Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Deere (DE), Las Vegas Sands (LVS) and Vertex (VRTX). 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 >>>

Deere’s shares have gained +12% in the past year, outperforming the Zacks Farm Equipment industry, which has increased +10.2% over the same period. For fiscal 2019, Deere expects net sales to increase 5% year over year and net income at $3.3 billion.

Concerns stemming from the U.S-China trade war and lower commodity prices led to farmers getting cautious about their equipment purchases. However, the recently announced $16 billion aid program for American farmers impacted by the trade war is likely to bolster agricultural equipment sales, which bodes well for Deere.

Improving construction markets and the Wirtgen acquisition which has increased Deere's exposure to global transportation infrastructure will benefit results. Additionally, introduction of advanced technologies in its products will aid growth. However, raw material cost inflation, elevated expenses and unfavorable foreign currency impact remain near-term headwinds.

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

Shares of Las Vegas Sands have gained +0.6% over the past three months, underperforming the Zacks Gaming industry’s increase of +0.9%. This downside can be primarily attributed to trade was trade war between Beijing and Washington.

Increased revenues at casino, rooms and mall drove the company’s top line in first-quarter 2019. It generated solid revenues from Macao operations as well. In the next couple of years, it is likely to spend $2 billion in Macao.

To strengthen the resort portfolio, Las Vegas Sands is focusing on expanding the Four Seasons Tower Suites Macao, St. Regis Tower Suites Macao and the Londoner Macao. Planned investment in new capital projects in Macao and higher revenues from The Parisian Macao are also likely to drive growth. Nevertheless, high debt and competition are worrisome. Estimates for the current year have been revised upward over the past 60 days.

(You can read the full research report on Las Vegas Sands here >>>).

Vertex’s shares have outperformed the Zacks Biomedical and Genetics industry year to date (+7.4% vs. +5.2%). The Zacks analyst likes Vertex’s dominance in the CF market. A significant increase in the eligible patient population for its CF drugs is driving sales growth.

Vertex’s third CF medicine, Symdeko, in a very short time, became the primary driver of CF revenues. Vertex will file a regulatory application for its VR-445 triple combination CF regimen this year, which is crucial for long-term growth as it has the potential to treat up to 90% of CF patients.

The company’s non-CF pipeline, though early stage, looks interesting with treatments being developed for sickle cell disease, thalassemia and pain. However, competitive pressure is rising in the CF market with many other companies developing triple combo CF drugs. Vertex’s dependence on just the CF franchise for growth is a concern.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Tesla (TSLA), Public Storage (PSA) and Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP).

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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>>>