Month: December 2012

Prices for single-family homes rose in October for the ninth month a rom, nine months in a row. The S&P/Case Shiller composite index gained 0.7 percent in October on a seasonally adjusted basis.

Bank of Commerce (BOCH) declared a dividend of $0.03 per share. The ex-dividend date is December 27, 2012 and the cash dividend payment of $0.03 per share will be paid on January 11, 2013Shares are lower by about 1.74 percent.

As the saying goes, there are many possible reasons for an insider to sell a stock, but only one reason to buy — they expect to make money. So let’s look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

As the saying goes, there are many possible reasons for an insider to sell a stock, but only one reason to buy — they expect to make money. So let’s look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

In trading on Wednesday, non-precious metals & non-metallic mining shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.3%. Leading the group were shares of Western Copper and Gold (WRN), up about 44.3% and shares of Thompson Creek Metals (TC) up about 4.7% on the day.

Retail holiday sales grew at the weakest pace this season since 2008, due to weather disruptions as well as uncertainty about the economy. The MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse said that sales in the two months prior to Christmas were higher by 0.7 percent versus last year, while analysts had expected growth of 3 to 4 percent.

Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned dollars to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

Westlake (WLK) had its estimates increased by Wells Fargo (WFC), as lower ethan costs will add to the bottom line. A market perform rating was issued.

In trading on Monday, waste management shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 1.1%. Helping drag down the group were shares of Swisher Hygiene (SWSH), down about 3.2% and shares of Clean Harbors (CLH) down about 1.4% on the day.

The first trading day of the holiday shortened trading week opens today with investors sending stocks lower as talks to avert the fiscal cliff seem to have stalled. Good morning, this is Kristin Bianco with the Week Ahead Market Report for December 24, 2012.