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

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by WallStSense.com

Home Depot (NYSE: HD) closed yesterday at $26.82. So far the stock has hit a 52-week low of $17.46 and 52-week high of $28.44. Home Depot stock has been showing support around 26.28 and resistance in the 27.26 range. Technical indicators for the stock are Bullish and S&P gives HD a neutral 3 STAR (out of 5...(Click the story link or go to http://www.marketintelligencecenter.com for the full story)

Visit StreetInsider.com at http://www.streetinsider.com/news.php?st=p&id=5097248 for the full story.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 11, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: TRW Automotive (TRW), Dish Network Corp. (DISH), TiVo Inc. (TIVO), DirecTV (DTV) and AT&T (T).

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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

TRW Posts Robust Profit

TRW Automotive (TRW) has revealed a staggering rise in profits to $76 million or 68 cents per share in the third quarter ended Oct. 2, 2009, from a net loss of $22 million or 22 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.

The profit was also significantly higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents per share. The Michigan-based manufacturer of advanced technology products and services for the automotive markets commended its restructuring and cost containment actions for its impressive rise in profit.

Operating income for the quarter went up to $165 million from $44 million in the prior-year period. Apart from restructuring and cost containment actions, this was driven by lower raw material prices and favorable non-recurring supplier and customer settlements.

During the quarter, TRW continued to reduce its salaried workforce by an additional 200 employees, which brings the total salaried reductions to about 3,000 since the commencement of programs last year.

Dish Network’s Q3 Disappoints

Satellite TV major Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) third-quarter earnings slipped 12.3% on higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). The company reported earnings of $80.6 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $91.9 million, or 20 cents in the year-ago quarter and well behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said total revenue declined 1.5% to $2.89 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was caused by a 0.8% contraction in subscriber related revenue to $2.86 billion as average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) reduced by $0.31 to $69.51.

The lower ARPU was the result of discounts on programming to new subscribers, retention efforts and reduced premium movie revenue, partially offset by price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix towards high-definition (HD) packages and advanced hardware offerings. Equipment sales and other revenue plunged 44.2% year over year to $23.4 million, due to lower sales of non-subsidized direct broadcast satellite (DBS) accessories and digital converter boxes.

Dish added 241,000 new subscribers during the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover rate) decreased 45 basis points (bps) to 1.57%. The growth in subscribers was driven by sales and marketing promotions as well as improved churn. The company’s churn rate reduced due to the recent completion of the security access device replacement program and increased new subscriber commitment period.

However, growth in subscribers continued to be adversely affected by sluggish economic conditions, intense competition from rivals, such as DirecTV (DTV), fiber- and Internet-based pay TV operators and signal theft. 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 of this year.

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Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

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Zacks Investment Research

Satellite TV major Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) third-quarter earnings slipped 12.3% on higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). The company reported earnings of $80.6 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $91.9 million, or 20 cents in the year-ago quarter and well behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said total revenue declined 1.5% to $2.89 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was caused by a 0.8% contraction in subscriber related revenue to $2.86 billion as average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) reduced by $0.31 to $69.51.

The lower ARPU was the result of discounts on programming to new subscribers, retention efforts and reduced premium movie revenue, partially offset by price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix towards high-definition (HD) packages and advanced hardware offerings. Equipment sales and other revenue plunged 44.2% year over year to $23.4 million, due to lower sales of non-subsidized direct broadcast satellite (DBS) accessories and digital converter boxes.

Dish added 241,000 new subscribers during the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover rate) decreased 45 basis points (bps) to 1.57%. The growth in subscribers was driven by sales and marketing promotions as well as improved churn. The company’s churn rate reduced due to the recent completion of the security access device replacement program and increased new subscriber commitment period.

However, growth in subscribers continued to be adversely affected by sluggish economic conditions, intense competition from rivals, such as DirecTV (DTV), fiber- and Internet-based pay TV operators and signal theft. 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 of this year.

Subscriber-related expenses increased 5.8% year over year to $1.62 billion, caused by higher programming content costs and expenses related to call center operations. Subscriber acquisition costs rose marginally by 0.4% to $439.6 million, primarily due to a rise in new subscribers, partially offset by a decline in advertising and hardware costs per activation.

During the quarter, Dish also recorded an expense of $131.9 million related to a patent infringement dispute with TiVo, which makes digital video recorders (DVRs). General and administrative expenses grew 6.8% to $157.6 million on higher personnel costs and professional fees to support the network. Accordingly, operating income plunged 53.4% to $194.7 million, while operating margin slipped to 6.7%, from the year-ago level of 14.2%.

Year to date, the company generated $1.89 billion of cash from operations and deployed $724.3 million towards capital expenditure. Dish raised $1 billion in senior notes due 2019, bought back stock worth $18.6 million and made debt repayments of $20.0 million. The company also purchased marketable securities worth $4.06 billion, while proceeds from matured and sale of investments were $2.12 billion during the first 9 months of 2009.

Last week, archrival DirecTV reported third-quarter earnings of $366 million, or 37 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. The company added 136,000 subscribers in the U.S. during the quarter driven by its co-branded satellite service with AT&T and record demand for premium services.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate (derived from 12 covering analysts) on Dish Network’s full-year earnings has slipped by 6 cents over the past week, and is currently pegged at $1.73 per share. The most accurate estimate is more bearish at $1.70 per share.
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Read the full analyst report on "TIVO"
Read the full analyst report on "DTV"
Read the full analyst report on "T"
Zacks Investment Research

The pink slips have been handed out the severance checks cashed and the farewell drinks consumed. Everyone has offered their condolences to those who were let go yet you’re still here reeling in your cubicle wondering if maybe you’re the one who really deserves the well wishes sympathetic words and free rounds of strong drinks.As a four-time layoff survivor (and two-time victim) I’ve experienced all the panic depression fear and anxiety that comes with staying on the job when others have been let go. No industry is immune to these days. The New York Times Co. (NYT) Electronic Arts ...

Satellite TV major Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) third-quarter earnings slipped 12.3% on higher subscriber-related costs and litigation expenses associated with TiVo Inc. (TIVO). The company reported earnings of $80.6 million, or 18 cents per share, compared to $91.9 million, or 20 cents in the year-ago quarter and well behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents.

The Englewood, Colorado-based company said total revenue declined 1.5% to $2.89 billion, from $2.94 billion in the year-ago period. The decrease was caused by a 0.8% contraction in subscriber related revenue to $2.86 billion as average monthly revenue per subscriber (ARPU) reduced by $0.31 to $69.51.

The lower ARPU was the result of discounts on programming to new subscribers, retention efforts and reduced premium movie revenue, partially offset by price increases on popular programming packages, changes in the sales mix towards high-definition (HD) packages and advanced hardware offerings. Equipment sales and other revenue plunged 44.2% year over year to $23.4 million, due to lower sales of non-subsidized direct broadcast satellite (DBS) accessories and digital converter boxes.

Dish added 241,000 new subscribers during the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover rate) decreased 45 basis points (bps) to 1.57%. The growth in subscribers was driven by sales and marketing promotions as well as improved churn. The company’s churn rate reduced due to the recent completion of the security access device replacement program and increased new subscriber commitment period.

However, growth in subscribers continued to be adversely affected by sluggish economic conditions, intense competition from rivals, such as DirecTV (DTV), fiber- and Internet-based pay TV operators and signal theft. 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 of this year.

Subscriber-related expenses increased 5.8% year over year to $1.62 billion, caused by higher programming content costs and expenses related to call center operations. Subscriber acquisition costs rose marginally by 0.4% to $439.6 million, primarily due to a rise in new subscribers, partially offset by a decline in advertising and hardware costs per activation.

During the quarter, Dish also recorded an expense of $131.9 million related to a patent infringement dispute with TiVo, which makes digital video recorders (DVRs). General and administrative expenses grew 6.8% to $157.6 million on higher personnel costs and professional fees to support the network. Accordingly, operating income plunged 53.4% to $194.7 million, while operating margin slipped to 6.7%, from the year-ago level of 14.2%.

Year to date, the company generated $1.89 billion of cash from operations and deployed $724.3 million towards capital expenditure. Dish raised $1 billion in senior notes due 2019, bought back stock worth $18.6 million and made debt repayments of $20.0 million. The company also purchased marketable securities worth $4.06 billion, while proceeds from matured and sale of investments were $2.12 billion during the first 9 months of 2009.

Last week, archrival DirecTV reported third-quarter earnings of $366 million, or 37 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. The company added 136,000 subscribers in the U.S. during the quarter driven by its co-branded satellite service with AT&T and record demand for premium services.

Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate (derived from 12 covering analysts) on Dish Network’s full-year earnings has slipped by 6 cents over the past week, and is currently pegged at $1.73 per share. The most accurate estimate is more bearish at $1.70 per share.
Read the full analyst report on "DISH"
Read the full analyst report on "TIVO"
Read the full analyst report on "DTV"
Read the full analyst report on "T"
Zacks Investment Research

George Putnam, editor of The Turnaround Letter, says these out-of-favor giants may be poised for a comeback.

U.S. stocks posted modest gains Friday even as a surprisingly weak jobs report failed to deter investors from taking a broader view that the economy is improving.  Analysts’ upgrade of General Electric and Amazon.com helped the market keep its head above water as many on the Street averred the worst for the labor market was over.  Although the unemployment rate – at its highest level in 26 years – aggravated concerns about consumer spending, it nevertheless reassured some investors that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates near historically low levels in the near future.      

On Friday, the Dow Jones industrial average rose 17.46 points, or 0.2%, to 10,023.42 and the Standard & Poor's 500 index added 2.67 points, or 0.3%, to 1,069.30.  The Nasdaq composite index advanced 7.12 points, or 0.3%, to 2,112.44.  For the week, the Dow and the S&P 500 index advanced 3.2%, while the Nasdaq rose 3.3%. 

On the New York Stock Exchange, 1.1 billion shares exchanged hands Friday as advancing shares narrowly edged ahead of those that declined in price.  Surprisingly, as investors' apprehension in front of the key economic and earnings data grew, the CBOE volatility index declined over 20%, closing at 24.19 on Friday.

Analyst upgrades helped a number of stocks Friday.  Analysts at Bernstein raised their ratings on both General Electric (NYSE:GE) and Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN) to “outperform," sending shares in those companies up 6.2% and 4.6%, respectively, and helping give major averages a lift.  General Electric, which also received a rating upgrade from Oppenheimer, was the leading gainer in the Dow average as analysts saw reduced risks to its finance unit.  Lowe’s Cos (NYSE:LOW) jumped 4.3% and Home Depot (NYSE:HD) added 1.8% after analysts at Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC) raised the two companies to “buy" from “underperform."

The coming week, though devoid of any substantial economic event, does contain a number of corporate posts that are likely to give an indication about the health of the consumer as markets enter the key holiday season.  Disney (NYSE:DIS) and Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT) report their numbers on Thursday.  Wal-Mart (NYSE:WMT), which has not been posting monthly comparable sales reports, will be watched closely for how the retailer fared during the third quarter.  Kohl's (NYSE:KSS) also reports on Thursday, with Macy's (NYSE:M) numbers expected on Wednesday and JC Penney's (NYSE:JCP) on Friday.  Most analysts expect favorable results, as shoppers remain on a bargain hunting spree.  Setting the fire to the latest advance in stocks was the estimate-topping numbers from 80% of the S&P500 firms that have so far reported their numbers.

This morning’s futures suggest stocks are likely to open with gains of at least 1%.  The healthcare package passed the House by the narrowest of margins, with much wrangling still expected before any decision is reached within the Senate.  The G-20 meeting of Finance Ministers promised extended government stimulus measures.  Meanwhile, the Moody's Investor Services (NYSE:MCO) upgraded its rating on China and Hong Kong to positive from stable.

Zacks Investment Research

US stocks finished higher on Friday as investors shrugged off disappointing government data showing the unemployment rate hit 10.2 percent in October - the highest in 26-1/2 years.[More...]

Prominent value investor Warren Buffett made a bet on the future of America with his purchase of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNI). While few are as rich as Buffett, it doesn’t mean you can’t play along with what he’s buying using exchange traded funds (ETFs). Warren Buffett’s company Berkshire Hathaway (BRK-A) announced this ...

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

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

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

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