Biogen, SodaStream, TASER International, Napco Security Technologies and SuperCom highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day - Press Releases
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 13, 2015– Zacks Equity Research highlights Biogen (BIIB-Free Report) as the Bull of the Day and SodaStream (SODA-Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on TASER International Inc. (TASR-Free Report), Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC-Free Report) and SuperCom Ltd. (SPCB-Free Report).
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day:
The biotechnology sector’s run over the last few years has been nothing short of astounding. The sector has easily beaten broad market indexes and it has been a leader in the health care space as well thanks to a variety of blockbuster drugs, shifting demographics, and a boost to insurance rolls as of late.
The space remains well-positioned for growth and the medical biomed/genome industry is actually currently ranked in the top 20% overall. In fact, we have over 50 companies in the space that have ranks of ‘buy’ so there are plenty of great companies to choose from in the biotech world.
Today though, let’s take a closer look at a company that is pretty much synonymous with the space and could continue to lead the market higher. That stock is of course Biogen (BIIB-Free Report) a biotech company which may be the perfect mix between growth and stability for investors seeking a top choice in the ever-popular biotechnology sector.
Biogen is a Massachusetts-based developer of drugs to treat neurological, autoimmune and hematologic disorders. However, the company has several therapies that help people with Multiple Sclerosis while drugs here (including AVONEX, TECFIDERA, and TYSABRI) account for the bulk of BIIB’s revenue.
Beyond the company’s solid lineup of drugs right now, investors should note that BIIB also has a great drug pipeline as well. This should help Biogen to prosper in the years to come, assuming of course they can gain FDA approval for at least a few of their in-development drugs. This is very well possible though as BIIB currently has about 20 drugs in trial right now, while it has five in the critical phase 3 of the program.
Analysts tracking BIIB stock are also pretty optimistic in general about the company’s near term prospects, as evidenced by some recent earnings estimate revisions for the stock. Current quarter EPS estimates have risen by about seven cents in the past three months up to $3.90/share, while we have seen a move from $16.67/share to $16.89/share for the current year time frame over the past 90 days as well.
Bear of the Day:
Although SodaStream (SODA-Free Report) has developed a very innovative product that has the potential to save customers money, the company has hit a wall as of late. The novelty of making your own soda at home appears to have worn off for SODA, as the company now finds itself in a bit of trouble.
SODA is moving further away from the ‘soda’ part of its name and into a variety of other carbonated products. The latest of which focuses on sparkling water which is probably good news since many people are starting to trend away from sodas or at least reduce them a bit in their regular diets.
These trends have already started to hit SODA in recent months as the company has seen big declines in its soda starter kit portfolio. Some of the recent quarters have seen year-over-year declines approaching 35% for this metric so clearly consumers are starting to shift their tastes.
If this wasn’t enough, competitors are starting to get in on the home carbonation game which is a trend that could easily crush margins for SODA. Green Mountain is partnering with Coca-Cola on a Keurig Cold machine and with the top brand in the world of beverages getting into the home carbonation market, it could continue to be a tough time for SODA in the future. No wonder SODA is moving in on the more fragmented carbonated water business!
But can flavored & carbonated water save SODA’s business and pump the company back to growth? Probably not, at least if you look to recent analyst estimate revisions for SODA stock. According to these people who follow the company the closest, prospects for SODA are looking pretty dim in the near term.
Additional content:
Taser Body Cameras Sold to London Police
TASER International Inc. (TASR-Free Report) announced that it has sold 178 units of the AXON body-worn video cameras to the City of London Police Department. In addition, the law enforcement agency subscribed for one-year access to TASER’s EVIDENCE.com. The order has already been shipped.
Though small in size, AXON cameras are conveniently visible and can be attached to everyday accessories such as uniforms, sunglasses, cap, shirt collar or a head mount. The camera also features a wider angle of view. Moreover, the Retina Low-Light technology enhances night vision. An accompanying pocketsize battery pack ensures uninterrupted recording through an entire shift.
Moreover, the recorded footage, collected from the cameras, gets automatically stored in and managed by the EVIDENCE.com platform, a cloud-based storage and management system, through a docking station, which cannot be tampered by any end-user.
The growing demand for the AXON body cameras and EVIDENCE.com reflect law enforcement agencies’ shift in focus to increase transparency of their services for the public.
TASER strives to keep its commitments in terms of maintaining product standards along with delivery timing. This helps the company to win orders from the U.S. and international government agencies at regular intervals, thus ensuring stable cash inflow.
On Mar 31, 2015, TASER received a large order from several U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the Tracy Police Department, to deliver AXON cameras and the EVIDENCE.com platform.
Bookings at the AXON segment jumped to $24.6 million in fourth-quarter 2014 from the year-ago level of $5.2 million.
This was not the first time that TASER supplied AXON cameras to the UK’s law enforcement agencies. In Sep 2014, the London Metropolitan Police Service selected TASER to provide 500 AXON cameras, under the pilot program, the Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime, to the former.
TASER is currently in the process to organize a Technology Summit in the UK to understand police forces’ requirements from body cameras and evidence management. This initiative will enable the company to introduce more customer-centric products and services.
TASER currently has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). Better-ranked stocks in the same sector include Napco Security Technologies, Inc. (NSSC-Free Report) and SuperCom Ltd. (SPCB-Free Report), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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BIOGEN IDEC INC (BIIB): Free Stock Analysis Report
SODASTREAM INTL (SODA): Free Stock Analysis Report
TASER INTL INC (TASR): Free Stock Analysis Report
NAPCO SECURITY (NSSC): Free Stock Analysis Report
SUPERCOM LTD (SPCB): Free Stock Analysis Report
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