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Stocks in Motion: Sirva

Mark Martinez

Shares of Sirva(SIR) were big NYSE losers Monday, falling 38.5% after the relocation services company warned that its fourth-quarter earnings would miss estimates because of accounting issues in its insurance and European operations.

The company now expects to post a loss of 16 cents to 20 cents a share. Previously, it expected earnings of 15 cents to 17 cents a share. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had been expecting earnings of 16 cents a share. A review of its accounting practices and significant balance sheet accounts turned up pretax charges of $21 million to $25 million, or 18 cents to 22 cents a share. "The review was undertaken in connection with implementing procedures to comply with section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the disappointing performance of the company's insurance and European businesses in the third quarter of 2004, and as part of its year-end closing process," the company said. The news comes just a week after the company announced the resignation of Joan Ryan, its CFO. Shares traded down $5.54 to $8.86.

Mattel(MAT) rose 6% after the company posted fourth-quarter earnings that came in ahead of expectations. Excluding a one-time tax gain, the toymaker earned 52 cents a share on sales of $1.85 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 48 cents a share on sales of $1.76 billion. The company's results, which were helped by a 30% sales jump in the entertainment division, were good enough to beat expectations despite what it called a "challenging retail environment." Shares traded up $1.10 to $19.45.

Shares of Sealed Air(SEE) rose 8.8% after the packaging maker posted fourth-quarter earnings that were ahead of expectations. Excluding items, the company earned 81 cents a share on sales of $1.02 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 67 cents a share on sales of $978.2 million. Looking ahead, the company expects 2005 earnings of $2.95 to $3.05, which includes 11 cents to 12 cents a share in charges related to contingent convertible debt. Analysts had been expecting earnings of $2.95 a share. Shares traded up $4.15 to $51.30.

Aviall(AVL) rose 21.6% after the company received a $5 billion contract from General Electric(GE). The contract gives Aviall the exclusive worldwide aftermarket distribution rights for unique engine spare parts related to the GE CF6-50 and CF6-80A aircraft engines. The contract remains in effect for as long as these engines remain in service, Aviall said. Sales, meanwhile, are expected to average $300 million a year for the first 10 years of the agreement. Shares traded up $5.11 to $28.81.

Shares of WPS Resources(WPS) rose 5.4% after the company posted fourth-quarter earnings that beat expectations and said that 2005 earnings would be ahead of expectations as well. Excluding items, the utility operator earned $1.60 a share on sales of $1.4 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of $1.08 a share. Looking ahead, WPS expects 2005 earnings of $3.90 to $4.15 a share. Analysts had been expecting earnings of $3.45 a share. Shares traded up $2.60 to $51.10.

NYSE volume leaders included Pfizer (PFE), down 19 cents to $24.16; Sprint(FON), up 68 cents to $23.83; AT&T(T), down 52 cents to $19.19; SBC Communications(SBC), up 14 cents to $23.76; Merck(MRK), up 3 cents to $28.05; Lucent (LU), up 2 cents to $3.26; and Wyeth(WYE), down $3.35 to $39.63.

Nasdaq volume leaders included Microsoft(MSFT), up 10 cents to $26.28; Sun Microsystems(SUNW), up 10 cents to $4.36; Intel (INTC), up 21 cents to $22.45; Cisco(CSCO), up 14 cents to $18.04; JDS Uniphase(JDSU), down 4 cents to $2.15; Applied Materials(AMAT), down 14 cents to $15.90; Sirius Satellite Radio (SIRI), up 12 cents to $6.62; and Oracle(ORCL), up 9 cents to $13.77.