Stocks in Focus !!!

Apple may gain ground after it reported that its third quarter sales rose 12% to $8.34 billion. The company reported earnings of $1.35 per share, higher than $1.19 per share in the year-ago period. The consensus estimates had called for earnings of $1.17 per share on revenues of $8.20 billion. The company expects fourth quarter earnings of $1.18-$1.23 per share on revenues of $8.7 billion to $8.9 billion. Analysts estimate earnings of $1.30 per share on revenues of $9.1 billion. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices sunk in Tuesday’s after hours session after it reported a loss of 49 cents per share for its second quarter compared to a loss of $1.16 per share reported in the year-ago period. On an adjusted basis, the company’s loss was 62 cents per share. Revenues declined 13% to $1.18 billion, ahead of the consensus estimate of $1.13 billion. Yahoo also fell in the after hours session despite reporting second quarter earnings of 10 cents per share, higher than 9 cents per share in the year-ago period and exceeding the consensus estimate of 8 cents per share. Revenues, excluding traffic acquisition costs, were $1.14 billion, in line with the mean analysts’ estimates. Starbucks may see buying interest after it reported third quarter earnings of 20 cents per share compared with a loss of 1 cent per share last year. The company’s adjusted earnings were 24 cents per share, ahead of the 19 cents per share consensus estimate. Revenues fell 7% to $2.40 billion, also above the $2.37 billion consensus estimate. For the full year, the company expects adjusted earnings of 74-75 cents per share compared to the consensus estimate of 70 cents per share. Linear Technology rose in the after hours session despite reporting that its fourth quarter net income declined to 25 cents per share from 46 cents per share last year. Revenues were down 32% to $208 million. The consensus estimates had called for earnings of 24 cents per share on revenues of $210 million. Winn-Dixie Stores could move to the upside after it increased its full year 2009 EBITDA guidance to $164 million, ahead of the high end of its previous estimate of $152 million. The company attributed the optimism to higher sales and gross profit margin and also includes $4.4 million due to both the positive sales impact from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike and tropical storm Fay. For 2009, the company expects net sales of $7.4 billion, while analysts estimate sales of $7.38 million. For 2010, the company expects adjusted EBITDA in the range of $170 million to $180 million. Sallie Mae could also be in focus after it reported a second quarter loss of 32 cents per share compared with a profit of 50 cents per share in the year-ago period. The company’s core adjusted profit rose to 31 cents per share from 27 cents per share last year. Analysts had estimated a profit of 6 cents per share. Seagate Technology may move in reaction to its announcement that it reported a loss of 16 cents per share for its fourth quarter compared to a profit of 32 cents per share in the year-ago period. The recent quarter’s results were hurt by 22 cents per share in restructuring charges. Revenues declined 19% to $2.35 billion. Analysts estimated earnings of 10 cents per share on revenues of $2.25 billion.