Friday, October 4, 2019
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Verizon Communications (VZ), PepsiCo (PEP) and Biogen (BIIB). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
Verizon’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Wireless National industry over the past year (7.4% vs. 5.3%). The Zacks analyst believes that Verizon has embarked on a new operating structure with Verizon 2.0 that aims to align the business model with evolving customer needs.
Focus on online content delivery, mobile video and online advertising will likely drive future growth. Verizon aims to cut costs through employee reduction and divestments as it ramps up investment in its next-generation 5G network, which is expected to be the next growth driver. The company has also upped the ante against rivals by launching the 5G Ultra Wideband network in select locations of the country.
However, it continues to struggle in a competitive U.S. wireless market. The company's wireline division is struggling with losses in access lines due to competitive pressure from VoIP service providers. Verizon is spending heavily on promotion and lucrative discounts to woo customers and this leads to margin contraction..
(You can read the full research report on Verizon here >>>)
Shares of PepsiCo have gained 13.4% in the past six months, outperforming the Zacks Soft Drinks Beverages industry’s rise of 8% over the same period. The Zacks analyst believes that company’s productivity savings goal of at least $1 billion annually through 2023 bodes well.
The company’s earnings and sales beat in third-quarter 2019 was driven by strength in all segments and robust pricing. This marked its ninth sales beat in the last 11 quarters, with positive earnings surprise in 14 of the last 15 quarters. Moreover, PepsiCo now expects organic revenues for 2019 to meet or exceed 4% growth stated previously.
However, the unfavorable impact of ongoing investments to strengthen business, a higher tax rate, and the absence of asset sale and refranchising gains that occurred in 2018 are likely to hurt PepsiCo’s earnings in 2019. Adverse currency rates are also likely to hurt the company’s results in 2019.
(You can read the full research report on PepsiCo here >>>).
Biogen’s shares have lost 5% in the past three months compared with the Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry’s decline of 9.1%. The Zacks analyst likes Biogen’s efforts to diversify beyond MS to other areas like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's and stroke. Meanwhile, Spinraza has multi-billion dollar potential.
Biogen regularly in-licenses assets to build its pipeline with several candidates that have transformative potential. Several data readouts are expected in 2019/2020 with multiple potential launches in the early 2020s. However, Biogen is heavily reliant on sales of its drugs for MS, which is a highly competitive disease space. Potential competition to Spinraza from competitors’ gene therapy programs for SMA is a concern.
Though Biogen’s CNS pipeline is attractive, it is a high-risk area. The stock has underperformed the industry this year. Estimates have remained stable ahead of Q2 earnings. Biogen has a positive record of earnings surprises in the recent quarters.
(You can read the full research report on Biogen here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Stryker (SYK), The Bank of New York - Mellon (BK) and Cerner (CERN).
More Stock News: This Is Bigger than the iPhone!
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Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>
Today's Must Read
Featured Reports
Dynamic Pricing, Operating Efficiency to Aid Lennar (NYSE:LEN)
Per the Zacks analyst, Lennar is poised to benefit from prudent land investment strategies, strength in the housing market, dynamic pricing model and operating efficiency.
Core MedSurg Segment Aids Stryker (SYK) Amid Competition
Stryker continues to Gain from solid prospects of its core MedSurg arm.
Cerner (CERN) Rides on EHR & EMRs, Margin Contraction a Woe
Per the Zacks analyst, Cerner continues to benefit from its lucrative HER (Electronic Health Record) & EMR (Electronic Medical Record) platforms.
Brightree Continues to Boost ResMed's (RMD) SDB Device Sales
The Zacks analyst is bullish about ResMed's series of new-generation sleep apnea device launches post the inclusion of Brightree.
Solid Balance Sheet Supports BNY Mellon (BK) Amid Rate Cuts
Per the Zacks analyst, solid balance sheet and efforts to improve efficiency through prudent cost control will aid BNY Mellon.
New Upgrades
Hasbro's (NASDAQ:HAS) U.S. and Canada Segment to Drive Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, Hasbro's U.S. and Canada segment is likely to benefit from product launches, various sales-boosting initiatives, strategic partnerships and a strong gaming portfolio.
Acquisitions, Diversified Revenues Aid Ally Financial (ALLY)
The Zacks analyst believes Ally Financial's efforts to diversify revenue base, inorganic growth strategy, strong balance sheet position and rise in demand for consumer loans will aid profitability.
New Downgrades
GoPro (GPRO) Hurt by Production Delay Amid Stiff Competition
Per the Zacks analyst, GoPro has been hit by delay in production of its latest Hero8 Black cameras. It clipped its 2019 revenue outlook due to severe competition in camera and camcorder market.
Soft Heritage Brands Unit Weigh on PVH Corp's (NYSE:PVH) Sales
Per Zacks analyst, PVH Corp is witnessing softness at its Heritage Brands segment, which is likely to continue.
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Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
Stryker Corporation (NYSE:SYK): Free Stock Analysis Report
Pepsico, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Cerner Corporation (NASDAQ:CERN): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE:BK): Free Stock Analysis Report
Biogen Inc. (NASDAQ:BIIB): Free Stock Analysis Report
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