Tuesday, April 24, 2012

DailyMarkets.com - Hot Option Plays: Watch The Consumer

DailyMarkets.com - Hot Option Plays: Watch The Consumer

Hot Option Plays: Watch The Consumer

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 04-23-2012
I did very little today — the data, political unrest in both the EU and China, and the inability of any sector to do nothing more than grind up only to get beaten down, left me very little desire to be active. I will be watching Consumer Confidence in the morning, any miss could impact the Discretionary sector, XLY, which could weigh on the market early. See you Midday.
Fears about the European debt crisis seemed to weigh on stock market averages Monday. With no … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hot Option Plays: Shaking The Apple Tree

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:48 AM PDT

Cusick’s Corner 04-24-2012
What happens when you shake an apple tree? Apples drop to the ground and the weak ones tend to fall first. This is what has been happening recently in the market, traders who got into the market at higher levels are cutting out of their positions, too weak to ride out a pullback and just too fearful when there’s mixed data and a 2-day Fed meeting. I think today will be a choppy session, but support doesn’t look like it will be challenged until possibly after the Fed … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: The Boeing Company

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:43 AM PDT

Aerospace & defense behemoth, The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) is all set to report its first quarter 2012 results before the start of trading on April 25, 2012. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the first quarter of 2012 is 95 cents (year-over-year increase of 19.8%) on revenues of $18,283 million (year-over-year increase of 20.2%).
Fourth Quarter Recap
Boeing posted fourth quarter 2011 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.31, beating both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.02 and year-ago EPS … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Williams Companies

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:23 AM PDT

Williams Companies (NYSE:WMB) is expected to report its first quarter 2012 results on Wednesday April 25, after the close of trading.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is a profit of 36 cents per share (with an upside potential of 2.78%) on revenues of $1,847 million.
Previous Quarter Recap
Williams reported fourth quarter 2011 earnings per share, excluding special items, of 36 cents, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 41 cents. Comparing year over year, earnings improved 20.0% from … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Waters Posts Disappointing 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:18 AM PDT

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) released its first-quarter 2012 earnings before the market opened today, reporting earnings per share from continuing operations of $1.00, below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09. Earnings in the quarter decreased from $1.04 in the first quarter of 2011.

The top-line and bottom-line performance failed to meet the company’s expectations.

Revenue

On the top line, Waters reported total revenue of $428 million for the first quarter, down 2% year over year. Foreign … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Ryder Beats Top And Bottom Lines

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Ryder System Inc. (NYSE:R), the world’s largest provider of integrated logistics and transportation solutions, has reported adjusted earnings of 59 cents that surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny and increased 16% from 51 cents in the year-ago quarter. Adjusted quarterly net income also increased 16% year over year to $30.6 million from $26.3 million in the year-ago period.  
The company achieved double-digit growth backed by the acquisition gains in Fleet Management Solutions, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Reynolds American Misses Estimates

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:08 AM PDT

Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE:RAI) delivered adjusted earnings of 63 cents in the first-quarter of fiscal year 2012. The results missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 65 cents per share.
The adjusted quarterly result slipped the prior-year period results by 1.6%. The advantage gained by higher pricing and improved productivity was offset by the decline in cigarette volume.
The first quarter 2012 results exclude restructuring charge of 16 cents per share related to the completion of the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Willis: “Keep An Eye On Unexpected…Holland Was A Big Surprise”

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 11:06 AM PDT

04/24/12 Sunrise Securities’ Ben Willis discusses equity market action following the latest earnings from blue chip companies and the mixed economic data. Political risks and sovereign debt concerns are also considered as part of the bigger … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Failing To Deliver: Netflix Tanks On Growth Worries

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 06:05 AM PDT

04/24/12 Netflix posted its first quarterly loss in seven years late Monday after it said customer growth will slow after posting first-quarter gains that met analysts’ … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Canadian National Beats As Rev Ups

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:53 AM PDT

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) reported adjusted earnings per share of C$1.18 (approximately $1.18) in the first quarter of 2012 that breezed passed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.03. Adjusted earnings also increased 31% from the 90 Canadian cents (approximately 89.8 cents) achieved in the year-ago quarter, aided by strong freight volume and pricing.
Adjusted earnings for the first quarter exclude the impact of an after-tax benefit of C$252 million or 57 Canadian cents per share related … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Baker Hughes Tops Consensus

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:38 AM PDT

Baker Hughes Inc. (NYSE:BHI) reported first quarter 2012 earnings of 86 cents a share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 83 cents. However, the quarterly results were below $1.22 earned a year ago.
Revenue shot up more than 18% year over year to $5,355 million in the quarter from $4,525 million in the first quarter of 2011. The top line also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5,259 million.
During the reported quarter, the company experienced lower margins in North America compared … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PACCAR Beats, Profits Up 69%

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:33 AM PDT

PACCAR Inc. (NASDAQ:PCAR) reported a 69% increase in profits to $327.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 from $193.3 million in the same quarter of 2011. On per share basis, the increase was 72% to 91 cents from 53 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11 cents.
Net sales and Financial Services revenues surged 45% to $4.8 billion, which was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.1 billion. The rise in sales and profit was attributable to strong truck sales in North America and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

PACCAR Beats, Profits Up 69%

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:33 AM PDT

PACCAR Inc. (NASDAQ:PCAR) reported a 69% increase in profits to $327.3 million in the first quarter of 2012 from $193.3 million in the same quarter of 2011. On per share basis, the increase was 72% to 91 cents from 53 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 11 cents.
Net sales and Financial Services revenues surged 45% to $4.8 billion, which was higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.1 billion. The rise in sales and profit was attributable to strong truck sales in North America and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Making Sense Of Bank Earnings Is Not Easy

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:33 AM PDT

Making sense of earnings reports should be straight forward exercise. After all, a company’s bottom line is supposed to be a measure of its profitability.
How a company’s reported results compare to expectations has a direct bearing on its stock price performance. As simple as this process looks on the surface, it is anything but simple in the case of bank earnings reports — particularly in this current reporting cycle.  
A ‘GAAP’ in Understanding
Accounting rules mandate … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Sigma-Aldrich EPS Meets, Revs Beats

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:23 AM PDT

Global lab chemical and life sciences company Sigma-Aldrich (NASDAQ:SIAL) posted first-quarter 2012 earnings of 99 cents a share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate while transcending the year-ago earnings of 94 cents.
The adjusted earnings exclude expenses associated with the Missouri-based company's acquisitions of BioReliance Holdings and Research Organics. Including that cost, earnings came in at 96 cents a share, modestly down from 97 cents clocked in the year-ago quarter. Profit (as … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Air Products’ 2Q Profit Falls

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:23 AM PDT

Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD) reported second-quarter 2012 adjusted (excluding one-time charges and gains) EPS earnings of $1.39 a share, down from $1.41 a year-ago.
The results were above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.33. Adjusted earnings from continued operations were $1.31 a share in the quarter. Profit, as reported, fell 2.7% year over year to $296 million (or $1.38 a share).
Net sales amounted to $2,344 million, down 2% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

McGraw-Hill Reports Strong 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:23 AM PDT

The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. (NYSE:MHP), a publisher and provider of financial information and media services, recently posted strong first-quarter 2012 results. The quarterly earnings of 51 cents a share came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents, and jumped 30% from the prior-year quarter's earnings of 39 cents.
However, including one time items, earnings increased 11% year over year to 43 cents a share.
The company stated that the strong performance of S&P Indices/ S&P … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Janus Misses Estimate On Lower Fees

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:13 AM PDT

Janus Capital Group Inc.'s (NYSE:JNS) first-quarter 2012 earnings per share attributable to common shareholders came in at 12 cents. However, results included a charge of 3 cents per share related to the debt tender and a change in the long-term incentive compensation forfeiture estimate.
Excluding that, the company would have earned 15 cents per share. This just fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 16 cents per share.
Notably, including an operating benefit of 5 cents per share from … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Regions Beats Zacks Estimates

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:13 AM PDT

Regions Financial Corporation's (NYSE:RF) first-quarter 2012 earnings from continuing operations came in at 14 cents per share, outshining the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 8 cents. Results also compared favorably with 9 cents per share reported in the prior quarter.
Quarterly results benefited from improved net interest margin and better credit quality, backed by lower loan loss provisions and reduced non-performing assets.
Net income available to common shareholders was $145 million in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

S&P Boosts Group 1 Ratings

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has upgraded corporate credit ratings of Group 1 Automotive (NYSE:GPI) to "BB" from "BB-" based on the company's profitability and sustained creditability. 
 S&P also uplifted its rating on senior unsecured notes to "B+" from "B" and maintained its recovery rating at "6". This implies that lenders will get negligible recovery in case of a payment default.
 S&P assigned a 'stable' outlook on the company taking … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

WU Reports In Line, Affirms Outlook

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 10:03 AM PDT

The world's leading money transfer company, Western Union Co. (NYSE:WU), reported first quarter operating earnings of 40 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Earnings increased 14% on a year–over-year basis, mainly on the back of strong margin improvement in the Global Business Payments unit and lower share count.
Western Union's revenues for the quarter were $1.4 billion, up 9% year over year but down 2.8% from the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The year-over-year upside … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Earnings Preview: Tractor Supply

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:53 AM PDT

Tractor Supply Company (NASDAQ:TSCO), a leading retail firm and ranch store brand, is scheduled to report its first-quarter 2012 financial results after the market closes on April 25, 2012. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is 54 cents per share. For the quarter under review, revenue is expected to be $1,002 million, according to the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Fourth-Quarter 2011, a Synopsis
Tractor Supply’s fourth-quarter 2011 earnings came in at 96 cents, breezing past the Zacks … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

U.S. Steel Beats In 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:43 AM PDT

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) came out with positive results in the first quarter of 2012, posting adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents.
However, net loss (as reported) widened roughly two-and-a-half-fold year over year to $219 million (or $1.52 per share) from $86 million or 60 cents reported a year ago.
Operational Performance
Revenues in the quarter improved 6.3% year over year to $5.2 billion, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

U.S. Steel Beats In 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:43 AM PDT

United States Steel Corporation (NYSE:X) came out with positive results in the first quarter of 2012, posting adjusted earnings of 67 cents per share and beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents.
However, net loss (as reported) widened roughly two-and-a-half-fold year over year to $219 million (or $1.52 per share) from $86 million or 60 cents reported a year ago.
Operational Performance
Revenues in the quarter improved 6.3% year over year to $5.2 billion, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

RadioShack Crushed In 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:38 AM PDT

The nightmare for RadioShack Corp. (NYSE:RSH) persists as the company continues with its disappointing performance. The company's first-quarter 2012 financial results were well below the Zacks Consensus Estimates.
The comparable store sales for the company-operated stores and kiosks (stores and kiosks opened at least a year) decreased 4.2% year over year. This is a key retail performance indicator measuring growth from existing sales locations.
GAAP net loss from continuing operation, in the … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

AEMD: Initial Virus Capture Data

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:38 AM PDT

AEMD: Initial Virus Capture Data
Brian Marckx, CFA

In a press release this morning (4/24) Aethlon Medical (AEMD) announced preliminary data related to the capture of HCV virus in the Hemopurifier cartridge.  As a reminder, in a July 2011 meeting with the FDA to discuss what the agency might be looking for in an eventual Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application, the agency inquired about the ability of the Hemopurifier to measure the quantity of HCV virus captured.  Based … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Hershey’s Beats Overall, Ups View

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:38 AM PDT

The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) posted first quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of 96 cents a share, handsomely beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 81 cents. Also, earnings jumped 31.5% from the prior-year quarter, driven by solid revenues and improved margins despite rising input costs and a difficult macro-economic environment.
Quarter in Detail
Hershey's net sales of $1.7 billion rose 10.7% from the prior-year quarter, mainly buoyed by increased pricing. Benefits from pricing (10.9 percentage … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Coach Beats, Ups Dividend

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:38 AM PDT

Despite sluggish recovery in the economy, Coach, Inc. (NYSE:COH), the designer and marketer of fine accessories and gifts, recently posted better-than-expected third-quarter 2012 results on the back of healthy sales in North America and China. Strong brand image, geographical expansion, and new pricing and promotional policies in North American factory business were also the factor behind the growth.
The quarterly earnings of 77 cents a share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a couple of cents, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

The Coming U.S. Shale-Based Economic Boom

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:35 AM PDT

Philip Verleger, visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, writing in today’s Financial Times: 

“Today, few realize that the U.S. stands on the cusp of significant economic gains stimulated by low energy costs. Ten years from today, [we will] celebrate a decade of unexpected strong growth, and the credit will go to countrywide gains from the very low energy prices found only in the U.S.. Low-cost energy will have spawned an export surge in all sorts of goods, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Oil Higher As Euro Rises, But Gains Limited

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:30 AM PDT

04/24/12 After starting the week with a loss, crude rebounded slightly Tuesday afternoon as the euro recovered. However, gains were capped by ongoing global economic and political … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

AT&T Outshines On IPhones

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:28 AM PDT

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), the second largest mobile service provider in the U.S., reported first quarter 2012 adjusted earnings of 60 cents per share, surpassing both the Zacks Consensus Estimate and the year-ago earnings by 3 cents.
The company made a strong start to the year, with mid-single-digit growth in operating income and earnings. Lower sales of Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone during the quarter helped it to cut expenses that resulted in more profits but hurt subscriber growth to some … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

3M Beats Estimate

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:28 AM PDT

3M Company (NYSE:MMM) announced first-quarter 2012 results before the market opened today, reporting earnings per share of $1.59, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.48 per share. Earnings per share surged 6.7% year over year.

The company achieved record sales during the first quarter.

Total Revenue

Total revenue in the quarter inched up 2.4% year over year to $7.5 billion. Acquisitions contributed 1.5% to total growth, and foreign exchange reduced sales by 0.9%. Sales growth of 8.4% in … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

T. Rowe Price Misses On Higher Exps

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:23 AM PDT

T. Rowe Price Group Inc. (NASDAQ:TROW) reported its first-quarter 2012 earnings of 75 cents per share, marginally below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 77 cents. However, this compares favorably with the prior-year quarter's earnings of 72 cents.
Better-than-expected top-line growth was more-than-offset by higher non-interest expenses. However, increased assets under management (AUM) were positive for the quarter.
T. Rowe Price's net income available to common shareholders grew 1.4% to $196.5 … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

ASA Staffing Index Highest Since 2008 For Week 16

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:15 AM PDT

The American Staffing Association reported its weekly index today for temporary and contract employment, with the following highlights:

1. The ASA Weekly Staffing Index increased to 91 for the week ending April 15, which was the highest reading this year, and was the highest index for any week during the month of April in four years, going back to April of 2008.

2. The index of 91 for Week 16 was an improvement of 1.84% from the previous week, and a 6.9% year-over-year gain.

3. The April … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Zions Outpaces On Lower Expenses

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 09:08 AM PDT

Zions Bancorp.(NASDAQ:ZION) reported its first-quarter 2012 earnings per share of 33 cents, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 26 cents. Also, this compared favorably with the prior-quarter earnings of 30 cents.
After considering non-cash effects of the discount amortization on convertible subordinated debt as well as additional accretion on acquired loans and accelerated amortization of discount on $700 million redemption of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) preferred stock, Zions' … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Lockheed, Japan In Detector Deal

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:53 AM PDT

Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) has received a $22.4 million order for the delivery of 19 AbleSentry systems from the Japan Ministry of Defense. Along with its trading partner ITOCHU Corporation, the company will supply AbleSentry systems that are capable of giving early warning for attacks.
AbleSentry systems are simple to deploy and operate and are designed for the tactical battlefield. It features a sophisticated detection algorithm that facilitates in advanced chemical, biological, and … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

AngioDynamics Ships NanoKnife Again

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:38 AM PDT

On April 23, 2012, AngioDynamics Inc. (ANGO), a therapeutic and diagnostic devices maker, resumed the shipment of its Nanoknife product line in the U.S. In late January 2012, the company had voluntarily recalled the ablation zone estimator ("AZE") software used for its tumor-zapping NanoKnife systems.
The FDA had said that the AZE feature should be subject to a 510(k) pre-market notification submission and approval.  In the last quarter, the company had decided to remove this … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

MeadWestvaco Gets Closer To Merger

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:23 AM PDT

MeadWestvaco Corporation (NYSE:MWV) moves closer to the completion of its merger with ACCO Brands Corporation (NYSE:ABD). Shareholders of ACCO Brands have given a go-ahead for the issue of common stock required for the completion of the merger.
The new share issues will be traded from April 24, 2012 in the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with the ticker symbol of "ACCO wi". Both the companies are hopeful about the completion of the merger before the market opens on May 1, 2012. The merger, … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Dow Tops 13K On Blue Chip Earnings

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:20 AM PDT

04/24/12 US stocks opened mixed, with the Dow gaining over 100 points. Earnings from 3M and AT&T topped expectations, while IBM gained after raising its quarterly … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards

Align Posts Solid 1Q

Posted: 24 Apr 2012 08:13 AM PDT

Align Technology (NASDAQ:ALGN) reported first quarter 2012 EPS of 26 cents, which was 30% higher than the year-ago level. Adjusting for certain one-time items, the adjusted EPS came in at 27 cents, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 22 cents as well as the year-ago quarter adjusted EPS of 21 cents. The adjusted EPS also surpassed the company's guidance range of 19−21 cents.
Total revenue increased 28.7% year over year to $135.1 million in the quarter, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate … [visit site to read more] or compare Credit Card Rewards and Best Credit Cards
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