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

• Accenture Ltd. (NYSE: ACN) beat earnings expectations but revenue was hurt by currency effects.
• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) strong Q1 results beat estimates but same-store sales fell.
• CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) lower Q1 earnings and strong sales both topped expectations.
• ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) higher Q4 earnings were in line with expectations, and shares slipped.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) Q4 results were higher, but it warned of continuing challenges.
• Hennes & Mauritz (OTC: HMRZF) reported strong Q2 numbers, though same-stores sales slipped.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Nike, Oracle, Kroger, Walgreen, Monsanto, KB Home ...

Earnings highlights: Nike, Oracle, Kroger, Walgreen, Monsanto, KB Home ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 27 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Analogic Corp. (NASDAQ: ALOG) Q1 earnings plunged well below expectations due to costs.
• CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) solid Q3 earnings were in line with analysts expectations.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) beat Q1 expectations and same-stores sales increased.
• Dow Chemical Co. (NYSE: DOW) lowered its guidance and announced layoffs and factory closings.
• Eastman Kodak Co. (NYSE: EK) withdrew its guidance due in part to weak consumer spending.
• Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) lowered its outlook due to weaker-than-expected holiday sales.
• Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE: LLY) offered a full-year profit forecast that missed analysts' expectations.
• FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) lowered its earnings guidance and announced price increases.
• FuelCell Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: FCEL) reported a deeper-than-expected loss but topped sales estimates.
• H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) Q2 net loss was in line with expectations but revenue fell short.
• Hartford Financial Services Group (NYSE: HIG) raised its full-year forecast, doubling the share price.
• Hooker Furniture Corp. (NASDAQ: HOFT) shares sold off following disappointing Q3 results and outlook.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) reported a deeper-than-expected Q3 loss on increased costs.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Costco, Kroger, Krispy Kreme, Lululemon, FedEx, P&G and others

Earnings highlights: Costco, Kroger, Krispy Kreme, Lululemon, FedEx, P&G and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 13 Dec 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Last week's preview raised the question of whether consumers were turning to comfort foods in these uncertain times, specifically in terms of second quarter earnings of Campbell Soup (NYSE: CPB) and Krispy Kreme (NYSE: KKD). Campbell's strong earnings growth topped expectations, while Krispy Kreme narrowed its loss, though it fell short of estimates.

This coming week should bring reports from more food-related companies, from cereal maker General Mills and food packager CongAgra to grocery chain Kroger, to the parent companies of restaurants Cracker Barrel, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Carl's Jr., and Hardees. Also look for reports from tech-related companies such as Oracle, Adobe, and Palm, as well as from financials Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, and from economic bellwether FedEx.

Here's what analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting from some of the companies reporting earnings this week, as compared to their results from the same period of last year:

Continue reading The week in preview: Eyes on Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, FedEx

The week in preview: Eyes on Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, FedEx originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of our Ads Gone Bad series. Share your thoughts and memories of this ad in the comments, and be sure to check out our other posts on marketing gone wrong.

In 2005, CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) outraged both social conservatives and lovers of music at the same time when its Carl's Jr. chain hired Paris Hilton to shill its new Spicy Burger. It set a new standard of tastelessness that will be difficult to equal.

Conservatives -- most Americans actually -- find the fact that Paris Hilton is famous at all to be a offensive. Her main claim to fame comes from her appearance in a now-infamous sex tape. The appeal of her one-time hit show The Simple Life eluded me, but hey, I was not the target demographic. I am a 40-year-old married guy so I can't speak to her numerous other enterprises, such as the perfume Heiress. Her single "Stars Are Blind" was not as awful as I thought it would be, but maybe I have gone tone deaf listening to too many Elmo songs. Parents of toddlers will understand.

Continue reading Ads Gone Bad: Was Paris Hilton too spicy for Carl's Jr.?

Ads Gone Bad: Was Paris Hilton too spicy for Carl's Jr.? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY) Q1 earnings tumbled while revenues rose.
• Casella Waste Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CWST) posted a narrower-than-expected Q4 loss.
• CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) Q1 earnings increased but its revenue slipped.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) swung to a Q4 profit on strong sales at Olive Garden.
• Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) said it might not see Q2 profit growth on lower demand and shipping delays.
• General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) Q4 earnings declined but were in line with expectations.
• Gerber Scientific Inc. (NYSE: GRB) reported solid Q4 and full-year results that pleased investors.
• IHS Inc. (NYSE: IHS) beat Q2 expectations and posted record quarterly cash flow from operations.
• Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) stronger-than-expected Q3 results led to an analyst's upgrade.
• KB Home (NYSE: KBH) widened its Q2 loss due to weak sales and falling prices.
• Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) beat Q1 expectations as consumers sought discounts on food and gas.
• Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) beat Q3 earnings estimates but fell short of revenue estimates.
• Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) posted better-than-expected Q4 results boosted by international strength.
• Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) posted strong Q4 results that topped analysts' expectations (see transcript).

Continue reading Earnings highlights: RIM, Oracle, KB Home, Nike, Kroger, Walgreen and others

Earnings highlights: RIM, Oracle, KB Home, Nike, Kroger, Walgreen and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 28 Jun 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here's a quick recap of some additional earnings reports on Wednesday.

Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) said strong growth overseas helped boost its fourth-quarter profit by 12% to $490.5 million, or 98 cents per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected the company to earn 96 cents per share for the quarter. Shares fell more than 5% in after-hours trading to $62.15.

CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) said its first-quarter profit climbed 8% to $16.6 million, or 31 cents per share, helped by a small increase in same-store sales at Carl's Jr. restaurants. Revenue fell 3% to $466.2 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected profit of 27 cents per share on revenue of $465.5 million. Shares fell 5 cents to $12.25 in after-hours trading.

Red Hat Inc. (NYSE: RHT) said its fiscal first-quarter profit rose 6.6% to $17.3 million, or 8 cents per share. Adjusted earnings were 18 cents per share. Revenue rose 32% to $156.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial on average predicted a profit of 18 cents per share on revenue of $153 million. Shares fell 19 cents in after-hours trading to $22.11.

General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) said its fourth-quarter profit dropped 17% to $185.2 million, or 53 cents per share. Adjusted earnings were 73 cents per share, which met Wall Street expectations. Sales increased 13% to $3.47 billion beating expectations. The company reaffirmed its guidance for the full year. Shares fell almost 2% to $61.19.

Continue reading More Wednesday earnings: Nike, CKE, Red Hat, General Mills, Bed Bath & Beyond

More Wednesday earnings: Nike, CKE, Red Hat, General Mills, Bed Bath & Beyond originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• AAR Corp. (NYSE: AIR) posted record third-quarter earnings and revenue.
• Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) posted better-than-estimated first-quarter results and raised its outlook.
• CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR) posted third-quarter results that missed estimates.
• ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG) third-quarter profit surged as strong sales offset commodity prices.
• Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI) beat third-quarter expectations and offered guidance.
• FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE: FDS) second-quarter results beat estimates and it raised its outlook.
• Fortress Investment Group (NYSE: FIG) remained upbeat despite a fourth-quarter loss.
• Guess Inc. (NYSE: GES) record fourth-quarter results beat Wall Street expectations.
• Inter Parfums Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAR) posted better-than-estimated fourth-quarter results and raised its outlook.
• Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL) beat second-quarter expectations but lowered its guidance.
• JC Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) lowered its first-quarter outlook on weaker-than-expected sales.
• KB Home (NYSE: KBH) swung to a larger-than-expected first-quarter loss on write-downs.
• Lennar Corp. (NYSE: LEN) posted a smaller-than-expected first-quarter loss.
• Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON) raised its second-quarter and full-year guidance.
• Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL) merely met earnings expectations, sending shares lower.
• Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) posted better-than-estimated fourth-quarter results and raised its outlook.
• Usana Health Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: USNA) posted lower-than-expected first-quarter results.
• Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) posted solid second-quarter results, including same-store sales growth.

Also, auction-rate securities issues may hurt some tech company results. Analysts keep cutting earings estimates for the big banks, but some are eyeing Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) earnings prospects as it expands in China, as well as Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) on soaring demand for commodities.

Upcoming results to watch for include Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), Monsanto (NYSE: MON), and Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Adobe, ConAgra, Lennar, Oracle, Tiffany, Darden and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Gallery: Cage Match: Alicia Silverstone vs. Paris Hilton

Continue reading Cage match: How Alicia Silverstone whooped Paris Hilton with a hen

Cage match: How Alicia Silverstone whooped Paris Hilton with a hen originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading PETA reaches deal with Hardee's and Carl Jr. (CKR)

PETA reaches deal with Hardee's and Carl Jr. (CKR) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• JP Morgan started CKE Restaurants (NYSE: CKR) with a Neutral rating, citing near-term margin concerns.

• Barrington believes Capella Education (NASDAQ: CPLA) is one of the fastest growing companies within its group in every aspect including enrollment, earnings and revenue.

• Stifel started IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IACI) with a Buy rating, believing there is a 60% chance of a material event occurring within the next 6 months. Stifel believes QVC is the best interactive retailing operator given its 22% EBITDA margins and 16% operating margins.

• Banc of America initiated BWAY Holding (NYSE: BWY) with a Neutral rating, citing a balanced risk/reward. JP Morgan started shares of BWY with an Overweight rating on valuation...

• Lehman initiated Huntington Bancshares (NASDAQ: HBAN) with an Underweight rating.

• Montgomery initiated Sigma Designs (NASDAQ: SIGM) with a Buy rating.

• Stifel initiated Overstock.com (NASDAQ: OSTK) with a Hold rating.

• JMP Securities started BFC Financial (AMEX: BFF) with a Market Outperform rating.

Analyst initiations 7-23-07: CKR, IACI, OSTK and SIGM originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In another indication that healthier premium beverages are supplanting soft drinks, Coca Cola (NYSE: KO) has agreed to pay Glaceau, the maker of Vitaminwater, for $4.2 billion in cash and stock.

While it's not exactly a cheap purchase, I think it makes a lot of sense for Coke. Vitaminwater has had huge growth of late, and that looks likely to continue. With sales of soft drinks flat or even declining, it needs something to drive revenue growth.

This should also be seen as good news for Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A), a major Coke shareholder. Chairman Warren Buffett is regularly seen drinking Cherry Coke, especially at annual meetings but, as he gets older and investors worry about who will succeed him, a switch to a more healthful, vitamin-filled, lower-calorie beverage could extend his tenure at the helm of Berkshire.

Shares of Coke were up on news of the deal, and the price tag could be used to assign a value to other next-generation beverage companies. It makes Hansen Natural (NASDAQ: HANS) look interesting, with its market cap of around $3.6 billion.

Coke swallows Vitaminwater originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 25 May 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Encouraged by sales of its Angus beef burgers in southern California, McDonald's Corp. (NYSE: MCD) is planning to expand its test marketing of the premium burgers to New England.

McDonald's comes late to the Angus burger trend. Rivals Burger King Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: BKC), Hardees and Carl's Jr. -- the latter two part of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) -- have been selling the premium burgers for years. In fact, Hardees has just announced a new addition to its menu, a patty melt style Thickburger, also made with Angus beef.

The new burgers are part of McDonald's ongoing efforts at revitalization. Those efforts have included the introduction of new beverage choices, such as iced coffee, which is also expected to spread throughout the U.S. soon. Another part of that effort is a new advertising campaign, emphasizing career opportunities at McDonald's -- no doubt to try to change its image as a source of low-paying, dead-end jobs.

The revitalization appears to be working. Back in April, McDonald's reported a strong quarter, especially internationally. The share price has risen since then, and reached a 52-week high this morning.

McDonald's sees success with Angus beef and iced coffee originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 May 2007 15:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Nollenberger believes the Hardee's franchise is entering a period of accelerated growth and initiated shares of CKE Restaurants (NYSE: CKR) with a Buy rating and $27 target.

• Goldman views Cardinal Health (NYSE: CAH) as a as a high quality, focused franchise with strong fundamental outlook driven by margin expansion and improvements in non-drug wholesale businesses and restructuring efforts, reinstating its Buy rating on the company.

• American Technology initiated eBAY Inc (NASDAQ: EBAY) with a Buy rating and $43 target, believing the company is the top play on growth of U.S. e-commerce and they expect upside to numbers tonight.

• Needham believes CA Inc (NYSE: CA) Inc remains in transition as it continues to work on the repackaging of its vast product array into five solution sets and started the company with a Hold rating.

• Lazard initiated F5 Networks Inc (NASDAQ: FFIV) with a Buy rating and $100 target.

• Citigroup started Clearwire Corp (NASDAQ: CLWR) with a Hold rating and $23 target.

• Morgan Stanley assumed coverage of Vornado RealtyTrust (NYSE: VNO) with an Equal Weight rating.

• SourceFire Inc (NASDAQ: FIRE) was initiated with a Hold rating and $12 target.

• The Wet Seal (NASDAQ: WTSLA) was initiated with an Outperform rating at Cowen.

• Roth Capital initiated shares of Vivus Inc (NASDAQ: VVUS) with a Buy rating and $15 target.

Analyst initiations 4-18-07: EBAY, CA, CAH, CKR & FIRE initiated today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's upper management shakeup time at Big Beverage. Only a few weeks after the announcement that Pepsi's CEO was leaving "to spend more time with family," we learn that Coke's North American president is heading up up and away. Donald R. Knauss has been with The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO) for 12 years, and before that worked at all the big names in packaged goods, from Procter & Gamble to Frito-Lay.

While it's said [WSJ, subscription required] that Knauss "stabilized" the North American division, launching products like Coke Blak and Tab Energy and regaining market share from Pepsi, he's been lately dealing with a federal lawsuit filed by 55 U.S. bottlers -- and soft drink sales are still stagnant.

The bigger news than "Donald Knauss is leaving" seems to be that he's going somewhere, a major U.S. company, as chairman and CEO. What? Who? I'll throw a couple of possibilities out there:

• eBay
• Apple
• Gillette (a recently-integrated unit of Procter & Gamble)
• Ford, or GM
• Update: it must be Clorox! Darn, I thought I'd considered all the options, but I forgot the also-ran of the packaged goods world.

Any other ideas?

Coke chief is leaving, to go ... where? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Aug 2006 17:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.