Cash Cow US Shipping Partners LP (NYSE: USS) discussed its first quarter earnings in a conference call this morning. Although its voyage revenue increased to $51.5 million from $42.1 million in the first quarter of last year, the company reported a net loss of $5.8 million, citing a few key factors: rising fuel costs, weaker demand in the spot shipping market--an industrywide concern--and a $5.7 million noncash impairment charge. Read More

US stocks finished the day mixed, as the financial sector once again struggled and record oil prices bolstered both energy shares and concerns about their implications for a weakening economy. News that the buyout firms involved in the acquisition of Clear Channel Communications (NYSE: CCU) may have reached an agreement with the banks financing the deal helped boost investor sentiment. Read More

Crude oil at $125 and climbing? Natural gas at $11 and climbing? Read More

US stocks returned to the green today, as investors were encouraged by bond-insurer MBIA’s (NYSE: MBI) assurances that it has sufficient liquidity and won’t need to raise additional capital to cover claims. Read More

US stocks finished the week on a down note, as embattled insurer American International Group (NYSE: AIG) reported a first quarter loss of $7.81 billion and announced plans to raise $12.5 billion in capital to gird its balance sheet against further writedowns. Needless to say, this news did not ease investors’ anxieties about the financial sector’s prospects. Read More

Nibbler Keystone North America (TSX: KNA-U, OTC: KYSNF) held its first quarter conference call this morning, during which management reiterated its intention to convert to a common share structure through a rights offering. For every IDS share, the company will issue rights that will allow investors to convert the note portion of their unit into five common shares with no additional cash consideration. We strongly recommend that instead of exercising these rights, investors continue to hold the IPS bond and common stock—remember, this exchange isn't mandatory. Read More

Cash Cow Otelco (AMEX: OTT) held its first quarter earnings call yesterday, during which management discussed the company’s very positive results. Access line equivalents were up 1 percent compared to the same period last year because of a 4.7 percent increase in RLEC data lines (internet connections) and a 2.9 percent increase in CLEC voice lines. Read More

US stocks rebounded from yesterday’s drop, with commodities producers leading the charge into the green. Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE: WMT) likewise contributed to the rally, reporting sales figures that beat analysts’ estimates—an indication that consumers are becoming more cost-conscious, but continue to spend. Read More

We continue to receive reports that certain brokerages are performing unauthorized trades in their customers’ accounts, exercising the rights issues to sell the bond side of the Keystone North America’s (OTC: KSYNF, TSX: KNA-U) Income Participation Securities (IPS) for additional common shares. Read More

Cash Cow Otelco (AMEX: OTT) recently reported that its total revenues in the first quarter grew to $17.9 million—a 4 percent increase for the $17.2 million the company earned in the first quarter of last year. The company’s operating income likewise grew 7.8 percent from the year-ago period, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) reached $8.9 million for the quarter, an increase of 1.9 percent. These positive results reflect growth in local services, Internet revenues and transportation services. Read More