According to GuruFocus list of 52-week highs], these Guru stocks have reached their 52-Week Highs: Diageo PLC (DEO, Financial), Lorillard Inc. (LO, Financial), Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC, Financial), Discovery Communications Inc. (DISCA, Financial), and Ingersoll-Rand PLC (IR, Financial).
Diageo PLC (DEO) Reached the 52-Week High of $81.37
Diageo PLC is a multinational branded food and drinks company. Diageo PLC has a market cap of $50.91 billion; its shares were traded at around $81.37 with and P/S ratio of 3.3. The dividend yield of Diageo PLC stocks is 3%.
On February 10, Diageo PLC announced half year results for the six month ended 31 December 2010. Organic net sales growth of 4%. Stronger volume growth and improved price/mix was delivered in North America; continued momentum in International again led to double digit top line growth in the region and top line growth improved in Asia Pacific. Europe’s performance was weaker given the challenging economic conditions. At a group level, top line growth delivered gross margin improvement. Investment to drive growth continued with organic marketing spend up 10% and increased overhead investment, particularly in Latin America. Organic operating profit grew 2%. Returns increased with continued strong free cash flow of £775 million.
Lorillard Inc. (LO) Reached the 52-Week High of $106.5
Lorillard Inc. is the third largest manufacturer of cigarettes in the United States. Lorillard Inc. has a market cap of $15.5 billion; its shares were traded at around $106.5 with a P/E ratio of 15.8 and P/S ratio of 2.5. The dividend yield of Lorillard Inc. stocks is 4.9%.
In February, Buy: Chairman, President and CEO Murray S Kessler and Buy: Director Nigel Travis bought shares of LO stock.
On April 26, Lorillard Inc. announced results for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.Net sales increased 12.9% to $1.535 billion from last year's first quarter. First quarter 2011 domestic wholesale shipments increased 9.4% versus last year compared to a 3.4% decline in industry domestic wholesale shipments. Total Lorillard retail market share for the first quarter 2011 increased 1.5 percentage points versus last year to 14.1%. First quarter 2011 earnings per diluted share increased 14% versus last year to $1.71.
Norfolk Southern Corp. (NSC) Reached the 52-Week High of $74.68
Norfolk Southern Corp., a Virginia-based holding company, owns two major freight railroads, Norfolk Southern Railway Company and Norfolk Western Railway Company, which operates in numerous states, the District of Columbia and the Province of Ontario. Norfolk Southern Corp. has a market cap of $27.98 billion; its shares were traded at around $74.68 with a P/E ratio of 19.1 and P/S ratio of 2.9. The dividend yield of Norfolk Southern Corp. stocks is 2.2%. Norfolk Southern Corp. had an annual average earnings growth of 11.6% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Norfolk Southern Corp. the business predictability rank of 3.5-star.
On April 26, Norfolk Southern Corporation announced the regular quarterly dividend of 40 cents per share on its common stock, payable on June 10, to stockholders of record on May 6.
In January, Sell: President, Chairman & CEO Charles W Moorman and Sell: Exec. V.P. and CMO Donald W Seale sold shares of NSC stock. Sell: Exec.VP-Law & Corp. Relatiions James A Hixon sold 10,000 shares in February.
Discovery Communications Inc. (DISCA) Reached the 52-Week High of $44.26
Discovery Communications Inc., formerly Discovery Holding Company, is a holding company that conducts operations through its two wholly owned operating subsidiaries, Ascent Media Group, LLC and Ascent Media CANS, LLC, and throught its 66. Discovery Communications Inc. Series A has a market cap of $12.58 billion; its shares were traded at around $44.26 with a P/E ratio of 24.4 and P/S ratio of 3.4. Discovery Communications Inc. Series A had an annual average earnings growth of 112.5% over the past 5 years.
On April 28, Discover Communications Inc. reported results for the first quarter of 2011. First quarter revenues of $951 million increased $82 million, or 9%, over the first quarter a year ago, led by 8% growth at U.S. Networks and 14% growth at International Networks. Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization grew 17% to $427 million, driven by a 14% increase at U.S. Networks and an 18% increase at International Networks. First quarter net income from continuing operations available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders of $305 million ($0.74 per diluted share) increased $136 million compared to $169 million ($0.39 per diluted share) for the first quarter a year ago.
Sell: SEVP & CFO Bradley E Singer sold 150,000 shares of DISCA stock on 03/01/2011 at the average price of 42.23. Bradley E Singer owns at least 15,300 shares after this. The price of the stock has increased by 4.81% since.
Directors and Officers Recent Trades:
Last week, Sell: Director, 10% Owner John C Malone sold 215,861 shares of DISCA stock
Ingersoll-Rand Co. (IR) Reached the 52-Week High of $50.5
Ingersoll-Rand Company is one of the providers of security and safety, climate control, industrial productivity and infrastructure products. Ingersoll-Rand PLC has a market cap of $16.64 billion; its shares were traded at around $50.5 with a P/E ratio of 19.3 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of Ingersoll Rand PLC stocks is 0.6%.
On April 21, Ingersoll-Rand PLC reported that total revenues increased 13 percent for the first quarter of 2011 compared with the 2010 first quarter; orders increased by approximately 12 percent; and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations were at the top of the prior guidance range. The company reported a net loss of $77.6 million, or EPS of $(0.22), for the first quarter of 2011. First-quarter net income included $121.0 million, or EPS of $0.35, from continuing operations, as well as $198.6 million of after-tax loss from discontinued operations. Discontinued operations included the results of discontinued businesses net of tax, as well as an after-tax impairment charge related to the divestiture of Hussmann. This compares with net earnings for the 2010 first quarter of $1.4 million, which included EPS of $0.05 from continuing operations and costs of $(0.05) from discontinued operations.
