The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Motorola Solutions, Microsoft, Apple, Google and Canadian National Railway

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Feb 07, 2013, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 7, 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 Motorola Solutions Inc. (NYSE:MSI), Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq:MSFT), Apple Inc. (Nasdaq:AAPL), Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

MSI to Launch New Tablet PCs

To boost the working condition of the blue collar employees, police officials and other factory workers,Motorola Solutions Inc. (NYSE:MSI) plans to launch a tablet-like PC device supported by Microsoft Corp.'s (Nasdaq:MSFT) Windows 8-based platform.

The new tablet PC will likely hit the market in the second half of fiscal 2013 or in the beginning of 2014.

These days, most firms are sidelining their traditional PCs and adapting to laptops. Moreover, with the advent of popular tablets like Apple Inc.'s (Nasdaq:AAPL) iPads, the ease of doing work has become much easier.

So to tap the growing potential of the changing PC market, Motorola Solutions is emphasizing on developing such handheld tablet-like devices based on the newly launched Windows 8 operating system, hence giving these governments and low-paid employees the ease of doing their task effortlessly.

Motorola Solutions also manufactures tablets supported by Google Inc.'s (Nasdaq:GOOG) Android software. Therefore, the company likes to expand its flexibility by offering multiple operating systems to its customers.

Recently, Motorola Solutions reported strong fourth-quarter 2012 results with the bottom line topping the Zacks Consensus Estimate but the top line missing the same.

Quarterly total revenue came in at $2,441 million, up 6% year over year. The uptick was mainly fueled by higher global demand across the government segments. Moreover, the company generated solid operating cash flow of nearly $1.1 billion for full fiscal 2012.

Currently, Motorola Solutions Inc. carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

CNI: 2013 Capital Outlay

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI), leading Canadian Freight railroad announced capital investment of C$1.9 billion in 2013. The investment plan will focus mostly on building infrastructure, equipment and technology that will drive safety and quality service for the rail. Over the long term, we believe these investments will support the company's growth goal by enhancing productivity measures and network fluidity.

The company expects to spend approximately C$1 billion on developing railway track infrastructure to enhance business networks. Further, the company aims to direct C$700 million of its total investment on market expansion that includes increasing distribution centre, constructing intermodal terminals and investments in intermodal terminals.

Moreover, the company will spend approximately C$200 million on the purchase of locomotives, intermodal equipment and vehicles. In 2013, Canadian National expects to purchase 40 new and 37 second-hand high-horsepower locomotives.

Canadian National aims to maintain high railroading (velocity, reliability, lower cost and asset utilization) standards. In addition, it is continuously seeking productivity initiatives to reduce costs and leverage its assets. We believe Canadian National's ability to transport incremental volume at a low cost provides it with greater operating leverage.

In an effort to propel growth, the company seeks a 2–4 year capacity improvement plan. Likewise, the company is launching a new train service from Prince Rupert to Calgary and Edmonton to support the Calgary log park project slated to open in 2013.

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