CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI) as the Bull of the Day and Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE:JCI) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Rockwell Collins Inc. (NYSE:COL), The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) and Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
We are retaining our Outperform recommendation on Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE:VMI). Third quarter earnings topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate while sales missed. Profit jumped nearly 35% year over year, boosted by a solid performance in the company's Utility Support Structures division.
Moving ahead, the company expects healthy demand for irrigation equipment from farmers in the fourth quarter. Valmont is witnessing significant strength across the utility and irrigation markets.
The company expects to post double-digit earnings growth in 2012 despite the European slowdown. The outlook for irrigation equipment is strong while demand for Utility Support Structures is expected to rise. Healthy order activity and a growing backlog support expectations for a strong full-year 2012.
Johnson Controls Inc. (NYSE:JCI) is a leading supplier of automotive interiors, batteries and other control equipment. Although the company posted a marginal 1.3% rise in earnings per share in its fiscal fourth quarter, it expects a year-over-year decline in earnings in the first half of fiscal 2013.
This expected decline is due to weak end-markets and adverse effects of foreign currency. We are also concerned about pricing pressure from OEMs and strong competition faced by the company. These factors have led us to maintain our Underperform recommendation on the stock with a target price of $23.00.
The current P/E, which is close to the lower-end of the historical range, is at a 15% discount to the peer group for 2013. Our $23.00 target price, 8.8X 2013 EPS, reflects our Underperform view.
Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:
Collins Supplies Boeing's 737 MAX
Rockwell Collins Inc. (NYSE:COL) received a contract from The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA) to supply large-format flight displays as standard equipment for Boeing 737 MAX flight deck.
Rockwell will provide four configurable 15.1-inch landscape LCD displays for the new jet's flight deck, which will enhance situational awareness and efficiency of the aircraft. Currently, Rockwell supplies these displays to Boeing for its 787 Dreamliner and KC-46 Tanker. Moreover, Boeing also intends to use these standard equipments for its existing 757 and 767 aircrafts.
Boeing has also chosen Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE:HON) for the supply of an electronic bleed air system that keeps in control the cabin pressure and helps in getting ice off the wings.
The company expects the first delivery of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with Rockwell Collins' flight displays in 2017. Boeing is currently producing 35 737 jets per month. The company plans to increase the production rate to 38 airplanes per month beginning in 2013 and 42 airplanes per month beginning in 2014. Currently, Boeing has more than 900 orders for the 737 MAX.
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Rockwell Collins designs, manufactures, and supports software and hardware solutions for aircraft communication, navigation, signals intelligence, and weapons systems as well as surveillance systems. Going forward, Rockwell will benefit with the increase in the number of orders for 737 MAX.
Recently in October, Rockwell Collins Inc. reported fourth quarter fiscal 2012 earnings results ending September 30, 2012. The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.32, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.09 for the quarter. Earnings were up 17.0% year over year. During the quarter, sales related to aircraft original equipment manufacturers were up 15% year over year to $307 million driven by increased sales of Airbus and Boeing, resulting from higher production rates of the 787, 737 and A320 aircrafts.
Rockwell Collins is the foremost global supplier of communications and avionics equipment for both commercial and military customers. The company's balanced exposure to both types of customers allows the company to use government funding to develop products for the dual-end market.
However, we expect growth of the business aviation market to be hampered by slower global economic recovery. The company presently retains a short-term Zacks #4 Rank (Sell). We have a long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.
Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.
About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
About the Analyst Blog
Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
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 analyst 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 by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=7158.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard 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=4582.
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