CHICAGO, Dec. 11, 2013 /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 Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F-Free Report), Siemens (NYSE:SI-Free Report), General Motors Company (NYSE:GM-Free Report), Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM-Free Report) and The Chubb Corp. (NYSE:CB-Free Report).
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Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:
Ford Tests Siemens Software
Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F-Free Report) announced that it is piloting a new software developed by Siemens (NYSE:SI-Free Report) that will help in virtual navigation within the former's assembly plants. This software will enable the automaker to enhance its global collaboration and share knowledge among the different plants.
The IntoSite application under the Tecnomatix portfolio is a cloud-based web application developed using the Google Earth infrastructure. IntoSite provides a 3D version of assembly plants and provides better information of the global processes.
Siemens' technology enables Ford's manufacturing professionals to navigate virtually through the plants and share information within the virtual plants. The manufacturing professionals can explore, align, collaborate and share knowledge among the different factories located around the globe. This will also help the plants to organize manufacturing planning, issue resolution and share best practices globally. Thus, it will eventually help the automaker to enhance cross regional workplace communication.
Moreover, the Google Earth infrastructure helps in increasing the speed of adoption and implementation of manufacturing teams around the world. This visual communication is more effective than other methods.
Ford is initially testing the IntoSite technology at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. This new technology will enhance the efficiency of operation as it stores documents related to specific issues in a common place, and will lead to globalization and maintain standardization.
Ford is one of the largest automobile producers in the world along with General Motors Company (NYSE:GM-Free Report) and Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM-Free Report). Over the years, Ford has been working to maintain standardization around the globe. Ford is a global user of Siemens' product lifecycle management (PLM) technology. Siemens IntoSite application is a product of PLM software business unit.
Currently, Ford retains a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Chubb Stays Outperform
We are reiterating our Outperform recommendation on The Chubb Corp. (NYSE:CB-Free Report), reflecting third quarter earnings beat, in which the company threw a positive earnings surprise of 12%. Over the last four quarters the company has delivered a positive earnings surprise of 49.5%. Chubb carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy)
Why Reiteration?
On Oct 24, Chubb reported third-quarter operating earnings of $2.06 per share, way ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.84 per share. Earnings also increased 4% year over year.
Chubb boosts of a diversified product profile and has a niche market presence in the property and casualty industry.
Chubb's Commercial insurance segment has been consistently reporting favorable earnings results. The segment has been witnessing low-single-digits increase in average renewal rates for the past several quarters. Retention ratio stands at a stable level.
Chubb's Personal Insurance segment is also witnessing a gradual market improvement. The segment has been witnessing an increase in net premium written from the past several quarters, led by strong premium increases from international business
Chubb's international business is also performing strongly and is an arsenal to its future growth.
Strong capital management witnessed by regular share repurchases and a continuous dividend increase for the past several years makes the stock a favorite among investors.
However, exposure to cat losses and low interest rate environment are some of the headwinds.
Chubb has been also witnessing rising earnings estimates. Over the last 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2013 moved up by 5.2% to $7.95 as 13 of the 14 estimates moved north. The same for 2014 rose 2.2% to $7.42 as 10 of 14 estimates were raised over the same time frame. The expected long term earnings growth is 12%.
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