The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Comcast, Medtronic, FedEx, Praxair And Twitter

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 01, 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 Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA – Free Report ), Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) (NYSE: MDT – Free Report ), FedEx (NYSE: FDX – Free Report ), Praxair (NYSE:PX) (NYSE: PX – Free Report ) and Twitter (NYSE: TWTR – 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 Research Reports for Today: CMCSA, MDT, FDX

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Comcast (NASDAQ: CMCSA – Free Report ), Medtronic (NYSE:MDT – Free Report ) and FedEx (NYSE:FDX – Free Report ).

Comcast shares have been strong performers since the election on hopes of favorable regulatory changes on the net neutrality front (the stock is up +26.6% since November 8th and +14.7% year to date). The company posted strong first quarter 2017 financial results. Comcast's continued momentum reflects the strength in its Cable business and significant improvement in the NBC Universal segment.

The company has been taking on the challenge of customer churn and 'cord cutting' head on through its own Internet TV service “Stream” and the incorporation of Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) services into its X1 platform. Comcast is working towards 5G network deployment and plans to launch its own wireless service in mid-2017. Plans to start its own wireless service could also make strategic sense by increasing the value of its 'bundle' that adds to customer 'stickiness'. (You can read the full research report on Comcast here. )

Shares of Medtronic have outperformed the Zacks categorized Medical - Products industry over the past one year, gaining +16.7% vs. +14.3%. Ahead of its fourth quarter fiscal 2017 result, the Zacks analyst thinks Medtronic will do well banking on strong performances of major business groups with sustainability across all regions. Gradually stabilizing trend in the global CRHF market is a major cause for optimism.

The company is currently on a spree of gaining regulatory approvals for its minimally invasive devices which is quite encouraging. On the flip side, escalating costs and expenses weighing on margins is a concern. Also, an unfavorable foreign exchange position continues to remain a drag. (You can read the full research report on Medtronic here. )

FedEx shares have been strong performers in the post-election period (up +5.7% vs. down -3.6% for the Zacks Air Freight industry & -2.9% for rival UPS). The Zacks analyst likes FedEx's decision to reward shareholders through dividend payments and share buybacks. FedEx's bullish view for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 is encouraging.

Consequently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter has increased 4.6% to $3.84 per share over the last sixty days. FedEx's expansion related efforts also raise optimism. However, headwinds like high costs raise concerns. (You can read the full research report on FedEx here. )

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Praxair (NYSE: PX – Free Report ) and Twitter (NYSE: TWTR – Free Report ).

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

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

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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