U.S. Movers: Acuity Brands, Costco, Global Payments, Monsanto, Yum

Mukesh Buch
05 Oct, 2011
New York City

Acuity Brands fourth quarter net income surged 26% to $34.2 million. Acme Packet estimated third quarter total revenues of $70 million. Costco fourth quarter net income increased 11% to $478 million. Yum Brands third quarter net income increased 7% to $383 million.

[R]11:30 AM New York – Acuity Brands fourth quarter net income surged 26% to $34.2 million. Acme Packet estimated third quarter total revenues of $70 million. Costco fourth quarter net income increased 11% to $478 million. Yum Brands third quarter net income increased 7% to $383 million.[/R]

Acuity Brands, Inc. ((AYI)) increased 5.4% or $2.04 to $39.80 after the lighting fixtures and systems provider reported fourth quarter net sales increased 12% to $496.2 million from $444.1 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged 26% to $34.2 million or 79 cents per diluted share compared to $27.2 million or 62 cents per share a year ago.

The company has acquired for cash Pathway Connectivity, Inc.

Ameron International Corporation ((AMN)) rose 0.04% or 3 cents to $84.97 after the engineered products maker said third quarter sales grew to $146.5 million from $134.2 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter declined to $4.0 million or 44 cents per diluted share compared to $8.9 million or 96 cents per share a year ago earlier.

Acme Packet, Inc. ((APKT)) dropped 12.4% or $5.24 to $37.55 after the communication equipment maker estimated third quarter total revenues of $70 million and adjusted earnings per share between $0.20 and $0.22.

Costco Wholesale Corporation ((COST)) decreased 2.1% or $1.78 to $79.87 after the membership warehouses operator stated fourth quarter net sales increased 17% to $27.59 billion, from $23.59 billion in the prior year on comparable sales rise of 12%.

Net income in the quarter increased 11% to $478 million or $1.08 per diluted share compared to net income of $432 million or 97 cents per share in the prior-year period.

Electro Rent Corporation ((ELRC)) decreased 2.6% or 39 cents to $14.54 after the electronic test and measurement equipment seller said first quarter total revenues increased 15.4% to $58.6 million from $50.8 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter soared 62.9% to $8.5 million or 35 cents per diluted share compared to $5.2 million or 22 cents per share a year ago earlier.

Global Payments Inc. ((GPN)) advanced 4.1% or $1.65 to $42.50 after the payment processing services provider reported first quarter revenues grew 23% to $542.8 million from $440.1 million last year. Net income in the quarter improved 30% to $64 million or 79 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $49.4 million or 61 cents per share last year.

Monsanto Company ((MON)) gained 3.8% or $2.45 to $65.40 after the agricultural products provider reported fourth quarter total net sales soared 41% to $2.25 billion and Net loss in the quarter swung to $112 million or 22 per diluted share.

The company will restate financial results for 2009, 2010, and prior 2011 quarters to reflect timing of accruals for customer incentives in glyphosate business.

RPM International Inc. ((RPM)) increased 6.7% or $1.26 to $20.02 after the multinational holding company stated first quarter net sales climbed 10.2% to $985.9 million from $894.8 million a year ago. Net income in the quarter rose 11.3% to $76.8 million or 59 cents per diluted share versus $69 million or 53 cents per share in the prior year.

Resources Connection, Inc. ((RECN)) decreased 1.6% or 17 cents to $10.16 after the finance and accounting service provider said first quarter total revenues increased 11.6% to $138.0 million from $123.7 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter grew to $2.6 million or 6 cents per diluted share compared to $1.2 million or 3 cents per share a year ago period.

Yum! Brands, Inc. ((YUM)) decreased 2.2% or $1.09 to $48.31 after the fast food restaurant chains operator said third quarter total revenues increased 14% to $3.27 billion from $2.86 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income for the quarter rose 7% to $383 million or 80 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $357 million or 74 cents per share for the year-ago quarter.