Cisco to Pay BIGGER Dividend and 4 Hot Stocks to Watch

Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO):  Continuing the networking equipment giant’s transformation from a fast-growing upstart to a more mature company, Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) has reported a jump in quarterly profit and said they would pay a bigger dividend. Shares climbed 7.2% to $18.62 in premarket trade. Shares of Cisco Systems, Inc. are trading at  8.36% higher today.

Investing Insights: EARNINGS: Cisco Systems’ Profit ROCKETS Higher for Third Straight Quarter.

Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE:CSC):  Computer Sciences Corporation has been awarded a task by the U.S. Southern Command. They will plan, engineer, install, operate, sustain and protect all information technology and management requirements. This is part of the Information Technology Enterprise Solutions Services for an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract in the first quarter of CSC’s fiscal year 2013. The task order has a one year base period and two, one year options for a total value of $74 million. Shares of Computer Sciences Corporation are trading at 3.03% higher today.

Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS):  On top of a restructuring already underway and other major changes in all of their businesses, Staples, Inc.’s (NASDAQ:SPLS) tough times are likely to last a while. Europe won’t rebound anytime soon and United States shoppers remain cost conscious.  In addition to this, low-price rivals such as Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:WMT), Costco Wholesale (NASDAQ:COST) and Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) continue their relentless assault. Despite the fact that their shares are cheap, it doesn’t pay to chase this stock. Shares of Staples, Inc. are trading at 0.24% lower today.

Camelot Information Systems Inc (NYSE:CIS):  Camelot Information Systems Inc.’s senior management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (U.S. Eastern Daylight Time) / 5:00 a.m. (U.S. Pacific Daylight Time) / 8:00 p.m. (Beijing / Hong Kong time) on Monday, August 20, 2012. They will discuss the Company’s second quarter 2012 financial results. Shares of Camelot Inc. are trading at 0.52% higher today.

Markwest Energy Partners LP (NYSE:MWE): Markwest Energy Partners LP’s net operating margin is approximately 39% fee based. They are relatively immune to commodity price changes. However, the remainder of the business is exposed to varying degrees of commodity prices. In 2012 approximately 65% of commodity exposure was hedged. Currently for fiscal year 2013, only about 55% is hedged. That percentage goes down to less than 30% for fiscal year 2014. In lieu of this, the outlook for MWE, in the near future, is worrisome. There may be no near term chance to acquire more hedges for commodities at relatively high prices. Shares of Markwest Energy Partners LP are trading at 1.48% higher today.

Investing Insights: Is Chevron’s Stock a BUY Today?

Want news like this in real-time so you can get an edge? Click here for Wall St. Cheat Sheet Pro.