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

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
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