3 Earnings Reports That Caught My Attention Last Week

With nearly three-quarters of the year now in the books, I can't help but point out that the majority of reports up until now have been better than expected. With so many companies reporting during the weeks that comprise earnings season, it's easy for some earnings reports to fall through the cracks.

Each week this year, I've taken a look at three companies that could be worth further research after either beating or missing their profit expectations. Today, we'll take a gander at three more companies that reported earnings last week. They may have slid under your radar, but they deserve a look.

Source: Yahoo! Finance.

Rite Aid
Happy 21st, Rite Aid shareholders! Normally turning 21 is a reason to celebrate, but this marked the 21st consecutive quarter that Rite Aid has lost money -- an ominous streak for sure. Optimists continue to point to Rite Aid's loyalty rewards program, the benefit from generic drugs helping pharmacy sales, and the customers gained from the struggles of Walgreen (NYSE: WAG), whose prescription spat with Express Scripts caused an eight-month customer exodus. Despite this, Rite Aid still can't make money!

For shareholders, it looks like it's going to be more of the same going forward. Although general merchandise same-store sales figures rose 1.4%, pharmacy same-store sales (which are of much higher importance) dropped 0.7%. Rite Aid did fill 4% more prescriptions than it did in the year-ago quarter, but total revenue still fell by $40 million. Furthermore, Rite Aid reduced its full-year sales forecast while tightening its EPS loss view to a range below Wall Street's current consensus. All the while, Rite Aid's CEO and executive board are getting richer. At some point you have to say enough is enough, and I'm well past that point with Rite Aid.

Bed Bath & Beyond
Finally, a little bit of reality in the home furnishings sector! I'm aware that housing data has been ticking higher and home remodel destinations are doing well, but we're talking about Bed Bath & Beyond here, not do-it-yourself warehouse Home Depot.

For the quarter, Bed Bath & Beyond reported a 5.4% increase in net income and a 12.1% rise in overall sales for the second quarter, but issued a gloomy forecast for the remainder of the year (in addition to missing Wall Street's second-quarter EPS forecast). The company has had to boost its use of coupons in order to drive customer traffic, which is never good for margins in the near-term. Competition among rivals remains fierce and online prices remain a threat to undercut Bed Bath & Beyond's in-store product line. This week's report did little to change my opinion of the company and I remain decidedly bearish on its outlook and growth prospects.

LDK Solar
Well, isn't this an interesting switch? Previously, U.S.-based solar panel maker First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR) was struggling to keep its costs in line with Chinese solar panel makers and equipment producers like LDK. Now, with tariffs in place, demand falling off a cliff, subsidies waning, and competition in China getting fierce, it's First Solar that now commands the pricing advantage and companies like LDK that are struggling to survive.

In terms of misses, this one ranks right up there as epic. LDK is forecasting third-quarter revenue of $220 million to $260 million, which isn't even in the same solar system as Wall Street's estimate of $453.6 million. The company also slashed its full-year sales outlook by roughly 25% on the top and bottom end while shedding close to 3,900 workers during the second quarter. LDK's cash situation is just as dire, with just $296.2 million remaining in cash and cash equivalents. It looks like Foolish solar guru Travis Hoium's call on LDK's potential demise last October may turn out to be quite prescient.

Foolish roundup
Sometimes an earnings beat or miss isn't as cut-and-dried as it appears. I've given my two cents on what's next for each of these companies -- now it's your turn to sound off. Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and consider adding these stocks to your free and personalized Watchlist.

• Add Rite Aid to My Watchlist.
• Add Bed Bath & Beyond to My Watchlist.
• Add LDK Solar to My Watchlist.

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