Capital One Q2 Earnings Miss On Higher Costs, Shares Fall

Shares of Capital One Financial Corporation (COF – Analyst Report) fell nearly 5% in the after-market trading session following the second-quarter 2015 earnings miss. The company reported adjusted earnings from continuing operations of $1.78 per share, which lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.97. Moreover, earnings came in below the prior-year quarter figure of $2.04 per share. Capital One…

ECRI Weekly Leading Index: Up Slightly From Last Week

Today’s release of the publicly available data from ECRI (Economic Cycle Research Institute) puts its Weekly Leading Index (WLI) at 133.4, up from 132.4 the previous week. The WLI annualized growth indicator (WLIg) is at 0.3, down from the previous week’s 0.4, and off its interim low of -4.7 in mid-January. “Recoveries Remain Resilient” ECRI currently features…

What’s Really Killing Capitalism

Spontaneous Order Somewhere in British Columbia – “Do Not Hump” says the sign on the side of the boxcar. We had no idea why the Canadian Pacific Railway is putting its nose into our private lives. But the authorities are always trying to tell us what to do. As you know, we’re making our way…

Biogen Tops Q2 Earnings, Cuts View On Tecfidera Issues

Biotech company, Biogen (BIIB – Analyst Report), reported second quarter 2015 earnings per share of $4.22 per share, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.07 and 20.9% above the year-ago earnings. Biogen Idec Inc. – Earnings Surprise | FindTheBest The company, however, missed on revenues with second quarter 2015 SALes of $2.591 billion falling short of the Zacks…

5 Things To Ponder: Shades Of Risk

Is it just me? Last week while on vacation, the markets surged back to all-time highs as the Greek and China problems were solved. Unfortunately, as I left white, sandy beaches and clear ocean waters behind me to return to reality – so did the markets. Either it is purely coincidental or I should head back…

Q2:2015 US GDP Estimate: +1.9% – July 24, 2015

Next week’s “advance” GDP report (due on July 30) for the second quarter is projected to show that the US economy increased 1.9% (seasonally adjusted annual rate),  based on The Capital Spectator’s average estimate for several econometric-based forecasts. Today’s updated average forecast, which is slightly above last month’s Q2 estimate, marks a rebound after Q1’s 0.2% decline. Some analysts…

China Manufacturing PMI Weakens In July 2015

Econintersect: China’s manufacturing sector reported the lowest PMI (Purchasing Managers’ Index) reading in 15 months with a July 2015 Caixin/Markit “Flash” (preliminary) survey result of 48.2. Readings below 50 reflect a contracting manufacturing sector. The low value for the survey result was a surprise. This was down from a June reading of 49.4 and was…

American Airlines Group Tops Earnings On Lower Fuel Costs

American Airlines Group (AAL – Analyst Report) reported higher-than-expected earnings in the second quarter of 2015. The company recorded adjusted earnings per share of $2.62, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3 cents. The earnings beat pleased the investors, resulting in shares of the company gaining value in pre-market trading. American Airlines Group Inc. – Earnings Surprise |…