The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights:Tesla Motors, Celgene, Actelion, Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Medivation

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Feb 18, 2014, 09:30 ET

CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 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 Tesla Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq:TSLA-Free Report), Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq:CELG-Free Report), Actelion Ltd. (OTC:ALIOF-Free Report), Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALXN-Free Report) and Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN-Free Report).

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

Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Another Tesla Catches Fire

Tesla Motors, Inc.'s (Nasdaq:TSLA-Free Report) problems with car fire do not seem to end. Business Insider reported that another Model S caught fire earlier this month after the owner had parked it following a drive. The worrying fact is that the car was neither charging nor hit by road debris, as in the previous cases.

The latest incident occurred in a four-month old Model S in Toronto. The cause of the fire is not known yet, although Tesla revealed that it did not start off in the battery, the charging system, the adapter or the electrical receptacle of the car.

Tesla is already undergoing a safety investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) related to the previous fire incidents. In early October, the first Model S electric vehicle caught fire near Seattle, WA.

This mishap was soon followed by a fire in another Model S car in Merida, Mexico. The third Model S vehicle reportedly caught fire on Nov 7, 2013 near Smyrna, TN, after the vehicle hit road debris. The collision led to fire in the front portion of the vehicle.

Thereafter, on Nov 15, 2013, a garage fire took place in Irvine, CA while a Model S was being charged via a wall socket. Tesla declared that the over-heating of the charging system was not responsible for the fire.

Nevertheless, Tesla announced certain measures, including software updates, an upgraded wall adapter and expansion of the warranty coverage to increase safety and pacify investors and prospective buyers. The company holds the record of not having any deaths or permanent injuries to passengers in any of its cars, during the six years that its cars have been in the market.

In fact, the German Federal Motor Transport Authority or Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) did not find any manufacturing defect in Tesla's Model S during its investigation. However, a government filing by the electric carmaker acknowledges that the lithium ion battery cells used in the car have the risk of catching fire or emitting smoke.

It is worth noting that the NHTSA recently reiterated the five-star vehicle safety rating on Tesla's Model S car of model year 2014. The car holds a five-star rating overall and also in each of its subcategories.

CEO Elon Musk expects Model S to be cleared by the NHTSA. He believes that the car is safe and hence, does not expect the ongoing investigation to lead to a recall.

Tesla currently carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).

Celgene Plans Stock Split

The board of directors at Celgene Corporation (Nasdaq:CELG-Free Report) recommended a two-for-one stock split. The action is subject to shareholders clearing the change in Celgene's certificate of incorporation to double the number of authorized shares to 812 million. A decision regarding the matter is expected to be reached on Jun 18, 2014, at the annual meeting of the shareholders of Celgene.

Celgene stated in its press release that further details will be disclosed through a proxy statement, which will be available to the company's shareholders by Apr 30, 2014. Following the stock split, every shareholder at Celgene will get an additional share for each share he/she currently holds.

The share price would become half the previous value as a stock split does not alter the value of a company. Stock split would definitely enhance shareholders' confidence making the shares more affordable.

Celgene, which recently announced fourth quarter 2013 results, provided a rosy long-term projection earlier in the year driven by its strong product portfolio. Moreover, with multiple pipeline events lined up, the product portfolio will be bolstered further in the event of the pipeline delivering.

Management at Celgene is highly bullish on the prospects of its pipeline candidate apremilast (proposed brand name: Otezla). Apremilast is under review in the U.S. for the psoriatic arthritis indication (target date: Mar 21, 2014). The candidate is also under review in the U.S. for the moderate-to-severe psoriasis indication (target date: Sep 23, 2014).

Celgene is also seeking EU approval for the candidate in the combined psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis indication. The European Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is expected to render its opinion by Dec 31, 2014.

Celgene, a biopharmaceutical company, carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Actelion Ltd. (OTC:ALIOF-Free Report), Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALXN-Free Report) and Medivation Inc. (Nasdaq:MDVN-Free Report) are examples of better-ranked stocks in the biopharma space. While Actelion and Alexion carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Medivation holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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