Tomorrow's Playbook: Intel & Marriott

INTEL AFTER THE BELL

Top global chip maker Intel will report earnings on Tuesday and investors are keeping fingers crossed that the firm provides signs of market stabilization. Although that might sound like pie in the sky because of the economy, it’s actually not. Intel said in February that some predictability was returning to demand.

As you may know, many investors watch Intel closely and consider their results a proxy for the overall health of the industry. That because Intel's chips serve as the nerve center for a wide range of computers and if sales show strength it could mean there will be strength in other areas of the tech.

So, what should you expect?

Overall, Wall Street is expecting a profit for the March quarter of 2 cents a share on revenue of $6.98 billion. The forecast implies a sales decline of around 28 percent from last year.

Intel did not provide a formal outlook for the quarter but said it was planning for revenue of roughly $7 billion.

For further insights we turned to Craig Berger, FBR Capital Markets analyst.

He tells Fast Money he thinks Intel will beat expectations. “We’ve seen some signs of improving demand out of Asia.” Sounds like good news for the sector in general -- but not necessarily for Intel in particular. That's because Berger thinks the good news is already baked in the stock. In fact he anticipates selling pressure after the numbers come out.

So which stocks have not anticipated the news and have more upside? “I prefer Qualcomm to Intel,” says Berger. "And I also like Marvell .”

What’s the bottom line?

Although Intel may beat expectations, there could well be some selling pressure sending shares lower.

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BUYERS CHECKING IN TO MARRIOTT

Pete Najarian has spotted unusual options action in Marriott. What’s the trade?

Options action in the May-22 calls suggest to Pete Najarian the stock could move higher. He's bullish.

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Trader disclosure: On Apr 13th, 2009, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Seymour Owns (AAPL), (BAC), (BX), (EEM), (FXI), (F), (PBR), (TCK); Syemour's Firm Owns (RIG); Macke Owns (WFC), (AAPL), (WMT), (GS), (GE), (SDS); Najarian Owns (BX) CAll Spread; Najarian Owns (C) Call Spread; Najarian owns (GS) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (MAR) Calls; Najarian owns (PALM) Stock & Calls; Najarian Owns (RIO) Calls; Najarian Owns (XHB) Call Spread; Najarian Owns (PCU) Calls; FInerman's Firm Owns (AET), (AXP), (MSFT), (RIG), (PBR), (TBT), (UNH), (DYN); Finerman's Firm Owns (WFC) Preferred, (BAC) Preferred; Finerman Owns (BAC) Preferred; Finerman's Firm Is Short (IYR), (MDY), (SPY), (USO), (BAC), (BBT), (WFC)

FBR Acts As A Market Maker For (MRVL)
FBR Acts As A Market Maker For (BRCM)