SAN FRANCISCO – Among the companies whose shares are likely to see active trading on Friday are KeySpan Corp., Huntsman Corp., H&R Block Inc., and Marvell Technology Group.
Asbury Automotive Group (ABG) is expected to report earnings of 32 cents a share for its fourth quarter, according to analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call.
Citizens Communications Co. (CZN) is seen posting earnings of 14 cents a share for the fourth quarter.
Huntsman Corp. (HUN) is seen earning 28 cents a share for the fourth quarter.
KeySpan Corp. (KSE) is expected to post fourth-quarter earnings of 70 cents a share.
Analysts expect National Oilwell Varco (NOV) to report a per-share profit of 62 cents for the fourth quarter.
After Thursday's closing bell, H&R Block Inc. (HRB) said it will restate some financial results because it made errors on its own taxes. The company also cut its fiscal 2006 earnings forecast. See full story.
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Anheuser-Busch Cos. (BUD) after the closing bell Thursday reiterated its expectation that 2006 per-share earnings would increase vs. normalized 2005 results. The St. Louis-based brewer is targeting average annual per-share earnings growth in the 7% to 10% range.
BEA Systems Inc.'s (BEAS) fourth-quarter profit fell 15%, while revenue rose more than expected on strong demand for its corporate software. See full story.
Chesapeake Energy Corp. (CHK) reported fourth-quarter net income of $452.5 million, or $1.11 a share, compared with $208.5 million, or 52 cents a share, during the year-earlier period. Revenue was $1.75 billion, compared with $942.1 million last year. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected revenue of $1.23 billion.
Gap Inc. (GPS) said fourth-quarter earnings fell 11%. It also lowered its full-year pro forma profit forecast. See full story.
Home Depot Inc. (HD) approved an additional $1 billion to buy back outstanding shares, bringing its total authorized share repurchase program to $12 billion. Additionally, the Atlanta-based retailer raised its quarterly dividend 50% to 15 cents from 10 cents a share. The dividend is payable March 23 to shareholders of record on March 9.
Kohl's Corp. (KSS) posted higher fourth-quarter earnings, helped by inventory control and higher margins. See full story.
Loudeye Corp. (LOUD) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $10.5 million, or 9 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $5.64 million, or 7 cents a share, during the same period last year. The company said the quarterly per-share loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization was 4 cents, compared with a loss of 6 cents in the year-earlier period. Revenue was $8.83 million, compared with $5.47 million last year. Loudeye expects first-quarter revenue of $7.5 million to $8 million, and full-year revenue of $35 million to $40 million.
Marvell Technology Group (MRVL) said its fourth-quarter net income rose 78% from a year ago as demand increased for its chips used in hard disk drives, Internet networking gear and consumer electronic devices. See full story.
Midway Games Inc. (MWY) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $37.8 million, or 42 cents a share. Last year, the company reported net income of $17.6 million, or 19 cents a share. Revenue was $69.8 million, compared with $77.2 million last year. For 2006, Midway expects revenue to grow 3% to $155 million, and a net loss of $66 million. Analysts are looking for revenue of $227 million. For the first quarter, Midway expects revenue of $13 million, with a net loss of $22 million. Analysts are looking for quarterly revenue of $40 million.
Mills Corp. (MLS) said its board is exploring strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the company, and is cutting an additional 77 positions. The shopping and entertainment centers developer said it doesn't expect to meet a March 16 deadline to file its 2005 Form 10-K, as it continues to complete the report and previously announced financial restatements. Mills forecast 2005 earnings and funds from operations to be below market expectations and said its previous 2005 financial forecast should no longer be relied upon. The company also named Federal Realty Investment Trust's (FRT) non-executive chair Mark Ordan as chief operating officer.
Netease.com Inc. (NTES) said its fourth-quarter profit more than doubled, thanks to the popularity of two of its online video games. See full story.
Nordstrom Inc. (JWN) said fourth-quarter income rose by 36%, but the clothing retailer's view for the current fiscal year was below forecasts. See full story.
Roper Industries Inc. (ROP) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $50.4 million, or 57 cents a share, compared with $24.8 million, or 32 cents a share, during the year-ago period. The Duluth, Ga.-based diversified industrial company posted revenue of $393.2 million vs. $276.5 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $391 million. Roper expects first-quarter per-share earnings of 37 cents to 40 cents. For 2006, the company sees earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of at least $390 million, and per-share earnings in the range of $1.95 to $2.07.
Transmeta Corp. (TMTA) reported a fourth-quarter net loss of $2.1 million, or a penny a share, compared with a net loss of $28.1 million, or 15 cents a share, last year. The Santa Clara, Calif.-based developer of computing, microprocessor and semiconductor technologies posted revenue of $13.3 million vs. $11.2 million a year ago. For 2006, Transmeta expects a net loss of $12 million to $18 million, or 6 cents to 9 cents a share, on revenue of $60 million to $72 million. The company sees first-half revenue of at least $27 million. Analysts are currently looking for a per-share loss of a penny on revenue of $64 million for the year.
WebMD Health Corp. (WBMD) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $6.1 million, or 11 cents a share, up 56% from $3.9 million, or 8 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose to $49.1 million from $39.1 million last year. The online health-information provider forecast 2006 revenue of $220 million to $230 million. WebMD expects 2006 results to range from a loss of $1.6 million to earnings of $2.5 million, including the impact of stock-option expensing. Excluding the expenses, it expects earnings of $21.4 million to $25.5 million.
Wynn Resorts Ltd. (WYNN) said its fourth-quarter net loss was $11.4 million, or 12 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $127.7 million, or $1.37 a share, during the same period last year. Revenue was $309.1 million. The company did not provide a year-ago revenue figure because its Wynn Las Vegas facility opened in April 2005.
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