The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Accenture, Elevance Health, Analog Devices, Monster Beverage and West Pharmaceutical Services
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – August 18, 2023 – 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: Accenture plc ACN, Elevance Health, Inc. ELV, Analog Devices, Inc. ADI, Monster Beverage Corporation MNST and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. WST.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Accenture, Elevance Health and Analog Devices
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 Accenture plc, Elevance Health, Inc. and Analog Devices, Inc.. 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 >>>
Accenture shares have performed roughly in-line with the Zacks Consulting Services industry as well as the broader market over the year-to-date period (+15.4% vs. +15.1% vs. +16.1% for the S&P 500 index). The company has been steadily gaining traction in its outsourcing and consulting businesses backed by high demand for services that can improve operating efficiencies and save costs.
Accenture has been strategically enhancing its cloud and digital marketing suite through buyouts and partnerships. The company's strong operating cash flow has helped it reward its shareholders in the form of dividend payments and share repurchases, and pursue opportunities in areas that show true potential. Partly due to these tailwinds,
However, on the flip side, pricing pressure due to significant competition from strong companies like Genpact, Cognizant and Infosys, remains a concern. Global presence exposes it to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Buyout-related integration risks continues to remain a concern.
(You can read the full research report on Accenture here >>>)
Shares of Elevance Health have declined -4.3% over the past year against the Zacks Medical Services industry's decline of -15.3%. The company's rising expenses continue to put pressure on margins. Our estimate for the 2023 cost of products sold indicates a nearly 12% year-over-year jump. It expects cash flow to decline this year.
Its balance sheet with a rising debt level can affect financial flexibility. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance. Nevertheless, Elevance Health's improving top line can be attributed to premium rate increases and higher memberships. Acquisitions and collaborations have enabled the firm to strengthen its business portfolio.
The company's well-performing Medicare and Medicaid businesses, coupled with several contract wins, are expected to drive its membership going ahead. The company's growing Carelon business is a major positive. It utilizes excess capital to boost shareholder value.
(You can read the full research report on Elevance Health here >>>)
Shares of Analog Devices have gained +6.4% over the past year against the Zacks Semiconductor - Analog and Mixed industry's gain of +7.3%. The company is riding on the strength across industrial and automotive markets. Solid demand for high-performance analog as well as mixed signal solutions is a tailwind.
Strong momentum across electric vehicle space on the back of its robust Battery Management System solutions is a positive. Increasing power design wins are other positives. Solid momentum of HEV platform across cabin electronics ecosystem is a tailwind. The company also remains optimistic about the growth prospects related to 5G.
However, weak momentum across major applications and leveraged balance sheet are concerns. Softness in communications and consumer markets is an overhang.
(You can read the full research report on Analog Devices here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Monster Beverage Corporation and West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Accenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Monster Beverage Corporation (MNST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (WST) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Elevance Health, Inc. (ELV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
