The calendar quarter winds down this week and quarterly reports are due from Apollo Group (APOL), CarMax (KMX), Global Payments (GPN), Krispy Kreme (KKD), Lennar (LEN) and McCormick (MKC). But analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters have high hopes for results from fertilizer and animal feed maker Mosaic (MOS), apparel maker Phillips Van Heusen (PVH) and discount retailer Family Dollar (FDO). So here's a look at what they anticipate from these three companies.

Mosaic

During its fiscal second quarter, Cargill agreed to distribute its stake in Mosaic, and Mosaic also said it would redeem senior notes. Analysts anticipate that the Minnesota-based potash producer will report per-share earnings of $1.07, a jump of 53.3% from the same quarter of last year. Mosaic also is expected to post revenue of $2.4 billion for the three months that ended in February. That's a 35.9% rise from a year earlier.

Continue reading Week in Preview: Mosaic, Family Dollar Earnings and March Unemployment Rate

Week in Preview: Mosaic, Family Dollar Earnings and March Unemployment Rate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading McCormick Hit a 52-Week High -- Buy the Stock?

McCormick Hit a 52-Week High -- Buy the Stock? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Much of the focus this week will no doubt be on the FOMC meeting on interest rates and the subsequent decision, as well as on the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh, were the agenda will include bonuses for bank executives among other things.

Things will be fairly quiet again on the earnings front as the next earnings season has yet to ramp up. However, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters do have high hopes for a handful of companies that will release results this week.

Continue reading The week in preview: Eye on AutoZone, ConAgra, KB Home, Research In Motion ...

The week in preview: Eye on AutoZone, ConAgra, KB Home, Research In Motion ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The quarter is winding down, and here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (NYSE: APD) lowered its guidance for the current quarter.
• AutoZone Inc. (NYSE: AZO) missed Q4 earnings estimates despite a modest increase in profits.
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) reported disappointing Q2 results that met analysts' expectations.
• Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) faces earnings declines if the Paulson plan fails, says Jim Cramer
• Circuit City Stores Inc. (NYSE: CC) earnings declines finally led to the ouster of CEO Schoonover.
• Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) beat Q3 expectations despite charges and reserves.
• General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) lowered its Q3 and full-year forecast due to financial sector woes.
• KB Home (NYSE: KBH) reported a greater-than-expected loss for Q3, and yet shares rose.
• Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) posted significantly smaller Q3 losses on cost cutting.
• McCormick & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MKC) topped Q3 expectations due to the sale of a brand.
• Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) posted better-than-expected Q1 results despite a decline in net income.
• Research in Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ: RIMM) posted strong Q2 results accompanied by a weak forecast.
• Rite Aid Corp. (NYSE: RAD) Q2 net loss more than doubled and revenues were flat
• Secure Computing Corp. (NASDAQ: SCUR) missing estimates didn't stop a deal with McAfee (NYSE: MFE).
• 3Com Corp. (NASDAQ: COMS) Q1 results topped both analysts estimates and previous guidance.
• 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) faces significant earnings declines if the Paulson plan fails, says Jim Cramer.

Also, are analysts' expectations for the the coming year too optimistic?

Upcoming quarterly reports include Circuit City (NYSE: CC), Walgreen (NYSE: WAG), Pepsi Bottling Group (NYSE: PBG), Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ), Marriott International (NYSE: MAR), Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Nike, Research in Motion, Lennar, GE and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

McCormick (MKC) flat after beating earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Earnings reports continue to dribble in as the quarter winds down. Much of the attention this week will be on homebuilders KB Home (NYSE: KBH) and Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) as investors look for any sign that the housing sector has bottomed (home sales numbers are also due out this week; see below). Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial anticipate that both companies will report that they narrowed their losses in the most recent quarter.

KB Home's expected $1.25 per share loss, on revenue of $725.5 million, compares to the previous quarter loss of $3.30 and to a year-ago loss of $6.19. However, KB Home's losses in the past few quarters have been deeper than expected. The Los Angeles-based homebuilder's long-range earnings growth forecast is 10.5%, less than the S&P 500. Analysts continue to recommend holding KB Home, and have for at least 120 days. Shares, however, reached a new 52-week high of $31.69 on Friday, and they are up 10.5% year to date.

Lennar is expected to post a loss of 52 cents per share, on revenue of $1.1 billion. That compares to the previous quarter's per-share loss of 76 cents and to a year-ago loss of $3.25. While Lennar also has tended in the past few quarters to miss expectations, the Miami-based company managed a positive surprise in the first quarter of 2008. Lennar's long-range earnings growth forecast is 10.3%, about the same as KB Home's. Analysts also recommend holding Lennar. Friday, shares of Lennar also reached a 52-week high, $27.75, but they are down 6.4% year to date.

Continue reading The week in preview: A bottom for the housing sector?

The week in preview: A bottom for the housing sector? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The earnings crunch is in full swing, and here are a few of the highlights of this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) reported a slip in profits and warned of slow growth in 2008.
• Alberto-Culver (NYSE: ACV) returned to profitability after a spin-off and restructuring.
• Avnet Inc. (NYSE: AVT) beat expectations and offered a revised forecast.
• Black & Decker Corp. (NYSE: BDK) beat expectations but lowered its outlook due to the housing slump.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK) fell short of earnings estimates, sending shares lower.
• Hershey Co. (NYSE: HSY) responded to disappointing results by announcing price increases.
• Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT) fourth-quarter profit fell on higher costs for raw materials.
• Lenovo Group Ltd. (OTC: LNVGY) nearly tripled quarterly earnings on strong demand for PCs in Asia.
• MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA) beat expectations, even after excluding a one-time investment gain.
• McCormick & Co. (NYSE: MKC) posted solid results on strength in international markets.
• McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) beat expectations, but reported flat same-store sales in December.
• Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) reported strong second-quarter results on strength in emerging markets.
• SanDisk Corp. (NASDAQ: SNDK) reported a profit but missed revenue expectations.
• Sherwin-Williams Co. (NYSE: SHW) missed estimates and lowered expectations for the next quarter.
• 3M Co. (NYSE: MMM) beat expectations despite a decline in profits.
• Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) profits fell and it announced a plan to raise prices.
• Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ) met earnings estimates but fell short of revenue expectations.

For additional BloggingStocks earnings highlights, see Yahoo!, Google, Amazon, Countrywide, Merck, UBS and others and Exxon, Boeing, Halliburton, Sony, UPS, Honda and others.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: McDonald's, Kraft, P&G, Verizon, MasterCard, 3M and others

Earnings highlights: McDonald's, Kraft, P&G, Verizon, MasterCard, 3M and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

There are only a few companies that make brands you are liable to find in the kitchen cupboard, no matter where in the country you look. A 118-year old outfit in Sparks, Maryland is one of them.

McCormick & Company (NYSE: MKC) is a specialty food firm, engaged in the manufacture, sale, and distribution of spices, herbs, seasoning blends and other flavors. The firm's Consumer unit offers products through such retail outlets as Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Safeway (NYSE: SWY) and Target (NYSE: TGT), under such brand names as McCormick, Zatarain, Simply Asia, Thai Kitchens, Club House and Schwartz. The Industrial segment markets to food manufacturers and the food service industry, through distributors. Unilever (NYSE: UL) is a major competitor.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 35 cents and revenues of $687.2 million. Analysts had been expecting 33 cents and $676.9 million. The CEO attributed the solid performance to increased international sales. Management also guided FY07 to $1.87-$1.91, versus $1.90 consensus. The share price popped on the news and has since been consolidating the gain in a bullish "flag" pattern. Prices frequently exit flags moving in the same direction they were traveling when they entered them. In this case, that would be to the upside.

Brokers recommend the issue with three "strong buys," four "buys" and six "holds." The MKC Price to Sales ratio (1.78), Return on Investment (11.62%) and Return on Equity (22.19%) compare favorably with industry, sector and S&P 500 averages. Institutions hold about 67% of the outstanding shares. The stock is one of those used to calculate the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 52 weeks, it has traded between $34.80 and $39.82. A stop-loss of $32.85 looks good here.

Larry Schutts is a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com and the Vice-President of Stockwinners.com.

McCormick & Company: Seasoned players in the food game originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Jul 2007 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merck & Co (NYSE: MRK ) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs to reflect the company's continued revenue strength and raised guidance. They believe strong execution continues.
• JP Morgan upgraded Intersil Corp NASDAQ: ISIL) to Overweight from Neutral based on improving fundamentals.
• Matrix USA upgraded shares of Nautilus Group (NYSE: NLS) to Hold from Strong Sell after this week's sell-off.
• Pacific Sunwear of California (NASDAQ: PSUN) was added to Freidman Billing's Top Picks List, believing the turnaround is taking hold following strong March comps.

• Goldman added L-3 Communications Hlds (NYSE: LLL) to its Conviction Buy List and raised its target to $105 from $95.
• McCormick Corp (NYSE: MKC) was upgraded to Outperform from Market Perform at Wachovia citing core performance in both Industrial and Consumer, including a nominal boost in long-term growth outlook.
• Bear Stearns upgraded shares of Ventana Medical Systems (NASDAQ: VMSI) to Outperform from Peer Perform, citing the company's solid base business outlook and Symphony potential.
• Piper Jaffray upgraded Ocwen Financial (NYSE: OCN) to Outperform from Market Perform.
• JP Morgan upgraded TJX Cos (NYSE: TJX) to Neutral from Underweight expecting merchandising initiatives and marketing spending to drive growth.

Analyst upgrades 4-13-07: LLL, MRK, NLS and PSUN upgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Tiffany & Co (NYSE: TIF) to report Q4 earnings; conference call at 8:30am. Analysts will evaluate Tiffany's holiday performance, new products and note management's comments on global diamond and jewelry trends.
• Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) to hold analyst meeting at 8:30am.
• Canon Inc ADR (NYSE: CAJ) to hold shareholder meeting at 10pm.

• Goldman Sachs Group Inc (NYSE: GS) to hold shareholder meeting at 9:30am.
• McCormick and Company Inc (NYSE: MKC) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10am. Analysts will focus on McCormick's consumer segment [largest business], but will also note industrial business line performance, new spices/ingredients and commodity costs.

• Teco Energy Inc (NYSE: TE) to provide 2007 outlook; webcast at 8am.
• Media Telecommunications & Entertainment Conference 3/28-3/29

• PDUFA date for Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc's (NASDAQ: NSTK) Calcitonin-Salmon Nasal Spray for Osteoporosis.

• Finish Line Inc (NASDAQ: FINL) to report Q4 earnings; conference call at 8:30am. Note that the company issued disappointing guidance earlier this month.
• CKE Restaurants Inc (NYSE: CKR), the owner of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, to report Q4 earnings; conference call at 9am. Analysts will review the company's same store sales by restaurant chain, average lunch/dinner checks, menu changes and margins. Analysts will also evaluate management's the performance of breakfast offerings, and the company's chain expansion plan.

Market highlights for next week: Tiffany, McCormick and CKE Restaurants to report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• UBS upgraded Google Inc (NASDAQ: GOOG) to Buy from Neutral with a $560 target on valuation.

• Deutsche Bank upgraded shares of Office Depot (NYSE: ODP) to Buy from Hold on valuation, following the recent sell-off.

• Brinker International Inc (NYSE: EAT) was upgraded to Neutral from Sell at Goldman Sachs, based on the company's ongoing restructuring efforts.

• Kellogg Company (NYSE: K) was also upgraded at Goldman Sachs, to Buy from Neutral, and was added to its America's Buy List.

• Lehman upgraded Joy Global Inc (NASDAQ: JOYG) to Overweight from Equal-Weight as they believe the recent sell-off has created a buying opportunity.

• Bank of America upgraded Clear Channel Communications Inc (NYSE: CCU) to Buy from Neutral with a $42 target to reflect their belief that activist shareholders will push for value creation rather than a sale to private equity.

• Wachovia upgraded McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant (NASDAQ: MSSR) to Outperform from Market Perform.

• BB&T upgraded Universal Truckload Services Inc (NASDAQ: UACL) to Buy from Hold on valuation.

• Lehman upgraded Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) to Overweight from Equal-Weight, with a $135 target. Lehman has increased confidence around the durability of higher agricultural commodity prices as well as the company's ability to turn elevated end market demand into stronger margins, earnings, and free cash flow.

Analyst upgrades 3-07-07: Google, Kellogg & Brinker Int'l upgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I've just returned from the World Money Show, where some 10,000+ investors gathered to learn about global investing. I had a chance to meet with many of the advisors who were featured at the show, and I am highlighting some of their favorite investment ideas. To view all of the stocks featured in this special global report, click here.

Although based in Maryland, McCormick and Co. (NYSE:MKC) is indeed a global play. Vahan Janjigian says, "McCormick is the largest global supplier of spices, herbs, and seasonings. Its products are sold in nearly 100 countries."

Individual brands, he notes, include McCormick and Zatarain's in the U.S. and Mexico, Schwartz in the U.K., Ducros in France, Club House in Canada, and Silvo in the Netherlands.

The quantitative analyst and editor of The Forbes Growth Investor explains, "The consumer segment, which generated 55% of first nine months sales, makes, markets, and distributes to grocers, supermarkets, mass merchandisers, drug stores, and other retail outlets.

"The industrial segment supplies the food service industry and food manufacturers with compound flavors. Customers include almost all major American service restaurants and food companies.

Continue reading Global gains: International spice

Global gains: International spice originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.