Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Palm, Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Callidus Software, Inc., Consolidated Edison and Washington Post Company.
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL May 5, 2009 - 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: Palm (PALM), Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG - Analyst Report), Callidus Software, Inc. (CALD - Snapshot Report), Consolidated Edison (ED - Analyst Report) and Washington Post Company (WPO - Analyst Report).
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Here are highlights from Mondays Analyst Blog:
PALM: Hype & A Hot Stock
One of this year's hottest stocks has been Palm (PALM). Yes, the Palm that made PDA famous.
Last fall, shares of the company could have purchased for about $1.50 per share. On Friday, the stock closed at over $10. Year-to-date, PALM's return puts it within the top 1% of all stocks within the entire Zacks Rank universe.
A very impressive run. Unfortunately, the strong upward move is based on hype.
Hartford Loss Worse than Expected
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG - Analyst Report) reported its results after market close yesterday, with a conference call held this morning. 1Q09 net loss came in at $1.2 billion, or $3.77 per diluted share, compared with 1Q08 net income of $145 million, or $0.46 per diluted share. Excluding investment results, operating loss was $3.66 per share, far worse than the consensus estimate of a loss of $3.05 per share.
Written premiums for P&C operations were approximately $2.5 billion, down 5% from the year-ago quarter. Net income from ongoing operations was $111 million, including the effect of a $188 million net realized capital loss, compared with net income of $312 million, including the effect of an $87 million net realized capital loss, for 1Q08. The decrease in net income was primarily due to higher net realized capital losses and lower net investment income.
Callidus Software Losses Mount
Shares of Callidus Software, Inc. (CALD - Snapshot Report, Hold) are off over 6% in trading today following the companys Q1 earnings release yesterday. Q1 revenues of $25.9 million was higher than our estimate of $25.2 million and consensus of $24.9 million, while non-GAAP EPS came in lower than expected. Q1 loss of $(0.05) per share was significantly lower than our and consensus estimate of a loss of $(0.02) per share.
Callidus is one of the major providers of Enterprise Incentive Management (EIM) software systems. EIM software helps large enterprises across many industries determine and automate total compensation packages. Q1 revenue upside came mainly from the Services & Other segment, while recurring revenues came in line with expectation.
Consolidated Edison In-Line
Consolidated Edison (ED - Analyst Report) reported 1st quarter 2009 earnings of $180 million, or $0.66 per share, down 41% compared to $303 million, or $1.11 a share, in the 1st quarter of 2008. Excluding extraordinary non-recurring items, earnings from ongoing operations were $214 million, or $0.78 per share, down 10% from $237 million, or $0.87 per share, in the comparable period of 2008.
ConEd's reported operating earnings results for the 1st quarter beat our estimate of $0.77 per share by a penny per share.
Washington Post Misses Ests
Washington Post Company (WPO - Analyst Report) posted 1Q09 results that proves even the higher education business isnt impervious to a recession.
The publisher of its namesake newspaper and Newsweek magazine reported that 1Q09 EPS from continuing operations excluding one-time charges plunged to $0.41, grossly missing our estimate of $3.37 and the consensus of $3.48. EPS in 1Q08 was $5.68. Including the myriad charges, the company lost $2.04 in 1Q09, after earning $4.08 for 1Q08.
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