5 Stocks for the Fourth Quarter: Analysts

1. Ford Motor Company (F), a producer of cars and trucks, also engages in the business of financing vehicles. The company's automotive operations are divided geographically into North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific/Africa.

For the third quarter 2011, the company reported net income of $1.65 billion, or 41 cents per share. Meanwhile, sales increased to $33.1 billion from $29.89 billion in the same quarter prior year. For 2011 fourth quarter, Ford estimates net income to come in at $1.06 billion, or 46 cents per share, compared to $850.45 million, or 48 cents per share, in the year-ago quarter. For the quarter, sales are forecast at $32.4 billion. Gross margin is seen expanding to 13.87% from 12.84% earlier.

Recently, it was known that Ford Explorer surpassed the 100,000-vehicle sales mark for 2011, making it the fastest-growing midsize utility in the U.S. As compared to 2010 levels, retail sales of the Explorer jumped 290% in the U.S.

According to a median forecast of a Bloomberg survey, auto sales data for October, to be released Nov. 1, is seen increasing to 13.2 million, marking the highest since April, compared to 12.1 million in the prior month. Besides, Moody's Investors Service has upgraded Ford's corporate debt ratings to Ba1 from Ba2 citing new labor agreements and improved finances. The rating agency has assigned a positive outlook to the company and said it will consider further ratings increases. Recently, Standard & Poor's and Fitch also upgraded Ford.

Of the 21 analysts covering the stock, 71% recommend a buy and the rest rate a hold. There are no sell ratings on the stock. Data from Bloomberg has analysts forecasting the stock gaining 44.1% to $16.83 in the upcoming 12 months.

>>To see these stocks in action, visit the 5 Stocks for the Fourth Quarter portfolio on Stockpickr.

« First ‹ Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6