Month: May 2012

Agrium (NYSE:AGU) reported Q1 EPS of $1.32, surpassing estimates of $1.04. The company reported Q1 revenues of $3.63 billion, also well above estimates of $2.99 billion. The company sees first half EPS of $5.50 – $6.10, vs. estimates of $5.78, which may not be comparable, but also sees wholesale realized nutrient prices in the second quarter slightly higher for nitrogen, potash and slightly lower for phosphate vs. prices in the year-ago quarter. The company expects slightly lower wholesale fertilizer sales volumes in the second quarter, vs. year over year for nitrogen and potash.But, depute beating estimates, the fertilizer company still said its earnings were down 9%, making investors sell off. Currently, shares are down over 2 and a half percent to $82.43.

General Growth (GGP) was upgraded today by UBS (UBS) from neutral to buy with a price target of $20. The firm also increased estimates as it believes that there are several catalysts that will boost the stock price in the near term.

Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) announced its quarterly dividend of 27.5 cents per share, an increase of about 15% over its prior dividend in February of 24 cents. The dividend will be payable on June 8, 2012, to stockholders of record on May 25, 2012.

Tim Hortons (NYSE:THI) reported Q1 EPS of C$0.56, missing estimates of C$0.58. The company cited higher commodity costs which affected the its cost of sales for the miss. The company reported Q1 total revenues of C$721.3 million, vs. estimates of C$705.3 million. Tim Hortons also reported Q1 Canada comps rose 5.2% while US comp sales rose 8.5%. President and CEO Paul House is leaving the company, but will continue his role until early December 2013, or until the appointment of a new CEO whichever comes first.

Bargain hunters are wise to pay careful attention to insider buying, because although there are many various reasons for an insider to sell a stock, presumably the only reason they would use their hard-earned cash to make a purchase, is that they expect to make money. Today we look at two noteworthy recent insider buys.

In trading on Thursday, precious metals shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 2.4%. Leading the group were shares of Golden Star Resources Limited (GSS), up about 6.5% and shares of Banro (BAA) up about 5.5% on the day.

AIG (AIG) was upgraded today by Goldman Sachs (GS) to buy with a price target of $40, as there are multiple catalysts suggesting a higher stock price. Shares are higher by about seven tenths of a percent.

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) said its April global comparable sales rose 3.3% year-over-year , vs. estimates of up 4.3%. The figure represents the slowest growth in the month of April since 2005, when sales rose 2.5%, according to Bloomberg. By segment, US sales rose 3.3%, vs. estimates of up 3.2%. Europe sales rose 3.5% , vs. estimates of a 3.2% rise. APMEA rose 1.1% vs. estimates of a 6.5% rise.McDonald’s is now down over 1% to $94.58.

In trading on Wednesday, home furnishings & improvement shares were relative leaders, up on the day by about 0.1%. Leading the group were shares of Cost Plus (CPWM), up about 21.6% and shares of Tempur Pedic International (TPX) up about 5.3% on the day.

Some more news coming out involving Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson. According to AllThingsD, Patti Hart, the company board member who chaired the committee that led to the hiring of Thompson, is stepping down.Reports say Hart will not be seeking reelection in the next annual meeting. She has taken the brunt of the criticism involving Thompson’s misstating that he had a computer science degree.Currently, Yahoo (NASDAQ:YHOO) shares are trading over a half a percent lower to $15.27 in afternoon trading.