Wednesday, February 19, 2020
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 Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) (FB), Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) (NFLX) and NextEra Energy (NYSE:NEE) (NEE). 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 >>>
Facebook’s shares have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year (+34% vs. +20.3%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company benefited from solid growth in Instagram Stories and Feed, and Facebook News Feed. Moreover, strong sales of Oculus Quest drove payment revenues.
Facebook’s fourth-quarter 2019 results were driven by continued user growth across all regions. Asia-Pacific remained its fastest growing region, driven by growth in India, Indonesia and the Philippines.
However, Facebook expects top-line growth to slow down due to increasing limitations in tracking user activity amid growing privacy-related regulations, changes made in mobile operating systems and browser platforms by Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and its own tools like the Off Facebook Activity controls. Moreover, a persistent mix shift toward Stories is anticipated to hurt ARPU. Also, rising regulatory headwinds are concerning.
(You can read the full research report on Facebook here >>>)
Shares of Netflix have gained +29.7% in the past six months against the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry's rise of +16.3%. The Zacks analyst believes that Netflix is expected to benefit from an expanding content portfolio despite increasing competition from the likes of HBO, Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) prime video, Disney+ and Apple TV+.
Expanding bundle offerings through partnerships with Telefonica (MC:TEF), KDDI, AT&T (NYSE:T), Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA), DISH, Verizon (NYSE:VZ), Charter, Altice, T-Mobile and Sky are a key catalyst. Moreover, the launch of low-priced mobile plans in India, Indonesia and Malaysia is expected to expand the subscriber base in the Asia Pacific.
However, management expects net additions in the paid subscriber base to decline in first-quarter 2020. Moreover, high streaming content obligation and increased spending are expected to hurt free cash flow generation.
(You can read the full research report on Netflix here >>>)
NextEra Energy’s shares have gained +19.9% over the past three months against the Zacks Electric Power industry's rise of +12.1%. The Zacks analyst believes that NextEra Energy is poised to benefit from ongoing investments, which are in turn going to boost its performance in the long run.
NextEra’s “30 by 30” plan will help the company meet the goal of making the generation portfolio cleaner. The $50-$55B investment through 2022 will add more clean power generation units, and modernize and strengthen its infrastructure. NextEra aims to lower emissions to 67% by 2025 from 2005 levels.
However, its nature of business is subject to complex and comprehensive federal, state and other regulations. If the planned nuclear plant outages last longer or an unplanned outage occurs, the company’s normal operations and profitability might be hindered.
(You can read the full research report on NextEra Energy here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Sanofi (PA:SASY) (SNY), GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and T-Mobile US (NASDAQ:TMUS) (TMUS).
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Sheraz Mian
Director of Research
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
Featured Reports
Sanofi (SNY) Diabetes Sales Weak, Specialty Care Unit Strong
The Zacks analyst says that Sanofi's Specialty Care unit is on a strong footing with regular label expansion of Dupixent.
Glaxo's (GSK) Pipeline Growing Amid Generic Woes for Advair
In 2020, Glaxo expects six potential approvals in oncology, HIV, and respiratory areas. However, generic erosion of its top-selling drug, Advair is hurting the overall topline, per the Zacks analyst.
T-Mobile (TMUS) Gains from Customer Growth, Network Expansion
Per the Zacks analyst, T-Mobile continues to benefit from accelerated customer growth, while preparing for a nationwide 5G with the aggressive rollout of 600 MHz spectrum.
New Products, Acquisition Fuel Zoetis (ZTS) Amid Competition
Per the Zacks analyst, Zoetis companion animal business driven by higher sales of Apoquel and Simparica should maintain growth amid competition.
Sprint (S) Rides on Network Investments and T-Mobile Merger
Per the Zacks analyst, Sprint is poised to benefit from augmented network investments and digital capabilities.
Operating Efficacy Aids Waste Connections (WCN), Debt High
The Zacks analyst believes that Waste Connections' operational structure helps it to expand into geographically contiguous markets.
Dollar Tree (NASDAQ:DLTR) Plus! to Aid Dollar Tree's (DLTR) Margin & Sales
Per the Zacks analyst, Dollar Tree is testing the impact of introducing merchandise with higher price points to its stores.
New Upgrades
Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) Rides on Foundry & Logic Spending
Per the Zacks analyst, strength in semiconductor equipment, solid execution and strong customer spending in foundry and logic which are required in IoT and other applications will remain drivers.
Strength in Flagship Senza Platform Drives Nevro Corp (NVRO)
Nevro Corp has been gaining from solid prospects of its Senza platform. The Zacks Analyst is also optimistic about a raised guidance for 2019.
Aduro's (ADRO) Partnerships & Strategic Reset Plan Aid Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, Aduro's strong collaboration agreements with big pharma companies fetch in regular funds and enhance its financial position.
New Downgrades
Low Refining & Polyethylene Margins Hurt Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX)
The Zacks analyst is worried as Phillips 66 is being affected by significant decline in worldwide refining margins. Lower polyethylene margins and turnaround activities are concerns as well.
Plant Maintenance Downtime to Weigh on HollyFrontier (HFC)
The Zacks analyst is concerned by HollyFrontier's cost escalation associated with maintenance downtime and unplanned refinery shutdowns.
Escalating Expenses Continue to Hurt Mednax's (MD) Margins
Per the Zacks analyst, Mednax's rising costs continue to restrict its margins. Despite cost-curbing initiatives, labor costs might exert pressure on salaries and benefit component of total expenses.
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T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS): Free Stock Analysis Report
Sanofi (SNY): Free Stock Analysis Report
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Free Stock Analysis Report
NextEra Energy, Inc. (NEE): Free Stock Analysis Report
GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK): Free Stock Analysis Report
Facebook, Inc. (FB): Free Stock Analysis Report
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Zacks Investment Research