Monday, March 19, 2012

DailyMarkets.com - Earnings Preview: Fred’s

DailyMarkets.com - Earnings Preview: Fred’s

Earnings Preview: Fred’s

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:20 AM PDT

Fred's Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED) is all set to unveil its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2011 financial results on March 21, 2012 before the opening bell. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 24 cents a share and is 85 cents for the year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate also projects revenues for the quarter at $498 million and $1.88 billion for the fiscal 2011.
Third Quarter 2011 Recap
Fred's posted strong earnings of 24 cents in the third quarter, which climbed 20.0% year … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Nat Gas Rig Count At 10-Yr Low

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:20 AM PDT

In its weekly release, Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE:BHI) reported a rise in the U.S. rig count (number of rigs searching for oil and gas in the country). This can be attributed to an increase in the tally of oil-directed rigs, partially offset by cutbacks in natural gas and miscellaneous rig counts.
The Baker Hughes rig count, issued since 1944, acts as an important yardstick for drilling contractors such as Transocean Inc. (NYSE:RIG), Diamond Offshore (NYSE:DO), Noble … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Fred’s

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:20 AM PDT

Fred's Inc. (NASDAQ:FRED) is all set to unveil its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2011 financial results on March 21, 2012 before the opening bell. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at 24 cents a share and is 85 cents for the year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate also projects revenues for the quarter at $498 million and $1.88 billion for the fiscal 2011.
Third Quarter 2011 Recap
Fred's posted strong earnings of 24 cents in the third quarter, which climbed 20.0% year … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Essex Property Issues Senior Notes

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:10 AM PDT

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) recently announced that the Company and its operating partnership, Essex Portfolio, L.P., entered into a purchase agreement to issue $200 million of senior unsecured notes with a 9-year term. The funding amount will be scheduled in three parts — $100 million, $50 million and $50 million on April 30, 2012, June 29, 2012 and August 30, 2012 respectively. Interest of 4.27%, 4.30 % and 4.37 % will be paid on a semi-annual basis on these funding charges.
The … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

P.J. O’Rourke On Cato’s “Family Feud”

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 10:05 AM PDT

From the Weekly Standard:

“Cato has aided me with almost everything I've written about politics. Maybe saying so will lower the institution's prestige enough that the Koch brothers will leave it alone. If they prevail they'll lose Cato's H.L. Mencken Research Fellow. (The position—unpaid and worth it—was conferred on me by Crane back when the insensitive language in Mencken's diary was shocking the kind of people who'd later forget to be shocked by Bill Clinton and Monica … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Much Ado About Housing

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:50 AM PDT

Earnings Preview 3/16/12

Earnings season is just about over.  While there will be 79 firms reporting — 15 of them members of the S&P 500 — most will be February fiscal period ends, which actually makes them the leading edge of the first quarter reports, not the trailing edge of fourth quarter reports.

Firms reporting this week include: Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE), ConAgra (NYSE:CAG), Discover Financial Services (NYSE:DFS), Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI), General Mills (NYSE:GIS), Nike (NYSE:NKE) and Oracle … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Foreclosures Plunge, Will Rise Soon

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:50 AM PDT

Last week, RealtyTrac, the leading online marketplace of foreclosure properties, released its foreclosure market report for February 2012. According to the report, foreclosure filings for the month dipped 2% from the prior month and 8% from the prior-year month, with a total of 206,900 properties receiving default, auction or repossession notices.
This was the lowest annual decline in foreclosure activity since October 2010. Actually, the drop in foreclosure activities in larger states was … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Wendy’s In Neutral Lane

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:40 AM PDT

We maintain our Neutral rating on The Wendy's Co. (NYSE:WEN). While we are optimistic on the company's strong breakfast initiative, unit growth and remodeling program, negative impact from commodity inflation as well as a high transaction cost regarding the closing of Atlanta support center compel us to remain on the sidelines.
We see the company's focus on breakfast line-up as one of its key growth drivers. It remains all geared up to leverage the solid trend in breakfast and is … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Oil Supermajors Eye Eni Gas Field Stake

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:31 AM PDT

As per market sources, two European energy big-shots BP plc (NYSE:BP) and Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:E). Another oil giant, Total SA (NYSE:TOT) is also in the race for the acquisition.
Apart from buying the interests in the gas project for approximately $4 billion or 2.5 billion British pounds, the purchasing company will also assist in funding exploration activities in the filed.
Italian company Eni controls a 70% interest in the concession and acts as the operator of the holding that is termed as the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Salesforce Offers New Apps

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:16 AM PDT

Enterprise cloud-solutions vendor Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE:CRM) announced the worldwide release of two new products in its annual customer event, Cloudforce. The two cloud-based products were Salesforce Rypple, a human resources management (HRM) solution, and Salesforce Site.com, which is a content management solution.
The Salesforce Rypple solution represents Salesforce's first step into the HRM space. The cloud company inherited the HRM capabilities through the acquisition of human resource … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stock Market News Briefs: Goodrich, Research In Motion Limited, Sprint Nextel, United Parcel Service, United Technologies Corporation

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

    Rumors that Samsung was keen on a minor investment in Research In Motion Limited (NASDAQ:RIMM) pushed up the latter's stock by 6.9%

    United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) was reported to have resumed talks to acquire TNT Express

    In a bid to raise funds to acquire Goodrich Corporation (NYSE:GR), United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX) said that it would sell three of its units

    Shares of Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S) jumped … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

VPHM-HALO Report Encouraging Data

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

ViroPharma Inc. (NASDAQ:VPHM) along with partner Halozyme Therapeutics (NASDAQ:HALO) recently reported positive data from a mid-stage study on the subcutaneous formulation of Cinryze, which is being evaluated in combination with Halozyme’s Enhanze technology, for the treatment of patients suffering from hereditary angioedema (HAE). The companies presented the data at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.
The Enhanze technology is a proprietary drug-delivery … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Scorecard: Urban Outfitters

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN), the retailer of apparel, footwear and accessories, recently posted lower-than-expected results for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2012.
In the paragraphs that follow, we cover the recent earnings announcement, subsequent estimate revisions by analysts as well as the Zacks Rank and long-term recommendation for the stock.
Last Quarter Synopsis
Urban Outfitters, which competes with Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) and Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE:ANF), reported its … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Canadian Pacific In Shipping Deal

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (NYSE:CP) recently announced its new fracturing sand business. The company entered into a multi-year agreement with Unimin Corporation for shipping fracturing sand from Wisconsin, where Unimin's facility will begin operations by next year.
Unimin Corporation is one of the leading producers of industrial minerals in the U.S. and is a subsidiary of Sibelco Group, a Belgium based multinational involved in the production of industrial minerals.
Upon completion of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

SNWV: Updated FDA Plan Makes Sense

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Q4 RESULTS / FDA APPROVAL PLAN
Brian Marckx, CFA

On March 14, 2012 SANUWAVE Health (SNWV) announced financial results for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2011 and provided an update on their planned path forward for getting dermaPACE through FDA.  Financial results continue to be very much in-line with our estimates.  We view the update on the regulatory approval plan as a positive development – both from the perspective of clearing up some of the lingering uncertainty of how … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

SurModics Drops To Neutral

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

We have downgraded SurModics Inc. (NASDAQ:SRDX) to Neutral from Outperform with a target price of $16.00.
In November 2011, Surmodics sold the assets of its Pharmaceuticals division to Germany's Evonik Industries AG for $30 million cash. Even though pleased by the company's move which is aimed at focusing on its core business to improve efficiency, we prefer to be cautious till the move starts delivering. We believe that it will take some time before it yields the desired results. Consequently, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: ERJ

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Embraer S.A (NYSE:ERJ) will be reporting its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2011 financial results on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, after the market close.
The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share (EPS) is 71 cents, representing an annualized growth of 5.07%.  
With respect to earnings surprises over the trailing four quarters, ERJ outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in all the four quarters with an average earnings surprise of a positive 32.44%, indicating that the company … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

MMI Remains Neutral

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

We maintain our Neutral rating on Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. (MMI) as the future prospects of the company remains grim due to its disappointing financial results.
In the last quarter of fiscal 2011, the company sold 5.3 million smartphones compared to 37 million smartphones sold by Apple Inc.  (NASDAQ:AAPL) and 36.5 million sold by Samsung Electronics.
Currently, Motorola Mobility is facing the risk of commoditization if the company fails to effectively differentiate its smartphones from … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Biogen Inks Deal With MAKScientific

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB) recently signed an exclusive, worldwide option and collaboration agreement with privately held MAKScientific, LLC. MAKScientific focuses on the creation of novel and highly effective medications modulating cannabinoid pathways.
The deal relates to the development and commercialization of drug candidates for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Terms of the Agreement
Per the terms of the agreement, Biogen has the option to gain an … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Neutral On Fiserv

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Year 2011 ended with an impressive revenue growth and buy-back activities. However, we continue to maintain a Neutral stance on Fiserv Inc. (NASDAQ:FISV).
ZashPay and Mobile Money continue to fuel recurring revenues for Fiserv as it gets ready for 2012. The company has been privileged enough to accrue gains from a high customer retention ratio which bolsters long-term stability in its dealings with the outside market.
Catering to investor interests has always been of primary importance to the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Gerdau Remains In Neutral Zone

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

We recently maintained a Neutral recommendation on Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB), one of the leading steel producing companies in the world.
The steel making giant, Gerdau, is the second largest long steel producer in the world and the largest in the Americas.The company produced roughly 19.6 million tons of crude steel (slabs, blooms and billets) and 16.4 million tons of rolled products in the fiscal year 2011.
Moreover, with the global economy recovering gradually, the steel industry is also looking … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Cintas Corp.

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 09:06 AM PDT

Cintas Corporation(NASDAQ:CTAS) is slated to report its third-quarter 2012 financial results after the closing bell on March 20. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is 52 cents per share, representing an estimated year-over-year increase of 26.42%. Revenues as per the Zacks Consensus Estimate are $1.01 billion.
Second-Quarter Synopsis
The company, in the second quarter (ended November 30, 2011), reported earnings of 57 cents per share, comfortably surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Stocks Mixed, Apple Soars On Dividend, Stock Buyback

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 08:20 AM PDT

03/19/12 The major US equity averages got off to a mixed start. Apple announced it will pay a dividend of $2.65 per share and buy back $10 billion stock buyback … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Yen Rebounding From 5-month Low Vs Euro

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 03:00 AM PDT

03/19/12 The yen reversed daily losses against the euro and dollar to start the week on speculation its recent declines were excessive and as eurozone worries … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Would I Buy The Stock Today If I Didn’t Own It?

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 07:45 AM PDT

I can't believe it's been two weeks since my last post.  Please accept my apologies.  I've been doing exactly what I said I would do in that March 2nd post, I've been "shooting fish in a barrel".  And for the … Continue reading … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Can American Students Compete? Hmmmm…..??

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 07:13 AM PDT

Can we accept as a premise that the health of our economy is predicated on our ability to compete on the world stage?
Strikes me as a basic principle of Sense on Cents.
Stephane Garelli of IMD, a Swiss-based school which is a pioneer in the field of executive education, zeroes in on the key factors on this topic in writing on The Competitivenes of Nations: The Fundamentals. Garelli asserts,

Competitiveness is thus one of the most powerful concepts in modern economic thinking. 
One of its … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Oil Steady Above $107, Seeking A Direction

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 02:00 AM PDT

03/19/12 Crude oil futures gained on Monday, shaking off earlier weakness, as tomorrow marks yet another front month contract … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sterling Leads, Ausse Lags; Mixed Trading To Start The Week

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:57 AM PDT

Fundamental Headlines
- Bernanke Seen Not Knowing Jobless Rate Less Than Fed Predictions – Bloomberg
- OPEC Recycles Dollars into Debt 50% Faster than Foreigner – Bloomberg
- Ryan Budget Plan Aims to Seize Spending Debate – Reuters
- Greek Deal Highlights Flaws in Default Swaps – WSJ
- U.S. Made Profit on Mortgage Debt – WSJ
European Session Summary
Price action was rather muted in the overnight, with the major currencies staying relatively tethered to their closing prices on Friday … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

New Restaurant Index Suggests Improving Economy

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:55 AM PDT

From Floyd Norris in the NY Times last Friday:

“Have you been eating more at restaurants with waiters rather than fast-food joints? If so, you are not alone, and that in fact is an indication that the American economy is improving.

Over the 12 months through January, sales at what the government calls full-service restaurants were 8.7 percent higher than in the previous 12 months. That was the fastest pace of growth since the late 1990s, when the economy was booming. Moreover, as is seen in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Chicago Fed: Midwest Manufacturing Is Booming

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 06:29 AM PDT

The ChicagoFederal Reserve reported today that its Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) increased 1.3% in January, to a seasonally adjusted level of 90.1 (2007 = 100).  Here are some highlights of manufacturing activity in the 7th Federal Reserve district that covers Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin:

1. Manufacturing output in the Midwest region rose 9.1% from a year earlier in January, almost twice the 4.7% increase in national manufacturing output over the same period … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

A Choppy Start To The Week

Posted: 19 Mar 2012 01:15 AM PDT

03/19/12 US stock futures edged lower Monday as technology giant Apple Inc. said it would begin paying a … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
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