Stocks to Watch: Lands' End Guides Higher, Ecolab Meets Estimates

Updated from 10:52 a.m. EST

Charles Schwab (SCH) said total client daily average trades fell to 215,200 in January, down 24% from the same month last year and 1% below December. Daily average revenue trades totaled 155,900 in January, down 30% from last year and off 3% from December. Separately, Schwab agreed to sell Charles Schwab Canada to Scotiabank Group. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Earnings Reports & Outlooks

Ecolab (ECL) reported fourth-quarter earnings of 30 cents a share, meeting analysts' consensus estimate. Revenue fell 1% to $562 million. For the first quarter, the company expects to earn 34 cents to 39 cents a share before items. Analysts are looking for 36 cents. On a GAAP basis, the company forecast a profit of 20 cents to 27 cents a share.

Lands' End (LE) expects to earn at least $2.20 a share for the fiscal year ended Feb. 1, up from a previous projection of $2.11 to $2.18 a share. Analysts expect the company to earn $2.15. The company earned $1.14 a share in fiscal 2001.

May Department Stores (MAY) earned $1.36 a share in the fourth quarter, matching expectations. Sales for the quarter fell to $4.73 billion from $4.93 billion in the prior-year period. The company also set plans to increase its annual dividend to 95 cents from 94 cents.

Quanta Services (PWR) earned 19 cents a share in the fourth quarter, before factoring in items, 3 cents above estimates. Including charges, the company earned 17 cents. Revenue fell to $488 million from $548.2 million in the year-ago fourth quarter. Quanta expects first-quarter revenue of $410 million to $425 million and earnings of 14 cents to 17 cents a share. For fiscal 2002, the company forecast revenue of $2 billion to $2.1 billion and a profit of $1.30 to $1.50 a share. According to First Call, analysts expect first-quarter earnings of 18 cents and full-year earnings of $1.10.

Skechers (SKX) earned 5 cents a share in the fourth quarter, easily beating estimates. Analysts polled by First Call expected the company to break even in the quarter. Sales rose 24.4% to $214.1 million.

Watson Pharmaceuticals (WPI) posted fourth-quarter earnings of 37 cents a share, excluding items, a penny ahead of the consensus estimate. Including items, the company earned 43 cents. Revenue increased 15% to $293.9 million.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Joint Ventures

A group of investors led by Mosaic Media Group, Capital Communications CDPQ and Jules Haimovitz, a senior television executive, agreed to acquire Dick Clark Productions (DCPI). Shareholders other than Dick Clark will receive $14.50 a share in cash. Clark himself will receive $12.50 a share in cash for a portion of his shares. The transaction is valued at about $140 million.

Miscellaneous News

Qualcomm (QCOM) named Anthony S. Thornley president, in addition to his current role as chief operating officer, and appointed William E. Keitel senior vice president and chief financial officer. Thornley had served as the company's CFO since joining Qualcomm in 1994. He will retain his position as chief operating officer while adding the title of president. Keitel joined the company in 1996 and has worked in senior management roles within corporate finance, serving as senior vice president and corporate controller since 1998.

The board of UnitedHealth Group (UNH) approved the repurchase of up to 30 million common shares. As of Dec. 31, the company had about 309 million shares outstanding.

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