Top Technology Earning Previews For This Week (ADI, DELL, HPQ, ADSK, BRCD, INTU, CRM)

This week will feel more like a retail earnings-season week rather than a technology earnings-season week.  Still, we have some key earnings due in the market which could move the technology sector.  Of the technology players reporting, we are looking at earnings from Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI), Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL), Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ), Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: BRCD), Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU), and Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM).

Analog Devices Inc. (NYSE: ADI) reports Tuesday after the close of trading.  Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.68 EPS and $746.15 million in revenues; for next quarter the estimates are $0.69 EPS and $758.95 million in revenues.  Shares are around $40.60 late on Monday and the 52-week trading range is $27.25 to $41.70.

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) is due Tuesday after the close and may act at least as a mini-preview for H-P later in the week. This was also just featured as a value stock here at 24/7 Wall St., but also a value stock lacking current catalysts and its shares are close to analyst upside price targets.  We can only hope to hear about a dividend.  Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.43 EPS and $15.4 billion in revenues; next quarter estimates are $0.44 EPS and $16.04 billion in revenues.  With shares around $16.00, its 52-week trading range is $11.34 to $16.80.  The big question is whether or not investors can convince themselves that even if Dell is slow that it is worth buying on a valuation perspective now that shares are close to a 52-week high.

Hewlett-Packard Company (NYSE: HPQ) just broke the $40.00 barrier again to the downside.  Its earnings are due Wednesday after the close and we’ll be looking to see how Leo Apotheker’s second real earnings report can look.  Thomson Reuters has estimates of $1.21 EPS and $31.53 billion in revenues; next quarter estimates are $1.24 EPS and $31.80 billion in revenues.  With shares around $40.25, its 52-week trading range is $37.32 to $50.00.

Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK) reports on Thursday. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.37 EPS and $522.77 million in revenues; next quarter estimates are $0.40 EPS and $527.85 million in revenues.  With shares around $44.40 late-Monday, its 52-week trading range is $23.64 to $46.15.  That 52-week high was actually just on Friday.

Brocade Communications Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: BRCD) reports Thursday after the close. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.10 EPS and $549.79 million in revenues; for next quarter the estimates are $0.11 EPS and $554.88 million in revenues.  Shares are around $6.15 late on Monday and the 52-week trading range is $4.64 to $6.88.  Brocade has so far not lived up to our own expectations in the disrupted market right now where Cisco is faltering.

Intuit Inc. (NASDAQ: INTU) is due to report Thursday after the close.  Thomson Reuters has estimates of $2.28 EPS and $1.82 billion in revenues.  Keep in mind that this is Intuit’s “money quarter” as that tax season was included.  There is a huge contrast because next quarter estimates are only -$0.01 EPS and $587.19 million in revenues. Shares are around $54.20 late on Monday and the 52-week trading range is $33.24 to $56.46. 

Salesforce.com (NYSE: CRM) is due Thursday after the close of trading.   This high-flyer will be one to watch for volatility after earnings, particularly if Monday’s down-volume is any prediction. Thomson Reuters has estimates of $0.27 EPS and $482.45 million in revenues; next quarter estimates are $0.26 EPS and $504.99 million in revenues.  With shares around $128.50, its 52-week trading range is $73.91 to $151.26.

JON C. OGG