Becton Dickinson's (NYSE: BDX ) second-quarter earnings report is a good reason to give the company a onceover with a SWOT -- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats -- analysis. Becton met analysts' expectations for revenue and earnings beat estimates.�The market liked the report, injecting more than $2.50 to the share price and send sending it to a new high.
Here's a business snapshot.
Company Name
Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX )
One sentence statement of operations
Becton Dickinson manufactures and sells a broad range of medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment and diagnostic products.
Recent price
$96.16
Hot High Tech Companies To Own In Right Now: Palo Alto Networks Inc (PANW)
Palo Alto Networks, Inc., incorporated in March 2005, offers a network security platform that allows enterprises, service providers, and government entities to secure their networks. The core of its platform is the Company�� firewall that delivers natively integrated application, user, and content visibility and control through its operating system, hardware, and software architecture. The Company primarily sells its products and services to end-customers through distributors, resellers, and partners, and directly to end-customers (collectively partners), who are supported by its sales and marketing organization, in the Americas, in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and in Asia Pacific and Japan (APAC). Its products and services can address a range of its end-customers��network security requirements, from the data center to the network perimeter, as well as the distributed enterprise, which includes branch offices and a number of mobile devices. It introduced PA-5000 Series and GlobalProtect subscription service in March 2011 and the PA-200 and WildFire subscription service in November 2011.
The Company�� platform is delivered in an appliance form factor and includes a suite of subscription services, as well as support and maintenance. Its subscription services can be activated on any of its appliances. All of the Company�� appliances incorporate its PAN-OS operating system and are based on its identification technologies, App-ID, User-ID, and Content-ID, which allow security policies to be defined within the context of applications, users, and content. It delivers these capabilities through a single-pass parallel processing architecture that simultaneously performs multiple identification, security and networking functions. The Company serves the enterprise network security market, which consists of Firewall/ Virtual Private Network (VPN), Unified Threat Management (UTM), Web Gateway, Intrusion Detection and Prevention (IDP/IPS), and VPN technologies. The Company deriv! ed 62% of its total revenue from the Americas, 27% from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), and 11% from Asia Pacific and Japan (APAC) as of January 31, 2012.
The Company derives revenue from sales of its products and services, which together comprise its platform. Product revenue is primarily generated from sales of its Firewall. The Company�� Threat Prevention, universal resource locator (URL) Filtering, and GlobalProtect subscriptions provide its end-customers with real-time access to the antivirus, intrusion prevention, Web filtering, and malware protection capabilities across fixed and mobile devices. The Company�� application classification engine, called App-ID, uses multiple identification techniques to determine the exact identity of applications traversing the network. App-ID is the foundational classification engine that provides the core traffic classification to all other functions in its platform. The App-ID classification is used to invoke other security functions.
App-ID uses a series of classification techniques to identify an application. App-ID classifies all network traffic, including business applications, consumer applications, and network protocols, across all ports. User-ID integrates its platform with a range of enterprise user directories and technologies, including Active Directory, eDirectory, Open LDAP, Citrix Terminal Server, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft Terminal Server, and ZENworks. Content-ID is a collection of technologies that enables its subscription services. Content-ID combines a real-time threat prevention engine, cloud-based analysis service, and a URL categorization database to limit unauthorized data and file transfers, detect and block a range of threats, and control non-work related Web surfing. Its WildFire, cloud-based analysis service provides a real-time analysis engine for detecting previously unseen malware. Its URL filtering database consists of millions of URLs across many categories and is designed to monitor a! nd contro! l employee Web surfing activities. Single-Pass Parallel Processing Architecture (SP3) has two elements: single-pass software and parallel processing hardware.
The PAN-OS Operating System operating system provides the foundation for its network security platform and contains App-ID, User-ID, and Content-ID. PAN-OS performs the core functions of its platform, while also providing the networking, security, and management functions needed for implementation. The PAN-OS networking functions include dynamic routing, switching, high availability, and VPN support, which enables deployment into a range of networking environments. PAN-OS also includes attack protection capabilities, such as blocking invalid or malformed packets, IP defragmentation, TCP reassembly, and network traffic normalization. The Company also offers, such as application traffic management, solution design and planning, configuration, and firewall migration. Its education services provide classroom-style training and are primarily delivered through its partners.
The Company competes with Cisco, Juniper, Intel, IBM, HP, Check Point Software, Fortinet and Sourcefire.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Rex Crum]
Network-security technology company Palo Alto Networks Inc. (PANW) �rose 3.7% to end the day at $59.99. Late Monday, Palo Alto said it would acquire privately held cyber-security technology company Morta Security for an undisclosed amount.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
On the other side of the spectrum is Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW ) , which has fallen 10% following its earnings report last night. Citing federal spending cuts and poor conditions in Europe, Palo Alto reported weaker-than-expected sales despite seeing year-over-year growth of 54%. Even worse, the company expects current-quarter revenue growth to slow to about 42% year over year, reflecting a much faster deceleration than the stock's valuation implied. Given the huge amount of competition in the data- and cyber-security industry, Palo Alto and its virtual firewalls aren't guaranteed to win out over the company's rivals.
- [By Lee Samaha]
IT security company Check Point Software (NASDAQ: CHKP ) delivered a good set of results recently, but its guidance disappointed and the stock took a hit. The company has long been known for its high profit margins and excellent cash flow, but the security marketplace is very competitive. Is Check Point starting to feel the heat from competitors like Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT ) and Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW ) ? Or, is its guidance too conservative?
- [By Brian Nichols]
The growth of security
If Cisco were to make a splash by acquiring Juniper, it would obtain a declining security business, which might have good synergies with Cisco's own security segment. However, Cisco is not losing market share to Juniper in this segment. Instead, tech giant Oracle and smaller rival�Palo Alto Networks (NYSE: PANW ) are hindering Cisco's performance.
Hot Healthcare Equipment Companies For 2014: Bridgeline Digital Inc.(BLIN)
Bridgeline Digital, Inc. engages in the development of Web experience management (WEM) product and interactive technology solutions that help organizations to optimize business processes. Its iAPPS product suite includes iAPPS Content Manager that allows non-technical users to create, edit, and publish content through a browser-based interface; iAPPS Commerce, an online B2B and B2C eCommerce solution, which allows users to maximize and manage various aspects of commerce initiatives; and iAPPS Marketier, a marketing lifecycle management solution that comprises customer transaction analysis, email management, surveys and polls, event registration, and issue tracking to measure campaign return on investment and client satisfaction. The company also provides iAPPS Analyzer to manage, measure, and optimize Web properties by recording detailed events and mine data within a Web application for statistical analysis; and iAPPS Rapid Site for building custom Websites. It delivers it s iAPPS product suite through cloud-based software as a service business model or via a traditional perpetual licensing business model. The company?s end-to-end interactive technology solutions consist of digital strategy, user-centered design, Web application development, SharePoint development, rich media development, search engine optimization, and Web application hosting management. Bridgeline Digital serves various markets, such as financial services, consumer products and goods, health services and life sciences, high technology (software and hardware), retail brand names, transportation and storage, associations and foundations, and the U.S. Government through its direct sales force. The company was formerly known as Bridgeline Software, Inc. and changed its name to Bridgeline Digital, Inc. in March 2010. Bridgeline Digital, Inc. was founded in 2000 and is based in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Bryan Murphy]
Congratulations to anyone who owned shares of Bridgeline Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:BLIN) before today. You're now up 35% for the day so far, and still counting. The big pop from BLIN stemmed from the announcement that it scored a pretty significant deal with an organization consisting of nearly 4000 dentists and doctors. The terms of the deal are simple enough... Bridgeline Digital will host and service websites for the practitioners in the group for a period of three years, and in return, BLIN will receive $7 million.
Hot Healthcare Equipment Companies For 2014: McCormick & Company Inc (MKC)
McCormick & Company, Incorporated (McCormick) manufactures, markets and distributes spices, seasoning mixes, condiments and other flavorful products to the food industry, retail outlets, food manufacturers and foodservice businesses. The Company�� sales, distribution and production facilities are located in North America and Europe. Additional facilities are based in China, Australia, Mexico, India, Singapore, Central America, Thailand and South Africa. The Company operates in two business segments: consumer and industrial. During the fiscal year ended November 30, 2011, the Company�� consumer business contributed 59% of sales and 79% of operating income and the industrial business contributed 41% of sales and 21% of operating income.
McCormick�� products are sold directly to customers and also through brokers, wholesalers, and distributors. In the consumer segment, products are resold to consumers through a range of retail outlets, including grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount, and drug stores under a range of brands. In the industrial segment, products are used by food and beverage manufacturers as ingredients for their finished goods and by food service customers as ingredients for menu items to enhance the flavor of their foods. Customers for the industrial segment include food manufacturers and the foodservice industry supplied both directly and indirectly through distributors.
Consumer Business
The Company�� brands in the Americas include McCormick, Lawry�� and Club House. The Company also markets brands, such as Zatarain��, Thai Kitchen and Simply Asia. In Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) its brands include the Ducros, Schwartz and Kamis brands of spices, herbs and seasonings and a line of Vahine brand dessert items. In the Asia/Pacific region its primary brand is McCormick, with the exception of India where its joint venture owns and trades under the Kohinoor brand. The Company�� customers span a variety of retail o! utlets that include grocery, mass merchandise, warehouse clubs, discount and drug stores, served directly and indirectly through distributors or wholesalers. In addition to marketing its products to these customers, the Company is also a supplier of private label items, also known as store brands. More than 250 other brands are sold in the United States with additional brands in international markets.
Industrial Business
In its industrial business, the Company provides a range of products to multinational food manufacturers and foodservice customers. The foodservice customers are supplied both directly and indirectly through distributors. Its range of products include seasoning blends, natural spices and herbs, wet flavors, coating systems and compound flavors. In addition to a broad range of flavor solutions, we strive to achieve customer intimacy.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Geoff Gannon]
If you can choose between owning Sanderson Farms (SAFM) and McCormick (MKC) ��pick McCormick. Spice is just a better product than chicken. Well, ceramic proppant is a really, really good product. It�� the spice of the oil industry.
- [By Dan Caplinger]
On Thursday, McCormick (NYSE: MKC ) will release its latest quarterly results. With a solid history of delivering regular dividend growth, McCormick shares got very popular during the bull market, but the rise in interest rates have caused some to question whether the stock has gotten ahead of its fundamentals.
- [By Johanna Bennett]
Corporate earnings took a back seat today to the Fed�� latest policy decision. Still, quarterly financial results, and other news sent shares of McCormick & Co. (MKC) and Tupperware (TUP), falling during regular market hours�Here�� a rundown of several of today�� moves:
Hot Healthcare Equipment Companies For 2014: NMI Holdings Inc (NMIHZ)
NMI Holdings, Inc. (NMIH), incorporated on May 19, 2011, is a development-stage company. The Company through its subsidiaries provides private mortgage insurance in the United States. The Company�� wholly owned subsidiaries include National Mortgage Insurance Corporation and National Mortgage Reinsurance Inc One.
On April 24, 2012, NMI Holdings, Inc. (NMI) closed an agreement with MAC Financial Ltd. to acquire MAC Financial Holdings Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. On September 30, 2013, the Company merged MAC Financial Holding Corporation into NMIH, with NMIH surviving the merger, and it merged NMRI Two into NMIC, with NMIC surviving the merger.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Zachary Tracer]
NMI Holdings Inc. (NMIHZ), a mortgage insurer backed by funds tied to Carlyle Group LP (CG) and Kyle Bass, filed to sell shares in an initial public offering as investors bet on a housing-market rebound.
Hot Healthcare Equipment Companies For 2014: Target Corporation(TGT)
Target Corporation operates general merchandise stores in the United States. The company offers household essentials, including pharmacy, beauty, personal care, baby care, cleaning, and paper products; hardlines comprising music, movies, books, computer software, sporting goods, and toys, as well as electronics that comprise video game hardware and software; apparel and accessories consisting of apparel for women, men, boys, girls, toddlers, infants, and newborns; and intimate apparel, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. It also provides food and pet supplies, including dry grocery, dairy, frozen food, beverages, candy, snacks, deli, bakery, meat, produce, and pet supplies; and home furnishings and d�or, such as furniture, lighting, kitchenware, small appliances, home d�or, bed and bath, home improvement, and automotive products, as well as seasonal merchandise, which include patio furniture and holiday d�or. The company sells its merchandise products under private-labe l and exclusive licensed brands. In addition, it provides in-store amenities. As of January 28, 2012, Target Corporation operated 1,763 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia under Target and SuperTarget names. Further, it offers general merchandise through its Website, Target.com. The company distributes its merchandise through a network of distribution centers, as well as third parties and direct shipping from vendors. Additionally, it offers credit to guests through its branded proprietary credit cards, the Target Visa Credit Card and the Target Credit Card, as well as through its branded proprietary Target Debit Card. Target Corporation was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Matt Brownell]
General MillsFrute Brute and Yummy Mummy will return to the shelves this fall with an updated look. The Mummy rises again. That would be Fruity Yummy Mummy, to be exact. The "monster cereal" was discontinued by General Mills back in 1992, but the company announced this week that it will bring it back for Halloween. Another discontinued cereal, Frute Brute, will also rise again for the first time since it left shelves back in 1982. They'll join three other monster cereals that still haunt the shelves: Frankenberry, Boo Berry and Count Chocula. (Count Chocula, like its namesake, is evidently immortal.) But all five will receive updated box art to reflect a more modern cartoon style than the original 1970s versions. (Think less "Superfriends," more "Frankenweenie.") For fans of the original look, though, we've got good news: Target (TGT) will exclusively carry "retro" packaging of the cereals, which are sure to become collector's items and flood eBay (EBAY) in the months to come. General Mills says the cereals will roll out select retailers "soon," with nationwide distribution coming in early September. Unfortunately, the company says it will be a "seasonal, limited time run," so we recommend stocking up if you find yourself falling in love with Fruit Brute all over again. Here's hoping that this starts a trend of General Mills (GIS), Post (POST) and other companies bringing back their old discontinued cereals. My favorite cereal growing up was Big Mix, which had raisins and panoply of grains, and whose mascot was some unholy creature combining the features of a moose, wolf, chicken and pig. And who could forget such discontinued classics as French Toast Crunch or Pop-Tarts Crunch? If you feel like taking a walk down memory lane, let us know in the comments which discontinued cereal you'd love to eat again.
- [By Ethan Roberts]
Target (TGT) has been all over the news in the past few months, as a breach in the retailer’s security led to the hacking of information for 110 million credit card holders between Nov. 27 and Dec. 15, which in turn has haunted TGT stock.
- [By Matt Thalman]
Shares of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT ) are up a meager 0.1% after the company's closest competitor, Target (NYSE: TGT ) , warned investors today that is first-quarter profit and sales would be lower than previously forecast. Target cited disappointing sales in its seasonal and weather-sensitive categories as the reason for the earnings miss. Today investors are assuming that Target's downbeat guidance bodes ill for Wal-Mart, which reports earnings on May 16.
- [By Rick Munarriz]
"Surprise Mom with a Gift," begins a promotional spot that's been appearing on top my news feed since last night. "Let Mom choose her own gift with a Target (NYSE: TGT ) gift card."
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