Weekly Market Overview

The markets ended lower today as investors were downbeat on the Yahoo-Microsoft situation over the weekend. Mergers and acquisitions activity has traditionally worked to boost shareholder value and Microsoft's decision to abandon their bid led to an immediate decline in Yahoo shares. Meanwhile, investors continued to digest economic reports from last week that suggested a recovery in the credit crisis may be closer than once thought.

Top 10 Stocks to Watch this Week

Fundamental Analysis

1. Monsanto Company (MON) - Monsanto is up about 2% in midday trading Monday to $117.55 on a quiet day for a stock that almost exactly a year ago closed at $59.71 per share. The obvious question is with a market capitalization of over $64 billion, how much more phenomenal share price growth can the company muster? Based on recent results, market developments, and Wall Street sentiment Monsanto may have only started to blossom. (Read More)
2. Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) - Ralph Lauren's high-end apparel may not be the best market right now, but the economic decline may create a buying opportunity for bargain hunters. Apparel makers dropped today amid a broader market decline fueled by last week's economic reports and the failed merger between Yahoo and Microsoft. (Read More)
3. Companhia Vale do Rio Doce (RIO) - Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore which is used as a raw material in the production of the steel. The company has seen record growth in recent years as developing nations like China have consume an increasing amount of steel to build up their infrastructure. (Read More)
4. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) - Freeport shares surged higher today amid strength in the two commodities. Gold prices rose $7 per ounce to $857.90 while copper prices jumped $0.12 per pound to $3.82. Many investors are also bullish on the firm's prospects as copper price assumptions for 2009 have been raised substantially from $2.75 per pound to $4.50 per pound. The result has been at least one analyst raising his target to $200 per share. (Read More)
5. iStar Financial Inc. (SFI) - iStar shares are up nearly 10% in midday trading Friday after reporting mixed first quarter results. The New York city-based financial company that primarily lends to owners of commercial real estate announced earnings of 87 cents per share for the first three months of the year compared to 93 cents per share a year earlier. Despite this 6.5% drop in earnings, the company matched Wall Street estimates of 87 cents per share earnings, while revenues of $422.4 million actually beat estimates of $411 million. (Read More)
   

Technical Analysis

1. Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) - Intermediate-term bullish bottom triangle.
2. Micron Technology Inc (MU) - Long-term bullish double bottom.
3. Whole Foods Market Incorporated (WFMI) - Intermediate-term bullish double bottom.
4. Regions Financial Corporation (RF) - Long-term bullish head and shoulders bottom.
5. Sun Healthcare Group Incorporated (SUNH) - Intermediate-term bullish double bottom.
   

Stock of the Week : Ag Giant Monsanto Poised for More Growth

Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is up about 2% in midday trading Monday to $117.55 on a quiet day for a stock that almost exactly a year ago closed at $59.71 per share. The obvious question is with a market capitalization of over $64 billion, how much more phenomenal share price growth can the company muster? Based on recent results, market developments, and Wall Street sentiment Monsanto may have only started to blossom. (Read More)

Article of the Week : Retirement Savings with Roth IRAs

Roth IRAs are a great way to supplement your retirement income without paying the government too much. The retirement account was designed in 1998 as part of the Taxpayer Relief Act and enables individuals to forego deductions on contributions to instead cash out all of your earnings tax free. The program also provides some more lenient guidelines on early withdrawal for valid purposes. (Read More)

Final Words

The future of the U.S. economy remains uncertain despite an improvement in the financial sector thanks to dealmaking. Overall, the economy seems to be heeling, but consumers may lag a bit behind as weakness in spending is seen for at least a couple more quarters.