Monday, July 11, 2016
We are featuring 16 research reports from our analyst team in today's Zacks Research Daily, including reports on Gilead (GILD), Altria (MO), Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) (QCOM) and Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) (PFE).
Gilead shares have turned around a bit in recent days, but still still lag the broader market in the year-to-date period on continued negative sentiment on the biotech space as a whole. These clouds notwithstanding, the covering analyst likes this Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) rated stock for its strong HIV and HCV portfolio and robust product pipeline, which could get further boost from deals that the company has plenty of financial firepower to execute. (You can read the full research report on GLD (NYSE:GLD) here.)
Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) rated Altria shares are up an impressive +19% year-to-date, likely reflecting the low-beta tobacco giant's stable business outlook and attractive dividend (currently yielding a juicy 3.2%). The analyst likes the company's strong portfolio of tobacco and wine products and its ability to adapt to evolving demands, such as developing several non combustible tobacco products. (You can read the full research report on MO here.)
The analyst likes the buy-rated Qualcomm stock for its leadership position in the global wireless baseband chipset market and its growing presence in related opportunities such as mobile computing and IoT. The company's new patent license agreements with Chinese smartphone makers should boost Qualcomm’s top line and also solidify its footing in the Chinese market (You can read the full research report on QCOM here.)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Procter & Gamble (PG), Novartis (NVS) and Southern Company (NYSE:SO) (SO).
- Southern Co (SO) Buys Stake in SNG Pipeline Systems
- Pfizer (PFE) Strong on Cost Savings, Hospira Buy
- Novartis (NVS) Raised to Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy)
- Procter & Gamble (PG) Down to Zacks Rank # 4 (Sell)
You can find all of today's stock research reports here.
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. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here.
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Southern Co (SO) to Buy 50% Stake in SNG Pipeline Systems
The Zacks analyst thinks Southern Company will provide cleaner energy to its customers through this move.
Old Navy Drives Gap's (GPS) June Comps, Breaks Dismal Trend
Strong Old Navy performance, which gained from favorable Memorial Day shift, drove Gap's June comps and helped it revive from its long negative comps streak.
Alliant Energy (LNT) Gains S&P 500 Membership
The Zacks analyst believes the company has earned its S&P 500 membership on the back of consistent performance and several strategic initiatives.
Cost Savings, Hospira & New Products to Boost Pfizer (PFE)
The covering analyst believes cost savings, the Hospira buy and strong performance of new products will drive Pfizer's performance.
Strategic Efforts Helping L Brands (NYSE:LB) Combat Headwinds
The covering analyst believes that focus on cost containment and inventory management has kept LB afloat in a soft consumer environment.
ONEOK (NYSE:OKE) Partners' (OKS) Strategic Investments Drive Growth
The Zacks analyst thinks expansion plans will drive growth and conversion to fee-based contracts will boost earnings.
Heavy Domestic Exposure to Boost Mohawk (MHK)
Mohawk has heavy domestic exposure and revenues are expected to increase as the sector gains further momentum.
New Upgrades
Prospects Improving for Quest Diagnostics (NYSE:DGX)
DGX has experienced upward estimate revisions ahead of Q2 earnings and the Zacks analyst thinks team-ups with Safeway and HealthOne are upsides.
Novartis (NVS) Looks Strong On Immuno-oncology & Biosimilars
The Zacks analyst believes that besides a solid oncology portfolio, Novartis' expanding immuno-oncology portfolio and biosimilars pipeline should boost growth prospects.
Stericycle (NASDAQ:SRCL) Poised for Healthy Long-Term Growth
Stericycle's network is not just the largest in the industry, it is difficult to replicate and allows it to compete on both service and price, according to the covering analyst.
New Downgrades
P&G (PG) Sales Weak amid Improving Margins
The Zacks analyst thinks that though P&G has stepped up innovation and marketing investments to boost sales, these efforts will take time to yield results.
Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iPhone Ceding Market Share to Samsung (KS:005930) Galaxy
The covering analyst remains cautious regarding weakness in iPhone demand since competitor Samsung has upgraded its second-quarter 2016 earnings guidance citing robust smartphone sales.
Margin Pressures Persist for PNC Financial (NYSE:PNC)
The Zacks analyst believes margin pressure remains a concern due to slow rise in interest rates while muted growth in net interest income remains a headwind.
SOUTHERN CO (SO): Free Stock Analysis Report
PROCTER & GAMBL (PG): Free Stock Analysis Report
NOVARTIS AG-ADR (NVS): Free Stock Analysis Report
ALTRIA GROUP (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report
GILEAD SCIENCES (GILD): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research