The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Wells Fargo, Altria, Dow Chemical, Colgate and Papa John
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –March 14, 2017 – 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 Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC – Free Report ), Altria (NYSE: MO – Free Report ), Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW – Free Report ), Colgate (NYSE: CL – Free Report ) and Papa John (NASDAQ: PZZA – Free Report ).
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Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Tuesday: WFC, MO, DOW and More
Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC – Free Report ), Altria (NYSE: MO – Free Report ) and Dow Chemical (NYSE: DOW – Free Report ).
Wells Fargo shares have gained +20.1% over the last six months, underperforming the Zacks Major Banks industry which has gained +31.9% over the same period. The bank has yet to fully recover from the scandal even after a $190-million settlement with regulators, but the company’s fourth-quarter 2016 earnings outpaced estimates and prior-year quarter’s earnings.
The new management team is making all the right moves and further downside risks in the stock are low at this stage. But it will likely take a while for clouds to be fully lifted, though continued growth in loans and deposits and expansion moves should support its growth profile. Also, the company raised its prime lending rate to 3.75%, following Fed interest rate hike to 0.50%–0.75%, which is likely to alleviate margin pressure in the coming period. (You can read the full research report on Wells Fargo here . )
Altria have outperformed the Zacks Consumer Staples sector in the past three months, gaining +14.6% vs a +5.6% increase. Altria reported mixed fourth quarter earnings though earnings and revenue increased year-over-year. The Zacks analyst is optimistic about Altria’s subsidiary, Nu Mark LLC, which has expanded the distribution of MarkTen XL e-vapor products.
Also, the company enhanced its smokeable segment with the takeover of Nat Sherman. Further, the recent takeover of SABMiller by Anheuser-Busch InBev's helped Altria maximize the value of its SABMiller investment. However, strict anti-smoking regulations by governments globally in the form of restrictions on packaging and high excise duties coupled with currency headwinds remain woes. (You can read the full research report on Altria here. )
Shares of Dow Chemical have gained +9.1% over the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Chemicals Diversified industry (up +4.4% over the same period). The Zacks analyst likes the planned merger with DuPont, which is expected to create significant synergies. Dow should also gain from cost synergies associated with Dow Corning Silicones business and its strategic investments in the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Middle East. Estimates for first-quarter 2017 have also been stable of late.
However, Dow’s agriculture business remains affected by depressed crop commodity prices. The company also faces pricing headwinds, feedstock cost pressure as well as weak demand in the energy market. (You can read the full research report on Dow Chemical here. )
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Colgate (NYSE: CL – Free Report ) and Papa John's (NASDAQ: PZZA – Free Report ).
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About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
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Wells Fargo & Company (WFC): Free Stock Analysis Report
Altria Group (MO): Free Stock Analysis Report
Dow Chemical Company (The) (DOW): Free Stock Analysis Report
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL): Free Stock Analysis Report
Papa John's International, Inc. (PZZA): Free Stock Analysis Report
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