Morgan Stanley ( MS ) Merger Talks

Morgan Stanley is in further talks today in regards to a merger with Wachovia Bank. It has been reported that they ar advanced talks.

CNBC Charlie Gasparino 11:11am EST - Morgan Stanley is in advanced talks with Wachovia for a Merger.....not sure if it will happen...but this is real! MS is also looking to China for Capital

MS, WB - Merger? Morgan Stanley & Wachovia in talk to Merge

CNBC is reporting that Morgan Stanley ( MS ) and Wachovia ( WB ) are in early talks in what could be a possible merger.....both stocks are rising afterhours and so are market futures.

Stay Tuned..........

Meredith Whitney on CNBC 8/04/08 ( C ) ( WB )

This morning Meredith Whitney was on CNBC talking about the credit crisis and the banks. She says that we are a little over half way out of this mess and that the banks stocks which are up 70-80% off there lows should go back and retest. She makes a point that the consumer will be even more dampened in the months and year to come as credit card lines will tighten even more.

Those of you that don't know about Meredith Whitney, she was one of the first to call the Citigroup downturn when everyone was laughing at her. A few months ago she downgraded Wachovia Bank ( WB ). Meredith still thinks that Citigroup must cut their dividend because they are raising so much capital....why would they pay out to investors when they are raising capital? It doesn't make sense.

Meredith Whitney does not think the worst is over. She will be on the cover of Forbes Magazine either this month or next...

Wachovia Bank WB - Caterpillar CAT Earnings

This morning we have had a number of earnings reports come out.

Wachovia Bank WB: had a wider then expected loss and cut their dividend to 5Cents from 37 cents. WB is trading in pre market $12.10 down 7.5%
I will note this on Wachovia.....about a month ago the Fast Money Guys told viewers not to buy Wachovia Bank until they cut their dividend....and today they did just that. Guy Adami on Fast Money told viewers to wait until WB trader 125 million shares on a down day to get long. Today could be the day you may want to get long.

Caterpillar CAT: reported solid earnings this morning $1.74 per share vs $1.54....stock is up 3% in pre market.

Brocade BRCD is buying Foundry Networks FDRY

Tonight keep your eye in ISRG earnings.....that stock moves bigtime!

Apple AAPL is down 10.50% at $148.70......I'm looking for $145 or lower and then I think it would be an interesting buy. The problem I have is all the good news is out.....your going to have three months of people questioning earnings and Steve Jobs health...no new products....rebate checks are done for the most part. I am hesitant to buy here. Just my opinion!