Leap Wireless International Inc.
(
LEAP
) is slated to release its third-quarter 2012 financial results
on Wednesday, November 7, before the opening bell. The Zacks
Consensus Estimate for the quarter is pegged at a loss of 76
cents, representing an annualized growth of 15.32%.
With respect to earnings surprises, Leap Wireless has
underperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last
four quarters with an average of negative 10.32%.
Second Quarter Recap
On August 6, Time Warner reported its second-quarter 2012
financial results. GAAP net loss, in the second quarter of 2012,
was $41.6 million or a loss of $0.54 per share compared with
$65.2 million or $0.85 per share in the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly earnings per share of a loss of $0.54 were higher than
the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.52.
Quarterly total revenue was $786.8 million, up 3.5% year over
year, but well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $839
million. In the second quarter of 2012, operating loss was $31.6
million compared with $12.3 million in the prior-year quarter.
Quarterly adjusted OIBDA was $190.8 million, up 18.8% year over
year.
Agreement of Estimate Revisions
In the last 30 days, out of the total 19 estimates, three were
revised upward while two moved in the opposite direction for the
third quarter of 2012. However, for the fourth quarter of 2012,
out of the total 18 estimates, only one upward revision was
witnessed, while three moved downward over the same time
frame.
For 2012, out of the total 18 estimates, two were revised
upward while three witnessed downward revisions, over the past
one month. The upward estimate revision continues for 2013, where
out of the 19 estimates, four were revised upward, while one
moved in the opposite direction over the same period.
Magnitude of Estimate Revisions
Over the last 30 days, the current Zacks Consensus Estimate
has remained unchanged for the third quarter of 2012 while it
decreased by a penny to a loss of $1.22 for the fourth quarter of
2012. Alike the fourth quarter, the current Zacks Consensus
Estimate also fell by a penny for 2012 over the last 30 days,
while the estimate decreased by 4 cents to $3.07 for 2013 over
the same time frame.
Our Recommendation
Leap Wireless remains one of the low-cost prepaid wireless
service providers in the U.S, and offers a range of cheap service
plans including its popular Muve Music service thus enabling the
company to attract young customers. The company is focusing on
upgrading its existing customers by selling Android-based
smartphones, which in turn, will not only drive the company's
top-line sales but also contribute to customer retention as well
as customer additions.
However, the major concern for Leap Wireless is the growing
competition in the U.S. low-cost prepaid wireless phone market.
Traditionally, the company competes with the likes of
MetroPCS Communications Inc.
(
PCS
), Boost Mobile, the prepaid subsidiary of
Sprint Nextel Corp.
(
S
) and Tracfone - the prepaid subsidiary of
America Movil S.A.B.
(
AMX
). Recently, the two largest nationwide carriers, viz.,
Verizon Communications Inc.
(
VZ
) and
AT&T Inc.
(
T
) entered the wireless prepaid phone market after the growth rate
of lucrative postpaid wireless market subdued.
We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Leap
Wireless International Inc. (LEAP). Currently, the company
retains a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating.
AMER MOVIL-ADR (AMX): Free Stock Analysis
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LEAP WIRELESS (LEAP): Free Stock Analysis
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METROPCS COMMUN (PCS): Free Stock Analysis
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SPRINT NEXTEL (S): Free Stock Analysis Report
AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report
VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
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