Financial News from Closing Bell from 12/8/2009

News on WHG From the Pundits on Closing Bell

The latest news from Closing Bell on WHG is available through Ockham's news analytics platform RazorWire.

Interestingly, overall sentiment looks bearish according to the Motley Fool's CAPS survey, as most of their users see Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. underperforming. When taking into account the amount of news coverage each stock normally sees as a percentage of the total, Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. has actually sunk a bit in comparison to the others. The Ockham valuation currently has a Fairly Valued stance on WHG because it trades within the price range that we would expect given current market conditions and fundamentals.

“… We believe at WESTWOOD we are about to enter the final act of the housing downturn. We have the commercial property downturn ahead. …”

Closing Bell: Is Brown-Forman Corporation- Shs -B- Non-Voting Able to Constrain Costs?

Keeping costs in check is a primary responsibility of corporate managers; Closing Bell discussed BFB's costs recently.

As we analyze the results from RazorWire, one thing we do is rank each stock in terms of amount of news coverage. Recently, BFB has been less covered in the news compared to the rest of our universe of stocks. We consider BFB as Undervalued at the current price of $52.23. According to our methodology, this stock has appreciation potential based on current fundamentals which only improves if earnings or revenue surprise.

“… BROWN FORMAN up. They made $147 million due to strong sales of jack daniels brand and doesn't digit cut in advertising expenses. It is taking it up the wall street estimates. …”

Check Out Closing Bell and News on AZO

The latest news on Closing Bell in regards to AZO came through on RazorWire recently.

Based on our methodology, AutoZone, Inc. should hold some appeal to value investors as we view it as Undervalued. While bearish sentiment on a stock is not always a bad thing, it is something you need to be aware of. The Motley Fool survey of crowd sentiment shows that many investors believe this stock will underperform. We noticed recently that in comparison to all other stocks we analyze in the news; AZO has received less coverage from the financial media in business television and blogs.

“… the launch of a tablet computer. Stock up 0.5%. AUTO ZONE reporting a 9% increase in fourth quarter they made $143 million. …”

First MTN News on Closing Bell in More Than a Month

It's been at least a month since we noticed any major news coverage of MTN, so the story in Closing Bell may get the ball rolling.

Crowd sentiment is neutral from the millions of opinions submitted through Motley Fool CAPS, which suggests most investors on their platform believe Vail Resorts Inc will perform just about the same as the index. After factoring in the current fundamentals versus their historically normal ranges, we have established a Fairly Valued stance on MTN. As we analyze the results from RazorWire, one thing we do is rank each stock in terms of amount of news coverage. Recently, MTN has been less covered in the news compared to the rest of our universe of stocks.

“… VAIL RESORTS reports first quarterly loss widened to $41 million because of 47% drop in revenue. Advanced booking for the current ski season are down 13% compared to a year ago. …”

Stay Current on IPSU's News on Closing Bell

The latest news from business television and influential blogs is always available through Ockham's RazorWire, and this news is in relation to Imperial Sugar Company.

When taking into account the amount of news coverage each stock normally sees as a percentage of the total, Imperial Sugar Company has actually sunk a bit in comparison to the others. Investors are headed for the exit following today's news as the stock is trading down $2.90. Crowd sentiment is favorable on this stock, as measured by the Motley Fool CAPS survey. As of this week's report, we have an Overvalued valuation on IPSU because the price at the time of the report had gotten too high to be justified by the fundamentals. Since that point, the price has fallen 13.6% meaning it is starting to come back into line with our expectations.

“… IMPERIAL SUGAR swinging to a $188,000 fourth quarter loss because of higher manufacturing and raw sugar costs. Vail resorts reports first quarterly loss widened to $41 million ... …”

It's Been a Month or More Since Closing Bell Discussed Select Comfort Corporation

It's been at least a month since we noticed any major news coverage of SCSS, so the story in Closing Bell may get the ball rolling.

Take notice of the news on this stock because it is up $0.44 since the close of trading yesterday. When taking into account the amount of news coverage each stock normally sees as a percentage of the total, Select Comfort Corporation has actually sunk a bit in comparison to the others. The Ockham valuation currently has a Fairly Valued stance on SCSS because it trades within the price range that we would expect given current market conditions and fundamentals. But as the price has risen in the last week, we have begun to look slightly less favorably on the valuation. Our sentiment indicator, provided through the Motley Fool CAPS survey, suggests that investors are neutral overall towards SCSS and think that it will generally perform in-line with the S&P 500.

“… SELECT COMFORT selling 3. 8 million shares. The company will use the proceeds to reduce debts. > > > imperial sugar swinging to a $188,000 fourth quarter loss because of ... …”

Did You See CKR's CEO Puzder on Closing Bell?

CKE Restaurants, Inc.'s CEO is obviously vital to his company, so we believe any news covering him is worth knowing for investors.

Crowd sentiment is neutral from the millions of opinions submitted through Motley Fool CAPS, which suggests most investors on their platform believe CKE Restaurants, Inc. will perform just about the same as the index. As we analyze the results from RazorWire, one thing we do is rank each stock in terms of amount of news coverage. Recently, CKR has been less covered in the news compared to the rest of our universe of stocks. We consider CKR as Undervalued at the current price of $8.69. According to our methodology, this stock has appreciation potential based on current fundamentals which only improves if earnings or revenue surprise.

“… coming up on "fast money" protecting your profits in a potential volatile close of 2009 and the ceo of CKE RESTAURANTS. That is later tonight. > > > …”