EXM - Excel Maritime Carriers, Ltd - All three of the covering analysts upped their estimates for this year

Consensus earnings estimates for Excel Maritime Carriers, Ltd. (EXM) have been on the rise over the past 30 days. The Board of Directors recently commenced a quarterly common stock dividend policy of 20 cents per share. This Zacks #1 Rank stock is currently yielding 2.47%. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.9, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.3 for the industry. Full Analysis Excel Maritime Carriers, Ltd. is an independent shipping company operating a fleet of dry bulk vessels and providing world-wide seaborne transportation services. The company’s vessels carry dry bulk commodities such as iron ore, coal, grains, as well as bauxite, fertilizers and steel products. On May 22, EXM beat the consensus estimate for the first quarter by a penny when it posted earnings per share of 61 cents. The company reported earnings of 37 cents per share in the prior-year period, equating to a very impressive 64.9% year-over-year improvement. Revenues came in at $36.0 million, compared with $29.5 million for the first quarter of last year. An average of 17 vessels operated during the quarter. CEO Christopher Georgakis stated, "We are pleased to report a stronger year over year operational performance in our first-quarter 2007 results, which we believe is attributable both to the continued strength of the shipping markets and the consistent implementation of our balanced fleet deployment strategy." Consensus earnings estimates for this quarter and next are up three cents and eight cents to 59 cents and 81 cents, respectively, over the past month. Two of the three covering analysts upped their estimates for this quarter and for next quarter. Profit forecasts for this year and next experienced 21-cent and 15-cent increases to $2.82 and $3.06, respectively, over the same period of time. All three of the covering analysts upped their estimates for this year while two followed suit for next year. The Board of Directors recently commenced a quarterly common stock dividend policy of 20 cents per share. EXM cited its strong balance sheet, with its significant liquidity and low leverage as prompting the dividend initiation. The company has a current dividend yield of 2.47%. EXM is currently trading at a valuation of 11.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 10.6x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 16.7x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 15.6x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.9, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.3 for the industry. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

OMG - OM Group, Inc - exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations for the past four quarters by an average margin of 164.6%

OM Group, Inc. (OMG), a Zacks #1 Rank stock, recently announced that it expects to reach consolidated revenues of $2 billion to $4 billion by the year 2010. Consensus earnings estimates for both this year and next year have experienced sizeable jumps over the past 30 days. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.9, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.6 for the industry. Full Analysis OM Group, Inc. is the world's leading producer of cobalt-based specialty chemicals and a leading supplier of nickel-based specialty chemicals. The company also produces specialty chemicals and materials from barium, calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, rare earths, zinc, zirconium, germanium and copper. OMG operates manufacturing facilities and administrative offices in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. It supplies more than 1,200 customers in 50 countries with more than 575 different product offerings and serves more than 30 major industries OMG exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations for the past four quarters by an average margin of 164.6%. In two of the aforementioned quarters the company managed to surprise by a double-digit percentage. In one quarter it produced a triple-digit percentage surprise. On May 3, OMG reported first-quarter profits of $1.14 per share. The result beat the consensus estimate of 82 cents by 39.0% and soared past earnings in the prior-year period by 83.9%. Revenues came in at $216.2 million, up 51.8% from the $142.4 million achieved in the first quarter of 2006. The company cited higher product selling prices resulting from higher cobalt prices, as well as higher sales volumes as fueling the jump in revenues. Chairman and CEO Joseph M. Scaminace stated, "I am pleased to report that, in the first quarter of 2007, we continued to achieve strong financial results through, among other things, favorable pricing and continued strong customer demand across our product lines." On Jun 25, OMG announced that it expects to reach consolidated revenues of $2 billion to $4 billion by the year 2010. The company plans on accomplishing this by broadening the company's current market reach and customer base and by expanding the company's product portfolio and technology base. Consensus earnings estimates have experienced sizeable jumps over the past 30 days. Profit forecasts for this year have risen 51 cents to $4.09, with one of the three covering analysts upping his estimate. Estimates for next year increased 44 cents to $4.26 over the same period of time. An upward revision was submitted by one of the three covering analysts. OMG is currently trading at a valuation of 13.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 12.9x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 16.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 15.4x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.9, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.6 for the industry. OMG’s return on equity more than triples that of the industry average—29% compared to 9%. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

BMO - Bank of Montreal - returned value to its shareholder base through both dividend distributions and share buybacks

Consensus earnings estimates have been on the rise for Bank of Montreal (BMO). This Zacks #1 Rank stock has returned value to its shareholder base through both dividend distributions and share buybacks. The company has a current dividend yield of 3.66% and a five-year average dividend yield of 3.21%. BMO has a price-to-book ratio of 2.5, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.8 for the industry. Full Analysis Bank of Montreal, together with its subsidiaries, offers a range of credit and noncredit products and services primarily in Canada. The company operates in three segments: Personal and Commercial Banking, Private Client, and Investment Banking. On May 23, BMO reported second-quarter fiscal 2007 profits of $1.13 per share. The result beat the consensus earnings estimate of $1.02 by 10.8%. The company earned $1.12 per share in the prior-year period. BMO experienced healthy revenue growth in its domestic retail operations, good wealth-management performance and broad-based growth in investment banking. Consensus earnings estimates for this quarter and next are up seven cents and eight cents to $1.30 and $1.31, respectively, over the past 60 days. Profit forecasts for this year and next have each risen 36 cents to $4.84 and $5.45, respectively, over the same period of time. The Board of Directors has returned value to its shareholder base through both dividend distributions and share buybacks. During the quarter, BMO repurchased 2,210,500 shares of common stock for a total cost of $156 million. On May 23, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of 68 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Aug 30 to shareholders of record as of Aug 3. The company has a current dividend yield of 3.66% and a five-year average dividend yield of 3.21%. BMO is currently trading at a valuation of 13.8x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 12.3x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 16.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 15.4x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. BMO has a price-to-book ratio of 2.5, compared to 4.8 for the market and 2.8 for the industry. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

MON - Monsanto Co - Surging U.S. and European demand for the company’s genetically modified corn and other seeds

Monsanto Company (MON) continues to reach new highs, capitalizing on the company’s increasing estimates and earnings momentum. Also, the strong fundamentals of the agricultural industry should further demand for the company’s cutting-edge genetic and herbicidal products. Full Analysis Monsanto Company provides agricultural products for farmers in the U.S. and internationally. It operates in two segments, Seeds and Genomics and Agricultural Productivity. The Seeds and Genomics segment produces soybean, corn, canola and cotton seeds, as well as vegetable and fruit seeds. This segment also develops biotechnology traits that assist farmers in controlling insects and weeds, as well as provides genetic material and biotechnology traits to other seed companies for their seed brands. The Agricultural Productivity segment manufactures lawn and garden herbicide products for the residential market and animal agricultural products. On Jun 28, this Zacks #1 Rank stock reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of $1.02 per share, up from 61 cents in the prior-year quarter and two cents above expectations. Revenues rose 23.4% to $2.84 billion. Surging U.S. and European demand for the company’s genetically modified corn and other seeds, as well as Roundup and other herbicides contributed heavily to the results. Also, the company’s cotton technologies continue to excel in India, where cotton trait technology planting rose roughly 66% from last year. Looking ahead, Monsanto expects corn borer insect-protection product to be grown on 60 million to 70 million acres, up from previous estimates of 50 million to 60 million acres. Also, glyphosate-tolerant corn is expected to be grown on roughly 80 million acres, up from prior forecasts of 60 million acres. Lastly, the company reiterated its full-year guidance of between $1.75 and $1.80 per share, up from previous forecasts of $1.60 to $1.65. Monsanto Company has surpassed analysts’ estimates for three consecutive quarters. As a result of the earnings momentum, analysts raised their full-year 2007 estimates by 13 cents to $1.82. Next year’s estimates were revised higher as well and currently stand at $2.23, up 14 cents over the last month. In addition, Zacks ranks the company a number one out of six companies in the Agricultural Operations category, which itself ranks a very attractive four out of 217 industries. MON is up over 33% for 2007, compared to a gain of 9.4% for the S&P 500. Zacks first featured MON as a Momentum play on May 1, 2007. Since the report, the stock has risen by an impressive 21.6%. Monsanto continues to trend higher and is currently trading near 52-week highs, well above the major moving averages. Furthermore, the MACD line recently made a fresh cross above the signal line, hinting at the possibility of additional momentum and price acceleration. Looking ahead, the ethanol induced agriculture boom should continue to support Monsanto’s earnings momentum and drive the stock to new highs. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

XOM - Exxon Mobil Corp - Analysts have raised their full-year 2007 and 2008 estimates repeatedly over the last three months

Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) continues to benefit from the strong fundamentals in the global energy market. The stock has risen over 17% year to date, reflecting increasing full-year estimates and a track record of positive earnings surprises. Full Analysis Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration, production, transportation, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. It also engages in the manufacture, transportation, and sale of petroleum products and petrochemicals, as well as participates in electric power generation. The company manufactures and markets commodity petrochemicals, including olefins, aromatics, polyethylene and polypropylene plastics, and other specialty products. The company operates in more than 200 countries including: the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Russia/Caspian region, and South America. On Apr 26, this Zacks #1 Rank stock reported first-quarter earnings of $1.62 per share, up from $1.37 cents in the prior-year period and 14 cents above expectations. During the quarter, revenues declined to $87.2 billion from $88.9 billion. On Jul 13, the International Energy Agency reported that global oil demand will increase 2.5% in 2008. The organization went on to demand that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increase production to stabilize prices. However, OPEC has been unwilling to boost output due to the falling value of the dollar, which has reduced the purchasing power of the OPEC barrel. Also, despite rising prices, demand has not slowed, further reducing the likelihood of an increase in output. Exxon Mobil has surpassed analysts’ estimates for four consecutive quarters. Analysts have raised their full-year 2007 and 2008 estimates repeatedly over the last three months. This year’s forecast currently stands at $6.97, up from $6.33 three months ago. Estimates for next year have followed a similar trend, rising to $6.56 from $6.07 over the same period. In addition, Zacks ranks the company a number one out of 20 companies in the Oil-Internationally Integrated category. XOM is up over 17% for 2007, compared to a gain of 9.2% for the S&P 500. In fact, the stock has soared roughly 7% for July and is currently trading at new 52-week highs, surpassing short-term resistance established in mid-June. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

ENB - Enbridge Inc - analysts have raised their full-year 2007 and 2008 estimates repeatedly over the last three months

Enbridge Inc. (ENB) has climbed over 14% from 2007 lows and pending a breakout from current resistance levels, the stock should be poised for further momentum. Full Analysis Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a leader in energy transportation and distribution in North America and internationally. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U. S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids pipeline system. The Company also has international operations and a growing involvement in the natural gas transmission and midstream businesses. As a distributor of energy, Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. On May 2, this Zacks #1 Rank stock reported first-quarter earnings of 55 cents per share, down from 65 cents in the year ago period and one penny above expectations. Overall earnings rose 18.9% to $227 million. The company also announced regulatory approvals for the Southern Access Expansion and Waupisoo Pipeline. Second-quarter results will be released on Wed. Aug 1. In early June, it was announced that Enbridge and Exxon Mobil will build a new pipeline to move crude oil from storage in Patoka, Ill, to Beaumont and on to Houston. The pipeline is expected to be in service by year-end 2010. Enbridge Inc. hasn’t missed analysts’ expectations in five consecutive quarters. Also, analysts have raised their full-year 2007 and 2008 estimates repeatedly over the last three months. This year’s forecast currently stands at $1.63, up from $1.56 three months ago. Estimates for next year have followed a similar trend, rising to $1.73 from $1.66 over the same period. In addition, Zacks ranks the company a number one out of five companies in the Oil Production/Pipeline category. ENB has gained an average of 27.1% per year over the last four years. The stock is up just over 3% for 2007, compared to a gain of 9.2% for the S&P 500. This year’s return may not seem very impressive; however, the stock is up over 14% from year-to-date lows and is currently trading against 52-week highs, in-line with resistance levels. A strong break to the upside would be particularly bullish and would help confirm the stock’s recent momentum. However, interested investors should wait for this break before taking action. Also, any breakout should also be accompanied by a cross of the 21-day moving average above the 50-day moving average. This technical indicator could spur other traders into action, further driving the stock to new highs. However, while the longer-term fundamentals appear secure, if ENB fails to surpass resistance, near-term momentum may falter as the stock attempts to find its direction. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

TXT - Textron, Inc - EPS projected to grow 14% over the next 3-5 years, with the industry expected to grow at an 11% clip

Textron, Inc. (TXT) exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations in 16 consecutive quarters. In late April, the company boosted its full-year profit guidance to between $6.10 and $6.30 per share. Earnings per share are projected to grow 14% over the next 3-5 years, with the industry expected to grow at an 11% clip. TXT has a current dividend yield of 1.35% and a five-year average dividend yield of 2.30%. Full Analysis Textron, Inc. is a multi-industry company serving the general aviation, aerospace and defense, industrial and commercial finance markets. The company operates in 32 countries. When it comes to exceeding analysts’ earnings expectations, TXT’s history is extremely impressive. The company topped the Street’s earnings estimate in 16 straight quarters, including seven double-digit percentage surprises. Earnings per share grew 22.3% over the past five years. On Apr 19, TXT beat the consensus earnings estimate for the first quarter by 24.0% when it posted profits of $1.55 per share. The result also equated to a 30.3% year-over-year improvement when compared to profits of $1.19 per share in the prior-year period. Revenues came in at $2.96 billion, compared to $2.63 billion in the first quarter of last year. Chairman, President and CEO Lewis B. Campbell stated, "We outperformed again this quarter with strong organic revenue growth and improved profitability. Demand for our products and further improvements in business management continue to drive enhanced results." Looking ahead, TXT boosted its full-year profit guidance to between $6.10 and $6.30 per share. Its previous outlook called for earnings between $5.90 and $6.10 per share. On Jun 20, Cessna Aircraft Co., a unit of TXT, announced at the Paris Air Show that private airplane operator NetJets placed orders worth more than $1 billion for various models of its Citation planes. The order includes 50 Encore+, 37 XLS+ and nine Citation X aircraft. The consensus estimate for this year currently sits at $6.29, representing a one-cent increase over the past 30 days. One analyst upped his forecast. Estimates for next year have risen by a larger magnitude—three cents to $7.34 over the past month. An upward revision was submitted by one analyst. Earnings per share are projected to grow 14% over the next 3-5 years, with the industry expected to grow at an 11% clip. On Apr 25, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 38.75 cents per common share. TXT has a current dividend yield of 1.35% and a five-year average dividend yield of 2.30%. The company’s return on equity surpasses that of the industry average—26% compared to 19%. TXT is a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stock. Zacks #2 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 21.6% since 1988. Because the Zacks Rank has a market cap bias, Growth & Income investors may find a greater number of large-cap stocks by considering both Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) and Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stocks in their selection criteria. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

JWN - Nordstrom, Inc - In seven of 14 quarters the company surprised by a double-digit percentage

Nordstrom, Inc. (JWN) exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations in 14 out of the past 16 quarters. After reporting solid first-quarter results the company raised its full-year earnings per share outlook to between $2.81 and $2.90. JWN recently reported that June same-store sales advanced 2%. The company has a current dividend yield of 1.1% and a five-year average dividend yield of 1.2%. Full Analysis Nordstrom, Inc. operates as a fashion specialty retailer in the United States. The company sells apparel, shoes, cosmetics and accessories through Nordstrom, Nordstrom Rack and Last Chance retail stores, as well as through its Web site at www.nordstrom.com and catalogs. JWN topped analysts’ earnings expectations in 14 out of the past 16 quarters. In seven out of the 14 aforementioned quarters the company surprised by a double-digit percentage. Earnings per share grew 45.6% over the past five years. On May 17, JWN beat the consensus earnings estimate by three cents when it reported first-quarter profits of 60 cents per share. The result represented a solid 25.0% year-over-year improvement when compared to earnings of 48 cents in the first quarter of last year. Total sales jumped 8.9% to $1.95 billion, compared to $1.79 billion in the same period last year. Same-store sales, or sales at stores open one year or more, rose 9.5%. JWN cited strong sales of regular-price merchandise and improvement in its merchandising strategy as fueling growth in sales. Looking ahead, JWN raised its full-year earnings per share outlook to between $2.81 and $2.90. Its previous guidance called for profits between $2.78 and $2.84 per share. The company recently reported that June same-store sales advanced 2% and total sales climbed 2.9% for the month. JWN projects second-quarter same store sales to increase between 2% and 3%, and that July same-store sales to be up between 2% and 3% as well. The consensus earnings estimate for this year currently sits at $2.93 and represents a two-cent improvement over the past 60 days. Profit forecasts for next year have risen six cents to $3.34 over the same period of time. Earnings per share are expected to grow 13% over the next 3-5 years. In late May the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 13.5 cents per share. The company has a current dividend yield of 1.1% and a five-year average dividend yield of 1.2%. JWN’s return on equity doubles that of the industry average—34% compared to 17%. JWN is a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stock. Zacks #2 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 21.6% since 1988. Because the Zacks Rank has a market cap bias, Growth & Income investors may find a greater number of large-cap stocks by considering both Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) and Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stocks in their selection criteria. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

LEH - Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc - topped the Street’s estimate in 15 out of the past 16 quarters, including seven double-digit earnings surprises

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc. (LEH), a Zacks #1 Rank stock, exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations in 15 out of the past 16 quarters. In mid June, the company reported solid second-quarter and year-to-date results. Consensus earnings estimates have risen over the past two months. LEH is currently yielding 0.82%, with a five-year average dividend yield of 0.70%. Full Analysis Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various financial services to corporations, governments and municipalities, institutions and high-net-worth individuals worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Capital Markets, Investment Banking and Investment Management. LEH’s penchant for beating the consensus earnings estimate is truly outstanding. The company topped the Street’s estimate in 15 out of the past 16 quarters, including seven double-digit earnings surprises. Earnings per share grew 37% over the past five years. On Jun 12, LEH posted second-quarter fiscal 2007 profits of $2.21 per share. With analysts calling for $1.87 per share, the company surprised by a solid 18.2%. The result also represented a 30.8% year-over-year improvement. Revenues increased 25% to $5.51 billion. For the first half of the year, LEH reported record net income of $2.4 billion, or $4.17 per common share, compared to net income of $2.1 billion, or $3.52 per common share for the first half of fiscal 2006. Revenues came in at $10.6 billion, a 19% jump versus the $8.9 billion for the same period last year. Chairman and CEO Richard S. Fuld, Jr. stated, "Our record results for the second quarter and the first half reflect our ongoing commitment to achieving diversified growth. With non-U.S. net revenues representing nearly half of our total net revenues for the quarter, our global platform is stronger and more balanced than ever." Consensus earnings estimates for this quarter and next are each up 12 cents to $1.82 and $1.98, respectively, over the past 60 days. Profit forecasts for this year and next have risen 58 cents and 44 cents to $7.93 and $8.38, respectively, over the same period of time. Earnings per share are projected to grow 11% over the next 3-5 years. On Apr 26, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of 15 cents per share of common stock. LEH is currently yielding 0.82%, with a five-year average dividend yield of 0.70%. The company’s return on equity of 23%, a common measure of profitability, is in line with that of the industry average. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

BPHX - BluePhoenix Solutions, Ltd - Over the past 90 days, this year's estimates have jumped 20 cents to 64 cents per share

BluePhoenix is enjoying a steadily rising backlog, which is an excellent predictor of future revenues. New customer wins are contributing to its growing backlog. The stock has rocketed higher this year, and with good reason. Over the past 90 days, this year's estimates have jumped 20 cents to 64 cents per share. Next year's numbers have soared 42 cents to 94 cents per share. The stock sports a long-term growth rate of 22.50%. Full Analysis BluePhoenix Solutions, Ltd. (BPHX) engages in the development and marketing of enterprise information technology (IT) modernization solutions worldwide. Its enterprise IT understanding solutions include BluePhoenix IT Discovery that provides access to application inventory, dependency, and operational information; and BluePhoenix LogicMiner, that mines and extracts business rules from the legacy code. The company's enterprise IT migration solutions comprise BluePhoenix DBMSMigrator that converts applications from nonrelational to relational databases; BluePhoenix PlatformMigrator, that converts a range of platforms, including VSE, MVS, and Bull GCOS, to Unix, Linux, Windows, and .Net. In early May, the company reported that first-quarter sales grew 25% over last year to $2.5 million. This was the ninth quarter of sequential growth. Earnings per share came in at 13 cents, well ahead of the seven-cent consensus estimate. "We are very proud of our results. The accelerated sequential growth of BluePhoenix is a constant proof and reassurance of our ability to identify the growing needs in the market and tailor our Company's structure to provide a unique combination of software tools and services that solve our customers' business problems through the implementation of our special software modernization solutions," stated Arik Kilman, Chief Executive Officer of BluePhoenix. Also, he said, "In order to increase the momentum of growing profitably, together with the expansion of the organization, we have started to implement a restructuring plan that is aimed at cutting the operational costs of the Company by approximately $3 million on an annual basis. The one time restructuring plan is expected to cost approximately $2 million." Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

ARXT - Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc - Earnings per share came in at eight cents, well above the forecast of breakeven results

Adams Respiratory Therapeutics' stock has been marking time since the start of the year, but the fundamentals continue to improve. The company has exceeded earnings estimates in seven consecutive quarters, with five of those periods posting double-digit surprises. One analyst has raised his forecast for this year, while two have bumped their numbers for next year. Over the past 90 days, this year's estimates have increased six cents to $1.00 per share, while next year's numbers have risen 29 cents to $2.06 per share. Full Analysis Adams Respiratory Therapeutics, Inc. (ARXT), a specialty pharmaceutical company, focuses on late-stage development, commercialization, and marketing of over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals for the treatment of respiratory disorders. The company markets 10 products, including Mucinex SE, Mucinex DM, Mucinex D, Humibid SE, 2 Delsym products, and 4 products in children's Mucinex line. It is also developing additional products using its extended-release guaifenesin-based technology and initiated a Phase IIb clinical trial for the U.S. clinical development of erdosteine, a new mucolytic in March 2006. In mid-May, the company reported fiscal third-quarter sales that grew 11% over last year to $84 million. Earnings per share came in at eight cents, well above the forecast of breakeven results. During the quarter, Adams detailed the significant planned expansion and diversification of its product portfolio, including nine new OTC products, such as the Maximum Strength Mucinex and Mucinex Nasal Sprays product lines. Digging deeper into the results, Net sales of the adult Mucinex franchise totaled $64.7 million in the 2007 fiscal third quarter, led by Mucinex DM, which generated sales of $26.6 million, an increase of 46% over the prior year period. The strong performance of Mucinex DM was driven by the product's increased market share, improved depth and quality of distribution, and the company believes the conversion of some consumers to Mucinex DM from single-ingredient Mucinex. The adult Mucinex franchise also benefited from higher sales of Mucinex D, which increased 75% in the quarter to $8.2 million, from $4.7 million in the prior-year period. Commenting on the quarterly results, Michael J. Valentino, president and CEO said, "Overall, I am pleased with our solid top-line results and the in-season market performance of our brands. Our Mucinex and Delsym franchises both experienced the highest year-over-year sales growth of any brands in the cough/cold/allergy/sinus category, according to IRI for the 28 weeks ended March 25, 2007. We also exited the 2006-2007 cough/cold season with significant market share gains and increased consumer awareness. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article

NVTL - Novatel Wireless - provider of wireless broadband access solutions for the global mobile communications market

Novatel's stock has been on fire, up almost 200% year-to-date. Earnings estimates have soared for this year. Over the past 90 days, this year's numbers have risen 27 cents to 90 cents per share. The company has exceeded estimates by an average of 43% over the past two quarters. NVTL's balance sheet is in great shape with no debt on the books. Full Analysis Novatel Wireless (NVTL) is a provider of wireless broadband access solutions for the global mobile communications market. The company's products include Third Generation (3G) Wireless PC card modems, embedded modems, ruggedized modems and communications software. Novatel's primary customers include wireless operators and technology solutions providers, such as Sprint Nextel, Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Panasonic, Orange, Singtel, Telefonica, Telecom Italia Mobile, TMobile, Verizon Wireless and Vodafone. In the first quarter of 2007, Novatel's domestic customers contributed 79% of revenues while international operations generated the remaining 21%. The company has started reaping the benefits of its higher R&D expenditures that were incurred in 2006 as a catalyst to diversify its business model. As a result, Novatel has become the leading provider of embedded modules to the original equipment manufacturers (OEM), in addition to maintaining its market share for wireless PC access cards. Furthermore, the company witnessed strong demand for its fixed-mobile convergence products as telecom service providers transform their infrastructure towards IP-based converged wireline/wireless networks. Newly introduced products including EV-DO Revision A and HSPDA offerings, along with portable USB modems, are also receiving intriguing market acceptance, resulting in strong earnings momentum as carriers deploy 3G wireless networks on a global basis. Novatel continues to diversify its business prospects with over 20 customers in 38 different countries now using its ExpressCard, USB modems, and embedded OEM solutions. During the first quarter of 2007, the company s customer base included Dell, Sony, Verizon and Vodafone. This reduces Novatel's overall dependency on SprintNextel and Toshiba, although these two companies remain significant revenue generating customers. Content Courtesy: Zacks Investment Research #1 Ranked Stocks Highlight Archive To truly take advantage of the Zacks Rank, you need to first understand how it works. That is why we created the free special report: Zacks Rank Guide: Harnessing the Power of Earnings Estimate Revisions. | Blog Home| VitalStocks Home

Click for full article