Boston, MA 01/27/2014 (wallstreetpr) – Juniper Networks Inc (NYSE:JNPR) steals the show for the consecutive second week as it remains the third-best performing stock on S&P 500. First, Elliott Management’s move to build its 6.2% stake and later, Jana Partners’ similar action fueled the investors’ confidence in the stock. Moreover, the company’s robust quarter earnings also backed the surge.
Caught Hedge Fund’s Attention
Earlier, Elliott Management, a hedge fund, had suggested that if the company takes action to reduce its operating expenses by $200 million along with a $3.5 billion share buyback plan can instill a positivity in the company as they see an upside in the stock price thereafter, to be in the range of $35 to $40. The hedge fund’s perspectives were seemed to be supported by another activist fund, Jana Partners equally. Jana has also been upfront that the company needs to take up the matter on an urgent basis to create more value within it. Juniper Networks Inc (NYSE:JNPR), as well, has been taking these proposals quite seriously as it issued a statement expressing its views in line.
Gets Solid Performance
Although the hedge funds’ optimism is working more to bring the prices up, but Juniper Networks Inc (NYSE:JNPR)’s performance in fourth-quarter should not be ignored. The revenues went as high as 12% from the previous year, to $1.274 million. This led to an adjusted net income growth of nearly 35%, at 43 cents per share. The figure is certainly above the analyst expectations of 37 cents on $1.22 billion sales.
Irrespective of the fact whether Juniper Networks Inc (NYSE:JNPR) will follow the demands of its activist hedge fund investors, experts feel that the company has a lot of room to grow, evident as it trades at 18.6 times of its next year’s forecasted earnings. Juniper stocks jumped to 6.57% and closed at $27.72 in the last trading session.
