For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - May 15, 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
Moody's
(
MCO
),
Wal-Mart
(
WMT
),
Target
(
TGT
),
Home Depot
(
HD
) and
J.C. Penney
(
JCP
).
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:
Focus to Remain on Europe
With nothing major on the domestic economic calendar today and
the earnings season winding down, the market's focus will remain on
the unsettling developments in Europe, where the Greek political
deadlock is increasing the odds that the country may not have a
future within the common currency union.
The resulting anxieties are pushing German and U.S. Treasury yields
lower and putting an uncomfortable spotlight on the Italian and
Spanish government bond markets. Yields on Italian and Spanish
government bonds have been trending up in recent days, though they
remain below levels that could restrict the countries' access to
capital.
Spain's position is particularly fragile given the country's
hobbled banking sector. The country's banking regulator asked
financial institutions late last week to set aside a combined €30
billion in additional loan-loss reserves. But many, including
Moody's
(
MCO
), the rating agency, believe that they will remain vulnerable even
after fully complying with the government's provisioning
requirement.
We don't have much on the economic calendar today, but we do have a
number of market-moving economic reports on the docket the rest of
this week. These include readings on retail sales, inflation,
housing and the manufacturing sector.
Of particular significance would be the April Retail Sales report
coming out Tuesday morning and the April Housing Starts numbers
Wednesday morning. Retail Sales are expected to show a flat reading
following the very strong gains in March, but would nevertheless be
consistent with a roughly 2.5% gain in annualized personal consumer
expenditures (or consumer spending) in second quarter GDP. Please
recall that PCE in the first quarter increased at a 2.9% annualized
pace.
On the Housing Starts front, the expectation is for the first
meaningful increase since January, with Starts reaching 689K from
March's 654K level. Other major reports this week include CPI,
Industrial Production and the Empire State/Philly Fed regional
manufacturing surveys.
The first quarter earnings season is fast winding down, with
results from 452 of the S&P 500 already known. Earnings reports
have overall been better than expected, with an aggregate earnings
growth of 7.9% and 65.5% of companies beating expectations. We have
21 S&P 500 companies on tap to come out with results this week,
including a number of bellwether retailers like
Wal-Mart
(
WMT
),
Target
(
TGT
),
Home Depot
(
HD
) and
J.C. Penney
(
JCP
).
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
HOME DEPOT (HD): Free Stock Analysis Report
PENNEY (JC) INC (JCP): Free Stock Analysis
Report
MOODYS CORP (MCO): Free Stock Analysis Report
TARGET CORP (TGT): Free Stock Analysis Report
WAL-MART STORES (WMT): Free Stock Analysis
Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.