Recent Earnings Reports

I need to catch up on some of our earnings reports from last week. There was a bunch, so here’s a quick rundown:
W.R. Berkley (BER) reported earnings of 92 cents a share, inline with estimates. This was a nice improvement over last year, but the stock is right at its 52-week low.
AFLAC’s (AFL) operating earnings came in at 82 cents per share compared with 75 cents a year ago. Analysts were looking for 81 cents per share. The stock soared more than 8% last Wednesday but has since pulled back. Even though they’re both insurance stocks, AFL and BER have been radically different performers this year. AFL is up 13% while BER is down 15%.
Graco (GGG) had a rotten first quarter but it made up for it last quarter. The company earned 66 cents a share, five cents more than estimates. The stock got a nice bump last Thursday and has, so far, held on to it.
Fiserv (FISV) has been a good stock for us, but not lately. The shares got taken down after the company missed earnings by three cents a share (68 vs. 71). FISV lowered its full-year guidance to $2.74 to $2.82 per share, down from $2.86 to $2.94 per share.
Respironics (RESP) had a very good earnings report. This stock is finally getting back on track and is now our top-performer this year. RESP earned 50 cents a share, two cents more than estimates and ten cents more than last year.
SEI Investments (SEIC) was our top-performer last year, rising 61%, but the shares haven’t done well this year. Earnings, however, ain’t so bad. First-quarter earnings were inline, but Q2 came in at 35 cents a share, three cents more than Wall Street’s estimate. Last year, FISV made 29 cents a share.
Varian Medical (VAR) earned 44 cents a share, which was two cents less than last year, but two cents more than expectations. The stock has pulled back some more and it’s turning into one of our big losers for the year. Varian also said that earnings will come in at the low end of expectations. Ugh.
Fair Isaac (FIC) beat consensus, but I’m getting very frustrated with this stock. The previous two earnings reports were terrible.
Nicholas Financial (NICK), our micro-cap car-loan stock, is starting to plunge in a serious way. I think it’s getting caught up in the subprime mess. Revenues were up, but EPS came in at 29 cents, two pennies below last year. The stock has dipped below $9 a share. Delinquencies are up, but the stock still seems very inexpensive to me.
Donaldson (DCI) won’t report for another month, but the company raised its dividend 11% from nine to 10 cents a share.

Posted by on August 2nd, 2007 at 11:03 pm


The information in this blog post represents my own opinions and does not contain a recommendation for any particular security or investment. I or my affiliates may hold positions or other interests in securities mentioned in the Blog, please see my Disclaimer page for my full disclaimer.