Amerigroup (NYSE:AGP - News) reported that fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $29.9 million, or 56 cents a share, from $12.9 million, or 25 cents a share, a year earlier. Excluding a pretax gain from net prior period amounts of $13.8 million, or 16 cents a share, earnings were $21.4 million, or 40 cents a share, in the latest fourth quarter. The Virginia Beach, Va., health-care services company said revenue increased 31% to $809.7 million from $620.3 million a year ago. On average, analysts polled by Thomson Financial predicted fourth-quarter earnings of 36 cents a share and revenue of $770.3 million. Analyst estimates typically exclude unusual items. The company also boosted its outlook for 2007 to earnings of $1.85 to $2 per share.
Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD - News) shares rose following a published report that it's held merger talks with Belgian-Brazilian brewer InBev.
Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI - News) said it's initiated a review of its strategic options. It's retained Lazard Freres as its financial advisor and Weil, Gotshal & Manges as its legal advisor in the process.
Avici Systems Inc. (NasdaqGM:AVCI - News) swung to a fourth-quarter net profit of $2.99 million, or 21 cents a share, boosted by strong product revenue growth. In the same period last year, the provider of networking equipment posted a net loss of $8.6 million, or 67 cents a share.
Barnes Group (NYSE:B - News) earned $18.5 million, or 34 cents a share in the fourth quarter, compared to $9.7 million, or 19 cents a share a year ago. Net sales for the period were $328.8 million versus $276.4 million a year ago. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial had expected the firm to earn 29 cents a share in the quarter. Barnes also said it expects full year earnings per share to be $1.53 to $1.60.
BEA Systems Inc. (NasdaqGS:BEAS - News) said it has uncovered instances where stock options granted to its executives and employees were not properly accounted for, and it will have to restate financial results from 1998 through fiscal 2007, and record expenses of $340 million to $390 million.
Beazer Homes USA Inc. (NYSE:BZH - News) said its general counsel, Kenneth J. Gary, was terminated "for a pattern of personal conduct which includes violations of company policies." The disclosure came in a regulatory filing, which did not detail the alleged violations.
Capella Education (NasdaqGM:CPLA - News) said its fourth-quarter net profit rose to $5.7 million, or 39 cents a share, from $3 million, or 25 cents a share. Revenue at the online education services group rose 20.7% to $50.6 million in the quarter. The company said growth was driven by a rise in enrollments, with the number of active learners rising 23% to around 18,000 for the year as a whole. Capella said for 2007 it expects enrollment and revenue to grow 18% to 19%, with operating margins expected to be 10.5% to 11.5% of revenue.
Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT - News) said its board approved a $7.5 billion stock repurchase program. The Peoria, Ill., maker of construction and mining equipment said it expects to complete the buyback within the next five years.
CenturyTel (NYSE:CTL - News) said its fourth-quarter net income fell to $72.2 million from $78.3 million, a year ago. On a per-share basis, earnings increased to 62 cents a share from 59 cents a year ago due to a higher number of shares outstanding in the year-ago quarter. Excluding items, earnings were 68 cents a share for the current quarter. A Thomson Financial survey of analysts, on average, predicted earnings of 64 cents a share for the quarter. Analyst estimates usually exclude items. The Monroe, La., integrated communications company revenue fell 2.1% to $607.7 million from $620.5 million. The company expects first-quarter earnings excluding items of 60 cents to 65 cents a share on revenue of $600 million to $610 million. Analysts forecast earnings of 63 cents a share for the quarter. Centurytel sees 2007 earnings excluding items of $2.60 to $2.70 a share. Wall Street projects earnings of $2.71 a share for the year.
Charles River Labs (NYSE:CRL - News) was upgraded to buy from hold at Jefferies & Co.
Chordiant Software (NasdaqGM:CHRD - News) shares gained after the Cupertino, Calif.-based company reported a fiscal first-quarter net loss of $10.7 million, or 14 cents a share, vs. a net loss of $1.77 million, or 2 cents a share, last year. Excluding certain items, the company posted a loss of $2.7 million, or 3 cents a share. Revenue rose to $22.9 million from $22.6 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share loss of 2 cents on revenue of $24.7 million. Chordiant raised its fiscal 2007 revenue forecast to a range of $120 million to $125 million.
Credit Suisse (NYSE:CS - News) said its CEO Oswald Grubel has decided to retire May 4. Grubel will be replaced by Brady Dougan, head of the bank's investment banking arm.
Diageo (NYSE:DEO - News) shares advanced after the company was able to lift its operating profit forecast for the year after increasing sales of Scotch whisky and beer to emerging markets and nabbing greater market share in the U.S.
Dobson Communications Corp. (NasdaqGS:DCEL - News) said it swung to a fourth-quarter net profit of $1.74 million, boosted by higher service revenue. In the same period last year, the provider of wireless phone services posted a net loss of $24.9 million.
EnPro Industries (NYSE:NPO - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings before items of $17.6 million, or 81 cents a share, on sales growth of 18%.
FTI Consulting (NYSE:FCN - News) shares gained after the Baltimore-based company posted fourth-quarter net earnings of $17.4 million, or 42 cents a share, down from $18.3 million, or 46 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue in the three months ended Dec. 31 rose to $216.8 million from $165.7 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 37 cents on revenue of $194.4 million. FTI expects 2007 earnings of $1.74 to $1.84 a share. Analysts are looking for earnings of $1.76 a share.
Guess Inc. (NYSE:GES - News) blew the doors off earnings expectations by turning in a profit of $45.7 million, or 99 cents a share, a sharp turn from last year's income of $25.8 million, or 57 cents a share. The casual-apparel retailer said revenues surged 25% to $346.4 million.
Gymboree (NasdaqGS:GYMB - News) was initiated with a buy rating at Wedbush Morgan.
Hershey Foods Corp. (NYSE:HSY - News) detailed a three-year plan to change its supply chain operations, saying it expects a total net reduction of about 1,500 jobs. The Hershey, Pa., candy company expects to record pre-tax charges and non-recurring project implementation costs of between $525 million and $575 million from the program over the next three years, primarily in 2007 and 2008. The plan calls for a reduction in the number of production lines in use by more than one-third, the outsourcing of low value-added items and the construction of a production facility in Monterrey, Mexico. When the plan is completed, Hershey said about 80% of its production volume will take place in the U.S. and Canada. The company also reaffirmed its long-term goals for sales growth of 3% to 4% and growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 9% to 11%. For 2007, however, it said it sees growth in diluted earnings per share from operations of 7% to 9%.
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Labels: AGP, AVCI, AWI, B, BUD, BZH, CAT, CHRD, CPLA, CRL, CS, CTL, DCEL, DEO, FCN, GES, GYMB, HSY, NPO
