Posted: Mar 25, 2010 08:59 AM by Ryan C. Fuhrmann
Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI) reported third-quarter financial results on Tuesday after the market close that demonstrated its fortunes are improving along with the economy and overall consumer sentiment. This has already resulted in significant share price gains for current investors, but means further gains will need to stem primarily from profit improvements going forward.
Upscale jeweler Tiffany & Co. (NYSE:TIF) saw a surprising boost to its holiday sales and earnings during the current fiscal year. This was as unexpected as the severe downturn it experienced last year, which indicates that the firm is susceptible to uneven consumer demand, just like many of its rivals. Plus, profits will have to rise substantially to justify the current share price valuation.
Online financial portal provider China Finance Online (Nasdaq:JRJC) reported full-year results on Tuesday that illustrated growth trends have taken a breather in a market with huge potential, as individuals increasingly become investors in China.
Financial application provider FactSet (NYSE:FDS) reported second-quarter earnings results on Tuesday that saw earnings come in ahead of analyst expectations. The company is fantastically profitable and has robust growth potential; unfortunately most of this is already reflected in the share price.
In most cases, a quarterly earnings miss will send a company’s stock on a downward trajectory. Costco (Nasdaq:COST) is different; its miss during its second quarter went largely unnoticed by its loyal base of shareholders, whose priorities are more reasonably focused on its operating performance over the longer term.
IBM (NYSE:IBM) and Hewlett-Packard (NYSE:HPQ) are two technology titans that trade in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Both draw frequent comparisons and compete in a number of the same industries within the technology sector. But from an investment perspective, IBM currently looks like the better bet.
The Buckle (NYSE:BKE) has specialized in selling fashionable apparel, especially private label denim, to young men and women in smaller markets across the United States. This focus has led to quite a long stretch of sales and profit growth, and the current fiscal year was no exception. Strangely though, this success has largely gone unnoticed by investors.
Have you ever wondered how the drugs used to fill your prescription at the retail drugstore reach it to the store shelves? Maybe not, but there is an entire industry dedicated to distributing drugs to retail establishments, hospitals, and other medical faculties. Better yet, they can make great investments provided they can be found at an appealing price.
In recent years investors have had to turn to emerging markets or premium spirit brands to stand a chance at seeing positive sales growth in the alcoholic beverage industry. This investment universe includes giant firms such as SABMiller plc (OTC:SBMRY) and Fortune Brands (NYSE:FO), but Boston Beer (NYSE:SAM), best known for its Sam Adams brew, offers a refreshing alternative for those looking for respectable domestic growth trends.
Don Yacktman of the Yacktman Funds was recently voted a finalist for Fund Manager of the Decade by mutual fund rating firm Morningstar. He didn’t end up winning the coveted top award, but being in the top five out of a universe of thousands of domestic fund managers isn’t too shabby. Below is an overview of Yacktman’s process and how it can help individual investors outperform the market over the long haul.
Staples (Nasdaq:SPLS) reported fourth-quarter and year-end financial results that disappointed investors. They also didn’t like its forward outlook, but Staples continues to impress from a cash flow generation perspective, and has built itself into a global provider of office supplies through retail and catalog delivery channels.
June will mark three years since medical supply firm Covidien (NYSE:COV) was spun off from Tyco (NYSE:TYC), the latter of which broke itself into three by also jettisoning Tyco Electronics (NYSE:TEL) from the corporate fold. Not surprisingly, Covidien has been the best performer since the split, because its sales go to the stable healthcare industry. Better yet, Covidien continues to have a favorable outlook in terms of sales and profit growth.
Posted: Mar 01, 2010 09:46 AM by Ryan C. Fuhrmann
Teleflex (NYSE:TFX) has undertaken a business transformation over the past couple of years that has lowered its exposure to cyclical, industrial-based businesses. However, its decision to emphasize medical devices and supplies has yet to stabilize cash flow generation and returns to shareholders.
Want to Subscribe?
Stock Quote
HD 78.91 -0.78
LOW 42.69 -0.28
NKE 63.33 -1.12
PFE 29.11 -0.19
SBUX 63.52 -0.63
CAKE 40.41 +0.26
MSFT 34.15 -0.46
CSCO 23.51 +0.17
IBM 206.16 -0.83
MHP 0.00 N/A
BAX 72.15 -0.15
BR 27.20 +0.39
CB 87.82 -0.19
DEO 121.81 -1.35
DFS 47.64 -0.27
DGX 61.97 +0.85
DNB 98.24 -0.75
GD 76.94 -0.48
GE 23.66 -0.20
HON 79.24 -0.35
HRS 50.10 +0.20
IR 57.17 +0.01
JCOM 40.69 +0.26
LH 100.71 +0.91
MCD 101.03 -0.71
MCO 66.57 -0.41
MTB 104.26 -0.41
SMG 48.30 +0.275
SONC 13.20 +0.08
SYY 34.56 -0.51
TAP 51.28 -0.41
WFC 40.01 -0.09
ZMH 79.95 +0.09
AFL 55.06 -0.27
WU 16.47 -0.24
AMGN 105.62 +1.09
NOK 3.60 -0.04
CAH 47.17 -0.42
WAG 50.40 +0.26
TSCO 111.20 -0.03
2013-05-23 16:00
