Mark Vickery

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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: Standard Motor Products Inc. (NYSE: SMP), Plexus Corp. (Nasdaq: PLXS), Strayer Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRA), Hubbell Inc. (NYSE: HUB.B) and Barrick Gold Corp. (NYSE: ABX).

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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Standard Motor Downshifting

New York-based Standard Motor Products Inc. (NYSE: SMP) enjoys strong brand recognition and a less cyclical end-market within the auto and auto parts industry. Moreover, SMP expects to benefit from the shifting of its production facilities to Reynosa, Mexico due to lower labor costs.

In the third quarter, Standard Motor's consolidated net sales were $202.9 million, compared to consolidated net sales of $206.2 million during the comparable quarter in 2007. Earnings from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008 were $397 thousand or 2 cents per diluted share, compared to earnings of $4.8 million or 26 cents per diluted share in the third quarter of 2007.

Plexus Target Lowered, Still a Buy

Plexus Corporation (Nasdaq: PLXS) has posted several quarters of strong results, with significantly higher-than-expected revenue and bookings. We believe that PLXS is among the best positioned in the industry and is poised to grow with strong pipeline and new customer wins in 2009 and beyond.

Moreover, we believe the company's strong execution will result in increased profitability despite macro-economic headwinds. We therefore maintain a Buy rating on the stock but lower our six- month price target to $28.00, reflecting the current challenging economic environment.

Strayer Worth the Premium

Strayer Education (Nasdaq: STRA) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in accounting, business administration, education, information technology (IT), and public administration. Strayer University is committed to providing post-secondary education to working adult students so that they can advance in their careers and professional lives.

Financial results for the past eleven quarters have been above expectations and management's guidance for 2008 and 2009 portends continued double-digit EPS growth. The company benefits from positive pricing through annual 5% tuition increases.