For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 09, 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 includeBiogen (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:BIIB) – Free Report), Activision (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:ATVI) – Free Report), Cigna (NYSE: (NYSE:CI) – Free Report)Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:KHC) – Free Report) and Equinix (NASDAQ: (NASDAQ:EQIX) – Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Biogen, Activision & Cigna
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 Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB – Free Report), Activision (NASDAQ:ATVI – Free Report) and Cigna (NYSE:CI – 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 >>>
Biogen’s shares have been laggards for a while now; the stock has underperformed the Zacks Biomedicals/Genetics industry in the year-to-date period (+2.6% vs. +9.6%). Biogen surpassed earnings and sales estimates in the second quarter. It also raised its revenue guidance for 2017 with its newest drug Spinraza doing better than expected.
Biogen has a strong position in the MS market with a wide range of products. The Zacks analyst also likes its efforts to diversify beyond MS to other areas like Alzheimer’s. Meanwhile, Spinraza has witnessed faster-than-expected adoption in the U.S. and Biogen is ramping up launch efforts outside the U.S.
However, Biogen has its own set of challenges. Despite its position in the MS market, emergence of new PML cases for Tecfidera are likely to weigh heavily on the stock along with pipeline setbacks. Meanwhile, the recent Ocrevus launch by Roche may create pressure on Tysabri sales.
(You can read the full research report on Biogen here >>>).
Shares ofActivision have been strong performers this year, with the stock up +73.1% in the year-to-date period vs. the Zacks gaming industry's +47.4% gain in that same time period. Activision reported better-than-expected second quarter 2017 results driven by increasing digital revenues, the King Digital buyout and strength in franchises. The company reported $1 billion from in-game revenues in the quarter.
Activision also raised guidance for the full year. The Zacks analyst likes the company’s attempts to become a broad-based media company. Apart from launching a movie studio and consumer products division, the company is also strengthening its presence in the lucrative e-sports market. However, hit driven and competitive nature of the video game industry begets caution.
(You can read the full research report on Activision here >>>).
Cigna’s shares have gained +31.9% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Multi-Line Insurance industry, which is up +6.4% over the same period. The company’s second-quarter earnings beat expectations and increased year over year, reflecting strong contribution from each of the company’s business segments.
The Zacks analyst likes its robust Global Supplemental business, growing Government business and increasing membership. A strong capital position and resumption of share buyback are the other positives. Cigna is engaged in a legal tussle with Anthem and it is unlikely that it will receive the termination fee and other charges that was due from the latter. Increase in benefits and expenses are other concerns.
(You can read the full research report on Cigna here >>>).
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Kraft Heinz (NASDAQ:KHC – Free Report) and Equinix (NASDAQ:EQIX – Free Report).
More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL)'s 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade, which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.
A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>
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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Equinix, Inc. (EQIX): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Kraft Heinz Company (KHC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Cigna Corporation (CI): Free Stock Analysis Report
Biogen Inc. (BIIB): Free Stock Analysis Report
Activision Blizzard, Inc (ATVI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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