Sigma-Aldrich reported third-quarter results in line with our expectations. Management increased the lower end of its EPS outlook on a favorable tax benefit, which is generally consistent with our EPS estimate for the year. Regardless, the company’s low-single-digit revenue growth trajectory remains on track with our forecast, and we’re leaving our fair value estimate and…
Idexx Laboratories posted solid third-quarter results that fell squarely within expectations. The firm has made progress in its remodeling of its salesforce structure to a new configuration that makes it easier for customers to interact with a single point of access at Idexx, and we expect this reorganization should manifest itself in further growth over…
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…
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…
Third-quarter profits fell a steep 43% at BB&T, to $268 million, or $0.37 per share, from $469 million, or $0.66 per share, a year earlier. However, the decline was due to an unusual tax item, without which profits would have come to $503 million, or $0.70 per share. The 7% increase in adjusted profits was…
Third-quarter profits at Westamerica Bancorporation fell 16% year on year to $16.7 million, or $0.63 a share, from $20.0 million, or $0.73 a share. Earnings decreased largely due to lower net interest income as a result of declining asset yields. While we are not making changes to our narrow moat rating or fair value estimate,…
