All eyes were on the indices this morning to see how they’d react after Japan’s Nikkei index dropped 7% overnight on an over 1,000-point sell-off. Fears of the Fed’s QE tapering, contraction in manufacturing data from China, and a stronger Yen all contributed to the Japanese market’s decline, and subsequently most other global markets. Though [...]

Ex-dividend dates are very important to dividend investors, since you must purchase a stock prior to its ex-dividend date in order to receive its upcoming dividend payout. For more information, check out Everything Investors Need to Know About Ex-Dividend Dates Below we highlight 10 big-name stocks going ex-dividend for the week of May 28-31, 2013. [...]

Auto part retailer, Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (AAP) reported an earnings decline for its first quarter, but came in above analysts estimates on Thursday. The Roanoke, VA based company reported first quarter earnings of $121.79 million, or $1.65 per share, down from $133.51 million, or $1.79 per share a year ago. On average, analysts expected [...]

Before the opening bell on Thursday, video game retailer GameStop Corp. (GME) reported a decline in first quarter profits on lower sales. However, the company’s earnings and revenues were able to top Wall Street analysts’ estimates. The Grapevine, Texas-based company said its net income for the first quarter was $54.6 million, or 46 cents per [...]

Despite improved fourth quarter earnings, shares of apparel company, Ralph Lauren Corp (RL) fell on Thursday morning following the company’s fourth quarter results which indicated a weak outlook. The New York, NY based company reported fourth quarter earnings of $127.2 million, or $1.37 per share, up 35% from $94.4 million, or 99 cents per share [...]

Due to a renewed conviction in eCommerce and inventory availability, analysts at Citigroup raised the price target and earnings estimates on The TJX Companies, Inc (TJX) on Thursday. The analysts now see shares of TJX reaching $60, which suggests a 19% upside to Wednesday’s closing price of $50.23. The TJX Companies shares were down 10 [...]

Citing the higher-than-expected cost of rolling out Canadian store locations, UBS analysts lowered the price target and earnings estimates on discount retailer Target Corporation (TGT) on Thursday. The analysts now see shares of TGT reaching $73. This price target suggests a 7% upside to Wednesday’s closing price of $68.40. Target shares were down 40 cents, [...]

Bank of America/Merrill Lynch and Citigroup reported on Thursday that they have increased their price targets on aerospace giant The Boeing Company (BA). BofA boosts target Bank of America/Merrill Lynch reported that it has increased its price target on BA to $120. This price target suggests a 19% upside to the stock’s current price of [...]

Analysts at Deutsche Bank upgraded Seagate Technology plc (STX) on Thursday, as they expect better unit growth and sales mix from the maker of data storage products. The analysts upgraded STX from “Hold” to “Buy” and now see shares reaching $46. This price target suggests a 9% upside to Wednesday’s closing price of $42.17. Seagate [...]

Analysts at Keybanc on Thursday upgraded non-hazardous solid waste services provider Republic Services, Inc. (RSG) to a “Buy.” The firm has upgraded RSG from a “Hold” to a “Buy,” and has given the company a $41 price target. This price target suggests a 15% increase from the stock’s current price of $34.73. Analysts have raised [...]

Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley upgraded Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc (HOT) on Thursday. Bank of America upgraded HOT to “Buy,” as they see the hotel operator as the best positioned in the US market. The analysts gave HOT as $84 price target, which suggests a 24% upside to [...]

Food company, Hormel Foods Corporation (HRL) reported a drop in profits for its second quarter, which came in below analysts estimates. The Austin, MN based company reported second quarter net income of $125.52 million, or 46 cents per share, down -2% from $127.89 million, or 48 cents per share a year ago. On average, analysts [...]

JP Morgan analysts noted that Devon Energy Corp’s (DVN) strategic decisions will not do much to increase shareholder value. As such, the analysts downgraded the oil and gas exploration company on Thursday. The analysts downgraded DVN from “Overweight” to “Neutral” and see shares reaching $62.50. This price target suggests a 6% upside to Wednesday’s closing [...]

Before the opening bell on Thursday, Canadian financial services company Toronto-Dominion Bank (otherwise known as TD Bank) (TD) reported a rise in second quarter profits, helped by improved earnings from US lending. Earnings per share was in-line with Wall Street estimates, but revenue came up short of views. The Toronto-based company posted a second quarter [...]

Apparel retailer, The Buckle, Inc. (BKE) reported a dip in its first quarter earnings on Thursday, and missed analysts estimates. The Kearny, NE based company reported first quarter net income of $37.55 million, or 78 cents per share, down from $37.81 million, or 79 cents per share a year ago. Analysts expected to see earnings [...]

After the close on Wednesday, women’s apparel and personal care products retailer L Brands Inc (LTD) reported a rise in first quarter profits on higher sales. Both earnings and revenues topped Wall Street estimates. The Columbus, Ohio-based company posted a first quarter net income of $142.5 million, or 48 cents per share, up 14% from [...]

On Thursday, BMO Capital Markets reported that it has initiated coverage of beverage company, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (DPS). The firm has started coverage of DPS with a “Market Perform” rating and $48 price target. This price target suggests that the stock will remain flat at its current price of $48.26. An analyst from [...]

BMO Capital Markets reported on Thursday that it has initiated coverage on beverage company, The Coca-Cola Company (KO). The firm has begun coverage of KO with a “Market Perform” rating and $45 price target. This price target suggests a 6% upside from the stock’s current price of $42.25. An analyst from the firm commented, “we [...]

Pet supply retailer, PetSmart, Inc. (PETM) reported increased Q1 earnings on Thursday, which came in above analysts estimates. The Phoenix, AZ based company reported first quarter earnings of $102.4 million, or 98 cents per share, up 8% from $94.7 million, or 85 cents per share a year ago. On average, analysts expected to see earnings [...]

Shares of Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) surged in pre-market trading on Thursday after the computer and printer maker boosted its fiscal 2013 outlook and reported second quarter earnings that beat estimates after the close on Wednesday. Despite the earnings beat, profits did decline steeply on the continued weak sales of PCs. The Palo Alto, California-based company [...]

The following dividend stocks are companies we are currently watching closely for possible inclusions on our “Best Dividend Stocks” list. Every Thursday we will look at our various watchlists to sort through the names we see as becoming attractive and put them in a list to share with all our premium subscribers. Outside of looking [...]

These were some of the biggest dividend stock performers on the upside and the downside in today’s market action. Highlights Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (MJN) – up 6% Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) – up 5% Staples (SPLS) – up 3% Mondelez International Inc. (MDLZ) – up 2% Pfizer (PFE) – up 2% Lowlights Herbalife Ltd. (HLF) [...]

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke’s testimony in front of the Congress’ Joint Economic Committee was closely watched by investors and Wall Street analysts, as most are curious about the future of the Fed’s quantitative easing (QE) program. As expected, Bernanke’s comments mostly mirrored his dovish policies, pleasing most investors who shot the averages into positive [...]

Entertainment content company, Viacom, Inc. (VIAB) reported on Wednesday that its board has approved an increase to its quarterly dividend. The company announced that its board has authorized an increase to its quarterly dividend from 27.5 cents to 30 cents per share. Viacom will pay its next dividend on July 1 to shareholders of record [...]

Deutsche Bank reported on Wednesday that it has reaffirmed a “Buy” rating on insurance company, The Allstate Corporation (ALL), but has lowered its FY2013 outlook. Despite the Oklahoma tornado damage which will likely cost the Allstate $100 million to $300 in losses, the firm has maintained a “Buy” rating and $57 price target on ALL. [...]

The Walt Disney Company (DIS) reported on Wednesday that ESPN will layoff hundreds of employees due to higher sports programming fees. The sports channel reported that it plans to lay off hundreds of its 7000 total employees. The company did not announce which types of positions would be eliminated. ESPN noted, “we are implementing changes [...]

Investment management firm Eaton Vance Corp (EV) reported before the opening bell on Wednesday that its second quarter profit increased 20%, reflecting strong net inflows and higher fee revenues. Adjusted earnings were in-line with analysts’ estimates, but revenues came up short of views. The Boston, Massachusetts-based company posted a second quarter net income of $63.68 [...]

Credit Suisse reported on Wednesday that it has raised its price target on financial services company, Citigroup Inc (C). The firm has maintained an “Outperform” rating on Citigroup, and has increased the company’s price target from $53 to $60. This price target suggests a 13% upside from the stock’s current price of $52.46. Analysts have [...]

Citigroup reported on Wednesday that it has raised its estimates on communications company, AT&T Inc. (T). The firm has increased its estimates on AT&T based on the company’s potential for wireless growth and improved revenue. AT&T shares were down 20 cents, or -0.54% during Wednesday morning trading. The stock is up 9% YTD. The Bottom [...]

Before the opening bell on Wednesday, office supplies retailer Staples, Inc. (SPLS) reported a decline in both earnings and revenues for the first quarter, as store closures and a stronger US dollar weakened overall sales. Both results came up short of analysts’ expectations. The Framingham, Massachusetts-based company said its first quarter net income fell to [...]