Over the past few years, the shareholders of H&R Block (HRB) have taken many hits. The recession slowed growth and the company's digital strategy has been lacking.

But there are some signs that things are improving. In fact, on news of H&R Block's fiscal third-quarter results, the stock is up about 5%.

Continue reading H&R Block Gets Less Taxing for Investors

H&R Block Gets Less Taxing for Investors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It's been brutal for H&R Block (HRB). Its stock has gone from $23 to $12.50 a share over the past year. But in the latest earnings report, there was some hopeful news for shareholders. In fact, H&R Block's shares were up 8% following the report. However, there are still challenges for the company and its probably better to look at the stock early next year, at the start of the new tax season.

In the fiscal first quarter, H&R Block posted a loss of $130.7 million, or $0.41 per share. Of course, the shortfall is normal because of the seasonality in the business.

Continue reading H&R Block Rallies Following Q1 Report

H&R Block Rallies Following Q1 Report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late last month, H&R Block (HRB) dropped a bomb on investors. The company slashed its outlook because of the slow start of the tax season. As a result, H&R Block's stock price fell 13%.

So Monday, the company reported its official fiscal third-quarter results. Profits came to $50.6 million, or $0.15 per share, up from $47.4 million, or $0.14 per share in the same period a year ago.

Continue reading H&R Block Feels the Pain from TurboTax

H&R Block Feels the Pain from TurboTax originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Most of the S&P 500 have reported earnings results this quarter, but on tap this week are Brown-Forman Corp. (BF.B), National Semiconductor Corp. (NSM) and Pall Corp. (PLL), which are expected to post earnings growth, as well as H&R Block Inc. (HRB) and Kroger Co. (KR), which are not.

Most of the high expectations from analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are still with retailers this week, though. Here's a look at a few of them.

Continue reading The Week in Preview: Earnings Season Winds Down

The Week in Preview: Earnings Season Winds Down originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The federal and state governments regulate a variety of industries that help with your money -- such as stockbrokers. However, when it comes to preparing taxes, the licensing is fairly sporadic. Only a few states have requirements. Kind of scary, huh?

Well, things are going to change. The IRS has announced that it will take the responsibility of regulating U.S. tax preparation companies, such as H&R Block (HRB) and Jackson Hewitt (JTX).

Continue reading IRS Finally Regulates Tax Preparers

IRS Finally Regulates Tax Preparers originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Advance Auto Parts Inc. (AAP) was downgraded due to concerns about its 2010 earnings outlook.
• Analogic Corp. (ALOG) received an analyst's downgrade after it reported weaker-than-expected earnings.
• AutoZone Inc. (AZO) strong Q1 results beat earnings expectations, but shares rose only a little.
• BWAY Holding Co. (BWY) received an analyst's upgrade following release of its Q4 results.
• Casey's General Stores Inc. (CASY) topped Q2 earnings estimates but lower revenue fell short.
• Ciena Corp. (CIEN) shares plummeted after it fell short of its earnings expectations for Q4.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Ciena, Costco, FedEx, Krispy Kreme, Kroger, MetLife, 3M ...

Earnings highlights: AutoZone, Ciena, Costco, FedEx, Krispy Kreme, Kroger, MetLife, 3M ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block did pretty well considering revenues declined almost 3%. Earnings from continuing operations were flat at $2.09 per diluted share. This was enough to beat estimates of $2.05 per share according to this source.

Continue reading H&R Block has nice Q4 -- buy it now?

H&R Block has nice Q4 -- buy it now? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) turned in strong numbers for its last fiscal year, which ended April 30, 2009. Income from continuing operations climbed 15% to $513.1 million ($1.53 per share), compared to $445.9 million ($1.36 a share) the previous year. But, the income growth came on basically flat revenues of $4.1 billion.

The Tax Services division saw revenues grow 1.5% to $3 billion, with pretax income up 13.7% to $893.8 million. H&R Block prepared 5.8% fewer returns, though the average fee per returned was up 7.2%. The up-tick in fees resulted from increased tax return complexity and an increase in clients with higher adjusted gross incomes.

Continue reading H&R Block benefits from tax complexity, fees up on fewer returns

H&R Block benefits from tax complexity, fees up on fewer returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Things will be pretty quiet again on the earnings front during this holiday-shortened week, so not much chance of fireworks there.

The one report analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters seem to have the highest hopes for is that from Apollo Group Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL), as people look to education to better position themselves to survive the economic slump. For its fiscal third quarter, during which a new co-CEO was named, the Phoenix, Ariz.-based educational services provider is expected to report a profit of $1.12 per share, which is 24.1% higher than a year ago. Revenue is expected to be 24.3% higher to $1.0 billion. The full-year forecast is currently for $3.97 per share (+28.5%) on sales of $3.9 billion (+24.4%). Earnings have topped expectations in the past four quarters, by as much as 13 cents per share. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 15.9%, which is double the industry average, and the forward PE ratio estimate is 15.0. The First Call consensus recommendation remains to buy APOL; InvestorPlace calls it a stock you can trust. At $68.50, shares are down 10.6% since the beginning of the year, but they peeked above the 100-day moving average at the end of this week for the first time since March.

Continue reading The week in preview: A few chances for pre-holiday fireworks

The week in preview: A few chances for pre-holiday fireworks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Even as the holiday season ramps up and the calendar quarter begins to wind down, earnings reports continue to dribble in. Among the companies scheduled to release quarterly results this coming week, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are expecting BWAY Holding Co. (NYSE: BWY), Powell Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: POWL), and Esterline Technologies Corp. (NYSE: ESL) to be among the biggest earnings gainers.

Atlanta-based packaging and container producer BWAY is expected to report fiscal fourth-quarter profits that are 65.6% higher than in the same period of last year, or $0.32 per share on revenues of $265.2 million (+4.9%). BWAY topped estimates in the previous two quarters -- by 44.9% in the third quarter. Those results sent shares to a new 52-week high. But shares have fallen 62.7% in the past three months, and they are now trading near a multiyear low of $4.11 per share.

Houston-based energy equipment maker Powell is expected to report fiscal fourth-quarter profits that are 62.7% higher than a year ago, or $0.59 per share. Revenues are forecast to be 14.2% higher, or $171.8 million. Powell beat expectations in the past three quarters -- by 20.2% in the third quarter. The share price has fallen 47.7% in the past three months, and the consensus recommendation is to buy POWL.

Continue reading The week in preview: Early December earnings expectations

The week in preview: Early December earnings expectations originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 07 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While the earnings crunch for this quarter is all but over, there is still plenty of action in the earnings arena this coming week. For instance, analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial are expecting America's Car Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT) and Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) to be among this week's top earnings gainers.

Bentonville, Ark.-based America's Car Mart is expected to post net income of 38 cents per share (up 52.6% from the same period a year ago) on revenue of $73.8 million (up 25.8%). The used car dealer chain has tended in recent quarters toward positive surprises -- by 21 cents per share, or 73.5%, in the previous quarter. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 15%, about the same as the S&P 500. The consensus recommendation of analysts is to buy CRMT.

Campell is tentatively scheduled to report this week, and the world's biggest soup maker is expected to post net income of 25 cents per share (up 44.0% from a year ago) on revenue of $1.7 billion (up 7.5%). The Camden, N.J.-based company has just missed earnings estimates in the past three quarters. Its long-term EPS growth forecast is 7.5%, which is less than the industry average, but about the same as rivals Kraft Foods (NYSE: KFT) and Heinz (NYSE: HNZ). The analysts' consensus recommendation is currently to buy Campbell.

Other anticipated double-digit earnings gainers scheduled to report this week include brand name apparel maker Guess Inc. (NYSE: GES), mining equipment maker Joy Global (NASDAQ: JOYG), and chip maker National Semiconductor (NYSE: NSM). And Take-Two Interactive Software (NASDAQ: TTWO) is expected to swing to a profit.

Continue reading The week in preview: Have consumers turned to comfort food and used cars?

The week in preview: Have consumers turned to comfort food and used cars? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 31 Aug 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• AeroVironment Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) beat Q4 estimates on demand for unmanned aircraft.
• Apollo Group Inc. (NASDAQ: APOL) beat Q3 expectations on increased enrollment and tuition collection.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) predicted earnings at the high end of the previously announced range.
• Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, sending shares up.
• Deutsche Bank (NYSE: DB), in an effort to calm investors, said that it expects a Q2 profit.
• Family Dollar Stores Inc. (NYSE: FDO) beat Q3 expectations and raised its Q4 guidance.
• H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) posted solid Q4 and full-year results and boosted its dividend.
• Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) posted record Q1 EPS and in-line guidance, and its share buybacks continue.
• Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ: NVDA) warned of lower Q2 earnings due to slowing demand and lower prices.
• Robbins & Myers Inc. (NYSE: RBN) beat Q3 expectations and raised its Q4 and full-year outlook.
• Thornburg Mortgage Inc. (NYSE: TMA) 2007 results are being investigated by the SEC.
• UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) cut its full-year outlook due to changing business trends.

More highlights from this past week: BP, Discover, Corel, Citigroup, WD-40, MSCI and others

Also, Peter Cohan points out that a bear market means low earnings expectations, and also that negative surprises are likely to outweigh positive ones in the second half of the year. Aaron Katsman, on the other hand, predicts a rebound for earnings in the second half. And BusinessWeek reminds us that cheap stocks -- even with big names such as Ford Motor Co. (NYSE: F), Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S), and Northwest Airlines (NYSE: NWA) -- are no bargain if they have no earnings.

Upcoming results to watch for include Alcoa (NYSE: AA), Pepsi Bottling Group (NYSE: PBG), Marriott International (NYSE: MAR), and General Electric (NYSE: GE).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Apollo Group, Family Dollar, Kroger, Deutsche Bank and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 06 Jul 2008 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Given that it's the end of the quarter, as well as the U.S. Independence Day holiday on Friday, next week looks to be pretty quiet as far as earnings go. But there are a few things of note.

Tax preparation company H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter results Monday after market close. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial on average expect the company to report net income of $2.03 per share on revenue of $2.5 billion. That's an increase of more than 10% over EPS a year ago. H&R Block has tended to fall short of estimates recently, and rival Jackson Hewitt (NYSE: JTX) missed its EPS estimates earlier this month. Still, analysts recommend buying HRB. Shares have risen 12.1% year to date, and the long-term EPS growth forecast is 11.7%.

Alcoholic beverage maker and distributor Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is scheduled to report its fiscal first-quarter results Tuesday morning. Analysts are looking for earnings of 31 cents per share, up 32.3% from the same period of the previous year, on revenue of $906.1 million. Constellation has tended toward positive surprises recently, by 8 cents, or 33.8%, in the previous quarter. However, analysts recommend holding STZ and have for more than 90 days., even though the long-term EPS growth forecast is 12.3%. Although shares have risen 9.0% in the past three months, they are down 16.8% year to date.

Phoenix-based education company Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) is scheduled to report its fiscal third-quarter results late Tuesday. Analysts on average are expecting the company to report net income of 78 cents per share -- the same as in the year ago period -- on revenue of $806.9 million. When it comes to meeting expectations, lately Apollo has a mixed record -- it fell short by 11 cents, or more than 20%, in the previous quarter. Analysts recommend buying APOL and have for more than 90 days. The long-term EPS growth forecast is 14.0%. Though shares have risen 4.2% in the past three months, they are down 31.6% year to date.

Continue reading The week in preview: End of the quarter earnings

The week in preview: End of the quarter earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 29 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Astec Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTE) beat expectations and raised its guidance.
• Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) fourth-quarter profit fails to offset the full-year loss.
• China Techfaith Wireless Communication Technology (NASDAQ: CNTF) beat analysts' expectations.
• Costco Wholesale Corp. (NASDAQ: COST) met analysts' estimates, buoyed by higher fuel prices.
• FTI Consulting Inc. (NYSE: FCN) beat expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB) narrowed its loss due to higher sales and smaller subprime losses.
• Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX) missed estimates as third-quarter profits declined sharply.
• LifeCell Corp. (NASDAQ: LIFC) beat fourth-quarter estimates and offered full-year guidance.
• Marvell Technology Group (NASDAQ: MRVL) lowered its first-quarter forecast , sending shares lower.
• Porsche AG (OTC: PSEPF) profit soared on strong sales of its Cayenne.
• S1 Corp. (NASDAQ: SONE) beat expectations and offered full-year guidance.
• Saks Inc. (NYSE: SKS) fourth-quarter profit nearly doubled, but full-year profit declined.
• Urban Outfitters Inc. (NASDAQ:URBN) beat expectations on strength in same-store sales.
• Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG) reports strong same-store sales ahead of its quarterly results.

Also, see Timothy Sykes's take on Warren Buffett's annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) shareholders. Zac Bissonnette is interested in where earnings actually come from. And Saks, Costco, and other retailers saw stronger February same-store sales despite recession concerns, but JC Penney Co. (NYSE: JCP) didn't feel the love.

Upcoming results to watch for include Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), Boston Beer Co. (NYSE: SAM), J. Crew Group Inc. (NYSE: JCG), Jones Soda Co. (NASDAQ: JSDA), Blackstone Group (NYSE: BX), and Men's Wearhouse Inc. (NYSE: MW).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Blockbuster, Costco, H&R Block, Walgreen, Saks and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading H&R Block (HRB) third-quarter loss shrinks on higher sales

H&R Block (HRB) third-quarter loss shrinks on higher sales originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

So far, tax season as not been kind to the number two tax preparer in the U.S., Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX). A slow start to the season led to a sharp decline in fiscal third-quarter earnings, the company reported today. Net income in the quarter ended January 31 fell 34% to $18.2 million, or 61 cents per share, from the year-ago period. Revenue was down 15% to $97.6 million. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial had expected profit of 99 cents per share on revenue of $118.4 million.

Jackson Hewitt shares dropped more than 30% on Tuesday, reaching a new multi-year low of $13.51, and closed at $13.68.

The leading U.S. tax preparer, H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB), is scheduled to report fiscal third-quarter results tomorrow. It has missed earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters. For the current quarter, analysts polled by Thomson Financial expect earnings of 6 cents per share, compared to 8 cents in the year-ago quarter.

H&R Block's earnings per share growth forecast for this year is 19.5%, better than the industry average of 13.7%, as well as Jackson Hewitt's 16.3%. The analysts' consensus recommendation is to buy HRB. Shares have risen from the 52-week low of $16.89 in January, but today continued their recent slide to close at $17.82.

Jackson Hewitt tumbles on profit decline originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Mar 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block (NYSE: HRB) closed at $18.47 Tuesday.

Soleil Securities has a Buy rating on HRB.

HRB overall option implied volatility of 45 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Jackson Hewitt (NYSE: JTX) closed Tuesday at $21.65, near a 30-month low.

Soleil Securities has a Hold rating with an $18 price target on JTX.

JTX overall option implied volatility of 59 is above its 26-week average of 43 according to Track Data, suggesting larger price movement.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Option update: Volatility levels for tax preparers HRB, JTX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

The Associated Press reports that Cerberus Capital Management, the hedge fund, has decided to abandon its deal to purchase the mortgage business of H&R Block (NYSE: HRB). H&R Block's mortgage business, which has stopped accepting new mortgage applications, said it will lay off about 620 employees, close three offices and take a $75 million restructuring charge as it shuts down lending at Option One Mortgage Corp. (OOMC).

Why did Cerberus back out of the deal? The deal was struck in April, and since then the mortgage market has had some big downs. While Cerberus and H&R Block tried to renegotiate the agreement regarding Option One, they could not come to terms, announcing the termination was ''fully amicable." OOMC will honor $30 million worth of existing commitments.

The market is not happy with this announcement, sending H&R Block stock down 5.6% in premarket. It makes me wonder how much Cerberus -- which is already neck deep in mortgage problems with its GMAC ResCap investment -- must be thinking about the prospects for the mortgage industry. I would guess that the more it's learned, the less it likes.

Peter Cohan is President of Peter S. Cohan & Associates. He also teaches management at Babson College and edits The Cohan Letter. He has no financial interest in the securities mentioned.

Cerberus passes on H&R Block's mortgage business originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

H&R Block CEO Mark Ernst is latest subprime casualty originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Its location among the mid Atlantic states has made New Jersey a transportation hub, a manufacturing and commerce center, and a source of plenty of investment opportunities. Twenty-four Fortune 500 companies are headquartered there. And four companies from New Jersey made Fortune's 2007 list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.: Cognizant Technology Solutions (NASDAQ: CTSH), Celgene Corp. (NASDAQ: CELG), inVentiv Health Inc. (NASDAQ: VTIV), and Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX).

Cognizant has been on Fortune's list of fastest growing companies for the past five years. This Teaneck-based member of the S&P 500 is a global IT services firm with clients in the health care, financial services, and manufacturing industries. Cognizant's three-year annual revenue growth rate was 56 percent; its three-year annual earnings per share growth rate was 55 percent. The consensus of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial is that Cognizant is a buy, and the company has beat Wall Street expectations for the past four quarters. The share price of $85.79 at close on Friday is up from the 52-week low of $67.60 in September. The price has risen since Cognizant announced a stock split and share repurchase program in September, and the Motley Fool has since dubbed Cognizant a hypergrowth stock.

Summit-based Celgene is a biopharmaceuticals firm involved in cancer treatment and stem cell research. Its three-year annual revenue growth rate was 48 percent; its three-year annual earnings per share growth rate was 33 percent. The consensus of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial is that Celgene is a buy. The share price reached a 52-week high of $72.91 on Friday. The Motley Fool recognized Celgene for its sustainable competitive advantage over its rivals, and Jim Cramer also likes Celgene.

Continue reading Investing in New Jersey: Jackson Hewett (JTX), Cognizant (CTSH) and others

Investing in New Jersey: Jackson Hewett (JTX), Cognizant (CTSH) and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 06 Oct 2007 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.