CHICAGO, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com Analyst Blog features Tiffany & Company (NYSE: TIF), Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE: SIG), Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC), Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN) and Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT).
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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
Earnings Preview: Tiffany
Tiffany & Company (NYSE: TIF) is scheduled to report its fourth-quarter 2010 financial results before the bell on Monday, March 21, 2011. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter is $1.39 per share with revenue at $1,092 million.
Third-Quarter 2010, a Synopsis
Tiffany, a high-end jewelry designer, manufacturer and retailer, posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter 2010 results buoyed by a growth in demand for luxury items worldwide. The quarterly earnings of 46 cents per share surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents and rose 39% from 33 cents in the prior-year quarter.
Tiffany, which faces stiff competition from Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE: SIG) and Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC), posted net sales of $681.7 million during the quarter, up 14% from the prior-year quarter, signaling renewed demand for jewelry in the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Japan and European regions. Total revenue also surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $651 million.
Guidance
Management expects Tiffany to attain record sales and earnings results during fiscal 2010. Witnessing a pick up in worldwide demand for higher-priced jewelry, Tiffany had earlier hinted that it would achieve net sales of $3.1 billion and that it remains on track to post earnings in the range of $2.83 to $2.88 per share in fiscal 2010.
Fourth-Quarter 2010 Zacks Consensus
The analysts considered by Zacks, expect Tiffany to post fourth-quarter 2010 earnings of $1.39 per share. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate reflects a growth of 27.5% from the prior-year quarter's earnings. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter ranges between $1.37 and $1.41.
Zacks Agreement & Magnitude
Of the 15 analysts following the stock, only one has increased the projection and none lowered their estimates, resulting in an increase of a penny in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last 30 days. In the last 7 days, none of the analysts have revised their estimates, keeping the Zacks Consensus Estimate unchanged.
Mixed Earnings Surprise History
With respect to earnings surprises, Tiffany has missed as well as topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the last four quarters in the range of negative 4.4% to positive 33.3%. The average remained at positive 15.1%. This suggests that Tiffany has beaten the Zacks Consensus Estimate by an average of 15.1% in the trailing four quarters.
Tiffany to Outperform
Tiffany is well positioned to support robust sales and earnings growth by leveraging capital investments made over the past several years in distribution, manufacturing and diamond sourcing processes. Moreover, with nearly half of the total sales generated internationally, we believe that the company is well diversified from a regional perspective as well.
Tiffany holds a significant position in the world jewelry market due to its distinctive brand appeal. The company intends to expand its distribution network by adding stores in both new and existing markets.
The company is focused on opening smaller stores that offer selected collections of lower priced higher-margin products, which in turn boost store productivity. Tiffany concentrates on improving sales per square foot through an increase in customer traffic and converting them into potential buyers by targeted advertising, ongoing sales training and customer-oriented initiatives.
Currently, we have a long-term "Outperform" rating on the stock. However, we remain concerned about Tiffany's operations in Japan, which was recently hit by the earthquake and tsunami. The company operates approximately 55 stores in Japan and generates 19% of its sales from the country. We believe that analysts at large will be expecting an update on the company's operations in Japan from Tiffany's management.
Consequently, the stock holds a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term 'Hold' rating.
Manpower Joins with Microsoft
Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), one of the leading employment services provider and Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq: MSFT), the software giant, recently formed a coalition to promote youth employment and to create opportunities for the next generation leaders across the globe.
As per the MoU, teamwork will start in the Middle Eastand Africa, the part of the world having the maximum number of unemployed people.
The partnership will work toward finding a solution for one of the most critical challenge our society is facing today, which is unemployment. Meanwhile, the program will also nurture the talent of the individuals or communities to create a healthy and self-sufficient society.
Moreover, the expertise of both the companies will help in crafting an enhanced program for the youth to facilitate them in converting their liveliness into an organic commotion, which in turn, will remove the income inequalities and reduce regional disparities.
Additionally, Manpower and Microsoft have teamed up with new partners to build up a program for next generation leaders involving technological inventiveness coupled with business expansion expertise.
The duo will also chip in together to educate, guide and provide professional supervision while developing innovation programs for youth across the globe.
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