The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Gilead Sciences, Las Vegas Sands, Illinois Tool Works, Pfizer and Lockheed Martin

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – January 20, 2017, 2016 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD – Free Report ), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS – Free Report ), Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW – Free Report ), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE – Free Report ) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT – Free Report ).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free .

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for Friday: GILD, LVS, ITW

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Gilead Sciences (NASDAQ: GILD – Free Report ), Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS – Free Report ) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW – Free Report ).

Also featured today is our updated Earnings Trends report - Bank Earnings & the Trump Effect

Gilead shares have been laggards lately, on persistent fears about drug pricing and other regulatory issues that haven't eased up even after the November election. The stock has lost -20.3% of its value over the last one year vs. the -12.9% decline for the Zacks Biotech industry in that same time period. Gilead's HCV franchise continues to witness slowdown in the U.S. and Europe due to lower sales of Harvoni. These challenges notwithstanding, but the analyst also points towards the company's robust late-stage pipeline. The company's HIV franchise has been performing well, thanks to the newly launched TAF-based products Genvoya, Descovy and Odefsey. (You can read the full research report on Gilead here >> )

Las Vegas Sands shares have gained +50.6% over the last one year, higher than the gaming industry’s increase of 44.8%. The analyst likes the high occupancy rates in its Las Vegas properties, which should continue driving growth. Moreover, focus on diversification and growth in the mass and non-gaming markets should aid margins. However, Las Vegas Sands has been mostly reporting lower revenues over the past few quarters due to a sluggish performance in Macao, a key operating region for the company. The anti-graft corruption drive undertaken by the Chinese government had been keeping VIP gamblers at bay, thereby hurting revenues. Nonetheless, the company’s consistent efforts to boost tourism and traffic are yielding results. (You can read the full research report on Las Vegas Sands here >> )

Buy rated Illinois Tool Works shares have outperformed the Zacks Industrial Machinery industry over the last one year, gaining +52% over the period versus the sector’s +40.1% gain. The analyst likes the company's organic and inorganic growth tactics, its long-term Enterprise Strategy and sound capital allocation schemes. For 2016, the company increased its earnings guidance to $5.56-$5.66 per share from the previous expectation of $5.50-$5.70 and anticipates 9% year-over-year growth in earnings per share. Additionally, over the last 60 days, earnings estimates for the stock have increased for 2017. (You can read the full research report on Illinois Tool Works here >> )

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Pfizer (NYSE: PFE – Free Report ) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT – Free Report ).

Free Access: All Zacks Research Reports
Starting today, you are invited to download in-depth analysis reports covering more than 1,000 of the most widely followed stocks. Valued at $25 each, they are yours to consult over the next 30 days absolutely free. They feature sensitive Zacks Rank information on each stock that you won't find anywhere else. See the reports free >>

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1 Stock of the Day pick for free .

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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Gilead Sciences Inc. (GILD): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Pfizer Inc. (PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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