Why The Western Union Company (WU), Expedia Inc (EXPE) and Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH) Are 3 of Today’s Best Stocks

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U.S. markets finished slightly lower today, as disappointing earnings from Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) weighed major indices down, and crude oil fell more than 1% to finish below $47 a barrel.

Why The Western Union Company (WU), Expedia Inc (EXPE) and Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH) Are 3 of Today's Best StocksAnalysts were also disappointed by the employment cost index, which rose 0.2%, well below the 0.6% figure the Street was expecting — the smallest increase in the index in 33 years.

However, it also was a signal to the Street that perhaps the Fed would not be able to raise interest rates in their September meeting.

To the indices: The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, the S&P 500 Index dropped 0.2% and the Nasdaq finished flat. Utilities were the strongest of a mixed group of sectors today, while energy — thanks to XOM and CVX — remained the weakest.

But not all of the earnings news was bad. The Western Union Company (NYSE:WU), Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE) and Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:MOH) are three of today’s best stocks after each of them beat earnings estimates.

The Western Union Company (WU)

WU stock shot up 6% today after releasing second-quarter earnings late on Thursday of 41 cents an adjusted share, a bit above analysts expectations of 39 cents.

Revenue was reported at $1.38 billion, slightly ahead of the $1.35 billion the Street was expecting.

Western Union also raised full-year earnings guidance to $1.60 to $1.67 a share, above its previous guidance of $1.58 to $1.65 a share. Right now, its online and mobile businesses are very strong, forming a new bright spot for the company.

Expedia Inc (EXPE)

EXPE stock was traveling higher today after the online travel service reported second quarter earnings of 89 cents a share on Thursday, 5 cents above the analysts’ estimates, and the company also announced a 33% increase in the quarterly dividend to 24 cents a share (96 cents annually).

Revenue was also up 11% to $1.66 billion, in line with estimates. Bookings also were up 27% this quarter.

This morning, Jefferies Group LLC (NYSE:JEF) raised their price target on EXPE stock from $106 to $115, while maintaining a “hold” rating on it. Expedia’s recent acquisition of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:OWW) is now set to close before the end of 2015.

EXPE stock rose more than 12% today.

Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH)

MOH stock was over 10% higher today after reporting second-quarter earnings of 72 cents, a 350% increase year-over-year, and well ahead of the Street’s view of 63 cents a share. Revenue was also up 52% to $3.52 billion, but that was below the analysts’ estimates for $3.60 billion.

Nevertheless, it was enough to boost MOH stock, which also got an upgrade from Stifel Financial Corp (NYSE:SF) from “hold” to “buy”.

Molina, a health care operator of Medicaid programs for low-income patients, has seen its premiums skyrocket while keeping costs down, which has effectively boosted its bottom line.

As of this writing, Ethan Roberts does not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

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Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2015/07/best-stocks-western-union-wu-expe-moh/.

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