U.S. Movers: American Tower, BCE, Cigna, GM, Sara Lee, Teradata, Viacom

Mukesh Buch
03 May, 2012
New York City

American Tower first quarter net surged 141% and raise earnings outlook. General Motors first quarter net tumbled 69% and lifted full year view. Teradata first quarter net soared 40%. Viacom second quarter net surged 56% to $585 million.

[R]11:25 AM New York – American Tower first quarter net surged 141% and raise earnings outlook. General Motors first quarter net tumbled 69% and lifted full year view. Teradata first quarter net soared 40%. Viacom second quarter net surged 56% to $585 million.[/R]

American Tower Corporation ((AMT)) increased 2.1% or $1.42 to $67.34 after the communications infrastructure provider reported first quarter revenue soared 24% to $696.5 million from $562.7 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged 141% to $221.3 million or 56 cents per diluted share compared to $91.8 million or 23 cents per share in the year ago earlier.

The company lifted fiscal net income outlook between $675 million and $715 million.

BCE Inc. ((BCE)) fell 15 cents to $40.66 after the communications company reported first quarter revenue grew 10% to $4.91 billion from $4.47 billion in the same quarter last year. Net earnings in the quarter increased 14.1% to $574 million or 74 cents per diluted share compared to $503 million or 67 cents per share in the year ago period.

Cigna Corporation ((CI)) decreased 1.2% or 60 cents to $45.95 after the insurance company reported first quarter net revenue increased 26% to $6.79 billion from $5.41 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter plunged 10% to $371 million or $1.28 per diluted share compared to $413 million or $1.51 per share in the year ago period.

General Motors Company ((GM)) slumped 2.3% or 53 cents to $22.40 after the automotive company reported first quarter net revenue rose 4.4% to $37.8 billion from $36.2 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter tumbled 69% to $1.0 billion or 60 cents per diluted share compared to $3.2 billion or $1.77 per share in the year ago.

GM now expects full year U.S. light vehicle sales will be in the range of 14 million to 14.5 million. Previously it was expected to fall between 13.5 million and 14 million units.

Progress Energy, Inc. ((PGN)) gained 1.1% or 63 cents to $54.17 after the electric utility provider reported first quarter reported first quarter revenue fell 4% to $2.09 billion from $2.17 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter decreased 18.5% to $150 million or 51 cents per diluted share compared to $184 million or 62 cents per share in the year ago period.

Prudential Financial, Inc. ((PRU)) dropped 8% or $4.91 to $56.03 after the life insurance reported first quarter sales increased 17% to $10.7 billion from $9.1 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged 83% to $988 million or $2.09 per diluted share compared to $539 million or $1.10 per share in the year ago quarter.

Sara Lee Corporation ((SLE)) decreased 1.1% or 25 cents to $22.07 after the food processing company reported third quarter net sales grew 2% to $1.90 billion from $1.86 billion in the same quarter last year. Net loss in the quarter swung to $2 million or break even per diluted share compared to net income of $156 million or 25 cents per share in the year ago earlier.

Teradata Corporation ((TDC)) soared 10.3% or $7.45 to $79.64 after the data analysis solution provider reported first quarter revenue surged 21% to $613 million from $506 million in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter soared 40% to $91 million or 53 cents per diluted share compared to $65 million or 38 cents per share in the year ago period.

Teradata raised outlook for 2012 for revenue growth of 12% to 14% from earlier to 10% to 12% and earnings in the range of $2.24 to $2.34.

Teradata also agreed to acquire Munich, Germany based eCircle’s digital messaging solution provider and the European leader in cloud based digital marketing. The transaction is expected to occur in second quarter of 2012.

The Allstate Corporation ((ALL)) advanced 4.8% or $1.58 to $34.49 after the insurance company reported first quarter revenue grew 3.3% to $8.36 billion from $8.09 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged 46% to $766 million or $1.53 per diluted share compared to $524 million or 98 cents per share in the year ago earlier.

Viacom Inc. ((VIAB)) gained 3.5% or $1.70 to $49.13 after the television service provider reported second quarter revenue rose 2% to $3.33 billion from $3.27 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter surged 56% to $585 million or $1.07 per diluted share compared to $376 million or 63 cents per share in the year ago earlier.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. ((WFM)) surged 7% or $5.90 to $90.21 after the grocery supermarket operator reported second quarter sales increased 14% to $2.67 billion from $2.35 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter soared 31% to $117.7 million or 64 cents per diluted share compared to $89.9 million or 51 cents per share in the year ago.