HOT STOCKS TO WATCH IN BARRON'S: Microsoft, Take-Two Interactive ... - Wall Street Journal

The following are companies mentioned in Barron's whose stocks are expected to trade actively. The coming departure of Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chief Executive Steve Ballmer finally gives the software giant an opportunity to find a new shareholder-friendly leader with strategic vision. Wall Street welcomed the surprise news Friday of Mr. Ballmer's retirement, which will occur during the next year once a successor is named. Microsoft shares rose 7% Friday, to $34.75, and were up nearly 10% on the week. They could head into the high $30s or low $40s if the company finds a successor to Ballmer who brings some fresh ideas on both strategy and capital allocation. Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. (TTWO) shares have climbed to a recent $19 from $10 in a year in anticipation of the Sept. 17 release of Grand Theft Auto V, which could be the company's best-selling videogame ever. Although history says shareholders should take the cash and run before hot anticipation of a profit boost turns to the realization that next year's results won't measure up, this time around, there's reason to believe Take-Two will break out of a dozen-year cycle of jumps and spills. Shares could gain another 30% over the next year. New management, which arrived in 2007, has worked to restrict the violence and mayhem to the games, not the shares, by cutting costs, shedding noncore assets, diversifying overseas, and launching new series, which have enjoyed good reviews and solid sales. It has also boosted add-on sales, by adding in-game transactions to some titles and selling downloadable content to expand game play between disc releases. Peabody Energy Corp. (BTU), the world's largest private-sector coal company, hasn't escaped the carnage of falling coal prices; its shares have fallen 26% to $17.62, in the past year, and the stock is the second-worst performer this year in the Standard & Poor's 500. But as supply and demand become more balanced, coal prices are poised to improve. Even a modest upturn would light a fire under Peabody's shares. "Peabody is positioned well to gain from its Australian platform catering to emerging-market growth," says Seerat Sodhi, an equity analyst with QCI Asset Management, which owns the shares. Ms. Sodhi expects Peabody's shares to trade up to $30 or $35, roughly doubling their current price as earnings recover. By Dow Jones Newswires; write to hotstocks@dowjones.com via Technology - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEq7MnTwb5HqSmF0VvlFmTfJzGStQ&url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130826-704643.html

Put the internet to work for you. via Personal Recipe 2598265