Top Analyst Reports for salesforce, Lockheed Martin & Intuit

Wednesday, October 23, 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 salesforce.com (CRM), Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Intuit (INTU). 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 >>>

salesforce’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Computer Software industry year to date (4.9% vs. 27.8%). The Zacks analyst believes that salesforce is gaining from solid growth across its cloud offerings.

The company is benefiting immensely from an expanding partner ecosystem, which is contributing to business wins and boosting its presence globally. Deal wins in the international market are growth drivers. Rapid adoption of its diverse cloud offerings, given an upsurge in demand for digital transformation, is a key catalyst.

Additionally, acquisitions like MuleSoft, Tableau, ClickSoftware and Salesforce.org are significant revenue drivers. However, stiff competition from Oracle and Microsoft is a concern. Persistence of unfavorable currency fluctuations is a key headwind. Besides, increasing investments in international expansions and data centers are an overhang on profitability.

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

Shares of Lockheed Martin have gained 13.4% in the past six months against the Zacks Aerospace Defense industry’s rise of 1%. The Zacks analyst believes that the company enjoys strong demand for its high-end military equipment in domestic and international markets.

Lockheed Martin is also the largest U.S. defense contractor with a platform-centric focus that guarantees a steady inflow of follow-on orders. In a year’s time, Lockheed Martin has outperformed the industry. However, the company’s higher debt-to-equity ratio shows that the stock is highly leveraged when compared with its industry.

Lockheed Martin also faces intense global competition for its broad portfolio of products and services. Forced cost reduction initiatives for its F-35 program might hamper its operating results. 

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

Intuit’s shares have lost 7.6% over the past three months against the Zacks Computer Software industry’s decline of 5.9%. The Zacks analyst believes Intuit is benefiting from strong momentum in Online ecosystem revenues and growth in the Consumer business. Impressive growth in its Small Business and Self-Employed is a tailwind.

The TurboTax Live offering is also driving strong growth in the Consumer tax business. Solid momentum of the company’s lending product, QuickBooks Capital, is a positive. Moreover, the company’s strategy of shifting its business to cloud-based subscription model will help generate more stable revenues over the long run.

Estimates have been stable lately ahead of the company’s Q1 earnings release. However, high costs and expenses remain a major concern. Moreover, the company expects total QuickBooks Online subscriber growth to moderate in the near term as it continues to focus on additional services.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Disney Company (DIS), The Bank of New York Mellon (BK) and ConocoPhillips (COP).

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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

Strong Cloud Portfolio & Partner Base Aids salesforce (CRM)

Order Growth to Aid Lockheed (LMT) Amid F-35 Cost Issue

Intuit (INTU) Rides on Solid Product Portfolio & Cloud Shift

Featured Reports

Cost Cuts Aid CSX Amid Weakness in Intermodal Segment

The Zacks analyst is impressed by the company's cost-reduction efforts that are leading to an improvement in operating ratio.

Solid Balance Sheet Supports BNY Mellon (BK) Amid Rate Cuts

Per the Zacks analyst, solid balance sheet and efforts to improve efficiency through prudent cost control will aid BNY Mellon.

Growing Demand for Live Programming Benefits Fox (FOXA)

Per the Zacks analyst, Fox is expected to gain traction from growing demand for live programming, which is relatively immune to growing competition from subscription-based video-on-demand services.

Solid User Growth & Premium Content Demand Aids Snap (SNAP)

Per the Zacks analyst, Snap benefits from an improving user growth driven by strong adoption of AR Lenses and demand for premium content including original shows.

Active Rider Growth Aids Lyft (LYFT) Amid Escalated Costs

The Zacks analyst is impressed with the 82% surge in top line during first-half 2019 on active rider growth.

Timberland Diversity Aids Rayonier (RYN) Amid Choppy Market

Per the Zacks Analyst, Rayonier will benefit from its timberlands' geographical diversity and better pricing power.

Universal Forest (UFPI) Banks on Acquisitions, Costs High

Per the Zacks analyst, Universal Forest is poised to benefit from its buyout strategy and innovation plan. However, rapid lumber market swings and high labor costs pose a concern.

New Upgrades

Fleet Upgrade, Dividends & Buybacks Boost SkyWest (SKYW)

The Zacks analyst appreciates the company's efforts to reward shareholders. Efforts to modernize its fleet are also encouraging.

Prothena's (PRTA) Efforts to Develop Pipeline Impressive

Per the Zacks analyst, Prothena's efforts to develop prasinezumab in collaboration with bigwigs like Roche bodes well given the latter's expertise. The company's deal with Celgene is also positive.

AVEO Riding High on Favorable Updated OS Results on Fotivda

Per the Zacks analyst, AVEO is surging high on positive updated data on Fotivda and remains on course to file a potential NDA in the United States.

New Downgrades

Disney (DIS) Hurt By Rising Investments & Marketing Costs

Per the Zacks analyst, Disney's ongoing investments on its technology platform and higher marketing costs negatively impacted profitability.

Lower Oil Production Volumes to Hurt ConocoPhillips (COP)

ConocoPhillips expects oil equivalent production volumes to have sequentially declined in third-quarter 2019. The firm's rising production & operating expenses also concern the Zacks analyst.

High Debt Level, Increasing Expenses Hurt CNO Financial (CNO)

Per the Zacks analyst, its rising debt level leading to interest expenses continues to be a risk. Escalating operating expenses due to several growth initiatives also remain a concern.

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Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Intuit Inc. (INTU) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Walt Disney Company (DIS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
salesforce.com, inc. (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
ConocoPhillips (COP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (BK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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