As Juniper Gains, It Shines On Cisco & Peers (JNPR, CSCO, ALU)

Juniper Networks, Inc. (NYSE: JNPR) was a big gainer after its earnings report sneaked out a bit early today.  The report shows a decline from comparable earnings, but this was better than estimates and that is all that matters.  The networking equipment company made $16.27 million or $0.03 EPS versus a year ago of $129.8 million or $0.24 EPS, but the adjusted earnings came to $0.16 EPS which analysts will track. Revenue fell down to $1.03 billion from $1.10 billion a year ago.  Thomson Reuters was expecting roughly $0.13 EPS and just over $980 million in sales.

Guidance is another issue which may help when you consider that Juniper had previously talked down its expectations.  The move will likely reflect somewhat well on Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) as investors loosely tried to tie the two companies together (whether fairly or not).  Even Alcatel-Lucent, S.A. (NYSE: ALU) reflected some post-earnings gains at the end of the day with a 5.6% gain to $1.88.  Whether or not any of that secondary and tertiary love remains ahead is another matter.

For the current quarter, Juniper expects adjusted earnings of $0.15 to $0.17 in earnings per share on revenues of $1.03 billion to $1.06 billion.  We had estimates of $0.20 per share in earnings on $1.05 billion in sales.  Investors are taking the coming quarter as a sand-bagging of results.

Shares closed up about 7.2% at $21.63 and the 52-week trading range is $16.67 to $40.37.  This will be worth watching on Wednesday as well.

JON C. OGG