The Money Gang: Expert Analysis on Stocks and the Market

Strategic Insights -

The Money Gang, a popular segment on CNNfn, provides expert analysis and insights on the stock market and key players in the industry. The show features a team of experts, including Liz Miller, Trevor Stewart Burton, and Jacobsen, who share their opinions and advice on various stocks and market trends. In this episode, the team discusses several companies, including Merrill Lynch, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Johnson & Johnson.

Key Takeaways:

  • Merrill Lynch, as a financial services company, has been cutting costs and reducing its debt, which may lead to increased operating leverage.
  • United Airlines and American Airlines face structural challenges, including labor contracts and infrastructure, making it difficult for them to compete with smaller, more regional airlines like Southwest Airlines.
  • Johnson & Johnson is a good entry point for investment, as the stock has been undervalued due to market perception of it being a pharmaceutical company or a supply company.
  • Lincoln National Corporation, an insurance company, has a good valuation and has done a lot of restructuring, making it a good buy.
  • Medtronic, a medical device company, has a strong track record and is poised for growth due to the increasing demand for implantable heart devices.
  • The Blockbuster spin-off from Viacom may not have a significant impact on Viacom's stock, but it may unlock value in the company's rich mix of media assets.

Statistics:

  • Merrill Lynch (MER) stock price has been trading at around $40 per share.
  • United Airlines (UAUA) stock price has been trading at around $10 per share.
  • American Airlines (AMR) stock price has been trading at around $5 per share.
  • Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) stock price has been trading at around $60 per share.
  • Lincoln National Corporation (LNC) stock price has been trading at around $20 per share.
  • Medtronic (MDT) stock price has been trading at around $30 per share.
  • Viacom (VIA.B) stock price has been trading at around $20 per share.
  • Blockbuster (BBI) stock price has been trading at around $5 per share.

Sources:

  • CNNfn
  • Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. (http://www.ml.com/)
  • United Airlines (http://www.united.com/)
  • American Airlines (http://www.aa.com/)
  • Johnson & Johnson (http://www.jnj.com/)
  • Lincoln National Corporation (http://www.lfg.com/)
  • Medtronic Inc. (http://www.medtronic.com/)
  • Viacom Inc. (http://www.viacom.com/)
  • Blockbuster Inc. (http://www.blockbuster.com/)