Author: Ryan Holtz

Ryan Holtz is a Senior Editor at Tech Insider covering Technology & Services sector stocks. His coverage universe includes Chinese Internet stocks in the eCommerce and online video sectors, Chinese online games stocks, as well as education companies. Holtz previously lived in Hong Kong for four years where he served in a dual role as head of Piper Jaffray Asia equity research and senior research analyst covering Chinese stocks. Before joining TI, Ryan was a management consultant at Deloitte & Touche LLC, where he worked in the financial services group.
Diversified Tech, Finance

Sonoco Results Driven by Higher Pricing and Demand

Sonoco Products announced solid third-quarter results on Thursday, driven primarily by higher overall pricing and improving demand in the Paper & Industrial Converted Products and Display Packaging segments. Management increased its full-year free cash flow (excluding dividend payments of about $129 million) target to $190 million from $150 million and tightened full-year guidance to $2.27-$2.32 per share from $2.26-$2.32 per share; we expect to leave … Continue reading Sonoco Results Driven by Higher Pricing and Demand

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Diversified Tech, Finance

Roche’s Top-line Results on Track to Meet Guidance

Roche reported top-line results for the third quarter that put it on track to meet our expectations for the full year. Roche’s oncology drug portfolio and diagnostics segment form the basis of its personalized medicine strategy, feeding into the firm’s strong intangible assets and wide economic moat. At constant currencies, Roche’s sales were up 8% in the third quarter, with 9% pharmaceutical growth and 7% … Continue reading Roche’s Top-line Results on Track to Meet Guidance

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Finance, Financial, Services Sector

BBVA Cuts Stake to 9.9% in CITIC Bank

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria announced that it is reducing its 15% stake in China CITIC Bank to 9.9% in order to increase its Basel III capital ratio. Because it will be below 10%, the CITIC stake will no longer be considered a “significant” investment, which alters the accounting methodology. The accounting will change from the equity method to available for sale, which requires marking to market. … Continue reading BBVA Cuts Stake to 9.9% in CITIC Bank

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Finance, Financial

Zions Bancorp’s Earnings Triple in Q3

Zions Bancorporation’s earnings more than tripled in the third quarter, rising to $210 million, or $1.12 per diluted share, from $62 million, or $0.34 per share, a year earlier. A preferred stock redemption lifted the latest profit tally by $126 million, or $0.68 per share. We are not changing our fair value estimate or our economic moat rating at this time. Net interest income fell … Continue reading Zions Bancorp’s Earnings Triple in Q3

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Diversified Tech, Finance, Services Sector

Plains All American Pipeline Announces Plans of Proposed Merger

On Tuesday, Plains All American Pipeline PAA announced the negotiated terms of its proposed merger with its natural gas storage subsidiary, PAA Natural Gas StoragePNG. PNG’s public unitholders are to receive 0.445 common unit of PAA, higher than the proposal of 0.435 common unit announced in August. The amount is equivalent to about $23.27 per PNG unit, or 2.3% higher than before. The increase probably resulted from … Continue reading Plains All American Pipeline Announces Plans of Proposed Merger

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Analysis, Finance, Popular

Caltex Reports Significant First Half Declines

Caltex reported a 13% decline in first-half 2013 replacement cost net profit to AUD 171 million, in line with expectations. Revenue fell 2.5% to AUD 23.6 billion due to lower sales volumes and lower average prices. Marketing and distribution earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT, was in line with the record first-half 2012 result of AUD 367 million, as lower sales were favourably offset … Continue reading Caltex Reports Significant First Half Declines

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