Monster Worldwide, Best Buy Co., Apple, Inc., AT&T, Inc., and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. Highlighted in the Zacks Bull & Bear of the Day
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Monster Worldwide (NYSE:MWW) as the Bull of the Day and Best Buy Co (NYSE: BBY) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis ontheApple, Inc. (AAPL), AT&T, Inc. (T) and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (PCS).
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Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Earnings estimates have moved up significantly after Monster Worldwide (MWW) reported better-than-expected results for the third quarter of 2012. Monster announced a series of restructuring actions in order to focus on its core business and improve its cost structure. These initiatives are aimed at boosting profitability and cash flow.
The restructuring actions include the sale of the ChinaHR business and curtailing losses in developing markets. On the other hand, Monster is currently reviewing strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, which includes the possible divestiture of the company.
We believe the shares have already hit an all-time low and a gradual recovery hereafter is on the cards. Thus, we maintain our Outperform recommendation on the stock.
Best Buy Co. (BBY) posted dismal third-quarter 2013 results. The quarterly earnings of $0.03 per share fell drastically by 94% from the year-ago quarter, and also missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.12 by miles. Total revenue also declined 3.5% to $10,753 million but came ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10,730 million.
A tough economic environment in China and weak sales in Canada were the headwinds. Best Buy also suspended its future share buyback program and abstains from providing earnings projections for fiscal 2013 due to the uncertain environment related to product launches and industry-wide sales.
We remain concerned about secular headwinds and falling comps in televisions, gaming, notebooks and digital imaging. Moreover, Best Buy's cash position has shattered, plunging 85.1% year-over-year to $309 million at the end of the quarter. Consequently, we maintain our bearish stance on the stock.
Additional content:
T-Mobile May Get iPhone
There is a new buzz in the market that T-Mobile USA – the fourth largest telecom carrier in the U.S. may finally offer Apple, Inc'.s (AAPL) unlocked version of iPhones to its subscribers.
Earlier, most of the analysts had estimated that continuous loss of subscribers may force T-Mobile USA to team up with Apple to sell their iPhone devices to T-Mobile subscribers from 2013 onwards. However, unavailability of 4G LTE network service coupled with weaker cash positions has kept T-Mobile in a losing situation. Moreover, things worsened further when AT&T, Inc. (T) failed to acquire T-Mobile USA.
To recoup from its current position, T-Mobile USA took some major steps, this year. Firstly, they appointed a new CEO to help the company meet their future goal by executing their plans properly. Secondly, the company invested $4 billion in a bid to upgrade its network to 4G LTE (nearly 37,000 cell sites) and most recently, the company plans to merge with MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (PCS). The deal is still being considered by FCC.
Taking these factors into consideration, most of the analysts believe that the company's latest move is intended to bring iPhone to its portfolio, which in turn will boost its subscriber growth going forward.
However, we believe that if these iPhones are launched at a subsidized rate ($400 per iPhone 5) then it will put huge pressure on margins and at the same time will affect the company's bottom-line growth.
We maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on AT&T Inc. and MetroPCS.
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