The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Caterpillar, Carbo Ceramics, Kodiak Oil & Gas, Flotek and EOG Resources

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), Carbo Ceramics (NYSE: CRR), Kodiak Oil & Gas (NYSE: KOG), Flotek (NYSE: FTK) and EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG).

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

S&P Trading Range 'Til April

The market has staged a remarkable recovery from the depths of recession fears and European worries in the second half of 2011. Ever since the reversal bottom in October, I have been trading the swings higher calling for S&P 1,350 in the first quarter. And the question I have kept asking is this...

"As long as earnings are meeting expectations in the aggregate, and the European problem is stable, why can't the market keep going higher?"

Look at a few of the positive forces...

Exceptionally low interest rates

Global growth moderating, but not recessionary

Valuations and market multiples attractive in the low teens

Europe apparently able and willing to prevent financial collapse

China ready to re-stimulate their economy after slowing the pace a bit

Fund managers deploying cash and afraid to miss the upside

Plenty of bears (and bulls) doubt the rally right now, and that is fuel for upside

"Bulldozing the Recession, Excavating the Boom"

Need proof that the global economy is humming along? Look no further than Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) earnings. In 2009 and 2010, I followed the conference calls with CEO Jim Owens and the current chief Doug Oberhelman religiously. Why?

Because they were so tied to emerging markets growth, and their development of manufacturing and sales facilities in China gave them as clear a read as anyone what was going on. Thus the title in quotes above that I used more than once to describe CAT's resurgence from the 2008 recession.

After CAT's blow-out earnings in 3Q2011, Oberhelman talked about why the China slowdown was such a good thing because it was preventing a bubble (and subsequent burst) that would hurt the slow and steady 10-20% growth they were seeing in revenue and earnings.

In short, if you want to know about China's economy, listen to CAT. Sure, there are good arguments about how they are merely building "ghost cities" and "bridges to nowhere." But, Chinese leaders and economic planners know they've got to keep more than a few hundred million people happily employed. They will likely maintain 8+% growth and CAT is a big part of that.

One last point about CAT before we look at the S&P chart. I did not listen to today's conference call yet so I don't know how good their outlook is for the States. But, with the recent strong housing data confirming a healthy bottoming process, CAT will likely be growing again here.

Plus, look at the machinery and power equipment needed for America's exploding oil and gas exploration projects. This is another domestic growth area for CAT.

We will get hiccups there in the 30% growth of "fracking," especially after the earnings miss story we got from Carbo Ceramics (NYSE: CRR) today. But it looks like their problems are company-specific since they were overly focused on dry gas extraction and not the high-demand areas with natural gas liquids (NGLs).

Since I own and trade many stocks in this field, including Kodiak Oil & Gas (NYSE: KOG), Flotek (NYSE: FTK), and EOG Resources (NYSE: EOG), I have some more homework to do here.

The View from the S&P Weekly Chart

Okay, let's talk about why all this still doesn't mean the market should go higher, and why or why not.

Yes, the market may be "over-extended" by many technical measures. But I believe that those calling for a correction (10% or more downside) are likely to be as disappointed as those who think we will surge through S&P 1,350 soon. Unless the global economy suddenly starts growing at greater than 4%, getting through there will take many tries.

And the likely support down below at 1,250 is formed by lots of healthy price action that happened in the fourth quarter to get us through there. This is a weekly chart where I converted your standard 50 and 200-day moving averages to their 10 and 40-week equivalents. There will be support where they just crossed positive around 1,255.

I am looking for one more surge higher in the next week to really test 1,340-50. I would lighten up some of my longs there and then look for better bargains on the ensuing sell-off.

Maybe it won't be this easy and the selling will start sooner, say after Friday's GDP data. Either way, I think we can confidently trade the range between here and there till April.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.