HALISTER: IBM 4Q Operating EPS Beats Highest Est.

IBM 4Q Operating EPS Beats Highest Est.

(Bloomberg) -- IBM 4Q operating EPS $5.01, est. $4.88 (range $4.63-$4.97)
  • 4Q rev. $21.8b, est. $21.6b (range $21.1b-$22.1b)
  • 4Q adj. gross margin 51.0%, est. 52.8%
  • 4Q free cash flow $4.72b
  • 4Q strategic imperatives rev. $9.5b
  • 4Q cognitive solutions rev. $5.30b
  • 4Q global services rev. $4.12b
  • 4Q technology services & cloud platforms rev. $9.31b
  • 4Q systems rev. $2.53b
NOTE:
  • 8 buys, 18 holds, 3 sells before today
  • Call 5pm (NY time)
Statement
Alert: HALISTER
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
IBM US (International Business Machines Corp)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER: American Express FY17 Adj. EPS Forecast Midpoint Tops Est.

American Express FY17 Adj. EPS Forecast Midpoint Tops Est.

(Bloomberg) -- American Express sees FY17 adj. EPS $5.60 to $5.80, est. $5.61 (range $4.95-$5.84)
  • 4Q adj. EPS 91c, est. 99c (range 92c-$1.12)
  • 4Q EPS 88c
  • 4Q rev. $8.0b, est. $7.95b (range $7.74b-$8.11b)
  • 4Q return on avg. equity 26.0%
  • 4Q effective tax rate 29%
NOTE:
  • 10 buys, 17 holds, 6 sells before today
  • Call 5pm (NY time)
Statement
Alert: HALISTER
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
AXP US (American Express Co)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER1: Western Union Settlement May Affect Share Buybacks: Jefferies

Western Union Settlement May Affect Share Buybacks: Jefferies

(Bloomberg) -- Western Union’s agreement to pay $586m for failing to stop money laundering and wire fraud has potential to “materially impact” stock repurchases, Jefferies analyst Jason Kupferberg writes in note.
  • DOJ/FTC settlement is much larger than anticipated and “more than a ‘one-time’ charge,” as “knock-on effects” will probably persist; notes that fine represents more than 5% of WU’s market cap and 93% of U.S. cash on hand
  • Reiterates hold, $19 PT; WU 4 buys, 16 holds, 8 sells, avg PT $20: Bloomberg data
  • NOTE: Earlier, WU Said to Keep Compliance Spending Unchanged After Settlement; Western Union Probe May Benefit MoneyGram, Euronet: SunTrust
  • NOTE: Feb. 19, Western Union Says U.S. Money Laundering Probe Tied to Gaming
Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
WU US (Western Union Co/The)

People
Jason Kupferberg (Jefferies LLC)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283

HALISTER1: WU Said to Keep Compliance Spending Unchanged After Settlement

WU Said to Keep Compliance Spending Unchanged After Settlement

(Bloomberg) -- Western Union, which spends 3.5%-4.0% of revenue on regulatory compliance, is said to keep that level of investment unchanged after agreeing to pay $586m for failing to stop money laundering and wire fraud, a person familiar with the matter said.
  • WU expects “some” increase in compliance costs following settlement with DOJ and FTC
  • WU is also said to be in settlement discussions regarding a continuing investigation by a group of U.S. state attorneys general that focuses primarily on oversight of certain agents and whether an anti-fraud programs adequately prevented misconduct
    • NOTE: See page 16 of 10-Q for details about state AG probe
  • NOTE: Earlier, Western Union Probe May Benefit MoneyGram, Euronet: SunTrust
  • NOTE: Feb. 23, Western Union Quizzed by EU in Money-Transfer Antitrust Probe
  • NOTE: Feb. 19, Western Union Says U.S. Money Laundering Probe Tied to Gaming
Alert: HALISTER1
Source: BFW (Bloomberg First Word)

Tickers
WU US (Western Union Co/The)

To de-activate this alert, click here

UUID: 7947283