Author: FX_Trdr

In trading on Friday, metals & mining shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.8%. Leading the group were shares of HI Crush Partners Limited (HCLP), up about 5.2% and shares of James River Coal (JRCC) up about 4.5% on the day.

General Electric (GE) announced that earnings in the fourth quarter increased to $4.01 billion, or 38 cents per share, from $3.73 billion, or 35 cents per share, in the same period last year. Revenue increased by 3.6 percent to $39.33 billion from $37.97 billion in the same period last year, while analysts had expected revenue of $38.76 billion.

Greece’s parliament votes to probe former Finance Minister George Papaconstantinou for his role in a scandal over a list of potential tax evaders that has rattled the fragile ruling coalition. Ciara Sutton reports.

El Paso Pipeline (EPB) had its numbers increased by UBS (UBS) as recent cost cuts should add to earnings. A buy rating was issued with a $42 price target.

Some hopeful signs for the sluggish economy gave the markets a boost today, with all the major indices in positive territory. The number of Americans filing first time unemployment benefits fell to a five-year low last week, down 37,000 to a seasonally adjusted 335,000, according to the Labor Department.

Citigroup Incorporated (C) maintained its quarterly dividend of 1 cent per share. The dividend is payable on February 22, 2013 to stockholders of record on February 4, 2013.

In trading on Thursday, shipping shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2%. Leading the group were shares of Dryships (DRYS), up about 5.9% and shares of Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (GNK) up about 4.5% on the day.

Lululemon (LULU) had its estimates and price target reduced by Credit Suisse (CS) due to moderating comp sales. A neutral rating was issued with a price target of $79.

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.

Intermune (ITMN) was upgraded by UBS (UBS) to neutral from neutral to buy with a price target of $15, as factors that were holding down the stock price are no longer an issue. Shares are higher by about 4.8 percent.