Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Ann Taylor Stores Corp. (ANN) declining same-store sales offset better-than-expected Q3 earnings.
• Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ) reached a new 52-week high after Q3 results handily exceeded expectations.
• Dillard's Inc. (DDS) said that it swung to a Q3 profit due to cost cutting as revenue declined year over year.
• GameStop Corp. (GME) reported uninspiring Q3 numbers that included a slump in same-store sales.
• Home Depot Inc. (HD) lower Q3 earnings and revenue beat analysts' estimates, but shares still declined.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Ann Taylor, GameStop, Home Depot, Sears, TJX ...

Earnings highlights: Ann Taylor, GameStop, Home Depot, Sears, TJX ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Moving beyond cost cutting (XOM, HD, SPWRA, SMTL, AMAT, PLA)

Closing Bell: Moving beyond cost cutting (XOM, HD, SPWRA, SMTL, AMAT, PLA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Also reporting earnings Tuesday morning was home-improvement retailer Home Depot (HD). The company announced that third-quarter earnings dropped 8.9% to 41 cents per share thanks to weak housing and home renovation markets. That was a nickel better than analysts' expectations.

Revenue dropped from a year ago as well, but the $16.36 billion in revenue was better than the expected $16.27 billion. The company also expects full-year earnings of $1.55 per share, which is better than the forecast $1.52 per share.

Continue reading Home Depot tops Q3 estimates, but bad news drags the stock lower

Home Depot tops Q3 estimates, but bad news drags the stock lower originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. stock futures edged lower Tuesday morning following yet another strong rally on Monday. This morning, investors await some economic data due out before the opening bell, including an inflation gauge and a housing indicator. The housing market is further in focus with Home Depot's earnings report.

On Monday, stock markets closed about 1.4% higher across the board after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke didn't indicate a change in the Fed's policy any time soon to support the dollar. In fact, as the U.S. economy remains weak and unemployment keeps rising, the Fed will likely extend its low interest rate policy longer. He did mention the central bank policy will ensure that the "dollar is strong." The dollar edged higher from its 15-month lows following Bernanke's speech.

Continue reading Before the bell: Futures edge lower ahead of inflation data

Before the bell: Futures edge lower ahead of inflation data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

On the heels of last week's better-than-expected earnings results from retailers Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF), Kohl's Corp. (KSS), Macy's Inc. (M), Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) -- as well as disappointing numbers from Blockbuster Inc. (BBI) and JCPenney Co. Inc. (JCP) -- the coming week will bring results from more shopping- and strip-mall favorites.

TJX Companies Inc. (TJX), which operates T.J. Maxx and Marshalls stores in the U.S., settled a class action, announced share buybacks and raised its guidance in the third quarter. For the three months that ended in October, analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect TJX to report earnings of $0.80 per share, up from $0.57 in the same period of last year. Revenue is expected to total $5.3 billion, or 10.2% higher than a year ago. So far, the full-year forecast is for a profit of $2.59 per share (+22.3%) on $20.0 billion (+5.5%) in sales.

Continue reading The week in preview: More retail earnings: Gap, Home Depot, Sears, Target ...

The week in preview: More retail earnings: Gap, Home Depot, Sears, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• JPMorgan Plans to Lift Salary Freeze
• Retail Therapy Is Cheaper Than Ever

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Investors are rethinking their snap judgments

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Investors are rethinking their snap judgments originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

BP PLC (NYSE: BP) closed at $56.64. BP is expected to announce Q3 EPS on October 27. WTI Crude futures are recently down .21% to $81.02 according to Bloomberg. BP November option implied volatility is at 26, January is at 27; below its 26-week average of 29, according to Track Data, suggesting decreasing price movement.

Home Depot (NYSE: HD) closed at $26.72. HD is expected to report Q3 EPS on November 17. HD November option implied volatility is at 27, December is at 30; below its 26-week average of 35 according to Track Data.

Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com.

Options Update: BP PLC volatility low at 26 into EPS and $81 oil originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

From TheStreet.com Network

• Toyota Plans Big U.S. Marketing Push
• Chrysler Restarts Leasing via GMAC

Continue reading Cramer on BloggingStocks: Missing the big picture

Cramer on BloggingStocks: Missing the big picture originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Durable goods are products that should last more than 3 years. That usually includes things like appliances, furnishings, and heavy equipment. The Commerce Department tracks this data and the number of orders for these things popped up an extra 4.9% in July, which was a nice surprise.

Why do I care whether North Americans are buying a new fridge? This is actually a metric you should watch for insight into potential corporate profits. If durable goods (which tend to cost a lot) are being purchased at an increasing rate, it bodes well for the companies that produce and sell those products.

Continue reading Durable goods numbers may bode well for some stocks (SHLD, HD, AAPL)

Durable goods numbers may bode well for some stocks (SHLD, HD, AAPL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from last week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) strong Q2 results beat expectations due to rising same-store sales.
• Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) Q3 earnings topped low expectations and revenue declined.
• Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) posted better-than-expected Q3 results but shares fell on weaker margins.
• Baidu Inc. (NASDAQ: BIDU) CEO said its new advertising efforts will boost sales over the long run.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) had a better-than-expected Q2 profit but same-store sales fell.
• BJ's Wholesale Club Inc. (NYSE: BJ) reported solid Q2 numbers and raised its full-year guidance.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ...

Earnings highlights: B&N, Deere, Heinz, Home Depot, HP, Sears, Target ... originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 22 Aug 2009 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: Bulls take reins back from Bears (AAPL, GRMN, HURN, HD, LOW, TGT)

Closing Bell: Bulls take reins back from Bears (AAPL, GRMN, HURN, HD, LOW, TGT) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Home Depot quarter better than expected; shares set to recover

Home Depot quarter better than expected; shares set to recover originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is recently trading at $26.50 in pre-open trading, above its close of $26.11. HD reported Q2 net earnings of $1.1 billion compared to net earnings of $1.2 billion in the same period in 2008. HD lifted 2009 EPS guidance. HD August 26 straddle is priced at $1.43, September 26 straddle is at $2.35. HD September option implied volatility is at 39; below its 26-week average of 43, according to Track Data, suggesting less price risk after EPS.

Direxion Daily Emerging Marks Bull 3x (NYSE: EDC) closed at $94.77. EDC overall option implied volatility of 107 is near its 26-week average according to Track Data, suggesting non-directional price movement.

Options Update: Option Update is provided by Stock Specialist Paul Foster of theflyonthewall.com

Options Update: Home Depot volatility at 39 prior to lifting EPS guidance originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Before the bell: Stock futures higher after Home Depot, ahead of housing data

Before the bell: Stock futures higher after Home Depot, ahead of housing data originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

While its rival Lowe's Companies Inc. (NYSE: LOW) reported weak quarterly results today, Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) is scheduled to discuss its second quarter 2009 results tomorrow morning in a conference call at 9:00 AM ET. You can catch the live webcast on the company's website.

In that quarter, Home Depot declared a quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share, as well as shared its long-term priorities with analysts. The Atlanta-based home improvement chain is expected to report that earnings fell 16.9% from a year ago to $0.59 per share, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters. That's up from better-than-expected $0.35 per share in the first quarter, though. Revenue for the second quarter is expected to be 8.4% lower to $19.2 billion. Earnings have topped estimates in recent quarters, by as much as 10 cents per share.

Continue reading Earnings preview: Looking for a Home Depot turnaround

Earnings preview: Looking for a Home Depot turnaround originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Kiplinger's suggests: Diageo (NYSE: DEO), the seller of such brands as Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, Guinness and José Cuervo. Diageo has held up better than most during the recession -- thanks to a balanced portfolio of products, with higher exposure to mid-price, mainstream brands and less exposure to ultra-premium brands. The shares look reasonably priced. At $56.01, Diageo trades at 15 times estimated June 2009 earnings of $3.82 a share. The stock yields 2.8%.

• Another to consider: Molson Coors (NYSE: TAP), the seller of such brands as Coors, Blue Moon, Pilsner and Rickard's. Beer, probably even more so than hard liquor is supposed to hold better during a recession given the cheaper price point. The company's recent quarterly profits more than doubled. The shares trade at 13 times forward earnings of $3.33 and yield 2.2%.

Continue reading Five stocks for Father's Day from Kiplinger's ... and five more

Five stocks for Father's Day from Kiplinger's ... and five more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Closing Bell: When bond yields dominate stocks (LVLT, HD, AMD, INTC, SQNM, DELL)

Closing Bell: When bond yields dominate stocks (LVLT, HD, AMD, INTC, SQNM, DELL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• AnnTaylor Stores Corp. (NYSE: ANN) reported a smaller-than-expected Q1 loss as sales slumped.
• Barnes & Noble Inc. (NYSE: BKS) smaller-than-expected Q1 net loss sent shares higher.
• Children's Place Retail Stores Inc. (NASDAQ: PLCE) solid Q1 results were in line with expectations.
• Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. (NYSE: DKS) posted higher-than-expected Q1 results but same-store sales fell.
• Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) lower Q1 earnings beat expectations and lower revenue was in line.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: HP, Gap, Saks, Hormel, Barnes & Noble and more

Earnings highlights: HP, Gap, Saks, Hormel, Barnes & Noble and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 May 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Aeropostale Inc. (NYSE: ARO) beat profit expectations as revenue and same-store sales both increased.
• Aruba Networks Inc. (NASDAQ: ARUN) received an analyst's upgrade following its Q3 report.
• Buckle Inc. (NYSE: BKE) reported better-than-expected Q1 expectations as revenue surged.
• Campbell Soup Co. (NYSE: CPB) higher Q2 earnings beat expectations and sent shares upward.
• Deere & Co. (NYSE: DE) reported better-than-expected Q3 earnings, sending shares higher.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more

Earnings highlights: Home Depot, Target, Sears, Campbell, Deere and more originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 23 May 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Time to scoop up some shares of The Home Depot

Time to scoop up some shares of The Home Depot originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 May 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.