Author: Mark DeFrance

Mark DeFrance is a senior research analyst at Tech Insider, focusing on the enterprise software sector. Prior to joining TI, Mark covered enterprise software for First Albany, and prior to that he worked in equity research at B.T. Alex Brown and Bankers Trust. Mark has written software applications in various programming languages including BASIC, Pascal, and COBOL. He has also been recognized in The Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street" survey and was recognized by Forbes Magazine as the No. 1 sell-side stock picker in the software industry for a five-year period, with returns of 115% versus 26% for the software industry.
Finance

Stocks Gaining Momentum: Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:DLR), Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR), Crane Co. (NYSE:CR), Ford Motor (NYSE:F)

Kuwait’s sovereign investment fund and a pair of investment management firms sued Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in New Jersey federal court Friday, accusing the company of misleading investors over now-withdrawn arthritis treatment Vioxx, after the plaintiffs previously dropped out of a related multidistrict litigation. Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its net profit margin is 12.50% and weekly performance is -0.08%. … Continue reading Stocks Gaining Momentum: Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:DLR), Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR), Crane Co. (NYSE:CR), Ford Motor (NYSE:F)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Stocks in news: California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC), McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE:MUX), Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRS), Kate Spade (NYSE:KATE), Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ:BOBE)

On Jan 22 California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) said it will host its fourth quarter and full year financial results conference call on Thursday, February 19th, at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) belongs to Basic Materials sector. Its weekly performance is 2.77%. On last trading day company shares ended up $4.45. California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) distance from 50-day simple moving average … Continue reading Stocks in news: California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC), McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE:MUX), Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRS), Kate Spade (NYSE:KATE), Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ:BOBE)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Moving Stocks: The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP), Diebold (NYSE:DBD), Quad/Graphics (NYSE:QUAD), Banco Latinoamericano Comerc Exterior (NYSE:BLX)

Dow Chemical (NYSE:DOW) was the target of a large increase in short interest in December. As of December 31st, there was short interest totalling 27,807,602 shares, an increase of 15.3% from the December 15th total of 24,115,252 shares, Analyst Ratings News reports. The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) belongs to Basic Materials sector. Its net profit margin is 6.20% and weekly performance is 0.86%. On last … Continue reading Moving Stocks: The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), J C Penney Company Inc (NYSE:JCP), Diebold (NYSE:DBD), Quad/Graphics (NYSE:QUAD), Banco Latinoamericano Comerc Exterior (NYSE:BLX)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Notable Moves: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:LXRX), Hertz Global (NYSE:HTZ), Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS), Capital Senior Living (NYSE:CSU), National Retail Properties (NYSE:NNN)

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:LXRX) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 34,102,651 shares, an increase of 9.4% from the November 28th total of 31,182,526 shares, Analyst Ratings.Net reports. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:LXRX) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its weekly performance is -1.31%. On last trading day company shares ended up $0.93. Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, … Continue reading Notable Moves: Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:LXRX), Hertz Global (NYSE:HTZ), Advanced Energy Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:AEIS), Capital Senior Living (NYSE:CSU), National Retail Properties (NYSE:NNN)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Best Stocks: BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP), Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB), Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), Shiloh Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:SHLO)

BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) was continuing the restart of a 60,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) catalytic reformer at its 413,500 bpd Whiting, Indiana, refinery on Wednesday, said sources familiar with plant operations. BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) belongs to Basic Materials sector. Its net profit margin is 2.50% and weekly performance is -0.70%. On last trading day company shares ended up $35.67. BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) distance from 50-day simple moving average … Continue reading Best Stocks: BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP), Williams Companies, Inc. (NYSE:WMB), Physicians Realty Trust (NYSE:DOC), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C), Shiloh Industries Inc. (NASDAQ:SHLO)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Why These Are Hot: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM), Volt Information Sciences (NYSEMKT:VISI), General Mills (NYSE:GIS), Arena Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARNA), America Movil (NYSE:AMX)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg. Co. Ltd. (NYSE:TSM) was upgraded by investment analysts at Bank of America from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a note issued to investors on Monday. The firm currently has a $27.62 price objective on the stock, up from their previous price objective of $22.00. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM) belongs to Technology sector. Its net profit margin is … Continue reading Why These Are Hot: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM), Volt Information Sciences (NYSEMKT:VISI), General Mills (NYSE:GIS), Arena Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ARNA), America Movil (NYSE:AMX)

Mark DeFrance