Thursday, July 14, 2016
We have hand-picked 16 stock research reports out of the roughly 80 reports issued by our analyst team today, including reports on Seagate Technology (NASDAQ:STX) (STX), Praxair (NYSE:PX) (PX) and Fifth Third (FITB).
Seagate Technology shares have surged on positive guidance and announcement of further job cuts that are aimed at strengthening its bottom line without imapcting its operations. The strong demand for Seagate's hard- and solid-state storage devices indicates that much of the hand-wringing about the fate of storage device makers in the emerging could-centric world may have been a bit premature. Estimates for this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rated stock have been going up, which you can read about in the Zacks analyst's updated research report issued this morning.
Shares of industrial gases maker Praxair have outperformed the peer group and the S&P 500 year-to-date on the back of favorable demand dynamics in key end markets that is giving it pricing and a track of focus on shareholder returns. The company's pays a growing dividend, currently yielding 2.5%. (You can read the full research report on PX here.)
Fifth Third Bancorp (NASDAQ:FITB) shares have lagged the market lately, in-line with the interest rate headwinds facing the entire banking group at this stage. This unfavorable macro backdrop is beyond the bank's control, but the analyst likes the company for a number of things that are going right for them, namely its diverse revenue base, strong deposit balances, improved credit quality and steady capital deployment measures. (You can read the full research report on FITB here.)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Regions Financial (NYSE:RF), Seagate (STX) and Eni (E).
• Regions Financial’s (RF) Capital Plan Gets Nod
• Martin Marietta (MLM) Could Gain From Rising Infra Demand
• Seagate (STX) Upgraded to Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy)
• Eni (E) Down to Zacks Rank # 4 (Sell)
You can find all of today's stock research reports here.
Sheraz Mian
Director of Research
Note: Sheraz Mian regularly provides earnings analysis on Zacks.com and appears frequently in the print and electronic media. His weekly earnings related articles include Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview. He also provides weekly commentary to Zacks Premium subscribers and manages the Zacks Focus List and Top 10 portfolios. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here.
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Regions (RF) Capital Plan Gets Nod; Fee Income Woes Linger
The covering analyst believes regulatory approval for Regions 2016 Capital plan indicates a strong capital position. Though expense management is impressive, muted growth in fee income is a concern.
Higher Infrastructure Demand Could Benefit Martin Marietta (MLM)
This year, Martin Marietta expects better volume growth in its key end markets, infrastructure and non-residential construction.
IDEX (IEX) Shows Potential with Healthy Holistic Growth
IDEX expects to successfully tap newer markets while focusing on healthy organic growth to augment its revenue.
Stiff Competition May Hurt Hain Celestial's (HAIN) Top Line
The Zacks analyst believes that gradual increase in the number of companies expanding their presence in the natural and organic food business may hurt its top line.
Decline in Pay-Per-View Revenues a Worry for WWE (WWE)
Although it is executing a five-part strategy to expand the WWE Network, the covering analyst believes that a decline in pay-per-view revenues poses a major concern.
BioDelivery (BDSI) to Gain from Contract Wins, HHS Ruling
The Zacks analyst believes Bunavail should benefit from new contract wins as well as the HHS ruling that lifts the patient cap from 100 to 275.
Recent Deals Broaden National Oilwell's (NOV) Product Offerings
The Zacks analyst believes that the FPSO collaboration with GE and purchase of the completion tools operations of Trican Well Service will broaden scope of its offerings.
New Upgrades
Tyco (TYC) to Gain from Merger with Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI)
The Zacks analyst believes the proposed merger with Johnson Controls will enable Tyco to expand its global footprint, enhance shareholder value and launch innovative solutions.
Seagate (STX) Raises Q4 Guidance on Surging Demand
Overwhelmed by strong demand in the last three months, Seagate raised its revenue and margin outlook for the fourth-quarter of fiscal 2016, which encourages the Zacks analyst.
Expansion & Investment Plans to Drive Growth for CMS (CMS)
The covering analyst believes CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS)'s sustained efforts to expand its renewable portfolio and infrastructure development investments will drive bottom-line growth.
New Downgrades
Sell Eni (E) on Asset Sales Concerns, Volume Growth Risks
As per the covering analyst, the downgrade reflects risks to Eni's production growth target, difficulty in finding buyers for its assets and exposure to violence-prone regions in Nigeria.
Fastenal (FAST) Misses Q2 Earnings & Sales, Margins Soft
Fastenal Company (NASDAQ:FAST) reported lower-than-expected results in the 2Q16, missing on both earnings and sales, hurt by softness in fastener sales and weak margins.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) Hurt by Multiple Headwinds
The Zacks analyst expects Southwest Airlines' second-quarter earnings, slated to release on Jul 21, to be hurt by headwinds like the surge in terror attacks.
SEAGATE TECH (STX): Free Stock Analysis Report
REGIONS FINL CP (RF): Free Stock Analysis Report
PRAXAIR INC (PX): Free Stock Analysis Report
MARTIN MRT-MATL (MLM): Free Stock Analysis Report
MONDELEZ INTL (MDLZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
FIFTH THIRD BK (FITB): Free Stock Analysis Report
ENI (MI:ENI
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