According to the earnings preview from Michael Fowlkes, Kroger was expected to deliver around 61 cents per share. Well, Kroger earned 66 cents per share. The number improved last year's performance by 8 cents. Revenues were essentially flat. Same-store sales increased a little over 3%. When you think about it, Kroger did pretty well.

Continue reading Kroger increases profit and beats estimates, but I'm not a buyer

Kroger increases profit and beats estimates, but I'm not a buyer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Well, it's difficult to say precisely. As we all know, Starbucks has been having its problems, and data in Q2 indicate that the status quo essentially remains. Sales: down almost 8%. Operating income: down 77%. Adjusted earnings per share: down two pennies to $0.16. Cash from operations: down 6%. Same-store sales: down 8%. See what I mean? I hate using the word "down" so many times.

Continue reading Starbucks perks up on Q2 beat, but I'm not convinced

Starbucks perks up on Q2 beat, but I'm not convinced originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nike (NYSE: NKE) will be reporting numbers for the second quarter on Wednesday, December 17. What should investors be expecting from the famous sneaker company?

Well, according to this earnings source, Wall Street thinks that Nike can deliver somewhere around $0.79 per share. If management hits this number, then we're talking growth of about 11%. Not the most exciting growth rate ever seen, but shareholders learn to appreciate low double-digit growth expansion in bad economic times. And judging by recent history, it seems like a good bet that Nike will, at the very least, meet expectations. The company has beaten the analysts on a pretty consistent basis, so even if the global recession has caught up to Nike, I'd have to assume that they'll at least deliver what's expected of the business (my guess is that we'll see a beat). Back in September, Michael Fowlkes wrote about Nike's beat in Q1.

Shareholders will be looking for clues as to how Nike is handling the tough climate. Margins will be looked at, and the effect of currency exchange rates will be scrutinized. The big question will center on what happens next. Will consumers still want to spend good money on expensive footwear? Nike does have great brand equity, as I noted back in the summer, but you pay up for its products. How attractive can that be with job cuts dominating the news flow? Shareholders should also see how many shares of stock management saw fit to take out of the float. That will indicate a level of confidence in its current business model.

Continue reading Earnings preview: Is Nike a shoe-in to beat expectations?

Earnings preview: Is Nike a shoe-in to beat expectations? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.