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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Macy???s, Target, SS&C Technologies, Intuitive Surgical and Brighthouse Financial

Does Zebra Technologies (ZBRA) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – January 11, 2018 – 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 Macy’s M, Target TGT, SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. SSNC, Intuitive Surgical, Inc. ISRG and Brighthouse Financial, Inc. BHF.

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Buy These 3 Stocks on Wednesday’s Strong Gains

The New Year has been dominated by cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology, with unlikely companies such as Kodak jumping on the bandwagon after announcing its new KODAKCoin and KODAKOne platform.

Just ten days into 2018, retail powers have also fared well. Many retailers reported solid holiday shopping results, which helped lift shares of major U.S. chains including Sears, Macy’s, Target and others (also read: Why Retail Stocks Like Sears, Macy's & Kohl's Are Surging).

With that said, other companies outside of these trendy industries have also performed well. Let’s take a look at three surging stocks that are worth considering right now:

1.      SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.

This investment and financial management technology firm, which focuses on software and related services, saw its stock price soar over 11.50% on Wednesday to hit a new 52-week high of $47.12 per share. SS&C Technologies’ climb comes after reports surfaced that the company is in advanced talks to buy DST Systems for about $84 per share in cash. According to Reuters, a potential deal could be announced as early as this week.

SS&C is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). The firm is also currently trading at a respectable 19.23x earnings, which marks a major discount compared to the “Computer - Software” industry average. On top of that, SS&C’s cash flow growth rate of 42.54% crushes its industry’s average and could help facilitate moves such as the company’s current DST acquisition talks. Looking ahead, the company’s full-year 2017 earnings are projected to jump 17.68% and hit $1.93 per share, based on our current Zacks Consensus Estimates.

2.       Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

Intuitive Surgical stock hit a new 52-week high of $425.71 per share after the company saw its stock price pop over 6% on Wednesday. The movement comes after the robotic-assisted surgical equipment firm announced strong preliminary fourth quarter and full-year 2017 results. Intuitive now expects to post Q4 revenues of $892 million, which would mark an 18% year-over-year jump.

The company is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and earned a “B” grade for Growth in our Style Scores system. Our current Zacks Consensus Estimates call for Intuitive’s 2017 earnings to hit $8.71 per share, which would mark a nearly 17% climb from the year-ago period. On top of that, the company’s current cash flow growth rate of 19.82% crushes the “Medical – Instruments” industry’s 4.32% average and could help Intuitive continue to innovate going forward.

3.       Brighthouse Financial, Inc.

This provider of annuities and life insurance established by MetLife (MET) saw its stock price jump over 4.50%. Brighthouse’s climb comes just days after MetLife announced the launch of two insurance-based investment companies for start-up companies: MetLife Digital Ventures and MetLife Digital Accelerator.

Brighthouse is currently a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and rocks an overall “A” VGM score, supported by an “A” grade for Value and “B” grades for Growth and Momentum in our Style Scores system. The company is currently trading at 6.41x earnings, which is almost a 50% discount compared to its industry’s average. On top of that, Brighthouse’s 0.53 P/B ratio falls well below the “Insurance – Life Insurance” industry average. Looking ahead to 2018, the company’s full-year EPS is projected to skyrocket 538% to reach $9.63 per share, based on current Zacks Consensus Estimates.

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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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


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SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. (SSNC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Target Corporation (TGT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Macy's Inc (M) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Brighthouse Financial, Inc. (BHF) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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