Thursday, November 17 2016
Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Home Depot (NYSE:HD), TOTAL (TOT) and Pepsi (PEP).
Home Depot’s shares have struggled this year. The company reported better-than-expected top and bottom-line results for third-quarter fiscal 2016. The analyst likes Home Depot’s focus on developing merchandising tools, which, along with investment in building its interconnected capabilities is expected to boost its top line, and enhance market share. The company is on track to achieve its long-term dividend payout, share repurchase and return on investment targets. However, intense competition and a soft economic recovery may prove deterrents, pushing back home improvement projects. (You can read the full research report on Home Depot here.)
TOTAL’s shares have shown significant weakness recently. The company reported mixed results for the third quarter of 2016. However, the analyst likes the manner in which TOTAL has successfully lowered operating expenses as per management’s plans. Going forward, the company will continue to benefit from its upstream startups and cost management initiatives. Strategic acquisitions and asset divestures will strengthen its portfolio. TOTAL’s initiatives to increase clean energy assets through acquisitions will diversify its operations. Meanwhile, fluctuating commodity prices, operations in some politically troubled regions and increasing competition could impact the company’s profitability. (You can read the full research report on TOTAL here.)
Buy rated Pepsi shares have performed poorly this year. But the analyst emphasizes that Pepsi has been doing well on the back of significant innovation, continued momentum in Frito-Lay business, revenue management strategies, improved productivity and better market execution. Moreover, Pepsi has been seeing higher volumes and profits in the North American segments due to an improving economy, better industry pricing dynamics and a consistency in positive innovation. Pepsi’ new product lineup, aggressive marketing efforts, productivity improvement and cost-saving initiatives should drive profits. (You can read the full research report on Pepsi here.)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Merck (NYSE:MRK), Target (TGT) and Electronic Arts (NASDAQ:EA).
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Sheraz Mian
Director of Research
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Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Target (TGT) Tops Q3 Earnings Estimates, Raises FY16 Outlook
The Zacks analyst thinks improved traffic and sales trends with margin expansion and cost containment bode well.
Electronic Arts' (EA) Q2 Earnings & Revenues Top Estimates
The covering analyst expects strength in digital, especially mobile business to carry the momentum going ahead.
Harman (HAR) to be Taken Over by Samsung in $8B Cash Deal
The Zacks analyst believes if Harman's $8 billion takeover by Asian giant Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) goes through, it will help Harman to further boost its presence in the connected car solutions space.
FirstEnergy (NYSE:FE) Beats Q3 Earnings Estimates, Raises View
The covering analyst believes that FirstEnergy's broadening regulated base and growth in transmission business will boost its earnings.
Barrick Gold (ABX) Tops in Q3, Cost & Debt Cuts on Track
Barrick's Q3 earnings and sales topped expectations. The Zacks analyst thinks it will benefit from efforts to reduce costs & debt and digitalize its mines amid a volatile gold pricing environment.
Agilent (A) Posts Encouraging Q4 Results, Tops Expectations
The Q4 earnings beat apart, the Zacks analyst is positive on Agilent's broad-based portfolio that offers higher growth potential.
Weak Prices Hit Agrium (AGU) in Q3, FY16 View Lowered
Agrium's Q3 results missed estimates and it cut 2016 EPS outlook. While weak prices remain a drag, it should gain from strategic growth actions and merger-related synergies, per the covering analyst.
New Upgrades
Apache (NYSE:APA) Q3 Loss Narrower than Expected, Sales Beat
The Zacks analyst likes Apache's significant progress in reducing its cost structure amid the low commodity price scenario and takes a bullish stance on the U.S. energy firm.
New Drugs and Cost Control to Drive Merck's (MRK) Growth
The covering analyst believes that cost-control, share buybacks and contribution from new products like Keytruda should help combat the impact of genericization of key drugs.
Corning (GLW) Focuses on Automotive Market to Drive Growth
The Zacks analyst believes that Corning remains focused on expanding its footprint in the automotive market, which will drive top-line growth in the future.
New Downgrades
AECOM (ACM) Q4 Earnings Miss; Energy Woes Continue to Hurt
AECOM ended fiscal 2016 on a dull note, with both the top and the bottom line lagging expectations. Going forward, softness in energy markets and cautious client spending is likely to raise concerns.
CVS Health (NYSE:CVS) Misses Q3 Revenues, Narrows Guidance
The covering analyst thinks CVS health missed revenue estimates due to struggle for market share in the PBM and retail space. Management's narrowed guidance also indicates no chance of recovery soon.
Campbell Soup (CPB) Appears Troubled by Currency Headwinds
The Zacks analyst thinks Campbell Soup's exposure to the global market may pose concerns, as adverse currency fluctuations are expected to impact fiscal 2017 performance, though by a nominal amount.
TOTAL FINA SA (TOT): Free Stock Analysis Report
TARGET CORP (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report
PEPSICO INC (PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
MERCK & CO INC (MRK): Free Stock Analysis Report
HOME DEPOT (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report
ELECTR ARTS INC (EA): Free Stock Analysis Report
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