Earnings - 17th Feb 2009

6:08PM Valmont beats by $0.05, beats on revs (VMI) 38.45 -2.28 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.09 per share, $0.05 better than the First Call consensus of $1.04; revenues rose 18.1% year/year to $493.1 mln vs the $454.2 mln consensus. Co says, "Current global economic uncertainty makes our outlook for 2009 hard to quantify. For the Q1, when we balance the plusses and minuses, we expect that increased utility revenue will more than offset a decline in global irrigation revenue. We currently expect total revenue to be higher for the quarter and we expect earnings to be similar to the record Q1 2008, depending on product mix and factory utilization."

4:36PM Jack In The Box misses by $0.03, beats on revs (JACK) 22.28 -0.75 : Reports Q1 (Dec) earnings of $0.49 per share, $0.03 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.52; revenues were unchanged from the year-ago period at $776.7 mln vs $749.0 mln consensus. Co sees flat to 2% same-store sales increase at JACK restaurants versus a 0.1% decrease in the year-ago quarter... flat to 2% same-store sales decrease at Qdoba system restaurants versus a 2.4% increase in the year-ago quarter. Co sees flat to 2% increase in same-store sales at JACK restaurants...  sees Flat to 2% decrease in same-store sales at Qdoba system restaurants.

4:22PM CardioNet beats by $0.01, beats on revs; guides FY09 EPS in-line, revs in-line (BEAT) 22.22 -0.84 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.16 per share, excluding NOL utilization,$0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.15; revenues rose 43.9% year/year to $34.4 mln vs the $33.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $0.69-0.73 vs. $0.79 consensus; sees FY09 revs of $170-175 mln vs. $171.09 mln consensus. Co says, "In addition, we currently anticipate a one-time benefit in 2009 related to NOLs and other tax related items which could favorably impact earnings by approximately $1.00 to $1.30 per diluted share. We do not anticipate any earnings per diluted share benefit from NOLs and other tax related items in 2010 or 2011. We believe the investment in 2009 is the foundation that will drive higher revenues and earnings in 2010 and beyond. Our outlook for 2010 is for revenue to increase at least 50% and earnings to increase 100%, compared to the Company's 2009 guidance excluding NOLs and other tax related items. In 2011, we believe that earnings per diluted share could reach $2.00."

4:12PM Axsys Technologies misses by $0.02, beats on revs; guides FY09 EPS in-line, revs in-line (AXYS) 41.41 +0.90 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.59 per share, ex-items,$0.02 worse than the First Call consensus of $0.61; revenues rose 33.4% year/year to $63.9 mln vs the $62.1 mln consensus. Co issues reaffirms guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $2.66-$2.72 vs. $2.69 consensus; sees FY09 revs of $278-$282 mln vs. $281.73 mln consensus. Co states, "Our healthy $165.1 million opening backlog provides excellent visibility for 2009. In addition, we expect that our expanding market presence, coupled with our increasing array of surveillance solutions, will continue to generate new growth opportunities. Based on these factors, we are reiterating our 2009 guidance."

4:07PM American Medical beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line; guides FY09 EPS above consensus (AMMD) 10.72 : 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 3.1% year/year to $134 mln vs the $132.6 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.15-0.19, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.15 consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $0.86-0.99, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.76 consensus.

8:27AM Freightcar America beats by $0.37, beats on revs (RAIL) 18.71 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.70 per share, $0.37 better than the First Call consensus of $0.33; revenues rose 98.3% year/year to $271.9 mln vs the $194.1 mln consensus. Co says, "Looking forward for 2009, activity is sluggish and we anticipate a significant reduction in railcar deliveries for the year. We will continue to aggressively reduce expenses throughout the co in order to enhance profitability and conserve cash." Total backlog of unfilled orders was 2,620 units at the end of 2008, compared with 4,401 units at September 30, 2008 and 5,399 units at December 31, 2007.

8:25AM Canadian Solar sees Q4 revs of $66-$71 mln vs $69.29 mln First Call consensus (CSIQ) 5.00 : Co issues in-line guidance, sees Q4 revs of $66-$71 mln vs $69.29 mln First Call consensus. Co expects gross margin in Q4 to be negative, reflecting the weak Euro, a decline in module pricing in December, and an inventory revaluation provision that resulted from a rapid decline in the raw material pricing in December, 2008. Co says it "believes it was successful in achieving its cash management objectives: For the end of the fourth quarter, we anticipate reporting a cash position in excess of $130 million. Our accounts receivables are expected to be in the range of $56 to $64 million as of December 31, 2008, compared to $153 million net at the end of the third quarter, 2008. During the fourth quarter, we chose to pay down approximately $78 million of short-term and related party debt, which brings our outstanding short-term loan balance to approximately $92 million at the end of 2008."

7:33AM ConAgra reaffirms fiscal 2009 eps guidance and long-term eps growth expectations (CAG) 16.22 : Co says that regarding the near-term outlook: 1) expects fiscal 2009 EPS of slightly above $1.50 (consensus $1.46), with more earnings expected to be generated in the co's fiscal Q4 than Q3, in which it is currently operating. This is a reaffirmation of previously communicated EPS expectations for fiscal 2009; 2) regarding projections for fiscal 2010, the company expects EPS growth over fiscal 2009, and will provide more details when it has completed its plans and has more fully assessed the impacts of changing input costs and economic conditions. The co expects improved Consumer Foods operating profit in fiscal 2010 due to moderating input cost inflation, anticipated benefits from its offering of brands and products that appeal to value-conscious consumers, and new product introductions... Regarding the long-term outlook: 1) the company expects annual EPS growth of 8 percent to 10 percent over the long term; 2) return on invested capital is expected to range from 12%-13% over the long term.

7:32AM Transocean Q4 EPS $0.01 below consensus, reports revs in-line (RIG) 60.15 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $3.69 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 worse than the First Call consensus of $3.70; revenues rose 57.4% year/year to $3.27 bln vs the $3.29 bln consensus.

7:26AM Wal-Mart beats by $0.04, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS in-line; guides FY10 EPS in-line (WMT) 46.53 : Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $1.03 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.99; revenues rose 1.7% year/year to $108 bln vs the $109.1 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.72-0.77 vs. $0.77 consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY10, sees EPS of $3.45-3.60 vs. $3.59 consensus. Co says, "Our guidance reflects the strength of our underlying business and global economic conditions. It assumes that currency exchange rates will remain relatively the same as they were at the end of our 2009 fiscal year, which would have a negative impact on our year-over-year comparison of fiscal 2010 EPS of approximately 13 cents per share... Our performance relative to competitors was exceptionally strong in Q4 and throughout the year. We expect this momentum to continue."

7:17AM Medtronic beats by $0.01, reports revs in-line (MDT) 32.81 : Reports Q3 (Jan) earnings of $0.71 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.01 better than the First Call consensus of $0.70; revenues rose 2.6% year/year to $3.49 bln vs the $3.51 bln consensus.

7:08AM United Therapeutics beats by $0.49, reports revs in-line (UTHR) 72.44 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.02 per share, $0.49 better than the First Call consensus of $0.53; revenues rose 26.7% year/year to $75.9 mln vs the $76.5 mln consensus.

7:01AM AMEDISYS beats by $0.07, beats on revs (AMED) 51.40 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.98 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.07 better than the First Call consensus of $0.91; revenues rose 75.3% year/year to $340.1 mln vs the $327.1 mln consensus.

2:40AM FMC Technologies beats by $0.06, beats on revenue (FTI) 27.98 : Reports Q4 (Jan) earnings of $0.74 pers share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.68; revenues increased 13% year/year to $1.2 bln vs the $1.175 bln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY09, sees EPS from continuing operations of $2.40-2.65 vs the $2.54 consensus.

2:07AM Walter Inds misses by $0.13, misses on revs (WLT) 21.45 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $1.73 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.13 worse than the First Call consensus of $1.86; revenues rose 43.2% year/year to $447.3 mln vs the $474.6 mln consensus. Metallurgical coal production is expected to range between 1.7 - 1.9 mln tons in Q109, reflecting the continuation of production from Mine No. 7's Southwest "A" longwall through the completion of the panel. Given recently communicated volume requirements and corresponding shipping schedules from its customers, co expects continued stable production through 1H09. However, given current market conditions, co plans to delay the start up of the Mine No. 7 East expansion until at least Sept. 1, 2009.

2:01AM Aaron Rents beats by $0.04, misses on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs below consensus; guides FY09 EPS in-line, revs in-line (RNT) 22.81 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.39 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.35; revenues rose 11.0% year/year to $404.9 mln vs the $418.5 mln consensus. Co issues mixed guidance for Q1, sees EPS of $0.49-0.54, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $0.48 consensus; sees Q1 revs in excess of $445.0 mln vs. $464.68 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $1.72-1.87 vs. $1.77 consensus; sees FY09 revs of $1.75 bln vs. $1.8 bln consensus. As previously announced, co anticipates new store growth of approx 5-9% over the store base at the end of 2008.

1:49AM Chemed beats by $0.08, misses on revs; guides FY09 EPS above consensus (CHE) 41.61 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.99 per share, excluding non-recurring items,$0.08 better than the First Call consensus of $0.91; revenues rose 2.3% year/year to $292.2 mln vs the $297.8 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY09, sees EPS of $3.70-3.95, excluding non-recurring items, vs. $3.36 consensus. VITAS is estimated to generate FY09 revenue growth, prior to Medicare Cap, of 6.0% to 7.5%. Admissions are estimated to increase 2% to 4% and full-year adjusted EBITDA margin, prior to Medicare Cap, is estimated to be 15.3% to 16.3%. This guidance assumes VITAS will receive a Medicare basket price increase of 1.5% effective October 1, 2009. Full calendar year 2009 Medicare contractual billing limitations are estimated at $5.0 mln. Roto-Rooter is estimated to generate full-year 2008 revenue growth of 4.0% to 5.0%. The revenue growth is a result of increased pricing of 4.0% to 5.0% and a favorable mix shift to higher revenue jobs, partially offset by a job count decline estimated at 7.0% to 9.0%. Adjusted EBITDA margin for 2009 is estimated in the range of 17.0% to 18.0%. This guidance does not include any Roto-Rooter franchise acquisitions that may be completed in 2009.

12:35AM Teva Pharm beats by $0.03, misses on revs; increases quarterly dividend 33% (TEVA) 44.01 : Reports Q4 (Dec) earnings of $0.76 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $0.73; revenues rose 10.6% year/year to $2.85 bln vs the $2.93 bln consensus. Pharmaceutical sales in North America (including Copaxone) for the fourth quarter reached $1,652 mln, accounting for 61% of total pharmaceutical sales and representing an increase of 15% compared with the fourth quarter of last year. Gross profit margin reached 56.1% in Q408, compared to the 52.3% gross profit margin recorded in Q407. Board declares a cash dividend for Q408 of NIS 0.60 (approx $0.147 according to the rate of exchange on February 16, 2009) per share, up from NIS 0.45 in the previous quarter.

Earnings - 22nd July 2008 (2)

4:59PM Zimmer Hldgs misses by $0.04, reports revs in-line; lowers FY08 EPS and revs guidance (ZMH) 70.88 +0.52 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.99 per share, $0.04 worse than the First Call consensus of $1.03; revenues rose 11.3% year/year to $1.08 bln vs the $1.07 bln consensus. Co lowers guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $4.05-4.10, down from previous guidance of $4.20-4.25, vs. $4.19 consensus; sees FY08 revs growth of 8.5-9% (which calculates to ~$4.23-4.25 bln vs. $4.28 bln consensus), down from previous guidacne of 10-11%.

4:59PM Broadcom on call sees Q3 revs of $1.25-1.3 bln vs $1.16 bln First Call consensus (BRCM) 27.64 +0.20 :

4:30PM Axsys Technologies beats by $0.06, beats on revs; guides FY08 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (AXYS) 63.32 -1.43 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.54 per share, $0.06 better than the First Call consensus of $0.48; revenues rose 40.4% year/year to $60.3 mln vs the $56.2 mln consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $2.09-2.15, previous $1.88-1.92, vs. $1.92 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $237-241 mln, previous $224-228 mln, vs. $227.91 mln consensus.

4:23PM ADC Telecom lowers FY08 revenue guidance, sees Q3 revs below Q2 revs; lowers FY08 EPS (ADCT) 13.37 +0.24 : Co lowers FY08 revs guidance to $1.50-1.52 bln vs $1.53 bln consensus, down from $1.52-1.54 bln prior guidance. Co sees Q3 revs 3-5% below Q2 revw, which equates to ~$383.2-391.3 vs $403.9 mln consensus. Co lowers FY08 GAAP EPS to $1.12-1.20, excludes $0.94 in charges, vs $1.33 consensus. Co says due to the change in sales volume and product mix, ADC's gross margins in 2008 are now expected to be around 34% for the second half and around 35% for the full year compared to previous guidance of 36% for the full year... says "the updated financial outlook primarily reflects lower sales of copper and fiber connectivity products in the United States resulting mainly from customers' recent budget reviews and ordering patterns, as well as the resulting effects on original equipment manufacturers' demand for ADC products. "We remain firmly committed to managing our business strategically for the long term, but the inherent short-lead time nature of our business sometimes results in quarter-to-quarter market-related movements, up or down, in our sales expectations."

4:22PM PPD Inc. beats by $0.02, beats on revs (PPDI) 40.95 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.41 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.39; revenues rose 16.3% year/year to $407 mln vs the $374.2 mln consensus. "I am very pleased with our financial and operating performance for the quarter," said Fred Eshelman, chief executive officer of PPDI. "The management team made substantial progress on various internal initiatives, as evidenced by the expansion in our development segment operating margin, robust cash flow, improved DSO and solid earnings." Eshelman added, "We believe the market for CRO services is strong, even though our new authorizations came in lower than expected for the quarter. Request-for-proposal volume remains high, and we will continue to focus our efforts on operational excellence and sales execution."

4:18PM VMware reports EPS in-line, revs in-line; guides Q3 & FY08 revs below consensus (VMW) 37.97 +1.03 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.23 per share, in-line with the First Call consensus of $0.23; revenues rose 53.7% year/year to $456.1 mln vs the $458.6 mln consensus. Q2 non-GAAP operating margins 24.6% vs. the 24.4% Street expectation and 24.3% in Q1. Co issues downside guidance for Q3, sees Q3 revs of $462-468 vs. $497.34 mln consensus. VMW says 2008 revenues are targeted to grow approximately 42-45% compared to 2007 vs consensus ests of ~48% (42-45% growth equates to $1.88-1.92 bln vs $1.96 bln consensus). VMW says Q3 GAAP operating margin is targeted to be between 11-13% (no ests).

4:17PM Washington Mutual misses by $2.29 (WM) 5.86 +0.38 : Reports Q2 (Jun) loss of $3.34 per share, excluding $3.24 related to the co's capital issuance in April, $2.29 worse than the First Call consensus of ($1.05). Co increased its loan loss reserves by $3.74 bln to $8.46 bln. The quarter's provision was $5.9 bln compared with $2.2 bln of net charge-offs. The co now expects the remaining cumulative losses in its residential mortgage portfolios to be toward the upper end of the range it disclosed in April, and continues to expect 2008 to be the peak year for provisioning. Co now expects to realize annualized cost savings of approx $1 bln which will contribute to improved pretax, pre-provision earnings. The co's tangible equity to total tangible assets capital ratio increased during Q2 to 7.79% from 6.40% in Q1, resulting in approx $7 bln of capital in excess of its targeted 5.50%. The increase reflects the effects of the $7.2 bln capital raise, the reduction of the co's balance sheet by $10 bln and the loss for the quarter. The co had over $40 bln of readily available liquidity at quarter end.

4:17PM Norfolk Southern beats by $0.13, beats on revs (NSC) 65.69 +2.15 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.18 per share, $0.13 better than the First Call consensus of $1.05; revenues rose 16.3% year/year to $2.77 bln vs the $2.65 bln consensus. "Norfolk Southern delivered record financial results during the quarter, reporting continuing strength in our coal, agriculture, and metals markets," said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. "Looking ahead, our franchise should continue to benefit from a broad and balanced customer base as well as from rail's inherent advantages over other transportation modes - safety and reliability, fuel efficiency, and environmental sustainability."

4:11PM E*TRADE misses by $0.05, beats on revs (ETFC) 4.05 : Reports Q2 (Jun) loss of $0.19 per share, $0.05 worse than the First Call consensus of ($0.14); revenues fell 15.9% year/year to $342.8 mln vs the $332.5 mln consensus. "While economic conditions are still challenging, we consider loan delinquency trends to be encouraging." Total delinquencies increased by 9 percent or $111 mln during the quarter, representing the slowest increase in four quarters. Home equity loan delinquencies increased by 4% or $25 mln during the quarter, down from an increase of 8 percent in the prior quarter. Provision for loan losses increased by $85 mln quarter over quarter, driven primarily by an increase in home equity-related charge-offs. Total allowance for loan losses increased to $636 mln, as provision exceeded charge-offs by $70 mln during the quarter. The Company increased its allowance for loan losses across all three categories of its loan portfolio. "While the current economic environment may impede our expectations to return to profitability from continuing operations this year, we are executing well on our Turnaround Plan and continue to make progress toward returning to profitability."

4:06PM Intuitive Surgical beats by $0.10, beats on revs (ISRG) : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.28 per share, $0.10 better than the First Call consensus of $1.18; revenues rose 56.3% year/year to $219.2 mln vs the $208.6 mln consensus. Intuitive ended the second quarter of 2008 with cash, cash equivalents and investments of $740 million, up $104 million from December 31, 2007.

4:04PM Edwards Lifesci beats by $0.02, beats on revs; guides Q3 EPS in-line; guides FY08 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus (EW) 65.25 +0.10 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.66 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.64; revenues rose 20.2% year/year to $327.6 mln vs the $311.9 mln consensus. Co issues in-line guidance for Q3, sees EPS of $0.53-0.57 vs. $0.56 consensus. Co issues upside guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $2.50-2.58 vs. $2.50 consensus; sees FY08 revs of $1.24-1.28 bln vs. $1.23 bln consensus. "... all of our franchises reported double-digit sales growth. This quarter was also highlighted by the strong uptake of our Edwards SAPIEN valve in Europe where procedural success continues to be impressive. Our base heart valve business, which excludes transcatheter heart valve sales, performed well this quarter, driven by strong double-digit international sales growth and improved U.S. performance..."

8:38AM Avery Dennison beats by $0.03, beats on revs; guides FY08 EPS below consensus (AVY) 45.24 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.03 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.03 better than the First Call consensus of $1.00; revenues rose 20.0% year/year to $1.83 bln vs the $1.8 bln consensus. Co issues downside guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $3.75-3.95, excluding non-recurring items, compared to previous guidance of $4.00-4.30, vs. $4.03 consensus. Co is reducing its Y08 guidance primarily due to a significant increase in inflation expectations coupled with greater economic weakness. To help offset the impact of inflation, co accelerated productivity efforts and is raising prices. However, expectations for raw material inflation in Y08 have risen to approx $110 mln, representing a 60% increase since April. Because the majority of the benefit from pricing actions is expected to materialize later in the year, raw material inflation will significantly outpace price increases realized in the full year. Co's earnings expectations reflect revenue flat to slightly down on an organic basis for Y08. Slowing in European and Asian markets is expected, in addition to the slower U.S. market.

8:37AM AK Steel beats by $0.14, beats on revs (AKS) 51.06 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.29 per share, $0.14 better than the First Call consensus of $1.15; revenues rose 19.6% year/year to $2.24 bln vs the $2.10 bln consensus. Co says the yr-over-yr operating profit improvement was primarily due to higher spot market shipments and overall higher selling prices in all markets, coupled with continued strong cost controls. Co does not provide specific EPS guidance for Q3, but says it expects shipments of 1.55 mln tons which will be lower than Q2 due to seasonally lower automotive shipments and a planned five-day outage at its Middletown Works hot strip mill. The co also expects higher raw material and energy costs in Q3. Average per-ton selling prices should rise 10% sequentially in Q3.

8:36AM XTO Energy beats by $0.04, beats on revs (XTO) 57.98 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $1.09 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $1.05; revenues rose 45.7% year/year to $1.94 bln vs the $1.85 bln consensus. Second quarter 2008 daily gas production averaged 1.80 Bcf, up 35% from second quarter 2007 daily production of 1.33 Bcf. Daily oil production for the second quarter was 51.3 thousand barrels, an 11% increase from the second quarter 2007 level of 46.1 thousand barrels. During the quarter, natural gas liquids production was 15.6 thousand barrels per day, a 3% increase from the prior year quarter rate of 15.2 thousand barrels per day.

8:32AM USG Corp beats by $0.09, beats on revs (USG) 26.02 : Reports Q2 (Jun) loss of $0.27 per share, excluding non-recurring items, $0.09 better than the First Call consensus of ($0.36); revenues fell 11.2% year/year to $1.25 bln vs the $1.21 bln consensus. Co said, "The steep decline in the U.S. housing market, combined with unprecedented increases in the cost of key raw materials and energy, resulted in losses in our core wallboard business... Our other businesses are performing reasonably well, despite their own challenging market conditions."

8:11AM PACCAR beats by $0.02, beats on revs (PCAR) 42.72 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.86 per share, $0.02 better than the First Call consensus of $0.84; revenues rose 10.3% year/year to $3.78 bln vs the $3.72 bln consensus.

8:08AM Wabtec beats by $0.04, beats on revs; guides FY08 EPS above consensus, revs in-line (WAB) 53.40 : Reports Q2 (Jun) earnings of $0.69 per share, $0.04 better than the First Call consensus of $0.65. Co raises guidance for FY08, sees EPS of $2.65 vs. $2.61 consensus, from $2.55 previously; sees FY08 revs of $1.52-1.55 bln vs. $1.55 bln consensus, from high-single-digits previously. "Although we remain cautious about the economic outlook in the U.S. and abroad, we are confident in our growth prospects for the rest of 2008 and beyond."