Stock Market & Financial Investment News

News Breaks January 18, 2013 11:51 EDT VZ Earnings Preview: Verizon says Sandy’s impact on Q4 results may be significant Verizon Communications (VZ) is expected to report Q4 earnings before the market open on Tuesday, January 22, with a conference call scheduled for 8:30 am ET. Verizon is a holding company providing communications, information and entertainment... EXPECTATIONS: Analysts are looking for EPS of 52c on revenue of $29.75B, according to First Call. The consensus range for EPS is 39c-62c on revenue of $29.35B-$30.2B... LAST QUARTER: Verizon reported Q3 EPS of 64c against estimates for 64c on revenue of $29.01B against estimates for $29B. In the Q3 earnings report, CEO Lowell McAdam commented, "In Q3, Verizon continued to deliver double-digit earnings growth and strong cash generation, and we remain solidly on track to meet our financial objectives for the year.” However on November 2, shortly after Hurricane Sandy landed, the company said the impact from the storm on Q4 operating results “could be significant.” The company’s Northeast network was not restored to pre-storm levels until November 15. At the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference on December 4, CEO McAdam noted that momentum from Q3 was carrying over into Q4, and that he “felt good” going into 2013... STREET RESEARCH: Street research has been mostly positive in the weeks leading up to Verizon's Q4 earnings report. Negative sentiment came on January 14 when UBS downgraded the stock to Neutral from Buy, citing lower profitability due to higher subsidies and indirect channel costs in wireless and increased costs in wireline. UBS lowered its price target to $44 from $48. PRICE ACTION: Verizon shares fell approximately 11% following the company's Q3 report. However, in mid-November, the stock mounted a modest rebound, but then dipped again in the first two weeks of this year. In late morning trading ahead of Tuesday's Q4 report, Verizon’s shares are up 0.40% to $42.30. News For VZ From The Last 14 Days Check below for free stories on VZ the last two weeks. Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing. May 22, 2013 08:42 EDT VZ Vodafone an attractive way to play trends at Verizon Wireless, says RW Baird at RW Baird Subscribe for More Information 07:42 EDT VZ Barclays to host a conference Subscribe for More Information 07:24 EDT VZ NetEvents International to host a summit Subscribe for More Information 07:08 EDT VZ Phone companies start selling subscriber data, WSJ reports Subscribe for More Information 06:02 EDT VZ On the Fly: Periodicals Wrap-Up WALL STREET JOURNAL: Since the financial crisis, bonds backed by a single loan have been less common than securities made up of a group of unrelated loans. But the market for loans on commercial properties has changed in recent months and is booming again--$12.1B so far this year--the Wall Street Journal reports...Big phone companies (SAP, T, TEF, VZ, VOD, CCO) have begun to sell the vast amounts of data they gather about their subscribers' locations, travels and Web-browsing habits. The information provides a powerful tool for marketers but raises new privacy concerns, the Wall Street Journal reports...REUTERS: Apple's (AAPL) ability to shelter billions of dollars of income from tax has depended on an unusual loophole in the Irish tax code that helps the country compete with other countries for investment and jobs. Apple channeled profits into Irish-incorporated subsidiaries that had no declared tax residency anywhere in the world, Reuters reports...The dollar languished well below last week's 4 1/2-year high against the yen today, ahead of testimony from the Fed Chairman Bernanke after two regional Fed presidents hinted that the central bank will continue its bond-buying scheme, Reuters reports...BLOOMBERG: Samsung (SSNLF) and LG Electronics are reworking their strategies for high-end TVs after spending billions of dollars on a new display technology that’s behind schedule and costs nearly $10,000 a set. The misstep has created an opening for Sony (SNE), Sharp (SHCAY) and Chinese maker Skyworth Digital, Bloomberg reports...Apple’s (AAPL) bonds have lost $280.6M of market value since buyers snapped up $17B of the iPhone maker’s debt last month, declining as yields climb from record lows, Bloomberg reports. May 21, 2013 07:32 EDT VZ CTIA–The Wireless Association to host a conference Subscribe for More Information 05:50 EDT VZ Vodafone to invest $3.15B Verizon dividend on business, WSJ reports Vodafone Group said it will keep the $3.15B dividend payment it will receive from Verizon Wireless and invest it in its flagging operations in Europe, which weighed heavily on its full-year profit, reports the Wall Street Journal. Reference Link May 17, 2013 16:47 EDT VZ Fitch affirms Verizon's IDR at 'A', outlook stable Subscribe for More Information 15:12 EDT VZ Focus on Verizon Wireless stake ahead of Vodafone earnings, Reuters says Subscribe for More Information 06:50 EDT VZ Verizon initiated with an Overweight at Barclays Target $59. May 14, 2013 11:54 EDT VZ Verizon CFO says 'very comfortable' with cash position, ability to pay dividend Subscribe for More Information 11:49 EDT VZ Verizon CFO declines to comment on potential to purchase Vodafone JV stake Subscribe for More Information May 13, 2013 16:48 EDT VZ Verizon Wireless to make $7B payment to Verizon, Vodafone Verizon (VZ) disclosed in a regulatory filing that on May 9, the board of representatives of Verizon Wireless declared distributions to its owners in the aggregate amount of $7B, payable on June 25 in proportion to their respective partnership interests on the date of such distribution. Based on current ownership interests in Verizon Wireless, Verizon will receive cash payments aggregating $3.85B and Vodafone (VOD) will receive cash payments aggregating $3.15B. 07:29 EDT VZ Skillsoft to host a conference 2013 Global Skillsoft Perspectives Learning Industry Conference is being held in Orlando, Florida on May 13-16. May 10, 2013 07:08 EDT VZ ESPN considers subsidizing wireless data plans, WSJ reports Subscribe for More Information Sign up for a free trial to see the rest of the stories you've been missing.