Archives for September 7, 2019

Panasonic’s high-contrast dual LCD does a great impression of an OLED

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Terrible name, though. Terrible.

Panasonic’s cavernous IFA booth had everything from high-concept beauty products through to cameras and TVs. Regarding the latter, it had two prototype TVs, an advanced transparent OLED that Panasonic has showed off at tradeshows in the past, and a “mega contrast” TV that could, one day, power movie production house mastering monitors.

What you’re looking at here is not an OLED but a complicated dual panel LCD monitor. It has a 4K outer panel with a monochrome inner panel that modulates an LED backlight. The system, which is made up of multiple optical sheets and layers, can dim the picture at the pixel level, the kind of thing that OLED screens are known for. Again on the OLED comparison, Panasonic claims it can reach a contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. It can also crank up brightness to 1000 nits while covering 99 percent of the DCI P3 color standard.

The monitor, unfortunately named “Megacon” for “mega contrast”, is an incredibly thick prototype due to all the layers involved, which speaks to Panasonic’s “mastering monitor” aspirations. They’re often hefty displays. In its press release, Panasonic added that its prototype has a very wide viewing angle without losing color accuracy.

In person, it was a convincing demonstration of a fixed demo. Panasonic’s demo reel was heavy on the contrasts and dark scenes to showcase the depths of its prototype’s blacks. Lots of moody black horses, vivid reds and stark landscapes. We’d love to see something that showed of the subtle range of colors and tones apparently available to this monitor. And experts might feel the same. The technology is likely the realm of Hollywood productions and TV serials for now, but it’s proof that LCD isn’t going quietly into the night.

Streaming dominates the music industry’s revenue

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Artists only see a tiny fraction of the profits, though.

The music industry is on the upswing, and the RIAA has services like Spotify and Apple Music to thank. Adoption has steadily increased, and they accounted for 80 percent of the revenue from the first half of 2019. Despite these record-breaking numbers, the artists who actually create and perform the music aren’t reaping much benefit.

While it’s a relief to see the music industry avoid a full collapse after losing two thirds of its yearly earnings in the 2000s, artists certainly aren’t lining their pockets with earnings from streaming services. Spotify pays out roughly six to eight tenths of a cent per stream. This handsome sum is then divided (unequally) among the rights holders such as the record label, the track’s producer(s) and, finally, the artist, who sees the smallest cut. In other words, there is a much tinier profit margin through streaming than through physical sales, or even digital downloads, especially for the actual creators and performers of the music.

The world’s biggest acts can bring in a notable amount of money thanks to the pure volume of tracks streamed, with some artists even catering their songwriting to net more streams. But bands and artists outside the Top 40 circle are forced into touring to maintain a steady cash flow. This could arguably take its toll on the artists and their fans. Too much touring can be unhealthy and can also stifle new music. If recorded music sales are so slim for the artist, where’s the incentive to write and record?

The upward trend of streaming and shrinking sales of CDs can’t be great news for record stores, either. Physical shops rely on an inventory of physical media. The number of independent record stores has been dwindling and big box stores like Best Buy have stopped carrying CDs altogether. The silver lining is that vinyl sales have held steady over the past decade, and streaming platforms may be contributing to the format’s success.

As more consumers join streaming services, the industry will continue to shift away from physical media. The issue surrounding artists’ fees will likely remain a contentious one while the industry continues to adjust to a world dominated by streaming.

Stocks to Watch: Anaptysbio Inc (ANAB)

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Checking in on shares of Anaptysbio Inc (ANAB), we can see that the current opinion signal on the stock for today’s session is 100% Sell. Looking back at the last month, the opinion signal reads 100% Sell. This is the combined signal for the previous month when applying a wide array of studies based on price movement. Using these same guidelines, the signal for last week stands at 100% Sell. Investors may also be interested in the strength and direction of the opinion signals. The opinion direction is currently Strengthening. This is a measurement over the past three trading sessions that provides an indication of whether the latest recent price movement is following the signal. A Buy or Sell signal with a “Strongest” direction indicates that the signal is gaining strength. The opinion strength signal is presently reading Maximum. This is a longer-term gauge verse the historical strength.

Stock market investing can sometimes cause investors heads to spin. Following stocks on a daily basis, it is plain to see the amount of coverage that follows certain companies. This non-stop barrage of information may eventually become overwhelming for the novice investor. Filtering through all the data may involve taking a look at a company or stock from multiple angles. There are many investors out there that preach strictly following fundamental data. There are others that swear by the technical analysis. Many investors will opt to employ a research strategy that involves pieces of the two approaches. Knowing every little detail about a company may not be overly necessary, but it may help provide a bit more direction when navigating the stock market maze. Investors who put in the time to study all the fundamentals may want to also start watching the charts on stock that they are thinking about adding to the portfolio. Making sure that no stone is left unturned when examining a stock may end up being the difference between a big winner and a big loser.

Shifting the focus to some medium-term indicators on company shares, we note that the reading from the 40-day commodity channel index is currently Hold. The CCI indicator is mainly used to identify oversold and overbought levels. Switching to the 50-day moving average vs price signal, the reading is measured at Sell. This indicator is used to watch price changes.

Tracking current trading session activity on shares of Anaptysbio Inc (ANAB), we can see that the stock price recently hit 42.11. At the open, shares were trading at 41.23. Since the start of the session, the stock has topped out with a high of 42.36 and bottomed with a low of 40.95. After noting current price levels, we can see that the change from the open is presently 1.46.

Many investors opt to keep a close watch on the views of sell-side analysts that cover the stock. The current analyst rating on Anaptysbio Inc (ANAB) is 4.75. This is based on a scale where a 5 would indicate a Strong Buy, a 4 would equal a Moderate Buy, 3 a hold, 2 a moderate sell, and a rating of 1 would indicate a Strong Sell. Traders and investors are constantly looking to develop a winning strategy when it comes to the equity markets. Some strategies may be simple, and others may be complex. Keeping emotions in check may not always be the easiest task when studying a particular stock. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t may take investors a lot of time including some trial and error. When a specific strategy doesn’t pan out, it may be necessary to reassess the position and find a new angle.

Traders may be using technical analysis to help spot ideal entry and exit points. One idea behind technical analysis is that historical price movement trends have the ability to repeat themselves. Technical analysis involves the use of chart patterns to examine market movements and to help define trends. Trends in the stock market are not always easy to spot. Many chartists will strive to determine whether the trend is up, down, or sideways. After defining a trend, the technical analyst may look to see what type of timeframe the trend encompasses. Some traders will look to identify whether the trend is major or long-term, short-term, or intermediate. Being able to decipher what the data is saying may assist the trader with finding potential entry and exit points on a particular trade. There are many different indicators that can be employed when undertaking technical analysis. Many traders will do numerous chart studies to find out which indicator or indicators tend to project the most relevant trading assistance. Learning how to spot these trends might help the trader develop specific charting skills that will hopefully lead to future market success.

Stocks to Watch: Enerplus Corporation (NYSE:ERF)

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Wall Street analysts often give recommendations on equities that they cover. These analysts typically have a deep understanding of the health of a particular company. Taking a quick look at shares of Enerplus Corporation (NYSE:ERF), we note that the current average broker rating is now 1.5. This data is provided by Zacks Research using a ratings scale from 1 and 5. A broker rating of 1 would translate into a Strong Buy. A rating of 5 would indicate a Strong Sell recommendation. This average broker rating may help provide some insight on how the sell-side is currently viewing company stock. After a recent scan, we have also noticed that 5 Street analysts have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy, based analysts polled by Zacks Research.

Dealing with the ups and down of the stock market is something that most investors will encounter at some point. Everyone wants to feel that thrill of seeing that big winner soar, and nobody wants to see that loser keep sinking. Figuring out how to best approach the stock market can take up a lot of time and energy. There are many strategies that investors can use when purchasing stocks for the portfolio. Some of these strategies may be riskier than others. Determining a comfortable level of risk appetite may be highly important for the individual investor. It is important to remember that there are no guarantees in the stock market. New investors may have to learn that there is rarely any substitute for hard work and tireless research. Many investors jump in head first and find this out the hard way. Realizing that there is no guaranteed strategy for stock picking might help the investor stay focused and grounded while building up the portfolio.

Following shares of Enerplus Corporation (NYSE:ERF), we can see that the average consensus target price based on contributing analysts is currently $12.28. Wall Street analysts often provide price target projections on where they believe the stock will be headed in the future. Because price target projections are essentially the opinions of covering analysts, they have the ability to vary widely from one analyst to another. Navigating the equity markets can seem daunting at times. Finding ways to identify the important data can make a big difference in sustaining profits into the future. As we move closer to the end of the year, investors will be watching to see which way the momentum shifts and if stocks are still primed to go higher. Investors might choose to rely heavily on analyst research and corresponding target predictions, or they may choose to use them as a guide to supplement their own research.

Zooming in on the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Enerplus Corporation (NYSE:ERF), we see that the current number is 0.23. This EPS estimate is using 6 Wall Street analysts polled by Zacks Research. Last quarter, the company stated a quarterly EPS of 0.27. Sell-side analysts have the task of examining companies and providing estimates relating to future results. These estimates carry a lot of weight on the Street, and earnings hits or misses revolve around these numbers. Sometimes these predictions are very close to the actual reported number, and other times they are not. Many investors will be closely watching which way analyst estimates are being adjusted right before earnings. This may provide some insight on how good or bad the numbers for the quarter are likely to be. Investors might want to take a look at their holdings after the earnings reports to make sure that nothing extremely out of the ordinary after combing through the results.

Individual investors might be looking at all the angles in order to concoct a winning plan for the next few quarters. The diligent investor is typically on the ball and ready to encounter any unforeseen market movements. Monitoring recent stock price activity on shares of Enerplus Corporation (NYSE:ERF) we have noted that the stock price has been trading near $6.78. Turning the focus to some historical price information, we note that the stock has moved 1.8% over the previous 12 weeks. Since the start of the year, we note that shares have seen a change of -12.63%. Over the last 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of 19.16%. Over the last 5 sessions, the stock has moved 4.79%. After a recent scan, we can see that the 52-week high is currently $12.87, and the 52-week low is presently $5.69.

Investors are typically searching far and wide for any little advantage they can get in the stock market. Short-term traders using technical analysis may be looking to score quick profits by capitalizing on the fluctuations of stock prices. There are many different technical indicators that traders can choose to study. Some traders may find an indicator that works great by itself. Others may use a combination of multiple indicators to help spot trends and patterns. Many active traders will keep a close eye on a particular stock when it is nearing a new high or new low that hasn’t been touched in some time. Studying historical stock price action may lend some insight into whether or not a stock is likely to break out past the new high, or plummet further to a much lower low. Staying on top of the action may be crucial when frequently entering and exiting trades.

Stocks to Watch: Newmark Group, Inc. (:NMRK)

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Investors have the ability to track Wall Street analyst opinions in order to assist with stock research. Analysts often provide Buy, Sell, or Hold recommendations ratings for companies that they cover. Taking a look at shares Newmark Group, Inc. (:NMRK), we can see that 5 have rated the stock a Strong Buy or Buy, based on data provided by Zacks Research. Checking on the average broker rating, we note that the current score is 1.2. This recommendation score uses a 1 to 5 scale where a score of 1 would indicate a Buy rating, and a score of 5 would indicate a Sell recommendation.

Investors are constantly trying to gain any little advantage when it comes to the stock market. Setting realistic goals and staying disciplined when trying to attain those goals can have a positive impact on an investor’s psyche and portfolio performance. Making a couple of badly timed trades can have a drastic effect on the mindset of the investor or trader. Sometimes, investors will have a few missteps that generally include buying when the market is too high, selling when the market is low, or being on the sidelines during a major charge higher. Staying disciplined can help the average investor avoid common pitfalls to help keep the focus in the right direction. When inevitable mistakes are made, investors will have the opportunity to learn from those mistakes and get back on the road to recovery.

Individual investors might be looking at all the angles in order to concoct a winning plan for the next few quarters. The diligent investor is typically on the ball and ready to encounter any unforeseen market movements. Monitoring recent stock price activity on shares of Newmark Group, Inc. (:NMRK) we have noted that the stock price has been trading near $8.62. Turning the focus to some historical price information, we note that the stock has moved 3.36% over the previous 12 weeks. Since the start of the year, we note that shares have seen a change of 7.48%. Over the last 4 weeks, shares have seen a change of -4.33%. Over the last 5 sessions, the stock has moved 0.94%. After a recent scan, we can see that the 52-week high is currently $12.85, and the 52-week low is presently $7.59.

Following shares of Newmark Group, Inc. (:NMRK), we can see that the average consensus target price based on contributing analysts is currently $14.5. Wall Street analysts often provide price target projections on where they believe the stock will be headed in the future. Because price target projections are essentially the opinions of covering analysts, they have the ability to vary widely from one analyst to another. Navigating the equity markets can seem daunting at times. Finding ways to identify the important data can make a big difference in sustaining profits into the future. As we move closer to the end of the year, investors will be watching to see which way the momentum shifts and if stocks are still primed to go higher. Investors might choose to rely heavily on analyst research and corresponding target predictions, or they may choose to use them as a guide to supplement their own research.

Zooming in on the current quarter EPS consensus estimate for Newmark Group, Inc. (:NMRK), we see that the current number is 0.57. This EPS estimate is using 5 Wall Street analysts polled by Zacks Research. Last quarter, the company stated a quarterly EPS of 0.3. Sell-side analysts have the task of examining companies and providing estimates relating to future results. These estimates carry a lot of weight on the Street, and earnings hits or misses revolve around these numbers. Sometimes these predictions are very close to the actual reported number, and other times they are not. Many investors will be closely watching which way analyst estimates are being adjusted right before earnings. This may provide some insight on how good or bad the numbers for the quarter are likely to be. Investors might want to take a look at their holdings after the earnings reports to make sure that nothing extremely out of the ordinary after combing through the results.

Following all the day to day information regarding publically traded companies can be challenging. There is rarely any shortage of data that investors can examine when attempting to research specific stocks. One of the greatest challenges for the investor is determining which data to focus on and which data to set aside. Investors will often need to stay aware of happenings in the overall economic environment, and pay attention to global factors that may have a widespread impact on markets. Being aware of the macroeconomic picture can greatly help the investor when making important portfolio decisions.

Stocks to Watch: Analog Devices (ADI)

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Checking in on shares of Analog Devices (ADI), we can see that the current opinion signal on the stock for today’s session is 56% Buy. Looking back at the last month, the opinion signal reads 40% Buy. This is the combined signal for the previous month when applying a wide array of studies based on price movement. Using these same guidelines, the signal for last week stands at 8% Sell. Investors may also be interested in the strength and direction of the opinion signals. The opinion direction is currently Average. This is a measurement over the past three trading sessions that provides an indication of whether the latest recent price movement is following the signal. A Buy or Sell signal with a “Strongest” direction indicates that the signal is gaining strength. The opinion strength signal is presently reading Soft. This is a longer-term gauge verse the historical strength.

Stock market investing can sometimes cause investors heads to spin. Following stocks on a daily basis, it is plain to see the amount of coverage that follows certain companies. This non-stop barrage of information may eventually become overwhelming for the novice investor. Filtering through all the data may involve taking a look at a company or stock from multiple angles. There are many investors out there that preach strictly following fundamental data. There are others that swear by the technical analysis. Many investors will opt to employ a research strategy that involves pieces of the two approaches. Knowing every little detail about a company may not be overly necessary, but it may help provide a bit more direction when navigating the stock market maze. Investors who put in the time to study all the fundamentals may want to also start watching the charts on stock that they are thinking about adding to the portfolio. Making sure that no stone is left unturned when examining a stock may end up being the difference between a big winner and a big loser.

Shifting the focus to some medium-term indicators on company shares, we note that the reading from the 40-day commodity channel index is currently Hold. The CCI indicator is mainly used to identify oversold and overbought levels. Switching to the 50-day moving average vs price signal, the reading is measured at Buy. This indicator is used to watch price changes.

Tracking current trading session activity on shares of Analog Devices (ADI), we can see that the stock price recently hit 113.02. At the open, shares were trading at 111.27. Since the start of the session, the stock has topped out with a high of 113.9 and bottomed with a low of 111.1. After noting current price levels, we can see that the change from the open is presently 3.83.

Many investors opt to keep a close watch on the views of sell-side analysts that cover the stock. The current analyst rating on Analog Devices (ADI) is 3.9444444444444. This is based on a scale where a 5 would indicate a Strong Buy, a 4 would equal a Moderate Buy, 3 a hold, 2 a moderate sell, and a rating of 1 would indicate a Strong Sell. Traders and investors are constantly looking to develop a winning strategy when it comes to the equity markets. Some strategies may be simple, and others may be complex. Keeping emotions in check may not always be the easiest task when studying a particular stock. Figuring out what works and what doesn’t may take investors a lot of time including some trial and error. When a specific strategy doesn’t pan out, it may be necessary to reassess the position and find a new angle.

Traders may be using technical analysis to help spot ideal entry and exit points. One idea behind technical analysis is that historical price movement trends have the ability to repeat themselves. Technical analysis involves the use of chart patterns to examine market movements and to help define trends. Trends in the stock market are not always easy to spot. Many chartists will strive to determine whether the trend is up, down, or sideways. After defining a trend, the technical analyst may look to see what type of timeframe the trend encompasses. Some traders will look to identify whether the trend is major or long-term, short-term, or intermediate. Being able to decipher what the data is saying may assist the trader with finding potential entry and exit points on a particular trade. There are many different indicators that can be employed when undertaking technical analysis. Many traders will do numerous chart studies to find out which indicator or indicators tend to project the most relevant trading assistance. Learning how to spot these trends might help the trader develop specific charting skills that will hopefully lead to future market success.