Monday July 3 2017

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Disney (DIS), Charter Communications (CHTR), and Monsanto (MON).These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Disney’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Media Conglomerates sector over the last one year, gaining +10.3% vs. +7.4%, driven by the blockbuster performance of its movies and its vibrant Parks & Resorts division. The Zacks analyst likes its impressive lineup of big budget movies up to 2018. Further, it is focused on deploying capital towards expansion of the Parks and Resorts business to create long-term growth opportunities. But over the last few quarters, Disney has been weighed down by concerns about ESPN whose future growth has been clouded by the evolving media landscape as a result of 'cord cutting' and the steady migration of subscribers to online and digital platforms. Identical to performances in the past few quarters, ESPN disappointed in the second quarter again.

(You can read the full research report on Disney here >>>).

Shares of Charter Communications outperformed the Zacks Cable TV industry over the past three months (+1.7% vs. -2.4%), buoyed by the buyout of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. The Zacks analyst is particularly optimistic about these acquisitions since they have boosted the company's fiber suite, bottom line and free cash flow. Following the buyouts, the company launched a new Spectrum TV app to unite the viewing experience of these two big cable companies on a single podium. Charter Communications is also planning to execute field trials for 5G wireless network and plans to enter the U.S. wireless industry in collaboration with Comcast. However, the company operates in the saturated and competitive multi-channel U.S. video market which, along with high debt levels, is a major concern.

(You can read the full research report on Charter Communications here >>>).

Monsanto’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Agricultural/Products industry over the last three months, gaining +3% vs. +2.5%. The company reported better-than-expected third-quarter fiscal 2017 results. The Zacks analyst thinks increasing demand for crop-yield enhancing products, stronger innovation and success of Bayer’s buyout deal will bolster Monsanto’s top- and bottom-line performance in the quarters ahead. However, stiff rivalry within the seeds, traits and agricultural chemical industry exposes the company to risks of market share loss. Moreover, a stronger U.S. dollar or weaker pricing conditions might weigh over the company’s near-term results.

(You can read the full research report on Monsanto here >>>).

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include PNC Financial (PNC), T-Mobile (TMUS) and M&T Bank (MTB).

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Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>