U.S. Movers: Diamond Foods, FactSet, Jefferies, Sanderson Farms

Mukesh Buch
18 Dec, 2012
New York City

Diamond Foods first quarter net swung to loss as sales declined and FactSet Research first quarter net jumped 9% to $49.8 million and Jefferies Group fourth quarter net surged 48% to $71.6 million. Sanderson Farms fourth quarter net swung to profit.

[R]10:10 AM New York – Diamond Foods first quarter net swung to loss as sales declined and FactSet Research first quarter net jumped 9% to $49.8 million and Jefferies Group fourth quarter net surged 48% to $71.6 million. Sanderson Farms fourth quarter net swung to profit.[/R]

Diamond Foods, Inc. ((DMND)) slid 4 cents to $13.92 after the packaged food company said net sales in the first quarter ending in October declined 10% to $258.5 million from $287.4 million in the same period of last year. Net loss in the quarter swung to $10.7 million or 49 cents diluted per share compared to net income of $10.8 million or 47 cents a share a year ago earlier.

The food company said total retail net sales dropped 4.1% to $244.8 million and snack net sales slipped 2% year to $154.1 million from a year ago period.

FactSet Research Systems Inc. ((FDS)) declined 5.3% or $5.14 to $91.25 after the financial information provider said net sales in the first quarter ending in November grew 8% to $211.1 million from $196.4 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter jumped 9% to $49.8 million or $1.11 diluted per share compared to $45.5 million or 99 cents a share a year ago period.

The company expects second quarter 2013 revenues are to be between $212 million and $215 million and diluted earnings per share in the range of $1.11 to $1.13.

Jefferies Group, Inc. ((JEF)) gained 2.5% or 46 cents to $18.70 after the investment service provider stated net revenues in the fourth quarter ending in November soared 39% to $768.8 million from $554 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter surged 48% to $71.6 million or 31 cents diluted per share compared to $48.4 million or 21 cents a share a year ago quarter.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. ((SAFM)) increased 1.4% or 73 cents to $50.50 after the poultry products maker reported net sales in the fourth quarter ending in October climbed 16% to $648.4 million from $559.8 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter swung to $9.35 million or 41 cents diluted per share compared to net loss of $21.6 million or 97 cents a share a year ago.

SHFL entertainment, Inc ((SHFL)) gained 2.4% or 32 cents to $13.61 after the gaming supplier stated total revenue in the fourth quarter ending in October jumped 12% to $73.6 million from $65.7 million in the same period of last year. Net income in the quarter climbed 11% to $10.8 million or 19 cents diluted per share compared to $9.7 million or 18 cents a share a year ago quarter.

Stewart Enterprises, Inc. ((STEI)) increased 1.9% or 15 cents to $7.68 after the funeral and cemetery products provider said revenues in the fourth quarter ending in October was nearly flat at $129.4 million from the same period of last year. Same store service in the quarter increased 2.2%.

Net income in the quarter advanced 17% to $9.98 million or 11 cents diluted per share compared to $8.53 million or 10 cents a share a year ago earlier.