U.S. Movers: AutoNation, IBM, Union Pacific, Yum! Brands

Mukesh Buch
19 Jul, 2012
New York City

AutoNation second quarter net increased 9% to $78.6 million and Danaher net slipped 8% to $600.1 million. IBM second quarter net increased 6% to $3.88 billion and raised full year expectations. Union Pacific second quarter net advanced 27.4% to $1 billion.

[R]10:40 AM New York – AutoNation second quarter net increased 9% to $78.6 million and Danaher net slipped 8% to $600.1 million. IBM second quarter net increased 6% to $3.88 billion and raised full year expectations. Union Pacific second quarter net advanced 27.4% to $1 billion.[/R]

AutoNation, Inc. ((AN)) increased 2.1% or 89 cents to $43.34 after the automotive retailer reported revenue in the second quarter ending in June surged 17% to $3.9 billion compared to $3.34 billion in the same period last year. Net income in the quarter increased 9% to $78.6 million or 64 cents per diluted share compared to $71.9 million or 48 cents per share a year ago.

The retail said new vehicle unit sales soared 29% and total U.S. new vehicle unit sales increased 15%.

Danaher Corporation ((DHR)) decreased 3.8% or $2.0 to $50.11 after the technical instruments maker reported total revenue in the second quarter ending on June 29 surged 25% to $4.55 billion compared to $3.64 billion in the same period last year. Net earnings in the quarter slipped 8% to $600.1 million or 84 cents per diluted share compared to $648.8 million or 94 cents per share a year ago earlier.

The company estimated earnings per share for the third quarter ending September between 74 cents and 79 cents and for the full year $3.19 to $3.26 from a previous range of $3.25 to $3.35.

International Business Machines Corporation ((IBM)) gained 3.5% or $6.69 to $194.94 after the computer peripherals maker reported total revenue in the second quarter ending in June slid 3.3% to $25.78 billion compared to $26.67 billion in the same period last year. Net income in the quarter rose 6% to $3.88 billion or $3.38 per diluted share compared to $3.66 billion or $3.04 per share a year ago.

The company''s total gross profit margin was 47.6% in the second quarter compared to 46.4% in the 2011 and net income margin increased 1.3 points to 15.1%.

IBM raised its expectations for full year 2012 earnings per share to at least $14.40 from at least $14.27.

Nokia Corporation ((NOK)) advanced 8.3% or 14 cents to $1.87 after the Finnish mobile phone maker reported net sales plunged 19% annually to €7.54 billion. Net loss attributable to equity holders of the parent widened to €1.41 billion or 38 cents per share compared with a loss of €368 million or 10 cents per share last year.

The company attributed weak earnings to a plunge in sales of Symbian devices and handset.

UnitedHealth Group Inc. ((UNH)) decreased 2.2% or $1.26 to $55.90 after the health insurer reported second quarter revenues grew 8% to $27.3 billion. Net earnings increased 5.5% to $1.34 billion or $1.27 per share from $1.27 billion or $1.16 per share in the previous year.

Union Pacific Corporation ((UNP)) increased 2.7% or $3.31 to $121.91 after the railroad operator reported second quarter total operating revenues grew 7% to a record of $5.2 billion from $4.9 billion in the same quarter last year. Net income in the quarter advanced 27.4% to $1 billion or $2.1 per diluted share compared to $785 million or $1.59 per diluted share, in the second quarter 2011.

Yum! Brands, Inc. ((YUM)) fell 29 cents to $65.26 after the restaurant operator reported total revenue in the second quarter ending on June 16 soared 12% to $3.17 billion compared to $2.82 billion in the same period last year. Net income in the quarter rose 5% to $331 million or 69 cents per diluted share compared to $316 million or 65 cents per share a year ago quarter.

The resolution of California employment lawsuit at Taco Bell resulted in pre-tax charge of $17 million. Same store sales grew in China 10%, 4% at international locations and 7% at U.S. locations.