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Cowen says Northrop will rocket.

Online security could be one of the hottest growth fields over the next four years.

At a time when most corporate headlines seem to spell trouble, no news is great news.

At a time when most corporate headlines seem to spell trouble, no news is great news.

Filed under: Industry, Raytheon Company (RTN), Recession

One of the things that really helps the U.S. balance of trade is weapons sales. In a recession, perhaps they should be encouraged more.

According to Reuters, Iran's Gulf neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, has signed a deal worth $3.3 billion to buy missiles from U.S. firm Raytheon (NYSE: RTN).

The Census Bureau reports that the October balance of trade was a negative $57 billion. A lot of that could be made up by selling missiles, tanks, rifles, and war planes. The Department of Defense has to approve most of the sales, but perhaps it should be annexed to the Department of the Treasury, at least until the recession is over. Some of the countries where a lot of sales are prohibited, like North Korea, could be added to the "OK to export weapons" list?

In September, The New York Times reported that "From tanks, helicopters and fighter jets to missiles, remotely piloted aircraft and even warships, the Department of Defense has agreed so far this fiscal year to sell or transfer more than $32 billion in weapons and other military equipment to foreign governments, compared with $12 billion in 2005." Up that number to $100 billion and think of the jobs it would create.

Weapons sales are not on the new Obama list of plans to create 2.5 million jobs by spending $800 billion. And, selling weapons does not cost the government at dime.

Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 247wallst.com.

Helping the economy by selling weapons originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Apple Inc (AAPL), Walt Disney (DIS), Research in Motion (RIMM), Goldman Sachs Group (GS), General Mills (GIS), Qwest Communications Intl (Q), Stocks to Buy, Stocks to Sell, Annaly Capital Management (NLY)

This week was saved today as the White House finally approved a $17.4 billion auto bailout package using TARP money. Stocks surged after two days of decline, but all-in-all the week wasn't bad. It's the third week now that stocks, while perhaps having big swings daily, end up not so bad.

Once again, this stagnant time could be exactly the time investors may want to look for long-term deals. They may have to hold on to them for a while as the markets continue their up and down swings. But eventually, if it's a few months or a year from now, stocks will start to recover and cheap deals bought today may be big gainers.

But where are the deals? BloggingStocks contributors added some ideas this week:

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) is one of Jamie Dlugosch's favorite blue-chip names. Analysts expect the company to make $2.12 per share in the current fiscal year ending in September. If the company earns $3 per share down the road with a 15 multiple, Disney shares could double. In the meantime, it pays 1.5% dividend yield.

Qwest Communications International (NYSE: Q) has many shortcomings to be sure, but "the company also has very valuable assets and strong cash flow" and the stock "would command a good premium in a takeover." according to George Putnam.

Continue reading Stock pick and pans for troubled times: DIS, Q, RTN, RIMM, GIS, BIDU, STE ...

Stock pick and pans for troubled times: DIS, Q, RTN, RIMM, GIS, BIDU, STE ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Dec 2008 17:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: International markets, Next big thing, Chasing Value, Stocks to Buy, Raytheon Company (RTN), Best Stocks for 2008

You can't put one in your holster yet, but they have done it. The Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) has brought H. G. Wells' science fiction invention of the ray gun to reality as an advanced missile defense system.

The first serious battlefield ray gun is now being deployed. And the next generation, now in the laboratory, is coming soon.

It was last July when I posted Chasing Value: Raytheon says 'Game on' highlighting the stock. It was one of this year's picks, and while down, it has out performed the market. I liked it last year, I liked it mid-year and I still like it. The company is a leader in missile defense systems and civilian airport radar and monitoring systems.

As a vital defense R&D company always on the cutting edge, I figured it to be a safe bet. However, given the mess at all of our major airports I felt its technology would always be in demand.

Now, as part of the missle defense program and to detonate road side bombs from a safe distance in Iraq, the ray gun, or "directed-energy weapon," can be deployed from 300 feet away. The system has been named Zeus and the military intends to expand its use to include blowing up incoming shells and small rockets with laser beams. The targets are tracked by radar or, if they are rockets, by infrared sensors.

This defense contractor is basically a tech company trading at a low P/E, P/S and book value while sporting almost a 2.5% yield. Cash and short-term investments have increased for five years running from $661 million to $2.66 billion while reducing outstanding long-term debt from $7.38 billion five years ago to $2.27 billion through the end of last year. 2008 earnings have been up and shareholder equity and cash continue to grow as well.

Sheldon Liber is the CEO of a small private investment company and the principal for design and research at an architecture & planning firm. He writes the columns Chasing Value and Serious Money. Disclosure: I do not own shares of RTN.

Chasing Value: Raytheon creates a real "ray-gun" originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Democrats are in the house and investors and exchange traded funds (ETFs) focusing on defense and military contractors need to be examined, because there are compelling arguments on both sides as to whether their future is bearish or bullish. According to Merrill Lynch (MER), aerospace and defense has done better under a Democratic rule, especially during ...

Take what you’ve heard about the effects of a Barack Obama U.S. Presidency… and throw it away. The defense contractors are in the best spot that I have seen them in years, yet still-cautious investors are making all the wrong moves. The recent turmoil in the sector has led to some unbelievable ...

Tom Dorsey and Tammy DeRosier - Regressed to Mean

Tom Dorsey and Tammy DeRosier - Investing Internationally

Market Close Live for Monday 10/2/06 Kick off the week with a 15-minute radio show Matt McCall of "Market Close Live" as he looks ahead at the week and breaks down the markets. The 3rd Quarter is in the books -- Why should we be worried about October? Why was today's action tough to follow? Learn which 5 SECTORS and SPECIFIC STOCKS can help you play Defense during a potential pullback in October! Listen to the weekly kickoff to find out what Matt has to say about those questions and more.

Market Close Live for Monday 9/25/06 Topics covered today: 1) Market Wrap - Major indices close up for the session 2) S&P 500 closes at best price in over 5 years 3) Oil rallies from 10-month lows 4) 3 Sectors where money is flowing to end the quarter 5) A list of large-cap Stocks that are Breaking OUT! 6) Stocks and ETFs mentioned: PPA, LMT, RTN, BA, UL, MET, WMT, TGT, LFC, T, CHL, BAC, MCD, SWH, ORCL 7) "Market Close Live" IS NOW available as a "PODCAST" for those who have MP3 player. If you are interested in learning how to get "Market Close Live" on your MP3 player please email info@pennfinancialgroup.com. ***** TO GET YOUR STOCK/MARKET QUESTIONS ANSWERED YOU CAN EMAIL THEM TO: info@pennfinancialgroup.com

Tom Dorsey and Tammy Derosier take a poll on the Dow Jones Industrial Average