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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights UnitedHealth Group, Merck, Texas Instruments, The TJX Companies and Johnson Controls International

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 12, 2023 – 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: UnitedHealth Group Inc. UNH, Merck & Co., Inc. MRK, Texas Instruments Inc. TXN, The TJX Companies, Inc. TJX and Johnson Controls International plc JCI.

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Research Reports for UnitedHealth, Merck and Texas Instruments

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 UnitedHealth Group Inc., Merck & Co., Inc. and Texas Instruments 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 >>>

Shares of UnitedHealth Group have gained +3.8% over the past year against the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry's gain of +5.7%. The company's top line remains well-poised for growth on the back of a strong market position, new deals, renewed agreements and expansion of service offerings.

UnitedHealth Group's solid health services segment provides diversification benefits. The Government business remains well-poised for growth. A sturdy balance sheet enables business investments and prudent deployment of capital.

However, the membership in its global business continues to decline. High operating costs are hurting margins. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.

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

Merck's shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the past year (+33.7% vs. +16.5%). Company's products like Keytruda and Gardasil have been driving sales. With continued label expansion into new indications & early-stage settings, Keytruda is expected to remain a key top-line driver.

Animal health and vaccine products are core growth drivers. Merck boasts a strong cancer pipeline, including Keytruda, which should drive long-term growth. Merck is investing in M&A activity to strengthen its pipeline.

However, generic competition for several drugs and rising competitive pressure, mainly on the diabetes franchise, will continue to be overhangs on the top line. There are concerns about Merck's ability to grow its non-oncology business ahead of Keytruda's loss of exclusivity later in the decade.

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

Shares of Texas Instruments have gained +1.1% over the past year against the Zacks Semiconductor - General industry's gain of +35.0%. Growing demand for embedded technologies across the automotive and industrial markets contributed well. Additionally, continued rebound in the automotive market was a tailwind.

The Zacks analyst believes that the company's growing investments in new growth avenues and competitive advantages remain tailwinds. Further, its portfolio of long-lived products and efficient manufacturing strategies are other positives.

However, sluggishness in the Analog segment remains a concern. Further, weakening momentum across personal electronics and communication equipment end-markets is a negative. Additionally, pandemic-led supply-chain disruptions and imposition of new export regulations are headwinds.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include The TJX Companies, Inc. and Johnson Controls International plc.

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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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Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) : Free Stock Analysis Report

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (UNH) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK) : Free Stock Analysis Report

The TJX Companies, Inc. (TJX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Johnson Controls International plc (JCI) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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Zacks Investment Research