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Zacks Commentary: Growth & Income

  PRINTABLE VERSION  
Zacks Rank Buys are stocks with a short-term "Buy" or "Strong Buy" recommendation. To learn more about the Zacks Rank and its ability to beat the market year after year since 1988, visit the Zacks Rank Home Page.
Ensco International (ESV)
By Alex Kolb
Jul 31, 2008
Ensco International, Inc. (ESV) recently reported a record quarter. Earnings reached a record $296.7 million, which translates into $2.07 per share. The $2.07 topped last year’s $1.72 and eclipsed the consensus estimate by 5%. Revenues of $637.1 million surpassed the year-prior $548.6.

Company Description

Ensco International is a global offshore oil and gas drilling contractor. Its fleet of 52 rigs (including six ultra-deepwater semisubmersible rigs under construction) is strategically located in the most prolific domestic and international oil and gas markets and is managed through four major business units including: North & South America, Europe & Africa, Asia & Pacific Rim and Deepwater.

Record Second Quarter

The company recently reported a record quarter. Earnings reached a record $296.7 million, which translates into $2.07 per share. The $2.07 topped last year’s $1.72 and eclipsed the consensus estimate by 5%. Revenues of $637.1 million surpassed the year-prior $548.6.

Dan Rabun, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on the Company's results, strategic deepwater initiative and outlook: "Increases in average day rates in all regions and asset classes contributed to the sequential improvement in our second quarter results, and to another record quarter.

Rabun added that for the remainder of the year, the company is seeing improvement in backlog and day rates for its U.S. Gulf of Mexico and North Sea jackup fleets, and Ensco expects a balanced market for its Asia Pacific rigs. As a result, the company anticipates that 2008 will be another record year. With the planned expansion of its active deepwater rig fleet commencing in 2009, and the expected continued strength in markets for its premium jackups, Ensco believes that it is well positioned for continued growth.

Estimated Jumped Higher and Long-term Growth is in the Cards

Wall Street liked ESV’s record quarter as evidenced by higher earnings forecasts. Fifteen out of 22 covering analysts hiked full-year 2008 earnings projections from last week’s $8.28 per share to $8.45. Twelve out of 21 analysts increased third-quarter expectations from last week’s $2.17 per share to $2.22.

Ensco’s earnings per share are expected to grow by 20% over the next 3 – 5 years, while the industry average projection is a lower 18%.

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ZACKS COMMENTARY: GROWTH & INCOME ARCHIVE

Strayer Education
By Alex Kolb
Nov 19, 2008
Strayer Education turned in a strong third quarter and increased its dividend.

Church & Dwight
By Alex Kolb
Nov 18, 2008
Church & Dwight has been consistent in exceeding expectations, and the most recent quarter was no exception.

Abbott Laboratories
By Alex Kolb
Nov 17, 2008
Abbott Laboratories continues to boast healthy performance in a tough market.

Raytheon Company
By Alex Kolb
Nov 14, 2008
Raytheon Company, a Zacks #1 Rank, is seeing higher forecasts from Wall Street after delivering a solid quarter.

L-3 Communications
By Alex Kolb
Nov 13, 2008
L-3 Communications sees continued strong momentum.


 
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