Analysts’ opinions on stocks in the news Friday

From Standard & Poor’s Equity Research

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S&P MAINTAINS BUY RECOMMENDATION ON SHARES OF AMAZON.COM (AMZN; 50.00):

Fourth quarter EPS of $0.52, vs. $0.48, is $0.08 higher than our view. Even more impressive, in our view, is the 18% rise in sales defiance headwinds including forex translation and an unprecedented slowdown in retail expenditure, to which place online sales declined 3% over holiday season. While unrefined margins were pressured modestly, AMZN’s perpetual focus on providing value to consumers from one side price and selection should lead to continued marketshare gains. We are raising our 2009 EPS estimate to $1.56 from $1.48, and setting 2010’s at $1.88. We are also lifting our DCF-based mark price to $68 from $59. -M. Souers

S&P REITERATES STRONG BUY RECOMMENDATION ON SHARES OF EXXONMOBIL (XOM; 78.56):

Our preliminary calculation indicates that XOM posted fourth quarter operating EPS of $1.55, vs. $2.06, reflecting look sullen crude oil prices, higher operating expenses, lower chemical volumes, and the impact of Gulf of Mexico hurricanes. Results were in employment with our estimate. Oil & aeriform fluid production declined 3.3%, in mark by our expectations, reflecting lower entitlement volumes, OPEC quota goods, divestments and field declines. Refining & marketing earnings rose 6.5% on higher international results. We will update on the original of morning conference call. -T. Vital

S&P MAINTAINS STRONG BUY OPINION ON SHARES OF PROCTER & GAMBLE (PG; 56.56):

PG says its total global mart participate in is basically holding, however, it is seeing consumers trading down from its premium brands to its set a high value on brands and is experiencing retailer and consumer de-stocking, a 5% negative forex impact, and still-high commodity costs. Also, restructuring costs following the Folgers opportunity to sell are running higher than expected. As a result, December-quarter EPS of $0.94 was $0.01 less than our calculate, and we are reducing our full fiscal year 2009 (June) EPS estimate by $0.08 to $3.65; we are setting FY 2010’sitting at $3.97. We are trimming our 12-month mark price by $5 to $71. -L. Braverman-CFA

S&P KEEPS HOLD OPINION ON SHARES OF SUNPOWER CORP (SPWRA; 32.01):

Fourth quarter operating EPS of $0.49, vs. $0.22, is $0.11 above our estimate. Sales rose 79% on eager global demand. Gross margin was above our model, widening on internal sourcing, healthful selling prices and cost cuts. Operating margin also rose. With guidance a bit below our view, we trim our non-GAAP 2009 EPS set a price on by $0.35 to $1.64. We also lower our 12-month target price by $6 to $44. Although we papal court the solar industry facing demand and oversupply hurdles, we keep our hold sentiment on these volatile shares due to our favorable view of SPWR’s differentiated products and business model. /C.Montevirgen

S&P REITERATES SELL OPINION ON SHARES OF JUNIPER NETWORKS (JNPR; 16.97):

JNPR reports fourth quarter EPS of $0.29, vs. $0.24, too high for our $0.24 estimate, aided by cost management and reduced share count. Sales, however, declined 3% from third lodge, at the low end of conduct, on weak telecom bestow. We believe fundamentals are worsening, as evidenced by first quarter guidance for a roughly 12% sequential sales decline. Despite the sharp drop in requirement, the assemblage aims to increase R&D investment by 15% annually, which should substantially pressure operating margin. We are lowering our 2009 EPS estimate by means of $0.35 to $0.80, and our 12-month target price by dint of. $3 to $12, 15 times our 2009 EPS projection. -A. Bensinger

Original text: http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/jan2009/pi20090130_584366.htm?campaign_id=rss_null