Victoria Erhart
-
Fannie and Freddie and executive pay, oh my
While this is a whopping big bucket of money, it pales in comparison to the $217 billion worth of non-agency securities that have fallen in value and the $1.5 trillion in debt downgrades in 2Q alone. In order to mitigate objections from taxpayers opposed to using public monies to bail out a quasi-private industry, those bulwarks of fiscal responsibility in Congress are beginning to draw up plans to curb executive compensation for those who will help Fannie and Freddie crawl out of the hole.
In 2007, Fannie Mae President Daniel Mudd earned a $2.2 million bonus on top of his $10 million salary. Members of Congress want to know why the executives who ran the ship aground were rewarded handsomely for doing so. Some members of Congress have suggested that previous executive bonuses should be given back to the companies. I bet some taxpayers might want to apply this same reasoning to Congressional salaries and perks.
A&P (GAP) grocery stores on path to profitability
It is, however, a bit difficult to parse an earnings release that states "our annualized run-rate of synergies is approximately $100 million." Good thing that the "format driven capital investment program" continues to improve. Clearly, CEO Eric Claus wants investors to believe these factoids are positive and meaningful pieces of information.
In more concrete terms, same store sales are up 3% and the company is remodeling many of its locations in the New York-New Jersey area in order to expand its market share. Sales increased $1.2 billion to $2.9 billion, so the trend is in the right direction. Quarterly adjusted income from operations was $16 million, compared to an $8 million adjusted loss from operations one year ago. 1Q loss per share was $0.51 compared to $1.54 loss per share one year ago.
Given the steep rise in food prices, forecast to worsen into the winter, A&P is well positioned to attract value-driven grocery shoppers. The stock has recently fallen under $18, though it is inching back up today.
Rockwell Collins (COL) flying high
While many economic sectors are facing a great deal of uncertainty, Rockwell Collins has locked in a number of government and commercial contracts that will translate into steady revenue growth well into the future. Defense spending increases annually and Rockwell Collins was recently awarded contracts by BOC to equip 47 new Airbus A320s, as well as another contract from Bombardier to supply avionics for its C series commercial aircraft.
Both the Commercial Systems and the Government Systems segments increased sales 7-8%. The company spent $81 million to buy back 1.4 million shares, with another quarter billion authorized for share repurchases. In view of all the contracts in the pipeline, the company has revised and improved its FY2008 guidance. FY2008 total sales are forecast at $4.75 billion, with FY EPS in the $4.05-$4.10 range. The stock is currently trading under $47, near its 52- week low of $44.53.
Self-storage sector not glamorous, just profitable
A snapshot of the sector shows four of the largest self-storage companies on the upswing. Sovran Storage Incorporated (NYSE: SSS) at $40.88 is up 1.95% YTD. Most other self-storage REITs have more impressive returns. Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) at $15.11, up 6.90% YTD. Public Storage Incorporated (NYSE: PSA) at $83.55 is one of the most expensive self-storage stocks. It is up 7.59% YTD. The bargain in the self-storage sector is U Store It Trust (NYSE: YSI). At $11.54 the stock is up a whopping 28.82% YTD. Investors should call around to self-storage companies in their areas. Chances are they will not find many vacant units.
U.S. Supreme Court says: OK for individual investors to sue 401(k) plan administrators
Mr. LaRue had sued his former employer DeWolff, Boberg & Associates for breach of fiduciary duty when it failed to follow his instructions to move some of his 401(k) money to different investments. His initial suit was to recoup a personal loss to be paid into his individual account. Having been denied by the Fourth Circuit Court under two different statutes of ERISA sec. 502, Mr. LaRue appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, thus doing an untold number of individual investors a great service.
Fastenal (FAST) nails earnings
Like most other businesses, Fastenal has been hit by both the slowdown in the construction industry and the rapid rise in fuel costs. The company is reorganizing its freight service to take advantage of fuel and cost savings by using its own trucking network rather than external service providers. Additionally, the company established a centralized call center to manage accounts receivable company-wide. As a result, accounts receivable increased 14% at the same time the company reduced its bad debt expense. Fastenal repurchased 200,000 shares with plans to buy back more. The company also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share. YTD the stock has gained 14% and currently trades around $46. This one is worth a look.
Grainger (GWW) gets the job done
Grainger operates in the U.S., Mexico and is beginning to establish a footprint in China. The company is expanding both its product line and its market reach in each of these markets. Sales in the U.S. grew 9% and the company opened 6 new full service locations. Sales in Mexico grew 25% and the company opened one new full service location. China sales doubled to $2 million from the company's one location, with big expansion plans for the future. Grainger has added another 100,000 products to its catalog and repurchased 800,000 shares of stock for $75 million. CEO James Ryan forecasts FY2008 EPS in the $5.80-$6.10 range, not a bad return on a stock that currently trades right around $86.
Eaton (ETN) stock drops 8% on good news
The FAA recently awarded a $40 million contract for power quality equipment. The company's Hydraulic Launch Assist technology performed very well in tests on trash trucks. It reduced fuel costs by 25% and significantly reduced brake service costs. With diesel prices showing no signs of decline, demand for this technology will be very strong when it becomes commercially available in late 2008. CEO Alexander Cutter forecasts FY sales growth to be 3% in the U.S. and 5% internationally. FY operating EPS are forecast to grow 12-16%, resulting in EPS of $7.70-$8.00. At this rate of return, the stock is currently bargain-priced around $73.00
Cintas (CTAS) jumps on good earnings
All operating divisions recorded profits for FY2008, and the company completed its 39th straight year of growth in revenues and earnings. Cintas generated free cash flow at 9% of revenue or $354 million, which it used in part to repurchase $191 million worth of company stock.
Cintas manufactures uniforms, company apparel, restroom supplies and commercial fire and safety products. Nothing fancy, but all items necessary to run any type of business. The stock currently trades at $26.77, near its 52- week low of $25.15.
Helen of Troy (HELE) launches great earnings but ...
If all the "significant items" are out in the open and have been taken out of earnings, Helen of Troy is worth some due diligence. The stock currently trades under $19, up from its 52-week low of $14.56.
Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (RMCF) provides some sweet relief
RMCF continues to expand its franchise model. The company opened 8 new franchise locations in 1Q alone, and plans to open a total of 35-40 new franchise locations in FY2009. Franchise, royalty and marketing fees helped counteract the negative effects of sharp cost increases for chocolate and sugar. The company has no current plans to increase franchise fees given the tough times in the retail sector. Nor will the company provide FY2009 guidance, citing macroeconomic uncertainties. The company did declare its 20th straight quarterly dividend of $0.10. The stock trades right around $9, down 50% from its 52-week high of $18.04. RMCF may be a viable stock for bargain investors. No matter the state of the economy, chocolate is NOT a discretionary purchase for some people. Just make certain that due diligence includes extensive sampling of the entire product line. Expand your portfolio and your waistline at the same time.
Wolverine (WWW) stepping out
CEO Blake Krueger forecasts a growth rate in the 7.6-11.8% range, truly impressive when so many other retailers are struggling. This growth rate would translate into revenues in the $1.23-$1.26 billion range and EPS in the $1.83-$1.90 range. Inexplicably, the stock dropped 11.5% to $23.50 on the earnings release, despite the fact that 2Q EPS beat estimates by $0.02. The stock began to climb back a bit yesterday to close at $23.33, down from its 52-week high of $31.21, but it is dropping again this morning.
Lady Luck deserts gambling stocks
There is something rotten in Denmark, to quote from Hamlet, Act I, as well as in Las Vegas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, Iowa, and Florida. Gambling havens, once thought recession proof, are in trouble. Customer numbers are down, as are gambling, gift shop, hotel, and restaurant revenues. Casinos in Las Vegas have been hard hit, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, because of billions of dollars of debt to finance overambitious expansion plans. Tropicana Entertainment filed for Chapter 11 in May, defaulting on $2.67 billion in bank and bond debt. But smaller casinos are also feeling the pain.
Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) recently reported 4Q and FY2008 results. Snake eyes. Investors know they are not in for good news when the CEO spends the first few paragraphs of an earnings release discussing what a "transformational period" the last year has been. That's corporate-speak for "money losing," beginning with a $78.7 million write down in the value of some of the company's international assets and ending with a $51.3 million loss from continuing operations in 4Q 2008. All told, Isle of Capri Casinos lost $96.9 million from continuing operations in FY2008.The company cited increased competition in riverboat gambling in Biloxi, a smoking ban in casinos in Colorado, and a flood in Natchez as reasons for the lackluster performance. The company admits it needs to renovate 1,200 of its hotel rooms in order to attract customers back to the slots and tables.
The stock is currently trading at $4.23, near its 52-week low of $3.97.
Corel earnings drop 60%
Anybody who does much in the way of graphics or design knows Corel Corp. (NASDAQ: CREL) and its products -- Corel DRAW and Corel Paint Shop. No question they are good products. But that does not mask the fact that 2Q 2008 numbers do paint paint a pretty picture. Interim CEO Kris Hagerman states that "Corel performed well in the second quarter." Given that revenues were up less than 3% and GAAP net income, another word for earnings, dropped 60% to $930,000, what would qualify in Hagerman's book as a bad quarter? It isn't necessarily how much a company makes that is most important, it is how much of that amount it gets to keep.
EBITDA is heading south and Hagerman admits the company needs to pursue "opportunities in faster growing markets." The company issued 3Q 2008 guidance of GAAP earnings per share of zero to $0.06, in line with 2Q results. Time for senior management to paint a prettier picture.
Shares closed Thursday at $10.75. The stock is up about 4% year to date.
See also: What's going on with the Corel buyout?
WD-40 (WDFC) greases its own wheels
The company is rolling out its Smart Straw initiative globally. No more looking for the stupid little red straw that always got separated from the spray can. Now all aerosol cans of WD-40 have a built-in applicator. What a relief.
WD-40 also owns 3-in1 oil, Lava soap, X-14 and Carpet Fresh. None of these products are environmentally friendly by any stretch of the imagination. To counteract the perception that its products are not environmentally sensitive, WD-40 has launched a new product line, Spot Shot, comprised of an environmentally safe carpet stain remover and pet odor remover.
The stock is trading at just over $27, near its 52-week low of $26.50, and pays $0.25 in quarterly dividend.
PC Upgrades on Byte-Size Budgets -- Savings Experiment
Stay-At-Home Mom Fights New Credit Card Rule
How I Paid Off $27,000 in Credit Card Debt in Two Years
Just Missed Millions: People Who Left Early Jobs At Billion-Dollar Companies
Stay-At-Home Mom Fights New Credit Card Rule
Facebook IPO Valuation Sets Record: Is It Really Worth $104 Billion?
Weird-Mart: Tales of the Bizarre from the Walmart Aisles
Despite One Bad Quarter, Don't Discount J.C. Penney's Chances
PC Upgrades on Byte-Size Budgets -- Savings Experiment
Drink Up Savings From Your Water Filter -- Savings Experiment
28 Crazy Facts You Didn't Know About Facebook
Money Where Your Mouth Is: Economist Explains Why We Eat Like We Do

