Author: Jason Knox

Jason Knox covers the Software & Services sector. A financial analyst for 20 years, Jason joined Tech Insider in 2006. Previously, he was an analyst with Cleary Gull Inc. and with Blunt, Ellis & Loewi, both in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. During his career, Jason has been named in The Wall Street Journal “All-Star Analysts’ Survey,” and highlighted as one of the NASDAQ-StarMine top analysts within the Internet Software & Services industry.
Analysis, Earnings

Pre-Market Earnings Results: Cracker Barrel, Visteon, Steve Madden, OGE Energy, WCI

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (NASDAQ:CBRL) said adjusted fiscal Q2 adjusted earnings rose to $1.56, in line with analysts’ estimates, though revenue missed the consensus after severe winter weather affected store traffic. The company had adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.43 in the prior year quarter. Total revenue in the three months to end January was $698.5 million down 0.6% from a year ago. … Continue reading Pre-Market Earnings Results: Cracker Barrel, Visteon, Steve Madden, OGE Energy, WCI

Jason Knox
Analyst Actions

Notable Analyst Actions: Marriott, Halliburton, Liftetime Brands, Dicerna Pharma

Some of the notable analyst actions for Monday morning include: Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) has been downgraded by Wells Fargo to a Market Perform rating from Outperform.  The firm left its price target on the stock unchanged at $57 a share.  HAL shares are just higher in pre-market activity at $55.75, and move within a 52-week range of $36.77 – $56.52. Analysts at Raymond James have … Continue reading Notable Analyst Actions: Marriott, Halliburton, Liftetime Brands, Dicerna Pharma

Jason Knox
Services Sector, Software

ING Beats Street Estimates Across the Board

This morning, ING Inc (VOYA) reported operating EPS from the ongoing business of $0.75, better than our $0.71 estimate and the consensus of $0.69. After stripping out DAC unlocks and better NII from some Lehman recoveries, we believe the company defines core of $0.68, in line with our expectation for core earnings for the quarter. The core beat vs. our expectations was driven by better … Continue reading ING Beats Street Estimates Across the Board

Jason Knox
BioTech, Diversified Tech

Improved Outlook for Solera Drives Another Increase to Guidance

Solera reported relatively in-line fiscal second-quarter results on Wednesday, February 5, and meaningfully increased its guidance for fiscal 2014. Adjusted EPS of $0.64 in the fiscal second quarter were $0.02 higher than our estimate and in line with the consensus. Revenue growth of 14% year-over-year in the quarter (about 6% organically) was in line with our estimate and a touch below the consensus. Management attributed … Continue reading Improved Outlook for Solera Drives Another Increase to Guidance

Jason Knox
Finance

Market Watch: Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN), The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), Midsouth Bancorp Inc. (NYSE:MSL), Fairpoint Communications (NASDAQ:FRP), Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)

Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN)’s acquisition of 360 Energy Engineers was part of a deal that included the purchase of Oregon-based Abacus Resource Management Co., with an overall value of about $21.2 million, said Jan, 27. Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN) belongs to Services sector. Its net profit margin is 8.10% and weekly performance is 18.70%. On last trading day company shares ended up $14.41. Willdan Group, … Continue reading Market Watch: Willdan Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:WLDN), The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW), Midsouth Bancorp Inc. (NYSE:MSL), Fairpoint Communications (NASDAQ:FRP), Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE:RCL)

Jason Knox
Finance

5 Stocks in Dramatic Moves: CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE:CMS), Noble Corp plc (NYSE:NE), The Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW), Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB), Packaging Corporation (NYSE:PKG)

On Jan. 22, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE:CMS) increased today the quarterly dividend on the company’s common stock by 7.4 percent, to 29 cents per share, up from 27 cents per share. CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE:CMS) belongs to Utilities sector. Its net profit margin is 6.70% and weekly performance is 1.93%. On last trading day company shares ended up $37.49. CMS … Continue reading 5 Stocks in Dramatic Moves: CMS Energy Corp. (NYSE:CMS), Noble Corp plc (NYSE:NE), The Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW), Biogen Idec (NASDAQ:BIIB), Packaging Corporation (NYSE:PKG)

Jason Knox