The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Apple, General Motors, Tesla, Northrop Grumman And Humana

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 07, 2017 – 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 Apple (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:AAPL) – Free Report), General Motors (NYSE: (NYSE:GM) – Free Report), Tesla (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:TSLA) – Free Report), Northrop Grumman (NYSE: (NYSE:NOC) – Free Report) and Humana (NYSE: (NYSE:HUM) – Free Report).

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Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for Apple, General Motors and Tesla

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 Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL – Free Report), General Motors (NYSE:GM – Free Report) and Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA – Free Report). 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 >>>

Apple’s shares are up +34.3% in the year-to-date period, handily outperforming the S&P 500 (up +10.5%) and the Zacks Technology sector (up +17.1%). Apple reported spectacular third-quarter fiscal 2017 results, with both earnings and revenues exceeding expectations.

On a year-over-year basis, both metrics registered strong growth driven by impressive Service segment performance. iPhone sales were also steady in the quarter and, the recovery witnessed in the iPad business was another big win for Apple. Upbeat guidance for the quarter ending in September widely alleviated fears of a delay in the launch of the next edition iPhone, dubbed as iPhone 8.

Going forward, the Zacks analyst thinks the Services segment as well as a foray into fast-growing technologies like AI & AR/VR as well as growing presence in emerging markets will emerge as long-term growth catalysts. However, the company’s China troubles continue unabated with another quarter of sales declines.

(You canread the full research report on Apple here >>>).

Shares of General Motors have underperformed the Zacks Domestic Automotive industry over the last six months, losing -5.6% vs. a gain of +2.3%. General Motors reported better-than-expected second-quarter 2017 earnings. However, revenues missed the estimate during the quarter. A high inventory level of passenger cars is a major concern for the company.

However, the Zacks analyst likes the strength in General Motors’ crossover segment. The company’s capital allocation strategy, initiatives to make its vehicles more advanced, safer and fuel efficient and focus on technology development are other positives. Moreover, the company's focus on capital deployment is expected to boost shareholder returns. Additionally, the company is raising investment in emerging markets to boost global sales.

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

Tesla’s shares have been standout performers lately, with the stock up +12.5% over the past three months vs. +3.3% gain for the Zacks Domestic Automotive industry. The outperformance was driven by ramping up of the production of Model 3 to achieve previously announced targets. Tesla’s adjusted loss in second quarter of 2017 has widened year over year. But revenues more than doubled year over year.

Moreover, Tesla’s new Master Plan is continuing, with a focus on expansion of product portfolio, introduction of car-sharing services, solar energy systems and development of self-driving capability. Also, the company is actively undertaking mergers and acquisitions to meet its targets and expand its business.

However, the company is facing supply chain problems which are restricting its ability to increase production. High R&D costs, low number of chargers, high requirement of capital expenditure and opposition to direct selling in some states are other headwinds.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC – Free Report) and Humana (NYSE:HUM – Free Report).

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About Zacks Equity Research

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 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.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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