Several leading stocks in the news managed to secure gains in today’s morning session, with CCL, PIR and UNCO all making significant boosts on recent news.

Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL), Pier 1 Imports (NYSE:PIR), Unico Inc. (OTCBB: UNCO), Flextronics International Ltd. (Nasdaq: FLEX), Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT) and JetBlue Airways Corp. (Nasdaq: JBLU).

Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) Stock Alert – Carnival Posts 32% Drop in Q2 Profit

Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) today posted earnings for the second quarter, reporting profit of $264 million, or 33 cents per share, down from $390 million, or 49 cents per share in the second quarter of 2008.

Thomson Reuters analysts had forecast the company to report 29 cents per share on revenue of $2.99 billion.

Micky Arison, CEO of Carnival, said rising fuel prices offset the company’s better-than-expected earnings, which was influenced by lower-than-expected cruise costs and slight gains made in pricing.

The overall rough economy and swine flu concerns had slight impact on the company’s performance; Carnival said for the second half of 2009, its booking levels were slightly behind last year and have started to pick up with lower priced ticket costs.

“As we have progressed throughout the year, booking volumes have continued to accelerate with less discounting, as consumers have come to recognize the extraordinary value proposition our cruise vacations represent,” Arison said.

For the third quarter, Carnival expects earnings between $1.15 and $1.19 per share; analysts expect $1.25 per share.

The cruise brands of the company includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises (Princess), Costa Cruises (Costa), Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, AIDA Cruises (AIDA), Cunard Line (Cunard), Ibero Cruises (Ibero), Ocean Village, P&O Cruises Australia and The Yachts of Seabourn (Seabourn).

In addition to the cruise operations, the company owns Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the cruise/tour operators in the State of Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada.

Shares of CCL gained 6.59% to trade at $24.56 this morning.

In its recent chart, CCL is trading below its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bearish condition signaling that the stock is weak relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bearish signal, with the indicator trending below its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating downwardly trending moving averages.

Pier 1 Imports (NYSE:PIR) Stock Alert – Pier 1 Imports Posts Q1 Profit, Outweighing Sales Drop

Home furnishing retailer Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) today posted its first-quarter results for 2009, reporting a profit of $29 million, or 32 cents per share, gaining $10 million from a recently litigation settlement and a decrease in lease rates and administrative expenses. In last year’s second quarter the company posted a net loss of $33 million, or 37 cents per share.

First-quarter sales fell $281 million, down from $310 million the year prior; the company attributes the drop to a reduction of the number of stores in operation, as well as a 7.5% drop in same-store-sales.

The company said it is currently in negotiations with several North American landlords to end up to 22 store leases; Pier 1 will also shut down an additional five locations.

In today’s press release, the company said it has roughly $9 million in rental savings for fiscal 2010 and expects to shut down another 50 locations.

Pier 1 engages in specialty retail operations. The company’s specialty retail operations consist of retail stores operating under the name Pier 1 Imports, selling a variety of furniture, decorative home furnishings, dining and kitchen goods, epicurean products, bath and bedding accessories, candles and other specialty items for the home.

During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 (fiscal 2009), it supplied merchandise and licensed the Pier 1 Imports name to Grupo Sanborns and Sears Puerto Rico, which sold Pier 1 Imports merchandise primarily in a store within a store format in 34 Sears Mexico stores, one Dorian’s store and in seven Sears Puerto Rico stores. The stores consist of freestanding units located near shopping centers or malls and in-line positions in major shopping centers.

Shares of PIR surged 5.67% this morning, trading at $2.05.

In its recent chart, PIR is trading above its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bullish condition signaling that the stock is strong relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bearish signal, with the indicator trending below its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating downwardly trending moving averages.

Unico Inc. (OTCBB: UNCO) Stock Alert – Unico Inc. Ships Second Sample to Demonstrate a Net Proprietary Process for More Efficient Recovery of Precious Metals

Unico Inc. (OTC.BB: UNCO), a natural resource company in the precious metals mining sector, recently announced it has shipped an additional container of bulk material to complete testing of Royal Mines’ proprietary technology for the lixiviation of precious metals.

Lixiviating is the process of separating a soluble substance from one that is insoluble, by washing with some solvent, as water; leaching.

Unico is pursuing a novel process for extracting silver and gold from concentrate at its Deer Trail Mine.  The company intends to develop a more economical process for recovering the highest level of silver and gold through the proprietary lixiviation process at its Deer Trail Mine.

Three Deer Trail Mining Co. technical staff members visited the Royal Mines facility to observe and discuss the varied possibilities the new technology can lend to the industry, especially to the earth-rich potential of the Deer Trail Mine presently being developed by Unico.

Unico said 1 ton of sulfide floatation concentrate was processed at the Deer Trail mill and homogenized, with a representative 250-pounds sample sent to Royal Mines for testing.  The sample was fire assayed for its gold and silver content.  The results of the fire assay and the previously assay results provided by an independent outside laboratory were compared.  Unico had announced on February 25, 2009, the independent laboratory assay had yielded 0.43 oz/ton gold and 71 oz/ton silver.  The new fire assay results showed a jump of 30% in silver content and as much as 50% content of gold.

The sample was then thiourea leached, then placed in the grinding mill.  Samples were taken from the mill on a time-interval basis.  Initial results show a “very encouraging rate of recovery,” the company said, with more than 90% of silver and gold content recovered within the concentrate.

“Royal Mines has done an exceptional job in the testing of material from the Deer Trail Mine, and we believe that by utilizing their processing technology and methods, we will achieve greater value from the sale of the finished product,” stated Mark A. Lopez, CEO of Unico. “We intend to continue our work with Royal Mines and look forward to an ongoing business relationship.”

The company said two photographs of the one ton sample that was shipped to Royal Mines can be viewed in the “Media” section of the Unico Web site at www.unicomining.com./news/othermedia.php.

Unico is a natural resource company in the precious metals mining sector that is focused on the exploration, development and production of gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper concentrates at its two mine properties: the Deer Trail Mine and the Silver Bell Mine.  The company has also announced agreements to acquire over 70 additional mining claims including the Clyde and Crown Point mining claims.

In August 2007, Unico announced its wholly owned Deer Trail Mining Co. subsidiary had completed the purchase of the Deer Trail Mine from Crown Mines, LLC. Unico has two subsidiary companies: Deer Trail Mining Co. and Silver Bell Mining Co. The Deer Trail Mine, located in Marysvale, Utah has been the subject of two exploratory drilling programs, a reverse circulation drill program and a diamond core drilling program.

Shares of UNCO surged 11.73% to 2 cents this morning.

In its recent chart, UNCO is trading below its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bearish condition signaling that the stock is weak relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bearish signal, with the indicator trending below its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating downwardly trending moving averages.

Flextronics International Ltd. (Nasdaq: FLEX) Stock Alert – Flextronics Begins $200 Million Tender Offer

Flextronics International Ltd. (Nasdaq: FLEX), a Singapore-based electronics manufacturing service to original manufactures (OEMs), recently announced it has started a tender offer for senior subordinate notes in the amount of no more than $200 million, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The company told the AP it intends to purchase up to $100 million in 6.5% notes due 2013, and up to $100 million in 6.25% notes due 2014.  Flextronics’ tender offer expires June 25.

Flextronics is a global provider of vertically-integrated advanced design and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

As of March 31, 2009, Flextronics total manufacturing capacity was approximately 27.2 million square feet. It helps customers design, build, ship and service electronics products through a network of facilities in 30 countries.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009 (fiscal 2009), its sales in Asia, the Americas and Europe represented 49%, 33% and 18% of its total net sales, respectively, based on the location of the manufacturing site.

The services provided by the company includes printed circuit board and flexible circuit fabrication, systems assembly and manufacturing, logistics, after-sales services, design and engineering services, original design manufacturing (ODM) services, and components design and manufacturing.

Shares of FLEX climbed .98% to $4.14 this morning.

In its recent chart, FLEX is trading below its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bearish condition signaling that the stock is weak relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bearish signal, with the indicator trending below its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating downwardly trending moving averages.

Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT) Stock Alert – Universal Detection Technology Assessment of New Evidence of al-Qaida’s Threat to use Biological Weapons

Universal Detection Technology (OTCBB: UNDT), a developer of early-warning systems to monitor potential terrorist and infectious health threats, yesterday released an analysis of a terrorist threat to smuggle biological weapons into the United States along the Mexican border.

A recently authenticated video made by an al-Qaida recruiter threatening to smuggle a biological weapon into the United States underscores the threat requiring a solution of increased counter-terrorism detection systems, the company said.

According to counter-terrorism official interviewed by The Washington Times, the video shows previously suspected weaknesses in U.S. security along the Mexican border have been targeted by al-Qaida for possible future terrorism operations.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that terrorist organizations would utilize the border to enter the U.S.,” said an anonymous undercover DEA official . “We can’t ignore any threat or detail when it comes to al-Qaida and other terrorist organizations bent on attacking the U.S.”

Universal Detection Technology supplies counter-terrorism detection systems designed to detect biological agents such as anthrax, ricin and botulinum toxins.  The company’s customer list include the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Washington D.C. Fire and EMS Services.

“The threat of terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida smuggling biological weapons such as anthrax through the Mexican border is very alarming,” Jacques Tizabi, UNDT’s CEO stated in the press release. “First responders should be equipped with the latest technologies to detect such weapons before they can harm anyone.”

Universal Detection Technology is engaged in the research, development and marketing of bioterrorism detection devices.

The company’s primary product is BSM-2000. BSM-2000 is designed to provide continuous unattended monitoring of airborne bacterial spores in public places, with real-time automated alert functionality. The device is designed to detect an increase in the concentration of bacterial spores, which is indicative of a potential presence of Anthrax.

The company’s BSM-2000, consists of four components: an air sampler for aerosol capture, which collects aerosolized particles on a fiber tape; thermal lysis for releasing the dipicolinic acid from the spores; reagent delivery via syringe pump, and a lifetime gated luminescence detection of the terbium-dipicolinate complex.

Shares of UNDT remained flat this morning, trading at $.003.

In its recent chart, UNDT is trading above its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bullish condition signaling that the stock is strong relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bullish signal, with the indicator trending above its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating upwardly trending moving averages.

JetBlue Airways Corp. (Nasdaq: JBLU) Stock Alert – JetBlue Launches Coast-to-Coast Service from LAX to New York/JFK and Boston

JetBlue Airways Corp. (Nasdaq: JBLU) recently launched its new non-stop service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to both Boston’s Logan International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Through June 26, a Jet Blue flight from LAX to JFK or Logan is offered at $109 for travel between September 8 and November 11, 2009, the company said in a news release.

“Even in these tough economic times, JetBlue is demonstrating that the path to recovery flies through Los Angeles,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We are thrilled that JetBlue will be offering quality airline service from LAX, one of America’s premier airports.”

“We greatly welcome the start of JetBlue’s new cross-country service, which is sure to be welcomed by air travelers looking for more service options and great value in today’s economic environment,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, owner and operator of LAX, LA/Ontario International and Van Nuys (general aviation) airports. “The addition of JetBlue is a reflection of the progress made in our work to revitalize LAX.”

The company said it kicked off the coast-to-coast service route with JetBlue chief executive officer Dave Barger’s announcement of the company’s new ‘Let the Music Play’ campaign with long-time partner VH1 Save The Music Foundation, which will receive a matching pledge of up to $30,000 from JetBlue during the company’s new coast-to-coast promotional campaign.

“We are thrilled to partner with JetBlue as they expand to Los Angeles,” says VH1 Save The Music Foundation executive director Paul Cothran. “With their help, we will be able to continue to raise awareness about the importance of a musical education in a child’s life, and ensure that additional children have access to the benefits of music study.”

JetBlue said its new LAX service will operate with the company’s Airbus A320, which is outfitted with all-leather seats, including 150 seats with the most legroom of any coach of any U.S. Airline.
JetBlue is a passenger airline that provides customer service primarily on point-to-point routes.

During the year ended December 31, 2008, the company served 52 destinations in 19 states, Puerto Rico, and five countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, and operated over 600 flights a day with a fleet of 107 Airbus A320 aircraft and 35 EMBRAER 190 aircraft.

Most of the company’s flights have, as an origin or destination, one of its focus cities: Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles/Long Beach, New York/JFK, or Orlando. During 2008, its operations primarily consisted of transporting passengers on its aircraft, with domestic United States operations, including Puerto Rico, accounting for 92.5% of its capacity.

In January 2009, JetBlue began service to Bogota, Colombia. JetBlue’s aircrafts are equipped with leather seats in a single class layout. The Airbus A320 aircraft, with 150 seats, has a wide cabin. The EMBRAER 190 aircraft has 100 seats.

Shares of JBLUE slipped .24% to $4.12 this morning.

In its recent chart, JBLU is trading below its higher Bollinger Bands range, a bearish condition signaling that the stock is weak relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects a bearish signal, with the indicator trending below its 9-day moving average signal line, indicating downwardly trending moving averages.

InvestorSoup.com Research Disclosure

DO NOT BASE ANY INVESTMENT DECISION UPON ANY MATERIALS FOUND ON THIS REPORT OR WEB SITE. We are not registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser either with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) or with any state securities regulatory authority. We are neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice.

The information contained in our report should be viewed as commercial advertisement and is not intended to be investment advice. The report is not provided to any particular individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. The information contained in our report is not an offer to buy or sell securities. We distribute opinions, comments and information free of charge exclusively to individuals who wish to receive them.

Our newsletter and Web site have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to be used as a complete source of information on any particular company. An individual should never invest in the securities of any of the companies profiled based solely on information contained in our report. Individuals should assume that all information contained in the report about profiled companies is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research.

Any individual who chooses to invest in any securities should do so with caution. Investing in securities is speculative and carries a high degree of risk; you may lose some or all of the money that is invested. Always research your own investments and consult with a registered investment advisor or licensed stock broker before investing.

InvestorSoup.com is a Web site wholly owned by BlueWave Advisors, LLC. BlueWave Advisors, LLC has been compensated seven thousand five hundred dollars directly from Unico Mining Inc. (UNCO) as a marketing budget to manage a comprehensive investor awareness program including the creation and distribution of this report as well as other investor relations efforts.  compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled company. BlueWave Advisors LLC, its principal and/or its affiliates will hold positions in the company profiled and may buy or sell securities at any time without notice.

Information contained in our report will contain “forward looking statements” as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21B of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Subscribers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward looking statements. These forward looking statements are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties outside of our control that could cause actual operations or results to differ materially from those anticipated. Factors that could affect performance include, but are not limited to, those factors that are discussed in each profiled company’s most recent reports or registration statements filed with the SEC. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward looking statements included in the report and not place undue reliance upon such statements.

We are committed to providing factual information on the companies that are profiled. However, we do not provide any assurance as to the accuracy or completeness of the information provided, including information regarding a profiled company’s plans or ability to effect any planned or proposed actions. We have no first-hand knowledge of any profiled company’s operations and therefore cannot comment on their capabilities, intent, resources, nor experience and we make no attempt to do so. Statistical information, dollar amounts, and market size data was provided by the subject company and related sources which we believe to be reliable.

To the fullest extent of the law, we will not be liable to any person or entity for the quality, accuracy, completeness, reliability, or timeliness of the information provided in the report, or for any direct, indirect, consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages that may arise out of the use of information we provide to any person or entity (including, but not limited to, lost profits, loss of opportunities, trading losses, and damages that may result from any inaccuracy or incompleteness of this information).

We encourage you to invest carefully and read investment information available at the Web sites of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov and FINRA at http://www.finra.org.