Guidance

Computer Sciences (CSC) Reports Q2 EPS of $1.40, Beats by 5c; Reaffirms Guidance Nov 11, 2009 04:08PM

Computer Sciences Corporation (NYSE: CSC) reports Q2 EPS of $1.40, 5 cents better than the analyst estimate of $1.35. Revenue for the quarter was $4 billion, which compares to the estimate of $4.01 billion.

Reaffirms outlook.

Applied Materials (AMAT) Tops Q4 EPS by 10c, Top Line Beats Too Nov 11, 2009 04:05PM

Applied Materials (Nasdaq: AMAT) reports Q4 EPS of $0.13, 10 cents above the consensus of $0.03. Revenues came in at $1.53 billion, versus the consensus of $1.32 billion.

Applied Materials sees FY10 revenue growth of more than 30%.

Green Mountain Coffee (GMCR) Tops Q4 EPS by 1c; Guides Up But In-Line With Street Still Nov 11, 2009 04:02PM

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. (NASDAQ: GMCR) reports Q4 EPS of $0.34, 1 cents better than the analyst estimate of $0.33. Revenue for the quarter was $222.2 million, which compares to the estimate of $216.62 million.

Raises FY10 sales growth target from 45%-50% to 50-55%. Green Mountain Coffee lifts FY10 EPS guidance to $1.70-$1.80 to $1.75-$1.85. The consensus is $1.77.

Macy's (M) Shows Good Progress, But Not Good Enough (Update) Nov 11, 2009 10:07AM

(Update with comments from analysts)

Macy's, Inc. (NYSE: M) announced a smaller third-quarter loss than expected by Wall Street resulting from tighter inventory controls and localizing its merchandise by region. But despite the beat, guidance for the all-important fourth quarter, while raised, still fell short of Wall Street expectations.

The company reported a third-quarter loss of 3 cents, excluding the cost to consolidate several divisions and roll out the new localization plan. Macy’s earnings beat the analyst estimate of a 7 cent loss.

Company revenue for the quarter was $5.28 billion, which compares to the estimate of $5.24 billion. Revenue dropped 4 percent from the same quarter last year.

Macy's did raise its fourth-quarter earnings per share guidance from $0.70-$0.80 to $1.01-$1.06, which is still below the analyst forecast of $1.17. The forecast excludes restructuring charges. Shares have dipped 5.61 percent in early market trading today following the new forecast.

"Given the difficult economic climate, we had an excellent quarter. Our business improved progressively each month during the period and we are entering the holiday selling season confident in our locally-focused organizational structure and the high caliber of our talent," said Terry J. Lundgren, Macy's, Inc. chairman, president and chief executive officer.

The company reported an improved net loss of $35 million, compared to the loss of $44 million in the year-ago quarter.

Shares for the department store are currently moving at $18.31, down 6 percent.

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Analyst Comments:
Deutsche Bank upgraded Macy’s to Buy on the weakness of the stock right now, while raising its price target to $26. The upgrade is due to the relatively conservative guidance that the company issued and that business improved progressively each month throughout the quarter.

Goldman Sachs maintained a Neutral rating on the company, also citing that the low single digit loss for Macy’s same store sales is a significant improvement on the previous 5 percent to 6 percent guidance given.

“We believe gross margins should provide ample offset to deliver upside to current guidance,” Goldman Sachs analysts stated.

Luxuy Home Builder Toll Brothers (TOL) Results Shows Major Improvement Nov 11, 2009 09:22AM

Toll Brothers (NYSE: TOL) is higher this morning after reporting a surprise 42 percent increase in net contracts. The homebuilder said that it expected to see its fourth-quarter revenue to drop by 30 percent, however the company released preliminary results that beat Wall Street estimates by over $100 million in the quarter ended on October 31, 2009.

Revenue for the company is expected to be at $486.6 million, well ahead of the market estimate of $386.2 million. The news of the improved revenue and contracts has given shares of Toll Brothers a 7.5 percent increase in pre-market trading.

"We have definitely progressed from one year ago," Robert I. Toll, Chairman and CEO of Toll Brothers. "The shock to the financial system in mid-September 2008 that shut down the capital markets appears to be mostly behind us."

The luxury homebuilder said that the number of net contracts increased 42 percent to 765 units. The first-time home buyer tax credit has helped to stabilize the housing market since the summer months help the resale and new sale of homes in the U.S.

"Our fourth-quarter unit deliveries exceeded the high end of our range of guidance due to the delivery of a higher percentage of our backlog, fewer cancellations, and the sale of quick delivery homes," Toll said.

The company's results reported yesterday are preliminary and unaudited. Toll Brothers will report its final fourth quarter and 2009 fiscal year results on December 3.

The results were so convicing to analysts at Wells Fargo Securities, that they upgrade the stock Market Perform to Outperform with a $24-$26 valuation range. The firm suggests TOL should be profitable in FY10, has dwindling competition in its customer niche and substantial presence in the supply-constrained Northeast, plus a competitive advantage in its willingness and ability to develop its land with the balance sheet to do so.

Shares of Toll Brothers are currently at $19.77 today before the market opens.

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