Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Ford - U.S. Strength Underscores Potential For Further Upside


Ford Motor Company (F) announced its third quarter results on Tuesday. Equity markets are closed for a second day in a row, as a result of hurricane Sandy. Investors will get the opportunity to react to the results on Wednesday.
Third Quarter Results
Ford reported third quarter revenues of $32.1 billion, down 3.0% on the year. Revenues comfortably beat analysts consensus of $31.2 billion.
Ford reported pre-tax profits of $2.2 billion, up $200 million on the year before. The company reported an after tax profit of $1.63 billion, down 1.1% on the year. Earnings per share came in unchanged at $0.41 per share. Third quarter earnings included a $83 million special item.
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Walt Disney - Acquisition Of Star Wars Is An Excellent Addition


The Walt Disney Company (DIS) announced on Tuesday that it will acquire Lucasfilm, the entertainment firm known from Star Wars. Walt Disney will pay approximately $4.05 billion in cash and shares for the firm. Shareholders in Walt Disney get the chance to react on the announcement of the deal on Wednesday morning.
The Deal
Walt Disney announced that it will acquire Lucasfilm, currently owned by founder George Lucas. Disney will pay approximately $4.05 billion for the firm. The company will pay approximately half of the amount in cash, and the remainder by issuing 40 million shares.
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Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Clean Harbors - Acquisition Of Safety-Kleen Makes Perfect Sense


Clean Harbors (CLH) announced on Monday that it will acquire Safety-Kleen, a refiner and recycler of used oil in North America, in an all-cash transaction valuing the firm at $1.25 billion. As equity markets were closed as a result of Sandy, shareholders did not have the chance to react on the deal yet.
The Deal
Clean Harbors announced that it will acquire Safety-Kleen, a privately-held re-refiner and recycler of used oil in North America. The company also provides cleaning and environmental services.
Clean Harbors will purchase the company in an all-cash transaction for a total consideration of $1.25 billion. Safety-Kleen collects some 200 million gallons of used oil per annum. Hazardous and non-hazardous waste volumes managed by the company totaled 680,000 55 gallon drums.
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Riverbed Technology - Cloud Keeps Booming As Company Announces Acquisition Of OPNET


Riverbed Technology (RVBD) announced on Monday that it will acquire OPNET technologies (OPNT). Riverbed will pay $43 per share for the company, in a deal net valuing the firm at $921 million. The offer represents a 34.0% premium compared to Friday's closing price of $32.10 per share.
The Deal
Riverbed Technology announced that it will acquire OPNET Technologies, a leading provider of solutions for application and network performance management. Riverbed will pay $43 per share in cash and shares, valuing the firm at $1 billion. Shareholders in OPNET will receive $36.55 in cash and 0.2774 shares in Riverbed for every share they currently own. Shares of OPNET reached all time highs of $48 last year.
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Anadarko Petroleum - Lawsuit Overhang Holds Shares Down


Anadarko Petroleum Company (APC) reported its third quarter results on Monday. The independent exploration and production company managed to boost production in a solid third quarter.
Third Quarter Results
Anadarko reported third quarter revenues of $3.33 billion, up 4.2% on the year. Revenues fell short of analysts expectations of $3.40 billion
The company reported a net income of $142 million for the quarter. Net income attributable to shareholders came in at $121 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Last year, the company reported a $3.0 billion loss on the back of settlement costs related to the Deepwater disaster.
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McKesson's Excellent Acquisition Of PSS World Medical


McKesson Corporation (MCK) announced on Thursday that it will acquire PSS World Medical (PSSI) in a deal valuing the company at $29.00 per share. Shares in McKesson rose more than 4.0% on Thursday on the back of the deal and the company's quarterly results. Shares of PSS rose 33% on the back of the offer, and closed Friday's trading session at $28.57 per share.
The Deal
McKesson announced that it would buy PSS World Medical for $29.00 per share. The purchase will form a leading provider of medical supplies, services and technology to physician and extended care customers.
McKesson will use the distribution infrastructure, private label offering and sales and customer service teams to provide the best of both companies to customers. Customers will have access to a broad array of medical products and services.
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Monday, October 29, 2012

Bristol-Myers Squibb: Investors Can Focus On The Future After Plavix


Shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) ended last week largely unchanged. The global biopharmaceutical company reported its third quarter results on Wednesday.
Third Quarter Results
Bristol-Myers reported third quarter revenues of $3.74 billion, down 30% on the year. Excluding the patent expiration of Plavix and Avapro/Avalide, revenues were up 7% on the year. Revenues came in short of analysts expectations, who looked for quarterly revenues of $3.96 billion.
The company took a $1.8 billion non-cash impairment charge related to the discontinued development of BMS-986094, a nucleotide polymerase which was in Phase II development for the treatment of hepatitis C.
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Procter & Gamble: Not Much Room For Short-Term Upside


Shares of Procter & Gamble (PG) rose 2.9% on Thursday. The packaged consumer goods company reported its first quarter results before the market open.
First Quarter Results
Procter & Gamble reported first quarter revenues of $20.74 billion, down 4% on the year. A strong dollar impacted revenues by 6%. On average, analysts expected the company to report revenues of $20.78 billion.
The company boosted its gross margins by 80 basis points on higher pricing and manufacturing savings. General and administrative expenses fell by 10 basis points, excluding one-time items. The job cuts announced during the summer, already had a positive impact on margins.
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Deckers Outdoor: High Sheepskin Costs Make This Company Cheap


Shares of Deckers Outdoor (DECK) fell an incredible 16.9% in Friday's trading session after the designer and marketer of footwear, apparel and accessories, known primarily from the UGG shoes, reported its third quarter results.
Third Quarter Results
Deckers Outdoor reported third quarter revenues of $376.4 million, down 9.2% on the year. Gross margins fell by 670 basis points to 42.3% for the past quarter, on the back of higher sheepskin costs.
Net income fell from $62.3 million last year to $43.1 million in the third quarter of this year. Diluted earnings per share fell from $1.59 per share to $1.18 per share. On average, analysts expected the company to earn $1.05 per share.
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Occidental Petroleum - Tough Hand Of CEO Chazen Will Create Long-Term Value


Shares of Occidental Petroleum (OXY) fell almost 5% over the past trading week. The energy company reported its third quarter results on Thursday before the market open.
Third Quarter Results
Occidental Petroleum reported third quarter revenues of $5.97 billion, down 0.7% on the year. Production increases could not entirely offset the impact of lower prices, notably in US natural gas.
The company reported income from continuing operations of $1.38 billion compared to $1.77 billion last year. Earnings per diluted share fell from $2.18 per share in 2011 to $1.69 per share over the past quarter. On average, analysts were looking for Occidental to earn $1.63 per share over the past quarter.
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Boeing: Production Ramp Up, Strong Backlog Should Boost Future Returns


Shares of Boeing (BA) fell almost 4% over the past week. The aerospace and defense company reported its third quarter results on Wednesday before the market open.
Third Quarter Results
Boeing reported third quarter revenues of $20.0 billion, up 13% on the year. Net income fell 6% to $1.03 billion, or $1.35 per diluted share. Earnings were impacted by a $194 million charge related to higher pensions costs which shaved off $0.18 per share of earnings.
Excluding the increase in pension costs, earnings came in at $1.21 per share, ahead of analysts consensus of $1.12 per share.
New orders worth $24 billion, boosted the order backlog to $378 billion.
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MMM - Another Economic Bellwether Suffering From A Slowing Economy


Shares of 3M Co (MMM) lost more than 5% over the past trading week. The diversified technology and industrial company reported its third quarter results on Monday before the market open.
Third Quarter Results
MMM reported third quarter revenues of $7.5 billion, down 0.4% on the year. Organic sales growth of 2.2% and the 0.5% contribution from acquisitions was offset by unfavorable exchange rates, which hurt sales by 3.1%. Revenues fell short of analysts expectations of $7.63 billion.
Profits rose 6.7% to $1.16 billion on the back of cost cutting and a good performance of materials used in cars and planes. Earnings per share rose from $1.52 last year to $1.65 per share over the past quarter. Earnings matched analysts expectations of $1.65 per share.
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National-Oilwell Varco - A Long-Term Investment With Strong Growth Track Record


Shares of National-Oilwell Varco (NOV) fell over 7% in the past trading week. The provider of equipment for the oil and gas industry reported its third quarter results on Thursday.
Third Quarter Results
National-Oilwell Varco reported third quarter revenues of $5.3 billion, up 12% on the second quarter. Revenues are up 42% compared to revenues in the third quarter of 2011. Analysts expected the company to report revenues of $5.36 billion.
The company net earned $612 million in the third quarter, up from $605 million in the second quarter of 2012. Earnings per share rose to $1.43 per share, compared to last year's earnings of $1.25 per diluted share.
Excluding transaction costs, earnings per share came in at $1.52, beating analysts consensus by a penny.
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