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Hershey’s Price Target Boosted at Credit Suisse (HSY)

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:53:58 +0000

Candy giant The Hershey Company ( HSY ) on Monday saw its price target raised by analysts at Credit Suisse. The firm said it lifted its target for HSY from $55 to $56. That new target implies a nearly 8% upside to the stock’s Friday closing price of $51.95. Credit Suisse also noted the company is its favorite packaged foods pick now, following its presentations last week. The analyst currently rates Hershey as an “Outperform.” Hershey shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Monday. The Bottom Line Shares of Hershey ( HSY ) have a 2.66% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $51.95. The stock has technical support in the $46-$48 price area. If the shares can continue to move higher, we see overhead resistance around the $55 price level. The Hershey Company ( HSY ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Hershey’s Price Target Boosted at Credit Suisse (HSY)

Ventas to Buy Nationwide Health for $5.7 Billion in Stock (VTR)

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 20:40:14 +0000

Healthcare facilities REIT Ventas, Inc. ( VTR ) on Monday said it would buy rival REIT Nationwide Health Properties Inc. ( NHP ) for $5.7 billion in stock. In pursuant to the deal, current Nationwide shareholders will receive 0.7866 shares of VTR stock for each share of NHS they presently own. One the deal is completed, Ventas shareholders will own approximately 65% of the newly combined company, while Nationwide shareholders will own the remaining 35%. Ventas CEO Debra Cafaro said that “The combination of Ventas and NHP increases the scale and diversification of the combined company, the strength and flexibility of the company’s balance sheet and the quality and geography of the assets.” Ventas shares fell 25 cents, or -0.4%, in premarket trading Monday, while NHS stock jumped more than 21%. The Bottom Line Shares of Ventas ( VTR ) have a 4.02% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $57.19. Shares of Nationwide Health Properties ( NHP ) have a 4.93% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $38.96. Ventas, Inc. ( VTR ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Ventas to Buy Nationwide Health for $5.7 Billion in Stock (VTR)

J.C. Penney’s Q4 Profit Surges 36%, Beating Estimates (JCP)

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:56:24 +0000

Department store operator J.C. Penney Company, Inc. ( JCP ) on Friday said its fourth quarter profit jumped 36% from last year on higher sales and lower costs, beating analyst estimates. The Plano, TX-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $271 million, or $1.13 per share, compared with $200 million, or 84 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, adjusted profit was $1.23 per share. Sales rose almost 3% from last year to $5.7 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a much smaller profit of $1.11 per share for the quarter. Looking ahead, the company forecast full-year 2011 profit to range from $2 to $2.10 per share, excluding items, which would easily surpass analysts’ current estimate of $1.82 per share for the year. JCP also announced a new $900 million share buyback plan. J.C. Penney shares rose 76 cents, or +2.1%, in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line Shares of J.C. Penney ( JCP ) have a 2.19% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $36.55. The stock has technical support in the $32 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $40 price level. J.C. Penney Company, Inc. ( JCP ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out

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J.C. Penney’s Q4 Profit Surges 36%, Beating Estimates (JCP)

Applied Materials Boosts Revenue Guidance as Q1 Earnings Beat View (AMAT)

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:43:07 +0000

Computer chip components maker Applied Materials, Inc. ( AMAT ) late Thursday posted better-than-expected first quarter earnings and lifted its full-year sales forecast, sending its shares higher in premarket trading Friday. The Santa Clara, CA-based company reported fiscal first quarter net income of $506 million, or 38 cents per share, compared with just $83 million, or 6 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, adjusted profit was 36 cents per share. Revenue surged 45% from last year to $2.69 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 33 cents per share, on lower revenue of $2.58 billion. Looking ahead, the company boosted its full-year revenue guidance by more than 10%, to $11 million. Analysts are looking for $10.2 billion in revenue for the year. Applied Materials shares rose 27 cents, or +1.7%, in premarket trading Friday. The Bottom Line Shares of Applied Materials ( AMAT ) have a 1.77% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $15.83. The stock has technical support in the $13 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $17-$18 price levels. Applied Materials, Inc. ( AMAT ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

Goldman Sachs Reiterates “Buy” Rating on Coca-Cola (KO)

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:58:33 +0000

Beverage superpower The Coca-Cola Company ( KO ) on Thursday caught some positive comments from analysts at Goldman Sachs, following the company’s recent presentation at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY). Goldman noted that KO is “firing on all cylinders” and reiterated its “Buy” rating and $72 price target. That target suggests a nearly 13% upside to the stock’s Wednesday closing price of $63.91. The firm also said it sees potential for the company to boost its current $2 billion to $2.5 billion share buyback plan. Coca-Cola shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of Coca-Cola ( KO ) since July 30, 2009, when the stock was trading at $49.28. The company has a 2.94% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $63.91. The Coca-Cola Company ( KO ) is a “Recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Goldman Sachs Reiterates “Buy” Rating on Coca-Cola (KO)

Target’s Q4 Profit Up 10% as Credit Card Business Recovers (TGT)

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:43:39 +0000

Retail giant Target Corporation ( TGT ) on Thursday said its fourth quarter profit rose 10% from last year, helped by improvements in its credit card business and a one-time tax credit. The Minneapolis-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $1.03 billion, or $1.45 per share, compared with $936 million, or $1.24 per share, in the year-ago period. This year’s results included a one-time income tax benefit of 7 cents per share. Revenue rose 2.4% from last year to $20.66 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a profit of $1.39 per share on revenue of $20.28 billion. Target shares fell 26 cents, or -0.5%, in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line Shares of Target ( TGT ) have a 1.99% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $50.26. The stock has technical support in the $45-$46 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $54 price level. Target Corporation ( TGT ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Target’s Q4 Profit Up 10% as Credit Card Business Recovers (TGT)

Limited Brands Q4 Profit Jumps 27% on Higher Sales (LTD)

admin — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 20:38:39 +0000

Apparel and beauty products retailer Limited Brands, Inc. ( LTD ) late Wednesday said its fourth quarter profit rose 27% from last year, narrowing besting analyst estimates. The Columbus, OH-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $452.3 million, or $1.36 per share, compared with $356.1 million, or $1.08 per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, adjusted profit was $1.26 per share. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a slightly smaller profit of $1.25 per share for the quarter. Sales rose almost 13% from last year to $3.46 billion, as the company offered less discounts and charged higher prices at its famous Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works stores. Looking ahead, Limited forecast 2011 profits to range from $2.15 to $2.35 per share, while analysts expect $2.26 per share for the year. Limited Brands shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday. The Bottom Line Shares of Limited Brands ( LTD ) have a 2.52% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $31.77. The stock has technical support in the $28 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $34-$35 price levels. Limited Brands, Inc. ( LTD ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Limited Brands Q4 Profit Jumps 27% on Higher Sales (LTD)

Vornado’s Q4 FFO Surges, Beating View (VNO)

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:34:18 +0000

Commercial REIT Vornado Realty Trust ( VNO ) late Tuesday said its fourth quarter funds from operations, or FFO, rose dramatically from last year, beating analyst estimates. The New York-based company reported fourth quarter FFO of $335.8 million, or $1.76 per share, compared with just $20,000, or break-even per share, in the year-ago period. On average, Wall Street analysts expected much smaller FFO $1.53 per share. Revenue in the quarter rose around 1% from last year, to $713 million. Vornado shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line Shares of Vornado Realty Trust ( VNO ) have a 3.09% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $89.19. The stock has technical support in the $83-$85 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $91-$94 price levels. Vornado Realty Trust ( VNO ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Vornado’s Q4 FFO Surges, Beating View (VNO)

TJX Companies Q4 Profit Falls 15%; Buyback, Dividend Raise Planned (TJX)

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:25:11 +0000

Discount retailer The TJX Companies, Inc. ( TJX ) on Wednesday posted an adjusted fourth quarter profit that beat expectations, but its first quarter forecast fell short of analysts’ view. The Framingham, MA-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $334.4 million, or 84 cents per share, compared with $395 million, or 94 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Excluding one-time items, adjusted profit was $1.05 per share. Net sales rose 7% from last year to $6.33 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller adjusted profit of $1.01 per share, albeit on slightly higher revenue of $6.35 billion. Looking ahead, TJX predicted first quarter profit to range from 75 to 82 cents, which would miss analyst estimates of 87 cents. For the full year 2011, it forecast earnings of $3.78 to $3.93 per share, which straddles analyst estimates of $3.84. The company also said it plans to buy back around $1.2 billion in stock by Jan. 28, 2012, and will increase its quarterly dividend payout by 27%, to 19 cents per share. TJX shares fell $1.48, or -3%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line Shares of TJX Companies ( TJX ) have a 1.21% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $49.72. The stock has technical support in the $46 price area. The shares are trading near all-time highs of $51 a share and have little overhead resistance. The TJX Companies, Inc. ( TJX ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

Marathon Oil’s Target, Estimates Boosted at Morgan Stanley (MRO)

admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 21:09:59 +0000

Integrated oil and natural gas company Marathon Oil Corporation ( MRO ) on Wednesday saw its price target and earnings estimates raised by analysts at Morgan Stanley. The firm said it now expects MRO shares to reach $57, which implies a more than 19% upside to the stock’s Tuesday closing price of $47.71. Morgan Stanley also maintained its “Overweight” rating on MRO and upped its earnings estimates, citing recent restructuring efforts as a key value generator. Marathon Oil shares rose 65 cents, or +1.4%, in premarket trading Wednesday. The Bottom Line We have been recommending shares of Marathon Oil ( MRO ) since Jan.26, when the stock was trading at $43.55. The company has a 2.10% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $47.71. Marathon Oil Corporation ( MRO ) is a “Recommended” dividend stock, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Marathon Oil’s Target, Estimates Boosted at Morgan Stanley (MRO)

Macy’s Q4 Profit Surges 50%, Beating View (M)

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:30:24 +0000

Department store operator Macy’s, Inc. ( M ) on Tuesday posted a 50% gain in fourth quarter profit, aided by higher sales, and issued a solid 2011 forecast. The New York-based company reported fourth quarter net income of $667 million, or $1.55 per share, compared with $445 million, or $1.05 per share, in the year-ago period. Sales rose 5% from last year to $8.27 billion. On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of $1.51 per share for the quarter. Looking ahead, the company forecast 2011 full-year profit to range from $2.25 to $2.30 per share, while analysts expect $2.27 per share for the year. Macy’s shares rose 25 cents, or +1.1%, in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line Shares of Macy’s ( M ) have a .84% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $23.75. The stock has technical support in the $21-$22 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $26 price level. Macy’s, Inc. ( M ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .

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Macy’s Q4 Profit Surges 50%, Beating View (M)

Prudential Now a “Conviction Buy” at Goldman Sachs (PRU)

admin — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 20:17:57 +0000

Insurance and financial services giant Prudential Financial, Inc. ( PRU ) on Tuesday saw its shares added to Goldman Sachs’ prestigious “Conviction Buy” List. The firm also set an $81 price target on PRU, which implies a 21% upside to the stock’s Friday closing price of $67.02. A Goldman analyst said he expects the market to “ascribe some value to PRU’s market share-leading annuity business as risks have decreased, driven by product changes and equity market strength.” Prudential shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Tuesday. The Bottom Line Shares of Prudential ( PRU ) have a 1.72% dividend yield, based on Friday’s closing stock price of $67.02. The stock has technical support in the $62-$64 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $70-$72 price levels. Prudential Financial, Inc. ( PRU ) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars. Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks , as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here .