CHICAGO, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (NYSE: ICE) as the Bull of the Day and RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX),BP Plc (NYSE: BP) and ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM).
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Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
We are upgrading our recommendation on IntercontinentalExchange Inc. (NYSE: ICE) based on its high earnings visibility, strong product portfolio, consistent cash generation, disciplined investment and limited balance sheet risk, which enables it to be one of the most dynamic companies in the industry.
The company's fourth quarter earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate, reflecting momentous performance in its core business, higher volumes and strong expense management that drove the top- and bottom-line along with the margins and cash flow. The company is growing through strategic acquisitions, product novelty and expansion into the globally emerging markets.
In the long run, these factors are expected to consistently deliver strong shareholder value, although some caution is maintained based on the impact of regulations and uncertain industry trends. Our six-month target price of $166.00 equates to about 20.6x our earnings estimate for 2012.
The nightmare of RadioShack Corp. (NYSE: RSH) persists as the company continues with its disappointing performance. A precipitous decline of the signature and consumer electronics retail businesses, adverse product-mix toward low-margin devices, and a volatile macro-economic scenario in the U.S. are taking a toll on the company's financials.
Weaker-than-expected growth of the mobile platform and growing marketing expenses are other near-term concerns. The company provided a tepid outlook for fiscal 2012. In the previous quarter, the U.S. RadioShack company-operated store segment, which is the prime contributor of total revenue, was down 1.4% year over year.
We believe RadioShack lost its market leadership as a high-margin device retailer and is eventually turning out to be a low-cost low-margin device supplier. We do not find any immediate growth catalyst, and therefore downgrade our recommendation to Underperform.
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Chevron Sees Jump in Output
At a meeting with financial analysts in New York, U.S. energy behemoth Chevron Corp. (NYSE: CVX) unveiled its business strategy. In particular, the company outlined plans to advance its upstream long-term growth on the back of huge natural gas projects in Australia, while continuing to streamline its downstream (refinery, marketing and transportation) operations that has been struggling with weak demand. Chevron will now focus on growth in Asia-Pacific markets and in its gas business.
The super major sees overall 2012 production of about 2.68 million oil-equivalent barrels per day (MMBOE/d), up marginally (by 0.26%) year-over-year. Chevron also confirmed its 2012 capital expenditure budget of $32.7 billion, some 13% more than a year ago.
Of the total, a large percentage of funds, or roughly 87%, will go towards oil and gas exploration projects worldwide – mainly on liquefied natural gas (LNG) mega-projects in Australia and Angola – while 11% has been allocated for downstream businesses.
The San Ramon, California-based firm stressed that it will go on with the restructuring of some refining and marketing properties as part of the streamlining program that started in 2010. In recent times, Chevron's downstream results have been sharply lower, adversely affected by depressed refining margins.
However, despite the bearish downstream environment (sluggish demand and surplus capacity), the company plans to retain its West Coast units at a time when other operators – including rival BP Plc (NYSE: BP) – are exiting.
While continuing with its portfolio optimization in the refining business, Chevron will focus more on the upstream business, which boasts of a strong portfolio of pipeline projects.
Specifically, Chevron has decided to concentrate on natural gas and Asia Pacific assets. The second-largest U.S. oil company by market value after ExxonMobil Corp. (NYSE: XOM) also said that it expects its oil and gas production to increase 20% by 2017 – more than twice the rate of growth from 2003 to 2010 – mainly driven by the big Australian gas projects (Gorgon and Wheatstone).
Between 2012 and 2014, the integrated major is looking to start 11 new upstream projects with an investment of at least $1 billion.
Like its rivals, Chevron sees natural gas playing an important part in its future. More importantly, the company – which currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank (short-term Hold rating) – plans to intensify drilling for unconventional gas and oil reserves in the U.S. and elsewhere.
Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.
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