Tuesday, February 14 2017

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including ConocoPhillips (COP), Emerson Electric (EMR), and Union Pacific (UNP).

ConocoPhillips shares have outperformed other major U.S. oil and gas integrated companies over the past six months, gaining +17.9% vs +0.2%. The analyst stresses that ConocoPhillips is touted to be the largest exploration and production player in the world, based on proved reserves and production. The company’s fourth-quarter 2016 loss came in lower than expected and also compares favorably to the year-ago quarter’s results. Significantly low expenses along with higher commodity price realizations led to the improvement. However, the company is anticipated to produce less in first-quarter 2017, compared to the year-ago quarter. Moreover, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter earnings has been revised lower over the last 60 days. (You can read the full research report on ConocoPhillips here >>)

Buy rated Emerson Electric shares have outperformed the Zacks classified Machinery-Electrical industry over the last six months, gaining +17.2% vs +8.6%. Emerson’s first-quarter fiscal 2017 earnings exceeded estimates and increased year-over-year on the back of improving macro environment, restructuring benefits and lower expenses. Going forward, the company’s aggressive restructuring actions and strategic divestures are likely to boost margins. Moreover, recent acquisitions, such as the Pentair and Permasense, look promising. The thriving HVAC and refrigeration business, buoyant construction markets in the U.S. & Asia, and high global infrastructure spending are expected to stoke growth. (You can read the full research report on Emerson Electric here >>)

Buy rated Union Pacific shares have increased +17.1% over the last six months, outperforming the Zacks Transportation sector, which has gained +13.1% over the same period. Driving the stock's outperformance despite well-known headwinds facing the transportation group as a whole is its track record of operating efficiencies, strong cash flows and shareholder-friendly policies. Particularly impressive are Union Pacific's efforts to control costs. Lower costs also benefitted the company's fourth-quarter earnings. Growing optimism about the economy following hopes of market friendly policies from the new administration is helping the stock as well as the broader transportation group. (You can read the full research report on Union Pacific here >>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include AstraZeneca (AZN), Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and Cardinal Health (CAH).

Free Access: All Zacks Research Reports
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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 >>>