Thursday’s biggest gaining and declining stocks

Orlando, FL 5/17/12 (StreetBeat) – Below are some of the stocks making significant moves in Thursday’s U.S. trading:

Gainers

Sears Holdings Corp. shares (Nasdaq: SHLD +9.83%) jumped more than 12%. The company swung to a profit for the first quarter ended April 28 on a boost from shedding some real estate, part of slimming-down process that the retailer signaled Thursday it intends to continue as it revealed plans to trim its ownership stake in Sears Canada.

Boyd Gaming Corp. shares (NYSE: BYD +5.73%) were up 6.7%. Late Wednesday, the company revealed plans to buy Peninsula Gaming LLC in a $1.45 billion deal that will expanding its reach in the Midwest and South. Boyd said the deal to acquire the privately held casino operator is expected to close by the end of this year.

U.S.-listed shares of Pansoft Co. Ltd. (Nasdaq: PSOF +23.27%) rallied 23% after the China-based software provider for the oil and gas industry said it agreed to be taken private at a cash price of $4.15 a share. The buyer is Timesway Group Ltd., controlled by Chairman Hugh Wang and CEO Guoqiang Lin.

Losers

Dollar Tree Inc. shares (Nasdaq: DLTR -4.55%) fell 4%. The deep discounter posted results for the first quarter than came in better than expected but cautioned on second-quarter results.

Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.

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Thursday’s biggest gaining and declining stocks

Orlando, FL 5/17/12 (StreetBeat) – Below are some of the stocks making significant moves in Thursday’s U.S. trading:

Gainers

Sears Holdings Corp. shares (Nasdaq: SHLD +9.83%) jumped more than 12%. The company swung to a profit for the first quarter ended April 28 on a boost from shedding some real estate, part of slimming-down process that the retailer signaled Thursday it intends to continue as it revealed plans to trim its ownership stake in Sears Canada.

Boyd Gaming Corp. shares (NYSE: BYD +5.73%) were up 6.7%. Late Wednesday, the company revealed plans to buy Peninsula Gaming LLC in a $1.45 billion deal that will expanding its reach in the Midwest and South. Boyd said the deal to acquire the privately held casino operator is expected to close by the end of this year.

U.S.-listed shares of Pansoft Co. Ltd. (Nasdaq: PSOF +23.27%) rallied 23% after the China-based software provider for the oil and gas industry said it agreed to be taken private at a cash price of $4.15 a share. The buyer is Timesway Group Ltd., controlled by Chairman Hugh Wang and CEO Guoqiang Lin.

Losers

Dollar Tree Inc. shares (Nasdaq: DLTR -4.55%) fell 4%. The deep discounter posted results for the first quarter than came in better than expected but cautioned on second-quarter results.

Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.

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Sears (Nasdaq: SHLD) Plans to Spin Off Part of Canadian Unit

Shawshank, VA 5/17/12 (StreetBeat) -- Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD) announced on Thursday that it would spin off part of its Canadian unit, a poor performer that has weighed down the struggling retailer.

The move to sell shares in the unit, if approved by regulators, would reduce the holding company’s stake in Sears Canada to 51 percent from 95 percent. Sears indicated that it could further wind down the stake, disclosing in a statement Thursday that “subsequent to the spinoff,” the company could sell “any portion of its remaining interest in Sears Canada.”

The planned spinoff is the latest step in a broader effort by Sears and its chairman, Edward S. Lampert, to raise cash and allay concerns about liquidity problems. The retailer, based in Hoffman Estates, Ill., is seeking to regain its footing through selling some of its most profitable stores.

The Canadian arm of the company, however, is one of the worst performers. In a letter to shareholders earlier this year, Mr. Lampert acknowledged that the unit “experienced very poor results.” Even as the holding company returned to profitability, announcing Thursday first quarter earnings of $189 million, up from a $165 million loss from a year ago, the Canadian unit’s same-store sales declined more than 6 percent.

In the statement, Sears said it “believes that the spin-off will provide investors with a more targeted investment opportunity by having equity in two separate public companies.”

Still, the spinoff marks a curious change in strategy for Mr. Lampert. In 2009, the hedge fund billionaire moved to exert more control over its neighbor to the north, gradually ratcheting up its stake in Sears Canada. The dwindling stake also comes as Target (NYSE: TGT), one of its top competitors, moves into the Canadian market.

The Sears deal is still subject to regulatory approval and the blessing of the Sears Canada directors. If the deal is finalized, Sears plans to continue including the Canadian unit as a subsidiary in its earnings reports.

Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.

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Sears (Nasdaq: SHLD) Shares Soar 9% as 1Q Sales Stabilize

Tallahassee, FL 5/1/12 (StreetBeat) -- Embattled retailer Sears Holdings (Nasdaq: SHLD: 58.39, +4.61, +8.57%) said on Tuesday it anticipates posting a first-quarter operating profit later this month as the sale of underperforming stores generated cash and declines in same-store sales moderated.

Wall Street sent shares of Sears, which is the parent of both its namesake stores and Kmart, surging about 9% on the numbers.

Eddie Lampert’s Sears said it expects to disclose first-quarter profit from continuing operations of $155 million, or $1.46 a share, to $195 million, or $1.84 a share. That would mark a dramatic improvement from a year earlier when it lost $165 million, or $1.53 a share, from continuing operations.

Analysts had been projecting a loss of $1.69 a share for the first quarter, but it’s not clear if those figures are comparable.

Hoffman Estates, Ill.-based Sears said the new guidance includes about $235 million of gains related to the sale of certain stores in the U.S. and Canada that generated $440 million in cash proceeds.

The company also projected adjusted Ebitda, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, of $135 million to $195 million, compared with $58 million the year before.

Overall same-store sales are seen slipping 1.3% in the first quarter, compared with 3.6% the year earlier and 3.4% in the fourth quarter. Boosted by double-digit jumps in apparel and footwear sales, Sears domestic sales are expected to fall just 1%.

Kmart same-store sales are forecasted to have slid 1.6% as increases in apparel and footwear were offset by sinking consumer electronics sales.

The cautiously optimistic news from Sears sent its shares leaping 9.58% to $59.20 Tuesday morning, putting them on track to build on their stellar 2012 surge of 70%. Despite the gains so far this year, Sears is off 36% over the past 12 months.

Last year Sears suffered a $3.1 billion loss, leading management to reveal plans to raise $750 million by selling and spinning off a slew of stores.

Lampert, the chairman of Sears, acquired the retailer in 2005 but has struggled to turn around its recent string of losses.

Please contact www.thestreetbeat.com for interest in our latest investor relations platform the “CEO Interview Series” with its host Steve Kanaval. The package includes a one-on-one interview with a seasoned industry professional; published segment to our web site with embedded audio/video file; and a compressed file that can be easily e-mailed out to your current and/or potential investors. Please e-mail bflautt@gmail.com or call (662) 392-0740 for pricing and scheduling.

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Sears (Nasdaq: SHLD) quells fears about liquidity; shares soar

Orlando, FL 2/23/12 (StreetBeat) -- Sears Holdings Corp (Nasdaq: SHLD) announced steps to reassure investors about its ability to pay down debt, sending its shares soaring 16 percent in early trading.

The operator of Sears department stores and the Kmart discount chain said it intends to separate its Sears Hometown and Outlet businesses and certain hardware stores through a rights offering expected to raise $400 million to $500 million.

The rights will entitle stockholders to purchase shares in the combined Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores businesses and certain hardware stores and will be transferred to holders of Sears Holdings common stock.

Sears also said it had reached a deal to sell 11 stores to General Growth Properties Inc.

The actions come at a time when business lenders such as CIT Group Inc are keeping Sears on a tight leash.

"The actions of the asset sales and business separations of the outlets and hometown stores is management showing the Street that it can pull liquidity levers if it so chooses," Morningstar analyst Paul Swinand said.

Sears expects the real estate deal to generate $270 million in cash proceeds in the next 60 days and the separation of its hometown, outlet and hardware stores businesses to generate between $400 million and $500 million via a rights offering.

Sears stressed that it had substantial liquidity and strong assets even as it needs to improve its operating performance.

"It is important to note that we are an asset rich enterprise with multiple resources that dash at our disposal, which we believe provides us with ample financial flexibility," Chief Financial Officer Robert Schriesheim said on a rare conference call on Thursday.

The company's sales have fallen every year since it was formed by hedge fund manager Edward Lampert in 2005 through the merger of two of the most iconic American chains in an $11 billion deal.

Sears reported a huge quarterly net loss on Thursday after a poor showing during the holiday season. The net loss was $2.4 billion, or $22.47 a share, after a number of one-time charges, compared with a profit of $374 million, or $3.43 a share, a year earlier.

Excluding one-time items, Sears earned 54 cents a share.

Sales fell $518 million to $12.5 billion for the quarter that ended January 28. Sales at its U.S. stores open at least a year fell 3.4 percent, including a 4.1 percent decline at its namesake department stores and a 2.7 percent fall at Kmart.

On Wednesday, the company's Canadian unit, Sears Canada Inc, posted a more than 50 percent drop in quarterly earnings.

"One of my big concerns is still Sears Canada, which was a jewel but is now looking like it's going south too," Swinand said.

Sears Holdings, home to well-known brands such as Craftsman tools and Kenmore appliances, is a victim of the weak economy, stiff competition and its own missteps.

Analysts have often criticized Sears for relying too heavily on cost-cutting to boost profits, instead of upgrading stores and improving customer service. Problems include understaffed stores, poor signage, dowdy merchandise, inconsistent inventory and, at Kmart, uncompetitive pricing, they said.

Sears also faces cut-throat competition from the likes of Home Depot, Lowe's, Wal-Mart, Target and Best Buy, as well as department store peers such as JC Penney, Macy's and Kohl's.

In late December, the company said it would close as many as 120 of its Kmart and Sears discount and department stores.

Sears shares were up $7.99, or about 16 percent, at $60.11 in early Nasdaq trading.

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The Sears (Nasdaq: SHLD) Rally Continues; Credit Suisse Calls It ‘Classic Short Squeeze’

Orlando, FL 1/23/12 (StreetBeat) -- Sears (Nasdaq: SHLD) shares keep skyrocketing, jumping another 8.9% today and pushing itself further from rest of the pack as the S&P 500′s top performer this year.

The stock’s rally has been fast and furious (and Goldman Sachs is loving it). But whether the company’s underlying fundamentals justify the move is a whole other story.

Credit Suisse analyst Gary Balter is skeptical, to say the least. “We do not see Sears or Kmart turning around their operations to the point that they generate positive cash flow or enough to justify the current stock price,” Mr. Balter says in a note to clients.

As we detailed on Friday, there are such few shares eligible to be shorted. In a short sale, traders borrow shares and sell them, hoping they can buy the shares back in the future at a lower price and return them, pocketing the difference as profit.

Analysts are now beginning to question whether this is the mother of all short squeezes.

“We are stuck in a classic short squeeze, a squeeze that given the float we do not even harbor to speculate when it may end,” Mr. Balter adds. “How the stock moves in the short term is a good question as with so little float, and no stock available to short, this squeeze could go on for awhile. However, when it ends, we would not wish to be on the other side, as we don’t see the value for the equity above our $20 target price.”

Mr. Balter sticking to his $20 price target means the stock would need to fall another 62% from current levels to prove him right. Sounds nuts, but the share price has been on a pretty volatile ride of late.

Shares are trading right around late September levels. At that time, the stock then jumped another 60% in just about a month of trading and was above $80 in late October. But from there through early January the stock plummeted another 65% and hit a four-year low just below $29.

The stock has now rallied 84% in just under three weeks. So, Mr. Balter’s $20 price target may look extremely bearish. But when it comes to this stock, don’t count anything out just yet.

Sears shares were recently up 8.9% at $53.35. For the year, its the S&P 500′s top performer, up 68%.

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Orchard Supply Hardware Stores (Nasdaq: SHLD) Launches as an Independent Public Company

Palm Beach, FL 1/3/12 (StreetBeat) -- Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation, a specialty retailer serving homeowners with repair, maintenance and improvement needs, announced that its spin-off from Sears Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:SHLD) was completed at 11:59 p.m. EST on December 30, 2011. Trading of Orchard’s Class A Common Stock will begin today on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “OSH”. Orchard also has Series A Preferred Stock that will be quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “OSHSP”.

Mark Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orchard commented on the spin-off, "We look forward to Orchard being an independent publicly traded company. During the past year, our team has made significant progress toward developing a differentiated home improvement retail experience. We’re implementing new customer service initiatives and merchandising strategies, and have begun transitioning our stores to a new updated and customer-friendly format that more effectively showcases our merchandise and service offerings. We believe these actions will enable us to leverage the 80-year history of the Orchard brand in order to drive long-term growth and build value for our shareholders.”

Baker continued, “We are thankful for the dedication and hard work of Orchard’s operating team, associates and store employees. We have a remarkable company culture and a talented group of people who are committed to building on Orchard’s long history of superior customer service, selection and convenience.”

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LargeCap Stocks to Keep an Eye on Today

Tomahawk, WI 8/18/2011 (PennyPayDay) – Retailer Sears (SHLD) reported a second-quarter loss of $146 million, or $1.37 a share, wider than a year earlier, as domestic comparable-store sales declined. Shares were down 3.7% at $57.91.

A year earlier, Sears lost $39 million, or 35 cents a share.

On an adjusted basis, Sears posted a loss of $1.13 a share. Analysts were forecasting the retailer to lose 64 cents a share in the second quarter.

NetApp (NTAP) shares were dropping 14% after the company said its fiscal first-quarter earnings fell. The computer networking company also issued a weak second-quarter outlook.

Shares of JDS Uniphase (JDSU) were falling 2.7% after the company said it expects its fiscal first-quarter revenue to fall short of analysts' estimates.

The maker of communications equipment maker posted increases in fourth-quarter earnings and sales. But JDS Uniphase said first-quarter net revenue would come in at about $400 million to $425 million; analysts were expecting $471 million.

Consol Energy (CNX) agreed to sell a 50% stake of its Marcellus Shale acreage in Pennsylvania and West Virginia to Noble Energy for $3.4 billion. The companies said the joint development plan calls for the rig count to increase from four to 16 by 2015. Consol shares were up 11% to $47.

Dollar Tree (DLTR) shares were losing 4% to $63.80 after the discount retailer reported weaker-than-expected sales for the second quarter. The company's sales rose 12% to $1.54 billion, but fell short of estimates for $1.55 billion.

Hewlett-Packard (HPQ) is expected to post adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.09 a share after the markets close Thursday on revenue of $31.2 billion. The PC and printer maker earned $1.08 a share a year earlier on revenue of $30.7 billion.

Shares were down 1.2% to $31.02 in premarket trading Thursday.

J.M. Smucker (SJM) booked weaker-than-expected sales of $1.19 billion for the quarter ended July 31, though the figure was 13% higher than a year earlier. Analysts had expected Smucker to book quarterly revenue of $1.25 billion. The company also lowered its 2012 revenue outlook, citing weakening demand and recent price cuts. Adjusted quarterly earnings of $1.12 a share beat expectations by 3 cents.

Coca-Cola (KO) plans to invest $4 billion in China over the next three years as the company tries to improve global growth. China accounts for 7% of Coca-Cola's global sales by volume. The stock was down by 1.4% to $68.32.

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Wal-Mart Opening Stores at Mid-Night on Black Friday

Wal-Mart plans to open most of its stores at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping.

The world's largest retailer also is offering shoppers a sneak preview of the discounts it has planned, from laptops to jeans.

As of Oct. 31, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. operated 3,792 Walmart stores, of which 2,882 are supercenters. The company's super centers are typically open around the clock. But the rest of its stores previously opened at 5 a.m the day after Thanksgiving.

Starting at midnight, Wal-Mart will offer discounts on a wide range of items from toys to clothing, including $9 Wrangler jeans and $15 Lego tubs. The company's big electronics sale will start at 5 a.m. Friday, featuring $298 15.6-inch HP Laptops, $198 Emerson 32-inch LCD HDTV TVs and $59 Kodak Digital cameras.

Sears Holdings Corp., which operates Kmart and Sears, Roebuck and Co., said recently that its Sears, Roebuck stores will be opening on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in its history. Toys R Us announced last week that it will open its stores at 10 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.