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Humana 3Q Profit Soars on Higher Revenue (AP)Health insurer Humana Inc. said Monday its third-quarter profit more than tripled on higher revenue driven by increased enrollment in its Medicare business and comparison with results depressed by a legal settlement a year ago.

Morgan Stanley to Acquire FrontPoint Partners (Business Wire)NEW YORK—-Morgan Stanley announced today that its Investment Management division has reached a definitive agreement to acquire FrontPoint Partners, a leading provider of absolute return investment strategies.

WMS Industries Shares Up on 1Q Results (AP)Shares of WMS Industries Inc. soared to a fresh 52-week high Tuesday, a day after the company reported higher profit for the fiscal first quarter and raised its full-year sales guidance, prompting at least one analyst upgrade.

Earnings Preview: Cephalon (AP)Cephalon Inc. reports earnings for the third quarter on Thursday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

Retailers Seen Posting Strong Oct. Sales (AP)Department stores are expected to report solid same-store sales for October, aided by a recent pullback in fuel prices and unseasonably cool fall weather.

Earnings Preview: Qwest (AP)Qwest Communications International Inc. reports third-quarter earnings on Tuesday. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period.

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Buy stocks that repay you in cashAs we enter an uncertain 2007, it’s more important than ever to load up on assets that deliver real income. That means dividend-rich stocks — as well as the right CDs and bonds.

3 stocks for the 300 millionth AmericanAmericans are living longer and better, and you can bet your Geritol there’s an investment angle. Here are 3 stocks to cash in on longevity.

7-Eleven yanks ‘Cocaine’ drinkA drink with a suggestive name and provocative branding draws the wrath of young shoppers’ parents.

Newspaper Circulation Falls SharplyThe decline, one of the steepest on record, adds to the woes of a mature industry beset by layoffs and the possible sale of some of its flagships.

Cramer positive on tobacco and, after elections, Chevron

Filed under: After the bell, Analyst reports

Tonight investment strategist Jim Cramer discussed the tobacco industry in a positive light on his television program, “Mad Money.” He thinks this is a pretty good buy list: Altria (MO), Reynolds (RAI), Vector (VGR), UST (UST), and Carolina Group (CG).

Cramer also discussed the oil industry and the impact of a proposed law in California. He said he thinks in California that Proposition 87 will pass. It would make oil companies in that state fund alternative sources of energy. He thinks that measure will hurt oil companies and thinks Chevron (CVX) has the most exposure. He thinks if that happens it would be best to buy Chevron after the election and after they cut numbers.

Cramer also interviewed the CEO of Rite Aid (RAD), and ended up saying that RAD is a stock for those who can tolerate high speculation.

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Apple avoids NASDAQ delisting

Filed under: After the bell, Good news, Apple Computer (AAPL), Scandals

Last Friday the NASDAQ stated that it wouldn’t delist Apple Computer, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), pending a timely 10Q filing within the next two months. A number of observers had worried that Apple would be delisted as a result of the backdated stock options scandal. Being delisted would have had a deeply negative effect on the stock, even despite the great string of news the companies has had of late related to sales.

No doubt Apple’s success of late lead to the NASDAQ’s unwillingness to delist. Apple is a bit of a star company. It’s much easier to kick a company once it is down, but while there is still some shine the NASDAQ will keep a wait and see attitude going on.

Apple ended the day up a single penny or 0.01%, to finish at $80.42.

Tobias Buckell is an author, freelancer, and professional blogger. He does not currently own Apple stock.

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Bard Announces Third Quarter Results (Business Wire)MURRAY HILL, N.J.—-C. R. Bard, Inc. today reported 2006 third quarter financial results. Third quarter 2006 net sales were $498.9 million, an increase of 13 percent over the prior-year period.

Jim Cramer’s Mad Money In-Depth Stock Picks, Oct. 19 (SeekingAlpha)Miriam Metzinger submits: Stocks discussed in the in-depth session of Jim Cramers Mad Money TV program, Thursday October 19. A Fine Proposal: Yahoo! , The Knot and Google To “resuscitate” embattled Yahoo, Cramer has been recommending takeover targets since he believes that acquisitions are the only way the company will “come [.]

C.R. Bard 3Q Profit Down on Charges (AP)Medical technology company C.R. Bard Inc. said Wednesday third-quarter net income fell 3 percent as charges cut into the bottom line, but the result still beat analyst estimates as sales growth topped the company’s own target.

C.R. Bard shares leap on earnings news (at MarketWatch)Shares of C.R. Bard vaulted by more than 9% at one point Thursday, after the medical products maker reported earnings that beat expectations, topped off with a surprise double-digit jump in sales.

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Premarket Movers: American Power Surges (AP)Strong earnings reports and acquisition news fueled share-price gains in the early session Monday. American Power Conversion Corp. shares surged toward opening at a 52-week high after the maker of power supplies and surge protectors agreed to be bought by France’s Schneider Electric SA for $6.1 billion in cash, or $31 per share.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call and Webcast (PR Newswire)Whole Foods Market, Inc. today announced that it will issue financial results for the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter ended September 24, 2006, after the market closes on Thursday, November 2, 2006.

Green Mutual Funds Investors Slip Away (AP)Investors could be more aware than ever of the effects of global warming and the world’s dependency on fossil fuels, but they’ve been very reluctant to bet on alternative energy companies this year.

Why Costco is so addictive (at Fortune)A man who looks like Wilford Brimley moseys into the Costco warehouse store in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah, Wash., on a bright Columbus Day morning, easily blending into the throngs of shoppers picking up Cheerios, toilet paper and cashmere sweaters.

PepsiCo looks to new products, acquisitions (Reuters)PepsiCo Inc. on Monday said it will launch new healthier products next year and focus on growth in emerging markets, in a continuation of the strategy that helped the world’s No. 2 beverage company stay profitable even as sales growth of its flagship soft drinks has slowed.

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ImClone Systems Duplicates Success: Fool by Numbers (Motley Fool)Fast facts the Fool way.

Biotech Cos. Gaining on Upbeat Outlook (AP)Biotechnology companies are riding a positive wave of investor sentiment that has been rising steadily since August and could continue at least through year’s end.

AstraZeneca, Renovis hit by pulling of stroke drug (at MarketWatch)AstraZeneca on Thursday said it was stopping development of a stroke drug in yet another blow to the Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical, and one that proved devastating to shares of its partner, Renovis.

Improved Investor Risk-Reward Outlook a key topic of Wall Street Transcript Biotechnology Issue (Wall Street Transcript)67 WALL STREET, New York–October 30, 2006–The Wall Street Transcript has just published its Biotechnology issue, a report offering a timely review of the sector to serious investors and industry executives. This 86-page feature contains an expert roundtable forum of leading industry analysts, and industry commentary through in-depth interviews with top management from 19 firms. The issue also contains an “Off the Record” Review of Management by Management. The full issue is available by calling (212) 952-7433 or via The Wall Street Transcript Online.

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Silicon Valley’s solar power play (Business 2.0)There’s a missile-bunker vibe you get when walking into Solaicx, a Silicon Valley startup that manufactures the silicon wafers that are the building blocks of solar panels.

Applied Materials to Hold Fourth Quarter FY 2006 Earnings Conference Call on November 15, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. ET (Business Wire)SANTA CLARA, Calif.—-Applied Materials, Inc. will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss its results for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2006 and its targets for the first fiscal quarter of 2007 on Wednesday, November 15, 2006, at 4:30 p.m.

Stocks rally Thursday; Dow hits new record, again. (at CNNMoney.com)Falling oil prices and surging tech shares recharged the rally Thursday, pushing the Dow to another record high, the S&P 500 to an almost 6-year high and the Nasdaq to its highest point in 5-1/2 years.

Silicon Valley’s solar power play (at Business 2.0)There’s a missile-bunker vibe you get when walking into Solaicx, a Silicon Valley startup that manufactures the silicon wafers that are the building blocks of solar panels.

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