Top Research Reports for Toyota, Amgen & TJX

Friday, October 11, 2019

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, includingToyota Motor (TM), Amgen (AMGN) and The TJX Companies (TJX). 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 >>>

Toyota’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Foreign Automotive industry year to date (14.3% vs. 3%). The Zacks analyst believes that developing self-driving, electric and fuel-cell vehicles will strengthen Toyota’s product competitiveness in the medium to long term.

Beside manufacturing vehicles, it is also collaborating to build products. It expanded its ties with Subaru Corporation to develop electric vehicles and driverless cars. Changing product mix in North America, Europe and Asia is driving Toyota’s sales. Moreover, the company is shifting vehicle production to new platforms to cut costs by 20%.

However, declining vehicle demand in North America and frequent vehicle recalls are concerning Toyota. Amplified labor costs, majorly in Japan, Asia and North America, along with increased raw material costs across regions are adding to the company’s expenses. Thus, investors are recommended to wait for a better entry point.

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

Shares of Amgen have gained 3.8% in the past six months against the Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry’s decline of 14.3%. The Zacks analyst believes that while Amgen’s newer drugs — Prolia, Xgeva, Blincyto, Kyprolis — will drive sales, biosimilar and brand competition for its legacy products will create pressure on sales in the second half.

Meanwhile, uptake of key drug, Repatha has been slow due to payer restrictions. However, Amgen is progressing with its pipeline. In the past five years, Amgen has launched nine products, including two in new therapeutic areas. Amgen boasts a strong biosimilars pipeline, which could be an important long-term growth driver for the company.

Amgen’s restructuring plan is making it leaner and more cost efficient. Amgen’s shares have outperformed the industry this year so far. Estimates have gone up ahead of the company’s Q3 earnings release. Amgen has a positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters.

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

TJX’s shares have gained 1.4% over the past three months compared with the Zacks Discount Stores industry’s rise of 8.2%. The Zacks analyst expects the company to deliver above-average performance in the near term on the back of its robust comps trend.

Markedly, continuous rise in consumer traffic and strong merchandising policies are fueling comps. These along with TJX Companies’ off-price model, strategic store locations and impressive brands have been driving store and online performance. This was reflected in the company’s second-quarter fiscal 2020 results, wherein customer traffic rose for the 20th straight time.

Apart from these, we commend TJX Companies’ shareholder-friendly moves. However, the company has been witnessing high supply-chain costs, which have been weighing on gross margin. Margins also remain susceptible to any rise in wage costs. Additionally, volatile currency movements are a threat.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Morgan Stanley (MS), Norfolk Southern (NSC) and BCE (BCE).

Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.

See the pot trades we're targeting>>

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>>>

Today's Must Read

Focus on SUVs to Drive Toyota (TM) Despite High Costs

Amgen (AMGN) Boasts a Strong Branded/Biosimilars Pipeline

Sturdy Comps Run to Augment TJX Companies' (TJX) Top Line

Featured Reports

Wealth Management Aids Morgan Stanley (MS) amid Trading Woes

Per the Zacks analyst, focus on wealth management operations and corporate lending will support Morgan Stanley's revenues, while disappointing trading and investment banking performance will hurt.

Cost Cuts Aid Norfolk Southern (NSC) Amid Volume Weakness

The Zacks analyst is impressed with Norfolk Southern's efforts to control costs.

BCE Benefits From Wireless & Wireline Subscriber Growth

Per the Zacks analyst, BCE should continue to benefit from its wireless, retail Internet and IPTV subscriber base expansion backed by fastest broadband networks and latest service innovations.

New Upstream Project FID Approvals Aid Schlumberger (SLB)

While new final investment decision (FID) approvals for clients' upstream projects in international markets will aid Schlumberger, weak demand for its US oilfield services concerns the Zacks analyst.

Solid U.S. Foodservice Unit to Drive Sysco's (SYY) Top Line

Per the Zacks analyst, Sysco's sales are likely to gain from its U.S. Foodservice segment.

Investments Aids Consolidated Edison (ED), Regulations Hurt

Per the Zacks Analyst, company's systematic capital investment plan for infrastructure development bolsters growth prospects.

Solid Uptake of Invisalign Aids Align Technology (ALGN)

The Zacks analyst is bullish on Align Technology's strong Invisalign growth prospects in EMEA and APAC region. Continued uptake of iTero scanner is a major plus.

New Upgrades

D.R. Horton (DHI) to Gain From Acquisition & Solid Backlog

D.R. Horton is poised to perform well in fiscal 2019 on the back of its solid backlog position, acquisition strategy and affordable product offerings across multiple brands, per the Zacks analyst.

Cirrus Logic (CRUS) Rides on Strengthening Product Portfolio

Per the Zacks analyst, Cirrus Logic's expanding product portfolio, aimed at diverse smart home applications, digital headsets and smartphones, is a key driver.

Solid Comparable Sales to Fuel Zumiez's (ZUMZ) Top Line

Per the Zacks analyst, Zumiez's sturdy comps performance and omni-channel capabilities bode well. Comps rose 3.6% during the second quarter. Management expects fiscal 2019 comps to rise in 2-4% range.

New Downgrades

Softness in the Lighting Industry Hurts Acuity Brands (AYI)

Per the Zacks analysts, softness in the lighting industry, higher costs, lack of skilled labor, U.S.-China trade tensions and tariffs are concerns for Acuity Brands.

Soft Comps Performance to Hurt Ollie's Bargain (OLLI) Sales

Per the Zacks analyst, persistent of soft comps performance may hurt Ollie's Bargain top line. Comps slid 1.7% in the second quarter. Management expects fiscal 2019 comps to decline in 0.5-1.5% range.

Lower OSB Pricing & Higher Costs Hurt Louisiana-Pacific (LPX)

Per the Zacks analyst, lower Oriented Strand Board (OSB) pricing across North American operations, weak macro environment, rising material costs are pressing concerns for Louisiana-Pacific.

undefined undefined
 
Toyota Motor Corporation (TM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Morgan Stanley (MS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BCE, Inc. (BCE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Amgen Inc. (AMGN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research