CHICAGO, Aug. 16, 2011 /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: Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL),
Intel Corp. (Nasdaq: INTC) Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:
HPQ) Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) and Sara Lee
Corp. (NYSE: SLE).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the
free Profit from the Pros newsletter:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
Twin Inspiron Z Launches by Dell
Dell Inc. (Nasdaq: DELL) recently unveiled two new models
of its flagship Inspiron Z series. The company aims to lure
customers and drum up business with the look and service of these
newbies.
Inspiron is Dell's most popular laptop brand. Inspiron 13z and
14z are the new kids on the block, sporting slimmer designs along
with aluminum lids and palm rests that have replaced plastic cases
prone to scratches. The models sport Intel Corp.'s (Nasdaq:
INTC) Sandy Bridge Core i3 and i5
processors, with up to 8GB of RAM, a choice of both hard and solid
state drives, optical drive and many ports, including USB 3.0 and
HDMI jacks.
Both models are priced at $599.99
and above. The 14z has already hit the stores, while the 13z will
be available only in overseas markets as of now.
Dell's efforts to manufacture new and improved laptops at
affordable prices should help it build a stronger position in the
consumer market. Of course, the consumer market is a double-edged
sword, with strong growth coming hand in hand with pricing and
margin pressure, seasonality and heightened uncertainty.
The notebook market is also very competitive with key players
launching new gadgets intermittently. Hewlett-Packard Co.
(NYSE: HPQ) has also come out with a new 15.6-inch notebook, the
2000z. The HP 2000z is available now starting at $349.99 and featuring an Advanced Micro
Devices Inc. (NYSE: AMD) Fusion processor 2GB-4GB of RAM, up to
a 500GB hard drive and a six-cell battery that lasts for up to a
claimed 5.5 hours.
A recent statistic provided by the research firm Gartner shows
that worldwide shipments of portable PCs will increase 6.7% in
2011, 14.7% in 2012 and will reach 15.5% in 2015. The data also
shows that shipments will be more in emerging markets rather than
mature markets.
With a strong product portfolio in its kitty, Dell is expected
to be one of the share takers in the market opportunity.
Apart from Dell's PC exposure, we are encouraged with its recent
focus on the higher-end data storage market or cloud computing
vertical, which is a booming market.
Dell Inc. has a Zacks #2 Rank, implying a short-term Buy
recommendation.
Sara Lee Continues Slimming
Sara Lee Corp. (NYSE: SLE), one of the world's leaders in
manufacturing and marketing of a range of branded packaged meat,
bakery, and beverage products, registered decent fourth quarter
2011 earnings of 20 cents per share
that shot up by 186% from 7 cents
posted in the year-ago period. Earnings were in line with the Zacks
Consensus Estimate.
The upswing came on the back of new products like Jimmy D's that
were introduced and expanded successful brands like L'OR EspressO
and Senseo into new geographies.
Sara Lee expects fiscal 2012
earnings to be in the range of 89 cents to
95 cents per share. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate is
22 cents for the first quarter of
2012. The estimate for full year 2012 is $1.06.
Slimming Down
The company's policy of streamlining the portfolios to provide
the best foundation for a strong and focused business continued in
the quarter, with more plans for the future. On August 9th, the company agreed to sell its North
American refrigerated dough business to Ralcorp for $545 million.
Moreover, the divestment of North American Fresh Bakery to Grupo
Bimbo is expected to close before the end of September. It has also
decided to shed off the Spanish bakery and French refrigerated
dough businesses.
Our Take
We are encouraged by Sara Lee's
focus on leveraging its consumer brands to generate sales growth.
The company intends to bring in changes in the organizational
structure and product portfolio thereby, improving operational
efficiency.
However, commodity-price inflation, competition in the branded
food industry along with the presence of stiff competitors are
matters of concern.
Currently SLE holds a Zacks #3 Rank. On a long-term basis, we
maintain a Neutral rating on the stock with a short-term Hold
rating.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free
Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
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:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc.,
which was formed in 1978 by Leon
Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in
stock market data that would lead to superior investment results.
Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his
proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which 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 at
http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the
performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Investors should always research companies and securities before
making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an
offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.