Dec 31 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of top stories before the stock market open.

Dec 30 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of top stories before the stock market open.

December Stock & Option Set Ups

December Stock & Option Set Ups...

December's Set Ups

Here are next week's economic releases and earnings reports...

Economic Releases & Earnings Reports for Dec 29 - Jan 2

www.leavittbrothers.com

Dec 29 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of top stories before the stock market open.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!
I will return on Jan 5th 2009

Dec 26 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of top stories before the stock market open.

Dec 24 - Before the Open

Before the Open - a summary of the major stories before the stock market open.

Merry Christmas

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

PLD, SLF

Downgrades:

RCL, CCJ

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are currently flat to slightly higher

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed down 2.4%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 0.25%

European markets are flat to slightly down

MBA Purchase Applications (wk12/19 , 2008)

Jobless Claims (wk12/20 , 2008)

Personal Income and Outlays (Nov , 2008)

Durable Goods Orders (Nov , 2008)

EIA Petroleum Status Report (wk12/19 , 2008)

EIA Natural Gas Report (wk12/19 , 2008)

Crude Oil is $37.50 per barrel

Gold is $838 per barrel

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Wednesday

Stocks closed down today on dire housing figures. The Dow dropped 100.28 to 8419.49. The Nasdaq dipped 10.81 to 1521.54 and the S&P gave back 8.47 to 863.16.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Wednesday.

One day after warning that the company was likely to report its first annual operating losss, Toyota Motor Company (TM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced that its president Katsuaki Watanabe would be leaving his post in 2009.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported that it would stop using corporate money for political donations. The company donated more than $600,000 in political contributions in Canada and the United States in 2008.

Shares of Palm (PALM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) have been moving higher over the past few days as traders and investors cheered news that the smartphone maker had received $100 million in additional funding from private equity firm, Elevation Partners.

On a day when the world's largest Ferris wheel (located in Singapore) broke down, stranding more than 100 riders, Walt Disney (DIS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported that it was looking to expand its theme park in Hong Kong.

CIT Group (CIT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) learned on Tuesday that it had received preliminary approval to receive more than $2 billion in funds from the Treasury department's TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program).

Wachovia (WB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) shareholders approved of the merger with Wells Fargo (WFC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Tuesday morning.

Dec 23 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of major stories before the stock market open.

Christmas Tidings From Fred Thompson

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

TIBX, ASML, GOLD, CIEN, AAPL

INTC, MSFT

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

AXYS, PTI

Downgrades:

KEG, RRR, VTIV, DYS, EPG

WDC, FE, SINA

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are flat to slightly higher

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 1.57%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 2.75%

European markets are flat to slightly higher early on

ICSC-Goldman Store Sales (wk12/20 , 2008)

Corporate Profits (Nov , 2008)

Gross Domestic Product (Q3f , 2008)

Redbook (wk12/20 , 2008)

New Home Sales (Nov , 2008)

Existing Home Sales (Nov , 2008)

Consumer Sentiment (Dec , 2008)

State Street Investor Confiden (Dec , 2008)

Toyota may layoff U.S. workers as unsold autos pile up

Crude Oil is $39.88 per barrel

Gold is $846 per ounce

7 Stocks you need to know for Tuesday

The Dow fell 59.42. The Nasdaq Composite lost 31.97. And the S&P 500 closed lower by 16.25.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Tuesday.

Micron Technology (MU | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Tuesday after the market closes. Analysts are expecting an EPS loss of 43 cents.

Cost-savings on all fronts have encouraged more and more consumers to opt for inexpensive dining at establishments like McDonald's (MCD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which was among the few Dow stocks in the green on Monday.

Monsanto (MON | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) found itself cut to a "neutral" by Goldman Sachs (GS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which cited the company's likely difficulty in maintaining profits during the continued decline in commodity prices.

Far and away the worst performer in the Dow on Monday was General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating). GM was down more than 20% late in trading on the day.

Reporting earnings Monday before the market opened, Walgreen's (WAG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) missed expectations by five cents. The stock broke down from a 10-day consolidation range as sellers overwhelmed buyers on the day.

Toyota Motor Company (TM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) warned that was likely to post the first annual operating loss in the company's history due to waning demand.

Dec 22 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of major stories before the stock market open.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

SQNM, FMCN, DRYS, INTC, RIMM

MSFT, AAPL, CSCO, YHOO, ERIC

ARTC, FSLR

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

IFX, NUE, BKC, FNF, OSG

Downgrades:

GM, CNX, NVLS, NEM, KGC, GG, EGO

ABX, AEM, DRI, X, ETN, NAT, FRO, TNP

OSG, PRU, PLCM

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are currently mixed to flat

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 1.6%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 3.35%

European markets are trading lower early on

Banking on another bad year in 2009

Gas Prices continue to slip

Toyota on track for first-ever loss in fiscal 2009

Crude Oil is $42.60 per barrel

Gold is $846 per ounce

Economic Releases & Earnings Reports for next week

Here are next week's Economic Releases and Earnings Reports.

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Monday

The Dow ended the day down 25.88. The Nasdaq Composite closed up 11.95. And the S&P 500 added 2.60.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Monday.

General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler LLC will get more than $13 billion in loans from the Federal government to help the struggling automakers survive into the spring of 2009. An additional $4 billion will be made available to General Motors in February.

Still drawing interest after its better than expected earnings announcement Thursday after the close, Darden Restaurants (DRI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) was among the better performing stocks on Friday.

Electronic Arts (ERTS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced that it would eliminate up to 1,000 jobs and close some facilities due to slowing sales.

Among a number of financial institutions to have their outlooks downgraded by Standard and Poor's on Friday were Goldman Sachs (GS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Morgan Stanley (MS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating).

A positive forecast from Research in Motion (RIMM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) Thursday after the market closed helped buoy the stock on Friday.

Walgreen's (WAG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Monday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting EPS of 46 cents.

Dec 19 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of major stories before the stock market open.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

ASML, LIHR, DRYS, RIMM

ORCL, , GOLD, YHOO

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a lower open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed down about 1%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down around 2.5%

European markets are trading down by 2% early on

Dead hedge funds: 693 and counting

How a shutdown really saves Chrysler money

Today is Options Expiration

Crude Oil is $34 per barrel

Gold is $837 per ounce

7 Stocks you need to know for Friday

The Dow closed lower by 219.35. The Nasdaq Composite slid down 26.94. And the S&P 500 ended the day off 19.14.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Friday.

Research in Motion (RIMM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported EPS of 83 cents Thursday after the market closed, beating analyst estimates by a penny. The stock was up by more than 10% immediately after the announcement in after hours trading.

General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) denied rumors that it was investigating a possible merger with Chrysler LLC.

Reporting earnings after the bell on Thursday, Oracle Corporation (ORCL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced profits that were in-line with analyst expectations. Revenues, however, were lighter than expected.

Discover Financial Services (DFS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) smashed through analysts earnings expectations Thursday morning. The company's results included a more than $500 million antitrust settlement from a case against Visa and Mastercard.

Wal-Mart (WMT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) will begin selling the Apple (AAPL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) iPhone in its stores on December 28th.

Standard and Poor's lowered its credit outlook for General Electric (GE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) to negative, citing lower expected earnings from the company.

Dec 18 - Before the Open

Before the Open - summary of major stories before the stock market open.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

AUXL, AAPL, DRYS, NVLS, QLTI

GOLD, FDRY, GERN, EGLE, WYNN

PAYX, STLD

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

ALTR

Downgrades:

SIMG, NYX, NSR, NSM, MLNX

ITLN, ISIL, INTC, CY, CNXT

ATHR, AMD, ROCK, ALGT

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a higher open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 0.65%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 0.25%

European markets are trading up slightly early on

Chrysler shuts down all production

Ford CEO 2009 will be a tough year

Trader sees Crude Oil bottom at $25-30 per barrel

Jobless Claims (wk12/13 , 2008)

Leading Indicators (Nov , 2008)

Philadelphia Fed Survey (Dec , 2008)

EIA Natural Gas Report (wk12/12 , 2008)

Money Supply (wk12/8 , 2008)

Crude Oil is $40.50 per barrel

Gold is $875 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Thursday

The Dow slid lower by 99.80. The Nasdaq Composite closed down 10.58. And the S&P 500 ended the day off 8.76.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Thursday.

Reporting earnings Thursday after the market closes are both Oracle Corporation (ORCL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Research in Motion (RIMM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating). Oracle is expected to announce earnings per share of 34 cents. EPS of 83 cents are what analysts are expecting from Research in Motion.

Apple (AAPL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) shares were lower on both an Oppenheimer analyst downgrade to "perform" from "outperform" as well as news that Steve Jobs would not be delivering the company's keynote address at MacWorld in January. Jobs had been the keynote speaker for the event for 11 years.

Improved terms for its $2 billion credit facility encouraged traders to bid shares of Macy's (M | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) dramatically higher on Wednesday.

Featured in TradingMarkets 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Wednesday yesterday, General Mills (GIS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) beat analyst earnings estimates by significant margins Wednesday morning.

Nike (NKE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) beat analyst earnings estimates by three cents in its quarterly announcement after the bell on Wednesday.

FedEx Corporation (FDX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Thursday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting EPS of 1.57.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

JOYG, ADBE, TEVA, SHPGY

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

BCE, RAH, KSU, GOL

Downgrades:

AAPL, CSL, EXPD, ROCK, BMI

NTY, SAY, MAR, WYN, ROCK, SNV, CPII

TKC, GLW, LYG, AIR, XLNX, CBY, OMG

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a lower open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 0.50%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 2.2%

European markets are currently trading down

MBA Purchase Applications (wk12/12 , 2008)

Current Account (Q3 , 2008)

EIA Petroleum Status Report (wk12/12 , 2008)

Crude Oil is $45 per barrel

Gold is $855 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Wednesday

The Dow soared 359.61. The Nasdaq Composite gained 81.55. And the S&P 500 closed higher by 44.61.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Wednesday.

Goldman Sachs (GS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported its first quarterly loss since going public in 1999. Traders shrugged off the news, however, sending the stock higher even before the FOMC-induced rally later in the day.

Announcing their quarterly earnings after the market closed on Tuesday, Adobe Systems (ADBE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) beat analyst estimates by two cents.

Baidu.com (BIDU | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), the most popular Chinese search engine was upgraded from "neutral" to "conviction buy" by Goldman Sachs on Tuesday.

Nike (NKE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports earnings Wednesday after the market closes. Analysts are expecting EPS of 78 cents.

Also reporting quarterly earnings on Wednesday are General Mills (GIS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and ConAgra (CAG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating). General Mills is expecting to report EPS of 1.23, while ConAgra is expected to announce earnings per share of 0.37.

Morgan Stanley (MS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Wednesday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting an earnings per share loss of 34 cents.

Dec 16 - Before the Open

Premarket headlines...

Before the Open

I will return on Wednesday

I will return on Wednesday

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Tuesday

With the Federal Reserve Board making its rate announcement tomorrow at 2:15 p.m. Eastern and Quadruple Witching on Friday, stocks trended lower on light volume to start the week.

The Dow slid 65.15. The Nasdaq Composite closed down 32.38. And the S&P 500 ended the day off 11.16.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Tuesday.

Goldman Sachs (AAPL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) to neutral on Monday, pointing to concerns over softer consumer spending. Goldman Sachs reports quarterly earnings Tuesday morning before the market opens.

The White House has pledged to consider specific financial assistance to General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler in the wake of the automaker loan package dying in the Senate last week.

Coca Cola (KO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) has plans to switch to a new, natural, calorie-free sweetener based on the herb Stevia for its soft drinks and Odwalla juice line. Coca Cola's new sweetner has yet to be approved by the FDA.

Reporting quarterly earnings Tuesday morning before the market opens, Best Buy (BBY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is expected to announced EPS of 25 cents.

With Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both reporting earnings this week, traders also may want to pay attention to JP Morgan Chase (JPM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which was off significantly on Monday but will not report earnings until January.

Adobe Systems (ADBE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is expected to announce earnings per share of 58 cents when it reports Tuesday after the market closes.

Dec 15 - Before the Open

Premarket headlines...

Before the Open

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

TLAB, SWKS, TBSI, CIEN, DRYS

ACGY, EXEL, GOLD, RIMM, ASML

YHOO, MSFT

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

CLB, GET, CHH, TI, MTN, BBY

MO, TLAB, TNDM

Downgrades:

GOK, BBY, CERN, COCO, AHT

OCNF, KR, AUO, LO, ALU, INFN

RRC, SWN, DVN, BEC

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a flat open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 5.2%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 2%

European markets are trading higher early on

FOMC Meeting Begins (Dec , 2008)

Empire State Mfg Survey (Dec , 2008)

Treasury International Capital (Oct , 2008)

Industrial Production (Nov , 2008)

Housing Market Index (Dec , 2008)

Crude Oil is $48.40 per barrel

Gold is $827.50 per ounce

Semiconductor Stocks

The semiconductor group is looking pretty good. Here are a handful of set-ups that got our attention...

Semiconductor Stocks

Here are next week's economic releases and earnings reports...

Economic Releases & Earnings Reports for Dec 15 - 19

www.leavittbrothers.com

7 Stocks you need to know for Monday

The Dow closed higher by 64.59. The Nasdaq Composite gained 32.84. And the S&P 500 finished the day up 6.14.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Monday.

Despite the failure of the Senate to pass automaker assistance legislation, both General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) rallied over the course of the trading day on the possibility that TARP funds might be used to help the struggling car manufacturers.

Technology stocks led the markets on Friday with semiconductor stocks like KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLAC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) among the day's better performers and up more than 6%. Meanwhile, former Intel (INTC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) CEO Andrew Grove said in a Friday interview with the Wall Street Journal that Intel should begin developing batteries for plug-in electric cars to help diversify its operations.

Equitable Resources Inc. (EQT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), an oil and natural gas company, will replace Transocean Inc. (RIG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) in the S&P 500. RIG is changing its incorporation to Switzerland and as such can no longer remain in the S&P 500 Index.

Bank of America (BAC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced that it would eliminate up to 35,000 jobs over the next three years as part of its acquisition of Merrill Lynch.

Dec 12 - Before the Open

Here are the top stories before today's open...

Before the Open

Stocks, Dollar, Oil Tumble as Auto Bailout Plan Fails; Treasuries Advance

Stocks tumbled around the world and the dollar slumped after the Senate rejected a bailout for American automakers, threatening to deepen the global recession. Treasuries rallied and yields fell to record lows.

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

HXM, URBN, IBKC, ACAS

Downgrades:

VARI, WAT, DRYS, EXPD, LMNX

FII, SAP, F, AXL, MGA, TRW, LEA

VE, FMX, WAT, SWK

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a much lower open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed down 5.6%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 5.5%

European markets are down 4-5% in early trade

Auto Bailout collapses in Senate

Producer Price Index (Nov , 2008)

Retail Sales (Nov , 2008)

Business Inventories (Oct , 2008)

Consumer Sentiment (Dec , 2008)

Crude Oil is $45 per barrel

Gold is $813 per ounce

7 Stocks you need to know for Friday

The Dow declined by 196.33. The Nasdaq Composite closed down 57.60. And the S&P 500 lost 25.65.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Friday.

Health care stocks were some of the better performers on Thursday, with United Health Group (UNH | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) gaining nearly 9%.

Renewed concerns that the $14 billion aid package for American automakers might not survive the Senate led to lower prices for shares of both General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) on Thursday.

Eli Lilly & Company (LLY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) said that it would go ahead and seek approval for a once-a-week diabetes treatment co-developed with Amylin Pharmaceuticals (AMLN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating).

Procter & Gamble (PG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) warned that quarterly sales were lower than expected, but affirmed its profit and revenue forecasts for both the quarter and the full year.

Citing the software giant's own predictions for slowing sales, Morgan Stanley cut its profit forecast for Microsoft Corporation (MSFT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating).

Dec 11 - Before the Open

Here are the top stories before today's open...

Before the Open

S&P Composite Index Chart

THOR CHART

Here is one of the few stocks trading above the 50 and 200 dma so keep it on the radar.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

BIDU, MKTAY, GOLD, FCSX, SSRI

ERTS, ASML, LOGI, RIMM, VVUS

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

CL, WW, TSCO ONXX,

RTP, TEF, BLL

Downgrades:

HCBK, BA, ETEL, EE,

PACR, WERN

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are currently flat to slightly higher

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 0.70%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 0.25%

European markets are currently mixed to flat

House passes Detroit bailout

Jobless Claims (wk12/6 , 2008)

Import and Export Prices (Nov , 2008)

International Trade (Oct , 2008)

RBC CASH Index (Dec , 2008)

Quarterly Services Survey (Q3 , 2008)

EIA Natural Gas Report (wk12/5 , 2008)

Money Supply (wk12/1 , 2008)

Crude Oil is $45.50 per barrel

Gold is $826.50 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Thursday

Costco Wholesale (COST | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings on Thursday, with analysts expecting EPS of 62 cents.

Among the coal producers that have continued to do well are Massey Energy Company (MEE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which gained more than 14% on Wednesday.

Pointing to a survey showing a decreased number of consumers saying that they were buying iPods as gifts this holiday season compared to last year, Morgan Stanley (MS | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) lowered its price target on Apple (AAPL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) to $95 per share from $105.

Shares of General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) slid midday after Republican senators jointly announced their opposition to the controversial auto assistance package currently under debate in Washington.

Still searching for a CEO to replacing outgoing, co-founder Jerry Yang, Yahoo! (YHOO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) eliminated 1,500 jobs on Wednesday.

Dec 10 - Before the Open

Here are the top stories before today's open...

Before the Open

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

DRYS, BUCY, GOLD, YHOO, ERIC

FSLR, GOOG, BIDU

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

FORR, AWR, HE, ASR

Downgrades:

ERTS, FTI, BJ, FLIR, WSO, NKE

IFX, CTRN, AXYS, GE, ERIC, CYT

ADCT, HTLD, KNX, SINA

Editorial Bear Eye View

Editorial Bear Eye View

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a higher open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 3.15%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 5.6%

European markets are flat in early trade

Minerals Giant Rio Tinto to cut 14,000 Jobs

MBA Purchase Applications (wk12/5 , 2008)

Wholesale Trade (Oct , 2008)

EIA Petroleum Status Report (wk12/5 , 2008)

Treasury Budget (Nov , 2008)

Crude Oil is $43.25 per barrel

Gold is $786 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Wednesday

Sony Corporation (SNE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced that it would cut 16,000 jobs as part of an overall cost-cutting strategy.

Lowered profit forecasts for 2009 from FedEx Corporation (FDX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), contributed to selling throughout the transportation industry, including truckers and other shippers.

Mixed in with the more traditional industrially-oriented stocks expected to benefit from President elect Obama's public infrastructure plan is networking king, Cisco Systems (CSCO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) as more communities are wired for high-speed Internet access.

A final deal between the White House, Congress and the Big Three automakers of General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler may involve the government taking equity stakes in the companies.

Citing a weakness in steel demand due to the credit crisis, Nucor Corporation (NUE | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced that its quarterly profits were likely to be worse than expected.

The CFO of Netflix (NFLX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reported on Tuesday that the current quarter was "remarkably strong".

Dec 9 - Before the Open

Here's today's Before the Open data...

Before the Open

Pre-Market Gappers

DRYS, GOLD

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

OCR, GMXR

Downgrades:

CTXS, DIS, TXN, STP, BLK, RIO

ITW, MMM, UPS, RFMD, CBEY

ATU, ROP

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a higher open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 0.80%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 2%

European markets are trading higher by 1.5-2% early on

ICSC-Goldman Store Sales (wk12/6 , 2008)

Redbook (wk12/6 , 2008)

Pending Home Sales Index (Oct , 2008)

Sony will eliminate 16K jobs

Crude Oil is $43.50 per barrel

Gold is $771 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Tuesday

The Dow closed up 298.76. The Nasdaq Composite ended the day higher 62.43. And the S&P 500 added 33.63.

Here are 7 Stocks You Need to Know for Tuesday.

The White House and Congress on Monday appeared close to agreeing to a $15 billion dollar assistance package for struggling U.S.automakers Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler.

Texas Instruments (TXN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) issued a forecast update Monday afternoon after the bell that was much lower than what analysts had been expecting.

A dramatic earnings miss in National Semiconductor (NSM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) on Monday as the company fell short of expectations by seven cents.

Kroger (KR | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Tuesday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting EPS of 38 cents.

FedEx (FDX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) lowered its 2009 earnings per share forecast after the bell on Monday.

Dow Chemical (DOW | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) announced plans to eliminate 5,000 jobs and shut down 20 plants.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

AAPL, DRYS, STLD, YHOO

ESLR, FSLR, EMITF, RIMM

BIDU, GOOG

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

SFD, NWE, DVN

Downgrades:

DTG, BYD, MEOH, ELON, CBST

CSL, LECO, GDP

The Iceman Commentary

The Iceman Commentary

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a higher open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed up 5.2%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 8.66%

European markets are trading up around 6% early on

ICSC-Goldman Store Sales (wk12/6 , 2008)

Redbook (wk12/6 , 2008)

Pending Home Sales Index (Oct , 2008)

GM's Implosion turns Detroit into Urban Prairie

Crude Oil is up nearly $2 per barrel and is $42.75

Gold is up $16.60 per ounce and is $769

How We Traded the Last Couple Weeks

Here's a video which talks about how we traded the last couple weeks...

How We Traded the Last Couple Weeks

Here's an updated copy of tradeable ETFs...

Summary of ETFs

Here are next week's economic releases and earnings reports...

Economic Releases & Earnings Reports for Dec 8 - 12

www.leavittbrothers.com

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Monday

General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler continued to press their case before the House Financial Services Committee on Friday. The Big Three CEOs received a relatively less harsh reception compared to their Senate appearance on Thursday.

Bank of America (BAC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) shareholders approved of the acquisition of Merrill Lynch (MER | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating).

UBS analysts suggested that Microsoft Corporation (MSFT | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) could miss quarterly earnings estimates for the first time since 2000.

Some of the good news early on Friday was the profit forecast from Hartford Financial Services Group (HIG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which was better than expected. The stock soared by more than 110%.

National Semiconductor {NSM|NSM] reports quarterly earnings Monday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting earnings per share of 21 cents.

Stocks Trading Up in Pre-Market

THOR, SPIR, QGEN, NOVL, ESLR,

SHPGY, DPTR, CMTL, RMBS, TRIN

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

BT, SWY, ARTC, SAFM

Downgrades:

BWLD, TE, ENER, BBG, BRY

CBST, SIRO, AMRI, PRAA

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are pointing to a slightly lower open

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed flat

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed up 2.5%

European markets are trading down 2% early on

Layoffs pickup as year end nears

Job recovery could be slow and weak

Employment Situation (Nov , 2008)

Consumer Credit (Oct , 2008)

Crude Oil is $44 per barrel

Gold is $770.50 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Friday

General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), and Chrysler appeared before Congress on Thursday in an effort to secure billions in bridge loans and other financial assistance.

Struggling to combat declining sales with job cuts and spending restraint, Merck & Company (MRK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) warned that profits in 2009 may be less than expected.

Nokia (NOK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) hopes to gain market share in the otherwise shrinking handset market.

AT&T (T | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Dupont (DD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) were among the companies announcing plans to cut thousands of jobs. AT&T alone announced jobs cuts that will amount to 4% of its overall workforce.

Big Lots (BIG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Friday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting EPS of 16 cents.

Dec 4 - Before the Open

Here are this morning's notable stories...

Dec 4 - Before the Open

Upgrades and Downgrades

Upgrades:

ALTH, RRI, NILE, AMZN, YRCW

MUR, RHT, SNPS, AMAT

Downgrades:

HOTT, IACI, ADBE, KLAC

Stock Tiger Video

Stock Tiger Video

Morning News

Futures are currently flat

In Japan the Nikkei 225 closed down 1%

In Hong Kong the Hang Seng closed down 0.60%

European markets are trading higher early on

Chain Store Sales (Nov , 2008)

Monster Employment Index (Nov , 2008)

Jobless Claims (wk11/29 , 2008)

Factory Orders (Oct , 2008)

EIA Natural Gas Report (wk11/28 , 2008)

Treasury STRIPS (Nov , 2008)

Money Supply (wk11/24 , 2008)

Crude Oil is currently $46 per barrel

Gold is currently $772 per ounce

Stock Market Review

7 Stocks you need to know for Thursday

A ComScore report saying that online sales on Cyber Monday were second only to those from last December helped boost shares of Amazon.com (AMZN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) on Wednesday.

Among the weakest stocks in the market on Wednesday were metal and mining stocks. Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold (FCX | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) fell by more than 20% as the company reported that it was suspending its dividend and considering writedowns if metal prices remained soft.

Also struggling on Wednesday were oil service stocks such as Schlumberger (SLB | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), which warned of lower profits for fiscal 2008.

Speculation grew late on Wednesday that Toshiba would make a takeover bid for SanDisk (SNDK | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating). SanDisk has been in the news in recent months as a potential acquiree, with Samsung the most recent failed suitor.

General Motors (GM | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating), Ford Motor Company (F | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) and Chrysler won major concessions from the United Auto Workers union one day after announcing restructuring plans that combined ask for $36 billion in assistance.

Toll Brothers (TOL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) reports quarterly earnings Thursday morning before the market opens. Analysts are expecting an EPS loss of 47 cents.