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Zacks.com highlights: Amtech Systems, Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., Calithera Biosciences, RedHill Biopharma and Protagonist Therapeutics

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Oct 26, 2017 - Stocks in this week’s article include: Amtech Systems, Inc. (ASYS - Free Report) , Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A. (GGAL - Free Report) , Calithera Biosciences, Inc. (CALA - Free Report) , RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (RDHL - Free Report) and Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. (PTGX - Free Report) .

Screen of the Week of Zacks Investment Research:

5 Stocks in Focus on New Analyst Coverage

There’s no denying that the lack of consistency in information creates inefficiencies that might result in misinterpretation of stocks. Thus, initiation of coverage by analysts offers critical information on a stock which is of great value to investors.

Coverage initiation on a stock by analyst(s) usually depicts increased investor inclination. Investors, on their part, often assume that there is something in the stock that has attracted analyst attention. In other words, they believe that the company coming under the radar definitely has some value which can be tapped into.

Obviously, stocks are not arbitrarily chosen to cover. New coverage on a stock usually reflects an encouraging future envisioned by the analyst(s). At times, increased investor focus on a stock motivates analysts to take a closer look at it.

However, we have noticed that the average change in broker recommendation is preferred over a single recommendation change.

Analyst Coverage & Price Movement

Interestingly, the price movement is generally a function of the recommendations from new analysts. Stocks typically see an upward price movement with a new analyst coverage compared to what they witness with a rating upgrade under an existing coverage. Positive recommendations – Buy and Strong Buy – generally lead to a significantly positive price reaction than Hold recommendations. On the contrary, analysts hardly initiate coverage with a Strong Sell or Sell recommendation.

Now, if an analyst gives a new recommendation on a company that has limited or no existing coverage, investors start paying more attention to it. Also, any new information attracts portfolio managers to build a position in the stock.

So, it’s a good strategy to bet on stocks that have seen increased analyst coverage over the last few weeks.

Screening Criteria

Number of Broker Ratings now greater than the Number of Broker Ratings four weeks ago(This will shortlist stocks that have recent new coverage).

Average Broker Rating less than Average Broker Rating four weeks ago ('Less than' means 'better than' four weeks ago).

Increased analyst coverage and improving average rating are the primary criteria of this strategy but one should consider other relevant parameters to make the strategy foolproof.

Here are the other screening parameters:

Price greater than or equal to $5 (as a stock below $5 will not likely create significant interest for most investors).

Average Daily Volume greater than or equal to 100,000 shares (if volume isn’t enough, it will not attract individual investors).

Here are five of the 12 stocks that passed the screen:

Amtech Systems, Inc.manufactures and sells capital equipment and related consumables for use in fabricating solar cells, LED, and semiconductor devices. The stock has gained more than 234.1% this year, compared with its industry’s rise of 34.9%. The stock has seen earnings estimates move up from loss of 7 cents to earnings of 20 cents for the current year over the past 90 days. This Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock also saw positive earnings estimate revision of 41.7% for the next year over the same time frame. Positive earnings estimate revisions for 2017 and 2018 indicate the stock’s potential for price appreciation.

Grupo Financiero Galicia S.A., a financial and investment services holding company, has returned more than 112% so far this year, compared with its industry’s gain of 19.1%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3 and has an expected growth rate of 15% for 2017 and 12.7% for 2018.

Calithera Biosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company. The stock has skyrocketed 380% year to date, significantly outperforming the industry’s decline of 0.7%. Loss estimates have narrowed to 88 cents from 96 cents for 2017 over the last 30 days, with an expected growth rate of a 54.9%. The stock has a Zacks Rank #3. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

RedHill Biopharma Ltd.is an Israel-based specialty biopharmaceutical company. This Zacks Rank #3 company’s current quarter and year’s loss estimates have narrowed to 72 cents and $2.58 from 76 cents and $2.70, respectively, over the last 30 days.
 
Protagonist Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company. The stock has climbed 14.6% in the last three months, while the industry fell 1.4%. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #3. The company’s current year’s loss estimates have narrowed to $3.66 from $3.74 over the last 90 days. It has an expected earnings growth rate of 36.9% for 2017.

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The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.

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Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.

About Screen of the Week

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Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

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