The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Google, Amazon, Domino's Pizza, BP and Texas Instruments

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Sep 02, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 2, 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 Google (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report), Amazon Inc. (Nasdaq:AMZN-Free Report), Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE:DPZ-Free Report), BP PLC (NYSE:BP-Free Report) and Texas Instruments (Nasdaq:TXN-Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Google Tests Drones for Faster Package Delivery

Google's (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report) secretive research laboratory, Google X has been attempting to build a fleet of drones that can avoid earthbound traffic to deliver packages quickly as part of its "Project Wing."

Google started working on drones in 2011 and admits that it would take much longer to develop a fleet capable of flying multiple deliveries per day.

The recent development pits Google against Amazon Inc. (Nasdaq:AMZN-Free Report) that announced its plans to use aerial delivery drones last year as part of the Prime Air service. Both the companies are consistently competing with each other for acquiring significant market share. Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE:DPZ-Free Report) also tested drones in 2013 for delivering pies.

Self-flying vehicles can open up completely new ways to move goods –- including alternatives that are economical, quicker, less wasteful and more finely tuned with the environment. Google also sees the technology as a way to deliver much required medicines and supplies in emergencies like natural disasters.

Commercial delivery drone use is, however, not permitted in the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is looking to change that and in June allowed the first commercial drone flight over land—for energy giant BP PLC (NYSE:BP-Free Report) in Alaska. But the FAA is taking a cautious approach because the technology can be dangerous and raises privacy concerns.

The FAA said it is not considering autonomous drone delivery as of now, thereby putting brakes on Google's and Amazon's plans.

Commercial drone use by these companies face legal and pragmatic problems. The legality of operating drones within homeowners' airspace and issues relating to insurance have been raised.

Earlier this year, Google's researchers tested Project Wing iQueensland, Australia. The company tested drones with two farmers, who were delivered items including radios, dog treats and cattle vaccines.

In the coming year, Google will concentrate on the safety system of the drones, their navigation and issues related to mechanical trouble. Besides zeroing in on the exact delivery place, the drones will also be programmed to fly well-structured delivery paths. Issues related to noise, privacy and well-being of people will also be taken into account.

Google currently carries Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

TI Launches 46 Power-Saving Microcontrollers

Texas Instruments (Nasdaq:TXN-Free Report) recently expanded its lowest power consuming microcontroller portfolio with the launch of 46 new ultra-low-power MSP430 FRAM microcontrollers (MCUs), namely MSP430FR69x MCUs. These MCUs are now available in production quantities for USD $4.50 per 1,000 units.

MSP430FR69x MCUs integrate a combination of FRAM technology and ultra-low-power system architecture, which will enable developers to increase performance with lesser power consumption. These consist of smart analog integration, LCD controller, extended scan interface ("ESI"), a differential input analog-to-digital converter ("ADC") and expandable memory.

This perfect mix of integrated peripherals will help in the reduction of overall power consumption along with minimization of product size by removing unnecessary components in systems.

Texas Instruments' FRAM technology offers integrated memory with dynamic separation enabling faster speeds is than flash and consumes less energy. It is a combination of speed, adjustability, and endurance of SRAM with the steadiness and dependability of flash at much lower power.

Of late, Texas Instruments is focusing on the emerging Internet of Things (IoT) and wearables market. The scope of IoT, which connects every possible electronic device, and wearables is huge for semiconductor companies. Research firms Gartner and IDC project stable growth in IoT-related spending through 2020. The scope of success depends on the ability to lower energy consumption and budgets.

Therefore, TI is in the process of invigorating its product line and most of the recent growth in the embedded business is attributable to microcontrollers, which are some of the growth facilitating products.

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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