The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Mylan, Pfizer, National Oilwell Varco, CE Franklin and Schlumberger

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – June 1, 2012 – 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 Mylan Inc. ( MYL - Analyst Report ) , Pfizer ( PFE - Analyst Report ) , National Oilwell Varco Inc. ( NOV - Analyst Report ) , CE Franklin Ltd. ( ) and Schlumberger Ltd. ( SLB - Analyst Report ) .

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:

Mylan Launches Generic Lipitor

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of generic pharma major Mylan Inc. ( MYL - Analyst Report ) , recently announced that it has received final approval from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for its generic version of Pfizer's ( PFE - Analyst Report ) Lipitor (atorvastatin). Mylan has already begun shipping the product.

Lipitor is used as an adjunct to diet in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia and mixed dyslipidemia to reduce elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides and to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. According to IMS Health, Lipitor generated US revenues of approximately $8.1 billion for the 12 months ending March 31, 2012.

Earlier this month, Mylan had launched generic Lipitor in France, Belgium, the UK, the Netherlands and Ireland. In these countries, Lipitor generated total sales of $1.6 billion for the 12 months ending December 31, 2011.

As of May 29, 2012, the company had 171 abbreviated new drug applications (ANDAs) pending clearance by the FDA, targeting $84 billion in sales annually. Mylan believes that about 38 of these ANDAs are first-to-file opportunities, representing approximately $25.5 billion in branded sales. The revenue figures are, as per IMS Health, for the 12 months ending December 31, 2011.

National Oilwell Varco Buying CE Franklin

Large-cap oilfield services company National Oilwell Varco Inc. ( NOV - Analyst Report ) has agreed to acquire Canadian oil and gas production equipment supplier CE Franklin Ltd. ( ) for about C$240 million ($233.08 million) in cash.

The transaction has been approved by the boards of both the companies but awaits regulatory and shareholder approval. In particular, the deal needs the go-ahead of at least two-thirds of CE Franklin shareholders at a special meeting scheduled for mid-July. We expect the buyout to conclude shortly after the shareholders vote.

The world’s biggest oilfield services provider, Schlumberger Ltd. ( SLB - Analyst Report ) , CE Franklin’s largest shareholder, together with the firm’s directors and executive officers – that collectively control 57% of the shares – have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction.

CE Franklin is obligated to pay a termination fee of $7.5 million to National Oilwell Varco in case it accepts a superior offer though the company said it would not solicit other proposals.

As per the deal, CE Franklin shareholders would get C$12.75 in cash for each share they hold. At CE Franklin’s Wednesday closing stock price of C$9.35 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the deal values the company’s shares at a 36% premium.

Calgary-based CE Franklin, through 39 branches in western Canada, is a distributor of more than 25,000 products – including pipes, valves, flanges, fittings and other equipment – that cater to over 3,000 clients in the energy industry.

The acquisition will allow National Oilwell Varco to broaden scale and scope of the solutions that it offers to oil and gas customers worldwide. Post merger, National Oilwell Varco expects CE Franklin’s products and services to benefit its Canadian business through new offerings and customer base.

National Oilwell Varco is the biggest U.S. maker of oilfield equipment, is currently a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold) stock, implying that it is expected to perform in line with the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months. We are also maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock.

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 Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT 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.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

http://www.zacks.com