FCX - Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc - forecasts for next year are up $1.22 to $9.89

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc. (FCX) recently reported strong second-quarter and year-to-date results, fueled by its acquisition of rival Phelps Dodge in March along with increased metal pricing. Analysts responded by upping their profit forecasts for both this year and next. Earnings per share are projected to grow 31% over the next 3-5 years. This Zacks #1 Rank stock has a price-to-book ratio of 2.7, compared to 4.6 for the market and 4.2 for the industry. Full Analysis Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining and production of copper, gold and silver. FCX sells its concentrates containing copper, gold and silver primarily to companies in Asia and Europe, and to international trading companies. On Jul 25, FCX reported second-quarter profits of $2.85 per share, which topped the consensus estimate of $2.69 by 6.0%. Compared to earnings of $1.74 per share in the second quarter of 2006, the result equated to an impressive 63.8% year-over-year improvement. Revenues soared to $5.81 billion, versus $1.43 billion in the prior-year period. The solid numbers were primarily due to the acquisition of rival Phelps Dodge in March along with increased metal pricing. Looking ahead, Chairman James R. Moffett and CEO Richard C. Adkerson stated, "The outlook for our business is strong and we anticipate continuing to generate strong cash flows which will be used to enhance shareholder value through investments in attractive growth projects, debt reduction and cash returns to shareholders." The consensus earnings estimate for this year has risen 68 cents to $9.00 over the past 30 days. Eight of the 14 covering analysts submitted upward revisions. Profit forecasts for next year are up by an even larger margin—$1.22 to $9.89 over the same period of time. Nine of the 16 covering analysts upped their projections. Earnings per share are projected to grow 31% over the next 3-5 years, with the industry expected to grow at only a 13% clip. On Jun 28, FCX announced a quarterly cash dividend to 31.25 cents per share. The dividend is payable on Aug 1 to shareholders of record as of Jul 16. FCX has a current dividend yield of 1.39%. The company is forecasting higher cash flows for the year, which should bode well for the continuation of its dividend distributions. Based on certain pricing assumptions, cash flows are likely to surpass $6 billion for the year. FCX is currently trading at a valuation of 10.0x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 9.1x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 15.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 14.5x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 2.7, compared to 4.6 for the market and 4.2 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

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CB - The Chubb Corp - surprised by double-digits in nine of 16 quarters - topped in all 16

The Chubb Corporation (CB) exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations in 16 consecutive quarters. Due to better-than-expected second-quarter results, CB recently raised its full-year profit guidance to between $5.70 and $6.10 per share. Analysts responded to the company’s bullish guidance by upping their estimates. This Zacks #1 Rank stock has a price-to-book ratio of 1.5 and is currently yielding 2.3%. Full Analysis The Chubb Corporation provides property and casualty insurance for personal and commercial customers worldwide through 8,500 independent agents and brokers. The company's global network includes branches and affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia and Australia. CB has an impeccable track record of exceeding analysts’ earnings expectations. The company topped the Street’s estimate in 16 consecutive quarters. CB managed to surprise by a double-digit percentage in nine out of the 16 aforementioned quarters. In one quarter a triple-digit percentage surprise was accomplished. On Jul 24, 2006, CB surprised to the upside by a solid 15.9% when it posted second-quarter profits of $1.60 per share. When compared to the company’s prior-year period, earnings were up 18.5%. Net premiums written increased 4% for the personal insurance unit to $975 million, 1% for its commercial insurance group to $1.31 billion and 1% for its specialty insurance segment to $743 million. Underwriting income jumped 21.6% to $540 million from $444 million. Chairman, President and CEO John D. Finnegan stated, "We had another outstanding quarter with a record-low combined ratio and substantial earnings contributions from all three business units. We are particularly pleased that we have been able to generate modest premium growth in our insurance business while maintaining underwriting discipline in a challenging market environment." Due to better-than-expected second-quarter results, CB boosted its full-year profit guidance to between $5.70 and $6.10 per share. Its previous outlook called for earnings per share between $5.00 and $5.40. Consensus earnings estimates for this quarter and next quarter are each up eight cents to $1.35 and $1.52, respectively, over the past week. Upward revisions were submitted by 11 analysts for this quarter and by 10 analysts for next quarter. Profit forecasts for this year and next year are up 35 cents and 23 cents to $5.98 and $5.79, respectively, over the same period of time. Estimates were revised upward by 13 analysts for both this year and next. On Jun 8, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend in the amount of 29 cents per share. The company has a current dividend yield of 2.3%. CB has also returned value to shareholders through stock buybacks. During the first six months, the company repurchased 21,726,577 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $1.1 billion. CB is currently trading at a valuation of 8.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 8.8x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 15.7x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 14.6x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 1.5. HUM’s return on equity tops that of the industry average—16% compared to 14%. 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

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HUM - Humana, Inc - All eight of the covering analysts upped their estimates

Consensus earnings estimates for Humana, Inc. (HUM) have been on the rise for both this year and next year over the past 30 days. In mid July, the company raised its full-year 2007 earnings per share guidance to between $4.40 and $4.50. Earnings per share are expected to grow 20% over the next 3-5 years. This Zacks #1 Rank stock has a price-to-book ratio of 3.2, compared to 4.6. Full Analysis Humana, Inc. provides health insurance coverage and related services through various traditional and consumer-choice plans for employer groups, government-sponsored programs and individuals in the United States. On Jul 30, HUM beat the consensus estimate for the second quarter by five cents when it posted earnings per share of $1.28. This marked the third straight quarter in which the company exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations. HUM reported earnings of 53 cents per share in the prior-year period, equating to a very impressive 141.5% year-over-year improvement. Revenues came in at $6.43 billion, compared with $5.41 billion for the second quarter of last year. President and CEO Michael B. McCallister stated, "An across-the-board focus on operational excellence led to an extremely strong second quarter. These same dynamics are expected to fuel Humana's performance for the remainder of the year and position us well for growth into the future." On Jul 18, HUM raised its full-year 2007 earnings per share guidance to between $4.40 and $4.50. Its previous outlook called for profits of at least $4.25 per share. The company also boosted its full-year guidance in mid June. The consensus earnings estimate for this year currently sits at $4.48 and represents a 29-cent improvement over the past 30 days. All eight of the covering analysts upped their estimates. Profit forecasts for next year have risen 18 cents to $5.02 over the same period of time, with upward revisions being submitted by 11 of the 16 covering analysts. Earnings per share are expected to grow 20% over the next 3-5 years, with the industry projected to grow at a 15% clip. HUM is currently trading at a valuation of 14.3x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 12.8x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The market, as represented by the S&P 500, is trading at a valuation of 15.5x current fiscal-year estimated earnings and at 14.5x next fiscal-year estimated earnings. The company has a price-to-book ratio of 3.2, compared to 4.6 for the market. HUM’s return on equity tops that of the industry average—16% compared to 14%. 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

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AAPL - Apple Inc - 29.6% earnings surprise - exceeded analysts’ expectations in over 16 straight quarters

Apple Inc. (AAPL) reported EPS growth of over 70% for the fiscal third quarter. The company’s track record of earnings surprises, increasing full-year estimates and iPhone enthusiasm should continue to further the stock’s positive momentum. Full Analysis Apple Inc. designs, manufactures and markets personal computers, software, services, peripherals and networking solutions. It also provides the line of iPod portable digital music players, as well as the iPhone, the Macintosh line of computers, the Mac OS X operating system and various other server and supporting products and accessories. As of Mar 9, 2007, the company had 173 retail stores in the U.S., Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom. On Jul 25, 2007, Apple reported fiscal third-quarter earnings of 92 cents per share, up from 54 cents last year and 21 cents above expectations. Revenues rose to $5.41 billion from $4.37 billion, while the company’s gross margin increased to 36.9% from 30.3% from the year-ago quarter. International sales comprised 40% of third-quarter revenue. Initial sales of the iPhone, released Jun 29, two days from the quarter’s end, were eagerly anticipated. According to the company, 270,000 iPhones were sold during the reportable period, satisfying some analysts, but disappointing others. However, sales of the Macintosh computer and iPod were very impressive. Mac sales rose 33% to a record 1,764,000 computers, while iPod sales climbed 21% to 9,185,000. According to Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, “We’re thrilled to report the highest June quarter revenue and profit in Apple’s history, along with the highest quarterly Mac sales ever. iPhone is off to a great start—we hope to sell our one-millionth iPhone by the end of its first full quarter of sales—and our new product pipeline is very strong.” The latest 29.6% earnings surprise marked the fifth consecutive double-digit earnings surprise. In fact, the company has exceeded analysts’ expectations in over 16 straight quarters. Following the latest earnings release, full-year consensus estimates were revised upward by 12 cents to $3.65, the fourth positive revision in three months. Next year’s estimates were revised higher as well and currently stand at $4.21, up from $3.97 three months ago. Over the last four years AAPL’s stock performance has been extraordinary, soaring over 200% in 2004, 123% in 2005 and 18% in 2006. Year to date, the stock has soared over 69%, rising 17.9% in July alone. On Jul 27, the stock made a new intra-day high of $148.92 on stronger-than-average volume. Look for AAPL’s upward momentum to continue; however, higher volatility will likely result as analysts and investors debate the company’s growth prospects, valuation and upcoming products. 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

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DECK - Deckers Outdoor Corp - latest 150% earnings surprise marked the seventh consecutive quarter the company exceeded by double-digit percentage

Deckers Outdoor Corporation (DECK) has climbed over 78% year-to-date, capitalizing on consistent earnings momentum, estimate revisions, and an increasingly diverse product line, which is changing its perception as solely a winter boot maker. Full Analysis Deckers Outdoor Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets innovative, function-oriented footwear and apparel that have been developed for high-performance outdoor, sports and other lifestyle related activities, as well as for casual use. The company operates three global brands including: TEVA Footwear, UGG Australian Footwear, and Simple Shoes. On Jul 26, Deckers reported second-quarter earnings of 20 cents per share, one penny below year-ago results, but 12 cents above expectations. Driving the earnings growth, revenues rose 26.4% to $52.7 million, above analysts’ estimates of $49.3 million. Teva, UGG and Simple Shoes reported sales growth of 5.6%, 65.2% and -20%, respectively. The sales decline at Simple was due to a delayed start to the spring selling season. UGG’s outstanding results were due to strong sales of spring products and a strong reorder business. Also, initial shipments of fall styles were significantly higher than expected. Looking forward, Deckers now expects third-quarter revenue and earnings per share growth of 45% from year-ago levels. Also, for full-year 2007, the company expects revenue growth of 35%, up from prior estimates of 25%. Lastly, fiscal 2007 earnings are expected to grow 25%, up from previous forecasts of roughly 15%. The latest 150% earnings surprise marked the seventh consecutive quarter the company has exceeded estimates by double-digit percentages. In fact, the company has disappointed only once in over 16 straight quarters. After the release, analysts increased their full-year profit projections by 34 cents to $4.22, the third upward revision in three months. Next year’s estimates have been increasing as well and currently stand at $4.99, up from $4.07 three months ago. As testament to the company’s strong fundamentals, Zacks currently ranks Deckers a number one out of 12 companies in the Shoes and Related Apparel category. After a disappointing 2005, DECK rebounded strongly, climbing 117% during 2006. The company is set to have a spectacular 2007, with the stock soaring over 78% year-to-date. Illustrated below, the one-year chart shows a consistent uptrend, despite worries of a slowdown in consumer spending. In fact, the stock reached record highs on Jul 23, before slipping ahead of the earnings announcement. After reporting better than expected results, DECK made up its losses and went on to make new 52-week highs. A 60-day chart with 60-minute intervals will show well-defined trendline support, broken prior to the earnings release, but since reestablished. Short-term traders should watch this level closely, while longer-term investors should look for support against the 50-day moving 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

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TISI - Team, Inc - sustaining a nice uptrend

Team is already up 33% year-to-date and is looking poised to add to those gains. The chart is looking excellent as are earnings estimate revisions. This year's estimates have risen 11 cents to $2.20 per share over the past 60 days. Full Analysis Team, Inc. (TISI) provides specialty maintenance and construction services primarily in the United States. The company offers leak repair services, which include repairs of leaks in pipes, valves, flanges, and other parts of piping systems and related equipment; and hot tapping services, which consists of hot tapping, Line-stop, and Freeze-stop services. On July 25, the company reported outstanding results for its fiscal fourth quarter. Earnings came in at 63 cents per share, a nickel ahead of the 58-cent consensus estimate. For the fiscal year, total revenue was $318 million, up 23%, and operating income was $30.3 million, up 42%. Team also announced that the Board of Directors has approved a two-for-one stock split in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend payable on August 29, 2007 to all shareholders of record on August 15, 2007. This action will double the total number of common shares outstanding to nearly 18 million shares. "I am proud to report that fiscal year 2007 was another year of record performance for Team. Team's decision to join the Nasdaq, our recent acquisition of Aitec, and today's announcement of a stock split all reflect our continuing positive outlook going forward," said Phil Hawk, Team's Chairman and CEO. Looking ahead, the company forecasts FY2008 earnings of between $2.00 and $2.20 per share. Team continues to gain market share across all its service lines, as a result of its service capabilities combined with the continuing customer trend toward multi-service, multi-location procurement arrangements that favor larger industry providers like Team. The current estimate is for $2.20 per share, up a nickel from a week ago. The chart is mimicking the bullish fundamentals. Despite the recent market meltdown, TISI is sustaining a nice uptrend. The 21 and 50 day moving averages are acting as solid support, and the stock looks poised to break above upper trend line. If so, it would clearly add significantly to its 33.% year-to-date gain. 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

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ROK - Rockwell Automation, Inc - upward revisions submitted by seven of the 12 analysts

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) topped the consensus earnings estimate in six of the past seven quarters. After reporting solid third-quarter results, the company boosted its full-year profit guidance to between $3.65 and $3.70 per share. Analysts responded to the company’s positive guidance by raising their earnings estimates for both this year and next. On Jun 8, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share on its common stock. ROK is currently yielding 1.66%. Full Analysis Rockwell Automation, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions. The company’s global capabilities extend across 80 countries and include a partner network of more than 5,600 regional and global specialists in distribution, system integration and product referencing. ROK exceeded analysts’ earnings expectations in six of the past seven quarters. The company was able to surprise by a double-digit percentage in four out of the six aforementioned quarters. ROK met or topped the consensus estimate in 14 out of the past 16 quarters. On Jul 25, ROK posted third-quarter fiscal 2007 earnings per share of $1.07, 11.5% higher than the Street’s estimate of 96 cents. The company reported profits of 83 cents per share in the third quarter of last year, marking a 28.9% year-over-year improvement for the company. Revenues for the quarter amounted to $1.28 billion, up from $1.17 billion achieved in the prior-year period. Based on its solid third-quarter results, along with a gradually expanding global industrial economy across most end markets through the remainder of this year and into fiscal 2008, ROK now expects fiscal 2007 profits between $3.65 and $3.70 per share. Its prior outlook called for earnings per share between $3.55 and $3.65. The revised guidance was also fueled by the company’s recent ICS Triplex acquisition. Analysts responded to the ROK’s positive guidance by raising their earnings estimates for both this year and next. The consensus estimate for this year currently stands at $3.69—nine cents higher than the consensus of seven days ago. Seven of the eight covering analysts upped their estimates. Profit forecasts for next year have risen seven cents to $4.34 over the same time period, with upward revisions submitted by seven of the 12 analysts. On Jun 8, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 29 cents per share on its common stock. The dividend is payable on Sep 4 to shareholders of record as of Aug 13. ROK is currently yielding 1.66%. The company has also returned value to its shareholders through its stock buyback program. During the quarter ROK repurchased 6.2 million shares at a cost of $382.7 million. The company’s return on equity, a common measure of profitability, more than triples that of the industry average—32% compared to 10%. ROK is a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stock. Zacks #2 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 21.7% 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

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SHW - The Sherwin-Williams Co - Four of the seven covering analysts upped their estimates

The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) beat the consensus earnings estimate in six out of the past seven quarters. After posting solid second-quarter and year-to-date results, the company boosted its full-year profit guidance to between $4.60 and $4.70 per share. Consensus earnings estimates for both this year and next year are up over the past month. On Jul 18, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to 31.5 cents per common share of stock. SHW is currently yielding 1.78%. Full Analysis The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution and sale of paints, coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial and retail customers primarily in North and South America. SHW exceeded analysts' earnings expectations in six out of the past seven quarters. Moreover, the company met or topped the Street's earnings estimate in 15 out of the past 16 quarters. Earnings per share grew 20.2% over the past five years. On Jul 19, SHW posted second-quarter earnings per share of $1.52, topping analysts' expectations by 5.6% and surpassing its profits in the prior-year period by 14.3%. Revenues increased to $2.2 billion from $2.13 billion last year. The company cited improving domestic and international paint sales as fueling the solid quarterly results. Chairman and CEO Christopher M. Connor stated, "We are pleased that all our operating segments continue to achieve operating profit growth on a year-over-year basis. We are encouraged by the positive sales results generated by the Paint Stores and Global Groups during the quarter." During the quarter, SHW opened 13 new stores and acquired 131 stores in its Paint Stores Group. The company's Global Group opened nine new stores. For the first half of the year, SHW opened or acquired a total of 180 stores. Due to sales trends in the first half of the year, SHW boosted its full-year profit guidance. The company now expects earnings per share between $4.60 and $4.70. Its previous outlook called for profits between $4.55 and $4.65 per share. SHW also added that it expects a low-single-digits percentage sales increase for the year. The consensus earnings estimate for this year increased six cents to $4.66 per share over the past 30 days. Four of the seven covering analysts upped their estimates. Profit forecasts for next year also rose six cents to $5.05 over the same time period. Upward revisions were submitted by two of the six covering analysts. Earnings per share are projected to grow 12% over the next 3-5 years. On Jul 18, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend to 31.5 cents per common share of stock. The dividend is payable on Sep 14 to shareholders of record as of Aug 24. SHW has a current dividend yield of 1.78%. The company's return on equity doubles that of the industry average�38% compared to 19%. SHW is a Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) stock. Zacks #2 Rank stocks have generated an average annual return of 21.7% 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

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TPX - Tempur-Pedic International, Inc - beat the consensus earnings estimate in 13 out of the past 14 quarters

Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. (TPX), a Zacks #1 Rank stock, exceeded analysts� earnings expectations in eight consecutive quarters. The company boosted its full-year guidance after reporting strong second-quarter results. The Board of Directors recently approved a new $200 million share buyback program. On May 7, the Board authorized an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock to eight cents per share from six cents. TPX has a current dividend yield of 1.0%. Full Analysis Tempur-Pedic International, Inc. engages in the manufacture, marketing and distribution of bedding products worldwide. Its products include pillows, mattresses, and adjustable beds, as well as various cushions and other comfort products. The company markets its products through furniture and bedding, and specialty stores, as well as department stores; Internet; chiropractors, medical retailers, and hospitals; and third party distributors. TPX topped analysts� earnings expectations in eight consecutive quarters. Moreover, the company beat the consensus earnings estimate in 13 out of the past 14 quarters. Earnings per share grew 27.0% over the past five years. On Jul 19, TPX beat the consensus earnings estimate by four cents when it reported second-quarter profits of 39 cents per share. The result represented a solid 30.0% year-over-year improvement when compared to earnings of 30 cents per share in the second quarter of last year. Revenues jumped 17.6% to $257.6 million, compared to $219 million in the same period last year. President and CEO H. Thomas Bryant stated, "Tempur- Pedic International delivered another quarter of excellent results, with growth across all products and geographic segments. Through the first half, we are pleased with our results and see abundant opportunities to continue to gain market share." Looking ahead, TPX raised its full-year guidance and now expects earnings per share between $1.63 and $1.66, on revenues between $1.07 billion and $1.09 billion. Its previous guidance called for profits between $1.54 and $1.58 per share on revenues between $1.04 billion and $1.07 billion. The consensus earnings estimate for this year currently sits at $1.65 and represents a nine-cent improvement over the past 30 days. All 10 of the covering analysts upped their estimates. Profit forecasts for next year have risen 13 cents to $1.94 over the same period of time, with upward revisions being submitted by all 11 of the covering analysts. Earnings per share are expected to grow 13% over the next 3-5 years. During the second quarter TPX completed its $100 million share repurchase program. Consequently, the Board of Directors authorized a new $200 million share buyback program. On May 7, the Board approved an increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock to eight cents per share from six cents. The company has a current dividend yield of 1.0%. 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

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NVT - NAVTEQ Corp - Net income was up 87% over last year

NAVTEQ is navigating its way to huge profit gains. In early May, the company blew away forecasts by over 63%. NVT will be releasing second-quarter results today. Analysts expect 27 cents per share, which is a penny higher than the forecast of a month ago. The company has exceeded earnings in each of the past three quarters. Over the past three months, this year's earnings estimates have risen nine cents to $1.33 per share. The stock sports an impressive ROE of 19%. Full Analysis NAVTEQ Corporation (NVT) engages in the creation, updating, enhancing, licensing, and distribution of digital map database in North America and Europe. It provides digital map information, and related software and services, including products and services that provide maps, driving directions, turn-by-turn route guidance, fleet management and tracking, and geographic information systems. The company provides digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, and Internet-based mapping applications. Its products and services are provided to end users on various platforms, including self-contained hardware and software systems installed in vehicles; personal computing devices, such as personal navigation devices and mobile phones; server-based systems, including Internet and wireless services; and paper media. Last week, the stock soared over 18% after a combination of events took place. First of all, a UBS analyst upgraded the stock from "neutral" to "buy" with the target raised to $60 from $38. Navteq shares were also lifted by news that TomTom NV-Europe's largest maker of navigation systems for cars-is buying digital mapping company Tele Atlas NV for about $2.6 billion. The shares also leapt in late-May when the CEO made positive comments in an analyst presentation. Navteq President and Chief Executive Judson Green said in a presentation at the Lehman Brothers Worldwide Wireless and Wireline Conference that the company sees a variety of opportunities for its products in 2007. Green added that the company expects mobile phone revenue to become more significant over the next two years, but it may take a while for marketing plans and business models to catch up with the technology. In early-May, the company reported record first-quarter results. Revenue in the quarter rose 31% over the first quarter of 2006 to $160.0 million. Operating income grew 85% over the prior year to $38.3 million. Net income was up 87% over last year's first quarter to $30.2 million. Earnings per diluted share grew 84% to $0.31, compared to $0.17 in the prior year's quarter. 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

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NMTI - NMT Medical, Inc - Analysts forecast long-term earnings growth of 25%

NMT Medical has made it a habit of significantly exceeding analyst estimates. The company has posted seven consecutive double-digit earnings surprises, with six of them surpassing the 20% mark. Three analysts have raised their forecasts for this year. The company is still losing money, but the estimate picture is improving dramatically. Over the past 90 days, this year's estimates have increased 32 cents to a loss of $1.36 per share. Analysts forecast long-term earnings growth of 25%. Full Analysis NMT Medical, Inc. (NMTI), a medical technology company, engages in the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of proprietary implant technologies that allow interventional cardiologists to treat structural heart disease through minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures. The company's implant technologies are used for the treatment of cardiac structural heart diseases, as well as for the treatment of brain attacks comprising migraine headaches, embolic stroke, and transient ischemic attacks. In May, the company reported results that handily exceeded estimates. First-quarter 2007 total revenues were approximately $6.8 million compared with approximately $6.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. For the first quarter of 2007, NMT Medical reported a net loss of approximately $336,000, or three cents per share. This compares with net income of approximately $12.8 million, or $0.93 per share on a fully diluted basis, for the comparable period in 2006. Net income for the first quarter of 2006 included a one-time net gain from a legal settlement of approximately $15.2 million. Analysts expected a loss of 35 cents per share. "We are pleased with the substantial progress we made on the clinical front during the first quarter," said CEO Ahern. "We recently reached a major corporate milestone when we received conditional approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for our revised statistical plan for our CLOSURE I trial, which we submitted in March 2007. We believe that the FDA's acceptance of our revised plan, which greatly accelerates the completion date for patient enrollment in CLOSURE I, has the potential to be a considerable catalyst for NMT." 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

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BOBJ - Business Objects S.A. - business intelligence software - Four analysts have raised their estimates for this year, while six have for next year

Business Objects has exceeded earnings estimates in an amazing 16 straight quarters. Four analysts have raised their estimates for this year, while six have done so for next year. In just the past week, this year's estimates have increased five cents to $1.69 per share, while next year's numbers have risen 12 cents to $2.08 per share. Analysts expect the company to generate 16% long-term earnings growth. Full Analysis Business Objects S.A. (BOBJ) is a leading provider of business intelligence software. The company's suite of products includes tools for integrating data, querying, reporting, online analytical processing, information broadcasting, business alerts for end-users, analytic application framework, and pre-packaged analytic applications. The company generates revenue from two primary sources: license fees (41.1% of revenues in the first quarter of 2007) and services (58.9%). In addition, BOBJ provides consultation, training, and support and maintenance services. Geographically, the Americas, Europe, and the rest of the world contributed 51.7%, 41.0% and 7.3%, respectively, of revenues during the first quarter of 2007. Business Objects offers a complete set of business intelligence (BI) tools that enable companies to leverage information that is stored in an array of corporate databases. There has been a strong uptake in Business Object's newest offering, BusinessObjects XI Release 2 (BO XI2), with increased functionality, and a significant upgrade to Business Objects XI. During the first quarter of 2007, over 50% of BOBJ s customers have already migrated to BOXI and over 75% of revenues in the quarter were related to this latest offering. A total of 12 contracts were signed in the first quarter for more than $1 million, and the company signed deals with companies such as Alitalia Servuces, AstraZeneca, BNP Paribas, China Mobile, Dollar Tree Stores, National Australia Bank, Samsung Electronics, and Zions Bancorporation. The company's strategic alliance with channel partners, like IBM, Microsoft, Salesforce.com and SAP, continues to drive both sales and earnings. Business Objects continues to be the market leader in the Business Intelligence space and it continues to expand its offerings through strategic acquisitions, as the added expected growth in 2007 should come from its acquisitions. 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

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