Friday, January 26, 2018

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 12 major stocks, including Comcast (CMCSA), United Technologies (UTX) and Intel (INTC). These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Comcast’s shares have underperformed the Zacks Cable Television industry in the last three months. The company has started the nationwide rollout of the DOCSIS 3.1 technology, with its latest xFi Advanced Gateway. Comcast completed the nationwide rollout of its wireless services under the Xfinity Mobile brand, with plans to include YouTube in its X1 video platform.

Comcast is venturing into residential solar programs with Sunrun. Comcast is working towards 5G network deployment. Comcast continues to expand its theme park business. However, we remain concerned about the company’s operation in a saturated and competitive multi-channel U.S. video market.

Comcast lost 33,000 video customers and 13,000 voice customers in the reported quarter, due to cord-cutting and stiff competition. The Zacks analyst views the company's high debt level and consolidation-related woes as potential hazards.

(You can read the full research report on Comcast here >>>).

United Technologies’ shares have outperformed the Zacks Conglomerates industry in the last three months. The company remains focused on four key priorities to fuel its growth momentum: flawless execution, innovation for growth, structural cost reduction and disciplined capital allocation.

The Zacks analyst thinks that the acquisition of Rockwell Collins would offer the company a bigger clout in the industry and increase its bargaining power in future. Management further offered a bullish guidance for 2018 on healthy growth dynamics.

However, United Technologies is exposed to market price volatility and availability risks related to raw materials, which hamper its ability to meet delivery schedules and increase operating costs. In addition, federal budget deficits could put pressure, in the near-term, on the defense budget and limit demand for military shipments.

(You can read the full research report on United Technologies here >>>).

Buy-rated Intel’s shares have underperformed the Zacks General Semiconductor industry over the past one year. The company is benefiting from robust performance of the Data Center Group, Internet-of-Things Group, Non-Volatile Memory Solutions and Programmable Solutions Group. These segments form the crux of Intel’s data-centric business model.

Further, the launch of Xeon Scalable, Core 8 chips, Myriad X and next-generation desktop processors are key catalysts. Moreover, the Core 8 launch is expected to boost PC market share. Intel recently announced few important partnerships — with BMW, Nissan, Volkswagen AG, and Ferrari — which show Intel’s growing dominance in providing AI platforms which will power future vehicles.

The Zacks analyst thinks that the company’s focus on the self-driving car market will boost sales of processing chips, sensor-chips, cloud software and many more, which will drive top-line growth.

(You can read the full research report on Intel here >>>).

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Total System Services (TSS), Willis Towers Watson (WLTW) and Clorox Company (CLX).

Wall Street’s Next Amazon

Zacks EVP Kevin Matras believes this familiar stock has only just begun its climb to become one of the greatest investments of all time. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in pure genius.

Click for details >>

Mark Vickery

Senior Editor

Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>