Back to top

Image: Bigstock

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Medtronic, EOG Resources, CSX, Analog Devices and Autodesk

Read MoreHide Full Article

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 24, 2018 – 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 Medtronic (MDT - Free Report) , EOG Resources (EOG - Free Report) , CSX Corp. (CSX - Free Report) , Analog Devices (ADI - Free Report) and Autodesk (ADSK - Free Report) .

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

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for Medtronic, EOG Resources and CSX Corp.

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 Medtronic, EOG Resources and CSX Corp. 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 >>>

Medtronic’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical Products industry in the last three months, gaining +9.9% vs. +4.3%. Medtronic posted better-than-expected numbers in its first-quarter fiscal 2019.

All major business groups contributed to solid top-line growth at CER, which highlighted sustainability across groups and regions, in addition to displaying successful achievement of synergy targets. The Zacks analyst likes the company’s solid growth trend in the United States after adjusting for the divestitures as well as healthy global acceptance of its advanced therapies.

Also, gradually stabilizing CRHF market holds promise. The company is also focusing on geographical diversification of its businesses. Medtronic is highly positive about its foray into the $1 billion standalone CGM market with its Guardian Connect.

Yet escalating costs and expenses continue to weigh on Medtronic’s bottom line. The company’s 2019 guidance remains conservative on apprehension of significant currency headwind.

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

Shares of EOG Resources have gained around +38.7% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Oil & Gas E&P Industry, which has gained +23% over the same period. The company holds premium acreages in the Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford shale plays where it has identified 17,000 premium wells that could lend access to almost 11.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent estimated potential reserves. In the Eagle Ford alone, EOG identified 7,200 locations that will drive the firm’s oil production.

During 2016 and 2017, almost 50% and 85% of the wells drilled by EOG Resources met the standard of premium wells. Notably, the firm expects almost 90% of the wells to meet the standard in 2018. EOG Resources recently reported strong second-quarter 2018 results, supported by higher oil price realization.

However, the Zacks analyst thinks escalating lease and well operating expenses are hurting the company. Also, limited exposure to international resources is a drag.

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

Strong Buy-ranked CSX Corporation’s shares have gained +52.4% over the past year, outperforming the Zacks Rail industry, which has gained +34.6% over the same period. The Zacks analyst thinks CSX is being aided by lower costs under the Precision Scheduled Railroading system.

Notably, this system was implemented by the company’s former CEO — E. Hunter Harrison — who died December 2017. Designed to improve operational efficiency, the system is being backed by CSX’s current CEO Jim Foote. Also, improvement in operating ratio is in tune with the company’s cost control efforts.

The metric has been steadily declining (lower the value the better) over the past few quarters. Volume growth, efforts to reward shareholders and lower tax rates are added tailwinds. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings improved 9.8% over the last 60 days, reflecting the positivity surrounding the stock. CSX's high debt levels, however, raise concern.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Analog Devices and Autodesk.

The Hottest Tech Mega-Trend of All

Last year, it generated $8 billion in global revenues. By 2020, it's predicted to blast through the roof to $47 billion. Famed investor Mark Cuban says it will produce "the world's first trillionaires," but that should still leave plenty of money for regular investors who make the right trades early.

See Zacks' 3 Best Stocks to Play This Trend >>

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 >>.

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

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

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com/

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.