For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 30, 2013 – 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 Comcast Corporation (
CMCSA
- Analyst Report
)
, Marathon Petroleum Corporation (
MPC
- Analyst Report
)
, BP plc (
BP
- Analyst Report
)
, Exterran Partners L.P. (
EXLP
- Snapshot Report
)
and SemGroup Corp. (
SEMG
- Snapshot 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 Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Will Comcast Beat Earnings?
Comcast Corporation (
CMCSA
- Analyst Report
)
– the largest cable MSO in the U.S. – is set to release its first-quarter 2013 results before the opening bell on May 1, 2013.
Why a Likely Positive Surprise?
Our proven model shows that Comcast is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients.
Positive Zacks ESP: Expected Surprise Prediction or ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method), which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +4.08%. This is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise.
Zacks #3 Rank (Hold): Comcast currently has a Zacks Rank #3. Note that the stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) and 3 (Hold) have a significantly higher chance of beating the earnings.
The combination of Comcast’s Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and +4.08% ESP makes us confident of a positive earnings beat on May 1, 2013.
What is Driving the Better-Than-Expected Earnings?
Comcast’s Cable business continued to beat market expectations and the NBC Universal division made a solid turnaround. In spite of challenges, the struggling video operation continued its positive momentum. Comcast has also completed its major technical innovations, such as DOCSIS 3.0, all digital networks and a multi-platform content delivery network.
Moreover, several newly-launched services, such as Xfinity Home, Wi-Fi, X1 and high-speed Metro Ethernet will act as long-term growth catalysts for the company.
On the downside, persistent loss of video subscribers affects Comcast as customers are opting for cheaper video streaming service providers like Netflix, Hulu.Com and YouTube.
Marathon Petroleum to Beat Earnings
We expect independent oil refiner and marketer Marathon Petroleum Corporation (
MPC
- Analyst Report
)
to beat expectations when it reports first quarter 2013 results before the opening bell on Tuesday, Apr 30.
Why a Likely Positive Surprise?
Our proven model shows that Marathon Petroleum is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients.
Positive Zacks ESP: Earnings Expected Surprise Prediction or ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method), the difference between the Most Accurate estimate of $2.19 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.14, stands at +2.34%.
Zacks Rank #2 (Buy): Note that stocks with Zacks Ranks of #1, 2 and 3 have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings. The Sell rated stocks (#4 and 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement.
The combination of Marathon Petroleum’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and +2.34% ESP makes us confident in looking for of a positive earnings beat this release.
What's Driving Better-than-Expected Earnings?
Marathon Petroleum is the fifth largest domestic refiner with a combined crude oil processing capacity of approximately 1,193,000 barrels per day through its portfolio of six refineries. A major advantage for the company is its proprietary access to pipelines, which inhibit lower-cost competitors from supplying to Marathon Petroleum's key markets.
Marathon Petroleum delivered solid earnings results in the fourth quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.13%. In fact, it delivered positive earnings surprises in 3 of the past 4 quarters, leading to a positive average earnings surprise of 10.55%.
Additionally, Marathon Petroleum’s recent purchase of BP plc's (
BP
- Analyst Report
)
Texas City refinery – one of the largest and most complex in the country – will help the company to solidify its position in the fuel export business, apart from increasing production flexibility.
Moreover, the company possesses one of the healthiest balance sheets among peers and a robust free cash flow generating ability. The ongoing buyback program highlights Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to create value for shareholders.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are some other energy firms that warrant a look as these have the right ingredients to report earnings beat this quarter:
Exterran Partners L.P. (
EXLP
- Snapshot Report
)
has an earnings ESP of +4.35% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
SemGroup Corp. (
SEMG
- Snapshot Report
)
has an earnings ESP of +28.95% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – April 30, 2013 – 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 Comcast Corporation ( CMCSA - Analyst Report ) , Marathon Petroleum Corporation ( MPC - Analyst Report ) , BP plc ( BP - Analyst Report ) , Exterran Partners L.P. ( EXLP - Snapshot Report ) and SemGroup Corp. ( SEMG - Snapshot 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 Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Will Comcast Beat Earnings?
Comcast Corporation ( CMCSA - Analyst Report ) – the largest cable MSO in the U.S. – is set to release its first-quarter 2013 results before the opening bell on May 1, 2013.
Why a Likely Positive Surprise?
Our proven model shows that Comcast is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients.
Positive Zacks ESP: Expected Surprise Prediction or ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method), which represents the difference between the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate, is +4.08%. This is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise.
Zacks #3 Rank (Hold): Comcast currently has a Zacks Rank #3. Note that the stocks with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) and 3 (Hold) have a significantly higher chance of beating the earnings.
The combination of Comcast’s Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and +4.08% ESP makes us confident of a positive earnings beat on May 1, 2013.
What is Driving the Better-Than-Expected Earnings?
Comcast’s Cable business continued to beat market expectations and the NBC Universal division made a solid turnaround. In spite of challenges, the struggling video operation continued its positive momentum. Comcast has also completed its major technical innovations, such as DOCSIS 3.0, all digital networks and a multi-platform content delivery network.
Moreover, several newly-launched services, such as Xfinity Home, Wi-Fi, X1 and high-speed Metro Ethernet will act as long-term growth catalysts for the company.
On the downside, persistent loss of video subscribers affects Comcast as customers are opting for cheaper video streaming service providers like Netflix, Hulu.Com and YouTube.
Marathon Petroleum to Beat Earnings
We expect independent oil refiner and marketer Marathon Petroleum Corporation ( MPC - Analyst Report ) to beat expectations when it reports first quarter 2013 results before the opening bell on Tuesday, Apr 30.
Why a Likely Positive Surprise?
Our proven model shows that Marathon Petroleum is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients.
Positive Zacks ESP: Earnings Expected Surprise Prediction or ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method), the difference between the Most Accurate estimate of $2.19 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.14, stands at +2.34%.
Zacks Rank #2 (Buy): Note that stocks with Zacks Ranks of #1, 2 and 3 have a significantly higher chance of beating earnings. The Sell rated stocks (#4 and 5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement.
The combination of Marathon Petroleum’s Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and +2.34% ESP makes us confident in looking for of a positive earnings beat this release.
What's Driving Better-than-Expected Earnings?
Marathon Petroleum is the fifth largest domestic refiner with a combined crude oil processing capacity of approximately 1,193,000 barrels per day through its portfolio of six refineries. A major advantage for the company is its proprietary access to pipelines, which inhibit lower-cost competitors from supplying to Marathon Petroleum's key markets.
Marathon Petroleum delivered solid earnings results in the fourth quarter, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8.13%. In fact, it delivered positive earnings surprises in 3 of the past 4 quarters, leading to a positive average earnings surprise of 10.55%.
Additionally, Marathon Petroleum’s recent purchase of BP plc's ( BP - Analyst Report ) Texas City refinery – one of the largest and most complex in the country – will help the company to solidify its position in the fuel export business, apart from increasing production flexibility.
Moreover, the company possesses one of the healthiest balance sheets among peers and a robust free cash flow generating ability. The ongoing buyback program highlights Marathon Petroleum’s commitment to create value for shareholders.
Other Stocks to Consider
Here are some other energy firms that warrant a look as these have the right ingredients to report earnings beat this quarter:
Exterran Partners L.P. ( EXLP - Snapshot Report ) has an earnings ESP of +4.35% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
SemGroup Corp. ( SEMG - Snapshot Report ) has an earnings ESP of +28.95% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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 CMCSA
Analyst Report on MPC
Analyst Report on BP
Snapshot Report on EXLP
Snapshot Report on SEMG