CHICAGO, Feb. 29, 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 Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA), Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) and American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:
Visa Makes Ties with Intel
Yesterday, card processing giant Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) announced a strategic alliance with Intel Corporation (Nasdaq: INTC), a multinational semiconductor chip maker, in order to improve the mobile banking experience in the developed and developing economies.
Accordingly, Visa has teamed up with Intel to blend its proficiencies in payment processing and account holder authentication along with its global network reach with the latter's high-grade innovative technologies that offer the world's best computing devices.
Moreover, of late, mobile banking has come up with a profound scope of providing the consumers with a convenient, user-friendly, value-for money, transparent and secure mode of making transactions, which include person-to-person payments, bill payments, adding cell phone minutes and other banking services.
Nevertheless, to make mobile commerce widely acceptable and accessible, Visa has assured that the latest payment processing source will be supported by a high-grade technology and security measures. Hence, Intel's silicon innovation and chip-based security will enable Visa process its payments in a safe and secured manner.
Therefore, the companies are mutually operating to increase their efficiencies through Visa's payWave and Intel's Atom-based smartphones and tablets, which will enable the consumers to have access to an authentic transaction and hardware-based display protection.
The collaboration will also result in enhanced security and faster checkout, with the convenience of a simple wave of the mobile phone in front of a payment terminal. Additionally, Intel's smartphones will also be equipped with near field communication (NFC) technology, offering Visa's mobile transaction a safe, easy and fast pathway.
Enhancing security is important for Visa's card transactions, given the competitive pressure against arch rivals, particularly MasterCard Inc. (NYSE: MA), along with the market demand in the rapidly growing electronic payment industry. The company has achieved the position to consistently maintain the availability of its core global processing systems as well.
Meanwhile, other card giants such as MasterCard, Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) and American Express Co. (NYSE: AXP) are also seeking greener pastures through newer initiatives, including the expansion into prepaid cards, mobile banking and eCommerce, given the regulatory clouds hovering over the credit and debit card businesses.
Estimate Trend Revision
Over the last 30 days, 18 out of 25 analysts covering the stock have raised their estimates for the second quarter of fiscal 2012, while a couple of downward revisions were witnessed. Currently, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the second quarter is operating earnings of $1.50 per share, which would jump by about 22% from the year-ago quarter.
The higher number of upward estimate revisions for the second quarter indicates a positive trend in the performance of the stock in the near term. This reflects Visa's robust growth fundamentals that could be moderated by the regulatory snags.
With respect to earnings surprises, the stock has been steady over the last four quarters, with all four positive surprises. The average remained positive at 2.35%.
Visa carries a Zacks Rank #2, implying a short-term Buy rating, although a Neutral stance remains over the long term.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
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: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which 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 at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article