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Fidelity Plans to Split Into Three Companies

Comcast net rises; Siemens to buy Diagnostic Products for $1.86 billion; Aetna hikes its operating earnings forecast; plus more stocks in the news Thursday

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Fidelity (FNF) is to eliminate its holding company structure, which will ultimately result in the formation of three public companies: (FNF), (FIS), and (FNT). It also posts 59 cents vs 71 cents first quarter EPS (adjusted).

Janus Capital Group (JNS) posts 17 cents vs. 9 cents first quarter EPS on 7.6% higher revenue.

Covance (CVD) posts 52 cents vs. 45 cents first quarter EPS on a 14% revenue rise. It sees 2006 EPS of at least $2.16.

Comcast (CMCSA) posts 22 cents vs. 6 cents first quarter EPS on a 10% revenue rise. It sees cable and consolidated revenue growth of 9% to 10% for 2006.

DaimlerChrysler (DCX) posts 35 cents vs. 34 cents first quarter EPS on a 17% revenue rise. It sees a slight increase in 2006 revenues, improvement in profitability, and operating profit to exceed $7.3 billion, which includes charges and gain.

Siemens (SI) is to acquire Diagnostic Products Corp. for $1.86 billion cash.

Aetna (AET) posts 68 cents vs. 64 cents first quarter earnings per share (EPS) on a 15% revenue rise. It raises its $2.71 to $2.74 2006 operating EPS forecast to between $2.74 and $2.76.

Black & Decker (BDK) posts $1.45 vs. $1.75 first quarter EPS on absence of gain, commodity cost inflation, and flat sales. It sees $1.95 to $2.00 second quarter EPS from continuing operations. It sees $7.30 to $7.45 2006 EPS from continuing operations.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) posts 36 cents vs. 27 cents first quarter EPS on a 3.2% sales rise. It reaffirms 2006 EPS from continuing operations guidance of $1.15 to $1.25, (adjusted, non-GAAP).

Exxon Mobil (XOM) posts lower-than-expected $1.37 vs. $1.22 first quarter EPS.

Phelps Dodge (PD) posts $1.64 (including items) vs. $1.92 first quarter EPS despite an 18% revenue rise.

Lyondell Chemical (LYO) posts $1.12 vs. 98 cents first quarter EPS on a 7% revenue rise.

Newell Rubbermaid (NWL) posts 47 cents vs. 33 cents first quarter EPS from continuing operations (excluding charges) on an 8.9% sales rise. It sees 39 cents to 43 cents second quarter EPS from continuing operations, $1.65 to $1.75 in 2006 (both excluding charges), and an increase of 10 cents.

Officemax (OMX) posts 77 cents vs. 17 cents first quarter EPS (excluding items) on a 4.7% sales rise.

MEMC Electronic (WFR) posts 30 cents vs. 36 cents first quarter EPS, after stock options, despite a 36% sales rise. It sees a 5% to 7% sequential sales rise in the second quarter and names Ken Hannah Chief Financial Officer, replacing Tom Linnen, who is retiring.

Amkor Technology (AMKR) posts 20 cents first quarter EPS vs. 68 cents loss, which includes a provision for legal settlements, on a 55% sales rise. It sees 24 cents to 28 cents second quarter EPS on a 2% to 4% sequential sales rise.

Harrah's Entertainment (HET) posts 98 cents vs. 90 cents first quarter EPS on a 93% revenue rise.

DTE Energy (DTE) posts 76 cents vs. 70 cents first quarter EPS (GAAP) on 14% higher operating revenue. It still sees $3.60 to $3.90 2006 EPS, up 10% to 20% from 2005 results, depending on its synfuel production.

Sohu.com (SOHU) posts 16 cents vs. 15 cents first quarter EPS (GAAP) on 32% higher revenue. It sees 20 cents to 22 cents second quarter non-GAAP EPS on $31.5 million to $33.5 million revenue.

Playtex Products (PYX) posts 19 cents vs. 21 cents first quarter EPS (before items) on a 5.9% sales decline. It sets a $15 million stock buyback.

Raytheon (RTN) posts 64 cents vs. 43 cents first quarter EPS from continuing operations on a 6.1% sales rise. It raises its 2006 EPS from continuing operations forecast to between $2.55 and $2.65 on $23.1 billion to $23.6 billion revenue.

XCEL Energy (XEL) posts 36 cents vs. 30 cents first quarter EPS from continuing operations on a 21% operating revenue rise. It reaffirms a $1.25 to $1.35 2006 EPS forecast.

Alcatel (ALA) posts 10 cents vs. 11 cents EPADS despite an 18% revenue rise. The company sees second quarter revenues growing in the mid- to high single digit range, and continues to target slight improvement in full year operating margin. It also expects to improve free cash flow.

LSI Logic (LSI) posts 5 cents vs. a penny first quarter EPS (GAAP) on a 6% revenue rise. It sees second quarter revenue of $470 million to $500 million and GAAP EPS of 8 cents to 10 cents.

VCA Antech (WOOF) posts 35 cents vs. 21 cents first quarter EPS on a 25% revenue rise. It sees $1.14 to $1.17 2006 EPS on revenue of $956 million to $972 million.

Railamerica (RRA) posts 17 cents vs. 13 cents first quarter EPS from continuing operations on a 13% revenue rise.

All of the views expressed in this research report accurately reflect the research analyst's personal views regarding any and all of the subject securities or issuers. No part of analyst compensation was, is or will be, directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views expressed in this research report.
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