Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q2 results beat expectations due to rising same-store sales.
• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) Q3 earnings topped low expectations and revenue declined.
• Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) posted better-than-expected Q3 results but shares fell on weaker margins.
• Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) CEO said its new advertising efforts will boost sales over the long run.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) had a better-than-expected Q2 profit but same-store sales fell.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) reported solid Q2 numbers and raised its full-year guidance.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ...

Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A), a manufacturer of equipment for scientific testing, reported third quarter earnings on Monday after the bell. It was a challenging quarter for the business, but estimates were beat, at least.

Revenues fell 27%. Earnings on an adjusted basis likewise took a severe tumble, coming in at 15 cents per share. Agilent made well over three times that amount in the year-ago quarter. Here's the saving grace: according to Reuters, the company earned four more pennies than the average estimate.

Continue reading Agilent reports big income drop but beats analysts' projections

Agilent reports big income drop but beats analysts' projections originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Citigroup upgraded shares of Corning (NYSE: GLW) to Buy from Hold as it believes LCD glass production and sales have bottomed and will pick-up in Q2. The firm raised its target price to $16 from $11.25.
  
• Thomas Weisel upgraded Celera (NASDAQ: CRA) to Overweight from Market Weight based on valuation and its strong business model.
  
• ThinkEquity upgraded Varian Semi (NASDAQ: VARI) to Buy from Accumulate and raised its target to $32 from $20 based on valuation and weakness at its sole competitor.
• Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY) was upgraded to Hold from Underperform at Jefferies.
  
• Agilent (NYSE: A) was raised to Outperform from Neutral at Credit Suisse.
  
• Liberty Interactive (NASDAQ: LINTA) was upgraded at JP Morgan to Neutral from Underweight.

Continue reading Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GLW, A, BHP, MJN, AET ...

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: GLW, A, BHP, MJN, AET ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) Q1 earnings were cut almost in half and were lower than expected.
• AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) earnings expectations for 2010 resulted in an analyst's upgrade.
• BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. (NASDAQ: BMRN) was downgraded following its Q4 earnings report.
• CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) beat Q4 earnings expectations but slashed its quarterly dividend.
• Crocs Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) posted a smaller-than-expected Q4 loss but sales and gross margins fell.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) Q1 earnings and revenue fell and it offered guidance below estimates.
• Deutsche Telekom (NYSE: DT) was upgraded on confidence ahead of the company's earnings report.
• Hewlett-Packard Corp. (NYSE: HPQ) reported a bigger-than-expected drop in Q1 earnings.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Deere, HP, CBS, Playboy, Intuit, Whole Foods and more

Earnings highlights: Deere, HP, CBS, Playboy, Intuit, Whole Foods and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Stocks in the news: GM, CMCSA, DE, GT, A, ALU, GE, HPQ, WFMI, PG ...

Stocks in the news: GM, CMCSA, DE, GT, A, ALU, GE, HPQ, WFMI, PG ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Baird upgraded Agilent (NYSE:A) to Outperform from Neutral and raised its target to $24 from $22. The firm expects Agilent's YoY order declines to bottom in 1H09 and for growth to return in 1Q10.
  
• Despite downgrading the Equity REIT industry to Underweight from Market Weight, Friedman Billings upgraded Home Properties (NYSE:HME) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect the company's exposure to Washington, D.C. The firm thinks Washington has the potential for stable demand fundamentals.
  
• Keefe Bruyette raised Education Realty (NYSE:EDR) to Outperform from Market Perform to reflect the company's improved liquidity outlook.
• Cullen/Frost (NYSE:CFR) was upgraded to Overweight from Equal Weight at Barclays.
  
• Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) was raised to Neutral from Sell at Goldman.
  
• FPIC Insurance (NASDAQ:FPIC) was lifted at Piper Jaffray to Buy from Neutral.

• Credit Suisse downgraded Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT) to Neutral from Outperform and France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) to Underperform from Neutral in conjunction with cutting the European Telecommunications Services sector to Market Weight from Overweight.
  
• Goldman downgraded Harley-Davidson (NYSE:HOG) to Sell from Neutral and added shares to its Conviction Sell List. The firm, which lowered its target to $11 from $30, said HOG shares do not fully reflect the impact from unprecedented headwinds in global luxury motorcycle demand and credit.
  
• Jefferies downgraded Precision Cast (NYSE:PCP) to Hold from Buy following the recent rally as they believe near-term EPS growth will be challenging. The firm lowered its target to $72 from $75.
• AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) was downgraded to Market Perform from Outperform at Bernstein.
• Tenneco (NYSE:TEN) was cut to Market Perform from Outperform at Wachovia.
• Burlington Northern (NYSE:BNI) was lowered to Underweight from Equal Weight at Morgan Stanley.
• Friedman Billings downgraded the Equity REIT sector to Underweight from Market Weight.

• Ladenburg initiated Pentair (NYSE:PNR) with a Buy rating and $32 target. The firm believes the company's cost reduction and growth strategies will limit earnings declines from weak end markets.
  
• Fiat (Other OTC:FIATY) was initiated with a Hold rating at ING Group.
  
• Raymond James resumed coverage of Tailsman Energy (NYSE:TLM) with a Market Perform rating.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: A, PFE, DT, HOG, AZO originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analyst upgrades:

• Keefe Bruyette upgraded IberiaBank (NASDAQ: IBKC) to Market Perform from Underperform following the company's capital raise, which the firm believes strengthens IberiaBank's balance sheet. Baird upgraded IberiaBank to Outperform from Neutral based on valuation following weakness related to the $100M capital raise.
  
• Pali upgraded shares of Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ: URBN) to Neutral from Sell on valuation as they believe the company's comp slowdown is largely priced in at current levels.
  
• Morgan Keegan upgraded Casey's General Store (NASDAQ: CASY) to Outperform from Market Perform based on valuation, healthy SSS, and easing comps.
• Cabot OIl & Gas (NYSE: COG) and Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE: RDS.A) were added to Goldman's Conviction Buy List.
  
• American Capital (NASDAQ: ACAS) was raised to Market Perform from Underperform at Friedman Billings.
  
• CIBC lifted Manulife (NYSE: MFC) to Sector Outperformer from Sector Performer.

• Goldman downgraded Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT) to Sell from Neutral based on expectations for reduced capex spending by mining and oil & gas companies and the impact from the credit crunch.
  
• Deutsche Bank downgraded auto companies and suppliers as they believe the failed government bailout increases risks. Ford (NYSE: F), American Axle (NYSE: AXL), Magna International (NYSE: MGA) and Lear (NYSE: LEA) were downgraded to Sell from Hold.
  
• SAP (NYSE: SAP) was cut to Hold from Buy at Jefferies to reflect the "deteriorating" corporate IT spend environment.
• Waters (NYSE: WAT) was downgraded to Neutral from Overweight at JP Morgan.
  
• Agilent (NYSE: A) was lowered to Equal Weight from Overweight at Barclays; the firm also downgraded Varian (NASDAQ: VARI) to Underweight from Equal Weight.

• Jefferies believes Core Laboratories (NYSE: CLB) is well positioned to benefit from the increasing need for reservoir optimization services. Shares were initiated with a Buy rating and $70 target.
  
• Deutsche Bank initiated Capital One (NYSE: COF) with a Sell rating and $24 target, citing the difficult economic environment and the potential for higher credit losses.
  
• Soleil started Hexcel (NYSE: HXL) with a Buy rating and $10 target and expects the company's military business to remain strong through 2010.
• On Semiconductor (NASDAQ: ONNN) was assumed with a Neutral rating and $3.80 target at UBS.
  
• Cbeyond (NASDAQ: CBEY) was initiated at Oppenheimer with a Perform rating.
• Brocade (NASDAQ: BRCD) was started with a Neutral rating at Piper Jaffray.

Analyst upgrades, downgrades and initiations: URBN, ACAS, CAT, F, A, COF ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) topped estimates but offered an outlook below expectations.
• Best Buy Co. (NYSE: BBY) warned that it many not be able to maintain its earnings momentum.
• Charlotte Russe Holding Inc. (NASDAQ: CHIC) was upgraded because of its growth potential.
• Focus Media Holding Ltd. (NASDAQ: FMCN) shares tumbled after it reported Q3 numbers.
• HLS Systems International (NASDAQ: HOLI) earnings prospects and management impressed an analyst.
• JCPenney Co. Inc. (NYSE: JCP) reported a lower Q3 profit and lowered its guidance due to the recession.
• KKR Financial Holdings (NYSE: KFN) disappointing Q3 results led to analyst downgrades.
• MercadoLibre Inc. (NASDAQ: MELI) doubled its Q3 profit and beat earnings expectations.
• Nortel Networks Corp. (NYSE: NT) swung to a Q3 net loss and unveiled further restructuring measures.
• Perry Ellis International Inc. (NASDAQ: PERY) posted preliminary Q3 results and lowered its outlook.
• Siemens (NYSE: SI) Q4 net loss widened and it warned about meeting its profit target for the year.
• Starbucks Corp. (NASDAQ: SBUX) Q4 earnings were hurt by restructuring costs, revenue rose slightly.
• Toll Brothers Inc. (NYSE: TOL) posted dismal Q4 results and declined to offer guidance for next year.
• Tyson Foods Inc. (NYSE: TSN) solid Q4 results fell short of estimates and it offered a shaky outlook.
• Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) earnings prospects following its equity offering led to an analyst's upgrade.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others

Earnings highlights: Starbucks, Best Buy, JCPenney, Agilent, Wells Fargo and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 15 Nov 2008 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post was written by Minyanville contributor Sean Udall.

Aglient Technologies (NYSE: A) just reported this morning and again the company is simply one of the best tech and science shops, which few talk about.

It guided lower but it was minor compared to most tech names of late. Also, A's stock is down about 35% vs. a space down 50% with many names down 65-80% off of highs so the value and durable earnings quality of A is providing some cover.

Circling back to market dynamics, I've contended many times about my view on the markets' four key problems and the difficulty in gaining traction while these are not yet solved. I won't reiterate this whole theme; however, it is noteworthy that we are so willing to spend $350 billion of the TARP while not addressing FAS 157 as well as the uptick rule. Changing these two issues costs the world "nothing". And they are either done with a "pen stroke or a few key strokes".

Yet changing these rules -- might just save the world billions in additional spending, doesn't require Congressional approval, doesn't require the Fed to expand the balance sheet, and lastly doesn't require more rates cuts which could prove quite inflationary.

Agilent is a tempting buy originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) reported lower quarterly profit, but beat estimates. It also cut its full-year outlook. ANF shares were down 7.4% in premarket trading (8:45 am). ANF shares traded over 4% lower at 10:12.
  
• J.C. Penney (NYSE: JCP) also reported lower quarterly profit -- fell by nearly 53% -- but beat estimates by a penny. Sales fell 8.7% in the quarter. JCP gave full year guidance much lower than analysts' expectations. Shares were down 4.6% in premarket trading (8:33 am). JCP traded 2.4% lower 45 minutes after the open.
  
• Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) -- keeping the same theme, Agilent [reported higher profit], managed to beat estimates but gave outlook below expectations. Shares were 2% lower in premarket trading (8:23 am). Agilent shares traded 3.3% higher 45 minutes after the open.
  

Continue reading Stocks in the news: C, JWN, KSS, JCP, MSFT, GM, MGM, S, GOOG (update)

Stocks in the news: C, JWN, KSS, JCP, MSFT, GM, MGM, S, GOOG (update) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Newport Corporation (NASDAQ: NEWP) manufactures a variety of high technology systems and components used in the aerospace, fiber-optic communications, health care, and semiconductor manufacturing industries. These include lasers and amplifiers, photonics instruments, precision micro-positioning systems, vibration isolation systems, optical hardware and opto-mechanical subassemblies. The firm also offers automated systems for manufacturing disk drives, photovoltaic cells and multi-chip modules. Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) and Corning (NYSE: GLW) are major competitors.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it announced workforce reduction, outsourcing and administrative streamlining actions designed to improve financial performance. Management also guided Q3 revenues to $106-$112 million ($109.7M consensus), Q4 EPS to 15-25 cents (13 cent consensus) and Q4 revenues to $115-$125 million ($121.3M consensus).

Continue reading Newport Corporation (NEWP): Price defines bullish 'pennant' pattern

Newport Corporation (NEWP): Price defines bullish 'pennant' pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading One 'letter' stocks offer opportunity, August trading strategies & 3 brand-new tax laws to know - Today in Money 8/4

One 'letter' stocks offer opportunity, August trading strategies & 3 brand-new tax laws to know - Today in Money 8/4 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"One group of stocks that has always intrigued us are those whose symbols have one letter," notes George Putnam. The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "Odd as this idea may at first seem, it actually makes some sense for a deep value investor. These are often old-line companies with well-known brand names. In some cases the single letter symbols were awarded many decades ago."

After reviewing the 19 stocks with single letter symbols (7 are currently unused), Putnam offers six that he says, have been "beaten down pretty badly and now look particularly appealing."'

"Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A), which makes electronic and bio-analytic measuring devices, was spun out of Hewlett-Packard in 1999. Revenues surged in 2000 as did the stock price, reaching a lofty 162.

"But the company subsequently suffered along with its customers in the communications and technology sectors. However, the financials are sound, including strong cash flow that is supporting a $2 billion share buyback, and management has been restructuring and realigning operations for long-term growth.

Continue reading 'Singular' values: A, C, F, K, M, N, Q, S, T

'Singular' values: A, C, F, K, M, N, Q, S, T originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) beat Q2 expectations and offered Q3 and full-year guidance.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) widened its Q1 loss but maintained its full-year profit forecast.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) Q3 profit rose due to the sale of Godiva, but shares tumbled.
• Fluor Corp. (NYSE: FLR) beat Q1 expectations and offered rosy full-year guidance.
• Gamestop Corp. (NYSE: GME) posted record Q1 earnings but offered weak Q2 and full-year guidance.
• Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE: HPQ) posted strong Q2 results in the wake of its announced EDS acquistion.
• Hot Topic Inc. (NASDAQ: HOTT) Q1 loss widened due to declines in same-store sales.
• Kenexa Corp. (NASDAQ: KNXA) beat Q1 expectations and raised its full-year guidance.
• Medtronic Inc. (NYSE: MDT) posted flat Q4 earnings despite strong sales, and missed full-year estimates.
• Napster Inc. (NASDAQ: NAPS) narrowed its loss and exceeded analysts' Q1 epectations.
• Ross Stores Inc. (NYSE: ROST) Q1 profits rose on same-store growth and a real estate settlement.
• Staples Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) swung to a modest Q1 profit after two quarterly losses.
• Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) Q1 profits slipped but came in ahead of analysts' estimates.
• Tween Brands Inc. (NYSE: TWB) Q1 profit was hurt by a one-time charge but still beat expectations.

Additional earnings highlights:
Home Depot, Gap, Lenovo, Air France, Activision, Suntech and others
Ford, Hormel, Limited Brands, Intuitive Surgical, PetSmart and others

Upcoming results to watch for include Borders (NYSE: BGP), Polo Ralph Lauren (NYSE: RL), TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Big Lots (NYSE: BIG), Costco (NASDAQ: COST), Dell (NASDAQ: DELL), HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ), Sears (NASDAQ: SHLD), Lions Gate (NYSE: LGF), and Tiffany (NYSE: TIF).

Visit AOL Money & Finance for more earnings coverage.

Earnings highlights: Hewlett-Packard, Target, Barnes & Noble, Campbell, Staples and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 24 May 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) provides electronic measurement and bio-analytical solutions to the communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis industries. Its Electronic Measurement segment offers such instruments as data generators, multimeters, and oscilloscopes. The Bio-Analytical Measurement unit sells instruments, software, consumables and services for quantifying the physical and biological properties of substances. Customers include Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO) and Merck (NYSE: MRK). The firm was a 1999 spin-off of Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ).

Agilent pleased investors last week, when it announced fiscal Q2 EPS of 51 cents and revenues of $1.46 billion. Analysts had been looking for 48 cents and $1.43 billion. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 52-56 cents (55 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $1.44-$1.49 billion ($1.46B consensus), FY08 EPS to $2.07-$2.15 ($2.08 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $5.82-$5.93 billion ($5.83B consensus). Needham subsequently reiterated its "buy" recommendation and boosted its price target to $42. Standard & Poor's raised its Agilent outlook from "stable" to "positive".

Continue reading Agilent Technologies (A): Shares forming bullish 'flag'

Agilent Technologies (A): Shares forming bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 21 May 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 8:00am.
• W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW) to hold sales conference call at 8:00am.
• XM Satellite Radio Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: XMSR) and Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) to report quarterly earnings; the conference call is at 10:00am for XM and at 4:30pm for Sirius.

• Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 7:30am.
• Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL) to report preliminary Q2 results and outlook at 2pm.
• Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

• FCC Open Commission Meeting at 9:30am.
• SEC Open Commission Meeting at 10:00am.
• Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M) to report Q1 earnings; conference call at 10:30am.
• Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: A) to report Q2 earnings; conference call at 4:30pm.

Continue reading Market highlights for next week: Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard reporting

Market highlights for next week: Wal-Mart and Hewlett-Packard reporting originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 09 May 2008 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME) manufactures and markets electronic instruments and electromechanical devices in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The firm's Electronic Instruments Group makes testing, monitoring and calibration instruments for the aerospace, transportation, research, industrial and power markets. Its Electromechanical Group produces motors, blowers, fans, heat exchangers and connectors for appliance, defense, medical and computer applications. This group also makes industrial specialty metals. General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) are major competitors.

The firm pleased investors earlier in the week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 62 cents and revenues of $611.2 million. Analysts had been looking for 58 cents and $585.7 million. Management also predicted Q2 EPS of 61-63 cents (62 cent consensus) and FY08 EPS of $2.47-$2.52 ($2.45 consensus). The CEO cited the company's global customer base, its exposure to long-cycle aerospace and power markets, and the full-year impact of recent acquisitions in support of the favorable guidance.

Continue reading AMETEK Inc. (AME): Share price defines bullish 'flag' pattern

AMETEK Inc. (AME): Share price defines bullish 'flag' pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering (NASDAQ: EXFO) specializes in the design and manufacture of equipment used by telecommunications carriers, cable television companies and public utilities operators to test and monitor their networks. It also provides light-based systems used in medical device and opto-electronics assemblies, as well as fluorescence microscopy and electrophysiology instruments used in the life sciences sector. Customers include AT&T (NYSE: T) and Nortel Networks (NYSE: NT). Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) is a major competitor.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q2 EPS of six cents and revenues of $43.3 million. Analysts had been expecting two cents and $42.3 million. Management also guided Q3 EPS to between four and seven cents (five cent consensus) and Q3 revenues to between $45 million and $48 million ($46.93 million consensus). Further, the firm announced a deal to acquire Internet Protocol applications tester Brix Networks for $28.5 million in cash. RBC Capital Markets and Roth Capital subsequently reiterated "buy" ratings on the stock and declared price targets in the $7-$8 range

Continue reading EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering (EXFO): Shares defining bullish 'flag'

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering (EXFO): Shares defining bullish 'flag' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 07 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dionex Corporation (NASDAQ: DNEX) manufactures chromatography systems for chemical analysis. The company's devices are used to identify contaminants and impurities in a range of materials from foods and beverages to industrial chemicals. They are also used by life science investigators to separate and identify biological molecules such as amino acids, carbohydrates and proteins. The Dionex sales force is active throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) is a major competitor.

The firm pleased the Street last week, when it reported Q2 EPS of 77 cents and revenues of $98 million. Those figures topped analyst expectations of 72 cents and $91.4 million. The CEO cited solid demand in the chemical/petrochemical and food/beverage markets for the strong quarter. U.S. sales were said to have shown marked improvement. Management also guided Q3 EPS to 66-70 cents (68 cent consensus), Q3 revenues to $92-$96 million ($90.52M consensus), FY08 EPS to $2.62-$2.69 ($2.61 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $363-$370 million ($358.17M consensus). Wedbush Morgan subsequently upgraded the stock from "hold" to "buy".

Continue reading Dionex Corporation (DNEX): Shares in bullish 'flag' consolidation

Dionex Corporation (DNEX): Shares in bullish 'flag' consolidation originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

AMETEK Inc. (NYSE: AME) manufactures and markets electronic instruments and electromechanical devices in North America, Europe, Asia and South America. The firm's Electronic Instruments Group makes testing, monitoring and calibration instruments for the aerospace, transportation, research, industrial and power markets. Its Electromechanical Group produces motors, blowers, fans, heat exchangers and connectors for appliance, defense, medical and computer applications. The group also makes industrial specialty metals. General Electric (NYSE: GE) and Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A) are major competitors.

The firm pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 57 cents and revenues of $583.3 million. Analysts had been looking for 53 cents and $553 million. Management also predicted FY08 EPS of $2.40-$2.45, versus Street consensus of $2.43. Friedman Billings subsequently boosted its rating on the shares to "outperform".

Continue reading AMETEK (AME): Shares defining bullish 'flag' pattern

AMETEK (AME): Shares defining bullish 'flag' pattern originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.