, second was Honda Motor Co Ltd which fell by 2.22% closing at 2903 yen. And Kyocera Corp which fell by 1.40% closing at 8460 yen. Among the shares that Secom co Ltd topped the list by...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Wall Street expects Alcoa Inc (NYSE: AA) to report its Q1 EPS at $0.27 on revenue of $6.07 billion. AA shares dropped 0.45% to $17.84 in after-hours trading. Shaw Group Inc (NYSE: SHAW) is expected to report its FQ2 EPS at $0.47 on revenue of $1.54 billion. SHAW shares fell 0.55% to $35.25 in the after-hours trading session. Analysts expect Skystar Bio-Pharmaceutical Company (NASDAQ: SKBI) to report its Q4 EPS at $0.57 on revenue of $14.91 million. SKBI shares jumped 18.24% to close at $5.64 on Friday. Chemspec International Limited (NYSE: CPC) is projected to post its Q4 earnings at $0.16 per share on revenue of $36.41 million. CPC shares declined 0.67% to $7.43 in after-hours trading. Joe's Jeans Inc (NASDAQ: JOEZ) is estimated to post its Q1 EPS at $0.00 on revenue of $22.24 million.

BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), the world's largest mining company, is reportedly mulling a $48.5 billion bid for Woodside Petroleum (PK: WOPEY), Australia's second-largest oil and natural gas producer, a deal that several banks said looked doubtful over the past few weeks. BHP is in talks to acquire the 24% stake in Woodside Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS-A), Europe's largest oil company, is selling and then will make an all-out bid for Woodside, the Sunday Times of London reported. Shell's Woodside stake has been valued at $9 billion. With Shell knowing that BHP wants to move on Woodside, the Anglo-Dutch oil giant may want to sell the stake at a premium and could play "hardball" in the talks, the Australian reported. Shell confirmed in March that it would move forward with selling its Woodside stake, a move the company had previously announced, but the news still sparked a rally in Woodside shares amid speculation the Australian firm would once again become a takeover...

I’ve reported on Zoran Corp (ZRAN) here, here and here. The short story is that an activist investor, Ramius, was agitating for change and Zoran management agreed to merge with CSR plc in an all-stock transaction. March was a busy month for the three companies so let’s dive into the updates. On March 8, ZRAN made an announcement that Ramius was successful in its proxy fight: Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. … Ramius Value and Opportunity Master Fund Ltd (“Ramius”) had delivered the requisite consents to elect three new independent directors to the Company’s Board of Directors in substitution for three of the Company’s current independent Board members. Chairman Uzia Galil and board members James D. Meindl and Philip M. Young, the three longest-serving Board members, have been replaced Jon S. Castor, Dale Fuller and Jeffrey C. Smith. Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year. On March 3,...

The following is an excerpt taken from a model portfolio strategy update issued to clients April 4, 2011 at 6pm.  “Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) and National Semiconductor (NSM) today announced they have signed a definitive agreement under which TI will acquire National for $25 per share in an all-cash transaction of about $6.5 billion…The boards of directors of both companies have unanimously approved the transaction.” That price is nearly double the $14.07 it closed at today.  This should have a positive impact on semiconductor stocks tomorrow. NSM ranked high for Relative Value but Analyst Revision Momentum was poor.  Perhaps this is the new template for technology acquisitions.  If so, perhaps should keep a close eye on ReneSola Ltd. (SOL) and Micrel Inc. (MCRL), which rank similarly to NSM in Relative Value and Analyst Revision Momentum but better in in Operating Momentum and Fundamental Quality. With the first sell side commentary we have seen on this deal, Barron’s writes that Miller Tabak “sees Fairchild Semiconductor...

On CNBC's Options Action, Mike Khouw suggested that investors should consider a long position in Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC). He explained that Intel (INTC) struggled recently, but usually it bottoms around 9.5 times earnings. Intel (INTC) is currently trading at 9.6 earnings, and Mike Khouw thinks that it would be a good idea to have a long position in this stock. He thinks that it is better to use options to make that purchase. Specifically, Mike Khouw wants to buy the May 20 call for $0.40. The break even for this trade is at $20.40, and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) closed today's session at $19.49 with a decline of 1.17%.