Stocks in Motion: Fresh Del Monte Falls on Warning

Updated from 11:53 a.m. EDT

Shares of Fresh Del Monte(FDP Quote) fell 6.6% Thursday after the company lowered its full-year outlook and warned that earnings would fall below analysts' expectations.

The fruit and vegetable producer now expects earnings of $2.05 to $2.15 a share, down from its earlier guidance of $2.55 to $2.65 a share. The company said that weak banana pricing, lower melon profitability in the U.S., high fruit cost in Costa Rica, recent hurricanes in Florida and high fuel, transportation and commodity costs led to the earnings cut. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call had expected earnings of $2.61 a share. Shares traded down $1.75 to $24.91.

PepsiCo (PEP Quote) rose 1.1% after the company posted third-quarter earnings and sales that beat expectations. Excluding items, the soft drink maker earned 66 cents a share on sales of $7.26 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 65 cents a share on sales of $7.25 billion. Looking ahead, the company reaffirmed its full-year earnings outlook, saying it would earn $2.29 a share. Analysts are looking for earnings of $2.31 a share. Shares traded up 55 cents to $48.65.

Shares of Charles River Associates(CRAI Quote) rose 12.5% after the company posted third-quarter earnings and sales that were above Wall Street estimates. The provider of consulting services earned 52 cents a share on sales of $74.2 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 45 cents a share on sales of $70.8 million. Looking ahead, the company now expects full-year sales growth of between 30% and 35%, up from its previous guidance of 25% to 30%, and earnings growth of 30% to 35%, up from its previous guidance of 20% to 25%. Shares traded up $4.24 to $38.29.

Actuant(ATU Quote) rose 1.8% after the company posted fourth-quarter earnings and sales that were above expectations. Excluding items, the industrial equipment company earned 59 cents a share on sales of $187.8 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 51 cents a share on sales of $177.8 million. Looking ahead, the company expects first-quarter earnings of between 53 cents and 58 cents a share on sales of $185 million to $190 million. Analysts are looking for earnings of 55 cents a share on sales of $185.3 million. For all of 2005, Actuant expects earnings of $2.25 to $2.35 a share. Analysts are expecting $2.29 a share. Shares traded up 71 cents to $41.21.

Shares of Milacron(MZ Quote) fell 3.1% after the company cut its third-quarter forecast and warned that fourth-quarter results would fall short of expectations. The plastics-processing technologies company now expects to post a loss of $8 million, which is at the low end of its previous guidance, on sales of $177 million to $182 million, down from its previous guidance of $188 million to $200 million. The company said that guidance reflects weaker-than-expected demand in North America and Western Europe. Looking ahead, the company forecast fourth-quarter results that were break-even on sales of $195 million to $200 million. One analyst following the company is looking for earnings of 7 cents a share on sales of $216 million. Shares traded down 10 cents to $3.12.