For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - May 16, 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
LinkedIn
(
LNKD
),
Monster Worldwide
(
MWW
),
Visa
(
V
),
MasterCard
(
MA
) and
American Express
(
AXP
).
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free Profit from the Pros newsletter:
http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Tuesday's Analyst Blog:
LinkedIn to Buy Monster?
As per a news release from Reuters,
LinkedIn
(
LNKD
) and Silver Lake has expressed interest to take over
Monster Worldwide Inc
(
MWW
), according to sources.
Headquartered in New York, Monster Worldwide is an online
recruitment firm of the parent company Monster.com, the leading
career website in the world.
The news has led to a surge in the stock price of Monster. It
was rumored earlier that management might sell a part or all of its
business as the company is facing tough times for quite some time.
Monster Worldwide is considering strategic alternatives to boost
shareholder value in the coming months to combat the extreme
situation.
The business is under significant pressure with customer demand
for online advertising on a downtrend. The primary source of
revenue for the company is recruitment advertising. Management is
concerned about a recessionary environment. Firms around the world
are scaling back their hiring plans and more carefully controlling
their spending.
Competition has intensified over the last few years in the
online employment advertising market, which in our view has
resulted in Monster losing share. The barriers to entry into
Internet businesses are relatively low.
Though Monster once had a dominant position, there are now
several national competitors (i.e., CareerBuilder) as well as other
niche sites. Many of the cutting-edge recruiters have reduced their
use of job boards in favor of alternative social media sites, such
as LinkedIn and Twitter.
In addition, the macro economic outlook remains uncertain. The
slowdown in Europe has adversely impacted the company's business
with no relief expected in the near term. Management expects
another recession in 2012.
We continue to maintain a Neutral recommendation on the stock.
Our recommendation is supported by Zacks #3 Rank, which translates
into a short-term rating of Hold.
Visa Eyes Canadian Expansion
In a concerted effort to tap the growing debit card market in
Canada,
Visa Inc.
(
V
) joins with Air Canada to facilitate its Canadian customers with
Visa debit cards with which to purchase Air Canada tickets. The
agreement has already come into effect from the beginning of this
month, and Canadian customers have already started benefiting from
the alliance of the two entities.
Visa's Canadian customers can buy tickets by paying online using
their Visa Debit card for scheduled passenger services from the
website of Air Canada. They also have the option of doing the same
via Air Canada Reservations from their mobile phones.
Visa's debit cards enable customers to transfer funds using the
electronic medium even without logging in to their respective bank
accounts. It is expected that this "one-step" e-payment facility
will attract a large number of Canadian customers, thereby
enhancing debit functionality within the online space.
With increasing number of consumers together with large number
of transactions Visa tries to mitigate the risk of fraud by
leveraging its payment technology. The technology safeguards the
cardholder's interest against all kind of deception if the card is
stolen or lost. Visa's Zero Liability Policy ensures the
prevention of any kind of online fraud.
Visa has increasingly invested in the emerging market,
leveraging its technological strength. All this is in sync with the
company's strategy of driving growth through increased payment
volumes along with consistent growth in processed transactions. The
company aims to retain its strength by exploring newer growth
avenues.
Visa's competitors
MasterCard Inc.
(
MA
) and
American Express Co.
(
AXP
) are equally expanding their market coverage to seek greener
pastures through newer initiatives. With MasterCard's recent launch
of PayPass Wallet Services and AmEx collaborating with Isis Mobile,
to ensure a secure shopping experience, the card industry is set to
witness stiff competition.
We retain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Visa. The
company currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a
short-term Hold rating.
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AMER EXPRESS CO (AXP): Free Stock Analysis
Report
LINKEDIN CORP-A (LNKD): Free Stock Analysis
Report
MASTERCARD INC (MA): Free Stock Analysis Report
MONSTER WWD INC (MWW): Free Stock Analysis
Report
VISA INC-A (V): Free Stock Analysis Report
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