(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: Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM), Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM), China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC), Satyam Computer Services (NYSE: SAY) and McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP).
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Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:
Excel Maritime Holds Steady
Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM) is a shipping company specializing in the worldwide seaborne transportation of dry bulk cargoes. The company is expected to post fourth-quarter results in March. We are continuing our diluted EPS estimates at $4.45 for 2008 and $1.25 for 2009. These estimates reflect sharply lower spot market rates and declining trade patterns from China.
In the third quarter of 2008, EXM posted a 21% increase in diluted cash operating EPS to $1.16, below consensus of $1.62 our $1.31 estimate due to lower-than-expected revenue growth. Revenues advanced 240% year over year to $147 million, reflecting a 194% increase in fleet operating days (due to the Quintana acquisition) and a 15% gain in average TCE [time charter equivalent] rates.
Maxim Semi a Good Value
Maxim Integrated Products Inc. (NASDAQ: MXIM) is an OEM [original equipment manufacturer] of semiconductor analog and mixed signal ICs [integrated chips].
September quarter revenue was inline with the consensus, although the EPS missed by a penny. Forward guidance is for a revenue decline of 12-18%. Management has announced a significant reduction in the capex for 2009, in response to the broad macro weakness.
China Life with a Better Outlook
China Life Insurance (NYSE: LFC) is scheduled to release its FY08 financial results on March 26, 2009. 1H08 results were disappointing due to the stock market decline.
Despite growing competition as well as volatile capital market, China Life seems to be in a better position than its peers due to the current regulatory environment and its geographical positioning.
