Posts Tagged ‘buzz stocks’

Ciena Corp. (CIEN) pops on narrower Q3 losses

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Ciena Corp. (Nasdaq: CIEN) shares climbed 18.9% to $14.55 after the network-equipment maker reported losses narrowed in its fiscal third quarter. Volume for the stock proved to be 24.4 million shares, or nearly four times its normal daily average.

The company put out a news release Sept. 1, saying that, for the fiscal third quarter 2011, Ciena reported revenue of $435.3 million. On the basis of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), Ciena’s net loss for the fiscal third quarter 2011 was $31.5 million, or $0.33 per common share, which compares to a GAAP net loss of $109.9 million, or $1.18 per common share, for the fiscal third quarter 2010.

Ciena’s adjusted (non-GAAP) net income for the fiscal third quarter 2011 was $8.3 million, or $0.08 per common share, which compares to an adjusted (non-GAAP) net loss of $8.0 million, or $0.09 per common share, for the fiscal third quarter 2010.

Ciena CEO Gary Smith was quoted in the same release as saying, “Our third quarter results, which included a favorable product mix and reduced operating expense to achieve an as-adjusted operating profit, demonstrate our early progress in delivering additional operating leverage from the business.”

Smith continued, “Despite current macroeconomic headwinds that could cause the rate of market growth to be moderated, we believe that we are well-positioned to capitalize on the continued modernization of today’s networks and to grow faster than the market.”

The Maryland-based Ciena offers leading network infrastructure solutions, intelligent software and a comprehensive services practice.

Movado Group Inc. (MOV) moves on profit picture

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Movado Group Inc. (NYSE: MOV) shares gained 8.5% to $14.93 after the watch manufacturer reported second-quarter profit that topped Wall Street’s expectations. Share volume for the company totaled more than 142,000, nosing out its all-day average of 121,000 shares before noon ET Thursday.

A news release dated Sept. 1, noted that the company, based out of Paramus, N.J., announced net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 increased 32.6% to $113.2 million, compared to $85.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2011, driven by growth in every brand category. On a constant dollar basis, net sales increased 25.5% compared to the prior year period.

Gross profit in the second quarter of fiscal 2012 was $60.9 million, or 53.8% of sales, compared to $44.4 million, or 52.0% of sales, in the second quarter last year. The increase in gross margin percentage is primarily the result of leverage gained on certain fixed costs as well as a favorable shift in channel and product mix.

The same release quoted Movado CEO Efraim Grinberg as saying, “We are very pleased with our second quarter and year-to-date performance. Our strategic initiatives coupled with solid execution have continued to benefit our results as we recorded another period of double-digit sales growth while also increasing our profitability.

Grinberg  continued, “While we experienced broad-based sales growth across all of our brand categories, our results continue to be driven by particularly strong performances in Movado and licensed brands both domestically and internationally.”

Movado Group, Inc. designs, sources, and distributes MOVADO®, EBEL®, CONCORD®, ESQ® by Movado, COACH®, TOMMY HILFIGER®, HUGO BOSS®, JUICY COUTURE® and LACOSTE® watches worldwide, and operates Movado company stores in the United States.

Fresh Market Inc. (TFM) jumps on better earnings

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Fresh Market Inc. (Nasdaq: TFM) shares advanced 11.6% to $38.88 after the grocery chain raised its outlook for 2011 earnings. Volume for the stock topped 942,000 shares, whereas it normally trades around 651,000 for a single day.

A news release out August 31 declared that the company announced unaudited sales and earnings results for its second quarter ended July 31, 2011. In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, net sales increased 13.6% to $259.5 million and comparable store sales increased 4.6%, compared to the corresponding period in 2010. Net income in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 was $10.5 million, compared to pro forma net income of $6.9 million in the corresponding period in 2010. Diluted earnings per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2011 was $0.22, compared to pro forma diluted earnings per share of $0.14 in the prior-year period, an increase of 52.1%.

The same release had CEO Craig Carlock as saying, “We are happy to report another healthy quarter of both sales and earnings growth. Our comparable store sales grew 4.6 %, and this marked our seventh consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth of 4.0% or greater. As revenues grew, we also continued to expand our margins. In the second quarter, we increased our operating margin from 5.2% last year to 6.5% this year despite pressure from rising food and commodity costs and despite the additional costs incurred related to being a publicly-traded company. Additionally, we were excited to open five new stores and to relocate one existing store during the quarter and we are happy with their performance so far.”

Carlock concluded, “We are pleased with the momentum in the business through the first half of fiscal 2011, and even with recent macroeconomic uncertainty, we are increasing our EPS guidance from a range of $1.01 to $1.05 to a range of $1.03 to $1.06.”

The Fresh Market, Inc. based in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a high-growth specialty retailer

Response Genetics, Inc. (RGDX) wins new assignment, stock soars

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

Response Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGDX) shares hiked 10.6% to $2.40, on word of a new contract. Volume for the stock was a mere 500 shares, in contrast to a daily average of 12,000.

A news release out August 31 declared that XIFIN Inc., the company revolutionizing revenue cycle management for diagnostic service providers, announced today that Response Genetics had implemented XIFIN’s revenue cycle management system to optimize billing and claims management and help manage cash collections.

The release quoted David O’Toole, Vice President and CFO at Response Genetics as saying, “We believe XIFIN’s expertise in molecular diagnostic billing best positioned us to effectively manage RGI’s cash flow while bringing billing and collections in-house during a period of tremendous company growth and also to meet the stringent regulatory requirements for public companies.”

The Los Angeles-based Response Genetics, Inc., a leading developer of molecular diagnostic tests for cancer including ResponseDX: Lung(TM), ResponseDX: Colon(TM) and ResponseDX: Gastric(TM), has implemented XIFIN’s revenue cycle management system to optimize billing and claims management and help manage cash collections.

Venoco Inc. (VQ) exploring going private, stock zooms

Monday, August 29th, 2011

Venoco Inc. (NYSE: VQ) shares surged 30.3% to $11.70 after the oil and natural-gas company’s chief executive proposed taking the company private at a price of $12.50 a share. The stock volume Monday of 2.5 million shares proved more than five times its daily average.

A news release issued August 29 reported that the Denver-based Venoco, Inc. announced that its board of directors had received a non-binding proposal from CEO Timothy M. Marquez, the holder of approximately 50.3% of Venoco’s outstanding common stock, to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Venoco common stock for $12.50 per share in cash.

In response, Venoco’s board is in the process of forming a special committee of independent directors to consider the proposal, which will be comprised of all of the directors of the company other than Mr. Marquez. The committee will retain independent financial advisors and legal counsel to assist it in its work.

The release quotes the board of directors as cautioning Venoco shareholders and others considering trading in its securities that it has only received the proposal and that no decision has been made with respect to the company’s response to the proposal.

Venoco is an independent energy company primarily engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation and development of oil and natural gas properties primarily in California.