On May 21, Whole Foods Market, Inc (NASDAQ:WFM) reported the results for the second quarter ended April 13, 2014 with strong growth in store sales. Gross margin during the period was 35.9%, down by 51 basis points (bps) with increasing costs of sales (2Q2013: 36.4%). In addition, the rising wages and healthcare costs increased the direct store expenses to 25.3%. As a result, the store contribution decreased by 41 bps to 10.6% of sales and operating margin to 7% (2Q2013: 7.5%). So, the adjusted EBITDA during the period was $343 million with a margin of 10.3%. Net income remained flat at $142 million with diluted EPS of $0.38. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) net profit margin is 4.10% and weekly performance is 2.36%. On last trading day company shares ended up $38.65. Analysts mean target price for the company is $47.54. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) distance from 50-day simple moving average (SMA50) is -18.90%.
On May 25, Interpublic Group of Companies Inc (NYSE:IPG) announced a dividend on Thursday, May 22nd, Analyst RN reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, June 3rd will be paid a dividend of 0.095 per share on Tuesday, June 17th. The ex-dividend date is Friday, May 30th. Interpublic Group of Companies Inc (NYSE:IPG) shares advanced 1.40% in last trading session and ended the day on $18.82. Return on assets is 2.50%. Interpublic Group of Companies Inc (NYSE:IPG) quarterly performance is 10.12%.
On May 26, Zacks reissued their neutral rating on shares of Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ:FOXA) in a research report sent to investors on Friday morning. The firm currently has a $36.00 price target on the stock. Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ:FOXA) shares moved down -0.49% in last trading session and was closed at $34.78, while trading in range of $34.62 – $35.23. Twenty-First Century Fox Inc (NASDAQ:FOXA) year to date (YTD) performance is -0.74%.
A global leader in providing best online marketplace experience, eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) has recently faced a massive hacking attack. It has resulted in affecting approximately 145 million user records thereby creating massive breach of user records. However, the company has confirmed no major threats to the consumers. The company has launched a series of investigations in the same to nail down the hackers and cause of the same. eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) ended the last trading day at $51.77 . Company weekly volatility is calculated as 1.64% and price to cash ratio as 8.38. eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) showed a negative weekly performance of -1.07%.
Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) announced that it has named Frank Bifulco Executive Vice President, Marketing, effective June 23. In this newly created role, Bifulco will lead marketing across Staples. Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) net profit margin is 2.40% and weekly performance is -14.71%. On last trading day company shares ended up $11.42. Analysts mean target price for the company is $11.18. Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPLS) distance from 50-day simple moving average (SMA50) is -5.63%.