The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: NII Holdings, Orange, AT&T, Cisco Systems and Hewlett-Packard

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Sep 19, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Sept. 19, 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 NII Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:NIHD-Free Report), Orange (NYSE:ORAN-Free Report), AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T-Free Report), Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO-Free Report) and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ-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:

Telecom Stock Roundup

Last week was a mixed one for the telecom sector. Latin American wireless operator NII Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq:NIHD-Free Report) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection owing to soaring debt and intensifying competition. On the other hand, French telecom operator Orange (NYSE:ORAN-Free Report) has been eyeing the acquisition of Spanish telecom carrier Jazztel. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T-Free Report) has joined the iPhone 6 bandwagon with other three national mobile carriers and has announced its latest promotional offer.

Meanwhile, wireless local area networks (WLAN), which provide network connections over a short distance through wireless mediums such as radio or infrared signals, witnessed strong growth in the second quarter of 2014. The emerging markets of Latin America and China will be the major growth drivers.

Recap of the Week's Most Important Stories

1. NII Holdings has filed Chapter 11 proceedings under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Along with its second-quarter 2014 earnings release, management had voiced apprehensions of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing if it fails to fulfill its financial obligations. At the end of the second quarter of 2014, the company had around $5.8 billion of outstanding debt. On Aug 15, 2014, the company missed $118.8 million in coupon payment on its $800 million of 10% senior notes due Aug 2016. (Read More: NII Holdings Files Ch. 11 Bankruptcy Due to Soaring Debt.)

2. Orange is now aiming for global expansion through strategic acquisitions. The company is looking forward to acquire Jazztel for €3.4 billion (around $4.4 billion). Jazztel offers broadband services along with fixed-line and mobile phones to enterprise and consumer markets in Spain. The company boasts around 1.4 million broadband and fixed-line connections along with 1.16 million mobile users. In fiscal 2013, Jazztel generated €1.04 billion in revenues, a substantial part of it came from residential access lines. (Read More: Orange Plans to Buy Jazztel for $4.4B to Expand in Spain.)

3. AT&T is reportedly offering a $300 credit for iPhone 6 against a trade-in old iPhone. This announcement comes close on the heels of similar ones by Verizon Communications and Sprint, justifying the whole euphoria about Apple's iPhone 6, which has been up for grabs ever since its release. Notably, AT&T is the last of the four major national wireless providers to announce a promotion this week targeted at attracting new and existing customers through the iPhone 6 bait. (Read More: AT&T Joins iPhone 6 Euphoria: $300 Credit on Purchase.)

4. The strong growth of both enterprise and consumer wireless local area network (WLAN) markets has become a new growth driver for wireless infrastructure developers. According to a recent report by research firm IDC, the combined consumer and enterprise market grew 9.2% year-over-year globally in the second quarter of 2014. Major vendors which are likely to benefit from this market boom include Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:CSCO-Free Report) and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ-Free Report). (Read More: Wireless LAN Thrives, Global Vendors to Gain.)

5. Satellite TV operator DISH Network Corp. and lifestyle media channels owner Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. have renewed a multi-year contract through which DISH will be able to offer the entire portfolio of Scripps' channels to its subscribers. Importantly, the new agreement will enable DISH to offer its upcoming Internet TV subscribers to multi stream Scripps' contents either live or in the form of video-on-demand. (Read More: DISH & Scripps Renew Contract for Satellite/Internet TV.)

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

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