The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Ford, Amazon, Expedia, Procter & Gamble and Merck

CHICAGO, April 30, 2012 /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 Ford (NYSE: F), Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN), Expedia (Nasdaq: EXPE), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) and Merck (NYSE: MRK).

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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

GDP Headline Weak, Stronger Underneath

In its first read on the fourth quarter of 2011, the commerce department reported that the U.S. economy expanded at a weaker than expected 2.2% pace in the first quarter of 2012, down from the fourth quarter's 3% growth rate. The expectation was for the GDP number to be up 2.5%, though many were looking for growth rates above that level. While 'headline' growth rate missed expectations and dropped from the preceding quarter's level, the composition of growth improved. Weak spending by governments and businesses offset surprise strength on the consumer spending front to give us the negative surprise.

Personal consumption expenditures (PCE), or consumer spending, which accounts for close to 70% of the economy, increased by 2.9%, compared to the 2.1% increase in the fourth quarter. Households spent more on non-durables and services compared to the fourth quarter, driving the strong PCE gain. The major negative contributor to growth during the quarter was government spending, which declined 5.6% in the quarter following a 6.9% drop in the fourth quarter. Contribution from state and local governments was also negative.
 
The weakness in government spending may not be that worrisome or problematic, though it has a bearing on overall growth in the economy. But the deceleration in business spending during the quarter does not look promising. Non-residential fixed investment was down 2.1% in the quarter, compared to the 5.2% increase in the fourth quarter.

Corporate spending on software and equipment decelerated materially from the fourth quarter's 7.5% growth pace to an increase of only 1.7%. Inventories were less of a growth contributor to growth this quarter, adding only 0.59% compared to the 1.8% growth contribution in the fourth quarter.  
 
On the earnings front, Ford's (NYSE: F) positive earnings surprise will add to the impressive numbers from Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN) and Expedia (Nasdaq: EXPE) after the close last week. Ford is announcing lump-sum buyout offers to its salaried retirees and former employees vested in its pension program as a way to bring down its pension liabilities. The quarterly result reflected strength in North America helped Ford offset European and Asian weakness during the quarter.

But not all earnings reports in the positive column. Procter & Gamble's (NYSE: PG) first quarter results were overshadowed by its lowered guidance for the full year.Merck (NYSE: MRK) beat on EPS, but its top-line number was a tad short.

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