New Oracle, Gilead Sciences & TOTAL Research Reports

Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including TOTAL (TOT), Oracle (ORCL) and Gilead Sciences (GILD). Please note that these 16 reports have been handpicked from the more than 80 research reports issued by our analyst team today. You can see the complete list of today's research reports here >>>

Shares of French oil major TOTAL have come down in recent days, as have other oil stocks, in response to weakness in the commodity on IEA’s dismal global oil demand forecasts. But this Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy) stock is still up nicely on the year, with the company making a concerted effort to increase its footprint in the U.S. The recent deal to acquire Chesapeake's stake in the prolific Barnett Shale basin is a step in that direction. The Zacks analyst likes the company’s efforts to that end and explains them in detail in the research report published today. (You can read the full research report on TOTAL here>>)  

Oracle shares have been strong performers this year, up more than 10% year-to-date, on the back of favorable momentum in its cloud-based products, SaaS and PaaS that are expected to be key growth drivers in its quarterly report coming out after the close on Thursday (September 15th). The Zacks analyst likes the company’s Big Data and digitalization initiatives, which is expected to boost its database management system growth. However, Oracle’s business transition from licensing to cloud is a drag on the financials at present. It lost a JAVA APIs lawsuit against Alphabet’s Google and another Itanium software lawsuit against HPE, which also remains an overhang on the stock. (You can read the full research report on Oracle here>>)

Gilead Sciences shares have been laggards this year, losing nearly 22.9% year-to-date, as the HCV franchise continues to witness slowdown in the U.S. and Europe due to lower sales of Harvoni. Gilead lowered its 2016 product sales outlook, reflecting the current trends in the payer and patient flow dynamics for HCV among other factors. Despite these concerns, the Zacks analyst likes the company’s well performing HIV franchise, which is expected to get a further boost from its newly launched HIV treatments like Genvoya. The company also has a robust late-stage pipeline that bodes well for its long-term growth. (You can read the full research report on Gilead Sciences here>>)

Other noteworthy reports today include JPMorgan Chase (JPM), which has been downgraded to Zacks Rank # 4 (Sell), and Equinix (EQIX), which moves up to Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy).

You can find all of today's stock research reports here>>

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Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

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Today's Must Read

TOTAL (TOT) Benefits from Start-ups and Cost Savings

Oracle's (ORCL) Cloud Momentum to Support Strong Growth

HIV Franchise to Boost Gilead (GILD), Risks Remain

Featured Reports

Will Cost Cuts Help Union Pacific (UNP) Offset Coal Woes?

Despite company's efforts to reward shareholders and cost cutting measures, the Zacks analyst thinks that coal-related headwinds will continue to hurt the stock.

Xcel Energy (XEL) Gains from Systematic Capital Investments

As per the covering analyst, Xcel Energy's capital investments will boost its service capability.

International Flavors (IFF) to Buy David Michael by 2016 end

International Flavors anticipates that acquisition of David Michael will boost its flavors business in the fast-growing middle-markets.

Sun Life's (SLF) Escalating Expenses Remain a Concern

The Zacks analyst thinks that increasing expenses and low interest rate environment continue to weigh on Sun Life's operational results.

DeVry Education (DV) Beats on Q4 Earnings & Revenues

Despite reporting better-than-expected results in the fourth quarter, the covering analyst believes that decline in enrollments at DeVry University continues to remain a concern.

Seagate (STX) Benefits from Product Innovation, Buyouts

Seagate's strength in hybrid drives, increasing focus on the enterprise side, strategic acquisitions and product innovations are key catalysts, per the Zacks analyst.

Sealed Air's (SEE) Growth Initiatives in Place, Risks Remain

Despite Sealed Air's focus on innovation, acquisitions and cost savings efforts, the covering analyst thinks weak resin prices remain a concern.

New Upgrades

Qiagen (QGEN): Molecular Diagnostics Grows, APAC on Focus

As per the Zacks analyst, Qiagen's effort to boost molecular diagnostics business buoys optimism. Also, expanded commercialization in the Asia-Pacific, beyond initial focus on Europe is an upside.

Equinix (EQIX) is on Track to Grow on Data Center Expansion

According to the covering analyst, Equinix's recurring revenue model and its data center expansion plans will drive its top-line performance over the long run.

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Well Poised on Procedural Business

Intuitive Surgical is on a rise with growing procedural volumes, courtesy of its general surgery, oncology, urology and gynecology procedures, according to the Zacks analyst.

New Downgrades

JPMorgan (JPM) Faces Lower Fee Income, Energy Exposure Woes

The Zacks analyst believes JPMorgan's revenue growth will remain challenged in the near-term due to continued pressure on fee income. Also, the company's energy exposure is a near-term concern.

Oil Price Weakness to Hurt Eni SpA's (E) Upstream Business

The covering analyst remains concerned about the future prospect of Eni SpA's upstream operations since oil prices are expected to remain weak till next year.

Anthem (ANTM) Hurt by Deal Uncertainty, Exchange Business

The Zacks analyst thinks headwinds such as uncertainty over Cigna acquisition, membership losses in commercial business, dismal exchange business and cessation of share buyback will affect Anthem.

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TOTAL FINA SA (TOT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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GILEAD SCIENCES (GILD): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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