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After Wednesday's close, F5 Networks ( FFIV ) reported Q1 2011 numbers that easily beat their previous estimate of $0.81 by a large $0.07. The $0.88 number also surpassed the estimates of analyst who on average forecast $0.83. The revenue number wasn't as robust, barely making the top end of the range and missing analyst estimates. With the stock plunging after hours, investors appear to either be placing too much emphasis on the revenue numbers or focusing on the Q2 guidance. Below are the numbers reported for Q1 and the guidance for Q1 provided in the Q4 report.  See the full article at Seeking Alpha . 

Did I read that correctly? Leading highflying networking stock F5 Networks (FFIV) just announced a $200M buyback while reporting Q3 earnings. Wow! FFIV has a forward PE of 30+ so its almost arrogant for management to presume the best use of cash is by buying back stock. Also, with a market cap over $8B this buyback won't provide much of a dent into outstanding shares. The company continues to blow out numbers similar to favorite Riverbed Tech (RVBD) owned in our portfolios so it could be an indication of the 5-10 year growth plan they can envision. Still its a head scratcher unless they are just hoping to buy the next time the market corrects 20% on this stock. And it will happen. Definitely something to watch! Details below from Briefing.com. 4:11PM F5 Networks beats by $0.07, beats on revs; guides Q1 EPS above consensus, revs above consensus; announces $200 mln share repurchase program ( FFIV )   102.54 +1.71 : Reports Q4 (Sep) earnings of $0.79 per share, excluding non-r...

Ok, maybe the Q2 earnings report and movement was surprising to others, but it was clear from the F5 Networks (FFIV) report and 13% surge on Thursday plus other reports from the likes of VMWare (VMW) that Riverbed Tech (RVBD) would likely report a blowout quarter. Whats really surprising is the lackluster jump on Thursday and the monster 14% move on Friday. After today, Riverbed Tech has become the largest position in both the Growth and Opportunistic Portfolios. Details on the earnings report from Reuters : * Q2 adj. EPS $0.25 vs est. $0.22 * Q2 rev $126.2 mln vs est. $119.4 mln * Sees Q3 EPS $0.27 vs est. $0.24 Product sales rose more than 40 percent, marking its fourth consecutive quarter of product revenue increase, the company said in a statement. After the results, S&P analyst Ari Bensinger upgraded the stock to "hold", saying that the networking equipment was experiencing a solid rebound in demand from the enterprise sector. "While we still see a lagging ...

After the close today, F5 Networks (FFIV) posted earnings that easily beat analyst estimates. Considering that F5 Networks has had a much rougher recession then Riverbed (RVBD) its encouraging to see the turnaround. F5 Networks reported an increase in their pipeline and movement of project on hold. All very promising for RVBD even though they aren't exactly the same business they somewhat track each other. If you recall, RVBD had a disappoint Q2 even though sales were up 17%. They were hit somewhat by customers delaying projects and this report by FFIV hints that RVBD might see that those projects ramped up in Q3. That supposed buyout around $34 that we talked about last week might not be enough if RVBD shows similar results. Comments from Reuters on F5s earnings report: Oct 21 (Reuters) - Network-equipment maker F5 Networks Inc's ( FFIV.O ) quarterly profit beat market estimates on increased bookings and improved customer spending, sending its shares up 8 percent. Th...