The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Mastercard, AbbVie, Salesforce, Thermo Fisher Scientific and Mondelez
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 20, 2024 – 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: Mastercard Inc. MA, AbbVie Inc. ABBV, Salesforce, Inc. CRM, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. TMO and Mondelez International, Inc. MDLZ.
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Mastercard, AbbVie and Salesforce
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 Mastercard Inc., AbbVie Inc. and Salesforce, 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 >>>
Mastercard shares have outperformed peer Visa over the past year (+37.9% vs. +31.1%). The company’s numerous acquisitions are helping it to grow addressable markets and drive new revenue streams. The COVID-19 crisis accelerated the adoption of digital and contactless solutions, providing an opportunity for the firm's business to expedite its shift to the digital mode.
Mastercard is well-poised to gain from steady cash-generating abilities. A strong capital position allows it to pursue acquisitions and prudently deploy capital through share buybacks and dividend payments. Mastercard also increased its quarterly dividend to 66 cents per share.
However, steep operating expenses might stress its margins. High rebates and incentives may weigh on net revenues. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.
(You can read the full research report on Mastercard here >>>)
Shares of AbbVie have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past six months (+18.5% vs. +14.3%). The company has several new drugs in its portfolio with the potential to drive the top line and make up for lost Humira revenues.
Newer products, Skyrizi and Rinvoq, are performing extremely well, bolstered by approval in new indications, which should support top-line growth in the next few years. AbbVie has several early/mid-stage candidates that have the potential to drive long-term growth. Though revenues declined in 2023, AbbVie expects to return to robust sales growth in 2025. The ImmunoGen and Cerevel (proposed) acquisitions will strengthen its pipeline.
However, the company faces several near-term headwinds like Humira’s biosimilar erosion, increasing competitive pressure on Imbruvica and weakness in fillers.
(You can read the full research report on AbbVie here >>>)
Salesforce shares have outperformed the Zacks Computer - Software industry over the past year (+62.4% vs. +51.1%). The company is benefiting from a robust demand environment as customers are undergoing a major digital transformation. Its sustained focus on aligning products with customer needs is driving the top line.
Continued deal wins in the international market are another growth driver. The buyout of Slack has positioned the company as a leader in enterprise team collaboration and improved its competitive standing versus Microsoft Teams. Salesforce’s strategy of continuously expanding generative AI offerings will help it tap the growing opportunities in the space.
However, stiff competition and unfavorable currency fluctuations are concerns. Also, softening IT spending amid the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties could hurt its growth prospects.
(You can read the full research report on Salesforce here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Mondelez International, 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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Mastercard Incorporated (MA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Salesforce Inc. (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Mondelez International, Inc. (MDLZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
AbbVie Inc. (ABBV) : Free Stock Analysis Report
