Weekly Top Insider Buys: FE, SD, ESL, HTS, VRA

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Apr 02, 2012
Weekly highlight of top insider buys: FirstEnergy Corp. (FE, Financial), SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD, Financial), Esterline Corp. (ESL, Financial), Hatteras Financial Corp. (HTS, Financial) and Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA, Financial).


The overall trend of insiders is illustrated in the chart below:


FirstEnergy Corp (FE): Director Christopher D. Pappas Bought 2,000 Shares


Director of FirstEnergy Corp., Christopher D. Pappas, bought 2,000 shares on 3/23/2012 at an average price of $45.59. FirstEnergy Corp. is a diversified energy services holding company as the result of the merger of Ohio Edison Company and Centerior Energy Corporation. FirstEnergy Corp. has a market cap of $18.7 billion; its shares were traded at around $45.59 with a P/E ratio of 13 and P/S ratio of 1.2. The dividend yield of FirstEnergy Corp. stocks is 4.9%. FirstEnergy Corp. had an annual average earnings growth of 7.5% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated FirstEnergy Corp. the business predictability rank of 3.5-star.


On February 28, FirstEnergy Corp. reported 2011 earnings and provided earnings guidance for 2012 and 2013. Full-year 2011 earnings were $3.64 per basic share of common stock on a non-GAAP* basis. On a GAAP basis, 2011 earnings were $2.22 per basic share ($2.21 diluted) on net income of $869 million and revenue of $16.3 billion. FirstEnergy provided 2012 non-GAAP earnings guidance of $3.30 to $3.60 per basic share of common stock ($2.87 to $3.17 per share on a GAAP basis), and is estimating 2013 non-GAAP earnings of $3.10 to $3.40 per basic share of common stock ($2.92 to $3.22 per share on a GAAP basis).


Last week, Director Christopher D. Pappas bought 2,000 shares of FE stock. Executive Vice President and General Counsel Leila L. Vespoli, President, FE Solutions Donald R. Schneider, President FE Generation James H. Lash, and Senior Vice President and President, FE Utilities Charles E. Jones sold shares in March.


SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD): Director Daniel Jordan Bought 100,000 Shares


Director of SandRidge Energy Inc. (SD) Daniel Jordan bought 100,000 shares during the past week at an average price of $7.83. SandRidge Energy Inc. is an oil and natural gas company headquartered in Oklahoma City with its principal focus on exploration and production. SandRidge Energy Inc. has a market cap of $3.44 billion; its shares were traded at around $7.83 with a P/E ratio of 276.3 and P/S ratio of 2.4.


On February 23, SandRidge Energy Inc. announced financial and operational results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. Results included operating cash flow of $153 million for fourth quarter 2011 compared to $72 million in fourth quarter 2010, and net loss applicable to common stockholders of $389 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2011 compared to net loss applicable to common stockholders of $208 million, or $0.53 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2010. Adjusted net income was $9.1 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, for fourth quarter 2011 compared to adjusted net loss of $35.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, in fourth quarter 2010.


Last week, Director Daniel Jordan bought 50,000 shares of SD stock. Executive Vice President Exploration Todd N. Tipton and Executive Vice President Reservoir Engineering Rodney E. Johnson sold shares this month.


Esterline Corp. (ESL): Director Delores M. Etter Bought 1,200 Shares


Director of Esterline Corp., Delores M. Etter, bought 1,200 shares on 3/26/2012 at an average price of $71.46. Esterline Corporation is a specialized engineering and manufacturing company principally serving aerospace and defense markets. Esterline Corp. has a market cap of $2.3 billion; its shares were traded at around $71.46 with a P/E ratio of 16.3 and P/S ratio of 1.3. Esterline Corp. had an annual average earnings growth of 12.4% over the past 10 years. GuruFocus rated Esterline Corp. the business predictability rank of 4.5-star.


On March 1, Esterline Corporation reported fiscal 2012 first quarter (ended January 27) income from continuing operations of $22.8 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, including about $0.25 per share of acquisition-related accounting charges to recognize the fair value of the Souriau acquired inventory as expense. Sales in the quarter were $470.9 million. Year-ago income from continuing operations was $30 million, or $0.97 per diluted share, on sales of $370.8 million.


Last week, Director Delores M. Etter bought 1,200 shares of ESL stock. Director Jerry D. Leitman, Director Paul V. Haack, President and CEO Richard Bradley Lawrence, and Vice President and CFO Robert David George bought shares in December.


Hatteras Financial Corp. (HTS): Director Ira G. Kawaller Bought 1,800 Shares



Director of Hatteras Financial Corp., Ira G. Kawaller, bought 1,800 shares on 3/27/2012 at an average price of $27.9. Hatteras Financial Corp. is an externally-managed mortgage real estate investment trust formed in 2007 to invest in adjustable-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate single-family residential mortgage pass-through securities issued or guaranteed. Hatteras Financial Corp. has a market cap of $2.15 billion; its shares were traded at around $27.9 with a P/E ratio of 7 and P/S ratio of 5. The dividend yield of Hatteras Financial Corp. stocks is 12.9%.


During the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011, Hatteras Financial Corp. earned net income of $70.6 million, or $0.92 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $79.0 million, or $1.04 per diluted common share during the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Net interest income for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011 was $72.5 million, compared to $70.2 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011.


Last week, Director Ira G. Kawaller bought 1,800 shares of HTS stock.


Vera Bradley Inc. (VRA): Director Matthew McEvoy Bought 1,500 Shares


Director of Vera Bradley Inc., Matthew McEvoy, bought 1,500 shares on 3/27/2012 at an average price of $30.19. Vera Bradley Inc. is a designer, producer, marketer and retailer of accessories for women. Vera Bradley Inc. has a market cap of $1.25 billion; its shares were traded at around $30.19 with a P/E ratio of 21.4 and P/S ratio of 2.7.


On March 14, Vera Bradley Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter of 2011. For the fourth quarter, net revenues increased 23% to $134.5 million; Direct net revenues rose 46%, including an increase of 9.3% in comparable-store sales, and Indirect net revenues decreased 0.7%. Diluted EPS were $0.50 for the fourth quarter, compared to $0.35 for the same quarter of fiscal 2011, an increase of 43%.


Last week, Vice President and Corporate Controller Kevin J. Sierks and Director Matthew McEvoy bought shares of VRA stock. Director, 10% Owner P. Michael Miller and Director, 10% Owner Patricia R. Miller sold shares this month.