(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: NDS Group Plc (NASDAQ: NNDS), RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR), Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT), Scientific Games Corp. (NASDAQ: SGMS) and LeapFrog Enterprises (NYSE: LF).
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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:
NDS Group Retains a Buy Rec
United Kingdom-based NDS Group Plc (NASDAQ: NNDS) supplies smart cards and set-top box software that enable broadcast or broadband platform operators and content providers to deliver content securely to subscribers for digital satellite, pay-television and Internet services.
NDS Group reported a weaker first quarter of 2009, with revenue and earnings lower than our estimates. Strength in conditional access, gaming and DVR technologies -- as well as new deals in emerging markets -- are helping drive revenues and growth. We have lowered our revenue and earnings estimates for 2009 based on guidance.
RenaissanceRe Upside Limited
Hamilton, Bermuda-based RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: RNR) primarily provides property-catastrophe reinsurance to insurers and reinsurers globally on the basis of excess of loss.
The company's third-quarter operating loss of $2.35 per share was substantially worse than estimates. The deterioration resulted primarily from $276.0 million net negative impact from Hurricanes Gustav and Ike as well as negative investment results. The quarter saw a sharp decline in investment income and a huge increase in net realized investment losses.
Starwood Climbs on Zell News
Shares of Starwood Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: HOT) are kicking off the new year by climbing approximately 15% in today's trading. The jump is not related to strong occupancy trends over the holiday, however. Rather, the shares have rallied after it was revealed that the company had signed a confidentiality agreement with Equity Group Investments, LLC, or EGI, the investment firm controlled by billionaire real estate mogul Sam Zell.
Scientific Games a Good Bet
Scientific Games Corp. (NASDAQ: SGMS) has a leading position in several markets, including the instant ticket and online lottery markets.
