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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Valero Energy, Roper Technologies, American Electric Power, CrowdStrike Holdings and Walgreens Boots Alliance

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – March 27, 2023 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Valero Energy Corp. (VLO - Free Report) , Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP - Free Report) , American Electric Power Co., Inc. (AEP - Free Report) , CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD - Free Report) and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Research Reports for Valero Energy, Roper Technologies and American Electric

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 Valero Energy Corp., Roper Technologies, Inc. and American Electric Power Co., Inc. 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 >>>

Valero Energy’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas - Refining and Marketing industry over the past year (+34.1% vs. +3.8%). The company offers the most diversified refinery base in the industry, with a capacity of 3.2 million barrels per day in its 15 refineries located throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

Importantly, Valero is best placed to reap profits from solid refining margins, mainly owing to the strategic refinery structure that enables it to use cheaper oil for more than half of its needs. The majority of Valero’s refining plants are located in the Gulf Coast area, from where there is easy access to the export facilities.

The Gulf Coast presence helped Valero expand export volumes over the past years and gain from high distillate margins. Valero recently reported strong fourth-quarter results due to increased refinery throughput volumes. The company intends to quadruple renewable diesel production capacity by 2023.

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

Shares of Roper Technologies have outperformed the Zacks Computers - IT Services industry over the past six months (+12.7% vs. +8.3%). The company is benefiting from strength across all its segments. Momentum across the Deltek, Vertafore, Aderant, CliniSys and Data Innovations businesses is aiding the Application Software unit.

The strong performance of freight-matching businesses bodes well for Network Software. Single-Use Bronchoscopy and Laryngoscopy offerings are aiding the Verathon business of the Technology Enabled Products unit. Strong cash flow generation supports Roper’s shareholder-friendly efforts.

However, supply-chain issues remain a challenge for Roper. The rising cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses pose a threat to the company’s bottom line. Foreign currency headwinds are added concerns.

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

Shares of American Electric Power have declined -11.8% over the past year against the Zacks Utility - Electric Power industry’s decline of -12.9%. The prolonged continuation of supply-chain disruptions and inflationary pressure might impact the cost of certain goods and services and extend lead times, thereby hurting American Electric’s financial condition. Also, a weak solvency position and unfavorable financial ratios indicate that the company might face difficulties meeting debt obligations.

Nevertheless, American Electric’s has a stable earnings base of approximately 5.5 million customers across more than 11 states. The company owns the nation's largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines.

American Electric plans to invest $40 billion in regulated operations, contracted renewables and wires during the 2023-2027 period to achieve long-term earnings growth of 6-7%.

(You can read the full research report on American Electric Power here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. and Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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