Over the past few years, the shareholders of H&R Block (HRB) have taken many hits. The recession slowed growth and the company's digital strategy has been lacking.

But there are some signs that things are improving. In fact, on news of H&R Block's fiscal third-quarter results, the stock is up about 5%.

Continue reading H&R Block Gets Less Taxing for Investors

H&R Block Gets Less Taxing for Investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Our recommendations for the Buyback Premium Portfolio center on a collection of five stocks that we believe, as a group, will outperform the market this month.

The Buyback Premium Portfolio has beat the S&P 500 by more than 72% since its inception (August 2, 2000)! It is up 54.87% since inception vs. a decline of 17.90% in the S&P 500. For the month of November, the portfolio gained 3.41% vs. a decline of 0.23% in the S&P 500.

Continue reading David Fried's Buyback Premium Portfolio: Mid-Month Update

David Fried's Buyback Premium Portfolio: Mid-Month Update originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Call Volume Soars Ahead of Earnings from H&R Block

Call Volume Soars Ahead of Earnings from H&R Block originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Options Update: H&R Block Put Volume and Volatility Spike as Shares Sell Off originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been brutal for H&R Block (HRB). Its stock has gone from $23 to $12.50 a share over the past year. But in the latest earnings report, there was some hopeful news for shareholders. In fact, H&R Block's shares were up 8% following the report. However, there are still challenges for the company and its probably better to look at the stock early next year, at the start of the new tax season.

In the fiscal first quarter, H&R Block posted a loss of $130.7 million, or $0.41 per share. Of course, the shortfall is normal because of the seasonality in the business.

Continue reading H&R Block Rallies Following Q1 Report

H&R Block Rallies Following Q1 Report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Investors nervous about the possibly stalled economic recovery -- or worse, the beginning of the latter phase of a double-dip recession -- were not pleased with last week's housing numbers. Things were perhaps ameliorated somewhat by durable goods order numbers and a revised GDP that weren't as bad as expected, but that didn't stop the Dow from dipping below 10,000 later in the week, before fighting its way back above the benchmark to end the week, thanks largely to Fed chair Bernanke's comments on Friday.

Though the end of August is usually quiet, this week lots more economic data are due out, including more housing numbers: The Case-Shiller Home Price Index for June on Tuesday, construction spending numbers for July on Wednesday, and NAR's pending home sales for July on Thursday. There's not expected to be much to get excited about in these numbers.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Employment, Housing, Manufacturing, Earnings Expectations

The Week in Preview: Employment, Housing, Manufacturing, Earnings Expectations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block (HRB) was in focus Tuesday morning, thanks to an SEC filing Monday that revealed Soros Fund Management boosted its stake in the tax preparer during the second quarter. The equity has inched moderately higher Tuesday morning, but option volume has soared well beyond HRB's usual levels. Within the first hour of trading, put volume surged to roughly 26 times the norm, with about 4,300 contracts changing hands.

HRB's January 2011 11-strike put was most active, with 4,140 contracts trading within the first hour of the session. About 97% of these puts changed hands at the ask price, implying they were purchased, and implied volatility on this out-of-the-money option rose 2.9 percentage points. With just 339 contracts in open interest at the January 11 put, it's a safe bet that new positions are being opened.

Continue reading Put Volume Spikes on H&R Block

Put Volume Spikes on H&R Block originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading H&R Block Taxes Investors Again

H&R Block Taxes Investors Again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Auriga upgraded Allscripts (MDRX) to buy from hold to reflect valuation and potential synergies from the company's pending merger with Eclipsys (ECLP). The firm upped its target price for shares to $20 from $19.
• SunTrust upgraded Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) to buy from neutral based on completion of its turnaround plan, stabilizing end markets and favorable comparisons. The firm has a $25 price target on the stock.
• Morgan Joseph upgraded C.R. Bard (BCR) to buy from hold based on valuation and upside to estimates from the share buyback program. The firm has a $97 price target on the stock.
• Shire (SHPGY) was upgraded to buy from hold at Lazard Capital.
• Onyx Pharma (ONXX) was upgraded to outperform from market perform at BMO Capital.
• AvalonBay (AVB) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: AVB, BCR, CREE, DAI, HRB, HSP, MDRX, NANO, NWL ...

Analyst Calls: AVB, BCR, CREE, DAI, HRB, HSP, MDRX, NANO, NWL ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades

• Wells Fargo upgraded Boeing (BA) to outperform from market perform. The firm is more confident about the company's earnings growth going forward.
• Oppenheimer upgraded H&R Block (HRB) to outperform from perform on expectations the company will improve performance in 2011. The firm has a $22 price target for shares.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded SunTrust (STI) to buy from hold to reflect valuation and expectations the company's credit will improve. The firm raised its target for shares to $34 from $29.
• Children's Place (PLCE) was upgraded to overweight from neutral at JPMorgan.
• Taubman Centers (TCO) was upgraded to neutral from sell at UBS.
• Cavium Networks (CAVM) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Cowen.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: BA, HRB, STI, NDAQ, AIG, CHH, ORCL, HCN, COL, MLM

Analyst Calls: BA, HRB, STI, NDAQ, AIG, CHH, ORCL, HCN, COL, MLM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 27 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Barnes & Noble Finally Wakes Up to the Internet

Barnes & Noble Finally Wakes Up to the Internet originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late last month, H&R Block (HRB) dropped a bomb on investors. The company slashed its outlook because of the slow start of the tax season. As a result, H&R Block's stock price fell 13%.

So Monday, the company reported its official fiscal third-quarter results. Profits came to $50.6 million, or $0.15 per share, up from $47.4 million, or $0.14 per share in the same period a year ago.

Continue reading H&R Block Feels the Pain from TurboTax

H&R Block Feels the Pain from TurboTax originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Most of the S&P 500 have reported earnings results this quarter, but on tap this week are Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.B), National Semiconductor Corp. (NSM) and Pall Corp. (PLL), which are expected to post earnings growth, as well as H&R Block Inc. (HRB) and Kroger Co. (KR), which are not.

Most of the high expectations from analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are still with retailers this week, though. Here's a look at a few of them.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Earnings Season Winds Down

The Week in Preview: Earnings Season Winds Down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• American International Group Inc. (AIG) posted a big loss and warned it may require additional assistance.
• Athenahealth (ATHN) shares sank after it delayed earnings and its annual report, and warned of restatements.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (BKS) Q3 sales jumped on popularity of the Nook reader but same-store sales declined.
• Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (BRCD) disappointing report and guidance caused a sell-off in shares.
• Dell Inc. (DELL) acquisitions and better-than-expected earnings may not be enough to stop shrinking market share.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) rose after it beat earnings estimates, raised its dividend and announced stock buybacks.

Continue reading Earnings Highlights: AIG, Dell, Gap, Heinz, Macy's, RadioShack, Sears ...

Earnings Highlights: AIG, Dell, Gap, Heinz, Macy's, RadioShack, Sears ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Deutsche Bank upgraded Viacom (VIA) to buy from hold due to valuation and expectations that share buybacks will resume this year. The firm raised its price target on shares to $37 from $28.
• Canadian Natural (CNQ) was upgraded to outperform from neutral at Credit Suisse. The firm upgraded shares based on valuation and the outlook for heavy crude.
• UBS upgraded Key Energy (KEG) to buy from neutral, citing increased E&P well spending, a possible shorter term rally in gas activity and improved utilization. Target raised to $12.50 from $9.50.
• Shire (SHPGY) was raised to outperform from perform at Oppenheimer.
• PNC Financial (PNC) was upgraded at Bernstein to outperform from market perform.
• Pacer International (PACR) was upgraded to buy from hold at BB&T.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiation: AXA, DNDN, HME, HRB, KEG, LTD, PNC, VIA ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiation: AXA, DNDN, HME, HRB, KEG, LTD, PNC, VIA ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst Upgrades

• Citigroup upgraded PPG Industries (PPG) to buy from hold on expectations the company will benefit from increased auto production in 2010. The firm raised its price target on shares to $71 from $62.
• Stephens upgraded H&R Block (HRB) to overweight from equal weight as it believes the company is well positioned to gain market share with the problems at Jackson Hewitt (JTX). The firm raised its target price on H&R Block shares to $28 from $22.
• Credit Suisse raised Tyson Foods (TSN) to outperform from neutral and raised its target to $16 from $13. The firm believes Tyson is a cyclical stock in the early stages of a rebound in protein processing.
• Lennar (LEN) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) was upgraded to market perform from underperform at Wells Fargo.
• Spartech (SEH) was upgraded to buy from hold at KeyBanc.

Continue reading Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACL, BAC, BDX, HRB, JPM, PPG, TSN ...

Analyst Upgrades, Downgrades and Initiations: ACL, BAC, BDX, HRB, JPM, PPG, TSN ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The federal and state governments regulate a variety of industries that help with your money -- such as stockbrokers. However, when it comes to preparing taxes, the licensing is fairly sporadic. Only a few states have requirements. Kind of scary, huh?

Well, things are going to change. The IRS has announced that it will take the responsibility of regulating U.S. tax preparation companies, such as H&R Block (HRB) and Jackson Hewitt (JTX).

Continue reading IRS Finally Regulates Tax Preparers

IRS Finally Regulates Tax Preparers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP) was downgraded due to concerns about its 2010 earnings outlook.
• Analogic Corp. (ALOG) received an analyst's downgrade after it reported weaker-than-expected earnings.
• AutoZone Inc. (AZO) strong Q1 results beat earnings expectations, but shares rose only a little.
• BWAY Holding Co. (BWY) received an analyst's upgrade following release of its Q4 results.
• Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY) topped Q2 earnings estimates but lower revenue fell short.
• Ciena Corp. (CIEN) shares plummeted after it fell short of its earnings expectations for Q4.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Ciena, Costco, FedEx, Krispy Kreme, Kroger, MetLife, 3M ...

Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Ciena, Costco, FedEx, Krispy Kreme, Kroger, MetLife, 3M ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block (HRB) is ready to tackle its 55th tax season. However, the company realizes that it needs to rejuvenate things, as its brand has become outmoded and growth has slowed.

This week, the company posted its latest quarterly report, which showed a 7.2% decrease in revenues to $326.1 million and a loss of $128.6 million, or $0.38 per share. Because of the seasonality of the tax business, the second half of the year typically has losses.

Continue reading H&R Block wants an extreme makeover

H&R Block wants an extreme makeover originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings season, like the calendar year, is winding down. The sprinkling of quarterly results scheduled for this coming week include S&P 500 components AutoZone (AZO), Ciena (CIEN), H&R Block (HRB) and National Semiconductor (NSM), as well as Dollar General (DG), Imperial Sugar (IPSU), Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (KKD), Men's Wearhouse (MW), Talbots (TLB) and others.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect to see strong year-over-year and sequential EPS growth from luxury watchmaker Movado Group Inc. (MOV). During its third quarter of fiscal 2010, this Paramus, N.J.-based company was recognized for its innovative use of technology and it reported a big profit decline for the second quarter.

Continue reading The week in preview: Profit expectations for Costco, Kroger, Movado and others

The week in preview: Profit expectations for Costco, Kroger, Movado and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.