The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Google, ExxonMobil, Encana, EPL Oil & Gas and Pembina Pipeline
CHICAGO, May 16, 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, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report), ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM-Free Report), Encana Corp (NYSE:ECA-Free Report), EPL Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE:EPL-Free Report) and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:
Google Glass Comes to U.S. for $1500
Soon after the limited one-day sale of Google Glass in April this year,Google, Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report) announced that its Glass wearable device will be available across the U.S. for $1,500.
This is, however, only an expansion of the company's Explorer Program, introduced in 2012, to select a group of wearers to test the product. Those buying the product will become part of the Explorer community, helping Google engineers to improve its wearable technology.
Worn like a pair of glasses, Google Glass can be connected to smartphones to convey messages and make phone calls. The device can also click pictures simply by tracking the movement of the eye balls without aiming or shooting. Additionally, Google Glass can communicate with the Internet via normal language voice commands.
The Explorer program is an integral part of Google's efforts to create awareness about its Glass, which, in turn, will increase the number of buyers, going forward.
Going by average consumers' increasing interest in wearable technology, we believe that Glass will definitely boost the company's revenues, going forward. However, the $1,500 price tag cannot be considered cheap. Therefore, in order to ensure that Glass reaches the mass, last month Google entered into an agreement with Luxottica, the owners of brands like Ray Ban, Oakley, Armani, Vogue-Eyewear and Arnette.
Google is a market leader in online advertising and has been trying to explore various ways to diversify its revenues and fight competition. Acquisitions have been a key catalyst over the years, as Google continues to acquire smaller companies with specialized technology to boost product offerings.
Exxon Could Face Strike in Norway
ExxonMobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM-Free Report), which operates a few oil fields in the Norwegian North Sea, seems to be braced with trouble. The above-mentioned oil fields are under risk of being shut down due to strike if management fails to negotiate with the workers' union regarding pension.
If the strike takes place, it will reduce daily output by 50,000 barrels of crude. According to labor union SAFE, about 190 ExxonMobil workers in Norway would go on strike if necessary, which would affect production at the Ringhorne, Jotun and Balder fields.
The union wants the company to give better pension terms to 31 workers and grant them a lower retirement age to bring them on par with other offshore employees.
The parties are likely to meet before a state mediator in late May or in June. If the meeting is unsuccessful and followed by a strike, the Norwegian government has the right to enforce a deal and compel employees to return to work.
Notably, earlier this month, talks between oil firms and two key labor unions failed. This has raised the possibility of a strike like that in 2012, thereby making investors concerned. The strike in 2012 had continued for 16 days across Norway's oil sector and cut production by 13%, apart from increasing oil prices over $100 a barrel.
However, the latest dispute will expectedly not have that significant an impact, as the ExxonMobil oilfields produced only 46,000 barrels per day in 2013. However, SAFE union has stated that the strike could be more widespread, if the required demands remained unfulfilled.
ExxonMobil holds 100% interest in the Balder and Ringhorne fields, while having a 45% stake in Jotun. The other partner in Jotun is Dana Petroleum plc that holds 45% stake. The company has 77.4% stake in Ringhorne East, which is tied to the Balder and Jotun installations.
The union is targeting ExxonMobil as it has not yet executed an early-pension plan for 31 employees who are members of the union. ExxonMobil has declined to comment on any moves from its side.
At present, ExxonMobil carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Some better-ranked oil and gas stocks worth considering include Encana Corp (NYSE:ECA-Free Report), EPL Oil & Gas, Inc. (NYSE:EPL-Free Report) and Pembina Pipeline Corporation (NYSE:PBA-Free Report). All of these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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