Archives for February 3, 2019

NFL tech competition winners reduce concussions and heal with light

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Rams fan Nellie Rodriguez, of Los Angeles, snaps a photo of the Rams running back Todd Gurley and Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski mannequins on display in the NFL Shop at the Super Bowl Experience on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019, in Atlanta. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

They’re uncommon solutions to very real problems in football.

The Super Bowl is almost here, and that means the NFL has picked the winners of its partly tech-focused 1st and Future competition. The main $50,000 prize for its Innovations to Advance Health and Safety competition is TopSpin’s namesake TopSpin360, a helmet-based training device that helps reduce concussions (a serious problem for the NFL as of late) by increasing neck strength. All you have to do is spin your head — the rotating weight on top generates centripetal force you counteract with your neck muscles. It’s also Bluetooth-connected to help guide your training sessions.

The $20,000 runner-up, Solius, aims to speed healing by subjecting athletes to narrow spectrums of light that foster the growth of hormones and peptides. In theory, football players will recover that much faster from injuries and might improve their performance if they’re deficient.

These aren’t huge prizes, and it’s easy to raise questions about these solutions. Technology can reduce the likelihood of concussions, for rinstance but it won’t completely eliminate them (at least not in the near future) or address whether or not that risk is worthwhile in the first place. However, developments like this could improve player health within the existing system.

Google pulls 29 photo apps that stole pictures and promoted scams

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A 3D printed Android mascot Bugdroid is seen in front of a Google logo in this illustration taken July 9, 2017. Picture taken July 9, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

Some of them had been downloaded millions of times.

Google still has to deal with malicious Android apps slipping through the cracks despite improvements in its screening technology, and some of the offenders are worse than others. Case in point: the company recently pulled 29 camera and photo apps from the Play Store after it became clear they were meant to push intrusive ads, scam users and even steal content. Multiple apps will push full-screen ads, including porn, and some will use the opportunity to run phishing scams that steal your personal info under the guise of contests. Another group of camera apps were ostensibly meant to beautify your photos, but really just stole the uploaded pictures and gave users a fake update prompt.

The apps went out of their way to disguise their malicious nature. They’d use multiple compression archives (aka packers) to prevent analysis, and layer on thick encryption for their remote servers. Users would also have trouble removing them, to boot. They’d hide from the standard app ilst (you couldn’t just drag them out to delete them), and would make sure they weren’t linked to the ads.

This wouldn’t be as much of an issue if it weren’t that the apps were popular before Google removed them. All told, 11 of the apps had been downloaded over 100,000 times, and three of those over a million times — that’s a lot of victims. Unless Google can find a way to catch these apps sooner, it may be up to users to keep an eye out for suspicious apps.

New Look Vision Group Inc’s Q1 2019 Earnings (BCI)

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New Look Vision Group Inc (TSE:BCI) – Equities researchers at National Bank Financial issued their Q1 2019 EPS estimates for shares of New Look Vision Group in a research report issued on Wednesday, January 16th, according to Zacks Investment Research. National Bank Financial analyst L. Aghazarian anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.22 for the quarter. National Bank Financial currently has a “Sector Perform” rating and a $34.00 price objective on the stock. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for New Look Vision Group’s Q2 2019 earnings at $0.34 EPS, Q3 2019 earnings at $0.35 EPS and Q4 2019 earnings at $0.34 EPS.

New Look Vision Group (TSE:BCI) last released its earnings results on Monday, November 12th. The company reported C$0.56 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.31 by C$0.25. The company had revenue of C$72.87 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$71.65 million.

Shares of New Look Vision Group stock traded down C$0.20 during trading hours on Friday, hitting C$31.00. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 200 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,842. New Look Vision Group has a 12 month low of C$26.01 and a 12 month high of C$36.11. The company has a market capitalization of $486.04 million and a P/E ratio of 34.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 110.47, a current ratio of 0.82 and a quick ratio of 0.23.

New Look Vision Group Company Profile

New Look Vision Group Inc provides eye care products and services in eastern Canada. The company offers prescription eyewear and non-prescription eyewear; contact lenses; sunglasses, protective eyewear, and reading glasses; and accessories, such as cleaning products for eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Analysts Set Expectations for Invesco Ltd.’s FY2018 Earnings (NYSE:IVZ)

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Invesco Ltd. (NYSE:IVZ) – Investment analysts at Jefferies Financial Group lowered their FY2018 earnings estimates for shares of Invesco in a research report issued on Wednesday, January 9th, according to Zacks Investment Research. Jefferies Financial Group analyst D. Fannon now anticipates that the asset manager will post earnings per share of $2.55 for the year, down from their previous estimate of $2.61. Jefferies Financial Group also issued estimates for Invesco’s Q4 2018 earnings at $0.55 EPS, Q1 2019 earnings at $0.51 EPS, Q2 2019 earnings at $0.57 EPS, Q3 2019 earnings at $0.58 EPS, Q4 2019 earnings at $0.60 EPS, FY2019 earnings at $2.25 EPS and FY2020 earnings at $2.53 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Barclays reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $19.00 target price on shares of Invesco in a research note on Thursday, January 10th. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Invesco from $29.00 to $28.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 9th. Credit Suisse Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $27.00 price objective (down previously from $34.00) on shares of Invesco in a research note on Friday, October 19th. Deutsche Bank lowered their price objective on Invesco from $27.00 to $25.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, November 16th. Finally, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Invesco from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, January 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. Invesco has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $25.18.

Shares of IVZ stock traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $18.36. The company had a trading volume of 5,477,351 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,877,226. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.82, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.55. Invesco has a twelve month low of $15.38 and a twelve month high of $35.70. The firm has a market cap of $7.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.51.

Invesco (NYSE:IVZ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, January 30th. The asset manager reported $0.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.54 by ($0.10). Invesco had a net margin of 16.61% and a return on equity of 10.88%. The company had revenue of $919.20 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $913.37 million. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $0.73 EPS. Invesco’s quarterly revenue was down 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, February 14th will be given a $0.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 13th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.54%. Invesco’s payout ratio is 49.38%.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. LS Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco by 37.5% in the 4th quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 32,712 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $548,000 after acquiring an additional 8,916 shares in the last quarter. Dupont Capital Management Corp grew its position in shares of Invesco by 192.2% in the 4th quarter. Dupont Capital Management Corp now owns 15,299 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $256,000 after acquiring an additional 10,063 shares in the last quarter. OLD National Bancorp IN acquired a new position in shares of Invesco in the 4th quarter worth approximately $668,000. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in shares of Invesco by 2.4% in the 4th quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 725,150 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $12,139,000 after acquiring an additional 16,793 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its position in shares of Invesco by 121.1% in the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 79,365 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $1,329,000 after acquiring an additional 43,473 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.70% of the company’s stock.

About Invesco

Invesco Ltd. is a publicly owned investment manager. The firm provides its services to retail clients, institutional clients, high-net worth clients, public entities, corporations, unions, non-profit organizations, endowments, foundations, pension funds, financial institutions, and sovereign wealth funds.

Analysts Offer Predictions for Sherwin-Williams Co’s Q4 2018 Earnings (NYSE:SHW)

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Sherwin-Williams Co (NYSE:SHW) – Equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group reduced their Q4 2018 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Sherwin-Williams in a report issued on Tuesday, January 15th, according to Zacks Investment Research. Jefferies Financial Group analyst L. Alexander now forecasts that the specialty chemicals company will post earnings per share of $3.57 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $4.12.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, January 31st. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.54 EPS for the quarter, missing the Thomson Reuters’ consensus estimate of $3.56 by ($0.02). The business had revenue of $4.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.05 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 46.26% and a net margin of 6.32%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $3.16 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also issued reports about the stock. Credit Suisse Group set a $500.00 target price on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, October 15th. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of Sherwin-Williams from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $456.00 target price on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 16th. Longbow Research started coverage on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a report on Friday, November 30th. They issued a “neutral” rating on the stock. Citigroup raised shares of Sherwin-Williams from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets set a $444.00 price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 23rd. Nine analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. Sherwin-Williams currently has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus target price of $459.67.

NYSE:SHW traded down $4.50 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $417.02. 797,555 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 913,293. Sherwin-Williams has a one year low of $355.28 and a one year high of $479.64. The firm has a market cap of $39.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.51, a P/E/G ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 1.30. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.19, a quick ratio of 0.66 and a current ratio of 1.04.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. M&T Bank Corp lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 41.9% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 51,755 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $20,364,000 after purchasing an additional 15,290 shares during the period. ETF Managers Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 17.4% in the 4th quarter. ETF Managers Group LLC now owns 337 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $133,000 after purchasing an additional 50 shares during the period. LS Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,412 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $2,523,000 after purchasing an additional 129 shares during the period. Taylor Hoffman Wealth Management lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 28.5% in the 4th quarter. Taylor Hoffman Wealth Management now owns 257 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $101,000 after purchasing an additional 57 shares during the period. Finally, Ballast Inc. lifted its position in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 7.5% in the 4th quarter. Ballast Inc. now owns 1,485 shares of the specialty chemicals company’s stock worth $584,000 after purchasing an additional 104 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.38% of the company’s stock.

Sherwin-Williams Company Profile

The Sherwin-Williams Company develops, manufactures, distributes, and sells paints, coatings, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers primarily in North and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company operates in three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group.

Science Applications International Corp’s FY2020 Earnings (SAIC)

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Science Applications International Corp (NYSE:SAIC) – Equities research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group lowered their FY2020 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Science Applications International in a research note issued to investors on Monday, January 7th, Zacks Investment Research reports. Jefferies Financial Group analyst S. Kahyaoglu now anticipates that the information technology services provider will post earnings of $4.40 per share for the year, down from their prior forecast of $4.85. Jefferies Financial Group also issued estimates for Science Applications International’s FY2021 earnings at $4.70 EPS.

Science Applications International (NYSE:SAIC) last released its earnings results on Thursday, December 6th. The information technology services provider reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.21. Science Applications International had a return on equity of 57.96% and a net margin of 4.29%. The company had revenue of $1.18 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.16 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.98 earnings per share. Science Applications International’s quarterly revenue was up 2.8% on a year-over-year basis.

Other equities analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Drexel Hamilton reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $90.00 price objective on shares of Science Applications International in a research note on Thursday, January 24th. Zacks Investment Research downgraded Science Applications International from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 5th. Wells Fargo & Co reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Science Applications International in a research note on Sunday, December 9th. Finally, ValuEngine downgraded Science Applications International from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. The stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $82.86.

Science Applications International stock traded up $0.47 during trading on Thursday, hitting $67.61. The stock had a trading volume of 452,879 shares, compared to its average volume of 607,229. Science Applications International has a 1 year low of $58.19 and a 1 year high of $93.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.57, a quick ratio of 1.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. The company has a market cap of $2.88 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.15, a PEG ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.50.

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Wilsey Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Science Applications International in the fourth quarter worth $144,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd raised its position in shares of Science Applications International by 219.4% in the second quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 2,616 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $212,000 after buying an additional 1,797 shares in the last quarter. Paloma Partners Management Co purchased a new stake in shares of Science Applications International in the third quarter worth $243,000. Savant Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Science Applications International in the third quarter worth $249,000. Finally, CWM LLC raised its position in shares of Science Applications International by 55,450.0% in the third quarter. CWM LLC now owns 3,333 shares of the information technology services provider’s stock worth $269,000 after buying an additional 3,327 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.92% of the company’s stock.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, January 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, January 11th were given a dividend of $0.31 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, January 10th. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Science Applications International’s dividend payout ratio is currently 35.13%.

About Science Applications International

Science Applications International Corporation provides technical, engineering, and enterprise information technology (IT) services primarily in the United States. Its offerings include engineering; technology and equipment platform integration; maintenance of ground and maritime systems; logistics; training and simulation; operation and program support services; and end-to-end services, such as design, development, integration, deployment, management and operations, sustainment, and security of its customers’ IT infrastructure.