For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 27, 2022 – 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: stocks UnitedHealth Group Inc.
UNH
, Chevron Corp.
CVX
, AstraZeneca PLC
AZN
, SAP SE
SAP
and Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
BAYRY
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for UnitedHealth, Chevron and AstraZeneca
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today’s Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH), Chevron Corp. (CVX), and AstraZeneca PLC (AZN). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
You can
see all of today’s research reports here >>>
UnitedHealth
shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical – HMOs industry over the past year (+24.3% vs. +20.3%). The company’s top line has been growing and the momentum should continue in the years ahead on the back of a strong market position and an attractive core business that continues to be driven by new deals, renewed agreements and expansion of service offerings.
Its solid health services segment provides diversification benefits. The firm’s government business remains well-poised for growth. A sturdy balance sheet enables investments and prudent capital deployment through share buybacks and dividends.
However, softness in commercial business due to COVID-induced volatilities persists. Also, the rising operating costs are hurting UnitedHealth’s bottom line. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.
(You can
read the full research report on UnitedHealth here >>>
)
Chevron
shares have outperformed the Zacks Oil and Gas – Integrated – International industry over the past year (+39.8% vs. +25.2%). The company is considered one of the best-placed global integrated oil firms to achieve sustainable production ramp-up. America’s No. 2 energy company’s existing project pipeline is among the best in the industry, thanks to its premier position in the lucrative Permian Basin.
However, Chevron was not immune to the commodity price crash of 2020, forcing it to cut spending substantially. The company’s high oil price sensitivity is a concern too. Moreover, the supermajor’s 10-year reserve replacement ratio of 100% is indicative of its inability to replace the amount of oil and gas produced. Finally, Chevron has been a laggard to jump into the net-zero bandwagon.
(You can
read the full research report on Chevron here >>>
)
AstraZeneca
shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the year-to-date basis (+14.9% vs. +4.6%). The company’s new drugs, mainly cancer medicines, Lynparza, Tagrisso and Imfinzi should keep driving revenues.
Its pipeline is strong with several phase III data readouts lined up. AstraZeneca has also engaged in external acquisitions and strategic collaborations to boost its pipeline while investing in geographic areas of high growth like emerging markets. Cost-cutting efforts should drive earnings.
The Alexion buyout strengthens its immunology franchise, adding several drugs that can boost its top line. However, AstraZeneca’s diabetes franchise faces stiff competition while pricing pressure is hurting sales in the respiratory unit. Sales of some cancer medicines are being hurt due to COVID-19. Sales are slowing down in key market, China, due to pricing pressure.
(You can
read the full research report on AstraZeneca here >>>
)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include
SAP SE
and
Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
.
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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
https://www.zacks.com/performance
for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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