Rumors are still running rampant despite the upcoming slow period around the holidays.  The biggest macroeconomic issue surrounds the chatter around China, first with it saying it will buy more sovereign debt from Europe and second over its non-rate hike tightening policies.  Elsewhere:

ARM Holdings plc (NASDAQ: ARMH) is continuing to benefit from word that Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) is planning a new ARM-based Windows O/S that migrates away from such a dominant alliance with Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC).  This is no exit from Intel, but it is expected to be a move to secure more future business in smartphones and tablets (ongoing).

Computer Sciences Corp. (NYSE: CSC) plans to remain independent despite calls to take it private (Bloomberg).

Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) is rumored to be revealing its own tablet competition against Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and its iPad at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month (multiple).

The Walt Disney Co. (NYSE: DIS) is large enough that it won’t likely matter.  Rumors continue of “problems” around the sex tape and rehab issues around its Disney Channel stor Demi Lovato.  Hey. it’s the rumor section.  Frankly, age must be a factor here because I do not even know who she is.  Unrelated to the prior part, the recent Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) deal with Disney could be worth $2 billion more to Disney if extended indefinitely (by Forbes).

Navistar International Corp. (NYSE: NAV) has persistent rumors of some of its new engines being unreliable and having production problems (Dow Jones).

Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) and its consortium owning the Leviathan natural gas resources in the East Mediterranean Basin may have a ‘more sober scale’ than original projections (Globes).

JON C. OGG

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