Archive for February, 2010
(IGT) International Game Technology Exits Japanese Market
The leader in slot machine development and manufacturing, International Game Technology, Inc. (IGT), announced the closure of its operations in Japan due to ongoing difficult market conditions and lack of a strategic fit with its core business. The closure is expected to be completed...
14Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GME) GameStop – Tadpoles in the Stew?
We noticed that shares of GameStop Corporation (NYSE: GME) were hammered on Tuesday, down almost 4.5% from the previous day, on volume that was almost 2.5 times the norm. While we don’t have a position in GameStop, we think it is a fairly well managed company with reasonable...
14Feb2010 | Wax | 0 comments | Continued(ORCL) Oracle Corporation is on an Acquisition Spree
Oracle Corp. (ORCL) announced the acquisition of Convergin, a leading software provider of real-time service brokering solutions. The acquisition will enable Oracle to step up the deployment of next-generation pre-paid and value-added services in the communications industry besides...
14Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(THRX) Theravance’s Earnings Report Misses Estimates
During the fourth quarter of 2009, Theravance’s (THRX) loss per share came in at 35 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by two cents and worse than the loss of 26 cents reported in the year-ago period. Revenues were $3.8 million during the quarter compared with $5.9...
14Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(BRKB) Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Approve Burlington Northern Santa Fe Purchase
This analysis is by Martin Denholm, Senior Editor, Investment U Saturday, February 13, 2010 The legendary old sage has done it again. Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKB) has now officially added another big American outfit to its already impressive stable of...
14Feb2010 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(CNTY) Three Stocks Ready to Benefit from the Economy’s Newfound Strength
by Marc Lichtenfeld, Advisory Panelist Friday, February 12, 2010: Issue #1196 The latest government data showed that the U.S. economy expanded strongly during the fourth quarter of 2009, galloping along at an annualized 5.7% GDP growth rate. Now admittedly, numbers like this...
14Feb2010 | InvestmentU | 0 comments | Continued(CTIC) Cell Therapeutics’ Drug Approval Delayed
The wait for the approval of Cell Therapeutics’ (CTIC) drug, Pixuvri (pixantrone) is far from over. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee meeting, scheduled for Feb 10, has been postponed due to bad weather...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CAM) Cameron International Corporation Edges Past Estimate
Cameron International Corp.’s (CAM) fourth quarter results were marginally better than expected, reflecting solid performance in the execution of project-related business. Earnings per share, excluding severance-related costs and charges associated with the acquisition of NATCO...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(IFF) International Flavors & Fragrances Beats Earnings Consensus
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), a leading global creator of flavors and fragrances for consumer products, announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2009. Reported earnings per share (EPS) was 63 cents, compared to 50 cents in the fourth...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(NYT) The New York Times Company Tops Expectations
The New York Times Company (NYT) recently reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2009 results buoyed by significant cost-cutting measures, newspaper price increase, and improving trends in the advertising environment. The New York Times quarterly earnings of 44 cents a...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(XL) XL Capital Misses Earnings Expectations by a Penny
XL Capital’s (XL) fourth quarter earnings of 69 cents per share were only a penny short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 70 cents. Earnings dragged due to a 72% decline in underwriting income from the Property and Casualty segment, partially offset by low operating expenses. XL...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(DF) Dean Foods Earnings Results Come In Modest
Dean Foods (DF) reported fourth-quarter results with adjusted earning per share of 31 cents per share, which was below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents. Earnings were also down 32.6% year-over-year. Quarterly net sales declined 3.2% year-over-year to $3.0 billion as the...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(WYN) Wyndham Worldwide Corporation Beats – Triples Dividend
Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (WYN) reported fourth quarter earnings of 40 cents per share. Earnings were ahead of both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 37 cents and the company’s guidance of 35 to 38 cents a share. The beat was driven by better-than-expected revenue. The company...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(VIV) Vivo Participacoes Misses as Costs Offset Sales
Vivo Participacoes (VIV), the largest wireless operator in Brazil, reported results for fourth quarter 2009 with earnings per ADS of 32 cents missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents. Net income fell 0.2% year-over-year to R$221.6 million ($127.8 million) as revenue growth...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(FNM) Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on Exit Strategy
Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke was scheduled to testify on Capitol Hill this morning, but because the Capitol was frozen (by the weather, not just by filibusters) the hearing was cancelled. However, he did release his prepared testimony. In general, in his remarks about monetary policy,...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MXGL) Max Capital Group Gains on Lower Costs
Max Capital Group (MXGL) reported fourth quarter operating earnings of $1.04 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 99 cents. Results were significantly ahead of the prior-year period loss of $1.52. Results were helped by lower expenses, partially offset by lower...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GIL) Gildan Activewear’s First Quarter Tops Views
Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL) reported fiscal 2010 first-quarter results after the closing bell on Tuesday. The company’s earnings surged to $28.0 million from $4.4 million posted in the year-ago period. Excluding certain special items, earnings per share came in at 24 cents,...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SIAL) Sigma-Aldrich Group Inches Ahead of Expectations
Sigma-Aldrich Group (SIAL) reported fourth quarter earnings of 75 cents, compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 73 cents and prior-year EPS of 68 cents. Quarterly sales of $572.5 million were up 12.3% from the fourth quarter of 2008. Excluding currency translation impact,...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(LNC) Lincoln National Corporation Betters Expectations
Life insurance and annuity company Lincoln National Corp.’s (LNC) fourth quarter earnings of 90 cents per share were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 83 cents. Last year, the company reported a loss of 50 cents. Results reflected growth in average variable account values...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(STJ) St. Jude Medical Gets Defibrillator Approval
St. Jude Medical, Inc. (STJ) recently received the CE Mark approval for marketing its Fortify and Fortify ST implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) and Unify cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) in Europe. St. Jude expects to launch these devices on...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CSC) Computer Sciences Corporation Revenue Flat – EPS Exceeds Expectations
Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) reported third quarter 2010 EPS of $1.36, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.23. Revenue The company’s third quarter 2010 revenue of $3.95 billion was flat compared to the year-ago quarter. CSC witnessed new business bookings and...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CEPH) Cephalon Beats Earnings Expectations and Guides Higher
Cephalon, Inc. (CEPH) exited 2009 on a strong note with both fourth quarter and full year earnings exceeding expectations. The company reported fourth quarter earnings of $1.66 per share, 6 cents above the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and 13.7% above the year-ago earnings. Full...
12Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(ISIS) Isis Pharmaceuticals Falls on Drug Concerns
Shares of Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ISIS) slipped more than 2% despite the company reporting positive results on its lead pipeline candidate, mipomersen. Isis and partner, Genzyme Corp. (GENZ) recently announced positive results from a phase III study. Data showed that patients...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(HPQ) Hewlett-Packard / 3Com Deal Set for European Union Approval
The world’s largest computer manufacturer Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) is all set to get the approval from the European Union, to move ahead with its acquisition of network equipment manufacturer 3Com Corporation (COMS). Hewlett Packard disclosed its plans of taking over 3Com...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(GD) General Dynamics Lands U.S. Army Contract
General Dynamics Corp. (GD) has received a U.S. Army contract worth $253 million to provide contractor logistics support for the Stryker family of combat vehicles. Logistics support, vehicle resets and upgrades are a continuing area of General Dynamics’ combat systems-related...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(CAT) The U.S. Trade Deficit Rose in December
The U.S. Trade Deficit rose in December to $40.18 billion from $36.39 billion in November, $33.39 billion in October and slightly below the $41.86 billion deficit a year ago. This was a very disappointing number since the consensus expectations were for the deficit to only come...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(MCD) McDonald’s Corporation Reports Sales Rise
McDonald’s Corporation’s (MCD) comparable sales for January 2010 showed a sluggish growth of 2.6% as against a rise of 7.1% in the same month last year, exposing its sensitivity to heavy job losses, economic conditions, and the discount war amongst fast-food chains to lure...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(AN) AutoNation’s Profit More than Doubles
AutoNation, Inc. (AN) has posted a profit of $50 million or 29 cents per share (before special items) in the fourth quarter of 2009, which is more than double the $23 million or 13 cents per share (before special items) in the prior-year period. The largest automotive retailer...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(LUV) Airline Industry Stock Review – February 2010 – Industry Outlook
Airlines are highly susceptible to negative financial impacts caused by major changes in the global economy that drive sudden severe swings in costs or revenues. During 2009, the combined forces of extensive competition and a severe global recession drove numerous U.S. and international...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued(SNY) Vaccines Lift Sanofi-Aventis’ Revenues
Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) reported fourth quarter earnings of 94 cents per American Depository Share (ADS), a couple of cents below the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The company reported earnings of 88 cents in the year-ago period. For the full year, earnings came in at $4.47 per ADS,...
11Feb2010 | vitalstocks | 0 comments | Continued