Tobacco

Below are the top consumer goods stocks in terms of earnings estimate for the next quarter. Analysts expect Lorillard Inc (NYSE: LO) to earn $2.29 per share for the June quarter. Lorillard's trailing-twelve-month EPS is $7.99. Stepan Company (NYSE: SCL) is expected to earn $2.15 per share for the...

According to a research report this morning, Goldman Sachs favors Lorillard Inc. (NYSE: LO) as the tobacco company continues to beat expectations. Goldman Sachs continued, “We favor LO among the tobacco names heading into earnings as our estimate for 1Q12 is 3% above consensus. We see continued...

Jefferies initiates its coverage on Lorillard (NYSE: LO) with a rating of Buy and a price target of $139 per share on strong margin and fundamentals. Jefferies says, "In our view, LO's equity does not fully reflect its strong margins and fundamentals: Newport is the only growing premium brand...

Stifel Nicolaus lowers its rating on Lorillard (NYSE: LO) to Hold from Buy on valuation following strong reaction in the stock price to its very robust Q4 earnings. Stifel Nicolaus says, " We continue to recommend investors own the shares and remain very confident in the fundamental outlook for...

Deutsche Bank reiterates its Hold rating on Lorillard (NYSE: LO) on continued lack of regulatory visibility but raises its price target by $6 to $122 on continued momentum and shareholder distribution. Deutsche Bank says, "Newport menthol franchise remains strong as an engine of industry-leading...

If you want to get rich, don't invest in things people want. Invest in things people need. Of course, besides food, shelter, and safety, needs change. Those changing needs are often the most profitable, and the more people need, the more suppliers can profit. History shows us that one of the most...

Thursday, February 9, 2012 This is your Benzinga news summary and trader's outlook covering headlines from overnight and today's pre-market session. As of February 11th 2010 The U.S. government's debt ceiling has been raised six times since the beginning of 2006. Benzinga's Top News Pepsico (...

Lorillard (NYSE: LO) announced today that its Board of Directors approved a 19% increase in the quarterly dividend on its common stock from $1.30 per share to $1.55 per share. The dividend is payable on March 9, 2012 to stockholders of record as of March 1, 2012. This marks the second increase...

US stock futures are slightly lower this morning, as investors are awaiting jobless claims data. Futures for the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 11 points to 12,832.00 and S&P 500 index futures fell 2.10 points to 1,344.90. Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 4 points to 2,540.75. US stocks closed...

Corn Products International Inc (NYSE: CPO) is estimated to post its Q4 EPS at $1.08 on revenue of $1.63 billion. Dunkin' Brands Group Inc (NASDAQ: DNKN) is expected to report its Q4 earnings at $0.28 per share on revenue of $160.6 million. PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP) is projected to post its Q4 earnings...

Some of the stocks that may grab investor focus today are: Visa Inc (NYSE: V) reported an upbeat quarterly profit and announced its plans to buy back $500 million worth of its stock. Visa shares climbed 3.09% to $111.70 in after-hours trading. Groupon Inc (NASDAQ: GRPN) posted a quarterly loss of...

There will be plenty more quarterly reports this week for analysts and traders to peruse. On the schedule are Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS), PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), Time Warner (NYSE: TWX), Visa (NYSE: V), Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Whole Foods Market (NASDAQ: WFM) and Yum! Brands (NYSE:...

According to Bank of America, Lorillard (NYSE: LO) coverage is transferred at Neutral. Bank of America said that while it expects LO's operating results to continue to outpace its domestic peers, given 2011 performance (+39% for LO vs. a flat S&P) and near term uncertainty surrounding a...

Below are the top large-cap cigarettes stocks on the NYSE, the NASDAQ and the AMEX in terms of return on assets. The trailing-twelve-month return on assets at Lorillard Inc (NYSE: LO) is 35.91%. LO's revenue for the same period is $4.35 billion. The trailing-twelve-month return on assets at...

Citigroup has published a research report on Lorillard (NYSE: LO) after the company announced an $0.06 price increase per pack this morning. In the report, Citigroup writes, "This morning, LO announced a $0.06 per pack price increase across its cigarette portfolio. The price increase is to take...