The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Meta Platforms, Visa, Verizon Communications, United Parcel Service, and Canadian Natural Resources

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 31, 2022 – 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: Meta Platforms, Inc. FB, Visa Inc. V, Verizon Communications Inc. VZ, United Parcel Service, Inc. UPS and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. CNQ

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for Meta, Visa and Verizon

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 Meta Platforms, Inc., Visa Inc., and Verizon Communications Inc.. 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 >>>

Meta Platforms shares have declined -41.7% over the past year against the Zacks Internet - Software industry's decline of -59.0% and the -4.4% decline in the broader S&P 500 index. Weighing on the stock are changes to Apple's iOS as well as engagement-related headwinds. Apple's iOS changes have made ad targeting difficult, which, in turn, has increased the cost of driving outcomes.

Measuring these outcomes has also become difficult. Meta expects these factors to hurt advertising revenue growth throughout 2022. Meta's second-quarter guidance reflects macroeconomic and forex concerns. Cost inflation and supply chain disruptions are expected to impact advertiser budgets.

However, Meta is benefiting from steady user growth across all regions, particularly Asia Pacific. Increased engagement for its products like Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Facebook has been a major growth driver.

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

Visa shares have declined -7% over the past year against rival Mastercard's -1.7% decline and the Zacks Financial Transaction Services industry's decline of -31.6%. The company's market leading position offers some measure of stability and visibility in the current uncertain environment, but it is nevertheless faced with a number of near-term challenges, including weak margins outlook a result of rising operating expenses, the negative impact of ramped-up client incentives on top-line growth, and exposure to the Russia-Ukraine situation.

However, numerous buyouts and alliances paved the way for long-term growth and consistently drove its revenues. The company's investments in technology are solidifying its position in the payments market. A shift in payments to the digital mode is a boon. The coronavirus vaccine rollouts and the gradual revival of consumer confidence will keep driving spending, expanding business volumes in turn. Backed by its strong cash position, it remains committed to boost its shareholder value. Its balance sheet strength is commendable.

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

Verizon Communications shares have declined -5.2% over the past year against the Zacks Wireless National industry's decline of -5.3%. The company offered a muted outlook for 2022 due to the challenging macroeconomic environment. An intensely competitive market and hefty expenses on promotions and lucrative discounts to attract customers are likely to hurt its profitability. High auctioning expenses for the mid-band spectrum are expected to further compromise margins.

However, the company plans to accelerate the availability of its 5G Ultra Wideband network with C-Band deployment, covering 175 million people by the end of 2022. Its growth strategy includes 5G mobility, nationwide broadband and mobile edge computing and business solutions. Verizon is building the entire network infrastructure to provide the most amazing 5G experience to customers. It is offering various mix-and-match pricing in both wireless and home broadband plans which has led to solid customer additions.

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

 

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include United Parcel Service, Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Visa Inc. (V) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNQ) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Meta Platforms, Inc. (FB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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