Month: February 2014

Leading global vehicle rental company, Avis Budget Group Inc. ( CAR ) has launched a used car sales program “Avis Direct”, with a dedicated website for automobile dealers. The recent move is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to enhance operational efficiency […]

Hospira Inc. ( HSP ) is set to report its fourth quarter 2013 results on Feb 12 before the opening bell. […]

Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. […]

On Feb 5, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Becton, Dickinson and Company ( BDX ) to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Why the Upgrade? Becton, Dickinson’s adjusted earnings per share of $1.42 for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 (ended Dec 31, 2013), reported on Feb 4, surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.29 per share by 10.08% […]

Aided by growth in revenues, HCP Inc. ( HCP ) – a healthcare real estate investment trust (REIT) – reported fourth quarter 2013 adjusted FFO (funds from operations) per share of 76 cents, 2 cents ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate and 4 cents above the prior-year quarter figure. HCP reported total revenue of $530.3 million during the quarter, reflecting an increase of 5.4% from the year-ago period. […]

Zacks Investment Research upgraded Gorman-Rupp Co. ( GRC ) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on Feb 11, 2014. Why the Upgrade […]

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc. ’s ( REGN ) fourth quarter 2013 earnings (including stock-based compensation expense but excluding other special items) of $1.75 per share breezed past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 99 cents. The company earned $1.20 per share in the year-ago quarter […]

Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. ( SIRO ) posted about 9.5% rise in adjusted earnings to $52.4 million or 93 cents per share for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 ended Dec 31, 2013 from $47.8 million or 85 cents per share in the corresponding quarter of prior fiscal year. Earnings per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by a penny […]

ICE Group Inc. ’s ( ICE ) fourth-quarter 2013 operating earnings of $2.00 per share comfortably surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.98 and the year-ago quarter figure of $1.84. Accordingly, operating net income surged 42.2% to $192 million. […]

Shares of packaging solutions provider MeadWestvaco Corporation ( MWV ) rose around 3% since the company announced an accelerated share repurchase (ASR) agreement on Feb 6. As per the agreement with BofA Merrill Lynch, a unit of Bank of America Corporation ( BAC ) and Goldman, Sachs & Co, which is an entity of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. […]

On Feb 7, we upgraded Quest Diagnostics ( DGX ) – a leading player in the diagnostic testing market – to Neutral following a decent fourth-quarter 2013. In spite of challenges with testing volume, we are optimistic about the company’s ongoing restructuring initiatives as well as its focus on high potential areas such as core diagnostic information services. […]

In its recent regulatory filing Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. ( KKR ) announced that it was set to close KKR Alternative High Yield Fund and the KKR Alternative Corporate Opportunities Fund. […]

On Feb 4, Zacks Investment Research downgraded Cepheid ( CPHD ) to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell). Why the Downgrade? On Jan 30, Cepheid reported fourth-quarter 2013 adjusted loss of 8 cents per share, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 10 cents per share […]

SodaStream International, Ltd. ( SODA ), leading maker of beverage carbonation systems for homes, has entered into a strategic alliance with Skinnygirl, a lifestyle company created by Bethenny Frankel, an author, chef, TV personality and entrepreneur. The companies will develop new flavors that are low in calorie, naturally sweetened, especially for women […]

EQT Corporation ( EQT ) is set to report fourth quarter 2013 results on Feb 13 before the opening bell. Last quarter it posted a +16.00% surprise. Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement […]

PG&E Corporation ’s ( PCG ) adjusted operating earnings per share of 42 cents in the fourth quarter of 2013 were ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 40 cents, backed by higher rate base earnings. However, the reported figure came in below the year-ago number of 59 cents by 28.8% due to lower regulated return on equity and debt compared to last year and a higher number of shares outstanding. On a reported basis, the company clocked earnings per share of 19 cents as against a loss of 3 cents in the year-ago quarter. […]

Leading semiconductor manufacturer Microchip Technology Inc. ( MCHP ) recently inked a definitive agreement to acquire integrated circuits (IC) manufacturer Supertex Inc. ( SUPX ) for $33 per share in cash […]