For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL -March 02, 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 Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT – Free Report ), Canadian National (NYSE: CNI – Free Report ), BP (NYSE: BP – Free Report ), Monsanto (NYSE: MON – Free Report ) and Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST – Free Report ).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ”Buy” stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Research Reports for Thursday: MSFT, CNI, BP
Today’s Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT – Free Report ), Canadian National (NYSE: CNI – Free Report ) and BP (NYSE: BP – Free Report ).
Microsoft shares lagged the Zacks Tech sector through the fall, but have led the way over the last six months (up +10.9% versus +8.2%) on greater appreciation for the company’s reorganization and repositioning. The Zacks analyst points to the company’s continuing enterprise strength, benefits from the Office 365 subscription model, strong growth prospects of Azure and promising new products.
The acquisition of AI startup Maluuba is a big positive for the company given the growing demand for artificial intelligence techniques throughout the world. The recent announcement of Xbox Game Pass, a subscription-based gaming service, will help Microsoft to win market share from the likes of GameStop. All in all, the company has emerged as a leader in the cloud space that promises momentum on a number of fronts. (You can read the full research report on Microsoft here . )
Buy-rated Canadian National shares have done really well since the election (up +9.1%) and have also posted healthy gains last year, but failed to outperform the Zacks Rail industry which gained 19.7% over the same period. This was primarily due to coal related headwinds. However, fourth quarter earnings exceeded expectations, driven by lower costs, while revenues increased on a year-over-year basis.
The analyst likes this Buy-rated stock’s initiatives to reward investors as well as the C$ 2.5 billion 2017 capital investment plan. The plan complements its efforts to promote safety along with enhancing productivity. (You can read the full research report on Canadian National here. )
BP ‘s shares have gained 12.3% over the last one year, outperforming the Zacks categorized Oil & Gas-International Integrated industry which gained 9.9% over the same period, as well as rival Royal Dutch Shell. The analyst is enthused by its latest announcement, that it expects the upstream and downstream segments to contribute significant cash flows over the next five years. Cash flows from the upstream operation will likely be between $ 13 billion and $ 14 billion annually.
Moreover, the downstream operation is expected to add $ 9-$ 10 billion yearly cash flows. However, volatility in commodity prices remains a concern. Moreover, the trailing 12-month return on capital is not very encouraging. (You can read the full research report on BP here. )
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Monsanto (NYSE: MON – Free Report ) and Fastenal (NASDAQ: FAST – Free Report ).
8 Stocks with Huge Profit Potential
Just released: Driverless Cars: Your Roadmap to Mega-Profits Today. In this latest Special Report, Zacks’ Aggressive Growth Strategist Brian Bolan explores a full-blown technological breakthrough in the making – autonomous cars. He also spotlights 8 stocks with tremendous gain potential to feed off this phenomenon. Click to see the stocks right now >>
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.
Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News
Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They’re virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today’s 220 Zacks Rank #1 “Strong Buys” were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.
Get the full Report on MSFT – FREE
Get the full Report on CNI – FREE
Get the full Report on BP – FREE
Get the full Report on MON – FREE
Get the full Report on FAST – FREE
Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
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.
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI): Free Stock Analysis Report
BP p.l.c. (BP): Free Stock Analysis Report
Monsanto Company (MON): Free Stock Analysis Report
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
Plantations International