Jim Cramer Blog

Cramer believes one of the fund's names, Nokia (NOK), is underrated. "Nokia just went down ... under a misperception that it was getting killed. Nokia is the winner."
Cramer added that search behemoth Google (GOOG) is "just resting" ahead of its earnings report.
Of Corning (GLW), Cramer said "Everyone is panicking." Cramer owns Corning for his charitable trust, Action Alerts PLUS.
Cramer couldn't get behind all of Magellan's names, however. "The one that is the true glass-half-full for him and half-empty for me is Staples (SPLS). I just don't like retail at all."
To conclude, Cramer reaffirmed his belief in energy and agriculture plays, saying that Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ) was "so right." He added that Mosaic (MOS), John Deere (DE), Agrium (AGU) and Monsanto (MON) are still solid stocks.
Published By TheStreet.com

Labels: AGU, CNBC's Stop Trading, CNQ, DE, GLW, GOOG, Jim Cramer, MON, MOS, NOK, SPLS

Stocks surged higher in trading, as an infusion of cash into Citigroup (NYSE: C - News) helped ease Wall Street fears concerning the financial sector. For the day, the Dow gained 215 points to end at 12,958. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq rose 1.6% to finish at 2,581, and the S&P ended 1.5% higher to close at 1,428. Light, sweet crude prices fell -$3.28 to settle at $94.22 for January delivery. Treasury and gold prices both tumbled on the day, while the dollar inched higher against the euro but fell versus the yen.
In economic news, a reading of the November Consumer Confidence report came in weaker than predicted, as confidence fell to 87.3 in the month, down from 95.6 in October. Analysts were looking for a reading of 91.5. The report marks a four-month slide in consumer confidence, and was the lowest reading since October 2005.
On the earnings front, Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS - News) reported a third-quarter profit dip, but still posted earnings above Wall Street expectations. For the quarter, the company reported net income of $274.5 million, or 38 cents per share, versus net income of $289.9 million, or 39 cents per share, last year. Excluding a settlement charge, Staples would have posted a profit of 42 cents per share. Quarterly revenue rose to $5.17 billion, up 9% from $4.76 billion a year earlier. On average, analysts were looking for earnings of 40 cents per share on revenue of $5.19 billion. Staples' stock was up 10.6% at the bell.
Retailer American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO - News) posted a dip in third-quarter profit as net income fell to $99.4 million, or 45 cents per share, from $100.9 million, or 44 cents per share, last year. EPS was higher due to a lower share count. Revenue for the quarter climbed to $744.4 million, up 7% from 696.3 million a year earlier. Earnings per share were in line with expectations although analysts, on average, were expecting revenue of $750.1 million. Shares of American Eagle were down -0.7% in trading.
In corporate news, Citigroup announced that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority will invest $7.5 billion in the bank in order to obtain a stake not to exceed 4.9%. The cash infusion calls for the Investment Authority to receive equity units that pay an 11% annual yield and can be converted into common shares between March 15th, 2010 and September 15th, 2011 at a price up to $37.24 per share. Citigroup's stock was up 1.7% on the day. Subscribers can read our take on Citigroup in today's edition.
Shares of Activision (Nasdaq: ATVI - News) surged 13.8% after the video-game maker upped its third-quarter and fiscal-year guidance. For the quarter, Activision expects to earn 66 cents per share on revenue of $1.23 billion, up from previous estimates of 51 cents per share on revenue of $1.05 billion. Excluding items, the company is expecting a profit of 70 cents per share, up from 55 cents per share. On average, analysts were calling for earnings of 56 cents per share on sales of $1.04 billion. Subscribers can read our take on Activision in today's edition.
In M&A news, health insurer Cigna (NYSE: CI - News) announced that it will acquire the healthcare unit of Great-West Life in a cash deal worth approximately $1.5 billion. The takeover is expected to increase Cigna's expansion efforts in the Western United States. Analysts said the deal further signals consolidation within the healthcare sector. Shares of Cigna were up 2.3% in trading.
By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: Abu Dhabi, AEO, ATVI, C, CI, SPLS

Staples Inc.'s third-quarter profit dipped 5 percent as consumers spent less on office supplies, but sales of highly profitable items like ink cartridges grew and Staples' performance beat Wall Street expectations.
Investors sent shares of the world's largest office products supplier up about 9 percent in morning trading, a week after rival Office Depot Inc. saw its shares drop 6 percent when its third-quarter numbers fell.
Office Depot's recent problems helped trigger a 16 percent decline in Staples' shares over the past four weeks, and Staples' stronger results Tuesday topped investors' low expectations, said Anthony Chukumba, an analyst with FTN Midwest Securities.

Labels: SPLS, Staples Inc.

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Tuesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Citi Trends (NasdaqGS:CTRN - News) beat earnings expectations on Monday afternoon, announcing $-0.04 EPS over expectations of -$0.06 EPS. CTRN's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
American Eagle (NYSE:AEO - News) reports earnings on Tuesday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.45 EPS. AEO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Jackson Hewitt (NYSE:JTX - News) is looking to announce -$0.60 EPS on Tuesday morning before the market opens. JTX's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Staples (NasdaqGS:SPLS - News) is expected to report $0.40 EPS tomorrow before the bell rings. SPLS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Analysts will be watching for Talbots (NYSE:TLB - News) to report -$0.23 EPS on Tuesday before the market opens. TLB's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Pep Boys (NYSE:PBY - News) reports earnings after the close on Tuesday, with analysts looking for $0.02 EPS. PBY's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
Marvell (NYSE:MVL - News) also announces earnings tomorrow after the trading day; watch for $0.08 EPS. MVL's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.

Labels: AEO, CTRN, Hot Stocks, JTX, MVL, PBY, SPLS, TLB

By the BullMarket.com Staff
Investors appeared to be somewhat hesitant to take positions as they try to decipher the next move by the Fed. At the end of the day, the Dow declined -30 points, while both the Nasdaq and the S&P 500 advanced slightly. Over in the energy pits, crude oil fell -$1.65 to end at $69.47. Treasuries ended the session with the benchmark 10 year yielding 4.59%.
In economic-related news, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke is "absolutely" prepared to use all tools he has at his disposal to address the credit crisis in the U.S. financial system. The comments were made following a closed-door meeting between Dodd, Bernanke, and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Richmond Federal Reserve Bank President Jeffery Lacker, however, came out separately and said that market volatility alone is no reason for the Fed to cut the Fed funds target rate.
On the earnings front, the nation's second-largest discount retailer behind Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT - News), Target (NYSE: TGT - News), said second-quarter profits rose 13% to $686 million, or 80 cents a share, up from $609 million, or 70 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Sales rose 9.5% to $14.62 billion from $13.55 billion last year. Same-store sales in the quarter just ended rose 4.9%. The discount retailer also backed its full-year profit forecast of $3.60 a share. Shares rose 1.7%. Subscribers can read our analysis of Target in today's issue.
Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS - News), the world's largest office supplier, reported a mixed quarter before the bell this morning. For its second quarter, it posted a profit of $178.8 million, or 25 cents a share, up from $161.2 million, or 22 cents a share, last year. Sales climbed to $4.29 billion from $3.88 billion in the second quarter of 2006, but North American comparable-store sales were down -2% in Q2. It sees third-quarter and full-year EPS growth of 15%, but anticipates its North American retail division to see flat to slightly negative same-store sales in the third quarter, and flat same-store sales for the full year.
In other news, financial services company Capital One Financial (NYSE: COF - News) slashed 2007 earnings guidance and cut 1,900 jobs after it announced it was exiting the wholesale mortgage business. The company is closing its GreenPoint Mortgage unit after conditions in the overall secondary mortgage market weakened considerably. It will take an $860 million charge in the current quarter. The company now sees full-year earnings of $5 a share, down from $7.15 prior to the closing of the unit. Shares rose 2.6%, as excluding the charges, its forecast remained intact.

Labels: Capital One Financial Corp., COF, Mortgages, SPLS, Staples Inc., Target, TGT, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., WMT

Staples Inc. on Tuesday said its second-quarter profit rose 11 percent as lower sales of items such as office furniture were offset by gains at its copy and print centers.
But the world's biggest office products supplier slightly pulled back its full-year earnings expectations amid a sluggish North American retail market. Its latest profit increase was largely driven by its overseas and product delivery businesses.

Its shares fell 41 cents, or 1.7 percent, to $22.90 in early trading Tuesday.
Framingham-based Staples reported net income of $178.8 million, or 25 cents per share for the three months ended Aug. 4 compared with a profit of $161.2 million, or 22 cents per share, a year earlier.
Sales rose 11 percent to $4.29 billion from $3.88 billion a year ago.
The most recent quarter's results were in line with the consensus forecast of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial, who expected net income of 25 cents per share on revenue of $4.3 billion.

Source: AP

Labels: SPLS, Staples Inc.

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Tuesday from TradingMarkets.com:
American Eagle (NYSE:AEO - News) reports earnings on Tuesday morning; watch for $0.36 EPS. AEO's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.

Analysts are watching for BJ's Wholesale (NYSE:BJ - News) to report $0.41 EPS on Tuesday before the bell. BJ's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
When Dick's Sporting Goods (NYSE:DKS - News) announce quarterly earnings on Tuesday morning, look for $0.77 EPS. DKS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 6.
Saks (NYSE:SKS - News) is looking to report -$0.15 EPS when the company announces earnings on Tuesday morning. SKS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Staples (NasdaqGS:SPLS - News) and Target (NYSE:TGT - News) both report earnings before the bell on Tuesday; SPLS should announce $0.25 EPS, and TGT is looking for $0.80 EPS. SPLS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4, and TGT's PowerRating (for Traders) is 5.
Affiliated Computer Services (NYSE:ACS - News) reports earnings on Tuesday after the close, so watch for heightened price action and volatility ahead of the close. ACS's PowerRating (for Traders) is 4.
PowerRatings (for Traders) are courtesy of TradingMarkets.com

Labels: ACS, AEO, BJ, DKS, Hot Stocks, SKS, SPLS, TGT

Bullish Calls:
Ameriprise (NYSE: AMP - News): 'I continue to try to buy ... It keeps getting away from me. But it's still dirt cheap. I think this is a real winner.'AeroVironment (NasdaqGM: AVAV - News): 'I thought unmanned aerospace was going to be the next thing. ... I would actually pull the trigger right here. I would buy AVAP.'Portfolio Recovery Associates (NasdaqGS: PRAA - News): ' I remain bullish on Portfolio Recovery because anything that preys upon that weakened American consumer who needs help is a triple buy.'Spirit Aerosystems (NYSE: SPR - News): 'I think it's run too much. Can we put it in the Don'tBuy camp?'BE Aerospace (NasdaqGS: BEAV - News): 'the answer is bullish!'AAR (NYSE: AIR - News)Precision Castparts (NYSE: PCP - News)Barnes Group (NYSE: B - News): 'It's got railroads, it's got precision instruments; in other words, it's got bulls running with it. I like letter B.'Rio Tinto (NYSE: RTP - News)Companhia Vale Do Rio Doce (NYSE: RIO - News): [RTP, RIO BHP and FCX are the] ' four horsemen of another era, and you need to stay long these until I tell you otherwise.'BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP - News)Freeport McMoRan (NYSE: FCX - News)Savient Pharmaceuticals (NasdaqGM: SVNT - News): 'You know this is one of my favorite stocks. Why would you leave it now?'Amazon.com (NasdaqGS: AMZN - News): 'I think Amazon's an up stock. ... I would continue to buy it.'Crocs (NasdaqGS: CROX - News): 'We're gonna get out of Crocs when we have four analysts recommending it. Right now we only have two. ... I'm staying long Crocs.'
Bearish calls:
Staples (NasdaqGS: SPLS - News): ' ... I have put people in this thing for a year now, and it hasn't moved. Sometimes you have to admit you're wrong and move on.'
Published By SeekingAlpha

Labels: AIR, AMP, AMZN, AVAV, B, BEAV, BHP, CROX, FCX, Jim Cramer, Lightning Round, Mad Money, PCP, PRAA, RIO, RTP, SPLS, SPR

Throughout the day, the S&P 500 was on record watch as it remains 3.34 away from a record close. For a short time today, it actually rose above the record close, but while both the S&P and the Dow were up late, both ended up closing down on the day. However, this was not before the DJIA set a record for an intraday high. The Nasdaq, on the other hand, closed up almost half a percent. As investors waited for news from the China conference and for economic indicators, the Dow floated up and down on a day of unsure trading. However, acquisitions continued to make front-page news.

The United States government's NOAA released its hurricane report for this season, in which the prediction was not good. The report predicted higher-than-normal storm activity for the season and that the Gulf Coast might be in the path of some of those storms. With refineries and drilling units in the Gulf of Mexico still not having fully recovered from Katrina, there is doubt as to whether or not another storm would completely dismantle the production capabilities of the region. It is expected that prices at the pump will rise; however, today the price of oil decreased as contracts set to expire were unloaded and the U.S weekly inventory report was set to be released.
In M&A news, MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM - News) and other casino stocks rose today as Kirk Kerkorian expressed an interest in MGM's Las Vegas properties. Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. is also the majority shareholder for MGM Mirage, holding 56% of the stock, and is looking to explore options in that regard. Shares of the stock closed up 27.1%.
Fremont General Corp (NYSE: FMT - News) a subprime mortgage lender, announced that it would sell its commercial real estate division to IStar Financial Inc. (NYSE), another real estate lending company, for $1.9 billion. It also plans to oust its top executives and sell a minority stake in the remaining business for $80 million. The cash infusion will allow the firm to stay in business after suffering losses when the subprime market collapsed. Fremont shares rose 40.7%
In earnings news, BJ's Wholesale Club (NYSE: BJ - News) released its first-quarter earnings today, the first full quarter in which CEO Herb Zarkin was back at the helm. The company suffered an -11% drop in profits, and earnings per share fell -2 cents to 21 cents. However, net sales were up 8% and same-store sales rose 2.3%. The stock finished up 1.8%.
Office supply retailer Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS - News) released its first-quarter earnings today as well. Unlike BJ's, it was able to report increased profits and sales both in North America and internationally. Sales rose 8%, but missed the consensus. Year over year, net income rose 12%. A cautious outlook and sluggish sales sent shares -2.4% lower.

By the BullMarket.com Staff

Labels: BJ, FMT, MGM, SPLS

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Tuesday from TradingMarkets.com:
Pacific Sun (NasdaqGS:PSUN) matched earnings on Monday after the close with -$0.04 EPS. PSUN's PowerRating is 5.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO) announces earnings on Tuesday morning before the bell; look for $2.15 EPS. AZO's PowerRating is 5.
BJ's Wholesale (NYSE:BJ) is expected to announce $0.20 EPS before the market opens on Tuesday morning. BJ's PowerRating is 5.
When Children's Place (NasdaqGS:PLCE) reports quarterly earnings on Tuesday morning, look for $0.43 EPS. PLCE's PowerRating is 4.
Analysts are watching for Dillard's (NYSE:DDS) to announce $0.73 EPS before the market opens on Tuesday. DDS's PowerRating is 5.
GigaMedia (NasdaqGM:GIGM) should report $0.14 EPS before the bell on Tuesday morning. GIGM's PowerRating is 4.
Staples (NasdaqGS:SPLS) looks set to announce $0.29 EPS tomorrow morning before the market opens. SPLS's PowerRating is 4.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: AZO, BJ, DDS, GIGM, Hot Stocks, PLCE, PSUN, SPLS

NATCO Group (NYSE:NTG - News) shares fell after the company said it now sees earnings of $2.30 to $2.50 a share in fiscal 2007 on revenue of between $560 million and $580 million. Wall Street's consensus view is for a profit of $2.55 a share for the year.
NCI Building Systems (NYSE:NCI - News) shares fell after the Houston-based maker of metal products for the nonresidential building industry reported fiscal first-quarter net earnings of $10.5 million, or 49 cents a share, down from $12.9 million, 62 cents a share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose to $359.3 million from $293.3 million. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial were expecting a per-share profit of 53 cents on revenue of $347.6 million. The company forecast fiscal second-quarter net earnings of 50 cents to 55 cents a share, and 2007 earnings of $4.55 to $4.80 a share. Analysts are looking for a second-quarter per-share profit of 89 cents and a 2007 per-share profit of $4.56.
Northwest Airlines Corp.'s (Other OTC:NWACQ.PK - News)loss for December 2006 was $30 million, on revenue of $967 million in the month, the airline operator said in a monthly statement with the bankruptcy court. For January, Northwest's loss grew to $349 million, mostly from a $307 payment for a claim to Pinnacle Airlines (NasdaqGM:PNCL - News). In January, the Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest said revenue fell to $892 million. Northwest, which filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in September 2005, is awaiting a March 26 hearing for court approval of its bankruptcy-exit plan.
Nortel Networks (NYSE:NT - News) said it would delay the filing of its 2006 annual report, and that it will need to restate results for 2004, 2005 and the first nine months of 2006. The Toronto telecommunications equipment company said it had found errors through discussions with its pension actuaries, and through its efforts to correct internal control deficiencies. The company expects the restatement to increase earnings for the first nine months of 2006 by $15 million and revenue by $24 million. Net losses should increase by $87 million for 2005 and by $42 million for 2004.
Pacific Ethanol Inc. (NasdaqGM:PEIX - News) reported a fourth-quarter loss of $3.1 million, or 11 cents a share, narrower than the prior year's loss of $5.1 million, or 18 cents a share. The Sacramento, Calif.-based marketer and producer of ethanol generated quarterly revenue of nearly $80.6 million, up from $36.1 million in the final three months of 2005. The company paid preferred stock dividends of nearly $1.1 million in the latest quarter; no such dividends were paid in the year-ago period. There were some 37% more weighted average shares outstanding in the 2006 fourth quarter than a year earlier. Pacific Ethanol said gross profit jumped to about $11.7 million in the latest quarter, up from $1.3 million a year earlier, as gross margin widened to 14.6% from 3.7%. The company also said its Boardman, Ore., plant is on schedule for completion by the end of the second quarter.
PetSmart Inc. (NasdaqGS:PETM - News) said that fourth-quarter net earnings climbed to $76.9 million, or 56 cents a share, compared with $70.9 million, or 50 cents a share, for the same period a year ago. Sales were $1.17 billion vs. last year's $1.05 billion, the company said in a press release after the close.
PICO Holdings (NasdaqGM:PICO - News) said it's agreed to sell about 2.823 million new common shares for $37 each. The La Jolla, Calif., company anticipates net proceeds of about $100.2 million from the offering.
Plug Power (NasdaqGM:PLUG - News) posted a fourth-quarter loss of $13.3 million, or 15 cents a share, narrower than a year-ago loss of $16.5 million, or 19 cents a share.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News) reported fourth-quarter earnings of $68.9 million, or 40 cents a share, up from a year-ago profit of $40.6 million, or 24 cents a share. The latest results include expenses of 8 cents a share related to the early termination of certain relationships with rigs in Brazil, a charge of 2 cents a share from an ongoing investigation by the company's audit committee, and a charge of a penny per share related to the impairment of certain rigs. Revenue rose 21% in the three months ended Dec. 31 to $669.2 million from $551 million in the same period a year earlier. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial was for a profit of 48 cents a share in the December period. Looking ahead, the Houston-based drilling contractor said it expects earnings of 57 to 60 cents a share in the first quarter. Wall Street's current consensus estimate is for a profit of 64 cents a share in the March period. Pride said the outlook reflects current softness in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico market.
Restore Medical (NasdaqGM:REST - News) shares dropped after the company posted sales of $1.1 million for the fourth quarter, down from $1.6 million in the same period a year earlier. RBC Capital Markets lowered its rating on the stock to sector perform from outperform, citing the sales decline. The firm also cut its price target on shares of the St. Paul, Minn., maker of a sleep apnea treatment to $5 from $7.
Sears Holding Corp. (NasdaqGS:SHLD - News) reported a jump in fourth quarter profit Thursday as higher margins helped offset sagging same-store sales and flat overall revenue. Sears earned $820 million, or $5.33 a share, on the period - up from $648 million, or $4.03 a share in the fourth quarter of the previous year. Revenue came in at $16.3 billion, up from $16.1 billion, with the help of an extra week in the most recent quarter. Domestic same-store sales -- those at stores open more than a year -- declined 3.1% with Sears down 4.9% and Kmart off 0.9%. The average estimate of analysts polled by Thomson Financial had been for the company to earn $5.18 a share on revenue of $15.95 billion.
Smithfield Foods (NYSE:SFD - News) said fiscal third-quarter net income slipped to $60.4 million, or 54 cents a share, from $71 million, or 63 cents a share. The pork and beef producer attributed 4 cents a share of this year's third quarter net income to a lower estimate of its annualized income tax rate. Last year's results include an after-tax loss from discontinued operations of 4 cents a share. Sales rose to $3.28 billion from $2.93 billion. Analysts, on average, expected it to earn 51 cents a share on revenue of $3.15 billion, according to Thomson Financial. The Smithfield, Va.-based company said the rise in corn and other grain prices will have a "significant" impact on the business.
Sonus Networks Inc. (NasdaqGS:SONS - News) said fourth-quarter revenue was $79 million. The Chelmsford, Mass., maker of voice and data communications hardware and software didn't report earnings because it hasn't completed its restatement of certain financial reports. Sonus said the audit committee completed its investigation of the company's stock option practices and accounting, and found no improper conduct or violation of company policies by any member of management.
Southwestern Energy Co. (NYSE:SWN - News) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $33.8 million, or 20 cents a share, down from $48.9 million, or 29 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue for the three months ended Dec. 31 slipped to $214 million from $220 million a year ago.
Staples Inc. (NasdaqGS:SPLS - News) reported net income of $336.5 million, or 46 cents a share, for the fourth quarter ended Feb. 3, up from $276.7 million, or 37 cents, earned in the same period a year earlier. Quarterly sales reached $5.29 billion from $4.46 billion for the office-products retailer, which said it generated $370 million in sales during an extra week in the latest quarter. Analysts, on average, had been looking for Staples to earn 45 cents a share on revenue of $5.19 billion for the latest quarter, according to estimates compiled by Thomson Financial. As for the current year, Staples is forecasting profit growth of 15% to 20% on an adjusted basis, equating to a range of $1.43 to $1.49 a share; analysts' average view stands at $1.49 a share.
Steven Madden Ltd.'s (NasdaqGS:SHOO - News) fourth-quarter net income rose to $10 million, or 45 cents a share, from $7.44 million, or 34 cents a share, a year ago. A Thomson Financial survey of analysts, on average, predicted earnings of 44 cents a share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates usually exclude items. The Long Island City, N.Y., fashion footwear maker's net sales rose 25% to $114.1 million from $91.4 million a year ago. Steven Madden expects first-quarter earnings of 40 cents to 43 cents a share on sales that are flat with the same period last year, due in part to weaker-than-anticipated performance in boots in both wholesale and retail and sports fusion product in Steve Madden Men's, and Betsey Johnson handbags in Daniel M.
St. Mary Land & Exploration Co. (NYSE:SM - News) said President Tony Best was named to additional position of chief executive, effective Feb. 23.
Take-Two Interactive Software (NasdaqGS:TTWO - News) reported a net loss for the 2006 fiscal year on Wednesday afternoon. For the year ended Oct. 31, the video game publisher said net loss came in at $184.9 million, or $2.60 per share, compared with earnings of $35.3 million, or 50 cents a share, for the previous year. Revenue for the year was $1.04 billion compared to $1.2 billion the previous year.
Universal Health Services Inc.'s (NYSE:UHS - News) fourth-quarter net income more than doubled to $34.2 million, or 63 cents a share, from $12.3 million, or 23 cents a share, a year earlier. The King of Prussia, Pa., hospital operator's revenue grew to $1.07 billion from $967.2 million.
Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE:VIA - News) fourth-quarter earnings more than tripled to $480.8 million, or 69 cents a share, from $129.5 million, or 17 cents a share, a year earlier, as filmed entertainment revenue doubled to $1.57 billion. The company had adjusted earnings from continuing operations of 65 cents a share, compared with 37 cents a share a year earlier. The New York media company said Thursday that total revenue rose 32% to $3.59 billion from $2.72 billion a year earlier. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial, on average, expected earnings of 58 cents a share on revenue of $3.15 billion.
Published By MarketWatch

Labels: NCI, NT, NTG, PDE, PEIX, PETM, PICO, PLUG, PNCL, REST, SFD, SHLD, SHOO, SM, SONS, SPLS, SWN

Here are 7 stocks for traders for Thursday from TradingMarkets.com:
Parallel Petroleum (NasdaqGM:PLLL - News) beat earnings Wednesday after the market closed with $0.29 EPS over a consensus of $0.12 EPS. PLLL's PowerRating is 4.
Tenaris (NYSE:TS - News) beat earnings on Wednesday afternoon, announcing $0.91 EPS over an expected $0.89 EPS. TS's PowerRating is 6.
Del Monte (NYSE:DLM - News) reports quarterly earnings on Thursday before the bell, with analysts looking for $0.22 EPS. DLM's PowerRating is 6.
Energy Partners (NYSE:EPL - News) is looking to report $0.05 EPS on Thursday before the market opens. EPL's PowerRating is 4.
LifeCell (NasdaqGS:LIFC - News) announces earnings on Thursday before the bell; look for $0.16 EPS. LIFC's PowerRating is 4.
Pride International (NYSE:PDE - News) should report $0.47 EPS Thursday morning. PDE's PowerRating is 5.
When Staples (NasdaqGS:SPLS - News) reports earnings Thursday before the action begins, look for $0.45 EPS. SPLS's PowerRating is 6.
**Correction: CarMax (NYSE:KMX - News) reports earnings March 29, not February 28 as reported yesterday.
PowerRatings are courtesy of PowerRatings.net

Labels: DLM, EPL, Hot Stocks, KMX, LIFC, PDE, PLLL, SPLS, TS

Staples Inc. (SPLS.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the No. 1 office supplies retailer, posted a higher quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by strong back-to-school sales.
Third-quarter net income rose to $289.9 million, or 39 cents a share, from $224.4 million, or 30 cents a share, a year earlier.
Excluding one-time items, profit grew 18 percent to $265 million, or 36 cents per share, the company said. On that basis, analysts, on average, were expecting 35 cents per share, according to Reuters Estimates.

Labels: SPLS, Staples Inc.