CHICAGO, Nov. 5, 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 DIRECTV (Nasdaq:DTV), DISH Network (Nasdaq:DISH), AT&T (NYSE:T), Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and STAG Industrial, Inc. (NYSE:STAG).
(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:
Earnings Preview: DIRECTV
DIRECTV (Nasdaq:DTV) is slated to release its third-quarter 2012 results on Tuesday, November 2, 2012, before the opening bell. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for the fourth quarter is pegged at 92 cents, representing an annualized growth of 31.79%.
With respect to earnings surprise, DTV has outperformed the Zacks Consensus Estimate over two out of the last four quarters. The average earnings surprise over the trailing four quarters was a positive 1.20%, implying that the company has outdone the Zacks Consensus Estimate by the same magnitude over two out of the last four quarters.
Second-Quarter Recap
On August 2, 2012, DTV reported its second-quarter fiscal 2012 results. Quarterly GAAP net income was $711 million or $1.09 per share compared with $701 million or 91 cents per share in the year-ago quarter. Quarterly earnings per share of $1.09 per share fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.14.
Total revenue in the reported quarter came in at $7,224 million, up 9.5% year over year, and slightly ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7,203 million. Such impressive growth in revenue was mainly attributable to huge subscriber growth in Latin American region.
Agreement of Estimate Revisions
In the last 30 days, out of the 16 analysts covering the stock, four analysts increased their EPS estimates for the third quarter of 2012 while an equal number of analysts have decreased their estimates for the same time period. Similarly, for fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, out of the 14 analysts covering the stock, two analysts raised their EPS estimates but four analysts moved in the opposite direction.
For fiscal 2012, in the last 30 days, out of the 17 analysts covering the stock, four analysts increased their EPS estimates while a similar number of analysts declined the same. Similarly, for fiscal 2013, out of the 16 analysts covering the stock, four analysts raised their EPS estimates while five moved in the opposite direction.
Magnitude of Estimate Revisions
During the last 30 days, the current Zacks Consensus Estimate was in line with the previous estimate of 92 cents for the third quarter of 2012 while for the fourth quarter of 2012,the current Zacks Consensus Estimate was3 cents below the previous estimate of $1.15.
For fiscal 2012, the current Zacks Consensus Estimate was at par with the previous estimate of $4.23. Likewise, for fiscal 2013, the current Zacks Consensus Estimate was just a penny below the earlier estimate of $5.20.
Earnings Surprise
The current Zacks Consensus Estimates for the ongoing quarter contains 1.09% downside potential while for the upcoming quarter, it is reflecting a 1.79% upside potential (essentially a proxy for future earnings surprises). Similarly, for fiscal 2012 and 2013, the Zacks Consensus Estimates' downside potentials are 0.24% and 1.54%, respectively.
Our Recommendation
Strong fundamentals along with huge subscriber growth across all its segments make the company quite popular within the pay-TV industry.
However, within the satellite TV industry, DIRECTV is facing intense competition from its nearest rival DISH Network (Nasdaq:DISH). Furthermore, U.S. telecom giants, AT&T (NYSE:T) and Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) are increasingly rolling out their fiber-based network in order to provide video services. Additionally, the newly developed Internet video streaming companies like Netflix, Hulu and YouTube have become major threats to the overall pay-TV industry.
We, thus, maintain our long-term Neutral recommendation on DIRECTV. Currently, the company has a Zacks#3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating on the stock.
STAG Continues Acquisition Spree
Continuing with its acquisition spree, STAG Industrial, Inc. (NYSE:STAG) recently acquired two industrial properties in separate transactions for approximately $13.4 million. With these transactions, the company's year-to-date acquisition volume has surged to $357 million.
Through this strategic initiative, the company expects to enhance the quality of its portfolio and expects it to be accretive to earnings going forward. At the same time, the company continues the diversification of its portfolio to maintain a mix of markets and tenants, which in turn, will limit its exposure to any single tenant, industry, or geographic location.
The first property is a 217,000 square feet warehouse and distribution facility located in Springfield in Massachusetts. The facility is 100% leased to a supermarket retailer - Big Y Foods, Inc. The second property is a light manufacturing and warehouse facility spanning 108,000 square feet situated in Sterling Heights in Michigan. The facility is fully occupied by an industrial firm, Sodecia North America Inc.
Since its inception, STAG Industrial has diligently acquired individual Class B, single-tenant industrial properties throughout the U.S. The company specifically focuses on the secondary markets with purchase prices as low as $5 million.
The company's strategic investment objectives hinge upon the fact that single-tenant properties usually require less expenditure to lease and operate than the multi-tenant ones. In addition, Class B industrial properties tend towards higher current returns and lower volatility than their Class A counterparts. Furthermore, secondary markets also generally have less occupancy and rental rate volatility than primary markets.
Despite the challenging economic environment, STAG Industrial has been very active on the acquisition front. Last month, the company had acquired 13 fully leased industrial facilities totaling approximately 3.1 million square feet and a portfolio of 31 industrial buildings spanning approximately 4.3 million square feet. Currently, the company's portfolio consists of 167 properties in 31 states with approximately 28.1 million rentable square feet.
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.
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
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.
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article