Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
This is what's in the news for Thursday, December 8th. The Wall Street Journal reports natural gas will replace coal as the leading fuel for generating electricity in the U.S. by 2025, and global energy demand will grow about 30% by 2040 as the world population climbs to nine billion from seven billion, according to a closely watched long-term outlook from Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) which will released today. The Wall Street Journal also reports NBCUniversal (NASDAQ:CMCSA) wants "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest as a possible successor to Matt Lauer on the "Today" show if Lauer leaves as co-anchor next year, sources say. Reuters reports Alibaba Group (PINK:ALBCF) is seeking up to $4B in debt financing in a deal expected to help the Chinese e-commerce firm buy back a 40% stake in the company owned by Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO). Bloomberg reports Japan’'s record earthquake may lead the government to allow casinos as a group of 150 lawmakers plans to introduce a bill that could allow resorts that combine slot machines and gambling tables with hotels, shopping and restaurants, a potential $44B industry. Finally, Bloomberg also reports GM (NYSE:GM) began talks with Proton Holdings, Malaysia’s biggest car company, to form a manufacturing venture there.
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Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN) Reports Q4 Earnings, Missing EPS but Beating Revenue (potential upside 57.3%)
Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN) reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings this morning, posting an EPS of $0.03 that missed projections of $0.07 per share. Revenue rose 9.1% YoY to $455.5 million that beat forecasts of $450.5 million.
Gary Smith, president and CEO of Ciena said, "We continue to deliver on the growth and operating efficiency milestones we laid out early last year, and remain focused on delivering operating leverage from the business. Our strong fourth quarter financial performance included positive cash flow and a second consecutive quarter of as-adjusted operating profit. While macroeconomic uncertainty remains, we are taking market share because customers recognize our differentiation and the strong alignment of our portfolio with their network architecture priorities."
Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN) has potential upside of 57.3% based on a current price of $11.91 and an average consensus analyst price target of $18.74.
Gary Smith, president and CEO of Ciena said, "We continue to deliver on the growth and operating efficiency milestones we laid out early last year, and remain focused on delivering operating leverage from the business. Our strong fourth quarter financial performance included positive cash flow and a second consecutive quarter of as-adjusted operating profit. While macroeconomic uncertainty remains, we are taking market share because customers recognize our differentiation and the strong alignment of our portfolio with their network architecture priorities."
Ciena (NASDAQ:CIEN) has potential upside of 57.3% based on a current price of $11.91 and an average consensus analyst price target of $18.74.
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Costco Wholesale Corp. (NYSE:COST) Reports Mixed Q1 Earnings
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Costco Wholesale Corp. (NYSE:COST) reported Q1 earnings this morning, posting an EPS of $0.73 missing analyst estimates of $0.80 per share. Revenue for the quarter rose 12% to $21.63 billion beating consensus estimates of $21.46 billion.
Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were up 10% in the United States and 11% internationally. First quarter results were negatively impacted by a $24 million charge relating to the settlement of an income tax audit of the company's 50% owned Mexico joint venture. Also negatively impacting Costco's earnings was a $17 million charr for contributions to the Yes on 1183 Coalition in support of an initiative reforming alcoholic beverage laws in Washington State.
Costco Wholesale is currently above its 50-day moving average (MA) of $83.30 and above its 200-day of $79.39.
Comparable sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 were up 10% in the United States and 11% internationally. First quarter results were negatively impacted by a $24 million charge relating to the settlement of an income tax audit of the company's 50% owned Mexico joint venture. Also negatively impacting Costco's earnings was a $17 million charr for contributions to the Yes on 1183 Coalition in support of an initiative reforming alcoholic beverage laws in Washington State.
Costco Wholesale is currently above its 50-day moving average (MA) of $83.30 and above its 200-day of $79.39.
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Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) to Again Offer TouchPads for $99 (potential upside 4.9%)
Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
TechCrunch reported that TouchPads will be available on Hewlett-Packard's (NYSE:HPQ) eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) store, but the low cost tablets will be refurbished, according to a leaked internal memo to employees.
The sale of the tablet will begin on December 11.
Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) has potential upside of 4.9% based on a current price of $28.41 and an average consensus analyst price target of $29.8.
The sale of the tablet will begin on December 11.
Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) has potential upside of 4.9% based on a current price of $28.41 and an average consensus analyst price target of $29.8.
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RightNow, Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) Receive Merger Clearance From the Austrian Regulator (potential upside 15.5%)
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On December 6, Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) informed RightNow (NASDAQ:RNOW) that it had received clearance from the Austrian Competition Authority for their planned merger, as disclosed in a regulatory filing.
Also, on December 7, RightNow received a request for additional information from the Justice Department in connection with its review of the merger.
Issuance of the second request extends the waiting period under the HSR Act until 30 days after all parties receiving a second request have substantially complied, unless the waiting period is completed sooner by the Department of Justice.
Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) has potential upside of 15.5% based on a current price of $31.54 and an average consensus analyst price target of $36.44.
Also, on December 7, RightNow received a request for additional information from the Justice Department in connection with its review of the merger.
Issuance of the second request extends the waiting period under the HSR Act until 30 days after all parties receiving a second request have substantially complied, unless the waiting period is completed sooner by the Department of Justice.
Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) has potential upside of 15.5% based on a current price of $31.54 and an average consensus analyst price target of $36.44.
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Warner Music Group Reported A Loss in Fiscal Fourth Quarter
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Warner Music Group reported Q4 earnings results as well as for the full year ended September 30, 2011. For the quarter, revenue fell 6% to $707 million driven by lower physical sales, a light release schedule, and the continued transition to digital in the recorded music industry. Digital revenue was 29.7% of total revenue, up from 26.2% in prior-year quarter.
For the full year, revenue was down 4% to $2.9 billion. The company said this loss is attributed not only to lower physical sales but also the impact of the increase in interest expense related to a July 2011 refinancing of certain indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of the company by Access Industries.
Stephen Cooper, Warner Music Group's CEO said, "In the quarter and throughout the fiscal year, WMG continued to perform. The company grew digital and '360' revenue, executed on its strategy of establishing more comprehensive artist partnerships and continued to position itself well for the opportunities that exist in the rapidly evolving recorded music and music publishing industries."
For the full year, revenue was down 4% to $2.9 billion. The company said this loss is attributed not only to lower physical sales but also the impact of the increase in interest expense related to a July 2011 refinancing of certain indebtedness in connection with the acquisition of the company by Access Industries.
Stephen Cooper, Warner Music Group's CEO said, "In the quarter and throughout the fiscal year, WMG continued to perform. The company grew digital and '360' revenue, executed on its strategy of establishing more comprehensive artist partnerships and continued to position itself well for the opportunities that exist in the rapidly evolving recorded music and music publishing industries."
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Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD) Beats Q2 Earnings Estimates (potential upside 4.7%)
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Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD) reported a 16% YoY decline in fiscal second quarter earnings, posting an EPS of $0.76, higher from $0.70 analyst expected. Revenue rose 10.5% YoY to $3.31 billion, topping forecasts of $3.21 billion.
C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer said, "Our business is thriving and we are proud to deliver yet another quarter of quality and consistent earnings to our shareholders led by strong results in our Pork segment. Importantly, we were able to grow the top line in our packaged meats business in the second quarter — while exhibiting strong pricing discipline to maintain margins in the normalized range — by leveraging our closely coordinated sales and marketing platform to expand share and distribution. OurFarmland, Smithfield, Armour and Curly's brands all achieved double-digit retail sales and volume growth in the quarter."
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD) has potential upside of 4.7% based on a current price of $24.93 and an average consensus analyst price target of $26.10.
C. Larry Pope, president and chief executive officer said, "Our business is thriving and we are proud to deliver yet another quarter of quality and consistent earnings to our shareholders led by strong results in our Pork segment. Importantly, we were able to grow the top line in our packaged meats business in the second quarter — while exhibiting strong pricing discipline to maintain margins in the normalized range — by leveraging our closely coordinated sales and marketing platform to expand share and distribution. OurFarmland, Smithfield, Armour and Curly's brands all achieved double-digit retail sales and volume growth in the quarter."
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD) has potential upside of 4.7% based on a current price of $24.93 and an average consensus analyst price target of $26.10.
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Clearwire Acquisition by Sprint (NYSE:S) Possible in Long Term (potential upside 33.6%)
Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
Gabelli believes Clearwire (NASDAQ:CLWR) is better aligned with Sprint (NYSE:S) after Sprint purchased 172 million additional shares of the company's Class B common stock.
The firm believes an acquisition of Clearwire by Sprint is a possibility in the long term, but keeps a Hold rating on shares citing the speculative nature of the situation. Following Clearwire's upsized stock offering, Gabelli lowered its target for shares to $4.90 from $6.
Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) has potential upside of 33.6% based on a current price of $2.56 and an average consensus analyst price target of $3.42.
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Samsung Loses Battle to Stop iPhone 4S Sales in France
The firm believes an acquisition of Clearwire by Sprint is a possibility in the long term, but keeps a Hold rating on shares citing the speculative nature of the situation. Following Clearwire's upsized stock offering, Gabelli lowered its target for shares to $4.90 from $6.
Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) has potential upside of 33.6% based on a current price of $2.56 and an average consensus analyst price target of $3.42.
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Samsung Loses Battle to Stop iPhone 4S Sales in France
Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
Bloomberg reported, Samsung lost a request for an emergency order to prevent Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) from selling its latest iPhone 4S in France while the court considers the company's patent-infringement claim.
The case is one of numerous legal battles being waged involving Samsung and Apple in the United States, Italy and several other countries over intellectual property protecting their smartphones.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has potential upside of 29% based on a current price of $394.49 and an average consensus analyst price target of $508.73.
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IBM (NYSE:IBM) to Acquire DemandTec to Expand Cloud-Based Analytics for Smarter Commerce (potential upside 0.5%)
The case is one of numerous legal battles being waged involving Samsung and Apple in the United States, Italy and several other countries over intellectual property protecting their smartphones.
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has potential upside of 29% based on a current price of $394.49 and an average consensus analyst price target of $508.73.
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IBM (NYSE:IBM) to Acquire DemandTec to Expand Cloud-Based Analytics for Smarter Commerce (potential upside 0.5%)
Uploaded by FinancialNewsOnline on Dec 8, 2011
IBM (NYSE:IBM) and DemandTec (NASDAQ:DMAN) announced that the two companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement for IBM to acquire DemandTec in an all cash transaction at a price of $13.20/share or a at a net price of approximately $440 million, after adjusting for cash.
The acquisition of DemandTec will extend IBM's Smarter Commerce initiative by adding cloud-based price, promotion and other merchandising and marketing analytics to help companies better define the best price points and product mix based on customer buying trends.
IBM estimates the market opportunity for Smarter Commerce at $20 billion in software alone. The acquisition is subject to DemandTec shareholder approval, applicable regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. It's expected to close in Q1 of 2012.
Craig Hayman , General Manager of Industry Solutions at IBM said, "IBM Smarter Commerce is redefining how brands buy, market, sell and service their customers in ways that their customers want. Bringing science to the art of pricing and promotion is a big part of this strategy, and the combination of DemandTec and IBM will help marketing and sales executives in retail and other industries drive more revenue and increase profitability."
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) has potential upside of 0.5% based on a current price of $192.48 and an average consensus analyst price target of $193.39.
The acquisition of DemandTec will extend IBM's Smarter Commerce initiative by adding cloud-based price, promotion and other merchandising and marketing analytics to help companies better define the best price points and product mix based on customer buying trends.
IBM estimates the market opportunity for Smarter Commerce at $20 billion in software alone. The acquisition is subject to DemandTec shareholder approval, applicable regulatory clearances and other customary closing conditions. It's expected to close in Q1 of 2012.
Craig Hayman , General Manager of Industry Solutions at IBM said, "IBM Smarter Commerce is redefining how brands buy, market, sell and service their customers in ways that their customers want. Bringing science to the art of pricing and promotion is a big part of this strategy, and the combination of DemandTec and IBM will help marketing and sales executives in retail and other industries drive more revenue and increase profitability."
International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM) has potential upside of 0.5% based on a current price of $192.48 and an average consensus analyst price target of $193.39.
