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Werner Enterprises, Cott, Akari Therapeutics, and Alexion highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 22, 2017 – Zacks Equity Research Werner Enterprises (Nasdaq: (WERN - Free Report) – Free Report) as the Bull of the Day, Cott Corporation (NYSE: – Free Report) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: (AKTX - Free Report) – Free Report) and Alexion(Nasdaq: – Free Report).

Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Werner Enterprises(Nasdaq: (WERN - Free Report) – Free Report) is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and sports a clean slate of A's for the Zacks Style Scores. With all that going for it, you should not be surprised that I picked it as the Bull of the Day.

Description

Werner Enterprises is a transportation company primarily engaged in hauling truckload shipments of general commodities in both interstate and intrastate commerce. The Company operates throughout the 48 contiguous states pursuant to operating authority, both common and contract, granted by the Department of Transportation and pursuant to intrastate authority granted by various states. They also have authority to operate in the ten provinces of Canada and have through trailer service in and out of Mexico.

Earnings History

WERN has a good earnings history, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters. 

Earnings Estimates

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for WERN has been moving higher over the last three months. The 2017 number has moved from $1.13 to $1.24 over the last 90 days while the 2018 number has increased from $1.40 to $1.50 over the same time period.

 Bear of the Day:

Cott Corporation(NYSE: – Free Report) is the Bear of the Day today because it is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).  It became a Strong Sell because earnings estimates were falling and we will go over that later, but I also want to point out the oppressive tax that residents of Chicago face when they are buying a sweetened beverage.

Can you believe a city government pretends to care about your health in a way to make you pay for sweetened beverages at a rate of one cent per ounce?  That is 12 cents on a regular can of soda or $1.44 in taxes on a twelve pack.  Maybe the former "Top Cop" will repeal this tax when he runs for (and becomes) Mayor.  #GarryForMayor.

Not all of the problems that COT has seen come from Chicago taxes pushing potential consumers to other beverages to avoid an oppressive tax. Let's take a look at the reason why this stock is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Description

Cott Corporation is one of the world's largest non-alcoholic beverage companies and the world's largest retailer brand soft drink provider. The Company commercializes its business in over Sixty countries worldwide, with its principal markets being the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Mexico. Cott markets or supplies over two hundred retailer and licensed brands, and Company-owned brands including Cott, RC, Vintage, Vess and So Clear. Its products include carbonated soft drinks, sparkling and flavored waters, energy drinks, sports drinks, juices, juice drinks and smoothies, ready-to-drink teas, and other non-carbonated beverages.

Earnings History

There are two recent misses of the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The most recent miss was a negative 62% earnings surprise.  The previous miss was a 42% negative earnings surprise.

Earnings Estimates

The reason most stocks fall to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) is that earnings estimates are falling.  This table can be found on the Zacks website under the detailed estimates page.

Additional content:

Why Akari Therapeutics (AKTX - Free Report) Skyrocketed on Thursday

On Thursday, shares of biopharmaceutical company Akari Therapeutics (Nasdaq: AKTXFree Report) skyrocketed, up over 60% by midday trading—the stock was up 90% in premarket trading—after it announced it would advance its lead drug candidate.

In a press release, Akari said that after an End-of-Phase 2 meeting with the FDA and based on the agency’s feedback, the company would be pushing forward Coversin into Phase 3 development for the treatment of Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) in the first quarter of 2018.

In the U.S., the PNH indication has “Fast Track” status. PNH is a rare, life-threatening disease of the blood; it’s characterized by the destruction of red blood cells, blood clots and impaired bone marrow function. PNH affects about 1 to 1.5 persons per million, and primarily impacts younger adults, according to Johns Hopkins.

“Following our recent FDA meeting, we are working to initiate a Phase III clinical trial of Coversin in PNH in Q1 2018,” said Dr. David Horn Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of Akari Therapeutics. “We will continue to work closely with the FDA, benefitting from our Fast Track status in the U.S., and with the EMA towards submission of a BLA and MAA, respectively, for Coversin in PNH.”

Akari said that it plans to perform two Phase 3 clinical studies, CAPSTONE and ASSET. CAPSTONE will carry out on “naïve” PNH patients where Alexion’s (Nasdaq: ALXNFree Report) Soliris, or eculizumab, is not the standard of care, while ASSET is a Phase 3 clinical study that switches PNH patients from eculizumab to treatment with Coversin.

With Coversin delivered subcutaneously, patients may have greater independence due to self-administration. Phase II studies are also planned for a number of other indications where Coversin’s actions on both the complement and leukotriene (LTB4) pathways play a role. Its two leading targets in this area are atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), a rare eye disorder and severe bullous pemphigoid (BP), a rare skin disorder,” added Solomon.

Akari focuses on the development and commercialization of innovative therapeutics to treat orphan autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The stock is a #1 (Strong Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of ‘F.’

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About the Bull and Bear of the Day

Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous analyst coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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