Paper Soaring

John Ransom | June 30, 2014 2:16 PM

Welcome to John Ransom’s Stocks in the News where the headlines meet the trendlines.

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Stock number one: Barclays PLC

Beware The Hand Of Government—Seeking Alpha

Barclays (BCS) drew attention from local government as the New York State Attorney General's office filed suit against Barclays claiming "fraud and deceit" in the manner their dark pool trading was executed. Of course, when there's one cockroach you can be certain that there are more to be found, so the financial sector becomes more widely suspect as Barclays is scrutinized.

Symbol: BCS

Trailing PE: 47; Forward PE: 7

PEG: 0.58

Dividend: 1.7%

Estimate Trend: Flat

Ransom Note Trendline: Avoid Barclays

BCS data by YCharts

Stock number two: Verizon Communications Inc

"XLTE" Wireless Technology Rolls Out In More Florida Markets--PR Newswire

Verizon Wireless has deployed its newest technology – known as XLTE – in Jacksonville, Panama City and Naples to further increase the capacity of the company's award-winning 4G LTE network and enhance services throughout Florida.

Symbol: VZ

Trailing PE: 11; Forward PE: 13

TheStreet Ratings rates Weyerhaeuser as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its increase in stock price during the past year, growth in earnings per share, compelling growth in net income, revenue growth and good cash flow from operations. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity.

Symbol: WY

Trailing PE: 19; Forward PE: 33

PEG: 4.65

Dividend: 2.8%

Estimate Trend: Flat

Ransom Note Trendline: Avoid Weyerhaeuser