Earnings week is coming to a close. While Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s numbers were the primary focus and Karl Icahn and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) the biggest winners, there remain a number of stocks that matter to investors and the economy as a whole. Here is a quick look at another five that will be reporting before the bell tomorrow.
Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU) (EPA:ALU) (BIT:ALU):
With rumors of the French Government possibly “involving” themselves with Alcatel-Lucent, it’s difficult for many investors to give them the time of day. But, at the end of the day, it is still a listed company and with that comes earnings reporting. General Electric and Caterpillar have shown the effects of a deteriorating Europe and value investors would be wise to exercise caution with Alcatel.
Comparing the upcoming quarter to the year-over-year quarter, the consensus analyst estimate suggests that Alcatel Lucent SA (ADR) (NYSE:ALU) (EPA:ALU) (BIT:ALU)‘s revenues will fall -4.3 percent and EPS will shrink to a loss.
The average estimate for revenue is $4.09 billion while the average EPS estimate is -$0.12.
3M Co (NYSE:MMM):
The company best known for its office products possesses a wide range of profitable businesses, and through acquisitions, 3M has opened the door to some new opportunities as well. Minnesota, manufacturing and mining have little to do with Post-It Notes. The company is engaged in everything in between.
The consensus for the quarter is $1.65 per share, up 3.8 percent from a year ago when 3M reported earnings of $1.59 per share. Revenue is projected to be $7.81 billion for the quarter, 4.3 percent above the year-earlier total of $7.49 billion. For the year, revenue is expected to come in at $31.45 billion.
The majority of analysts rate 3M Co (NYSE:MMM) as a buy and none of those polled by Zacks have gone back on that rating in months.
Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO):
Altria Group Inc., parent of the biggest U.S. cigarette maker, Philip Morris USA, lives and dies with its Marlboro brand, not unlike its users. With increased competition from competitors with cheaper alternatives, Altria will always go the way of the economy as a whole. I can only smoke so many “Reds” myself.
Analysts are expecting Altria to report earnings of $0.53 per share, up 8.2 percent from a year ago when it reported earnings of $0.49 per share. Revenue is expected to be $4.04 billion for the quarter, 1.2 percent higher than the year-earlier total of $3.99 billion. For the year, revenue is projected to come in at $17.65 billion.
There are a number of stocks that are benchmarks for the economy as a whole, and Altria Group Inc (NYSE:MO) remains one of these. When people silly enough to smoke are gainfully employed, the average price per pack of $5.82 nationally seems like a small price to pay for coffin nails.
AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE:ABC):
AmerisourceBergen Corporation, a pharmaceutical services entity, excels in drug distribution and related healthcare services and solutions to pharmacy, physician, and manufacturer. Its customer base lies primarily in the United States and Canada. After its stock hit a 52 week high recently, eyes will look towards its reporting tomorrow.
Analysts are expecting AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE:ABC) to report earnings $0.88 per share, up 8.6 percent from a year ago when it reported earnings of $0.81 per share. Revenue is projected to be 6.3 percent ahead of the year-earlier total of $20.07 billion at $21.33 billion for the quarter. For the year, revenue is expected to come in at $86.42 billion.
AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN)
This firm is a leading bi-opharmaceutical company which targets treatments for cardiovascular, respiratory, inflammation, autoimmune, oncology, infection and other diseases. Not unlike its competitors, AstraZeneca is actively pursuing anti-obesity medications and analysts believe that it is leading the field in this area.
Analysts expect earnings of $1.33 per share on revenues of $6.53 billion. The company has beaten earnings estimates in the last four quarters and may continue this trend. Unfortunately, future outlooks for AstraZeneca plc (ADR) (NYSE:AZN) aren’t as rosy. Over the past three months, the average estimate for next quarter’s earnings has fallen from a profit of $1.39 to a profit $1.21. For the current year, the average estimate is a profit of $5.38, which is worse than the estimate ninety days ago.
