(Source: Business Wire)
Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL), Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. (NYSE: WDR), Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU), Hittite Microwave Corp. (NASDAQ: HITT) and Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN).
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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
Colgate Cleaning Up at CAGNY
Colgate-Palmolive (NYSE: CL) presented at the CAGNY (Consumer Analysts Group of New York) today in Boca Raton. Ian Cook, CEO and Chairman of the Board, re-confirmed that he is comfortable with the analyst consensus estimate of $0.97 for the 1st quarter and $4.25 for fiscal year 2009. Despite the challenges from currency and a global economic weakness, Colgate has the programs in place and the history of managing through difficult times to deliver solid results.
The company has a robust new product pipeline for 2009. For example, Colgate Wisp is a single-use mini-toothbrush with a breath-freshening bead. This new product meets an unfulfilled consumer need for on-the-go tooth cleaning, specifically with the ability to brush teeth without water and with no need to rinse. Consumers can use it anywhere and anytime of the day. A freshening bead dissolves as one brushes, and the molded bristles of the brush remove plaque and bits of food. In addition, there is a soft stick at the other end of the brush for hard to reach places.
Waddell & Reed Stays a Sell
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc.'s (NYSE: WDR) 4Q08 adjusted net income came in at $0.21 per diluted share, 7 pennies below our estimates and consensus.
The downside was attributable to weaker sales volume across all revenue channels resulting from sharp decline in assets under management (AUM), heightened by increased redemptions. AUM declined 20.6% sequentially with 41.8% decline in overall sales (net of commissions). We anticipate the decline in AUM to continue to hurt the top line for the next few months, in view of the continued downturn in the global markets.
Intuit: EPS Beat Boosts Stock
Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) issued its fiscal Q209 results yesterday after the bell. Although year-over-year comparisons were negative, both for revenue and EPS, the company beat both our and consensus expectations by a comfortable margin.
