Top Analyst Reports for Citigroup, Novo Nordisk & BP

Thursday, October 31, 2019

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 Citigroup (C), Novo Nordisk (NVO) and BP (BP). 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 >>>

Citigroup’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Major Regional Banks industry year to date (40.2% vs. 24.3%). The Zacks analyst believes that third-quarter results reflected revenue strength, along with rising loan and deposit balance.

Also, escalated investment banking revenues and reduced volumes and client activity levels were recorded in the quarter. Citigroup’s streamlining efforts, along with strategic investments in core business, bode well for the long term. Also, a declining cost base will support bottom-line improvement.

Citigroup's steady capital-deployment activities are also commendable depicting a strong capital position. However, pending litigation issues might keep legal expenses elevated. Further, decline in fee income is another concern for the company.

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

Shares of Novo Nordisk have gained 13.3% in the past six months against the Zacks Biotech industry’s rise of 4.3%. The Zacks analyst believes that solid performances from Tresiba, Victoza, Ozempic, Xultophy and Saxenda have driven the company’s sales in the year so far.

Label expansion of Victoza continues to boost performance.  Ozempic, the company’s once-weekly GLP-1, continues to gain market share. The FDA recently approved semaglutide in tablet form under the brand name, Rybelsus. The company continues to evaluate the candidate for multiple indications.

However, lower realized prices in the Unites States, loss of exclusivity for products in hormone replacement therapy and intensifying competition within the diabetes and biopharmaceuticals markets will adversely impact sales going forward. 

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

BP’s shares have lost 1.4% over the past three months against the Zacks International Integrated Oil industry’s fall of 1.9%. The Zacks analyst believes that BP has been gaining from a strong portfolio of upstream projects.

Since 2016, BP has placed 23 key upstream developments online, which will help the British energy giant boost production by 900 thousand barrel of oil equivalent per day (MBOE/D) by 2021. In fact, production from these key projects has helped the integrated energy major report better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter. Moreover, the company is strongly committed toward returning cash to its shareholders.

However, the 2010 oil spill incident in the BP-operated Macondo Prospect is still affecting the firm. Although BP has cleared the huge litigation expenses related to the spill, it had to divest some of its best operating properties. Also, the company expects refining margins in the December quarter of 2019 to drop sequentially owing to continued turnaround activities.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include salesforce.com (CRM), Honeywell International (HON) and TC Energy (TRP).

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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>>>

Today's Must Read

Expense Control Aids Citigroup (C), Low Fee Income A Woe

Strong Diabetes Portfolio Boost Novo (NVO) Amid Competition

BP Banks on Key Upstream Projects, Refining Business Weak

Featured Reports

salesforce (CRM) Rides on Portfolio Strength and Buyouts

Per the Zacks analyst, salesforce is gaining from its diverse cloud offerings, which are helping it win customers globally.

Performance Materials Aids Honeywell (HON), High Costs Hurt

Per the Zacks analyst, solid traction of Honeywell's Performance Materials & Technologies segment will drive its sales.

Amid End Market Weakness, Global Presence Aid Eaton (ETN)

Per the Zacks analyst Eaton's presence in 175 countries broadens its revenue base, amid weakness in end market conditions.

Expanding Portfolio Drives Electronic Arts (EA) Prospects

Per the Zacks analyst, EA is expected to benefit from portfolio strength, growth in active player accounts and increased engagement amid rising competition.

Royal Caribbean's (RCL) Banks on Solid Booking Amid High Cost

Per the Zacks analyst, increasing demand for cruises and solid booking trends are likely to drive Royal Caribbean's top-line.

Strategic Initiatives Aid Centene (CNC), High Costs Hurt

Per the Zacks analyst, a number of acquisitions such as Fidelis Care and MHM Services poise the company well for growth.

Portfolio Strength Drives Philips (PHG) Amid Tariff Concerns

Per the Zacks analyst, Philips is benefiting from strength in its Diagnosis & Treatment business. However, trade-war related concerns do not bode well for the company.

New Upgrades

TC Energy's (TRP) C$32B Growth Projects to Boost Earnings

The Zacks analyst believes that TC Energy's C$32 billion of growth projects should support its earnings and dividend payouts.

Kansas City Southern (KSU) Rides High on Cost-Cuts

The Zacks analyst is impressed by the company's improved operational performance, courtesy of its cost-reduction measures.

Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) Rides on Growth Moves, Innovation

The Zacks analyst believes that the implementation of Vision 2020 is helping Booz Allen Hamilton witness strong performance in the global commercial market.

New Downgrades

Weak Demand, Currency Weigh on Eastman Chemical (EMN)

Per the Zacks analyst, trade-related issues will continue to hurt demand for Eastman Chemical's specialty products. The company is also exposed to headwind from unfavorable currency swings.

Spirit (SAVE) Hurt by High Costs & Capacity Overexpansion

The Zacks analyst is worried about capacity growth outdoing the rise in traffic at Spirit Airlines. Also, high labor costs are weighing on the bottom line.

Antero's (AR) Profits to be Hurt by Rising Gathering Costs

The Zacks analyst believes that increasing gathering, compression, processing and transportation costs will keep hampering Antero Resources' profits in the coming quarters.

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TransCanada Corporation (TRP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Novo Nordisk A/S (NVO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Honeywell International Inc. (HON) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
salesforce.com, inc. (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Citigroup Inc. (C) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BP p.l.c. (BP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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