Steady Start on Wal-Mart and Deal Talk

Elena
14 Nov, 2005
New York City

Asian-Pacific markets closed mixed with the Nikkei closing down 0.3% on financial issues, while South Korean Kospi hit another high of 1,257,63, rising 0.1%. European stocks rebounded from early weakness to trade higher at mid-day on oil companies gains and deal talk. In earnings news, Wal-Mart posted Q3 3.8% net income rise on 10% higher revenue, in line with estimates. Same-store sales rose 3.8%.

U.S. MARKET AVERAGES

U.S. stock futures point to a steady opening Monday on merger-and-acquisition activity and upbeat earnings news, including third-quarter earnings report from Wal-Mart.

Dow Jones futures were recently down 2 points, S&P 500 futures were off 0.5 of a point and Nasdaq 100 futures were down 1 point.

Wal-Mart Stores ((WMT)) reported third-quarter net income rose 3.8% to $2.4 billion, or 57 cents a share, with revenue up 10% to $76.25 billion, met analyst estimates. The world''s largest retailer projected Q4 between 82 cents and 86 cents a share.

Georgia Pacific said privately-held Koch Industries has offered $48 a share for the maker of branded paper goods, or $13.2 billion in cash and $7.8 billion in assumed debt. The offer is a 38.5% premium to Friday''s close.

Knight Ridder ((KRI)) announced that its board has decided to explore strategic alternatives, including the possible sale of the company. The media firm stated that Goldman Sachs, its long-time financial advisor, is helping with the process.

INTERNATIONAL MARKET NEWS

Asian-Pacific benchmarks finished the session mixed. The Nikkei advanced in the morning but reversed course in the afternoon to close down 0.3% largely due to losses in the financial sector which overweighed gains in tech stocks. South Korea’s Kospi rose 0.1% and hit a fresh peak of 1,257,63. Among other regional markets, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng lost 0.8%, while Australia’s All Ordinaries climbed 0.7%.

European markets opened lower but rebounded at mid-day as oil companies like BP, Dutch Royal Shell and Total gained on the back of rising oil prices and investors digested a lot of deal talk. The German DAX 30 gained 0.3%, the French CAC 40 added 0.4%, and London’s FTSE 100 rose 0.2%.

OIL, METALS, CURRENCIES

Crude oil prices briefly crossed $58 a barrel on weather forecast, predicting a cold snap in the US. Light sweet crude December delivery rose 57 cents to $58.10 before slipping to $57.95, up 42 cents. Heating oil traded at $1.75 a gallon. Gasoline added a cent to $1.50. Natural gas gained 2 cents to $11.93 per 1,000 cubic feet. London Brent advanced 58 cents to $55.47.

Gold prices climbed in European trading. In London the precious metal was fixed at $469.75 per troy ounce, up from $467.20. In Zurich gold advanced to $469.85 from $466.35. In Hong Kong gold rose $4.60 to close at $470.55. Silver traded unchanged at $7.46.

The U.S. dollar traded mixed against other major currencies. The euro was quoted at $1.1741, up from $1.1706. The dollar bought 118.42 yen, up from 117.97. The British pound traded at $1.7452, up from $1.7395.

EARNINGS NEWS

Lowe''s Cos ((LOW)), home improvement products retailer, posted Q3 earnings of 81 cents a share, up from a profit 65 cents a share in the year-ago period, beating analyst estimate of 77 cents a share. Sales rose 16.9% in Q3 and same-store sales with 6.2%. The company said it recorded positive same-store sales in all 20 of its product categories, and 19 of its 21 geographic regions during the quarter.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.((WMT)), retailer, announced that Q3 earnings increased 3.8% to 57 cents a share, from 54 cents in the year-ago period on 10% higher revenue, in line with analyst forecasts of 57 cents a share. Same-store sales for the quarter advanced 3.8%, reflecting rises of 2.9% at Wal-Mart outlets and 8.1% at Sam''s Club.

Outdoor Channel Holdings, Inc.((OUTD)), television network operator, reversed to a Q3 net profit of one penny a share, up from a net loss of $1.75 a share in the same period last year on 4.2% revenue growth. Subscriber fees climbed 11.5% from the year-ago period on an greater number of paying subscribers.

Tyson Foods Inc((TSN)), chicken, beef and pork producer, posted Q4 net income of 28 cents a share, up from 19 cents a share in the same period last year, missing analysts’ forecasts of 30 cents a share. Q4 sales amounted to $6.5 billion, down from $7.1 billion. Operating income was $190 million, compared to $178 million.

Rockwood Holdings Inc. ((ROC)), producer of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, reported a Q3 loss of 25 cents a share, narrower than last-year’s loss of $1.50 a share in the comparable period, missing analyst estimate of 18 cents a share. Q3 earnings included $31.8 million in after-tax charges related mainly to its initial public offering. Sales jumped 44.6%, buoyed by a strong performance in its advanced ceramics and specialty chemicals businesses.