Express is the latest retail stock to get smacked after earnings
U.S. stocks are trading mixed after today's jobs data. Among specific names in focus are retail stock Express, Inc. (NYSE:EXPR), food manufacturer Pinnacle Foods Inc (NYSE:PF), and tech name Ciena Corporation (NYSE:CIEN). Here's a quick look at what's moving shares of EXPR, PF, and CIEN.
EXPR Stock Falls to Record Low After Earnings
Express reported an adjusted first-quarter loss of 6 cents per share on $467.7 million in revenue -- below the consensus estimate. The retailer also offered up a lower-than-forecast full-year profit forecast. In response, EXPR stock has plunged 19.1% to $6.28, earlier hitting a record low of $5.96, and is on the short-sale restricted list. Express shares were already staring at a 28% year-to-date loss heading into today's trading. Today's gap could encourage a fresh batch of bearish brokerage notes, considering the average 12-month price target for Express stock is $10.90.
PF Stock Hits New High on CAG Buyout Buzz
Pinnacle Foods shares are fresh off a record high of $66 -- last seen up 5% at $65.42 -- on reports Conagra Brands Inc (NYSE:CAG) has approached the company about a possible takeover. PF stock has been flying high since taking a strong bounce off its 200-day moving average last November, and one group of options traders got in at the right time. Specifically, the now in-the-money June 65 call has seen the biggest rise in open interest over the last two weeks, and data suggests the bulk of the activity was of the buy-to-open kind.
Upbeat Earnings Boost CIEN Stock
Ciena shares are trading up 14.3% at $26.83, and earlier touched a six-year high of $27.98, after the tech firm posted a fiscal second-quarter adjusted profit of 37 cents per share on $707 million in revenue, with both figures exceeding the consensus estimates. Today's post-earnings breakout has
CIEN stock back in positive year-to-date territory, and on track to close an early March bear gap. There's little room for analysts to react to Ciena's earnings, though, considering 80% maintain a "buy" or better rating.