Featuring COP’s production update, SNE’s new laptop; JAZZ’s $7M stock placement; ASCA’s quarterly dividend; and SKX’s $250M credit line.

Today’s Stock Alerts Include: ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP), Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE), Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: JAZZ), Ameristar Casinos Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) and Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE: SKX).

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) Stock Alert - COP Sees Q2 Production Up, but Warns on Lower Crude and Natural-gas Prices and Refining Difficulties

ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) recently provided an interim update on its second-quarter 2009 results, saying it expects to report a more positive production results from last year’s period. The press release indicated there was an increase of more than 100,000 barrels as production climbed from 1.75 million barrels to 1.86 million. The comparative figures include production from the company’s Syncrude unit but exclude its 20% stake in Russia’s Lukoil.

However, low worldwide distillate margins, significantly compressed light-heavy crude differential and inventory levels, coupled with lower crude and natural gas prices, are reportedly expected to impact ConocoPhillips second-quarter results.

Seeing concerns about the company’s strategic vision, Goldman Sachs downgraded ConocoPhillips to Neutral from Buy rating late last month, noting the oil producer will no longer be able to outperform the sector. Also, the firm cut its price target on the shares to $53 from $60.

Holding a downbeat outlook on the refining sector, Goldman also cut its ratings on refining giants Tesoro and Sunoco, and reiterated a Sell rating on Valero Energy.

In a note to clients, Goldman said, “Even with meaningful underperformance having already occurred this year, we see little reason for investors to own the sector.”

Taking a positive call, S&P Equity Research, noting ConocoPhillips’ production target for the second quarter as slightly above expectations, reiterated its Strong Buy recommendation on the oil major’s stock.

The oil company is slated to reveal its second-quarter earnings on July 29.

ConocoPhillips is an international, integrated energy company. The company’s business is organized into six segments. Exploration and Production (E&P) segment explores for, produces and markets crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Midstream segment gathers, processes and markets natural gas produced by ConocoPhillips and others, and fractionates and markets natural gas liquids. Midstream segment consists of its 50% equity investment in DCP Midstream LLC. Refining and Marketing (R&M) segment purchases, refines, markets and transports crude oil and petroleum products. LUKOIL Investment segment consists of its equity investment in the ordinary shares of OAO LUKOIL. Chemicals segment manufactures and markets petrochemicals and plastics and consists of its 50% equity investment in Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LLC (CPChem). Emerging Businesses segment includes the company’s investment in new technologies or businesses outside its scope of operations.

In its recent chart, COP’s MACD reflects strong bearish signal, with the indicator below the 9-day moving average signal line, and also below the critical 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending lower. With share prices currently below the stock’s 13-day moving average, the bearish sign is more pronounced with decreasing moving averages. Bollinger Bands indicate a relatively stable condition as reflected by tighter than normal band width. Trading near its lower Bollinger Band, the stock reflects low price relative to its recent price action.

Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) Stock Alert - SNE Follows Netbook Market Trend; Company Sets Product Launch for August

Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) is set to enter the fast-growing netbook market as it unveils its new laptop in August. Compared to other Sony models, the new laptop will be about the size of a hardback book and run on lower grade hardware, the report said. Sony netbooks will be about 10 inches (25 centimeters) wide, 7 inches (18 centimeters) long and 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) thick, with screen resolution of 1366 by 768 pixels, which is higher than is commonly found in other netbooks.

Although a late entry, the company hopes its new product, which boasts of being smaller and cheaper than traditional notebook computers and optimised for simpler computing tasks such as Web browsing and e-mail, will help the company establish a presence in the market.

While anticipating competition from Asustek, which pioneered the netbook in 2007, as well as Acer Inc, Hewlett-Packard Co and Dell, Sony aims to boost its overall Vaio PC sales to 6.2 million units in the year to March 2010 from 5.8 million units a year earlier.

According to the report, the new Vaio laptop will sell for around 60,000 yen ($629) in Japan in August, and will come in white, black or pink, with matching mouse and case.

Sony is engaged in the development, design, manufacture and sale of various kinds of electronic equipment, instruments and devices.

Sony operates in five segments: Electronics, which develops, designs, manufactures and sells electronic equipment, instruments and devices for consumer and professional markets; Games, in which Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) develops, produces, markets and distributes PlayStation 2 (PS2), PSP (PlayStation Portable) (PSP) and PLAYSTATION 3 (PS3) hardware and related software; Pictures, which encompasses motion picture production and distribution, television production and distribution, and digital content creation and distribution; Financial Services, which includes the activities of Sony Financial Holdings Inc. (SFH), and All Other, which comprises Sony Music Entertainment (SME) and Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (SMEJ). On October 1, 2008, it acquired Bertelsmann’s 50% interest in SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (SONY BMG).

In its recent chart, SNE’s MACD reflects strong bearish signal, with the indicator below the 9-day moving average signal line, and also below the critical 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending lower. With share prices currently below the stock’s 13-day moving average, the bearish sign is more pronounced with decreasing moving averages. Trading near its lower Bollinger Band, the stock reflects low price relative to its recent price action.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: JAZZ) Stock Alert - JAZZ announces Delayed Interest Payment on Notes; Raises $7 million in Stock Placement

Palo Alto, Calif.-based Jazz Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Nasdaq: JAZZ) recently announced it made delayed interest payments of $14.6 million, which were due on December 31, March 31 and June 30, to holders of its senior secured notes. With the $119.5 million principal amount of the notes due in June 2011, the company expressed confidence it will be able to stay in compliance with the agreement. Thanks to improved product sales, it said it is no longer required to keep a minimum cash balance in an account for the notes.

Separately, the company announced it had raised $7 million by selling stock and options to funds associated with venture-capital firm Longitude Capital, whose managing director, Patrick Enright, is now a member of Jazz’s board. In the report, the company said it placed 1.9 million units with the Longitude funds, which consist of one share of stock each, and a warrant for another half of one share. Jazz said the units sold for about $3.69 each, while the warrants have a purchase price of $4 and can be exercised at any time over the next seven years.

The recent news comes after last week’s fall on analyst downgrade.

Richard B. Silver of Barclay’s Capital downgraded the stock to Underweight from Overweight on its value and the company’s debt. The analyst said in a note to investors that “the most important pending issue for Jazz remains resolution of debt default status, but timing and outcome are difficult to predict.”

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to meet unmet medical needs in neurology and psychiatry. The marketed products and late-stage product candidate of the company include Xyrem (sodium oxybate) oral solution, Luvox CR (fluvoxamine maleate) extended-release capsules and JZP-6 (sodium oxybate). The other product candidates in clinical development are JZP-8 (intranasal clonazepam), being developed for the treatment of recurrent acute repetitive seizures in epilepsy patients who continue to have seizures while on stable anti-epileptic regimens, JZP-4 (sodium and calcium channel antagonist), being developed for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder, and JZP-7 (ropinirole gel), being developed for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.

In its recent chart, JAZZ is trading within its Bollinger Bands, a normal condition signaling that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold relative to the recent price action. MACD currently reflects weak bearish signal, with the indicator above the critical level of 0 but has crossed below its 9-day signal line, indicating that positive momentum has begun to slow. With share prices currently above the stock’s 13-day moving average, a bullish trend is indicated. Also, a rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock.

Ameristar Casinos Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) Stock Alert - ASCA Sets Quarterly Dividend of 10.5 Cents; Co. Attractive Stock Price and New Colorado Regulations Boost Co. Rating

Nevada-based casino operator Ameristar Casinos Inc. (Nasdaq: ASCA) recently announced its board has declared a regular quarterly dividend of 10.5 cents per share, payable July 27 to shareholders of record July 17. After amending a credit facility, Ameristar has reportedly reinstated its dividend in April.

Late last month, analyst Joseph Greff of JPMorgan boosted his rating on the stock, citing attractive stock price and a new Colorado regulation which is putting a 24-hour gaming into effect this month.

In a client note, the analyst said the company could see an increase in its earnings before interest, taxes depreciation and amortization results on a favorable state regulation. He added that Ameristar will add to that positive catalyst in the fall when its new $235 million Black Hawk hotel opens.

Ameristar Casinos (ACI) is a developer, owner and operator of casino entertainment facilities in local and regional markets, with properties in Missouri, Iowa, Colorado, Nevada, Indiana and Mississippi.

The company owns and operates eight properties in seven markets. The company’s portfolio of casinos consists of Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, serving greater St. Louis, Missouri; Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City, serving the Kansas City metropolitan area; Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs, serving Omaha, Nebraska and southwestern Iowa; Ameristar Casino Hotel East Chicago, serving the Chicagoland area; Ameristar Casino Hotel Vicksburg, serving Jackson, Mississippi and Monroe, Louisiana; Ameristar Casino Black Hawk, serving the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, and Cactus Petes and The Horseshu in Jackpot, Nevada, serving Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Most of ACI’s revenue comes from slot play, and it also offers a range of table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette and poker in the majority of its markets.

In its recent chart, ASCA’s MACD reflects strong bearish signal, with the indicator below the 9-day moving average signal line, and also below the critical 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending lower. With share prices currently below the stock’s 13-day moving average, an indication of a bearish trend is generally considered. However, rising moving average signals that there has been buying interest in this stock. Bollinger Bands indicate a relatively stable condition as reflected by tighter than normal band width. Trading within its Bollinger Bands, the stock reflects neither an overbought nor oversold condition relative to its recent price trend.

Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE: SKX) Stock Alert - SKX Secures $250 million New Credit Line

Skechers USA Inc. (NYSE: SKX) is poised for strong growth in the future after getting a $250 million, four-year, syndicated secured credit line.

In a release, CFO Fred Schneider said in a statement the credit facility should provide the company with sufficient capital for its initiatives and to fund its growth over the next four years. According to Schneider, the company was able to secure a new facility in these difficult times because of their strong financial position, operating history and place in the global market.

Reiterating its outlook amid continuing struggle in the retail environment, the sneaker maker said it will break even for the first half of 2009 before returning to profitability in the second half.

Skechers designs and markets Skechers-branded contemporary footwear for men, women and children under several lines. In addition to Skechers-branded lines, the company also offers eight uniquely branded designer, fashion and street-focused footwear lines for men, women and children. These lines are branded and marketed separately from Skechers and appeal to specific audiences. Its brands are sold through department stores, specialty stores, athletic retailers and boutiques, as well as its e-commerce Website and its own retail stores. Skechers operates 84 concept stores, 83 factory outlet stores and 37 warehouse outlet stores in the United States, and 16 concept stores and two factory outlets internationally.

In its recent chart, SKX is trading within its Bollinger Bands, a normal condition signaling that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold relative to the recent price action. MACD reflects strong bearish signal, with the indicator below the 9-day moving average signal line, and also below the critical 0 level, indicating that moving averages are trending lower. With share prices currently below the stock’s 13-day moving average, the bearish sign is more pronounced with decreasing moving averages.

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