CHICAGO, Feb. 24, 2014 /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 the Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO-Free Report), Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM-Free Report), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT-Free Report), Visa Inc. (NYSE:V-Free Report) and Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA-Free Report).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
Dow 30 Stock Roundup
The blue chip index slipped marginally on Tuesday, by 0.05% as benchmarks finished mixed. A pharma acquisition boosted investor confidence while dismal economic data was overlooked as an outcome of the bitter winter season.
The Dow frittered away the morning's gains to settle 0.6% lower on Wednesday. Investors were discouraged after the US Federal Reserve's latest policy meeting minutes showed that the tapering process would continue. They also revealed that the central bank was debating on when it should begin raising short term rates.
The Dow finally gained 0.6% on Thursday following a better-than-expected reading of Markit's preliminary US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index. Markets ignored dismal foreign data and a decline in the Philadelphia Fed's gauge of manufacturing activity
Components Which Moved the Index
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE:KO-Free Report) reported adjusted earnings of 46 cents per share, in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This was also 2% higher than the year-ago figure. However, revenues missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate and markets reacted negatively. Shares of Coca-Cola closed the day 3.8% lower and pulled down the Dow.
Currency hurt earnings growth by 5% as a strong dollar lowered the value of the company's ex-U.S. sales. Earnings grew 7% year over year on a constant currency basis as strong gross margins and lower taxes made up for soft revenues and margins.
Exxon Mobil Corp. (NYSE:XOM-Free Report) produced first gas from its Damar field, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. With a forecasted peak capacity of 200 million cubic feet per day, the project is expected to help Malaysia meet its rising natural gas demand.
In particular, the startup of Damar – in which Exxon Mobil holds a 50% operated interest – is another important step towards the company's global production growth in the coming years.
Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT-Free Report) made its personal cloud storage service OneDrive globally available. Known earlier as SkyDrive, OneDrive provides users 7GB of free storage space. Users can also increase their storage space by 50 GB, 100 GB and 200 GB at a time. SkyDrive customers can use their existing credentials to access files on OneDrive.
Visa Inc. (NYSE:V-Free Report) said its clients will now be able to make secure mobile payments globally. This will be made possible by hosting payWave accounts in a virtual cloud, secure from infringement. It will also provide financial institutions wider choice in giving customers the freedom to make secure payments using their smartphones.
Boeing 787 Order Flow Continues
The Boeing Co. (NYSE:BA-Free Report) has won a sizable firm order form a joint venture between Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines – SunExpress – for a total of 40 Boeing jets, worth $3.8 billion at list prices.
The contract includes the delivery of 25 Next Generation 737-800 and 15 737 MAX 8 jets, with SunExpress having an option to buy additional 10 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The jets – slated for delivery between 2015 and 2021 – are essential to perk up route services from Germany to several destinations in Turkey.
SunExpress operates an all-Boeing fleet of over 60 Next-Generation 737-700s and 737-800s. It serves more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
The fourth generation of the 737 family – the 737 Max – is a premier aircraft from Boeing's stable and sees brisk demand in the single-aisle market for its fuel efficiency and low carbon dioxide emissions. Powered by the Commercial Fan Motor (CFM) International LEAP-1B engines, the Advanced Technology winglet of this airplane also enhances performance.
Additionally, the pivoting overhead stowage bins increase cabin space. The bins give passengers more room to keep a carry-on roll-aboard near their own seat besides providing extra leg space. This aircraft is 13% more fuel efficient than its closest peer in the single-aisle aircraft market.
Again, the Next Generation 737-800 version comes in with the new Boeing Sky Interior which is the latest in a series of enhancements for both airlines and passengers. This variant has been Boeing's bestseller in the single-aisle market. The single-aisle fleet's share in the global market is expected to increase from 14% to 20% by 2032. This will certainly keep Boeing's cash register ringing in the future.
Recently, Boeing received an order to supply 16 737 MAX airplanes to IcelandAir. The initial order for 12 aircraft received in Dec 2012 has been increased to 16. The agreement also includes purchase rights for eight more 737 MAXs. The total value of the 16 airplanes will be $1.6 billion at list prices.
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
Get the full Report on KO - FREE
Get the full Report on MSFT - FREE
Get the full Report on XOM - FREE
Get the full Report on V - FREE
Get the full Report on BA - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article