Filed under: Deals, Google (GOOG), Marketing and advertising

Sometimes Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) makes enemies even when it’s trying not to. For example, the world’s leading internet search company caused a stir with its Google News website, which basically aggregates news information from global sources into one area, but doesn’t publish content of its own at all. Some European countries didn’t like that.

Traditional media feels threatened by Google in many ways — and it should feel this way. Innovation can disrupt industries and turn them upside down. And the media world cannot stay the same now that the internet is involved. But Google wants to partner with media companies, according to David Eun, Google’s VP of content partnerships. He’s right — Google is in the partnership business to derive advertising revenue. I’ve said for years on BloggingStocks that Google’s aim is to become the world’s largest advertising company. To those who think Google wants to get into the content business, I say that’s not what Google wants to conquer here.

Eun said, “That’s absolutely not the case for us,” when he responded to a comment from a Bear Stearns analyst about Google’s interest in becoming a content creator. So far, Eun is right — Google has shown absolutely no sign of getting into content businesses like print, television or movie entertainment. It is heavily engaged, however, in the business of partnering with those industries to monetize them in different ways in the face of declining subscribers, viewers and moviegoers. The dMarc buy and Google’s possible foray into television is proof that it sees a morphed content future. But is Google really a wolf in sheep’s clothing here? Only time will tell.

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Filed under: Deals, Google (GOOG), Marketing and advertising

Sometimes Google, Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) makes enemies even when it’s trying not to. For example, the world’s leading internet search company caused a stir with its Google News website, which basically aggregates news information from global sources into one area, but doesn’t publish content of its own at all. Some European countries didn’t like that.

Traditional media feels threatened by Google in many ways — and it should feel this way. Innovation can disrupt industries and turn them upside down. And the media world cannot stay the same now that the internet is involved. But Google wants to partner with media companies, according to David Eun, Google’s VP of content partnerships. He’s right — Google is in the partnership business to derive advertising revenue. I’ve said for years on BloggingStocks that Google’s aim is to become the world’s largest advertising company. To those who think Google wants to get into the content business, I say that’s not what Google wants to conquer here.

Eun said, “That’s absolutely not the case for us,” when he responded to a comment from a Bear Stearns analyst about Google’s interest in becoming a content creator. So far, Eun is right — Google has shown absolutely no sign of getting into content businesses like print, television or movie entertainment. It is heavily engaged, however, in the business of partnering with those industries to monetize them in different ways in the face of declining subscribers, viewers and moviegoers. The dMarc buy and Google’s possible foray into television is proof that it sees a morphed content future. But is Google really a wolf in sheep’s clothing here? Only time will tell.

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Filed under: International markets, Other issues, Federal Reserve

The euro rallied to an all-time high of $1.5504 versus the dollar Wednesday, as traders concluded that the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest plan to inject $200 billion into the banking system will not ease credit conditions in the U.S.

The euro rose to that record level early Wednesday before retreating slightly to $1.5485. The dollar also fell about 1 yen to 102.42 yen versus Japan’s yen, and declined about 1.5 cents to $2.0219 versus the British pound.

The euro’s rise was aided by European Central Bank Member Axel Weber’s comments Wednesday that he sees “no room” to lower short-term interest rates in the euro-zone, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

The euro has risen against the dollar in part because short-term European interest rates are higher than comparable U.S. interest rates. All other factors being equal, money flows toward higher-interest-rate currencies and away from lower-interest-rate currencies.

Continue reading Euro rallies to all-time high of $1.55 versus the dollar

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Filed under: International markets, Other issues, Federal Reserve

The euro rallied to an all-time high of $1.5504 versus the dollar Wednesday, as traders concluded that the U.S. Federal Reserve’s latest plan to inject $200 billion into the banking system will not ease credit conditions in the U.S.

The euro rose to that record level early Wednesday before retreating slightly to $1.5485. The dollar also fell about 1 yen to 102.42 yen versus Japan’s yen, and declined about 1.5 cents to $2.0219 versus the British pound.

The euro’s rise was aided by European Central Bank Member Axel Weber’s comments Wednesday that he sees “no room” to lower short-term interest rates in the euro-zone, Bloomberg News reported Wednesday.

The euro has risen against the dollar in part because short-term European interest rates are higher than comparable U.S. interest rates. All other factors being equal, money flows toward higher-interest-rate currencies and away from lower-interest-rate currencies.

Continue reading Euro rallies to all-time high of $1.55 versus the dollar

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Filed under: Earnings reports, Forecasts, Caterpillar (CAT), United Parcel’B’ (UPS)

On Tuesday, apparel retailer J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG) suggested that 2008 income would come in above analyst estimates.

For the full year, the company forecast a profit of $1.85 to $1.87 per share. The consensus estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for full-year earnings of $1.52 per share. In after-market trading yesterday, J. Crew shares rose $1.36, or 3.2%, to $43.96, and they continued to rise in morning trading to $46.17.

During a presentation to analysts and investors, heavy machinery maker Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) forecast that the company’s earnings per share will rise 5% to 15%, to between $5.64 and $6.18 per share, and that revenue will climb between 5% and 10% from the $44.96 billion it reported in 2007. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect profit of $5.89 per share on revenue of $48.2 million.

Caterpillar also said that the company’s profit will rise between 15% and 20% from 2005 through 2012, and that sales will approach $60 billion by 2010. Caterpillar shares were up about 4% to $75.59 in morning trading.

Continue reading Earnings forecasts from J. Crew, Caterpillar, and UPS

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Filed under: Earnings reports, Forecasts, Caterpillar (CAT), United Parcel’B’ (UPS)

On Tuesday, apparel retailer J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG) suggested that 2008 income would come in above analyst estimates.

For the full year, the company forecast a profit of $1.85 to $1.87 per share. The consensus estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial is for full-year earnings of $1.52 per share. In after-market trading yesterday, J. Crew shares rose $1.36, or 3.2%, to $43.96, and they continued to rise in morning trading to $46.17.

During a presentation to analysts and investors, heavy machinery maker Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) forecast that the company’s earnings per share will rise 5% to 15%, to between $5.64 and $6.18 per share, and that revenue will climb between 5% and 10% from the $44.96 billion it reported in 2007. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect profit of $5.89 per share on revenue of $48.2 million.

Caterpillar also said that the company’s profit will rise between 15% and 20% from 2005 through 2012, and that sales will approach $60 billion by 2010. Caterpillar shares were up about 4% to $75.59 in morning trading.

Continue reading Earnings forecasts from J. Crew, Caterpillar, and UPS

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Filed under: Earnings reports, Penney (J.C.) (JCP), Kohl’s Corp (KSS), Technical Analysis, Stocks to Buy

Maidenform Brands (NYSE: MFB) designs and sells a range of intimate apparel products in the United States and Canada. Offerings include bras, panties and shapewear, marketed under the brand names Maidenform, Flexees, Lilyette, Sweet Nothings, Rendezvous, Subtract, Bodymates and Self Expressions. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty retailers, company-operated outlet stores and a Web site. Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) and J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) are major customers.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 27 cents and revenues of $95.8 million. Wall Street analysts had been looking for 20 cents and $89.8 million. The CEO attributed success in the quarter to sourcing initiatives and growth of the wholesale branded business.

Continue reading Maidenform Brands (MFB): Shares cycling in bullish ‘flag’ consolidation pattern

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Filed under: Earnings reports, Penney (J.C.) (JCP), Kohl’s Corp (KSS), Technical Analysis, Stocks to Buy

Maidenform Brands (NYSE: MFB) designs and sells a range of intimate apparel products in the United States and Canada. Offerings include bras, panties and shapewear, marketed under the brand names Maidenform, Flexees, Lilyette, Sweet Nothings, Rendezvous, Subtract, Bodymates and Self Expressions. The company sells its products through department stores, specialty retailers, company-operated outlet stores and a Web site. Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) and J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) are major customers.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 27 cents and revenues of $95.8 million. Wall Street analysts had been looking for 20 cents and $89.8 million. The CEO attributed success in the quarter to sourcing initiatives and growth of the wholesale branded business.

Continue reading Maidenform Brands (MFB): Shares cycling in bullish ‘flag’ consolidation pattern

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Filed under: Boeing Co (BA), Northrop Grumman (NOC)

The Associated Press reports that John “Freedom Fries” McCain employs former lobbyists for EADS, the parent of Toulouse, France-based Airbus, on his staff. EADS and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) recently won a $100 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force, edging out Boeing Inc. (NYSE: BA) which has filed a protest.

McCain now employs the people who lobbied for EADS on his own staff. According to the AP report, EADS retained The Loeffler Group to lobby for the tanker deal in 2007. Loeffler Group lobbyists on the project included Tom Loeffler, who lobbies for EADS and serves as McCain’s national finance chairman; Susan Nelson, who left Loeffler and is now the campaign’s finance director; and former Secretary of the Navy William Ball III, who has campaigned for McCain.

EADS also had a long-term relationship with Ogilvy Government Relations, formerly known as the Federalist Group. Ogilvy lobbyist John Green, who records show worked on the EADS account, recently took a leave of absence to volunteer for McCain as the campaign’s congressional liaison.

Continue reading Did John McCain’s staff help the French win $100 billion Air Force contract?

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Filed under: Boeing Co (BA), Northrop Grumman (NOC)

The Associated Press reports that John “Freedom Fries” McCain employs former lobbyists for EADS, the parent of Toulouse, France-based Airbus, on his staff. EADS and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) recently won a $100 billion contract to build refueling tankers for the Air Force, edging out Boeing Inc. (NYSE: BA) which has filed a protest.

McCain now employs the people who lobbied for EADS on his own staff. According to the AP report, EADS retained The Loeffler Group to lobby for the tanker deal in 2007. Loeffler Group lobbyists on the project included Tom Loeffler, who lobbies for EADS and serves as McCain’s national finance chairman; Susan Nelson, who left Loeffler and is now the campaign’s finance director; and former Secretary of the Navy William Ball III, who has campaigned for McCain.

EADS also had a long-term relationship with Ogilvy Government Relations, formerly known as the Federalist Group. Ogilvy lobbyist John Green, who records show worked on the EADS account, recently took a leave of absence to volunteer for McCain as the campaign’s congressional liaison.

Continue reading Did John McCain’s staff help the French win $100 billion Air Force contract?

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