The latest litigation has Intel Inside.

The State of New York is going after Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) over antitrust allegations. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is accusing the largest chip manufacturer in the world that it is trying to secure a global monopoly for microprocessors.

For several years, Cuomo said that Intel has pushed the likes of Dell (NYSE: DELL) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) to agree to the exclusive use of Intel's gear in exchange for billions of dollars in payments. The hefty cash outlays have given what Cuomo called a "stranglehold" on the market.

Continue reading Cuomo guns for Intel on antitrust

Cuomo guns for Intel on antitrust originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Watch out HP: Acer wants the top spot in notebook PC sales

Watch out HP: Acer wants the top spot in notebook PC sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Neither company is saying a thing yet, but word is Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) and EMC (NYSE: EMC) are joining up to sell a new collection of products designed to deliver cloud computing capabilities, Reuters reports. Called vBlock, the cloud solution is intended to help the companies compete more effectively with IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ).

The partnership, which no one is admitting to, involves a joint venture between Cisco and EMC that will sell vBlock. The former will supply the networking equipment and servers, with the latter kicking in the storage gear and virtualization technology through its VMWare (NYSE: VMW) subsidiary. The joint venture will put the systems together, integrate the components for clients, and make the whole pile of cables and silicon work. A formal announcement is expected next week.

Continue reading Cisco and EMC link up in the clouds

Cisco and EMC link up in the clouds originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Windows 7, the latest operating system from Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), is expected to help jumpstart some IT spending. Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) also sees this happening. A new operating system often means a chance to upgrade from dated equipment that isn't worth upgrading, especially with favorable pricing for technology right now. Everything's coming together for a strong 2010 for the high-tech sector, so it's also worth watching Hewlett Packard (NYSE: HPQ), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL) and EMC (NYSE: EMC).

Continue reading Stars aligned for increase in IT spending

Stars aligned for increase in IT spending originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM) reported Q3 results after the bell on Thursday. Net sales decreased 7% when compared to the year-ago period. Okay, that doesn't sound like a great start. Wait, though, because things are about to get better from here.

Sales actually increased 1% on a sequential basis. Net profit on a dollar basis went up 14%. Net margin improved. And on a per-share basis, net income jumped 18% to $2.40. According to our earnings preview, this was two pennies ahead of analyst projections.

Continue reading IBM's incredible third quarter -- would you sell on these numbers?

IBM's incredible third quarter -- would you sell on these numbers? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Intel Beats Street Despite Profit Dip
• Google Dominance

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Scramble for tech

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Scramble for tech originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Microsoft's (NASDAQ: MSFT) new operating system, Windows 7, is set to be released on October 22, 2009, but it's unlikely to have an impact on PC prices. So, if you're feeling the urge to rush out and buy a new box, try to hold out until the end of the month. You'll get a bit more life out of it.

Fortunately, PC prices aren't expected to get much lower, so the entire supply chain -- from chips to software -- has nowhere to go but up. The effect, though, has been to put some serious pressure on manufacturers and retailers to keep from screwing up the release.

Continue reading Inventories add pressure to Windows 7 release

Inventories add pressure to Windows 7 release originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Banking on Earnings: Coming Week
• Bulls Back Banks: TheStreet Says

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: It's a mistake to fade 'em now

Cramer on BloggingStocks: It's a mistake to fade 'em now originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"At 12 times trailing earnings, Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) trades at a 21% discount to its three-year average valuation and looks cheaper than other U.S. computer giants," says blue chip advisor Richard Moroney.

In Dow Theory Forecast -- a newsletter that has been published for over 5 decades -- he looks at the firm's diversified position and the reasons behind his "long-term buy" rating on the shares.

"For a company that chose its name via a coin toss, Hewlett-Packard takes a deliberate approach to dealing with trouble; its founders designed their first factory so it could be turned into a grocery store if the technology business failed to grow.

Continue reading Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): 'Pragmatic' strategy

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ): 'Pragmatic' strategy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• FBR Capital upgraded U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) and New York Community Bancorp (NYSE: NYB) to Market Perform from Underperform to reflect a new valuation framework. The firm raised its target on U.S. Bancorp to $21 from $14 and on New York Community Bancorp to $10 from $9.
• Stephens upgraded Insulet (NASDAQ: PODD) to Overweight from Equal Weight to reflect the company's top-line growth prospects and reasonable expectations. The firm raised its target on shares to $14 from $8.
• Baird upgraded Athenahealth (NASDAQ: ATHN) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $46 from $37 based on expectations for revenue and gross margin expansion, and relative valuation.
• Broadcom (NASDAQ: BRCM) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• Phillips-Van Heusen (NYSE: PVH) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at BofA/Merrill.
• Reliant Energy (NYSE: RRI) was upgraded to Conviction Buy from Neutral at Goldman.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AZN, HPQ, KO, MA, SCHW, USB ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AZN, HPQ, KO, MA, SCHW, USB ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• FDIC, Uptick Rule: Tuesday's Headlines
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Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: The need to be long is lifting us all

Cramer on BloggingStocks: The need to be long is lifting us all originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Traders had on their rally caps today, and the DJIA moved as high as 9,823 as it renewed its ascent toward 10,000. The index moved back down a bit at the end of the day as traders got lazy during a session in which most of the news came before the bell.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) and Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) both announced deals today that pumped some air into the M&A business. Financial shares are mostly moving higher because increased M&A activity generally means more fees for financial services companies. Trading volume was light, mostly due to the Yom Kippur holiday today.

Today's numbers:

Dow 9,789.44 +124.25 (1.29%)
S&P 500 1,062.88 +18.50 (1.77%)
Nasdaq 2,130.74 +39.82 (1.90%)

Continue reading Closing bell: M&A gives market a boost; Coffee also provides stimulus (C, BAC, ACS, DDRX & GMCR)

Closing bell: M&A gives market a boost; Coffee also provides stimulus (C, BAC, ACS, DDRX & GMCR) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Fed Has Begun Bank Bonus Audit
• Ford Pushing Hard to Boost Sales in Asia

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Weak dollar powering profits

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Weak dollar powering profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Credit Suisse upgraded Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $55 from $44 based on earnings momentum and a bottom in the Imaging and Printing segment. Note that Dell was downgraded to Neutral from Outperform.
• Jefferies upgraded Covance (NYSE: CVD) to Buy from Hold as it believes investor expectations are more reasonable following the company's conference presentation and that its Late Stage segment should continue to post strong results. The firm raised its target on shares to $65 from $5.
• Stephens upgraded Home Bancshares (NASDAQ: HOMB) to Overweight from Equal Weight to reflect improved capital levels and a better-than-expected near-term outlook. The firm raised its target on shares to $27 from $24.
• Citigroup upgraded Macy's (NYSE: M) to Buy from Hold after meeting with management as it believes the My Macy's localization is gaining traction. The firm raised its target on shares to $30 from $15.
• Gymboree (NASDAQ: GYMB) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBR Capital.
• DISH Network (NASDAQ: DISH) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wells Fargo.
• Baytex Energy (NYSE: BTE) was upgraded to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer at CIBC.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: ADP, DELL, DISH, HPQ, M, PER, VMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Some Intel (INTC) sales tactics exposed

Some Intel (INTC) sales tactics exposed originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Roth Capital upgraded MicroStrategy (NASDAQ: MSTR) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $90 from $70, citing encouraging Q2 results, new product cycle catalysts, a lift from Europe, and cost reductions.
• William Blair upgraded Costco (NASDAQ: COST) to Outperform from Market Perform after meeting with management as it believes sales and earnings could beat expectations over the next year.
• Credit Suisse upgraded Novellus (NASDAQ: NVLS) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $29 from $23. The firm cites higher Samsung capex forecast, high leverage, and low expectations.
• Home Properties (NYSE: HME) and Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR) were upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at FBC Capital, while Douglas Emmett (NYSE: DEI) and Duke Realty (NYSE: DRE) were raised to Market Perform from Underperform.
• Agilent (NYSE: A) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
• Cytec Industries (NYSE: CYT) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, COST, HPQ, JACK, MOS, NVLS, WMT ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: AAPL, COST, HPQ, JACK, MOS, NVLS, WMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Marc Andreessen to spin his web magic on HP's board

Marc Andreessen to spin his web magic on HP's board originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Retail sales rally on more than just autos

Retail sales rally on more than just autos originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Looks like Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) may have dibs on designing a completely new system for airline reservations. American Airlines (NYSE: AMR) brought the first automated attempt at reservations almost five decades ago -- and oddly, it's still in wide use today. I'm not that sure air travel has changed any in that time. Are you?

The new system -- codenamed Jetstream -- could become the next airline industry standard and would allow HP to really put its EDS purchase from 2008 into good use. This kind of custom industry programming and system creation is EDS's specialty. AMR and HP agreed to develop Jetstream over the next four years, which will be principally aimed at removing costs through improved efficiency and consistency.

Continue reading Hewlett-Packard may be designing the next generation airline ticketing system

Hewlett-Packard may be designing the next generation airline ticketing system originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), a PC maker that competes with Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and Apple (NASDAQ: APPL), received an upgrade on Monday. According to Marketwatch, an analyst at Broadpoint AmTech is bullish on the company because of the possibility that corporations will perceive a need to invest in technologies to replace older systems. The analyst thinks Dell shares are a buy.

Well, Dell's stock sure has experienced a high amount of momentum this year, no question about it. The market is clearly discounting an end to the recession. If such an event is essentially in place, then it's easy to see why investors would buy Dell. Not only will businesses put cash to work to make their operations more competitively efficient, but consumers will likewise get out there and replace the laptops/desktops/printers/whatever that they've held onto for longer than usual because the effect of declining Wall Street indexes made them fearful of any big-ticket purchases. Dell should theoretically benefit from a macro recovery, since the company's brand still resonates with the PC-buying crowd.

Continue reading Dell gets upgraded ahead of earnings report: What should investors make of this?

Dell gets upgraded ahead of earnings report: What should investors make of this? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.