(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: Natural Resource Partners, L.P. (NYSE: NRP), Intellon Corporation (NASDAQ: ITLN), Avon Products (NYSE: AVP), Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM) and Gander Mountain (NASDAQ: GMTN).
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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
Nat'l Resource Ptrs Retains a Buy
Houston, TX-based Natural Resource Partners, L.P. (NYSE: NRP) is a master limited partnership engaged mainly in owning and managing coal properties in the Appalachian region, the Illinois basin and the Powder River basin.
We are maintaining our Buy recommendation on Natural Resource Partners but are lowering our target price from $33.50 to $29.50 per unit. The partnership looks to grow distributable cash flow in '09/'10 as its lessees have locked in coal production at prices above '08 levels.
Intellon a Strong Semi Play
Intellon Corporation (NASDAQ: ITLN) is a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets integrated circuits (ICs) for powerline communications or high-speed communications over existing electrical wiring.
December top and bottomline results met consensus estimates as home networks continue to grow. Margins are trending up as higher margin products are an increasing part of the sales mix. The weak macro environment could provide a short-term tail wind as homeowners may upgrade home networks in lieu of taking vacations.
Avon Products Ringing Bells
Avon Products (NYSE: AVP) is benefiting from both the expansion into the developing and emerging markets and its emphasis on the Beauty products portfolio. Management aims to achieve high single-digit local currency revenue growth supported by margin expansion over the long term.
In November 2005, management initiated a multi-year restructuring plan in an effort to accelerate sales growth and strengthen the company's competitive position. Management has instilled financial discipline throughout the company.
Excel Maritime Cuts Dividend
Today, Excel Maritime Carriers Ltd. (NYSE: EXM) announced that it is suspending its $0.40 quarterly dividend in response to flagging market and financial conditions.
