Brinker International’s Q4 Earnings Miss the Mark (EAT)

Restaurant chain operator Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) on Thursday said its fourth quarter profit rose 51% from last year, but its adjusted results fell short of analyst expectations.

The Dallas-based company reported fiscal fourth quarter net income of $63.62 million, 62 cents per share, compared with $42.15 million, or 41 cents per share, in the year-ago period. This year’s quarter included an extra week of operations.

Excluding one-time items and discontinued operations, adjusted profit was 44 cents per share. Revenue was nearly flat from last year at $743 million.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a higher adjusted profit of 46 cents per share, on greater revenue of $762 million.

The company also noted that same-store sales, a key metric used to gauge a retailer’s health, fell 3.4% in the quarter.

Brinker International shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday.

The Bottom Line
Shares of EAT have a dividend yield of 3.76%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $14.89. The stock has technical support in the $12 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $17 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Brinker International’s Q4 Earnings Miss the Mark (EAT)

Restaurant chain operator Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) on Thursday said its fourth quarter profit rose 51% from last year, but its adjusted results fell short of analyst expectations.

The Dallas-based company reported fiscal fourth quarter net income of $63.62 million, 62 cents per share, compared with $42.15 million, or 41 cents per share, in the year-ago period. This year’s quarter included an extra week of operations.

Excluding one-time items and discontinued operations, adjusted profit was 44 cents per share. Revenue was nearly flat from last year at $743 million.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a higher adjusted profit of 46 cents per share, on greater revenue of $762 million.

The company also noted that same-store sales, a key metric used to gauge a retailer’s health, fell 3.4% in the quarter.

Brinker International shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday.

The Bottom Line
Shares of EAT have a dividend yield of 3.76%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $14.89. The stock has technical support in the $12 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $17 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Weight Watchers Q2 Profit Falls, but Still Beats View; Raises Low-End of Guidance (WTW)

Weight management services company Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WTW) on Friday said its second quarter profit fell 4% from last year, due to higher marketing spending.

The New York-based company reported second quarter net income of $56.3 million, or 73 cents per share, compared with $58.8 million, or 76 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 1% from last year, to $376.7 million.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a slightly smaller profit of 72 cents per share, slightly lower revenue of $366.9 million.

Looking ahead, the company raised the low-end of its full-year guidance. It now expects 2010 earnings to range from $2.35 to $2.50 per share, compared with a prior outlook of $2.25 to $2.50 per share. Meanwhile, analysts expect $2.44 for the year.

Weight Watchers shares rose 21 cents, or +0.8%, in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
We have avoided shares of WTW since our early June 2008 coverage began, when the shares traded at $42. The company has a 2.54% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $27.60. The stock has technical support in the $24 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $30-$32 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Weight Watchers International, Inc. (WTW) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Honeywell Raises Full-Year Outlook Following Q2 Earnings Beat (HON)

Diversified manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. (HON) on Friday posted better-than-expected second quarter earnings and raised its full-year outlook, citing improving demand in its short- and long-cycle businesses.

The Morristown, NJ-based company reported second quarter net income of $468 million, or 60 cents per share, compared with $450 million, or 60 cents per share, in the year-ago period.

Revenue jumped nearly 8% from last year, to $8.16 billion.

On average, Wall Street analysts expected a smaller profit of 57 cents per share, on lower revenue of $8 billion.

CEO Dave Cote commented, “We believe the recovery is happening, with improving demand in both our short- and long-cycle businesses.”

Looking ahead, the company boosted its full-year profit forecast to a range of $2.40 to $2.50, up from a prior view of $2.30 to $2.45. Wall Street is looking for $2.48 per share.

It also boosted its full-year revenue forecast to $32.4 billion to $32.9 billion, which exceeds analyst estimates of $32.15 billion.

Honeywell shares rose 74 cents, or +1.7%, in premarket trading Friday.

The Bottom Line
We had recently removed shares of HON from our recommended list back on May 19, when the stock was trading at $44.72. The company has a 2.84% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $42.66. The stock has technical support in the $38-$40 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $46-$47 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Honeywell International Inc. (HON) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Oil prices jump above $76
(AFP)

AFP – World oil prices rebounded strongly on Tuesday, winning support from soaring stock markets and a modest energy demand upgrade from the International Energy Agency.

Costco’s June Same-Store Sales Rise 4% (COST)

Membership warehouse operator Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) said Thursday that its June same-store sales results rose 4% from last year, led by strong international sales.

Same-store sales are a key metric used to measure a retailer’s health, since they reflect the performance of stores open at least one year. Costco said same-store sales rose 2% in the U.S. and 14% internationally.

Excluding gasoline, same-store sales were up 3% (1% in U.S., 8% International). Total net sales rose 7% from last year, to $7.33 billion.

Costco shares were mostly flat in premarket trading Thursday.

The Bottom Line
We had removed shares of COST from our “recommended” list Sept.22, 2008,when the stock traded at $66.09. The company has a dividend yield of 1.51%, based on last night’s closing stock price of $54.29. The stock has technical support in the $50-$52 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $58-$60 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Bucyrus International’s Target, Estimates Boosted at Morgan Stanley (BUCY)

Mining equipment maker Bucyrus International, Inc. (BUCY) saw its price target and earnings estimates raised on Wednesday by analysts at Morgan Stanley.

The firm said it expects BUCY shares to reach $80, which would represent a massive 64% upside to the stock’s Tuesday closing price of $48.81. Morgan also raised its earnings estimates for the company, noting it will likely benefit from a new projected truck order in India.

Morgan Stanley also maintained its “Overweight” rating for the stock.

Bucyrus International shares rose 19 cents, or +0.4%, in premarket trading Wednesday.

The Bottom Line
We removed shares of BUCY from our “recommended” list on Apr.19, when the stock was trading at $69.78. Shares of STT have a 1.26% dividend yield, based on last night’s closing stock price of $48.81. The stock has technical support in the $44-$45 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $53-$54 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Bucyrus International, Inc. (BUCY) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Bucyrus International’s Target, Estimates Cut at Morgan Stanley (BUCY)

Mining equipment maker Bucyrus International, Inc. (BUCY) saw its price target and estimates cut on Monday by analysts at Morgan Stanley.

The firm lowered its price target for BUCY to $77, which still represents a massive 45% upside to the stock’s Friday closing price of $53.19. Morgan also lowered its estimates for BUCY, citing a recent loss of a contract in India. The analyst currently rates the stock as “Overweight.”

Bucyrus shares fell $1.19, or -2.4%, in premarket trading Monday.

The Bottom Line
We removed shares of BUCY from our “recommended” list on Apr.19, when the stock was trading at $69.78. The stock has technical support in the $47-$50 price area. If the shares can firm up, we see overhead resistance around the $57-$60 price levels. We would remain on the sidelines for now.

Bucyrus International, Inc. (BUCY) is not recommended at this time, holding a Dividend.com DARS™ Rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars.

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

Dividend Stock Leaders for the Week of June 21-25 (BVF, ACN, DRI, WAG, BBY, SPLS, more)

Here are some of the biggest dividend stock winners and losers from the week that just ended.

Company	Fri. Close	Weekly % Change
Biovail Corporation (BVF)	$19.54	+33.84%
Peabody Energy Corporation (BTU)	$43.55	+5.55%
Wynn Resorts (WYNN)	$89.04	+4.72%
Accenture Ltd. (ACN)	$40.55	+4.16%
Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY)	$35.16	-7.06%
Marriot International (MAR)	$32.71	-7.34%
Staples Inc. (SPLS)	$20.09	-8.60%
Devon Energy Corporation (DVN)	$63.65	-8.97%
Coach Inc. (COH)	$39.16	-9.16%
Walgreen Company (WAG)	$26.93	-10.50%
Darden Restaurants Inc. (DRI)	$39.00	-12.32%

Be sure to visit our complete recommended list of the Best Dividend Stocks, as well as a detailed explanation of our ratings system here.

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans’ confidence in the economy improved slightly in November from October, but shoppers remain gloomy heading into the traditional start of the holiday shopping season amid a weak job market, according to a monthly survey. AP – In this photo made Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009, Antionette Harris shops at a Target store in Philadelphia.

See the article here:
Consumer confidence improves slightly in November (AP)