LeapFrog Enterprises (LF) plummeted more than 25% this morning, after the company warned that its full-year earnings will fall below Wall Street's expectations. The maker of educational toys expects to bank a profit of 3 cents to 6 cents per share for fiscal 2010, way below analysts' consensus estimate of 28 cents per share.

"After a solid start to the holiday season, demand softened late in the quarter relative to our expectations," explained CEO Bill Chiasson. "While sales of interactive reading products continued to grow at retail, the growth was less than we had forecasted and contributed to lower earnings growth than expected."

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company announced the resignation of CEO Dirk Meyer, naming Thomas Seifert interim CEO. Investors are surprised by this announcement, since Meyer took over AMD when the company was floundering and has since stabilized AMD. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on AMD.

This morning, AMD opened at $8.77. So far today the stock has hit a high of $8.80 and a low of $8.35. As of 12:25, AMD is trading at $8.49, down $0.70 (-7.6%). The chart for AMD looks neutral and S&P gives AMD a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company announced it has halted crude oil production at its Horizon oil-sands plant in Alberta, Canada, after a fire broke out in a plant facility Thursday. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on CNQ.

This morning, CNQ opened at $40.61. So far today the stock has hit a high of $41.84 and a low of $40.42. As of 12:15, CNQ is trading at $41.15, down $1.95 (-4.5%). The chart for CNQ looks bullish and S&P gives CNQ a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

A parade of retailers have stepped up Thursday morning to unveil their December sales results, including The Gap Inc. (GPS). The jeans giant confessed to an unexpected 3% decline in same-store sales for the month, falling well short of analysts' expectations for an increase of 2.6%.

Gap North America was hit hardest, with same-store sales tumbling 8% for the month. The only business segment to record a gain for December was Banana Republic North America, as same-store sales improved 1%.

Family Dollar Stores (FDO - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company reported Q1 earnings this morning, posting a profit of $74.32 million, or 58 cents per share, on revenue of $2.00 billion. Analysts had forecast a profit of 61 cents per share on revenue of $1.98 billion. FDO also forecast Q2 earnings of 92 to 97 cents per share, below analysts' forecasts of $1.00 per share. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on FDO.

This morning, FDO opened at $45.18. So far today the stock has hit a high of $46.19 and a low of $44.85. As of 12:30, FDO is trading at $45.27, down $4.04 (-8.2%). The chart for FDO looks bullish and S&P gives FDO a positive 5 STARS (out of 5) strong buy ranking.

Clorox (CLX - option chain) stock is trading lower today after the company said this morning it expects fiscal-Q2 sales to decline 3% to 4% compared to Q1. That translates to sales of $1.215 to $1.228 billion, compared to Q1 revenue of $1.266 billion. CLX also forecast adjusted earnings of 57 to 63 cents per share. Analysts have forecast a profit of 73 cents per share on revenue of $1.19 billion. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on CLX.

This morning, CLX opened at $61.58. So far today the stock has hit a high of $61.79 and a low of $60.56. As of 12:15, CLX is trading at $61.32, down $1.96 (-3.1%). The chart for CLX looks neutral and S&P gives CLX a neutral 3 STARS (out of 5) hold ranking.

It has become a European tradition that the government owned airlines and phone companies are often "bossed" around by the politicians who have kept anything but an arm's length relationship when it comes to decision making. Many European countries hold ownership shares in the industries' major players, and it is very common for these governments -- including sometimes even their heads of state -- to meddle and interfere in their business affairs. Then, when there's even a whiff of economic endangerment, they run for the hills.

Shares of Cumberland Pharmaceuticals (CPIX) are having a rough go of it after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) outlined some concerns that will further delay a ruling on its liver drug. The regulatory agency already postponed its decision from August to December, and now the FDA says it needs additional data before it can recommend the drug for approval.

In its complete response letter to Cumberland, the FDA noted insufficient evidence to prove that the injectable drug, Acetadote, is effective in all patients. Cumberland said it plans to meet with the FDA soon to address the outstanding issues.