price to sales ratio
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP. $192 (New York symbol IBM, Conservative Growth Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 1.0 billion; Market cap: $192.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.1; Dividend yield: 2.0%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.ibm.com) continues to benefit from rising demand for cloud-computing services and analytics software, which helps businesses analyze large amounts of data. However, weaker mainframe computer sales are offsetting these gains.
In the three months ended March 31, 2014, IBM earned $2.6 billion, down 21.7% from $3.4 billion a year earlier. The company spent a high $8.2 billion on share buybacks in the latest quarter. Due to fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share fell at a slower pace of 15.3%, to $2.54 from $3.00.
Revenue declined 3.9%, to $22.5 billion from $23.4 billion. IBM gets two-thirds of its revenue from overseas. If you adjust for foreign exchange rates, revenue declined by 1%.
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In the three months ended March 31, 2014, IBM earned $2.6 billion, down 21.7% from $3.4 billion a year earlier. The company spent a high $8.2 billion on share buybacks in the latest quarter. Due to fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share fell at a slower pace of 15.3%, to $2.54 from $3.00.
Revenue declined 3.9%, to $22.5 billion from $23.4 billion. IBM gets two-thirds of its revenue from overseas. If you adjust for foreign exchange rates, revenue declined by 1%.
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L BRANDS INC. $54 (New York symbol LB; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 291.0 million; Market cap: $15.7 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.5; Dividend yield: 2.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.lb.com) owns the Victoria’s Secret lingerie chain and the Bath & Body Works personal care products stores. Smaller chains include La Senza (lingerie) in Canada and Henri Bendel (jewellery and accessories) in the U.S.
The company’s sales rose 3.2% in March 2014, to $923.7 million from $894.8 million in March 2013.
However, that’s mainly due to promotional discounts, as cold weather hurt customer traffic. Overall same-store sales fell 1%. Victoria’s Secret reported that its same-store sales declined 1% during the month, while its online and catalogue sales rose 1%. Bath & Body Works’ same-store sales fell 2%.
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The company’s sales rose 3.2% in March 2014, to $923.7 million from $894.8 million in March 2013.
However, that’s mainly due to promotional discounts, as cold weather hurt customer traffic. Overall same-store sales fell 1%. Victoria’s Secret reported that its same-store sales declined 1% during the month, while its online and catalogue sales rose 1%. Bath & Body Works’ same-store sales fell 2%.
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MCDONALD’S CORP. $99 (New York symbol MCD; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 989.0 million; Market cap: $97.9 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.6; Dividend yield: 3.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.mcdonalds.com) plans to spur its sales in China by adding new menu items that better suit local tastes, such as rice dishes and green tea ice cream. The company is also introducing more value-priced items as China’s economic growth slows.
In addition, the company plans to add 300 new outlets to the 2,000 it currently operates in China this year.
It is also selling more of these locations to local owners. McDonald’s aims to have franchisees operate 20% of its Chinese outlets by 2015, up from 12% last year.
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In addition, the company plans to add 300 new outlets to the 2,000 it currently operates in China this year.
It is also selling more of these locations to local owners. McDonald’s aims to have franchisees operate 20% of its Chinese outlets by 2015, up from 12% last year.
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SNAP-ON INC. $117 (New York symbol SNA; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 58.2 million; Market cap: $6.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.snapon.com) earned $95.9 million, or $1.62 a share, in the quarter ended March 29, 2014. That’s up 15.8% from $82.8 million, or $1.40 a share, a year earlier. Sales rose 6.2%, to $787.5 million from $741.7 million.
These improvements are partly due to Challenger Lifts, which Snap-On bought in May 2013. Challenger, a maker of systems that raise cars off the ground, added $15.2 million to Snap-On’s sales in the latest quarter.
Snap-On is a hold.
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These improvements are partly due to Challenger Lifts, which Snap-On bought in May 2013. Challenger, a maker of systems that raise cars off the ground, added $15.2 million to Snap-On’s sales in the latest quarter.
Snap-On is a hold.
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DUN & BRADSTREET CORP. $107 (New York symbol DNB; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 37.6 million; Market cap: $4.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.5; Dividend yield: 1.6%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.dnb.com) has paid an undisclosed sum for the social media operations of Fliptop, whose software helps businesses analyze customer data.
This technology tracks mentions of businesses by users of social media websites like Facebook. It will add to Dun & Bradstreet’s credit reports, which mainly focus on traditional information, such as a company’s financial condition and market share. Dun & Bradstreet now has over 230 million businesses in its databases.
Dun & Bradstreet is a buy.
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This technology tracks mentions of businesses by users of social media websites like Facebook. It will add to Dun & Bradstreet’s credit reports, which mainly focus on traditional information, such as a company’s financial condition and market share. Dun & Bradstreet now has over 230 million businesses in its databases.
Dun & Bradstreet is a buy.
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J.P. MORGAN CHASE & CO.
$56 (New York symbol JPM;
Income Portfolio, Finance sector;
Shares outstanding: 3.8 billion;
Market cap: $212.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2;
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$56 (New York symbol JPM;
Income Portfolio, Finance sector;
Shares outstanding: 3.8 billion;
Market cap: $212.8 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2;
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WELLS FARGO & CO. $50 (New York symbol
WFC; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios,
Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 5.3 billion;
Market cap: $265.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2;
Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average;
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WFC; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios,
Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 5.3 billion;
Market cap: $265.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 3.2;
Dividend yield: 2.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average;
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SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. $202 (New York symbol SHW; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 100.3 million; Market cap: $20.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; Dividend yield: 1.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.sherwin-williams.com) has dropped its $2.3-billion offer to buy Mexican paint maker Comex, as regulators seemed unlikely to approve the deal. Sherwin did purchase Comex’s U.S. and Canadian operations and stores for $165 million in September 2013.
The new operations increased Sherwin’s revenue by 9.2% in the first quarter of 2014, to $2.4 billion from $2.2 billion a year earlier. However, costs to integrate the new stores cut its earnings by 0.6%, to $115.5 million from $116.2 million. Due to fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share rose 2.7%, to $1.14 from $1.11.
The company will likely earn $8.72 a share in 2014, up 20.1% from 2013, but the stock trades at a high 22.7 times that forecast.
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The new operations increased Sherwin’s revenue by 9.2% in the first quarter of 2014, to $2.4 billion from $2.2 billion a year earlier. However, costs to integrate the new stores cut its earnings by 0.6%, to $115.5 million from $116.2 million. Due to fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share rose 2.7%, to $1.14 from $1.11.
The company will likely earn $8.72 a share in 2014, up 20.1% from 2013, but the stock trades at a high 22.7 times that forecast.
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ALLIANT ENERGY CORP. $58 (New York symbol LNT; Income Portfolio, Utilities sector; Shares outstanding: 110.9 million; Market cap: $6.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.0; Dividend yield: 3.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.alliantenergy.com) sells electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million residential and business customers in Wisconsin, Iowa and southern Minnesota.
In September 2013, the company agreed to sell its Minnesota electric and natural gas distribution businesses in two separate deals. These operations represent less than 4% of its customer base. Alliant will hang on to its power plants in Minnesota.
In all, the company will receive $128 million when these deals close later this year. The cash will help it upgrade its plants to comply with tougher environmental regulations. Right now, coal accounts for 47% of Alliant’s fuel needs, followed by natural gas (39%), wind (8%), oil (5%) and hydroelectric (1%). The company also buys power from nuclear plants and other suppliers.
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In September 2013, the company agreed to sell its Minnesota electric and natural gas distribution businesses in two separate deals. These operations represent less than 4% of its customer base. Alliant will hang on to its power plants in Minnesota.
In all, the company will receive $128 million when these deals close later this year. The cash will help it upgrade its plants to comply with tougher environmental regulations. Right now, coal accounts for 47% of Alliant’s fuel needs, followed by natural gas (39%), wind (8%), oil (5%) and hydroelectric (1%). The company also buys power from nuclear plants and other suppliers.
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WAL-MART STORES INC. $78 (New York symbol WMT; Conservative Growth Portfolio: Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 3.2 billion; Market cap: $249.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.5; Dividend yield: 2.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.walmart.com) continues to expand into financial services. The retailer currently offers its shoppers cheque cashing, bill payment and tax-preparation services, as well as money orders and prepaid debit cards.
The company has now teamed up with Ria Money Transfer, a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, to let shoppers transfer money. Using this service, called “Walmart-2-Walmart,” clients can move funds to and from over 4,000 of the company’s U.S. stores.
Many of Wal-Mart’s clients do not have bank accounts, so this new service should help bring more of these customers into its stores.
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The company has now teamed up with Ria Money Transfer, a subsidiary of Euronet Worldwide, to let shoppers transfer money. Using this service, called “Walmart-2-Walmart,” clients can move funds to and from over 4,000 of the company’s U.S. stores.
Many of Wal-Mart’s clients do not have bank accounts, so this new service should help bring more of these customers into its stores.
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