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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Comcast, Wal-Mart Stores, Berkshire Hathaway, Bank of America and Twenty-First Century Fox

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 11, 2017 – 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 includeComcast (Nasdaq:(CMCSA - Free Report)  Free Report), Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:(WMT - Free Report)  Free Report), Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:(BRK.B - Free Report)  Free Report), Bank of America (NYSE:(BAC - Free Report)  Free Report) and Twenty-First Century Fox (Nasdaq:(FOXA - Free Report)  Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stocks Reports for Comcast, Wal-Mart and Berkshire Hathaway

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 (Nasdaq:(CMCSA - Free Report) Free Report), Wal-Mart Stores (NYSE:(WMT - Free Report) Free Report) and Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:(BRK.B - Free Report) Free Report). 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 >>>

Comcastshares have gained +1.5% over the last six months, outperforming the Zacks Cable Television industry which has gained +1.2% over the same period. Comcast completed the nationwide rollout of its wireless services under the Xfinity Mobile brand, with plans to include YouTube in its X1 video platform.

Comcast is venturing into residential solar programs with a 40-month deal with Sunrun. Comcast is working towards 5G network deployment and continues to roll out its DOCSIS 3.1-based internet services to Comcast Business customers. Comcast has forayed into the OTT video delivery market with its Internet TV service – Stream. Comcast continues to expand its theme park business.

With this, Comcast aims to check customer churn and provide viewers with more streaming options. However, tough competition, consolidation-related woes, mounting programming costs, loss of customer base act as near-term risks for Comcast. Competitive threat from online streaming service providers remains a concern.

(You can read the full research report on Comcasthere >>>).

Share price of buy-rated Walmart has been outperforming the industry on a year-to-date basis (+16.5% vs. +8.7%), as the company is pushing itself to understand the evolving needs of its customers and expand itself in both brick-and-mortar space as well as e-commerce activities.

On one hand, the company is posting positive comps at Walmart U.S. for 12 successive quarters. On the other, it is also building its e-commerce capabilities through acquisitions and growing in the online grocery and delivery market. However, the company still faces headwinds such as unfavorable currency, stiff competition from both brick & mortar and online retailers and huge expenses related to e-commerce investments.

Nevertheless, the company makes efforts to offset these headwinds with its initiatives to boost sales. The recent move to consolidate its U.S. operations will simplify its business structure and facilitate communication as well as improve execution.

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

Berkshire Hathawayshares have gained +15% year to date, outperforming the Zacks Property and Casualty Insurance industry which increased +12.1% during the same period. Berkshire Hathaway’s inorganic story remains impressive with strategic acquisitions.

Continued investment through strategic acquisition testifies confidence in business environment post new President elect. The strong cash position also allows it to make earnings-accretive bolt-on acquisitions. Demand for utilities is expected to be strong in the future and drive earnings growth.

Continued insurance business growth fuels increase in float. A sturdy capital level adds to the overall strength as well. However, Berkshire Hathaway’s exposure to catastrophe losses, Buffett’s succession and huge capital expenses on account of its railroad operations remain headwinds. Capital expenditure is estimated to be $4.8 billion for the remainder of 2017. Estimates have also moved down over the last 60 days.

(You can read the full research report on Berkshire Hathawayhere >>>).

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Bank of America (NYSE:(BAC - Free Report) Free Report) and Twenty-First Century Fox (Nasdaq:(FOXA - Free Report) Free Report).

Today's Stocks from Zacks' Hottest Strategies

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And this outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. Over the years it has been remarkably consistent. From 2000 - Q1 2017, the composite yearly average gain for these strategies has beaten the market more than 11X over. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that we're willing to share their latest stocks with you without cost or obligation. See Them Free>>

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1 Stock of the Day pick for free.

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 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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