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.
Analyst Actions

DreamWorks (NASDAQ:DWA) Down 13% on Piper Jaffray Downgrade

Animated film company DreamWorks Animation SKG (NASDAQ:DWA) is down 13% to $30.57 per share on heavy volume of 4 million shares following a rating cut at Piper Jaffray to Underperform from Neutral. The analyst firm maintained a price target of $19 per share on DWA. The downgrade follows disappointing 4Q revenue reported after Tuesday’s close of $204.2 million, down 23% from $264.7 million last year, … Continue reading DreamWorks (NASDAQ:DWA) Down 13% on Piper Jaffray Downgrade

Mark DeFrance
news

Pre-Market Movers: Copart Inc, Baker Hughes, Athlon Energy, LightInTheBox

Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT), provider of online auctions and vehicle remarketing services, reported late on Tuesday Q2 2014 net income of $45.3 million, or $0.35 per diluted share. If comparable, it would have been 2 cents shy of the Capital IQ consensus. Year-ago net income was $39.6 million, or $0.31 per diluted share. Revenue increased 7.6% year over year to $286.4 million. On average, analysts surveyed … Continue reading Pre-Market Movers: Copart Inc, Baker Hughes, Athlon Energy, LightInTheBox

Mark DeFrance
Analysis, Diversified Tech

After-Hours Market Movers – Zulily (NASDAQ:ZU), Haverty Furniture (NYSE: HVT), Oil Tanking Partners (NYSE:OILT)

Zulily (NASDAQ:ZU) is higher in after hours trading after the e-commerce company reported better-than-expected financial results for Q4, and issued revenue guidance for Q1 above estimates and for fiscal 2014 in line with forecasts. Shares are up 9.71% at $47, with a 52-week range of $34.19 – $44.96. ZU reported Q4 earnings of $0.10 per share, ex one-time items, compared with the prior-year period’s $0.03 … Continue reading After-Hours Market Movers – Zulily (NASDAQ:ZU), Haverty Furniture (NYSE: HVT), Oil Tanking Partners (NYSE:OILT)

Mark DeFrance
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