UPS, Moneygram, Bloomin’ Brands and Two Other Stocks Trending on Latest Earnings Results

The major indexes have dipped on Friday morning following a report from the Commerce Department, which showed a GDP growth of 1.2% in the second quarter, well below the estimates of 2.6%.

Meanwhile, investors are paying close attention to the second quarter performance of several companies today, including Armstrong World Industries Inc (NYSE:AWI), Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR), Bloomin’ Brands Inc (NASDAQ:BLMN), Moneygram International Inc (NASDAQ:MGI), and United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS). Let’s find out if these companies outpaced the market during the quarter and analyze hedge fund sentiment towards them.

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Armstrong World Industries Tops Second Quarter Estimates

Investors are watching Armstrong World Industries Inc (NYSE:AWI) after the company topped analysts’ estimates with its second quarter results. The Pennsylvania-based manufacturing company earned $0.56 per share, topping estimates by $0.05, while its revenue came in at $314.3 million, higher than the anticipated $311.65 million. The company also said its Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program worth up to $150 million. Armstrong World’s CEO Vic Grizzle said that the repurchase program shows the confidence of the Board in the strength of the company’s business, free cash flows, long-term strategy, and prospects for growth. A total of 36 funds in our database were bullish on Armstrong World Industries Inc (NYSE:AWI) at the end of the first quarter, up from 31 funds a quarter earlier.

Ventas Posts Earnings

Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR)’s stock is trading in the green this morning after the company posted second-quarter FFO of $1.04 per share and revenue $848.40 million, both in line with analysts’ estimates. For the full year, the Illinois-based REIT expects FFO between $4.05 and $4.13 per share, compared to estimates of $4.15. Ventas CEO, Debra A. Cafaro, said in a statement that the company continued to grow its “excellent” balance sheet by acquiring Wexford Science & Technology’s life science and medical real estate assets during the quarter for $1.5 billion. At the end of the first quarter, 17 funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long Ventas, Inc. (NYSE:VTR).

On the next page we’ll discuss Bloomin’ Brands, MoneyGram and United Parcel Service.

Bloomin’ Brands Sees $9.2 Million Loss in Q2

Bloomin’ Brands Inc (NASDAQ:BLMN)’s stock is trending today after the company reported a loss of $9.2 million for the second quarter. Its adjusted EPS amounted to $0.30, in-line with the analyst estimates, while revenue of $1.08 billion missed the consensus estimate of $1.09 billion. The dining restaurant chain also reported a 2.3% decline in comparable restaurant sales for the quarter. For the full year, the company expects to earn $1.35 per share. Charles Paquelet’s Skylands Capital is one of 24 funds from our database that owned shares of Bloomin’ Brands Inc (NASDAQ:BLMN) at the end of the first quarter.

Moneygram International Misses Estimates

Moneygram International Inc (NASDAQ:MGI) is in the spotlight after the company missed second-quarter estimates. The Dallas, Texas-based money transfer company posted EPS of $0.15, lower than estimates of $0.21 and its revenue of $383.7 million missed analysts’ expectations of $389.16 million. For full fiscal 2016, the company now expects revenue growth of 7% to 9% on a constant currency basis. MoneyGram’s CEO, Alex Holmes, said that the company’s top-line performance was affected by geopolitical uncertainties in several countries. David Abrams’ Abrams Capital Management owns 5.1 million shares of Moneygram International Inc (NASDAQ:MGI) as of the end of the first quarter.

UPS Posts Strong Revenue Growth

United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS)’s stock inched down after the company released second-quarter results with revenue of $14.63 billion missing the estimates of $14.65 billion. Nevertheless, the company earned $1.43 a share, in-line with analysts’ estimates and it showed strong revenue growth due to a solid output from its domestic and international package divisions. UPS also reaffirmed its full 2016 EPS guidance of $5.70 to $5.90. Among the funds tracked by us, 36 funds held stakes in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS) at the end of March.

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