For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 13, 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 Hess Corporation (
HES
- Analyst Report
)
, ZaZa Energy Corporation (
ZAZA
)
, Jefferies Group, Inc. (
)
, ConocoPhillips (
COP
- Analyst Report
)
and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (
HOT
- 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 Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Hess, ZaZa End Partnership
Integrated oil company Hess Corporation’s (
HES
- Analyst Report
)
partnership agreement with Houston-based energy firm ZaZa Energy Corporation (
ZAZA
)
was terminated by the latter. The pact, formed in 2010, comprised exploration and development of the Eagle Ford Shale formation in Texas and the Paris basin in France.
Hess made a direct payment of $15 million to end the agreement for Eagle Ford and is liable to shell out a further $70 million in cash upon closure. The companies also plan to conclude their partnership agreement in the Paris basin. The companies expect to sign definitive agreements to this intent by June 29, with closure scheduled before August 15.
Upon termination, ZaZa’s core holdings in the proved, productive regions of the oil-rich Eagle Ford would be augmented to reach 72,000 acres from its recent holding of 11,500 acres. But its conventional producing assets in the Paris basin will remain at about 24,260 acres.
ZaZa has hired Jefferies Group, Inc. (
)
to assist it in finding another joint venture partner for its assets in the Eagle Ford and the emerging Woodbine region. Jefferies is also responsible for assessing the strategic prospects available to ZaZa.
The new transaction would include transfer of some oil, gas and mineral interests, well bores and production in the Eagle Ford Shale and Paris basin. Per the deal terms, Hess is entitled to receive royalty payments.
We believe Hess has a competitive advantage over its peers based on improving fundamentals, commodity price leverage and exposure to areas with high resource potential (such as Brazil, Ghana, Libya and offshore Australia). We continue to see an upstream momentum on the back of the company's large inventory of exploration and development projects. The termination of one agreement is unlikely to affect its strong revenue base.
We are maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock. Hess, which faces competition from ConocoPhillips (
COP
- Analyst Report
)
, currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating.
Starwood Beefs Up Luxury Connection
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (
HOT
- Analyst Report
)
recently revealed that it remains on track to unveil 10 new Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts globally in the near term. The company has properties coming up in countries like China, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
We view the White Plains, New York-based company’s focus on enhancing luxury as quite strategic. Of its total pipeline of 95,000 rooms, 80% occupies the upper upscale and luxury segments. According to management, the extremely high net worth individuals were less affected by the global recession and increased by almost 30% since 2006. Hence, management plans to attract those guests.
Moreover, increased room rates lead to higher fees and eventually to a monetarily enriched portfolio. Management stated that, at the current level, its luxury brands comprise 10% of its total rooms and contribute 20% to its fees.
Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts fall in the eponymous category. Management commented that luxury resorts generally have a higher demand abroad and hence Starwood has 90% of its Luxury pipeline outside North America.
Launched in 1906, the brand rides on a high growth trajectory and has already spread globally with 80 hotels in more than 30 countries. Well known for its upper-upscale hospitality and individuality, management sees the brand as a lucrative addition to its luxury hotels and invests $100 million in it. According to management, in the last five years, the brand’s reach has widened by 40% and achieved 270 points in RevPAR index.
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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.
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – June 13, 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 Hess Corporation ( HES - Analyst Report ) , ZaZa Energy Corporation ( ZAZA ) , Jefferies Group, Inc. ( ) , ConocoPhillips ( COP - Analyst Report ) and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. ( HOT - 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 Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Hess, ZaZa End Partnership
Integrated oil company Hess Corporation’s ( HES - Analyst Report ) partnership agreement with Houston-based energy firm ZaZa Energy Corporation ( ZAZA ) was terminated by the latter. The pact, formed in 2010, comprised exploration and development of the Eagle Ford Shale formation in Texas and the Paris basin in France.
Hess made a direct payment of $15 million to end the agreement for Eagle Ford and is liable to shell out a further $70 million in cash upon closure. The companies also plan to conclude their partnership agreement in the Paris basin. The companies expect to sign definitive agreements to this intent by June 29, with closure scheduled before August 15.
Upon termination, ZaZa’s core holdings in the proved, productive regions of the oil-rich Eagle Ford would be augmented to reach 72,000 acres from its recent holding of 11,500 acres. But its conventional producing assets in the Paris basin will remain at about 24,260 acres.
ZaZa has hired Jefferies Group, Inc. ( ) to assist it in finding another joint venture partner for its assets in the Eagle Ford and the emerging Woodbine region. Jefferies is also responsible for assessing the strategic prospects available to ZaZa.
The new transaction would include transfer of some oil, gas and mineral interests, well bores and production in the Eagle Ford Shale and Paris basin. Per the deal terms, Hess is entitled to receive royalty payments.
We believe Hess has a competitive advantage over its peers based on improving fundamentals, commodity price leverage and exposure to areas with high resource potential (such as Brazil, Ghana, Libya and offshore Australia). We continue to see an upstream momentum on the back of the company's large inventory of exploration and development projects. The termination of one agreement is unlikely to affect its strong revenue base.
We are maintaining our long-term Neutral recommendation on the stock. Hess, which faces competition from ConocoPhillips ( COP - Analyst Report ) , currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating.
Starwood Beefs Up Luxury Connection
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. ( HOT - Analyst Report ) recently revealed that it remains on track to unveil 10 new Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts globally in the near term. The company has properties coming up in countries like China, India, Indonesia and Thailand.
We view the White Plains, New York-based company’s focus on enhancing luxury as quite strategic. Of its total pipeline of 95,000 rooms, 80% occupies the upper upscale and luxury segments. According to management, the extremely high net worth individuals were less affected by the global recession and increased by almost 30% since 2006. Hence, management plans to attract those guests.
Moreover, increased room rates lead to higher fees and eventually to a monetarily enriched portfolio. Management stated that, at the current level, its luxury brands comprise 10% of its total rooms and contribute 20% to its fees.
Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts fall in the eponymous category. Management commented that luxury resorts generally have a higher demand abroad and hence Starwood has 90% of its Luxury pipeline outside North America.
Launched in 1906, the brand rides on a high growth trajectory and has already spread globally with 80 hotels in more than 30 countries. Well known for its upper-upscale hospitality and individuality, management sees the brand as a lucrative addition to its luxury hotels and invests $100 million in it. According to management, in the last five years, the brand’s reach has widened by 40% and achieved 270 points in RevPAR index.
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
Read the full reports :
Analyst Report on HES
on ZAZA
Analyst Report on COP
Analyst Report on HOT