Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. (DPS) reported third quarter results on Nov 5 which surprised on the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.20%. It was the fourth earnings surprise in a row.

Earnings per share for the beverage company were 54 cents compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 49 cents.

Net sales, however, fell 4%. The company said it was too early to see the economic recovery translate into higher beverage sales. Liquid refreshment beverage trends remained negative in the quarter.

2009 Guidance

Dr. Pepper Snapple forecasts sales to be in the range of negative 3% to 4%. Earnings per share are expected to be between $1.92 and $1.96 per share.

The current 2009 Zacks Consensus Estimate calls for $1.95 per share.

Value Fundamentals

Dr. Pepper Snapple is a Zacks #2 Rank (buy) stock. It still has attractive value characteristics. It is trading with a forward P/E of 13.5. The company’s price-to-book ratio is 2.31. Dr. Pepper Snapple also has a stellar 1-year return on equity (ROE) of 16.1%.

Read the June 11 article.

Update to Previous Value Zacks Rank Buy Stocks

The Andersons, Inc. (ANDE) is scheduled to report third quarter earnings after the bell on Nov 4. Despite a slowdown in the agriculture sector analysts are bullish on the quarter and expect 2009 year over year earnings growth of 23.80%. Read the full article.

Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV) recently raised full year guidance as it surprised on estimates for the third time in the last 4 quarters. The company is trading with a forward P/E of just 8.9. Read the full article.

Harbin Electric, Inc. (HRBN) is growing quickly as it takes full advantage of the Chinese stimulus plan. Harbin has a PEG ratio of just 0.78. Read the full article.

Steve Madden Limited (SHOO) is hot. The company posted record sales in the third quarter and has raised 2009 earnings guidance each of the last 3 quarters. SHOO is attractively valued, trading at 14.2x forward earnings. Read the full article.

Zacks Investment Research