Level 3 Communications
The data and communications infrastructure company Level 3 Communications, Inc. (NYSE:LVLT) will be reporting earnings on May 3, 2012, followed up by a conference call. The firm, who offers services from virtual private networks to dark fibre and content distribution, is projected to lose $0.60 in the first quarter, which is a threefold improvement over their results in the first quarter of 2011. In fact, this trend is projected forward by analysts who are indicating a shrinking loss and a potential return to profitability in the fourth quarter of 2012. This is despite a growing loss in each of the last four fiscal years.
The results came in at a loss of $0.37 a share excluding losses on extinguishment of debt, beating estimates. Shares are up $0.60 in pre-market trading.
LinkedIn
Linkedin Corporation (NYSE:LNKD) will also be releasing its first quarter 2012 results on May 3, 2012. The firm reported adjusted net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2011 of $0.07 per share and analysts are expecting continued profitability with an estimate of $0.09 per share for the first quarter of 2012. The social networking firm, who’s presence extends to over 200 countries and boasts more than 90 million members, is expected to earn $0.63 per share over the full 2012 year. After a sharp decline in early trading on May 2nd, the stock recovered nicely to close the day up 4% on the month and up an amazing 136% from the $45 IPO price. The stock debuted almost a year ago, on May 19th, 2011.
El Paso Corp
The owner of America’s largest natural gas pipeline system, El Paso Corp (NYSE:EP) is poised to announce its 2012 first quarter earnings today. Analysts on average are estimating earnings of $0.29 per share, which is largely in line with the first quarter of 2011. Despite this, analysts have a more positive outlook on the remainder of the year, where they see El Paso earning $1.20 per share for 2012, up 20% over 2011 earnings. El Paso and Kinder Morgan Inc (NYSE:KMI) have previously agreed in October of 2011 for Kinder Morgan to acquire all outstanding El Paso shares at $26.87 per share.
El Paso Corporation reported earnings of 20 cents per share, which was below analyst estimates. The company is down in the pre-market 0.90% on the results.
First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (NASDAQ:FSLR) is a leader in the design and manufacture of photovoltaic solar power systems around the world and will also be releasing its 2012 first quarter earnings today. In 2011, the firm produced solar modules capable of producing two gigawatts of clean energy. Analysts are quite bearish on the first quarter results, however, estimating only $0.59 per share in earnings, down from $1.33 in the same period in the previous year. The outlook for the year as a whole is weaker as well, coming in at $4.07 per share, off approximately 30% from last year’s earnings of $6.01 per share. Concerns remain in the industry in regards to overcapacity and lack of sales markets.
Jim Chanos announced last year that he had a short position in the company as subsidies from Governments would cause earnings to collapse.
Fortress Investment Group LLC (NYSE:FIG) topped analysts’ with results 11 cents a share. Analysts had forecast EPS of $0.10 a share. The value of its Private equity portfolio value rose 4.7%. Assets under management are now $46.43 billion, up from last quarter of $43.71 billion.
Fortress Co-Chairman Wes Edens said “We see solid prospects for continued valuation gains based on underlying operating performance and for near-term liquidity events in select portfolio companies.”
Shares of Fortress are up 3.30% on the news.
