Jim Cramer's Mad Money Review

Recap of Jim Cramer’s comments on Stop Trading! Thursday September 6. Click on a stock ticker for more analysis:
Celgene (CELG), Gilead (GILD), Cephalon (CEPH), Biotech HOLDRs (BBH), Airgas (ARG): After three years as a bear market, biotech can be bought, said Cramer, who is bullish on Celgene, Gilead and Cephalon. He likes the sector now that the economy is slowing and suggests taking a look at Biotech HOLDRS. On another note, Cramer discussed the “incredible bull market in air,” and had good things to say about Airgas.
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Labels: ARG, BBH, CELG, CEPH, GILD, Jim Cramer, Stop Trading

Bullish calls:
Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS - News): 'I'm a bull about Morgan Stanley.'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News): 'When Goldman Sachs is down another 5, that, my friends, is better than Morgan Stanley.'Altria (NYSE: MO - News): 'This is a stock to buy on the way down. ... Let's hope that it comes down so we can buy more.'Wachovia (NYSE: WB - News): 'Wachovia Bank's OK here. I'm not going to rave about it.'Bank of America (NYSE: BAC - News): 'That's cheap!'Apple (Other OTC: APPL.PK - News)Amazon.com (NasdaqGS: AMZN - News)Research In Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM - News)Google (NasdaqGS: GOOG - News)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG - News): '... down below 60 was just a gift. It was a gift that would keep giving.'GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL - News)McDermott (NYSE: MDR - News)Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile (NYSE: SQM - News): 'When it comes to fertilizer, I like to go to Chile. I like to go to SQM.'Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT - News): 'Is okay.'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD - News): 'That one's coming down, and so is Celgene. This group does tend to go down when the interest rates go higher.'
Bearish Calls
Rackable Systems (NasdaqGS: RACK - News):' I believe that Rackable Systems represents really bad tech.'Annaly Capital Management (NYSE: NLY - News): 'This is a stock that needs interest rates lower ... At 14, I would buy more.'Foster Wheeler (NasdaqGS: FWLT - News)Knight Capital Group (NasdaqGS: NITE - News): 'I happen to like the management of Knight. ... I don't want to be in Knight ... I don't want to touch them until they're lower.'Rentech (AMEX: RTK - News): 'It is too speculative.'
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Labels: AMZN, APPL.PK, BAC, CELG, GILD, GOL, GOOG, GS, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, MDR, MO, MS, POT, RIMM, SQM, WB

Bullish calls:
Penwest Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: PPCO - News): ' ... had no idea that stock had fallen all the way to $12. They have got some great technology ... that's a good spec there. Remember, it is just a speculation though ... they're losing big money and they don't have a lot of revenues either.'Gildan Activewear (NYSE: GIL - News): ' ... it is a momentum name ... But, understand. Even though it's cheap on a multiple basis, it's had a big run. Maybe you buy a little, and then you wait for a little pullback.'GOL Linhas Areas Inteligentes (NYSE: GOL - News): ' ... they stole Varig. It's a Brazilian airline. It's up $4 since we mentioned it at $28-29. That's not enough. The stock's going to $40. $33... pick up $7. That's what I like!'Chesapeake Energy (NYSE: CHK - News): 'Natural gas is back! ... Aubrey McClennan [CEO] is one of the best. I am saying that CHK goes higher!'Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM - News): 'Now here is a stock I haven't talked about enough ... When the sub-prime loan market went kerplooey... FNM ... decided to buy $20 billion worth of liquidity ... FNM is not expensive, until it gets to $80 a share, and it's at $64.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG - News): ' ... dramatically undervalued on the Revlamid news from the weekend,'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD - News)Fuel Tech (NasdaqGM: FTEK - News): ' ... I thought there was more than a 20% gain there, so I can't tell you to take some off, when I told you there was more to gain ... I'm not bailing. You shouldn't either.'Herbalife (NYSE: HLF - News): 'I became convinced that that company is not just a fly-by-night supplement company, but a company that really has a wellness principle.'Crocs (NasdaqGS: CROX - News) ' I think that CROX is a company that you can own until everyone has decided that every analyst and his brother has recommended.'Genesis Lease (NYSE: GLS - News): 'If you need to be in bundled aircraft, it's Genesis Leasing.'Boeing (NYSE: BA - News): 'If you've got to be in aerospace, it's Boeing.'Tesco (NasdaqGS: TESO - News): 'I have been working like a bow-wow to try to figure out when do we decide to get off the oil service game... and the answer is not yet. This group is still cheap!'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News)Input/Output (NYSE: IO - News): 'Seismic data. You know I like that very much. I think IO has been slighted by Mad Money.'Trinity Industries (NYSE: TRN - News): ' ... it's still so darn cheap, I don't think it can hurt you. ... We're under-railcarred in this country.'Marathon Oil (NYSE: MRO - News): 'MRO - even at $128 - is still cheap! Unbelievable! I'm pulling the trigger here for half the position, and then let it come in.'Haynes International (NasdaqGM: HAYN - News): 'I'm staying long it. We liked it 20 points below this.'Merit Medical Systems (NasdaqGS: MMSI - News): 'I'll buy that one too.'Cepheid (NasdaqGM: CPHD - News)Dynegy (NYSE: DYN - News): 'Oh man, down here at $9.50. C'mon let's pull the trigger. Bruce Williamson, CEO. Best in show.'
Bearish calls:
AirTran Holdings (NYSE: AAI - News): 'No can do. I'm only using one airline right now, particularly with oil going up...and that is GOL Linhas.'Mylan Laboratories (NYSE: MYL - News): 'No, can't go there... I think these generic guys have never made me a lot of money.'Usana Health Sciences (NasdaqGS: USNA - News): 'too high risk for me.'JetBlue Airways (NasdaqGS: JBLU - News): 'No! Sell, sell, sell! Another airline that's problematic.'
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Labels: BA, CELG, CHK, CROX, FNM, FTEK, GIL, GILD, GLS, GOL, HAL, HAYN, HLF, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, MMSI, MRO, PPCO, TESO, TRN

Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD):' ... at $81 - a nice little pullback.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): ' ... has not only not let us down, but now has a cure for the heartbreak of psoriasis.'Patterson-UTI Energy (NasdaqGS: PTEN): 'PTEN is a land driller and, I think, has room to catch up to King Halliburton.'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News)Saks (NYSE: SKS - News): 'If you add the $8 in dividends, plus the appreciation, we almost have a double right here. Let the stock come in ... I was not concerned about the gross margins. I think it's a chance to buy, but we only double down when things have been cut, and cut, and cut. You do a schnitzel, my friend, not a full buy.'Schering-Plough (NYSE: SGP - News): 'I should have taken half off, and let the rest run. My advice to you, to take half off and let the rest run. This stock's a double, but it's still going up.'BP (NYSE: BP - News): ' BP, with a 3+% yield... BP, with still some good properties, with the possibility that they're restructuring... I say you pull the trigger right here.'Cisco (NasdaqGS: CSCO): ''Lets just stick with Cisco.It's down three straight points. That's the better... I like best of breed.'RadioShack (NYSE: RSH - News): ' ... give Julian Day the benefit of the doubt. He's the CEO ... He's rationalizing the stores... He is making it so it's a profitable enterprise. The answer is: Stay long!'
Bearish calls:
RH Donnelley (NYSE: RHD - News): 'It's been too high. I've watched the private equity rumor, over and over again. There's been too much hype in the name... I want to sell RHD.'Geron (NasdaqGM: GERN):'Stem cell speculation... Not for me. Sell, sell, sell! I don't want to come near it. It's up too high.'Tellabs (NasdaqGS: TLAB): 'TLAB's was one of the worst quarters I have heard.'Marvell Technology (NasdaqGS: MRVL): ' ... when you look at a stock like MRVL, I bought it... What was I doing? The financials weren't clean. There is a sign on my desk... and what it says is... Accounting irregularities equals sell. Did I look at that before I bought the stock? I did not.'Sally Beauty Holdings (NYSE: SBH - News): 'It's a 'don't buy, don't buy...' I didn't like their quarter. I did take a hard look at it though.'Crystallex (AMEX: KRY - News): 'No. Chavez don't give a darn about his people... sell, sell, sell! I want you out of that stock now. Enough with him. Enough with that country, unless they come around to our ways.'SunPower (NasdaqGM: SPWR)
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Labels: BP, CELG, GERN, GILD, HAL, Jim Cramer, KRY, Lightning Round, MRVL, PTEN, RHD, RSH, SBH, SGP, SKS, SPWR, TLAB

Rethinking Spartan Motors Spartan Motors (NasdaqGS: SPAR)
Although he initially rejected a pitch for Spartan Motors made by an IU Kelley School of Business student, Cramer is now bullish after investigating the stock further. Initially, he thought SPAR was mainly involved with recreational vehicles which would be out of favor with rising oil prices. However, Spartan also manufactures emergency vehicles, and since 55% of the nation's firetrucks need replacing, Spartan vehicles will be in demand. In addition, the armed forces require vehicles that will protect soldiers from roadside bombs. Spartan's military motor division recently scored the second largest contract in its history. The company's RV business is doing well, because baby boomers love RVs. While Spartan has a great story, Cramer cautions that this small-cap speculative stock may not be for everyone and to wait for a pullback before buying.
Sell Block: WCI Communities (NYSE: WCI - News), Simon Property Group (NYSE: SPG - News), Hologic (NasdaqGS: HOLX), Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC - News), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News), Greenbrier Companies (NYSE: GBX - News), Coldwater Creek (NasdaqGS: CWTR), Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD), Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG), Altria (NYSE: MO - News), Kraft (NYSE: KFT - News) Take-Two Interactive (NasdaqGS: TTWO)
Cramer is "adamant that homebuilders can't be owned" and would sell WCI even though it hasn't moved, along with SPG, which has had a big increase. He would also sell HOLX which is "priced for perfection" but which has been the target of articles suggesting its products are less than perfect. Cramer likes rails as a "happy oligopoly, but given NSC's disappointing guidance, he would swap it for UNP on any strength. Cramer confessed "I deserve to be roasted over hot coals" for recommending GBX as a short-busting play when the stock has had a huge drop. Cramer wants to avoid getting burned again over CWTR and would sell even though it seems to be making a comeback. He thinks upgrades of semiconductors are "insane" and would get rid of the entire sector. Gilead, Cramer's "bio stock of the year" is now too expensive, and he would sell it or swap into Celgene. Now that Altria has spun off Kraft, Cramer would hold onto MO and sell KFT; "American cheese just doesn't turn it's customers into hopeless addicts."Finally, the fact that it is difficult to zero in on what is really wrong with TTWO is the best reason to sell it.
Mad Mail: Deere (NYSE: DE - News), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO - News)
Cramer would back up the truck and buy DE because, for the long-term "we are in a secular bull market inf farming" and sees a strong comeback for Deere. Cramer also likes KO because if it's brand turns around in Japan, KO could rise from $50 to $55.

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Labels: CELG, CWTR, DE, GBX, GILD, HOLX, Jim Cramer, KFT, KO, Mad Money, MO, NSC, SPAR, SPG, UNP, WCI

Bullish calls:
Consolidated Edison (NYSE: ED - News): 'If you're going to go that route, I'd rather see you do ED.'WellPoint (NYSE: WLP - News)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG)Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD)Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ)Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT - News): 'ABT has accelerated growth... because they got the best part of the Guidant deal... because they've got a couple of drugs that I think are still expanding... 'Marshall & Ilsley (NYSE: MI - News): 'I like what they did yesterday, very much... It split off its processing business ... MI is committed to be able to bring out value, even at a time when a lot of regional banks are not to be owned. I salute that management for being probably the only company in that whole industry that I think recognizes that you've got to do more than just play the yield curve, because they haven't done well. That's a good stock.'Dendreon (NasdaqGM: DNDN): 'I think DNDN has now had a major move ... I don't think it's done ... That is a very speculative stock though. It is not for those who want to buy it as a drug company ... Which is why I have not gone out with it on my show.'Starwood Hotels (NYSE: HOT - News): 'Steve Hayer must be a guy that nobody could work with, because, boy, he is an unbelievable turnaround guy... They just left him in the dust. The rumor is that they're going to be for sale. The stock could go to $90 if it's for sale ... I want to own HOT... I think that's a great selection.'
Bearish calls:
DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE - News): 'You're too conservative ... I want more growth than that stock can give you.'Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY - News): 'This is a tough, tough, tough call, because LLY is very well-run, and it's done unbelievable work in the mental health business. The problem with LLY - and this is a problem I see with much of big pharma - it does not have the growth that I want ... I salute the management, but I don't want to buy the company.'MedImmune (NasdaqGS: MEDI): 'I think they're misguided. I do believe that this company should be sold to other people who can do a better job. They have great drugs. They have not succeeded in marketing them.'
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Labels: ABT, DNDN, DTE, ED, GILD, HOT, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, LLY, Mad Money, MEDI, MI, WLP

Bullish calls:
Cleveland-Cliffs (NYSE: CLF - News): 'Cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap, cheap! This is an iron pellet company, and there is a worldwide shortage of iron ... I believe that CLF - if it does not get the stock higher - will be purchased by another company - buy buy buy!'Vodafone (NYSE: VOD - News): 'I think the 3% yield, plus the incredible assets it has in Europe yields a buy, and I would buy the stock.'Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS: GILD)Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): 'I've got the CELG at $55.'Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ)Infosys Technologies (NasdaqGS: INFY): 'You know that's one of my favorite outsourcing companies! Now there are a lot of people who won't want to put money in Bangalor... I think those people are short-sighted.'Accenture (NYSE: ACN - News): ' ... you could always do ACN, ahead of next week's quarter, which I think will be good.'Six Flags (NYSE: SIX - News): 'They reported a quarter that everyone said was bad. And did the stock blink an eye? Absolutely not. I am with you. I believe the comparisons will be really easy for SIX. Pull the trigger my friend.'Sun Microsystems (NasdaqGS: SUNW): 'I think SUNW is okay. This is a new position for me. I have historically disliked SUNW... At $6 bucks, I don't know... enough hate is enough. They've got a new CEO. They've got a KKR shareholder. I think there's a lot of ways to win. $1 down, $3 up.'Indevus Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: IDEV): 'I recommended IDEV... and it is still ramping... but it's a little $6 stock, so I'm not going to push it hard here. They've got a lot of compounds... I would take a shot. It's a flyer. It's a speculative name.'Apple (NasdaqGS: AAPL): 'If it's going to $100 and beyond, I don't think $93 is a bad level, but let's do it this way: Let's buy 25 shares, with the hope it comes in so we can get our 100 shares in... I think iPhone is going to be gigantic. 'Amgen (NasdaqGS: AMGN): 'I say buy it here with a minimum risk/reward. Maybe even do it in deep-in-the-money in options.'
Bearish calls:
Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX - News): ' We pulled the trigger, and told people to sell at $18, and I am not changing my mind. I still don't like BSX, even down here at $15. Sell, sell, sell!'Baidu.com (NasdaqGM: BIDU): 'I can never trust the communist Chinese communists to allow a free-speech internet to be able to prosper... which is why I refuse to endorse BIDU. Don't buy, don't buy.'Pozen (NasdaqGM: POZN): ' Too dicey, ever since they did that migraine game... I've got the CELG at $55. That's better. I like the GILD better too. And let's not forget GENZ!Nokia (NYSE: NOK - News): 'NOK is falling apart.'Motorola (NYSE: MOT - News): 'MOT is competely and utterly just (house of pain)।'
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Labels: ACN, AMGN, BIDU, BSX, CELG, CLF, GENZ, GILD, IDEV, INFY, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, MOT, NOK, POZN, SIX, SUNW, VOD

Bullish calls:
Saks (NYSE: SKS - News): 'The company is en fuego. This is one of my favorite situations ... SKS is going up - I think - 4 or 5 more points.'Sprint Nextel (NYSE: S - News): 'I was impressed about that last quarter. I had been very negative about S ... They blew away the numbers. I think S is now a buy, buy, buy, particularly under $20. That stock can go much higher.'Transocean (NYSE: RIG - News): 'Take a look at the rates that RIG is now getting.'Halliburton (NYSE: HAL - News): 'HAL is on the move. I have said this is going to be one of my best stocks of 2007, and I am reiterating a triple buy. Buy, buy, buy!'Logitech International (NasdaqGS: LOGI): ' I'm actually surprised this stock isn't doing better. They make the fabulous peripherals we all use. They make great mice. They did miss the quarter. I think the stock is a buy. I'm not backing away from LOGI.'Dean Foods (NYSE: DF - News): 'That company is all about returning money to shareholders. That special dividend plan is brilliant. I really want to plug these guys.'Genzyme (NasdaqGS: GENZ): 'I think you've got to buy this company. I think that people are very worried about congressional action against biotech. That's not going to happen. GENZ's good.'Gilead (NasdaqGS: GILD): 'GILD's good.'Celgene (NasdaqGS: CELG): 'CELG's good. 'Walter Industries (NYSE: WLT - News): It shouldn't have been hammered. All aboard! ... There's a lot of value there, if they choose to bring it out.'Baxter International (NYSE: BAX - News): 'BAX is the one that is operating on every single cylinder. I applaud BAX for what it's done. That stock has been at or near the 52-week high list for about a half a dozen years. BAX's a winner!'Bard (NYSE: BCR - News)MasterCard (NYSE: MA - News): ' This is an 'among the rubble' stock that came down during the selloff that I want to tell you right now... you need to buy more MA! I would pull the trigger multiple times. That's how much I like MA here. All aboard!'Emerson Electric (NYSE: EMR - News): 'Right here, it's got a 2.5% yield. It's one of the best-run manufacturers in the country ... It's growing at almost 12%. It sells at 16x earnings.'Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH - News)Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW - News)Vail Resorts (NYSE: MTN - News): 'I'll tell you, it's had a big run ... You know what, that's a good stock. On a pullback, I would have to pull the trigger. Buy, buy, buy!'Regal Entertainment (NYSE: RGC - News): 'You want to be there! These companies - these cinema companies are good - it's got a nice dividend. I think that this group was bad before. They've fixed their balance sheets. You should pull the trigger. I would own RGC.'Ceradyne (NasdaqGS: CRDN): 'To tell you the truth, I'd rather be in CRDN.'Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP - News): 'Oh man, that stock is rocking ... I say it goes to $120.'Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS - News)
Bearish calls:
Global Industries (NasdaqGS: GLBL): ' I would swap out of GLBL and go into GSF, RIG or HAL.'RF Micro Devices (NasdaqGS: RFMD): 'Yeah, this is one of those little stocks that has had a nice move ... I think that you are too late, but these always come back again. I would sell, sell, sell, and when it comes in, back to $6 - buy, buy, buy!'Acorda Therapeutics (NasdaqGM: ACOR): 'I've got to tell you, this is a very speculative stock. I'm reluctant to recommend it, with a lot of the great biotech stocks trading down so badly ... Don't buy, don't buy.'Research In Motion (NasdaqGS: RIMM): 'I was not happy with Jim Balsillie [ co-CEO] with the options stuff... I expected more of Jim than that. He's one of my favorite executives. I do think that RIMM is good place to be ... Don't buy, don't buy. It's just too, too hard.'ExpressJet (NYSE: XJT - News): ' Look, XJT is frankly a don't buy. I don't want to go there. Don't buy, don't buy.'Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY - News): ' Sunshine, I've got to tell you something... I think that BMY is just okay right here. Don't buy, don't buy. It's had a very big move. I liked it much lower ... Sell, sell, sell!'Pioneer Drilling (AMEX: PDC - News): 'You cannot go with this land drilling! ... Sell, sell, sell, sell, sell, sell. It won't work!'Take-Two Interactive (NasdaqGS: TTWO): 'I have been mad at myself. Yesterday, I looked at Steve Cohen's position in DE Shaw, and said to myself, 'These guys are going to replace management at TTWO. Maybe that's a reason to buy it.' That was a mistake. When I look at the core business, I don't know if there's anything there. I think I was too aggressive with TTWO ... I think Steve Cohen is a terrific guy. I totally respect his work. I think he might be wrong about TTWO.'Jefferies (NYSE: JEF - News): 'No, no. Missed the quarter. Missed the quarter.'Force Protection (NasdaqCM: FRPT) 'To tell you the truth, I'd rather be in CRDN.'
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Labels: BAX, BCR, BMY, DF, EMR, GENZ, GILD, GS, HAL, JEF, Lightning Round, LOGI, MA, Mad Money, PDC, RGC, RIG, SKS, UNP, WLT

Stocks were narrowly mixed Tuesday as concerns about a market correction offset investor optimism that acquisition activity is on pace to set a record this year.
The $45 billion buyout of electric utility TXU Corp. injected confidence into the market that merger and acquisition activity could surpass last year's record $4 trillion level. The deal, led by a consortium of buyout shops that include Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Texas Pacific Group, would go down as the largest leveraged buyout in U.S. history.
Other deals announced before the opening bell included Station Casinos Inc., which agreed to be bought by a private equity firm started by the company's founding family. Temple-Inland Inc., a conglomerate that offers everything from packaging material to financial services, announced it plans to separate itself into three standalone public companies.
However, stocks were unable to sustain gains as there continued to be concern major indexes are in need of a correction. The Dow Jones industrials, after hitting a peak last week, fell for three straight sessions in their worst weekly decline since August.
"Despite the buyout news, we're seeing the broader market a little concerned that we've had such strength without a correction," said Peter Dunay, an investment strategist with New York-based Leeb Capital Management. "We maybe be in a period where the market wants to step back for a bit."
In late morning trading, the Dow rose 9.70, or 0.08 percent, to 12,657.18.
Broader stock indicators were mixed. The Standard & Poor's 500 index was up 2.06, or 0.14 percent, at 1,453.25, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 7.81, or 0.31 percent, to 2,507.29.
Bonds continued to rise from last week's sell-off, with the yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note falling to 4.65 percent from 4.68 percent late Friday. Bonds had been weaker amid concerns that subprime lenders would be forced to take write-downs if consumers defaulted on mortgage payments.
The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices rose.
Oil prices rose as a winter storm plowed across the United States, spurring expectations of strong demand for heating oil. A barrel of light sweet crude rose 31 cents to $61.45 on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
TXU rose $7.67, or 12.8 percent, to $67.69 after it agreed to be bought by private equity firms. Directors of the electric utility voted Sunday night to recommend that shareholders approve the sale, which values its stock at a 15 percent premium.
Meanwhile, Dow Chemical Co. spiked $2.88, or 6.6 percent, to $46.33 on speculation it could be the target of a leveraged buyout. London's Sunday Express newspaper, in an unsourced report, said the chemical company might be given an offer of about $54 billion from buyout funds.
Station Casinos rose $3.51, or 4.2 percent, to $86.81 after it agreed to go private in a $5.4 billion deal, which represents an 8 percent premium over its closing price on Friday. The deal still allows Station to solicit acquisition proposals from third parties for 30 days.
Temple-Inland rose $7.55, or 13.7 percent, to $62.50 after it agreed to spin off its real estate and financial services arms, and sells its timberland business. The decision came days after activist shareholder Carl Icahn said he'd wage a proxy fight to seize control of the board.
Gilead Sciences Inc. rose 30 cents to $73.93 after the biopharmaceutical company said one of its drugs used to treat HIV works well with other therapies. Merck & Co. rose $1.10, or 2.6 percent, to $44.04 after the third-biggest U.S. maker of prescription drugs was upgraded to "Buy" from Citigroup.
Declining issues barely outpaced advancers on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 475.4 million shares.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 1.88, or 0.23 percent, at 824.76.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average closed up 0.15 percent. In afternoon trading, Britain's FTSE 100 was up 0.56 percent, Germany's DAX index added 0.55 percent, and France's CAC-40 rose 0.87 percent.

Labels: DOW, GILD, MRK, STN, Stocks, TIN, TXU

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Tuesday's session are Home Depot Inc., SanDisk Corp. and Xerox. The markets are closed Monday for President's Day.
Alltel Corp. (NYSE:AT - News) is expected to report earnings per share of 59 cents for the fourth quarter, according to analysts polled by Thomson Financial.
Avis Budget Group Inc. (NYSE:CAR - News) is expected to post fourth-quarter per-share income of 12 cents.
Crocs Inc. (NasdaqGS:CROX - News) is expected to report earnings per share of 43 cents for the fourth quarter.
Fossil Inc. (NasdaqGS:FOSL - News) is expected to report per-share income of 46 cents for the fourth quarter.
Genuine Parts Co. (NYSE:GPC - News) is expected to report per-share income of 70 cents for the fourth quarter.
Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ - News) is expected to post earnings of 62 cents per share for the first quarter.
Home Depot (NYSE:HD - News) is expected to post fourth-quarter income of 50 cents per share.
Medtronic Inc. (NYSE:MDT - News) is expected to post third-quarter per-share income of 58 cents.
Scottish Re Group Ltd. (NYSE:SCT - News) is expected to report earnings per share of 28 cents for the fourth quarter.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT - News) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings per share of 90 cents.
After Friday's closing bell, SanDisk (NasdaqGS:SNDK - News) unveiled a number of cost-cutting measures to cushion itself against an oversupply of flash memory chips used in consumer electronic devices.
Watch List
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF - News) said a special litigation committee established by the board found that there is no evidence to support claims asserted in certain derivative lawsuits brought against current and former directors and management, including Chairman and Chief Executive Michael Jeffries.
AMB Property Corp. (NYSE:AMB - News) said its board has raised the quarterly cash dividend 8.7% to 50 cents per share. The dividend is payable April 16 to shareholders as of April 6.
Bare Escentuals Inc. (NasdaqGS:BARE - News) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to offer 12 million shares. The beauty products company said it's offering 575,000 of the shares, while selling stockholders are offering an additional 11.4 million shares.
Gilead Sciences Inc. (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) said the Food and Drug Administration has granted priority review status to its new drug application for ambrisentan, a treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Harley-Davidson Motor Co. (NYSE:HOG - News) said it has reached a tentative labor agreement with representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local 175 in York, Pa. The motorcycle manufacturer said the agreement is subject to membership ratification, adding that it expects members to vote the week of Feb. 19. If approved, the agreement would end a strike by 2,800 unionized employees in York that began Feb. 2.
K2 Inc. (NYSE:KTO - News) said it has named J. Wayne Merck president, chief executive, and board member. The provider of sporting and recreational products said Merck, who has been president and chief operating officer since November of 2003, succeeds Richard Heckmann as CEO.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE:KKD - News) said it has closed a new senior secured credit facility of $160 million, made up of a $50 million revolving credit facility and a $110 million term loan. The doughnut retailer said proceeds of the term loan were used to repay about $107 million outstanding balance under the company's prior credit facility, and to pay fees and expenses related to the new financing and the retirement of the prior facility.
Power-One Inc. (NasdaqGM:PWER - News) said Chief Financial Officer Paul Ross plans to resign to accept another position. The maker of power conversion products named Jeffrey Kyle to succeed Ross as CFO.
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. (NYSE:SMG - News) said its board has declared a one-time cash dividend of $8 per share. The dividend is payable March 5 to shareholders as of Feb. 26.
Don Ackerman, chairman of WCI Communities Inc. (NYSE:WCI - News), said Carl Icahn's plans to run his own slate of candidates for the WCI Board "would be highly disruptive to our company and not in the best interests of all our shareholders."
Xerox (NYSE:XRX - News) said it expects 2007 operating cash flows to fall to a range of $1.2 billion to $1.5 billion from $1.6 billion last year. The forecast confirms an estimate for cash flows made at an investor meeting in November.

Labels: AMB, ANF, AT, BARE, CAR, CROX, FOSL, GILD, GPC, HD, HOG, HPQ, KKD, KTO, MDT, PWER, SCT, SNDK, WMT

Gilead Sciences (NasdaqGS:GILD - News) beat earnings on Wednesday after the close, announcing $0.78 EPS over an expected $0.68 EPS. GILD's PowerRating is 5.
Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News) beat earnings Wednesday afternoon with $3.18 EPS over an anticipated $2.91 EPS. GOOG's PowerRating is 5.
Archer-Daniels (NYSE:ADM - News) reports quarterly earnings on Thursday before the bell; look for $0.60 EPS. ADM's PowerRating is 4.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - News) is expected to announce $0.17 EPS on Thursday morning. BSX's PowerRating is 4.
When Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM - News) reports earnings Thursday morning, look for $1.51 EPS. XOM's PowerRating is 5.
International Paper (NYSE:IP - News) is expected to announce $0.35 EPS Thursday morning. IP's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts are watching for Valero Energy (NYSE:VLO - News) to report $1.37 EPS Thursday before the market opens. VLO's PowerRating is 3.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: ADM, BSX, GILD, GOOG, Hot Stocks, IP, VLO, XOM

Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD - News), Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO - News)
Cramer would buy GILD before Tuesday's J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference, which should give the stock a bounce. Cramer thinks that 2007 will be a good year for biotech in general, and he comments that GILD has a great pipleline and "the best portfolio of HIV drugs on the market." However, The Street is not yet comfortable with GILD's Myogen acquisition, and once fears are put to rest at the conference, Cramer predicts that there will be increased interest in the stock. Cramer would also buy TMO before the company makes its presentation at the conference at 11 a.m on Tuesday, and this "coming out party" and its merger with Fisher Scientific should have a beneficial effect on the stock. Cramer calls TMO the "premier arms supplier to the whole pharmaceutical business" and although it is not a pure play, its end markets are strong. He notes that analysts have been "falling over themselves" to raise estimates, and they still don't realize what a "powerhouse" TMO is, since it will be able to cut costs, increase margins and see 32% growth in 2007. "It's the biggest, the best and deserves to trade at a premium to other life sciences companies," Cramer said, noting that it is cheaper than its rivals.
Related: Gilead paid a high premium to acquire Myogen.
Optium (NASDAQ: OPTM - News)
Cramer declared that OPTM was the most overlooked IPO of 2006 because it was unfairly lumped together with other telcos. He would pick up this "overlooked and written off" stock because it has a triple play of internet, TV and radio. In addition, it is the "optical infrastructure play we have been hoping for, " and has tripled its backlog. Since OPTM is speculative, Cramer suggests doing research before buying, and says that those who find the company's technology hard to understand should move on to something else.
Related: Tiernan Ray discusses Optimum's IPO and other optical stocks.
CEO Interview: Peter Marrone, Yamana Gold (AMEX: AUY - News)
Cramer asked Peter Marrone to explain how AUY has such low finding costs and why it is a good option for those who want to invest in gold stocks rather than in gold itself. Marrone explained that Yamana has large mines, and thanks to the size and scope of operations, AUY can produce gold at a low cost. He went on to say that the cash cost of producing AUY's gold is low because of its byproduct credits from copper production, and that its costs for 2007 to 2008 will actually be negative. When Cramer asked about potential acquisitions, Marrone replied that there may be some opportunities in Latin America once AUY's stock price is consistent with its peers. Cramer recommended AUY as a strong gold stock.
Related: The Wall Street transcripts roundtable on gold stocks for 2007.
Published by SeekingAlpha

Labels: AUY, GILD, Jim Cramer, Mad Money, OPTM, TMO