Although we don't believe in timing the market or panicking over market movements, we do like to keep an eye on big changes -- just in case they're material to our investing thesis.
What: Shares of electronic payment company VeriFone Systems
So what: VeriFone's third-quarter profit managed to top estimates, but a miss on the top line -- revenue of $489.1 million versus the consensus of $498 million -- coupled with downbeat guidance, is forcing analysts to lower their valuation estimates. Management cited unfavorable currency movements, intensifying competition in Europe, and a fire in Brazil for the revenue shortfall, raising plenty of concerns about the company's growth prospects going forward.
Now what: Management now sees fourth-quarter adjusted EPS of $0.75 to $0.77 on revenue of just $495 million to $500 million, versus the consensus of $0.74 and $521 million, respectively. "Despite continued volatility around exchange rates, our business remains vibrant in all geographies," CEO Douglas Bergeron reassured investors. "We are excited about our prospects for 2013 and beyond." Given the foreign exchange, competitive, and operational uncertainty surrounding VeriFone, however, I'd need a much larger margin of safety before buying into that bullish talk.
Interested in more info on VeriFone? Add it to your watchlist.