The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Trimble Navigation and Google

News provided by

Sep 24, 2012, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 24, 2012 /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 MasterCard Inc. (NYSE:MA), Visa Inc. (NYSE:V), American Express Co. (NYSE:AXP), Trimble Navigation (Nasdaq:TRMB) and Google (Nasdaq:GOOG).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

MasterCard Expects Tepid 2H Growth

At a recent investor meeting, MasterCard Inc. (NYSE:MA) laid down its growth projections for the upcoming quarters. The guidance reflected a lukewarm top-line escalation in the second half of 2012.

Difficult comps, timing of the deal renewals and economic volatility has led management to peg top-line growth below 13% for the second half of 2012. The sluggish and volatile credit quality of the market, amid the recent global crisis, has adversely affected MasterCard's credit and charge card growth.

Furthermore, MasterCard continues to face headwinds in maintaining the cost of operations of its vastly expanded business. While operating costs continues to showcase an increasing trend, higher expenses on litigation settlements and other regulatory challenges not only weigh on the financials but also impose restrictions on the scope of business growth.

In addition, strong competition and stringent regulatory reforms have disturbed the pricing, credit allocation and business model of the company. Subsequently, currency and interest rate fluctuations, along with higher rebates and incentives passed on to the customers and intermediaries, have been consistently weighing on the margins of the company.

Going ahead, intense competitive pressure, from arch rivals such as Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) and American Express Co. (NYSE:AXP), amid ongoing weak global cues is likely to add to the woes.

As a result, management disclosed its tapered long-term anticipation of achieving compounded annual growth of 11–14% for the period 2013–2015, while operating margin could be sustained at least at 50%. As well, earnings per share are expected to grow at a compounded annual rate of minimum 20%.

Moreover, card giants such as MasterCard and Visa are expected to witness bottom-line growth of about 20% over the next 3–5 years, which is quite lower than the historic average 30% growth achieved in the past 5 years. Even Thomson Reuters assimilated the street expectations that MasterCard would generate $1.94 billion in revenues in the third quarter of 2012, which would climb 7% from the year-ago quarter.

Nevertheless, we believe that a stable economy and a proactive expense management could help the card giants, particularly MasterCard to rebound to its historical highs. Despite the economic turmoil that eroded the reserves of most of the organizations, MasterCard enjoys strong cash and available-for-sale investment position along with strong operating cash flow, retained earnings and no long-term debt for over a couple of years now. As a result of this strong balance sheet position, the company aims to continue executing its share repurchase program even in the current bumpy patch.

Hence, based on the pros and cons, the Zacks Consensus Estimate pegs earnings for the third quarter of 2012 at $5.92 per share, which is about 5% higher than that of the year-ago quarter. For 2012 and 2013, earnings per share are expected to climb about 17%, over prior year, to $21.84 and $25.61, respectively.

MasterCard currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating and indicates no clear directional pressure on the stock in the near term.

Trimble Acquires Logicway

Trimble Navigation (Nasdaq:TRMB) recently announced that it has acquired privately-held Logicway based in Oldenzaal, The Netherlands. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Logicway is a specialized software developer for the transportation and logistics (T&L) industry. Its software not only helps in synchronizing end-to-end business processes but also automates the steps involved in the wages and expenses calculation for businesses, helping to improve productivity and operational efficiency.

Logicway software is already integrated within Trimble's T&L solutions. Upon the completion of the deal, the Logicway business will be reported within Trimble's Mobile Solutions (TMS) segment. The acquisition will enable Trimble to provide improved product offerings and better deal with the increasing complexity of the T&L industry.

Trimble is quite active on the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) front. The company's acquisitions have helped it to build its portfolio and increase top-line growth. Acquisitions have also been positive for gross margins, while adding operating leverage. Last month, Trimble acquired privately-held TMW Systems, another specialized software developer for the transportation and logistics industry for $355 million. Earlier this year, Trimble acquired a 3-D modeling software platform from Internet search giant Google (Nasdaq:GOOG). The purchase price for the software was not revealed.

Trimble Navigation, Ltd. is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of positioning, surveying and machine control products. In the last-reported second quarter of 2012, TMS segment revenue of $81.4 million was up 3.9% sequentially and 102.4% from the comparable quarter of 2011. Trimble has been putting in a lot of effort here, discontinuing and disposing of non-focus product lines and building a desired portfolio through successive acquisitions. The latest acquisition is expected to further enhance the performance of commercial vehicles and fleets, thus driving segment revenue.

Trimble's solid portfolio (enhanced by acquisitions), strong market position and strategic partnerships are expected to drive both revenue and earnings over the next few quarters.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

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 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. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which 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 through our 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 at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.