The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: American Express, Las Vegas Sands, Aetna, Yahoo And Baker Hughes

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – June 12, 2017 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include American Express (NYSE: AXP – Free Report ), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS – Free Report ), Aetna (NYSE: AET – Free Report ), Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO – Free Report ) and Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI – Free Report ).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Research Reports for Monday: AXP, LVS, AET & More

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including American Express (NYSE: AXP – Free Report ), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS – Free Report ) and Aetna (NYSE:AET – Free Report ). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

American Express shares have gained +23.6% over the last year, higher than the broader finance sector’s gain of +20.2%. The Zacks analyst likes its solid market position, strength in card business and significant opportunities from the secular shift toward electronic payments. Its strategic initiative focusing on platinum card portfolio and OptBlue program will drive business volume. It is also benefiting from cost reduction efforts, and return of significant amounts of capital to shareholders through dividend and share buyback programs. The stock has witnessed an upward revision in earnings estimate over the past 60 days. However, increase in provision for losses, a strong U.S. dollar, loss of Costco (NASDAQ:COST) as a client and intense competition remain major near-term concerns.

(You can read the full research report on American Express here >>> ) .

Shares of Las Vegas Sands have gained +39.6% over the last one year, marginally higher than the gaming industry’s increase of +38.6%. This strong performance reflects the company's exposure to the improving outlook for Macao where gaming revenues appear to have started growing again after struggling over the last few years. The addition of The Parisian Macao has further strengthened its Cotai Strip portfolio of properties. With stable operations beyond Macao (Vegas & Singapore) and limited capex needs going forward, the outlook for cash returns to shareholders through dividends (the stock yields an attractive 4.5% at present) and buybacks has notably brightened. The Zacks analyst points out in the updated research report published today that it will take some time for the region to return to its former glory as concerns related to the sustainability of revenues from the VIP market linger.

(You can read the full research report on Las Vegas Sands here >>> ) .

Aetna ’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical HMO industry year to date (up +20.1% vs. +17.7%). Aetna expects long-term growth from its Government business. The Zacks analyst likes its cost-reduction initiatives and growing ACO collaborations which have paved the way for long-term growth. A strong balance sheet is another positive. The stock has also witnessed an upward revision in earnings estimates over the past 60 days. However, Aetna’s merger with Humana (NYSE:HUM), which would have raised its rank in the industry, has been called off. Aetna has also been incurring losses in its public exchange business and has been exiting exchanges to avoid losses from this business. Furthermore, its membership growth remains under pressure. Increasing medical benefit ratios are also likely to hurt margins.

(You can read the full research report on Aetna here >>> ) .

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Yahoo (NASDAQ: YHOO – Free Report ) and Baker Hughes (NYSE: BHI – Free Report ).

The Best & Worst of Zacks

Today you are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. From 1988 through 2015 this list has averaged a stellar gain of +25% per year. Plus, you may download 220 Zacks Rank #5 "Strong Sells." Even though this list holds many stocks that seem to be solid, it has historically performed 11X worse than the market. See these critical buys and sells free >>

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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