MidnightTrader Earnings Play: Intuit

Intuit (INTU | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) is expected to report its Q4 results after the bell tonight, and analysts polled by Thomson Financial are anticipating a loss of $0.08 per share on revenue of $470 million.

INTU is one to watch in post-bell trading. The stock has shown a long-term widening pattern between the sessions. INTU has exhibited more aggressive next-day regular session closing levels in 11 of its last 18 earnings events. In the near-term, the stock is also firm in the widening trend; it widened for four straight quarters until last quarter, when the issue pared its evening gain the following day.

On May 20, 2008, the stock gained 6.2% during evening trading after reporting ahead of the Street with Q3 results and setting a share buyback. The gain was trimmed nearly in half, to 3.4% the next day.

On Feb. 21, 2008, the stock fell 4.1% during evening trading after the company missed with Q2 earnings and guides below the Street. Shares fell 9.2% the next day.

On Nov. 15, 2007, INTU advanced 1.5% in after-hours trade after topping Q1 estimates and guiding its Q2 EPS higher than the Street consensus. The stock headed higher in the Nov. 16 regular session, closing the day up 3.4%.

On Aug. 22, 2007, the stock fell 2.9% in the evening hours despite reporting a smaller-than-expected loss on stronger revenue. Shares shed 3.2% the next day.

On May 17, 2007, INTU jumped 9.7% after beating Q3 estimates and raising guidance. Shares rallied further the next day to end up 13.8%.

On Feb. 22, 2007, INTU eased 1.5% in night trade despite topping Q2 estimates. It offered mixed guidance. The shares, though, recovered the next day to end the regular session up 1.3%.

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