Earnings - 19th June 2008

7:02PM PolyOne raises Q2 consolidated sales to increase by 7-9% (POL) 7.49 +0.26 : Co raises its Q2 outlook. The co expects Q2 consolidated sales to increase 7-9% compared with Q2 of 2007, despite challenging demand trends in the North American housing and automotive markets. This projection is slightly higher than the co's original estimate of 6-8% sales growth. Second-quarter 2008 earnings before special items are expected to show modest improvement over the same period a year ago earnings before special items and to increase sequentially from Q1 2008 earnings before special items. For PolyOne Distribution, the co anticipates meaningful increases in both sales and operating income during Q2 of 2008 compared with Q2 of 2007, with earnings impacted favorably by targeted growth efforts in key end markets. SunBelt earnings are projected to increase sequentially compared with Q1 of 2008, but decline compared with the Q2 of 2007. Strong chlor-alkali margins, driven by increasing caustic prices, are expected to be more than offset by weak end-market demand for chlorine derivatives compared with the same period last year.

4:14PM Lucas Energy reports FY08 comprehensive EPS $0.13 vs $0.05 last year; revs rose 136% YoY to $3.08 bln vs $3.50 mln single analyst est (LEI) 5.26 -0.49 : "We achieved a record increase in production and benefited from continued increases in commodity prices. Operating as a public company, we invested in building the appropriate infrastructure to support our future growth, which resulted in significant increases to our operating costs, many of which are non-recurring costs. Our balance sheet improvement was due in part to the successful equity raise allowing us to repay all our debt. We used the remaining portion of the proceeds to acquire key strategic properties, and today we sit with 11,274 net acres with 43 net wells and a portfolio of producing oil and gas assets with a reserve valuation of $90 mln... We had a very exciting and productive first year as a public company. We believe that the stage is set for continued growth in fiscal year 2009."

11:22AM Humana reiterates EPS guidance; sees Q2 EPS of $1.15-1.20 vs $1.18 First Call consensus and sees FY08 EPS of $4.15-4.35 vs $4.30 First Call consensus (HUM) 42.56 -2.25 : Co reaffirms guidance, sees Q2 EPS of $1.15-1.20 vs $1.18 First Call consensus and sees FY08 EPS of $4.15-4.35 vs $4.30 First Call consensus. "Our medical claim reserving methodology has consistently given consideration to differences in provider claim receipt patterns among our various product lines," said James H. Bloem, the company's senior vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. "Analysis of medical claims payments and receipts through May 2008 indicate no adverse prior period development for either full year 2007 or first quarter 2008 medical claims estimates. Additionally, our medical cost trend and medical expense ratio projections remain consistent with those described in our first quarter 2008 earnings release issued on April 28, 2008."

8:53AM Pantry reaffirms FY08 guidance; sees Q3 EPS above the First Call consensus of $0.23 (PTRY) 9.06 : The Company continues to expect merchandise and retail gasoline sales for fiscal 2008 to be within the ranges of $1.6 to $1.7 bln and 2.1 to 2.2 bln gallons, respectively. The merchandise gross profit margin is expected to be approximately 37%, with a retail gasoline margin between 10 and 12 cents per gallon. The Company also continues to expect that fiscal 2008 store operating and general and administrative expenses will be at the low end of the previously announced range of $615 to $630 mln.

8:25AM Aetna reaffirms Q2, Y08 guidance (AET) 42.60 : Co reaffirms guidance for Q2 (Jun), sees EPS of $0.93 vs. $0.94 First Call consensus. Co reaffirms guidance for FY08 (Dec), sees EPS of $4.00 vs. $4.01 consensus. "The medical cost trend we are experiencing in the second quarter is in line with our expectations to date and consistent with our prior guidance of 7.5 percent, plus-or-minus 50 basis points. We will provide updated information on our second-quarter earnings call on July 31."