Bear Stearns Companies (BSC) shares are higher in pre-market on report COO, CFO Sam Molinaro said the company's leveraged finance business is improving, and the company sees $1.2 billion in the fourth quarter write-downs, reduces its CDO exposure to $884 million from $2 billion. Molinaro is speaking at a banking conference sponsored by Merrill.
HSBC Holdings PLC (HBC) says it recorded loan impairment charge in respect of its U.S. Consumer Finance business was $3.4 billion in the third quarter. Charges were some $1.4 billion higher than would have been implied by extrapolating first half trends. However, the company notes that third quarter profit before tax was ahead of the equivalent quarter in 2006. Notes strong growth from Asia and the Middle East.
Macy's (M) posts $0.08 (including $0.02 merger related expense), vs. $0.03 a year ago, third quarter EPS on 0.3% same-store sales rise, 0.8% lower total sales. It notes sales were within the company's guidance. It expects fourth quarter same-store sales to be in range of down 2% to up 1%, November same-store sale are expected to be significantly higher, with December expected to be below last year.
MetroPCS Communications (PCS) posts $0.15, vs. $0.08 a year ago, third quarter EPS on 41% revenue rise. It expects 2008 consolidated adjusted EBITDA to be $750-$850 million, which including adjusted EBITDA loss of $125-$175 million in the AWS Markets.
Vodafone Group PLC (VOD) posts 7% higher first quarter fiscal year 2008 EPS on 9% revenue rise. It lifts fiscal year 2008 outlook. S&P raises target but keeps sell.
La-Z-Boy (LZB) posts $0.07 second quarter loss from continuing operations, vs. $0.06 EPS a year ago, on 12% sales decline. It says that with the continued weak demand at retail for furniture, the decline in consumer confidence and the overall uncertain economic environment, previous annual guidance will not be attainable. It now sees second half fiscal year 2008 sales decline of 4%-8%, EPS of $0.06-$0.14.
Canadian Solar (CSIQ) posts $0.02, vs. $0.01 a year ago, third quarter GAAP EPS on sharp sales rise. It raises 2007 net revenue guidance to $285-$295 million from previous guidance of $255-$265 million. It expects 2008 net revenue of $650-$750 million.
Daktronincs (DAKT) posts $0.19, vs. $0.22 a year ago, second quarter EPS as higher costs offset 6% sales rise. It sees $0.10-$0.15 third quarter EPS on $107-$116 million revenue.
CDC Software, a unit of CDC Corp. (CHINA), expects third quarter total revenues of $87-$88 million, an increase of over 40% from $61.4 million in third quarter 2006. Software license revenues are expected to be between $14-$14.5 million, an increase of about 18%-22% from $11.9 million in the third quarter of 2006.
Idex Corp. (IEX) agrees to acquire Nova Technologies Corp. for about $158 million.
Bea Systems (BEAS) intends to file on Nov. 15, 2007 all delinquent periodic reports necessary for BEAS to regain compliance with its NASDAQ filing requirements. The Company received a letter from the Board of Directors of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC granting BEA an extension until Jan. 9, 2008 to file.
Verisign (VRSN) - the WSJ reports that the company is set to announce that it will divest itself of as many as 10 of 15 business units as part of a corporate overhaul.
Shaw Group (SGR) says it will delay filing of its fiscal year 2007 Annual Report until after Nov. 14, 2007, expiration of the extension period. Says adjustments to net earnings for fiscal years 2005 and 2006 consist of charges approximating $500,000-$800,000 respectively.