Top Analyst Reports for Southern Company, Constellation Brands & Vale

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

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 Southern Company (SO), Constellation Brands (STZ) and Vale (VALE). 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 >>>

Southern Company's shares have outperformed the Zacks Electric Power industry in the last six months, gaining +4.4% vs +3.3%. The Zacks analyst thinks Southern Company is one of the largest and best-managed electric utility holding companies in the United States, dominating the power business across the southeastern region.

With good rate base growth and constructive regulation, it is expected to generate steady earnings and dividend growth in the coming years through long-term power contracts. Additionally, SO's $12 billion AGL Resources buy has significantly increased its customer base and diversified offerings.

However, continued timing and cost overrun issues over two large construction projects – Vogtle and Kemper – are major overhangs. While the $20 billion Vogtle nuclear plant has gone well over budget and is years behind schedule, Southern's Kemper project suffered yet another setback with the suspension of all coal gasification operations amid additional cost burden. The interplay of these factors account for our conservative investment thesis.

(You can read the full research report on Southern Company here >>>).

Shares of Constellation Brands have gained more than +1.9% in the past year driven by a robust surprise history, exceeding the performance of the Zacks Alcoholic Beverages industry, which has lost -7.3% over the same period,. Though the company missed earnings estimates in first-quarter fiscal 2019 due to higher marketing expenses and transportation costs, it delivered earnings beat in the preceding 14 quarters.

Further, the company is witnessing solid top-line trends driven by strong depletions in the beer business. Notably, the fiscal first quarter results reflected the 9th sales beat in last 11 quarters. Consequently, management raised its GAAP earnings view for fiscal 2019.

The Zacks analyst thinks the company is benefiting from consistent focus on brand-building efforts and product innovations. However, the market remains concerned about the outcome of the company’s recent $5 billion investment to expand stake in Canada’s Canopy Growth. Moreover, stiff competition, higher debt position and taxes remain concerns.

(You can read the full research report on Constellation Brands here >>>).

Buy-ranked Vale’s shares have handily outperformed the Zacks Basic Materials sector in the past year (+24.3% vs. +6.2%). Vale expects to produce more than 100 million tons (Mt) per quarter in the second half of 2018 to meet its full year guidance of approximately 390 Mt.

The company will be able to achieve this as volumes continue to improve at its S11D mine. Vale’s cash cost is expected to be lower than $13 per ton in second-half 2018, benefiting from the competitiveness of growing S11D volumes, seasonally lower costs and higher production. Vale is steadily deleveraging its balance sheet via increased free cash flow generation.

The Zacks analyst thinks the company remains on track to boost shareholders' value over time. Steel demand continues to be strong backed by growing global economy, strong machinery and construction sector activity.

Steel-makers continue to look for higher iron ore grade and low alumina iron ore to increase productivity while lowering emissions. In this regard, Vale is well positioned as a major supplier of sinter fines combining high iron and low alumina.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include CME Group (CME), American Electric (AEP) and Sempra Energy (SRE).

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Mark Vickery

Senior Editor

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

AGL Acquisition Buoys Southern (SO), Project Overruns Hurt

Constellation Brands' (STZ) Beer Business to Aid Top Line

Rising Global Steel Demand & Lower Debt to Aid Vale (VALE)

Featured Reports

Premier Farnell Buyout Boosts Avnet's (AVT) Growth Prospects

Per the Zacks analyst, the buyout of Premier Farnell is expanding Avnet's Electronics Marketing offerings. The company is also benefiting from continued demand in its Electronic Components segment.

Investments Aid Sempra Energy (SRE), Poor Credit Ratings Ail

Per the Zacks analyst, Sempra Energy's investments boost its infrastructure development projects.

Investments Aids American Electric (AEP), Regulations Hurt

Per the Zacks analyst, ongoing investments in transmission projects and expanding renewable portfolio bode well for its future earnings.

Fee-based Earnings & Volumes to Aid Plains All America (PAA)

Per Zacks analyst, Plains All America Pipeline will gain from higher fee-based earnings and well distributed assets allowing it to cater to strong Permian basin volumes.

Action 2020 to Aid ArcelorMittal (MT) Amid Trade Tensions

While U.S.-China trade tensions may hurt some of the company's key markets including automotive, it should gain from efforts to lift margins through the Action 2020 initiative, per the Zacks analyst.

Macquarie (MIC) Gains From BEC Spin-Off & New Investments

Per the Zacks analyst, ongoing investments made in acquisitions and new growth projects, Bayonne Energy Center (BEC) spin-off and robust segmental sales will boost Macquarie's near-term profitability.

Nordstrom's (JWN) Store Expansion Efforts to Boost Growth

Per the Zacks analyst, Nordstrom has been persistently focusing on its store-expansion strategy to expand market share.

New Upgrades

Merrimack (MACK) Oncology Pipeline Candidates Hold Promise

Per the Zacks analyst, Merrimack's streamlined oncology pipeline, post sale of Onivyde and termination of MM-141, holds potential. Merrimack also secured funds to sustain operations in the near-term.

Solid Prospects in Animal Health Segment Aid Patterson (PDCO)

The Zacks analyst is upbeat about Patterson's Animal Health segment that has been performing well. A broad spectrum of products cushions the company against economic downturns in the MedTech space.

Darden (DRI) Rides on Sales-Building & Cost-Cutting Efforts

The Zacks analyst notes that Darden Restaurants' sales boosting initiatives like developing core menu coupled with efforts to curtail costs via aggressive cost control are driving growth.

New Downgrades

Poor Organic Volumes, Rising Costs to Hurt Nordson (NDSN)

Per a Zacks analyst, poor organic volumes, predicted for the fourth quarter fiscal 2018, remain a major concern for Nordson. Also, rising costs remain a drag on profitability.

High Costs, Lack of Diversification Hurt Raymond James (RJF)

The Zacks analyst believes that elevated expenses mainly due to higher compensation costs are likely to hurt Raymond James' bottom-line. Also, lack of geographic diversification is a major concern.

Escalating Expenses Continue to Hurt CME Group (CME)

Per the Zacks analyst, rising expenses, mainly due to higher compensation and benefits as well as technology support and services, will continue to restrict CME Group's operating margin expansion.

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VALE S.A. (VALE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Constellation Brands Inc (STZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Sempra Energy (SRE) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Southern Company (The) (SO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
CME Group Inc. (CME) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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