Apple Reports Another Great Quarter

Apple Computer (AAPL) reported another excellent quarter. There is absolutely no reason that anyone who was bullish prior to the quarter should change their opinion. And there is reason to believe bears might have to rethink their position. Estimates will rise by about the same 5% increase in the stock price after hours so the […]

Motorola: A Few Kinks

Although all client holdings of MOT were sold a few months ago, I am posting the latest earnings summary on the main page as the latest quarter highlights some of the reason why I sold the stock There was some good and bad in the Motorola (MOT) earnings report but the bottom line is that […]

Dow Jones: Transition To Digital Underway But Too Early To Own

Dow Jones (DJ) reported earnings a day ahead of schedule due to the announcement of its acquisition of the 50% interest in Factiva owned by Reuters. Reuters and DJ formed a 50/50 joint venture for Factiva in the late 1990s. DJ will now control of Factiva and consolidate its financials. Factiva is a subscription based […]

Tribune: As Bad The Cubs

Tribune (TRB) reported an unimportant quarter form the perspective of the near-term stock price. It is not just that the near-term will be dominated by the outcome of the strategic review due by year end. The quarter was just more of the same, which means bad, and won’t move the needle at all. In fact, […]

New Tork Times Headline Remains: Do Not Buy

New York Times (NYT) reported EPS of 10 cents but adjusted for one-time items, the figure could be as high 16 cents. Guidance was 11-15 cents, so it looks like it can be called at the high end of guidance and ahead of consensus of 12 cents. Revenues look about $10 million light after adjusting […]

Apple September Quarter Earnings Preview

While Apple Computer (AAPL) shares are always volatile around earnings, I think the set up heading into this quarter is unusual. On the one hand, it is AAPL. The expectations are high and the company might receive more scrutiny than any other. The stock has rallied 50% from the summer lows following the excellent June […]

Solid Quarter From Scripps

E.W. Scripps (SSP) reported better than expected 3Q06 earnings driven by strong performance from the company’s cable networks and political advertising at the company’s TV stations. The shares are up sharply in a weak tape as they deserve to be. Cable Networks and Interactive (Shopzilla and uSwitch) are about 2/3rds of SSP’s EBITDA and account […]

Central European Media Enterprises In NY Times and Wall Street Journal

Yesterday’s New York Times had a major article about Ronald Lauder’s investment in Central European Media Enterprises (CETV). In an odd coincidence, the Wall Street Journal had an article the same day about the attractive television markets in Central and Eastern Europe. My good friend and major CETV shareholder, Mark Riely, was mentioned in both […]

Insider Buying at Sears Holdings

On Friday, theflyonthewall.com, citing a report in Barron’s Online, noted that there was some meaningful insider buying at Sears Holding (SHLD) recently: A director at Sears Holding (SHLD) recently bought $5.5M worth of the company’s stock just as it was climbing to an all-time high. Richard C. Perry, the co-founder and president of Perry Capital, […]

Updated Advertising Forecast For 2007

Yesterday, Merrill Lynch analyst Lauren Fine lowered her 2006 and 2007 forecasts for U.S. advertising. Lauren has been ahead of the curve this year with below consensus forecasts for advertising growth so this is a call worth paying attention to, particularly for 2007. Based upon Merrill’s forecast for nominal GDP growth of 4.5% and real […]