Welcome to John Ransom’s Stocks in the News where the headlines meet the trendlines:
Stock number one: J.C. Penney
J.C. Penney Shares Notch Biggest Gain in at Least 30 Years --Wall Street Journal
Shares surged as much as 26% Thursday, on track for the biggest one-day percentage gain in at least 30 years, according to FactSet. The rally comes after the struggling department store chain late Wednesday offered a few bright spots in its quarterly report and its 2014 outlook.
Penney posted a profit over the holidays and expects a narrow improvement in sales to persist in the current quarter. The company is trying to claw its way back from a disastrous overhaul that led to a 25% drop in sales and a $985 million loss a year earlier.
Symbol: JCP
Trailing PE: NA; Forward PE: NA
PEG: 0.07
Dividend: NA
Estimate Trend: Flat
Ransom Note Trendline: Sell J.C. Penney

Stock number two: Swift Energy Co.
Swift Energy reports EPS in-line, misses on revs; guides FY14 - Briefing.com
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.13 per share, in-line with the Capital IQ Consensus of $0.13; revenues fell 7.5% year/year to $146 mln vs the $148.06 mln consensus. This decrease is primarily attributable to lower oil production volumes, coupled with lower oil prices. Swift Energy currently plans to balance its 2014 capital expenditures with its operating cash flow, available bank line and proceeds from announced asset sales and joint venture activity.
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Symbol: SFY
Trailing PE: 14 Forward PE: 18
PEG: 1.85
Dividend: NA
Estimate Trend: Partly Cloudy
Ransom Note Trendline: Sell Swift Energy

Catamaran weakness a buying opportunity, says Jefferies- Fly on the Wall
Jefferies expects shares of Catamaran to be under "intense pressure" due to the company's "weak" guidance. The firm recommends buying the stock on weakness saying Catamaran is likely to sustain its strong top-line growth. Jefferies has a Buy rating on the stock with a $70 price target.
Symbol: FB
Trailing PE: 53; Forward PE: 19
PEG: 1.08
Dividend: NA
Estimate Trend: Flat
Ransom Note Trendline: Avoid Catamaran Corporation

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