Top 3 – Iran Standoff Trade, Flat-Screens Flat Stocks and the China Trade War?
Commodity traders will be on pins and needles waiting on the price of oil. The seizure of British soldiers has caused the price to jump some 10%. CNBC’s Trish Regan joined the show and she says much of the turmoil stems from Iran’s President who is trying to improve his domestic standing. Ratigan wondered if he was crazy or crazy like a fox. She thinks he is crazy like a fox, but internationally he comes across as irrational, although he looks to be invoking strong nationalism domestically. Bolling recommended buying refiners. Strazzini said to sell Oil Service HOLDRs ETF (OIH). Best Buy Co., Inc (BBY) and Circuit City Stores Inc (CC) earnings hit on Wednesday. Is the flat screen worth a buy, or the stock a return the crew wondered. Macke says a lot of bad news has already come in these stocks, he said to look at BBY’s April 50s options contracts at one dollar. He told us to stay away from CC. A war was pondered, it was not with Iran but with China. After a tariff was slapped on China and other “non market” countries Ratigan wondered if China might unload dollars. Bolling thinks this may happen, and surely they will not be buying any more treasuries after this. Strazzini would be buying gold and silver.
Quicker Than the Ticker
January 19th saw Bolling recommend Schlumberger Limited (SLB) and since the company is up 14%. The same day Adami talked up CSX Corporation (CSX) and it is also up 14%. January 12th Macke pointed to RadioShack Corporation (RSH) and shares are up 41% after blowing out earnings last month. January 16th Strazzini recommended Celanese Corporation (CE) and that one is up 19%.
Face2Face
An investor from Ohio asked about clinical trials for a treatment for macular degeneration and the future of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. (REGN) was asked about. Strazzini sees a great future and said to hold and buy on dips. The next query was whether the Korean market is strong and if Korea Fund Inc (KF). Bolling called this a great fund that has outperformed the Korean Stock Exchange Index by 10% a year over the last three years, stick here. Rocco DiSpirito, a celebrity chef, asked about organic foods and Whole Foods Market Inc. (WFMI). Macke called this dead money right now as they have outlived their usefulness. Safeway Inc. (SWY) and Kroger Co. (KR) were called buys here.
Fast Fire
The segment were something that feels so right goes so wrong. January 8, Macke talked up The Gap Inc (GPS) and shares dropped 15%. January 22, Strazzini recommended Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc (BRL) and they have gone down 17%. Bolling on March 17 went with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG) and since an 18% drop has happened. Last on January 11, Adami recommended Lamar Advertising Company (LAMR) and the stock is down 11%.
Fast Money Madness
The Final Four is upon us, and while college basketball sorts its national champion out the Fast Money crew sorted out the Final Four here.
4. BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) vs 1. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A). Bolling, Adami, Strazzini and Macke all voted for BRK.A and Ratigan declared them the winner by a 4-0 margin.
2. Apple Inc. (AAPL) vs 4. Altria Group Inc (MO). Bolling called it “content over carcinogens” and he picked AAPL and while Strazzini is long MO he went with AAPL due to the upside. Adami and Macke both went with MO. Ratigan ultimately went with AAPL.
A bracket from the CNBC website is linked here.