Continue reading Ann Taylor Jumps 12% On Strong Q4 Earnings, 2011 Outlook

Ann Taylor Jumps 12% On Strong Q4 Earnings, 2011 Outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: Ann Taylor March Volatility Elevated originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Wynn Resorts (WYNN) to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Oracle (ORCL) and Alliance Data Systems (ADS) to outperform from neutral at Macquarie.
• Saint Joe (JOE) to outperform from market perform at Keefe Bruyette.
• Starwood Hotels (HOT) to neutral from underperform at RW Baird.
• Middlesex Water (MSEX) to buy from neutral at Janney Capital.
• Consol Energy (CNX) to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BAC, CMA, DO, HOT, ORCL, RIG, RTN, SBUX, TLB, WYNN ...

Analyst Calls: BAC, CMA, DO, HOT, ORCL, RIG, RTN, SBUX, TLB, WYNN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ann Taylor Stores, Corp. (ANN) is doing extremely well this afternoon. At the time of this writing, shares of the company were up 9% to $25.90. What a move. It probably goes without saying that it was backed by high volume.

The 52-week low for the stock is $11.59 while the 52-week high, which was reached earlier in the intraday session, is currently set at $26.12. There is definitely a bullish aura surrounding this equity. The one-year chart shows a nice recent uptrend, as well as a desire to move past resistance levels defined back in the springtime. So, should investors still be interested at this point?

Continue reading Ann Taylor Reports Q3 Numbers: Market Likes What It Sees

Ann Taylor Reports Q3 Numbers: Market Likes What It Sees originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• RBC Capital upgraded Brookfield Infrastructure (BIP) to outperform from sector perform with a $20 target. The firm thinks the units' valuation is compelling, while the company's proposed acquisition of assets is positive.
• Stifel upgraded First Horizon (FHN) to buy from hold based on valuation and its path towards normalized profitability. The firm has a $15 price target on the stock.
• KeyBanc upgraded Isle of Capri (ISLE) to buy from hold based on improved earnings growth and valuation. The firm has a $13 target on the stock.
• ATA Inc. (ATAI) was upgraded to neutral from underweight at Piper Jaffray.
• Buckeye Partners (BPL) was upgraded to neutral from sell at Goldman.
• Sinopec (SNP) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at HSBC.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: ANN, BIP, DUK, FHN, ISLE, JCG, POM, RE, SMT ...

Analyst Calls: ANN, BIP, DUK, FHN, ISLE, JCG, POM, RE, SMT ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Below are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks. Click through to the original posts for more details.

• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN) shares rallied on heavy volume after it posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings.
• AutoZone Inc. (AZO) Q3 earnings easily beat consensus expectations and same-store sales rose sharply.
• Borders Group Inc. (BGP) posted a wider operating loss, decreasing gross margin, and a same-store sales decline.
• Campbell Soup Co. (CPB) posted strong Q3 results and offered guidance, boosting shares on a down-market day.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (COST) posted better-than-expected Q3 results, due in part to a surge in membership sales.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: AutoZone, Borders, Campbell, Costco, Heinz, J. Crew, TiVo ...

Earnings Highlights: AutoZone, Borders, Campbell, Costco, Heinz, J. Crew, TiVo ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 May 2010 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ann Taylor (ANN) closed higher this past Friday by a whopping 8%. It increased $1.73 to $21.96. Volume was well above average, an indication of conviction behind the trade. Wall Street gave the retailer a thumbs-up after its most recent quarterly report.

The stock has been an interesting one over the past twelve months. As I've mentioned before, it's been difficult figuring out exactly where the market wants to take it. Yet, when you step back and have a look at the one-year chart, you see what appears to be a bias to the upside. The right side of the graphic shows a little volatility that has pulled the stock down from the 52-week high of $25.24. Have we been presented with a buying opportunity?

Continue reading Ann Taylor Generates Profit, Better Comps in Q1

Ann Taylor Generates Profit, Better Comps in Q1 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 May 2010 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ann Taylor (ANN). Now there's a stock that drives me crazy. If you check out previous articles I've written on the retailer (here's one from November 2009; here's another from August 2009), you'll notice that I didn't have a great handle on where the stock was heading. It's tough sometimes to figure out how the market will judge the fundamentals of a situation, even if the fundamentals seem especially clear.

Anyway, the company reported fourth-quarter numbers earlier today. On an adjusted basis, profit came to 5 cents per share. A year ago, investors had to deal with a loss of $1.03 per share. Analysts thought a loss of a penny per share was in the cards. That's got to be worth a bid, right?

Continue reading Ann Taylor Goes from Loss to Profit in Q4

Ann Taylor Goes from Loss to Profit in Q4 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The next month is the one that matters most to the retail sector. It will dominate the conversation when Q4 and full-year financials are reported. A strong Black Friday brought with it concerns that momentum will fade, but opportunity is not dispensed equally. Some retailers will come through the season better than others, and industry experts have already chosen their favorites.

Michael Dart, senior partner at Kurt Salmon Associates, says, "We are seeing a paradigm shift in the way consumer interprets value and what they are looking for." The winners will do more than pitch deep discounts to convince consumers to part with their hard-earned cash.

Continue reading Nine (and then some) retail stocks to watch this holiday season

Nine (and then some) retail stocks to watch this holiday season originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN) declining same-store sales offset better-than-expected Q3 earnings.
• Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) reached a new 52-week high after Q3 results handily exceeded expectations.
• Dillard's Inc. (DDS) said that it swung to a Q3 profit due to cost cutting as revenue declined year over year.
• GameStop Corp. (GME) reported uninspiring Q3 numbers that included a slump in same-store sales.
• Home Depot Inc. (HD) lower Q3 earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates, but shares still declined.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Ann Taylor, GameStop, Home Depot, Sears, TJX ...

Earnings highlights: Ann Taylor, GameStop, Home Depot, Sears, TJX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I was wrong about Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN). Thought it might make a possible earnings trade. Well, Q3 earnings are out, and it looks like the market has given a thumbs down to my thesis. At the time of this writing, shares were off by almost 4%.

It's funny, because Ann Taylor has done so well in 2009 as a stock that one could have supposed that a wide earnings beat would serve as a catalyst for capital appreciation. The retailer made 20 cents per share on an adjusted basis. According to my earnings preview, 6 cents was the analyst number. I mean, come on, that's an example of solid performance, correct?

Continue reading Ann Taylor out of style with investors after Q3 report

Ann Taylor out of style with investors after Q3 report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ann Taylor (ANN) was upgraded Monday, according to TheStreet.com. Jesup & Lamont calls the stock a buy now instead of a hold. You're never far from the analyst game when you trade on Wall Street. Question is, what should you do about this retailer? Should you give it a position in your own portfolio?

I'm not the biggest fan of Ann Taylor. I don't like the fundamentals. I made this amply clear back in August when I discussed the company's second quarter.

Continue reading Ann Taylor upgraded: Ignore the stock or buy ahead of earnings report?

Ann Taylor upgraded: Ignore the stock or buy ahead of earnings report? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (NYSE: AEO) Q2 profit fell short of estimates as same-store sales declined.
• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) Q2 earnings beat very low expectations and same-store sales fell.
• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) reported better-than-expected numbers for Q2, sending shares upward.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BKC) posted a better-than-expected Q4 profit though revenue declined.
• China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. posted a record Q2 profit after restrictions on fuel prices were lifted.
• Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) said its Q2 earnings declined, but they still topped analysts' expectations.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Burger King, Dell, Dollar Tree, J. Crew, Staples, Toll Bros. ...

Earnings highlights: Burger King, Dell, Dollar Tree, J. Crew, Staples, Toll Bros. ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 Aug 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ann Taylor Stores (NYSE: ANN) reported earnings for the second quarter this past Friday. I didn't think the results were good at all, but the stock did close higher by the end of the trading session. On an adjusted basis, net income dropped like a rock to 6 cents per share from 53 cents per share in the year-ago period. According to Bloomberg, Ann Taylor beat estimates by 3 cents.

Interestingly enough, the market did agree with me early on. That Bloomberg piece mentioned how the shares experienced a decline upon the release. Later on, the shares rebounded as buyers stepped in to partake of a perceived opportunity.

Continue reading Ann Taylor beats in second quarter -- is it a trade or an investment?

Ann Taylor beats in second quarter -- is it a trade or an investment? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Aug 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Talbots, Inc. (NYSE: TLB), a retailer targeted to women and a colleague of businesses such as Macy's (NYSE: M) and Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN), posted Q4 earnings on Monday after the bell. Actually, they weren't earnings, they were losses. And they were worse than last year's numbers. The chain said it lost, on an adjusted basis, $2.40 per share from continuing operations. In the fourth quarter of the previous fiscal year, Talbots lost only $0.13 per share from continuing operations.

In terms of expectations, this source says that the loss was much wider than anticipated. Net sales for the quarter declined 23%. Cash from operations is a fraction of what it once was. And same-store sales simply bombed, diving almost 25%!

Continue reading Talbots not looking pretty as it posts a bigger loss in Q4

Talbots not looking pretty as it posts a bigger loss in Q4 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• American International Group Inc. (NYS: AIG) posted a record loss even as it asks for more taxpayer funds.
• AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) shares sank after it missed Q4 expectations by a wide margin.
• AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) reported strong Q2 results, sending shares upward toward its 52-week high.
• Big Lots Inc. (NYSE: BIG) shares soared after it reported better-than-expected numbers for Q4.
• Chico's FAS Inc. (NYSE: CHS) Q4 loss widened on impairment charges and severance costs.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: AIG, HP, AutoZone, Big Lots, MBIA, TiVo and more

Earnings highlights: AIG, HP, AutoZone, Big Lots, MBIA, TiVo and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Ann Taylor's awful earnings miss means stock is a sell

Ann Taylor's awful earnings miss means stock is a sell originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AnnTaylor (NYSE: ANN), whose colleagues include Liz Claiborne (NYSE: LIZ) and Talbots (NYSE: TLB), reported Q2 earnings stats that beat the views of Wall Street. The retailer said it made $0.54 per share in the second quarter versus $0.51 per share earned in the similar period a year ago. These bottom-line results are on an adjusted basis. According to Reuters, analysts were looking for about $0.49 per share. So that's a nice $0.05 beat.

The bottom line may have surprised analysts, but other parts of the story didn't excite me. The top line decreased by almost 4%. Same-store sales took a big dive, declining pretty near 11%. Comps are an important metric for retailers, and a significant decrease like this one always makes investors cautious. Management cited low traffic levels as a driver of the dismal comps. Seems to me like someone at the chain needs to rethink the current marketing campaigns. The gross margin did improve, though, so at least there's that.

After reading through the earnings release, it became quite apparent to me that management is clearly worried about the economy going forward. They're right, I think the rest of the year may indeed be rough on the consumer. With such weak stats, I think it would be hard to make a case for buying AnnTaylor's stock. If you're a contrarian and think the company will consistently beat earnings from this point on, and you turn out to be right, then buying the stock now might make for a good trade. But I'd have to hear good reasons for such a bullish case. I think it's entirely possible that AnnTaylor's shares trend lower from here. No matter what, I won't be putting this retailer on my personal watch list. My advice to the company: get traffic through the door with more innovative promotional schemes.

Disclosure: I don't own any company mentioned; positions can change at any time.

AnnTaylor whips Wall Street estimates, but I'm not buying originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Perhaps it is because investors have an appetite for stocks, since there seems to be few investment alternatives. Real estate is off limits and the yield on bonds and other fixed-income investments is pathetically low.

The theme for the week ahead is SMOOTH SAILING. In this week's column, we delve into some stocks that will be announcing earnings, and that may benefit from the changing tide of investor sentiment. To be sure, there will be several areas of choppiness as we continue to be bombarded by the stormy realities of a turbulent economy.

Monday, May 19

The chart for Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) looks M'm M'm good. Sporting a smooth line with nary a ripple over the past 12 months, management has done a great job at keeping both company earnings and share price up, even in the face of significant food inflation. While shares have been condensing during the past few months, recently they have been rising with a series of higher highs and higher lows. Be on the outlook for earnings of 44 cents per share on revenue expectations of $1.89 billion. Now that I think of it. That's a lot of soup wrapped in tin-plated steel -- one of many materials that has seen its price almost double in the past six months.

Continue reading The week in preview: Smooth sailing ahead

The week in preview: Smooth sailing ahead originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 18 May 2008 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Thomas Weisel downgraded Seagate (NYSE: STX) to Market Weight from Overweight as they believe the company's growth will be more muted given high existing market share and overall industry growth.
  
• Baird downgraded Nortel (NYSE: NT) to Neutral from Outperform citing checks that indicate deteriorating US Enterprise sales in the last few weeks of Q1. The firm now expects companies to guide flat QoQ instead of up and to make cautious 2H08 comments.
  
• Ann Taylor (NYSE: ANN) was cut to Neutral from Buy at Piper to reflect concerns over the LOFT division as well as consumer spending.

• Citigroup lowered TJX Cos (NYSE: TJX) to Hold from Buy.
  
• WestLB downgraded to Hold from Add Novartis (NYSE: NVS).
  
• Hartford Financial (NYSE: HIG) was downgraded to Neutral from Buy at UBS.

Analyst downgrades: STX, NT, TJX, NVS and ANN originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.