Stocks That Are Going Viral Today: Tesla (TSLA), Travelport (TVPT), Viacom (VIAB), and 2 More

Louisiana-Pacific Powered by Strong Housing Starts 

The strong housing market is definitely helping Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:LPX). For its second quarter, the wood products company reported better than expected results for both its top- and bottom-lines, with earnings of $0.28 per share on sales of $582 million (up by 18.1% year-over-year) beating the estimates of $0.26 in EPS and revenue of $578.3 million. Adjusted EBITDA from operations was $99 million for the time period, versus $16 million in the second quarter of 2015. In terms of guidance, CEO Curt Stevens seems confident about future demand as he said: “While I now expect 2016 housing starts to be up less than 10 percent over last year, this muted recovery actually bodes well for the future as there will likely be a long period of improving housing activity.” The number of funds in our system with long positions in Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (NYSE:LPX) rose by eight quarter-over-quarter to 24 as of the end of March.

Viacom Turns In Strong Quarter

Traders are watching Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB) today after the media giant reported fiscal year 2016 third quarter earnings of $1.05 per share on revenue of $3.11 billion, beating estimates by $0.04 per share and $100 million respectively. Although shareholders are more focused on the company’s ownership situation and the potential sale of a stake in Paramount, the conglomerate turned in a solid quarter and continued to execute on its strategic plan by investing in high quality content and accelerating data-driven advertising. Shares of the company are up by 9% year-to-date. Cliff Asness‘ AQR Capital Management reported owning a stake of over 3.1 million share of Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIAB) as of March 31, up by 17% quarter-over-quarter.

Restaurant Brands Profits Top Estimates

Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR) are down mildly this morning after the holding company announced earning $0.41 per share for its second quarter, beating estimates by $0.06 per share. Revenue came in at $1.04 billion, missing by just $10 million. Tim Hortons’ comparable-sales rose by 2.7% year-over-year, while Burger King’s comparable-sales inched up by 0.6% in constant currency terms. Adjusted EBITDA was $479.1 million, up by a solid 16.2% year-over-year on an organic basis. Bill Ackman‘s Pershing Square and Warren Buffett‘s Berkshire Hathaway were both major shareholders of Restaurant Brands International Inc (NYSE:QSR) at the end of March.

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