For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 18, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Home Depot (HD), Ford (F), TRW Automotive (TRW), Revlon (REV) and Estee Lauder (EL).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Home Depot Sales Dip

Home Depot (HD), the largest home improvement retailer in the world, reported net income of $689 million or 41 cents per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to net income of $756 million or 45 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter.

...

Home Depot (HD), the largest home improvement retailer in the world, reported net income of $689 million or 41 cents per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2009, compared to net income of $756 million or 45 cents per share in the year-earlier quarter.  The company witnessed severe stress from declining market fundamentals during the quarter in a challenging macroeconomic environment and weakness in the U.S. housing sector. Total sales decreased 8.0% year-over-year to $16.4 billion, while overall same-store sales decreased 6.9%.  In order to tide over the storm, Home Depot has decided to focus on core retail activities and has exited businesses like EXPO, THD Design Center, Yardbirds, and HD Bath. In addition, the company has taken strict cost-control measures and has initiated prudent inventory management policies.  Home Depot was able to gain market share during the quarter amid early signs of stabilization of the ...

This morning, Lowe's Companies Inc. (LOW) backed its fiscal 2009 sales and earnings guidance, provided on August 17. The company maintains its earnings expectations between $1.13 and $1.21 for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2010. Lowe’s expects total sales to decline about 3% from the previous year, while sales at established stores (same-store sales) are expected to decline between 7% and 9%. The company further stated that it might recognize impairments related to operating stores of up to $100 million during the second half due to uncertainty regarding an economic recovery. For fiscal 2010, the company expects earnings per share to lie between $1.24 and $1.34. Total sales are expected to increase approximately 3% to 4%, with a comparable-store sales increase of approximately 1%. As a reminder, Lowe's – the second biggest U.S. home improvement retailer behind Home Depot Inc (HD) – announced ...

PennyOmega.com Stock Report!

PennyOmega.com Hot Stock News & Alerts!

 

Tuesday August 18, 2009

PennyOmega.com Stock Report!

**************************************************************

Lazard Ltd (NYSE:LAZ) announced today that Tom Tuft, one of the leading bankers in equity capital markets, will join Lazard as Chairman, Global Capital Markets Advisory, and a Vice Chairman, US Investment Banking in November. Mr. Tuft, based in New York, will join Lazard from Goldman Sachs & Co., where he most recently served as Chairman of its Equity Capital Markets group.

UDR, Inc. (NYSE: UDR), a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT), today announced that it has extended the early tender deadline in respect of its previously announced cash tender offer and consent solicitation (the “Offer”) for its

...

Even though top home improvement retailer Home Depot (HD) reported second quarter same-store sales down roughly 8%, its 71 cents per share in the quarter topped the Zacks consensus of 60 cents per share.  A day earlier, Lowe's (LOW) had reported its profits had fallen by 8%.

These results reflect the ongoing difficulty in the U.S. housing sector and the economy in general.  Even still, Home Depot shares were up in pre-market trading, but have since fallen 0.5%.  Headwinds for the company include wholesale prices reportedly rising at their highest rate in 27 years, and housing starts at their lowest level in 17 years.  Roughly 70% of Home Depot customers are do-it-yourself homeowners, according to an AP report today.

Analyst revisions have been mild but mixed over the past month.  However, at no time in the past quarter were HD shares expected to fetch as much as 71 cents per

...