(Source: Business Wire)
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: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: VSEA), ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE: ABM), Unilever PLC (NYSE: UL), Unilever NV (NYSE: UN), and Chunghwa Telecom (NYSE: CHT).
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Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:
Varian Semi Still Grows, but Slower
Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: VSEA) engages in the design and manufacture of semiconductor processing equipment used in the fabrication of integrated circuits. September top and bottom-line results beat consensus estimates. The company has superior technology and remains several product generations ahead of competitors.
While the concentration to the memory sector bears watching, we feel VSEA will continue to outgrow the broader industry by continuing to take market share. As Nodes transition to 90 nanometers VSEA remains the strongest solution for ion implementation. Consequently we reiterate our Buy rating of the shares.
ABM Industries a Hold
ABM Industries Incorporated (NYSE: ABM) provides engineering, janitorial, parking, and security services to commercial, industrial, institutional, and retail facilities.
The company said the integration of OneSource remains on schedule and that it anticipates $28 million in fiscal year synergies. With the acquisition adding $212 million to third quarter revenue, we are confident OneSource adds at least $850 million to FY08 revenue.
Unilever Improves Its Strength
Unilever manufactures, markets, and sells a broad portfolio of consumer products across the globe in developed, developing, and emerging markets. Unilever PLC (NYSE: UL) and Unilever NV (NYSE: UN) operate as the two parent companies for the Unilever Group. A series of agreements ensure that the position of shareholders in both companies is, as nearly as possible, the same as if they held shares in a single company.
The benefits from the implementation of Path to Growth, Unilever 2010, One Unilever, and Accelerating Change strategies, along with strong cash flow, are positives for the future prospects of Unilever. In addition, the simplified management structure has improved operational decisions, and the one-to-one equivalence between PLC and NV shares has improved financial transparency.
