The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights:IBM, Royal Dutch Shell, Swift Energy, Linn and Warren Resources
CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 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 IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM-Free Report), Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:RDS.A-Free Report), Swift Energy Co. (NYSE:SFY-Free Report), Linn Co. LLC (Nasdaq:LNCO-Free Report) and Warren Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:WRES-Free Report).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.
Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
IBM Sells Server Biz to Lenovo
IBM Corp. (NYSE:IBM-Free Report) finally agreed to sell its low end X86 server business to Chinese PC maker Lenovo for $2.30 billion. Of the total deal price, nearly $2.07 billion will be paid in cash and the rest in Lenovo stock.
Lenovo had been in talks with IBM over the proposed sale for quite some time. Last year, the deal did not materialize owing to differences on valuation. At that time, IBM had quoted approximately $4.0 billion to $6.0 billion for the unit, while Lenovo was unwilling to spend more than $2.5 billion.
However, IBM's growing challenges in the hardware segment improved Lenovo's bargaining power. In the recently concluded fourth quarter, IBM's hardware revenues declined 26.1% from the year-ago quarter.
Management noted that the company is facing headwinds related to Power, storage and X86 server unit in the hardware segment, which negatively impacted results.
Shell Lowered to Underperform
On Jan 20, 2014, we downgraded Europe's largest oil company Royal Dutch Shell plc (NYSE:RDS.A-Free Report) to Underperform from Neutral. Our revised investment thesis is supported by a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
Why the Downgrade?
Following Shell's fourth-quarter profit warning, we see the integrated player as a risky bet that ordinary investors should exit.
Detailed Analysis
The Hague-based Shell has cautioned investors that hike in exploration costs, lower oil and gas output, along with weak performance by the company's refining unit, will adversely impact its fourth quarter results.
We are also concerned about Shell's relatively heavy downstream exposure, which leaves it less diversified than its integrated peers. As such, the group's results remain greatly exposed to refining/marketing margins. Shell's downstream operations have struggled recently due to weak demand for fuel, leading to lower returns in this segment.
As usual, we remain worried about Shell being the most gas-focused among the major companies in the sector, with more than half of its current production from the commodity. Given natural gas' volatile fundamentals, this remains a key area of concern, in our view.
Finally, Shell projects investment of more than $40 billion in 2014, quite high by industry standards. This is expected to substantially increase the group's leverage and deteriorate its credit metrics during the current downturn. Additionally, the increasing capital intensity of its operations may result in reduced returns going forward.
Stocks That Warrant a Look
While we expect Shell to perform below its peers and industry levels in the coming months and see little reason for investors to own the stock, one can look at Swift Energy Co. (NYSE:SFY-Free Report), Linn Co. LLC (Nasdaq:LNCO-Free Report) and Warren Resources Inc. (Nasdaq:WRES-Free Report). These U.S. upstream energy operators – sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) – have recorded solid growth and have the potential to rise significantly from the current levels.
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 IBM - FREE
Get the full Report on RDS.A - FREE
Get the full Report on SFY - FREE
Get the full Report on LNCO - FREE
Get the full Report on WRES - 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.
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.
Share this article