Stocks to Watch: J.C. Penney Beats Estimates, Cintas Warns

Also, Goldman names General Electric its best stock pick for 2002.

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Publish date:: Feb 21, 2002 11:46 AM EST

Also, Goldman names General Electric its best stock pick for 2002.

News Corp.

(NWS) - Get Report

will issue $680 million in stock and pay $250 million in cash to

WorldCom

(WCOM)

. The payments relate to the ending of the companies' former American Sky Broadcasting satellite joint venture.

Earnings Reports & Outlooks

Cintas

(CTAS) - Get Report

expects to earn 31 cents to 33 cents a share on revenue of $540 million in the third quarter ending Feb. 28. For the fiscal year ending May 31, the corporate uniform provider forecast a profit of $1.36 to $1.39 a share with a top line of $2.23 billion to $2.26 billion. Analysts expect earnings of 35 cents for the third quarter and $1.39 for the year.

J.C. Penney

(JCP) - Get Report

posted fourth-quarter earnings, excluding items, of 35 cents a share, beating the consensus estimate by 5 cents. The company forecast earnings of 85 cents to 95 cents a share for the upcoming fiscal year. According to Thomson Financial/First Call, analysts are expecting 96 cents.

Movie Gallery

(MOVI)

earned 33 cents a share in the fourth quarter, excluding items, 4 cents ahead of estimates. Revenue rose 27.6% to $108.1 million. The company expects first-quarter earnings, before items, of 26 cents to 28 cents a share and full-year earnings of 90 cents to $1 a share. Analysts are looking for 28 cents in the quarter and 95 cents for the year, according to Thomson Financial/First Call.

Analyst Actions

Goldman Sachs named

General Electric

(GE) - Get Report

as the firm's best stock pick for 2002. The firm praised GE for highly visible, realistic earnings expectations and an attractive valuation. Goldman also kept the stock on its recommended list.

Prudential initiated coverage of

Myriad Genetics

(MYGN) - Get Report

with a sell rating and a $25 price target. The firm started

Abgenix

(ABGX)

Celera Genomics

(CRA)

Medarex

(MEDX)

and

Millennium Pharmaceuticals

(MLNM)

with buy ratings.

Tularik

(TLRK)

and

Human Genome Sciences

(HGSI)

were initiated with hold ratings.

Offerings

Orchid BioSciences

(ORCH)

is offering 8 million newly issued common shares. Robertson Stephens is underwriting the offering. The company will receive proceeds of about $23 million if all the shares are sold, including those in the overallotment option.

Miscellaneous News

American International Group

(AIG) - Get Report

reportedly has been served subpoenas relating to its relationship with

PNC Financial

(PNC) - Get Report

. Last month, PNC said it would restate its 2001 results to consolidate the results of certain subsidiaries. AIG acknowledged that it had three structured transactions with PNC, but the company said PNC's change in accounting wouldn't affect its net income.