Friday, April 29, 2011

DailyMarkets.com - Gen-Probe Beats, Backs Guidance

DailyMarkets.com - Gen-Probe Beats, Backs Guidance

Gen-Probe Beats, Backs Guidance

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Diagnostic products maker Gen-Probe Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) posted better-than-expected first-quarter fiscal 2011 results with adjusted (excluding one-time charges) earnings of 54 cents beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 52 cents while exceeding the year-ago adjusted earnings of 48 cents. However, profit (as reported) slipped 4% year over year to $23.3 million (or 48 cents a share) as higher costs offset an increase in sales.
Revenue Analysis
Revenues for the quarter rose 6% year over year to $143 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Tyco Slips On Earnings

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 04:35 PM PDT

Tyco International Ltd (NYSE:TYC) reported second quarter 2011 earnings per share from continuing operations of 66 cents, falling below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 68 cents. Revenues were $4 billion slightly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.98 billion.
Service revenue, which includes recurring revenue represented over 45% of total revenue and continues to grow. Systems installation and product revenue, which represents about 55% of total revenue, continued to see improved … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Deckers Beats, Projects Loss

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (NASDAQ:DECK), the maker of sheepskin boots and slippers, recently delivered better-than-expected first-quarter 2011 results on the heels of strong demand for the product lines under the UGG and Teva brands. Consequently, the company raised its full year outlook but hinted at delivering a loss in the second quarter.
The quarterly earnings of 49 cents a share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 47 cents, and rose 6.5% from 46 cents earned in the prior-year … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Quest Diagnostics

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

The announcement of Quest Diagnostics' (NYSE:DGX) first quarter of fiscal 2011 results as on April 20, 2011, has triggered analysts to revise estimates downwards.
Previous quarter highlights
Quest Diagnostics reported an adjusted EPS of $1.00 during the first quarter of fiscal 2011, a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago quarter. Revenues for the quarter increased 1% year over year to $1.8 billion, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. A 10.5% decline in the number of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Eastman Reports Strong Quarter

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:55 PM PDT

Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) reported first-quarter earnings of $3.04 per share, compared with $1.37 per share, a year earlier and beat the Zacks Consensus estimate of $1.97 per share.
Earnings from continuing operations were $2.52 per diluted share in the first quarter versus $1.43 per share in first quarter 2010.
Revenues
With sales improving across all product lines, revenues climbed 28% year over year to $1.8 billion, driven by higher sales volume and increased selling prices and … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ZOLL Medical Tops, Profit Zooms

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Resuscitation devices maker ZOLL Medical (NASDAQ:ZOLL) reported second-quarter fiscal 2011 (ended April 3) earnings of 27 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 21 cents and surpassing the year-ago earnings of 17 cents. Profit rocketed 65% year over year to $6 million as revenues grew at a double-digit clip.
Revenues climbed 14% year over year to $122.5 million, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $121 million. Sales were driven by strong revenues from the company's LifeVest … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Costs Depress Unicom Profits

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

China Unicom (NYSE:CHU), China’s second largest mobile operator, announced its first quarter 2011 earnings per share of RMB 0.01 (1 cents per share), which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents. Earnings per share plummeted 80% from the year-ago quarter.
Adjusted net income plunged 86% year over year to RMB 166 million ($25.2 million). This massive year-over-year decline in profitability can be traced back to heavy handset subsidies as well as high costs associated with 3G service … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Reliance Steel Beats Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. (NYSE:RS) reported net income of $92.3 million or $1.23 per share in the first quarter of 2011 compared with $44.7 million or 60 cents per share in the prior-year quarter. Results surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.07.
The first-quarter results included a pre-tax accounting charge of $20.0 million compared with $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2010.
Revenue
Quarterly sales were $1.91 billion, up 32% year over year. Results were above the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Williams Partners Tops Consensus

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:35 PM PDT

Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ) registered fourth-quarter 2010 earnings of 76 cents per limited-partner unit, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 72 cents on higher natural gas liquid (NGL) margins in its midstream business.
However, quarterly earnings were below the year-earlier earnings of 99 cents. Full-year 2010 earnings also dropped 7.6% year over year to $2.66 per unit but was well ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.56.
Total revenue increased 14% year over year to $1,498 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Royal Put(z) Not To Be Confused With Married Put(z)

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:18 PM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
Some of you might have caught the subject line Married Put[[z]], this should not be confused with a Royal Put[[z]]. That’s enough of the Royals and wedding humor. At this stage the market it is getting a little harder to play the upside, at least buying outright stock with the market very extended and overbought. These conditions may continue and the market can build to the upside but as a conservative strategist, I would look to executing my bullish or bearish convictions by … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

PDLI Bio Beats On Lower Fees

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:10 PM PDT

PDL BioPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:PDLI) posted first quarter earnings of 25 cents per share, above the year-ago figure of 15 cents and also a penny above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 24 cents. Lower general and administrative expenses boosted earnings in the quarter.
Quarterly Details
PDL currently derives a significant portion of its revenue from licenses granted to other companies under the Queen et al patents, covering the humanization of antibodies. The patents are set to expire in 2014.
First … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Everest Re Suffers Huge Cat Loss

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:10 PM PDT

Everest Re Group Ltd. (NYSE:RE) reported first quarter 2011 operating loss of $5.95 per share, wider than the loss of $5.81, the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Results also compare unfavorably with the loss of $1.25 incurred in the year ago quarter. Operating loss in the quarter was $323.6 million compared with the loss of $73.8 million in the year-ago quarter.
The quarter suffered hugely due to the Australian flooding in January, the New Zealand Earthquake in February and the Tohoku Earthquake in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Penske Reports Satisfactory Quarter

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Penske Automotive Group Inc. (NYSE:PAG) reported first quarter net income of $36.4 million from continuing operations, up 51.7% from $24 million during the corresponding period in 2010.
Consequently, earnings per share from continuing operations increased 50.0% to 39 cents per share from 26 cents per share a year ago. Per share earnings were higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents. 
Revenues in the quarter increased 15.3% to $2.86 billion, mostly driven by a 13.9% rise in total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Maxwell Misses Estimate

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Energy storage and power delivery products maker, Maxwell Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:MXWL) reported first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of 1 cent per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 5 cents. However results comfortably beat the year-ago quarterly loss per share of 5 cents.
Operational Performance
Maxwell Technologies' top line in the first quarter improved 32.7% from the year-ago quarter, reporting revenue of $35.3 million. Revenues in the quarter were in line with the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Weyerhaeuser Slips

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

Weyerhaeuser Co. (NYSE:WY) reported its financial results for the first quarter 2011 on April 29. Earnings per share were nil and excluded an 18 cent per share (or $96 million) gain from the sale of non-strategic timberlands, compared with a loss of 7 cents per share in the first quarter of 2010 and 10 cents in the previous quarter.
Also, the quarter’s results were well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 14 cents. Including the one-time gain, reported earnings per share in the quarter were 18 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ResMed’s EPS Light, Revs In Line

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

ResMed Inc. (NYSE:RMD) reported an EPS of 34 cents in the third quarter of 2011, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents. However, earnings were 10% higher from the year-ago quarter.
The company reported revenue of $313.3 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $311 million and up 12% (same at constant exchange rates, CER) compared with the year-ago quarter.  
Based on a favorable product mix and vastly under-penetrated and growing sleep-disorder breathing market, ResMed … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Buckeye Divests Pipeline Stake

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:05 PM PDT

U.S. pipeline systems operator Buckeye Partners L.P. (NYSE:BPL) said it has agreed to sell its minority interest in West Texas LPG Pipeline Limited Partnership (WTLPG) for about $85 million. Per the agreement, the partnership's 20% stake in WTLPG will now be owned by the affiliates of Atlas Pipeline Partners L.P. following the closing of the deal.
West Texas Pipeline L.P. is the owner of a 2,295-mile common-carrier pipeline system that transports NGLs from New Mexico and Texas to Mont Belvieu … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

What’s Driving Silver Prices?

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:57 PM PDT

The virtues of gold (GLD) and silver (SLV) are being addressed far and wide. My readers know the steady drumbeat of praise that is reaching a crescendo for the white metal scares the hell out of me. The driving forces behind silver's price come from investors, industrial demands and a global shortage. The world simply is using more silver than the mines produce and new silver discoveries are becoming difficult to find. These factors are becoming truisms for public consumption.
A parabolic … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AZN’s Vandetanib Launched In The US

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT

AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) recently announced the availability of its orphan drug vandetanib in the US. Vandetanib is approved for the treatment of non-operable (unresectable) locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC).
US Approval in Early April 2011
AstraZeneca gained US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the drug on April 6, 2011. The company is yet to assign a trade name to the treatment. Vandetanib's label includes a boxed warning regarding QT prolongation, … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

BNY Mellon To Expand In Chicago

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT

On Thursday, The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK) announced a deal to acquire Chicago-based Talon Asset Management's wealth management business. At present, Talon's wealth management arm has over $800 million in asset under management. The company would integrate the acquired unit into its Wealth Management business.
Talon, which currently manages $1.2 billion in assets, is a diversified investment management firm that primarily focuses on delivering superior risk-adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Wynn Resorts

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT

Wynn Resorts Limited (NASDAQ:WYNN), a leading developer, owner and operator of destination casino resorts, posted better-than-expected first quarter 2011 results on April 19, 2011, buoyed by booming Macau operations and improved performance at Las Vegas.
The recent earnings announcement, subsequent analyst estimate revisions and the Zacks ratings for both the short-term and the long-term are covered in depth below.
Earnings Report Review
During the quarter, Wynn Resorts reported earnings of $1.38 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Manitowoc Lapses To Loss

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:32 PM PDT

Manitowoc Co. Inc. (NYSE:MTW) has delivered an adjusted loss per share of 10 cents in its first quarter ended March 31, 2010, way short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a profit per share of 4 cents. The company also reported a prior-year adjusted loss per share of 10 cents.
The EPS reported in the quarter excluded special items viz. loss on early extinguishment of debt of 2 cents, loss from discontinued operations of 2 cents and loss on sale of discontinued operations of 26 cents. The year-ago … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

KLA Sees Growth Ahead

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:31 PM PDT

KLA-Tencor Corporation's (NASDAQ:KLAC) third quarter earnings beat the Zacks Consensus by 7 cents, or 5.6%. Revenue was also better than expected, beating by 3.4%. Investors treated the news positively, as reflected in the 1.22% increase in prices. Revenue growth, positive mix and cost control combined to generate the results.
Revenue
KLA reported revenue of $834.1 million, which was up 8.8% sequentially, 74.4% year over year and exceeding the high end of the guided range of $780-830 million. As … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Stryker

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:31 PM PDT

Orthopedic devices major Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK) reported first-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted (excluding one-time acquisition-related charges) earnings per share of 90 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny.
The Quarter Revisited
Profit (as reported) for the quarter slid 4.4% on account of a hefty charge associated with the company's acquisition of Boston Scientific's (NYSE:BSX) neurovascular business. Revenues surged 12% year over year to $2.02 billion, ahead of the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ICICI Bank’s Profit Steps Up

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:31 PM PDT

ICICI Bank Limited's (NYSE:IBN) fiscal fourth quarter 2011 (ended March 31) profit came in at INR14.52 billion (US$326 million), up 44.4% from INR10.06 billion (US$226 million) in the year-ago quarter.
Improved results were primarily driven by higher interest income and a substantial decline in loan loss provisions. Fee income also improved during the quarter.
However, higher operating expenses and lower other non-interest income were the downside. Asset quality continued to show signs of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Loss At HGSI Wider Than Expected

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:31 PM PDT

Human Genome Sciences Inc.'s (NASDAQ:HGSI) first quarter 2011 loss (excluding facility-related exit credits) of $0.70 per share was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.51 and the year-ago adjusted loss of $0.30.
The wider loss in the reported quarter was attributable to lower revenues and higher expenses incurred towards the commercialization potential blockbuster lupus candidate, Benlysta.
Quarter in Details
Revenues in the reported quarter declined approximately 42.8% to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Down At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4806, down 0.11% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4882, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.58% to hit 0.8860 and EUR/JPY falling 0.52% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Peet’s

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:06 PM PDT

Peet’s Coffee & Tea Inc (NASDAQ:PEET) is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2011 financial results on Monday, May 02, 2011. Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate is 34 cents per share and sales estimate is around $88 million.
Fourth-Quarter and Fiscal 2010: A Synopsis
Peet's, which faces stiff competition from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (NASDAQ:GMCR) reported fourth quarter 48 cents in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. EPS increased 71.4% sequentially and 33.3% from prior year … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Fujifilm FY11 Results Improve

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:06 PM PDT

Fujifilm Holdings Corporation (FUJIY) reported improved financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011. During the fourth quarter, the company reported an income of ¥5.4 billion (US$6.6 million) compared with a net loss of ¥31.5 billion (US$34.7 million).
For the fiscal year 2011, the company's net income was ¥63.9 billion (US$77.7 million) compared with a net loss of ¥38.4 billion (US$42.3 million) in the year-ago comparable quarter. Earnings per share in the year were … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

NextEra Energy Misses The Mark

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:06 PM PDT

NextEra Energy Inc. (NEE) announced first-quarter 2011 operating earnings of 94 cents per share, at par with the year-ago quarter. The results of the company fell below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, as provided by 12 coverings analysts, by 2 cents.
NextEra Energy recorded GAAP earnings for the first quarter of 2011 of 64 cents per share compared with $1.36 per share in the year-ago period. The difference of 30 cents between operating and GAAP earnings, during the first quarter, was due to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ABAX Misses EPS, Sturdy Overall

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:06 PM PDT

Abaxis Inc. (NASDAQ:ABAX) reported fourth-quarter fiscal 2011 EPS of 15 cents, beating the year-ago quarter's 12 cents but missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. For fiscal 2011, the company's EPS was up 10.3% to 64 cents but missed Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents.
Net sales during the quarter increased 12% year over year to $37.5 million, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $36 million. The growth was mainly attributable to an 11% increase in sales to $30.6 million in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – GBP/USD Up At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:05 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6711, up 0.48% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6432, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6747, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was up against the Euro and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.58% to hit 0.8860 and GBP/JPY rising 0.03% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Closing Bell Market Monitor: CAT, RIMM, MSFT

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:00 PM PDT

04/29/11 The latest in news, commentary, and information on what’s moving the US equities … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – USD/JPY Down At The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 02:00 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Friday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 81.19, down 0.41% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 81.04, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 82.78, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was up against the Euro and down against the British Pound, with EUR/USD shedding 0.11% to hit 1.4806 and GBP/USD rising 0.48% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Brightpoint Beats, Outlook Bright

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:45 PM PDT

Yesterday after market close, Brightpoint Inc. (NASDAQ:CELL) declared robust financial results for the first quarter of 2011. Quarterly total revenue was $1,114.9 million, an improvement of 40% year over year. This was also significantly above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $969 million.
In the first quarter of 2011, the company managed 27.243 million wireless devises, up 21% year over year. Distribution average selling price was $200, up 29% year over year, depicting favorable product-mix toward … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

OfficeMax Misses On Bottom-Line

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:45 PM PDT

OfficeMax Inc. (NYSE:OMX) recently posted lower-than-expected first-quarter 2011 results. The quarterly earnings of 13 cents a share missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents, and dropped more than 50% from 39 cents earned in the year-ago quarter. The company in order to check the fall in the bottom-line hinted at taking cost-effective measures.
Behind the Headline
Total sales fell 2.8% to $1,863 million from the same-quarter last year but came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,855 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – USD/JPY Down Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:40 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Japanese Yen on Friday.<br/><br/> USD/JPY was trading at 81.12, down 0.50% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 81.04, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 82.78, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was up against the Euro and down against the British Pound, with EUR/USD shedding 0.11% to hit 1.4807 and GBP/USD rising 0.46% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Entergy Scrapes Past Consensus

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Before the bell, Entergy Corporation (NYSE:ETR) released its first quarter 2011 results with an operational EPS of $1.38 that barely scraped past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.37. Earnings, however, comfortably beat the year-ago quarterly EPS of $1.33.
Operational earnings per share in the reported quarter were higher than the year-ago period by 5 cents. Of these, Utility EPS was 18 cents higher due to increased sales volume and higher rates at Arkansas, Texas, and New Orleans. Earnings dived … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

DR Horton Results Deteriorate

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

DR Horton Inc. (NYSE:DHI) reported net income of $27.8 million or 9 cents per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with a net income of $11.4 million or 4 cents per share during the same quarter in last fiscal.
However, on excluding a non-cash tax benefit of $59.2 million and charges of $14.3 million for inventory impairments and land option cost write-offs, DR Horton realized a net loss of $17.1 million or 5 cents per share at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Homebuilding … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Telaprevir Backed By FDA Panel

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ:VRTX) recently announced that the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee voted unanimously (18-0) in favor of approving telaprevir as a treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV), in both treatment-naïve and treatment-failed patients.
The FDA's decision on telaprevir's approval status is expected by May 23, 2011. We note that though the regulatory body is not required to follow the committee's recommendation, it usually does … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Athenahealth Beats Squarely

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

Leading provider of Internet-based business services for physician practices, Athenahealth (NASDAQ:ATHN) reported first-quarter fiscal 2011 adjusted (excluding one-time items other than stock-based compensation expense) earnings of 10 cents per share topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 6 cents.
Net income (as reported) for the quarter zoomed manifold to $3.3 million (or 9 cents per share) riding on higher revenues. The company posted a profit of roughly $0.3 million (or a cent per share) a year … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

AXIS Capital Suffers Huge Cat Loss

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:35 PM PDT

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) reported a first-quarter operating loss of $3.65 per share, wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $3.36. Results compared unfavorably with 67 cents earned in the prior-year period. Operating loss was $414 million in the quarter, compared to a profit of $96 million in first quarter 2010.
The quarter suffered hugely due to the Australian Flooding in January, the New Zealand Earthquake in February and the Tohoku Earthquake in March.
Catastrophe … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Down Toward The End Of U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:25 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was lower against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4809, down 0.09% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4882, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.54% to hit 0.8864 and EUR/JPY falling 0.63% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

U.S. Markets Mixed At Close; Dow Jones Up 0.37%

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – U.S. stocks were mixed after the closing bell on Friday.<br/><br/> At the close of U.S. trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.37%, the S&P 500 index gained 0.23%, while the Nasdaq 100 index declined 0.24%.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.&rsquo;s Chicago PMI fell less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 67.6 last month from 70.6 in the preceding month.<br/><br/>Analysts had expected the Chicago PMI to … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Varian Beats On Revenue Growth

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:05 PM PDT

Varian Semiconductor Inc. (NASDAQ:VSEA) reported second quarter 2011 earnings per share (EPS) of $1.07, inching past the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny. The quarter's results were significantly higher than the year-ago quarter and the upper end of the company's guided range of $1.02–$1.07, attributable to higher revenues and margins.
Revenues
Varian reported second quarter 2011 total revenue of $330.0 million, up 61.8% from $204.0 million in the year-ago quarter. The revenue exceeded the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

V.F. Corp Exceeds Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 01:05 PM PDT

V.F. Corporation (NYSE:VFC) reported first-quarter 2011 adjusted earnings of $1.71 per share, striding ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11 cents. Results also surpassed $1.44 earned in the prior-year quarter by almost 18.8%.
Including benefits from tax settlement and change in inventory accounting of 7 cents and 4 cents per share, respectively, earnings per share for the quarter came in at $1.82.
Operational Performance
V.F. Corp.’s revenue of $1,958.8 million in the first quarter … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Dollar Financial Beats, Ups Outlook

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Dollar Financial's (NASDAQ:DLLR) fiscal third-quarter 2011 operating earnings came in at 42 cents per share, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents per share but dramatically higher than 27 cents earned in the year ago quarter.
The operating results exclude non-recurring gains, the non-cash interest expense resulting from the adoption of ASC 470-20, and the non-cash amortization associated with the legacy cross-currency interest rate swap agreements, which are adjusted for pro forma … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Pinnacle Slumps On Higher Costs

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

Pinnacle West Capital Corp. (NYSE:PNW) posted negative results in the first quarter 2011. The company's ongoing loss of 14 cents per share was greater than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 2 cents. The company's results also slumped on a year-on-year basis, compared with the ongoing EPS of 7 cents reported in the year-ago period.
During the quarter, higher retail customer usage and weather effects contributed positively to the earnings, while planned timing and level of gas-fired … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ReneSola Sails Past Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

ReneSola Ltd. (NYSE:SOL) in the first quarter of 2011 clocked adjusted Earnings Per American Depositary Share (EPADS) of 64 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 60 cents and the year-ago quarterly earnings of 14 cents.
On a reported basis, EPADS came in at 49 cents in the reported quarter versus 14 cents in the year-ago quarter.
Operational Results
In the reported quarter, ReneSola's revenues rose to $328.2 million comfortably, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $321 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ViroPharma Impresses Again

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:55 PM PDT

ViroPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:VPHM) posted first quarter fiscal 2011 earnings of 44 cents per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents and the year-ago figure by 15 cents. Higher product sales helped boost earnings.
Revenues
Quarterly revenues of $127.0 million beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $122 million and were 40.1% above the year-ago revenue of $90.6 million. Revenues were spurred by higher sales of Cinryze and Vancocin.
Cinryze sales increased 62% to $57 million during the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – GBP/USD Up During The U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:45 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6712, up 0.48% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6432, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6747, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the British Pound was up against the Euro and down against the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.46% to hit 0.8871 and GBP/JPY falling 0.10% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Chevron Profits Soar Past Forecasts

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

U.S.energy giant Chevron Corp. (CVX) reported a jump in its first-quarter 2011 profits, benefiting from higher oil prices and stronger refining margins.
Earnings per share (excluding adjustments for foreign-currency effects) came in at $3.17, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.99 and the year-ago adjusted profit of $2.37.
Following ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM) and Royal Dutch Shell plc (RDS.A), Chevron stepped up as the third member of 'Big Oil' to post solid results. The other two … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

CenturyLink To Buy Savvis

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

CenturyLink Inc. (NYSE:CTL), now the third-largest landline operator in the U.S., plans to acquire an information technology (IT) services provider Savvis Inc. (NASDAQ:SVVS) for $2.5 billion in a cash and stock combination valued at $40 per share.
Under the proposed agreement, CenturyLink will pay Savvis stockholders $30 per share in cash and $10 in CenturyLink's shares. The transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies and is awaiting approval from antitrust regulators and Savvis … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Endo Pharma Q1 Result Matches Est.

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Endo Pharmaceuticals' (NASDAQ:ENDP) first quarter 2011 earnings (excluding special items) of $1.00 per share, surpassed the year-ago earnings by 26 cents. Earnings were in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The year over year rise in earnings was attributable to the higher revenues reported in the first quarter of 2011.
Quarter in Details
Revenues climbed 54% to $560 million in the reported quarter. The revenue increase was attributable to impressive performances across all segments at Endo … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Newell Beats On EPS

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:35 PM PDT

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL), the producer of Sharpie pens and Rubbermaid containers, logged a strong earnings growth of 20.0% in the first quarter of 2011 to 30 cents a share from 25 cents a share in the year-ago quarter. Earnings also outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents a share.
On a reported basis, including special items, earnings per share came in at 25 cents a share, up 31.6% year over year. The strong quarterly performance was mainly attributable to increased core sales … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – USD/CAD Down In U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:10 PM PDT

Forex Pros – The U.S. Dollar was lower against the Canadian Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> USD/CAD was trading at 0.9452, down 0.59% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.9451, today&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.9576, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the U.S. Dollar was down against the Euro and the British Pound, with EUR/USD gaining 0.11% to hit 1.4839 and GBP/USD rising 0.50% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Microsoft Tops As PC Market Slows

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Microsoft Corporation's (NASDAQ:MSFT) third quarter 2011 results were again impacted by weakness at consumer PCs. However, the company went on to beat the Zacks Consensus on both the top and bottom lines, with revenue and EPS exceeding by 1.4% and 8.9% (5 cents), respectively.
Revenue
Revenue of $16.43 billion was down 17.7% sequentially and up 13.3% from last year. The year-over-year comparisons are more meaningful this quarter, since the previous quarter was seasonally strong. Microsoft made … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

FLIR Systems Underperforms Est

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

FLIR Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:FLIR) released its first-quarter 2011 earnings results before the market opened today, reporting earnings from continuing operations of 32 cents, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 35 cents and prior-year earnings of 37 cents. 
Total Revenue
Total revenue was $73.5 million, an increase of 30% year over year. Increased revenue was driven by higher-than-expected production level due to a rise in order volume for the company's newly introduced products.
Divisional … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

VeriSign Misses Expectations

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) reported a net income of $41 million or $0.24 per diluted share compared to a net income of $51 million or $0.28 per diluted share in the year-ago quarter.
Excluding one-time items but including stock-based compensation expense, net income came in at $0.25 per share missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 28 cents.
VeriSign reported revenue of $182 million in the first quarter of 2011, up 2% sequentially and up 12% from the year-ago quarter and beat the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Coventry Surpasses Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Coventry Health Care Inc. (NYSE:CVH) reported its first-quarter adjusted earnings of 66 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents.
Coventry's adjusted earnings in the first quarter exclude the favorable impact of 8 cents from the Medicare Advantage Private Fee-for-Service (MA-PFFS) product. The Medicare offering stands discontinued from January 1, 2010.
Including the impact of this item, Coventry reported net income of $110.2 million or 74 cents per share in the first … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Simon Property Beats Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

Simon Property Group Inc. (NYSE:SPG), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), reported first quarter 2011 FFO (funds from operations) of $570.6 million or $1.61 per share, compared to $325.6 million or $0.94 in the year-earlier quarter. Fund from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.
The reported quarterly FFO exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. Total … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

M&T To Repay TARP Dues

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:05 PM PDT

M&T Bank Corporation (NYSE:MTB) has announced its plan to repay its TARP dues simultaneously with the closing of the merger of Wilmington Trust Corporation (NYSE:WL). The total TARP dues sum up to around $700 million.
The company recently declared that its application to acquire Wilmington Trust was approved by the board of governors of the Federal Reserve System. However, it still needs additional regulatory approvals including those from the New York State Banking Superintendent and the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – EUR/USD Up In U.S. Trading Hours

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:45 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Euro was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> EUR/USD was trading at 1.4841, up 0.12% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.4494, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.4882, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the Euro was down against the British Pound and the Japanese Yen, with EUR/GBP shedding 0.34% to hit 0.8882 and EUR/JPY falling 0.34% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Pitney Bowes Underperforms

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI) released its first-quarter 2011 before the market opened today, reporting earnings per share from continuing operation of 42 cents, underperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents, but above the prior-year estimate of 38 cents.
Revenue
Total revenue was $1.3 billion in the quarter, a decrease of 2% year over year, led by a decline in supplies, rentals and financing revenues ,partially offset by increased software and equipment sales. Loss caused by outbreak of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Aimco Surpasses Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:35 AM PDT

Apartment Investment and Management Company (NYSE:AIV), or Aimco as the real estate investment trust (REIT) is popularly known, reported fiscal 2011 first quarter funds from operations (FFO) of $44.4 million or 38 cents per share compared to $29.3 million or 25 cents in the year-ago period. Fund from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.
Excluding the non-recurring … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Caterpillar Takes A Big Leap

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) posted a very strong increase in profit to $1.23 billion or $1.84 per share in the first quarter of 2011 from $233 million or 36 cents per share in the same quarter of 2010, primarily driven by higher sales volume
This is an all-time quarterly record in the company's history. The company has also beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a significant margin of 53 cents per share.
Revenues during the quarter surged 57% to $12.95 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Monster Beats On Earnings

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Monster Worldwide (MWW) reported revenues of $261 million, up 21.4% year over year and up 2.3% sequentially but missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $262 million.
The reported figure includes a $2.7 million purchase accounting adjustment related to the HotJobs acquisition.
Excluding the purchase accounting adjustment, Monster generated revenues of $264 million, up 23% year over year. Currency translation had a $1.2 million positive impact on revenue in the first quarter.
Bookings (which … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Avnet Beats Zacks Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Avnet Inc. (NYSE:AVT) posted an adjusted net income (excluding the impact of restructuring, integration and other one-time items) of $169.7 million or $1.10 per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with a net income of $115.8 million or 76 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter.
The results surpassed management's guidance range of 93 cents – $1.01 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 98 cents.
Based in Phoenix, AZ, Avnet is one of the world's largest distributors of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Integra Lives Up To Expectation

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Integra LifeSciences (NASDAQ:IART) reported EPS of 38 cents for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared with 50 cents in the year-ago quarter, down 24%. However, adjusted EPS (excluding one-time items) was 66 cents, keeping in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate and 4.76% above the year-ago quarter.
The earnings growth was attributable to a 5% year over year increase in revenues to $181.0 million in the quarter, meeting the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Currency movements favorably impacted the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

ITT Beats Estimates

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

ITT Corporation (NYSE:ITT) released its first quarter 2011 earnings results and reported earnings per share from continuing operations of 98 cents, outperforming the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 93 cents. Earnings in the quarter increased by 18% year over year.
Total Revenue
Total revenue in the quarter was $2.76 billion compared with $2.57 billion in the prior-year period. This was ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.64 billion.
Segment Results
First-quarter 2011 Defense and Information … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Nexen Misses Badly

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Nexen Inc.'s (NYSE:NXY) first-quarter 2011 loss from continuing operations were 19 US cents per share, which came nowhere near the Zacks Consensus Estimate of profit 61 US cents as well as the year-earlier profit of 20 US cents.
However, total revenue jumped more than 14% to C$1,644 million (US$1,666.4 million) from the year-earlier level of C$1,438 million (US$1,381.2 million).
Operational Performance
During the quarter, production before royalties averaged 232 thousand barrels of oil … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Honda Skids, Shows Annual Strength

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:25 AM PDT

Honda Motor Co. (NYSE:HMC) revealed a 38% fall in profit to ¥44.55 billion ($536 million) or ¥24.72 per share (30 cents per share) in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 from ¥72.18 billion or ¥39.78 per share in the same quarter of prior fiscal year.
The decline in profit was attributable to unfavorable currency translation effects, higher selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses and the tsunami and earthquake in Japan. These more than offset the positive … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Married Put(z)

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:19 AM PDT

Cusick’s Corner
Equity markets continue to grind higher and the Big Caps are leading the way. Traders are watching the metals closely, more specifically Gold, GLD, and the strength in this trend is under some pressure. Now this does not mean that we won’t get a headline that pops the metal, but Gold’s strength to the upside is potentially turning — my signal would be a RSI turn below 70. What is also interesting is that the Greenback, UUP, looks like it is trying to hold a bottom, but timing … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

“Decline Of Manufacturing” Is Global Phenomenon: And Yet The World Is Much Better Off Because Of It

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:19 AM PDT

The chart above shows manufacturing output as a share of GDP, for both the world and the U.S., using United Nations data for GDP and its components at current prices in U.S. dollars from 1970 to 2009.  We hear all the time from Donald Trump and others about the “decline of U.S. manufacturing,” about how nothing is made here any more, and how everything that used to made here is now made in China, etc.  An underlying assumption here is that if the manufacturing base is shrinking in … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – AUD/USD Up In U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:15 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The Australian Dollar was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on Chicago PMI.<br/><br/> AUD/USD was trading at 1.0969, up 0.36% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.0677, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.0969, today&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.&rsquo;s Chicago PMI fell less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Canadian National Meets, Ups Profit

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI), Canada's largest railway, reported first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings per share of 91 U.S. cents (90 Canadian cents), at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
However, adjusted earnings increased 12.5% from the year-ago earnings of 80 Canadian cents. The year-over-year improvement was backed by gradual improvement in the North American economy, despite challenging weather conditions.
Adjusted earnings exclude an after-tax gain of C$254 million or … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Southwestern Meets EPS, Beats Rev

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE:SWN) reported first-quarter 2011 earnings of 39 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. However, the quarterly results could not measure up to the year-earlier profit level of 49 cents per share, mainly due to lower price realization of natural gas, partly compensated by a 28% increase in production.
First-quarter revenues inched up slightly more than 1% year over year to $676.3 million, and handily surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $657 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Eni Delivers Strong 1Q

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

Eni SpA (NYSE:E) reported adjusted first quarter 2011 earnings per ADR of $1.67 (61 Euro cents per share), breezing past the Zacks Consensus Estimate at $1.12. The quarter's earnings were 21% above $1.38 per ADR (50 Euro cents per share) earned in the year-earlier quarter.
Total revenue jumped 15.6% to €29.01 billion ($39.65 billion) in the quarter from the year-ago revenue of €25.09 billion ($34.291 billion).
The quarterly performance was driven by strong oil and gas prices, better product … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Personal Income, Spending Improve

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 11:05 AM PDT

In March, Personal Income rose 0.5%, up from the 0.4% rise in February, but down from a 1.1% increase in January. The increase was slightly above the consensus expectation of a 0.4% increase. The February number was revised up from 0.3%.

Meanwhile, Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) rose by 0.6%, higher than the consensus expectation of a 0.5% rise. That is a deceleration from the 0.9% rise in February but above a rise of 0.5% in January.

The slowdown from February is only because of a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

SP500 Angular Momentum And Daily Rallies

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:55 AM PDT

What does the concept of angular momentum say about the current strong rallies on the daily chart of the S&P 500?
Let's take a look at both the angle of momentum and price distance traveled since the 2010 bottom:

Click for full-size post.
What we have above is a daily chart of the S&P 500 with emphasis on the point values traveled along with the angle of rise (momentum) during the previous five up-swings in the stock market.
I've 'squared out' the chart so that each  month … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – NZD/USD Up During The U.S. Session

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:45 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The New Zealand Dollar was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday.<br/><br/> NZD/USD was trading at 0.8086, up 0.78% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 0.7972, Thursday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 0.8107, Wednesday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Meanwhile, the New Zealand Dollar was up against the Australian Dollar and the Euro, with AUD/NZD shedding 0.46% to hit 1.3555 and EUR/NZD falling 0.71% to hit … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

“Momentum Seems To Be Up”

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:42 AM PDT

04/29/11 ICAP’s Kenneth Polcari weighs in on the latest trading action, and expectations for the month of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Ingram Micro Misses, Outlook Dull

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Ingram Micro Inc. (NYSE:IM) reported adjusted first-quarter 2011 earnings per share of 34 cents, failing to meet the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 46 cents. Management held transitional difficulties to a new enterprise system in Australia responsible for the underperformance. Shares slid 5.73% in after-market trade.
Revenues
Ingram Micro's first quarter revenues of $8.72 billion increased 7.8% from $8.10 billion in the year-ago quarter. However, the quarter's revenue fell short of the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

PTEN Continues To Thrive

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Onshore contract driller Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. (NASDAQ:PTEN) reported healthy first quarter 2011 results, reflecting increased drilling activities in the fertile oil and liquids plays in the U.S. along with a higher pricing for services.
Earnings per share came in at 46 cents, ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 43 cents. The quarter's result also jumped significantly from the year-ago quarter's profit of just 3 cents.
Quarterly revenue of $567.4 million shot up 108.9% from the … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Canadian National Meets, Ups Profit

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:35 AM PDT

Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI), Canada's largest railway, reported first quarter 2011 adjusted earnings per share of 91 U.S. cents (90 Canadian cents), at par with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
However, adjusted earnings increased 12.5% from the year-ago earnings of 80 Canadian cents. The year-over-year improvement was backed by gradual improvement in the North American economy, despite challenging weather conditions.
Adjusted earnings exclude an after-tax gain of C$254 million or … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Stock Market Summary For Friday, April 29, 2011 Special Alert DUG

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:24 AM PDT

We are going to add an additional position to the watch list in the ProShares Ultra Short Oil & Gas Fund (symbol: DUG) at the current intra-day price of … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Fundamental Wrap-Up – April 29th – US Data On Spending, Incomes, Business Conditions, Cons. Confidence, And Labor Costs

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:11 AM PDT

Chicago PMI Falls Back in April
The Chicago PMI, or Business Barometer, as it is known now, slid in April, a sign that business conditions cooled their pace of growth in April compared to March. The Chicago PMI measures conditions across the nation, in both services and manufacturing. Now, the index was at a 22 1/2-year high in February at 71.2, before sliding to 70.6 in March, and now falling down to 67.6. Therefore, we are still at strong levels despite the decline, but something to keep an … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

CEO Spotlight: Jeff Becker, CEO Of ING Investment Management Co.

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 05:00 AM PDT

04/29/11 After ringing the NYSE Opening Bell, Mr. Jeff Becker, CEO of ING Investment Management Co., gives us an exclusive interview regarding the launch of ING’s new emerging market high dividend … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex – GBP/USD Up In U.S. Trade

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 10:00 AM PDT

Forex Pros – The British Pound was higher against the U.S. Dollar on Friday after the release of U.S. data on Chicago PMI.<br/><br/> GBP/USD was trading at 1.6696, up 0.38% at time of writing.<br/><br/> The pair was likely to find support at 1.6432, Tuesday&rsquo;s low, and resistance at 1.6747, Thursday&rsquo;s high.<br/><br/> Earlier in the day, data showed that The U.S.&rsquo;s Chicago PMI fell less-than-expected to a seasonally adjusted 67.6 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Did Wall Street Violate The Racketeering Act…AGAIN??!!

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 09:46 AM PDT

Earlier this month I inquired Did Wall Street Violate the Racketeering Act? in regard to the rampant abuses centered on Wall Street institutions involved in the mortgage foreclosure travesty. That commentary written on April 4th generated the strongest and most vocal reaction to any commentary I have written since the inception of Sense on Cents in January 2009. (I encourage you to scan the comments to that article to gain a sense of the pain and anguish felt by so many in our nation … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Risk Appetite Strong As Dollar Drop Continues

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 09:30 AM PDT

04/29/11 Strong economic reports has led the way for investors to continue to seek out higher-yielding currencies today, continuing the steady decline of the US … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

D.R. Horton Sees Profit Double On Tax Benefits

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 04:00 AM PDT

04/29/11 Homebuilder D.R. Horton announced Friday that its fiscal 2Q net profit more than doubled following a large tax … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Doug Kass Making Sense

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 03:02 AM PDT

Doug Kass made a bearish call late 2009 and got toasted. This time he may be right. Review our posts ‘the SP500 charts are NOT pretty’. Worth a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Forex Trading: Bearish Pressure Growing On US Dollar

Posted: 29 Apr 2011 12:20 AM PDT

Bearish Pressure Growing on US Dollar
Forex traders, who had been hesitant to short the greenback due to a variety of reasons last week, found many justifications to push heavily against the greenback these past two days. The EUR/USD has now risen to a three-year high, reaching towards 1.4900 in yesterday’s session. The AUD/USD witnessed a similar bull run, climbing to a 29-year high of 1.0920. The USD/JPY joined the chorus, despite weak fundamentals in Japan, and fell to 81.52 from 82.17 … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards

Frank Talk Turns Four

Posted: 28 Apr 2011 10:00 PM PDT

Four years ago I started this blog as a way to communicate our investment themes and share our team's observations as we travel the world searching for opportunities. One of our values at U.S. Global is having a "curiosity to learn and improve" and I felt starting a blog was a great tool to supplement our weekly Investor Alert and help our shareholders understand the nuances of global investing.
In the early days, a typical posting received only about 100 views, but the blog has built a … [visit site to read more] or compare Best Credit Cards and Balance Transfer Credit Cards
at

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