Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Technical analysis for shorts & longs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Johnny Canuck who wrote (35427)	12/6/2001 1:02:10 AM
From: Johnny Canuck	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 68892

Micron Tech (MU) 32.97 +2.48: -- Before Open -- Despite firming DRAM and spot prices, Morgan Stanley remains concerned about the seasonality and sustainability of the price increases; notes the recent moves in pricing are in-line with expectations. Morgan Stanley believes MU already factors in a lot of good news and rates the stock a Neutral.Cisco Systems (CSCO) 21.47 +0.95: -- Before Open -- Day One of CSCO analyst's meeting prompted mostly positive commentary, although there was a vocal note of caution on the stock's recent run-up. CSFB raises estimates slightly on Buy-rated CSCO (see today's In-Play coverage). Thomas Weisel reiterates their Buy rating on CSCO's attractive risk-award profile, strong balance sheet; firm names stock as best-positioned vendor in sector. Pacific Crest continues to believe CSCO is a strong name in the telecom market, but would urge a bit of caution with the stock trading at 8.4x 2002 revenue estimates. CIBC is also cautious in the near-term as the stock has exceeded their $20 price target and Wells Fargo Van Kasper downgrades CSCO to BUY from strong buy on stock appreciation (see today's In-Play coverage). Intel (INTC) 34.15 +1.29: -- Before Open -- Soundview Technology believes that US retail PC sales tracked higher than expected during the Thanksgiving weekend and have increased their processor unit assumptions for Q4 from 29.8M to 30.2M units [ASP and growth rate assumptions remain unchanged for 2002]. Soundview believes that GM's will improve next year, but that the high levels of depreciation will hold back overall margin expansion; firm recommends investors take profits at current levels. CSFB also out today on INTC: channel checks indicate that INTC will guide to the upper end of its revenue range in tomorrow's update call (see today's In-Play page for commentary). Sun Microsystems (SUNW) 14.39 +0.65: -- Before Open -- Mixed opinion out ahead of SUNW's mid-quarter update after the close tomorrow. Goldman Sachs' Laura Conigliaro recently met with mgmt and hears business is improving [new product-related issues are going well]. After performing channel checks, Thomas Weisel finds demand is tracing slightly ahead of their forecasts; believes recent surge is driven by the new UltraSPARC III based systems; reiterates their Buy recommendation, comments, "SUNW is well-positioned to compete in the Blad Serve segment." Less positive are SG Cowen and ABN AMRO: Cowen maintains their Neutral rating despite their expectation mgmt will affirm Q2 numbers; stresses this does not mean drivers for resumption of upward momentum are falling into place. ABN AMRO maintains the Hold rating on their opinion that SUNW faces an uncertain competitive landscape [IBM continues to exert pressure in the Unix server space] and any potential upside in Q2 is already accounted for in stock price; recommends investors wait on the sidelines until risk diminishes. Merrill on Hospitals : -- Before Open -- Merrill Lynch releases an update on the acquisition activity in the hospital industry; firm positive on coverage universe. UNH will host its annual investor conf tomorrow; expects company to reiterate guidance of 17-19% EPS growth in 2001/2002; Merrill continues to rate UNH a near-term Buy/long-term Buy. Merrill spoke with the incoming CFO of PRHS, Steve Ray, who reaffirmed that the acquisition environment is very robust; firm views Ray's addition as a positive catalyst for 2002 and reiterates their near-term Buy/long-term Buy on PRHC. HMA announced this morning their intention to sell a California hospital to UHS; HMA is also purchasing four facilities from Clarent Hospital Corp; activity creates potential for positive surprises to 2002 estimates and Merrill reiterates their near-term Buy/long-term Buy on HMA. THC announced it will offer updated guidance for 2002 next week; updated guidance should move shares to the upside for the near-term Buy/long-term Buy rated stock. Merrill stresses UHS's record of beating expectations and rates the shares the least expensive in the group; UHS is rated a near-term Buy/long-term Buy. HCA announced earlier this week its intention to buy out its joint venture partner in West Virginia; reiterates their near-term Buy/long-term Buy on HCA.