S&P 500 FINANCIALS INDEX
| Value | 221.89 | |
| Change | 0.21 (0.1%) |
The MLP index rose 3+ to the 367s. Buyers have returned after the 15 point drop in the middle of last week. The REIT index was up a fraction in the 225s, little changed since last May. Junk bond funds were higher, some gaining 1%. Treasuries advanced, taking the yield on the 10 year Treasury bond down 2 basis points to 3.40%.
Treasury yields:
| U.S. 3-month | 0.15% | |
| U.S. 2-year | 0.62% | |
| U.S. 10-year | 3.40% |
Alerian MLP Index --- 2 weeks
Dow Jones REIT Index --- 2 weeks
10-Year Treasury Yield Index --- 2 weeks
Oil dropped for a 5th day after Saudi Arabia signaled OPEC may increase supply to meet growing demand in China & India. There is word that hedge funds are unloading bullish bets on gold as a slide in prices sends the metal to its worst yearly start since 1997. The long term picture remains bullish.
| CLH11.NYM | ...Crude Oil Mar 11... | 87.72 | ... 1.39 | (1.6%) |
| GCF11.CMX | ...Gold Jan 11 | .......1,342.50....... | 1.50 (0.1%) |
Gold Super Cycle Link! Click Here
Photo: Yahoo
Intel (INTC), a Dow stock, raised its div 15% & authorized another $10B in its share buyback program after posting solid results earlier this month. The new div is 18.12¢ (just over 72¢ annualized, giving a yield of 3.5%. In addition its share buyback program was increased by an additional $10B to $14.2B. "Today's announcement signals confidence in our fundamental business strategies both today and looking forward," CEO Paul Otellini said. 2 weeks ago INTC posted better-than expected revenue & margins for Q4. Its Shares of were up 23¢.
Intel --- 1 year
Photo: Yahoo
McDonald's (MCD), a Dow stock & Dividend aristocrat, Q4 net income rose 2% but a key metric for US posted a smaller increase than in Q3 & the company cautioned that food costs are likely to rise this year. EPS in Q4 for MCD was $1.16, up from $1.11 last year, & revenue climbed 4% to $6.2B. Sales at US stores open at least 13 months increased 4.4% as the company rolled out its Caramel Mocha & customers participated in its perennially popular Monopoly promotion. Worldwide, the figure rose 5% on strength in Asia. However, the increases were smaller than in Q3, when the figure rose 5.3% in the US & 6% worldwide. US sales were hurt in Dec by bad weather. It expects global sales at stores open at least 13 months to rise 4-5% in Jan. However MCD cautioned that 2011 foods costs may rise 2-2.5% in the US & climb 3.5-4.5% in Europe. In 2010, MCD EPS climbed 9% to $4.58& revenue improved to $24.1B from $22.7B. CEO Jim Skinner said that in 2011 the company plans to use about half of its $2.5B in capital spending to open 1100 new restaurants. The rest will be invested in existing locations. The stock fell 38¢ to $74.63 after hitting an all-time high of $80.94 in early Dec.
McDonald's Fourth-Quarter Profit Rises 2.1% as Frappes Draw Customers
McDonald's --- 1 year
Photo: Bloomberg
Sara Lee (SLE), packaged-food company, received a takeover bid from a private-equity group led by Apollo Global Management. The company has been seen as a takeover target for months as it sold off non-food businesses & failed to name a permanent replacement for its former CEO who stepped down last summer to recover from a stroke. SLE did not receive an expected offer from Brazilian beef processor JBS SA, the world's largest beef company, according to the report. Reuters reported the bid on Sat, that Bain Capital & TPG Capital also were part of the Apollo bid. Preliminary bids on SLE were due on Fri. This fall it sold its North American bread-making business to the Mexican baking giant Grupo Bimbo for $959M. If there are no attractive takeover bids, SLE might split its food & beverage divisions into separate companies. Shares of SLE have been climbing in recent weeks & are up 12¢ to $18.83 today.
Sara Lee Said to Get Apollo Bid Above Market Value
Sara Lee --- 2 months
Merger Mon seems to be popular in the markets today. The SLE probable buyout & INTC buying more shares are giving bullish signals to the markets. MLPs are popular again after the big drop last week. Earnings season is going well with a bunch of distribution increases (qtr over qtr). FOMC has another meeting this week. Low rates are expected too remain in place. The major concern is when will rates start heading north following strength in the economy. The FED could also indicate how long it plans to continue with the Q2 program.
Dow Jones Industrials --- 2 weeks
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