For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 05, 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 Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM – Free Report ), JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) (NYSE: JPM – Free Report ), Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP – Free Report ), Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB) (NASDAQ: BIIB – Free Report ) and Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX – Free Report ).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Today: XOM, JPM, UNP & More
Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM – Free Report ), JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM – Free Report ) and Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP – Free Report ).
Exxon Mobil shares tracked the S&P 500 index through year-end 2016, but have lagged the broader index as well as the peer super majors group in the year-to-date period, likely reflecting the company's perceived defensiveness that disadvantages it relative to its 'oilier' peers. During first-quarter 2017, the company posted strong earnings on the back of increased realizations for liquids and gas as well as higher margin from the downstream business.
Exxon's resilient integrated business model has long been the industry gold standard, which makes it an attractive and relatively low-risk Energy sector option for many investors. A fortress balance sheet, an attractive and totally safe dividend and a history of returning excess cash to shareholders are some of the other positives in the Exxon story.
The Zacks analyst discusses the pros and cons of investing in Exxon shares in the updated research report issued today. (You can read the full research report on Exxon Mobil here. )
Shares of JPMorgan have gained +24.5% over the past six months vs. +23.9% gain for the Major Banks industry. The company’s first-quarter 2017 earnings easily outpaced expectations driven by impressive investment banking and trading revenue growth as well as lower credit costs.
The Zacks analyst likes the company’s has steady capital deployment activities (dividend hike and share buyback), which reflects its strong balance sheet position. The company remains well positioned to benefit from the improved rate scenario and rising loan demand. Synergies from retail banking performance and cost-containment efforts will help improving its profitability, going forward.
However, a persistent fee income growth challenge remains a major headwind. Also, litigation hassles remain a concern. (You can read the full research report on JPMorgan here. )
Union Pacific shares have rallied 3.8% in the last month, outperforming the Zacks Transportation-Rail industry’s increase of 3.66% in the period. Shares of Union Pacific have also performed better than those of fellow-railroad operator Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC), which have gained 2.2% in the same time span.
Union Pacific reported better-than-expected earnings and revenues in the first quarter of 2017. The improvement in coal revenues and the company's 2017 capital plan worth $3.1 billion are other positives. The plan complements the company's efforts to promote safety and enhance productivity. The below-par performance of the automotive unit in the first quarter, however, raises concerns. (You can read the full research report on Union Pacific here. )
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB – Free Report ) and Becton Dickinson (NYSE: BDX – Free Report ).
More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.
A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>
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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Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM
J P Morgan Chase & Co (JPM): Free Stock Analysis Report
Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE:UNP
Biogen Inc. (BIIB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX): Free Stock Analysis Report
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