The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: General Motors, Ford Motor, Tesla, Harley-Davidson And Winnebago Industries

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – June 23, 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 General Motors Company (NYSE:GM) (NYSE: GM – Free Report ), Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) (NYSE: F – Free Report ), Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA), Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA – Free Report ), Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG – Free Report ) and Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO – 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:

Auto Stock Roundup: Tesla Outlines Expansion Plans, Winnebago Q3 Earnings Beat

The auto sector saw usual developments last week but most of the companies from this space witnessed negative stock price movement.General Motors Company (NYSE: GM – Free Report ) disclosed its plans of opening a new supplier park at its already-existing Arlington assembly plant in Texas.Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F – Free Report ) reportedly announced the shifting of the production facility of its Focus small car model to China. Also, per a Bloomberg report, Tesla, Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA – Free Report ) is close to beginning vehicle production in China.

In another development, Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG – Free Report ) is eyeing Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati, per various sources.

Moreover, Winnebago Industries, Inc. (NYSE: WGO – Free Report ) reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2017 (ended May 27, 2017) results.

Recap of the Week’s Most Important Stories

1. General Motors plans to open a new supplier park at its already-existing Arlington assembly plant in Texas. This new facility will support future vehicle production and recruit up to 1,250 employees. Per management, the plant will improve logistic efficiency and coordination, and create employment opportunities (read more: General Motors to Open Park in Arlington Plant, Offer Jobs ).

General Motors carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .

2. Ford announced the shifting of the production facility of its Focus small car model to China. The manufactured models will be imported to the U.S. from mid-2019. This step has been taken by Ford with the aim of trimming tooling costs up to $500 million, taking advantage of low oil prices and the stable U.S.-China trade relations, despite recent tensions (read more: Ford to Shift Production Facility of Focus Cars to China ).

Ford carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

3. Tesla is close to beginning vehicle production in China. The Palo Alto, CA-based electric vehicles maker is about to enter into an agreement with the city of Shanghai. The agreement will allow the company to build facilities in Lingang development zone and access the Mainland market more vehemently.

Tesla is actively undertaking international expansion. Since 2013, the company has been selling its vehicles in a number of new markets such as Europe, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and Mexico. In fact, in 2016, Tesla’s revenue grew three times to over $1 billion. Moreover, though production in China, the largest auto market in the world, the company can avoid 25% import tariff (read more: Tesla Gearing Up for Vehicle Production in China ).

Tesla carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

4. Winnebago recorded adjusted earnings of 94 cents per share in the third quarter of fiscal 2017 (ended May 27, 2017), beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 66 cents. In the year-ago period, earnings came in at 53 cents per share.

Revenues in the third quarter rose 75.1%to $476.4 million from $272.1 million in the prior-ago quarter. Moreover, the figure outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $443 million. The upside in the top line was driven by strong growth of the Towable business (read more: Winnebago Beats Q3 Earnings and Revenues Estimates ).

Winnebago currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.

5. Per sources, Harley-Davidson is eyeing Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati. The company is likely to enter the race to acquire Italy-based Ducati for a price of $1.67 billion. Bid for deal is likely to come in July.

Harley-Davidson carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

What’s Next in the Auto Space?

In the first week of July, automakers are expected to report their U.S. sales data for June and first-half 2017.

Looking for Ideas with Even Greater Upside

Most of Zacks’ investment ideas are short-term, directly based on our proven 1 to 3 month indicator. In addition, I invite you to consider our long-term opportunities. These rare trades look to start fast with strong Zacks Ranks, but carry through with double and triple-digit profit potential. Starting now, you can look inside our home run, value, and stocks under $10 portfolios, plus more. Click here for a peek at this private information>>

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 >>.

Get the full Report on GM - FREE

Get the full Report on F - FREE

Get the full Report on TSLA - FREE

Get the full Report on HOG - FREE

Get the full Report on WGO - FREE

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook (NASDAQ:FB): https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com/

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.