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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Facebook, UnitedHealth, Pfizer, McDonald's and MetLife
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 4, 2018 – 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 Facebook , UnitedHealth (UNH - Free Report) , Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) , McDonald's (MCD - Free Report) and MetLife (MET - Free Report) .
Top Research Reports for Facebook, UnitedHealth and Pfizer
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 Facebook, UnitedHealth and Pfizer. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
Facebook shares have underperformed the S&P 500 index in the last three months, losing -15.7% vs. -5.3%. Facebook has been battered by the recent data leak, which reportedly affected 50 million users. The fiasco has sparked concerns about user privacy on the platform. The incident not only grabbed the attention of government regulators worldwide but also fetched harsh criticism from the likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Although CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized, it may not be enough to restore user as well as advertiser trust immediately. But the Zacks analyst thinks Facebook’s efforts to plug security loopholes as well as limit fake news will eventually boost trustworthiness.
The company’s focus on building strong “community” can hurt engagement over the next few quarters, the steps are prudent enough to expand user base over the long run. Meanwhile, estimates have been stable ahead of the company’s Q1 earnings release. Facebook has positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters.
Shares of Buy-rated UnitedHealth have underperformed the Zacks Medical Insurance industry over the last six months (up +8.4% vs. +8.8%). The Zacks analyst likes the company’s robust Government business and continued strong growth at Optum, which are driving long-term growth. Its international business and strong capital position that allows for business investment are the other positives. It has been witnessing an increase in membership from past many years.
The company raised its 2018 earnings guidance led by tax reform upside. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings being revised upward over the last 90 days. Nevertheless, membership loss in its fee based commercial business and Brazilian business will pull down the overall membership growth.
Buy-rated Pfizer’s shares have outperformed the peer group over the last three months (the stock is down -4.7% over this period vs. a -7.1% decline for the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industry). Pfizer continues to face headwinds in the form of genericization of key drugs, supply challenges in the legacy Hospira portfolio, pricing pressure and rising competition, which are hurting the top line.
However, the Zacks analyst thinks new products like Ibrance, contribution from acquisitions, cost cuts and share buybacks should help the company achieve its guidance. Pfizer also boasts a strong pipeline and expects approximately 25 to 30 drug approvals over the next five years, including around 15 products that have blockbuster potential.
Pfizer’s growing immuno-oncology portfolio offers a strong potential. Bavencio is being considered a key long-term growth driver for Pfizer. Pfizer has a positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. Estimates have gone up slightly ahead of its Q1 earnings release.
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include McDonald's and MetLife.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
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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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Facebook, UnitedHealth, Pfizer, McDonald's and MetLife
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 4, 2018 – 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 Facebook , UnitedHealth (UNH - Free Report) , Pfizer (PFE - Free Report) , McDonald's (MCD - Free Report) and MetLife (MET - Free Report) .
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Facebook, UnitedHealth and Pfizer
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 Facebook, UnitedHealth and Pfizer. 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 >>>
Facebook shares have underperformed the S&P 500 index in the last three months, losing -15.7% vs. -5.3%. Facebook has been battered by the recent data leak, which reportedly affected 50 million users. The fiasco has sparked concerns about user privacy on the platform. The incident not only grabbed the attention of government regulators worldwide but also fetched harsh criticism from the likes of Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Although CEO Mark Zuckerberg has apologized, it may not be enough to restore user as well as advertiser trust immediately. But the Zacks analyst thinks Facebook’s efforts to plug security loopholes as well as limit fake news will eventually boost trustworthiness.
The company’s focus on building strong “community” can hurt engagement over the next few quarters, the steps are prudent enough to expand user base over the long run. Meanwhile, estimates have been stable ahead of the company’s Q1 earnings release. Facebook has positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters.
(You can read the full research report on Facebook here >>>).
Shares of Buy-rated UnitedHealth have underperformed the Zacks Medical Insurance industry over the last six months (up +8.4% vs. +8.8%). The Zacks analyst likes the company’s robust Government business and continued strong growth at Optum, which are driving long-term growth. Its international business and strong capital position that allows for business investment are the other positives. It has been witnessing an increase in membership from past many years.
The company raised its 2018 earnings guidance led by tax reform upside. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings being revised upward over the last 90 days. Nevertheless, membership loss in its fee based commercial business and Brazilian business will pull down the overall membership growth.
(You can read the full research report on UnitedHealth here >>>).
Buy-rated Pfizer’s shares have outperformed the peer group over the last three months (the stock is down -4.7% over this period vs. a -7.1% decline for the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industry). Pfizer continues to face headwinds in the form of genericization of key drugs, supply challenges in the legacy Hospira portfolio, pricing pressure and rising competition, which are hurting the top line.
However, the Zacks analyst thinks new products like Ibrance, contribution from acquisitions, cost cuts and share buybacks should help the company achieve its guidance. Pfizer also boasts a strong pipeline and expects approximately 25 to 30 drug approvals over the next five years, including around 15 products that have blockbuster potential.
Pfizer’s growing immuno-oncology portfolio offers a strong potential. Bavencio is being considered a key long-term growth driver for Pfizer. Pfizer has a positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. Estimates have gone up slightly ahead of its Q1 earnings release.
(You can read the full research report on Pfizer here >>>).
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include McDonald's and MetLife.
The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All
Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.
See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1 Stock of the Day pick for free.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.
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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.