Top Research Reports for Microsoft, JPMorgan & AstraZeneca

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Tuesday, August 17, 2021

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 Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM), and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN). 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 >>>

Shares of Microsoft have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past year (+40.7% vs. +35.8%). The Zacks analyst believes that it has been benefiting from strength in its Azure cloud platform. Teams’ user growth is gaining from the pandemic-induced remote working scenario and the adoption of hybrid work model.

The company is also witnessing growth in user base of its different applications including Microsoft 365 suite and Dynamics. Microsoft, however, expects Surface revenues to decline in the fiscal first quarter due to supply chain disruptions. Increased spending on Azure enhancements amid intensifying competition in the cloud space is likely to dent margins.

(You can read the full research report on Microsoft here >>>)

JPMorgan shares have gained +9.9% over the last six months against the Zacks Major Regional Banks industry’s gain of +17.2%, but the bank's earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The Zacks analyst believes that strategic buyouts, global expansion, digitization initiatives, and decent mortgage banking business will keep supporting its financials.

JPMorgan's impressive capital deployments indicate its earnings strength as well as a solid balance sheet. Such factors are likely to enhance shareholder value. The pandemic-induced economic downturn is weighing heavily on the loan demand; however, a robust economic recovery might lead to rise in demand for loans. Steadily rising expenses also remain a concern.

(You can read the full research report on JPMorgan here >>>)

Shares of AstraZeneca have gained +5.4% in the past three months against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry’s gain of +11.9%, however, the company’s Q2 earnings were in line with estimates while sales beat the same.  

The Zacks analyst believes that AstraZeneca stands to benefit from a strong diversified portfolio, an expanding presence in emerging markets, ongoing cost-cutting initiatives and a robust pipeline. The Alexion buyout strengthens its immunology franchise, adding several drugs that are likely to boost its top line. It’s diabetes franchise, however, faces stiff competition while pricing pressure is hurting sales in the respiratory unit.

(You can read the full research report on AstraZeneca here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX), Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. (KDP) and Phillips 66 (PSX).

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

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>>>


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JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
AstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Phillips 66 (PSX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc (KDP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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