Stocks in Motion: Blyth

The candle maker fails to light up second-quarter earnings.

Author:: Mark Martinez
Publish date:: Aug 24, 2005 11:30 AM EDT

Shares of

Genesco

(GCO) - Get Report

were among the

NYSE's

winners Wednesday, rising 8% after the shoe retailer posted second-quarter results that topped Wall Street forecasts.

The company earned $6.8 million, or 27 cents a share, on sales of $275.2 million. Analysts polled by Thomson First Call were expecting earnings of 22 cents a share on sales of $271.9 million. A year ago the company earned $4.8 million, or 20 cents a share, on sales of $245.9 million. Genesco said its second-quarter performance was led by strong comps in its retail divisions and continued operating margin expansion.

Looking ahead, Genesco now expects fiscal 2006 earnings of $2.28 to $2.30 a share on sales of $1.28 billion. Guidance includes a 6-cent charge. Previously, the company said that it would earn $2.21 to $2.24 a share, including the charge, on sales of $1.27 billion to $1.28 billion. Analysts had been expecting full-year earnings of $2.30 a share, which excluded the 6-cent charge, on sales of $1.28 billion. Shares were trading up $3.03 to $39.59.

Nordson

(NDSN) - Get Report

rose 4% after the sealant dispensing equipment company posted third-quarter results. The company reported earnings of $18.6 million, or 50 cents a share, on sales of $201.6 million. Excluding a foreign tax credit, the company earned 47 cents a share. Analysts were expecting earnings of 49 cents a share on sales of $206.8 million. A year ago the company earned $17.3 million, or 47 cents a share, on sales of $197.9 million. During the third quarter, the company's advanced technology segment volume was up 19%, while its finishing and adhesive dispensing segments were down 1% and 6%, respectively. Shares were recently trading up $1.36 to $34.14.

Shares of

American Woodmark

(AMWD) - Get Report

rose 11% after the maker of kitchen cabinets posted first-quarter results that beat expectations. The company earned $7.5 million, or 45 cents a share, on sales of $215.6 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 35 cents a share. A single analyst was expecting sales of $208.5 million. The company had previously said it would earn between 30 cents and 40 cents a share. A year ago the company earned $9.7 million, or 58 cents a share, on sales of $187.5 million.

Looking ahead, American Woodmark forecast second-quarter earnings of 50 cents to 60 cents a share on sales growth of 8% to 12%. Analysts are expecting earnings of 54 cents a share. Shares were trading up $3.52 to $37.03.

Dollar Tree

(DLTR) - Get Report

rose 2% after the discount retailer posted in-line second-quarter earnings and better-than-expected sales. The company earned $27.3 million, or 25 cents a share, on sales of $769 million. Analysts were expecting earnings of 25 cents a share on sales of $764.1 million. A year ago the company earned $29.6 million, or 26 cents a share, on sales of $704.2 million.

Looking ahead, Dollar Tree forecast third-quarter earnings of 28 cents to 31 cents a share on sales of $775 million to $800 million. Analysts are expecting earnings of 30 cents a share on sales of $797 million. Shares were trading up 42 cents to $23.50.

Shares of

Blyth

(BTH)

fell 7% after the maker of home fragrances and candles reported second-quarter earnings that fell below expectations. The company earned $4.2 million, or 10 cents a share, on sales of $292.2 million. Blyth said that second-quarter results also included a reserve reversal of $5.5 million, which was attributed to a favorable U.S. state settlement. Analysts were expecting earnings of 18 cents a share. A single analyst was expecting sales of $282.7 million. A year ago the company earned $9.4 million, or 21 cents a share, on sales of $289.1 million.

Looking ahead, Blyth now expects full-year earnings of $2 to $2.05 a share, down from previous guidance of $2.20 to $2.25. Analysts had been expecting earnings of $2.10 a share. Shares were trading down $2.01 to $24.94.

NYSE volume leaders included

Lucent Technologies

( LU), up 12 cents to $3.10;

Pfizer

(PFE) - Get Report

, up 27 cents to $25.36;

Hewlett-Packard

(HPQ) - Get Report

, up 27 cents to $26.98;

Time Warner

(TWX)

, down 5 cents to $17.76;