Stocks To Watch For Tuesday 08/05/08

Humana (HUM) the health benefits management company, rose $2.17 (4.86%) to close at $46.81 yesterday, after reporting earnings that beat estimates. The company reported Q2 revenues of  $209.9 million, for an EPS of $1.24.

Compared to the same period a year ago, revenues were down 3 percent from $216.8 million, or $1.28 per share. However, Q2 EPS beat both the company’s forecast of $1.15 to $1.20 and analysts estimates of of $1.18.

United Stationers (USTR) which jumped $6.12 points to $44.45 on Friday 08/01/08, from Thursday’s closing price of $38.33 on a positive earnings report, gained another $3.44 to $47.89 today. We are looking for the stock to start giving back some of these gains. Traders shorting at current levels should be able to capture a few points by the end of the month. 

Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) gained $1.44 or 6.08% to $25.14 on volume that was about double the stock’s average volume. There was no apparent news to explain the move and volume was unusually high on Friday 08/01/08 as well. Traders might want to put up some risk capital, and take a position in the stock in case there is some major news coming.

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Tags: humana, united stationers, monolithic power, (HUM), (USTR), (MPWR)