Stocks To Watch: Oct. 30 (CVD, PRXL)

(RTTNews) - What makes these stocks interesting?

Covance Inc. (CVD) reported third-quarter profit of $44.2 million or $0.78 per share, up from $37.8 million or $0.69 per share in the same period last year.

Adjusted earnings for the quarter was $47.3 million or $0.83 per share. On average, 17 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.80 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Revenues increased 11.4% to $606.7 million from $544.8 million last year. Analysts expected revenues of $595.35 million.

Looking ahead, the company projects full-year 2013 pro-forma earnings at $3.20 per share, compared to its previous guidance range of $3.10 - $3.20 per share. Analysts currently expect full-year earnings of $3.17 per share.

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PAREXEL International Corp. (PRXL) reported first-quarter profit of $26.0 million or $0.45 per share, compared to $15.1 million, or $0.25 per share in the same period last year.

Adjusted earnings for the quarter were $25.8 million or $0.45 per share, up from $17.5 million, or $0.29 per share in the previous year quarter.

On average, 13 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to earn $0.45 per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Service revenue increased 13.8% to $449.25 million from $394.75 million last year, while 12 analysts expected revenues of $458.94 million.

Looking ahead to the second-quarter, the company forecast earnings in the range of $0.46 - $0.50 per share, with revenues in the range of $475 million - $480 million. Analysts expect earnings of $0.48 per share on revenues of $471.70 million for the second quarter.

For the fiscal 2014 the company continues to expect earnings in the range of $1.95 - $2.11 per share and revenues between $1.89 billion and $1.92 billion. Analysts expect earnings of $2.04 per share on revenues of $1.92 billion.