Advance Auto Parts (AAP) posted a profit of 69 cents per share, before special items, in the third quarter of its fiscal ended Oct 10, 2009. This represents a 19% increase from 59 cents reported in the year-ago quarter. With this, the company also exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents per share. Total sales in the quarter rose 6% to $1.26 billion. This was attributed to a net addition of 66 new stores during the past 12 months and a comparable-store sales gain of 4.7% compared to a decrease of 0.1% during the third quarter last year. The comparable-store sales gain was comprised of an 11.8% increase in Commercial, or do-it-for-me (DIFM), and a 1.7% increase in do-it-yourself (DIY) sales. Gross profit rate was 49.2% of sales compared to 47.3% in the prior year. This 190 basis-point improvement reflects continued investments in pricing and ...

ITT Corporation (ITT) has been awarded a $19.3 million order from the U.S. Army's Research Development & Engineering Command Acquisition Center under the OMNI VII contract for AN/PVS-14 night vision monocular devices. Eighty percent of these goggles are required by the U.S. Air Force with the remaining quantities for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army.  The AN/PVS-14 is a high-performance, lightweight and reliable night vision monocular that provides enhanced resolution for mobility and target identification. These rugged devices can be hand-held, head- or weapon-mounted or fitted to a camera. The AN/PVS-14 operates on a single AA battery and are equipped with ITT's thin-filmed proprietary Generation 3 Pinnacle image intensifier tube.  The Gen 3 Pinnacle tube has the ability to detect available light more than 10 times the power of previous generations. The company has also been awarded a $72 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 14, 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: Las Vegas Sands (LVS), Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN), MGM Mirage (MGM), Advance Auto Parts (AAP) and O’Reilly Automotive (ORLY).

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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Macau Casino Growth Threatened?

The explosive growth of the casino industry in Macau may be threatened as the government of Macau − the Chinese gambling Mecca − is considering ways to impose restrictions on age, number of tables and locations of casinos.

Yesterday, government officials of

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ITT Corporation (ITT) has received a $72.2 million contract from the Army to provide a night vision imaging system for aviators. Work is to be performed in Roanoke, VA and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2012. Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) optically combines an image intensification image, and proven thermal infrared technology, allowing for improved mobility and situational awareness—through clear target detection and improved target recognition. The ENVG combines the strengths of both technologies into one helmet-mounted unit, allowing war  fighters to complete their missions more effectively, even when confronted by low-light or obscured conditions. ITT's Night Vision business is the world's leading developer, producer and supplier of head- and helmet-mounted night vision solutions and image intensifiers for U.S. and allied military forces as well as the Homeland Security market. ITT has served the U.S. military with premier research, development, production and logistics ...

ITT Corporation (ITT) has been awarded $43 million follow-on orders by the U.S. Army's Research, Development and Engineering Command Acquisition Center for the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle and associated spare parts. Enhanced Night Vision Goggle optically combines an image intensification image, and proven thermal infrared technology, allowing for improved mobility and situational awareness—through clear target detection and improved target recognition. ITT's Night Vision business, based in Roanoke, VA, is the world's leading developer, producer and supplier of head- and helmet-mounted night vision solutions and image intensifiers for U.S. and allied military forces as well as the homeland security market. Subsequently, ITT Corp. also received a $29.2 million contract from the U.S. Navy to produce radar modification kits used aboard Navy ships. The radars enhance missile guidance capability, while the kits will increase operational availability and decrease operating and support costs, according to the government notice....