Friday, August 1, 2014

PAM Transportation Services - Barchart's Chart of the Day

PAM Transportation Services (PTSI) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The long distance trucking company has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a Weighted Alpha of 195.90+ and gained 192.59% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to PAM Transportation Services (PSTI).  I found the stock by sorting today's All Time High list for new high frequency in the last month then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 6/30 the stock gained 24.32%.

PTSI is an irregular route, common and contract motor carrier authorized to transport general commodities. The freight consists primarily of automotive parts, consumer goods, such as general retail store merchandise, and products from the manufacturing sector, such as heating and air conditioning units. All freight is transported as truckload quantities.


The status of Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read.

Barchart technical indicators:

  • 88% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 11 new highs and up 24.32% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 68.32% 
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 33.24
  • Recently traded at 34.76 with a 50 day moving average of 28.68
Fundamental factors:
  • Market Cap $277.73 million
  • P/E 32.76
  • Revenue expected to grow .90% this year and another 5.80% next year
  • Earnings estimated to increase 95.70% this year, an additional 55.60% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 20.00% for the next 5 years
  • The analyst following the stock has a buy recommendation issued
As the economy improves trucking companies should benefit.  Please use the 50 day moving average as a caution signal and exit at the 100 day moving average.

Buy Signals - MAMS,CYBE,PLNR

Earlier in the week when the market was a little more solid I added Mams Software (MAMS), Cyberoptics (CYBE) and Planar Systems (PLNR) to the Barchart Van Meerten Speculative portfolio.   All have moved down some since I purchased them and I do not advise you to add any stocks to your portfolio until the market stabilizes.  The technical indicators are from this morning not the day the purchase orders were entered.

Mam Software (MAMS)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 80% Barchart technical by signals
  • Trend Spotter buy  signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 15 new highs and up 18.22% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 64.62%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 6.16
  • Recently traded at 6.36 with a 50 day moving average of 5.68
Cyberoptics (CYBE)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 16% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter hold signal
  • Above its 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 11 new highs and up 3.25% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 46.57%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 7.79
  • Recently traded at 8.25 with a 50 day moving average of 8.16


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 100% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 12 new highs and up 9.80% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 66.19%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 2.62
  • Recently traded at 2.69 with a 50 day moving average of 2.38






BARCHART MORNING CALL 8/1

OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
September E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 -0.58%) this morning are down -0.57% at a 1-3/4 month low and European stocks are down -1.42% at a 4-month low as the global stock market rout continues for a second day. The Eurozone Jul manufacturing PMI was revised downward to match its slowest pace of expansion in 8 months, while developments in Latin America will be closely monitored after Argentina missed a deadline Thursday to pay $539 million in interest. The International Swaps & Derivatives Association said it will decide later this morning if credit-default swaps linked to Argentina debt have been triggered by a failure-to-pay credit event. Asian stocks closed lower: Japan -0.63%, Hong Kong -0.91%, China -0.89%, Taiwan -0.53%, Australia -1.36%, Singapore -0.88%, South Korea -0.42%, India -1.60%. China's Shanghai Stock Index initially rallied up to a 7-1/2 month high after Chinese Jul manufacturing activity expanded at the fastest pace in 2-1/4 years, but stock prices fell back and closed lower as the global stock market selloff overshadowed the better-than-expected manufacturing data. Commodity prices are mostly lower. Sep crude oil (CLU14 -0.67%) is down -0.84% at a 5-3/4 month low on fund selling and demand concerns. The CEO of the CVR Refinery in Coffeyville, Kansas, said that the refinery may be closed for four weeks because of damage from a fire. The refinery uses crude from Cushing, Oklahoma, and a prolonged shutdown of the refinery will curb demand and lead to increased stockpiles at Cushing. Sep gasoline (RBU14 -0.16%) is down -0.34%. Dec gold (GCZ14 +0.14%) is up +0.23%. Sep copper (HGU14 -0.50%) is down -0.39%. Agriculture and livestock prices are mostly lower. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.04%) is up +0.01%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up +0.04%. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.15%. Sep T-note prices (ZNU14 -0.09%) are down -5 ticks.
The China Jul manufacturing PMI rose +0.7 to 51.7, stronger than expectations of +0.4 to 51.4 and the fastest pace of expansion in 2-1/4 years.
The German Jul Markit/BME manufacturing PMI was revised downward to 52.4 from the originally reported 52.9.
The Eurozone Jul Markit manufacturing PMI was revised lower to match Jun's 8-month low of 51.8 from the originally reported 51.9.
The UK Jul Markit manufacturing PMI fell -1.8 from a downward revised 57.2 in Jun (originally reported 57.5) to 55.4, weaker than expectations of -0.3 to 57.2 and the slowest pace of expansion in a year.
U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
The market is expecting today’s July payrolls to show a solid increase of +231,000, which would be the sixth consecutive month of payroll increases in excess of +200,000. The market is expecting today’s July unemployment rate to be unchanged from June’s 6-year low of 6.1%, the lowest level since July 2008. The market is expecting today’s July ISM manufacturing index to show a +0.7 point increase to 56.0, more than overcoming June’s -0.1 point decline to 55.3. Today’s June PCE deflator, which is the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, is expected to ease slightly to +1.7% y/y from +1.8% in May. Meanwhile, the June core PCE deflator is expected to ease to +1.4% y/y from +1.5% in May. Today’s final-July U.S. consumer confidence index from the University of Michigan is expected to show an increase of +0.4 to 81.7 from the early-July level of 81.3. Today’s July total vehicle sales report is expected to ease to 16.70 million units from 16.92 million units in June.
There are 5 of the S&P 500 companies that report earnings today: Procter & Gamble (consensus $0.91), Health Care REIT (1.02), Weyerhaeuser (0.35), Chevron (2.63), Clorox (1.35). There are no equity conferences today.
OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
Procter & Gamble (PG -1.07%) reported Q4 EPS of 95 cents, better than consensus of 91 cents.
Live Nation (LYV -2.68%) reported Q2 EPS of 11 cents, below consensus of 15 cents.
Boyd Gaming (BYD -2.40%) reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 5 cents, weaker than consensus of 8 cents.
DaVita (DVA -1.23%) reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 95 cents, stronger than consensus of 89 cents.
Insight Enterprises (NSIT -4.47%) reported Q2 EPS ex-items of 74 cents, better than consensus of 72 cents.
ON Semiconductor (ONNN -2.84%) reported Q2 EPS of 20 cents, better than consensus of 19 cents.
Fluor (FLR -2.89%) reported Q2 EPS of $1.02, higher than consensus of 99 cents.
Mohawk (MHK -1.54%) reported Q2 EPS ex-items of $2.21, better than consensus of $2.20.
Genpact (G -0.17%) reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 27 cents, better than consensus of 26 cents.
Montpelier Re (MRH +0.10%) was downgraded to 'Hold' from 'Buy' at Deutsche Bank.
Tesla (TSLA -2.46%) climbed 4% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 11 cents, nearly three times consensus of 4 cents.
Western Union ({=WU reported Q2 EPS of 36 cents, right on consensus, although Q2 revenue of $1.41 billion was slightly below consensus of $1.42 billion.
Outerwall (OUTR +2.40%) reported Q2 core EPS of $1.42, higher than consensus of $1.36.
LinkedIn (LNKD -3.55%) jumped over 5% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 adjusted EPS of 51 cents, better than consensus of 39 cents, and then raised guidance on fiscal 2014 adjusted EPS to approximately $1.80, higher than consensus of $1.64.
Expedia (EXPE -2.77%) rose over 4% in after-houre trading after it reported Q2 EPS of $1.03, much higher than consensus of 76 cents.
Edison International (EIX -1.76%) reported Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.08, well above consensus of 83 cents.
MARKET COMMENTS
Sep E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 -0.58%) this morning are down -11.00 points (-0.57%) at a 1-3/4 month low. The S&P 500 index on Thursday plunged to a 1-1/4 month low and closed sharply lower: S&P 500 -2.00%, Dow Jones -1.88%, Nasdaq -2.10%. Negative factors included (1) Argentine debt concerns after S&P said Argentina was in default after it missed an interest payment on $13 billion of debt, (2) the unexpected -10.0 point decline in the Chicago Jul PMI to a 13-month low of 52.6, weaker than expectations of +0.4 to 63.0, and (3) concern that labor costs may be on the rise after the +0.7% in the Q2 employment cost index, higher than expectations of +0.5% and the fastest growth rate in 5-3/4 years.
Sep 10-year T-notes (ZNU14 -0.09%) this morning are down -5 ticks. Sep 10-year T-note futures prices on Thursday posted a 3-week low but pared most of their losses and closed just slightly lower. Bearish factors included (1) technical selling with the 3-week low, and (2) the +0.7% increase in the U.S. Q2 employment cost index, the most in 5-3/4 years. T-notes recovered from their worst levels after the a plunge in stocks boosted safe-haven demand for T-notes. Closes: TYU4 -1.50, FVU4 +1.00.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.04%) this morning is up +0.009 (+0.01%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is up 0.0006 (+0.04%) and USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.15 (+0.15%). The dollar index on Thursday rose to a 10-1/2 month high and closed higher. Bullish factors included (1) increased safe-haven demand after the S&P 500 plunged to a 1-1/4 month low, and (2) weakness in EUR/USD on speculation the ECB may expand stimulus measures after Eurozone Jul CPI unexpectedly weakened to +0.4% y/y, lower than expectations of unch at +0.5% y/y and the slowest growth rate in 4-3/4 years. Closes: Dollar index +0.024 (+0.03%), EUR/USD -0.00067 (-0.05%), USD/JPY unch.
Sep WTI crude oil (CLU14 -0.67%) this morning is down -82 cents (-0.84%) at a 5-3/4 month low and Sep gasoline (RBU14 -0.16%) is down -0.0094 (-0.34%). Sep crude and gasoline prices on Thursday closed sharply lower with Sep crude at a 2-week low and Sep gasoline at a 3-1/2 month low: CLU4 -2.10 (-2.09%), RBU4 -0.0345 (-1.23%). Bearish factors included (1) the rally in the dollar index to a 10-1/2 month high, and (2) negative carry-over from Wednesday’s EIA data that showed a +789,000 bbl increase in EIA distillate inventories to a 10-month high and a +365,000 bbl increase in gasoline inventories to a 4-month high.
GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR08/01/2014
US0830 ETJul non-farm payrolls expected +231,000, Jun +288,000. Jul private payrolls expected +230,000, Jun +262,000. Jul manufacturing payrolls expected +14,000, Jun +16,000. Jul unemployment rate expected unchanged at 6.1%, Jun -0.2 to 6.1%.
0830 ETJul avg hourly earnings expected +0.2% m/m and +2.2% y/y, Jun +0.2% m/m and +2.0% y/y. Jul avg weekly hours expected 34.5 hours, Jun 34.5.
0830 ETJun personal spending expected +0.4%, May +0.2%. Jun personal income expected +0.4%, May +0.4%.
0830 ETJun PCE deflator expected +0.2% m/m and +1.7% y/y, May +0.2% m/m and +1.8% y/y. Jun PCE core deflator expected +0.1% m/m and +1.4% y/y, May +0.2% m/m and +1.5% y/y.
0945 ETRevised Jul Markit manufacturing PMI expected +0.2 to 56.5.
0955 ETFinal-July U.S. consumer confidence index (University of Michigan) expected +0.4 to 81.7, early-July -1.2 to 81.3.
1000 ETJul ISM manufacturing index expected +0.7 to 56.0, Jun -0.1 to 55.3. Jul ISM new orders, Jun +2.0 to 58.9. Jul ISM employment, Jun unch at 52.8. Jul ISM prices paid expected +0.5 to 58.5, Jun -2.0 to 58.0.
1000 ETJun construction spending expected +0.5%, May +0.1% m/m.
n/aJul total vehicle sales expected 16.70 million, Jun 16.92 million. Jul domestic vehicle sales expected 13.20 million, Jun 13.25 million.
JPN0100 ETJapan Jul vehicle sales, Jun -0.7% y/y.
GER0355 ETRevised German Jul Markit/BME manufacturing PMI expected unrevised at 52.9.
EUR0400 ETRevised Eurozone Jul Markit manufacturing PMI expected unrevised at 51.9.
UK0430 ETUK Jul Markit manufacturing PMI expected -0.3 to 57.2, Jun 57.5.
U.S. STOCK CALENDAR08/01/2014
Company NameTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Procter & Gamble Co/ThePG USBef-mktQ4 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20140.908
Health Care REIT IncHCN USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.016
Weyerhaeuser CoWY USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.345
Procter & Gamble Co/ThePG US8:30Q4 2014 Earnings CallQ4 2014
Chevron CorpCVX US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20142.632
Clorox Co/TheCLX US8:30Q4 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20141.351
Northeast UtilitiesNU US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Morgan StanleyMS US9:00Fixed Income Investor Conference Call
Ford Motor CoF US9:00July 2014 Sales and Revenue Release2014
Ford Motor CoF US9:30July 2014 Sales and Revenue Call2014
Health Care REIT IncHCN US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Southwestern Energy CoSWN US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Weyerhaeuser CoWY US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Mohawk Industries IncMHK US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Chevron CorpCVX US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Public StoragePSA US13:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Apartment Investment & Management CoAIV US13:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Clorox Co/TheCLX US13:15Q4 2014 Earnings CallQ4 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Sold Allegheny Technologies

Today I deleted Allegheny Technologies (ATI) from the Barchart Van Meerten New High portfolio for negative price momentum:


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 56% Barchart technical sell signal
  • Trend Spotter sell signal
  • Below its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 18.72% off its recent high
  • Relative Strength Index 21.05%


Cooper Companies - Barchart Chart of the Day

Cooper Companies (COO) is the Barchart Chart of the Day.  The health care products stock has a Trend Spotter buy signal, a weighted Alpha of 33.40+ and gained 28.38% in the last year.

The Chart of the Day belongs to Cooper Companies (COO). I found the stock by sorting the All Time High list for new high frequency in the last month then used the Flipchart feature to review the charts.  Since the Trend Spotter signaled a buy on 6/6 the stock gained 20.64%.

COO through its principal subsidiaries, develops, manufactures and markets healthcare products. CooperVision markets a range of contact lenses to correct visual defects, specializing in toric lenses that correct astigmatism. The company also markets conventional toric and spherical lenses and lenses for patients with more complex vision disorders. CooperSurgical markets diagnostic products, surgical instruments and accessories to the women's healthcare market.


The status of Barchart's Opinion trading systems are listed below. Please note that the Barchart Opinion indicators are updated live during the session every 10 minutes and can therefore change during the day as the market fluctuates. The indicator numbers shown below therefore may not match what you see live on the Barchart.com web site when you read.

Barchart technical indicators:

  • 96% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 11 new highs and up 18.70% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 72.51%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 157.92
  • Recently traded at 160.88 with a 50 day moving average of 141.45
Fundamental factors:
  • Market Cap $7.70 billion
  • P/E 25.35
  • Dividend yield .04%
  • Revenue expected to grow 7.70% this year and another 7.90% next year
  • Earnings estimated to increase 15.60% this year, an additional 13.10% next year and continue to increase at an annual rate of 15.50% for the next 5 years
  • Wall Street analysts issued 5 strong buy, 3 buy and 4 hold reports on the stock
Hitting All Time new highs in spite of a soft market,  Use the 50 and 100 day moving averages as your guide.

Some Additions to mu portfolio

Earlier in the week before the recent market correction I made a few buys in the Barchart Van Meerten New High Portfolio.  The additions were Equity Residential (EQR), Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT).  They have moved a little since then but I think they are still sound.

Equity Residential (EQR)


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 72% Barchart technical buy signal
  • Trend Spotter hold signal
  • Above its 2, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 15 new highs and up 2.84% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 53.75%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 64.40
  • Recently traded at 64.80 with a 50 day moving average of 63.05


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 64% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 100 day moving average
  • 14 new highs and up 10.06% in the last month
  • Relative Strength Index 62.98%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 62.54
  • Recently traded at 63.13 with a 50 day moving average of 60.67


Barchart technical indicators:
  • 72% Barchart technical buy signals
  • Trend Spotter buy signal
  • Above its 20, 50 and 100 day moving averages
  • 13 new highs and up 6.54% in the last  month
  • Relative Strength Index 59.04%
  • Barchart computes a technical support level at 33.39
  • Recently traded at 33.28 with a 50 day moving average of 31.40
In the most recent Marketocracy rankings this portfolio beat 97.9% of the 100,000 portfolios they review and beat 90.4% for the 5 year period.




BARCHART MORNING CALL 7/31


OVERNIGHT MARKETS AND NEWS
September E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 -0.59%) this morning are down -0.56% and European stocks are down -0.86%, both at 1-1/2 week lows, as company earnings results disappointed. Samsung, the world's biggest smartphone maker, fell 3.7% in South Korea and led technology stocks lower after it reported Q2 net income that fell short of consensus, while Lufthansa dropped nearly 6% after Europe's second-largest airline said Q2 profit fell and predicted travel markets will remain weak in the second half of this year. Standard & Poor's said Argentina was in default after it missed an interest payment on $13 billion of debt. Asian stocks closed mixed: Japan -0.16%, Hong Kong +0.10%, China +1.22%, Taiwan -1.39%, Australia +0.18%, Singapore +0.61%, South Korea -0.55%, India -0.74%. China's Shanghai Stock Index climbed to its highest level in 7-1/2 months on speculation government stimulus and reform measures will boost economic growth. Commodity prices are mixed. Sep crude oil (CLU14 -0.72%) is down -0.74% at a 2-week low as it fell below $100 a barrel on dollar strength. Sep gasoline (RBU14 -0.56%) is down -0.69% at a 3-1/2 month low. Aug gold (GCQ14 -0.05%) is up +0.05%. Sep copper (HGU14 -0.06%) is up +0.11%. Agriculture and livestock prices are lower. The dollar index (DXY00 +0.08%) is up +0.06%. EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.07% after weaker-than-expected Eurozone Jul CPI boosted the prospects for additional ECB easing measures. USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.08%. Sep T-note prices (ZNU14 -0.01%) are unchanged.
The Eurozone Jul CPI estimate unexpectedly weakened to +0.4% y/y, lower than expectations of unch at +0.5% y/y and the slowest pace of increase in 4-3/4 years. The Jul core CPI rose +0.8% y/y, right on expectations.
The Eurozone Jun unemployment rate unexpectedly fell -0.1 to 11.5%, better than expectations of no change at 11.6% y/y and the lowest in 1-3/4 years.
The German Jul unemployment change fell -12,000, over double expectations of -5,000 and the first decrease in 3 months. The Jul unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.7%, right on expectations and the lowest since data for a reunified Germany began in 1991.
German Jun retail sales were mixed as sales rose +1.3% m/m, better than expectations of +1.0% m/m, but rose only +0.4% y/y, less than expectations of +1.3% y/y.
UK Jul GfK consumer confidence unexpectedly fell -3 points to -2, weaker than expectations of +1 to 2.
UK Jul nationwide house prices rose +0.1% m/m and +10.6% y/y, less than expectations of +0.5% m/m and +11.3% y/y.
Japan Jun labor cash earnings rose +0.4% y/y, less than expectations of +0.8% y/y.

U.S. STOCK PREVIEW
Today’s weekly initial unemployment claims report is expected to show a +16,000 gain to 300,000, reversing most of last week’s -19,000 decline to 284,000. Meanwhile, today’s continuing claims report is expected to show a -8,000 decline to 2.492 million, matching last week’s decline of -8,000 to 2.500 million. Today’s Q2 employment cost index is expected to strengthen to +0.5% q/q (+2.0% annualized) from +0.3% (+1.2% annualized) in Q1. Today’s July Chicago PMI report is expected to show a +0.4 point increase to 63.0, recovering some of the sharp -2.9 point loss to 62.6 seen in June.
There are 51 of the S&P 500 companies that report earnings today with notable reports including: Mastercard (consensus $0.77), Exxon (1.86), Kellogg (1.02), Expedia (0.76), CME Group (0.79), Time Warner (1.90), ConocoPhillips (1.61), Marathon Petroleum (2.20), ADP (0.63), Excelon (0.50). Equity conferences this week include the following: Institute of Validation technology on Tue-Thu, and Marcus Evans 13th Annual Outage Management for Power Plants Conference on Tue-Thu.

OVERNIGHT U.S. STOCK MOVERS
CME Group (CME +0.44%) reported Q2 EPS of 77 cents, below consensus of 79 cents.
Avon Products (AVP +0.39%) reported Q2 EPS of 20 cents, weaker than consensus of 21 cents.
Con-way (CNW +0.19%) reported Q2 EPS of 91 cents, well above consensus of 75 cents.
Lam Research (LRCX -1.32%) reported Q4 adjusted EPS of $1.25, better than consensus of $1.23.
Western Digital (WDC +0.38%) reported Q4 EPS of $1.85, stronger than consensus of $1.74.
Unum Group (UNM -0.46%) reported Q2 EPS of 94 cents, higher than consensus of 87 cents.
Endurance Specialty (ENH -0.19%) terminated its offer to acquire Aspen Insurance (AHL -0.63%) .
Hologic (HOLX +1.68%) reported Q3 EPS of 37 cents, better than consensus of 34 cents, and then raisd guidance on fiscal 2014 EPS view ex-items to $1.44-$1.45 from $1.37-$1.40, higher than consensus of $1.40.
Allstate (ALL -0.28%) gained nearly 3% in after-hours tradng after it reported Q2 operating EPS of $1.01, well above consensus of 70 cents.
MetLife (MET +0.65%) reported Q2 EPS of $1.39, less than consensus of $1.41.
Kraft Foods (KRFT -0.90%) dropped over 2% in after-hours trading after it reported Q2 EPS of 80 cents, weaker than consensus of 83 cents.
Fortune Brands (FBHS +0.11%) reported Q2 EPS of 55 cents, higher than consensus of 54 cents, although Q2 revenue of $1.14 billion was slightly less than consensus of $1.17 billion.
Whiting Petroleum (WLL -0.13%) rose over 1% in after-hours trading after it reported adjusted Q2 EPS of $1.40, stronger than consensus of $1.28.
AMC Entertainment (AMC -0.31%) reported Q2 EPS of 32 cents, higher than consensus of 29 cents.
Whole Foods Market (WFM +3.80%) fell over 4% in afer-hours trading after it reported Q3 EPS of 41 cents, better than consensus of 39 cents, but then lowered guidance on fiscal 2014 EPS view to $1.52-$1.54 from $1.52-$1.56, at the low end of consensus of $1.53.
Akamai (AKAM +2.93%) reported Q2 EPS of 58 cents, higher than consensus of 55 cents.

MARKET COMMENTS
Sep E-mini S&Ps (ESU14 -0.59%) this morning are down -11,00 points (-0.56%). The S&P 500 index on Wednesday recovered from a 1-1/2 week low and closed higher: S&P 500 +0.01%, Dow Jones -0.19%, Nasdaq +0.43%. Bullish factors included (1) the +4.0% gain in U.S. Q2 GDP, stronger than expectations of +3.0% as Q2 personal consumption rose +2.5%, better than expectations of +1.9%, and (2) positive Q2 company earnings results as 77% of reporting S&P 500 companies have beaten estimates. A negative factor was the +218,000 increase in Jul ADP employment, less than expectations of +230,000.
Sep 10-year T-notes (ZNU14 -0.01%) this morning are unch. Sep 10-year T-note futures prices on Wednesday tumbled to a 3-week low and closed lower. Bearish factors included (1) the stronger-than-expected U.S. Q2 GDP of +4.0%, which bolstered the outlook for the Fed to raise interest rates sooner rather than later, and (2) the +2.0% increase in the Q2 core PCE deflator, more than expectations of +1.9% and the fastest pace in 2-1/4 years. Closes: TYU4 -23.00, FVU4 -11.00.
The dollar index (DXY00 +0.08%) this morning is up +0.048 (+0.06%). EUR/USD (^EURUSD) is down -0.0010 (-0.07%) and USD/JPY (^USDJPY) is up +0.08 (+0.08%). The dollar index on Wednesday soared to a 10-1/2 month high after the stronger-than-expected U.S. Q2 GDP report bolstered the outlook for the Fed to tighten monetary policy. EUR/USD fell to an 8-1/2 month low and USD/JPY rose to a 2-3/4 month high as the yen weakened on speculation the BOJ may expand its stimulus measures after Japan Jun industrial production fell -3.3% m/m, the most in 3-1/4 years. Closes: Dollar index +0.218 (+0.27%), EUR/USD -0.0012 (-0.09%), USD/JPY +0.672 (+0.66%).
Sep WTI crude oil (CLU14 -0.72%) this morning is down -74 cents (-0.74%) at a 2-week low and Sep gasoline (RBU14 -0.56%) is down -0.0194 (-0.69%) at a 3-1/2 month low. Sep crude and gasoline prices on Wednesday closed lower with Sep crude at a 2-week low and Sep gasoline at a 2-1/2 month low: CLU4 -1.29 (-1.28%), RBU4 -0.0419 (-1.47%). Bearish factors included (1) the rally in the dollar index to a 10-1/2 month high, and (2) the +789,000 bbl increase in EIA distillate inventories to a 10-month high of 126.7 million bbl. Crude prices failed to rally on the -3.697 million bbl drop in weekly EIA inventories, three times more than expectations of a -1.25 million bbl draw.

GLOBAL EVENT CALENDAR07/31/2014
US0730 ETJul Challenger job cuts, Jun -20.2% y/y.
0830 ETWeekly initial unemployment claims expected +16,000 to 300,000, previous -19,000 to 284,000. Weekly continuing claims expected -8,000 to 2.492 million, previous -8,000 to 2.500 million.
0830 ETUSDA weekly Export Sales.
0830 ETQ2 employment cost index expected +0.5%, Q1 +0.3%.
0900 ETJul Milwaukee ISM expected +0.4 to 61.0, Jun -2.92 to 60.57.
0945 ETJul Chicago PMI expected +0.4 to 63.0, Jun -2.9 to 62.6.
JPN0100 ETJapan Jun annualized housing starts expected -11.5% y/y to 857,000, May -15.0% y/y to 872,000.
0100 ETJapan Jun construction orders, May +13.7% y/y.
GER0200 ETGerman Jun retail sales expected +1.0% m/m and +1.3% y/y, May -0
0355 ETGerman Jul unemployment change expected -5,000, Jun +9,000. Jul unemployment rate expected unch at 6.7%, Jun 6.7%.
EUR0500 ETEurozone Jul CPI estimate expected +0.5% y/y, Jun +0.5% y/y. Jul core CPI expected +0.8% y/y, Jun +0.8% y/y.
0500 ETEurozone Jun unemployment rate expected unchanged at 11.6%, May 11.6%.
UK0200 ETUK Jul Nationwide House Price index expected +0.5% m/m and +11.3% y/y, June +1.0% m/m and +11.8% y/y.
CHI2100 ETChina Jul manufacturing PMI (National Bureau of Statistics) expected +0.4 to 51.4, Jun +0.2 to 51.0.
2145 ETFinal-July HSBC China manufacturing PMI expected unch at 52.0, prelim-Jul +1.3 to 52.0.

U.S. STOCK CALENDAR07/31/2014
Company NameTickerTimeEvent DescriptionPeriodEstimate
Pentair PLCPNR USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.034
Xcel Energy IncXEL USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.405
DIRECTVDTV USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.533
Occidental Petroleum CorpOXY USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.764
Marathon Petroleum CorpMPC USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20142.195
PG&E CorpPCG USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.75
BorgWarner IncBWA USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.871
PPL CorpPPL USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.454
Automatic Data Processing IncADP USBef-mktQ4 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ4 20140.629
Exelon CorpEXC USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.497
Avon Products IncAVP USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.213
Pinnacle West Capital CorpPNW USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.148
L-3 Communications Holdings IncLLL USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20142.016
SCANA CorpSCG USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.616
McKesson CorpMCK USBef-mktQ1 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20152.327
Colgate-Palmolive CoCL USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.734
TECO Energy IncTE USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.268
MasterCard IncMA USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.768
Ensco PLCESV USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.314
CME Group Inc/ILCME USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.793
Delphi Automotive PLCDLPH USBef-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.326
Ball CorpBLL US6:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.022
Becton Dickinson and CoBDX US6:00Q3 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ3 20141.671
Cigna CorpCI US6:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.842
Iron Mountain IncIRM US6:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.423
Time Warner Cable IncTWC US6:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.901
Helmerich & Payne IncHP US6:00Q3 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ3 20141.63
Host Hotels & Resorts IncHST US6:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.434
Quanta Services IncPWR US6:07Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.403
Newell Rubbermaid IncNWL US6:30Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.544
NiSource IncNI US6:30Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.244
Discovery Communications IncDISCA US7:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.966
ConocoPhillipsCOP US7:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.606
Mosaic Co/TheMOS US7:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.739
DENTSPLY International IncXRAY US7:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.682
Legg Mason IncLM US7:00Q1 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20150.553
Invesco LtdIVZ US7:30Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.586
Newell Rubbermaid IncNWL US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Apache CorpAPA US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.64
Allegion PLCALLE US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Becton Dickinson and CoBDX US8:00Q3 2014 Earnings CallQ3 2014
Exxon Mobil CorpXOM US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.862
Kellogg CoK US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.017
Legg Mason IncLM US8:00Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
MetLife IncMET US8:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Discovery Communications IncDISCA US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
PPL CorpPPL US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Automatic Data Processing IncADP US8:30Q4 2014 Earnings CallQ4 2014
McKesson CorpMCK US8:30Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
Cigna CorpCI US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Iron Mountain IncIRM US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Tesoro CorpTSO US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Time Warner Cable IncTWC US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
DENTSPLY International IncXRAY US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
CME Group Inc/ILCME US8:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Pentair PLCPNR US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
NiSource IncNI US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Avon Products IncAVP US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
TECO Energy IncTE US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Invesco LtdIVZ US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Noble Corp plcNE US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Unum GroupUNM US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
MasterCard IncMA US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Mosaic Co/TheMOS US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Delphi Automotive PLCDLPH US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Allstate Corp/TheALL US9:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
BorgWarner IncBWA US9:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Quanta Services IncPWR US9:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Williams Cos Inc/TheWMB US9:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Kellogg CoK US9:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Xcel Energy IncXEL US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Occidental Petroleum CorpOXY US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Marathon Petroleum CorpMPC US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Exelon CorpEXC US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Progressive Corp/ThePGR US10:00Investor Relations Conference Call
Lincoln National CorpLNC US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Host Hotels & Resorts IncHST US10:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
PG&E CorpPCG US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Ball CorpBLL US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
L-3 Communications Holdings IncLLL US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Hartford Financial Services Group Inc/TheHIG US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Colgate-Palmolive CoCL US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Exxon Mobil CorpXOM US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
FMC CorpFMC US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Ensco PLCESV US11:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Helmerich & Payne IncHP US11:00Q3 2014 Earnings CallQ3 2014
ConocoPhillipsCOP US12:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Pinnacle West Capital CorpPNW US12:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Michael Kors Holdings LtdKORS US12:00Annual General MeetingY 2014
Murphy Oil CorpMUR US13:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
DIRECTVDTV US14:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Apache CorpAPA US14:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
SCANA CorpSCG US15:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Western Union Co/TheWU US16:00Q2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.357
Western Union Co/TheWU US16:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Expedia IncEXPE US16:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
DaVita HealthCare Partners IncDVA US17:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Microchip Technology IncMCHP US17:00Q1 2015 Earnings CallQ1 2015
Edison InternationalEIX US17:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
PerkinElmer IncPKI US17:00Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014
Electronic Arts IncEA US17:00Annual General Meeting
Northeast UtilitiesNU USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.506
Fluor CorpFLR USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.992
DaVita HealthCare Partners IncDVA USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.888
Microchip Technology IncMCHP USAft-mktQ1 2015 Earnings ReleaseQ1 20150.665
Mohawk Industries IncMHK USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20142.197
Edison InternationalEIX USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.818
Public StoragePSA USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20141.961
PerkinElmer IncPKI USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.579
Apartment Investment & Management CoAIV USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.505
Expedia IncEXPE USAft-mktQ2 2014 Earnings ReleaseQ2 20140.758
Fluor CorpFLR US17:30Q2 2014 Earnings CallQ2 2014