(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: Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD), The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), Companhia Paranaense de Energia, or COPEL (NYSE: ELP) and PMI Group (NYSE: PMI).
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 Friday's Analyst Blog:
Hitachi Target Price Lowered
Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) continues to make progress in implementing its management plan by reducing operating and fixed costs, and developing new cutting-edge products. The company plans to cut jobs and introduce a major global restructuring plan.
However, growing price competition in emerging technologies, increasing cost of raw materials, weak demand and significant yen appreciation have hurt Hitachi. The company slashed its fiscal 2008 forecast and expects to a post the largest-ever loss in its history, hurt by decline in overseas revenue and losses in stock holdings. Moreover, its net cash balance (cash less debt) has been continuously declining. We therefore maintain a Hold rating on the shares of HIT.
EXBD Falling on Hard Times
Shares of Sell-rated Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD) are trading down 20% after releasing 4th-quarter results that fell short of Street expectations, and issuing a disappointing 2009 forecast. These results could be an ominous sign for other firms in the business consulting industry.
The Corporate Executive Board continues to experience deterioration in its cross-sell ratio. Other key operating metrics, including contract value, average subscription price, total member subscriptions and client renewal rate all fell in the 4th quarter of 2008.
Hain Celestial with Upside
The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN) ranks itself as the leader in 13 out of 15 natural food categories, despite stiff and growing competition. Roughly 65% of the company's products is outsourced, while the remaining 35% is manufactured at its own facilities.
Internal sales growth, driven by consumer demand for natural food products, and management's focus on profit margins bode well for Hain Celestial Group's long-term outlook. In addition, management's acquisition strategy adds incremental growth to the company's organic sales growth.
