Month: November 2012

Stock Analysts

Marathon Ahead of Estimates in 3Q (BP) (MPC) (MRO)

November 1, 2012 0

Ohio-based independent oil refiner and marketer Marathon Petroleum Corporation ( MPC ) reported slightly better-than-expected third quarter 2012 profits attributable to favorable market conditions and high refining margins in Chicago and the U.S. Gulf Coast. The company, in its current form, came into existence following the 2011 spin-off of Houston, Texas-based Marathon Oil Corporation ’s ( MRO ) refining/sales business into a separate, independent, publicly traded entity […]

Stock Analysts

Neutral on Sherwin-Williams (DD) (PPG) (SHW)

November 1, 2012 0

We are retaining our Neutral recommendation on leading paints maker The Sherwin-Williams Company ( SHW ) following its mixed third-quarter 2012 results. Adjusted earnings (excluding unfavorable currency impact) of $2.29 a share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.19. Net sales rose roughly 5% year over year to $2.6 billion on the back of higher paint sales volume and pricing, but missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.67 billion […]

Downgrades

PARK NATIONAL (PRK) Downgraded by Zacks to UNDERPERFORM

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of PARK NATIONAL (PRK) from NEUTRAL to UNDERPERFORM on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $64.60. Park National Corporation is the bank holding company for The Park National Bank, The Richland Trust Company, Century National Bank, The First-Knox National Bank of Mount Vernon, United Bank, N.A., Second National Bank, The Security National Bank and Trust Company and The Citizens National Bank of Urbana. Get all Zacks Research Reports and be alerted to fast-breaking buy and sell opportunities every trading day […]

Downgrades

MEMSIC INC (MEMS) Downgraded by Zacks to NEUTRAL

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of MEMSIC INC (MEMS) from OUTPERFORM to NEUTRAL on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $2.20. MEMSIC, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets CMOS Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems IC products that have on-chip mixed signal processing […]

Downgrades

FIRST FIN BC-OH (FFBC) Downgraded by Zacks to UNDERPERFORM

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of FIRST FIN BC-OH (FFBC) from NEUTRAL to UNDERPERFORM on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $14.90. First Financial Bancorp., is a financial holding company that engages in the business of commercial banking, and other permissible activities that are financial in nature, through seventeen wholly owned subsidiary institutions. Bancorp provides management and similar services for its subsidiary financial institutions. […]

Downgrades

MICROVISION INC (MVIS) Downgraded by Zacks to NEUTRAL

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of MICROVISION INC (MVIS) from OUTPERFORM to NEUTRAL on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $2.80. Microvision, Inc. develops information display and related technologies that allow electronically generated images and information to be projected onto a viewer's eye […]

Upgrades

KILROY REALTY (KRC) Upgraded by Zacks to NEUTRAL

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of KILROY REALTY (KRC) from UNDERPERFORM to NEUTRAL on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $45.40. Kilroy Realty Corporation owns, operates and develops commercial and industrial properties, primarily in California, Washington, and Arizona. At March 31, 1997, the Company owned 2.0 million square feet of commercial office space and 1.3 million square feet of industrial space […]

Upgrades

PEOPLES FIN CP (PFBX) Upgraded by Zacks to OUTPERFORM

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of PEOPLES FIN CP (PFBX) from NEUTRAL to OUTPERFORM on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $9.50. Peoples Financial Corp.'s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Peoples Bank, offers a variety of loan and deposit services to individuals and small to middle market businesses within its trade area. Deposit services include interest bearing and non-interest bearing checking accounts, savings accounts, certificates of deposit, and IRA accounts. […]

Upgrades

STAMPS.COM INC (STMP) Upgraded by Zacks to OUTPERFORM

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research upgraded shares of STAMPS.COM INC (STMP) from NEUTRAL to OUTPERFORM on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $28.90. Stamps.com provides easy, convenient and cost-effective Internet -based services for mailing or shipping letters, packages or parcels anywhere in the United States and at anytime. […]

Stock Analysts

Standard Motor Beats on Both Lines (AAP) (ORLY) (SMP)

November 1, 2012 0

Standard Motor Product Inc. ( SMP ) reported a 23.7% rise in adjusted earnings per share to 73 cents in the third quarter of 2012 from 59 cents in the year-ago quarter, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9 cents. Profits went up 22.6% to $16.8 million from $13.7 million in the year-ago quarter. […]

Stock Analysts

Exelon Beats EPS, Ups Guidance (AEE) (EXC)

November 1, 2012 0

Exelon Corporation ( EXC ) announced third-quarter 2012 operating earnings of 77 cents per share, lower than the year-ago figure of $1.12 per share but ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5 cents. Earnings were above the guidance range of 65 cents to 75 cents for the quarter. However, the year-over-year is attributable to lower energy margins at Generation, higher operation and maintenance cost and increase in the average diluted shares outstanding as a result of its merger with Constellation. […]

Stock Analysts

Murphy Posts Mixed Result (MUR) (OXY)

November 1, 2012 0

Murphy Oil Corporation ( MUR ) reported its third-quarter 2012 pro forma earnings of $1.17 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.20. Quarterly earnings per share was also lower than the year-ago figure of $1.79 due to weaker U.S. retail marketing margins, lower North American natural gas sales prices, and an after tax loss from foreign exchange transactions. […]

Stock Analysts

Boston Scientific Boosts Portfolio (BSX) (MDT)

November 1, 2012 0

Boston Scientific ’s ( BSX ) coronary stent portfolio was boosted with the CE Mark approval of its Synergy everolimus-eluting platinum chromium stent. The product features everolimus drug coating which dissolves in three months, thus improving post-implant vessel healing. […]

Downgrades

GP STRATEGIES (GPX) Downgraded by Zacks to NEUTRAL

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of GP STRATEGIES (GPX) from OUTPERFORM to NEUTRAL on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $21.80. GP Strategies Corporation, whose operating subsidiary is General Physics Corporation, is a NYSE listed company. General Physics is a global provider of training and e-Learning solutions, management consulting, and engineering services, improving the effectiveness of organizations by customizing solutions that enhance an organization's people, processes or technology […]

Downgrades

MARLIN BUS SVCS (MRLN) Downgraded by Zacks to NEUTRAL

November 1, 2012 0

Zacks Investment Research downgraded shares of MARLIN BUS SVCS (MRLN) from OUTPERFORM to NEUTRAL on November 01, 2012, with a target price of $23.30. Marlin Business Services Corp is a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses. Marlin finances over 60 categories of commercial equipment, including copiers, telephone systems, computers and certain commercial and industrial equipment. […]