AZZ Incorporated Earnings Research and Analysis

t's a good idea to look behind the headlines at AZZ  (NYSE: AZZ  ) earnings reports, because the electrical equipment maker and galvanizing specialist has had plenty of issues to deal with recently. For example, in the second quarter of its fiscal year, AZZ's energy operations suffered margin decline due to "operating inefficiencies." Meanwhile, its galvanizing margins fell due to a combination of increasing costs related to an acquisition, the reopening of a plant, and a realignment charge. Were these issues dealt with in the just-reported third quarter? Moreover, would management maintain its full-year guidance, as it did in the second-quarter earnings presentation?


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MSC Industrial (MSM) Earnings Review and Analysis

MSC Industrial Direct  (NYSE: MSM  ) must have left investors with mixed feelings after its first-quarter results. In a nutshell, the earnings and second-quarter guidance were below analyst estimates, but the commentary around the trading environment was more positive than it has been for a while. Time to take a closer look.


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George Soros Investment Firm is Buying This Small Cap Stock

Whenever the investment fund of a legendary investor like George Soros takes a position in a mid-cap stock such as security products manufacturer Allegion  (NYSE: ALLE  ) , investors will usually want to look at the company themselves. Recent 13F SEC filings from Soros Fund Management reveal that the fund had 5,000 shares of Allegion at the end of 2013, 214,353 by the end of June of this year, and 1,627,956 (worth about $90.6 million at the current price) by the end of September. What might have attracted the fund to this company, and should retail investors follow its lead?


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Return on Assets Analysis of 3M Company (MMM)

When making an analysis of an industrial conglomerate such as 3M Company  (NYSE: MMM  ) , many investors settle on comparing segmental operating margins. However, a deeper analysis would also involve looking at segmental return on assets, or ROA -- defined here as segmental income divided by assets. This is a useful measure that helps investors to understand how the company makes best use of its assets and where it should invest for growth. Let's see how this applies to 3M.


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Is Deere & Company (DE) a Stock to Buy?

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE  ) investors must make up one of the broadest of churches in the investing world. Commodity followers are looking for a cyclical bounce in crop prices next year. Meanwhile, income seekers are enjoying its near 2.5% dividend yield. However, the question for long-term investors is whether now is the time to initiate a position in Deere & Company stock?


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United Technologies Investor Day Review

The sudden departure of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE: UTX  ) CEO Louis Chenevert must have baffled investors, but anyone expecting more color on the subject, or a change of strategic direction from the company, would have been disappointed by last week's investor meeting. Instead, newly appointed CEO Gregory Hayes outlined a set of targets consistent with the company's previous guidance. In this context, it's time for a refresh on United Technologies' strategic objectives and why the stock might be attractive for your portfolio.


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Heico (HEI) Earnings Review

Heico  (NYSE: HEI  )  this week delivered solid fourth‐quarter earnings, and guided toward 8%‐10% growth in net sales and net income for 2015. Moreover, management served notice of its intent to "aggressively pursue" acquisition opportunities to generate growth.



Heico's stock is slightly down on the year, even as the commercial aerospace sector has continued to grow strongly. However, given good growth in its commercial aviation end market and its increased cash flow generation, Heico has good growth opportunities going forward. Let's look into the details.


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Why Deere & Company (DE) Could Fall

Analysts and investors are hoping for a trough in demand for Deere & Company (NYSE: DE  ) in 2015. If it occurs, the stock will likely move higher. On the other hand, there are no guarantees that a bottom will form, and the downside risk is significant if conditions don't improve. I've already examined the bullish case for the stock; now it's time to look at the reasons Deere's stock could fall.


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General Electric Company Return on Assets Analysis

One of the first things investors look at when analyzing an industrial conglomerate like General Electric  (NYSE: GE  ) is segmental margin. It's a good way to tell which units are outperforming and where the company should be investing. However, it's also important to look at the segmental income generated from assets, defined here as the return on assets, or ROA. This can actually be a more useful measure, because it indicates which of the company's segments are its most productive. In the case of General Electric, an ROA analysis produces some good news for investors interested in its strategic direction.


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Why Deere & Company (DE) Stock Could Rise

Normally, when a company forecasts a 15% drop in sales for the following year, investors' immediate reaction is negative, but the rules of investing logic with a highly cyclical stock like Deere & Company (NYSE: DE  ) are very different. Indeed, analysts at JPMorgan and Wells Fargo subsequently upgraded their ratings for the stock after the recent announcement. Essentially, the bullish case for Deere & Company rests on the idea that 2015 will see a cyclical trough in key crop prices, and therefore end demand for its agricultural machinery will pick up. If this happens, Deere could soar, as the best time to pick up a cyclical stock is before the rest of the market realizes the upswing is about to take place.


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General Electric Company CEOs: Welch vs Immelt

Comparing the tenures of Jack Welch and Jeff Immelt as CEO of General Electric  (NYSE: GE  ) is almost a pointless endeavor from an investor's perspective. In the end, the primary focus of General Electric investors is shareholder return, and in the 13 years of Immelt's leadership, the stock's return (adjusted for dividends and stock splits) is just 9.4% compared to Welch's 5,400% during his 20-year stint as CEO, from 1981 to 2001. The difference is stark. However, Immelt is a much better leader than those numbers might suggest; here's why I think he's taking the company in the right direction.


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