Why Are These Five Stocks In Spotlight Today?

Honeywell Turns in a Good Quarter

Industrial giant Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) reported a good first quarter with EPS of $1.53 on sales of $9.52 billion, versus estimates of $1.50 and $9.37 billion, respectively. Sales rose 3.4% year-over-year, led by the company’s Automation and Control Solutions division, which registered a revenue jump of 13%. The company’s operating margin also rose 20 basis points to 17.6% excluding the impact of M&A. Management raised 2016 EPS guidance to between $6.55 and $6.70 and revenue guidance to the range of $40.3 billion to $40.9 billion from the previous EPS and revenue forecasts of $6.45-$6.70 and $39.9-$40.9 billion, respectively. A total of 49 top funds that we track owned $2.05 billion worth of Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON)’s shares at the end of the fourth quarter. Shares of the company are down 1.30% in morning trading.

AutoNation Lower on Disappointing First Quarter Results

AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) reported first-quarter earnings of $0.90 on sales of $5.12 billion, missing both top- and bottom-line estimates. Same store sales inched 2% lower, while the company’s gross margin rate declined 10 basis points to 16.1%. Its operating margin rate dropped 20 basis points year-over-year to 4.1%. CEO Mike Jackson said:

“As we stated last quarter, the market is in a plateau environment. Industry retail sales for the quarter were flat despite year over year manufacturer incentive increases of 14%, new vehicle sales lease penetration over 30%, and high retail inventories. We still believe the industry will be above 17 million units for the year.”

Larry Robbins’ Glenview Capital was among the top shareholders of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN) as of the most recent 13F reporting period. Shares of AutoNation are down 1.14% in morning trading.

SunTrust Up on Earnings Beat 

SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE:STI) shares have inched up by 3.5% after the bank reported an EPS of $0.84 on sales of $2.09 billion, exceeding EPS and revenue estimates by $0.09 per share and $60 million, respectively. The company’s tangible book value per share rose 5% year-over-year to $32.90 and the company bought back $175 million of warrants and stock in the quarter. Average deposits rose 6% year-over-year. CEO William Rogers said:

“This revenue performance, combined with continued expense discipline, resulted in a good start to the year with 8% earnings growth. We remain highly focused on improving the financial well-being of our clients and communities and delivering increased value to our shareholders.”

A total of 36 funds from our database owned $608.58 million worth of SunTrust Banks, Inc. (NYSE:STI)’s shares, which accounted for 2.80% of the float on December 31, versus 45 funds and $524.03 million, respectively, a quarter earlier.

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