Please join me along with Tom Essaye in our next War Room briefing — LIVE next Wednesday!  

Here are the key facts: 

 And here’s what to do …

Step 1. Post your questions here in advance.

Step 2. A few minutes before 12 Noon on Wednesday (9 AM Pacific, 4 PM GMT), click here.

Step 3. Log in with your e-mail address.

That’s it! Tom and I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Claus

P.S. If you have trouble logging in, please call 1-800-711-4090. Live technical assistance will begin on Wednesday at 11 AM (8 AM Pacific, 3 PM GMT).

P.P.S. Later, the recording of the briefing will also be available on the Million-Dollar Contrarian Portfolio website. But we recommend you participate during the live event on Wednesday.

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Please join me along with Tom Essaye in our next War Room briefing — LIVE next Thursday!

Here are the key facts:

And here’s what to do …

Step 1. Post your questions here in advance.

Step 2. A few minutes before 12 Noon on Thursday (9 AM Pacific, 4 PM GMT), click here.

Step 3. Log in with your e-mail address.

That’s it! Tom and I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Claus

P.S. If you have trouble logging in, please call 1-800-711-4090. Live technical assistance will begin on Thursday at 11 AM (8 AM Pacific, 3 PM GMT).

P.P.S. Later, the recording of the briefing will also be available on the Million-Dollar Contrarian Portfolio website. But we recommend you participate during the live event on Thursday.

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Please join me along with Martin Weiss and Tom Essaye in our next War Room briefing — LIVE next Tuesday!  

Here are the key facts: 

And here’s what to do …

Step 1. Post your questions here in advance.

Step 2. A few minutes before 12 Noon on Tuesday (9 AM Pacific, 4 PM GMT), click here.

Step 3. Log in with your e-mail address.

That’s it! Martin,Tom and I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Claus

P.S. If you have trouble logging in, please call 1-800-711-4090. Live technical assistance will begin on Tuesday at 11 AM (8 AM Pacific, 3 PM GMT).

P.P.S. Later, the recording of the briefing will also be available on the Million-Dollar Contrarian Portfolio website. But we recommend you participate during the live event on Tuesday.

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Kinross Gold reported first quarter earnings this morning with earnings per share of $0.14 compared to $0.10 in the same quarter prior.  Expectations were calling for $0.15 per share.

The company reiterates its target of 2.2 million gold ounces produced by the end of 2010 and seems to be operating in line with expectations.  The company reported approximately 544,100 gold equivalent ounces produced at an average cost of $461 per ounce.

The company also announced that it is buying a stake in Red Back Mining Inc. The deal is a foray into West Africa for KGC, who is paying $600 million for a 9.4% stake in the Vancouver based miner.  The purchase includes gives KGC exposure to Red Back’s ownership and operation of the Chirano Gold Mine in Ghana, the Tasiast Gold Mine in Mauritania and further exploration projects in West Africa.   

The initial purchase may be followed by a remaining stake purchase at a future date, if Kinross’ past transactions are any indication. The deal comes just a week after the successful completion of purchasing Underworld Resources, Inc.  

Currently the stock is trading down about a dollar to $17.50 on news of the inline earnings announcement and equity purchase of Red Back Mining.

The MCP Team

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Archer Daniels Midland, which is one of the largest US processors of corn and soybeans, reported earnings for their third quarter this morning.  Earnings per share came in at $0.72 (ex a debt buy back charge) on net income of $421 million. 

The results were in line with analyst mean estimates.  Gross margins rose from 34% from the same quarter prior to 5.9% on the heels of 2.4% revenue growth to $15.15 billion.

Business segments that performed well include the oilseeds processing unit, where earnings increased 81%, and at the agriculture-services business, where earnings increased 36% from the same quarter prior.  Demand for the company’s staple agriculture products have increased modestly as consumers continue to buy necessities.  

Little, by way of future guidance was given – we expect more color at the end of the current quarter.  The company has cited that acquisitions are an integral part of growth and is accurately reviewing acquisitions.  The stock is currently trading down about 3% with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down over 170 points on sovereign debt woes.

The MCP Team

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Aaron, Inc reported earnings last night after the bell, beating estimates by a penny at $0.45 per share.  The company’s revenues increased 4% to $495.3 million from the same quarter prior.  Same store sales rose by 4.4%.

Franchise loyalties and fees increased 14% to 14.92 million, and non-retail sales to company stores increased 3% to $96.7 million.  Same store sales, which shows how well existing stores are faring, had a revenue increase of 4.4% from the quarter prior.

Guidance for the full year 2010 was raised to the $1.48 to $1.60 range from prior range of $1.43 to $1.57.  Analyst’s estimates were looking for $1.50.  Guidance for the quarter is in line at $0.37 to $0.41.

Aaron’s management reaffirmed its ability to perform in challenging economic conditions.  The stock recently had a 3 for 2 split and is trading with the overall markets after an inline to better earnings report.

 The MCP Team

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The CME Group (CME) traded as high as $344 today on above average volume due to news that the company would benefit from the Governments push for financial regulation reform.  Part of the financial reform being crafted by lawmakers would force derivatives to be traded on regulated futures exchanges like the CME.  

The CME Group and other exchange operators have been pushing regulators to bring speculative over-the-counter trades like credit default swaps to the open exchanges.  This would help to promote transparency and regulation that would protect investors. The CME Group and the InterContinental Exchange (ICE) are the two mostly likely to benefit from the financial reform regulation.

Also benefiting from the standardization of a derivatives market are companies that trade derivatives to hedge against rapidly changing commodity prices which include airline and agricultural companies.

Today’s midday speech from President Obama, or prep rally against Wall Street, further sent the stock trading higher as the financial reform bill appears to be inching closer to passing.

The MCP Team

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Please join me along with Tom Essaye in our next War Room briefing — LIVE next Wednesday!

Here are the key facts:

And here’s what to do …

Step 1. Post your questions here in advance.

Step 2. A few minutes before 12 Noon on Wednesday (9 AM Pacific, 4 PM GMT), click here.

Step 3. Log in with your e-mail address.

That’s it! Tom and I look forward to seeing you there.

Regards,

Claus

P.S. If you have trouble logging in, please call 1-800-711-4090. Live technical assistance will begin on Wednesday at 11 AM (8 AM Pacific, 3 PM GMT).

P.P.S. Later, the recording of the briefing will also be available on the Million-Dollar Contrarian Portfolio website. But we recommend you participate during the live event on Wednesday.

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United Parcel Service Inc. issued a surprise pre-report yesterday evening, ahead of its April 27 earnings release.  The company reported earnings of $0.71 per share, or an impressive 25% better than consensus estimates.  Revenue numbers rose 7% for the quarter, and were also better than analysts’ expectations of 6% growth.  

UPS, which is a bellwether for the overall economy, is used to gauge the amount of business activity taking place with its deliveries from everything from auto parts to drugs.  International shipments were up 9% in volume. Within countries outside the U.S., volumes increased over 20%, suggesting an accelerating recovery abroad.  

Revenue numbers benefited from pricing increases and higher demands for its supply chain and logistics services. International revenues rose 18% and Supply Chain/Freight revenues rose 14% for the quarter.

The company also raised its 2010 full year guidance from $2.70-$3.05 to $3.05-$3.30, showing confidence in the continuation of results. The stock gained as much as 6.6% today as investors look to increase their holdings.  Today’s move is the biggest intraday advance for UPS since April 2, 2009 – a day when the DOW added over 200 points in a single day.

The MCP Team

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