The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66, Athlon Energy, Pembina Pipeline and Cablevision Systems
CHICAGO, May 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 the ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP-Free Report), Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX-Free Report), Athlon Energy Inc. (NYSE:ATHL-Free Report), Pembina Pipeline Corp. (NYSE:PBA-Free Report) andCablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE:CVC-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
ConocoPhillips Reaffirms Double-Digit Returns
The world's largest independent exploration and production company, ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP-Free Report) at its Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in Houston reiterated its target of delivering double-digit returns annually to shareholders by growing production and margins by 3% to 5% a year and offering a steadily increasing dividend.
Since Apr 2012, when the company spun off its refining operations to Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX-Free Report), it has generated total shareholder returns of 22%. With this, ConocoPhillips has shifted its total focus to upstream operations and thus oil and gas prices play a major role in determining its performance. The company plans to grow production by maintaining its focus on growth in reserves, through global drilling programs in legacy assets, unconventional assets and major projects.
ConocoPhillips' margin growth drive would also be helped by its shift of production mix to higher-value products. The company expects to spend $16 billion on average annually and will allocate 95% of its capital to investments that deliver above-average margins. The recent activity aims offshore prospects in Australia Angola and Senegal, conventional exploration in Norway and Indonesia and unconventional exploration in North America, Poland and Colombia.
With leading positions in both natural gas and heavy crude oil in North America, as well as a legacy position in the North Sea and growing exposure to lucrative international regions, ConocoPhillips expects to replace reserves and sustain production growth over the long term. ConocoPhillips' liquids-rich exploration initiatives are gaining momentum through the Eagle Ford, Bakken and North Barnett shale plays.
We believe that any downtrend in the global economy will affect the supply-demand fundamentals of oil and gas, hurting the sales prices of crude oil and natural gas.
ConocoPhillips currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), implying that it is expected to perform in line with the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. Investors interested in the oil and gas sector could consider stocks like Athlon Energy Inc. (NYSE:ATHL-Free Report) and Pembina Pipeline Corp. (NYSE:PBA-Free Report). Both these carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Cablevision Expanding WiFi in NYC
Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE:CVC-Free Report) is increasingly emphasizing on its WiFi network, called the "Optimum WiFi Network," for future growth. The company has decided to quickly expand its WiFi network in the New York metropolitan area and intends to launch innovative WiFi products to gain market traction. Cablevision currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
At present, Cablevision has installed more than 100,000 WiFi access points. Management has decided to expand this footprint to 1 million by the end of 2014. The company has also decided to deploy WiFi-equipped smartrouters in the premises of broadband customers. The deployment of smartrouters will convert each customer's residence into a public WiFi hotspot, which other broadband Internet customers can utilize.
Throughout the U.S., cable-MSOs (multi-service operators) are facing intense competitive threats from telecom operators, satellite TV providers and online video streaming service providers. Roaming WiFi connectivity is likely to become a huge opportunity for cable MSOs to minimize their respective customer churn rate. In addition to retail consumers, the business enterprises are likely to become major growth accelerator for mobile WiFi hotspot.
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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