For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 14, 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 J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (
JCP
- Analyst Report
)
, Prudential Financial, Inc. (
PRU
- Analyst Report
)
, The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (
HIG
- Analyst Report
)
, General Motors Company (
GM
- Analyst Report
)
and Verizon Communications Inc. (
VZ
- 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 Monday’s Analyst Blog:
J.C. Penney Earnings Likely to Miss
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. (
JCP
- Analyst Report
)
is slated to report its first-quarter fiscal 2013 results on May 16, 2013. In the last quarter, it posted a negative surprise of 926.3%. Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Factors This Past Quarter
J. C. Penney’s earlier pricing and marketing strategy resulted from the company’s disappointing performance. Moreover, the company’s restructuring initiatives have been crumbling as the company is exhibiting no signs of improvement.
J. C. Penney failed to obtain a positive response from customers for its pricing mechanism, which is well reflected through its poor sales results. It is believed that rather than harping on its restructuring efforts, the company should have been more vocal regarding its pricing mechanism and better aligned its marketing efforts to attract buyers.
Earnings Whispers?
Our proven model does not conclusively show that J. C. Penney is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method) and a Zacks Rank #1, #2 or #3 for this to happen. This is not the case here as you will see below.
Zacks ESP: ESP for J. C. Penney is 0.00%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate stands at -$1.13, which is in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): J. C. Penney’s Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) lowers the predictive power of ESP because the Zacks Rank #5 when combined with 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. We caution against stocks with Zacks Ranks #4 and #5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions momentum.
Rating Action for Prudential
A.M. Best Co. reiterated the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of ‘a-’ on Prudential Financial, Inc. (
PRU
- Analyst Report
)
. Concurrently, the rating agency reiterated the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and ICR of ‘aa-’ of the domestic life/health insurance subsidiaries of Prudential. It also affirmed the debt ratings. Outlook remains stable.
The rating affirmation came on the back of solid market presence, strong operational performance in most of the business, potential for sustained organic growth, sturdy risk-adjusted capitalization, and financial flexibility and liquidity.
The rating also account for over $3.0 billion of junior subordinated debt issuance as well as the acquisition of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.’s (
HIG
- Analyst Report
)
individual life block and two significant pension risk transfer transactions. While the Hartford deal added nearly 0.7 million life policies having face value of $135 billion and general account and separate account assets and liabilities of nearly $12 billion, the pension risk transfer transactions with General Motors Company (
GM
- Analyst Report
)
and Verizon Communications Inc. (
VZ
- Analyst Report
)
added nearly $32 billion in liabilities for Prudential.
A.M. Best noted that Prudential’s diversified portfolio is represented by its international exposure. While solid organic growth and the integration of Star/Edison augmented the international life insurance segment’s performance, domestic business benefited from higher variable annuity liabilities with automatic rebalancing features. Additionally, asset under management of Prudential exceeded the $1 trillion mark.
Nevertheless, above average holdings of below investment grade fixed income securities relative to capital and surplus, $2.2 billion investments in subprime residential mortgage-backed securities and overall exposure to commercial real estate via commercial mortgage-backed securities and direct commercial loan portfolio dwarfs the positives. A.M Best noted that though there remains considerable investment risk, credit impairments continue to trend lower.
According to A.M. Best, life insurance business is a more proven line of business than annuities. At the same time, it noted that Prudential not only effectively managed but also to some extent mitigated inherent risks in its various annuity products.
However, the ratings might be subject to downgrade if risk-adjusted capitalization erodes, operating or investment results soften, or the usage of leverage increases.
Prudential carries a Zacks Rank #2 (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.
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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
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800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – May 14, 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 J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ( JCP - Analyst Report ) , Prudential Financial, Inc. ( PRU - Analyst Report ) , The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. ( HIG - Analyst Report ) , General Motors Company ( GM - Analyst Report ) and Verizon Communications Inc. ( VZ - 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 Monday’s Analyst Blog:
J.C. Penney Earnings Likely to Miss
J. C. Penney Company, Inc. ( JCP - Analyst Report ) is slated to report its first-quarter fiscal 2013 results on May 16, 2013. In the last quarter, it posted a negative surprise of 926.3%. Let’s see how things are shaping up for this announcement.
Factors This Past Quarter
J. C. Penney’s earlier pricing and marketing strategy resulted from the company’s disappointing performance. Moreover, the company’s restructuring initiatives have been crumbling as the company is exhibiting no signs of improvement.
J. C. Penney failed to obtain a positive response from customers for its pricing mechanism, which is well reflected through its poor sales results. It is believed that rather than harping on its restructuring efforts, the company should have been more vocal regarding its pricing mechanism and better aligned its marketing efforts to attract buyers.
Earnings Whispers?
Our proven model does not conclusively show that J. C. Penney is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP (Read: Zacks Earnings ESP: A Better Method) and a Zacks Rank #1, #2 or #3 for this to happen. This is not the case here as you will see below.
Zacks ESP: ESP for J. C. Penney is 0.00%. This is because the Most Accurate Estimate stands at -$1.13, which is in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell): J. C. Penney’s Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) lowers the predictive power of ESP because the Zacks Rank #5 when combined with 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult. We caution against stocks with Zacks Ranks #4 and #5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions momentum.
Rating Action for Prudential
A.M. Best Co. reiterated the issuer credit ratings (ICR) of ‘a-’ on Prudential Financial, Inc. ( PRU - Analyst Report ) . Concurrently, the rating agency reiterated the financial strength rating (FSR) of A+ (Superior) and ICR of ‘aa-’ of the domestic life/health insurance subsidiaries of Prudential. It also affirmed the debt ratings. Outlook remains stable.
The rating affirmation came on the back of solid market presence, strong operational performance in most of the business, potential for sustained organic growth, sturdy risk-adjusted capitalization, and financial flexibility and liquidity.
The rating also account for over $3.0 billion of junior subordinated debt issuance as well as the acquisition of The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.’s ( HIG - Analyst Report ) individual life block and two significant pension risk transfer transactions. While the Hartford deal added nearly 0.7 million life policies having face value of $135 billion and general account and separate account assets and liabilities of nearly $12 billion, the pension risk transfer transactions with General Motors Company ( GM - Analyst Report ) and Verizon Communications Inc. ( VZ - Analyst Report ) added nearly $32 billion in liabilities for Prudential.
A.M. Best noted that Prudential’s diversified portfolio is represented by its international exposure. While solid organic growth and the integration of Star/Edison augmented the international life insurance segment’s performance, domestic business benefited from higher variable annuity liabilities with automatic rebalancing features. Additionally, asset under management of Prudential exceeded the $1 trillion mark.
Nevertheless, above average holdings of below investment grade fixed income securities relative to capital and surplus, $2.2 billion investments in subprime residential mortgage-backed securities and overall exposure to commercial real estate via commercial mortgage-backed securities and direct commercial loan portfolio dwarfs the positives. A.M Best noted that though there remains considerable investment risk, credit impairments continue to trend lower.
According to A.M. Best, life insurance business is a more proven line of business than annuities. At the same time, it noted that Prudential not only effectively managed but also to some extent mitigated inherent risks in its various annuity products.
However, the ratings might be subject to downgrade if risk-adjusted capitalization erodes, operating or investment results soften, or the usage of leverage increases.
Prudential carries a Zacks Rank #2 (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 Analyst Report on JCP
Read the full Analyst Report on PRU
Read the full Analyst Report on HIG
Read the full Analyst Report on GM
Read the full Analyst Report on VZ