(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: ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO), Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: IHR) and Churchill Downs (NASDAQ: CHDN).
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
ZymoGenetics a Buy Up to $6
ZymoGenetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZGEN) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of therapeutic proteins for the prevention or treatment of human diseases. Recent approval of rhThrombin by the FDA and the clinical progress made by the company will drive the value for the company.
We believe rhThrombin will provide a significant boost to the company's top line growth in the coming quarters. Other candidates should provide long-term growth for the company.
The lucrative deal which it has pulled off with Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is expected to result in a substantial cash inflow for the company. Therefore, we maintain our Buy rating for the company with a price target of $6.00.
Tractor Supply Sell Reiterated
On January 22, Tractor Supply Co. (NASDAQ: TSCO) pre-announced 4th quarter results. The company indicated that it will report sales of $800 million on EPS of $0.65-$0.67. Sales were in-line, but its EPS guidance was well below our previous estimate of $0.77.
The downside was due to Tractor Supply incorrectly accounting for its LIFO ["last in, first out"] provision, which negatively affected the company's cost of goods sold and gross margin. Tractor Supply also restated its financials for the first 3 quarters of 2008, which reduced its EPS by a total of $0.20.
Interstate Hotels a Real Value
We believe that Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: IHR) has taken the appropriate steps to position the company for long-term growth given an improvement in the lodging operating cycle. While we expect meaningful RevPAR deterioration in 2009, we expect that Interstate's strong hotel management track record will enable the company to weather the downturn.
Although in our opinion Interstate has made great strides in recent months, the U.S. lodging industry is suffering the impact of weak economic growth and financial pressure on consumers.
