The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: UBS Group, Accenture, Sinopec, Wells Fargo and Restaurant Brands International

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 19, 2017 – 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 UBS Group (NYSE:UBS – Free Report), Accenture (NYSE:ACN – Free Report), Sinopec (NYSE:SNP – Free Report), Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC – Free Report) and Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR – Free Report).

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

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for UBS Group, Accenture and Sinopec

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 UBS Group (NYSE:UBS – Free Report), Accenture (NYSE:ACN – Free Report) and Sinopec (NYSE:SNP – Free Report). 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 >>>

Shares of UBS Group AG have underperformed the industry on the NYSE in the last six months (+5.7% vs. +8.4%). The company’s profitability continues to be challenged by negative interest rates in the domestic economy and strict regulatory framework. However, UBS Group remains focused on building capital levels, global expansion and executing restructuring initiatives. Moreover, management anticipates to achieve CHF 2.1 billion in net cost reductions by the end of 2017. Further, the company’s strong capital position remains a tailwind.

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

Buy-rated Accenture has outperformed the industry over the past year, gaining (+22.5% vs. +21.2%). The company offers management consultancy, technology and outsourcing services. Optimism remains over Accenture’s latest product additions in the analytics application space, given the increasing demand for digital solutions. Moreover, Accenture’s strategy of growing through partnerships like Apple and acquisitions like IBB and VERAX are encouraging. The strategies have enabled Accenture to enter new markets, diversify and broaden its product portfolio, and maintain its leading position.

Nonetheless, Accenture’s recent announcement of creating 15K new jobs by 2020 and investment plan of $1.4 billion for employee training and opening of 10 innovation centers across the U.S. cities may dent its bottom-line results. Furthermore, increasing competition from peers and an uncertain macroeconomic environment may deter its growth to some extent.

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

Sinopec’s price chart reveals that it has significantly outperformed the industry year to date, increasing (+10.5% vs. +5%). Through its refinery business, Sinopec has been able to withstand the crude price weakness to a large extent. During first-half 2017, consumption of refined petroleum products jumped almost 6% from the prior-year comparable period. Also, declining long-term debt load along with a rapidly rising cash balance reflect balance sheet strength. Sinopec has also made large-scale oil discoveries, especially in the Shengli field, which will support long-term production.

However, it is expected that Sinopec’s matured domestic oil fields and associated rising costs will remain an overhang on its operations. Sinopec’s operating expenses during the first half of 2017 increased nearly 40%. Moreover, overdependence on downstream operations might limit Sinopec’s growth prospects. Given these factors, it is wise to wait for a better entry point.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC – Free Report) and Restaurant Brands International (NYSE:QSR – Free Report).

New Report: An Investor’s Guide to Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks have become more frequent and destructive than ever. In fact, they’re expected to cause $6 trillion per year in damage by 2020.

The cybersecurity industry is expanding quickly in response to these threats. In fact, a projected $170 billion per year will be spent to protect consumer and corporate assets. Zacks has just released Cybersecurity: An Investor’s Guide to Locking Down Profits which reveals 4 promising investment candidates.

Download the new report now>>

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 >>.

Get the full Report on UBS - FREE

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Get the full Report on QSR - FREE

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Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (SNP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
UBS AG (UBS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Restaurant Brands International Inc. (QSR) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Accenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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