Thursday, March 16 2017

Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including U.S. Bancorp (USB), Verizon (VZ), and EOG Resources (EOG). These research reports have been hand picked from amogst the 70 or so research reports issued by our analyst team today. You can see all of today's reports here >>>>

Buy rated U.S. Bancorp shares have outperformed the Zacks Finance sector since the Nov 8th election, gaining +28.3% over the period versus the sector’s +17.3% increase. The combination of an improved U.S. economic outlook, higher interest rates and regulatory reform hopes has pushed the banking sector as a whole, U.S. Bancorp included. Higher interest rates are particulalry beneficial for the bank's margins. Estimates for this year and next have been going up lately, pushing the stock to Zacks Rank # 2 (Buy). The company's steady capital deployment activities continue to enhance shareholders’ value. The bank reports Q1 results on April 19th, with the current Zacks Consensus EPS of 80 cents on $5.3 billion in revenues. (You can read the full research report on U.S. Bancorp here >>)

Shares of Verizon have been laggards over the past year- the stock is down -6.5% over the past 12 months vs. AT&T's +8.9% gain and the +17% gain for the S&P 500 index. Verizon has started conducting 5G wireless network trials in 11 U.S. cities and plans to deploy its fixed wireless version in 2018. The company’s decision to launch FiOS Prepaid plan, FiOS Internet service and to zero-rate its data on FiOS Mobile App should help it gain subscribers while unlimited data plans have heated up the wireless industry. The LQD WiFi LLC buyout and ‘IoT Fast Track’ services boosts Verizon’s IoT prospects. Similarly, the XO Comm. buyout signals Verizon’s progress in the fiber space. But it will likely take a while before these actions bear fruit. In the updated research report issued today, the Zacks analyst discusses the pros & cons of investing in Verizon shares at this stage. (You can read the full research report on Verizon here >>)

EOG Resources' shares have gained around +27% over the last one year, outperforming the Zacks Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Industry, which has gained +9% over the same period. The Zacks analyst likes the fact that EOG Resources has premium acreages in three prospective oil plays in the U.S like Permian, Bakken and Eagle Ford shale plays. During fourth-quarter 2016, the company reported narrower-than-expected loss owing to increased liquid production. The company has also decided to complete more wells in 2017, which should contribute to the future production growth. However, the stock has limited upside potential from the current levels amid volatile commodity prices. (You can read the full research report on EOG Resources here >>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Intercontinental Exchange (ICE), Sanofi (SNY) and Nokia (NOK).

More Stock News: 8 Companies Verge on Apple-Like Run
Did you miss Apple's 9X stock explosion after they launched their iPhone in 2007? Now 2017 looks to be a pivotal year to get in on another emerging technology expected to rock the market. Demand could soar from almost nothing to $42 billion by 2025. Reports suggest it could save 10 million lives per decade which could in turn save $200 billion in U.S. healthcare costs.

A bonus Zacks Special Report names this breakthrough and the 8 best stocks to exploit it. Like Apple in 2007, these companies are already strong and coiling for potential mega-gains. Click to see them right now >>

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

Note: Note: Sheraz Mian regularly provides earnings analysis on Zacks.com and appears frequently in the print and electronic media. His weekly earnings related articles include Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>