Direct-selling firm Tupperware (NYSE:TUP) reported anemic sales growth during its first quarter, but a very solid earnings increase. Its business model of going direct to consumers continues to have huge potential in emerging markets. It also believes the developed countries will increasingly embrace its direct focus.
Casual footwear provider Crocs (NYSE:CROX) reported first quarter results on Thursday and provided another indication that its namesake shoes and related accessories are more than a passing fad. The stock is also reasonably valued on and earning basis, and leaves room for upside surprises going forward.
For-profit educator DeVry (NYSE:DV) operates some nursing and healthcare education programs that are seeing steady trends, as enrollment at its more general schools experiences falling numbers. Brazil is also growing nicely, but the stock is unlikely to move much until domestic trends turn positive.
Medical device and technologies product provider C.R. Bard (NYSE:BCR) has posted steady, albeit modest growth trends over the last decade or so. Its founding goes back more than a century and provides sales and profit stability with a certain amount of downside protection. However, the richer valuation could handicap future upside potential.
Financial services and educational publishing firm McGraw-Hill (NYSE:MHP) finally decided to split its operations into two separately-traded public companies. The move was announced late last year. The market has awarded the stock with strong performance and calls into question how each new stock might trade once the split occurs.
Southeast regional bank SunTrust (NYSE:STI) reported an impressive rise in its first quarter earnings on April 23, 2012. There is likely further room for profit improvements, but the firm is not a very appealing operator in the industry.
Cleaning product firm Zep (NYSE:ZEP) continues to see tepid demand from its core customer base, but is laying the groundwork for what could be solid and sustainable growth going forward. The stock is trending back towards its low levels over the past year, which has put the valuation in more reasonable territory.
Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) (NYSE:STZ-B) recently closed out its fiscal year by reporting plummeting sales and a slight drop in profits. This masks a corporate reimaging program that has now left a number of higher-end wine and alcohol brands, as well as a very appealing joint venture with Mexican beer giant Grupo Model. With just a minimal level of growth going forward, the stock could move upward.
April 25, 2012 | Filed Under » Stock Analysis, Stocks
In recent years, Xerox (NYSE:XRX), traditionally known as a purveyor of copiers, printers and other related services, has been aggressively expanding its business process outsourcing activities. Given the growth that rivals have found in the space, Xerox appears to be on the right track. But for this year, trends look anemic.
The vast majority of investing consists of buying, or going long on a security with the intention of seeing it rise in price, after which it can be sold for a profit. A more specialized strategy is to do just the opposite, or sell a security “short” with the intent to have it fall in price so that it can be bought back later at a lower price.
Fast-food giant McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) kicked off its first quarter in fine fashion. Sales and profits grew steadily, which has been the norm at the company for some time now. These consistent trends should continue indefinitely, and though the valuation isn’t compelling, the mix of predictability, growth, and income potential should appeal to investors.
Industrial conglomerate Honeywell (NYSE:HON) kicked off its first quarter in 2012 and reported steady sales and profit growth. Its operations have spent a few years in recovery mode, but it appears they are set for a sustained period of respectable top line expansion that management should be able to leverage into double-digit annual profit growth. Combined with a reasonable valuation, the stock is worth a close look.
Industrial conglomerate and financial services powerhouse General Electric (NYSE:GE) reported first quarter results on April 20, 2012 that consisted of many moving parts. On a reported basis, sales and profits fell, but by management’s estimations of its core operations, the trends were firmly in the double digits. The key consideration for investors is what GE’s growth will look like in future years, and given its size, it could prove difficult to move the needle on its top line.
Basic materials giant DuPont (NYSE:DD) reported first quarter results in mid-April 2012, that sales rose in the double digits but profits grew much more modestly. In the coming few years, the company plans to leverage similarly strong sales into even stronger profit growth. Combined with the reasonable valuation and solid dividend, investors should take note.
LabCorp (NYSE:LH), along with a main rival, control a high percentage of the domestic lab testing market. One would think this dominance would translate into solid growth potential, but challenging industry conditions could keep overall growth constrained going forward.
April 23, 2012 | Filed Under » Investing Basics, Investment, Portfolio Management
A figurative sacred cow usually refers to an individual, organization, institution or any other entity that is exempt from being criticized or questioned. A belief also qualifies in this category. In investing, a number of sacred cow conceptions exist, but they should be questioned as they qualify as misconceptions that could end up costing investors’ money. Below are five misconceptions in the industry today.
Medical device firm Stryker (NYSE:SYK) reported first quarter results earlier on the week that proved its underlying businesses remain sound and steady. It isn’t growing like it used to, but its stock has been unduly punished for the more modest trends.
It wasn’t that long ago that diversified healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) could be relied on for double-digit sales and earnings growth. Patent expirations in its drug portfolio and a steady stream of product recalls have resulted in stagnant trends for roughly five years now. There is potential for a turnaround, but right now investors are favoring companies that are breaking into separate companies.
Global money center bank Citigroup (NYSE:C) started off the week on the right foot by reporting profits ahead of market expectations. It is still behind rivals in recovering from the credit crisis, but holds a collection of international assets that deserve more value than the market is currently awarding them.
By Ryan Fuhrmann
The world economy [1] may be struggling to recover from the depths of the Great Recession [2], but there are still pockets of the market [3] that are seeing explosive growth. Demand for electronic gadgets held up amazingly well during the credit crisis, which suggests consumers consider their smartphone or tablet computer necessities along with food and shelter. In fact, the housing bust demonstrated that shelter isn’t worth all that much these days.
By Ryan FuhrmannPublished 04/13/2012 – 11:30
The world economy [1] may be struggling to recover from the depths of the Great Recession [2], but there are still pockets of the market [3] that are seeing explosive growth. Demand for electronic gadgets held up amazingly well during the credit crisis, which suggests consumers consider their smartphone or tablet computer necessities along with food and shelter. In fact, the housing bust demonstrated that shelter isn’t worth all that much these days.
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