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stars and dogs

A humorous look at the companies that caught our eye, for better or worse, this week

FORTIS - STAR

Hear that? That’s the sound of widows and orphans high-fiving each other. Utilities may have a reputation as stodgy investments for the highly risk averse, but Fortis delivered some genuine excitement this week: Bolstered by U.S. acquisitions, a major dam expansion in British Columbia and the sale of non-core assets, the electric and gas utility hiked its dividend three months ahead of schedule and by a hefty 10 per cent. Party at Grandma’s house!

FTS (TSX), $37.63, up $1.06 or 2.9% over week




MCCORMICK & CO. - DOG

Open a bottle of chili powder. Hold it directly under your nose. Inhale. Now you know how shareholders of McCormick must feel. The spice and seasonings maker posted third-quarter earnings below estimates and said its full-year results will come in at the low end of its guidance range, citing weakness in its India business and the impact of currency fluctuations. With McCormick’s stock tumbling this week, investors probably wish they could turn back thyme.

MKC (NYSE), $79.62 (U.S.), down $3.81 or 4.6% over week




BARRACUDA NETWORKS - DOG

Barracuda: A fish with fang-like teeth that can tear chunks of flesh from its prey.

Barracuda Networks: A stock that just tore a large chunk of money from investors’ portfolios. The company, which makes data storage and security products for cloud-based computing, posted second-quarter results in line with analyst estimates. But it slashed its revenue outlook for the second half, causing its stock to gush blood and sink to the bottom of the ocean floor.

CUDA (NYSE), $17.94 (U.S.), down $7.45 or 29.3% over week




TEAM - DOG

Now that’s what you call taking one for the Team. Hammered by the slump in commodities-related industries, Texas-based Team – which provides services to petrochemicals, refining, power and pipeline companies – warned that first-quarter earnings will be well below estimates and cut its full-year forecast. With the stock sinking to its lowest since 2012, gotta say this really was a Team effort.

TISI (NYSE), $33.31 (U.S.), down $7.75 or 18.9% over week




GAP - DOG

Maybe Stefan Larsson got tired of wearing $7 T-shirts that say “Old Navy” on them? Just a guess. Having turned around Gap’s discount chain, Mr. Larsson – who also had a successful stint at H&M – was hired away from Old Navy to become chief executive of the Ralph Lauren fashion empire. Gap’s shares tumbled on the loss of its rising retail star, but Mr. Larsson is said to be much happier wearing $70 shirts with little horsies on them.

GPS (NYSE), $27.96 (U.S.), down $3.19 or 10.2% over week