7:48 OTTR sees FY08 $1.85-2.10 vs $1.94 First Call consensus
17:48 EQR prelim funds from operations of $0.67 vs $0.60 First Call consensus; revs $528.1 mln vs $530.59 mln First Call consensus
17:48 OTTR prelim $0.46 vs $0.42 First Call consensus; revs $329.7 mln vs $313.24 mln First Call consensus
17:46 RATE Bankrate: Conf Call Summary (53.60 -3.25) -Update-
On conf call, RATE says saw about $2 mln in ad cancels in last two weeks of qtr (which was reason for the miss); was able to replace about $0.5 mln of it. Notes that this is exactly the type of volatility that leads co not to issue quarterly guidance b/c results don’t fit into nice 90-day, quarterly chunks. Notes that saw this type of blip before, and biz came roaring back. Says Jan of 2008 has gotten off to fast start — best in co’s history; Jan traffic was more than 50% above best month co has ever had… Notwithstanding the economy, says has never been more bullish about its biz going into the year… Notes has had a small group in Beijing building out Bankrate in China; indicates license to operate was granted just a few days ago on Feb 1; expects site to be live and launched by March 1. Will be awhile before generates significant revs, but notes costs for operation already factored into guidance for 2008… Co feels very confident that it continues to have pricing power, as there is a thirst for the type of traffic and leads that co generates. Notes raised prices 20% in Jan to Deposit advertisers & has seen no decline in interest. Co indicates that Jan was by far most profitable month its ever had; indicates that in first 5 days of Feb have seen continuation of extremely strong traffic.. stock trading at $49.00 in after hours
17:43 BLC Belo: The new Belo stub will replace Belo Corp. in the S&P MidCap 400 (16.73 -0.01)
The new Belo Corp. stub (BLCwi) will replace Belo (BLC) in the S&P MidCap 400, and A.H. Belo Corp (AHCwi) will replace Napster (NAPS) in the S&P SmallCap 600 after the close of trading on Friday, February 8. Belo Corp. is spinning off A.H. Belo into a separate publicly-traded co in a transaction expected to be completed on or about that date. At today’s close of trading, Napster had a market value of ~$84 mln, whereas the minimum market cap a company must maintain to be eligible for admission to the S&P SmallCap 600 is currently $300 mln.
17:43 THQI THQ Inc: Earnings Call Summary (19.50 -0.11)
On call the co outlines future releases, says “Frontline: Fuel of War”, their next new internally developed title is scheduled for launch on February 25th. In fiscal 2009 they plan to release squeals to two of their most successful owned franchises; both games are in development: “Saint’s Row 2″ and “Red Faction 3″. They are also excited about the prospects for the first games based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, which they plan to unveil on Memorial Day weekend in conjunction with a live UFC event. In FY09 they plan to launch “Company of Heroes” online with SHANDA for the Chinese market. At the end of June they plan to launch games based on “wally” the next Disney Pixar film which we believe is a terrific form for gaming given its characters and theme and as a result we expect it to outperform “Ratatouille”… Co notes half of W.W.E sales are international… Co has around 1700 people in product development today, and that number will continue to grow as they add head count both in our existing studios… On discontinuing “Stuntman”, they say that product didn’t translate well into next generation… On “The Blob”, they note it’s delayed because they are taking more time to polish that game so when they bring it out they think they will have a very high quality game targeted very much at the casual game consumer.
17:39 PHM Pulte Homes discloses amendment to its asset-backed commercial paper program (14.75 -0.49)
From 8-K released after the close today: “On February 1, 2008, Pulte Mortgage entered into an Eighth Omnibus Amendment to its asset-backed commercial paper program. The Amendment was entered into by and among the Company, the lenders, administrative agent, and others listed therein, with Calyon New York Branch serving as Administrative Agent. The Amendment provides the participating banks with an optional maturity date acceleration if any of Moody’s Investors Service, Standard and Poor’s Corporation, or Fitch Ratings rate any of the Company’s senior unsecured debt at or below Ba2, BB, or BB, respectively. Total capacity has also been decreased to $150 million from $300 million.”
17:39 NUCO NuCo2 reports Q2 (Dec) results, revs in-line (28.15 -0.01)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, includes loss of asset disposal, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 6.6% year/year to $34.1 mln vs the $34.2 mln consensus.
17:37 NUCO prelim $0.14 vs $0.17 First Call consensus; revs $34.1 mln vs $34.16 mln First Call consensus
17:37 FORM FormFactor: Conference Call Summary (23.19 -3.04) -Update-
On the call, the company guides Q1 loss of $0.09-$0.19, excluding restructuring costs, vs consensus of $0.35, and sees Q1 revs of $70-80 mln vs consensus of $124.49 mln. The company says DRAM markets have deteriorated substantially, with weakness broadbased, and the price for product is hovering around cash cost. FORM says they are staring the year with lowest beginning level of backlog since 4Q05. When the demand for DRAM was there in Q4, the company couldn’t compete because of production issues with Harmony. The company will try to regain the customers who couldn’t wait for the Harmony products. FORM says 2001 is the only time in the company’s history when the environment was this poor. Due to this outlook, the company has implemented a cost reduction plan, and will be cutting workforce. FORM is expecting $4 mln in cost expense reduction staring in Q2. FORM is also revising its expansion plans in Singapore, saying production ramp will be delayed by 6 months. In NAND, the company says they are just beginning to penetrate this market, and believes 2008 will be a transition year. The company sees logic as its fastest growing product, and expects logic to outgrow all other segments. FORM is expecting a much stronger 2H08, and is considering stock repurchase plans.
17:35 NLC Nalco reports Q4 (20.25 -1.21)
Reports Q4 (Oct) earnings of $0.22 per share, includes charges, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.31; revenues rose 11.9% year/year to $1.03 bln vs the $1.02 bln consensus. Co gives outlook: Cost savings of at least $75 mln and better leverage on selling and service expenses. Co says, “Although some of the world’s economies face weakening trends, we provide critical water treatment offerings that are needed almost independent of the business cycle.”
17:32 TZOO Travelzoo Conf Call Summary (15.85 ) -Update-
Acquired over 600,000 new subscribers to their newsletter. Plan to expand their shows and events section in 2008. Saying that it is too early to see a trend in subscriber acquisition costs (it climbed from Q3 to Q4). Noting that though they had a larger loss in Europe, it was due to their expansion in France and Germany and they are pleased with their progress. Last Trade at $13.30… call ended
17:29 DIS Walt Disney: Conf call summary (30.07 -0.83) -Update-
Co says the Writers Guild strike did not have a significant impact on Q1 and says they are hopeful an agreement will be reached soon and the writers will return to work. Co says in 2010 Toy Story 3 will arrive on the big screen. For the qtr, attendance at the co’s combined domestic parks was 3% above the prior year with Walt Disney World up 4%, driven by increased visitors by both the domestic and international guest significant segments. Room reservations on the books are modestly ahead of where they were at this time last yr. Co says that at this point the trends don’t tell the co enough to predict precisely how the remainder of the year will unfold. Says pleased with the current pace of business at their parks. “Pleased’ to see the strong results in video games. Expect further share repurchases going forward. Call enters into Q&A… Co says Vacation Club business has turned out to be ‘very resistant’ to downturns. Cruise business is significantly stronger right now than it was this time last year and has shown itself to be very resilient through any economic condition. Says right now they’re feeling pretty optimistic about where he things go from here. Q2 bookings are up nicely over the prior year but they think some of that is caused by the timing of Easter. Looking at total rooms on the books, Q2 through 4, they’re up modestly versus the prior year. Co says they could expand margins with greater success with company produced and owned series and which gives them more leverage-ability on a global basis. They believe they have margin expansion in their parks and resorts in general. Think they’ve got considerable margin expansion potential across a wide range of Consumer Products businesses, notably video games. Co says they do have more inventory of affordable rooms. They have introduced this really value based pricing (ex: a family of four has the ability to be at the park for ~$1,600 for a week with hotel and meal plan, et cetera). Co has had a really good response to that. Call has ended.
17:28 RTP Rio Tinto PLC: Follow up on raised offer from BHP (421.50 -10.66) -Update-
Bloomberg.com reports that BHP Billiton (BHP) the world’s biggest mining company, made a sweetened $147.4 bln takeover bid for RTP after its London-based competitor refused to enter merger negotiations. BHP offered 3.4 shares for each share of RTP, the Melbourne- based company said today in a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange. BHP’s three-for-one all-stock proposal made on Nov. 8 was rejected by Rio as undervaluing its mines and growth prospects. Chief Executive Officer Marius Kloppers has pledged to generate $3.7 billion in cost savings and revenue gains by buying the world’s third-largest mining company. “The synergy from the cost and revenue side would be enormous,” said Simon Bonouvrie at Platypus Asset Management, which manages A$1.4 bln ($1.2 biln) including both stocks, in Sydney… RTP is trading at 445.70 in after hours. (Briefing.com note: There have been numerous headlines crossing the wires over the past 25 minutes)
17:28 RAH Ralcorp Holdings beats by $0.03, beats on revs (52.80 -0.44)
Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.68 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.65; revenues rose 24.5% year/year to $650.7 mln vs the $609.7 mln consensus.
17:26 Justice Dept. seeks major shakeup of futures exchange rules - DJ
DJ reports the U.S. Department of Justice called for a radical shakeup to the structure of financial futures exchanges, saying current regulatory policies may “have inhibited” competition. In an apparent turnaround from its position last year when it approved without any conditions a merger between the two large Chicago futures exchanges, the head of the DOJ’s antitrust division recommended significant reform of the regulatory structure of the mkt. The DOJ called for an end to futures exchanges being permitted to own or control clearing functions, saying this has served as an impediment to new entrants to mkts. The call came in a submission to a Treasury Department review of the policies governing the regulatory structure of the financial markets. It was written by Thomas Barnett, assistant attorney general in charge of the DOJ’s antitrust division. “The department believes that the control exercised by futures exchanges over clearing services…has made it difficult for exchanges to enter and compete in the trading of financial futures contracts,” said Barnett. (CME, NYX, NMX, ICE, NDAQ)
17:24 RVBD Riverbed Technology on Conference Call -Update-
Even in a tougher spending environment, a recent survey of CIOs found that wham acceleration technology is one of the networking technologies they intend to invest in most heavily in 2008… expect gross margins to be 74-76% going forward… will continue to expand sales force… expects to have some volatility in tax rates in 2008… long term target for DSO is 50-60 days; they had 59 DSOs in Q4… Co sees Y08 EPS in the range of $0.70-0.75, First Call consensus is $0.75 and revs between $370-380 mln, First Call consensus is $350 mln; improvement in margins will be back end loaded… Co sees Q1 EPS in the range of $0.11-0.12, consensus is $0.15 and revs between $79-82 mln, consensus is $76.37 mln… expect L-T op margins to be in the high 20s… expect Q2 and Q4 to be strongest quarters.
17:23 MWA Mueller Water miosses by $0.02 (7.97 -0.74)
Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.07 per share, excluding charges, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.09; revenues rose 0% year/year to $412.3 mln vs the $396.5 mln consensus.
17:20 BHP BHP Limited says it will now seek regulatory clearances - DJ (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
(RTP)
17:16 BHP BHP Limited has means in place to complete offer; May dispose of assets, if required - DJ (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
(RTP)
17:16 BHP BHP Limited reports the six months ended Dec 31; reports EPS of $0.29 vs $0.20 yr ago; revs rise 15.5% to $25.5 mln (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
Co also reported that their interim divided is up 45% to $0.29 per share. Co gives outlook saying, “We have lowered our expectations for US growth in FY2008 as consumption is expected to weaken and business investment is likely to fall. In Western Europe the slowdown in activity is expected to continue as monetary conditions in the region tighten, manufacturing growth decelerates alongside reduced exports and housing market activity slows. As a result of the slowdown in developed economies, we expect some flow-on effects to emerging market economies’ export growth yet their overall economic growth should remain solid. Since much of the future incremental demand for commodities will come from China and India, a slowdown in the US is likely to have less impact on commodity prices than in the past.”
17:15 QD QuadraMed increases development capacity expanding resources for product growth (2.01 -0.02)
Co announces a strategic initiative to increase overall product development capacity and to further accelerate delivery of its “Care-based Revenue Cycle” product strategy to the healthcare market. Related to this capacity expansion and resource re-allocation initiative, co has eliminated sixty eight positions in various technical, administrative and other non-technical areas. The co expects to report a one time severance cost in Q1 2008 of ~$0.9 mln.
17:09 PZZI Pizza Inn reports Q2 EPS of $0.09 vs $0.02 yr ago; revs rise 9.9% to $12.7 mln (2.46 +0.01)
17:08 CBG CB Richard Ellis reports Q4 EPS of $0.63 vs $0.71 First Call consensus; revs rose 30% YoY to $1.84 bln vs $1.63 bln First Call consensus (17.75 -1.35)
17:08 RNR RenaissanceRe beats by $0.73 (58.15 )
Reports Q4 (Dec) operating earnings of $2.64 per share, $0.73 better than the First Call consensus of $1.91.
17:07 BHP BHP Billiton says bid values Rio Tinto at $173.6 bln - DJ (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
(RTP)
17:07 RNR prelim $2.64 vs $1.91 First Call consensus
17:06 BHP BHP Billiton says Rio Tinto has refused to enter discussions - DJ (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
(RTP)
17:05 BHP BHP Limited proposes $30 bln share buyback - DJ (69.48 -3.00) -Update-
17:04 KFRC kforce.com misses by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (8.75 -0.26)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.24 per share, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.25; revenues rose 8.0% year/year to $262.6 mln vs the $260.4 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.22-0.26, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.21 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $266-272 mln vs. $260.46 mln consensus.
17:03 DISK Image Entertainment terminates merger sgreement with BTP Acquisition Company and demands prompt payment of $4.2 mln business interruption fee (1.55 -0.13)
Co announced that it has delivered a notice of termination of its June 27, 2007 amended and restated merger agreement to BTP Acquisition Company, LLC, an affiliate of David Bergstein, and demanded the prompt payment of the $4.2 mln business interruption fee required by the merger agreement. In addition, the parties have terminated the discussions that commenced on February 1, 2008. In delivering the notice, Image Entertainment has requested that R2D2, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiary CT1 Holdings, LLC promptly pay Image Entertainment the $4.2 mln business interruption fee pursuant to R2D2’s and CT1 Holdings’ guarantee of the $4.2 mln fee. DISK has instructed that the $3.0 mln currently deposited in trust be released to DISK and that BTP provide the remaining $1.2 mln in cash. In its filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission, BTP identified R2D2 as its sole owner and David Bergstein and Ron Tutor as the sole owners of R2D2.
17:03 RTP Rio Tinto: BHP offers 3.4 shares for each RTP share - DJ (421.50 -10.66) -Update-
(BHP)
17:03 GTY Getty Realty misses by $0.04 (26.66 -0.42)
Reports Q4 (Oct) adjusted funds from operations of $0.47 per share, $0.04 worse than the First Call single-analyst estof $0.51; revenues rose 11.8% year/year to $20.1 (No revs consensus).
17:03 KFRC sees Q1 $0.22-0.26 vs $0.21 First Call consensus; sees revs $266.272 mln vs $260.46 mln First Call consensus
17:03 ATO Atmos Energy reports Q4 EPS of $0.82 vs $0.84 First Call consensus; reaffirms FY08 EPS guidance for $1.95-2.05 vs $2.00 First Call consensus (28.33 -0.5 
-Update-
17:02 KFRC prelim $0.24 vs $0.25 First Call consensus; revs $262.6 mln vs $260.40 mln First Call consensus
17:02 HAR Harman reaffirms FY08 EPS guidance of $3.00-3.10 vs $3.02 consensus (45.73 -1.86) -Update-
17:01 BRS Bristow Group beats by $0.11, beats on revs (50.11 -1.41)
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.92 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.11 better than the First Call consensus of $0.81; revenues rose 23.9% year/year to $261.5 mln vs the $245.8 mln consensus.
17:01 MAG MagneTek acquires the assets and business of Enrange (3.55 -0.1
17:00 BRS prelim $0.92, ex-items, vs $0.81 First Call consensus; revs $261.50 mln vs $245.80 mln First Call consensus
17:00 FORM FormFactor: On Q4 call, co sees Q1 loss of $0.09-$0.19, excluding restructing costs, vs consensus of $0.35 (23.19 -3.04) -Update-
17:00 BRS prelim $0.86 vs $0.81 First Call consensus; revs $261.5 mln vs $245.80 mln First Call consensus
17:00 RTP Rio Tinto PLC: BHP new bid follow-up (432.00 -10.66) -Update-
As mentioned at 16:41, London Times reports BHP was putting finishing touches last night on revised bid for RTP in an effort to clinch a deal and fend off rival chinese suitors. In deciding to launch a hostile bid, co risks starting a battle with Chinalco (ACH). Although Chinalco has not made its intentions clear, co has said it reserves the right to bid if BHP raises its offer. BHP could launch its existing bid which offers RTP investors 3 shares for every 1 of its own. Sources say that the most likely option is that BHP will raise its bid possibly adding more shares and cash component so that it matches the price that China paid for its shares.
16:59 FORM FormFactor: On call, company sees Q1 revs of $70-80 mln vs consensus of $124.49 mln (23.19 -3.04) -Update-
16:59 GTIV Gentiva Health Svcs agrees to acquire Home Health Care Affilicates for $55 million in cash (18.97 +0.32)
16:58 RMBS Rambus: Oppenheimer Funds discloses 5.84% stake in SC 13G (18.18 -1.95)
16:58 THQI THQ Inc reports in-line with recent guidance; reaffirms (19.16 -0.11)
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.24 per share in-line with prior company guidance of $0.23 (First Call consensus of $0.33 doesn’t compare to results as the consensus contains estimates that have not been adjusted to reflect recent company guidance); revs rose 7.1% yr/yr to $509.6 mln in-line with company guidance. Co reaffirms FY08 EPS guidance originally issued on 1/23/08 of $0.05, ex items on revs of $1.04 bln.
16:58 IIG Imergent follow-up with Q2 earnings results, including guidance; co raises FY08 revs guidance above consensus (9.95 -0.62) -Update-
Earlier we had reported IIG’s earnings following their 10-Q release. Co released a seperate earnings press release, which included guidance. Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, may not be comparable to the single estimate ($0.14); total revenues rose 9.1% year/year to $38.9 mln, may not compare to the $27.2 mln single estimate. Co raises FY08 revs guidance to $132-140 mln vs $126.7 mln single-analyst est, up from prior $121-129 mln. Expectations for net dollar volume of contracts written remains the same, ranging between $132-140 mln.
16:57 CNET CNET beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY08 EPS below consensus, revs in-line (8.29 -0.02)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.32 per share, includes $184.2 mln income tax benefit related to the release of a portion of the co’s deferred tax valuation allowance during the qtr, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $1.29; revenues rose 11.0% year/year to $125.5 mln vs the $122.6 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.04)-($0.05) vs. ($0.01) consensus; sees Q1 revs of $91-95 mln vs. $98.71 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.06-0.08 vs. $0.13 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $440-460 mln vs. $446.98 mln consensus.
16:57 AMX America Movil SA reports Q4 results above consensus (57.50 -3.32)
Bloomberger reports AMX had Q4 of $0.84 per A.D.R. vs. $0.74 First Call consensus; revs convert to ~$7.89 bln vs. $7.69 bln First Call consensus. AMX added 10 mln net subscribers in Q4.
16:56 FORM FormFactor: On call, company says they have lowest level of beginning backlog since 4Q05 (23.19 -3.04) -Update-
16:55 SYNP sees GAAP FY08 EPS of $0.13-0.19, may not be comparable to $0.26 consensus; sees revs $80.0-83.0 mln vs $81.86 mln First Call consensus
16:54 SYNP sees Q1 GAAP EPS of $0.00-0.02, may not be comparable $0.02 First Call consensus; sees revs $17.5-18.5 mln vs $18.72 mln First Call consensus
16:53 BRE BRE Properties reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; reaffirms FY08 FFO guidance (42.11 -1.84)
Reports Q4 (Dec) funds from operations of $0.69 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.69; revenues rose 8.8% year/year to $88.9 mln vs the $86.8 mln consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY08, sees FFO of $2.70-2.85 vs. $2.77 consensus.
16:53 SYNP prelim $0.04 vs $0.05 First Call consensus; revs $20.1 mln vs $19.72 mln First Call consensus
16:52 INSP InfoSpace reports Q4 (Dec) results, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs in-line (9.78 -0.49)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $2.21 per share, including restructuring charge, not comparable to the First Call consensus of ($0.29); revenues rose 14.7% year/year to $39.1 mln vs the $34.4 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees GAAP EPS of 0.00-0.04, may not be comparable to ($0.25) consensus; sees Q1 revs of $35-37 mln vs. $34.56 mln consensus.
16:51 ABCO Advisory Board: Correction - Beats Q4 EPS by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY08 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (61.16 -2.44)
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.55 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.54; revenues rose 15.0% year/year to $55.9 mln vs the $55.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $2.35-2.38 vs. $2.19 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $243 mln vs. $218.69 mln consensus. Included in the calendar year 2008 income from operations and earnings per diluted share estimates is approximately $0.49 to $0.52 of share-based compensation and related expense. (Briefing.com note: We have moved original story)
16:51 CNET CNET announces appointment of Zander Lurie as CFO (8.29 -0.02) -Update-
16:51 MPWR Monolithic Power beats by $0.03, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 revs in-line (15.50 +0.02)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.26 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.23; revenues rose 45.8% year/year to $38.5 mln vs the $38.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $33-35 mln vs. $34.03 mln consensus.
16:49 SGIC Silicon Gaming reports Q2 (18.93 -1.79)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of ($3.7 per share, may not be comparable to the First Call single-analyst est of ($0.16); revenues rose 11.9% year/year to $109.1 mln vs the $132.2 mln single-analyst est. Co says, “On January 29, SGI received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that its $1.2 bln of pre-reorganization net operating losses may be used without the limitation imposed under our tax laws. The removal of this restriction is expected to drive a positive cash impact to SGI in future years… On February 4, SGIC entered into an amendment to obtain an additional $42.5 mln as an extension to its existing credit facility. “Particularly in light of today’s difficult financial markets, we’re very pleased with this show of confidence from our existing lenders to help fund SGI’s growth strategy.”
16:49 CNET prelim $1.33, may not compare to the $1.29 First Call consensus; revs $125.5 mln vs $122.55 mln First Call consensus
16:48 INSP sees Q1 revs $35-37 mln vs $34.56 mln First Call consensus
16:48 INSP prelim ($2.21), including restructuring charge, not comparable to ($0.29) First Call consensus; revs $39.1 mln vs $34.40 mln First Call consensus
16:47 BRE sees FY08 funds from operations of $2.70-2.85 vs $2.77 First Call consensus
16:47 BRE prelim funds from operations of $0.69 vs $0.69 First Call consensus; revs $88.9 mln vs $86.76 mln First Call consensus
16:45 XL XL Capital misses by $1.10, misses on revs (44.00 -1.05)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.66 per share, excluding net realized gains and losses, $1.10 worse than the First Call consensus of $1.76; revenues fell 23.8% year/year to $1.9 bln vs the $2.04 bln consensus.
16:43 FORM FormFactor: On Q1 call, company says DRAM markets have deteriorated substantially, company will implement cost reduction program (23.19 -3.04) -Update-
16:43 IOM Iomega: Earnings color (2.72 +0.01) -Update-
As mentioned at 16:22, IOM reported Q4 EPS of of $0.09 per share, excluding non-recurring items. This appears to be comparable to the Reuters estimate of $0.075. The $0.09 excludes a net benefit, and does not appear to be comparable to The First Call estimate of $0.10, which appears to include a GAAP estimate. The co’s FY08 EPS guidance of $0.20 appears comparable to the $0.17 Reuters consensus; with FY08 rev guidance of $400 mln vs. $379.23 mln consensus.
16:42 XL prelim $0.66 excluding items may not be comparable to vs $1.76 First Call consensus; revs $1.9 bln vs $2.04 bln First Call consensus
16:41 RTP Rio Tinto PLC: BHP drafting new bid for Rio Tinto - Bloomberg (432.00 -10.66) -Update-
(BHP)
16:40 AMX prelim $0.84 vs $0.74 First Call consensus
16:39 IPCC Infinity Prpty & Casualty increases dividend 22% (39.09 -1.53)
16:39 NFP National Financial Partners guides for Q4 and announces buyback (37.07 -0.94)
Net income per diluted share for Q4 is expected to be $0.46-0.47, compared to $0.44 per diluted share 4Q06; Cash earnings per diluted share for Q4 is expected to be $0.82-$0.83, compared to $0.79 prior year… For the year, net income per diluted share is expected to be $1.34 to $1.35, compared to $1.43 per diluted share in 2006. Excluding the cost of a management agreement buyout in the second quarter, 2007 cash earnings per diluted share is expected to be $2.85 to $2.86, compared to $2.61 per diluted share in 2006. In Q4 total revs is expected to increase ~15.0%. Revenue growth during the quarter is expected to be impacted by “same store” revenue growth of ~7.6% and a strong contribution by new firms. For 2007, total revenue is expected to increase ~10.9% and “same store” revenue growth is anticipated to be flat. Gross margin is expected to improve slightly to approximately 19.1% in Q4, compared to 18.9% in prior year. Had these items remained consistent from the end of the third quarter through the fourth quarter of 2007, expected cash earnings per share would have been ~$0.89 to $0.90. Jessica Bibliowicz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Excluding the management agreement buyout, we anticipate full year cash EPS growth of approximately 10%, below our 15% to 20% cash EPS growth target. The shortfall is expected to be largely the result of lower than anticipated revenue during the fourth quarter at some large retail life firms. Looking forward to 2008 and beyond, we continue to see strong growth in the markets we serve and are targeting high single digit ’same store’ revenue growth.” “Over the long-term, we believe our cash EPS growth will be in the double digits, which is management’s goal and how we measure our own success. However, we believe that it is not practical to provide quarterly or annual guidance given the interim volatility and unpredictability of short-term earnings, particularly in our life insurance businesses. NFP’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $45 million of the Company’s common stock Based on our current outlook, the acquisition pipeline remains healthy and our acquisition strategy has not changed. We will, however, utilize the capital resources currently available to repurchase shares if and when we deem it appropriate.”
16:38 THQI sees Q4 ($0.06) vs $0.01 First Call consensus; sees revs $200 mln vs $211.39 mln First Call consensus
16:38 ACE ACE Limited beats by $0.15 (58.30 -1.2
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $2.05 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.15 better than the First Call consensus of $1.90.
16:38 THQI prelim $0.24, inline with recent guidance; revs $509.6 mln vs $503.28 mln First Call consensus
16:37 DRRX Durect beats by Q4 EPS by $0.01; reports in-line revs (5.15 -0.35)
Reports Q4 EPS of ($0.10) vs ($0.11) First Call consensus; revs of $6.6 mln vs $6.61 mln First Call consensus. “While we anticipate entering into new collaborations in 2008 and beyond, assuming no new collaborations, no milestone payments and aggressive funding of our R&D programs, many of which are in clinical development, we anticipate our net cash consumption in 2008 will be approximately $32-36 mln.”
16:37 QI Qimonda announces proposed convertible bonds offering (6.88 -0.57) -Update-
Co announces its intention to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, Senior Unsecured Convertible Bonds due 2013 convertible into up to 25 mln American Depositary Shares. Qimonda intends to use the proceeds of the convertible bond issuance for general corporate purposes.
16:37 ACE prelim $1.92, ex-items, vs $1.90 First Call consensus
16:37 MFLX Multi-Fineline beats by $0.40, beats on revs (13.23 -0.26)
Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.54 per share, $0.40 better than the First Call consensus of $0.14; revenues rose 48.7% year/year to $184.2 mln vs the $175.3 mln consensus. MFLX management expects its Q2 sequential net sales to decline by a greater percentage than the co has experienced between Q1 and in recent year. MFLX remains optimistic about its business, although for Q2 of FY08, management expects its sequential net sales to decline by a greater percentage than the co has experienced between the first and second fiscal quarters in recent years, although sales are still expected to be significantly above Q2 of FY07. Earnings are expected to remain strong, with gross margin expected to be near the upper end of the co’s 10-15 percent range, primarily due to product mix.
16:36 TZOO Travelzoo reports Q4 (Dec) results, misses on revs (15.85 -0.7
Reports Q4 (Dec) net of breakeven, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.14; revenues rose 8.2% year/year to $19.1 mln vs the $20.2 mln consensus. Europe business segment revenue grew 52% year-over-year to $1.5 mln. Europe reported an operating loss of $1.9 million, compared to an operating loss of $356,000 in the prior-year period. The increase in operating loss was primarily attributable to increased spending on subscriber acquisition and increased salary expense and office expense associated with the start up of operations in Germany and France. Travelzoo began operations in the U.K. in May 2005, in Germany in September 2006, and in France in March 2007.
16:34 BLG Building Materials obtains waiver from lenders (6.55 -0.43)
Co announces that it has obtained a temporary waiver of certain conditions to borrowing under its credit facility. The waiver allows the company to borrow up to $75 mln, through February 29th, while it works to finalize a permanent amendment to the credit facility. Co expects that it will reach agreement with its lenders on the amendment in a timely manner and that its business operations will not be affected.
16:33 MFLX management expects its Q2 sequential net sales to decline by a greater percentage than the co has experienced between Q1 and in recent year
16:33 LOOP Loopnet beats by $0.02, issues mixed guidance for Q1, issues downside guidance for FY08 (14.22 -1.01) -Update-
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.12. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.11-0.12 vs. $0.14 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $20.1-20.3 mln vs. $20.17 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.45-0.48 vs. $0.62 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $84-86 mln vs. $90.21 mln consensus.
16:32 MPWR sees Q1 revs $33-35 mln vs $34.03 mln First Call consensus
16:32 RSG Republic Services reports Q4 (Dec) results, revs in-line; guides FY08 EPS in-line; announces $250 mln stock repurchase (29.29 -1.0
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.44 per share, includes $0.03 gain related to the sale of the co’s compost, mulch, and soil business in Texas, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.41; revenues rose 3.9% year/year to $796 mln vs the $793 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $1.78-1.82 vs. $1.82 consensus. Co announces Board of Directors have approved an additional $250 mln common stock repurchase program.
16:31 DRRX Durect beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line (5.15 -0.35)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.10 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.11); revenues rose 22.2% year/year to $6.6 mln vs the $6.6 mln consensus. Co sees Y08 net cash consumption of approx $32-36 mln.
16:31 MFLX prelim $0.54 vs $0.14 First Call consensus; revs $184.2 mln vs $175.26 mln First Call consensus
16:31 MPWR prelim $0.26 vs $0.23 First Call consensus; revs $38.5 mln vs $38.44 mln First Call consensus
16:31 TZOO prelim $0.00, may not be comparable to $0.14 First Call consensus; revs $19.1 mln vs $20.20 mln First Call consensus
16:30 DRRX prelim ($0.10) vs ($0.11) First Call consensus; revs $6.6 mln vs $6.61 mln First Call consensus
16:30 K Kellogg reaffirms guidance, updates information regarding hedging (48.15 -0.91)
Co reaffirmed guidance for 2008 full-year earnings to be $2.92 - 2.97 per share vs $2.99 consensus. This estimate includes the impact of significant inflation; as previously disclosed, the co expects incremental commodity, energy, fuel, and benefits inflation in excess of $0.65 per share. For 2008, the co says it has hedged approx 70% of its commodity exposure. “We are confident in our ability to achieve our targets in 2008,… We’re investing in the future while facing continued cost pressure, which is a testament to the strength and resiliency of our business model and operating principles.”
16:30 MPWR Monolithic Power announces $25 million stock repurchase program (15.50 +0.02)
16:29 ZL Zarlink Semi beats by $0.02, reports revs in-line (0.84 +0.0
Reports Q3 (Dec) loss of $0.07 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.09); revenues rose 42.5% year/year to $48.6 mln vs the $48.9 mln consensus.
16:28 SGP Schering-Plough: US prescriptions for Vytorin, Zetia rebounded last week, drug-data vendor says - DJ (20.39 -0.82)
DJ reports U.S. prescriptions for embattled cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia rebounded last week, following two weeks of declines amid questions about their effectiveness, a drug-data vendor said. Total prescriptions for Vytorin, which is marketed by a joint venture of Merck (MRK) and Schering-Plough (SGP), rose about 8% to 343,346 in the week ended Feb. 1, compared with the previous week, according to Verispan. Zetia prescriptions rose about 9% to 250,979 in the week ended Feb. 1, versus the previous week, Verispan said.
16:28 NBR Nabors Ind reports Q4 (Dec) results, beats on revs (27.80 -1.72)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.78 per share, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.73; revenues rose 0.5% year/year to $1.31 bln vs the $1.24 bln consensus.
16:26 MFLX Multi-Fineline halted ahead of earnings (13.24 -0.26)
16:25 IVGN Invitrogen beats by $0.05, beats on revs (83.43 -1.57)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.05 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $1.00; revenues rose 11.4% year/year to $336 mln vs the $326.4 mln consensus. IVGN says non-GAAP 2008 EPS are expected to grow in the high single to low double digits; Revenues are expected to increase in the mid single digits. The co will provide further detail on its business outlook during the conf call today.
16:25 BBBB Blackboard beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; issues Q1 & FY08 guidance (30.74 -0.71)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.25 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.24; revenues rose 23.0% year/year to $63.2 mln vs the $62.6 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for Q1, sees non-GASAP EPS of ($0.02)-0.01, vs $0.20 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $64-66 mln vs. $64.61 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.58-0.68, vs $0.96 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $306-314 mln vs. $281.41 mln consensus… Blackboard’s financial guidance for the first quarter and full year 2008 reflects the inclusion of the N.T.I. Group starting January 31, 2008, the effective date of the acquisition. Blackboard’s 2008 revenue related to N.T.I. deferred revenue will be approximately $12 mln lower than what N.T.I. would have recognized as an independent company. When former N.T.I. clients pay annually on their license agreements, Blackboard will recognize revenue for the fair value of these agreements over the term of the renewal, which is generally one year. Blackboard’s 2008 results will also be negatively impacted by approximately $5 mln in merger and integration related expenses from the N.T.I. acquisition.
16:25 SNCI Sonic Innovations misses by $0.03, reports revs in-line (5.36 -0.50)
Reports Q4 (Dec) net of breakeven, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.03; revenues rose 12.5% year/year to $32.3 mln vs the $32.5 mln consensus.
16:25 TECHX Equity markets finish trading with steep losses, worst percentage decline for S&P 500 in 11 months
The major averages experienced steep declines today as trader’s & investors sold stocks following an unexpected contraction in the service industry. This morning’s Jan. ISM Non-Manufacturing Index came in at 41.9, far below analyst’s forecast of 53.0, signaling a slowdown in the U.S economy. It is the first contraction since Mar. ‘03 and adds fuel to the fears of a broad recession for the economy as the aforementioned index reflects almost 90% of the economy. Stock indices were punished all session as any intraday recovery attempt was met with strong resistance & a subsequent push to new lows. The S&P 500 ended with it’s worst percentage decline in 11 months & the rest of the averages all settled at or near their sessions worst levels. Unofficially, the INDU finished @ 12265 -370, SPX @ 1336.50 -44, NDX @ 1773.50 -55.3, COMPQ @ 2309.50 -73.30, & RUT @ 701.50 -21.90. Looking at the most actively traded ETF’s, no sector strength was noted today. Today’s sector weakness was seen in Broker/Dealer (IAI -5.9%), Financials (IYG -4.6%, IYF -4.2%, XLF -4.05%), Clean Energy (PBW -4.2%), Energy (XLE -4.1%, OIH -3.9%), & Semiconductors (XSD -3.8%, SMH -3.6%), & Software (SWH -3.8%).
16:23 QSII Quality Systems beats by $0.01, ex-items, beats on revs (30.10 -1.6
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, excluding $0.03 non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.36; revenues rose 24.9% year/year to $48.1 mln vs the $46.8 mln consensus.
16:23 ADVS Advent Software beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q1 revs above consensus; guides FY08 revs above consensus (45.02 -1.90)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.11; revenues rose 18.7% year/year to $59.6 mln vs the $58.1 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for Q1, sees Q1 revs of $59-61 mln vs. $56.03 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees FY08 revs of $248-254 vs. $245.09 mln consensus.
16:23 CAKE Cheesecake Factory misses by $0.04, misses on revs; guides FY08 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (20.87 -0.51)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.22 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.26; revenues rose 12.6% year/year to $406.3 mln vs the $413 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY08, sees EPS up approx 10-15%, which equates to approx $1.11-1.16 vs. $1.29 consensus; sees FY08 revs up approx 10-12%, which equates to approx $1.662-1.692 bln vs. $1.73 bln consensus. Co reports Q4 restaurant same store sales -0.4% vs +1.0% Briefing.com consensus, reports Q4 Cheesecake Factory same store sales -0.6% vs +0.6% Briefing.com consensus, reports Q4 Grand Lux Cafe same store sales +1.9% vs +4.0% Briefing.com consensus.
16:22 USNA USANA beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY08 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (45.50 -0.1
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.67 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.66; revenues rose 10.8% year/year to $108.7 mln vs the $109.4 mln consensus. USNA also reported a 15% net increase in the number of active Associates. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.63-$0.66 vs. $0.72 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $105-$109 mln vs. $113.28 mln consensus. USNA lowers their FY08 net sales and earnings guidance to 7% to 10% growth over FY07, this is down from 10-13% last qtr (this calculates to roughly EPS of $2.85-$2.93 vs. $3.04 consensus; revs roughly calculate to $452.7-$465.4 mln vs. $474.98 mln consensus).
16:22 RENT Rentrak beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line (10.29 -0.19)
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.05 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.04; revenues fell 10.5% year/year to $23.9 mln vs the $24 mln consensus.
16:22 IVAC Intevac beats by $0.13, beats on revs (10.14 -0.03)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.16 per share, excluding $0.05 gain, $0.13 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.29); revenues fell 82.5% year/year to $16.8 mln vs the $14.9 mln consensus.
16:22 IOM Iomega reports Q4 results, beats on revs; guides FY08 revs above consensus (2.72 +0.01)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.09 per share, excluding non-recurring items, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of $0.10; revenues rose 58.3% year/year to $120.6 mln vs the $118.7 mln consensus. Co issues guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.20, may not be comparable to the $0.20 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $400 mln vs. $379.23 mln consensus. (Briefing.com note: An Earnings Color comment was been issued following this post to clarify the results — see 16:43 comment)
16:21 QSII Quality Systems beats by $0.01, beats on revs (30.75 -1.6
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, excluding $0.03 gain, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.36; revenues rose 25.0% year/year to $48.1 mln vs the $46.8 mln consensus.
16:21 PLNR Planar Systems misses by $0.03, reports revs in-line; guides Q2 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (5.83 -0.09)
Reports Q1 (Dec) loss of $0.20 per share, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.17); revenues rose 24.2% year/year to $80.6 mln vs the $80.2 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q2, sees loss of -$0.24 vs. ($0.15) consensus; sees Q2 revs of $73-77 mln vs. $77.27 mln consensus. The Company continues to believe that the second half of the fiscal year will benefit from continued integration efficiencies as well as various growth initiatives. However, given the potential negative financial impact on the co from the global economic slowdown, the current projected improvement in the second half of the year may not be sufficient to achieve the previous Non-GAAP earnings per share guidance of $0.20 for FY08.
16:21 PEC Pike Electric beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY08 revs below consensus (15.41 -0.67)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.14; revenues fell 3.5% year/year to $143.1 mln vs the $138.8 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY08, sees FY08 revs of $520-530 mln, down from prior guidance of $550-560 mln, vs. $574.38 mln consensus.
16:21 SUMT SumTotal reports in-line Q4 EPS, beats on revs, (4.75 +0.09)
Reports Q4 earnings of $0.05 vs $0.05 First Call consensus; revenues rose 12% year/year to $33.5 mln vs $31.71 mln First Call consensus. The co guides Q1 EPS to $0.07-0.10 vs $0.11 First Call consensus; sees revs of $33.0-35.0 mln vs $34.76 mln First Call consensus.
16:19 PNSN Penson Worldwide beats by $0.04 (9.98 -0.42)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.39 per share, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.35; revenues rose 43.7% year/year to $75.6 mln vs the $68.3 mln single estimate.
16:19 CVLT Commvault Systems reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY08 EPS in-line, revs in-line (19.35 +0.20)
Reports Q3 (Dec) earnings of $0.15 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.15; revenues rose 31.3% year/year to $50.3 mln vs the $49.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.56-0.58 vs. $0.58 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $195-196 mln vs. $195.76 mln consensus.
16:19 DBTK Double-Take Software beats by $0.12, reports revs in-line; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs in-line; guides FY07 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (15.30 -1.41)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.29 per share, $0.12 better than the First Call consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 23.4% year/year to $23.5 mln vs the $23.6 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.10-0.11 vs. $0.13 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $21.9-22.5 mln vs. $22.21 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY07, sees EPS of $0.63-0.65 vs. $0.61 consensus; sees FY07 revs of $100.6-103 mln vs. $82.83 mln consensus.
16:19 CAKE sees FY08 EPS $1.11-1.16 vs $1.29 First Call consensus; sees $1.662-1.692 bln vs $1.73 bln First Call consensus
16:17 RSYS RadiSys beats by $0.04, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus, revs below consensus (12.86 -0.9
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.17 per share, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 63.4% year/year to $99.2 mln vs the $95.8 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.04)-($0.02) vs. $0.05 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $75-83 mln vs. $88.42 mln consensus.
16:17 FORM FormFactor reports EPS in-line, misses on revs (23.19 -3.04)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.36 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.36; revenues fell 3.8% year/year to $120.5 mln vs the $126.1 mln consensus. Market conditions, particularly in DRAM, began to deteriorate in Q4 and that weakness has continued into Q1,” said Igor Khandros, CEO. “In light of this, we are taking actions to restructure the company to better align with the market environment.” market environment.” The company announced a cost reduction plan that will include reducing its global workforce by approx 14%.
16:17 SRX SRA Intl beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line; guides Q3 EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides FY08 EPS in-line, revs in-line (27.16 )
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.30 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.29; revenues rose 19.0% year/year to $382 mln vs the $378.3 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.30-$0.31 mln vs. $0.31 consensus; sees Q3 revs of $380-$395 vs. $391.27 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $1.22-$1.25 vs. $1.25 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $1511-$1541 vs. $1.54 bln consensus.
16:17 SGMO Sangamo BioSci misses by $0.04, reports revs in-line (11.87 -0.2
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.17 per share, $0.04 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.13); revenues rose 27.3% year/year to $2.8 mln vs the $2.8 mln consensus.
16:17 WIRE Encore Wire misses by $0.22, misses on revs; cites pricing pressure pushing gross margin to lowest levels in history (16.58 -0.57)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.05 per share, $0.22 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.17; revenues rose 7.5% year/year to $281.9 mln vs the $288.0 mln consensus. Co says the past five quarters have proved to be very challenging for businesses across the US construction industry, including the building wire industry. This is only the second quarterly loss WIRE has reported since 1995. Despite strong copper prices, margins in the building wire industry continue to be compressed. Competitors are cutting wire prices in an attempt to maintain market shares.
16:17 ADVS sees FY08 revs $248-254 mln vs $245.09 mln First Call consensus
16:16 ADVS sees Q1 revs $59-61 mln vs $56.03 mln First Call consensus
16:16 TMWD Tumbleweed Comms reports EPS in-line, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs in-line (1.73 +0.06)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.04 per share, excluding non-recurring items, in-line with the First Call consensus of ($0.04); revenues fell 14.3% year/year to $14.3 mln vs the $13.8 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of ($0.01)-($0.03), excluding non-recurring items, vs. ($0.01) consensus; sees Q1 revs of $13-14.5 mln vs. $13.94 mln consensus.
16:16 BOBE Bob Evans reports January, Q3 same store sales (28.17 -0.75)
Co reports January same-store sales at Bob Evans Restaurants +1.2%; co reports Q3 same-store sales of +1.5% vs +1.2% Briefing.com consensus. Co reports January same-store sales at Mimi’s Cafe -2.4%; co reports Q3 same-store sales of -2.0% vs -1.7% Briefing.com consensus.
16:16 ADVS prelim $0.14 vs $0.11 First Call consensus; revs $59.6 mln vs $58.09 mln First Call consensus
16:15 CAKE prelim $0.22 vs $0.26 First Call consensus; revs $406.3 mln vs $412.98 mln First Call consensus
16:15 DAL Delta Air Lines achieves record January load factors (17.03 -0.22)
Co reports record load factors for January. Load factors for international (76.3%), Latin (82.3%), domestic (74.9%) and system (75.4%) were higher than any previous January on record for Delta. System traffic increased 2.5% from January 2007 on flat capacity. International traffic increased 11.1% YoY on an 8.7% increase in capacity. Domestic traffic in January 2008 decreased 1.4% YoY on a capacity decrease of 3.6%. In addition, Delta’s continued international expansion coupled with strong demand for Delta’s international product resulted in a record number of passengers flying internationally on Delta during the month of January. The number of Pacific, Latin (regional affiliates), Atlantic and international passengers increased 38.4%, 31.8%, 11.7% and 5.5%, respectively, versus the same period last year.
16:14 TMRK Terremark Worldwide beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q4 revs in-line; guides FY09 revs in-line (5.52 +0.02)
Reports Q3 (Dec) loss of $0.06 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.07); revenues rose 103.3% year/year to $50 mln vs the $49.5 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q4, sees Q4 revs of $55.5-58.5 mln vs. $55.64 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY09, sees FY09 revs of $250-255 mln vs. $263.02 mln consensus.
16:14 VOCS Vocus beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line, revs above consensus; guides FY08 EPS in-line, revs above consensus (29.47 -0.31)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.13; revenues rose 34.7% year/year to $16.3 mln vs the $15.8 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.13-$0.14 vs. $0.13 consensus; sees Q1 revs of $16.9-$17.1 mln vs. $16.44 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $0.63-$0.65 vs. $0.63 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $74-$75 mln vs. $73.12 mln consensus.
16:14 DIS Walt Disney beats by $0.11, beats on revs (30.22 -0.6
Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.63 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.11 better than the First Call consensus of $0.52; revenues rose 9.1% year/year to $10.45 bln vs the $10.04 bln consensus.
16:14 QSFT Quest Software misses by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY08 revs above consensus (14.89 -0.45)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.26 per share, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.28; revenues rose 11.6% year/year to $186.7 mln vs the $178.3 mln consensus. QSFT also sees non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 16.5% to 17.5% . Co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees FY08 revs of $705-$720 mln vs. $684.78 mln consensus. Non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 16.5% to 17.5%.
16:14 IIG Imergent reports Q2 profit (9.95 -0.62)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.14 per share, may not be comparable to the single estimate ($0.14); total revenues rose 9.1% year/year to $38.9 mln, may not compare to the $27.2 mln single estimate.
16:14 MANH Manhattan Assoc misses by $0.02, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line; guides FY08 EPS in-line (23.71 -1.3
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.37 per share, $0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 12.0% year/year to $85 mln vs the $88.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.22-0.28 vs. $0.28 consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $1.47-1.53 vs. $1.51 consensus.
16:13 USNA also reported a 15% net increase in the number of active Associates
16:13 EW Edwards Lifesci beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS below consensus; guides FY08 EPS in-line, revs in-line (47.00 +0.01)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.56 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.53; revenues rose 10.3% year/year to $293 mln vs the $280.1 mln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.47-0.51 vs. $0.53 consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $2.32-2.40 vs. $2.33 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $1.160-1.210 bln vs. $1.17 bln consensus.
16:13 RATE Bankrate misses by $0.06, misses on revs; guides FY08 revs above consensus (53.68 -3.17)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.33 per share, $0.06 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 21.7% year/year to $25.2 mln vs the $26.8 mln consensus. As a result of the acquisitions of InsureMe and Fee Disclosure, along with the strength of the co’s core business, co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees FY08 revs of $167-172 mln vs. $142.75 mln consensus. “It was an unusual quarter in that we had two record months followed by a soft December, when several display advertisers cancelled booked business in that month as a result of anxiety in the mortgage and financial sectors. However, January’s activity generated record traffic and click volume and 2008 is off to a great start.”
16:13 RSYS sees Q1 ($0.04) - $0.02 vs $0.05 First Call consensus; sees revs $75-83 mln vs $88.42 mln First Call consensus
16:13 Warren Buffett says Berkshire Hathaway will not invest in any bond insurers apart from its own according to Fox Business Network - Reuters
Buffett says Berkshire “could have some kind of insurance transaction” with other bond insurers. (ABK, MBI, SCA)
16:13 RVBD Riverbed Technology beats by $0.01, beats on revs (22.11 -1.0
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.20 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.19; revenues rose 125.6% year/year to $76.3 mln vs the $71.1 mln consensus. “GAAP gross margins reached 75% for the first time in the fourth quarter, significantly ahead of plan and reflecting reduced costs and a positive product mix”, First Call expected 72.8%.
16:12 SUMT sees Q1 $0.07-0.10 vs $0.11 First Call consensus; sees revs $33.0-35.0 mln vs $34.76 mln First Call consensus
16:12 JDSU JDS Uniphase beats by $0.10, beats on revs; guides Q3 revs in-line (10.26 -0.21)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.22 per share, $0.10 better than the First Call consensus of $0.12; revenues rose 9.0% year/year to $399.2 mln vs the $386.4 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees Q3 revs of $380-402 mln vs. $390.18 mln consensus.
16:11 VFC V.F. Corp beats by $0.04, beats on revs (73.75 -2.52)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.46 per share, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $1.42; revenues rose 22.3% year/year to $1.96 bln vs the $1.89 bln consensus. Revenues are expected to rise 9%, with organic growth in all our coalitions. Outdoor revenues should grow at a mid-teen percentage rate, with mid single-digit revenue growth in Imagewear and slightly lower growth in both Sportswear and Jeanswear. Continue to be excited about the growth prospects for our Contemporary Brands coalition, where revenues are expected to exceed $415 mln in 2008. EPS from continuing operations should increase 10% in 2008, driven by top line growth and margin expansion, particularly in our Outdoor and Jeanswear coalitions. Sportswear margins are expected to remain relatively stable with 2007 levels, reflecting investments in marketing, eCommerce and retail store expansion. They also are looking forward to ‘record’ performance in the first quarter. They expect an 8-10% increase in both revenues and earnings per share, driven by Outdoor, Imagewear and Contemporary Brands coalitions.
16:11 LDSH Ladish beats by $0.14, beats on revs (35.92 -0.41)
Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.64 per share, $0.14 better than the First Call consensus of $0.50; revenues rose 15.9% year/year to $108.3 mln vs the $106 mln consensus.”The outlook for 2008 and beyond is optimistic. Contract backlog at December 31, 2007 was a record $611 million in comparison to $500 million at the end of 2006. Progress continues on the new 12,500-ton isothermal press in Wisconsin which we expect to be installed by the end of the second quarter. Our titanium investment casting business will grow in 2008 and into the future with the added capacity of a new furnace and facility expansion in our Albany, Oregon facility along with the start-up of a complementary casting operation in Mexico. The development of an aerospace forging business at ZKM continues as we are also developing value-added machining and inspection capabilities in Poland. The continued strength of aerospace markets worldwide provides the basis for Ladish to drive its improved performance in the future.”
16:11 BCA Corpbanca announces CFO Enrique Perez is resigning (32.25 -2.86)
16:11 USNA 7%-10% growth equates to roughly EPS of $2.85-2.93 vs $3.04 First Call consensus; revs of $452.7-465.4 mln vs $474.98 mln First Call consensus
16:11 SUMT prelim $0.05 vs $0.05 First Call consensus; revs $33.5 mln vs $31.71 mln First Call consensus
16:11 IVAC prelim ($0.16) vs ($0.29) First Call consensus; revs $16.8 mln vs $14.91 mln First Call consensus
16:11 PNSN prelim $0.39 vs $0.35 First Call consensus; revs $75.6 mln vs $68.27 mln First Call consensus
16:10 CVLT sees FY08 $0.56-0.58 vs $0.58 First Call consensus; sees revs $195-196 mln vs $195.76 mln First Call consensus
16:10 LOOP Loopnet announces Thomas Byrne named President and Chief Operating Officer (14.79 -1.01)
16:10 NBIX Neurocrine Biosci reports Q4 (Dec) results, misses on revs (5.17 -0.24)
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $3.35 per share, includes non-cash impairment charge of $94.0 mln related to the write-off of the indiplon prepaid royalty, includes $6.9 mln charge related to a severance program, may not be comparable to the First Call consensus of ($0.85); revenues fell 94.4% year/year to $0.5 mln vs the $0.7 mln consensus. Co sees Y08 net loss of approx $75-$80 mln, and the cash burn from ongoing operations of approx $65-70 mln.
16:10 CVLT prelim $0.15 vs $0.15 First Call consensus; revs $50.3 mln vs $49.81 mln First Call consensus
16:10 HAR Harman misses by $0.10, reports revs in-line (45.73 -1.86)
Reports Q2 (Dec) earnings of $0.73 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.10 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.83; revenues rose 14.4% year/year to $1.07 bln vs the $1.07 bln consensus. Co says “Although we continue to increase sales across all divisions, our automotive earnings are under pressure due to portable navigation devices, product mix, and higher engineering and material costs during a period of record launch activity.”
16:09 RENT prelim $0.05 vs $0.04 First Call consensus; revs $23.9 mln vs $23.99 mln First Call consensus
16:09 TMRK sees FY09 revs $250-255 mln vs $263.02 mln First Call consensus
16:09 USNA lowers their FY08 net sales and earnings guidance to 7% to 10% growth over FY07, this is down from 10-13% last qtr
16:09 GHDX Genomic Health beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides FY08 revs in-line
Reports Q4 (Dec) loss of $0.21 per share, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.24); revenues rose 124.4% year/year to $19.3 mln vs the $18.1 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY08, sees FY08 revs of $100-110 mln vs. $104.57 mln consensus.
16:09 IVGN Invitrogen, Agilent Technologies settle multiple patent litigations (83.43 -1.57)
The cos announce a confidential settlement of multiple patent litigations pending between the two companies. The settlement resolves three patent infringement lawsuits between Invitrogen and Stratagene, Inc. Agilent acquired Stratagene in 2007. (A)
16:08 NBR prelim $0.78, incl charges, may not be comparable to $0.73 First Call consensus; revs $1.31 bln vs $1.24 bln First Call consensus
16:08 TMRK sees Q4 revs $55.5-58.5 mln vs $55.64 mln First Call consensus
16:08 PLNR sees Q2 ($0.24) vs ($0.15) First Call consensus; sees revs $73-77 mln vs $77.27 mln First Call consensus
16:08 ENWV prelim ($0.09) vs ($0.12) First Call consensus; revs $14.4 mln vs $13.8 YoY
16:08 VOCS sees FY08 $0.63-0.65 vs $0.63 First Call consensus; sees revs $74-75 mln vs $73.12 mln First Call consensus
16:08 NBIX sees Y08 net loss of approx $75 to $80 mln
16:07 TMRK prelim ($0.06) vs ($0.07) First Call consensus; revs $50.0 mln vs $49.49 mln First Call consensus
16:07 LOOK Looksmart guides Q4 revs above consensus; sees revs between $15,5-15.8 mln, First Call Consensus is $12.18 mln (3.48 -0.20)
For Q4, co expects to report total revenue of between $15.5 and $15.8 million, which represents a 5%-7% increase y/y. Included in co’s Q4 revenue is ~$0.7 million of revenue derived from certain of co’s consumer assets sold or retired in 2007, compared to $1.3 million of revenue derived from those assets included in co’s 4Q06 revenue. “Our fourth quarter revenue results reflect the inherent value in a focused business model serving the needs of online advertisers and publishers,” said Ted West, President and Chief Executive Officer of LookSmart. “Looking to 2008, we remain excited by our business prospects for both our Advertiser Network and Publisher Solutions businesses.” Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 is expected to be between 40% and 42%, as compared to 42% in the fourth quarter of 2006.
16:07 USNA sees Q1 $0.63-0.66 vs $0.72 First Call consensus; sees revs $105-109 mln vs $113.28 mln First Call consensus
16:07 SGMS Scientific Games signs instant ticket printing contract with the China Sports Lottery (22.05 -0.86)
Co announces that it has signed a contract for the manufacturing of instant tickets with China Sports Lottery Printing. Through one of the co’s joint ventures in China, Scientific Games will establish a state of the art instant ticket manufacturing facility as soon as the press can be manufactured and delivered. This facility will be operated by the joint venture for a 15-year period. Revenues to Scientific Games will be based on a percentage of sales.
16:07 PLNR prelim ($0.20) vs ($0.17) First Call consensus; revs $80.6 mln vs $80.20 mln First Call consensus
16:07 VOCS sees Q1 $0.13-0.14 vs $0.13 First Call consensus; sees revs $16.9-17.1 mln vs $16.44 mln First Call consensus
16:07 NBIX prelim ($3.35) may not compare to ($0.85) First Call consensus; revs $0.5 mln vs $0.71 mln First Call consensus
16:06 USNA prelim $0.67 vs $0.66 First Call consensus; revs $108.7 mln vs $109.37 mln First Call consensus
16:06 IVGN says non-GAAP 2008 EPS are expected to grow in the high single to low double digits
16:06 RATE sees FY08 revs $167-172 mln vs $142.75 mln First Call consensus
16:06 RSYS RadiSys announces proposed $50 million offering of convertible senior notes due 2013 (12.88 -0.9
16:06 VOCS prelim $0.14 vs $0.13 First Call consensus; revs $16.33 mln vs $15.79 mln First Call consensus
16:06 JDSU sees Q3 revs $380-402 mln vs $390.18 mln First Call consensus
16:06 DIS prelim $0.63 vs $0.52 First Call consensus; revs $10.45 bln vs $10.04 bln First Call consensus
16:06 RSYS prelim $0.17 vs $0.13 First Call consensus; revs $99.2 mln vs $95.78 mln First Call consensus
16:06 FORM prelim $0.36 vs $0.36 First Call consensus; revs $120.5 mln vs $126.05 mln First Call consensus
16:05 JDSU prelim $0.22 vs $0.12 First Call consensus; revs $399.2 mln vs $386.42 mln First Call consensus
16:05 SRX sees FY08 $1.22-1.25 vs $1.25 First Call consensus; sees revs $1.511-1.541 bln vs $1.54 bln First Call consensus
16:05 MANH sees FY08 EPS of $1.47-1.53 vs $1.51 First Call consensus
16:05 IVGN prelim $1.05 vs $1.00 First Call consensus; revs $336 mln vs $326.39 mln First Call consensus
16:05 IOM sees FY08 $0.20 vs $0.20 First Call consensus; sees revs $400 mln vs $379.23 mln First Call consensus
16:04 RATE prelim $0.33 vs $0.39 First Call consensus; revs $25.2 mln vs $26.83 mln First Call consensus
16:04 PEC sees FY08 revs $520-530 mln vs $574.38 mln First Call consensus
16:04 HAR prelim $0.73 vs $0.83 First Call consensus; revs $1.07 bln vs $1.07 bln First Call consensus
16:04 SRX sees Q3 $0.30-0.31 vs $0.31 First Call consensus; sees revs $380-395 mln vs $391.27 mln First Call consensus
16:03 EW sees Q1 $0.47-0.51 vs $0.53 First Call consensus
16:03 SNCI prelim $0.00 vs $0.03 First Call consensus; revs $32.3 mln vs $32.50 mln First Call consensus
16:03 BBBB sees Q1 ($0.02)-0.01, which may not be comparable to the $0.20 First Call consensus; sees revs $64-66 mln vs $64.61 mln First Call consensus
16:03 MANH sees Q1 EPS of $0.22-0.28 vs $0.28 First Call consensus
16:03 IOM prelim $0.12 vs $0.10 First Call consensus; revs $120.6 mln vs $118.74 mln First Call consensus
16:02 QSFT also sees non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be in the range of 16.5% to 17.5%
16:02 QSII prelim $0.40 vs $0.36 First Call consensus; revs $48.1 mln vs $46.83 mln First Call consensus
16:02 SRX prelim $0.30 vs $0.29 First Call consensus; revs $382.02 mln vs $378.34 mln First Call consensus
16:02 LOOP sees Q1 $0.11-0.12 vs $0.14 First Call consensus; sees revs $20.1-20.3 mln vs $20.17 mln First Call consensus
16:02 EW sees FY08 $2.32-2.40 vs $2.33 First Call consensus; sees revs $1.160-1.210 bln vs $1.17 bln First Call consensus
16:02 TGAL Tegal reports Q3 EPS of $0.39 vs ($0.86) yr ago; revs rise 132% to $10.1 mln (3.60 +0.09)
16:02 PEC prelim $0.15 vs $0.14 First Call consensus; revs $431.1 mln vs $138.75 mln First Call consensus
16:02 DBTK prelim $0.29 vs $0.17 First Call consensus; revs $23.5 mln vs $23.59 mln First Call consensus
16:01 QSFT sees FY08 revs $705-720 mln vs $684.78 mln First Call consensus
16:01 BBBB prelim $0.25 vs $0.24 First Call consensus; revs $63.2 mln vs $62.61 mln First Call consensus
16:01 WIRE prelim ($0.05) vs $0.17 First Call consensus; revs $281.9 mln vs $288.02 mln First Call consensus
16:01 LOOP prelim $0.14 vs $0.12 First Call consensus; revs $19.6 mln vs $19.14 mln First Call consensus
16:01 EW prelim $0.56 vs $0.53 First Call consensus; revs $293.0 mln vs $280.12 mln First Call consensus
16:01 MANH prelim $0.37 vs $0.39 First Call consensus; revs $85 mln vs $88.62 mln First Call consensus
16:01 TMWD sees Q1 ($0.01-0.03) vs ($0.01) First Call consensus; sees revs $13-14.5 mln vs $13.94 mln First Call consensus
16:01 QSFT prelim $0.26 vs $0.28 First Call consensus; revs $186.7 mln vs $178.33 mln First Call consensus
16:00 OMC Omnicom: NY Appellate Court dismisses Omnicom derivative lawsuit (45.11 -1.90)
The co announces that the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, First Judicial Department, issued a decision in In re Omnicom Group Shareholder Derivative Litigation denying plaintiffs’ motion to reargue or appeal the Court’s decision of September 25, 2007, which granted Omnicom’s motion to dismiss a derivative lawsuit brought in June 2002 against current and former members of Omnicom’s board of directors. In its September 2007 opinion, the Court concluded that plaintiffs failed to show that the Seneca transaction, which was the subject of the lawsuit, was not the product of “sound business judgment.”
16:00 LDSH prelim $0.64 vs $0.50 First Call consensus; revs $108.34 mln vs $106.00 mln First Call consensus
16:00 TMWD prelim ($0.04) vs ($0.04) First Call consensus; revs $14.3 mln vs $13.84 mln First Call consensus
16:00 SGMO prelim ($0.17) vs ($0.13) First Call consensus; revs $2.8 mln vs $2.80 mln First Call consensus
16:00 CBZ CBIZ acquires provider of Innkeepers’ insurance (9.23 )
The co announces it has acquired substantially all the assets of NAIS, which provides innkeepers insurance programs marketed through James Wolf Insurance and Old Line Insurance.