Janus Capital Group, Inc. (JNS) reported third-quarter 2009 revenues of $227.6 million, up 13.7% sequentially but down 17.3% year over year.

The sequential improvement in revenues was driven by higher average assets under management, primarily due to improving global markets.

Operating margin declined significantly to 13.0% in the quarter from 23.5% in the previous quarter and 33.9% in the year-ago quarter. The decline in operating margin was primarily due to a 29% sequential increase in operating expenses as a result of severance charges and higher revenue-based expenses. The company paid $20.5 million of legal settlement charges in the third quarter, mainly related to compensation matters with former employees.

Earnings per share of 5 cents were significantly short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate at 14 cents.

As of Sep 30, 2009, the company's total assets under management were $151.8 billion, compared with $132.6 billion on Jun 30, 2009 and $160.5 billion on Sep

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Despite challenging macroeconomic conditions, UDR Inc. (UDR), a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT), reported relatively modest third quarter results with an increase in rental revenues and comparatively high same-store occupancy rates at 95.6%. Although rental revenues during the quarter increased to $150.3 million from $147.4 million in the year-ago period, year-over-year same-store revenues and net operating income decreased 3% and 3.7%, respectively.   During the quarter, UDR reported FFO (fund from operations) of $29.8 million or 19 cents per share compared to $49.6 million or 33 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter. FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income. The decrease in FFO was primarily due to non-cash equity loss on an unconsolidated JV and loss relating to a debt tender offer. Excluding the one-time items, FFO ...

Mattel Incorporated’s (MAT) third quarter earnings of 63 cents per share were just a penny short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 64 cents. The company had earned 65 cents in the year-ago period. Quarterly results continued to reflect the economic weakness and lack of any movie-based toy lines. Mattel, however, is focused on controlling its expenses. The company is rigidly managing its inventory and has lowered its advertising costs. For the quarter, the company reported operating income of $336.5 million versus $315.3 million in the year-ago period. Worldwide net sales decreased 8% from the prior-year quarter to $1.8 billion. U.S. sales reported a 2% decrease while international sales fell 14%. International locations were negatively impacted by changes in foreign exchange rates. Worldwide gross sales for the Mattel Girls & Boys Brands business unit were down 10% versus a year ago. Worldwide Barbie sales ...

Dish Network Corp.’s (DISH) second-quarter profit plunged 81% on litigation expenses related to TiVo Inc. (TIVO) and higher subscriber-related costs. The company reported earnings of $63.4 million, or 14 cents per share, compared to $335.9 million, or 73 cents in the year-ago quarter and significantly below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 67 cents. The Englewood, Colorado-based company said revenue came in at $2.90 billion, which was basically flat against the prior-year sales of $2.91 billion. The company added 26,000 new subscribers in the quarter, while average monthly subscriber churn rate (turnover) improved 14 basis points to 1.73%. The growth in subscribers was driven by the digital transition on June 12, completion of security access device replacement program and new sales and marketing initiatives. Total subscriber base still decreased 1.3% year over year to 13.6 million, as it faced intense competition from larger rival DirecTV (...

Apple Inc (nasd: AAPL) – Apple’s FY09 gross margin should well-exceed management’s guidance of 30%. There are multiple factors that will support FY09 gross margins. 1) As iPhone’s revenue contribution to total company sales increases, overall gross margins will rise since the iPhone carries a very high GM. 2) There will be a more favorable component price environment created by plunging commodity and energy prices. 3) As production volume rises for the iPhone and MacBooks, scale effects and cost efficiencies will benefit drive down product costs. 4) Higher revenues supply leverage by spreading fixed costs across a higher revenue base.Apple’s guidance is way too conservative; yet considering the economic landscape, management is exercising prudence. This cushion should help Apple exceed earnings expectations even if the economy adversely affects its business. With gross margin expectations so low, Apple’s revenue growth could turn out worse than expected and still match/beat …

LeapFrog (LF) saw its sales fall 17.8 percent in the second quarter, while its loss grew to $28 million vs. $25.7 million in the second quarter a year ago.