The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: YUM Brands, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks and Kraft Foods Group
CHICAGO, April 23, 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 YUM Brands (NYSE:YUM-Free Report), McDonalds (NYSE:MCD-Free Report), Dunkin Donuts (Nasdaq:DNKN-Free Report), Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX-Free Report) and Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:KRFT-Free Report).
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:
YUM's Earnings Mixed, China in Focus
YUM Brands (NYSE:YUM-Free Report) reported earnings after the bell today. The company reported EPS of $0.87, beating the Zacks Consensus EPS Estimate of $0.84, and revenues came in at $2.72 billion, just below the Zacks Consensus Revenue Estimate of $2.8 billion.
One of the major concerns going into this earnings announcement was the impact of sales in China. Management stated that Same Store Sales increased 9% in the first quarter 2014 (analysts were expecting 9.2%). Moreover, management stated that they expect to open 700 new restaurants in China during 2014. Overall, it appears as though the KFC segment has moved pass their poultry suppliers issues from last year, and are now gaining some traction in China.
New to the quarter was the revamped breakfast menu in their Taco Bell restaurants; this was designed to compete with the likes of McDonalds (NYSE:MCD-Free Report), Dunkin Donuts (Nasdaq:DNKN-Free Report), and Starbucks (Nasdaq:SBUX-Free Report). Currently, McDonalds has the largest market share of fast food breakfast at 30%, but the Waffle Taco, and the AM Crunchwrap are expected to compete with the traditional McDonalds breakfast menu.
But for taco lovers out there, the most important short term news is the launch of the Spicy Chicken Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Taco, which is debuting on May 1, 2014!
In after-hours trading YUM has risen over 2% on mild volume, indicating the streets approval of their EPS beat. Zacks will have a fully detailed report into YUM's earnings numbers tomorrow morning.
Kraft Recalls Oscar Mayer Wieners
With changing consumer preferences, there is a huge demand for packaged products with unique flavors. Consumers however prefer to be informed about the nutritional contents of packaged food. In fact, it is mandatory to label the product accurately so that consumers are aware of the presence of ingredients that may pose a health risk, particularly allergies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently announced that Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:KRFT-Free Report) recalled 96,000 pounds of wieners under its Oscar Mayer brand due to wrong packaging and undeclared allergen. These hot dogs were produced in early March at a facility in Columbia, MO.
The packets of Oscar Mayer Classic Wieners may contain Classic Cheese Dogs. As a result of misbranding, the packages do not reveal the presence of milk as an ingredient, which is a common allergen. However, no adverse reaction has been reported yet.
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
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.
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; 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.
Get the full Report on YUM - FREE
Get the full Report on MCD - FREE
Get the full Report on DNKN - FREE
Get the full Report on SBUX - FREE
Get the full Report on KRFT - FREE
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article