Continue reading Should You Add Denny's to Your Portfolio?

Should You Add Denny's to Your Portfolio? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 May 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Burger King (BKC) is turning up the heat in its war with McDonalds (MCD) for early morning sales. In selected markets, Burger King is advertising the availability of a "Burger King brunch" in a quest to cash in on lucrative morning sales. This is only a few months after announcing Burger King will carry coffee made by Starbucks to provide a more flavorful alternative to its BK Joe coffee.

This is what the fast-food breakfast wars have become: Mimosas at the drive-thru window.

Continue reading Can Burger King's 'Brunch' Menu Take Bite out of McDonalds?

Can Burger King's 'Brunch' Menu Take Bite out of McDonalds? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

As so often happens at this point in the earnings season, focus begins to shift to the results from retailers. And the world's largest retailer is among those that step into the spot light this week.

Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT), which was aggressively competitive during the holiday shopping season and also recently announced a new global strategy, to report fourth-quarter earnings of $1.12 per share, up from $1.03 per share in the year-ago period. Revenue for the three months that ended in January is expected to have risen 4.9% to $114.5 billion. The full-year forecast calls for earnings of $3.61 per share (+5.3%) on $409.1 billion in revenue (+0.9%). Walmart has not missed earnings estimates in the past five quarters.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: A First Look at Retail: Walmart, JCPenney and Others

The Week in Preview: A First Look at Retail: Walmart, JCPenney and Others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 14 Feb 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When shares of Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) are trading at half the price of a Grand Slam Breakfast, yet it was one of the companies willing to drop big bucks on a Super Bowl ad, I gotta jump in my car and get down to Denny's to see what's gone wrong.

Problem is, nothing has gone wrong. They are just as crowded as ever, especially during this recession.

They represent a full sit-down meal destination at fast-food prices. And the portions are big.

The company has totally restructured, selling off franchises and keeping all the best locations for its own portfolio -- and the results are pouring in.

On Jan. 15, the company said it expects to meet or exceed its previous guidance for full-year 2008, thanks to the success of the Franchise Growth Initiative (FGI) and other cost-saving actions that protect margins and cash flow.

With the stock trading around $1.50 per share, it's time to consider whether Denny's is some low-hanging fruit ready for the picking.

Bryan Perry is a contributor to OptionsZone.com.

Five winning Super Bowl trades: IV. Buy Denny's Corp. (DENN) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Go long: Super Bowl ad sales strong as economy weakens originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Jefferies upgraded shares of Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) to Buy from Hold and raised its target to $26.50 from $25 on valuation as they believe MidAmerican Energy will consummate the merger. The firm points out shares are trading at a 14% discount to the $26.50 offer.
  
• Merriman upgraded Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) to Buy from Neutral as they believe the company's restructuring and successful menu and food cost management should stabilize operating margins.
  
• Daimler (NYSE: DAI) was upgraded at Merrill to Buy from Neutral on valuation as they believe the stock is oversold at current levels.
• Taiwan Semi (NYSE: TSM) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral at HSBC.
  
• Veolia Environnement (NYSE: VE) was lifted to Neutral from Underperform at Credit Suisse.
  
• Goldman raised PMC Sierra (NASDAQ: PMCS) to Buy from Neutral.

Analyst downgrades:

Continue reading Analyst calls: RIMM, NYX, NDAQ, PMCS, DENN, DAI . . .

Analyst calls: RIMM, NYX, NDAQ, PMCS, DENN, DAI . . . originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY: BP, LMI Aerospace and Smith & Nephew were among today's noteworthy upgrades:

• Credit Suisse upgraded BP (NYSE: BP) following the company's strong Q1 report.
  
• Wachovia upgraded LMI Aerospace (NASDAQ: LMIA) based on valuation and potential catalysts that include a production rate hike decision on the Boeing 737, an option on the 767 wing modification program, and Q1 earnings.
  
• Wachovia upgraded Smith & Nephew (NYSE: SNN) based on growth opportunities, strong reconstruction product cycle, and potential share gains, among other reasons.

OTHER UPGRADES:

• UBS upgraded James River Coal Co. (NASDAQ: JRCC) based on higher long-term coal prices.
  
• Merriman upgraded Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) because they believe that franchise growth initiative will reinvigorate the franchisees and put the company in a better position to beat estimates over the next year. The firm thinks investors need to refocus on the company's core operating profitability.

Analyst upgrades: BP, LMI Aerospace, Smith & Nephew originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 30 Apr 2008 12:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) first-quarter profits fell due to market conditions.
• Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) lowered its earnings forecast on declining sales.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) posted unexciting second-quarter results, but shares rose anyway.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) posted solid results but fell short of expecations.
• Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA) beat expectations and annouced it first dividend in a decade.
• Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) fourth-quarter results were dragged down by the sale of restaurants.
• General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) posted a record loss and made a buyout offer to union employees.
• Hasbro Inc. (NYSE: HAS) post better-than-expected fourth-quarter results on popularity of the Transformers.
• Jones Apparel Group Inc. (NYSE: JNY) narrowed its loss in the fourth quarter as restructuring continued.
• Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: LGF) missed earnings estimates despite strong revenue growth.
• Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) profit fell on losses from discontinued operations.
• Molson Coors Brewing Co. (NYSE: TAP) beat estimates as profits rose 75%.
• PolyOne Corp. (NYSE: POL) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• Schering-Plough Corp. (NYSE: SGP) beat expectations, excluding a charge for acquistion costs.
• UBS (NYSE: UBS) posted a big loss on write-downs due to the subprime crisis.
• VNUS Medical Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: VNUS) beat expectations on strength overseas.
• World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) beat expectations despite weakness in its movie business.

Also, Jim Cramer defends his interest in GM after its record loss.

Upcoming results to watch for include Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), OfficeMax (NYSE: OMX), Whole Foods (NASDAQ: WFMI), MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM), JCPenney (NYSE: JCP), and Safeway (NYSE: SWY).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: GM, Comcast, UBS, Best Buy, Hasbro, Marriott, and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On Wednesday, both Denny's Corp. (NASDAQ: DENN) and Waste Management Inc. (NYSE: WMI) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profits.

But excluding restructuring charges, asset sale gains, and other one-time items, restaurant operator Denny's net income was $3.4 million, or 3 cents per share, down from $7.3 million in the same quarter a year-ago. Revenue fell 10% to $220.3 million from $244.4 million last year. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a profit of 4 cents per share on revenue of $216.4 million.

For the year, net income rose 14% to $34.7 million, or 35 cents per share, from $30.3 million, or 31 cents per share in 2006. Revenue fell 6% to $939.4 million from $994 million.

The company also said it expects revenue to fall in 2008 as it continues to sell restaurants to franchisees.

After falling in early trading Wednesday, shares closed up 15 cents, or more than 4%, to $3.58.

Continue reading Denny's and Waste Management report fourth-quarter profits

Denny's and Waste Management report fourth-quarter profits originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 13 Feb 2008 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Cramer talks buyout names

Cramer talks buyout names originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Third Point may put IHOP on the griddle

Third Point may put IHOP on the griddle originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Prudential downgraded Career Education Corp (NASDAQ: CECO) to Underweight from Neutral with a $20 target based fourth quarter results and guidance.

• Expedia inc (NASDAQ: EXPE) was downgraded to Sector Performer from Sector Outperformer based on a deteriorating outlook and valuation following the weak fourth quarter.

• Various retail dining companies were downgraded today:
  
• Denny's Corp (NASDAQ: DENN) was reduced to Neutral from Buy at Merriman, citing weak traffic trends and the net unit growth delay into 2008.
• UBS downgraded Applebee's Int'l Inc (NASDAQ: APPB) to Neutral from Buy as they believe sales and traffic declines are likely to continue until easier comps in the second quarter.
  
• BB&T downgraded California Pizza Kitchen Inc (NASDAQ: CPKI) to Hold from Buy on valuation and concerns about earnings visibility.
  

• Constellation Brands Inc (NYSE: STZ) was cut to Neutral from Buy at Goldman Sachs on concerns around upcoming guidance and their belief that a recovery in the U.K. and Australia is at least a year away.
  

• Goldman downgraded WellCare Health Plans Inc (NYSE: WCG) to Sell from Neutral.
  

• Citigroup downgraded Petrobras Energia Participaciones ADS (NYSE: PZE) and Consolidated Communications Holdings Inc (NASDAQ: CNSL) to Sell from Hold.
  

• WedBush downgraded Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) to Sell from Hold with a $15 target to reflect less optimism about the company's sport franchise and risk from the NY AG investigation.

Analyst downgrades 2-16-07: Take-Two, Expedia, Denny's all downgraded today originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Adobe Systems Inc (NASDAQ: ADBE) was initiated with an Outperform rating and $47 target at Credit Suisse. The firm said Adobe is one of the best-positioned large-cap software companies given its leading position in digital media and growing presence in enterprise mobile and Web 2.0 markets.

• CA Inc (NYSE: CA) was initiated with a Hold rating and $27 target at Jefferies. While CA is being looked at by private-equity players, Jefferies believes shares are richly valued.

• DSW Inc (NYSE: DSW) was initiated with a Sell rating and $30 target at Wedbush, as they believe the consensus' 3-5 year annual EPS growth rate of 20% to be too high.

• Credit Suisse started Southern Union Co (NYSE: SUG) with an Outperform rating and $33 target.

• Needham assumed coverage of Ikanos Communications Inc (NASDAQ: IKAN) with a Hold rating, as the firm believes a rebound of VDSL spending is unlikely until the second-half of 2007.

• Morgan Joseph is positive on Denny's Corp (NASDAQ: DENN) improving operations and started the food retailer with a Buy rating and $7 target.

• Jefferies started HMS Holdings Corp (NASDAQ: HMSY) with a Buy rating and $25 target. The firm believes HMS Holdings is positioned to serve the needs of government healthcare programs.

• Credit Suisse initiated WebEx Communications Inc (NASDAQ: WEBX) with a Neutral rating at $50 target based on valuation.

Analyst initiations 2-06-07: Adobe started with an Outperform at Credit Suisse originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Wrigley, Wm Jr. (NYSE: WWY) was started at Bear Stearns with an Underperform rating, citing valuation.

• Denny's Corp (NASDAQ: DENN) was initiated with a Buy rating at Wedbush; the firm sees significant earnings growth potential from the company's store re-franchising.

• ThinkEquity initiated Lightbridge Inc (NASDAQ: LTBG) with a Buy rating and $18 target. The firm says Lightbridge's business and investor focus will be enhanced when the company exits the TDS segment by mid-2007. The broker expects shares to then be driven by Authorize.net, a pure-play payment processor.

• CIBC initiated Knot Inc (NASDAQ: KNOT) with a Sector Performer rating and $32 target. The firm expects pricing growth over the next few years to drive 20% ad revenue growth and for margins to be driven by business mix, synergies from the Wedding Channel acquisition, and cost structure.

Analyst initiations 1-9-07: Denny's served up with a buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On tonight's MAD MONEY on CNBC, Jim Cramer discussed Denny's Corporation (NASDAQ:DENN) as a Buy. He said it is a name you want to own. He said the company has made a turn, and please note he said this earlier last week or the week before when he said it was going to $6.00. This stock closed as $4.58 today, and was up at $4.71 (almost 3%) after he began touting the stock. Cramer, a bit stridently, said that when he brings on CEO "you need to listen" -- in this case, the CEO was on back on the 15th and replayed it: "in the midst of refinancing debt and should get it resolved this quarter...."

Cramer said they had been selling stores to pay debt but now they don't need to sell off the other 21 stores because they are operating better. Cramer again said he thinks it is going to $6.00. The street hasn't caught on the refinancing angle, and the company is changing its model to focus more on franchises, and less on company-owned stores.

[Photo Shibainu]

Cramer calls Denny's a Grand Slam originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Nov 2006 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.