Sara Lee Corporation (SLE)

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Ken Stumphauzer at Sterne Agee

Clothing makers and retailers have suffered during the recession as shoppers have cut their discretionary spending Sterne Agee analyst Kenneth Stumphauzer said in a client note that Hanesbrands is one of the best stocks to have on hand amid signs of an economic recovery He said Hanesbrands, based in Winston Salem, NC, could grow its earnings quickly over the next three to five years Stumphauzer set his price target for the company's stock at $27 The shares added 61 cents, or 28 percent, in afternoon trading Tuesday, climbing to $2241 

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Pierre Tegner at Oddo Securities

The company gets about 50 percent of sales from developing markets such as Brazil, Russia and China Knorr Stockpots Unilever, which expects to complete the integration of Sanex and other soap brands it's buying from Sara Lee Corp in the third quarter, is pursuing add on acquisitions for which it has 1 to 2 billion euros Polman last year broke a nine year streak of avoiding major takeovers with the 128 billion euro purchase of Sara Lee's shower gel and European detergents Polman has also accelerated new product introductions, such as Knorr bouillon gel stockpots, to lure shoppers "For the long term, it's quite positive to see volume growth," said Pierre Tegner , an analyst at Oddo Securities 

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Zacks Investment Research

Sara Lee Corp ( SLE , Analyst Report ) reported strong operating income growth for the second quarter of fiscal 2010, driven by significant improvement in operating segment income across the company, particularly in the North American Retail and International Beverage business segments, and lower corporate expenses. Net income was $66 million in the second quarter versus $23 million in the year ago period EPS was 43 cents compared to a loss of 6 cents during the same period of fiscal 2009 

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Timothy Ramey at D.A. Davidson & Company

Sara Lee also plans launch several new products soon and has secured new partnerships such as a distribution deal for its commercial products with the food supply company Sysco Corp Analysts anticipate a modest increase in sales and profit as the changes take place "We continue to think Sara Lee is in the early stages of a multiyear earnings recovery," Tim Ramey, an analyst with DA Davidson & Co, said in a note to investors 

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - 24/7 Wall Street

4). Kraft (NYSE:KFT) and Sara Lee (NYSE:SLE). Sara Lee sold its body care division to Unilever for $1.9 billion a year ago. It sold its air freshener business to P&G last month for $468 million. 

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Timothy Ramey at D.A. Davidson & Company

Tim Ramey, analyst for D.A. Davidson, said the only remaining hurdle is if Sara Lee is able to sell the remaining part of its household business, which includes insecticide and shoe polish, at the same level of value.  

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Timothy Ramey at D.A. Davidson & Company

Sara Lee should mull spin off , analyst . * Sara Lee split would make sense , analyst and ex exec Stocks   |   Mergers & Acquisitions . * Operating units could be rebased in Europe * Fixed pension costs disguising operational health By Brad Dorfman . CHICAGO, Dec 10 (Reuters) , Sara Lee Corp ( SLE.N ) would be wise to split the company to strip out fixed liabilities from recent divestitures and rebase its existing operations, like coffee and baked goods, outside the United States, a former company executive and industry analyst said. Tim Ramey, a former vice president of strategy and corporate development at Sara Lee who left the company in 2002, is now an analyst at investment banking and brokerage D.A. Davidson.  

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Alexia Howard at Sanford C. Bernstein

Another bit of good news: Analysts said Sara Lee posted a nice increase in its profit margins. "Margin improvement for continuing operations ..was very strong for the quarter," said a report by Alexia Howard, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. Cost cutting helped boost Sara Lee's margins, as did falling commodity prices.  

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Erin Swanson at Morningstar

Sara Lee, maker of such products as Ball Park hot dogs and its namesake dessert cakes, said fiscal first quarter net income rose 23 percent, to $284 million, or 41 cents per share. Stripping out one time items and accounting for pending asset divestitures, Sara Lee's per share profit was 18 to 19 cents, according to analysts' reports. That topped Wall Street forecasts. Sara Lee said it is raising its earnings per share guidance for the remainder of its fiscal year by 6 cents, making for a range of 90 cents to 96 cents. Sara Lee's "increased optimism for the year" likely played a key role in pushing its stock up, said Erin Swanson, an analyst at Morningstar Inc.  

Sara Lee Corporation (SLE) - Eric Katzman at Deutsche Bank

ANALYST TAKE: Deutsche Bank analyst Eric Katzman retained a "Hold" rating on Sara Lee shares, saying he sees a strong stock value and solid balance sheet.