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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SAP, Thermo Fisher, TOTAL, 3M and FIS

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 14, 2020 – 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 SAP SE (SAP - Free Report) , Thermo Fisher Scientific (TMO - Free Report) and TOTAL , 3M (MMM - Free Report) and Fidelity National Information Services (FIS - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Analyst Reports for SAP, Thermo Fisher and TOTAL

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 SAP SE, Thermo Fisher Scientific and TOTAL. 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 >>>

SAP’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Computer Software industry over the past year (-7.8% vs. +25.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from strong growth in cloud revenues and expanding customer base.

Robust adoption of S/4HANA, Fieldglass, Concur and SuccessFactors Employee Central solutions is a key catalyst. Moreover, synergies from its acquisition of Qualtrics bode well for the top line. Additionally, strong demand for cloud solutions in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region holds promise.

However, increasing investments to enhance cloud-based offerings are likely to hinder margins. Further, the coronavirus outbreak is weighing on software licenses & support revenues. Moreover, SAP trimmed 2020 guidance on account of uncertainty around coronavirus-induced impact on business.

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

Shares of Thermo Fisher have gained +12.5% over the past six months against the Zacks Medical Instruments industry’s fall of -1.4%. The Zacks analyst is encouraged by the strong year-over-year revenue growth in Life Sciences Solutions and Laboratory Products and Services segments.

The company’s end-market underlying growth performance was strong before the outbreak in China. Meanwhile, the company is optimistic about the progress related to its COVID-19 diagnostic test. In the first quarter, the company reported rapid uptake of these diagnostic kits.

However, the coronavirus outbreak has massively disrupted the global supply chain. Two of the end markets registered loss in the first quarter, largely due to customer shutdowns in China.

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

TOTAL’s shares have lost 31.2% over the past three months against the Zacks Integrated International Oil industry’s fall of 30.8%. The Zacks analyst believes that TOTAL continues to gain from startups, renewable projects, its LNG portfolio and the expanding upstream portfolio that has above industry-average exposure to faster-growing hydrocarbon producing regions.

Streamlining of the asset portfolio and its capability to generate cash flows are likely to strengthen operations. In the past six months, shares of TOTAL have outperformed the industry. However, the company’s profitability is likely to be adversely impacted if the weakness in commodity prices continues.

TOTAL has to compete with other global operators amid declining demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. TOTAL's operations in some politically-troubled regions and increasing competition might affect profitability.  

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include 3M and Fidelity National Information Services.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 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 >>

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $24 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $77.6 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 >>

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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 http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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