Liberty Media, Heska, Etablissements Delhaize, Restoration Hardware highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

Chicago, IL September 16, 2013 Zacks Equity Research highlights Liberty Media Corporation (LMCA-Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and Heska Corporation (HSKA-Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on the Etablissements Delhaize Fr (DEG-Free Report), Haverty Furniture Cos. Inc. (HVT-Free Report) and Restoration Hardware Holdings (RH-Free Report). Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

As a result of solid second quarter results, earnings estimates have been rising for Liberty Media Corporation (LMCA-Free Report) sending the stock to Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with an Outperform recommendation.

Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including Sirius XM, Live Nation, Charter Communications, The Atlanta Braves and Barnes & Noble.

Liberty Media reported excellent financial results for the second quarter of 2013. The quarter resulted in earnings of $0.79 per share substantially ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.49 per share. This strong performance was primarily attributed to the contribution from its Sirius XM Radio acquisition.Liberty had acquired controlling interest inSirius earlier this year. Total revenue was $1,078 million up sharply from $135 million in the prior-year quarter and nearly in-line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1,079 million.

After excellent second quarter results, analysts have revised their earnings estimates for the company in the past few weeks. Zacks consensus estimate for the current quarter is now $0.88 per share, up from $0.50 per share, 30 days ago. Bear: Estimates have moved into the negative territory after disappointing second quarter results, sending Heska Corporation (HSKA-Free Report) to a Zacks Rank # 5 (Strong Sell) last month. Heska sells advanced veterinary diagnostic and other specialty veterinary products, including diagnostic instruments and supplies as well as single use, point-of-care tests, vaccines and pharmaceuticals.

The company's core focus is on the canine and feline markets. Heska acquired a majority interest in Cuattro Vet USA, an imaging and cloud medical data closing technology company in February this year. The company reported its second quarter results on August 7, 2013. The quarter resulted in a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.38 per diluted share, compared to net income of $262 thousand, or $0.05 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012. Results were substantially worse than the estimates. Revenue for the quarter was $18.3 million, down slightly from the prior-year quarter. Total operating expenses increased to $8.6 million, or 47.1% of sales, from $7.7 million, or 42.0% of sales, in the prior year period. Zacks consensus estimates for the current quarter and year are now in the negative territory($0.11) and ($0.59) per share respectively, down substantially from $0.06 and $0.12 per share, 60 days ago. The company has reported a miss in three of last four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 224%. Additional content: Strong Buy on Delhaize Group Zacks Investment Research upgraded Etablissements Delhaize Fr (DEG-Free Report), better known as Delhaize Group, to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on Sep 12 after the announcement of solid second quarter 2013 results and enhanced outlook for the year.

Why the Upgrade?

Delhaize Group reported solid second quarter 2013 results on Aug 8. Organic sales increased 1.9% on the back of positive comparable store sales growth of 1.1% in the U.S. and 0.8% in Belgium. Underlying operating margin also improved to 3.6% in the second quarter (3.8% in the U.S. and 4.1% in Belgium), owing to cost cutting measures.

Delhaize Group operates through food supermarkets and operates companies in 10 countries on three continents America, Europe and Asia. These companies have been grouped into three segments for the purposes of reporting: the United States, referred to as Delhaize America, Delhaize Belgium and Southeastern Europe & Asia.

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Liberty Media, Heska, Etablissements Delhaize, Restoration Hardware highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day