CHICAGO, May 29, 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 United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX-Free Report), Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC-Free Report), Boeing Company (NYSE:BA-Free Report), Raytheon Co. (NYSE:RTN-Free Report) andL-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LLL-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
What's New in Defense Stocks?
Last week most of the defense companies recovered from a poor showing in the prior week. Although budget issues will continue to plague these stocks for some time to come, defense biggies successfully won small contracts to keep their order books ticking. Some big moves were also made keeping investors in good humor and ensuring gains for the overall sector.
Among the important updates last week, United Technologies Corp.'s (NYSE:UTX-Free Report) two business units – Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky Aircraft – grabbed most of the limelight. Northrop Grumman Corp. (NYSE:NOC-Free Report) enhanced dividend. The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA-Free Report) was beaming with confidence at its annual shareholders' meeting and reaffirmed its guidance on both lines (see last to last week's recap here: Defense Stock Roundup for May 20, 2014).
Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories
1. Pratt & Whitney, one of the operating segments of diversified business conglomerate United Technologies, has signed long-term agreements worth $10 billion with over 90 suppliers across the globe (read more: Pratt & Whitney Pens $10B in Deals).
2. Again, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies, won a $143.4 million contract modification to provide 13 more Black Hawk helicopters to the U.S. Army. Sikorsky is one of the world's largest manufacturers of military and commercial helicopters. It also provides aftermarket helicopter and aircraft parts and services for its parent company United Technologies.
3. Defense major Raytheon Co. (NYSE:RTN-Free Report) got a U.S. naval contract, worth $115.5 million, for the MK15 Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (read more: Raytheon Seals $115.5M Naval Deal).
4. The board of directors of Northrop Grumman boosted its annual dividend by 15.0%, marking the 11th consecutive annual increase (read more: Northrop Returns More to Shareholders).
5. Aerospace behemoth Boeing made no change to its 2014 earnings and revenue guidance which still stand at earnings of $7.15–$7.35 on revenues of $87.5–$90.5 billion. The company is focused on improving its margins and sees core operating margins of around 9.5% for 2014. Sitting on a defense backlog of $67 billion, Boeing reaffirmed its operating cash flow projection of $7 billion for the year and sees significant opportunities to add to backlog.
Last week, the biggest gainer was L-3 Communications Holdings Inc. (NYSE:LLL-Free Report), up 2.83%.
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 UTX - FREE
Get the full Report on NOC - FREE
Get the full Report on BA - FREE
Get the full Report on RTN - FREE
Get the full Report on LLL - 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
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com
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.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article