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

• Aeropostale Inc. (ARO) strong Q3 results topped analysts expectations, and it offered Q4 earnings guidance.
• Cascade Corp. (CASC) reported a surprise Q3 profit but lower revenue fell short of expectations.
• Collective Brands Inc. (PSS) reported strong Q3 earnings as well as same-store sales growth.
• Cost Plus Inc. (CPWM) narrowed its net loss in Q3 but revenue and same-stores sales declined.
• Del Monte Foods Co. (DLM) posted strong Q2 results and raised its earnings outlook for the full year.
• Diamond Foods Inc. (DMND) posted better-than-expected Q1 earnings, but said that revenue declined.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Aeropostale, Del Monte, Guess, Shanda, Staples, Toll Bros. ...

Earnings highlights: Aeropostale, Del Monte, Guess, Shanda, Staples, Toll Bros. ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 05 Dec 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Great jobs data, dud of a market (AAPL, DD, SWHC, TTWO, BAC)

Closing Bell: Great jobs data, dud of a market (AAPL, DD, SWHC, TTWO, BAC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Smith & Wesson (SWHC) rises before Afghanistan announcement

Smith & Wesson (SWHC) rises before Afghanistan announcement originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

When gold miners and gun-toters lag the broader economy, it's usually a good sign that conditions are on the mend. Both sectors outperform when times were tough, but this year, their growth has slowed relative to the market has a whole.

The S&P 500 index has gained 57% since March 9, 2009, according to a USA Today report, while Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) and Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) are up 36% and 21%, respectively, for the same period. Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC) is up 30%. Again, these are definitely respectable results, but they aren't keeping pace with the index.

Continue reading Guns and gold tell the story on the economy

Guns and gold tell the story on the economy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) was downgraded by one analyst ahead of next week's Q2 earnings report.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) better-than-expected Q4 and full-year profit failed to impact the share price.
• FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) boosted its Q1 earnings guidance ahead of next week's quarterly report.
• JoS. A. Bank Clothiers Inc. (NASDAQ: JOSB) saw its Q2 earnings jump higher than expected.
• Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY) swung to a Q1 net loss as revenue plunged despite cost cuts.
• lululemon athletica inc. (NASDAQ: LULU) strong Q2 numbers topped estimates and drove shares higher.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Best Buy, FedEx, Campbell, National Semiconductor, Talbots ...

Earnings highlights: Best Buy, FedEx, Campbell, National Semiconductor, Talbots ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Late Wednesday, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) stepped into the earnings spotlight to release its fiscal first-quarter results. The firearm firm raked in a profit of $12.6 million, or 21 cents per share, sharply higher from its year-ago earnings of $2.3 million, or 5 cents per share. Revenue for the period jumped 30% to $102.2 million, buoyed by a 30% increase in firearm sales and a 39% gain in non-firearm sales.

The results soared past analysts' expectations, which called for a fiscal first-quarter profit of 10 cents per share on $94.1 million in revenue. SWHC's bottom line received a boost of 5 cents per share during the recently concluded quarter from its acquisition of Universal Safety Response Inc.

Continue reading Smith & Wesson spikes higher on earnings surprise

Smith & Wesson spikes higher on earnings surprise originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 10:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This week brings a small flurry of end-of-the-calendar-quarter earnings reports. And for the most part, the expectations of the analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters aren't very high. Companies expected to report declining earnings in the most recently concluded quarter include America's Car-Mart Inc. (NASDAQ: CRMT), Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. (NASDAQ: BBBY), ConAgra Foods Inc. (NYSE: CAG), Jabil Circuit Inc. (NYSE: JBL), Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Inc. (NYSE: JTX), Monsanto Co. (NYSE: MON), and Sonic Corp. (NASDAQ: SONC).

Continue reading The week in preview: End-of-quarter earnings expectations: Nike, Oracle, Walgreen ...

The week in preview: End-of-quarter earnings expectations: Nike, Oracle, Walgreen ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 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:

• Adobe Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE) Q2 earnings were in line with expectations but sales beat.
• Best Buy Inc. (NYSE: BBY) beat earnings estimates for Q1, but on horrible metrics, sending shares lower.
• Carnival Corp. (NYSE: CCL) lower Q2 earnings beat expectations and previous guidance, boosting shares.
• CarMax Inc. (NYSE: KMX) Q1 profit and sales dropped, but still beat expectations, sending shares higher.
• Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) posted a smaller-than-expected Q2 net loss and shares rose.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: FedEx, Best Buy, RIM, Adobe, Smucker, Discover and more

Earnings highlights: FedEx, Best Buy, RIM, Adobe, Smucker, Discover and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 20 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) is sharply higher today after shocking Wall Street with a better-than-expected fourth-quarter forecast. Last night, the company reported that strong demand for its handguns and tactical rifles sent revenue up 20% during the quarter to $99.5 million, outpacing analysts' expectations for sales of $90.83 million. SWHC's full fourth-quarter results will be reported Monday, June 22.

Continue reading Smith & Wesson rallies on solid 4Q revenue outlook

Smith & Wesson rallies on solid 4Q revenue outlook originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

President Obama has already succeeded in stimulating one area of American business. Those convinced that his administration will bring restrictions and taxes to the gun industry are scrambling to arm themselves, so much so that the nation is suffering a widespread ammo shortage.

The panic, fanned by the NRA, is good news for companies such as Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC), Colt's Manufacturing Company, and Remington.

Continue reading Obama stimulates the ammo industry, with a bullet

Obama stimulates the ammo industry, with a bullet originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Merriman upgraded Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ:SWHC) to Buy from Neutral on valuation after channel checks indicated an increase in gun sales in October after an Obama win became apparent. The firm believes shares can trade up into the $4 to $5 range.
  
• Credit Suisse upgraded Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) to Outperform from Neutral citing the company's improved balance and potential earnings power following its $11B equity offering.
  
• JP Morgan upgraded Coca-Cola Enerprises (NYSE:CCE) to Overweight from Neutral on valuation and easing commodity and labor costs.
• Manulife (NYSE:MFC) was raised to Outperform from Sector Perform at RBC Capital.
  
• SL Green Realty (NYSE:SLG) was upgraded at UBS to Buy from Neutral.
  
• Molina Healthcare (NYSE:MOH) was upgraded to Equal Weight from Underweight at Barclays.

• Barclays downgraded General Motors (NYSE:GM) to Underweight from Equal Weight on cash concerns and believes any assistance from the government would substantially dilute equity holders. Barclays set a $1 target on GM shares.
  
• Stephens cut LandAmerica (NYSE:LFG) to Underweight from Equal Weight following the Fidelity National (NYSE:FNF) takeover as they expect no other bidders to emerge and believe shares could go back to under $5 if Fidelity National walks away.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded solar companies to reflect deteriorating fundamentals in the sector, an adequate supply of c-Si modules, the strengthening dollar and restricted access to capital. First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR), Canadian Solar (NASDAQ:CSIQ), Energy Conversion (NASDAQ:ENER) and Sunpower (NASDAQ:SPWRA) were downgraded to Hold from Buy.
• Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN) and Aeropostale (NYSE:ARO) were downgraded to Underweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
  
• FMC Technologies (NYSE:FTI) was lowered to Underweight from Neutral at JP Morgan.

• Freeport McMoRan, HLS Systems, and Kimberly Clark were today's noteworthy initiations:
  
• Banc of America expects Freeport McMoRan's (NYSE:FCX) earnings will decline sharply in 2009 and thinks the dividend could be at risk. Shares were initiated with a Neutral rating and $29 target.
  
• Roth Capital initiated HLS Systems (NASDAQ:HOLI) with a Buy rating and $5 target. The firm is positive on the company's management team and the company's outlook for EPS growth.
  
• Citigroup thinks Kimberly Clark's (NYSE:KMB) margins have bottomed and that the current valuation is too low. Shares were assumed with a Buy rating and $65 target.
• Synaptics (NASDAQ:SYNA) and Intercontinental Exchange (NYSE:ICE) were initiated at Merrill Lynch with Neutral ratings.
  
• Tim Hortons (NYSE:THI) was assumed with a Sell rating at Goldman.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: SWHC, WFC ,CCE, GM, FCX originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

• ADC Telecommunications Inc. (NASDAQ: ADCT) beat Q2 estimates and raised its full-year guidance.
• Alcoa Inc. (NYSE: AA) near-term earnings prospects led to an analyst downgrade.
• Banco de Chile (NYSE: BCH) earnings prospects after an acquisition led to an analyst's upgrade.
• Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN) posted lower Q4 profits but still beat earnings estimates.
• Bob Evans Farms Inc. (NASDAQ: BOBE) reported solid Q4 results due in part to cost management.
• Brown-Forman Corp. (NYSE: BF.B) easily beat Q4 estimates and offered full-year guidance.
• CMGI Inc. (NASDAQ: CMGI) lowered its guidance, sending shares tumbling 25%.
• Coca Cola Hellenic Bottling Co. (NYSE: CCH) warned of weaker earnings due to economic conditions.
• Conn's Inc. (NASDAQ: CONN) reported solid Q1 results and issued in-line guidance for the year.
• Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS) earnings prospects impress analysts despite recent guidance.
• Guess? Inc. (NYSE: GES) topped Q1 expectations due to strong international expansion.
• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. (NYSE: KKD) swung to a Q1 profit despite falling revenues.
• Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: LEH) posted a bigger-than-expected loss on further write-downs.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Lehman, UBS, Krispy Kreme, Pepsico, Pep Boys and others

Earnings highlights: Lehman, UBS, Krispy Kreme, Pepsico, Pep Boys and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Both Japanese restaurant chain Benihana Inc. (NASDAQ: BNHN) and gun maker Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) on Thursday said that their profits fell in their fiscal fourth-quarters. Shares of the former fell Friday by more than 11%, while shares of the latter rose nearly 6%.

Miami-based Benihana's fourth-quarter net income fell 30% from the year-ago quarter to $2.7 million, or 17 cents per share percent, due to the difficult environment for restaurants. Revenue for the quarter ended March 30 fell 2% to $70.2 million, and same-store sales fell 2.2%.

Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected a profit of 15 cents per share on revenue of $70.8 million.

For the fiscal year, earnings fell 13% to $11.7 million, or 75 cents per share, and revenue rose 9% to $296.9 million.

Shares of Benihana fell to a 52-week low of $6.69 on Friday before closing at $6.97. Shares are down 44.7% year to date.

Continue reading Benihana, Smith & Wesson report lower Q4 earnings

Benihana, Smith & Wesson report lower Q4 earnings originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

MOST NOTEWORTHY:

• Merriman initiated Linc Energy (OTC: LNCGY) with a Buy rating and believes the company is well-positioned to become a large producer of ultra-clean, high quality diesel fuel, at extremely high margins.
  
• Equinix (NASDAQ: EQIX) was assumed with a Buy rating and $120 target at Deutsche Bank. The firm thinks the company continues to benefit from favorable industry dynamics as customer demand continues to outstrip supply of new co-location space industry-wide.
  
• Susquehanna is positive on Smith & Wesson's (NASDAQ: SWHC) leading market position in the handgun market and top line growth. The firm started shares with a Positive rating.

• ComScore Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) was reinstated with an Outperform rating at Credit Suisse.
• UBS initiated Willbros Group (NYSE: WG) with a Buy rating and $4 target.
  
• Lazard started BladeLogic (NASDAQ: BLOG) with a Hold rating.

Analyst initiations: Linc Energy, Equinix, Smith & Wesson originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Smith & Wesson (SWHC) slashes forecast again originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Banc of America Securities downgraded Target (NYSE: TGT) to Neutral from Buy due to the macro environment.
• Merrill Lynch downgraded the ratings on American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Capital One (NYSE: COF) to Sell from Neutral, citing increasing consumer credit concerns. Morgan Stanley also cut its rating on Capital One to Underweight from Overweight, with a similar concern about the growing problems in the U.S. consumer finance industry.

Continue reading Before the bell: SWHC, AAPL, TGT, AXP, MOT, JBLU ...

Before the bell: SWHC, AAPL, TGT, AXP, MOT, JBLU ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Before the bell 6-15-07: CAL, BA, EBAY, SWHC ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Virginia Tech mass murderer Seung-Hui Cho was mentally deranged. But he had no problem buying his two weapons of mass destruction from a Roanoke, VA gun dealer and the combination of a Green Bay, WI web site and Blacksburg, VA pawnbroker. This got me thinking that there ought to be a law against selling guns to people in his mental condition.

It turns out there is. In this case, the law was simply not enforced. That's Newsweek's revelation. It found that the same 1968 federal gun law that blocks convicted criminals from buying firearms (passed after the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy) also prohibits gun purchases by those who have a history of mental illness.

On Cho's gun application -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Form 4473 -- he was asked: "Have you ever been adjudicated mentally defective or ... committed to a mental institution?" Cho answered "no."

Continue reading Virginia Tech mass murderer buys guns illegally. Why wasn't law enforced?

Virginia Tech mass murderer buys guns illegally. Why wasn't law enforced? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Cramer's SELL BLOCK originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.