Top Stock Reports for BlackRock, Charter Communications & Intuitive Surgical

Monday, April 23, 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 BlackRock (BLK), Charter Communications (CHTR) and Intuitive Surgical (ISRG). 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 >>>

BlackRock’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Investment Management industry in the last six months, (+10.7% vs. -1.5%). This performance was supported by impressive earnings surprise history as the company surpassed expectations in three of the trailing four quarters. Its first-quarter 2018 results were supported by higher revenues and growth in assets under management (AUM).

The company is undertaking initiatives to restructure its actively managed equities business and expand globally via acquisitions to further boost top-line growth. Also, its efficient capital deployment activities will continue to enhance shareholder value. However, mounting expenses, mainly due to continued rise in marketing costs, might hurt the bottom-line growth to some extent. The company's high dependence on overseas revenues remains a matter of concern.

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

Shares of Charter Communications have outperformed the Zacks Cable TV industry over the past three months (-17.4% vs. -18.1%). Charter’s residential and commercial internet and voice customer growth continues to accelerate, which is evident from the revenue growth and subscriber gain. The Zacks analyst thinks the recently announced partnership with Comcast to develop back-end software to support services for Xfinity and Spectrum mobile offerings is significantly positive for the company’s growth prospects.

The collaboration will help in saving costs for both the companies. However, the company continues to struggle due to sluggish growth in a saturated and competitive multi-channel U.S. video market. Charter also faces stiff competition from online TV streaming service providers. The company's high debt level and consolidation-related woes are other potential hazards.

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

Strong Buy-ranked Intuitive Surgical’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical Instruments industry over the last year, gaining +66.5% vs +1%. Intuitive Surgical ended the first quarter of 2018 on a solid note, with both earnings and revenues surpassing expectations. The company’s flagship da Vinci procedures recorded solid growth and holds promise for the quarters ahead.

The company also saw solid expansion outside the United States in the recent past. A suite of regulatory approvals buoys optimism. Solid growth in prostatectomy procedure volumes lent Intuitive Surgical a competitive edge in the broader prostate surgery market. However, the company expects U.S. sales to decline in the quarters ahead, which raises concern.

Furthermore, looming foreign exchange volatility also adds to the woes. Intense competition in niche space and long sale and purchase order cycles of da Vinci unit has been currently plaguing the company.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Statoil (STO), Diageo (DEO) and Aon (AON).

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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

Acquisitions Support BlackRock (BLK), Marketing Costs a Woe

Subscriber Gains, Wireless Initiatives Benefit Charter (CHTR)

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) Gains Ground on da Vinci Platform

Featured Reports

Acquisitions, Productivity Actions Buoy Celanese (CE)

The Zacks analyst thinks that Nilit and Omni Plastics acquisitions as well as operational cost savings through productivity actions will drive Celanese's profitability in FY18.

Restructuring to Aid Valmont (VMI), High Input Costs a Woe

According to the Zacks analyst, Valmont should gain from its restructuring actions that are geared to improve productivity amid headwinds from raw material cost inflation in 2018.

Robust Used-Car Market & Store Expansion Aid CarMax (KMX)

Per the Zacks analyst, improved store sales & digital initiatives are aiding CarMax's comparable-store used vehicle sales. The rise in sales is getting complimented by aggressive store expansion.

Buyouts Aids Stanley Black (SWK), Commodity Inflation Drags

Per a Zacks analyst, Stanley Black & Decker's Nelson Fastener buyout will fortify its Engineered Fastening business and prove accretive to earnings in 2018. Commodity inflation remains a drag.

Aon (AON) Gains from Strategic Alliances, Debt Level Hurts

Per the Zacks analyst, Aon largely benefits from its partnerships; the recent one with HP to combat cyber attacks is worth a mention here.

Cost Control & Strategic Acquisitions Aid BancorpSouth (BXS)

Per Zacks analyst, BancorpSouth's efforts to drive operational efficiency through cost-control measures and strategic deals remain encouraging.

International Business Aids Skechers (SKX), Q2 View Worries

Per the Zacks analyst, Skechers' international business remains a key sales driver, apart from product innovation.

New Upgrades

Rail International unit, Dividends Aid GATX Corp. (GATX)

The Zacks analyst appreciates the company's efforts to reward shareholders. Improvement in the Rail International unit's profit is also encouraging.

Rise in Customers, Investments to Drive WEC Energy (WEC)

Per the Zacks analyst WEC Energy's plans to invest $11.8B to fortify its electric and gas delivery operation and energy infrastructure by 2022, will help it to serve its rising customer base.

Statoil (STO) to Benefit from Norwegian Upstream Projects

The Zacks analyst expects Statoil to generate significant cash flow from new upstream projects in the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

New Downgrades

Low Rates, Legal Costs Remain Woes for Deutsche Bank (DB)

Per Zacks analyst, Deutsche Bank's revenues continue to remain under pressure due to the prevailing low rate environment in the European economy. Also, pending legal matters will keep costs elevated.

Stringent Government Laws Remain Woes for DTE Energy (DTE)

Per the Zacks analyst DTE Energy faces stringent government regulations for curbing emissions. Such new legislation can change how the company operates its business and lead to additional expenses.

Diageo's (DEO) Top Line Remains Troubled by Currency Exposure

Diageo sales were hit by currency woes in first-half fiscal 2018, given its solid global presence. Thus, the Zacks analyst expects adverse currency movements to remain a threat for Diageo's top line.

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Statoil ASA (STO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (ISRG) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Diageo plc (DEO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BlackRock, Inc. (BLK) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Aon plc (AON) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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