Four New York Stock Exchange-listed companies reported earnings before the start of regular trading on Thursday. The day marks the busiest yet of 2017. Yesterday, in a video posted to Facebook, Investor's Business Daily market observer Ken Shreve described the general market averages as being in a "confirmed uptrend." Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has warned that the current rally could end once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
First up today, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NYSE: WBA) stock was down marginally in pre-market trading after the pharmacy company reported first-quarter 2017 earnings per share of $1.10, up $0.07, or 6.8 percent, year over year, beating the Wall Street analyst consensus by $0.01.
Walgreens revenue came in at $28.5 billion, down $730 million, or 2.5 percent, year over year, missing the analyst consensus by 2.5 percent.
RPM International guides lower
Shares in RPM International Inc. (NYSE: RPM) were flat in the pre-market after the company reported second-quarter 2017 EPS of $0.52, down $0.10, or 16.1 percent on a year-over-year basis. RPM EPS missed the consensus estimate, reported by Yahoo Finance, of $0.61, by $0.09, or 14.8 percent. Revenue for the chemical company was reported at $1.19 billion, up 2.6 percent, year over year, beating the consensus of $1.18 billion, by 0.8 percent. Management was reported to offer guidance below current views for the full 2017 fiscal year, ranging from $2.62 to $2.72, below the $2.74 currently reported by Yahoo Finance.
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ) stock was lower, by over 2 percent, in pre-market trading after the Burger King and Tim Hortons owner reported third-quarter 2017 EPS of $1.96, up $0.54, or 38.0 percent, year over year. STZ EPS beat the analyst consensus of $1.71, reported by Yahoo Finance, by $0.25, or 14.6 percent. Constellation revenue was reported at $1.81 billion, up 0.1 percent, year over year, beating the Wall Street view of $1.8 billion, by 0.6 percent.
The firm gave full-year 2017 EPS guidance ranging from $6.55 to $6.65, topping current forecasts.
MON stock higher in pre-market trading
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) stock was higher in the pre-market after the agriculture company reported first-quarter 2017 EPS of $0.21, up significantly from the $0.11 per share loss reported in the first quarter of 2016.
MON EPS beat the analyst consensus of $0.01, by $0.20, or 2,000 percent. Monsanto revenue was reported at $2.65 billion, up 19.4 percent on a year-over-year basis, beating the street view of $2.27 billion, by 16.7 percent.
"We expect the combination with Bayer to amplify the rate of innovation faster than either company could achieve alone," Hugh Grant, Monsanto chief and chairman, was quoted by Business Wire. He described synergies with Bayer as being "critical" in increasing the productivity of farmers, which will be key in meeting "projected demand in the decades. ahead."