It happens to many people: You type a company's ticker symbol into a search box at a financial website, and you're given a page full of information, much of which is Greek to you. Don't just click away, though, as there's a lot of useful information there -- and mastering stock market quotes isn't rocket science.
Let's tackle deciphering stock market quotes by using an example. Clothing retailer Gap�is a handy one, familiar to many. Type its ticker symbol into, say, the ticker box at Fool.com's CAPS site, and you'll soon be looking at all kinds of letters and numbers. Permit me to offer some insight into some common things you'll find when viewing stock market quotes:
Let's start with that ticker symbol itself. Many companies have rather obvious and easy-to-guess ones, such as IBM. Others are... less so. You might have expected Gap's ticker to be GAP, but that has long belonged to the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. supermarket chain, which is better known as A&P. It filed�for bankruptcy protection in 2012, though, and its future is uncertain, so it's possible that GAP might one day belong to Gap. In the meantime, though, its symbol is GPS, which is perhaps being salivated over by the folks at GPS-specialist Garmin.
Top Life Sciences Companies For 2015: Pluristem Therapeutics Inc.(PSTI)
Pluristem Therapeutics Inc., a bio-therapeutic company, engages in the research, development, and commercialization of standardized cell therapy products for the treatment of life threatening diseases. The company?s products are derived from human placenta, a non-controversial, non-embryonic, adult cell source. Its Placental adherent stromal cells are grown in the company's proprietary PluriX three-dimensional process that allows cells to grow in a natural environment. The company provides PLX-PAD that has completed Phase I clinical trials for people suffering from peripheral artery disease. It also offers various product candidates for diabetic foot ulcers, adjuvant hip replacement surgery, athletic injuries, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, neuropathic pain, ischemic stroke, adjuvant for UCB transplantation, and radiation exposure. The company was formerly known as Pluristem Life Systems Inc. and changed its name to Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. in November 2007. Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Haifa, Israel.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Stem cell stocks have not exactly been the best performers lately in part because the controversy over their use has died down over the years while major breakthroughs have been few or far between, but the industry along with small cap stem cell stocks Pluristem Therapeutics Inc (NASDAQ: PSTI), BioTime, Inc (NYSEMKT: BTX) and BioRestorative Therapies (OTCBB: BRTX) are still quietly producing their share of news or minor breakthroughs worth taking note of. Just consider the following stem cell news or news from small cap players in the sector:
- [By James E. Brumley]
Traders may not want to get married for the long haul to any of them, but for speculators looking for a quick, profitable hit, Arca Biopharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ABIO), Pluristem Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:PSTI), and Bacterin International Holdings Inc. (NYSEMKT:BONE) may be better-than-average bets. Here's why.
Top Sliver Stocks To Buy For 2014: ADTRAN Inc.(ADTN)
ADTRAN, Inc. designs, manufactures, markets, and services communications network solutions that enable voice, data, video, and Internet communications across wireline and wireless networks worldwide. Its Carrier Networks division provides fiber and copper-based solutions for service providers to deliver voice, data, and video services to customers? premises and mobile network cell sites. Its products enable services, such as voice, VoIP, IP television, RF video, high speed Internet access, and data services based upon Ethernet, frame relay, TDM, and ATM networks, connecting the network with user components, such as switches, routers, gateways, integrated access devices (IADs), private branch exchanges (PBXs), and telephone key systems. This division serves local exchange carriers, independent operating companies, competitive local exchange carriers, utilities, municipalities, cable MSOs, international carriers, and wireless service providers. The company?s Enterprise Net works division provides Internetworking solutions for enterprise customers to construct voice, data, and video networks within their sites or among distributed sites. It offers Internetworking solutions, including IP business gateways, optical network terminals, virtual wireless LAN products, multi-service routers, managed Ethernet switches, IP PBX products, IP phone products, unified communications and unified threat management solutions, and carrier Ethernet network terminating equipment, as well as provides IADs. This division serves the retail, food service, healthcare, finance, government, education, manufacturing, military, transportation, hospitality, and energy/utility markets. ADTRAN, Inc. also provides digital data service and integrated services digital network products, high bit-rate digital subscriber line products, T1/E1/T3, channel service units/data service units, and fixed wireless products. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of ADTRAN (NASDAQ: ADTN ) have run higher today by as much as 15% after the company reported first-quarter earnings.
So what: Revenue in the first quarter was $143 million, topping the $139.8 million that the Street was expecting. That top-line beat translated into an even bigger bottom-line beat, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.17 easily besting the $0.08 per share that investors thought was in store.
- [By Seth Jayson]
When judging a company's prospects, how quickly it turns cash outflows into cash inflows can be just as important as how much profit it's booking in the accounting fantasy world we call "earnings." This is one of the first metrics I check when I'm hunting for the market's best stocks. Today, we'll see how it applies to ADTRAN (Nasdaq: ADTN ) .
- [By Seth Jayson]
ADTRAN (Nasdaq: ADTN ) is expected to report Q2 earnings on July 10. Here's what Wall Street wants to see:
The 10-second takeaway
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the prior-year quarter, average analyst estimates predict ADTRAN's revenues will wane -16.3% and EPS will compress -50.0%.
Top Sliver Stocks To Buy For 2014: Powershares S & P Small Cap Energy Portfolio (PSCE)
PowerShares S&P SmallCap Energy Portfolio (the Fund) seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of an index called the S&P SmallCap 600 Capped Energy Index (the Underlying Index). The Underlying Index consists of common stocks of the United States energy companies that are principally engaged in the business of producing, distributing or servicing energy-related products, including oil and gas exploration and production, refining, oil services, pipeline, and solar, wind and other non-oil-based energy. The Underlying Index is compiled, maintained and calculated by Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC (Standard & Poor's). The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks of small-capitalization energy companies. The Fund will normally invest at least 90% of its total assets in common stocks that comprise the Underlying Index. The Fund�� investment adviser is Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC. Advisors' Opinion:- [By John Udovich]
Yesterday, small cap oil and gas stock Penn Virginia Corporation (NYSE: PVA) surged 14.84% after reporting earnings and was also rising close to 6% in�pre-market trading���meaning it might be worth taking a closer look at the small cap along with the performance of ETF peers IQ Global Oil Small Cap ETF (NYSEARCA: IOIL) and PowerShares S&P SmallCap Energy Portfolio (NASDAQ: PSCE). After all, a look at the longer term chart of Penn Virginia Corporation does not reveal a pretty picture for investors over the long haul.
Top Sliver Stocks To Buy For 2014: The Ultimate Software Group Inc.(ULTI)
The Ultimate Software Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, and markets unified human capital management software-as-a-service solutions to businesses in the United States and Canada. Its UltiPro software solution offers businesses with cloud-based functionality to manage the employment life cycle from recruitment to retirement. The UltiPro solution includes feature sets for talent acquisition and onboarding, human resource management and compliance, benefits management and online enrollment, payroll, performance management, salary planning and budgeting for compensation management, succession management, reporting and analytical decision-making tools, and time and attendance, as well as role-based access for executives, managers, administrators, and employees. The company offers its products and services for various industries, including manufacturing, food services, sports, technology, finance, insurance, retail, real estate, transportation, com munications, healthcare, and other services. It also provides implementation, training, maintenance, and technical support services. The Ultimate Software Group, Inc. markets its products under the UltiPro Enterprise and UltiPro Workplace brand names through its direct sales teams. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Weston, Florida.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Alexandra Scaggs]
Then the bank appeared to backpedal a bit in its note yesterday, cutting back on its recommended holdings in Ultimate Software Group(ULTI) and Mastercard(MA) and adding to its recommended positions in Anadarko Petroleum Corp.(APC), an energy stock, and Philip Morris International Inc.(PM), a consumer-staples stock. Morgan Stanley strategist Adam Parker �and his�team found that times when value stocks outperform growth stocks by such a wide margin “are typically followed by periods where value outperforms.”
- [By Patricio Kehoe]
The firm is currently Zacks Rank # 3 - Hold, and it also has a longer-term recommendation of ��utperfom�� For investors looking for a Zacks Rank # 1 ��Strong Buy, Dealertrack Technologies Inc (TRAK), Open Text Corporation (OTEX), Pegasystems Inc. (PEGA) Solera Holdings (SLH) or Ultimate Software Group Inc. (ULTI) could be the options.
- [By Seth Jayson]
Calling all cash flows
When you are trying to buy the market's best stocks, it's worth checking up on your companies' free cash flow once a quarter or so, to see whether it bears any relationship to the net income in the headlines. That's what we do with this series. Today, we're checking in on Ultimate Software Group (Nasdaq: ULTI ) , whose recent revenue and earnings are plotted below. - [By Jeremy Bowman]
What: Shares of Ultimate Software (NASDAQ: ULTI ) were screaming "Ultimate!" today, gaining as much as 17% after topping estimates in its quarterly report.
Top Sliver Stocks To Buy For 2014: Oncothyreon Inc .(ONTY)
Oncothyreon Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of therapeutic products for the treatment of cancer. Its primary product candidate, Stimuvax is in two phase III clinical trials for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The company is also developing PX-866, a small molecule that is in phase II trials for various cancer indications. In addition, it engages in the preclinical development of ONT-10, a cancer vaccine; and ONT-701, a pan-inhibitor of the B-cell lymphoma-2 family of anti-apoptotic proteins. The company operates primarily in the United States and Canada. Oncothyreon Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By EP Vantage]
Although the subgroup on which this decision is based was large, many will still consider this a risky basis for further study. Some investors thought it was a risk worth taking: shares in Oncothyreon (ONTY), which licensed the drug to Merck and saw its valuation more than halve on news of the Start failure, were trading 22% higher this morning at $2.19; Merck KGaA stock was little changed. But, in the meantime, tecemotide will struggle to shake off the stain of past failure.
- [By Ant贸nio Costa]
Oncothyreon Inc (NASDAQ: ONTY) is firming just above key support at $1.78 and a triangle has taken shape over the last few weeks. The stock is starting to show signs of accumulation with high upside days and low downside days. This stock is poised for a move and I suspect that it will explode to the upside. In addition, Inside trading has been very active over the last month. They are buying now after pausing years.
- [By Lauren Pollock]
Among the companies with shares expected to actively trade in Wednesday’s session are Mako Surgical Corp.(MAKO), Ascena Retail Group Inc.(ASNA) and Oncothyreon Inc.(ONTY)
Top Sliver Stocks To Buy For 2014: L Brands Inc (LTD)
L Brands, Inc., formerly Limited Brands, Inc, incorporated on March 16, 1982, operates in the specialty retail business. The Company is a specialty retailer of women�� intimate and other apparel, beauty and personal care products and accessories. The Company operates in two segments: Victoria�� Secret and Bath & Body Works. It sells its merchandise through Company-owned specialty retail stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, which are primarily mall-based, and through Websites, catalogue and international franchise, license and wholesale partners. The Company operates in brands, such as Victoria�� Secret, Victoria�� Secret Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza, and Henri Bendel. The Company�� business for both the Victoria�� Secret and Bath & Body Works segments is principally conducted from office, distribution and shipping facilities located in the Columbus, Ohio area.
As of February 2, 2013, it operated 255 retail stores located in leased facilities, primarily in malls and shopping centers, throughout the Canadian provinces. As of February 2, 2013, it operated two retail stores in London. As of February 2, 2013, it operated 2,619 retail stores located in leased facilities, primarily in malls and shopping centers, throughout the United States. As of February 2, 2013, it also had 339 licensed La Senza stores in 32 countries; 38 franchised Bath & Body Works stores in nine countries; three franchised Victoria's Secret stores in two Middle Eastern countries, and 108 independently owned Victoria�� Secret Beauty and Accessories stores and various small-format locations in over 50 countries.
Victoria�� Secret, including Victoria�� Secret Pink, is a specialty retailer of women�� intimate and other apparel with fragrances and cosmetics, supermodels and runway shows. The Company sells its Victoria�� Secret products at more than 1,000 Victoria�� Secret stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and through the Victoria�� Secret catal! ogue and online at www.VictoriasSecret.com. Additionally, Victoria�� Secret brand products are also sold in stores operated by partners under a franchise or wholesale model throughout the world.
Bath & Body Works is a specialty retailer of home fragrance and personal care products, including shower gels, lotions, soaps and sanitizers. The Company sells its Bath & Body Works products at more than 1,600 Bath & Body Works stores in the United States and Canada and online at www.BathandBodyWorks.com. Additionally, Bath & Body Works brand products are available at franchise locations throughout the world.
La Senza is a specialty retailer of women�� intimate apparel. The Company sells its La Senza products at more than 150 La Senza stores in Canada and online at www.LaSenza.com. Additionally, La Senza has more than 330 stores in 32 countries operating under franchise and licensing arrangements. Henri Bendel sells upscale accessory products through its New York flagship and 28 other stores, as well as online at www.HenriBendel.com.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Andrew Marder]
Falling behind
If there's a lesson for companies to learn here, it's that consistency means a lot to consumers. If everything is going crazy, we often turn to the familiar to comfort ourselves -- and shopping is no different. Contrast the success that Gap and Costco have had with the lackluster flatlining over at L Brands (NYSE: LTD ) . The company had no change in comparable in-store sales in June, and online sales of Victoria's Secret fell 9%. L Brands has had a hard time keeping customers interested, and its comparable sales have been up and down as a reflection. Because it has had seasonal flops, it's been forced into promotional activity that throws consumers off, and as a result, it can't give its customers the experience that they expect. - [By Inyoung Hwang]
L Brands (LTD) advanced 9.2 percent to $50.43. The owner of the Victoria�� Secret chain said March same-store sales gained 3 percent, beating the 0.4 percent increase projected by analysts. Ross Stores rose 9 percent to $64.67 as monthly sales at stores open at least one year exceeded estimates and the retailer of discount designer wear said first-quarter profit will top a previous forecast.
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