4-24-12-Baker Hughes (NYSE:BHI) reported Q1 EPS of $0.86, topping estimates by $0.06.Revenues in the quarter rose 18.3% year-over-year to $5.36 billion, beating estimates by $110 million.SmarTrend alerted subscribers to take profits in Baker Hughes on March 06, 2012 at $47.02, since then the stock fell 12.7%. We are now watching for any positive developments that could result in a new uptrend signal.
4-24-12-Coach (NYSE:COH) reported fiscal Q3 EPS of $0.77, beating estimates by $0.02.Revenues in the quarter rose 17% year-over-year to $1.11 billion, inline with estimates.Coach boosted its quarterly dividend to $0.30, from $0.225.The company said its Q3 gross margin came in at 73.8% from 72.8% YoY, and estimates of 73.3%.The company repurchased and retired 2.33 million shares for $172 million, $430 million now remains under share repurchase program.
3m (NYSE:MMM) reported Q1 EPS of $1.63, vs. estimates of $1.49.Revenues in the quarter came in at $7.49 billion, vs. estimates of $7.44 billion.The company sees annual EPS $6.35-$6.50, had seen $6.25-$6.50, vs. estimates of $6.29.3M still sees 2012 organic sales volume growth 2%-5%, and operating income margins 21%-22.5%.SmarTrend is bullish on shares of 3M and our subscribers were alerted to buy on December 06, 2011 at $82.20. The stock has risen 6% since the alert was issued.
4-24-12-Ryder (NYSE:R) reported Q1 EPS of $0.59, topping estimates by a penny.Revenues in the quarter came in at $1.54 billion, vs. estimates of $1.52 billion.The company sees Q2 EPS of $1.07 – $1.12, vs. estimates of $1.08.Ryder said it sees 2012 EPS of $4.02-$4.12, vs. its prior guidance of $4-$4.10 given in Feb., and estimates $4.06.
4-24-12-United States Steel (NYSE:X) reported Q1 EPS of $0.67, beating estimates of $0.49.Revenues in the quarter rose 6.3% year-over-year to $5.17 billion, beating estimates by $210 million.The company reported Q1 shipments of 5.67 million tons, vs. 4th quarter’s 5.42 million, and year-ago 5.82 million.
> Mead Johnson’s Outlook: Great in China and Latin America, Dim in the US>> >> Mead Johnson is reporting first quarter earnings pre-market on 4/26 and analysts are looking at 78c and $978M. They are positive on the growth in Asia and Latin America and believe these international growth will be able to offset the market share losses in America as well as the margin squeeze.>>> Mead Johnson shows continued strength in China, which is the company’s top market and accounted for 29% of the company’s 2011 revenue. Analysts believe 15% market growth this year is realistic, partly helped by the dragon year effect. However, the China market competition will intensify going forward as the key players strengthen focus and refine strategies. Though competition should be largely benign, the market shares of the top 6 players will likely to converge. Currently, the top 6 players are, assuming the Pfizer deal goes through, Mead Johnson (12% market share), Danone (9.8% market share), Nestle (9.6% market share after combined with Pfizer), Abbott (5% market share), Beingmate (9% market share) and Yili (8% market share).>>> Latin America is expected to be the next key driver. Now a $2.2bn market, Latin America’s infant formula is expected to grow by 20% into the year 2016, representing 12% of the global market. The growth is driven by favorable demographics. The birth rate and women workforce are increasing, and full cream milk powder substitution are facing higher demand. Mead Johnson is well positioned in key countries, such as Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. It targets to record $1B sales from the Latin America market by the year 2016.>>> On the contrary, the company is at the risk of losing market share in the US. The Abbott product recall, the ripple effects from negative exposure on cronobacter and the general market decline will likely to put the company on defense. AC Nielsen tracking data shows that over the 12 weeks ending March 17, Mead Johnson sales value declined by 6.8% and volume declined by 12.2%, compared to industry sales decline of 0.9% and volume decline of 10.5%. The management guides the whole year US and EU portion to decline by mid-single digit.>>> For more news and updates, keep it right here at the Financial News Network. I’m Geoff Parrish.
The Nasdaq made a strong recovery after a 5-day loss as all the major indices opened higher today and stayed in positive territory after the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep interest rates unchanged. On the economic front, the Mortgage Bankers Association said that mortgage applications fell 3.8 percent last week on a seasonally adjusted basis.
Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) officially unveiled Google Drive and the first reviews out on the new product were mixed.Google Drive is a data-storage system that joins a growing list of high-tech names that has entered the industry to serve consumers and businesses.Drive allows its users to store photos, documents and videos on Google’s servers so they are able to access it from any web-enabled device and easily share it with others.Google’s entrance into the arena will certainly put pressure on the current market leader, Dropbox, especially since it intends on slashing its price.Dropbox charges $10 per month for 50 GB, Google plans on selling 100GB for $4.99 per month.Drive will also offer consumers with 5GB of free storage, which is over twice what Dropbox offers for free.Dropbox is known for its elegance and simplicity and Google had even tried to bid for the company, as did Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), both of which the company turned away.
Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned cash to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.
4-24-12-Panera (NASDAQ:PNRA) reported Q1 EPS of $1.40, vs. estimates of $1.34.Revenues in the quarter came in at $498.6 million, vs. estimates of $502.3 million.The company reported Q1 comp sales up 7.5%, vs. Raymond James estimate of up 6.1%.The company sees Q2 EPS of $1.40 – $1.43, vs. estimates of $1.40. The company sees comp sales up 4.5% – 5.5%.Panera boosted 2012 EPS forecast to $5.58-$5.63, saw $5.50-$5.55m in February, vs. estimates of $5.62; Panera sees annual comp. sales growth at high end of 4.5%-5.5% forecast.
