November 4, 2010

Tesoro Corp (TSO) Oil Refiner Beats on Revenue and Earnings

RATED BUY. Also, this stock is also considered a speculative take over candidate.

Tesoro Corp, (San Antonio HQ), West Coast oil refiner beat consensus estimates on Third quarter 2010 Earnings and Revenue. (link)
Tesoro Corporation (NYSE:TSO - News) today reported third quarter 2010 net earnings of $56 million, or $0.39 per diluted share compared to net earnings of $33 million, or $0.24 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2009. The Company earned $73 million or $0.51 per diluted share for the period before one-time after-tax expenses of $17 million primarily associated with the Anacortes refinery outage.


Third quarter segment operating income was $201 million excluding the one-time items, compared to $137 million in the third quarter a year ago. The increase in operating income was driven by stronger distillate margins, improved feedstock cost and the Company’s improvement initiatives. These benefits were partially offset by decreased gasoline margins and reduced throughput. The reduction in throughput was primarily a result of the continued shut-down of the Anacortes refinery and the planned turnaround of our Hawaii refinery.


For the third quarter, the Tesoro Index gained $1.42 per barrel (/bbl) or 17% from a year ago. West Coast benchmark diesel margins were up more than 50% over last year while gasoline margins were down 7%.

The Company realized all of the index gains and more, capturing a gross margin of $13.28/bbl, which was up $3.69/bbl or 38% from a year ago.

Contributing to the Company’s improved performance relative to the index was an increase in conversion unit utilization which resulted in higher clean product yields. In addition, the Company produced more diesel, capturing the stronger distillate margins and ran more Canadian and South American heavy crudes as the discounts for these crudes widened.

“We are pleased with our third quarter results, even with Anacortes down for the period,” said Greg Goff, President and CEO of Tesoro. “During the quarter we saw improvement in distillate margins in our markets similar to what’s been seen across the country. We attribute this to strong distillate exports, improvements in the U.S. manufacturing sector and increased port activity nationwide. Unfortunately, these increases are not being seen in gasoline margins. While gasoline demand has stabilized, high unemployment in California continues to keep gasoline demand weak.”

July 12, 2010

Spectrum Pharma

If you currently hold Spectrum Pharma, and are looking to get out, you can set some limit sells around $ 4.25-$4.30 range.  During a surge it might get filled. On the other hand, you can also sell half at the $4.25 pricing range and hold on  to the other half, as current sentiment on it seems positive and it might climb through beyound the 50 day moving average of $ 4.29 and go forward up till $5 and on.

March 3, 2010

Updates!! on NON-biotech stocks.

Dear Readers,
Sorry we have been out of action on this blog. But that has mainly been because of the fact that we got heavily into options trading on several volatile and/or promising stocks like SFLY, APWR, TSO, HUN etc. With POSITIVE results. 
After SFLY's climb of 17% we have closed out our position. However, there is a significant chance of a small pullback and a new climb again. Considering SLFY is above it's 50 and 200 day moving averages and has made a new 52 wk high, it looks like a good prospect for growth.

APWR has been up and down, but now it looks to be on course for a fresh climb. We still hold open positions in APWR and expect to get out around the $15-$16 range in the near future.


Now, let us speak about the most promising pick for the next few months: TSO. This refiner has begun to climb back from the recent lows in the 11 dollar range, so the timing is good to get back on any short term pullbacks and look to hold it for a 3-5 month range through summer. Barring any major changes in world oil prices, TSO should smartly climb up to the 17-19 range by August-September.


Hunstman Chemicals (HUN), has been a very solid stock and has been posting good earnings and revenues. Expect this stock to have good support and more growth packed in. Add on market down days is about the only piece of wisdom I can share when it comes to HUN.


Lastly if you are thinking of getting into options, then check out these books before you start trading:

1.The Rookie's Guide to Options: The Beginner's Handbook of Trading Equity Options

2. Trading Options at Expiration: Strategies and Models for Winning the Endgame 


ADVICE:
NEVER TRADE ON MARGIN. Keep a margin account for easy settlement, but NEVER use the margin to actually trade or hold overnight.


December 28, 2009

Biotech/Pharma Stocks and Upcoming FDA Actions Dates

A few biotech stocks whose FDA approval/response dates are coming up are listed here without any analysis or predictions. Momentum traders could use these tickers, study the stock behavior and make appropriate trades. Or look at the drug/device's long term trial/data process and make bets on either side of the trade and hold steady. Good luck and don't be greedy. Stocks are listed from the nearest date of decision onward. Thanks for a diligent poster (sxyam) on the yahoo message board of HUN.
Chelsea Therapeutics(CHTP Quote)
Drug/indication: Droxidopa for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension
Outcome of FDA meeting to discuss changing primary endpoint of phase III study: December 2009.

Cephalon(CEPH Quote)
Drug/indication: Nuvigil for jet lag disorder
FDA approval decision date: Dec. 29

Arena Pharmaceuticals(ARNA Quote)
Drug/indication: lorcaserin for obesity
Filing for FDA approval: December 2009

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals(AUXL Quote)
Drug/indication: Xiaflex for Dupuytren's contracture
FDA approval decision date: December 2009

Biodel(BIOD Quote)
Drug/indication: Viaject for diabetes
Filing for FDA approval: December 2009

Novartis(NVS Quote)
Drug/indication: fingolomid for multiple sclerosis
Filing for FDA approval: December 2009

Novo Nordisk(NVO Quote)
Drug/indication: Victoza for diabetes
FDA approval decision date: December 2009

Shire Pharmaceuticals(SHPGY Quote)
Drug/indication: Replagal for Fabry's disease
Filing for FDA approval: December 2009

Vivus(VVUS Quote)
Drug/indication: Qnexa for obesity
Filing for FDA approval: December 2009

Mannkind(MNKD Quote)
Drug/indication: Afresa for diabetes
FDA approval decision date: Jan. 16, 2010

Acorda Therapeutics(ACOR Quote)
Drug/indication: Amaya for multiple sclerosis
FDA approval decision date: Jan. 22, 2010

Spectrum Pharmaceuticals(SPPI Quote)
Drug/indication: Fusilev for colon cancer
Outcome of meeting with FDA to discuss complete response letter: January 2010

Labopharm(DDSS Quote)
Drug/indication: Trazodone Contramid for depression
FDA approval decision date: Feb. 11, 2010

Cadence Pharmaceuticals(CADX Quote)
Drug/indication: acetavance for pain
FDA approval decision date: Feb. 12, 2010

Gilead Sciences(GILD Quote)
Drug/indication: Cayston for cystic fibrosis
FDA approval decision date: Feb. 13, 2010

Salix Pharmaceuticals(SLXP Quote)
Drug/indication: Xifaxan for hepatic encephalopathy
FDA advisory committee meeting: February 2010
FDA approval decision date: March 24, 2010

Shire Pharmaceuticals(SHPGY Quote)
Drug/indication: velaglucerase for Gaucher's disease
FDA approval decision date: Feb. 28, 2010

Amylin Pharmaceuticals(AMLN Quote)
Drug/indication: Exenatide LAR for diabetes
FDA approval decision date: March 5, 2010

Clinical Data(CLDA Quote)
Drug/indication: vilazodone for depression
Filing for FDA approval: First quarter 2010

Somaxon Pharmaceuticals(SOMX Quote)
Drug/indication: Silenor for insomnia
Outcome of FDA meeting to discuss complete response letter: First quarter 2010

Cell Therapeutics(CTIC Quote)
Drug/indication: pixantrone for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
FDA approval decision date: April 23, 2010

Eli Lilly(LLY Quote)
Drug/indication: Erbitux for first-line non-small cell lung cancer
Filing for FDA approval: First quarter 2010

Dendreon(DNDN Quote)
Drug/indication: Provenge for prostate cancer
FDA approval decision date: May 1, 2010

Avanir Pharmaceuticals(AVNR Quote)
Drug/indication: Zenvia for pseudobulbar effect
Filing for FDA approval: Second quarter 2010

Alkermes(ALKS Quote)
Drug/indication: Vivitrol for opioid addiction
Filing for FDA approval: First half 2010

InterMune(ITMN Quote)
Drug/indication: pirfenidone for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
FDA advisory committee meeting: First half 2010

FDA approval decision date: Second half 2010

Human Genome Sciences(HGSI Quote)
Drug/indication: Benlysta for lupus
Filing for FDA approval: First half 2010

Orexigen Therapeutics(OREX Quote)
Drug/indication: Contrave for obesity
Filing for FDA approval: First half 2010

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