For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 13, 2013 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include the BCE Inc. (BCE-Free Report), Gap Inc. (GPS-Free Report), L Brands, Inc. (LTD-Free Report), Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT-Free Report) and Fred's, Inc. (FRED-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Canada’s leading telephone operator, BCE Inc. (BCE-Free Report), reported second-quarter 2013 adjusted earnings of 73 cents per share (77 Canadian cents) missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 75 cents. The results deteriorated 24% from 96 cents per ADS (97 Canadian cents) in the year-ago quarter. The decline in earnings is mainly attributable to the higher value of uncertain tax position and increased interest expenses related to the financing of the Astral acquisition.
Revenues increased 1.5% year over year to $4.88 billion (C$5.00 billion) and ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.78 billion. The strong performance was backed by strength in the Wireless, TV, Internet and business service segments plus a reduction in wireline voice erosion.
EBITDA grew 1.1% year over year to C$2.06 billion ($2.01 billion) in the reported quarter supported by strong contributions from the Wireless and Media units.
Revenue Segments
Bell Wireless: Revenues from Bell Wireless increased 5.4% year over year to C$1.44 billion ($1.41 billion). Service revenues were up 6.1%, (resulting from postpaid subscriber growth and increased usage of data services) and product revenues were up 2.9%, which aided the revenue growth.
BCE’s net wireless subscribers during the reported quarter stood at 7.86 million, up 3.5% year over year. Post-paid net additions increased by 2.7% or 96,390, while prepaid net losses improved 3.7% or 52,824. Blended ARPU (average revenue per user) rose 2.7% year over year to C$56.85 ($55.56) on the back of higher proportion of postpaid customers in the total wireless subscriber base in addition to more customers opting for mobile data services.
Churn rate (customer switch) improved to 1.6% from 1.7% in the year-ago quarter. Post-paid churn remained unchanged at 1.3% as compared with the year-ago quarter due to continuous investments in customer service and retention. Prepaid churn also remained unchanged at 3.7% as compared to the year-earlier period.
Bell Wireline: Revenues fell 0.9% year over year to C$2.51 billion ($2.45 billion) due to lower local and access (down 7.1%), long distance (down 11.2%) and equipment and other revenues (down 4.7%). Data revenues increased marginally 4.0% to C$1.45 billion ($1.42 billion) owing to Fibe customer growth, increased IP-based broadband connections revenues and better data product sales.
Network access services (:NAS) fell 7.7% year over year to 5.42 million. Residential NAS losses improved 11.8% or 11,029 in the second quarter of 2012. Business NAS losses improved 15.3% or 5,206 in the reported quarter.
BCE activated 3,901 high-speed Internet customers compared with a net loss of 664 customers in the year-ago period. Bell FibeTV subscribers at the end of the second quarter were 346,316 versus 158,324 million in the year-ago quarter. At the end of the second quarter, total TV subscribers grew 5.3% year over year to 2.37 million.
Bell Media: Bell Media generated revenues of C$559.0 million ($546.4 million), up 4.7% year over year. The growth is attributed to strong advertising and increase in speciality TV rates.
Bell Aliant: Revenues from this segment inched up 0.6% year over year to C$691.0 million ($675.0 million) based on increased growth in data, which was offset by continuous decline in local and access, long distance and equipment and Other revenues.
Astral Acquisition Completed
On July 5, 2013, Bell Media completed the acquisition of Montreal-based Astral Media for $3.27 billion. Bell Media now holds 25 television stations, including the very popular, The Movie Network and French language pay-TV service, Super Ecran. Bell Media will also hold 77 radio stations including top brands like NRJ, Rouge fm, Virgin Radio among others. Apart from enhancing Bell’s presence in Quebec, the acquisition provides Bell’s customers with various programming options.
Liquidity
BCE exited the quarter with C$2,208.0 million (approximately $2,158.1 million) of cash and cash equivalents compared with C$129.0 million (approximately $128.0 million) as of December 31, 2012. Capital expenditures were C$830.0 million ($811.2 million), down 12.8% year over year.
Dividend
The company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of 58.25 Canadian cents per share, payable on Oct 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on Sep 16, 2013.
Our Take
BCE currently retains a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). The company displays a robust wireless business model, improving wireline operations and expanding activities in the media sector. We believe that the company’s focus on investing in broadband networks and rendering better services, supported by a competitive cost structure will deliver positive results, going forward. However, stiff competition, continued decline in network access services, constant need to invest in technology and union issues remain the primary concerns for the company.
Gap Inc. (GPS-Free Report) posted comparable-store sales (comps) increase of 1% for the 4 weeks ended Aug 3, 2013 compared with a rise of 10% for the 4 weeks ended Aug 4, 2012. This was below the analysts’ expectations. The marginal increase came on the back of sturdy performance at the Gap global brand. However, Banana Republic and Old Navy Global failed to produce the desired results.
Net sales in July totaled $1.12 billion, up 5% from sales of $1.06 billion for the 4-week period ended on Jul 28, 2012.
Brand-wise, comps performances at Gap Global were up 7% compared with a 10% increase in the prior-year period, while comps at Banana Republic were down 1% compared with an 8% rise recorded last year. Old Navy’s comps decreased 5% versus a 12% increase last year.
For the second quarter of fiscal 2013, the company’s net sales increased 8% to $3.87 billion from $3.58 billion in the prior-year period. During the quarter, comps rose 5% compared with a 4% increase in the year-ago quarter.
Brand-wise, second-quarter comps at Gap Global increased 6% compared with a 3% rise in the prior-year period, while comps at Banana Republic Global fell 1% compared with a 6% rise last year. Old Navy Global’s comps rose 6% versus a 3% increase last year.
Based on strong sales results, the company expects second-quarter earnings per share in the range of 62–64 cents, compared with 49 cents reported in the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at 64 cents.
Apart from Gap, other retail chains that posted comparable-store sales data for the month of July include L Brands, Inc. (LTD-Free Report)., Stein Mart Inc. (SMRT-Free Report) and Fred's, Inc. (FRED-Free Report). While L Brands registered comps growth of 3%, off-price retailer of apparel, footwear and accessories Stein Mart delivered comparable-store sales growth of 3.7%, and discount store operator Fred's, Inc. registered a 2.5% rise in comps.
In July, there were mixed comparable-store sales results for retailers, who tried every means to attract budget-conscious customers with discounts. Going forward, analysts believe that the back-to-school season, an important one before the holidays, may be a tough one for retailers. Recent data from the Conference Board suggested that Consumer Confidence Index fell to 80.3 in Jul 2013 from 82.1 in Jun 2013.
Gap currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and is scheduled to release its August sales results on Sep 5, 2013.
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
Get the full Report on BCE - FREE
Get the full Report on GPS - FREE
Get the full Report on LTD - FREE
Get the full Report on SMRT - FREE
Get the full Report on FRED - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Read the analyst report on BCE
Read the analyst report on GPS
Read the analyst report on LTD
Read the analyst report on SMRT
Read the analyst report on FRED
Zacks Investment Research
More From Zacks.com
