Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Today's must-read reports are for Bristol-Myers (BMY), ConocoPhillips (COP) and eBay (EBAY).

Bristol-Myers shares are up +11% year-to-date, with this Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) rated stock getting a boost when its cancer drug, Opdivo, became the first PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor to gain regulatory approval anywhere in the world.  The analyst likes the company’s higher guidance for 2016 and its concerted efforts to develop its pipeline are also encouraging. (You can read the full research report on BMY here.)

Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) rated ConocoPhillips shares have been laggards lately, but the analyst likes ConocoPhillips’ greater focus on North America, Australia and Asia which is expected to improve its risk profile. Additionally, ConocoPhillips’ initiatives towards liquids-rich plays are starting to bear fruit buoyed by the Eagle Ford, Bakken and Permian plays. (You can read the full research report on COP here.)

Despite lingering in the red year-to-date, shares of eBay have gained more than 5% over the last one month. The analyst likes the Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) rated stock’s opportunities in the fast-growing mobile space, international expansion and a strong balance sheet. The company's concerted efforts to squeeze additional costs out of its operations hold the promise of a boost to margins in the coming quarters. (You can read the full research report on EBAY here.)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Pepsi (PEP), Viacom (VIAB) and Suncor Energy (SU).

• Pepsi (PEP) Beats Q2 Estimates
• Illinois Tool (ITW) Eyes Growth
• Suncor Energy (SU) Upgraded to Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy)
• Viacom (VIAB) Downgraded to Zacks Rank # 5 (Strong Sell)

You can find all of today's stock research reports here.

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

Note: Sheraz Mian regularly provides earnings analysis on Zacks.com and appears frequently in the print and electronic media. His weekly earnings related articles include Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview. He also provides weekly commentary to Zacks Premiumsubscribers and manages the Zacks Focus Listand Top 10portfolios. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here