The average estimate is the same as three months ago. Between one and three months ago, the average estimate moved up. It has dropped from 44 cents during the last month. Analysts are projecting profit to rise by 5.3% versus last year to $1.79.
Past Earnings Performance: The company missed estimates last quarter after beating forecasts in the prior two. In the third quarter, the company reported net income of 50 cents per share versus a mean estimate of profit of 55 cents per share. In the second quarter, the company beat estimates by 6 cents.
A Look Back: In the third quarter, profit fell 61.2% to $76 million (21 cents a share) from $196 million (51 cents a share) the year earlier, missing analyst expectations. Revenue rose 0.7% to $8.31 billion from $8.25 billion.
Stock Price Performance: Between August 20, 2012 and November 13, 2012, the stock price rose $1.82 (11.9%), from $15.29 to $17.11. The stock price saw one of its best stretches over the last year between September 7, 2012 and September 14, 2012, when shares rose for six straight days, increasing 4.8% (+76 cents) over that span. It saw one of its worst periods between June 29, 2012 and July 17, 2012 when shares fell for 12 straight days, dropping 18% (-$3.38) over that span.
Analyst Ratings: With five analysts rating the stock as a buy, four rating it as a sell and four rating it as a hold, there are indications of a bullish outlook.
Key Stats:
On the top line, the company is looking to build on four-straight revenue increases heading into this earnings announcement. Revenue rose 12.9% in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year, 9.4% in the first quarter and 3.4% in the second quarter before increasing again in the third quarter.
The company is hoping to rebound with this earnings release after a net income drop last quarter. Net income rose 4.4% in the second quarter before dropping in the third quarter.
Wall St. Revenue Expectations: On average, analysts predict $8.49 billion in revenue this quarter, a rise of 1.1% from the year-ago quarter. Analysts are forecasting total revenue of $33.35 billion for the year, a rise of 3.3% from last year’s revenue of $32.27 billion.
