Author: Mark DeFrance

Mark DeFrance is a senior research analyst at Tech Insider, focusing on the enterprise software sector. Prior to joining TI, Mark covered enterprise software for First Albany, and prior to that he worked in equity research at B.T. Alex Brown and Bankers Trust. Mark has written software applications in various programming languages including BASIC, Pascal, and COBOL. He has also been recognized in The Wall Street Journal's "Best on the Street" survey and was recognized by Forbes Magazine as the No. 1 sell-side stock picker in the software industry for a five-year period, with returns of 115% versus 26% for the software industry.
Analysis

Palo Alto (NYSE:PANW) Hits All-Time High; Synta (NASDAQ:SNTA) Shares Jump

Shares of Palo Alto Networks (NYSE:PANW) hit a new all-time high Monday, after the cyber security company reported adjusted fiscal Q2 results above analysts’ expectations, boosted by strong demand as companies increased their investments in security against cyber attacks. For the quarter ended Jan. 31, the company reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $39.9 million, or $0.55 per share, compared with a … Continue reading Palo Alto (NYSE:PANW) Hits All-Time High; Synta (NASDAQ:SNTA) Shares Jump

Mark DeFrance
Software

Forward Air Corp Fourth-Quarter Results Fall Short Mainly Due to Weather

Forward Air fourth-quarter EPS declined 7%, to $0.50, which fell well short of our $0.55 estimate and the $0.56 consensus. The miss was mainly due to increased costs associated with difficult weather while revenue growth remained healthy (up 16%, to $181 million) and volume growth was strong (airport-to-airport volume up 6%). We believe the weather challenges this winter have been unprecedented, and we were not … Continue reading Forward Air Corp Fourth-Quarter Results Fall Short Mainly Due to Weather

Mark DeFrance
Consumer Goods, Diversified Tech, Software

LivePerson, Inc. 3Q Results Make the Grade; Getting Nearer to the Turn

Last night, LivePerson Inc., (LPSN) reported stronger than expected 3Q earnings, beating our and the Street’s estimates for bookings, total revenue and non-GAAP EPS. For the next quarter and 2013, management is guiding largely in line with the consensus, though it is tightening the full year ranges for revenue and EPS. Though the company reported respectable results and valuation is reasonable (2.1x EV/2014E Revenue), we … Continue reading LivePerson, Inc. 3Q Results Make the Grade; Getting Nearer to the Turn

Mark DeFrance
Diversified Tech, Venture Capital

CGX Acquisition on Track for R.R. Donnelley

The R.R. Donnelley pending acquisition of Consolidated Graphics (CGX) recently received regulatory approval and is expected to close in 1Q14. The transaction is still subject to approval of CGX shareholders, who will receive $34.44 in cash and 1.651 shares of RR Donnelley per CGX share plus Donnelley’s assumption of Consolidated Graphics debt of about $98 million for a total estimated purchase price of $746 million, … Continue reading CGX Acquisition on Track for R.R. Donnelley

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Stocks Gaining Momentum: Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:DLR), Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR), Crane Co. (NYSE:CR), Ford Motor (NYSE:F)

Kuwait’s sovereign investment fund and a pair of investment management firms sued Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) in New Jersey federal court Friday, accusing the company of misleading investors over now-withdrawn arthritis treatment Vioxx, after the plaintiffs previously dropped out of a related multidistrict litigation. Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK) belongs to Healthcare sector. Its net profit margin is 12.50% and weekly performance is -0.08%. … Continue reading Stocks Gaining Momentum: Merck & Co. Inc. (NYSE:MRK), Digital Realty Trust Inc. (NYSE:DLR), Fluor Corporation (NYSE:FLR), Crane Co. (NYSE:CR), Ford Motor (NYSE:F)

Mark DeFrance
Finance

Stocks in news: California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC), McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE:MUX), Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRS), Kate Spade (NYSE:KATE), Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ:BOBE)

On Jan 22 California Resources Corporation (NYSE: CRC) said it will host its fourth quarter and full year financial results conference call on Thursday, February 19th, at 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time. California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) belongs to Basic Materials sector. Its weekly performance is 2.77%. On last trading day company shares ended up $4.45. California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC) distance from 50-day simple moving average … Continue reading Stocks in news: California Resources Corporation (NYSE:CRC), McEwen Mining Inc. (NYSE:MUX), Antares Pharma Inc. (NASDAQ:ATRS), Kate Spade (NYSE:KATE), Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ:BOBE)

Mark DeFrance