The Third Quarter Was Fine, But Not Thesis-Changing
Operationally, it doesn't look like Whole Foods is running dramatically ahead of expectations. Revenue rose 12% this quarter, actually coming in below the 13.4% average growth estimate. Same-store sales were good, though, as comparable store sales grew 7.5% (ahead of the 7% estimate) and identical store sales rose 7.2%. Within that number, transaction count increased about 4%, with 3% coming from price.
Top 5 Construction Material Stocks To Watch For 2015: AMC Networks Inc (AMCX)
AMC Networks Inc. (AMC Networks), incorporated on March 9, 2011, is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through its subsidiaries. AMC Networks owns and operates several of cable television's brands delivering content to audiences. AMC Networks operates in two segments: National Networks, which includes AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel, and International and Other, which includes AMC/Sundance Channel Global, its international programming business; IFC Films, its independent film distribution business, and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, its network technical services business. The Company's National Networks are distributed throughout the United States through cable and other multichannel video programming distribution platforms, including direct broadcast satellite (DBS) and platforms operated by telecommunications providers. In addition to the Company's the United States distribution, AMC, IFC and Sundance Channel are available in Canada and Sundance Channel and WE tv are available in other countries throughout Europe and Asia.
National Networks
AMC Networks owns four nationally distributed entertainment programming networks: AMC, WE tv, IFC and Sundance Channel, which are available to its distributors in high-definition (HD) and/or standard-definition formats. The Company's programming networks principally generate their revenues from the distribution of programming and the sale of advertising. Affiliation fees paid by multichannel video programming distributors represent the largest component of distribution revenue, which also includes the licensing of original programming for digital, foreign and home video distribution. As of December 31, 2012, AMC, WE tv and IFC had 98.9 million, 81.5 million and 69.6 million Nielsen subscribers, respectively, and Sundance Channel had 50.2 million viewing subscribers.
AMC is a television network dedicated to the storytelling, whether commemorating favorite films or creating origi! nal programming. In addition to presenting feature films from its movie library, AMC features original programming that includes dramatic series, such as Mad Men, Breaking Bad, The Killing, Hell on Wheels and The Walking Dead. In addition, the network has introduced unscripted programming, including Talking Dead, Comic Book Men, The Pitch and Small Town Security. AMC's film library consists of films that are licensed from studios, such as Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros., Sony, MGM, NBC Universal, Paramount and Buena Vista under long-term contracts. AMC generally structures its contracts for the cable television rights to air the films during identified window periods. As of December 31, 2012, AMC had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video programming distributors and reached approximately 99 million Nielsen subscribers.
WE tv is a women's network that features original stories for and about modern women who are taking charge of their life, their family and their household. WE tv's original series include Braxton Family Values, Tamar & Vince, Mary, Joan and Melissa: Joan Knows Best? and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, among others. In addition, WE tv's programming includes series, such as Charmed, Ghost Whisperer and Roseanne, as well as feature films, with license rights to certain films from studios, such as Paramount, Sony and Warner Bros. As of December 31, 2012, WE tv had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video distributors and reached approximately 82 million Nielsen subscribers. IFC creates original comedies that are in keeping with the network's Always On. Slightly Off brand and which air alongside a collection of films and comedic cult television shows.
The network's original content includes the comedy series Portlandia, created by and starring Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein, and executive produced by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels. Other IFC originals include Comedy Bang! Bang!, R. Kelly's Trapped in ! the Close! t and Out There, an animated series created by the long time animation director of South Park. IFC's programming also includes series, such as Arrested Development, Freaks and Geeks and Malcolm in the Middle, along with films from independent film distributors including Fox, Miramax, Sony, IFC Films, Lionsgate, Universal, Paramount and Warner Bros. As of December 31, 2012, IFC had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video distributors and reached approximately 70 million Nielsen subscribers.
Sundance Channel also has a slate of original unscripted series. Sundance Channel original unscripted programming includes the docu -series Push Girls, and celebrity vehicles The Mortified Sessions and Iconoclasts. In addition, the network benefits from its relationship with Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, where each year the network gives festival attendees and viewers access to the festival on-site and through dedicated programming on-air and online. As of December 31, 2012, Sundance Channel had affiliation agreements with the United States multichannel video programming distributors and reached approximately 50 million viewing subscribers. As of December 31, 2012, Sundance Channel generated advertising revenue from sponsorship arrangements and promotional breaks, rather than traditional advertising spots.
International and Other
In addition to the Company's National Networks, AMC Networks also operates AMC/Sundance Channel Global, which is its international programming business; IFC Films, its independent film distribution business; and AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology, its network technical services business. The Company's International and Other segment also includes VOOM HD Holdings LLC (VOOM HD). AMC/Sundance Channel Global's business principally consists of seven channels in 13 languages spread across 24 countries, focusing primarily on AMC in Canada and globally on versions of the Sundance Channel and WE tv brands. Princ! ipally ge! nerating revenues from affiliation fees, AMC/Sundance Channel Global reached approximately 15.9 million viewing subscribers in Canada, Europe and Asia as of December 31, 2012.
Sundance Channel provides independent film and also features certain content from AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and IFC Films, as well as serves as a pipeline of international content, in an effort to provide distinctive programming to an upscale audience. AMC Networks provides programming to the Canadian market through its AMC and Sundance Channel brands. Providing programming in the Korean and Mandarin languages, WE tv Asia provides a selection of the domestic programming from the WE tv the United States network with programs like Bridezillas and My Fair Wedding with David Tutera, and some of the programming from networks in the United States, such as Tabatha's Salon Takeover and Tori & Dean. With the same broad satellite footprint as Sundance Channel-International, WE tv Asia is available in South Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong. IFC Films, the Company's independent film distribution business, makes independent films available to a worldwide audience. IFC Films operates three distribution labels: Sundance Selects, IFC Films and IFC Midnight. IFC Films has a film library consists of more than 500 titles.
IFC Films also operates IFC Center, DOC NYC and SundanceNow. IFC Center is a independent movie theater located in the heart of New York City's Greenwich Village. DOC NYC is an annual festival also located in New York City celebrating documentary storytelling in film, photography, prose and other media. AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology is a full-service network programming feed origination and distribution company, which primarily services the programming networks of AMC Networks. AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology's operations are located in Bethpage, New York, where AMC Networks Broadcasting & Technology consolidates origination and satellite communications functions in a 60,00! 0 square-! foot facility designed to keep AMC Networks at the forefront of network origination and distribution technology.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Tim Beyers]
I say that as a regular customer of Apple's "Season Pass" feature for episodes of my favorite programs, including the AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX ) hit The Walking Dead and sci-fi adventure series Doctor Who.
Top Supermarket Companies For 2014: 3D Systems Corp. (DDD)
3D Systems Corporation, through its subsidiaries, engages in the design, development, manufacture, marketing, and servicing of 3D printers and related products, print materials, and services. The company�s principle print engines comprise stereolithography, selective laser sintering, multi-jet modeling, film transfer imaging, selective laser melting, and plastic jet printers. Its 3D printers convert data input from computer-aided design software or 3D scanning and sculpting devices to produce physical objects from engineered plastic, metal, and composite print materials. The company also blends, markets, sells, and distributes various consumables, engineered plastics, metal materials, and composites; and offers various software tools, as well as pre-sale and post-sale services, including applications development, installation, warranty, and maintenance. In addition, it provides custom parts services, such as precision plastic and metal parts service and assembly capabilit ies. The company markets its stereolithography materials under the Accura and RenShape; laser sintering materials under the DuraForm, CastForm, and LaserForm; and materials for professional printers under the VisiJet brands. It primarily serves manufacturers of automotive, aerospace, computer, electronic, defense, education, consumer, energy and healthcare products, as well as original equipment manufacturers, government agencies, universities, and independent service bureaus. The company sells its products and services through its direct sales organization, sales agents, resellers, and distributors primarily in the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. 3D Systems Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rex Moore]
In this segment, Sloan talks about the areas investors can consider beyond printer makers such as 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD ) and Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS ) .
- [By Sue Chang and Ben Eisen]
Shares of Voxeljet AG (VJET) , a German 3D printing technology company, soared 122% on their first day of trading. Voxeljet priced 6.5 million shares at $13 each. Shares of other 3D printing companies also rose, with ExOne Co. (XONE) �2.9% higher, Stratasys Ltd. (SSYS) �up 1.1% and 3D Systems Corp. (DDD) edging up less than 0.1%.
- [By Daniel Ferry]
Interest in 3-D printing, the process of manufacturing by printing successive layers of material on top of each other to create a finished product, has surged recently, with technology blogs, business journalists, news radio, and even Taco Bell commercials touting the industry as a transformative step forward. Accordingly, the stock price of the two largest 3-D print companies, 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD ) and Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS ) , have soared, pushing valuations up to dizzying heights. What have the companies been doing with their high-flying stocks? So far, they've mostly been deploying them to rapidly consolidate their fragmented industry. News from the two big players this week shows they have no plans of slowing down.
- [By Brian Stoffel]
Shares of 3-D Printing companies had a wild ride at the beginning of the week. Stratasys (NASDAQ: SSYS ) and ExOne (NASDAQ: XONE ) shares were both down by as much 10% Monday, while shareholders of 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD ) watched their holdings drop as much as 8%.
Top Supermarket Companies For 2014: Allot Communications Ltd.(ALLT)
Allot Communications Ltd. engages in developing, selling, and marketing Internet protocol service optimization and revenue generation solutions in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania. Its solutions are used to create policies to monitor network applications, enforce quality of service policies that guarantee mission-critical application performance, mitigate security risks, and leverage network infrastructure investments. The company offers traffic management systems, including Service Gateway platform for broadband service control and optimization based on DPI; and NetEnforcer traffic management system that inspects, monitors, and controls network traffic by application and by user. Its network management application suites comprise NetXplorer that provides service providers and enterprise customers a view of traffic on the network; and Subscriber Management Platform, a system that helps service providers build an intelligent service network d esigned to deliver the quality of experience. The company also offers ServiceProtector, which ensures service continuity, and guards network integrity against known and unknown threats, as well as enables surgical mitigation through immediate identification of denial of service attacks, zero day attacks, worms, zombie, and botnets. In addition, it provides MediaSwift that caches and accelerates popular Internet video. The company markets and sells its products to carriers, mobile operators, cable operators, educational institutions, governments, and enterprises, as well as wireless, wireline, and satellite Internet service providers. It sells it products through distributors, resellers, OEMs, value added resellers, and system integrators, as well as through direct sales. The company was formerly known as Ariadne Ltd. and changed its name to Allot Communications Ltd. in September 1997. Allot Communications Ltd. was founded in 1996 and is based in Hod-Hasharon, Israel.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Evan Niu, CFA]
What: Shares of Allot Communications (NASDAQ: ALLT ) have popped today by as much as 10% after the company scored a big contract.
So what: Allot said it landed a $6.5 million order from a "Tier-1" mobile operator in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for Intelligent Steering and Value-Added Service licenses. The company added that the contract is a licensing expansion of an existing deployment. The customer will add functionalities to the current Allot Service Gateways deployment.
- [By Jon C. Ogg]
Allot Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: ALLT) was raised to Outperform with an $18 price target at Oppenheimer.
Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX) was added to the Conviction Buy list with an $86 price target at Goldman Sachs.
Top Supermarket Companies For 2014: Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Co (KYN)
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company, incorporated on June 4, 2004, is a non-diversified, closed-end investment company. The Company�� investment objective is to obtain a high after-tax total return by investing at least 85% of its total assets plus any borrowings in energy-related master limited partnerships (MLPs) and their affiliates, and in other companies that, as their principal business, operate assets used in the gathering, transporting, processing, storing, refining, distributing, mining or marketing of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined petroleum products or coal (collectively with MLPs referred to as Midstream Energy Companies). The Company�� portfolio investments principally consist of equity securities issued by MLPs.
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company may invest up to 15% of its total assets in any single issuer. It may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities, which may include below investment-grade securities. The Company�� portfolio includes investments in pipeline MLPs, propane MLPs, shipping MLPs, coal MLPs and upstream MLPs. The Company�� investment advisor is Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Jon C. Ogg]
The ETFs and funds held up on Monday:
JPMorgan Alerian MLP Index ETN (NYSEArca: AMJ) was down only 0.3% at $46.86, versus a 52-week range of $42.18 to $49.31. Volume was 1.1 million shares versus an average of about 628,000. ALPS Alerian MLP ETF (NYSEArca: AMLP) closed down 0.45 at $17.57, versus a 52-week range of $16.75 to $18.36. This ETF traded more than 3.1 million shares, up from an average of about 2.85 million shares. The closed-end fund of Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company (NYSE: KYN) even managed to rise by 0.26% to $38.70 against a 52-week range of $33.11 to $40.22. Its volume was also almost 300,000 shares versus an average volume of closer to 218,000 shares.It still seems more than interesting that the investment community did not pound the rest of the sector in sympathy with Boardwalk. This Boardwalk MLP still has a $3.1 billion market cap, even after getting cut almost in half. Usually investors try to tie in peers when one implosion is seen versus others. It seems as though they are trusting that negative natural gas exposure here is not going to spill over into the rest of the sector, and maybe not even spill over into the price of units in its more direct peers.
No comments:
Post a Comment