Stocks To Open Stronger
Stocks appear set to open higher
Friday.
According to a report from the Wall
Street Journal, the Federated Board of Directors plan to name President
Terry Lundren as chief financial officer.
Gentiva Health Services
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named Ronald Malone as the company’s next Chief Executive Officer.
Sea Containers
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net loss of $9.1 million, or 49 cents a share, for Q4, which is narrower than expected,
compared to a loss of $15.8 million, or 85 cents a share, a year earlier.
Boeing
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launch the new 747-400QLR with an order of eight jets, a rather small order.
Each jet has a catalog price of $180 million to $200 million, which is just a
little more than the price of the current 747s.
Japan’s central bank said that
although the economy continues to slide, it sees that the conditions which have devastated
the economy have begun to ease. This is the first time the central bank has
upgraded its views on the country’s economy since July 2000.
Baker Hughes
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outlook, citing a weak industry and higher tax rates. The company expects
earnings to come in between 20 and 22 cents, while analysts surveyed buy
Thomson Financial/First Call were expecting 26 cents a share.
Morgan Stanley upgraded Providian
Financial
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risk/reward.
Micron Technology
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earnings which were in line with expectations, setting the stage for Banc of
America to raise 2002-2003 estimates for the company.
Palm Inc
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JP Morgan from Market Perform to Long Term Buy after the company initiated a
strong execution. JPM sees Palm outpacing Research In Motion
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Handspring
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PowerRating) in the short term. The firm has a price target of $4.50.
Johnson & Johnson
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signed a definitive agreement to acquire all assets of Tibotec-Virco NV, a
privately held biopharmaceutical company for $320 million.