Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Colgate-Palmolive, Mack-Cali Realty, The Phoenix Companies, Kirkland’s and Houston Wire & Cable

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zacks Equity Research highlights Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL) as the Bull of the Day and Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PNX), Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK) and Houston Wire & Cable Company (Nasdaq: HWCC).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day: Colgate-Palmolive Co. (NYSE: CL)

New York City-based Colgate-Palmolive is a global consumer products company with a distribution network reaching more than 200 countries. The company has a stellar long-term growth record. Positive earning surprises along with savings from the company’s restructuring and business-building plan should support future growth.

The company remains the clear market leader in the oral care segment. With an array of new products launched in 2008, Colgate-Palmolive is delivering strong results despite aggressive advertising expenditures and higher input costs. Its tight financial controls and efforts to enhance shareholder value through share repurchases and dividend increases support a positive long-term view on the stock.

The stock is rated a Buy with a target price of $79.50, based on a 21 P/E on 12 month trailing earnings.

Bear of the Day: Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI)

Mack-Cali Realty is a fully integrated, self-administered, and self-managed office real estate investment trust (REIT). The company owns, operates leases, manages, and develops Class A office and industrial/flex properties, primarily in suburban markets in the northeastern US.

CLI reported 3Q08 FFO [funds from operations] of $1.02 per share compared to $0.93 in 3Q07. The increase was due to lower expenses and share counts. Operations held up relatively well in the 3rd quarter, although we have cut our 2009 FFO estimates by 6% due to macroeconomic conditions.

Office occupancies in the company's core markets have increased at a rapid pace from last year. As such, Mack-Cali Realty will have a difficult time holding occupancy and increasing rents. We think suburban office landlords will have a tough time over the next 12 months.

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The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (NYSE: PNX)

The Phoenix Companies, which de-mutualized and went public in 2001, provides a diverse array of life insurance and wealth management products and services to affluent and high net-worth individuals and corporations across the U.S.

3Q08 operating results substantially missed expectations and came in at loss of $2.78 per share, versus a profit of $0.29 per share in the year-ago quarter. Excluding the $2.91 per share non-cash impairment charge related to goodwill and other intangibles in the Asset Management segment, results still missed expectations to come in at $0.13 per share.

Kirkland's, Inc. (Nasdaq: KIRK)

Kirkland's was founded in 1966 and is a leading specialty retailer of home décor in the United States. Although originally focused in the Southeast, the company has grown beyond that region and currently operates roughly 323 stores. The company's stores present a broad selection of distinctive merchandise, including framed art, mirrors, candles, lamps, picture frames, accent rugs, garden accessories and artificial floral products.

Kirkland's reported a narrower-than-expected loss for the third quarter. The company reported a loss of $0.07/share versus our estimate of $0.13/share. The upside was due to positive same-store sales and a higher gross margin.

As the company continues with its turnaround efforts, its comps and margins should improve. As such, we are increasing our estimates for 2008 and 2009. We should note, however, that Kirkland's positive comps are due to the company closing its worst-performing stores.

Houston Wire & Cable Company (Nasdaq: HWCC)

Houston Wire & Cable reported third quarter EPS of $0.37, well below our estimate of $0.47 and down 9.8% from the year-ago level of $0.41, on account of lower gross margin and higher operating expenses, partially offset by share repurchases.

Third quarter sales were negatively impacted by hurricanes in the company's Gulf Coast operations. For the full year 2008, management lowered its earnings guidance to $1.30-1.40 from the previous guidance range of $1.60-1.75 per share due to slowdown in the economy, the hurricane impact, and declining commodity prices.

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