Ultimate Market Recap: Express Scripts’ Profits Plunge, Dean Foods Up 37%

GMAC PARTNERS with Hope LoanPort and 2 Hot Stocks Making the Rounds

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC):  MetLife is one of the companies that are being scrutinized for abusive foreclosure practices stemming from the collapse of the housing bubble. While reviews continued for smaller backers, five larger home lenders, including Bank of America Corp., reached a $25 billion deal this year to end a probe. Shares of Bank of America Corporation are trading at 2.49% higher today.

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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM):  Ford Motor (NYSE:F) once again raised the hybrid fuel economy bar with the all-new Ford C-MAX Hybrid, which is now officially EPA certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined. This beats the Toyota Motor Corporation’s (NYSE:TM) Prius V by up to 7 mpg. The certification is significant because it makes C-MAX Hybrid the first hybrid vehicle to offer 47 mpg across the board.  C-MAX Hybrid launches this fall as part of Ford’s power of choice strategy which is to deliver leading fuel economy while tripling their electric vehicle production by 2013. Shares of Toyota  are trading 1.35% higher today.

GMAC LLC (NYSE:GOM):  Hope LoanPort (HLP) announced today that they have partnered with GMAC LLC Mortgage, to launch Homeowner Connect^TM (homeownerconnect.org).  HLP is the national, non-profit, web-based mortgage solution tool, for streamlining loss mitigation applications. As a consumer direct web portal, Homeowner Connect will standardize the entire communication life-cycle of loss mitigation activities between mortgage servicers and borrowers. Homeowners who may be struggling with their mortgage will have the ability to connect with valuable free resources all in one place and from any computer with internet access. Shares of GMAC LLC are trading flat today.

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Sirius Reports 463K NEW Subscribers in Q2 and 2 Hot Stocks Trading Today

FocusShares Trust (NYSEARCA:FOS):  After consulting with the Advisor, FocusShares LLC announced today that their Board of Trustees, in consultation with the Advisor, have decided to discontinue and liquidate the FocusShares family of exchange traded funds as of August 30, 2012. Shares of FocusShares Trust are trading at 0.83% higher today.

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Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY):  Jefferies believes Best Buy Co. Inc’s board will likely show no interest in Dick Shulze’s potential acquisition range of $24-$26 per share. The firm thinks that an ultimate takeout bid would have to be in the high $20s to low $30s per share. A Hold rating is kept on shares of Best Buy. The company’s stocks are trading at 1.05% lower today.

Sirius XM Radio Inc (NASDAQ:SIRI):  At the end of the second quarter, Sirius XM Radio Inc. has reported 18.7 million self-pay subscribers, which is a net of an additional 463,000. Shares of Sirius XM are trading at 5.91% higher today.

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Market Recap: Oil SPIKES, Gold DIPS, Sirius EARNINGS Rock

Markets closed up on Wall Street today: Dow +0.39%, S&P +0.51%, Nasdaq +0.87%, Oil +1.31%, Gold -0.51%.

On the commodities front, Oil (NYSE:USO) rose to $93.44 a barrel. Precious metals were mixed, with Gold (NYSE:GLD) falling to $1614.00 an ounce while Silver (NYSE:SLV) increased 0.22% to settle at $28.08.

Here’s your Cheat Sheet to today’s top stock stories:

Sirius XM Radio Inc. (NASDAQ:SIRI) reported net income above Wall Street’s expectations for the second quarter. The stock rallied over 2 percent on the news. Net income rose to $3.13 billion (48 cents per share) vs. $173.3 million (3 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marked a substantial increase from the year-earlier quarter. Revenue also increased 12.5 percent to $837.5 million from the previous year’s quarter.

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Fossil Inc.’s (NASDAQ:FOSL) shares jumped 32 percent after the company reported a second-quarter earnings increase of 12 percent. It incurred broad-based sales growth in its wholesale segment while a stronger U.S. dollar slightly pared down global sales.

MGM Resorts’ (NYSE:MGM) shares increased 9 percent after the company noted in its second quarter earnings report on Tuesday that it will refinance some of its long-term debt at “progressively lower rates.” It did report a loss for the quarter but saw a jump in revenue to $2.3 billion from $1.8 billion.

On the down side, Leap Wireless International’s (NASDAQ:LEAP) shares fell 21 percent. The company’s second-quarter loss tightened thanks to bringing in additional revenue per user. Results did come in lower than Wall Street expectations; the quarter also saw customers exiting.

Heckmann Corp.’s (NYSE:HEK) shares also tanked 21 percent. On Monday after the bell, the company reported a higher second-quarter profit and revenue but saw a slowdown in the Haynesville Shale region for natural-gas drilling.

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Stock BUZZ Pre-Bell: Priceline and Zillow Investors Flee the Scene

Priceline.com (NASDAQ:PCLN) shares are crashing more than 15 percent in pre-market trading. The company reported impressive quarterly earnings, but provided a weaker-than-expected outlook. Net income in the second quarter increased 37.6 percent to $352.7 million ($6.88 per share), compared to $256.4 million ($5.02 per share) a year earlier. For the third quarter, the company expects to earn $11.10 to $12.10 per share, below the average estimate of $12.82. Expedia (NASDAQ:EXPE) shares also declined 4 percent on the news.

Shares of Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) are falling 1.22 percent in pre-market trading. The entertainment company announced that third quarter net income rose 24.1 percent to $1.83 billion ($1.01 per share), compared to $1.48 billion (77 cents per share) a year earlier. However, revenue of $11.09 billion missed estimates of $11.31 billion.

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Express Scripts (NASDAQ:ESRX) shares surged over 5 percent in early morning action. The company said second quarter earnings fell to $170.9 million, but revenue more than doubled to $27.69 billion, easily beating expectations of $11.47 billion. “Our strong second quarter results, the first as a combined organization, demonstrate the continued execution of our business model of alignment,” stated George Paz, chairman and chief executive officer. “We are fully underway with the integration process and will continue to focus on lowering healthcare costs while improving health outcomes. As a result of our steadfast commitment to providing exemplary service and innovative offerings to clients and patients, we are experiencing strong retention rates.”

Zillow (NASDAQ:Z) shares dropped 9 percent after announcing disappointing second quarter financial results. Net income fell 15.5 percent to $1.3 million (4 cents per share), compared to $1.6 million in the same period last year. Zillow remained upbeat about the quarter. “Zillow had an excellent second quarter as record usage and effective monetization on mobile and Web propelled revenue and adjusted EBITDA ahead of our outlook,” said Spencer Rascoff, chief executive officer of Zillow. “We continue to extend our leadership and expand our three core marketplaces in real estate, mortgages and rentals with products and services that delight consumers and help local professionals better manage and market their businesses.”

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Wall Street Brief: Disney’s Profit BEATS, Knight Capital Gets Back to Normal

Walt Disney’s (NYSE:DIS) fiscal quarter three net profit rose 24 percent to a record $1.83 billion. This came from strong earnings in the company’s parks and resorts division, its cable TV channels, and its top movie “The Avengers.” Its $1.01 earnings per share exceeded forecasts, while the 4.4 percent revenue growth of $11.1 billion fell short of estimates.

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Along with Standard Chartered’s (SCBFF.PK) surprise by the publication of its Iran allegations by New York state, the Federal Reserve, Department of Justice and the Treasury were also caught off guard.  The entities are also reviewing the “rogue” bank and some supposedly aren’t happy with New York, which grew impatient from the others’ inaction. Standard Chartered could pay a $700 million settlement.

Express Scripts’ (NASDAQ:ESRX) net profit plummeted 49 percent to $170.9 million in the second quarter. Revenue more than doubled to $27.69 billion, including Medco, with a $0.88 earnings per share; both exceeded expectations. Express Scripts increased its full year guidance above Street consensus, thanks to a strong second quarter, savings from its Medco deal and a higher utilization of profitable generic drugs.

Knight Capital (NYSE:KCG) will return to its NYSE market-making activities after getting most of its market share back on Tuesday. The firm allegedly spoke to around 90 possible suitors about saving it. Competitor Citadel offered a $500 million loan in exchange for a 10-20 percent share and control of Knight’s Hotspot FX trading platform. This alternative come in lower than the one Knight accepted: a $400 million loan from a group of investors in exchange for a 73 percent share.

Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) is seeing greater competition from clothing start-ups and eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY). With a start-up, it excludes middle men and produces items, avoiding warehouses; this undercuts Amazon. eBay has said it can assist retailers competitively with store fronts on its website. RadioShack (NYSE:RSH), Barnes & Noble (NYSE:BKS), and GNC (NYSE:GNC) will take up eBay on this offer.

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Panasonic Releases NEW Camera and 3 Hot Stocks Driving the Market

Fossil, Inc. (NASDAQ:FOSL):  Brown Advisory reported a 5.92% passive stake in Fossil, Inc. Shares are trading at 4.82% lower today.

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Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:OWW):  Due to a rise in vacation packages and hotel volume, higher air fares, and a shift in air carrier mix that was partially offset by lower air volume, Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. says that on a constant currency basis, gross bookings were up 1% in the quarter. Shares are trading at 24.89% lower today.

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE:WFR):  MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. said that the 2012 solar energy average pricing is above $3.50 per watt. Shares  are trading at  14.56% higher today.

Panasonic Corporation (NYSE:PC):  Panasonic Corporation announced the release of their new, high-end Lumix FZ-series camera, the Lumix DMC-FZ200. It is a 12.1-megapixel compact camera that focuses on high-speed performance and burst mode shooting. Shares are trading at 1.37% lower today.

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Mid Day Radar Movers: McDonald’s and Disney Slip, Alpha Natural Resources Edges Higher

Shares of McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) fell 1.55 percent this afternoon. The fast-food giant reported flat sales for July. Analysts were expecting an increase of about 2.3 percent at restaurants open at least 13 months. July sales in the United States and Europe dropped 0.1 percent and down 0.6 percent, respectively.

Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR) shares fell 3.6 percent despite an opening bell rally after reporting financial results for the second quarter. The stock is attempting to recover. The company said its loss widened to $2.2 billion, compared to $50.1 million a year earlier, but revenue jumped 16 percent to $1.85 billion. Kevin Crutchfield, Alpha’s Chairman and CEO, said, “These are extremely challenging times in the U.S. coal industry, with softness in both the thermal and now the metallurgical coal markets and the pace at which the fundamentals changed. Alpha has taken decisive actions to ensure that our business is both well-suited to today’s demand environment and efficient enough to provide us with the flexibility to ramp-up our world-class asset base once market conditions improve.”

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Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS) shares rallied 1.17 percent this afternoon. The entertainment company announced that third quarter net income rose 24.1 percent to $1.83 billion ($1.01 per share), compared to $1.48 billion (77 cents per share) a year earlier. However, revenue of $11.09 billion missed estimates of $11.31 billion.

Priceline.com (NASDAQ:PCLN) and Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) shares plunged more than 15 percent Wednesday afternoon. Priceline reported impressive quarterly earnings, but provided a weaker-than-expected outlook. Net income in the second quarter increased 37.6 percent to $352.7 million ($6.88 per share), compared to $256.4 million ($5.02 per share) a year earlier. For the third quarter, the company expects to earn $11.10 to $12.10 per share, below the average estimate of $12.82. Orbitz also reported disappointing financial results.

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Plum Creek Timber Dividend and 4 Hot Stocks Trading Now

Priceline.com Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN): Last night, CTRIP.com (NASDAQ:CTRP) and Booking.com announced an agreement under which Ctrip is able to reach Booking.com’s global portfolio of more than 235,000 participating hotels via Ctrip’s hotel reservation services, the companies claimed in a statement. Booking.com’s hotel inventories should be offered along with the participating hotels already in Ctrip’s hotel reservation service. Booking.com is part of the Priceline Group.

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Dean Foods Company (NYSE:DF) predicts that momentum will continue through the second half of 2012 for WhiteWave-Alpro. The company also expects mid to high-teens for the full year of 2012 for the operating income growth in Fresh Dairy Direct, and it expects continued solid profit growth for 2012 although milk prices are rising. Expect mid-teens full year 2012 operating income growth for the company.

Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc. (NYSE:PCL) announced today a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share. The dividend will be payable on Aug. 31, 2012, to shareholders of record as of Aug. 17, 2012. Plum Creek’s dividend is predicted to be characterized as long-term capital gain income mainly because the income gained by the sale of Plum Creek’s timber is considered long-term capital gain. As such, Plum Creek’s dividend is expected to be taxed at a maximum rate of 15 percent for the majority of U.S. taxpayers.

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS): Joss Whedon, the writer-director of Disney’s blockbuster “The Avengers,”  signed an exclusive deal with Marvel Studios for film and television until June 2015′s end, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Express Scripts Holding Company (NASDAQ:ESRX): CVS Caremark (NYSE:CVS) still faces some tough competition, but its retail pharmacies will most likely hold onto a large chunk of the customers they won from Walgreen (NYSE:WAG) during its Express Scripts (NASDAQ:ESRX) dispute. CVS is still poised to provide double-digit profit growth next year. Also, since there is a a steadily growing dividend, and CVS is  an “easy pill to swallow,” Barron’s states.

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Bank of America UPDATES Technology and 4 Hot Stocks Making Market Waves

Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) customers should be happy about this one. The U.S. banking giant recently updated its iOS app, adding a new feature allowing users make check deposits straight from their iPhone or iPad. All one must do is start the new version of the Bank of America app, click on the new deposit tab, and take a photo of the front and back of the check. From there, the customer will be able to select which bank account the customer would like to deposit the check into, enter the amount, and confirm the transaction. Customers will be able to use the app to remotely deposit as much as $5,000 in checks per month, without ever being forced to leave the comfort of home. There are higher monthly limits for business customers and platinum customers . Bank of America will not charge customers an extra fee to use the new feature.

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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM): A North California Toyota dealership agreed to pay $400,000 to five former Afghan-American employees who claim that a manager called them terrorists and threatened them. According to The Fremont Argus, that Fremont Toyota’s former general manager allegedly called four salesmen names and threatened to blow them up with a grenade during a 2007 staff meeting. A spokesman for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that the Afghan-American salesmen resigned following the harassment for reporting the abuse and a manager was fired for also complaining.

GMAC LLC (NYSE:GOM): Fitch Ratings lowers the rating of one distressed class of GMAC Commercial Mortgage Securities, Inc., series 2004-C3, commercial mortgage pass-through certificates. The downgrade is because of rising certainty of losses on the specially serviced assets since Fitch’s last rating action. Fitch modeled losses of 10.7 percent of the remaining pool; expected losses of the original pool balance are 8.95 percent, which includes 3 percent in losses incurred to date.

MEMC Electronic Materials (NYSE:WFR) saw to a Q2 loss as its large semiconductor business posted a double-digit decrease in sales, which offsets strength in its solar operations. But shares of MEMC, which designs and develops silicon wafter technologies in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, was boosted 17 percent to $2.40 in recent premarket trading as adjusted earnings and revenue crushed expectations. The stock has declined 59% in the past 12 months.

Clearwire Corporation (NASDAQ:CLWR) currently trades at $1.75, a 16.7 percent increase in pre-market on 32200 shares traded. Currenlty, CLWR’s RSI is at 77.76 indicating that the stock is overbought. CLWR is trading 31.79 percent higher than its 50 day moving average and 11.91 percent lower than its 200 day moving average.

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Market Recap: Dean Foods SPIKES, Orbitz and Priceline CRASH

Markets closed up on Wall Street today: Dow +0.05%, S&P +0.06%, Nasdaq -0.15%, Oil -0.32%, Gold +0.12%.

On the commodities front, Oil (NYSE:USO) declined to $93.38 a barrel. Precious metals were mixed, with Gold (NYSE:GLD) rising to $1,615.00 an ounce while Silver (NYSE:SLV) fell 0.08% to settle at $28.01.

Here’s your Cheat Sheet to today’s top stock stories:

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) have both bid between $150 million and $250 million for 1,100 digital patents being auctioned by Eastman Kodak, according to aWall Street Journal report. Bankrupt Kodak is selling the patents, which it believes could be worth $2.6 billion, in order to repay creditors. Kodak filed for Chapter 11 protection in January after failing to adequately adapt during the shift from film to digital photograph.

Express Scripts’ (NASDAQ:ESRX) shares increased 8 percent. The company reported that its second-quarter net earnings plummeted 49 percent as it absorbed acquisition costs. The numbers did exceed analysts expectations, driving a greater full-year forecast.

Dean Foods’ (NYSE:DF) shares jumped 37 percent. After the bell on Tuesday, the company released its second quarter earnings that included a profit It announced plans to spin off  its growing organic dairy products and soy milk division.

Orbitz Worldwide’s (NYSE:OWW) shares fell 25 percent after announcing its second-quarter results. Earnings tanked 48 percent from a revenue decline and higher marketing costs. The company tightened up its profit and revenue outlook.

Orbitz’s foe Priceline.com’s (NASDAQ:PCLN) shares also dropped on Wednesday, down 16 percent. On Tuesday the company said its second-quarter earnings exceeded expectations but it offered a disappointing forecast thanks to the economic problems in Europe.