3 Blue Chip Stocks Sure to Make Waves After Earnings - (NYSE:MCD), Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE)

3 Blue Chip Stocks Sure to Make Waves After Earnings - (NYSE:MCD), Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), General Electric Company (NYSE:GE)

McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) reported its results for the third quarter. Net income for McDonald’s Corporation rose to $1.51 billion ($1.45 per share) vs. $1.39 billion ($1.29 per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 8.6% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 13.7% to $7.17 billion from the year earlier quarter. MCD beat the mean analyst estimate of $1.43 per share. It beat the average revenue estimate of $7.01 billion.

“McDonald’s third quarter results reflect the ongoing strength of our customer-focused Plan to Win. We are executing the right strategies to grow the business for the long term while delivering consistently strong quarterly results,” said McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Jim Skinner. “The investments we are making to optimize our menu, modernize the restaurant experience and broaden McDonald’s accessibility with ongoing convenience and value platforms are driving profitable market share growth – a clear indication that our strategy is working.”

Competitors to Watch: Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), Good Times Restaurants Inc. (NASDAQ:GTIMD), Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:TAST), Tim Hortons Inc. (NYSE:THI), Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM), Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ:JACK), Panera Bread Company (NASDAQ:PNRA), Nathan’s Famous, Inc. (NASDAQ:NATH), Wendy’s Arby’s Group Inc. (NYSE:WEN), Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), Sonic Corporation (NASDAQ:SONC) and Darden Restaurants (NYSE:DRI).

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) reported its results for the third quarter. Net income for Verizon Communications rose to $3.54 billion (49 cents per share) vs. $881 million (31 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This is a more than fourfold rise from the year earlier quarter. Revenue rose 5.4% to $27.91 billion from the year earlier quarter. VZ reported adjusted net income of 56 cents per share. By that measure, the company fell in line with the mean estimate of 56 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $27.91 billion.

“Verizon emerges from the third quarter in a strong position to accelerate growth,” said Lowell McAdam, Verizon president and chief executive officer. “We faced significant challenges in recent months, yet delivered results that keep us on track to meet our 2011 earnings and revenue guidance, with great momentum expected entering 2012. We continue to grow revenues from strategic products and to increase free cash flow through improved operating performance and disciplined capital spending.”

Competitors to Watch: AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S), Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGY), MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (NYSE:PCS), Vodafone Group Plc (NASDAQ:VOD), CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL), NTELOS Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ:NTLS), Leap Wireless Intl., Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), Windstream Corporation (NASDAQ:WIN), and United States Cellular Corp. (NYSE:USM).

General Electric Company (NYSE:GE) from reporting a profit boost in the third quarter. Net income for General Electric Company rose to $3.22 billion (22 cents per share) vs. $2.06 billion (18 cents per share) in the same quarter a year earlier. This marks a rise of 57% from the year earlier quarter. Revenue remained flat at $35.4 billion from the year earlier quarter. GE reported adjusted net income of 31 cents per share. By that measure, the company fell in line with the mean estimate of 31 cents per share. Analysts were expecting revenue of $34.86 billion.

“We are pleased to deliver our sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit operating earnings growth in a volatile macro environment,” GE Chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt said. “We improved earnings, achieved solid double-digit infrastructure order growth, executed on our balanced capital allocation plan and maintained a strong balance sheet. We ended the quarter with a record high order backlog of $191 billion and we remain confident in our full-year 2011 operating framework.”

Competitors to Watch: Siemens AG (NYSE:SI), 3M Company (NYSE:MMM), Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV (NYSE:PHG), Honeywell Intl. Inc. (NYSE:HON), Danaher Corporation (NYSE:DHR), Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT), OSI Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:OSIS), and Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (NYSE:BIO).

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Most popular stock searches for October 21 - Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD), Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX), (NYSE: GE), (NYSE: GNC)

Most popular stock searches for October 21 - Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD), Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX), (NYSE: GE), (NYSE: GNC)

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ): traded higher by 0.13% or $0.05/share to $37.15. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $31.60 and as high as $38.95. On average, 19565700 shares of VZ exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 10183244. The shares are currently trading above the 200-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been subject to upward momentum. The 200 DMA is above the 50 DMA which indicates that the stock has likely taken a dip in the shorter term. The stock may eventually drop to test the 200-day moving average where buyers may be lurking near the $36.4564 area.

McDonald's Corporation (NYSE: MCD): traded higher by 2.73% or $2.43/share to $91.44. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $72.14 and as high as $91.22. On average, 7647470 shares of MCD exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 7257445. The shares are currently trading above the 50-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been experiencing strong upward momentum as the 50 DMA is above the 200 DMA. The stock may come back down to test the 50-day moving average, so look for a move back to the $88.18 area where the stock will likely see buying pressure.

Seagate Technology PLC (NASDAQ: STX): traded higher by 22.06% or $2.66/share to $14.72. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $9.44 and as high as $18.35. On average, 10171300 shares of STX exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 28858386. The shares are currently trading above the 200-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been subject to upward momentum. The 200 DMA is above the 50 DMA which indicates that the stock has likely taken a dip in the shorter term. The stock may eventually drop to test the 200-day moving average where buyers may be lurking near the $14.1979 area.

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE): fell by 2.13% or $-0.355/share to $16.28. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $14.68 and as high as $21.65. On average, 79671296 shares of GE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 60380208. The shares are currently trading below the 200-day moving average but above the 50-day moving average. The stock may be range bound between these two levels where the 200-day moving average of $17.88 represents resistance and the 50-day moving average of $15.77 would be an area of support.

GNC Holdings Inc (NYSE: GNC): traded higher by 3.90% or $0.91/share to $24.27. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $16.08 and as high as $26.48. On average, 643950 shares of GNC exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 2163867. The shares are currently trading above the 50-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been experiencing strong upward momentum as the 50 DMA is above the 200 DMA. The stock may come back down to test the 50-day moving average, so look for a move back to the $22.21 area where the stock will likely see buying pressure.

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Honeywell International Inc (NYSE: HON), Prosperity Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: PRSP), General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), (NASDAQ: NWBI), (NYSE: KSU) Earnings Preview

Honeywell International Inc (NYSE: HON), Prosperity Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: PRSP), General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), (NASDAQ: NWBI), (NYSE: KSU) Earnings Preview

Honeywell International Inc (NYSE: HON) is expected to earn $1.00 per share for quarter ended Sep 11. Estimates from Wall Street analysts ranged from as low as $0.96 per share to as high as $1.02 per share. For the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.76 per share. Revenues are expected to come in at $9.27B. Shares of Honeywell International Inc traded higher by 5.34% or $2.59/share to $51.05. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $41.50 and as high as $62.28. On average, 6858290 shares of HON exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 5202205. The shares are currently trading below the 200-day moving average but above the 50-day moving average. The stock may be range bound between these two levels where the 200-day moving average of $53.22 represents resistance and the 50-day moving average of $45.88 would be an area of support.

Prosperity Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: PRSP) is expected to earn $0.76 per share for quarter ended Sep 11. Estimates from Wall Street analysts ranged from as low as $0.73 per share to as high as $0.79 per share. For the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.69 per share. Revenues are expected to come in at $99.44M. Shares of Prosperity Bancshares Inc traded higher by 4.84% or $1.73/share to $37.50. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $30.37 and as high as $46.87. On average, 365012 shares of PRSP exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 456219. The shares are currently trading below the 200-day moving average but above the 50-day moving average. The stock may be range bound between these two levels where the 200-day moving average of $40.45 represents resistance and the 50-day moving average of $34.92 would be an area of support.

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) is expected to earn $0.31 per share for quarter ended Sep 11. Estimates from Wall Street analysts ranged from as low as $0.30 per share to as high as $0.33 per share. For the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.28 per share. Revenues are expected to come in at $34.94B. Shares of General Electric Company fell by 2.22% or $-0.37/share to $16.26. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $14.68 and as high as $21.65. On average, 79671296 shares of GE exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 61437136. The shares are currently trading below the 200-day moving average but above the 50-day moving average. The stock may be range bound between these two levels where the 200-day moving average of $17.88 represents resistance and the 50-day moving average of $15.77 would be an area of support.

Northwest Bancshares Inc (NASDAQ: NWBI) is expected to earn $0.17 per share for quarter ended Sep 11. Estimates from Wall Street analysts ranged from as low as $0.15 per share to as high as $0.18 per share. For the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.14 per share. Revenues are expected to come in at $67.30M. Shares of Northwest Bancshares Inc traded higher by 1.49% or $0.18/share to $12.30. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $10.24 and as high as $13.36. On average, 959694 shares of NWBI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 204036. The shares are currently trading above the 200-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been subject to upward momentum. The 200 DMA is above the 50 DMA which indicates that the stock has likely taken a dip in the shorter term. The stock may eventually drop to test the 200-day moving average where buyers may be lurking near the $12.1652 area.

Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) is expected to earn $0.74 per share for quarter ended Sep 11. Estimates from Wall Street analysts ranged from as low as $0.70 per share to as high as $0.79 per share. For the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.45 per share. Revenues are expected to come in at $537.83M. Shares of Kansas City Southern traded higher by 1.29% or $0.74/share to $58.07. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $41.00 and as high as $62.78. On average, 1411300 shares of KSU exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 903419. The shares are currently trading above the 200-day moving average which indicates that the shares have been subject to upward momentum. The 200 DMA is above the 50 DMA which indicates that the stock has likely taken a dip in the shorter term. The stock may eventually drop to test the 200-day moving average where buyers may be lurking near the $54.7542 area.

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Stocks Higher Ahead of EU Summit; GE Slips - US Stocks Open Higher Ahead Of Weekend's EU Summit

Stocks Higher Ahead of EU Summit; GE Slips - US Stocks Open Higher Ahead Of Weekend's EU Summit

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied sharply, led by Travelers [TRV 56.59 2.06 (+3.78%) ] and AmEx [AXP 47.92 1.73 (+3.75%) ], after logging a decline in the previous session. The blue-chip index is on track for its fourth-straight winning week.

The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq also jumped. The CBOE Volatility Index, widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded near 32.

All 10 S&P sectors were firmly in the green, led by financials and consumer discretionary. European shares closed higher amid optimism that policymakers would make progress on a solution to the euro zone debt crisis in the coming days.

France and Germany said in a joint statement that European leaders would discuss a global solution to the crisis on Sunday, but no decisions would be adopted before a second meeting by Wednesday at the latest. Read More

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GE’s stock (NYSE: GE) Aviation profit up 7% in 3Q

GE’s stock (NYSE: GE) Aviation profit up 7% in 3Q

General Electric Co. ’s operating earnings increased 11 percent to $3.4 billion, or 31 cents per share, in the third quarter. Revenues rose 12 percent to $35 billion, excluding the impact of NBC Universal in which it now owns a 49 percent stake.

At the company’s GE Aviation unit based in Evendale, revenues were up 10 percent to $4.8 billion, and segment profits increased 7 percent to $862 million.

Orders booked during the July-September period increased 14 percent to $5.7 billion compared to the same period in 2010.

A gain from the sale of GE Aviation’s rings business was partially offset by charges related to supplier contract terminations, it said. GE announced in June that it was selling the Pennsylvania-based rings business to Precision Castparts Corp. Terms were not disclosed at the time. The business makes rings used in jet engines that are sold to a number of engine suppliers.

GE did not disclose further details of the supplier contract terminations it cited in a press release.

A redemption of Berkshire Hathaway preferred stock on Oct. 17 cost GE 8 cents per share in lost profits, resulting in net earnings per share of 22 cents. That result was up 22 percent compared to 18 cents in the 2010 period, but it was off 21 percent compared to 28 cents on a continuing operations basis.

Including the impact of NBC Universal, total revenues were flat compared to the 2010 period.

GE’s stock (NYSE: GE) was down 25 cents *1.5 percent) to $16.38 just before noon on Friday. Investors were apparently concerned about shrinking profit margins in GE’s industrial businesses. The broader U.S. stock market was up about 2 percent. Read More

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General Electric Company (NYSE: GE ): Q3 Earnings Preview; Signs Of Strength - (NYSE: GE : 16.305, -0.325 )

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE ): Q3 Earnings Preview; Signs Of Strength - (NYSE: GE : 16.305, -0.325 )

General Electric Company (NYSE: GE : 16.305, -0.325 ) is scheduled to report its third quarter earnings on Oct 21, 2011.

A few hours back, GE announced that it is redeeming preferred stock sold to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. in October 2008. This is a sign of strength in the company's top-line and bottom line development.

Industrial sales are likely to come in at $22.6 billion, and financial services sales could come in at $12.26 billion. Healthcare and transportation earnings should have boosted Industrial sales.

GE Capital has been showing improvement over the last few months,but could have actually faced some headwinds in the third quarter. For instance, historically there's an increase in delinquencies in the third quarter in the consumer business. Given that consumer confidence and job markets were not exactly doing well in the third quarter, it is natural for me to see the contribution from GE Capital declining in the third quarter.

There could be some bad news on asset quality metrics. The U.S. retail finance, and commercial real estate businesses are expected to have done poorly while U.K., home lending, and global banking should have strengthened.

Operating margins could come down driven by broad based margin declines across products. For instance, margins on renewable energy continue to show steady margin declines. The wind business is going to continuing to be a drag. Similarly, I guess margins on the aviation business would also have come down.

Net-on-net, I expect the company to report an EPS of $0.31 on sales of $34.86 billion. This compares well with an EPS of $0.28 on sales of $35.89 billion in the year ago quarter.

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