Posts Tagged ‘consumer staples’

Temple Inland Inc. (TIN) jumps on International buyout

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Temple Inland Inc. (NYSE: TIN) shares rallied 25.5% to $30.91 a piece Tuesday after International Paper Co. (NYSE: IP) raised its raised its offer for the shipping-box maker. Volume for Temple topped 27.6 million shares, nearly eight times its daily average.

A news release out September 6 noted that the Memphis-based Temple and International announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which International Paper will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Temple-Inland for $32.00 per share in cash, plus the assumption of $600 million in Temple-Inland’s year-end debt. The total transaction value is approximately $4.3 billion.

The combination, which has been approved by the Boards of both companies, offers numerous benefits for the shareholders and customers of both companies, and is consistent with International Paper’s focus on achieving and sustaining cost of capital returns throughout the cycle. The transaction is expected to be accretive to International Paper’s shareholders in year one after closing. It is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012.

Temple-Inland Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Doyle R. Simons was quoted in the release as saying, “this transaction creates value for both Temple-Inland and International Paper shareholders. The combined company will be positioned to be a leader in providing high quality products for its customers.”

Temple-Inland Inc. is a manufacturing company focused on corrugated packaging and building products. The fully integrated corrugated packaging operation consists of seven mills and 59 converting facilities.

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

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR) perks on profit picture

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (Nasdaq: GMCR) shares advanced 16.2% to $102.39 after the brewing machine seller projected 2012 profits that exceeded estimates. Volume for the stock surpassed 8.5 million shares, compared to a daily average of 2.5 million.

After the close of Wednesday’s trading, the company put out a news release stating that net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 increased 127% to $717.2 million as compared to $316.6 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

Under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2011 totaled $56.3 million, or $0.37 per diluted share, representing an increase of 206% as compared to GAAP net income of $18.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

The company’s CEO, Lawrence Blanford stated in the same release, “In addition to continued strong consumer adoption of the Keurig® Single-Cup Brewing system, we believe our third quarter benefitted from our first-ever significant spring advertising and brand support programs, designed to raise awareness of the Keurig Single-Cup Brewing system and of our Brew Over Ice™ Teas and Coffees, perfect for the summer months.”

Blanford concluded, “It is particularly rewarding to think that with our growth, the resources we’re able to allocate to socially and environmentally focused initiatives grows as well, amplifying the positive change GMCR and its employees.”

Based in Waterbury, Vermont, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. is recognized for its award-winning coffees, innovative brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices

CAK soars, LVLT basks, YUII ails

Wednesday, April 13th, 2011

CAMAC Energy Inc. (AMEX: CAK) was a surprise victor among market movers Wednesday, gaining 51.8% in price to $2.08. Volume was 6.1 million shares, or 12 times its normal full-day average.

Level 3 Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: LVLT) proved one of the most popular movers on Wall Street Wednesday, trading in 39.4 million shares, or twice its full-day average. Prices for the stock inched ahead 0.6% to $1.68, a day after announcing it was buying Global Crossing for $3 billion.

Yuhi International Inc. (Nasdaq: YUII) took a slip Wednesday, docking its price by 18.6% to $5.42, on 447,000 shares, compared to normal volume around 92,600.

WFMI, UNTD, SMSI – Notable Nasdaq Gainers

Thursday, November 4th, 2010

Shares of natural goods grocer, Whole Foods Market, Inc. (Nasdaq: WFMI)were up as much as 13 percent from Wednesday closing price in morning trading on Thursday. Shares touched a new 52-week high of $46.80 on nearly triple the company’s three-month average trading volume in mid-day trading on Wednesday. Net income for the fourth quarter ended September 26 increased to to $57.5 million, or 33 cents a share, from $28.7 million, or 20 cents a share a year earlier. Analysts, on average were expecting EPS of 28 cents per share, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The company boosted its fiscal 2011 profit estimates to as much as $1.71 a share, from a previous high of $1.64. Whole Foods’ fourth quarter sales rose 15 percent to $2.1 billion, from $1.8 billion. Analysts were expecting revenue of $2.07 billion, according to Bloomberg. “We believe the company has strong growth prospects as market share gains combine with favorable industry trends and a better higher-end consumer to drive sales,” he said, noting the company is also controlling its costs, which all helps the bottom line,” said Jefferies & Co. analyst Scott Mushkin in a note to clients on Thursday. Mushkin raised his price target to $47, from $45, and maintained his fiscal 2011 EPS estimate of $1.72. Shares of WFMI are up about 28 percent over the past three months.

Shares of Internet consumer products and services provider, United Online, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNTD) soared more than 18 percent from Wednesday’s closing price in morning trading on Thursday, reaching an intraday high of $7.28 per share, at mid-day. United Online announced consolidated third quarter revenues were $193.5 million, down 10 percent form a year earlier. GAAP diluted net income per common share was 13 cents, down from 18 cents a year earlier. Adjusted diluted net income per common share was $0.25, versus $0.33 in the year-ago quarter. During the quarter, United Online repurchased 2.2 million common shares in open market transactions during the quarter for $11.0 million, resulting in an average cost of $5.07 per share. The company also paid $9.3 million in cash dividends during the quarter. The company expects fourth quarter revenue to range between $223 million and $229 million. The Woodland Hills-based company operates in three segments: FTD, Classmates Media, and Communications. The FTD segment markets flowers and specialty gift items. Classmates Media offers online social networking services under the Classmates brand name; and online loyalty marketing services under the MyPoints name. It also provides international social networking services under the StayFriends and Trombi names. The Communications segment offers dial-up Internet access under the NetZero and Juno brand names, and provides services including broadband, email, Internet security, and Web hosting. Shares of United Online, Inc. are up about 33 percent over the past three months.

Shares of software maker Smith Micro, Inc. (Nasdaq: SMSI) were up almost 14 percent in mid-day trading on Thursday, and touched a new 52-week high of $14.17 per share, after the company reported record third quarter revenue of $34.0 million, up 22 percent increase over $27.8 million reported in the third quarter of last year. GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $3.1 million or 9 cents per diluted share, up from $2.0 million, or 6 cents per diluted share a year ago. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of 2010 increased to $7.9 million, or 23 cents per diluted share, compared to $6.6 million, or 20 cents per diluted share, reported in the same quarter a year ago. “We’ve executed on three solid quarters in 2010 with record revenue and strong profitability and we remain comfortable with our guidance with annual revenue’s landing within the original range of $125 million to $135 million,” said Smith Micro’s CEO, Bill Smith in an earnings call. Shares of Smith Micro are up 58 percent over the past three months.