Employment Data, Released Today, Reinforces Our Long-Held View That the US Will Avoid a Double-Dip Recession
February 3, 2012
Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 243,000 in January, and the unemployment rate decreased to 8.3 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job growth was widespread in the private sector, with large employment gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and manufacturing. Government employment changed little over the month. Please click on the link below to read the full report: << Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Situation Summary << Our Newsletter Archive
Gilead Sciences Releases Favorable Hepatitus C Data
February 3, 2012
From Gilead Sciences (GILD) fourth-quarter earnings conference call: “The worldwide potential for all oral antiviral pan-genotypic HCV cure is sizable with over 12 million infected individuals in commercial markets alone. We are already in high gear preparing global launch plans that will bring GS-7977 expeditiously to patients around the world. Our established relationships with the hepatologist and gastroenterologist via Viread HPV, our knowledge of liver disease payers and policy makers and the exciting potential of leveraging our HIV resources to expand HCV-provided capacity is a galvanizing prospect. And I am confident the Gilead commercial organization will rise to the occasion… …As you know, results from the ELECTRON study were presented by Pharmasset at AASLD last October where GS-7977 and ribavirin for
Kohl’s Raises Full-Year Outlook; Shares Remain Significantly Undervalued
February 2, 2012
<< Kohl’s Corporation (KSS) Reports January Comparable Store Sales
Chipotle Misses on Bottom Line in Fourth Quarter; Shares Remain Significantly Overvalued
February 2, 2012
<< Quick Take, AP
Broadcom Pops 8% Today; The Firm’s Shares Still Remain Undervalued
February 2, 2012
<< Broadcom Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2011 Results
Mattel Ups Dividend 35%, to $1.24 per Share; Boasts 4% Annual Yield and Solid Valuentum Dividend Cushion Score
February 2, 2012
<< Mattel (MAT) Reports 2011 Financial Results and Declares Quarterly Dividend We will update our 16-page report and dividend analysis on Mattel soon.
Exxon Issues Fourth-Quarter Results; Yield Still Comparatively Weak
February 2, 2012
Exxon (XOM) reported fourth-quarter results Tuesday that failed to impress. Earnings expanded a modest 2%, to $9.4 billion in the quarter, while diluted earnings per share grew 6%, to $1.97, bolstered by share buybacks during the period. We are sticking with our $78 per share fair value estimate for Exxon and continue to watch its dividend for an opportune time to capitalize on its yield ($1.88 per share annual payout; 2.2% annual yield). For the full-year 2011, earnings jumped 35% as a result of higher crude oil prices, improved refining and chemical margins, as well as gains on sales of assets. Exxon continues to feel the pinch from lower natural gas prices, however. Still, the oil-and-gas giant pulled in roughly
Amazon’s Fourth-Quarter Earnings Leave Much to Be Desired
February 2, 2012
On Tuesday, Amazon.com (AMZN) reported fourth-quarter results that disappointed most investors. Though traders continue to dabble in the firm’s shares, we would continue to steer clear of the online retailer. Our fair value estimate range for the company remains unchanged. Net sales increased 35% in the fourth quarter, falling below the firm’s full-year growth rate and disappointing even the most conservative forecasts. Operating income declined significantly during the period, while net income also fell by more than half, to $0.38 per share. On a full-year basis, the company earned $1.37 per share, down 45%. Though revenue growth missed consensus expectations and earnings performance was poor, the company still hauled in over $2 billion in free cash flow for the year.
UPS Posts Solid Adjusted Fourth-Quarter Results; Sees Strong Package Delivery Growth in US
February 1, 2012
UPS posted fourth-quarter results Tuesday that reinforce our long-held thesis that the US will avoid a double-dip recession despite problems within the Eurozone. We are maintaining our fair value estimate for the package handler. UPS delivered record fourth-quarter results in volume, revenue and profitability—hardly recessionary signals. Revenue in its fourth quarter jumped 5.6% as the company delivered 1.13 billion packages (up 3.6% from the same period a year ago), while adjusted operating margin expansion of 140 basis points pushed adjusted diluted earnings per share higher nearly 21%, to $1.28. The company saw increases in both US and international daily package volume thanks to robust e-commerce expansion, strong European exports and intra-regional growth in Asia. During 2011, UPS pulled in more
Pfizer, Eli Lilly Post Fourth-Quarter Results; Both Score High on Our Valuentum Dividend Cushion
February 1, 2012
<< About our Valuentum Dividend Cushion ————————————————– << Pfizer’s (PFE) Fourth-Quarter Earnings Press Release << Pfizer’s Pipeline , Dividend Cushion: 2.9 ————————————————– << Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Fourth-Quarter Earnings Press Release << Eli Lilly’s Clinical Development Pipeline , Dividend Cushion: 2
