For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 1, 2012 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Sears Holding Corp. (
SHLD
- Analyst Report
)
as the Bull of the Day and Progressive Corp. (
PGR
- Analyst Report
)
as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on DineEquity Inc. (
DIN
- Snapshot Report
)
, Brinker International Inc. (
EAT
- Analyst Report
)
and Denny's Corporation (
DENN
- Snapshot Report
)
.
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
We have upgraded our long-term recommendation on Sears Holding Corp. (
SHLD
- Analyst Report
)
to Outperform, given its efforts to revamp its organizational structure and operating model in order to overcome its sluggish top-line performances and even weaker bottom-line results.
Despite a marginal decline of 2.8% in top line, Sears first-quarter 2012 loss per share narrowed to $0.31 from $1.34 in the prior-year period and fared better than the Zacks Consensus estimate of a loss of $0.59. The improved results were primarily driven by its ongoing cost reduction, inventory management, strengthening liquidity strategies and merchandise initiatives. Moreover, adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 150 basis points to 2.1% from 0.6% in the prior-year quarter.
Apart from this, Sears has been focusing on improving margins through leverage on buying and occupancy expenses. Further, we believe lowering its stake in Sears Canada will strengthen its liquidity position while boosting future growth prospects.
Bear of the Day:
We are downgrading Progressive Corp. (
PGR
- Analyst Report
)
to Underperform from Neutral as the company continues to deliver lower net investment income and incur higher expenses. Progressive's first quarter earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.03 but fell below the year-ago quarter.
Lower net investment gains and higher expenses resulted in lower numbers during the quarter. Considering the state of the economy, we expect significant pressure on underwriting margins and restriction in its top-line growth in the near term.
Our six-month target price of $20.00 equates to 13.8x our earnings estimate for 2012. Combined with $0.41 per share annual dividend this price target implies an expected negative total return of 7.3% over that period. This is consistent with our Underperform recommendation on the shares.
Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:
DineEquity to Divest 33 Applebee’s
DineEquity Inc. (
DIN
- Snapshot Report
)
recently announced that it has struck a deal with Apple Franchise Capital, LLC to sell 33 company-owned Applebee's restaurants in Missouri and Indiana for about $26 million. The company intends to reduce its financial obligations and shift toward a franchise-based model through this deal. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012.
Moreover, on the first day of this month, the company also announced the sale of 39 company-operated Applebee's restaurants in Virginia and expects to clinch this deal also in the third quarter of 2012.
During the first quarter, DineEquity completed the sale of 17 company-operated Applebee's restaurants located in a six-state market around Tennessee, consistent with the company’s strategy of becoming highly franchised.
Following the footsteps of other noted restaurant companies in the U.S., DineEquity is also shifting its focus toward franchised operations from company-owned restaurants as a de-risking strategy, given that expansion through franchising is less capital intensive and income is fixed in the form of fee.
DineEquity acquired Applebee’s International in November 2007 in a $2 billion leveraged buyout. Since then, the company has sold a total of 342 Applebee's company-operated restaurants.
The sale of company-owned Applebee’s restaurants has reduced the debt burden of the company considerably by the use of free cash flow. As of March 31, 2012, the company’s long-term debt liability was $1,338.0 million compared with $1,411.4 million as of December 31, 2011. During the quarter, the company reduced its total debt burden by $85.9 million.
At the end of the first quarter, more than 95% of DineEquity's Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were franchised. Upon completion of the pending sale, this percentage will rise to 97%. Although DineEquity’s transition to a more franchise-based model will decrease company-owned revenues, this will enhance free cash flow generation by reducing capital employed.
For fiscal 2012, Applebee's franchise plans to open 30 to 40 restaurants, half of which are expected to open in the U.S.
With more than 3,500 Applebee's and IHOP restaurants combined, DineEquity is the largest full-service restaurant company in the world with brands leading in their respective categories of casual and family dining.
DineEquity's primary competitors are Brinker International Inc. (
EAT
- Analyst Report
)
and Denny's Corporation (
DENN
- Snapshot Report
)
.
Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.
About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
About the Analyst Blog
Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous analyst coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=7158.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment
Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4582.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 1, 2012 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Sears Holding Corp. ( SHLD - Analyst Report ) as the Bull of the Day and Progressive Corp. ( PGR - Analyst Report ) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on DineEquity Inc. ( DIN - Snapshot Report ) , Brinker International Inc. ( EAT - Analyst Report ) and Denny's Corporation ( DENN - Snapshot Report ) .
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
We have upgraded our long-term recommendation on Sears Holding Corp. ( SHLD - Analyst Report ) to Outperform, given its efforts to revamp its organizational structure and operating model in order to overcome its sluggish top-line performances and even weaker bottom-line results.
Despite a marginal decline of 2.8% in top line, Sears first-quarter 2012 loss per share narrowed to $0.31 from $1.34 in the prior-year period and fared better than the Zacks Consensus estimate of a loss of $0.59. The improved results were primarily driven by its ongoing cost reduction, inventory management, strengthening liquidity strategies and merchandise initiatives. Moreover, adjusted EBITDA margin expanded 150 basis points to 2.1% from 0.6% in the prior-year quarter.
Apart from this, Sears has been focusing on improving margins through leverage on buying and occupancy expenses. Further, we believe lowering its stake in Sears Canada will strengthen its liquidity position while boosting future growth prospects.
Bear of the Day:
We are downgrading Progressive Corp. ( PGR - Analyst Report ) to Underperform from Neutral as the company continues to deliver lower net investment income and incur higher expenses. Progressive's first quarter earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by $0.03 but fell below the year-ago quarter.
Lower net investment gains and higher expenses resulted in lower numbers during the quarter. Considering the state of the economy, we expect significant pressure on underwriting margins and restriction in its top-line growth in the near term.
Our six-month target price of $20.00 equates to 13.8x our earnings estimate for 2012. Combined with $0.41 per share annual dividend this price target implies an expected negative total return of 7.3% over that period. This is consistent with our Underperform recommendation on the shares.
Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:
DineEquity to Divest 33 Applebee’s
DineEquity Inc. ( DIN - Snapshot Report ) recently announced that it has struck a deal with Apple Franchise Capital, LLC to sell 33 company-owned Applebee's restaurants in Missouri and Indiana for about $26 million. The company intends to reduce its financial obligations and shift toward a franchise-based model through this deal. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2012.
Moreover, on the first day of this month, the company also announced the sale of 39 company-operated Applebee's restaurants in Virginia and expects to clinch this deal also in the third quarter of 2012.
During the first quarter, DineEquity completed the sale of 17 company-operated Applebee's restaurants located in a six-state market around Tennessee, consistent with the company’s strategy of becoming highly franchised.
Following the footsteps of other noted restaurant companies in the U.S., DineEquity is also shifting its focus toward franchised operations from company-owned restaurants as a de-risking strategy, given that expansion through franchising is less capital intensive and income is fixed in the form of fee.
DineEquity acquired Applebee’s International in November 2007 in a $2 billion leveraged buyout. Since then, the company has sold a total of 342 Applebee's company-operated restaurants.
The sale of company-owned Applebee’s restaurants has reduced the debt burden of the company considerably by the use of free cash flow. As of March 31, 2012, the company’s long-term debt liability was $1,338.0 million compared with $1,411.4 million as of December 31, 2011. During the quarter, the company reduced its total debt burden by $85.9 million.
At the end of the first quarter, more than 95% of DineEquity's Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were franchised. Upon completion of the pending sale, this percentage will rise to 97%. Although DineEquity’s transition to a more franchise-based model will decrease company-owned revenues, this will enhance free cash flow generation by reducing capital employed.
For fiscal 2012, Applebee's franchise plans to open 30 to 40 restaurants, half of which are expected to open in the U.S.
With more than 3,500 Applebee's and IHOP restaurants combined, DineEquity is the largest full-service restaurant company in the world with brands leading in their respective categories of casual and family dining.
DineEquity's primary competitors are Brinker International Inc. ( EAT - Analyst Report ) and Denny's Corporation ( DENN - Snapshot Report ) .
Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.
About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
About the Analyst Blog
Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous analyst coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=7158.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment
Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=4582.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
Read the full reports :
Analyst Report on SHLD
Analyst Report on PGR
Snapshot Report on DIN
Analyst Report on EAT
Snapshot Report on DENN