A Forward Look, the Year Ahead - Research Report on Advance Auto Parts, Inc., Huntington Bancshares Incorporated, Firstmerit Corp, Henry Schein, Inc. and Patterson Companies, Inc.

NEW YORK, March 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Today, Investors Alliance announced new research reports highlighting Advance Auto Parts, Inc. (NYSE:AAP), Huntington Bancshares Incorporated (NASDAQ:HBAN), Firstmerit Corp (NASDAQ:FMER), Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) and Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:PDCO). Today's readers may access these reports free of charge - including full price targets, industry analysis and analyst ratings - via the links below.

Advance Auto Parts, Inc. Research Report

Advance Auto saw its profits drop in its Q4 by 2 percent at $65.05 million or 88 cents per share, though still beating the expected 76 cents per share. Revenues meanwhile are up $1.329 billion from $1.327 billion last year, meeting expectations. The company saw its share price skyrocket to a whopping 262 percent from 2008 to early 2012 as car sales slowed down. But its shares slid 21 percent since April last year, with the resurgent car market overtaking auto parts retailers. However, Motley Fool says Advance Auto is a good long-term investment, as it pursues its expansion plans. The Full Research Report on Advance Auto Parts, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/7ef9_AAP]

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated Research Report

Huntington recently launched a commodities hedging unit where customers can buy certain resources at a fixed price and avoid price fluctuations and help beef up its capital markets capabilities and specialty banking units. The unit will focus on over-the-counter energy like natural gas, crude oil and jet fuel, and metals like aluminum, silver, and platinum. The company also went through insider buying recently, with President and CEO Stephen Steinour plunking down $281,000 into the company's stock recently, an indication of future stock price growth. Huntington is being rated as a "neutral" by Nomura and Goldman Sachs with a $7.50 price target, citing good net income margin stability for the past few quarters, and progress is being made on cross selling and revenue improvement per relationship. However, they see sluggish loan growth and expenses could outgrow revenues this year. The Full Research Report on Huntington Bancshares Incorporated - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/8d02_HBAN]

Firstmerit Corp Research Report

FirstMerit saw its net income for Q4 of 2012 rise 25 percent due to increased amount and quality of its loans while its expenses decreased. The bank earned $38.2 million or 35 cents per share, up from $30.5 million or 28 cents per share the same quarter the previous year. It also beat the estimated 32 cents per share of FactSet. The company is fresh from a $1.3 billion acquisition of the Michigan-based Citizens Republic Bancorp as part of its Midwest expansion efforts. The two companies will combine and operate under the FirstMerit Bank name franchise as soon as the deal wraps up in Q2 this year. The combined entity will make FirstMerit the Midwest's 7th largest financial institution. Oppenheimer and Co. upgraded the bank to "outperform" after this deal, and has retained it even after the stock slightly fell right after the announcement. Oppenheimer analysts believe the assumptions behind the acquisition are "conservative" and the combined entity would result to a more valuable franchise. The Full Research Report on Firstmerit Corp - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/3a09_FMER]

Henry Schein, Inc. Research Report

Healthcare products and services distributor Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ:HSIC) posted net income and sales growth for Q4, thanks to the performance of its animal health and medical businesses, which both grew through recent acquisitions. Earnings came in at $112.5 million or $1.26 per share, up 7 percent from $104.7 million or $1.15 per share the same period a year earlier, while sales came in at $2.41 billion, up 3 percent year over year. It narrowly beat analysts expectations of $1.21 per share in earnings and $2.4 billion in revenue. In addition, the company repurchased 1.1 million shares of its common stock at an average price of $79.50 per share, or $84.2 million. During the quarter, Schien acquired Irish veterinary pharmaceutical distributor C&M Vetlink, to expand the reach of its global animal health business to Ireland. In 2011, the company bought Australian veterinary products distributor Provet Holdings. The unit increased its sales by 16.1 percent at $611.2 million, inclusive of internal growth in local currencies, acquisition growth, and a one-week longer quarter. Its global Medical sales grew by 1.1 percent at $402.4 million, and its global technology and value-added services sales came in at $81.4 million, or 15 percent higher year on year. However, its global dental sales declined 2.4 percent at $1.3 billion. The Full Research Henry Schein, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/4327_HSIC]

Patterson Companies, Inc. Research Report

Patterson is expected to beat expectations on its upcoming earnings report, with Piper Jaffray rating the company's stock at "Overweight" with a price target of $36. Its previous earnings report released in November posted 44 cents in earnings per share and revenue of $867.19 million. The Full Research Report on Patterson Companies, Inc. - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.Investors-Alliance.com/r/full_research_report/30e1_PDCO]

Consider Investors Alliance

Tired of hearing about the latest, greatest trade opportunity... only to realize that the ship has long sailed? You need a strong, informative community in your arsenal. Join the group that has been consistently identifying momentous situations as they develop - long before they become the next top news on major financial networks.

Contact: Patricia Byers
Email: [email protected]
Main: +1-480-745-7826

SOURCE Investors-Alliance