For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - February 28, 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
MasterCard Inc.
(
MA
),
Telefónica S.A.
(
TEF
),
Visa Inc.
(
V
),
American Express Co.
(
AXP
) and
H&R Block
(
HRB
).
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free Profit from the Pros newsletter:
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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
MasterCard, Telefonica Join Forces
Last week,
MasterCard Inc.
(
MA
) and
Telefónica S.A.
(
TEF
) announced its joint venture (JV) under the corporate name - Wanda
with tagline "Your Mobile Money." This reflects one more step taken
by the company toward boosting its mobile commerce (mCommerce)
vigorously.
MasterCard had formed a JV with Brazil-based telecom operator
Telefónica in November last year with the objective to penetrate
emerging markets. The JV will be owned by both the parties
equally.
Accordingly, Wanda has been built through the JV to explore
mobile financial services in the 12 markets of Latin America.
Telefónica already operates through its Movistar brand in these
markets. Thus, Wanda will operate in these markets to offer mobile
payment solutions to over 87 million Movistar customers. Besides,
Mobile Payment Solutions (MPS), with whom Wanda has a global
agreement covering the 12 Latin American markets, will aid the
development and implementation of the mobile wallet technology and
its services.
Additionally, Wanda will be connected to mobile wallet and
prepaid accounts that will be accessible globally across mobile
networks. Of late, mobile banking has come up with a profound scope
of providing the consumers with a convenient, user-friendly,
value-for money, transparent and secure mode of making
transactions, which include person-to-person payments, bill
payments, adding cell phone minutes and other banking services.
Moreover, while a sophisticated banking platform is yet to be
established in most of the economies of Latin America, Africa,
Middle East and Asia, mobile phones have penetrated even the
remotest zones of these emerging markets.
Overall, we believe that these efforts apart from showering
ample organic growth opportunities will also become a part of
MasterCard's long-term growth. Furthermore, this will also
enhance the company's operating and competitive leverage in the
upcoming quarters. Such business diversification is also expected
to augment MasterCard's core processing capabilities in an
increasingly complex payments environment, thereby reflecting its
endeavors to adapt itself to the emerging industry trends.
Besides, other card giants such as
Visa Inc.
(
V
) and
American Express Co.
(
AXP
) are also seeking greener pastures through newer initiatives,
including the expansion into prepaid cards, mobile banking and
eCommerce, given the regulatory clouds hovering over the credit and
debit card businesses.
MasterCard carries a Zacks Rank #3, implying a short-term Hold
rating along with a Neutral stance over the long term.
H&R Block Shows Growth Pre-Earnings
H&R Block
(
HRB
) announced its total tax returns prepared grew 6.7% for the first
of three interim period ending February 15.
Total digital tax returns grew 16.7%, drive by an increase of
more than 24% in online filings. Total retail returns were prepared
to grow 2.1%.
H&R Block remains focused on increasing new client growth.
The company finalized on five drivers that would help it to grow
the number of new clients. These efforts helped the company to gain
market share in the digital space. In 2011, total returns prepared
increased 6% over 2010, while in the U.S. it increased to a record
6.5%since 2001. The company's client base in digital increased by
800,000, with online growth of about 29% while in retail, Tax
Services clients grew more than 500,000.
Also, H&R Block has a sustained focus on expense reduction.
The company expects realigning its field and corporate support
organization to save $100−$150 million by the end of fiscal
2012.
H&R Block's adjusted loss of 38 cents per share in fiscal
second-quarter was wider than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a
loss of 35 cents and year-ago loss of 36 cents.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal third-quarter 2012 is 9
cents per share. For fiscal years 2012 and 2013, the Zacks
Consensus Estimates are a respective $1.46 and $1.67. H&R Block
is scheduled to release its fiscal third quarter earnings results
on March 9 after the bell.
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AMER EXPRESS CO (
AXP
): Free Stock Analysis Report
BLOCK H & R (
HRB
): Free Stock Analysis Report
MASTERCARD INC (
MA
): Free Stock Analysis Report
TELEFONICA S.A. (
TEF
): Free Stock Analysis Report
VISA INC-A (
V
): Free Stock Analysis Report
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