Friday, January 13 2017

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Alibaba (BABA), Costco (COST) and Walgreens Boots (WBA).

Alibaba have outperformed the broader market as well as the peer e-commerce space over the last one year (it is up more than +32.7%), with the trend expected to remain in place given the stable outlook for China, continued growth in its core e-commerce business and growing cloud computing services. The analyst likes the company’s dominance in China's mobile commerce market, efforts to develop new products and strong financial position. Recently, Alibaba tied up with Intime Retail Group Co Ltd founder, Shen Guojun, in a 2.6-billion bid to privatize Intime. On the flip side, the need for continued infrastructure investments, growing competition and the risk of credibility loss resulting from product quality remains concerns. (You can read the full research report on Alibaba here >>>)

Costco shares have underperformed the Zacks Discount Retail industry over the past year, gaining +5.7% versus the industry's +9.2% increase. Costco commenced fiscal 2017 on a soft note, coming up short in its quarterly report. But the Zacks analyst highlights the company's dominant retail position and the breadth and quality of its merchandise that continue to attract cash strapped customers. Offsetting these long-standing positives are near-term challenges stemming from stiff competition and cautious consumer spending trends. (You can read the full research report on Costco here >>>)

Walgreens Boots shares have gained +7.2% over the last three months, outperforming the embattled retail drug stores industry which is down -0.9% over the same period.  Walgreens Boots reported mixed first-quarter fiscal 2017 results with earnings marginally beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate and sales missing the mark. The analyst still likes the stock since the proposed buyout of Rite Aid, should expand Walgreens Boots’ business realm in the U.S. over the long term. Walgreens continues to hold a strong cash position, which is evident from its increased cash flow reserve in its latest earnings release. (You can read the full research report on Walgreens Boots here>>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Microsoft (MSFT), Biogen (BIIB) and PayPal (PYPL).

Zacks' Top 10 Stocks for 2017

In addition to the stocks discussed above, would you like to know about our 10 finest buy-and-hold tickers for the entirety of 2017?

Who wouldn't? As of early December, the 2016 Top 10 produced 5 double-digit winners including oil and natural gas player Pioneer Natural Resources which racked up a stellar +50% gain. The new list is painstakingly hand-picked from 4,400 companies covered by the Zacks Rank. Be among the very first to see it >>

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

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 >>>