Friday, May 6, 2022
 
The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), CME Group Inc. (CME), and Charter Communications, Inc. (CHTR). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.
 
You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>
 

Comcast shares have declined -29.8% over the past year against the Zacks Cable Television industry’s decline of -29.5%. The Zacks analyst believes that Comcast persistently suffers from video-subscriber attrition due to cord cutting. Moreover, a leveraged balance sheet is a major concern.
 

However, Comcast is also benefiting from strength in broadband subscriber base and strong momentum in the wireless business. Its strategy to provide high-speed Internet at an affordable price plays a pivotal role in providing connectivity, improving customer wins and experience.
 

Media consumption and the work-from-home and online-learning waves bode well for Comcast’s Internet business due to the recent pandemic. The company’s streaming service Peacock gained significant traction within a short span and is a key catalyst in driving broadband sales.
 

(You can read the full research report on Comsat here >>>)
 

Shares of CME Group have outperformed the Zacks Securities and Exchanges industry over the past year (+6.5% vs. -12.6%). The Zacks analyst believes that CME Group’s strong market position driven by varied derivative product lines bodes well. Efforts to expand and cross sell through strategic alliances, acquisitions, new product initiatives and a stable global presence bode well.

Product innovation and growing proportion of volume from customers outside the U.S. have been aiding results. The company intends to focus more on over-the-counter clearing services
 
However, escalating expenses due to higher technology cost are likely to put pressure on the company's margin expansion. Diversified product portfolio is significantly exposed to volatile interest rate, firm government regulations and limited credit availability in unstable capital and credit market. Also, stiff competition poses financial risk for the company.
 

(You can read the full research report on CME Group here >>>)
 

Charter Communications shares have declined -33.6% over the past year as against the Zacks Cable Television industry’s decline of -29.5%. The company persistently suffers video-subscriber attrition, primarily due to cord-cutting and stiff competition from streamers like Netflix and Disney+. Internet user base expansion has started to slow down with lifting of COVID curbs. This along with a leveraged balance sheet are major concerns.
 

However, benefit from growth in residential, mobile and commercial revenues as reflected by first-quarter 2022 results. The company continues to witness a spike in Internet usage due to the pandemic-induced work-from-home and online-learning wave.

Charter’s expanding mobile-subscriber base has been a key catalyst. The momentum is likely to continue in the near term. Charter’s broadband service has gained traction among small and medium businesses.
 

(You can read the full research report on Charter Communications here >>>)
 

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Merck & Co., Inc. (MRK), Airbnb, Inc. (ABNB), and Edwards Lifesciences Corp. (EW).
 

Mark Vickery
Senior Editor
 
Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>