Hamburger chain Wendy's International (NYSE: WEN) recently announced that it has accelerated its stock buyback program, purchasing 9 million shares at an average price per share of $31.33, for a total of $300 million. Due to the decrease in the number of weighted average shares outstanding, Wendy's management has revised 2007 full-year EPS upwards. Previous guidance forecast EPS of $1.17 to $1.23. Now guidance projects 2007 EPS to be in the range of $1.26 to $1.32. This works out to a first quarter 2007 EPS of $0.11 to $0.14, compared to a net loss of $0.05 in first quarter 2006.

The good news regarding a forecast increase in EPS was tempered, however, by several factors that will negatively affect the company. Wendy's will close approximately 75 locations this year, 35 company-owned and 40 franchises. The company will incur closing and lease termination costs of approximately $4 million. Wendy's will spend $1.5 million in franchisee remodeling incentives and be subject to an effective tax rate of approximately 35% in first quarter 2007. Despite these factors, full-year earnings remain on target in the $330 to $340 million range.

Wendy's stock closed Friday, 30 March, at $31.30, up $0.17.

Wendy's bites into shares outstanding to raise 2007 EPS originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Apr 2007 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even for a company the size of Credit Suisse (NYSE: CS) -- which has a market cap of $74 billion -- a $6.4 billion stock buyback is a big deal. But for investors, it was a non-event, as the stock price increased a mere 4 cents to $68.99.

Then again, the buyback is over a period of three years. Besides, buybacks do not necessarily happen.

Currently, Credit Suisse is flush with cash because of its recent sale of Winterthur Group (the deal amounted to about $9.8 billion). Part of this windfall will go to some acquisitions. However, do not expect mega acquisitions.

The focus? It looks like Credit Suisse wants to bolster wealth management , private banking and leverage finance (such as for private equity deals). Actually, the focus may be in overseas markets, such as Asia and even the Middle East.

While other competitors -- such as Goldman Sachs (NYSE: CS) -- have had standout stock performances, Credit Suisse has been a big of a laggard. It looks like the company still does not have much of a strategy to thrill shareholders.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including the Complete M&A Handbook and the EDGAR-Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements.

Credit Suisse giving back its riches originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Home Depot -- slowly being taken private originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.