| CVS Caremark 4Q profit climbs nearly 4 percent and Earnings Preview: Outlook mostly positive for Visa into Q1 results |
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CVS Caremark says its fourth-quarter earnings climbed nearly 4 percent, as the drugstore operator's pharmacy services revenue swelled because of a long-term contract and new business. The Woonsocket, R.I., company also says it is increasing its 2012 earnings forecast by 3 cents per share to account for gains it expects because of a contract dispute between competitors Walgreen and Express Scripts. CVS Caremark says it earned $1.06 billion, or 81 cents per share, in the three months that ended Dec. 31. [Read the full article] NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Guidance Software Inc. rose to their highest level in more than three years Wednesday on strong fourth-quarter results and an upbeat outlook. THE SPARK: After the market closed on Tuesday, Guidance reported net income of $2.3 million, or 9 cents per share, in the last three months of 2011, compared with a loss of $446,000, or 2 cents per share, the year before. Adjusted for the cost of stock-based compensation and one-time items, the company had earnings of 16 cents per share. Analysts surveyed by FactSet had expected 10 cents. Revenue grew 15 percent to $29.9 million, which beat estimates of $28.3 million. The Pasadena, Calif., company expects earnings of 35 to 42 cents per share on revenue of $126 million to $131 million in 2012. [Read the full article] Cisco Systems (CSCO) is expected to report Q2 earnings after the market close on Wednesday, February 8, with a conference call scheduled for 4:30 pm ET. The consensus estimate is 43c for EPS and $11.23B for revenue, according to First Call. Cisco underwent a massive corporate overhaul last year, which involved layoffs and widespread restructuring, in an attempt to get back on track. Now leaner, Cisco says all the upheaval is paying off. Optimists await what they expect will be further signs of recovery from the networking giant. Wall Street expects Cisco to report a stable quarter, buoyed in part by improving enterprise demand in the U.S. Options activity also hints at high expectations for Cisco's quarterly report. But, in five of the past six quarters, Cisco stock has been hit hard after not living up to expectations. The whisper number is set a bit higher, arriving at earnings of 46c per share. [Read the full article] 
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