AFL AFLAC Inc

CHICAGO, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Seven Summits Research issues the following Morning Update at 8:30 AM EST with new PriceWatch Alerts for key stocks. Before the open... PriceWatch Alerts for MRK, X, WYE, ERICY, and AFL, Market Overview, News Leaders and Laggards, Today's Economic Calendar, and the Quote Of The Day. QUOTE OF THE DAY "If I turn out to be particularly clear, you've probably misunderstood what I've said." -- Alan Greenspan, Chairman, Federal Reserve Board New PriceWatch Alerts MRK, X, WYE, ERICY, and AFL PRICEWATCH ALERTS - HIGH RETURN COVERED CALL OPTIONS ----------- -- Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) Last Price 34.46 - APR 35.00 CALL OPTION@ $1.10 -> 4.9 % Return assigned* -- United States Steel Corp. (NYSE:X) Last Price 58.64 - APR 55.00 CALL OPTION@ $7.10 -> 6.7 % Return assigned* -- Wyeth (NYSE:WYE) Last Price 46.93 - JUL 45.00 CALL OPTION@ $3.90 -> 4.6 % Return assigned* -- LM Ericsson Telephone Co. (NASDAQ:ERICY) Last Price 35.07 - APR 35.00 CALL OPTION@ $1.90 -> 5.5 % Return assigned* -- AFLAC Inc. (NYSE:AFL) Last Price 47.49 - AUG 45.00 CALL OPTION@ $4.60 -> 4.9 % Return assigned* * To learn more about how to use these alerts and for our FREE report, "The 18 Warning Signs That Tell You When To Dump A Stock", go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/mu18 (Note: You may need to copy the link above into your browser then press the [ENTER] key) ** FREE Investor's Cheat Sheet - An essential pocket reference guide packed with the strategies, tactics, tips, and rules of thumb for smarter investing. For your FREE Investor's Cheat Sheet, go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/FreeCSMU NOTE: All stocks and options shown are examples only. These are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. MARKET OVERVIEW Overseas trading is struggling once again this morning, as only five of the 15 foreign indices that we track are currently in positive territory. The cumulative average return on the collective stands at -0.032 percent. Asian indices traded higher Tuesday, led by Japan's Nikkei and expectations for strong earnings from key industrial companies. However, many exchanges are still closed for an extended holiday to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. Across the pond in Europe, markets gained ground with oil and gas stocks leading the way. The February gold futures contract jumped $7.10 an ounce during Monday's regular session of trading, marking the highest close for a benchmark contract since January 1981. Elsewhere, silver futures reached a fresh 19-year high on a backdrop of political tension in the Middle East. These tensions are expected to continue to drive the malleable metal over the near-term, especially given Iran's nuclear ambitions and the surprise victory of Hamas in last week's Palestinian elections. However, yesterday's volume was lighter than normal with much of Asia closed for the Lunar New Year holiday. The March crude contract added 51 cents per barrel during yesterday's trading. It was a modest move from the oil pits ahead of today's OPEC meeting. Saudi Oil Minister Ali Naimi said the cartel's members have all agreed to keep the group's output ceiling unchanged at 28 million barrels per day. In early trading, crude was last seen down 68 cents at $67.67 per barrel. Get Free Stock Picks from Bernie Schaeffer, 3 time winner of the Wall Street Journal Stock Picking Contest. For your Free Trial go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/freemo2 DYNAMIC MARKET OPPORTUNITIES With the news that General Motors lost an astonishing US$4.8 billion during the fourth quarter, many are wondering just what Detroit's once-powerful automakers need to do to first bail themselves out of trouble and then attempt to compete with the likes of Honda, Toyota and Nissan. While it seems incomprehensible for a company to lose that much in just three months, GM's full-year losses totaled US$8.6 billion. As in the airline industry, GM executives might be tempted to look towards Washington for a government bailout. But this is where it seems a little curious. While the government has spent countless millions to keep several airlines (American, Delta, United, Continental) afloat, George Bush is reluctant to do the same for Detroit's auto heavyweights. Quoted in the Wall Street Journal, the president says: "I'm very reluctant. I'm mindful of the past where at one point in time, a predecessor of mine was faced with that same dilemma. I would hope I wouldn't be asked to make that decision." While September 11 did have a crippling effect on the airline industry, the subsequent rise in oil prices has steadily eroded profit margins at the nation's carriers. As if jet fuel weren't costly enough, planes are still operating at far less than capacity. Fuel surcharges notwithstanding, many airlines have slashed ticket prices in an effort to get more passengers in seats. That eventually hits profit margins. A lot of people have to fly. But many more have to drive. So why is Bush so reluctant to afford Detroit's automakers the same luxury his government has provided to the airlines? Is it that airlines have suffered financially crippling misfortunes largely out of their control? Is it a case of bad luck rather than bad management? Perhaps. The auto industry's problems are largely within its own control. An example of the poor management is, Detroit's willingness to keep churning out expensive, gas-guzzling SUV's and other fuel-hungry vehicles, because they're the ones that generate the most profits. This comes despite high gasoline prices. Then, if sales are slack and profits are eroded, they simply close plants and lay off workers. Maybe that's why the US government is reluctant to throw good money after bad this time. Read more economic/market/stock analysis from the Taipan Group and 247Profits.com every trading day with the FREE 247Profits Dynamic Market Alert. Featuring: insightful economic commentary from the US and worldwide...profitable investment recommendations...and full access to the leading team of financial experts. Register for free here: http://www.dynamicmarketalert.com/signup/eletterspr.html NEWS LEADERS AND LAGGARDS So far today, Altria, Ericsson, and Mellon Financial lead the list of companies with the most news stories while TECO Energy and Kellogg are showing a spike in news. Merck, Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and Knight-Ridder have the highest srtIndex scores to top the list of companies with positive news while Eli Lilly & Co and Wyeth lead the list of companies with negative news reports. Kraft Foods has popped up with a high positive news sraIndex score. For the FREE article titled, "Earnings Season Decoded - An Essential 15 Point Checklist For Finding Winning Stocks." go to: http://www.wallstreetsecretsplus.com/go/freemu/ TODAY'S ECONOMIC CALENDAR 7:45 a.m. Jan. 28 ICSC Store Sales Index 8:30 a.m. 4Q Employment Cost Index 8:55 a.m. Jan. 28 Redbook Retail Sales Index 9:00 a.m. Federal Open Market Committee meeting begins; interest rate decision expected around 2:15 p.m. EST 10:00 a.m. Jan. Chicago PMI 10:00 a.m. Jan. Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index 5:00 p.m. Jan. 29 ABC/Washington Post Consumer Confidence Index 9:00 p.m. Pres Bush gives State of the Union address before Congress in Washington Seven Summits Investment Research is an independent investment research group focusing on the U.S. equities and options markets. Our unique set of analytical tools, screening techniques, rigorous research methods and committed staff provide solid information to help our clients make the best investment decisions possible. For more information go to http://www.sevensummitsinvestmentresearch.com/ . CRD# 137114 This Morning Update was prepared with data and information provided by: InvestorsObserver.com - Better Strategies for Making Money -> For Investors With a Sense of Humor. Only $1 for your first month plus seven free bonuses worth over $420, see: http://www.investorsobserver.com/must Quote.com QCharts- Real time quotes and streaming technical charts to keep you up with the market. Analyze, predict, and stay ahead. For a Free 30 day trial go to: http://www.investorsobserver.com/MUQuote2 247profits.com: Read more economic/market/stock analysis from the Taipan Group every trading day with the FREE Dynamic Market Alert. Featuring: insightful economic commentary from the US and worldwide...profitable investment recommendations...and full access to the leading team of financial experts. Register for free here: http://www.dynamicmarketalert.com/signup/eletterspr.html Schaeffer's Investment Research - Sign up for your FREE e-weekly, Monday Morning Outlook, Bernie Schaeffer's look ahead at the markets. Sign Up Now http://www.investorsobserver.com/freemo PowerOptionsPlus - The Best Way To Find, Compare, Analyze, and Make Money On Options Investments. For a 14-Day FREE trial and 5 FREE bonuses go to: http://www.poweroptionsplus.com/ All stocks and options shown are examples only. These are not recommendations to buy or sell any security and they do not represent in any way a positive or negative outlook for any security. Potential returns do not take into account your trade size, brokerage commissions, taxes or our subscription fees which will affect actual investment returns. Stocks and options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors and investing in options carries substantial risk. Prior to buying or selling options, a person must receive a copy of Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options available from Catherine at 800-698-9101 or at http://www.cboe.com/Resources/Intro.asp. Privacy policy available upon request. First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: DATASOURCE: Seven Summits Research CONTACT: Reid Stratton of Seven Summits Investment Research, +1-800-698-9101 Web site: http://www.sevensummitsinvestmentresearch.com/

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