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 Allegheny Technologies (ATI 3.83%) were looking duller today, finishing the day down 11% as the metal producer delivered results below expectations in nearly every category of its earnings report.
So what: Third-quarter earnings per share dropped 43% to $0.32, below estimates of $0.39, while revenue dropped 10% to $1.22 billion, also missing estimates. The company also said fourth-quarter net income would drop sequentially and reduced its full-year sales forecast. CEO Rich Harshman said that "we are seeing conservative inventory management throughout the supply chains of most of our major end markets" and blamed uncertainty on the election, the fiscal cliff, and weakness abroad.
Now what: Cyclical companies have taken a hit so far this quarter, with many scaling back their forecasts amid global economic weakness. Add Allegheny's name to the list, as its shares have fallen by nearly half since the beginning of the year. Still, this looks like typical cyclical weakness. Fundamentally, the company looks sound,and should bounce back with the rest of its sector when demand picks up.
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