Stocks in focus for Thursday

Feb.13, 2008 in Market Outlook

Ingersoll-Rand, Comcast, Marriott, Goodyear Tire

By MarketWatch

Last Update: 6:30 PM ET Feb 13, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Among the companies whose shares are expected to
see active trade in Thursday’s session are Ingersoll-Rand, Comcast, Marriott, and
Goodyear Tire.

Ingersoll-Rand (IR) is projected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 97 cents a
share, according to analysts polled by Thomson Financial.

Comcast (CMCSA) is expected to report fourth-quarter earnings of 17 cents a
share.

Marriott International (MAR) is forecast to post earnings of 62 cents a share in
the fourth quarter.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber (GT) is likely to report earnings of 42 cents a share in
the fourth quarter.

Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) is projected to report
fourth-quarter earnings of 69 cents a share.

Ameren Corp. (AEE) is likely to post earnings of 57 cents a share in the fourth
quarter.

Progress Energy (PGN) is estimated to post earnings of 50 cents a share in the
fourth quarter.

Chemtura Corp. (CEM) is expected to report earnings of 7 cents a share in the
fourth quarter.

Encana (ECA) is likely to report earnings of $1.31 a share in the fourth quarter.

Cognex (CGNX) is estimated to post fourth-quarter earnings of 20 cents a share.

After Wednesday’s closing bell, The Wall Street Journal reported in its online
edition that active ingredients used in the recently recalled blood thinner
heparin made by Baxter International Inc. (BAX) have been traced to a Chinese
plant that had never been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration. The
newspaper reported an FDA spokeswoman said the plant “was supposed to be
inspected” but was not “due to human error.” The FDA will inspect the plant soon.
In January, Baxter issued an “urgent” recall of batches of heparin after reports
it caused severe allergic reactions in hundreds of recipients that included four
deaths.

Watch list

Advanced Auto Parts Inc.’s (AAP) fourth-quarter net income fell to $34.8 million
from $35.4 million a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose to 35
cents from 33 cents. Net sales grew to $1.05 billion from $1.02 billion. Analysts
had expected earnings of 37 cents a share on revenue of $1.07 billion. Advanced
Auto expects 2008 earnings to be about $2.55 a share on revenue of $5.1 billion.

Agilent Technologies Inc.’s (A) fiscal first-quarter net income declined to $120
million, or 31 cents a share, from $150 million, or 36 cents a share, a year
earlier, due in part to stock-based compensation costs. Excluding stock-based
compensation and other items, earnings were 42 cents a share. The maker of
testing and measuring equipment said revenue increased to $1.39 billion from
$1.28 billion. Analysts had expected earnings of 41 cents a share on revenue of
$1.38 billion. Looking ahead, Agilent expects fiscal second-quarter adjusted
earnings of 46 cents to 50 cents a share on revenue between $1.4 billion to $1.45
billion.

Amkor Technology Inc.’s (AMKR) fourth-quarter net income climbed to $93.7
million, or 46 cents a share, from $59 million, or 30 cents a share, a year
earlier, boosted in part by stronger-than-expected demand for high-end wireless
communications and computing and gaming applications. The semiconductor assembly
and test services provider said sales increased to $746.9 million from $683
million. Amkor expects first quarter earnings of 25 cents to 29 cents a share.
The company expects first-quarter sales to fall 7% to 9% from fourth quarter.

Avis Budget Group (CAR) reported a net loss of $1.06 billion, or $10.16 a share,
in the fourth quarter compared with a net income of $3 million, or 2 cents a
share, in the year-earlier period. Avis Budget recorded a $1.2 billion non-cash
goodwill impairment charge primarily due to the decline in market value of its
stock price at year-end compared with book value, the car rental company said.
Excluding the goodwill charge, the company would have reported adjusted earnings
of 27 cents a share. Revenue totaled $1.38 billion in the quarter, up from $1.33
billion a year ago.

Baidu.com Inc. (BIDU), a Chinese-language Internet search provider, said its net
income for the fourth quarter rose to 219.8 million yuan ($30.1 million), or 6.32
yuan a share (87 cents), from 181.7 million yuan, or 5.23 yuan a share, a year
ago. Revenue rose to 571.1 million yuan ($78.3 million) from 496.5 million yuan a
year ago. Analysts had estimated a profit of 72 cents a share on revenue of $77
million for the latest quarter.

Bally Technologies Inc. (BYI) swung to a fiscal second-quarter profit of $24.4
million, or 42 cents a share, from a loss of $2.5 million, or 5 cents a share, a
year earlier. Revenue increased to $230.7 million from $150.9 million. Analysts
had expected second-quarter earnings of 39 cents a share and revenue of $199.1
million. Bally Technologies raised its 2008 forecasts, now projecting earnings of
$1.62 to $1.87 a share for the year ending June 30 and revenue in excess of $875
million.

Clear Channel Communications Inc. (CCU) will have to divest radio stations in
four cities before being acquired for $19.5 billion by a private equity group led
by Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee Partners, the Department of Justice said. The
Justice Department is requiring Clear Channel divest radio stations in
Cincinnati, Houston, Las Vegas and San Francisco because Bain and Lee own
interest in competitors in those cities.

Healthspring Inc.’s (HS) fourth-quarter net income rose to $26.2 million, or 46
cents a share, from $20.1 million, or 35 cents a share, in the prior-year period,
due in part to a higher premiums from increased membership rates and per-member
per-month premium rates. The managed-care company’s revenue rose to $468.5
million from $246.1 million last year. Analysts had expected earnings of 45 cents
a share on revenue of $454 million.

Ingram Micro Inc.’s (IM) fourth-quarter earnings rose to $114.1 million, or 64
cents a share, from $91.7 million, or 53 cents a share, as its sales grew across
all global regions. Revenue increased to $10 billion from $8.85 billion a year
earlier. Analysts had expected earnings of 60 cents a share and revenue of $9.86
billion. The technology company said it sees first-quarter earnings of 36 cents
to 40 cents a share and revenue of $8.75 billion to $9 billion.

Intersil Corp. (ISIL) said Rich Beyer resigned as chief executive officer to
pursue another opportunity. Beyer will stay on to assist in a transition period.
Intersil said its board appointed David Bell as president and CEO. Separately,
privately held Freescale Semiconductor said Rich Beyer will be the company’s
chairman and CEO in March.

MBIA Inc. (MBI) said it completed the sale of 94.6 million shares of its common
stock for $12.15 a share, or net proceeds of about $1.1 billion. Private-equity
firm Warburg Pincus LLC bought $300 million in stock as part of the offering.
MBIA said it has now increased its claims-paying resources by as much as $3.2
billion in about two months, including Wednesday’s deal, and currently has more
than $17 billion in total claims-paying resources.

Netgear Inc.’s (NTGR) fourth-quarter net income decreased to $12.5 million, or 35
cents a share, from $13.4 million, or 38 cents a share, a year earlier, due in
part to increased operating expenses. Excluding amortization of intangibles,
acquisition-related bonuses and stock-based compensation, earnings fell slightly
to $14.8 million, or 41 cents a share, from $14.9 million, or 43 cents a share, a
year earlier. The network equipment designer’s revenue rose to $198.3 million
from $164 million in the year-ago period. Analysts had expected earnings of 45
cents a share on revenue of $199 million.

Network Appliance Inc.’s (NTAP) fiscal third-quarter net income rose to $101.8
million, or 29 cents a share, from $66.5 million, or 17 cents a share, a year
earlier. The seller of data storage systems said non-GAAP income was $131.7
million, or 37 cents a share. Analysts had projected earnings at 34 cents a share
for the quarter. Analysts’ projections exclude certain items. Revenue rose to
$884 million from $729.3 million for the quarter.

Nvidia Corp. (NVDA) reported earnings of $257 million, or 42 cents a share, in
the fourth quarter, compared to earnings of $163.5 million, or 27 cents a share,
for the same period last year. On a non-GAAP basis, the company said earnings
would have come in at $292.6 million, or 49 cents a share. Revenue rose to $1.2
billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 47 cents a share on revenue of $1.19
billion.

ValueClick Inc. (VCLK) said its fourth-quarter net income fell to $18.1 million,
or 18 cents a share, from $21.6 million, or 22 cents a share, a year earlier.
Results for the latest quarter included a Federal Trade Commission settlement
charge of 3 cents a share. The Internet advertising service provider said revenue
increased to $183.1 million from $160.4 million, helped by results from acquired
companies. Analysts had expected earnings of 18 cents a share on revenue of $176
million. Analyst estimates typically exclude unusual items.

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