The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 18, 2014 – 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 include the Google (GOOGL-Free Report), Facebook (FB-Free Report), Apple (AAPL-Free Report), Microsoft (MSFT-Free Report) and Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (REGN-Free Report)
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Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Google Aims Android One at Next 5 Billion
Google (GOOGL-Free Report) introduced its Android One family of smartphones starting at only $105. The new phones are manufactured by overseas manufacturing partners.
At Google’s I/O earlier this year, the company revealed the Android One program, which is meant to expand the reach of smartphones to as many users as possible (“the next 5 billion” as termed by Google). Besides benefiting from the regular features of a smartphone, users will receive updates directly from Google.
Project Android One
Android One is an initiative to make high-quality budget smartphones available to as many people as possible in developing economies.
Therefore, it is principally for people who could only afford phones capable of running older versions of Android, which naturally don’t include the latest Google features.
The new smartphones will tackle the problem on three fronts – with an economical hardware capable of running the most up-to-date software, with software updates directly from Google and with subsidies from network providers (such as Airtel in India) that will allow users to download around 200 MB worth of apps per month from Google Play for free.
Features
The new phones have bigger screens, expandable storage, slots for two SIM cards, replaceable battery, high quality front and rear-facing cameras and built-in FM radio.
The phones will also support seven regional languages and even promote apps in those languages.
Competitors
Newer platforms like Firefox and Tizen may emerge as competitors to Google's Android One. Recently, Firefox (in association with Spice and Intex) launched two new budget smartphones targeted at users wishing to upgrade from feature phones to smartphones.
Facebook (FB-Free Report) has also been working with telecom providers and hardware manufacturers to develop mobile technology that is more cost-effective to use in emerging nations.
Apple (AAPL-Free Report) is a premium player and has traditionally kept itself limited to the high end segment. Microsoft (MSFT-Free Report) on the other hand is more of a software company with a hardware business that is intended to supplement and support its software strategy. Both these companies are therefore not interested in this segment of the market.
Looking Forward
According to Google, the Android One phones are now available in the Indian market. It plans to expand to Indonesia, the Philippines and other parts of South Asia by the end of the year. Google hopes to manufacture more high-quality, budget devices with various screen sizes, colors, hardware configurations and customized software experiences.
HTC, Asus, Acer, Panasonic and Lenovo will also be joining the program to make Android One handsets.
Eventually, Android One is expected to enter the tablet markets also.
Google currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Regeneron Gets Breakthrough Therapy Status for Eylea
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ (REGN-Free Report) shares were up 2.7% on the news that the FDA has granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to its eye drug Eylea, for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy in patients suffering from diabetic macular edema (:DME).
Breakthrough Therapy designation helps to accelerate the development and review process of experimental drugs that address an unmet medical need. The designation not only includes all of the fast track program features but a more intensive FDA guidance as well.
The Breakthrough Therapy designation for Eylea was granted on the basis of positive results from two phase III studies (VIVID-DME and VISTA-DME). Regeneron intends to submit a supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for this indication by the end of this year.
We note that Eylea is already approved in the U.S and EU for several indications including the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), DME and macular edema following central retinal vein occlusion (:CRVO). Regeneron is currently seeking approval for macular edema following branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) in the U.S and EU.
We are encouraged by Eylea gaining the Breakthrough Therapy status. According to the press release issued by Regeneron, out of 29.1 million diabetic adults in the U.S., 7.7 million have diabetic retinopathy. Once approved, the new treatment will provide significant benefit to patients.
We note that Eylea, which is the key growth driver of the company, recorded sales of $773.8 million in the first half of 2014. Eylea’s label expansion should boost sales further. We expect investor focus to remain on pipeline updates regarding Eylea.
Regeneron carries a Zack Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
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