Analyst Upgrades

• Goldman upgraded Republic Services (RSG) to buy from neutral and raised its price target to $34 from $32. The firm cites valuation for the upgrade.
• Deutsche Bank upgraded MeadWestvaco (MWV) to buy from hold due to valuation and keeps a $29 price target for shares.
• UBS upgraded Symantec (SYMC) to buy from neutral.
• Lloyds Banking (LYG) upgraded to add from neutral at WestLB.
• Ternium (TX) was upgraded to overweight from equal weight at Barclays.

Continue reading Analyst Calls: GLW, KSU, LYG, MFE, MWV, RIMM, RSG, RY, SRCL, SYMC ...

Analyst Calls: GLW, KSU, LYG, MFE, MWV, RIMM, RSG, RY, SRCL, SYMC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) reported that Q3 revenue was flat while earnings and cash flow declined.
• Clorox Co. (NYSE: CLX) reported better-than-expected Q1 earnings, helped by healthy gross margins.
• Comcast Corp. (NASDAQ: CMCSA) posted better-than-expected Q3 earnings with modest revenue growth.
• Dean Foods Co. (NYSE: DF) Q3 revenue missed estimates but earnings came in better than expected.
• Expeditors International of Washington Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPD) traded lower after its Q3 earnings miss.
• Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN) beat earnings estimates in the week after the Google Navigation launch.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: CBS, Comcast, News Corp., Time Warner, UBS, Viacom ...

Earnings highlights: CBS, Comcast, News Corp., Time Warner, UBS, Viacom ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 07 Nov 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Traders initially seemed thrilled with Wednesday's third-quarter earnings report from Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL), but the stock then backpedaled into the red. The retailer banked a quarterly profit of $7.8 million, or 28 cents per share, up from its year-ago net income of $5.5 million, or 20 cents per share. Revenue for the period surged 14% to $140.5 million. The results comfortably outpaced analysts' consensus estimates, which called for a profit of 24 cents per share on $137.1 million in revenue.

Looking ahead, Lumber Liquidators is forecasting full-year revenue of $535 million to $543 million, up from its previous guidance of $528 million to $538 million. Earnings for fiscal 2009 are expected to range between 90 cents and 95 cents per share, compared to the retailer's previous forecast of 85 cents to 91 cents per share. Wall Street, on average, is expecting full-year earnings of 90 cents per share on $537.1 million.

Continue reading Lumber Liquidators rises, then falls, after solid 3Q report

Lumber Liquidators rises, then falls, after solid 3Q report originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) sees Q1 profits beating estimates but reaffirmed the full-year outlook.
• Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI) beat Q1 earnings expectations but fell short of revenue estimates.
• Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) posted strong Q4 and full-year results on titles such as Rock Band.
• Fossil Inc. (NASDAQ: FOSL) forecast Q1 earnings just a penny below analysts' estimates.
• IMAX Corp. (NASDAQ: IMAX) doubled its Q1 loss and missed Wall Street's expectations.
• JC Penney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) profits fell 50%, and it predicted trouble would continue through the year.
• Kohl's Corp. (NYSE: KSS) posted a smaller-than-estimated Q1 profit decline and cut its full-year outlook.
• Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ) swung to a Q1 loss on restructuring but beat analysts' expectations.
• Lumber Liquidators Inc. (NYSE: LL) posted strong Q1 results despite the housing slump.
• Macy's (NYSE: M) beat low Q1 expectations despite weak same-store sales.
• Nissan Motor Corp. (NASDAQ: NSANY) Q4 profit surged but it warned of lower profits this year.
• Nordstrom Inc. (NYSE: JWN) posted smaller-than-estimated Q1 profit decline and cut its full-year outlook.
• Priceline.com Inc. (NASDAQ: PCLN) beat Q1 expectations due to increased bookings.
• Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) posted a narrower Q1 loss in line with expectations.
• Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) swung to a Q4 profit but fell short of Wall Street estimates.
• Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) beat low Q1 estimates as its loss widened on charges and lost subscribers.
• Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF) projected beating Q1 earnings forecasts and raised its dividend.
• Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE: WMT) posted Q1 profits up on international growth and bargain shoppers.
• Whole Foods Market Inc. (NASDAQ: WFMI) Q2 profits fell due to the Wild Oats acquistion.
• XM Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: XMSR) reported a bigger-than-expected Q1 loss and a surge in subscribers.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Wal-Mart, Macy's, Sony, Sprint, Sirius, Whole Foods and others

Earnings highlights: Wal-Mart, Macy's, Sony, Sprint, Sirius, Whole Foods and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 17 May 2008 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lumber Liquidators (LL) performs well - how?! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 14 May 2008 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) first-quarter profit soared and it offered an encouraging outlook.
• AgFeed Industries Inc. (NASDAQ: FEED) full-year results were in line with expectations.
• Credit Suisse Group (NYSE: CS) warned that it expects a first-quarter loss due to write-downs.
• Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) first-quarter profit plunged on the unloading of Goldfish
• FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) posted lower-that-expected third-quarter earnings on rising fuel prices.
• 4Kids Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: KDE) posted dismal fourth-quarter and full-year results.
• GameStop Corp. (NYSE: GME) posted strong fourth-quarter earnings on Guitar Hero and other games.
• General Mills Inc. (NYSE: GIS) third-quarter profit surged on increased demand for Cheerios, yogurt, etc.
• Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (NYSE: GS) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Lumber Liquidators Inc. (NYSE: LL) beat estimates on infrastructure investments and merchandise variety.
• Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• Nike Inc. (NYSE: NKE) third-quarter profits soared on strong international demand.
• Shuffle Master Inc. (NASDAQ: SHFL) missed expectations for the first quarter.
• Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) lowered its earnings outlook on delays and order cancellations.

Also, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) is recession proof? Ted Allrich wonders if there are any safe stocks. Jim Cramer doesn't expect much from tech stocks. And Aaron Katzman looks at the effect of rising grain prices.

Upcoming results to watch for include Walgreen Co. (NYSE: WAG), Tiffany & Co. (NYSE: TIF), Oracle Corp. (NASDAQ: ORCL), ConAgra (NYSE: CAG), and KB Home (NYSE: KBH).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Goldman Sachs, Lehman Bros., Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 23 Mar 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL) is the largest specialty retailer of hardwood flooring in the United States. Product lines include prefinished domestic and exotic hardwoods, engineered hardwoods, unfinished hardwoods, bamboo, cork, and laminates. Altogether, the firm offers 150 varieties of flooring. These are sold from 124 stores in 44 states, via catalogs, over the Internet and through a Virginia call center. Competitors include Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and Lowe's Companies (NYSE: LOW).

The firm surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q4 EPS of 12 cents and revenues of $105.5 million. Analysts had been expecting ten cents and $102.2 million. In discussing the solid numbers, the CEO pointed to growth-oriented infrastructure investments and a higher-margin merchandise assortment. Management also guided FY08 EPS to 70-78 cents (73 cent consensus) and FY08 revenues to $475-$490 million ($483.27M consensus).

Continue reading Lumber Liquidators (LL): Shares forming bullish 'pennant'

Lumber Liquidators (LL): Shares forming bullish 'pennant' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

It seems that investors have been yelling "timber!" at Lumber Liquidators (NYSE: LL). Late last week, the company priced its IPO at $11, which was below its $12-$14 range. Since then, the stock has plunged to $9.25.

Lumber Liquidators is a specialty retailer focused on hardwood flooring, offering more than 25 premium brands at everyday low prices. There are 111 stores in 42 states. And, of course, there are other channels, such as a catalog and Internet site.

The formula has worked quite well. From 2004 to 2006, sales have gone from $171.8 million to $332.1 million. Operating income was $21.4 million and same-store sales continue to hum.

It's impressive stuff - especially in light of the slowdown in real estate.

But can the company sustain it?

Well, investors don't think so. If the economy slows down, it seems inevitable that consumers will defer mega projects like flooring.

The underwriters on the deal include Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) and Merrill Lynch (NYSE: MER).

You can find the prospectus at the SEC website. Also, if you want to check out more information recent IPO activity, visit DealProfiles.com.

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

Lumber Liquidators - an IPO without a floor originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

1. Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT), $26.6 billion, up from $19.4b in 2005.
2. Boeing (NYSE:BA) $20.3b, up from $18.3b in '05.
3. Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC) $16.6b, up from $13.5b.
4. General Dynamics (NYSE:GD) $10.5b, down from $10.6b
5. Raytheon (NYSE:RTN) $10.1b, up from $9.1b
6. Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) $6.1b, up from $5.8b
7. L-3 Communications Holdings (NYSE:LLL) $5.2b, up from $4.7b
8. BAE Systems (BAESY) $4.7b, down from $5.6b
9. United Technologies (NYSE:UTX) $4.5b, down from $5.0b
10. Science Applications Int'l (NYSE:SAI) $3.2b, up from $2.8b

The masters of war: Pentagon's top 10 contractors originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.