Welcome to John Ransom’s Stocks in the News where the headlines meet the trendlines.
Click here to listen to Ransom Notes Radio live or for archives of previous shows.
Stock number one: Apple Inc.
Apple still world’s top tablet seller: IDC-- MarketWatch
Apple Inc. remained the top seller of tablet computers during the third quarter, as research firm IDC said Thursday that world-wide shipments grew from a year ago due in large part to back-to-school season promotions and increased demand in the U.S.
The IDC report said third-quarter shipments rose 11.5% to 53.8 million units world-wide. IDC also said shipments rose 11.2% over the second quarter of the year. IDC analyst Phillippe Bouchard said that factors such as demand for connected tablets — or, tablets that can access the Internet via wireless networks without using Wi-Fi — are pushing sales of tablets higher across the board, and especially in the U.S.
Symbol: AAPL
Trailing PE: 17; Forward PE: 13
PEG: 1.21
Dividend: 1.80%
Estimate Trend: Up
Ransom Note Trendline: Hold Apple
Stock number two: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Bristol-Myers Lung-Cancer Drug Boosts Survival--IBD.com
Big pharma Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) reported good midstage trial results for its drug candidate Opdivo in advanced squamous-cell lung cancer, sending its stock up nearly 8% to a 13-year high in early trading in the stock market today.
The patients in the trial were especially sick, as their illness had advanced despite at least two previous treatments. A year after the treatment, 41% were still alive, with the median survival rate at 8.2 months.
Symbol: BMY
Trailing PE: 36; Forward PE: 33
PEG: 3.07
Dividend: 2.70%
Estimate Trend: Up
Ransom Note Trendline: Avoid Bristol Meyers
Stock number three: Weight Watchers International, Inc
Why Weight Watchers’ Stock is Losing Weight-- Barron's
Weight Watchers’ (WTW) shares are shedding some weight of their own today despite solid earnings after the company raised concerns about spending during in 2015.
Weight Watchers reported a profit of 67 cents a share, beating forecasts for 48 cents, on sales of $345.2 million, ahead of consensus estimates for $337.52 million. Weight Watchers also boosted its full-year guidance to a range of $1.95 to $2.05, ahead of the Street’s $1.87 forecast.
Symbol: WTW
Trailing PE: 8; Forward PE: 17
PEG: -0.57
Dividend: NA
Estimate Trend: NA
Ransom Note Trendline: Sell Weight Watchers
Join the conversation as a VIP Member