JPMorgan Chase (JPM) was in talks for a deal that would quintuple its offer for Bear Stearns (BSC) in an effort to pacify Bear shareholders, according to people involved in the discussions. Under the terms being discussed, JPM would pay $10 a share in stock for BSC, up from its initial offer of $2 a share -- a figure that represented a mere one-fifteenth of BSC's going market price, reports the New York Times.
Tiffany & Co. (TIF) posts $1.27, vs. $1.07 a year ago, fourth quarter EPS from continuing operations (excluding items) on 1% higher worldwide same-store sales, 10% higher total sales. For fiscal year 2009, it sees net sales growth of about 10%, including same-store sales increasing by low-single-digits in the U.S., mid-single-digits internationally (assumes opening of six U.S. stores, about 20 international locations), EPS of $2.75-$2.85.
Polyone (POL) expects first quarter consolidated sales to increase 9%-11%. It says demand is expected to weaken in the later portion of the quarter as the North American economic downturn is impacting other industrial end markets beyond automotive and building and residential construction, such as wire and cable.
Palm (PALM) posts $0.16 third quarter non-GAAP loss per share, vs. $0.16 EPS a year ago, on 24% revenue decline. Adjusted EBITDA totaled negative $9.5 million. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services announces that it placed its 'B' corporate credit rating and other ratings on Palm on CreditWatch with negative implications.
Sunrise Senior Living (SRZ) says it filed its Form 10-K for 2006, has now completed its financial restatement, accounting review. As a result, its stock will continue to trade on NYSE. Notes cumulative impact of restatement reduced net income for all periods affected, including 1996-2005, by about $173 million, after-tax.
Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, which operates separately from S&P Equity Research, revises its outlook for Lehman Brothers (LEH) and Goldman Sachs (GS) to negative from stable. Oppenheimer reportedly downgrades LEH shares to perform from outperform.
Luby's (LUB) posts $0.01, vs. $0.08 a year ago, second quarter EPS from continuing operations on 1.6% lower same-store sales, slightly higher total revenue. Says restaurant sales declined about $1.1 million, due primarily to declines in guest traffic. Expects to open one new restaurant on Mar. 27, 2008, one replacement restaurant in May and five additional new restaurants in calendar 2008.
Hercules Offshore (HERO) COO John Rynd, regarding current market conditions, says: "While our international segments have continued to perform well, the first quarter has been extremely challenging, with demand and utilization remaining very weak in all of our domestic segments."