Wednesday, April 3, 2019
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 Pfizer (PFE), Royal Dutch Shell (LON:RDSa) (RDS.A) and Celgene (CELG). 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 >>>
Pfizer’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (18.8% vs. 13.3%). Pfizer expects continued strong growth of key product franchises, including Ibrance, Eliquis, Xeljanz and Xtandi in 2019. However, loss of exclusivity on key drugs in the United States., mainly Lyrica and currency headwinds are expected to significantly hurt its 2019 sales.
Other top-line headwinds are weak sales in the EH segment, pricing pressure and rising competition. To offset the threat of generic competition, Pfizer is strengthening its pipeline as well as oncology portfolio. Pfizer looks well positioned to deliver several potential new breakthrough innovative medicines in the next five years, which can drive long-term growth. Bavencio, though currently approved for two small indications, is being considered a key long-term growth driver for Pfizer if it can gain label expansion approvals.
(You can read the full research report on Pfizer here >>>).
Shares ofbuy-ranked Royal Dutch Shell have lost -8.2% in the last six months, underperforming the Zacks Integrated Oil industry’s loss of -7.4% during the same period. However, the stock is poised for strong performance in 2019. The integrated behemoth's recent results have been driven by robust commodity prices and higher downstream earnings. Shell’s upstream unit profit has rebounded strongly thanks to steady commodity price recovery, while the integrated gas business — consisting of BG Group activities — impressed on the back of pricing gains.
Importantly, the Anglo-Dutch company's position as a key supplier of LNG should benefit its long-term cash flow growth. Consequently, Shell is likely to offer substantial upside from the current price levels and is viewed as a preferred supermajor to own now.
(You can read the full research report on Royal Dutch Shell here >>>).
Celgene’s shares have gained 10.1% in the last three months, outperforming the Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry's increase of 7.5%. Celgene’s key growth driver, Revlimid continues to drive revenues. Robust performance of psoriasis drug, Otezla is also boosting performance. Investors are focusing on the company’s recent merger agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY). Per the terms, Celgene shareholders will receive 1.0 share of Bristol-Myers and $50.00 in cash for each share held.
Meanwhile, Celgene is also working on label expansion of drugs like Pomalyst/Imnovid, Abraxane and Otezla, among others. The company is focused on the next cycle of innovation with five late-stage candidates — ozanimod, fedratinib, luspatercept, liso-cel and bb2121 — all of which are expected to be launched by the end of 2020.
(You can read the full research report on Celgene here >>>).
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) (AMD), Occidental Petroleum (OXY) and The Blackstone (NYSE:BX) Group (BX).
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Senior Editor
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
High-margin Area Output, Permian Focus Aid Occidental (OXY)
The Zacks analyst believes Occidental will continue to benefit from its high-margin production and focus on resource rich Permian Resource region.
Schneider (SNDR) Aided by intermodal unit Amid Cost Woes
The Zacks analyst appreciates the solid performance of Schneider National's intermodal unit. Efforts to reward its shareholders are encouraging too.
Solid Industrial Tools Business, Buyouts to Aid Actuant (ATU)
Per a Zacks analyst, Actuant's (ATU) restructuring measures, aimed at making it a pure-play industrial tool maker, will be a boon.
Hershey (HSY) Likely to Gain from Margin for Growth Program
Per the Zacks analyst, Hershey's Margin for Growth plan is set to improve the company's operating margin via supply chain optimization, a streamlined operating model and reduced administrative costs.
Prudent Land Investments Aid PulteGroup (NYSE:PHM), Margins Low
Per the Zacks analyst, PulteGroup continues to benefit from its land acquisition strategies that have resulted in higher revenues and profitability.
Skyworks (NASDAQ:SWKS) Rides on 5G Product Suite & LTE Solutions
Per Zacks analyst, Skyworks' growing clout in the connectivity solutions and 5G markets is a positive.
Omni-Channel Efforts Aid Deckers (DECK), Sanuk Sales Hurt
Per the Zacks analyst, Deckers' focus on product innovation, brand assortments and omni-channel distribution bode well.
New Upgrades
Debt-free Position & Revenue Growth Aid T. Rowe Price (TROW)
Per the Zacks analyst, debt free position with substantial liquidity has assisted in strengthening T. Rowe Price's capital leverage. Further, revenue growth remains a key strength.
Strong Markets, New Products to Fuel Pentair's (PNR) Growth
Per the Zacks analyst, growth in segments aided by healthy end markets, introduction of products, acquisitions and productivity improvements will drive Pentair's results.
Higher Premiums Continue to Aid Reinsurance Group (RGA)
Per the Zacks analyst, improving premiums, on the back of sustained operational performance, will continue to bolster Reinsurance Group's bottom line.
New Downgrades
Economic Sluggishness in United Kingdom Ails McKesson (NYSE:MCK)
McKesson's European Pharmaceutical Solutions witnessed softness due to challenges in the United Kingdom. The Zacks analyst is also apprehensive about stiff competition in the MedTech space.
Continuously Rising Expenses Hurt Blackstone's (BX) Profits
Per the Zacks analyst, elevated costs due to Blackstone's continued investment in franchise will likely hurt profits. Also, adverse effects of the on-going volatility in the capital markets are a woe.
Highly Leveraged Balance Sheet & Competition Hurts AMD
Per the Zacks analyst, intensifying competition in the traditional PC market as well as GPU segment is a major headwind. Also, a highly leveraged balance sheet remains a concern.
Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A): Free Stock Analysis Report
Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report
Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Blackstone Group L.P. (BX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD): Free Stock Analysis Report
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