Thursday, March 31, 2022
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 Walmart Inc. (WMT), Adobe Inc. (ADBE), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY). 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 >>>
Walmart
shares have lagged the Zacks Retail – Supermarkets industry over the past one year period (+12.2% vs. +15.4%), reflecting the high costs incurred by the company related to supply chain, wages and COVID-19 that are weighing on the outlook for margins. The company envisions operating income and earnings per share to decline in the first quarter, as it cycles stimulus gains witnessed last year, along with higher wages for this year.
Walmart continues to benefit from its robust omnichannel efforts and last-mile delivery capabilities. With more customers and members returning to stores and clubs, demand seems to be strong. Reflection of the same was visible in fourth-quarter results, wherein both top and bottom lines grew year over year.
(You can
read the full research report on Walmart here >>>
)
Adobe
shares have gained +52.8% over the past two period against the Zacks Computer – Software industry’s gain of +91%. The Zacks analyst believes that the company’s Creative Cloud, Document Cloud and Adobe Experience Cloud products drove the top-line growth. Further, rising subscription revenues and solid momentum across the mobile apps remained major positives. Growth in emerging markets, robust online video creation demand and solid adoption of Acrobat are tailwinds.
Also, continued key customers wins of the company are contributing well. We remain optimistic about Adobe’s market position, compelling product lines, continued innovation, solid adoption of Creative Cloud and strong Workfront momentum. However, the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine remain major headwinds for Digital Media segment.
(You can
read the full research report on Adobe here >>>
)
Shares of
Bristol-Myers
have outperformed the Zacks Medical – Biomedical and Genetics industry over the past year (+20% vs. -27.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that strong performance of Eliquis and accelerated growth for Opdivo. Eliquis is the leading oral anticoagulant drug and continues to experience growth in its market share. The label expansion of Opdivo into indications of lung cancer, renal cancer and gastric cancer boosted sales. Revlimid continues to gain from demand for triple-based therapies and increasing treatment duration.
The approval of new drugs adds a new stream of revenues, which should boost growth in the coming quarters. The pipeline progress has been impressive and strategic collaborations will further expand the portfolio. Shares have outperformed the industry in the year so far. However, Revlimid is facing generic competition, which will adversely impact sales. Competition is stiff for Opdivo.
(You can
read the full research report on Bristol-Myers here >>>
)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW), BHP Group Limited (BHP) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU).
Sheraz Mian
Director of Research
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly
Earnings Trends
and
Earnings Preview
reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please
click here>>>
Today’s Must Read
Walmart (WMT) Gains on E-Commerce Efforts, Hurt by Cost Woes
Adobe (ADBE) Rides on Growing Adoption of Cloud Applications
Bristol-Myers’ (BMY) Cancer Drugs Aid Growth Amid Stiff Rivalry
Featured Reports
Lowe’s (LOW) Digital and Pro Businesses Appear Encouraging
Per the Zacks analyst, Lowe’s is benefiting from investments in technology, merchandise category and strength in Pro business. Sales at Lowes.com rose 11.5% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
Rising Iron Prices to Aid BHP Group (BHP) Amid High Costs
The Zacks analyst believes improving iron prices, focus on lowering debt, investment in major projects and efforts to make operations more efficient will drive BHP’s results amid inflated costs..
Micron (MU) Benefits from Growing Memory-Chip Demand
Per the Zacks Analyst, Micron is growing on solid memory-chip demand from PC manufacturers and data-center operators as the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the work-and-learn-from-home trend.
Merchants Solution Segment Support Fidelity (FIS), Costs Up
Per the Zacks analyst, robust Merchants Solution segment and recurring revenues from Banking and Capital Markets contracts drives Fidelity’s revenues. Yet, modernization moves are increasing costs.
International Growth Aids Walgreens (WBA) Amid Stiff Rivalry
The Zacks analyst is impressed with Walgreens’ strong growth in the International segment aided by the formation of the company’s joint venture in Germany. Yet, Stiff Competition remains a concern.
New Customers to Drive TELUS (TU) Sales Amid High Leverage
Per the Zacks analyst, TELUS’ rising customer base is augmenting its fiber footprint, thereby boosting its top line. However, the firm’s elevated leverage of around 56% is a concern.
Investments Aid Edison International (EIX), Rising Costs Ail
Per the Zacks analyst, systematic capital investment boosts Edison International’s infrastructure and customer reliability. Yet, rising wildfire related charges are hurting its bottom line.
New Upgrades
Low Breakeven Costs to Aid Marathon Oil’s (MRO) Cash FlowsLow Breakeve
The Zacks analyst believes that Marathon’s extremely low oil price breakeven costs of just $35 a barrel should generate meaningful free cash flows and improve future profitability.
Buoyant LNG Demand Boosts Prospects of Golar LNG (GLNG)
The Zacks analyst is impressed with the uptick in demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG). The Russia-Ukraine war further strengthened the already robust LNG demand scenario.
Nielsen (NLSN) Rides on Strength in Measurement Solutions
Per the Zacks analyst, Nielsen is benefiting from solid momentum across Measurement Solutions which is being driven by the strength across national and digital measurement products.
New Downgrades
Biosimilar Business Sale, Generics Weigh On Viatris (VTRS)
Per the Zacks analyst, the impending sale of its biosimilar business removes a key growth driver from Viatris’ business. The generic business also faces stiff competitive pressures.
Declining Revenues, Weak Cash Flows Ail Amerisafe (AMSF)
Per the Zacks analyst, its decreasing revenues due to lower net premiums earned has been a concern for the company. Weak cash flows reflects lack of operational efficiency.
Weak Online Business Amid Stiff Competition Hurts Zoom (ZM)
Per the Zacks analyst, weakness in online business amid stiff competition from Microsoft and Cisco is expected to hurt top-line growth in the near term.
Zacks Names “Single Best Pick to Double”
From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.
It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.
This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.
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