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

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
Finance

Market Movers: Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU), Asbury Automotive (NYSE:ABG), Unilever (NYSE:UN)

Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) Insider Darren Fichter unloaded 2,000 shares of the stock on the open market in a transaction dated Tuesday, December 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $33.49, for a total value of $66,980.00. Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ) belongs to Basic Materials sector. Its net profit margin is 17.40% and weekly performance is 1.65%. On last trading … Continue reading Market Movers: Canadian Natural Resources Limited (NYSE:CNQ), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM), Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU), Asbury Automotive (NYSE:ABG), Unilever (NYSE:UN)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Market Movers: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD), Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY), BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP)

Semiconductor chipmaker, Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) recently authorized an additional stock repurchase program, thereby maintaining the trend of returning wealth to its shareholders from time to time, depending on market conditions. Under this program, the company is authorized to repurchase up to $250 million of its common stock. Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL) belongs to Technology sector. Its net profit margin is 11.90% and … Continue reading Market Movers: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:MRVL), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Cloud Peak Energy Inc. (NYSE:CLD), Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY), BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Must Watch These 5 Stocks: Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ:MDSO), Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM), Atlatsa Resources (NYSEMKT:ATL)

Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) has been given a “BBB” credit rating by analysts at Morningstar. The firm’s “BBB” rating suggests that the company is a moderate default risk. They also gave their stock a four star rating. Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN) belongs to Financial sector. Its net profit margin is 19.10% and weekly performance is -7.23%. On last trading day company shares ended up $8.34. … Continue reading Must Watch These 5 Stocks: Banco Santander, S.A. (NYSE:SAN), Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE:LUV), Medidata Solutions (NASDAQ:MDSO), Iron Mountain (NYSE:IRM), Atlatsa Resources (NYSEMKT:ATL)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Morning Movers: B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:BOSC), Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC), Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE:FDO), Dish Network (NASDAQ:DISH), Facebook (NASDAQ:FB)

B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:BOSC), announced that its Supply Chain Division has received orders in the amount of $2,300,000 from a leading aircraft manufacturer. The orders are for electronic components to be supplied throughout the year 2015. B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:BOSC) belongs to Technology sector. Its net profit margin is 0.40% and weekly performance is 2.10%. On last trading day company shares … Continue reading Morning Movers: B.O.S. Better Online Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:BOSC), Kinross Gold Corporation (NYSE:KGC), Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE:FDO), Dish Network (NASDAQ:DISH), Facebook (NASDAQ:FB)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Morning Movers: Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL), MER Telemanagement Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:MTSL), Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ:ASBC), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL)

The flurry of promotions in the wireless industry are taking a toll on America’s biggest phone companies — AT&T Inc. (T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ). Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) belongs to Technology sector. Its net profit margin is 13.50% and weekly performance is -4.46%. On last trading day company shares ended up $46.92. Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) distance from 50-day simple moving average (SMA50) … Continue reading Morning Movers: Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL), MER Telemanagement Solutions Ltd. (NASDAQ:MTSL), Associated Banc-Corp (NASDAQ:ASBC), Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL)

Mark DeFrance