Top Stock Reports for Intel, Altria & Stryker

Tuesday, June 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, including Intel (INTC), Altria (MO) and Stryker (SYK). 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 >>>

Intel’s shares have outperformed the Zacks General Semiconductor industry in the past year, losing -14.7% vs. a decline of -21.1%. The Zacks analyst thinks Intel is benefiting from rising demand for its higher performance products, both in data center and client domains. Strength in Xeon ASPs is a key catalyst.

Moreover, synergies from Mobileye acquisition and growing clout in ADAS market favor Intel’s growth prospects. Intel's strategy of expanding TAM beyond CPU to adjacent product lines like silicon photonics, fabric, network ASICs, and 3D XPoint memory is yielding results.

However, declining trend in PC shipments is detrimental to business prospects of Intel, which continues to depend substantially on PC sales. Also, weakness in demand from China and softness in NAND flash pricing trends, remain major concerns. Intensifying competition and pricing pressure from AMD remains a headwind.

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

Shares of Altria have lost -8.1% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Tobacco industry, which has declined -9.3% over the same period. The Zacks analyst stresses that the company is grappling with declining cigarette shipment volumes.

Stern FDA regulations, along with increased health consciousness are taking a toll on cigarette sales. During first-quarter 2019, domestic cigarette shipment volumes fell 14.3% year over year. Going forward, management expects cigarette industry volume to decline by 4-5%. Nevertheless, growing popularity of Smokeless products offers some respite. During the first quarter, revenues in the category improved nearly 2.9%.

To further bolster this unit, the company has made investments in JUUL and Cronos. Pricing also continues to drive the company’s revenues. It has also undertaken cost-reduction initiatives and plans to deliver annualized cost savings of nearly $575 million by the end of 2019.

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

Stryker’s shares have gained +20.7% in the past year, outperforming the Zacks Medical Products industry, which has increased +4.8% over the same period. The Zacks analyst thinks the company continues to gain from its core MedSurg unit which put up a strong show in the reported quarter.

Additionally, strength in flagship Mako platform continues to favor the company. Moreover, its K2M acquisition drove the core Neurotechnology & Spine unit in the quarter under review. Solid international growth also buoys optimism. Expansion in operating margins is a positive while strong outlook for 2019 is indicative of bright prospects.

Stryker exited the first quarter of 2019 on a solid note, with earnings surpassing the consensus mark and revenues increasing on a year-over-year basis. However, contraction in gross margin is a concern. Pricing pressure also continues to plague Stryker. Stiff competition in the MedTech space remains a headwind.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Sherwin-Williams (SHW), Prudential (PRU) and Verisk (VRSK).

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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

Intel (INTC) Rides on AI-based Alliances & Product Rollouts

Low Cigarette Volumes Hit Altria (MO), Smokeless Unit Aids

Core MedSurg Segment Aids Stryker (SYK) Amid Competition

Featured Reports

Valspar Buyout to Aid Sherwin-Williams (SHW) Amid Cost Woes

While Sherwin-Williams should benefit from synergies of the Valspar acquisition, hefty costs related to the buyout and higher raw material costs will weigh on its earnings, per the Zacks analyst.

Leadership in Pension Risk Transfer Aids Prudential (PRU)

Per the Zacks analyst, Prudential is set to grow on leadership in the pension risk transfer business and strong international presence. However, rising expenses are weighing on margin expansion.

Sprint (S) Rides on Stringent Cost Cuts, Unlimited Data Plan

Per the Zacks analyst, Sprint's multi-year initiative to improve cost structure and "Unlimited for All" plan should drive its future performance as it awaits regulatory clearance for T-Mobile merger.

Verisk (VRSK) Rides on Data Analysis Strength Amid High Debt

The Zacks analyst is impressed with Verisk's expertise in providing predictive data analytics solutions.

Twilio (TWLO) Banks on Growing Active Customer Accounts

Per the Zacks analyst, Twilio's continued focus on introducing products as well as its go-to-market sales strategy is helping it grow its active customer accounts, which is driving top-line growth.

ANSYS (ANSS) Rides on Simulation Software Adoption & Buyouts

Per Zacks analyst, ANSYS is benefiting from its expanding presence in the rapidly growing simulation software market.

Dealer Enrollments Aid Credit Acceptance (CACC), Costs a Woe

Per the Zacks analyst, rise in dealer enrollments along with increase in demand for consumer loans supports Credit Acceptance.

New Upgrades

Veeva (VEEV) Gains Ground on Strong Subscription Business

Solid prospects of the Subscription business aids Veeva. The Zacks analyst is also optimistic about the company's Vault platform whose customer count has increased manifold in recent times.

Nexeo Buyout, Productivity Actions to Aid Univar (UNVR)

According to the Zacks analyst, Univar should gain from synergies of the Nexeo acquisition. Moreover, cost savings through productivity actions should support the company's margins.

Focus on Siding Business to Aid Louisiana-Pacific (LPX)

Focus on improving business by growing the Siding business, reducing cost across all of its businesses and enhancing shareholders' return bode well for Louisiana-Pacific, per the Zacks analyst.

New Downgrades

Regulatory Approval Delays, High Costs to Hurt PG&E Corp (PCG)

Per the Zacks analyst, any delays in acquiring regulatory approvals may impact financial performance. Moreover, PG&E Corp. incurs high costs for the clean-up and repair of the utility's facilities.

IDACORP (IDA) Hurt by Rising Expenses, Licensing Delay

Per the Zacks analyst, IDACORP's rising expenditure and delay in long-term licensing for hydro-electric power generation units might adversely impact the company's performance.

High Interest Expenses to Weigh on Oasis Petroleum (OAS)

The Zacks analyst is worried over Oasis Petroleum's rising interest expenses, which is roughly 7% of the company's total revenues.

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Verisk Analytics, Inc. (VRSK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Stryker Corporation (SYK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Altria Group, Inc. (MO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Intel Corporation (INTC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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