Founded 38 years ago, Microsoft (MSFT) helped launch the first great wave of an information technology transformation; it remains the world�� largest software developer with sales topping $73 billion in fiscal 2012.
Throughout its history, Microsoft has achieved success by taking a long-term approach to technology investments. In fiscal 2012, Microsoft invested $9.8 billion or 13% of revenues on research and development with much of that devoted to cloud technologies.
Cloud computing links the computing devices people have at hand to the processing and storage capacity of massive datacenters. Microsoft�� solutions will bring the benefits of the cloud to the billion people who use computing today and the billions more who will gain access to digital technology for the first time in the years ahead.
Top Valued Companies To Watch In Right Now: DSW Inc (DSW)
DSW Inc. (DSW), incorporated on January 20, 1969, is a United States branded footwear and accessories specialty retailer operating 326 shoe stores in 40 states as of January 28, 2012, and dsw.com. DSW has two segments: the DSW segment, which includes the DSW stores and dsw.com sales channels, and the leased business division segment. As of January 28, 2012, it operated 326 DSW stores, dsw.com and leased departments in 261 Stein Mart stores, 74 Gordmans stores and one Frugal Fannie�� store. During the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012 (fiscal 2011), DSW opened 17DSW stores and closed two DSW stores. On May 26, 2011, Retail Ventures, Inc. (RVI) merged with and into DSW MS LLC (Merger Sub), with Merger Sub surviving the Merger and continuing as a wholly owned subsidiary of DSW. In March 2012, the Company announced the opening of its store on 34th Street in Manhattan. In September 2013, DSW Inc announced the opening of a new store in Eatontown, NJ. In October 2013, DSW Inc announced the opening of two new stores in New York City. In October 2013, DSW Inc announced the opening of a new store in Greenville, SC.
The Company offers an assortment of brand name and designer dress, casual and athletic footwear for women and men, as well as accessories through its DSW stores and dsw.com. It also offers kids' shoes exclusively on dsw.com. The Company leases stores, distribution and fulfillment centers and office facilities under various arrangements with related and unrelated parties. DSW also operates leased departments for three retailers in its leased business division segment. As of January 28, 2012, DSW supplied merchandise to 261 Stein Mart stores, 74 Gordmans stores and one Frugal Fannie�� store. During fiscal 2011, DSW added 20 leased departments and ceased operations in 36 leased departments.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rich Duprey]
Management at footwear retailer DSW (NYSE: DSW ) raised guidance 5.5% for the full year to $3.60 to $3.80 per share, and said it would split its Class A stock 2-for-1.
- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Tuesday
Earnings Expected: Bob Evans Farms (NASDAQ: BOBE), Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI), TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO), Best Buy (NYSE: BBY), DSW (NYSE: DSW) Sanderson Farms (NASDAQ: SAFM) Economic Releases Expected: U.S. consumer confidence, U.S. house price index, U.S. Redbook, U.S. durable goods ordersWednesday
- [By Mike Deane]
Before the opening bell on Tuesday morning, DSW Inc. (DSW) reported its fourth quarter earnings and announced a raise to its quarterly dividend.
DSW’s Earnings in Brief
DSW’s Q4 period from fiscal 2012 contained 14 weeks, so it does not necessarily compare to fiscal 2013′s Q4′s 13-week period; however, when adjusting for the extra week, DSW’s sales for the comparable 13-week period are flat year over year at $572 million. Net income for the quarter came in at $28.1 million, or 30 cents per share, but on an adjusted basis, the figure comes in at $28.8 million, or 31 cents per share. DSW managed to beat EPS estimates of 29 cents, but came in below revenue views of $590.23 million. For FY2014, DSW sees its EPS in the range of $1.80 to $1.95, which is in-line with analysts’ views of $1.86.CEO Commentary
DSW’s�president and CEO, Mike MacDonald, made the following comments: “We marked our fifth consecutive year of double digit earnings growth in 2013, with Adjusted earnings per share of $1.88 compared to the prior year’s results of $1.67.� Effective inventory management and our new systems enabled us to expand full year merchandise margin to 45.1%, which is just 10 bps shy of our record margin in 2011. We were also able to improve on our SG&A rate by 80 bps to 20.4%, which led to our highest ever operating margin of 11.7%.�We have updated our store build out potential for full size units to a range of 500 to 550 stores …”
DSW Raises Dividend by 50%
DSW’s board of directors increased the company’s quarterly dividend payout to 12.75 cents to 18.75 cents, making for an annualized payout of 75 cents.�The dividend will be paid on April�15 to all shareholders on record as of April�4.
Stock Performance
DSW stock was inactive in pre-market trading. YTD, the stock is down 7.22%.
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Owens-Illinois Inc.(OI)
Owens-Illinois, Inc., through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells glass container products primarily in Europe, North America, South America, and the Asia Pacific. The company produces glass containers for beer, ready-to-drink low alcohol refreshers, spirits, wine, food, tea, juice, and pharmaceuticals, as well as for soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages, including returnable/refillable glass containers. It serves brewers, wine vintners, distillers, and food producers. The company sells its products directly to customers under annual or multi-year supply agreements, as well as through distributors. Owens-Illinois, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Perrysburg, Ohio.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Ben Eisen and Saumya Vaishampayan]
Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �was down 2.1% Friday. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.
- [By Anora Mahmudova]
Owens Illinois Inc. (OI) �fell 1.9%. Analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch reportedly downgraded the glass company to neutral from buy , according to the Analyst Ratings Network.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Owens-Illinois Inc. (NYSE: OI) was upgraded to Overweight from Neutral by J.P. Morgan, sending shares up almost 4%.
Also see a guide to oil and stocks based up military action in Syria �prepared by UBS.
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Bioanalytical Systems Inc.(BASI)
Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. provides drug discovery and development services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, and government organizations primarily in North America, the Pacific Rim, and Europe. The company operates in two segments, Contract Research Services and Research Products. The Contract Research Services segment offers various services, including product characterization, method development, and validation; bioanalytical testing to measure drug and metabolite concentrations in complex biological matrices; stability testing to establish and confirm product purity, potency, and shelf life; in vivo sampling services for the continuous monitoring of chemical changes in life; and pharmacokinetic and safety testing services, as well as provides screening and pharmacological testing, preclinical safety testing, formulation development, regulatory compliance, and quality control testing services. The Research Products segment offers analytical products compris ing liquid chromatographic and electrochemical instruments with associated accessories; in vivo sampling products, such as Culex family of automated in vivo sampling and dosing instruments; and Vetronics? products consisting of instruments and related software to monitor and diagnose cardiac function, and measure other vital physiological parameters in cats and dogs. The company was founded in 1974 and is headquartered in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Laura Brodbeck]
Monday
Earnings Releases Expected: Steelcase (NYSE: SCS), Bioanalytical Systems (NASDAQ: BASI) Economic Releases Expected: Italian trade balance, Greek current account, US existing home salesTuesday
Top 5 Sliver Companies To Own For 2014: Dusit Thani PCL (DTC)
Dusit Thani Public Company Limited is a Thailand-based company engaged in the provision of hospitality services. The Company�� principal activities are the operations of owned hotels and providing hotel management services and franchise services. It owns and operates two hotels: Dusit Thani Bangkok, a five-star hotel with 517 guest rooms, and Dusit Thani Pattaya, a resort-style hotel with 457 guest rooms. The Company owns the trademark of Dusit Thani, and Dusit Residence, as well as trademarks for spa business, including Devarana Spa and DVN Spa. Its properties include Dusit Island Resort Chiang Rai, Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket, Dusit Thani Manila in the Philippines, Dusit Thani Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Dusit Thani Lakeview Cairo in Egypt, among others. The Company is also involved in spa business, executive development training services, educational business, and culinary school. On 18 January, 2013, it had established a new subsidiary, Dusit China Capital Company Limited Advisors' Opinion:- [By TaniaC]
Gross margin expanded 170 basis points to 45.6 percent. The increase was primarily attributable to higher average selling prices and continued growth in the higher margin Direct to Consumer (DTC) business, partially offset by higher product input costs and unfavorable foreign exchange rates.
