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Larry Schutts
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Larry Schutts, a former university professor, is vice president of Stockwinners.com and a contributing editor for Theflyonthewall.com. Larry looks for stocks with technical and fundamental characteristics indicating gains in the next 30 days. However, price movements may be volatile. He includes a stop-loss price in each post. Consider selling a position should the stop-loss be violated.

eResearchTechnology (ERES): Shares define bullish 'flag' consolidation pattern

eResearchTechnology (NASDAQ: ERES) provides technology and services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company streamlines the clinical trials process by enabling customers to automate the collection, analysis and distribution of data in all phases of clinical development. The firm's flagship product, EXPeRT, processes and interprets electrocardiogram data collected during trials, to insure cardiac safety. eResearchTechnology operates in the US and the UK.

The firm pleased investors earlier in the week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 11 cents and revenues of $33.7 million. Wall Street analysts had been looking for nine cents and $31.6 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 10-12 cents (ten cent Street), Q2 revenues to $34-$36 million ($32.95M Street), FY08 EPS to 44-49 cents (44 cent Street) and FY08 revenues to $133-$140 million ($134.99M Street). Friedman Billings subsequently reiterated its "outperform" rating on the shares and boosted its price target to $18.

Continue reading eResearchTechnology (ERES): Shares define bullish 'flag' consolidation pattern

Airgas (ARG): Share price defines bullish 'pennant'

Airgas Inc. (NYSE: ARG) is the largest U.S. distributor of industrial gases, medical gases, specialty gases and welding equipment. The firm is also one of the largest U.S. distributors of safety products, the largest U.S. producer of nitrous oxide and dry ice, the largest liquid carbon dioxide producer in the Southeast, and a leading distributor of process chemicals, refrigerants, and ammonia products. More than 14,000 employees work at over 1,100 locations, including branches, retail stores, gas fill plants, specialty gas labs, production facilities and distribution centers.

The firm surprised investors earlier in the week, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 78 cents and revenues of $1.09 billion. Analysts had been looking for 73 cents and $1.07 billion. The CEO noted that strategic product categories (healthcare, research, environmental, food & beverage) posted 11% organic growth in the quarter. The EPS figure was a company record. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 79-81 cents (74 cent consensus) and FY09 EPS to $3.24-$3.40 ($3.10 consensus).

Continue reading Airgas (ARG): Share price defines bullish 'pennant'

Coinstar (CSTR): Price defines bullish 'flag' consolidation

Coinstar (NASDAQ: CSTR) offers North American and U.K. retailers a range of storefront service and entertainment devices. These include coin counters, kiddie rides, bulk vending machines, skill-crane games and point-of-sale terminals. The firm also provides self-service DVD movie rental/purchase kiosks and provides money transfer services, prepaid wireless products, stored value cards, payroll cards and prepaid debit cards. Coinstar products and services are distributed through more than 53,000 retail stores. Corporate clients include Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Kroger (NYSE: KR) and Walgreen (NYSE: WAG).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 18 cents and revenues of $190.5 million. Analysts had been expecting four cents and $182.7 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 8-15 cents (12 cent consensus), Q2 revenues to $200-$210 million ($202.19M consensus), FY08 EPS to 60-75 cents (57 cent consensus) and FY08 revenues to $850-$900 million ($829.83M consensus). DA Davidson subsequently upgraded the stock to "buy".

Continue reading Coinstar (CSTR): Price defines bullish 'flag' consolidation

Amkor Technology (AMKR): Share price cycles in bullish 'flag'

Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR) is a leading provider of semiconductor assembly and test services. The firm offers semiconductor companies and electronics manufacturers a complete set of microelectronics manufacturing services, including die bonding, wire bonding, chip encapsulation, and verification of function, current, timing, and voltage. Clients include IBM (NYSE: IBM), Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and Texas Instruments (NYSE: TXN).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 36 cents and revenues of $699.5 million. Analysts had been looking for 26 cents and $684.3 million. The CEO attributed success to customer demand for wireless communications and networking applications. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 32-36 cents (28 cent consensus) and Q2 revenues to about $706-$720 million ($700.6M consensus).

Continue reading Amkor Technology (AMKR): Share price cycles in bullish 'flag'

Panera Bread Company (PNRA): Share price defines bullish 'flag' consolidation

Panera Bread Company (NASDAQ: PNRA) owns and franchises some 1,200 bakery-cafes, operating under the Panera Bread and Saint Louis Bread banners in 40 states. The stores offer specialty baked goods, made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads and custom roasted coffees. They also provide free WiFi Internet access. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX) is a major competitor.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 47 cents and revenues of $305 million. Analysts had been expecting 39 cents and $302.8 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 40-44 cents (39 cent consensus) and FY08 EPS to $2.00-$2.11 ($2.02 consensus). The press release noted, "Company-owned comparable stores sales growth is targeted at 4% to 5% for the year, with approximately 5% of retail pricing expected."

Continue reading Panera Bread Company (PNRA): Share price defines bullish 'flag' consolidation

Barnes Group (B): Share price in bullish 'pennant'

Barnes Group (NYSE: B) is an international aerospace and industrial components manufacturing and distribution company. The firm operates through three divisions. Barnes Aerospace is a highly specialized manufacturer of components and assemblies used in commercial, business and military jets and industrial gas turbines. Barnes Industrial is the largest manufacturer of precision springs in North America and one of the largest makers of nitrogen gas springs in the world. Barnes Distribution is a leading provider of maintenance, repair, operating and production supplies, such as fasteners, electrical components, abrasives, adhesives and tools. Customers include General Electric (NYSE: GE), Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) and United Technologies (NYSE: UTX).

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 60 cents and revenues of $388.6 million. Analysts had been looking for 53 cents and $381.2 million. The CEO attributed success to the firm's global reach. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.30-$2.39 ($2.24 consensus).

Continue reading Barnes Group (B): Share price in bullish 'pennant'

Symantec Corporation (SYMC): Share price defining bullish 'flag' consolidation

Symantec Corporation (NASDAQ: SYMC) provides software and services that address risks to computer security, information availability, policy compliance and system performance. Its programs protect against viruses, establish firewalls, filter content, detect intrusions, manage remote access and provide virtual private networking. The firm also offers security assessment, consulting and outsourced security management. Symantec has operations in more 40 countries. McAfee (NYSE: MFE) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) are major competitors.

The company pleased investors last week, when it reported fiscal Q4 EPS of 36 cents and revenues of $1.55 billion. Analysts had been expecting 34 cents and $1.53 billion. Management also guided Q1 EPS to 34-36 cents (31 cent consensus) and Q1 revenues to $1.555-$1.595 billion ($1.5B consensus).

Continue reading Symantec Corporation (SYMC): Share price defining bullish 'flag' consolidation

ICON plc (ICLR): Shares in bullish 'flag'

ICON plc (NASDAQ: ICLR) is a global provider of outsourced development services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries. The company specializes in the strategic development, management and analysis of programs that support clinical development - from compound selection to Phase I-IV clinical studies. ICON teams have successfully conducted over 1,900 development projects and over 2,300 consultancy engagements across all major therapeutic areas. The firm has approximately 6,150 employees, operating from 69 locations in 36 countries.

ICON pleased investors last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 56 cents and revenues of $201.3 million. Analysts had been expecting 53 cents and $182.1 million. The chairman noted that there had been $369 million in net new business wins in the quarter, representing a book-to-bill ratio of 1.8. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $2.35-$2.45 ($2.37 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $840-$860 million ($788.29M consensus). Jefferies and Lehman Brothers subsequently reiterated "buy" ratings on the shares.

Continue reading ICON plc (ICLR): Shares in bullish 'flag'

Flowserve Corporation (FLS): Share price defines bullish 'flag' pattern

Flowserve Corporation (NYSE: FLS) is a leading provider of fluid motion and control products and services. It produces engineered and industrial pumps, seals and valves, and a range of related flow management systems. Customers are in the oil and gas, chemical, general industrial, power generation, and water treatment sectors. The firm employs more than 14,000 and operates from offices in nearly sixty countries.

Flowserve pleased investors late last month, when it reported Q1 EPS of $1.53 and revenues of $993 million. Analysts had been expecting 94 cents and $930.3 million. The company posted record quarterly bookings of $1.43 billion, led by strong growth in both the original equipment and aftermarket businesses. Management also guided FY08 EPS to $5.90-$6.20, versus consensus of $5.39.

Continue reading Flowserve Corporation (FLS): Share price defines bullish 'flag' pattern

Double-Take Software (DBTK): Shares in bullish 'flag'

Double-Take Software (NASDAQ: DBTK) products and services enable customers to protect and recover computer files. Its software helps users to reduce or eliminate data loss and recover applications, through automatic or manual means. Customers include law firms, financial institutions, hospitals, school districts and government entities. Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ) and Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) are among the firm's strategic partners. EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) and Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC) are major competitors.

The company surprised the Street last week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 13 cents and revenues of $23 million. Analysts had been looking for 11 cents and $22.2 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 15-16 cents (14 cent consensus), Q2 revenues to $24.4-$25 million ($24.44M consensus), FY08 EPS to 65-67 cents (65 cent consensus) and FY08 revenues to $101.7-$103.5 million ($102.29M consensus).

Continue reading Double-Take Software (DBTK): Shares in bullish 'flag'

Corn Products International (CPO): Shares in bullish 'flag' formation

Corn Products International (NYSE: CPO) manufactures and markets food ingredients and industrial products derived from corn and other starch-based materials. Major offerings include sweeteners, corn oil, salad dressings, shortening, vitamins, corn gluten feed, food-grade starches and industrial starches. The firm operates manufacturing plants in the Americas, Africa and Asia, serving customers in the food, beverage, pharmaceutical, paper, textile, and brewing industries. Archer Daniels Midland (NYSE: ADM) is a major competitor.

Investors were pleased last week, when the company reported fiscal Q1 EPS of 85 cents and revenues of $930.9 million. Analysts had been looking for 71 cents and $867.9 million. Net sales set a record, for the ninth consecutive quarter. The firm also guided FY08 EPS to $2.90-$3.10 ($2.87 consensus) and FY08 revenues to $4.0 billion ($3.78 billion consensus).

Continue reading Corn Products International (CPO): Shares in bullish 'flag' formation

Cognex Corporation (CGNX): Share price defines bullish 'pennant'

Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) provides machine vision computer systems that automate a range of manufacturing processes. Essentially, the systems link to video cameras and serve as eyes where human vision is insufficient. The firm's Modular Vision Systems automate the manufacture of discrete items (e.g: semiconductor chips) by locating, identifying, inspecting and measuring them during the manufacturing process. Its Surface Inspection Systems monitor the surfaces of materials processed in a continuous fashion (e.g: paper, metal, plastic) for imperfections. Cognex has offices throughout North America, Japan, Europe, Asia and Latin America. Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX), Ford Motor (NYSE: F) and Sony (NYSE: SNE) are customers.

Cognex pleased investors earlier in the week, when it reported Q1 EPS of 20 cents and revenues of $60.5 million. Analysts had been looking for 17 cents and $59.9 million. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 20-24 cents (20 cent consensus) and Q2 revenues to $65-$68 million ($63.14 million consensus). The firm expects gross margin to remain in the low-70% range.

Continue reading Cognex Corporation (CGNX): Share price defines bullish 'pennant'

Teledyne Technologies (TDY): Share price defines bullish 'flag'

Teledyne Technologies (NYSE: TDY) manufactures sophisticated electronic components, instruments and communications products. These include defense electronics, data acquisition and communications equipment for airlines and business aircraft; monitoring and control instruments for industrial and environmental applications; and subsystems for wireless and satellite communications. The firm also provides systems engineering and information technology services for defense and space applications; manufactures general aviation and missile engines; and makes on-site gas and power generation systems. Clients include Boeing (NYSE: BA), NASA and the U.S. Air Force. Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC) and Raytheon (NYSE: RTN) are competitors.

The company pleased investors last week, when it announced Q1 EPS of 77 cents and revenues of $451.8 million. Analysts had been looking for 66 cents and $424.6 million. The CEO noted that it was the twenty-fifth consecutive quarter of year-over-year earnings growth. Management also guided Q2 EPS to 72-74 cents (74 cent consensus) and FY08 EPS to $2.98-$3.06 ($2.93 consensus).

Continue reading Teledyne Technologies (TDY): Share price defines bullish 'flag'

Parker Hannifin Corporation (PH): Share price defines bullish 'cup & handle'

Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH) manufactures fluid power systems, electromechanical controls and related components. Its Industrial unit offers hydraulic systems, filters, sealing devices, pneumatic components and electromechanical instrumentation to OEMs in various production and processing industries. The firm's Aerospace segment provides hydraulic, fuel, and pneumatic systems used in commercial and military airframe and engine programs. The Climate and Industrial Controls division makes refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The company employs more than 57,000 people in 43 countries around the world. Eaton Corporation (NYSE: ETN) and Honeywell International (NYSE: HON) are competitors.

Investors were pleased last week, when the firm reported fiscal Q3 EPS of $1.49 and revenues of $3.18 billion. Analysts had been looking for $1.34 and $3 billion. Management pointed to growth in many key markets, including aerospace. The firm also guided FY08 EPS to $5.40-$5.60, versus consensus of $5.28.

Continue reading Parker Hannifin Corporation (PH): Share price defines bullish 'cup & handle'

Extra Space Storage (EXR): Shares advance through positive trading channel

Extra Space Storage (NYSE: EXR) is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust that operates 651 self-storage properties in 33 states and Washington, D.C. The company's properties consist of approximately 448,000 units and 47 million square feet, rented by over 330,000 individual tenants. In addition to on-site management and storage supplies, many of the firm's facilities feature monitored video surveillance and alarm-equipped units. Extra Space Storage is the second largest operator of self-storage in the United States.

The firm pleased investors earlier in the week, when it announced Q1 funds from operations of 28 cents per share and revenues of $65.7 million. Analysts had been expecting 25 cents and $60.6 million. Management also guided Q2 FFO to 30-31 cents per share (29 cent consensus) and FY08 FFO to $1.23-$1.27 per share ($1.19 consensus).

Continue reading Extra Space Storage (EXR): Shares advance through positive trading channel

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Symbol Lookup
IndexesChangePrice
DJIA-120.9012,745.88
NASDAQ-5.722,445.52
S&P 500-9.401,388.28

Last updated: May 12, 2008: 06:37 AM

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