Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Sunoco Inc., Tesoro Corp., Western Refining Inc., ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil Corp.

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – December 11, 2009 – 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 include: Sunoco Inc. (SUN), Tesoro Corp. (TSO), Western Refining Inc. (WNR), ConocoPhillips (COP) and ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Oil Slides, Fuel Inventories Rise

The overall demand picture remains weak, as reflected by the dip in the total refined products supplied over the last four-week period, a proxy for overall petroleum demand. It fell by 3.0% from the year-earlier period, with gasoline up 1.2%, distillates (includes diesel) down 8.3% and jet fuel down 0.7%.

With gasoline and other petroleum product inventories rising last week, we take this as an indication that demand in the world's biggest economy remains slack. In particular, at this time of the year, distillates see rising demand as winter approaches in the northern hemisphere. As a result, following the bearish EIA release, oil prices fell below the $71 per barrel level, the lowest in two months. Additionally, the unexpected drop in crude stockpiles was triggered by falling imports rather than a much-awaited pick-up in oil demand.

As such, we prefer to maintain our cautious stance on oil refiners like Sunoco Inc. (SUN), Tesoro Corp. (TSO) and Western Refining Inc. (WNR), given that the overall environment for refining margins is likely to remain poor going into 2010.

Companies like ConocoPhillips (COP) and ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM) -- oil majors that have significant refining operations -- are also expected to remain under pressure until pricing and demand improve.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.

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.

Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch

Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts

Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.

Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com

Read the full analyst report on SUN

Read the full analyst report on TSO

Read the full analyst report on WNR

Read the full analyst report on COP

Read the full analyst report on XOM