We continue to favor the companies with strong competitive advantages.[More...]

The second edition of  Fitch Ratings’ annual ‘Credit Encyclo-Media‘ report makes for some grim reading. As was the case last year, The Interpublic Group is only rated issuer with a “Positive” outlook .  All other companies  are either Stable or Negative: Diversified Media –CBS Corporation (’BBB’; Outlook Stable) –Cox Enterprises (’BBB’; Outlook Stable) –Discovery Communications LLC [...]

According to Russell, the stocks below will be added to the Russell Microcap Index when it is reconstituted at the end of the month.  This list is preliminary and may be changed when the final list is released on June 29, 2009. Remember, approximately half of the names in the Russell Microcap Index are also in [...]

By request, here is the latest update on the Phoenix list: ACCO Brands Corp (ABD), American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings I (AXL), ArvinMeritor Inc (ARM), Belo Corp (BLC), Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings Inc (CCO), Crosstex Energy Inc (XTXI), Dana Holding Corp (DAN), Delta Petroleum Corp (DPTR), Developers Diversified Realty Corp (DDR), Eastman Kodak Co (EK), Emcore Corp (EMKR), EW Scripps Co (SSP), FCStone Group Inc (FCSX), Ferro Corp (FOE), First Industrial Realty Trust Inc (FR), Gannett Co Inc (GCI), Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co (GAP), Hercules Offshore Inc (HERO), ION Geophysical Corp (IO), iStar Financial Inc (SFI), Phoenix Cos Inc/The (PNX), Sunrise Senior Living Inc (SRZ), Technitrol Inc (TNL), Warren Resources Inc (WRES), YRC Worldwide Inc (YRCW) and Zale Corp (ZLC).There are 26[More...]

Standard & Poor’s describes the Midcap 400 Index (pdf) as “the most widely used index for mid-sized companies” ranging in market capitalization from $1 billion to $4.5 billion. S&P must have drafted that specification in better markets.  Now, more than 1 in 8 Midcap 400 constituents have a market capitalization below $500 million, and many are [...]