For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 6, 2024 – 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: Meta Platforms, Inc. META, Eaton Corp. ETN, The Cigna Group CI, Colgate-Palmolive Co. CL and Parker-Hannifin Corp. PH.
Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Top Analyst Reports for Meta Platforms, Eaton and Cigna
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 Meta Platforms, Inc., Eaton Corp. and The Cigna Group. 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 >>>
Meta Platforms shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet – Software industry over the past year (+155.3% vs. +65.4%), with the blockbuster December-quarter results adding to the stock’s momentum. The company is benefiting from steady user growth across all regions, particularly Asia Pacific. Increased engagement for its offerings like Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Facebook has been a major growth driver.
Meta Platforms’ is leveraging AI to recommend Reels content, which is driving traffic on Instagram and Facebook. Its innovative portfolio, which includes Threads, Reels and Llama 2, is likely to aid prospects.
However, challenging macroeconomic conditions remain a headwind for Meta’s advertising revenues, along with targeting and measurement headwinds due to Apple’s iOS changes. Slow monetization of Reels, along with mounting operating losses at Reality Labs, are concerns.
(You can read the full research report on Meta Platforms here >>>)
Shares of Eaton have outperformed the Zacks Manufacturing – Electronics industry over the past year (+69.4% vs. +28.4%). The company’s research and development are allowing it to develop new products to provide efficient power management solutions.
It will benefit from improving end-market conditions, increasing demand from the new AI data center and contributions from its organic assets. Eaton is expanding via acquisitions and its rising backlog shows demand for its products. Its strategy to manufacture in the region of its end market has helped it cut costs.
However, Eaton’s global operations expose it to unpredictable currency translation, cyber security threats, changes in tax rates and security breaches, which might impact operations. The shortage of raw materials and supplier insolvencies might impact production and operations.
(You can read the full research report on Eaton here >>>)
Cigna shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical – HMOs industry over the past year (+14.3% vs. +7.7%). The company’s revenues have been increasing consistently for the past few years, driven by acquisitions, superior operating performance and a high-quality product portfolio. It expects adjusted revenues to jump 20% in 2024.
Value-enhancing divestitures will help it to focus on core growth areas. High membership on the back of a diversified portfolio, wide agent network and superior service are major positives. It reported strong Q4 results, driven by higher memberships. The company has been resorting to prudent capital deployment moves through share repurchases and dividend payments.
However, high leverage can affect its financial flexibility. Rising operating costs due to higher pharmacy and other service costs are a concern. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.
(You can read the full research report on Cigna here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Parker-Hannifin Corp.
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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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Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Eaton Corporation, PLC (ETN) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Colgate-Palmolive Company (CL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Cigna Group (CI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) : Free Stock Analysis Report