Consumer Staples

Bank of America has published a research report on Casey's General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY) raising the price target. In the report, Bank of America wrote, "We are upgrading CASY to Buy (from Neutral) given our outlook for solid merchandise comps supported by the company's major remodel program,...

Hormel Foods Corp (NYSE: HRL) reported a 15% rise in its fiscal third-quarter net income and raised its full-year earnings forecast. Hormel reported its quarterly earnings at $98.5 million, or $0.36 per share, up from $85.4 million, or $0.32 per share, in the year-ago period. Its revenue climbed...

Analysts at Robert W. Baird upgraded Synchronoss Technologies Inc (NASDAQ: SNCR) from “neutral” to “outperform.” SNCR's shares closed at $26.80 yesterday. Synchronoss Technologies' trailing-twelve-month revenue is $201.38 million. Analysts at Bank of America upgraded Casey's General Stores Inc (...

According to Citi, Avon Products (NYSE: AVP) didn't benefit from improved industry trends in 2010. Citi said that the US Direct Selling Association recently released its 2010 industry estimates. “The $29 billion U.S. direct selling industry delivered 4% compound annual growth between 1992 and 2010...

This is your Benzinga news summary and traders' outlook for Thursday, August 25, 2011, covering headlines from overnight and Thursday's pre-market session. Today in domestic pre-market trading, U.S equity futures are trading slightly higher. At last check, Dow futures are up about 25 points and...

Pre-open movers US stock futures are mixed this morning, as investors are awaiting jobless claims data. Shares of Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) dropped about 2.6% in pre-market trading following the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 23...

Citigroup has lowered the price target on Avon Products (NYSE: AVP) from $35 to $30 and maintains its Buy rating.

US stock futures are slightly lower this morning, as investors are awaiting jobless claims data. Shares of Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) dropped about 4.5% in pre-market trading following the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 12...

Bank of America has upgraded Casey's General Stores (NASDAQ: CASY) from Neutral to Buy and has raised the price objective from $47 to $49.

Diageo PLC (NYSE: DEO) reported a 17% rise in its full-year profit. Diageo's profit for the period surged to 1.9 billion pounds ($3.1 billion), from 1.63 billion pounds, in the year-ago period. Its sales climbed 2% to 9.94 billion pounds. The tax rate dropped from 21% to 14.5%. Diageo lifted its...

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc (NYSE: KKD) is expected to report its Q2 EPS at $0.06 on revenue of $92.26 million. Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) is estimated to report its Q3 EPS at $0.35 on revenue of $1.87 billion. Shoe Carnival Inc (NASDAQ: SCVL) is projected to report its Q2 EPS at $0.30...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Wall Street expects Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) to report its Q3 EPS at $0.35 on revenue of $1.87 billion. HRL shares rose 0.39% to close at $28.44 yesterday. Guess Inc (NYSE: GES) reported its FQ2 net profit at $60.7 million, or...

Gabelli is out with its report today on HJ Heinz (NYSE: HNZ), maintaining Hold. In its report, Gabelli writes, "Looking ahead, growth initiatives, such as new products, favorable price/mix, more efficient spending on discounts & allowances in Europe and acquisitions will drive top-line results...

Morgan Stanley is out with its report today on Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (NYSE: DPS), initiating DPS at Equal-weight. In its report, Morgan Stanley writes, "We initiate coverage of DPS at EW. Valuation looks undemanding at 8.2x 2012e EV/EBITDA, but appropriately discounts leverage to slower growth...

Del Monte Fresh Produce, N.A., Inc., a subsidiary of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. (NYSE: FDP), filed suit on Monday, August 22, 2011 against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland to seek an injunction that would lift an FDA rule restricting the...