For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 21, 2017 – Zacks Equity Research highlightsSony (NYSE: (NYSE:SNE) – Free Report) as the Bull of the Day DineEquity (NYSE: (NYSE:DIN) – Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE: (NYSE:THC) – Free Report).
Here is a synopsis of all three stocks:
Though some investors might be worried about Japanese stocks in the current geopolitical environment, several are intriguing values right now. One such company is Sony (NYSE:SNE – Free Report), as this Japanese giant is firing on all cylinders and could be an interesting choice for investors.
Why you might ask? Well, the company is really turning things around on the earnings and sales fronts, and that is very evident from the company’s most recent report. Let’s take a look at some of the key factors to get a better idea of what makes Sony such an intriguing pick right now.
Recent Earnings
The most important thing for Sony is the company’s latest earnings release. In the report, Sony posted earnings of 56 cents per share which easily beat out the consensus estimate of 48 cents per share. The strength of this beat was largely predicated on newfound positive trends in the semiconductor and imaging divisions.
Imaging went from an operating income of 7.5 billion yen a year ago to 23.2 billion yen today, while the semiconductor market saw an even more dramatic turnaround. This went from a loss of 43.5 billion yen a year ago to a positive operating income of 55.4 billion yen in the most recent quarter.
Continued strength is expected in these divisions going forward too, as both saw a boost to their forecasts. And with a number of other areas of the business humming along, there is plenty of reason to like Sony right now.
Other Factors
Analysts also seem to be embracing the trend, as we haven’t seen a single cut to the full year consensus estimate in the past two months for Sony stock. Instead, we have seen the full year consensus increase by nearly 10% in the past two months, while the following year earnings consensus has risen by 7.4% in the same time frame.
Additionally, the sector and industry trend has also been impressive for Sony and its industry at large too. SNE’s industry was actually ranked in the bottom 10% two months ago, but has moved up to the top 10% since then. This is a dramatic turnaround, and it underscores the strength in this market as of late. No wonder Sony has been able to move up to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), and why good times could be ahead for shares of this name in the near-term.
Bear:
It has been an extremely rough stretch for companies in the restaurant space.
Competitive pressures have been increasing, and it is clear that consumer tastes are changing as well. So, for companies representing the old guard of the restaurant chain world, such as DineEquity (NYSE:DIN – Free Report) and its IHOP and Applebee’s brands, it has been an especially difficult time.
But the pain might not be ending just yet, as companies like DineEquity make actually have some more weakness in their near future. This is especially clear if we look to recent earnings estimate revisions for a guide to how DIN stock may be positioned for the months ahead.
Recent Estimates
Despite a recent earnings beat, things are not looking good for DIN shares. The company saw earnings slump by over 18% when compared to the year ago period, while revenues declined and missed estimates on top of that.
The company also revised its comps forecast lower, and is looking for a decline of 6%-8% for its Applebee’s brand this year. Add this to the fact that the company is looking to close more restaurants—for both its IHOP and Applebee’s brands—than first anticipated, and you don’t exactly have a recipe for stock success.
No wonder analysts have been slashing their estimates as of late. The current quarter consensus has fallen from $1.20/share 60 days ago, to just 88 cents a share now. The current year and following year consensus estimates have also been on the move lower, falling a double-digit percentage level in the same time frame.
Additional content:
Tenet Healthcare (THC) Rallies on Board’s Upheaval
On Friday, shares of healthcare services company Tenet Healthcare Corp. (NYSE:THC – Free Report) were rallying, up over 11% in morning trading after two members of the company’s board of directors resigned.
According to The Wall Street Journal, board members Randy Simpson and Matt Ripperger notified the 10 members of Tenet’s board of directors of their decision in a joint letter on Thursday, citing “irreconcilable differences.” Simpson and Ripperger had joined the board early last year, and are both partners at Glenview Capital Management LLC.
However, with the members’ departure brings the potential for a possible proxy fight. Simpson’s and Ripperger’s resignations apparently end a “standstill” agreement that prevented Glenview from “evaluating other ways to be a constructive owner of Tenet,” they wrote in their letter, but continued, “Glenview remains fully committed to its ownership stake in Tenet and its desire to drive improved performance, culture and valued.”
Tenet is one of the largest hospital owners in the United States. THC is currently a #3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM score of ‘B.’ Shares of Tenet have lost well over 14% year-to-date, as the company was affected by the ongoing healthcare bill talks earlier this year.
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About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
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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 analyst 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.
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Sony Corp (T:6758) Ord (SNE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Tenet Healthcare Corporation (THC): Free Stock Analysis Report
DineEquity, Inc (DIN): Free Stock Analysis Report
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