CHICAGO, June 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL), Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE), Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG), Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN) and Align Technology (ALGN).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Apple to Launch iCloud
Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL) is en route to strengthening its competitive advantage over its peers as the company's chief executive, Steve Jobs unveils the iCloud. It is expected that the CEO will announce its new online cloud services offering on June 6, 2011 at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in San Francisco.
This iCloud service is an online offering to store digital files like photos, music and videos. Music for Apple has been one of the strongest domains, and Apple would like to offer iCloud services to its customers, enabling them to create, store and listen to their music collection online by streaming onto any web accessible device, such as the computer, smartphone or tablet. Apple also has plans for further enhancements to its iCloud services
According to sources, Apple has already signed agreements with three major record labels, namely, Warner Music Group Corp., Sony Corp.'s (NYSE: SNE) Sony Music Entertainment and EMI Group Ltd to provide the music collection as part of its iCloud services. Apple is also in talks with Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and is expected to sign their fourth agreement this week, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
We believe that Apple would gain significant traction with this iCloud service, as it has roped in some major music companies and has a wide array of music to offer. This would not only boost sales from existing Apple customers, but might also attract new customers in the coming days. However, Apple is yet to finalize the deal with music publishers, so there could be a last-minute hitch.
The dominance of Apple in digital media services is reflected in its 200 million+ iTunes accounts. We believe the iCloud improves Apple's ability to provide customers a wider range of music, strengthening its position versus major companies like Google Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Amazon.com Inc. (Nasdaq: AMZN). Both of these have a similar sort of a service but they do not have licensing deals with music companies.
Given the loyal customer base, international expansion, competitive pricing strategy and solid cash position, we remain optimistic on Apple's long-term growth. However, increasing competition in most of its major product segments, possible delays in product launch, higher operating expenses and increasing legal complexities compel us to maintain our Neutral rating over the long term (6-12 months).
Currently, Apple has a Zacks #3 Rank, which implies a Hold rating in the near term.
Invisalign Now in China
Recently, Align Technology (ALGN) launched its Invisalign system in China. The company is training orthodontists in the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou. Align has been focusing on the international arena over the past few quarters.
Earlier, in October 2010, the company had received approval from the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to market the Invisalign system as a Class II medical device to treat malocclusion. This is a significant achievement for the company as it would help Align to expand its foothold into one of the fastest growing markets for orthodontics.
Align manufactures and markets the Invisalign system, a proprietary method for treating malocclusion or misalignment of teeth. The system corrects malocclusion using some nearly invisible and removable appliances that help gently move the tooth to a desired final position.
In an effort to further penetrate the malocclusion market by making Invisalign more attractive to both doctors and patients, in May 2011, Aligned completed the acquisition of privately held Cadent Holdings, a provider of 3D digital scanning solutions for orthodontics and dentistry. The company subsequently discovered that Cadent's orthodontic full arch scanning process is interoperable for use in its Invisalign treatment.
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