Yahoo Finance The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Mastercard, AstraZeneca, Philip Morris, TJX and Citigroup
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 6, 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: Mastercard Inc. MA, AstraZeneca PLC AZN, Philip Morris International Inc. PM, The TJX Companies, Inc. TJX and Citigroup Inc. C.
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Mastercard, AstraZeneca and Philip Morris
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 Mastercard Inc., AstraZeneca PLC and Philip Morris International 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 >>>
Mastercard shares have outperformed the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry over the past year (+3.5% vs. -4.8%). Numerous acquisitions are helping the company to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the adoption of digital and contactless solutions, providing an opportunity for MA's business to expedite its shift to the digital mode.
Mastercard is well-poised to gain from steady cash-generating abilities. A strong capital position allows MA to pursue acquisitions as well as deploy capital through share buybacks and dividend payments.
However, steep operating expenses might stress margins. High rebates and incentives may weigh on the company's net revenues. Its dividend yield is still lower than the industry average. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.
(You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)
Shares of AstraZeneca have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past six months (+29.7% vs. +17.0%). The company’s key drugs, mainly cancer medicines, Lynparza, Tagrisso and Imfinzi should keep driving revenues. Its pipeline is strong with several phase III data readouts lined up for 2023.
AstraZeneca has also been engaged in external acquisitions and strategic collaborations to boost its pipeline while investing in geographic areas of high growth like emerging markets. Cost-cutting efforts should drive earnings. The Alexion buyout strengthened its immunology franchise, adding several drugs that are boosting its top line.
However, AstraZeneca’s diabetes franchise faces stiff competition while pricing pressure hurts sales in the respiratory unit. Sales are slowing down in its key market, China.
(You can read the full research report on AstraZeneca here >>>)
Shares of Philip Morris have outperformed the Zacks Tobacco industry over the past year (+3.9% vs. -6.2%). The company has been gaining on its pricing power. Higher pricing variance was an upside to the company’s performance during the fourth quarter of 2022. During the quarter, top and bottom lines grew year over year and beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Focus on reduced risk products, especially IQOS, has been working well for the company, which is witnessing a continued product mix shift from cigarettes to smoke-free products. These upsides are likely to boost organic revenues in 2023.
However, Philip Morris has been battling cost-related headwinds and expects certain margin pressures in the first half of 2023. Also, soft cigarette shipment volumes are a concern. In 2023, total international industry volume is estimated to decline by 1-2%, excluding China and the United States.
(You can read the full research report on Philip Morris here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include The TJX Companies, Inc. and Citigroup 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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Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Mastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
