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

Automaker Stocks In News: Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM)

Tesla Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) is now faced with challenges in directly selling its vehicles in Missouri. Legislators are considering to impose a ban on direct sales of vehicles to the public in the state. According to a bill, customers can only purchase new vehicles through middleman franchised dealers. Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock performance was 2.05% in last session and finished the day at … Continue reading Automaker Stocks In News: Tesla Motors Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM), Toyota Motor (NYSE:TM)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Top Gainers: Doral Financial (NYSE:DRL), CTPartners Executive Search (NYSEMKT:CTP), RadNet Inc. (NASDAQ:RDNT), Matrix Service (NASDAQ:MTRX)

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services today said it lowered its issuer credit rating on Doral Financial Corp. to ‘CC’ from ‘CCC-‘ and placed the rating on CreditWatch with negative implications. “Our downgrade of Doral reflects the institution’s weakened capital position to the point that it has breached minimum regulatory capital requirements under its current consent order with the FDIC,” said Standard & Poor’s credit analyst … Continue reading Top Gainers: Doral Financial (NYSE:DRL), CTPartners Executive Search (NYSEMKT:CTP), RadNet Inc. (NASDAQ:RDNT), Matrix Service (NASDAQ:MTRX)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Tech Sector Bearish Stocks: Sunedison Inc (NYSE:SUNE), Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG), Castlight Health Inc (NYSE:CSLT), Aviat Networks Inc (NASDAQ:AVNW)

Sunedison Inc (NYSE:SUNE) plunged -6.55% after missing analysts’ expectations for earnings and revenue in the first quarter. For the first quarter SunEdison posted a loss of -25 cents a share, missing the Capital IQ Consensus Estimate of a loss of -17 cents a share by 8 cents. Revenue grew 34% year-over-year to $578 million. Analysts expected revenue of $593.83 million for the quarter. Sunedison Inc … Continue reading Tech Sector Bearish Stocks: Sunedison Inc (NYSE:SUNE), Plug Power Inc (NASDAQ:PLUG), Castlight Health Inc (NYSE:CSLT), Aviat Networks Inc (NASDAQ:AVNW)

Mark DeFrance
Alibaba
Analysis, Finance, Internet

Hot Stocks: Baidu Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU), Weibo Corp (ADR) (NASDAQ:WB), SINA Corp (NASDAQ:SINA), Qihoo 360 Technology (NYSE:QIHU)

Alibaba operates online platforms such as Taobao Marketplace and Tmall.com that connect retail brands with consumers. The Chinese company makes most of its sales from commissions and advertising and competes with Tencent Holdings Ltd and Baidu Inc. (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU) for the more than 600 million Internet users in China. Baidu Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU) stock performance was -1.19% in last session and finished the day at … Continue reading Hot Stocks: Baidu Inc (ADR) (NASDAQ:BIDU), Weibo Corp (ADR) (NASDAQ:WB), SINA Corp (NASDAQ:SINA), Qihoo 360 Technology (NYSE:QIHU)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Biotech Watch List: GTx (NASDAQ:GTXI), Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ANAC), 22nd Century Group Inc (NYSEMKT:XXII), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VNDA)

GTX Inc. (NASDAQ:GTXI) was a big mover last session, as its shares rose over 14% on the day. The move came on solid volume too with far more shares changing hands than in a normal session. This breaks the trend for the company since Apr 7, as the stock is now trading above the volatile price range of $1.32 to $1.50. GTx, Inc. (NASDAQ:GTXI) stock … Continue reading Biotech Watch List: GTx (NASDAQ:GTXI), Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ANAC), 22nd Century Group Inc (NYSEMKT:XXII), Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VNDA)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Trader’s Watch List: Alcatel Lucent (NYSE:ALU), Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)

Carrier spending in markets such as the U.S. and Japan is cooling after a wave of investments in speedier, fourth-generation networks, leaving Nokia, Ericsson, Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU) and China’s Huawei Technologies Co. to compete for fewer deals. Last year, Nokia considered buying the wireless-equipment unit of France’s Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU), people familiar with the matter have said. Nokia can compete in … Continue reading Trader’s Watch List: Alcatel Lucent (NYSE:ALU), Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR), Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)

Mark DeFrance