The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights:Comscore, Apple, Google, Blackberry and Biogen Idec

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Mar 11, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, March 11, 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 Comscore (Nasdaq:SCOR-Free Report), Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL-Free Report), Google (Nasdaq:GOOG-Free Report), Blackberry (Nasdaq:BBRY-Free Report) and Biogen Idec Inc. (Nasdaq:BIIB-Free Report).

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

Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:

Apple Leads U.S. OEM Market

As per the latest reports from Comscore's (Nasdaq:SCOR-Free Report) MobiLens and Mobile Metrix, Apple (Nasdaq:AAPL-Free Report) continued to retain its position as the top original equipment maker (OEM) in the U.S. for the quarter ended Jan, 2014.

The report stated that Apple occupied 41.6% share of the OEM market followed by Samsung and LG with 26.7% and 6.9% share respectively. Apart from maintaining its leading position in the OEM market, Apple also managed to report a slight market share gain of 1.0% on a sequential basis.

According to the report, Google's (Nasdaq:GOOG-Free Report) Android mobile operating system retained its leading position in the U.S. smartphone platform market while Apple's iOS happened to be the only platform to gain share in the quarter ended Jan, 2014. This share gain came at the expense of Android and Blackberry (Nasdaq:BBRY-Free Report).

Comscore's report also declared that the U.S. smartphone market grew to 159.8 million subscribers in the last quarter, thus, recording a 7% rise sequentially.

According to data compiled by market research firm Euromonitor International, Apple is continuously increasing its share of the specialty electronics retail market in the U.S. as more established competitors such as RadioShack and Best Buy continue to report declines.

Apple's share of the U.S. specialty electronics retail market has grown from a meagre 3.8% in 2007 to 15% in 2013. Ironically, both RadioShack and Best Buy are trying to beef up their retail store sales by offering Apple's most selling products.

Apple's loyal customer base, international expansion and a solid cash position are expected to aid long-term growth. However, increasing competition from the likes of Google and Microsoft in most of its major product segments, higher operating expenses and increasing legal complexities are headwinds.

Currently, Apple has a Zacks Rank # 3 (Hold).

Biogen Upgraded to Strong Buy

On Mar 8, Zacks Investment Research upgraded Biogen Idec Inc. (Nasdaq:BIIB-Free Report) to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Why the Upgrade?

Biogen has been witnessing rising earnings estimates on the back of strong fourth quarter 2013 results. This biotech company's earnings track record is impressive with the company delivering positive earnings surprises in the last 4 quarters with an average beat of 15.62%. The long-term expected earnings growth rate for this stock is 21.12%.

Biogen reported fourth quarter 2013 results on Jan 29. Earnings per share came in at $2.34, well above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.22 and 67.1% above the year-ago earnings. Biogen expects earnings in the range of $11.00-$11.20 per share in 2014 on revenue growth of 22%-25%.

The company remains in a strong position in the multiple sclerosis (MS) market. While Tecfidera should continue performing well, Tysabri and Avonex should remain strong contributors to the top line. Tecfidera should perform well in the EU also where it gained approval recently.

Meanwhile, Biogen's decision to gain full control over Tysabri was a smart strategic move. The deal is significantly accretive to earnings, will create operational synergies and represents efficient use of offshore cash. Biogen expects gross margins to improve by 10% by 2018.

Other catalysts could be in the form of FDA approval for candidates like Eloctate, Alprolix (both for hemophilia) and Plegridy (relapsing MS). 2014 should be a catalyst rich year for Biogen with several data readouts expected.

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

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