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- Current Financial Market Conditions (Dow & S&P).

- September catalysts for the overall markets and individual stock plays.

- Technicals and Fundamentals of select stocks utilizing the CHEAT SHEET framework for investing and trading.

Interactive Q&A with Damien & Derek at the end of Money Hour!

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Damien & Derek Hoffman
Co-Founders, WallStCheatSheet.com

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Earnings: Q2 loss of ($.13) vs. ($.15) consensus and a loss of ($.03 ) in Q2 last year.

Revenue: Decreased 15.9% Year-over-Year from $48.8 Million last year t0 $42.1 Million this year in the same period, versus $41.87 Million consensus, passing expectations.

Tom Rogers, President and CEO of TiVo, stated “TiVo remains on solid financial footing, exceeding our revenue and earnings guidance and with a strong balance sheet of over $240 million in cash and short-term investments, and no debt.”

Comment: Shares of TIVO are trading down 1.71% following the company’s earnings release after-the-bell, trading at $8.32 per share, compared to the closing price of $8.47.

In the chart above, TIVO shares are trading above the 50-day moving average, yet below the 200-day moving average. The company has been plagued by a lawsuit with EchoStar (SATS), but exudes confidence in their ability to win the litigation suit. The proof will reside in the ultimate court decision. Meanwhile, in the 2nd quarter, TIVO inked deals with Suddenlink Communications, the seventh largest U.S. cable operator currently with 1.3 million subscribers, and Cox Communications, the third largest U.S. cable television operator. A key attraction to the stock right now is TIVO’s cash position of over $2 per share and zero debt on their balance sheet. TIVO stock hit a 52-week low in July of this year. Since then, TIVO shares have rebounded and consolidated recently. If TIVO can continue to grow sales while reducing costs, then TIVO shares could become even more compelling than they are today.

Pleasanton, Calif-based Ross Stores Inc (ROST) announced earnings on August 19th with a dose of cautious sentiment in a very shaky market. Considering the retailer is known for discounted accessories, apparel and home-related merchandise, you would assume business is plush for Ross Stores. The stock is up over 16% since the start of the year, so the discount retailing trend has been the ROST friend. But, will the trend continue? Here is the latest earnings breakdown:

Earnings: Q2 profits of $1.07 vs. $1.07 consensus and a gain of $.82 in Q2 last year, an 23.4% rise in profits Year-over Year.

Revenue: Increased 8% Year-over-Year from $1.77 Billion last year t0 $1.91 Billion this year, versus $1.92 Billion consensus, barely missing expectations.

Michael Balmuth, ROST CEO and Vice Chairman stated, “We faced extremely tough comparisons in the second half of the year as same store sales grew 9% and earnings per share rose 67% in the back half of 2009. As a result while we hope to do better, we believe it is prudent to maintain a somewhat cautious outlook concerning our sales and earnings targets for the second half of 2010.” He also said, “We remain on track to complete during 2010 approximately $375 million of our current two year $750 million stock repurchase program.”

Comment: Shares of ROST are trading down 2.7% following the company’s earnings release August 19th before-the-bell, trading at $49.58 share, mainly due in part to the overall market sell-off though.

In the chart above, ROST shares are trading slightly below the 200-day and well below the 50-day moving averages. On a technical basis, it is evident the current support level around $49 per share is a potential area of consolidation relative to last year’s peak prices in September and October. ROST shares experienced a strong run in the first quarter of 2010 and have pulled back since late April, not fully finding support quite yet. ROST pays a 1.3% annual dividend and has plenty of cash in the coffers, $775 million in cash versus $150 million in debt. With $62+ revenue per share, cost-cutting measure in place and a stock buyback program that is meeting its intended goals, Ross Stores Inc (ROST) may very well be building a base of support in the current price range as consumer still seek out discounts now more than ever.

Earlier this year, on February 22nd, I wrote about the first 20 failed banks of 2010. Fast forward 6 months later, and there are now 118 bank failures in 2010. To put this year’s bank failures in perspective, there was a total of 140 bank failures in 2009. At the current annual pace, the FDIC total bank failures could reach 180 by year end, or an increase of 28.5% year-over-year.

The most fascinating and unexpected point to highlight from the chart and data below is that each of the highest bank failure months (March, April and July) correlate with rare up-trending monthly market returns for the S&P (see March, April and July below). Do bank failures actually bode well for the financial markets?

Here’s the breakdown of the number of bank failures per month in 2010:

January: 15

February: 7

March: 19

April: 23

May: 14

June: 8

July: 22

August: 10

As the strong continue to survive, here’s a snapshot of failed weak banks in August 2010, according to the FDIC:

If you want to steer clear of failure, then consider joining our Wall St. Cheat Sheet Premium monthly newsletter where we hand pick winning investments for you.

Among the Hurd drama, the uncertainty for H-P’s leadership and a recent 15% decline for HP’s stock price, the real numbers proved two things, higher expenses hurt H-P’s bottom line, but top-line growth is still in tact for the 300,000 plus employee Palo Alto, CA-based computer company. Here’s the breakdown on Hewlett-Packard (HPQ):

Earnings: Q3 profits of $.75 vs. $1.08 consensus and a gain of $.69 in Q2 last year, an 8.6% rise in profits Year-over Year. Excluding items, H-P would have earned $1.08 per share, which was in-line with analyst expectations.

Revenue: Increased 11% Year-over-Year from 27.6 Billion last year t0 $30.7 Billion this year, versus $30.43 Billion consensus, passing expectations.

Cathie Lesjak, H-P CFO and interim CEO stated, “We raised our full-year outlook and are continuing to build momentum in driving out costs, investing for profitable growth and capitalizing on HP’s competitive advantages in the marketplace.”

Comment: Shares of HPQ are trading down slightly .64% following the company’s earnings release after-the-bell, trading at $40.50 per share, compared to the closing price of $40.76.

In the chart above, HPQ shares are trading at 52-week lows well below the 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Following the Hurd debacle, the stock has dropped 15+%. Most analysts have been pegging HPQ shares in the $45-48 range, above the current share price. A bright note in today’s solid HPQ earnings report was the evident growth in emerging markets. According to the company’s earnings report, “revenue from outside of the United States in the third quarter accounted for 63% of total HP revenue, with revenue in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) increasing 21% while accounting for 11% of total HP revenue.” With a double-digit top-line growth number issued today amidst the negative press beating down Mark Hurd for his actions, buying opportunities are coming into play for investors who see the strength beyond the shadow in HPQ shares. The company is still rock solid. The only question remaining is who will be the next captain of the HPQ ship?

Disclosure: No positions held in the companies mentioned.

Our partners at the CME Group (CME) gave us an insider’s look at their new modern day global command center at the CME headquarters in Chicago. In contrast to the former CME trading pits of shouting traders filling orders by fist pumping emotionally charged adrenaline, today’s technologically-driven trading floor brings peace among button clickers.

In this Wall St. Cheat Sheet Mobile Minute I interview Allan Schoenberg, Director of Corporate Communications, who discusses our partnership and the importance of financial social media. In the face of today’s horrid jobless claims number, he offers a glimmer of hope for hiring in the 2nd half of 2010 (at the CME) and advice for job seekers on the hunt:

Earnings: Q2 profits of $.17 vs. $.09 consensus and a net loss of $.02 in Q2 last year. Profits jumped back into positive territory relative to the same quarter last year.

Revenue: Increased 23% Year-over-Year at $1.20 Billion vs. $1.10 Billion consensus, beating analyst sales estimates and displaying their strongest revenue growth since 2007.

Brett White, CEO of CB Richard Ellis stated, “In the U.S., we saw a very strong pick up in property sales and leasing, reflecting recovering market conditions. Europe produced robust growth, fueled by the recovery of the property sales market in the larger economies, such as the U.K., Germany and France. Asia Pacific also sustained the strong top-line growth that first became evident there late last year.”

Comment: Shares of CB Richard Ellis (CBG) are trading up 3.76% following the company’s earnings release after-the-bell, trading at $15.99 per share, compared to today’s closing price of $15.41 per share.

As you can see above, CB Richard Ellis (CBG) shares are trading above both its 50-day and 200-day moving price averages. This month, the stock’s technical downtrend was broken to the upside, a good sign for investors looking to participate on the long side of CBG shares.

White went on to add, “We are mindful of concerns about the pace of economic recovery, but the rebound in commercial real estate activity is progressing.”

With the CBG global investment management business yielding 44% revenue growth Year-over-Year, it is evident the company is diversifying its focus to other countries and also reaping a higher growth rate in doing so. CBG stock has held support twice this month at the 200-day moving price average. As the stock trades up after-hours, it appears a solid base of support could bring more confident investors to the table after they catch wind of CBG’s stellar second quarter report.

Disclosure: No positions in the stocks mentioned.

Earnings: Q3 profits of $.27 vs. $.29 consensus and $.20 in Q3 last year. Profits jumped 35% Year-over-Year.

Revenue: Increased 9% Year-over-Year at $2.61 Billion vs. $2.55 Billion consensus, breezing by expectations.

Howard Schultz, Starbucks (SBUX) Chairman, President and CEO, said, “”I’m particularly pleased to report significant Q3 increases in store traffic…”

Comment: Shares of Starbucks (NYSE: SBUX) are trading down over 2% following the company’s earnings release after-the-bell, trading at $24.55 per share, compared to today’s closing price of $25.17 per share.

As you can see above, Starbucks (SBUX) is trading between its 50-day and 200-day moving price averages, very indicative of a common trading zone in the current economic environment. SBUX proved to be picking up steam for comparable same stores sales with a 9% uptick and is seeing optimism for its distributed beverage line (i.e. mini double-shot espresso cans and other flavored drinks). Picking up shares of SBUX during the recession proved smart for any savvy investor as the stock has doubled in over a year’s time. Starbucks is planning to undergo an investment period of capital expenditures once again to kickstart future growth. Today, investors and traders were unhappy with the tighter outlook SBUX executives offered for the remainder of the year. However, if SBUX can continue to deliver on their new product mix and the success of their breakfast offering, you may want to consider SBUX shares on pullbacks as a way to ride a potentially positive earnings surprise down the road. In the meantime, grab an iced beverage as the summer continues to heat up…

For more detailed information on the Starbucks earnings release, visit here.

The Wall St. Cheat Sheet Premium Newsletter has delivered 15 out of 16 winning picks since inception in November 2008. Let the Hoffman Brothers give you their best investing and trading ideas: click here now for your free trial.

Disclosure: No holdings in SBUX, but adding a shot of espresso to finish out the day…

Earnings: Q2 profits of $1.02 vs. $1.03 consensus and $.88 in Q2 last year.

Revenue: Increased 5% Year-over-Year at $8.67 Billion vs. $8.7 Billion consensus.

Muhtar Kent, Coca-Cola Chairman and CEO, said, “It is clear, however, that the state of the global economy remains uncertain in many regions, affected by ongoing deficit concerns in Europe, recent downward revisions to China’s economy and weakened consumer confidence. While this uncertainty weighs on us all, we remain resolute in our commitment to invest in our global operations and our brands for the long-term. Even during these challenging times, our brand equity is growing stronger around the world…Looking forward to the balance of the year, we remain cautious, yet confident in our ability to deliver our 2010 plan while continuing our efforts to achieve our 2020 Vision through consistent long-term profitable growth.”

Comment: Shares of Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) are up over 1% this morning following the company’s earnings release, trading at $54 per share, compared to yesterday’s closing price of $53.24 per share.

I wrote about Coca-Cola in February earlier this year in an article titled, ‘Battle of the Beverage Behemoths Coke vs. Pepsi,’ when the stock was trading at $53.79 per share. Fast forward to this morning, over 5 months later, and shares are just $.20 higher, yet Coca-Cola (KO) pays a 3.2% annual dividend. KO has always been a risk-averse, safe investor’s dream. The share price trades in a tight range in the $50′s and pays a dividend. Thus, the decision to enter KO shares is contingent up the proper timing of entry. As you can note in the chart above, KO shares are trading above its 50-day moving average and slightly below its 200-day moving average. If KO shares can climb above its 200-day moving average solidly and hold there, I would see such a technical move as a confident reinforcement to consider adding Coca-Cola shares to your safe portfolio.

For more detailed information on the Coca-Cola earnings release, visit here.

The Wall St. Cheat Sheet Premium Newsletter has delivered 15 out of 16 winning picks since inception in November 2008. Let the Hoffman Brothers give you their best investing and trading ideas: click here now for your free trial.

Disclosure: No holdings in KO.