Advertisement
Canada markets open in 3 hours 24 minutes
  • S&P/TSX

    22,107.08
    +194.56 (+0.89%)
     
  • S&P 500

    5,248.49
    +44.91 (+0.86%)
     
  • DOW

    39,760.08
    +477.75 (+1.22%)
     
  • CAD/USD

    0.7348
    -0.0024 (-0.33%)
     
  • CRUDE OIL

    81.90
    +0.55 (+0.68%)
     
  • Bitcoin CAD

    96,132.48
    +851.34 (+0.89%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • GOLD FUTURES

    2,217.00
    +4.30 (+0.19%)
     
  • RUSSELL 2000

    2,114.35
    +44.19 (+2.13%)
     
  • 10-Yr Bond

    4.1960
    0.0000 (0.00%)
     
  • NASDAQ futures

    18,476.50
    -27.25 (-0.15%)
     
  • VOLATILITY

    13.02
    +0.24 (+1.88%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,970.59
    +38.61 (+0.49%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     
  • CAD/EUR

    0.6816
    +0.0011 (+0.16%)
     

Top Research Reports for Phillip Morris, EOG Resources & Becton, Dickinson

Top Research Reports for Phillip Morris, EOG Resources & Becton, Dickinson

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

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 Phillip Morris (PM), EOG Resources (EOG) and Becton, Dickinson (BDX). 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 >>>

Phillip Morris’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Tobacco industry over the last three months (-8.1% vs. +3%). But the Zacks analyst likes Philip Morris’ consistent efforts to improve the performance of its low risk products. In this category, the company’s IQOS smokeless cigarette have been steadily expanding owing to consumer demand. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Higher cigarette pricing has also been favoring the company. Though the company has been benefiting from enhanced volumes and revenues in the reduced risk products category, it has been suffering majorly due to consistent declines in cigarette volumes stemming from the shift of customer preference away from tobacco products.

Owing to such headwinds, Phillip Morris continued with its drab performance in third-quarter 2017, wherein both earnings and revenues lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate. These factors also compelled management to lower its 2017 view.

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

Shares of EOG Resources have gained around +12.7% over the last six months, outperforming the Zacks Oil & Gas E&P Industry, which has gained +4% over the same period. EOG Resources holds premium acreages in the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford oil shale plays in the United States.

The Zacks analyst likes the firm’s plan to complete 505 wells in the area, significantly higher than 443 recorded in 2016. The firm expects 80% and 90% of the wells to meet the standards of premium wells in 2017 and 2018, respectively. In the promising U.S. shale plays, EOG Resources has identified 7,200 premium wells that can give access to almost 6.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent estimated potential reserves over a period of 10 years.

However, the company’s lack of exposure to international resources is a drag. On top of that, increasing debt load is a cause of concern. Moreover, cash balances have been declining substantially over the first nine months, reflecting balance sheet weakness.

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

Becton, Dickinson’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Dental Supplies industry over the last one year, gaining +30.5% vs. +19.1%. Becton, Dickinson and Company, popularly known as BD, is steadily progressing with its planned acquisition of medical technology player, C. R. Bard. Post-completion, BD expects growth in adjusted earnings starting fiscal 2019. The Zacks analyst thinks the acquisition is a strategic one which will generate benefits from complementary businesses and geographical expansion.

Further, BD announced that it will divest its soft tissue core needle biopsy products for $100 million to Merit Medical. On the flipside, lackluster performance by the Medical segment is a concern.

Performance in the segment was affected by sluggishness in the Medication Management Solutions and Pharmaceutical Systems units in the United States. BD temporarily paused shipments of its insulin infusion sets. The voluntary recall of Barricor blood collection tubes in the recent past also adds to BD’s woes.

(You can read the full research report on Becton, Dickinson here >>>).

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include SAP (SAP), Sirius XM (SIRI) and ABB (ABB).

Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?

Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.

With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research.

It's not the one you think.

See This Ticker Free >>

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

Smokeless Category Strength Drives Phillip Morris (PM) Sales

EOG Resources (EOG) Gains on Eagle Ford Acreage, Debts High

Bard Buyout Aids Becton (BDX) Amid Medical Segment Slowdown

Featured Reports

JetBlue's (JBLU) Mint Service Impresses Amid Capacity Woes

The Zacks analyst likes JetBlue's efforts to expand its Mint service.Unit revenue improvement is also a positive. Capacity overexpansion due to lower traffic growth is, however, a concern at JetBlue.

Subscriber Growth Bouys Sirius XM (SIRI) Amid High Costs

Per the Zacks analyst, Sirius XM's healthy subscriber growth is encouraging and is expected to rise further. However, rising costs pose a threat to bottom-line growth.

Rising U.S. Oil Production, Cost Savings Drives Devon (DVN)

The Zacks analyst believes Devon Energy's cost savings initiatives and increasing oil production from domestic assets will continue to boost its performance.

Greif's (GEF) Segments Poised Well for Growth, Costs a Woe

Per the Zacks analyst, higher specialty sales and strategic pricing decisions will aid Greif's segments.

Grainger (GWW) Gains on Pricing Actions, Higher Expenses Ail

Per the Zacks analyst, Grainger's new pricing structure will aid volume growth and help gain market share.

Solid mPOS Sales, Latin America Growth Drives Verifone (PAY)

According to the Zacks analyst, rapid traction of the mPOS device along with robust top-line growth in Latin America is benefiting Verifone.

Strong Order Trends, Buyouts, Catalysts for ABB Ltd. (ABB)

Per the Zacks analyst, strong orders in Robotics & Motion and Industrial Automation segments, coupled with acquisitions of GE Industrial Solutions, B&R and KEYMILE bode well for ABB's growth momentum.

New Upgrades

Petro-Canada Lubricants Buy Boosts HollyFrontier (HFC)

The Zacks analyst believes that the Petro-Canada Lubricants acquisition has helped HollyFrontier expand into a high-margin and less competitive business.

Strong Cloud and Software Business to Aid SAP SE (SAP)

Per the Zacks analyst, impressive performance of SAP's Cloud and Software business, fueled by a rise in cloud subscriptions and support-revenue, will continue to lend momentum to the company.

Rising Premiums Propels ProAssurance's (PRA) Revenue Growth

Per the Zacks analyst, ProAssurance's top line continues to grow on the back of increasing premium income as well as solid inorganic strategies.

New Downgrades

Under Armour (UAA) Lackluster North America Sales a Concern

Per the Zacks analyst, dismal North American business remains a drag for Under Armour's top line. This has compelled management to trim full year sales view to low-single digit growth from 9-11%.

Cat Loss Exposure Weighs on XL's (XL) Underwriting Results

Per the Zacks analyst, exposure to catastrophe losses induces volatility in XL Group's underwriting profitability. Lower investment income and higher expenses weighs on the bottom-line.

Divestment & Rising Cost to Hamper Integra's (IART) Business

Per the Zacks analyst, Integra's decision to sell some of the company's neurosurgery assets may hamper its business in the near term.


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
 
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (SIRI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
SAP SE (SAP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Philip Morris International Inc (PM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
EOG Resources, Inc. (EOG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ABB Ltd (ABB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research