For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - May 29, 2012 - 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
Biogen Idec
(
BIIB
),
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
(
TEVA
),
Pfizer Inc
. (
PFE
),
Novartis
(
NVS
) and
U.S. Bancorp
(
USB
).
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 Friday's Analyst Blog:
Biogen Tysabri Label Update
Biogen Idec
(
BIIB
) recently announced that Health Canada has approved a change in
the label of its multiple sclerosis (MS) drug, Tysabri. The new
label of the drug indicates anti-JC virus (JCV) antibody status as
a risk factor for developing a rare, serious brain infection known
as progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Infection by
the JC virus leads to the development of PML.
This is the third risk factor identified by Biogen for MS
patients on treatment with Tysabri. It helps assess the
benefit-risk profile of the drug, ensuring that physicians and
patients make more informed choices in treating a debilitating
disease like MS. Patients who are anti-JCV antibody positive, have
received prior immunosuppressant therapy and have been treated with
Tysabri for more than two years are most likely to develop PML.
Prior to the Canadian approval for the label update the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration and the European Commission had
approved anti-JCV antibody status as a means of identifying
patients at a higher risk of contracting PML. Biogen said that
59,000 anti-JCV antibody tests were conducted through the third
quarter of 2011.
Tysabri recorded global sales of $1.5 billion in 2011. Tysabri
is approved in more than 65 countries and faces stiff competition
from
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited's
(
TEVA
) Copaxone,
Pfizer Inc
. (
PFE
)/Serono's Rebif and
Novartis
' (
NVS
) Extavia. Tysabri is facing additional competition in the form of
Novartis' Gilenya, which was launched in early Oct 2010.
Our Take
The updated label should help increase awareness about the
antibody status of both existing as well as prospective
patients.
With the updated label, Biogen should be in a position to
approach neurologists and provide the MS community with more
confidence when considering treatment options.
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Biogen in the long
run. Biogen carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold rating) in the short
run.
USB Launches Android Credit Card
U.S. Bancorp
(
USB
) unveiled an android-compatible credit card application, REI Visa
app, for the consumers of Recreational Equipment, Inc.The
application is similar to the one launched by US Bancorp for
iPhones back in October. U.S. Bank plans to continue rolling out
this application to its co-branded partners throughout 2012.
The new application enables the consumers to apply for and
receive on-the-spot credit for making purchases. This sort of
application will enhance consumers' convenience and provide them
with spontaneous buying power.
This newly designed virtual credit card will contain all
information required to be furnished at the time of making
purchases. Moreover, it will enable access to account management
tools such as balance viewing, latest transactions as well as
making payments, at any given point of time. Further, it will
provide an access to a link of REI's website for online
shopping.
US Bancorp was amongst the first to introduce mobile application
for credit cards. The initial applications were designed
exclusively to support iPhones. This revolutionary application will
expand the bank's exposure in the mobile banking arena.
Besides this virtual credit card application for mobile phones,
the bank has also launched an iPad banking application built on the
Mobiliti Enterprise, a mobile banking and payments platform from
Fiserv, to cater to the growing needs of tablet users.
Further, the bank designed and is upgrading an application,
which is compatible to iPhones, known as Find US+. The application
provides a street view of the bank's branches and ATM's employing
the mobile device's camera
From the view point of Recreational, the virtual credit card
offers opportunities to take the consumer relationship to a whole
new level by providing easy access to credit facilities.
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
BIOGEN IDEC INC (BIIB): Free Stock Analysis
Report
NOVARTIS AG-ADR (NVS): Free Stock Analysis
Report
PFIZER INC (PFE): Free Stock Analysis Report
TEVA PHARM ADR (TEVA): Free Stock Analysis
Report
US BANCORP (USB): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.