DailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comDailyFinance.comhttp://o.aolcdn.com/os/df/2013/img/2-dailyfinance_logo_m.pngDailyFinance.comhttp://www.dailyfinance.comen-usCopyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Week in Preview: Earnings from Bed Bath & Beyond, Monsanto and Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/03/week-in-preview-earnings-from-bed-bath-and-beyond-monsanto-and-m/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/03/week-in-preview-earnings-from-bed-bath-and-beyond-monsanto-and-m/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/04/03/week-in-preview-earnings-from-bed-bath-and-beyond-monsanto-and-m/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Bed Bath & Beyond, the largest U.S. home retailer, is expected to report fiscal-fourth-quarter earnings and revenue growth this week. The new earnings season doesn't kick off until Alcoa (AA) reports its first-quarter results on April 11, and a few stragglers are still reporting their fiscal-fourth-quarter earnings this week. The most prominent earnings reports on the calendar include Wednesday's results from Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) and from Monsanto (MON). Here's what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect to see.

Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY)

During its fiscal fourth quarter, the nation's largest home retailer opened new stores and its CEO sold shares. Analysts anticipate that the New Jersey-based company will report per-share earnings of 97 cents, an increase of 11.3% from the same quarter of last year. The company also is expected to post revenue of $2.4 billion for the three months that ended in February, which is a 6.3% rise from a year earlier.

Analysts also forecast full-year earnings of $2.92 per share, which would represent a year-over-year increase of 21.2%, on revenue that grows 10.4% to $8.6 billion. In recent quarters, earnings have topped consensus estimates by as much as 15 cents per share.

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Bed Bath & Beyond has a long-term earnings-per-share (EPS) growth forecast of 14.3%, which exceeds those of competitors Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT). The forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 15.2 is lower than the industry average, indicating a higher expectation of growth. Its price/earnings-to-growth, or PEG, ratio -- which compares its price-to-earnings ratio to its earnings growth -- is 1, suggesting the stock is fairly valued, and its return on equity (ROE) is 20.3%.

The First Call consensus of analysts has rated BBBY a buy for more than 90 days, and the mean price target for the stock is $55.87. FBR Capital recently upgraded the stock based on its performance. Shares have hardly exceeded $50 since December, but the share price remains above the 200-day moving average.

Monsanto (MON)

Biotech and agrichemical giant Monsanto named a new chief financial officer and announced an acquisition during the three months that ended in February. Analysts expect the St. Louis-based company to report fiscal-third-quarter earnings of $1.85 per share, up from $1.70 per share a year ago, on revenue that rose 6.6% to $4.2 billion.

Looking ahead to the full year, analysts so far expect earnings to grow 15.4% to $2.85 per share and revenue to rise 8.9% to $11.4 billion. Monsanto's per-share results have come within a penny or two of consensus estimates in recent quarters.

Monsanto's long-term EPS growth forecast is 15.5%, which is higher than that of Swiss competitor Syngenta (SYT). Monsanto's forward P/E of 25.5 might seem high, but it's actually lower than the company's trailing P/E, indicating expectations of stronger growth. Its PEG ratio of 1.6, however, suggests overvaluation. The dividend yield is 1.5%.

Monsanto shares have traded mostly between $66 and $76 since December, but remain above the 200-day moving average. This stock is one of George Soros's top five picks.

Pier 1 Imports (PIR)

Quarterly results from Pier 1, which has been the subject of takeover rumors, also are due this week. Analysts anticipate that the home-decor retailer will post fourth-quarter earnings of 47 cents per share, up 31.9% year over year and in line with the company's guidance. They expect revenue of $425.6 million, indicating a 7.5% increase from the same period a year ago, for the three months that ended in February.

The full-year forecast calls for 84 cents per share earnings, compared to a year-ago loss, and revenue growth of 8.1% to $1.4 billion. Pier 1's earnings results have been better than expected for the past three quarters.

Pier 1's 12.2 forward P/E is much lower than the industry average, indicating strong expectations of growth. The ROE is a healthy 28.7%. Short interest has fallen since October, but is still 8% of the float, meaning that 8% of the shares are being sold short.

The company keeps enough cash on hand to cover its long-term debt, and its operational cash flow has grown in the past few quarters. On average, analysts recommend buying Pier 1 Imports, with a mean price target of $11.80 a share. The stock hit a 52-week high of $11.20 per share early in the year, but has since pulled back to $10.27.

Economic Data

Aside from the earnings reports, it appears to be a quiet week elsewhere on the economic calendar as well. Look out for statistics on outstanding consumer credit in February, as well as figures from the Midwest Manufacturing Index for February, on Wednesday. Wholesale trade data for February will be released Friday.


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]]>Aaagriculture stocksAlcoaanalyst forecastsBBBYBed Bath & BeyondBed Bath and BeyondBed Bath and Beyond earningsconsumer creditearnings previewseconomic dataGeorge SorosMidwest Manufacturing IndexMONMonsantoMonsanto CFOMonsanto dividendMonsanto earningsPier 1Pier 1 earningsPIRretail stocksTargetTGTWalmartwholesale tradeWMTTrey ThoelckeSun, 03 Apr 2011 08:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: End-of-Quarter Earnings and March Unemployment Ratehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/27/week-in-preview-end-of-quarter-earnings-and-march-unemployment/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/27/week-in-preview-end-of-quarter-earnings-and-march-unemployment/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/27/week-in-preview-end-of-quarter-earnings-and-march-unemployment/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Week in Preview: End-of-Quarter Earnings, Unemployment The calendar quarter winds down this week and quarterly reports due out include Apollo Group (APOL), Carmax (KMX), Global Payments (GPN), Krispy Kreme (KKD), Lennar (LEN) and McCormick (MKC). But analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters have high hopes for results from fertilizer and animal feed maker Mosaic (MOS), apparel maker Phillips Van Heusen (PVH) and discount retailer Family Dollar (FDO). So here's a look at what analysts anticipate from these three companies.

Mosaic

During its fiscal second quarter, Cargill agreed to distribute its stake in Mosaic, and Mosaic also said it would redeem senior notes. Analysts anticipate that the Minnesota-based potash producer will report per-share earnings of $1.07, a jump of 53.3% from the same quarter of last year. Mosaic also is expected to post revenue of $2.4 billion for the three months that ended in February, which is a 35.9% rise from a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, analysts expect sequential and year-over-year growth, both in earnings per share (EPS) and in revenue. Note though that Mosaic earnings have beat consensus expectations in just two of the past four quarters.

Mosaic has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 14.3%, as well as a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.1, though that is lower than the industry average. Its PEG ratio is 1.1, the dividend yield is a mere 0.2%, but the return on equity (ROE) is a healthy 54.3%. Citigroup (C) just downgraded MOS, but InvestorPlace expects strong results. The share price hit a 52-week high of $89.24 in February but has since pulled back and ended last week at $78.82.

Phillips Van Heusen

Phillips Van Heusen announced a sponsorship deal with the NFL and also reaffirmed its guidance during the three months that ended in January. Analysts expect the New York-based maker of Calvin Klein and Izod shirts to report that its revenue surged 122.3% to $1.4 billion. And they predict that fiscal forth-quarter earnings came to 82 cents per share, compared to 61 cents per share a year ago.

Analysts also forecast full-year earnings of $3.94 per share (up 28.2%) on revenue of $4.6 billion (up 91%). And its earnings have topped consensus estimates in recent quarters by as much as 19 cents per share.

The long-term EPS growth forecast is 13.7%, which is higher than that of competitors Oxford Industries (OXM) and Polo Ralph Lauren (RL). Phillips Van Heusen's forward P/E of 13.3 is less than the trailing P/E, indicating expectations of stronger growth. And it has a PEG ratio of 0.9. The dividend yield is 0.3% and the ROE is 15.6%.

The First Call consensus recommendation has been to buy PVH for more than 90 days, and the mean price target for the stock currently is $73.50. Goldman Sachs (GS) has a conviction buy rating on PVH and expects an earnings beat. Shares have traded between $55 and $65 since the beginning of the year, but the stock price ended the last week above both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

Family Dollar

Analysts anticipate that the operator of the nation's No. 2 dollar-store chain will post fiscal second-quarter earnings of 97 cents per share, up 16.5% year over year. Revenue is expected to have risen 8.4% to $2.3 billion during the three months that ended in February. North Carolina-based Family Dollar boosted its dividend and received a buyout offer during that period.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, the forecast thus far calls for similar year-over-year growth for both EPS and revenue. Family Dollar has topped consensus EPS estimates in four of the past five quarters, but missed by two cents per share in the first quarter.

Family Dollar has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 14.5%, which tops that of competitor Dollar Tree (DLTR). Family Dollar's 16.1 forward P/E is lower than both its trailing P/E and the sector average. The PEG ratio is 1.1, and there's also a dividend yield of 1.2% and a ROE of 21.4%. Short interest has been falling since last summer and is now about 3% of the float. But some options traders seem to expect weakness. The share price recently hit a 52-week high of $55.62 and is up 40% from a year ago.

End-of-Quarter Economic Data

As usual, monthly employment data will the focus as the calendar page turns. Here's what else is on tap this week:


While consumer confidence is expected to fall, reflecting concern about events in Japan and the Middle East, little change is expected in the unemployment rate, even as some jobs were added.


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]]>analyst forecastsApollo GroupCarmaxconsumer confidenceearnings previewseconomic dataFamily Dollar earningsFDOGlobal PaymentsjobsKrispy KremeKrispy Kreme DoughnutsLennarMcCormickMOSMosaicPhillips Van HeusenPhillips Van Heusen earningsprofitsPVHquarterly earningsunemployment rateTrey ThoelckeSun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Discover, Oracle and Tiffany Earningshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/20/week-in-preview-discover-oracle-and-tiffany-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/20/week-in-preview-discover-oracle-and-tiffany-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/20/week-in-preview-discover-oracle-and-tiffany-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

If analysts are right, it should be a good week for earnings, with Oracle, Discover and Tiffany expected to report year-over-year growth.Investors will be looking for earnings highlights this week from Oracle (ORCL), Discover (DFS) and Tiffany (TIF), which are scheduled to release quarterly reports.

Elsewhere on the economic calendar, much of the focus will be on housing: The National Association of Realtors is due to deliver data on existing-home sales on Monday, the Census Bureau is expected to come out with new-home-sales figures Wednesday and release numbers on housing starts -- new residential construction projects -- Thursday.

Oracle

During its fiscal third quarter, Oracle continued to roll out new offerings while completing an acquisition and extending a partnership. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast that the company will report third-quarter earnings of 49 cents per share, up 22.4% from the same quarter last year, on Thursday. The enterprise-software giant also is expected to post revenues of $8.7 billion for the three months that ended in February. That's a 33.7% jump from a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, analysts expect sequential and year-over-year growth, both in earnings per share (EPS) and in revenue. Oracle earnings have topped consensus expectations in recent quarters by as much as 6 cents per share.

Oracle's long-term EPS growth forecast of 14.7% tops the projections for competitors Microsoft (MSFT) and SAP (SAP). Meanwhile, Oracle's forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 14.2 is lower than the industry average, indicating a higher expectation of growth. Its price/earnings-to-growth, or PEG, ratio -- which compares its price-to-earnings ratio to its earnings growth -- is 0.9, which suggests that the company might be undervalued. Its dividend yield is 0.6% and its return on equity (ROE) is 23.1%.

A consensus of analysts on First Call has rated Oracle a buy for more than 90 days, with a mean price target of $35.87 per share, and JMP Securities expects the company to beat earnings expectations. The share price hit a 52-week high of $33.71 recently, but has since pulled back to around $30.

Analysts also expect Adobe Systems (ADBE) and Jabil Circuit (JBL) to post strong earnings results this week.

Discover Financial Services

During the quarter that ended in February, Discover expanded service to Puerto Rico, completed an acquisition and announced an agreement with Allstate (ALL). Analysts expect the Illinois-based credit-card issuer and ATM-network operator to post fiscal-first-quarter earnings of 51 cents per share, compared to a net loss of 22 cents per share a year ago, on Tuesday. But they predict that the company's revenue for the period slipped 2.9% to $1.6 billion.

So far, analysts forecast second-quarter earnings and revenue will remain about the same: 50 cents per share and $1.7 billion. But Discover's earnings have grown in each of the past three quarters, easily beating consensus estimates each time.

Discover's long-term EPS growth forecast is only 6.0%, lower than that of rivals such as America Express (AXP). Discover's forward P/E is 10.8, much less than the industry average. Again, a lower forward P/E ratio indicates higher growth expectations. But Discover has a PEG ratio of 1.8, which could indicate overvaluation, and a dividend yield of 0.4%.

Still, analysts on average recommend buying DFS. Their mean price target for the stock is $22.12, and Zack's recently upgraded Discover to outperform. The share price has marched higher since last summer, with the stock is trading near the 52-week high of $22.34.

Other companies expected to post earnings growth include General Mills (GIS), ConAgra (CAG) and Darden Restaurants (DRI).

Tiffany & Co.

Analysts anticipate that luxury retailer Tiffany will report fourth-quarter earnings of $1.39 per share, up 21.6% year over year, on revenue that increases 11.7% to $1.1 billion. During the three-month period that ended in January, New York-based Tiffany saw strong holiday sales and announced the retirement of its president, as well as share buybacks.

Analysts expect full-year earnings of $2.87 per share, which would represent a 29.9% increase, on revenue that grows 13.6% to $3.1 billion. Tiffany has beat consensus EPS estimates in four of the past five quarters.

The company's long-term EPS growth forecast of 14.5% tops those of competitor Zale (ZLC). Tiffany's forward P/E of 18.5 is lower than both its trailing P/E and the industry average, indicating expectations of stronger growth, while its PEG ratio of 1.3 could indicate overvaluation. Its dividend yield is 1.7% and its ROE is 15.3%.

Analysts' consensus rates Tiffany a buy, with a mean price target of $67.18. But last week, the company's share price fell below $56 for the first time since November, partly due to the earthquake in Japan.

Retailers Best Buy (BBY), GameStop (GME) and Walgreen (WAG) also are expected to post EPS growth in their reports this week.


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]]>ADBEAdobeALLAllstateanalyst forecastsAXPBBYBest BuyCAGConAgraDardenDFSDiscover acquistionsDiscover FinancialDiscover Financial earningsDiscover in Puerto RicoDiscover upgradeDRIdurable goods ordersearnings previewsGameStopGDPGeneral MillsGISGMEhome saleshousinghousing startsJabil CircuitJBLMicrosoftMSFTOracleOracle acquistionsOracle earningsORCLSAPTIFTiffanyTiffany & CoTiffany earningsTiffany holiday salesTiffany JapanTiffany presidentTiffany share buybacksWAGWalgreenZaleZLCTrey ThoelckeSun, 20 Mar 2011 08:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: FOMC Meeting, Inflation and Nike Earningshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/13/week-in-preview-fomc-meeting-inflation-and-nike-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/13/week-in-preview-fomc-meeting-inflation-and-nike-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/13/week-in-preview-fomc-meeting-inflation-and-nike-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets again this week to review economic conditions and set monetary policy. On whether the Fed should end quantitative easing or extend it, Atlanta Fed chairman Dennis Lockhart recently said the Fed should remain flexible given the rising energy prices, which could be a sign of coming inflation. Either at this meeting or the next, the Fed could signal that interest rates will rise as a hedge against inflation.

Inflation will also be the focus when the Department of Labor releases the Producer Price Index (PPI) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) this week. Back in January the core PPI (which excludes energy and food costs) had its biggest jump in two years, and the core CPI had its largest uptick in more than year, the second month in a row in which consumer prices jumped.

Also on the economic calendar this week are:
  • Tuesday: Empire State Manufacturing Survey
  • Wednesday: Housing starts in February
  • Thursday: Conference Board Leading Economic Indicators Index, industrial production data for February, Midwest Manufacturing Index
Nike and Ross Stores Earnings Expectations

Things have gone pretty quiet on the earnings front as the quarter winds down. This week's highlights will be Thursday's quarterly reports from Nike (NKE) and Ross Stores (ROST).

The world's largest footwear and sports apparel maker announced management changes and introduced the newest Air Jordans during its fiscal third quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to come to $1.11 per share, up from $1.01 in the same quarter of last year. The Beaverton, Ore., shoemaker also is expected to post revenues of $5.2 billion for the three months that ended in February. That's 9.1% more than a year earlier.

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Looking ahead to the full year, the consensus forecast thus far calls for earnings of $4.46 per share (+13.5%) on revenue of $20.7 billion (+8.8%). Nike earnings have not fallen short of consensus expectations in the past five quarters.

Nike has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 10.9%, as well as a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 18.2, but that's less than the trailing P/E and the industry average. Its PEG ratio is 1.7, the dividend yield is 1.2% and its return on equity (ROE) is 21.4%. The First Call consensus recommendation has been to buy NKE for more than 90 days. The mean price target is currently $98.45. Shares have been trading mostly between $80 and $90 since October and closed the week above $87.

Analysts anticipate that Ross Stores, one of the nation's largest discount retailers, will report its fourth-quarter earnings grew 15.3% from a year ago to $1.37 per share. Calif.-based Ross Stores saw strong same-store sales and raised its EPS guidance during the three-month period that ended in January, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $2.1 billion, an increase of 7.1%.

And analysts expect to see full-year per-share earnings of $4.62 (+23.4%) and $7.9 billion in revenue (+9.3%). Earnings have been in line with consensus estimates in the past five quarters.

The long-term EPS growth forecast is 13.4%. The forward P/E is 14.5. Ross Stores has a PEG ratio of 1.1, a dividend yield of 0.9%, and ROE of 41.5%. Yet, analysts do not on average recommend buying ROST now. The share price is up about 13% year to date, and shares have been trading near the 52-week high of $72.86.


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]]>analyst forecastsAnalystForecastsconsumer price indexConsumerPriceIndexCPIearnings previewsFOMCinflationNikeNikeEarningsNKEPpiproducer price indexProducerPriceIndexRoss StoresRoss Stores earningsRossStoresRossStoresEarningsROSTTrey ThoelckeSun, 13 Mar 2011 08:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Retail Sales, Consumer Credit, Earningshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/06/week-in-preview-retail-sales-credit-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/06/week-in-preview-retail-sales-credit-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/03/06/week-in-preview-retail-sales-credit-earnings/#commentsFiled under: ,

What's on tap for next week? Consumer credit numbers, retail sales data, trade balance data and earnings .Yes, the unemployment rate sank below 9% in February, but investors didn't seem to be impressed by that data. The Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 all fell on Friday -- over concerns about how the ongoing unrest in the Middle East might affect energy prices, and thus the economic recovery.

So is there anything on this coming week's economic calendar likely to bring excitement to the markets? Here's what's on tap:

Retail sales are expected to be higher on rising fuel prices and strong auto sales, which may also boost the consumer credit numbers. But rising energy prices could also prove to be a damper on consumer confidence.

On the Earnings Front

Here's a glance at what analysts polled by Thomson Reuters are expecting from quarterly reports scheduled for this week:

  • Canadian Solar (CSIQ): Q4 EPS of 65 cents (+46.2% yoy) on $417.6 million (+45.5%) in revenue
  • Diamond Foods (DMND): Q2 EPS of 89 cents (+46.1%) on $265.1 million (+44.%) in revenue
  • Boston Beer (SAM): Q4 EPS of 90 cents (+42.2%) on $118.5 million (+10.6%) in revenue
  • Analogic (ALOG): Q2 EPS of 45 cents (+35.6%) on $109.6 million (+6.1%) in revenue
  • Casey's General Stores (CASY): Q3 EPS of 50 cents (+32.%) on $1.3 billion (+15.4%) in revenue
  • American Eagle Outfitters (AEO): Q4 EPS of 43 cents (+23.3%) on $993.0 million (-5.%) in revenue
  • Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS): Q4 EPS of 72 cents (+22.2%) on $1.5 billion (+8.6%) in revenue
  • Vail Resorts (MTN): Q2 EPS of $1.38 (+19.6%) on $373.0 million (+24.1%) in revenue
  • Urban Outfitters (URBN): Q4 EPS of 52 cents (+13.5%) on $674.9 million (+14.7%) in revenue
  • National Semiconductor (NSM): Q3 EPS of 24 cents (+8.3%) on $353.9 million (-2.2%) in revenue
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Of the above companies, Canadian Solar, Diamond Foods, Dick's, Casey's, Vail Resorts and Urban Outfitters have First Call buy recommendations -- but only Diamond Foods, Dick's, Urban Outfitters and National Semiconductor have regularly topped consensus earnings estimates in the past four quarters. Shares of Analogic, Dick's and National Semiconductor are near their 52-week highs.

Others expected to report growth in earnings from a year ago include Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Brown-Forman (BF.B), Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ), Jo-Ann Stores (JAS), Kronos Worldwide (KRO), Pall Corp. (PLL) and Smithfield Foods (SFD). But analysts expect to see quarterly losses from Ciena (CIEN), Coldwater Creek (CWTR) and Men's Wearhouse (MW).

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]]>american eagleanalogicboston beercanadian solarCaseys General Storesconsumer creditConsumer Sentiment Risesdiamond foodsdicks sporting goodsearningsearnings reportseconomic optimismimport price indexinitial jobless claimsmichigan consumer sentimentnational semiconductorretailu.s. trade balanceurban outfittersvail resortswholesale tradeTrey ThoelckeSun, 06 Mar 2011 15:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Employment, Bernanke and More Retail Earningshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/27/week-in-preview-employment-bernanke-and-more-retail-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/27/week-in-preview-employment-bernanke-and-more-retail-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/27/week-in-preview-employment-bernanke-and-more-retail-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

This week we turn the calendar page, and that change brings with it a raft of economic data. Scheduled for release on Monday are pending home sales and personal income numbers for January, as well as the Chicago PMI and car and truck sales data for February.

On Tuesday, as March comes in like a lion, look for the ISM Manufacturing Index for February and construction spending numbers for January. That's followed on Wednesday by the week's first employment data: the Challenger Job-Cuts announcement and the ADP employment report for February. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke will deliver his semiannual monetary policy testimony before Congress on both days.

On the economic calendar for Thursday are labor productivity numbers for the fourth quarter, as well as the ISM Non-Manufacturing Survey for February. Also, the initial jobless claims for last week; fewer claims are anticipated.

Then on Friday we'll see if there was any movement in the unemployment rate in February. Payroll gains are expected to be modest. The week also ends with factory orders data for January and the ECRI Inflation Gauge for February.

Foot Locker Earnings Expectations

On the earnings front, last week's results from retailers like Home Depot (HD), JCPenney (JCP), Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT) were largely solid. And analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect retailer Foot Locker (FL) to be one of this week's biggest earnings gainers. During the three months that ended in January, the athletic footwear and sports gear purveyor was recognized as a top performing retailer of 2010 and its CEO bought shares. The New York-based company is expected to post earnings of 36 cents per share, a 33.3% rise from a year ago. And the fourth-quarter revenue forecast calls for a 4.1% year-over-year increase to $1.4 billion.

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Analysts also anticipate full-year per-share earnings of $1.07 (+49.5%) on $5.0 billion in revenue (+3.8%). Foot Locker beat EPS estimates in the past three quarters, by 16 cents per share in the previous quarter.

Foot Locker has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 10.8%, as well as a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 16.2. Its PEG ratio is 1.5 and the dividend yield is 3.1%. There have been takeover rumors about Foot Locker, and the First Call consensus recommendation has been to buy FL for more than 90 days. The mean price target is currently $22.89. The share price is in the same neighborhood as three months ago, as the stock has faced resistance at $20 during that time.

AutoZone Q2 Report

Analysts anticipate that AutoZone (AZO), the nation's largest auto parts chain, will report Tuesday that its fiscal second-quarter earnings came in at $3.05 per share, up 19.3% year over year. Memphis-based AutoZone bought back shares during the three-month period that ended in February, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $1.6 billion. That's an increase of 8.3% from a year ago.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, the consensus estimates thus far call for sequential and year-over-year growth of both EPS and revenue. AutoZone earnings have topped consensus expectations in recent quarters, by as much as 53 cents a share.

The long-term EPS growth forecast of 14.6% is better than that of competitor Advance Auto Parts (AAP). The forward P/E is 13.7, which is less than the industry average. AutoZone also has a PEG ratio of 0.9. Its net cash flow from operations has grown in recent quarters, and short interest has fallen in the past month to about 6% of the float. While AutoZone doesn't have a consensus buy recommendation, the stock caught the Motley Fool's eye for its buyback yield. Shares hit a 52-week high of $272.05 last December, but have traded mostly between $250 and $260 since the beginning of the year.

And More ...

On the industrial side, mining equipment maker Joy Global (JOYG), defense contractor URS Corp. (URS) and packaging and shipping container maker Greif (GEF) are also anticipated to report strong results this week. The Street is looking for more than 30% year-over-year EPS growth from Joy Global and more than 25% from the other two. And revenue for all three is anticipated to be more than 20% higher than a year ago. All three companies have tended to beat EPS estimates in recent quarters. Joy Global and Greif have consensus buy recommendations. Shares of all three have been marching higher since September, and Joy Global and Greif recently hit 52-week highs.

Bank of Montreal (BMO), Costco (COST), Del Monte Foods (DLM), DineEquity (DIN), Kroger (KR), Newcastle Investment (NCT) and PetSmart (PETM) are also expected to report strong earnings results this week, while narrow declines in EPS are predicted for BJ'S Wholesale (BJ) and H.J. Heinz (HNZ).


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]]>ADP employment reportanalyst forecastsauto salesAutozoneAutoZone earningsAutoZone share buybacksAZOBen BernankeChallenger job cutsconstruction spendingearnings previewseconomic datafactory ordersFederal ReserveFLFoot LockerFoot Locker earningsFoot Locker takeoverGEFGreifGreif earningsinflationinitial jobless claimsISM Manufacturing IndexISM Non-manufacturing IndexJoy GlobalJoy Global earningsJOYGpending home salesretail earingsretail salesunemployment rateURSURS earningsTrey ThoelckeSun, 27 Feb 2011 15:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Retail Earnings in the Spotlighthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/week-in-preview-retail-earnings-in-the-spotlight/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/week-in-preview-retail-earnings-in-the-spotlight/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/21/week-in-preview-retail-earnings-in-the-spotlight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Barnes & Noble, the Gap, RadioShack, and Sears: that may sound like the lineup at your local mall, but in fact they are just a few of the retailers scheduled to step into the earnings spotlight this week. Following last week's disappointing January retail sales numbers from the Commerce Department -- but strong fourth-quarter reports from Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) and Nordstrom (JWN) -- the coming week will offer plenty more data on the sector for investors to mull over.

Walmart

Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart (WMT) offered free holiday shipping, closed its Moscow office and named a chief merchandising officer during its fourth quarter. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to come to $1.31 per share, up from $1.17 in the same quarter of last year. The world's largest retailer also is expected to post revenues of $117.7 billion for the three months that ended in January. That's 3.5% more than a year earlier.

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For the full year, the consensus forecast is for earnings of $4.05 per share (+9.6%) on revenue of $423.3 billion (+3.7%). Walmart earnings have not fallen short of consensus expectations in the past five quarters.

Walmart has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 10.4%, as well as a forward price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 12.8. Its PEG ratio is 1.2, the dividend yield is 2.2% and its return on equity (ROE) is 20.9%. The First Call consensus recommendation has been to buy WMT for more than 90 days. Zacks remains cautious, though. The mean price target is currently $60.27. The share price hit a 52-week high of $57.89 in late January but has pulled back recently to fall below $55, as well as the 100-day moving average.

Home Depot

During the three months that ended in January, Home Depot (HD), the second-largest retailer in the U.S., also offered free shipping for the holidays. It also launched an online site for do-it-yourselfers and saw changes to its Canadian leadership. The Atlanta-based home improvement chain is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 31 cents per share, a 22.6% rise from a year ago. And analysts are looking for a marginal increase in revenue to $14.8 billion.

The consensus full-year forecast calls for earnings of $1.98 per share (+16.2%) and $67.7 billion (+2.6%) in revenue. Home Depot has topped earnings estimates in the past five quarters, by as much as 7 cents per share.

Its long-term EPS growth forecast is 13.9%. The forward P/E is 17.6, but that's less than the industry average. Home Depot has a PEG ratio of 1.3 and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Analysts on average recommend buying HD; Oppenheimer recently raised its price target to $45. Last week, shares closed above $38 for the first time since 2007.

JCPenney

Analysts anticipate that on Friday JCPenney (JCP), the venerable catalog and department store operator, will report its fourth-quarter earnings came in at $1.08 per share, up 22.2% year over year. Texas-based JCPenney launched a Global Brands Division, announced management promotions and launched mobile initiatives during the three-month period that ended in January, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $5.7 billion, an increase of 2.7%.

And analysts anticipate full-year per-share earnings of $1.56 (+31.5%) and $17.8 billion in revenue (+1.2%). JCPenney has met or beat EPS estimates by a penny or two in recent quarters.

The 14.7% long-term EPS growth forecast tops those of competitors Kohl's and Macy's. Its forward P/E of 21.6 is less than its trailing P/E and the industry average. The PEG ratio is 1.5 and the dividend yield is 2.2%. While JCP doesn't have a consensus buy recommendation, an upgrade or two following the quarterly report would shift it into the buy column. DailyFinance contributor Joseph Lazzaro is bullish on JCP. Shares are up about 14% year to date, venturing north of $37 last week for the first time since 2008.

And More

Other retailers expected post fourth-quarter strong earnings growth this week include the Cracker Barrel (CBRL), Dollar Tree (DLTR), Gap (GPS), Kohl's (KSS), Limited Brands (LTD), Lowe's (LOW), Saks (SKS), Target (TGT) and Zale (ZLC). Those predicted to report more modest earnings growth include Macy's (M), Safeway (SWY), Sears (SHLD) and TJX Cos. (TJX).

Per-share earnings from Barnes & Noble (BKS), HSN (HSNI) and RadioShack (RSH) are expected to have slipped from a year ago, while a loss is anticipated from Office Depot (ODP).


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]]>AbercrombieAndFitchanalyst forecastsANFBarnesAndNobleBKSCBRLCrackerBarrelDLTRDollarTreeearnings previewsGapGPSHDHome DepotHome Depot earningsHomeDepotHSNIJC PenneyJCPJcpenneyJCPenney earningsJoseph LazzaroJWNKohlsKSSLimitedBrandsLOWLowesLTDMacysNordstromODPOfficeDepotRadioShackretail earningsRSHSafewaySaksSearsSHLDSKSSWYTargetTGTTJXWal-MartWalmartWalmart earningsWMTZaleZLCTrey ThoelckeMon, 21 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Earnings from Dell, Smucker, Marriott, Nordstromhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/13/week-in-preview-dell-smuckers-marriott-nordstrom-and-more-ear/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/13/week-in-preview-dell-smuckers-marriott-nordstrom-and-more-ear/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/13/week-in-preview-dell-smuckers-marriott-nordstrom-and-more-ear/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're well into the quarter now, and the earnings reports continue to roll out. This week, Dell (DELL) highlights a handful of results from tech companies. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are looking for fourth-quarter earnings of 37 cents per share from the one of the world's top PC purveyors. That's up from 28 cents per share during the same period a year ago. Dell also is expected to report its revenue grew 5.5% year over year, to $15.7 billion for the three months that ended in January.

The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of $1.41 (+25.5%) and $61.5 billion in revenue (+16.3%). Dell earnings have not fallen short of consensus estimates in the past four quarters, beating by 12 cents per share in the third quarter. The First Call consensus recommendation is to buy Dell stock. Shares have faced resistance at $14 since November.

Agilent (A), Analog Devices (ADI) and NetApp (NTAP) are all expected to post strong earnings and revenue results this week as well, while Nvidia's (NVDA) earnings are expected to have slipped a bit from a year ago.

Smucker, Campbell Soup Earnings

Ohio-based Smucker's (SJM) fiscal third-quarter results will be among a few food-related companies on tap this week. Its net income for the three months that ended in January is anticipated to come to $1.26 per share, up from $1.22 a year ago. And revenue is expected to have risen 3.9% to $1.3 billion.

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Looking ahead to the second quarter, analysts so far expect to see stronger year-over-year revenue growth. Smucker's earnings have topped consensus estimates in recent quarters, by as much as 19 cents per share. Shares have traded mostly between $60 and $65 since last summer and are currently down about 4% year to date.

Campbell Soup (CPB) is scheduled to post its fiscal second-quarter results this week, but earnings are expected to have slipped marginally from a year ago to 72 cents per share. Dean Foods (DF) earnings are likewise anticipated to be smaller than a year ago, but beverage giant Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) is expected to post strong numbers.

Hospitality, Media Sectors
In the hard-hit lodging and hospitality industry, Marriott (MAR) is expect to report 11.1% annual growth in its fourth-quarter earnings, coming in at 36 cents per share. And analysts are looking for revenue of $3.6 billion, a rise of 6.3%.

For the full year, the consensus forecast is for earnings of $1.12 per share (+16.9%) on revenue of $11.6 billion (+6.5%). Its earnings generally top estimates, recently by as much a nickel per share. Marriott does have a consensus buy recommendation, and shares have traded near $40 in the past couple of weeks.

Year-over-year earnings growth is expected from Hyatt Hotels (H) and Host Hotels (HST) as well. But another fourth-quarter and annual net loss is seen for MGM Resorts (MGM).

Also this week, CBS (CBS) is expected to report that its fourth-quarter earnings rose 43.2% and revenue grew 10.1% from a year ago, while Comcast's (CMCSA) earnings per share are expected to be about the same as a year ago with revenue up marginally. But both stocks are trading near 52-week highs.

Retailers Weigh In

And this week will see the first reports from fashion retailers. Seattle-based Nordstrom (JWN) is predicted to report fourth-quarter earnings that grew 23% from a year ago to $1 per share. And for the three months that ended in January, the consensus estimate is for revenue to total $2.8 billion, an increase of 10.6%.

The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of $2.71 per share (+28.4%) and $9.3 billion in revenue (+12.2%). In recent quarters, Nordstrom earnings have not fallen short of expectations. This retailer also has a consensus buy recommendation, and shares surged last week to near the 52-week high of $46.22.

Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) is also forecast to post strong earnings and revenue for its fourth quarter.

The following week will bring many more reports from shopping mall favorites, including Gap (GPS), JCPenney (JCP), Kohl's (KSS), Limited Brands (LTD), Macy's (M), Sears (SHLD), Target (TGT), TJX Companies (TJX), as well as the world's largest retailer -- Walmart (WMT) -- and big-box home-improvement chains Home Depot (HD) and Lowe's (LOW).


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]]>ADIAgilentAmbercrombieAnalog Devicesanalyst upgradesANFCampbell earningsCampbell SoupCBSCBS earningsComcastComcast earningsCPBDean FoodsDELLDell earningsDFDPSDr Pepper Snappleearnings previewsHost HotelsHSTHyattJWNMARMarriottMarriott earningsMarriott InternationalMGMNetAppNordstromNordstrom earningsNTAPNVDANvidiaretail earningsSJMSmuckerSmucker earningsTrey ThoelckeSun, 13 Feb 2011 10:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Coca-Cola, Disney, Hasbro Earningshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/06/week-in-preview-coca-cola-disney-and-hasbro-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/06/week-in-preview-coca-cola-disney-and-hasbro-earnings/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/02/06/week-in-preview-coca-cola-disney-and-hasbro-earnings/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Things look to be pretty quiet on the economic calendar this week. Here are the highlights:
  • Tuesday: Weekly chain-store sales
  • Wednesday: Federal budget balance for January
  • Thursday: Wholesale trade data in December
  • Friday: Trade balance in December and the weekly inflation survey
However, at least three iconic companies -- Walt Disney (DIS), Coca-Cola (KO) and Hasbro (HAS) -- are scheduled to report quarterly results this week. Here's a look at what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are anticipating from these and others.

Walt Disney: Strong Earnings Growth

The world's largest media conglomerate boosted its dividend and Mickey Mouse came to the Nintendo Wii during the fiscal first quarter. Analysts forecast earnings for the period to come to 56 cents per share, an increase of 16.1% from the same quarter of last year. The Burbank, Calif.-based company also is expected to post revenues of $10.5 billion for the three months that ended in December. That's 8% more than a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the second quarter, analysts so far expect to see similar EPS results, but only about a 6% annual rise in revenue. Disney's earnings have topped consensus estimates in most recent quarters, but missed by a penny per share in the fourth quarter.

Disney has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 11.4%, as well as a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 16.5. Its PEG ratio is 1.4 and the dividend yield is 1%. The First Call consensus recommendation has been to buy DIS for more than 90 days. The mean price target is currently $42.54. The upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 4 movie is expected to boost the company's box office market share. Shares have climbed more than 15% in the past six months and are trading near a multiyear high.

Many other companies are also anticipated to post double-digit earnings growth this week, including Advance Auto Parts (AAP), Allstate (ALL), Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG), Ingersoll-Rand (IR), MetLife (MET), Polo Ralph Lauren (RL), PepsiCo (PEP), Philip Morris (PM), Prudential (PRU), Take-Two Interactive (TTWO), Total (TOT) and Whole Foods (WFMI).

Coca-Cola: Modest Earnings Growth

Analysts anticipate that the world's largest soft drink company will report Wednesday that its fourth-quarter earnings came in at 72 cents per share, up from 66 cents per share a year ago. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola announced a cash tender offer and continued investing in China during the three-month period that ended in December, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $9.8 billion, an year-over-year jump of 29.8%.

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The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of $3.49 (up 12.3%) and $34.3 billion in revenue (up 10.6%). Earnings have not fallen short of consensus estimates in the past five quarters.

Coca-Cola's long-term EPS growth forecast of 8.7% is in the same ballpark as rivals PepsiCo (PEP) and Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS). Coke's forward P/E of 16.7 is less than its trailing P/E, meaning the stock is seen as a better bargain. The PEG ratio is 1.9, the dividend yield is 2.8%, and the return on equity (ROE) is 30.3%. Analysts on average recommend buying KO and their mean price target is $71.63. Bloggingstocks and DailyFinance contributor Joseph Lazzaro sees KO heading for $80. Shares have traded just above $62 in the past few weeks, down from the 52-week high of $65.88 in December.

McAfee (MFE) and Wyndham (WYN) are also expected to post modest year-over-year earnings growth in the fourth quarter.

Hasbro: Earnings Decline

During the three months that ended in December, the maker of Play-Doh, G.I. Joe, Scrabble and many other classic toys and games set new environmental sustainability goals and shared its long-term strategy at its investor day. The Rhode Island-based company is expected to post earnings of 95 cents per share. That's down from $1.09 per share last year. And analysts are also looking for a 4.9% slide in revenue to $1.3 billion.

For the full year, analysts expect to see earnings of $2.54 per share (up 2.4%) on revenue of $4 billion (down 1.1%). But earnings have been better than expected in recent quarters, topping estimates by as much as 27 cents per share.

The 10% long-term EPS growth forecast is better than that of larger competitor Mattel (MAT). Hasbro's forward P/E is 16.0, but that's much less than the industry average. The PEG ratio is 1.6, the dividend yield is 2.1%, and the ROE is 23.9%. The consensus recommendation is to buy HAS and the mean price target is $51.71. Despite a dividend boost, Zacks remains cautious on the stock, though. The share price has fallen about 5% year to date and closed the week at $44.82.

Analysts also expect to see smaller earnings from Cisco Systems (CSCO), Humana (HUM), Kraft Foods (KFT), Molson Coors (TAP), Noble Energy (NBL), Northrop Grumman (NOC), Sara Lee (SLE) and Toyota (TM). Net losses are expected from Goodyear (GT) and Sprint Nextel (S).


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]]>analyst forecastsCoca-ColaCoca-Cola earningsCoca-Cola in ChinaDISDisney dividendDisney earningsDPSDr Pepper Snappleearnings previewsfederal budget balanceHASHasbroHasbro earningsinflationJoseph LazzaroKOMATMattelMickey MousePEPPepsiCoPirates of the Caribbeantrade balanceWalt Disneywholesale tradeTrey ThoelckeSun, 06 Feb 2011 11:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: January Employment Data, UPS Earnings and Morehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/30/week-in-preview-january-employment-data-ups-earnings-and-more/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

UPS package deliveryFriday's fourth-quarter GDP numbers offered more evidence that the economy is picking up steam, but one of the biggest obstacles to the recovery remains the stubbornly high unemployment rate. We'll find out whether there has been any movement on that front when employment data for January comes out this week, with Challenger job cut report and ADP employment data both due Wednesday, and the government's unemployment rate on Friday. Another mild increase in jobs is expected, in line with the three-month average, but not enough to significantly reduce the unemployment rate.

Also look for the ISM manufacturing and nonmanufacturing indexes this week, as well as the Chicago purchasing managers' index and the New York NAPM index. And Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will speak to the National Press Club on Thursday.

The earnings season rolls on, too. Here's a peek at what analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect from quarterly reports this week, with a closer look at economic bellwether United Parcel Service (UPS), as well as Coinstar (CSTR) and Las Vegas Sands (LVS), anticipated to be two of the week's big earnings winners.

Companies expected to post double-digit earnings growth from a year ago are plentiful. They include Aetna (AET), Aflac (AFL), Ameriprise (AMP), Avery Dennison (AVY), BP (BP), Broadcom (BRCM), Constellation Energy (CEG), Cummins (CMI), Dow Chemical (DOW), Electronic Arts (ERTS), Estee Lauder (EL), Goodrich (GR), Marathon Oil (MRO), MasterCard (MA), Novellus (NVLS), Sony (SNE), Tyson Foods (TSN), Visa (V), Whirlpool (WHR) and Yum! Brands (YUM).

United Parcel Service

The world's largest package-delivery company boosted rates for 2011 and sold its logistics technologies unit during the fourth quarter. Analysts forecast earnings for the period to come to $1.05 per share, up from 75 cents per share in the same quarter of last year. The Atlanta-based company also is expected to post revenues of $13.4 billion for the three-month period that ended in December, which is 8.3% more than a year earlier.

For the full year, analysts expect to see earnings of $3.53 per share (up 34.6%) on revenue of $49.6 billion (up 9.4%). UPS earnings were better than expected in recent quarters, beating estimates by as much as 13 cents per share.

UPS has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 11.7% and forward price-to-earnings ratio of 17.7, but that's much less than the industry average. Its PEG ratio is 1.5, and the dividend yield is 2.6%. The First Call consensus recommendation remains to buy UPS. The mean price target is $83.13; Piper Jaffray raised its target to $88 last week. Shares have traded around $73 since mid-December, but closed the week at $70.73.

Coinstar

Analysts anticipate that this coin-counting and DVD-rental kiosk operator will report Thursday that its fourth-quarter earnings surged 73.5% year-over-year to 68 cents per share. Coinstar appointed a chief performance officer and launched a holiday promotion during the three-month period that ended in December, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $393.3 million, an annual increase of 19.9%.

The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of $2.03 (up 61.6%) and $1.4 billion in revenue (up 25.7%). In the past few quarters, earnings have topped consensus estimates -- by 15 cents per share in the third quarter.

Coinstar's long-term EPS growth forecast is 24.2%. Its forward P/E of 15.5 is less than the trailing P/E, meaning it it's seen as a better bargain. The PEG ratio is 0.6. Analysts on average recommend buying CSTR, and their mean price target is $57.38. Shares tumbled earlier this month following weaker-than-expected guidance and have traded around $42 since.

Las Vegas Sands

Las Vegas Sands may be the week's biggest winner in terms of earnings growth. During the three months that ended in December, the resort/convention center operator signed an agreement with Intercontinental Hotels (IHG) and saw its S&P credit rating raised. The Las Vegas-based company is expected to post earnings of 39 cents per share. That's a year-over-year jump of 92.3%, and analysts are also looking for a 60.9% increase in revenue to $2.1 billion.

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Wall Street foresees full-year earnings of 98 cents per share (up 92.6%) on revenue of $6.9 billion (up 51.1%). Earnings have grown sequentially over the past year, topping estimates by as much as a dime per share.

The 64.2% long-term EPS growth forecast leaves that of competitor MGM Resorts (MGM) in the dust. The forward P/E is 28.4, but that's well down from the trailing P/E of 77.2. The PEG ratio is 0.4. Short interest dropped off in the past quarter but remains about 5% of the float. Analysts' consensus recommendation is to buy LVS and their mean price target is $52.88. Las Vegas Sands is expected to be the top casino stock in 2011. After rising steadily for most of last year, the share price has bounced between $42 and $52 since November.

Other Earnings Outlooks

Analysts are looking for more modest earnings growth from Gannett (GCI), Hospira (HSP), Kellogg (K), Mattel (MAT), Merck (MRK), NASDAQ OMX (NDAQ), Reynolds American (RAI), Thermo Fisher (TMO) and Time Warner (TWX).

Year-over-year earnings declines are predicted for Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cigna (CI), Clorox (CLX), Diamond Offshore Drilling (DO), Hershey (HSY), New York Times (NYT), Pfizer (PFE), Starwood Hotels (HOT) and Toyota (TM).


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]]>adpADP National Employment Reportanalyst forecastsBen BernankeChallenger Gray ChristmasCoinstarCoinstar earningsCSTRearnings previewsEarnings reportseconomic dataeconomy recoveryemploymentGDPhiringhiring outlookISMjobs reportLas Vegas SandsLas Vegas Sands earningsLVSunemploymentunemployment rateUnited Parcel ServiceUPSUPS earningsTrey ThoelckeSun, 30 Jan 2011 10:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Fed Policy Meeting, GDP, Housing Data and Earning Galorehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/23/week-in-preview-fed-monetary-meeting-gdp-housing-data-and-lots/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/23/week-in-preview-fed-monetary-meeting-gdp-housing-data-and-lots/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/23/week-in-preview-fed-monetary-meeting-gdp-housing-data-and-lots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

McDonald's earnings are out this weekWith earnings season in full swing -- along with the Fed's rate-setting meeting on interest rates, the GDP estimate and housing numbers coming out -- the week ahead is shaping up to be a busy one. So here's a roundup of what's on the week's economic calendar.

Monday

Quarterly earnings reports from American Express (AXP) and McDonald's (MCD) are expected to be the highlights. Analysts are looking for the charge card and travel giant to report fourth-quarter earnings of 94 cents per share (+37.2%) on revenue of $7.3 billion (+12.9%). The iconic burger chain is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of $1.15 per share and $6.2 billion in revenue, up from $1.03 per share and $5.9 billion a year ago. Full-year results for both companies are anticipated to be similarly strong, and both have topped earnings estimates in recent quarters.

Amgen (AMGN), CSX (CSX), Halliburton (HAL) and Texas Instruments (TXN) are also expected to report strong earnings results on Monday.

Tuesday

The S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index for November is due out. Home prices fell more than expected in the October report, the fourth straight monthly decline. Also look for the Conference Board's Consumer Confidence Index for December.

Analysts are looking for strong earnings reports from 3M (MMM), Altera (ALTR), Coach (COH), DeVry (DV), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Peabody Energy (BTU) and Yahoo! (YHOO) on Tuesday. They expect per-share earnings from Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Kimberly-Clark (KMB) and Verizon (VZ) to be in the same ballpark as the year-ago period but to be lower for DuPont (DD), Quest Diagnostics (Q) and Travelers (TRV). And reported losses are anticipated from Harley-Davidson (HOG) and U.S. Steel (X).

Wednesday

Defense contractor General Dynamics (GD) and conglomerate United Technologies (UTX) slide into the earnings spotlight. The former is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of $1.85 per share (+28.8%) on revenue of $8.9 billion (+12.9%), while the consensus forecast for the later is $1.29 per share (+10.9%) and $14.8 billion (+4.6%). Earnings and revenue growth for the full year are expected as well. Earnings from these two companies have not fallen short of consensus estimates in recent quarters.

Others companies expected to report year-over-year earnings growth on Wednesday include Abbot Labs (ABT), Automatic Data Processing (ADP), ConocoPhillips (COP), McCormick & Co. (MKC), NetFlix (NFLX), Occidental Petroleum (OXY), Qualcomm (QCOM), Rockwell Automation (ROK), St. Jude Medical (STJ), Starbucks (SBUX) and Xerox (XRX). Lower earnings are forecast for Boeing (BA) and Eastman Kodak (EK).

Economic releases on Wednesday include new home sales and personal income numbers, as well as the outcome of the Fed's meeting. As the economic recovery plods along and QE2 continues to roll out, no substantial changes in policy are expected to arise from this meeting.

Thursday

More housing data is scheduled, with housing starts and the National Association of Realtors' pending home sales in December, as well as a look at durable good orders in December. Home sales may have inched upward last month.

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Quarterly reports are due from Altria (MO), Amazon (AMZN), AT&T (T), Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY), Colgate-Palmolive (CL), Eaton (ETN), Eli Lilly (LLY), Motorola Solutions (MSI), Newell Rubbermaid (NWL), Time Warner Cable (TWC) -- all expected to post strong earnings results. But the highlights of the day may be results from Caterpillar (CAT) and Microsoft (MSFT).

The world's largest producer of construction and agricultural equipment is expected to report its fourth-quarter earnings more than doubled from a year ago to $1.28 per share, while full-year earnings rose 44.8%. From the world's largest software company, on the other hand, analysts are looking for fourth-quarter earnings 8.1% lower year-over-year to 68 cents per share, though per-share earnings are expected to have grown 14.3% for the year. While Caterpillar's revenue is forecast to have surged in the quarter to $11.7 billion, Microsoft's may be about the same as a year ago, or $19.1 billion.

Like Microsoft, Lockheed Martin (LMT), Nokia (NOK), Procter & Gamble (PG), and Raytheon (RTN) are also expected to post smaller earnings.

Friday

Oil giant Chevron (CVX) is in the spotlight. Its anticipated $2.40 per share earnings represent a 36.3% annual increase, and its revenue is expected to come in 14.9% higher to $55.9 billion for the fourth quarter. The full-year forecast calls for $9.39 per share earnings and $204.3 billion in revenue. Note though that Chevron missed consensus earnings estimates in two of the past four quarters.

Honeywell (HON) is expected to post a quarterly loss on Friday.

End-of-the-week data on tap include the Employment Cost Index and the preliminary GDP estimate for the fourth quarter, as well as the latest Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index. Increased consumer spending and a narrower deficit are expected to have lifted GDP.


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]]>American ExpressAmerican Express earningsanalyst forecastsAXPCase-Shiller Home Price IndexCATCaterpillarCaterpillar earningsChevronChevron earningsConsumer Confidene Indexconsumer sentimentCVXdurable goods ordersemployment cost indexFOMC meetingGDGDPGDP estimateGeneral Dynamic earningsGeneral Dynamicshousing startsinterest ratesMCDMcDonaldsMcDonalds earningsMicrosoftMicrosoft earningsMSFTnew home salespending home salesQE2United TechnologiesUnited Technologies earningsUTXTrey ThoelckeSun, 23 Jan 2011 15:10:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Banks Step Into the Earnings Spotlighthttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/17/week-in-preview-banks-step-into-the-earnings-spotlight/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/17/week-in-preview-banks-step-into-the-earnings-spotlight/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/17/week-in-preview-banks-step-into-the-earnings-spotlight/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The earnings season ramps up this week. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters foresee strong reports from such big names as Apple (AAPL), eBay (EBAY), IBM (IBM), General Electric (GE), Google (GOOG), Schlumberger (SLB) and Southwest Airlines (LUV). Fast on the heels of last week's big earnings beat from JPMorgan Chase (JPM), there will be plenty more results from the financial sector to peruse this week.

Wells Fargo Leads Earnings Winners

Among the financials expected to post double-digit earnings growth this week are Capital One Financial (COF), Morgan Stanley (MS), SLM Corp. (SLM) and U.S. Bancorp (USB), but the week's biggest earnings winner may be Wells Fargo (WFC).

During its fourth quarter, Wells Fargo launched new services and new tools, and also received accolades. Analysts forecast that earnings for the period will come to 61 cents per share, a jump of 86.9% from the same period of last year. The San Francisco-based corporate bank and residential mortgage giant also is expected to post revenue of $21.0 billion for the three months that ended in December. But that's down 7.5% year over year.

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For the full year, analysts expect to see earnings of $2.22 per share (+21.2%) on revenue of $84.9 billion (-4.2%). Wells Fargo's earnings have grown sequentially in the past four quarters, as well as beating consensus estimates.

Wells Fargo has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 9.5%, which is better than that of JPMorgan and Bank of America. It's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.4 is less than the trailing P/E ratio, meaning the stock has become a better value. Its PEG ratio is 1.3 and its dividend yield is 0.6%. The First Call consensus recommendation is to buy WFC. Wells Fargo is just one of the big banks analysts expect to boost its dividend. The mean price target is $36.19. Shares have risen from near the 52-week low of $23.02 threes months ago to once again approaching the 52-week high of $34.25, and they are well above the 50-week and 200-week moving averages.

Bank of America Out of the Red

Several banks that had earnings in the red a year ago are anticipated to report a profitable fourth quarter. These include Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), Comerica (CMA), Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB), Huntington Bancshares (HBAN) and SunTrust (STI).

Analysts anticipate that Bank of America, one of the largest in the U.S., will report Friday that its earnings came to 15 cents per share. That compares to a loss of 60 cents a year ago. The North Carolina-based bank suspended foreclosures, announced the hiring of small business bankers and launched an auto-buying tool during the three months that ended in December, and revenue for that period is predicted to total $25.0 billion, about the same as in the year-ago quarter.

The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of 99 cents on $112.7 billion in revenue, compared to a loss of 29 cents per share on $119.6 billion last year. Bank of America earnings were better than expected in the previous three quarters, beating estimates by as much as 18 cents per share.

Bank of America's long-term EPS growth forecast is 8.7% and it has a forward P/E ratio of 12.4 much less than the trailing P/E of 67.1. The PEG ratio is 1.4 and the dividend yield is 0.3%. The consensus recommendation has been to buy BAC for more than 90 days, though some fear the bank could be hit by WikiLeaks revelations. The mean price target is currently $18.19. The share price has grown more than 30% from its 52-week low at the end of November and closed Friday at $15.25.

Diminishing Earnings for Goldman Sachs and Others

Not all is rainbows and lollipops in the sector, though. New York-based Goldman Sachs is expected to post earnings of $3.79 per share for the quarter in which it was hit by a class-action suit and also announced the payout of delayed executive compensation. Those anticipated earnings are less than half of a year ago's $8.20 per share. Analysts also are looking for an 6.4% annual decline in revenue to $9.0 billion for the three months that ended in December.

As for the full year, analysts foresee earnings of $13.24 per share (-40.2%) and revenue of $39.5 billion (-12.6%). But Goldman Sachs earnings have topped consensus estimates most recent quarters, by as much as $3.00 per share.

Goldman Sach's 12% long-term EPS growth forecast is higher than those of rivals JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley, and its forward P/E of 10.7 is less than the industry average. The PEG ratio is 0.9, the dividend yield is 1.0% and the return of equity is 20.4%. Analysts on average still recommend buying GS, and their mean price target is $194.45. Collins Stewart recently initiated the stock with a price target of $205. Shares are about 15% higher than three months ago and ended the week at $175.00.

BB&T (BBT), Northern Trust (NTRS), PNC Financial (PNC) and State Street (STT) are also expected to post per-share earnings smaller than a year ago. First Horizon National (FHN) is expected to post another quarterly loss.

This Week's Other Anticipated Earnings Winners

Analysts are looking for plenty of other companies to offer strong earnings results this week as well, including Amphenol (APH), Cree (CREE), Delta Air (DAL), EZCorp (EZPW), Fastenal (FAST), Freeport McMoRan (FCX), ITT Educational Services (ESI), Johnson Controls (JCI), Linear Technology (LLTC), Parker Hannifin (PH), Rockwell Collins (COL), Union Pacific (UNP) and Xilinx (XLNX).


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]]>analyst forecastsBACbank earningsBank of AmericaBank of America earningsBank of America WikiLeaksbank stocksCapital OneCitgroupComericaearnings previewsearnings seasoneBayFifth Thirdfinancial earningsfinancial stocksFirst HorizonGEGoldman SachsGoldman Sachs earningsGoogleGSHuntington BancsharesIBMNorthern TrustPNCState StreetSunTrustU.S. BancorpWells FargoWells Fargo dividendWells Fargo earningsWFCTrey ThoelckeMon, 17 Jan 2011 10:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: First Earnings Reports and Economic Readingshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/09/week-in-preview-alcoa-intel-jpmorgan-kick-off-new-earnings-se/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/09/week-in-preview-alcoa-intel-jpmorgan-kick-off-new-earnings-se/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/09/week-in-preview-alcoa-intel-jpmorgan-kick-off-new-earnings-se/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

AlcoaAlcoa (AA), Intel (INTC) and JPMorgan Chase (JPM) will usher in earnings season this week when they report their results for the fourth quarter of 2010. Here's a quick look at what analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect to see, followed by a glance at what's coming up on the economic calendar.

Alcoa

During its fourth quarter, Alcoa saw increased demand in emerging markets, sold surplus properties, and shared revenue targets with investors. Analysts forecast that earnings for the period will come to 19 cents per share, up from just a penny per share in the same quarter of last year. The New York-based aluminum producer also is expected to post revenue of $5.7 billion for the three months that ended in December, which is 4.5% more than a year earlier.

For the full year, analysts expect to see earnings of 53 cents per share, compared to a year-ago per-share loss of 80 cents, on revenue of $20.9 billion (up 13.4%). Alcoa's earnings were better than expected in the previous two quarters, and if it beats consensus estimates again, this will be the most profitable quarter in more than a year.

Alcoa's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is 16.5, but that's much less than the trailing P/E ratio of 49.6, meaning the company has become a better value. The dividend yield is 0.7%, and short interest fell in November and December, but is still 5.3% of the float. Though the First Call consensus recommendation is currently to hold Alcoa, the stock was Jim Cramer's top pick for 2011. Shares have marched upward more than 30% in the past three months, bringing the price close to the neighborhood of its 52-week high of $17.60.

Intel

Analysts anticipate that leading microprocessor-maker Intel will report Thursday that its earnings grew 24.5% year-over-year to 53 cents per share. Intel boosted its dividend and upgraded facilities during the three month period that ended in December, and revenue for the quarter is predicted to total $11.4 billion, up 7.6% from a year earlier.

The full-year forecast calls for per-share earnings of $1.99 (up 61.3%) and $43.5 billion in revenue (up 23.9%). In recent quarters, Intel earnings have grown sequentially, as well as topping consensus expectations by as much as a dime per share.

Intel's long-term EPS growth forecast of 11.8% is higher than that of competitors Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Texas Instruments (TXN). And Intel's forward P/E ratio of 10.9 much less than the industry average. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based company has a PEG ratio of 0.9 and a dividend yield of 3.2%. The consensus recommendation for more than 90 days has been to buy Intel, and the stock was also a Cramer pick for 2011. The mean price target is $23.72. Shares are about 6% higher than three months ago, despite a recent pullback that dropped their price below the 50-day moving average, which is around $21.

JPMorgan Chase

During the three months that ended in December, JPMorgan launched an iPad app and acquired a European headquarters for its investment bank. The New York-based financial holding company is expected to post earnings of 99 cents per share, an increase of 25.3% from a year ago. But analysts are looking for an 3.1% annual decline in revenue to $24.4 billion.

As for the full year, analysts foresee earnings of $3.84 per share (up 41.7%) and revenue of $102.6 billion (down 5.5%). JPMorgan earnings have easily topped consensus estimates in the past five quarters, by as much as 41 cents per share.

JPMorgan's 7.5% long-term EPS growth forecast is less than those of rivals Citigroup (C) and Bank of America (BAC), but its forward P/E of 10.1 is also less than those rivals. The PEG ratio is 1.4 and the dividend yield is 0.5%. Analysts on average still recommend buying JPMorgan, and their mean price target is $52.74. Shares faced resistance around $41 for much of the latter half of 2010, but finally broke through in the final weeks of December and are now trading near $44.

Earnings season ramps up next week with reports due from Apple (AAPL), Citigroup, Bank of America, eBay (EBAY), General Electric, (GE), Goldman Sachs (GS), Schlumberger (SLB), Southwest Airlines (LUV), Wells Fargo (WFC) and many others.

Economic Data

On the heels of last week's mixed employment numbers, economic releases due out this week include:
  • Tuesday: November wholesale trade numbers and chain-store sales for last week.
  • Wednesday: Import price index for December and the Fed's Beige Book report.
  • Thursday: Producer price index for December and initial jobless claims for last week.
  • Friday: December industrial production data, the consumer price index for December, December retail sales and November business inventories.
The various reports are expected to show that inflation remained in check at the end of the year, despite pressure from commodities prices. Little change is anticipated in the Beige Book, but layoffs may be higher as jobs for holiday season workers come to an end.


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]]>AAAlcoaAlcoa earningsanalyst forecastsBeige BookCPIearnings seasoneconomic datainflationINTCIntelIntel DividendIntel earningsJim Cramer picksJPMJPMorganJPMorgan earningsPPITrey ThoelckeSun, 09 Jan 2011 13:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: December Unemployment, Retail and Auto Reportshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/02/december-unemployment-retail-auto-reports/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/02/december-unemployment-retail-auto-reports/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2011/01/02/december-unemployment-retail-auto-reports/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Employment report for DecemberAlthough the U.S. economy has added jobs in recent months, the unemployment rate remains uncomfortably high at 9.8%. The rate for December is due out on Friday, and the consensus is for it to drop to 9.7%. However, no one seems to expect significant improvement until well into the new year.

Other economic data on this week's schedule to watch for:
  • Monday: ISM Manufacturing Index, construction spending and auto sales data.
  • Tuesday: Factory orders, weekly chain-store sales, release of the minutes of the Fed's Dec. 14 meeting.
  • Wednesday: ISM Nonmanufacturing Survey, Challenger job-cuts announcement, ADP employment report.
  • Thursday: Last week's initial jobless claims, consumer credit outstanding, monthly chain-store sales.
  • Friday: Fed Chairman Bernanke testifies before Senate budget committee
The new earnings season doesn't get started for another week, but who do analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect to start out the new year with strong quarterly reports? Mosaic (MOS), Family Dollar (FDO) and Constellation Brands (STZ), among a few others.

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During its fiscal second quarter, Minnesota-based crop nutrient producer Mosaic reported strong demand due to higher agricultural commodity prices and sold assets. Analysts forecast that earnings for the period will come in at 91 cents per share, a 64.8% increase from the same period of last year. Mosaic also is expected to post revenue of $2.4 billion for the three months that ended in November, 42.5% more than a year earlier.

Analysts anticipate that Family Dollar, the nation's No. 2 dollar-store chain, will report Wednesday that fiscal first-quarter earnings grew 19.7% year over year to 61 cents per share. Family Dollar saw strong sales and bought back shares during the three months that ended in November, and revenue for that period is estimated to total $1.9 billion, up 8.8% from the year-ago quarter.

During the three months that ended in November, Constellation Brands also bought back shares, as well as expanded a solar energy initiative. The wine and spirits maker is expected to post fiscal third-quarter earnings of 62 cents per share. That's up from a year-ago profit of 54 cents per share. Also, analysts predict that revenue increased marginally to $992.8 million.

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]]>analyst forecastsConstellation BrandsConstellation Brands earningsearnings previewFamily DollarFamily Dollar earnngsFDOMOSMosaicMosaic earningsSTZunemployment rateTrey ThoelckeSun, 02 Jan 2011 15:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Here Comes 2010's Final Economic Data Reportshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/26/2010s-final-economic-data-reports/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/26/2010s-final-economic-data-reports/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/26/2010s-final-economic-data-reports/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

U.S. economyEven as the year winds to a close this week, a handful of economic releases are on the schedule. Starting on Monday, the Chicago Fed releases its Midwest Manufacturing Index for November.

Tuesday brings the final consumer confidence index of the year, as well as the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Index for October, the Richmond Fed's Business Surveys and a look at chain-store sales for the week that led up to Christmas.

Last week's initial jobless claims come out on Thursday. And then Friday brings the New York NAPM Index and the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index. Note that on Friday, even though it's New Year's Eve the stock market is open, but bond markets are closed.

Cal-Maine Q2 Earnings

About the only report on the U.S. earnings front comes from Cal-Maine Foods (CALM). During its fiscal second quarter, the Jackson, Miss.-based egg producer appointed a new president and CEO, and it also announced a voluntary egg recall. Analysts forecast that earnings for that quarter will come in at 72 cents per share, a 6.9% increase from the same period of last year. Cal-Maine also is expected to post revenue of $231.2 million for the three months that ended in November, which is a marginal increase from the same period a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, analysts expect both sequential and year-over-year growth in revenue, but another annual decline in earnings. However, Cal-Maine's earnings results have been better than expected in the past three quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 23 cents per share.

Cal-Maine's trailing price-earnings ratio is 10.7 and its dividend yield is 2.9%, but short interest is a hefty 33.3% of the float. While the Motley Fool considers Cal-Maine a bargain for its lack of debt and its profitability, the First Call consensus recommendation shifted from buying the stock to holding it after the recall.

But the share price has been marching higher since hitting a 52-week low of $26.23 in October, rising well above the 200-day moving average for the first time since last summer. Cal-Maine closed last week at $33.82.


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]]>analyst forecastsCal-MaineCal-Maine earningsCALMCase-Shiller Home Price IndexConsumer Confidence Indexearnings previeweconomic dataweekly jobless claimsTrey ThoelckeSun, 26 Dec 2010 18:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Nike and Darden Earnings Could Spread Early Holiday Cheerhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/19/week-in-preview-nike-and-bed-bath-and-beyond-earnings-could-sprea/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/19/week-in-preview-nike-and-bed-bath-and-beyond-earnings-could-sprea/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/19/week-in-preview-nike-and-bed-bath-and-beyond-earnings-could-sprea/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Some earnings reports next week could spread some early holiday cheer, with Nike, Bed Bath & Beyond and Darden Restaurants expected to post strong results.Companies continue to file quarterly reports late in the season, and a few are poised to spread some early holiday cheer for investors this week. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect strong earnings results from Nike (NKE), Bed Bath & Beyond (BBBY) and Darden Restaurants (DRI), among others. Here's a rundown:

Nike

During its fiscal second quarter, Nike (NKE) boosted its dividend and appointed a new general manager for Nike Japan. Analysts forecast that earnings for the quarter will come in at 88 cents per share, a 13.6% increase from the same period of last year. The world's leading athletic footwear maker also is expected to post revenue of $4.8 billion for the three months that ended in November, which is 9.3% more than the same period a year earlier.

Looking ahead to the third quarter, analysts expect both sequential and year-over-year growth in both earnings and revenue. Nike's earnings results have not fallen short of consensus estimates in the past five quarters, beating analyst expectations by 13 cents per share in the first quarter.

Meanwhile, Nike's earnings-per-share growth forecast is 10.5% for the long term, with a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 19.3. That's less than the trailing P/E ratio and the industry average, meaning the company has become a better value. The company's dividend yield is 1.26%. First Call rates Nike a buy and analysts' mean price target is $95 per share. Shares reached a 52-week high of $90.52 last week, growing more than 15% from three months ago.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Analysts anticipate that Bed Bath & Beyond (BBY), the nation's largest domestics superstore retailer, will Wednesday report third-quarter earnings that grew 10.8%, year over year, to 65 cents per share. The retailer introduced new products during the three months that ended in November, which analysts predict will help boost revenue to $2.1 billion for the quarter, up 6.6% from the year-ago quarter.

Analysts expect full-year earnings to grow 17.9% to $2.80 per share on revenue of $8.5 billion, which would represent a 9% rise from last year. In recent quarters, earnings results have consistently beat expectations by as much as 15 cents per share.

Bed Bath & Beyond's long-term EPS growth forecast of 13% is higher than that of Walmart (WMT). The forward P/E ratio is 16.3, which is less than the industry average. The company logs a PEG ratio of 16.3 and a 16.6% return on equity. The consensus recommendation rates Bed Bath & Beyond a buy, with a mean price target of $50.33. Shares also reached a 52-week high last week of $48.95 per share, which is more than 15% higher than the price three months ago.

Darden Restaurants

Orlando-based Darden (DRI) operates the Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse chains. For its fiscal second quarter, in which the company appointed a new general counsel and announced changes to its Red Lobster chain, Darden is expected to post earnings of 54 cents per share. That's up from a year-ago profit of 43 cents per share.

For the three months that ended in November, analysts expect revenue to increase 5.3% to $1.7 billion. Analysts foresee that both earnings and revenue numbers will top those from the first quarter and the year-ago quarter. The company's per-share earnings results have topped analysts' expectations in four of the past five quarters.

Darden's long-term EPS growth forecast of 12.2% is healthier than that of competitor DineEquity (DIN). Its forward P/E ratio is 14.4, which is below both the industry average and the company's trailing P/E. The PEG ratio is 1.2, the ROE is 24.6% and the dividend yield is 2.3%. Analysts have rated Darden a buy for more than 90 days, with a current mean price target of $52.87. Shares have grown more than 10% since the beginning of the quarter, trading near the 52-week high of $50.83 recently.

Jabil Circuit

But Jabil Circuit (JBL) could be the biggest earnings winner of the week. During the three months that ended in November, the Florida-based tech company closed a note offering. Analysts expect Jabil to post fiscal first-quarter earnings that jumped 41.8% from a year ago to 55 cents per share on revenue that increased 28.4% to $3.9 billion.

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So far, analysts expect to see year-over-year growth of both earnings and revenue in the second quarter, as well. Earnings results have beat consensus estimates in the past five quarters by as much as seven cents per share.

Jabil has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 12.0% and a forward P/E of only 8.4. The PEG ratio is 0.7 and the dividend yield is 1.6%. The average analyst recommendation rates Jabil a buy, with a mean price target of $18.83. Shares have grown some 35% from three months ago, closing the week at $17.47.

Others to Watch

Looking for more companies to keep an eye on this week? Adobe Systems (ADBE), Carnival (CCL) and Walgreens (WAG) also are forecast to post earnings growth.

Economic data due this week include chain-store sales for last week, gross domestic project data for the third quarter, November home sales, November durable goods orders and initial jobless claims for last week.


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]]>ADBEAdobeanalyst forecastsBBBYBed Bath & BeyondBed Bath and Beyond earningsBed Bath BeyondCarnivalCCLDarden earningsDarden RestaurantsDINDineEquityDRIearnings previewseconomic dataGDPJabil CirciutJabil Circuit earningsJBLNikeNike dividendNike earningsNKERed Lobster remodelWAGWalgreensWalmartWMTTrey ThoelckeSun, 19 Dec 2010 07:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Earnings Spotlight on FedEx, Best Buy, Discoverhttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/12/earnings-spotlight-on-fedex-best-buy-discover/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/12/earnings-spotlight-on-fedex-best-buy-discover/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/12/earnings-spotlight-on-fedex-best-buy-discover/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

FedExFedEx (FDX), the world's leading package-delivery service and an ostensible bellwether of the U.S. economy, will dance its way onto the earnings stage this week. Also, with the holiday shopping season well underway, Best Buy (BBY) and Discover Financial Services (DFS) are scheduled to offer their most recent quarterly results. Here's a closer look at what the analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters are expecting from these three.

FedEx

The Memphis-based delivery giant announced a shipping rate increase and inaugurated a new Eastern European hub during its fiscal second quarter. The consensus forecast calls for earnings to have risen 16% from a year ago to $1.31 per share. FedEx is also expected to post revenue of $9.7 billion for the three months that ended in November, a 13% increase from the same period of last year. Analysts also predict year-over-year earnings and revenue growth in the third quarter. Earnings haven't fallen short of consensus estimates in the past five quarters.

The long-term EPS growth forecast is 13.3%, and the forward price-earnings (P/E) ratio is 17.7, but that's down from the trailing P/E and less than the industry average. FedEx's PEG ratio is 1.3, and its dividend yield is 0.5%. The First Call recommendation has been to buy FDX for more than 90 days. JPMorgan reiterated its overweight rating despite some concern about the FedEx's third-quarter forecast. The mean price target is currently $101.75 per share, which closed Friday at $93.98, 11.7% higher than three months ago.

Best Buy

During the three months that ended in November, Best Buy introduced a laptop for children and enticed holiday shoppers to buy early. The nation's largest consumer electronics purveyor is expected to report per-share earnings for that period of 61 cents, up from 53 cents per share a year-ago. Best Buy's third-quarter revenue is predicted to have increased 3.7% to $12.5 billion.

So far, the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $3.59 per share (+12.5%) and revenue of $51.7 billion (+4.1%). Best Buy has topped earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters.

Minnesota-based Best Buy has a long-term EPS growth forecast of 21.1%. Its forward P/E is 11.1, which is less than its trailing P/E, as well as the industry average. Its PEG ratio is 0.9, the dividend yield is 1.4% and the return on equity is 21.6%. Analysts on average recommend buying BBY. At least one expects a positive surprise this week. The mean price target is $46.82. At $41.80, shares are 23.3% higher than three months ago.

Discover Financial Services

Analysts anticipate that the credit card issuer will be one of the week's biggest earnings winner. Its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings are expected to have jumped 71.4% year-over-year to 42 cents per share. During the three months that ended in November, Discover announced an agreement with First National Bank of Omaha and First National Bank of Alaska, and it also was recognized for its customer service.

But revenue for that period is predicted to come in 3.9% lower to $1.6 billion. And analysts expect to see full-year earnings of $1.01 per share (+90.1%) but on revenue of $6.7 billion (-2.4%). Discover's EPS have been better than expected in the past two quarters, beating consensus estimates by 22 cents per share in the second quarter.

Discover's long-term EPS growth forecast is only 5.7%, but its forward P/E ratio of 10.6 is less than the trailing P/E, as well as the industry average. The dividend yield is 0.4% and the return on equity is 18.7%. The consensus recommendation remains to buy DFS, and the mean price target is $19.57. The Motley Fool, though, wonders if expectations are too high. Shares have been trading near the 52-week high of $19.29 for the past few weeks.

Other companies expected to post strong earnings results this week include Factset Research (FDS), Nordson (NDSN), Oracle (ORCL), Research In Motion (RIMM) and Sanderson Farms (SAFM).

Economic Data

Also on the economic calendar for this week:


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]]>analyst forecastsBBYBest BuyBest Buy earningsCPIDFSDiscover earningsDiscover Financial Servicesearnings previewseconomic calendareconomic dataFDXFederal ExpressFedExFedEx earningsFOMCPPIretail salesTrey ThoelckeSun, 12 Dec 2010 20:00:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Earnings, Consumer Credit, Trade and Federal Budget Balancehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/05/week-in-preview-earnings-consumer-credit-trade-and-federal-bu/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/05/week-in-preview-earnings-consumer-credit-trade-and-federal-bu/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/12/05/week-in-preview-earnings-consumer-credit-trade-and-federal-bu/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

After a volatile last week, this coming week should be relatively quiet for the U.S. stock markets.A week full of mixed economic data took its toll on the markets last week, but things will likely settle down somewhat this coming week.

  • Monday: Fed releases October data on consumer credit outstanding.
  • Tuesday: TIPP Economic Optimism Index is due.
  • Wednesday: Labor Dept. offers initial jobless claims numbers for last week, EIA's crude oil inventory last week, October wholesale trade numbers from the Census Bureau.
  • Friday: Trade balance data for October, Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its Import Price Index for November, preliminary Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index is due, and the Treasury Dept. releases the federal budget balance in November.

Things are fairly quiet on the earnings front as well. Here are a few highlights for the coming week:

Dollar General

Dollar General (DG), the Tennessee-based discount-store operator, announced record sales results during its third quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to have risen 31.4% from a year ago to 35 cents per share.

Dollar General, which went public in 2009, is also expected to post revenue of $3.2 billion for the three months that ended in October, a 10.3% increase from the same period of last year. So far, the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $1.78 per share (+26.4%) and revenue of $13.1 billion (+10.8%). Earnings bested consensus estimates in the past three quarters, by as much as seven cents per share.

Its long-term earnings-per-share growth forecast is 18.6%, and its forward price-to-earnings ratio (its stock price divided by a year's worth of forecasted earnings) is 17, which is down from the trailing price-to-earnings ratio (the stock price divided by a year's worth of already-reported earnings) of 20.7. A falling price-to-earnings ratio indicates expected growth. Dollar General's price/earnings-to-growth ratio, which compares that price-to-earnings ratio to a company's growth, stands at a solid 0.9.

First Call has rated Dollar General a buy for more than 90 days. Barclays expects a positive surprise. The mean price target is currently $33.86 per share. But shares recently hit a 52-week high of $33.73. At Friday's close, the stock price was 19.3% higher than three months ago.

AutoZone

Analysts anticipate that nation's largest auto-parts chain, AutoZone (AZO), will Tuesday report that its fiscal first-quarter earnings grew 17.1% year-over-year to $3.40 per share. During the three months that ended in November, Memphis-based AutoZone announced additional share repurchases. Revenue for that period is predicted to have grown 7.6% to $1.7 billion. And analysts foresee similar year-over-year growth of earnings and revenue for the second quarter. AutoZone's earnings per share has surpassed expectations in recent quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 53 cents per share.

AutoZone's long-term earnings-per-share (EPS) growth forecast of 15.4% is higher than that of competitor Advance Auto Parts (AAP). AutoZone's forward price-earnings ratio of 15 is lower than its trailing price-earnings ratio, as well as the industry average, indicating a potentially good value. With a PEG ratio of 0.97 and a whopping 551% return on equity, a consensus of analysts continues to recommend buying AutoZone. Shares have marched steadily upward this year, growing 67.8% so far to end the week at $265.20.

Smithfield Foods

During the three months that ended in October, Smithfield Foods (SFD) sold assets to reduce debt. The world's largest pork producer is expected to post per-share earnings of 55 cents for that period, compared to a year-ago loss of 26 cents per share. Analysts estimate its fiscal second-quarter revenue has increased 19.4% to $3.2 billion, and predict year-over-year earnings and revenue growth for the third quarter. Earnings results have not fallen short of consensus estimates in the past four quarters.

The long-term EPS growth forecast is 9% and its forward P/E ratio is 9.6, which is much less than the trailing P/E and the industry average. The PEG ratio is 1.07. On average, analysts average recommend buying Smithfield Foods, with a mean price target of $19.80. At $18.10, shares have grown 8.3% in three months and recently rose above their 200-day moving average.

Other companies expected to post strong earnings results this week include Analogic


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]]>analyst forecastsAutoZoneAutoZone earningsAZOconsumer confidenceconsumer creditconsumer sentimentConsumer Sentiment Indexconsumer spendingDGDollar GeneralDollar General earningsearningsearnings expectationsearnings previewearnings previewsEarnings reportseconomic calendareconomic dataeconomic optimismeconomic recoveryeconomic reportseconomyfederal budgetImport Price IndexINvestor confidenceinvestor sentimentrecessionSFDSmithfield FoodsSmithfield Foods earningsTIPP Economic Optimism Indextrade balanceweek in previewwholesale tradeTrey ThoelckeSun, 05 Dec 2010 17:15:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Unemployment Rate, Fed's Beige Book, Canadian Bankshttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/28/week-in-preview-unemployment-rate-feds-beige-book-canadian-b/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/28/week-in-preview-unemployment-rate-feds-beige-book-canadian-b/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/28/week-in-preview-unemployment-rate-feds-beige-book-canadian-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

investorBlack Friday has come and gone and the holiday shopping season is off and running. In addition to keeping on eye on how retailers are doing, there will be plenty of other economic data for analysts and investors to peruse on this week.
The U.S. employment rate is expected to remain at 9.6% despite some job creation. Consumer confidence is expected to be up, but home prices are seen falling from a month ago.

The Federal Reserve's Beige Book report is a compilation of anecdotal information on current economic conditions from each of the 12 Federal Reserve Bank districts, and it is released eight times a year. The data comes from interviews with business contacts, economists, market experts, and other sources. While the September report showed slowing economic growth, the October report showed economic growth in all districts despite soft employment numbers.

Canadian Bank Earnings Expectations

On the earnings front, things will be pretty quiet as the season winds down. But four of Canada's big five banks -- Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM) Royal Bank of Canada (RY) and Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) -- are also scheduled to report their fiscal fourth-quarter results this week.

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Analyst surveyed by Thomson Reuters expected year-over-year EPS growth of about 15% from Bank of Nova Scotia and Canadian Imperial, to 98 cents and $1.66, respectively. Toronto-Dominion's anticipated $1.45 per share is about the same as a year ago, but Royal Bank's per-share earnings are expected to have dropped 6.8% to 96 cents. Earnings from Royal Bank missed consensus estimates in the previous two quarters, but the others have tended to be better than expected in recent quarters.

As for the full-year earnings results, analysts are looking for $3.88 per share from Bank of Nova Scotia (+9.5%), $6.39 from Canadian Imperial (+8.5%), $3.76 from Royal Bank (-14.4%) and $5.89 from Toronto-Dominion (+9.2%).

The long-term EPS growth forecast is 10% for Canadian Imperial and Royal Bank and 12% for Bank of Nova Scotia and Toronto-Dominion. Their P/E ratios are less than the industry average. But only Canadian Imperial and Toronto-Dominion have First Call consensus buy recommendations.

Except for Royal Bank, shares of the others are not far from their 52-week highs. Royal Bank has climbed 16.8% from its 52-week low in August. Bank of Nova Scotia closed the week at $55.78, Canadian Imperial at $77.72, Royal Bank at $54.10 and Toronto-Dominion at $73.35.

Look for results from Bank of Montreal (BMO) the following week.

Other companies reporting quarterly results this week include Aeropostale (ARO), Big Lots, (BIG), Krispy Kreme Doughnut (KKD), Kroger (KR) and Novell (NOVL).


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]]>Beige BookBlack FridayBMOBNSCanadian banksCanadian Imperial Bank of CommerceCase-SchillerCMconsumer confidenceFederal Reservehome pricesISMPMIRoyal Bank of CanadaRYTDToronto-Dominion Bankunemployment rateTrey ThoelckeSun, 28 Nov 2010 07:30:00 ESTWeek in Preview: Earnings from Tyson, Analog Devices, Deerehttp://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/21/week-in-preview-earnings-from-tyson-analog-devices-deere/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/21/week-in-preview-earnings-from-tyson-analog-devices-deere/http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/21/week-in-preview-earnings-from-tyson-analog-devices-deere/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Among quarterly results scheduled for this holiday-shortened week, investors may be thankful for earnings results from Tyson Foods (TSN). The Arkansas-based poultry and meat producer reported on its sustainability efforts and also was named McDonalds' (MCD) supplier of the year during its fiscal fourth quarter. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters forecast earnings for that period to have doubled from a year ago to 56 cents per share.

Tyson is also expected to post revenue of $7.8 billion for the three months that ended in September, which is 7.4% more than in the same period of fiscal 2009. And the consensus estimate for the full year calls for earnings of $2.08 per share (an 87% jump) and revenue of $28.7 billion (up 7.3%). Tyson's earnings have been better than expected in recent quarters, beating consensus estimates by as much as 24 cents per share.

Tyson's long-term EPS growth forecast is 7.3%, and its forward price-earnings (P/E) ratio is 8.6, which is much less than the industry average. The PEG ratio is 1.2 and the dividend yield is 1%. The First Call recommendation has been to buy TSN for more than 90 days, and the mean price target is currently $20.55 per share. Shares have faced resistance from the 100-day moving average since July, slipping 5.9% in the past three months and closing Friday at $15.64.

Campbell Soup (CPB), which often finds a place on the holiday table, is expected to post lower earnings this week.

Analog Devices

Analysts anticipate that integrated circuits maker Analog Devices (ADI) will report that its fiscal fourth-quarter earnings grew 48.6% year-over-year to 70 cents per share. During the three months that ended in October, Analog Devices collaborated with Altera (ALTR) and continued to innovate. Revenue for that period is predicted to have jumped 32.2% to $755.8 million. For the full year, analysts foresee earnings of $2.32 per share (+58.2%) on revenue of $2.7 billion (+36.2%). Analog's EPS have grown in each of the past five quarters, topping consensus estimates each time.

The long-term EPS growth forecast of 16% is higher than that of competitor Texas Instruments (TXN). Analog's forward P/E ratio is 13.5, but that's less than the trailing P/E of 17.6, as well as the industry average. The PEG ratio is 0.8, the dividend yield is 2.4%, and the company keeps ample cash on hand to cover long-term debt. The consensus recommendation remains to buy ADI. Citigroup recommended buying the stock ahead of the earnings report. After facing resistance around $31 for much of the year, shares have climbed recently and ended the week at $35.18.

Analysts are looking for earnings growth in this week's reports from Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) and Medtronic (MDT) as well.

Deere

Deere (DE) is expected to be one of the biggest earnings winners this week. During the three months that ended in October, the agricultural and construction equipment giant announced the sale of its wind energy unit and relaunched its John Deere Financial unit. Illinois-based Deere is expected to post EPS for that period of 94 cents, a year-over-year rise of 75.5%. Its fiscal fourth-quarter revenue is estimated to have increased 31.1% to $6.2 billion. Analysts also predict full-year earnings of $4.49 per share (+37.4%) on revenue of $23.3 billion (+12.4%). Earnings results have bested consensus estimates in the past five quarters, by as much as 48 cents per share.

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Deere's long-term EPS growth forecast is 9.7% and its forward P/E ratio is 15.6, which is less than the trailing P/E of 20.4 and the industry average. The PEG ratio is 1.6, the dividend yield is 1.5% and the ROE is 15.4%. Analysts on average still recommend buying DE. UBS upgraded the stock on Friday. The mean price target is $80.40. Shares have climbed 18.7% in the past three months are trading shy of the recent 52-week high of $79.66.

Focus Media (FMCN) is also anticipated to report strong year-over-year earnings growth this week.

Economic Data

A flurry of economic data is due out before the Thanksgiving holiday. On tap Tuesday: National Association of Realtor's (NAR) existing-home sales for October and a revised third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) estimate. Wednesday will bring numbers for new-home sales, housing starts, personal income/spending and durable goods orders in October, as well as the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index and the minutes of the Federal Reserve's FOMC meeting of Nov. 2 and 3, in which QE2 was decided upon.

GDP is expected to be revised upward from 2% to 2.3%. Economists believe measures for home sales, personal income and spending, durable goods orders and consumer sentiment may rise marginally, but economic conditions overall remain soft.


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]]>ADIAnalog Devices earningsanalyst forecastsCampbell Soupconsumer sentimentCPBDEDeereDeere & CoDeere earningsdurable goods ordersearnings previewseconomic dataFederal ReserveFMCNFocus MediaFOMCGDPHewlett-Packardhome salesHPQMcDonaldsMDTMedtronicQE2TSNTysonTyson earningsTrey ThoelckeSun, 21 Nov 2010 08:15:00 EST