Dividend.com: HSBC Strapped, Analyst Says

Shares of ORCL held up better than most other tech plays, dropping about 20%.

The stock does need to hold the $15 support level on any downdraft. If it doesn't, then a retest of the 2002 lows of $8-$10 a share is possible. If the stock can firm up, we see $18 and $19 as levels of overhead resistance. We do not currently rate this non-dividend paying stock, but we do monitor the company's news.

Oracle Corp does not currently pay a dividend.

VF Slashes 2009 Profit Goal

VF (VFC Quote) shares are bouncing off of earlier lows after announcing that pension expenses would lower 2009 earnings and revenue results.

The company says higher pension costs of about $90 million will pull profit down by about 50 cents per share. Management said that fourth-quarter revenue will now fall 2%, instead of previous guidance for a rise of 3% to 4%. The company sees fourth-quarter EPS of $1.30-$1.35, below the $1.46 estimates.

We removed shares of VFC from our "Recommended" list back on Oct. 6, when the stock was trading at $72.41. The company has a 4.65% dividend yield, based on Tuesday night's closing stock price of $50.74.

The stock has technical support in the $36-$38 price area. If that fails to hold, we could see the $29-$30 levels. On the flipside, if the shares can firm up, we see the $57-$62 levels as overhead resistance.

The company has many top brands, but we would like to see shares stabilize a bit before taking a step into the name.