Author: FX_Trdr

Pfizer Incorporated (PFE) maintained its quarterly dividend of 22 cents per share. The dividend will be payable on September 5, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 3, 2012.

In trading on Friday, precious metals shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 4%. Leading the group were shares of Comstock Mining (LODE), up about 10.7% and shares of Brigus Gold (BRD) up about 7.7% on the day.

Research in Motion (RIMM) announced that it lost $518 million, or 99 cents a share in the most recent fiscal quarter versus a profit of $695 million, or $1.33 per share, in the same period last year. Excluding one time impairment charges, the latest loss was 37 cents per share, while analysts were expecting a loss of 3 cents.

Petroliam Nasional, Malaysia’s state-owned oil and natural-gas company, is planning on expanding its exploration in Canada. The company announced it will be acquiring Progress Energy Resources Corp. (NYSE:PRQ) for around $4.67 billion. This decision came after Petronas decided to buy a stake in three of Progress Energy’s gas fields last year. The company’s Chief Executive Officer seemed to like what he saw and agreed to the transaction.Petronas will buy Progess Energy for $20.45 canadian per share, a 77% premium over the closing price yesterday in Toronto. This marks the biggest purchase ever for Petronas in its company’s history.Progress Energy is skyrocketing on the Toronto Stock Exchange, up over 74% to $20.10 a share.

The markets opened lower this morning with investors having very little hope for a solution to the euro debt crisis. Later in the day a ruling by the Supreme Court to uphold the core of President Obama’s health-care overhaul sent stocks further into negative territory.

First Niagara (FNFG) was upgraded today by Bank of America/Merrill Lynch (BAC) to buy from neutral with a price target of $9, as the stock appears to be oversold given the 4% annual dividend. Shares are lower by about 4.9 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.

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.

In trading on Thursday, hospital & medical practitioners shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.6%. Leading the group were shares of Tenet Healthcare (THC), up about 10.1% and shares of Community Health Systems (CYH) up about 9.7% on the day.

In trading on Thursday, precious metals shares were relative laggards, down on the day by about 2.1%. Helping drag down the group were shares of Tahoe Resources (TAHO), off about 34.6% and shares of International Tower Hill Mines L (THM) off about 5.3% on the day.