For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 11, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: AT&T Inc (T), Centennial Communications Corp (CYCL), Verizon (VZ), JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (JASO) and AutoNation (AN).
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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
AT&T Completes CYCL Acquisition
AT&T Inc (T) has reportedly completed its much anticipated acquisition of Centennial Communications Corp (CYCL), the eighth largest US wireless carrier by subscribers. This follows the recent approvals of the transaction by the US Department of Justice and US telecom regulator Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). The transaction, which was originally set to complete in second-quarter 2009, is now officially closed.
As per the agreement terms, shareholders of Centennial will receive $8.50 in cash for every share they own, equating to approximately $944 million. Including net debt, the aggregate value of the deal is $2.7 billion. AT&T will take appropriate steps to redeem all of Centennial’s outstanding debts. AT&T expects minimal dilution to earnings and cash flow in 2009 given the upfront integration costs.
The acquisition has expanded AT&T’s wireless coverage to include the rural areas of the Midwest and Southeast regions of the US as well as Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, adding 893,000 new subscribers. The acquisition will also offer operational synergies and improve the service quality of AT&T’s wireless network in specific markets.
As per the demand of the US regulators, AT&T will divest certain Centennial assets in eight markets across Louisiana (central and southern) and southwestern Mississippi as the acquisition may potentially hurt consumer interest in these regions. As part of this requirement, AT&T will sell wireless assets in five of the eight markets to its rival operator Verizon (VZ) for $240 million. Moreover, AT&T has committed to continue Centennial’s existing roaming agreements with other carriers for at least four years.
JA Solar Gains Strength in Q3
JA Solar Holdings Co. Ltd. (JASO) announced adjusted earnings per American Depositary Share (EPADS) of RMB 0.66 (10 cents) in its fiscal third quarter, which exceeded the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 7 cents. The performance improvement came from higher shipments along with growing margins.
In the reported quarter, revenues rose 119.6% to RMB 1.3 billion ($193.3 million), as compared to RMB 600.7 million ($88.0 million) reported in the previous quarter. However, revenues fell 37.8% when compared to year-ago quarterly revenue of RMB 2.1 billion ($310.7 million).
JA Solar’s shipments were a company record of 177MW in the quarter. In the prior quarter, shipments were only 77MW, representing a sequential growth of 129.9%. In the year-ago quarter also, shipments were only 99MW, representing shipment growth of 78.8%.
AutoNation Predicts Gloomy 2010
AutoNation (AN) has sketched its industry outlook, revealing a gloomy 2010 preceding an improvement in the years following. The company stated that it anticipates a marginal rise in industry sales to 11 million cars and trucks from the current-year rate of 10 million vehicles. This was in stark contrast to an annual rate of more than 16 million vehicles ticked earlier this decade.
AutoNation blamed tight credit for pulling down sales this year. However, sales will hit bottom in 2009. Many banks have kept their credit standards extremely high for car loans, which is depressing the industry sales despite continuous efforts taken by the government to ease credit standards.
Further, job loss and stability in housing prices are also an issue. Thus, the Richmond, Virginia-based automotive retailer — the largest in the U.S. — expects the industry to recoup sales gradually by 2011 and beyond.
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