Hot Trends: Microsoft Kin, KFC Chicken
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- The chatter on Main Street (a.k.a. Google) is always of interest to investors on Wall Street. Thus, each day TheStreet compiles the stories that are trending on Google, and highlights the news that could make stocks move.
Microsoft
(MSFT) - Get Report
, unveiled its new Kin phone on Monday, which is squarely aimed at the teen market -- and, in the process, sent online searches soaring.
The device focuses on text messaging and social networking, which are popular among the demographic. The phones will be available on
Verizon
(VZ) - Get Report
, and
Vodafone
(VOD) - Get Report
.
KFC, which is owned by
Yum! Brands
(YUM) - Get Report
, launched its new double down chicken sandwich in the U.S. on Monday -- instantly become a hot trend online.
The sandwich has no bread, instead consists of two pieces of chicken stuffed with cheese, bacon and sauce.
Yum is scheduled to release earnings on Wednesday.
"Arizona rebates for appliances" is -- seriously, no kidding -- the No. 1 trending topic on Google Monday afternoon. Starting today, consumers in the state who purchase an energy-efficient machine are eligible for a rebate.
There are about 35,000 rebates available in the state's $6.2 million program.
A similar program in Texas also made Google's trending topics list last week.
Appliance rebate programs could give a boost to retailers like
Sears
(SHLD)
and appliance manufacturers like
Stanley Black & Decker
(SWK) - Get Report
.
National City online banking is a trending topic online, as branches of the bank in Northeast Ohio reopened on Monday as
PNC Bank branches
(PNC) - Get Report
. As a result, online banking was not available to customers from 3 p.m. on Friday until 8 a.m. this morning.
PNC Financial Services of Pittsburgh acquired National City of Cleveland in 2008 and has been undergoing a two-year integration plan.
Nike's
(NKE) - Get Report
ic Putter is a hot search term as Woot.com, an online community that sells discounted merchandise, offers the club for $39.99. The putter sells for about $60 on
Amazon
(AMZN) - Get Report
.
This comes as the Master's and Tiger Woods continue to be a much-discussed topic. While Phil Mickleson won the tournament, Woods was in the spotlight as it marked his return to golf.
UBS
(UBS) - Get Report
is one of the top trending topics on Google today after it reported that it
expects a first-quarter pretax profit of at least $2.36 billion
.
This would mark the second straight month the Swiss bank would report a quarterly profit, and its highest profit in two years. Results are due out next month.
Alcoa
(AA) - Get Report
is a hot search term this morning, as it kicks off earnings season. The aluminum maker is scheduled to report its first-quarter earnings after the closing bell today.
Analysts are calling for a profit of 10 cents a share on revenue of $5.24 billion.
1-800-Flowers.com
(FLWS) - Get Report
is igniting chatter after its president, Chris McCann, appeared on the season finale
CBS'
(CBS) - Get Report
reality show
Undercover Boss
.
During the episode, McCann went undercover as an employee in one of the retail stores and a chocolate-processing plant.
Adobe Systems
(ADBE) - Get Report
unveiled an upgrade to its Creative Suite 5 on Monday, sparking significant search-engine interest Monday. The upgrade will allow users more capabilities in manipulating images and additional interactive elements.
Apple's
(AAPL) - Get Report
iPhone OS 4 is still a trending topic after it was unveiled last week.
The new software, which will become available this summer, will add capabilities such as multi-tasking, folders and a unified e-mail inbox.
Another feature is the iAd, which is Apple's first attempt at mobile advertising. The platform will provide application developers a new stream of revenue.
-- Reported by Jeanine Poggi in New York.
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