Credit: Shutterstock photoBy SA Stocks To Watch :
Welcome to Seeking Alpha's Stocks to Watch - a preview of key events scheduled for the next week. Follow this account and turn on the e-mail alert on to receive this article in your inbox every Saturday morning.
The countdown clock is ticking on Capitol Hill with President Trump eager to deliver a major tax reform package before the Christmas break. A compromise between the Senate and House brings the corporate tax rate to 21% from its current level of 35%. While it's still early in the process, analysts are already buzzing over signals from heavy hitters such as Coca-Cola ( KO ), Boeing ( BA ) and Delta Air Lines ( DAL ) on anticipated EPS benefits and boosted buyback plans from tax reform savings. Expect more talk this week on tax reform plays.
Media M&A shakeup: What's the next domino to fall after Disney ( DIS ) struck a deal to buy film/TV assets from Twenty-First Century Fox ([[FOX]], [[FOX]]) for a cool $52.4B? "We believe remaining film/TV studio assets will become increasingly valuable/scarce," predicts BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield on the development. Studios Lions Gate ([[LGF.A]], [[LGF.B]]) and privately-held MGM are expected by some to see bids. Other media stocks on the consolidation radar are CBS ( CBS ), Discovery Communications (DISCA), AMC Networks (AMCX), Comcast (CMCSA), Verizon (VZ) and Viacom ([[VIA]], [[VIAB]]). Though there's also the AT&T (T)-Time Warner (TWX) vs. DOJ court battle to consider, the biggest media question mark of all may surround Netflix (NFLX), which faces a Disney-controlled Hulu and the rollback of net neutrality rules.
Expected IPO filings: Adial Pharmaceuticals (ADIL), Cue Biopharma (CUE) and Advantage Insurance (AVI) on Dec. 18; iClick Interactive Asia (ICLK) on Dec. 21; Longfin (LFIN) on Dec. 22.
IPO/secondary share lockup period expirations: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), Bridgepoint Education (BPI), (KMG), Aldeyra Therapeutic (ALDX) and Earthstone Energy(ESTE) on Dec 18.; SG Blocks (SGBX), Safety Income and Growth (SAFE), Altice USA (ATUS), Daseke (DSKE) and Nabriva Therapeutics (NBRV) on Dec. 19; Performance Food Group (PFGC) on Dec. 21; Chatham Lodging Trust (CLDT) on Dec. 22.
Notable earnings reports: Heico (HEI) on Dec. 18; Carnival (CCL), Darden Restaurants (DRI), FedEx (FDX), Micron (MU), Red Hat (RHAT) and Navistar (NAV) on Dec. 19; General Mills (GIS), BlackBerry (BB), and Winnebago (WGO) on Dec. 20; Nike (NKE), Accenture (ACN), Rite Aid (RAD), ConAgra (CAG) and Finish Line (FINL) on Dec. 21.
Extraordinary shareholder meetings for M&A votes: Arc Logisitcs (ARCX) on Dec. 18; Omega Protein (OME) on Dec. 19, Ruby Tuesday (RT) on Dec. 20; NewStar Financial (NEWS) on Dec. 21.
Annual meetings: Scientific Games (SGMS)-NYX Gaming (NXXYF) and AutoZone (AZO) on Dec. 20; JAKKS Pacific (JAKK) on Dec. 22.
Analyst/investor meetings: LogMein (LOGM) and AGCO Corporatoon (AGCO) on Dec 19.; Digital Power (DPW) on Dec. 20.
Guidance call: Colfax Corporation (CFX) on Dec 18.
Barron's mentions: Alaska Air Group (ALK) and Simon Property Group (SPG) are singled out as top picks with upside. Income investors are advised to consider Merck (MRK), PepsiCo (PEP), Daimler (DDAIF) and Novartis (NVS). The impact of environmental, social and governance factors at Exxon Mobile (XOM) is seen as putting the company at the crossroads.
Box office watch: Another big week is ahead for AMC Entertainment (AMC), Cinemark Holdings (CNK), Regal Entertainment (RGC) and IMAX (IMAX) as Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Disney) totals are digested. Ferdinand (Fox) and Coco (Disney) also open this weekend, while Downstairs (Paramount), Pitch Perfect 3 (Universal) and Father Figures (Warner Bros) debut next Friday. Will enough MoviePass (HMNY) subscriptions make their way into holiday stockings to provide a tailwind for the exhibitor sector in 2018?
See also Top 10 Industrial Stocks For Dividend Growth And Income on seekingalpha.com
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
