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Top Stock Reports for Walmart, Pfizer & Charter Communications

Thursday, March 5, 2020

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 Walmart (WMT), Pfizer (PFE) and Charter Communications (CHTR). 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 >>>

Walmart’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Supermarkets industry over the past six months (+1.8% vs. +2.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company’s focus on strengthening e-commerce and store operations has helped it retain its sturdy comps trend in fourth-quarter fiscal 2019, wherein U.S. comps rose for the 22nd straight time.

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Further, e-commerce sales surged on robust online grocery performance. Management expects e-commerce sales to rise nearly 30% in fiscal 2021, wherein International sales are likely to grow 4%.

However, Walmart’s earnings broke its positive surprise trend and fell year over year in the quarter due to higher cost of sales and increased operating, selling, general and administrative expenses. Additionally, disruption in Chile and a legal matter affected the bottom line. Further, the gross margin remained soft due to pricing and growing e-commerce mix.

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

Shares of Pfizer have lost -13.1% over the past year against the Zacks Large-Cap Pharmaceuticals industry’s rise of +5.5%. The Zacks analyst believes that the Consumer Healthcare joint venture with Glaxo, the Array acquisition and the pending merger of Upjohn unit with Mylan, if successful, will make Pfizer a smaller company with a diversified portfolio of innovative drugs and vaccines.

The smaller Pfizer should see better revenue growth as the Lyrica LOE cliff will go away. Pfizer expects continued strong growth of key brands like Ibrance, Inlyta and Eliquis to drive sales in 2020. Pfizer also has a strong portfolio of new drugs, which will accelerate growth in 2020 and beyond. However, Lyrica generic erosion, currency headwinds and pricing pressure are the key near-term top-line headwinds.

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

Charter Communications’ shares have gained +11.7% over the past three months against the Zacks Cable TV industry’s rise of +0.6%. The Zacks analyst believes that the company is benefiting from growth in Internet, mobile, commercial and video revenues.

Increase in Internet speed at no extra cost is also aiding subscriber growth. Additionally, Charter’s spectrum mobile products are gaining traction and subscriber base is increasing rapidly. Launch of spectrum mobile services to small and medium business customers is a key catalyst. Improving free cash flow is a growth driver.

However, commercial revenues continued to suffer due to migration of customers to Spectrum pricing, and packaging from Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House. Further, Charter persistently loses video subscribers, primarily due to cord-cutting and intense competition from streaming service providers like Netflix and Amazon.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Eli Lilly (LLY), Lockheed Martin (LMT) and CME Group (CME).

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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

Walmart's (WMT) Superb U.S. Comps Trend to Fuel Top-Line

Ibrance & Other Key Drugs to Drive Pfizer's (PFE) Sales

Subscriber Gain Aids Charter (CHTR) Amid Stiff Competition

Featured Reports

Lilly (LLY) Makes Solid Pipeline Progress

The Zacks analyst points out that several late-stage data readouts are scheduled for 2020 for Lilly. It is also regularly adding promising new pipeline assets.

Robust Demand Aids Lockheed (LMT), F-35 program's Cost Hurts

Per the Zacks Analyst, Lockheed Martin witnesses strong demand for its aircraft programs and missile defense systems.

CME Group (CME) Futures Expansion Aids, Expenses Hurt

Per the Zacks analyst, the company is well poised for growth with the expansion of futures products in emerging markets and OTC offerings.

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

Per the Zacks analyst, Intuit is gaining from solid adoption of TurboTax Live offering, and its lending product - QuickBooks Capital.

Intercontinental (ICE) Gains From Buyouts, Debt High

Per the Zacks analyst, Intercontinental Exchange is set to grow on a number of buyouts and cost synergies.

Kimberly-Clark's (KMB) Restructuring Plans to Aid Earnings

Kimberly-Clark expects cost savings of $425-$500 million in 2020, from its FORCE Program and 2018 Global Restructuring Program.

Robust Product Portfolio & Acquisitions Aid ANSYS (ANSS)

Per the Zacks analyst, buyouts like Livermore Software Technology (LSTC) and Dynardo are enabling ANSYS to bring innovative solutions to the market & fortify foothold in the simulations market.

New Upgrades

Label Expansions of Eylea, Dupixent Boost Regeneron (REGN)

Per the Zacks analyst, label expansions of key drugs like Eylea and Dupixent boost Regeneron. The company's efforts to expand the label of these drugs and develop its pipeline are impressive too.

Robust Comparable Store Sales to Aid Cracker Barrel (CBRL)

Per the Zacks analyst, Cracker Barrel continues to benefit from robust comparable store restaurant sales, enhanced marketing efforts, seasonal promotions as well as unit expansions.

Fuel Distribution & Terminalling Businesses Aid Sunoco (SUN)

Per the Zacks analyst, Sunoco's fuel distribution and terminalling businesses are expected to bring higher profits on the back of higher demand in the domestic market.

New Downgrades

Weak Refining & Chemical Businesses Hurt Sinopec (SNP)

Declining demand for petroleum products continues to hurt Sinopec's refining business. Lower contributions from the firm's chemicals operations also concern the Zacks analyst.

VMware (VMW) Hurt By a Rise in Investment on SaaS Portfolio

Per the Zacks analyst, heavy spending on hybrid cloud and SaaS portfolios amid intensifying competition hurts VMware's profitability.

Sluggish Weibo & Portal Advertising Revenues Hurt SINA (SINA)

Per the Zacks Analyst, declining Weibo & portal advertising revenues is hurting SINA's top-line growth. Moreover, intensifying competition is a concern.


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Walmart Inc. (WMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Pfizer Inc. (PFE) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) : Free Stock Analysis Report

CME Group Inc. (CME) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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