The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights:Google, Facebook, Jamba, Chuy's Holdings and Diversified Restaurant Holdings
CHICAGO, June 3, 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 Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report), Facebook (Nasdaq:FB-Free Report), Jamba, Inc. (Nasdaq:JMBA-Free Report), Chuy's Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHUY-Free Report) and Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:BAGR-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:
Google Investing $1B to Build 180 Satellites
Reportedly, as a step forward in exploring new ways to offer Internet services to rural and remote locations around the world, Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOGL-Free Report) is building a fleet of new satellites. Google is planning to spend over $1 billion to build 180 small, high-capacity satellites, as reported by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
However, no concrete details were available regarding Google's satellite venture. It is reported that the project will be headed by Greg Wyler, founder of satellite-communications startup O3b Networks Ltd, who recently joined Google. In addition, Google has employed engineers from satellite company Space Systems/Loral LLC to work on the venture. These satellites will orbit the Earth at a lower altitude than conventional satellites.
Google has been working to expand Internet coverage from the sky in an attempt to boost its business on land. Satellites are more adjustable, offer larger capacity and enable wider access than wired connectivity and wireless cellular networks. In addition, the expenses to build and launch satellites have declined in recent years, according Neil Mackay, CEO of Mile Marker 101, an advisory firm.
Therefore, if successful, Google's latest move is expected to bolster its customer base, which will ultimately translate into more revenues for the tech giant.
Furthermore, Google's progress in cost-efficient antennas, built by companies including Kymeta Corp., with the ability to trace multiple satellites as they move across the sky, can be advantageous.
In its pursuit to offer Internet access to unwired regions, Google is contestingFacebook (Nasdaq:FB-Free Report), which was supposedly interested in buying Titan Aerospace, a startup that builds solar-powered drones and that Google recently acquired.
3 Restaurant Stocks to Dump Now
The U.S. restaurant industry was under strain in the latter half of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. This was heightened by Fed's "taper talk," the temporary government shutdown in October and concerns regarding consumer spending trends. Rising food costs also added fuel to the fire.
In this scenario, a little caution can do investors a lot of good. Economic events or numbers may fail to restrict the downtrend, but investors may jump to precautionary action to secure the portfolio. We will pick some stocks that are likely to see further downside and it might be an ideal time to trim them from your portfolio.
Before we discuss further about the stocks, let us look at what has been plaguing the sector in the recent times.
Weaknesses Hurting the Sector
Food Cost Inflation: The U.S. restaurant industry has been severely affected in recent times by a rise in food prices. The consumer price index (CPI) for U.S. beef and veal is up almost 10% so far in 2014 — the fastest increase in retail beef prices since 2003-end. With the drought conditions in Texas and Oklahoma worsening to some extent in April, the situation deteriorated further for the beef production industry.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), overall U.S. food price inflation for 2014, including food bought at restaurants, would gain 2.5% to 3.5%. Food costs account for about one-third of restaurant sales, thus making the industry vulnerable to food cost inflation.
Limited Pricing Power: U.S. consumers are facing the brunt of government budget cuts, higher gasoline prices, payroll tax increases and delayed tax refund checks. These factors have dented their discretionary spending. The USDA forecasts that food-at-home inflation as well as food-away-from-home inflation index in the U.S. is expected to grow in the range of 2.5–3.5% in 2014. This would likely leave less room for consumer companies to exercise pricing action putting restaurant sales under pressure.
Affordable Care Act to Hurt Margins: Since the sector plays a key role in the nation's employment picture, the recent Affordable Care Act by President Obama, commonly known as Obamacare, is expected to have an adverse impact on the margins for the rest 2014. The law entails companies to provide coverage for workers or face penalties, though it is not applicable for employees clocking less than 30 hours per week on an average. To avoid these austerities, most companies are trying out different labor models such as recruiting more part-timers and cutting work hours, in turn affecting margins.
Stocks to Remove from Your Basket
Here we list 3 stocks that may witness further downside. These stocks – each with either a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) or a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) – have witnessed downward estimate revisions over the past few weeks. Moreover, each of these stocks has slid around 5% in the last four weeks.
Jamba, Inc. (Nasdaq:JMBA-Free Report): The California-based restaurateur provides beverage and food offerings. The company also retails consumer packaged goods through various retail channels, such as grocery, mass, club and convenience stores as well as online.
The company reported first-quarter loss of a cent, which compared unfavorably with the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings of a cent, mainly due to lower sales, which stemmed from the reduction in the number of company-owned outlets, due to the company's refranchising strategy.
Estimate Revision – Jamba has seen a sole negative revision in the last 30 days for both the current quarter and current year estimates. Quarterly earnings consensus slumped from 41 cents a share to 39 cents. Yearly earnings consensus dropped from 43 cents a share to 39 cents.
Share Price – This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock has lost around 5.0% over the last four weeks.
Additionally, Jamba trades at a P/E Ratio of 27.46x, compared to a negative industry average, which signifies the stock is expensive compared to its peers
Chuy's Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHUY-Free Report): The Texas-based restaurateur operates Mexican and Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas and 13 states in the Southeast and Midwest U.S.
The company reported first-quarter earnings of 16 cents per share, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.9%, mainly due to higher operating costs.
Estimate Revision – Chuy's has seen mostly all its revisions being revised downwards in the last 30 days for both the current quarter and current year. Quarterly earnings consensus slumped from 25 cents a share to 23 cents. Yearly earnings consensus dropped from $1.00 per share to 98 cents.
Share Price – This Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock has lost around 8.0% over the last four weeks.
Additionally, Chuy's trades at a P/E Ratio of 40.48x, compared with a negative industry average, which signifies that the stock is expensive compared to its peers.
Diversified Restaurant Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:BAGR-Free Report): The Michigan-based restaurateur owns and operates Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern – a full-service restaurant and full bar – and Buffalo Wild Wings grill and bar franchised restaurants.
The company reported first-quarter earnings of a penny which were in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate, primarily because higher revenues were offset by even higher costs.
Estimate Revision – Diversified Restaurants has all its estimates revised downwards in the last 30 days for both the current quarter and current year estimates. Quarterly earnings consensus slumped from break-even earnings to a loss of a penny per share. Yearly earnings consensus increased from a loss of 4 cents per share to a loss of 5 cents per share.
Share Price – This Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) stock has lost around 6.0% over the last four weeks.
Bottom Line
With consumer spending trends at an all-time low due to a sluggishly recovering economy, we believe it will be a prudent move to get rid of these stocks now.
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 GOOGL - FREE
Get the full Report on FB - FREE
Get the full Report on JMBA - FREE
Get the full Report on CHUY - FREE
Get the full Report on BAGR - 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