Chesapeake Energy (CHK-$28.14) plans to operate an average of
approximately 101 rigs in 2010 to drill up to 795 wells. Is the
natural gas producer up to its old profligate spending ways?
Lower yields resulting from declining fuel surcharges are expected to
hurt 2010 sales at FedEx Corp (FDX-$73.38). The package-delivery giant
plans to increase shipping rates in January 2010.
H&R Block (HRB-$17.52) performed miserably in the 2009 tax season,
handling 5.8 percent fewer in-store, retail tax returns, as clients
sought lower-cost IRS filing alternatives due to difficult economic
conditions. Can the largest provider of tax preparation services in
the U.S, with almost 13,000 retail outlets, draw more customers to its
stores for the 2010 tax season by re-focusing marketing and
operational initiatives back towards its core, store-front business?
Smithfield Foods (SFD-$13.46) will continue to raise hogs and produce
fresh pork, but management is intent on changing the cyclical nature
of profits. But first, the company has to “dry out” and ditch its
addiction to credit.