Continue reading Applied Materials Authorizes $2B Buyback and 16.7% Dividend Increase

Applied Materials Authorizes $2B Buyback and 16.7% Dividend Increase originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) lower Q3 results still topped expectations and sent shares higher.
• Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) posted much better-than-expected Q4 earnings, the first profit in a year.
• AstraZeneca (AZN) received an analyst's downgrade due to concerns over its earnings prospects.
• Blackstone Group (BX) received an analyst's upgrade following the company's Q3 results.
• Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) widened its net loss in Q3 and revenue and same-stores sales declined.
• Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (CLNE) shares declined after its Q3 numbers fell short of expectations.
• Consolidated Water Co. Inc. (CWCO) earnings prospects for 2010 earned it an analyst upgrade.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Abercrombie, Blockbuster, Disney, Macy's, Walmart ...

Earnings highlights: Abercrombie, Blockbuster, Disney, Macy's, Walmart ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Applied Materials (AMAT) tops analyst estimates

Applied Materials (AMAT) tops analyst estimates originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In this week's (November 9) Preview Section of Barron's (subscription required) I was surprised to find that on Wednesday (11/9) it is noted that Computer Sciences (CSC), Applied Materials (AMAT), and Macy's (M) reported "profits." How do they know this?

On other days they refer to the "earnings" of various companies reporting. Perhaps I am splitting hairs, perhaps it is editorial haste (like you might find on our site), or perhaps there is no difference in some people's minds? From my perspective there is a difference between earnings and profits. Every quarter, public companies report their earnings. They do not always report a profit.

Continue reading Sunday Funnies: Barron's predicting profits?

Sunday Funnies: Barron's predicting profits? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: The quiet bullish day (AMSC, AMAT, SVNT, SRZ)

Closing Bell: The quiet bullish day (AMSC, AMAT, SVNT, SRZ) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) posted better-than-expected Q3 results, sending shares higher.
• AutoDesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings, sending shares higher.
• Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) had another disappointing quarter as same-store sales declined.
• CIT Group Inc. (NYSE: CIT) delayed its Q3 report due to ongoing debt restructuring and a possible bankruptcy.
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (NYSE: DPS) Q2 earnings came in well ahead of Wall Street expectations.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Blockbuster, Walmart, Applied Materials, ING, Priceline ...

Earnings highlights: Blockbuster, Walmart, Applied Materials, ING, Priceline ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Aug 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I'm indecisive about Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT). The semiconductor company, which also works with solar photovoltaic cells, is starting to look like a good trade to me. However, I still shudder when I examine the numbers. What I've got to keep telling myself, I guess, is that the market is a discounting mechanism, and that now may be the time to act.

According to the press release, which was issued after the market closed on Tuesday, net sales decreased 39% in the third quarter. Adjusted earnings came in at 0 cents per share. That was obviously much less than the 17 cents per share earned one year ago. According to Reuters, which made a further adjustment for equity-based compensation, Applied Materials lost 3 cents per share. The market was expecting a loss of 8 cents per share. The top line beat projections as well.

Continue reading Applied Materials beats in Q3: Time to trade?

Applied Materials beats in Q3: Time to trade? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT - option chain) stock is falling today after company CEO Mike Splinter said that weak demand and high development costs could lead to multiple failures in the semiconductor equipment sector. If you think this stock won't be rising too far in the coming months, then it could be a good time to look at a bearish hedged play on AMAT.

This morning, AMAT opened at $11.87. So far today the stock has hit a low of $11.53 and a high of $11.88. As of 11:30, AMAT is trading at $11.57, down $0.49 (-4.1%). The chart for AMAT looks bullish and S&P gives AMAT a positive 4 STARS (out of 5) buy ranking.

Continue reading Applied Material (AMAT) CEO predicts failing chip companies

Applied Material (AMAT) CEO predicts failing chip companies originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) reported dismal Q1 numbers as same-store sales plunged.
• Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) dismal Q2 results were in line with analysts' expectations.
• Bankrate Inc. (NASDAQ: RATE) reported lower earnings and revenue for Q1 and offered no guidance.
• Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) earnings, revenue, and same-store sales all fell in the first quarter.
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS) Q1 earnings declined but still topped analysts' expectations.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Walmart, JCPenney, Freddie Mac, Playboy, Whole Foods and more

Earnings highlights: Walmart, JCPenney, Freddie Mac, Playboy, Whole Foods and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) reported Q2 numbers earlier in the week. They were dismal, to say the least. According to Jon Ogg's Closing Bell on Wednesday, the semiconductor business saw its top line reduced by 50%, and the adjusted loss came to 10 cents per share. Yes, yes, that met expectations. So what? The article also mentioned that the solar operation wasn't doing so hot.

Looking through the actual earnings release, I don't see a lot of things that would make a shareholder happy. Backlog was down. Applied Materials had to use cash to keep things going over the last six months (obviously investors would rather see cash generated from operations). And CEO Mike Splinter described the current climate as very tough in terms of customer demand.

Continue reading Applied Materials has a bad Q2

Applied Materials has a bad Q2 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 May 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Profit taking turns to outright selling (GE, GM, MGM, AMAT, M, SOLR)

Closing Bell: Profit taking turns to outright selling (GE, GM, MGM, AMAT, M, SOLR) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Jefferies upgraded shares of SourceFire (NASDAQ:FIRE) to Buy from Hold as they believe the company is benefiting from recent spending by the U.S. Federal government and private enterprises to improve cybersecurity. The firm raised their price target on the stock to $11 from $7.
  
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Brocade (NASADAQ:BRCD) to Buy from Neutral as they believe an expanded OEM announcement with IBM (NYSE:IBM) could be announced as early as the end of April, creating a positive catalyst. The firm raised their price target on the stock to $6 from $4.
  
• UBS upgraded Salesforce.com (NYSE:CRM) to Buy from Sell but lowered their target to $4 from $21 citing reduced churn and cashflow concerns, expectations for FY10 to be a trough year, and a potential reacceleration in deferred growth.
• AK Steel (NYSE:AKS) was raised to Buy from Neutral at Goldman.
  
• Strattec (NASDAQ:STRT) was raised to Neutral from Underperform at Baird.
  
• Lululemon (NASDAQ:LULU) was upgraded at William Blair to Outperform from Market Perform.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

President Obama has encouraged companies to cut pay -- particularly at the executive level. Some companies -- many of which are in Silicon Valley -- are complying. And others, like Boeing (NYSE: BA), are holding off on the pay cuts and going for the layoffs instead. This is a tricky problem and there's no doubt that CEOs are probably in a better position to make the call then Washington.

It's hard to hire engineers. So rather than fire them, many Silicon Valley companies are giving pay cuts to their executives and their employees alike. For example,

• Hewlett Packard (NASDAQ: HPQ) will cut its CEO's base salary by 20%, executives' pay by 10% to 15%, and most employees' salaries by 5%
• Applied Materials Inc., (NASDAQ: AMAT) the will cut executive pay 10% adding to an earlier 10% reduction
• Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) zeroed out its budget for merit pay or promotions, its CEO received e-mails from employees saying they would rather take pay cuts than lose a job or see co-workers terminated

Continue reading How big is your pay cut?

How big is your pay cut? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) posted a Q1 loss and announced a workforce reduction.
• ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT) swung to it's first ever quarterly loss due to lower demand and a big write-down.
• Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. (NASDAQ: BWLD) shares surged after it posted strong Q4 results.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) posted better-than-expected Q4 earnings as revenue surged.
• Genzyme Corp. (NASDAQ: GENZ) topped Q4 earnings estimates, sending shares higher.
• Global Traffic Network Inc. (NASDAQ: GNET) weaker-than-expected Q2 results led to a downgrade.
• Level 3 Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: LVLT) shares fell despite its upside surprise for Q4.
• Lions Gate Entertainment (NYSE: LGF) posted a bigger-than-expected Q3 loss despite revenue growth.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Viacom, UBS, RIM, ArcelorMittal, Lions Gate, McAfee and others

Earnings highlights: Viacom, UBS, RIM, ArcelorMittal, Lions Gate, McAfee and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: MT, AMAT, NVDA, MJN, SIRI, CS, DF, NKE, RIMM, RTP ...

Stocks in the news: MT, AMAT, NVDA, MJN, SIRI, CS, DF, NKE, RIMM, RTP ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 08:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Applied Materials, Inc.

Continue reading Applied Materials will report quarterly earnings tomorrow

Applied Materials will report quarterly earnings tomorrow originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Akamai Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM) earnings prospects garnered an analyst's upgrade.
• Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) warned of a loss for the quarter due to the economic slowdown.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) posted lower Q2 profit and revenue that missed estimates.
• Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) Q2 profit fell but beat estimates, and it reaffirmed its full-year guidance.
• Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW) swung to a Q4 loss and warned that low demand will continue.
• Hartford Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG) posted a loss, cut its dividend, and offered weak guidance.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Toyota, Disney, Merck, Marathon, News Corp. and others

Earnings highlights: Toyota, Disney, Merck, Marathon, News Corp. and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 08 Feb 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Today was a bit of a mixed day with bulls and bears fighting over whether or not the DJIA should be above or below 8,000. Consumer spending and income were both weak; manufacturing data from the ISM was weak, and construction spending was weak. The weak numbers are becoming routine and traders were in charge today.

Continue reading Closing bell: A modest reaction to bad news; OMEX, MAT, AMAT, M, NYX, TM

Closing bell: A modest reaction to bad news; OMEX, MAT, AMAT, M, NYX, TM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Jefferies upgraded MSC Industrial (NYSE:MSM) to Buy from Hold after meeting with management as they believe shares are attractive at current levels. The firm raised their target price to $44 from $32.
  
• UBS upgraded DuPont Fabros (NYSE:DFT) to Buy from Neutral and raised their target to $7 from $2. The firm believes DuPont Fabros will receive a waiver on its CH1 Construction loan for at least a year.
  
• Royal Bank of Scotland upgraded Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS) to Buy from Hold to reflect the company's derisking of its trading book.
• Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) was upgraded to Buy from Neutral at Goldman and added to the Conviction Buy List; Cigna (NYSE:CI) was also added to the Conviction Buy List.
  
• Affymetrix (NASDAQ:AFFX) was raised to Equal Weight from Underweight at Morgan Stanley.
  
• Airtran Holdings (NYSE:AAI) was upgraded to Buy from Hold at Jesup & Lamont.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CS, CI, UNH, AMAT, NFLX

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: CS, CI, UNH, AMAT, NFLX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, F, WMT, MRK, ADBE, COF, C, DD, T, AMZN, AMAT (update)

Stocks in the news: GM, F, WMT, MRK, ADBE, COF, C, DD, T, AMZN, AMAT (update) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.