Thursday, March 16, 2006

ATI Technologies (Nasdaq:ATYT) Smoke and Noise

Corporate Noise Machines play many roles. In the case of ATI (Nasdaq:ATYT) they are emitting what may be a substantial smoke screen. Since the beginning of 2006 ATI has issued 21 press releases. One relates to financial matters the remaining 20 are marketing communications supposedly announcing new sales and uses of their products. If there are so many sales and marketing victories why is the stock languishing and even dropping. Earnings call coming up. Stay tuned for some close questioning.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Dynegy Restatement (NYSE:DYN)

Dynegy (NYSE:DYN) will be amending their 2005 earnings. The news crossed the wire at 21:21 yesterday. Which is when most people are at home and the company is hoping to slip it through.

Pope and Talbot Smoke Screen (NYSE:POP)

Pope and Talbot (NYSE:POP) postpones release of financial results because of ongoing tax problems. This normally is a smoke screen. Taxes are predictable. Just ask any properly trained CPA. Its probably chaotic business activities that precede the tax statement that are creating the uncertainty.

Royal Group Midnight Moves (NYSE:RYG)

Royal Group (NYSE:RYG) at a few minutes before midnight announce that they have to delay financial reporting. When you have a problem trying to announce it in the middle of the night is not the best way to create or rebuild credibility.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

Universal Corp (NYSE:UVV) Suspicions

Universal Corp (NYSE:UVV) just snuck out a suspiciously bland release. They avoided a title and led the press release with heavy verbiage that puts you to sleep. The release piggybacked two events into one document; each event obscures the other. Also they released very late crossing the wire at approximately 17:32 ET. Apparently Universal is in potential discussions to sell off some significant assets. Someone caught wind of this and they had to comment. At the same time someone called the whistleblower 800 number and reported some offshore malfeasance. The tip is being treated seriously and is being investigated. Stay tuned for more. There is always more. This is not a company that likes to talk about reality.

Monday, March 13, 2006

Asensio Growls at NYSE

Asensio has started to growl at the NYSE pointing out that perhaps the stock trading business is not as good as everyone seems to think. They are pointing the finger at no barriers to entry and low margins. Everyone is paying big premiums right now. Bubble or value? If you cannot tell its not value.

Weekend Follies (March 11-12, 2006)

Weekend follies culprits were highly influenced by the 55 Annual Scientific Session of American College of Cardiology. Five breathless press releases were issued to co-incide with the opening session as well as on line publication within the New England Journal of Medicine. Amazing how these studies can be timed to match up to certain events. Tip of the hat to the scientific method. Two NYSE companies Abbott (ABT), Boston Scientific (BSX) and Three Nasdaq companies Vasogen (VSGN), Myriad Genetics (MYGN) and Angio Pharmaceuticals (ANPI)

Three non-pharma culprits Macadamia (NYSE:NUT), North Bay Bancorp (Nasdaq:NBAN), Dundee Precious Metals (TSX:DPM)