Revlon rises on analyst upgrade, stock offering

posted: 18 DAYS 6 HOURS AGO

Text SizeAAA

NEW YORK -Shares of Revlon Inc. jumped on Monday as an analyst upgraded the stock on improving financials and lower expenses. The cosmetics company also said it plans to offer $330 million in a senior notes offering.

Shares rose $2.71, or 25.1 percent, to $13.49 after touching a 52-week high of $13.78.

BMO Capital Markets analyst Connie Maneaty upgraded the stock to "Outperform" from "Market Perform" and said the company's outlook is strengthening and financials are improving.

Maneaty said that in 2008, Revlon generated positive free cash flow for the first time since its initial public offering in 1996. Maneaty estimated that Revlon will top that free cash flow this year and next.

Maneaty said Revlon has also grown its market share in lip makeup, regaining the No. 1 spot with 22.3 percent of the market.

Also, in terms of expenses, Revlon will record lower selling, general and administrative expenses from job cuts. Advertising costs should also decline in coming quarters, Maneaty said, because Revlon has negotiated lower rates.

Separately on Monday, Revlon said subsidiary Revlon Consumer Products Corp. will offer $330 million in senior notes, due 2015.

Last month, Revlon posted a lower third-quarter profit as sales declined 3 percent to $183.7 million.

2009-11-09 11:40:32