Market Insight

Markets rarely move at random. InvestorPlace’s leading analysts break down macro trends, sector dynamics, and recurring market patterns to help investors understand what is changing, what matters most, and where opportunities may emerge.

McDonald’s (MCD) Earnings Maintain Growth

By Paul Ausick
McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) earnings continue to shine. The company reported second quarter earnings per share of $1.13 on revenues of $5.95 billion. That's a 12% jump in profits and a 5.3% jump in revenues from the same period a year ago for MCD stock.

Yen Strength Suggests Stock Rally Ahead

By Anthony Mirhaydari, InvestorPlace Market Strategist
The Japanese Yen plays a unique role in the global financial markets: It's the funding currency of choice for hedge funds and other big time institutional traders. A combination of ultra-low interest rates and Japan's preference for a weak currency makes it the ideal currency in which to borrow.

London Times Readership Drops 90% and the New York Times Could Be Next

By InvestorPlace Staff
With reports of an apparent 90% dropoff in online readership numbers, the London Times is facing the threat of having its back against the wall that it built between itself and its online followers.

Apple Inc. (AAPL) News – Forget Verizon iPhone, T-Mobile May Oust AT&T

By Anthony John Agnello, Consumer and Technology Writer
The Apple Inc. rumor mill is abuzz with word of a T-Mobile iPhone set before any Verizon iPhone. Meanwhile, there's strong evidence that Apple will release a low-cost or free ad supported operating system and beta testing begins on the new MobileMe Calendar.

Walmart Dances Around Banking Sector

By Jon Ogg
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was previously denied access to having its own national bank subsidiary. It seems that this move by the retail giant could have bashed countless numbers of community banks by having the ability to set up its own bank in the thousands of stores nationwide.

Nokia, When Poor Earnings Are Good Enough

By Paul Ausick
There were no big surprises in the second quarter earnings report from Nokia Corp. (NYSE: NOK) this morning. A month ago the company warned that quarterly revenues for its devices and services division would come in at or near the low end of its announced range, 6.7-7.2 billion Euros.

Burger King Adds Healthy Kid’s Breakfast

By InvestorPlace Staff
Burger King has announced today it will begin offering a kid’s breakfast meal, complete with a kid-sized muffin sandwich, accompanied with apple fries and calcium-fortified apple juice. The sandwich will consist of egg and a slice of American cheese, served on an English muffin.

Netflix Goes Global with Streaming in Canada

By InvestorPlace Staff
Soon, Netflix (NFLX) will be taking its booming business to Canada, and the movie company’s stock prices could be heading north as well.

Coke vs. Pepsi – Earnings Taste Test

By Paul Ausick
Pepsi calls out high unemployment as a drag on consumer spending, Coke says only it plans to "remain cautious."

Apple Inc. Rumors and AAPL Stock News – ‘Magic Trackpad’ in the Works?

By Anthony John Agnello, Consumer and Technology Writer
There’s all kind of Apple news today in anticipation of AAPL's financial report at market close, including reports of the FCC's approval of a brand new, unnamed Apple Bluetooth device, software updates for iTunes and iBooks, and word on whether or not Apple will charge iPad users for iOS 4 this fall.

Yahoo, Amazon Expected to Beat Estimates

By Paul Ausick
After markets close today, Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) is expected to meet or beat the consensus EPS estimate of $0.14 and the revenue estimate of $1.16 billion. After Google Inc. (GOOG) reported lower-than-expected earnings on soft advertising rates, Yahoo, which depends on display ads for revenues, is expected to post solid profits even if revenues don't rise much.

Forget Inflation – Fed Fears a New Deflation Threat

By Louis Navellier, Editor, Growth Investor
The Labor Department announced on Thursday and Friday that June's Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.5% and 0.1%, respectively. Although lower food and energy prices are largely responsible, the CPI has now fallen three months in a row, making some FOMC members nervous.

China Growth ‘Slows’ to 10.3%

By Louis Navellier, Editor, Growth Investor
As the U.S. economy decelerates, China is increasingly becoming the primary economic engine driving the worldwide economy. China's second-quarter GDP grew at a 10.3% annual pace, down slightly from an 11.9% pace in the first quarter and reflecting a "soft landing" as Chinese inflation starts to moderate.

Playboy (PLA) Site Safe for Work

By Jeff Reeves
Playboy (PLA) launches TheSmokingJacket.com, a safe for work website -- but can it turn around the failing media company?

Railroad Stock Price Targets Indicate Big Upside for Sector

By Burke Speaker, Investorplace Writer
Railroad stocks and rail operators are seen as indicators for the broader economy, since more freight moves across America via freight trains as consumers buy more and businesses ship more. Leading railroad stocks include Union Pacific (UNP), CSX Corp. (CSX) and Norfolk Southern (NSC), but smaller rail operators are affected similarly.

Harley-Davidson (HOG) Roars Back

By Paul Ausick
Since January, Harley-Davidson Inc. (HOG) shares have shifted from second gear to third gear and back again. The company reported a sales decline of about 80,000 bikes in 2009 compared with 2008, from 303,000 to 223,000. Forecast sales for 2010 were even lower, in a range of 201,000-212,000.

June Video Game Sales Slump Again

By Anthony John Agnello, Consumer and Technology Writer
Just a few short weeks ago, the May reporting period from NPD Group painted a rather unhappy portrait of the videogame market in North America and stocks like Activision (ATVI) and Electronic Arts (ERTS). Total sales were down by 20% for the same period in 2009, with major players in the game software publishing business Activision, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft and others failing to make significant impressions on sales charts.

In-N-Out Burger Can Teach Fast Food Stocks a Lesson (MCD, BKC, WEN, YUM)

By Jeff Reeves
Fast-food heavyweights such as McDonald's (MCD), Burger King (BKC), Wendy's/Arby's Group (WEN) and Yum! Brands (YUM) stores Taco Bell and KFC have long made a practice of juicing earnings and sales with short-term promotions. But these restaurant stocks could learn a thing or two from In-N-Out Burger, a privately held West Coast fast-food chain with a rabid and almost cult-like following.

Did U.S. Wrongly Close Auto Dealers?

By Jeff Reeves
Did Uncle Sam hurt American workers by forcing the closure of auto dealerships at GM and Chrysler as part of their 2009 bankruptcies and bailouts?
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