Here's a peek at what analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting from companies scheduled to report quarterly results in the first week of June, 2008.

The following companies are expected to post earnings growth, compared to the same period in the previous year:

• Take-Two Interactive (NASDAQ: TTWO) up 136.6% (from a loss) to $1.12 per share, on $499.1 million in revenue
• Lululemon Athletica Inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) up 58.3% to 12 cents per share, on $71.8 million in revenue
• Vimpelcom Communications (NYSE: VIP) up 54.2% to 59 cents per share, on $2.1 billion in revenue
• Focus Media Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) up 36.4% to 33 cents per share, on $161.3 million in revenue
• Ciena Corp. (NASDAQ: CIEN) up 29.7% to 37 cents per share, on $238.4 million in revenue
• Greif Inc. (NYSE: GEF) up 24.1% to 87 cents per share, on $839.9 million in revenue
• Vail Resorts Inc. (NYSE: MTN) up 18.4% to $2.44 per share, on $474.8 million in revenue
• Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) up 17.4% to 46 cents per share, on $451.6 million in revenue
• Del Monte Foods Co. (NYSE: DLM) up 15.4% to 26 cents per share, on $1.0 billion in revenue
• Cooper Companies Inc. (NYSE: COO) up 14.6% to 48 cents per share, on $256.7 million in revenue
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) up 1.9% to $2.08 per share, on $161.6 million in revenue

Continue reading Earnings expectations: Take-Two, Lululemon, Williams-Sonoma, Toll Bros. and others

Earnings expectations: Take-Two, Lululemon, Williams-Sonoma, Toll Bros. and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

How did we get here anyway? Housing and construction companies have been crushed as the bubble burst and now investors have to make a critical decision. Do you stay and hope for a recovery or bag it and move to another position that has the potential to provide better returns?

The problem is simple to explain: Most investors hate taking a loss. In fact, most investors will look to get "even" before they sell and this attitude usually leads to greater losses, anxiety and poor decisions. The truth is that much of this can be avoided with proper risk management techniques. If any of this describes you, then consider developing a plan for risk management and a discipline that will help to protect your hard earned principal. Now, more than ever, investors need a plan. We all need a plan that includes well developed risk management disciplines, which is why I dedicate a full chapter to it in my book, The Disciplined Investor.

Monday, June 2

The week begins with the 10 am release of construction spending and the ISM Index. Construction spending is expected to continue to be weak as is the ISM.

Then we have a few housing-related earnings releases that should be of interest. Watch NCI Building Systems Inc. (NYSE: NCS). This company is engaged in manufacturing and marketing of metal products for the nonresidential construction industry. Terrific! This is a company that is suffering along with the entire construction sector...that is for sure. In fact, they company lowered the outlook for the remainder of the year back in March. It stands to reason that not much is better. The ace in the hole is the recent trend of lowering expectations and then coming out with an earnings beat. Even so, this has too much potential for problems and the sideline is a good vantage point to watch the earnings announcement, which is expected to come in with a PROFIT of 31 cents per share on $365 million of revenue. (Uh...That I would like to see.)

Continue reading The week in preview: No place like home

The week in preview: No place like home originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Plato Learning, Inc. (Nasdaq: TUTR) provides computer-based instruction, assessment instruments, and job training for K through adult consumers. The company is struggling to change its revenue model from dependence on a one-time perpetual software license model to a fee-based subscription model. There is reason for optimism about the new subscription model. Subscription revenues from fourth quarter (4Q) 2007 are up 9% to $7.1 million from the previous quarter, and up 32% from 4Q 2006. Orders for subscription courseware products are up 90%. Deferred revenue balance, revenue the company will receive in the future, increased 17% to $49 million. Restructuring costs declined 90% in 4Q 2007 and will decline further going forward. Operating expenses also declined, but so did gross margins in both perpetual license fees and subscriptions.

Plato Learning is still bleeding money. The net loss for 4Q 2007, excluding restructuring charges, was $3.2 million or $0.13 per share. This is $0.04 per share worse than anticipated, but still less than net losses in 2006 when the company began switching its revenue model. Total revenues were down 23% year-over-year to $18.2 million, $1 million below anticipated.

E-learning, either in school or the workplace, will only expand in terms of both reach and content offerings. Plato Learning is already one of the dominant content providers for educational courseware and assessment tools. Patient bargain investors may want to take a look at this stock, currently trading under $4 per share.

Plato Learning struggles to earn passing grade originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.