For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL - May 22, 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
Verizon Communications Inc.
(
VZ
),
Apple Inc.
(
AAPL
),
AT&T Inc.
(
T
),
Sprint Nextel Corp.
(
S
) and
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
(
RS
).
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:
Verizon Scraps Unlimited Plan on 4G
The wireless leader
Verizon Communications Inc.
(
VZ
) is slowly scrapping its unlimited data plans. Verizon puts a cap
on its unlimited data plans with smartphone upgrade.
The company abolished unlimited data plans for all customers,
who intend to upgrade their smartphones with the new high-speed
data services (4G) at a discounted price. Verizon allows full
price-paid customers to keep its unlimited plans with a flat
monthly fee of $30. However, these customers have to shift to the
shared data plan, when it becomes available in mid summer.
Customers are disappointed with this policy, as it compels them
to pay more either in the form of service fees or smartphone
prices.
On the other side, the move would be beneficial to Verizon. As
the cell phone markets are saturated and customers are hungrier for
data rather than voice, the new strategy will boost the company's
future data revenues. The company will also be able to pass on some
subsidy cost related to
Apple Inc.
's (
AAPL
) iPhone to its customers in the form of service fees. This will
lead to reduced expenses.
Verizon had already switched to tiered-data pricing plans from
the unlimited data plans in June last year. However, the old and
existing subscribers are still using the unlimited plans. Verizon
is the first carrier, which is scrapping its unlimited plans for
its existing customers.
Its major rival
AT&T Inc.
(
T
) still offers unlimited plans on smartphone upgrade but with
certain limits, imposed two months ago. AT&T said that the data
speeds on unlimited 3G and 4G smartphones would slow down when it
exceeds more than 3 gigabytes (GB). The 4G LTE speeds will also
lessen beyond 5GB in a particular month. The third largest U.S.
wireless provider
Sprint Nextel Corp.
(
S
) continues to offer unlimited plans when subscribers upgrade their
smartphones.
We are maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on
Verizon. Currently, the stock retains the Zacks #3 (Hold) Rank for
the short term (1-3 months).
Reliance Steel Raised to Outperform
We are upgrading our recommendation on
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.
(
RS
) to Outperform following its solid first-quarter 2012 results.
Earnings of $1.54 per share topped the Zacks Consensus Estimate of
$1.50. The company saw healthy double-digit growth in sales (up 20%
year over year to $2,288.3 million), which beat the Zacks Consensus
Estimate of $2,139 million.
Reliance Steel said that its results were boosted by strength
across a slew of industries including energy, aerospace, farm and
heavy equipment, and semiconductor. Higher sales volume and pricing
also supported growth.
Moving ahead, the company expects higher growth across the
energy and aerospace industries. However, it expects the pricing
environment to remain uncertain for certain metals it sells.
Reliance Steel has tremendous earnings capacity with its broad
and diversified product base, along with a wide geographic
footprint that positions it well in the industry. The company
continues to evaluate and execute additional growth projects and is
well placed to leverage the strong momentum across a number of end
markets.
The company's expansion initiatives and strategic acquisitions
should drive growth in 2012. The acquisitions of McKey and National
Specialty Alloys ("NSA") have enabled Reliance Steel to improve its
product offerings and expand into newer markets.
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
APPLE INC (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report
RELIANCE STEEL (RS): Free Stock Analysis Report
SPRINT NEXTEL (S): Free Stock Analysis Report
AT&T INC (T): Free Stock Analysis Report
VERIZON COMM (VZ): Free Stock Analysis Report
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
Zacks Investment
Research