Southwest Airlines, Embraer S.A., Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, Potlatch Corporation and Weyerhaeuser Co. highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day
CHICAGO, Jan. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Southwest America (NYSE:LUV) as the Bull of the Day and Embraer S.A. (NYSE: ERJ) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis ontheLouisiana-Pacific Corporation (LPX), Potlatch Corporation (PCH) and Weyerhaeuser Co. (WY).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
We upgrade our recommendation on Southwest Airlines (LUV) to Outperform from Neutral based on a number of constructive actions adopted by management. We believe that the company remains committed to sustain its brand and operational excellence via its cost-cutting measures, fleet rightsizing, addition of new and attractive destinations.
The company's Evolve retrofit program, steady capacity growth, All-New Rapid Rewards and several steps to enhance ancillary revenues will position it advantageously in the coming days. Apart from the AirTran merger which can provide additional synergies, Southwest has set a number of initiatives to boost its profitability level in 2013.
We also appreciate Southwest s focus on uplifting its financial prosperity and capital efficiency. The company has a target price of $13, based on 13.3x our earnings estimate for 2013.
While Embraer S.A. (ERJ) looks forward to its American and Continental regional jets order, the loss of the Delta Airlines contract in the current quarter has been detrimental to the future revenues of the company. This has led to downward estimate revisions by most analysts covering the company.
Moreover, the highly competitive industry in which the company operates is forcing Embraer to incur high costs with an increase in the prices of fuel along with the possibility of order cancellations. Embraer reported a significant increase in EPADS from a year-ago, but the results also reflected a heavier tax burden, rising wages in Brazil, overt dependence on a few customers and a drop in demand for business jets.
Based on the above factors, we downgrade our recommendation on the stock from Neutral to Underperform. Our $25.00 target price, 9.0x 2013 EPADS, reflects this view.
Additional content:
Louisiana-Pacific Now a Strong Buy
On January 15, Zacks Investment Research upgraded the premier supplier of building materials, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation (LPX) to Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), driven by a steadily improving housing market, which is increasing the demand of its products.
Why the Upgrade?
The upward movements of the estimates are driven by solid performance of the Oriental Strand Board (OSB) and Siding segments in third quarter of 2012 and its recent Peace Valley acquisition.
On November 6, 2012, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation's third quarter 2012 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 20 cents missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 20%. Results, however, improved significantly from the prior-year quarter loss of 19 cents, owing to improved pricing in the OSB segment.
Though net sales in the quarter improved 33%, it lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.5%. Top line improvement was driven by higher volumes at OSB and Siding segments and price increases at the OSB segment.
Following the results of third quarter of 2012, Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2012 increased 22.2% per share.
The upward movements of the estimates have also been encouraged by the recent agreement with Canfor Corporation (CFP.TO) to acquire the latter's 50% share in the Peace Valley Oriented Strand Board (OSB) mill, which was until now owned by both the companies.
Louisiana will thereby become the sole owner. The Peace Valley acquisition will strengthen Louisiana's OSB segment, which reported sales growth of 63% in the third quarter of 2012 owing to an increase in housing activity. This acquisition strengthens the company's position further to capitalize on the rising housing momentum.
With housing market recovery gaining momentum, there has been a drop in inventory levels and an increase in home prices. As such, most home building companies are gearing up to introduce a number of new homes in order to meet the increase in demand, which implies that demand for building materials has also improved. Particularly, OSB segments and Siding segments are responding well to the market impetus.
Other Stocks to Consider
Potlatch Corporation PCH Weyerhaeuser Co. WYGet today's four free Zacks #1 stocks with a free subscription to Profit from the Pros newsletter:
About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
About the Analyst Blog
Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
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 analyst 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.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Click here to subscribe to this free newsletter today.
About Zacks
through our Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com
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 http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article