Month: February 2013

Secretary of State John Kerry was ceremonially sworn into office at the State Department, Wednesday. In remarks following the swearing in, Kerry vowed the U.S. will not retreat from the world stage due to budget constraints or global challenges.

In trading on Wednesday, real estate shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 1.9%. Leading the group were shares of China Hgs Real Estate (HGSH), up about 18% and shares of Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) up about 0.4% on the day.

Time Warner (TWX) announced it earned $1.17 billion, or $1.21 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2012, up from $773 million, or 76 cents per share, in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings were $1.17 per share, beating analyst estimates of $1.10.

Idle No More protesters rallied across the country, and gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, vowing to maintain pressure on the government as MPs return to work

Cardinal Health (CAH) announced that second fiscal quarter 2013 earnings were 93 cents per share, beating estimates of 85 cents per share. The company earned 81 cents per share in the same period last year.

The Institute for Supply Managment announced that its survey of purchasing managers fell to 55.2% in December versus 55.7% in December. Analysts had expected a drop to 55%.

New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) was upgraded by Morgan Stanley (MS) to overweight with a $15 price target as net interest margin has been holding up well and the company has undergone a restructuring of its debt. Shares are higher by about 1.7 percent.

Toll Brothers (TOL) was downgraded by Barclays (BCS) from equal weight to underweight with a price target of $36 as the firm expects the market to shift towards an increased number of entry level homebuyers. Shares are lower by about a tenths of a percent.

Emerson Electric Company (EMR) maintained its quarterly dividend of 41 cents per share. The dividend is payable March 11, 2013, to stockholders of record February 15, 2013.

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.