U.S. Movers: CNA Financial, Humana, Loews, Sysco, Towers Watson

Mukesh Buch
06 Feb, 2012
New York City

CNA Financial fourth quarter net declined 37% to $190 million and Humana fourth quarter net surged 86% to $199 million. HCA Holdings fourth quarter net surged to $1.94 billion. Loews fourth quarter net dropped to $268 million. Sysco second quarter net slipped to $250.1 million.

[R]10:30 AM New York – CNA Financial fourth quarter net declined 37% to $190 million and Humana fourth quarter net surged 86% to $199 million. HCA Holdings fourth quarter net surged to $1.94 billion. Loews fourth quarter net dropped to $268 million. Sysco second quarter net slipped to $250.1 million.[/R]

CNA Financial Corporation ((CNA)) decreased 1.6% or 47 cents to $28.69 after the reported fourth quarter total revenue fell 2% to $2.26 billion from $2.30 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter declined 37% to $190 million or $0.70 a diluted share compared to $302 million or $1.09 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

For 2011 revenue decreased 3% to $8.95 billion from $9.21 billion in last year. Net income for the year decreased 11% to $614 million or $2.28 per diluted share compared to $690 million or $2.28 per share in the prior year.

Humana Inc. ((HUM)) slipped 3.4% or $3.07 to $87.05 after the accident and health insurer reported fourth quarter revenue increased 9% to $9.06 billion from $8.28 billion in the same quarter last year. Net earnings in the quarter surged 86% to $199 million or $1.20 per diluted share compared to $107 million or $0.63 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

For 2011 revenue increased 10% to $36.83 billion from $33.60 billion in last year. Net earnings for the year increased 29% to $1.42 billion or $8.46 per diluted share compared to $1.10 billion or $6.47 per share in the prior year.

HCA Holdings, Inc ((HCA)) advanced 6.3% or $1.67 to $28.13 after the healthcare services provider reported fourth quarter revenue increased 9% to $7.8 billion from $7.2 billion in the same quarter last year. Net earnings in the quarter surged to $1.94 billion or $4.25 per diluted share compared to $0.3 billion or $0.65 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

For 2011 revenue increased to $29.7 billion from $28.0 billion in last year. Net income for the year increased to $2.5 billion or $4.97 per diluted share compared to $1.2 billion or $2.76 per share in the prior year.

Hasbro, Inc. ((HAS)) decreased 1.3% or 50 cents to $35.36 after the recreational products provider reported fourth quarter revenue increased 4% to $1.33 billion from $1.28 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter edged up to $139.1 million or $1.06 per diluted share compared to $140.0 million or $0.99 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

For 2011 revenue increased 7% to $4.29 billion from $4.00 billion in last year. Net income for the year decreased to $385.4 million or $2.82 per diluted share compared to $397.8 million or $2.74 per share in the prior year.

Loews Corporation ((L)) fell 35 cents to $38.26 after the property and casualty insurer reported fourth quarter revenue decreased to $3.48 billion from $3.72 billion in the same quarter last year. Net earnings in the quarter dropped to $268 million or $0.67 per diluted share compared to $466 million or $1.12 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

For 2011 revenue decreased to $14.1 billion from $14.6 billion in last year. Net income for the year slumped to $1.06 billion or $2.63 per diluted share compared to $1.29 billion or $3.07 per share in the prior year.

Lazard Limited ((LAZ)) dropped 7.2% or $2.10 to $26.79 after the Bermuda based financial advisor reported fourth quarter net revenue decreased to $451.8 million from $594.9 million in the same quarter last year. Net loss in the quarter swung to $4.8 million or 4 cents per diluted share compared to net income of $99.8 million or 77 cents per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

Mercury General Corporation ((MCY)) decreased 1.9% or 87 cents to $44.14 after the automobile insurer reported fourth quarter total revenue grew to $749.4 million from $655.6 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter swung to $79.5 million or $1.45 per diluted share compared to net loss of $23.6 million or $0.43 per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

Nielsen Holdings N.V. ((NLSN)) decreased 2.9% or 90 cents to $29.32 after the Netherlands based media and marketing information provider reported fourth quarter revenues grew 4% to $1.42 billion from $1.37 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged to $95 million or 26 cents per diluted share compared to $3 million or 1 cent per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

Sysco Corporation ((SYY)) slipped 3.8% or $1.19 to $29.71 after the food products distributor reported second quarter sales grew 9.2% to $10.2 billion from $9.4 billion in the same quarter last year. Net earnings in the quarter slipped to $250.1 million or 43 cents per diluted share compared to $258.2 million or 44 cents per diluted share in the year ago earlier.

Towers Watson & Co. ((TW)) increased 1.7% or $1.04 to $61.78 after the professional service provider reported second quarter revenue increased 11% to $879.7 million from $790.7 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter increased to $66.9 million or 92 cents per diluted share compared to $48.1 million or 65 cents per diluted share in the year ago earlier.