Archive for January, 2010
(BBBY) Bed Bath & Beyond Reports Stronger Third Quarter
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (BBBY) recently reported better-than-expected third quarter 2009 results with double-digit growth in both the top-line and the bottom-line. The company’s quarterly earnings of 58 cents a share was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 62 cents, but...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UNH) UnitedHealth Group to Retire Debt
Yesterday, UnitedHealth Group (UNH) announced the commencement of its cash tender offer to purchase $200 million of short-term notes and $550 million of intermediate-term notes. The offer will expire on Feb 3, 2010. The buyback, which will be funded by cash in hand and proceeds...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(FRED) Fred’s Comparable Store Sales Improve
Fred’s Inc. (FRED) reported total sales of $209.3 million for December 2009, up 4% from $201.4 million in December 2008. Comparable store sales for the month increased 1.3%. This was an improvement compared to the comparable store sales growth of 1% reported in the third quarter....
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TMO) Thermo Fisher Scientific Analysts Initiate Coverage at Neutral
We recently initiated coverage on Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (TMO) with a Neutral recommendation. We rate the stock as Neutral with a target price of $50 based on a P/E of 15.0x our fiscal 2010 EPS estimate of $3.33. Thermo Fisher reported third quarter fiscal 2009 earnings...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(STLD) Steel Dynamics Guides Forecasts Lower
Steel Dynamics Inc. (STLD), the nation’s fifth-largest producer of carbon steel products, has recently announced that it expects to earn between 10 cents and 20 cents per share in the fourth quarter of 2009, compared with the Zacks Consensus Estimate which is pegged at...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(STX) Seagate Technologies Grows with Innovation
One of the eminent players in the hard drive and storage solutions space, Seagate Technologies (STX), unveiled the BlackArmor PS110 USB 3.0 portable external hard drive performance kit for notebook computers at the consumer electronics show (CES) in Las Vegas. This all-in-one...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ADP) Bureau of Labor Statistics Reports The Economy Lost More Jobs Than Expected
The much-awaited Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) monthly employment report this morning brought something of a negative surprise: 85,000 jobs appear to have been lost in the U.S. during the month of December. This is higher than the consensus expectation of 40,000-50,000 jobs...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(M) Macy’s Incorporated Lifting Fourth Quarter Outlook
Macy’s Inc. (M) reported a 0.7% growth in total sales for the 5-week period ended Jan. 3, 2009. Total sales for the month were $4.43 billion, compared to $4.40 billion posted in the same month last year. Bolstered by the performance, Macy’s lifted its fourth-quarter earnings...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(PC) Panasonic Corporation Releases Thier New Management Policy for 2011
Panasonic Corp. (PC) released its new management policy for fiscal 2011, ending March 31, 2011. Under the new policy, the company will integrate SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. into the new Panasonic Group. Panasonic will benefit from SANYO’s acquisition as the latter is a key player...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(RPM) RPM International’s Second Quarter Beats Earnings Expectations
RPM International Inc. (RPM) recently reported fiscal 2010 second-quarter earnings of $55.9 million, or 43 cents per share, compared to $41.7 million, or 33 cents in the year-ago quarter. The result also came in ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents. The better-than-expected...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MS) Morgan Stanley Picks EnerNOC to Save Energy
In line with its constant energy saving efforts, on Thursday Morgan Stanley (MS) announced the purchase of Monitoring-Based Commissioning (MBCx), an energy efficiency software application from EnerNOC Inc. (ENOC). The MBCx application will be installed in the company’s headquarters...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AIR) AAR Corporation Signs Memorandum of Agreement with Sikorsky to Expand Their Relationship
Yesterday, AAR Corp. (AIR) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a unit of United Technologies Corporation (UTX), under which the two companies will work together to identify opportunities for expanding their business relationship. In addition...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(IWM) Why You Should Expect Small-Caps to Shine (Again) in 2010
by Louis Basenese, Small Cap & Special Situations Expert Thursday, January 7, 2010: Issue #1170 The well-documented, post-recession rally for small-caps is not a sprint. It’s more of an endurance test, like a marathon. But don’t just take my word for it. Take a look...
8Jan2010 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(GHDX) Genomic Health Provides Revenue Guidance
Genomic Health, Inc. (GHDX) announced recently that it is confident of meeting the annual revenue guidance for the fiscal year 2009, ended Dec 31. The company expects to report revenues of $149.5 million for fiscal 2009. This represents a 35% increase on revenues of $110.6 million...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HPQ) Hewlett-Packard Company is in Good Shape
Leading computer maker Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) recently introduced a range of environment-friendly desktops, notebooks and displays targeted at business users. The one that appears to show the most promise is the HP Compaq 8000f Elite Ultra Slim Desktop, which H-P claims...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(UBS) Canada Presses UBS AG for Client List
Canada continues to pursue UBS AG (UBS) for the details of Canadian clients who have accounts in the Swiss bank. The Canadian government is negotiating with the Swiss Bank since September last year. However, Canada’s Revenue Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn has warned that, if...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MAN) Employment Numbers Disappoint
The employment report for December came in weaker than expected with 85,000 jobs lost, versus consensus expectations of a loss of 35,000 jobs. It is worth noting, however, that the consensus expectations had been moving down over the course of the week, especially in reaction...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(JCP) JC Penney Company’s Sales Meet Guidance
JC Penney Company, Inc. (JCP) recently reported sales results for December. The company’s comparable store sales for December dipped 3.8% compared to an 8.1% decline in the same month last year, but remained well within the guidance range of a 3% to 6% decline predicted earlier....
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SCHW) The Charles Schwab to Slash Trading Fees
In an effort to grab more investments from customers, The Charles Schwab Corp. (SCHW) said on Thursday that it will cut trading fees 31% to a flat $8.95 for its smaller clients starting Jan 19, 2010. The new fees will be applicable to Schwab’s investors with accounts of less...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SKS) Saks Reports Higher Comparable Store Sales
Saks Inc. (SKS) reported total sales of $393.6 million for the month of December 2009, which was 11.1% higher than $354.4 million in the same period a year ago. The company’s comparable store sales grew 9.9% for the five weeks ended Jan 2, 2010, as it benefited from a designer...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ASR) Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste Passenger Traffic Dips
Yesterday, Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste, S.A.B. de C.V. (ASR) announced a 4.1% decrease in total passenger traffic for December 2009 compared to last year’s figure. Domestic passenger traffic decreased 3.5%, while international passenger traffic decreased 4.6% compared to...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(TKC) Turkcell Earns Work to Link Lighthouses
Turkcell (TKC) announced that that it will collaborate with Turkey’s Directorate General of Coastal Safety for its “Remote Management of Lighthouses” project. During the first phase of the project, Turkcell will provide communication between 185 lighthouses...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(THS) TreeHouse Foods Incorporated – Consensus Earnings Estimates Jump
TreeHouse Foods Inc. (THS) recently announced it was acquiring Sturm Foods, a 105-year old Wisconsin food manufacturer, which will result in over 16% accretion on an annual basis. THS also raised 2009 earnings guidance. Company Description TreeHouse Foods manufacturers various...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CTRP) Ctrip.com International – 47% Jump in Revenue
Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (CTRP) recently set a new 52-week high as people are returning to normal vacation habits. Company Description Ctrip.com is a Chinese travel web site that offers discounted flights, hotels, and travel packages, similar to Orbitz or Travelocity. 47%...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GG) Goldcorp Incorporated – Operating Cash Flow Up 35% Year-Over-Year
Goldcorp, Inc. (GG) is producing steady gains on increased production, rising gold prices and higher estimates. Company Description Goldcorp. Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as an explorer and developer of precious metal properties in Canada, the United States,...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(REG) Regency Centers – Bear of the Day
We are changing our long-term recommendation for Regency Centers (REG) to Underperform as we anticipate it to perform well below the broader market. The prolonged recession has led to increased tenant bankruptcies, which in turn have led to a decline in occupancy and an increase...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BBY) Best Buy Company – Bull of the Day
The dominant position in the consumer electronic business enables Best Buy (BBY) to sustain growth in its topline, expand its store base and boost its market share through acquisitions. The stores tailor their store merchandising, staffing, marketing and presentation to meet...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(KGS) Quicksilver Gas Services L.P. Buys Alliance Assets
Recently, Quicksilver Gas Services L.P. (KGS) bought the Alliance midstream gathering and treating assets from Quicksilver Resources Inc. (KWK) for a total purchase price of approximately $95 million. The purchase was funded through draws on the company’s senior secured...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(LMT) Lockheed Martin Corporation to Downsize Electronics
Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) announced that it plans to downsize its workforce by 1,200 to reorganize its Electronics Systems segment. The downsizing is however less than 1% of the company’s workforce of 140,000. Lockheed Martin plans to carry out the downsizing in...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BBY) Market Overreacts to Bureau of Labor Statistics Numbers
Looking at the market’s reaction to this morning’s payroll numbers — equities and dollar down, Treasuries and gold up — you would think that the bottom was falling from the U.S. economy. I see no evidence in today’s report that would justify such a glum mood. In...
8Jan2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued