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

• Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) reported strong Q1 results easily beat expectations.
• Bank of America Corp. (NYSE: BAC) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, helped by home refinancing.
• Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) reported its first quarterly loss since 1992 and cut its revenue outlook.
• Coca-Cola Co. (NYSE: KO) posted Q1 earnings that were in line with expectations, but shares fell.
• eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings despite a decline in sales.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Bank of America, Amazon, Coke, eBay, UPS, Yahoo!, IBM, and more

Earnings highlights: Bank of America, Amazon, Coke, eBay, UPS, Yahoo!, IBM, and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Investors buy earnings rather than flee pay caps (CAT, GM, JEF, MRK, AMTD)

Closing Bell: Investors buy earnings rather than flee pay caps (CAT, GM, JEF, MRK, AMTD) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

With the job slashing on Wall Street, we are now seeing another interesting trend -- the emergence of new boutique investment banks. Take Ken Moelis, who has spent 25 years on Wall Street and was the former President of UBS AG (USA) (NYSE: UBS).

Well, now he has his own investment bank, Moelis & Co. In fact, the firm is representing Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) on Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT)'s $44.6 billion buyout offer.

And, he thinks there will be more business -- as clients look for unbiased, quality advice. In fact, Moelis isn't wasting time hiring some top players.

For example, this week the firm hired Thane Carlston and William Derrough. For more than a decade, they have built a strong restructuring practice at Jefferies Group, Inc. (NYSE: JEF). Basically, this is a highly specialized area -- requiring lots of analysis and understanding of complex laws.

With the credit crunch -- and slowing economy -- it's inevitable that there will be buyout deals that crater. And with a talented team, Moelis is likely to provide some competition to the mega Wall Street players, which are busy repairing their balance sheets.

Tom Taulli is the author of various books, including The Complete M&A Handbook and The Edgar Online Guide to Decoding Financial Statements. He also operates MergerBook.com.

Investment banking boutiques smell opportunity originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Acuity Brands Inc. (NYSE: AYI) missed estimates due to restructuring after the spin-off of Zep Inc.
• Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) easily beat earnings estimates, due to the impeding sale of some businesses.
• American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) warned that it would take a charge against fourth quarter earnings.
• Apollo Group (NASDAQ: APOL) posted a solid quarter on student enrollment and retention.
• AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ) beat earnings expectations and offered revised guidance.
• Capital One Financial Corp. (NYSE: COF) lowered its fourth quarter and full year earnings forecast.
• Constellation Brands Inc. (NYSE: STZ) third quarter profit rose on growth in the domestic wine business.
• EI DuPont de Nemours & Co. (NYSE: DD) lifted its outlook on strength in agriculture and nutrition business.
• Family Dollar Stores (NYSE: FDO) earnings were in line with estimates, despite lower same-store sales.
• Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (NYSE: GAP) posted a strong quarter, helped by the sale of Metro Inc.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Alcoa, KB Home, Capital One, Family Dollar, and others

Earnings highlights: Alcoa, KB Home, Capital One, Family Dollar, and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.