Friday, August 12, 2016
Today's Research Daily write-up features research reports on 14 companies, including reports on Merck (NYSE:MRK), Ralph Lauren (NYSE:RL) and PNC Financial (NYSE:PNC). These 14 reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 60 research reports issued by our analyst team today. You can get access to all of today's research reports here >>>
Merck shares have outperformed its big pharma peers latey (the stock is up more than 18% year-to-date), with the company's strong second-quarter resutls helping sustain the favorable momentum. The analyst likes the company’s cost-cutting initiatives, efforts to expand its pipeline and focus on core areas of expertise are also encouraging. Merck has made significant progress with its pipeline and is working on bringing new products to market. (You can read the full research report on MRK here>>)
Ralph Lauren shares have surged following the strong quarterly report earlier this week where the company came out with solid top- and bottom-line beats on the back of impressive margin gains. While the company is still faced with many challenges, the analyst likes this Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) stock for the company’s portfolio repositioning strategy, which would help it focus exclusively on its core, high-density urban markets for the long term. (You can read the full research report on RL here>>)
PNC Financial shares have lagged the market this year, inline with the overall tough interest rate environment that has been weighing on on all banks lately. These macro headwinds notwithstanding, the analyst likes the company's capital strength, which was reflected by its successful clearance of the Fed stress test and the recent dividend hike as part of its 2016 capital plan. Its diverse revenue mix, balance-sheet strengthening efforts and cost management are other positives. (You can read the full research report on PNC here>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Charter Communications (NASDAQ:CHTR), Discover Financial (DFS) and Novo Nordisk (CO:NOVOb) (NVO).
You can find all of today's stock research reports here>>
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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.
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Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Discover Financial (DFS) Beats Q2 Earnings and Revenues
The covering analyst thinks the company may benefit from higher card usage and growth in loan portfolio. Rising expenses and slow growth in Payments Service segment are headwinds.
Novo Nordisk (NVO) Beats on Q2 Earnings, Outlook Disappoints
Novo Nordisk topped earnings estimate and met revenue expectations. Strong performance of drugs like Victoza, Tresiba and Saxenda should continue to drive sales.
Kohl's (KSS) Rises on Q2 Earnings and Sales Beat
The Zacks analyst thinks Kohl's upbeat second quarter results are attributable to the fact that it successfully reduced excess inventory .
Impax (IPXL) Generic Segment under Pressure, Outlook Revised
The covering analyst thinks steep pricing erosion and competition faced by the Generics segment are concerns.
Achillion (ACHN) Posts Narrower-Than-Expected Loss in 2Q
The Zacks analyst is positive on the company's HCV agreement with J&J. Also, the complement Factor D pipeline represents upside potential.
New Upgrades
Charter Comm. (CHTR) Upgraded on Encouraging Prospects
The Zacks analyst thinks that after buying Time Warner Cable and Bright House, Charter Communications will be in a position to offer enhanced services and video options to its customers.
Ralph Lauren (RL) Upgraded on Solid Q1 Earnings & Sales
According to the covering analyst, Ralph Lauren emerged stronger in first-quarter fiscal 2017 as the top and bottom lines exceeded expectations. This also marked the company's sixth consecutive earnings beat.
New Downgrades
Westport Fuel Systems' (WPRT) Sustained Losses Pose Concern
Westport Fuel Systems posted wider-than-expected loss in Q2. The Zacks analyst thinks while it will enjoy significant merger-related savings and benefits in future, sustained losses and cash outflows are concerns.
Dean Foods' (DF) Q2 Earnings Rise Year over Year, Sales Fall
According to the covering analyst, Dean Foods' second quarter 2016 earnings jumped year over year, backed by lower raw milk costs. However, sales were hurt by soft volumes that remain a hurdle for the future.
PNC FINL SVC CP (PNC): Free Stock Analysis Report
NOVO-NORDISK AS (NVO): Free Stock Analysis Report
MERCK & CO INC (MRK): Free Stock Analysis Report
EQUITY RESIDENT (EQR): Free Stock Analysis Report
DISCOVER FIN SV (DFS): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHARTER COMM-A (CHTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
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