Friday, October 29, 2010

ABB Outperforms, Stock Doesn't (Does Too!) ABB

It all depends on the time-frame you choose.
Endpoint bias is a favorite tool of data manipulators wanting to push an agenda.
In the last week ABB is down 7.29%, the S&P 500 is up 0.06%
The S&P wins at at the 1 and 3-month marks.
Anything longer and ABB is the better performer.
At a 5-year timescale ABB is up 173%, the S&P is down 1.21%.
Today the stock is trading down 33 cents at $20.68.
From Zacks Analyst blog:
ABB Ltd. (ABB - Snapshot Report) outperformed the Zacks Consensus revenue and earnings estimates for the third quarter of 2010. The company reported revenues of $7.9 billion, ahead of the estimated $7.76 billion, while earnings per share were 34 cents, ahead of the estimated 31 cents.

Orders rose 18% and revenues increased 2% in local currencies, including an 11% increase in service revenues. This was due to a higher demand from industrial customers for energy efficient and capacity enhancing products. Demand increased across a gamut of industries, including metals and minerals, marine, pulp and paper, discrete manufacturing and renewable energy.

Orders were up 26% in Asia, primarily on higher base orders. Power Systems, followed by Process Automation and Discrete Automation and Motion contributed primarily to growth. Orders in local currencies were more than 50% higher in Europe compared with the same period in 2009. In the Americas, orders decreased 16%.

Revenues grew in the quarter on the back of strong growth in short-cycle automation businesses as recent orders were executed. Revenues in the longer-cycle businesses were flat to lower, reflecting the decline in orders received during 2009 and 2010. Service revenues increased 11% year over year....MORE
The Wall Street Journal's story is headlined:
UPDATE: ABB Set To Resume Growth Amid Strong Orders