The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Microsoft, Biogen, Home Depot, Bristol-Myers and Berkshire Hathaway

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – January 18, 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 Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT – Free Report ), Biogen (NASDAQ: BIIB – Free Report ), Home Depot (NYSE: HD – Free Report ), Bristol-Myers (NYSE: BMY – Free Report ) and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B – Free Report ).

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

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Research Reports For Wednesday: MSFT, BIIB, HD

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT – Free Report ), Biogen (NASDAQ:BIIB – Free Report ) and Home Depot (NYSE: HD – Free Report ).

Buy rated Microsoft shares lagged the Zacks Tech sector through the fall, but have led the way over the last three months (up +8.7% versus +3.3%) on greater appreciation for the company's reorganization and repositioning. Notably, estimates have been going up ahead of the company's Q2 earnings release. The Zacks analyst points to the company's continuing enterprise strength, benefits from the Office 365 subscription model, strong growth prospects of Azure and promising new products. The recent acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Maluuba is a big positive for the company given the growing demand for artificial intelligence techniques throughout the world. Further, the anticipated completion of the LinkedIn acquisition will boost Microsoft's presence in the social media market. (You can read the full research report on Microsoft here >> )

Biogen shares initially gained from the post-election rally, but have since underperformed the broader pharma space as the macro issues plaguing the space still continue. These issues notwithstanding, the analyst likes the Buy rated stock’s strong position in the multiple sclerosis market primarily due to a wide range of products. Cost cutting efforts and MS franchise sales should continue to drive growth. Moreover, the upcoming spin-off of the hemophilia business will allow Biogen to focus on the neurology segment, its key area of expertise. Estimates have also gone up lately ahead of the Q4 earnings results. The company has a positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. (You can read the full research report on Biogen here>> )

Buy rated Home Depot shares have outperformed the Zacks Retail sector over the last three months, gaining +7.4% over the period versus the sector’s +0.8% gain in the year-to-date period. Solid execution and a consistent housing market recovery have been its primary growth drivers. The analyst likes Home Depot’s focus on developing merchandising tools, which, along with investment in building its interconnected capabilities is expected to boost its top line, and enhance market share. The company is on track to achieve its long-term dividend payout, share repurchase and return on investment targets. Estimates have been stable ahead of the company’s Q4 earnings release, while it has positive record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. (You can read the full research report on Home Depot here >> )

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Bristol-Myers (NYSE:BMY – Free Report ) and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.B – Free Report ).

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? These 10 are painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. They are our primary picks to buy and hold. Be among the very first to see them >>

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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Microsoft Corp. (MSFT): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Biogen Inc. (BIIB): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Home Depot Inc. (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (BMY): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
BERKSHIRE HTH-B (BRK.B): Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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