NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Ridgewater Equity

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Benchmark Journal.

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Below are interesting mid-cap stocks on the NASDAQ with highest cash.

E*TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) has $7.57 billion in cash on its balance sheet. ETFC’s market capitalization is $3.13 billion. Citigroup upgraded ETFC from “hold” to “buy.”

Liberty Media Capital (NASDAQ: LCAPA) has $3.96 billion in cash on its balance sheet. LCAPA’s market capitalization is $2.22 billion. Deutsche Securities upgraded LCAPA from “hold” to “buy.”

People's United Financial Inc (NASDAQ: PBCT) has $3.5 billion in cash on its balance sheet. PBCT’s market capitalization is $5.59 billion. Maxim Group initiated coverage of PBCT with a “hold” rating.

Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ: FITB) has $2.98 billion in cash on its balance sheet. FITB’s market capitalization is $8.19 billion. Citigroup upgraded FITB from “hold” to “buy.”

Dish Network Corp (NASDAQ: DISH) has $2.63 billion in cash on its balance sheet. DISH’s market capitalization is $9.56 billion. Deutsche Securities upgraded DISH from “hold” to “buy.”

Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) announced its top US calls. Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI) has been issued a Buy recommendation with a target price of $33 and the stock is currently trading at $23.82.

It has removed DISH Network Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH) from its US focus list and has issued a target price of $22 (current price: $21.2). Celgene Corporation (NASDAQ: CELG) which is trading at $55.54 has been issued a Buy recommendation with a target price of $59.

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DirecTV hires a soda guy as its new CEO. It sends a signal to investors about how DirecTV views its product.

We initiate coverage for Dish Network Corp. (DISH) with a Neutral recommendation. The company together with its subsidiaries operates the DISH Network direct broadcast satellite (DBS) subscription television service in the U.S. servicing more than 14 million subscribers. Dish Network’s third quarter 2009 financial results were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate due to higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). Legal battle with TiVo related to digital video recorder technology has resulted in massive outflow of cash from Dish Network’s balance sheet.
 
In the U.S., pay-TV market is highly competitive. Dish network is currently the third largest pay-TV service provider, well below Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) with 23.8 million subscribers and Direct TV Group (DTV) with 18.4 million subscribers. Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC) is quickly approaching Dish Network with more than 13 million subscribers. Dish Network, which focuses on the lower-end of the market, was also affected by the termination of distribution relationship with AT&T (T) in January 2009. Beginning with the second quarter 2009, AT&T no longer contributes to Dish Network’s gross subscriber additions.
 
Nevertheless, Dish Network continues to position itself as a low price leader in the U.S. pay-TV industry by subsidizing the cost of equipment and installation to increase subscriber base. The company also focused on increasing distribution of highly rated DVR and HD (High-Definition) equipment, as value additions to drive subscriber growth and retention.
 
The company is investing more in advanced technology equipment as part of its subscriber acquisition and retention efforts. Recent initiatives includes, transmit certain programming only in MPEG-4 and to activate most new subscribers only with MPEG-4 receivers. Additionally, Dish Network is changing equipment to migrate certain subscribers to free up transponder capacity in support of HD and other initiatives.
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Read the full analyst report on "TIVO"
Read the full analyst report on "CMCSA"
Read the full analyst report on "DTV"
Read the full analyst report on "TWC"
Read the full analyst report on "T"
Zacks Investment Research

Anticipation of Comcast Corp and General Electric JV has built a run-up in the media stock buying.[More...]

TDS Telecom, a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems (TDS), has reportedly completed the acquisition of New Hampshire-based privately held regional telecom operator Union Telephone Company Inc. TDS Telecom entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Union Telephone in August 2009. The terms of the transaction, however, were not disclosed by the companies. TDS Telecom provides [...]

(TDS) Telephone and Data Systems Buys Union Telephone

TDS Telecom, a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems (TDS), has reportedly completed the acquisition of New Hampshire-based privately held regional telecom operator Union Telephone Company Inc. TDS Telecom entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Union Telephone in August 2009. The terms of the transaction, however, were not disclosed by the companies.
 
TDS Telecom provides fixed-line services to business and residential customers in the US. The company operates both as incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier serving more than 1.1 million access line equivalents. TDS Telecom is primarily focused on the rural and suburban markets, where competition is less intense, compared to metropolitan and urban areas.
 
To expand customer coverage and improve service quality, TDS Telecom has been acquiring smaller privately-owned wireline operators. The company purchased Wisconsin-based Mosinee Telephone Company in May 2008, which provided nearly 6,000 residential and business line equivalents covering areas adjacent to the company’s existing territories in Wisconsin. TDS Telecom also acquired Wisconsin-based State Long Distance Company in December 2008, which provided approximately 9,600 access line equivalents and 2,200 DSL broadband lines.
 
Union Telephone provides telecommunication and digital TV services across seven towns/rural communities in New Hampshire. The acquisition extends TDS Telecom’s coverage in New Hampshire and provides a high quality network with approximately 8,500 access line equivalents, encompassing an area of 150 square miles in the rural eastern part of the state.  

With the acquisition of Union Telephone, TDS Telecom now operates five phone companies in New Hampshire. The acquisition enables the company to expand its communication services in the state by offering faster Internet service, new bundled services and enhanced online security. TDS Telecom will also add its “Triple-Play" service offering that bundles voice, high-speed Internet and Dish Network’s (DISH) digital TV services.

Read the full analyst report on "TDS"
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Zacks Investment Research

TiVo Inc. (TIVO) reported a net loss of 6 cents a share for the third quarter of fiscal 2010, a penny below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 5 cents, and fell substantially from the prior-year quarter. The company had reported EPS of 98 cents in the third quarter of 2009, boosted by [...]

(TIVO) TiVo Misses Earnings Estimates – Signs Deals

Schaeffer's analyst Morgan Searcy takes a look at news on the Street before the market open.

Schaeffer's Andrea Kramer takes a look at unusual option activity on the Street

Tom Dorsey and Tammy DeRosier - A Trip Around The World

Facebook and other SoMe talk, Sling and DISH, Could Abu Dhabi be the next Media Mecca? (T) (YHOO) (TWX) (GOOG) (MSFT) (DISH)

This week Georg covers the latest in media and entertainment earnings.  It
was a week for the large media conglomerates including Disney and Viacom
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ic39ac604ab41fd21
b65c8610f8453fa4 .  Wall Street reacted indifferent to most of the week's
earnings reports.  Listen for Georg's take on why.  Unusual was a downgrade
on high flying Marvel Entertainment http://www.marvel.com/ , but the stock
remained stable.  Last for this week hear how subscriber numbers are
affecting the satellite stocks http://www.socialpicks.com/ideas/show/14157 (VIA) (NWS) (DIS) (DISH) (DTV) (CMCSA) (MVL)