Stocks To Keep Your Eye On - 08/23/2007

- (ARO)/.18
- (BKS)/.12
- (BKE)/.32
- (GME)/.08
- (GPS)/.20
- (HRL)/.41
- (SFD)/.44
- (SSI)/.22
- (TTC)/1.00

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. American depositary receipts (AU) rose $1.17, or 3.1 percent, to $38.96 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. South Africa's largest mining union will recommend that its members accept a pay offer made by AngloGold, Gold Fields Ltd. and Harmony Gold Mining Co., averting a strike that could halt more than 10 percent of the world's gold production. Gold Fields ADRs (GFI) rose 33 cents, or 2.2 percent, to $15.08.

Cato Corp. (CTR) The operator of more than 1,000 U.S. women's clothing stores was raised to ``buy'' from ``hold'' by analyst Daniel Scalzi at Matrix USA. Cato shares gained 38 cents, or 1.9 percent, to $20.80 yesterday.

Countrywide Financial Corp. (CFC) climbed $3.21, or 15 percent, to $25.03 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The biggest U.S. mortgage lender obtained $2 billion of new capital from Bank of America Corp. Other mortgage lenders also rose, including Thornburg Mortgage Inc. (TMA), which gained $1.13, or 8.8 percent, to $13.97. Accredited Home Lenders Holding Co. (LEND) rose 50 cents, or 8.2 percent, to $6.60.

E-House Holdings Ltc. (EJ) American depositary receipts gained $1.50, or 8.8 percent, to $18.50 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The Shanghai-based real estate broker and consultant reported second-quarter earnings per share of 9 cents, up from 3 cents a year earlier.

IndyMac Bancorp Inc. (IMB) rose $1.76, or 7.5 percent, to $25.21 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The ninth-largest U.S. mortgage lender resumed making jumbo mortgages, limited to buyers with high credit scores and full documentation.

Limited Brands Inc. (LTD) gained 86 cents, or 3.9 percent, to $23.11 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The owner of Victoria's Secret reported profit that matched analysts' estimates on increased sales of clothing. Second-quarter net income climbed to $264.4 million, or 67 cents a share, from $113.1 million, or 28 cents, a year earlier.

Phillips-Van Heusen Corp. (PVH) gained $2.71, or 5 percent, to $57 in trading before U.S. exchanges opened. The owner of clothing labels including Timberland and Izod boosted its forecasts, predicting per-share earnings of as much as $3.17 for this year. That exceeded the average estimate of $3.10 by analysts.

Watch UPS, FCN, ZNH for long breakouts.
Watch TOL, BSC, KSS, BJS, TAM for short breakdowns.

-MM