Wednesday, February 2, 2022

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 Chevron Corp. (CVX), HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC), and Anthem, Inc. (ANTM). 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 >>>

Shares of Chevron have underperformed the Zacks Integrated Oil industry over the past year (+59.5% vs. +69.6%), however, things seem to be improving. The Zacks analyst believes that Chevron’s acquisition of Noble Energy has expanded its presence in the DJ Basin as well as the Permian Basin, along with the addition of cash generating offshore assets in Israel.

Based on a slew of other tailwinds, CVX remains poised for capital appreciation in the quarters ahead. It boasts a project pipeline that is among the best in the industry, thanks to its premier position in the lucrative Permian. Chevron, however, can be exposed to volatility in commodity prices. It has also witnessed its debt-to-equity go up from 18.6% at the start of 2020 to 27.3% as of Sep 30.

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

HSBC shares have gained +34.1% over the past six months against the Zacks Foreign Banks industry’s rise of +8.9%. The Zacks analyst believes that HSBC’s robust capital position, brand value and a widespread network remain as the major tailwinds. Its restructuring initiatives are also impressive.

HSBC's deal to buy AXA Singapore insurance assets and L&T Investment Management Limited will likely help expand business in Asia. Initiatives to improve market share in the U.K. and China will likely support its financials. These efforts, however, might lead to a rise in costs, thereby weighing on margins. Lower interest rates and weak loan demand are other major concerns for HSBC.

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

Shares of Anthem have gained +3.7% in the last three months against the Zacks HMO industry’s gain of +1.9%. The Zacks analyst believes that acquisitions and collaborations have helped Anthem boost its Medicare Advantage as well as strengthen its business portfolio.

Well-performing Medicare and Medicaid businesses coupled with several contract wins are expected to drive Anthem’s membership. Solid earnings guidance for 2022 is impressive. It witnessed a rise in usage of its virtual care services. Escalating costs and a weak balance sheet with a massive debt burden of $21.1B have been weighing on it margins, though.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include CVS Health Corporation (CVS), Citigroup Inc. (C) and Target Corporation (TGT).

Mark Vickery
Senior Editor

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>>>