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The Zacks Analyst Blog UnitedHealth, Chevron, AstraZeneca, Adobe and Pfizer

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 12, 2023 – 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: UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH - Free Report) , Chevron Corp. (CVX - Free Report) , AstraZeneca PLC (AZN - Free Report) , Adobe Inc. (ADBE - Free Report) and Pfizer Inc. (PFE - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for UnitedHealth, Chevron and AstraZeneca

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 UnitedHealth Group Inc., Chevron Corp. and AstraZeneca PLC. 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 >>>

UnitedHealth shares have modestly outperformed the Zacks Medical - HMOs industry over the past year (+4.3% vs. +3.9%), but have lagged the broader market (+4.3% vs. +22.2%). The company's top line remains well-poised for growth on the back of a strong market position, new deals, renewed agreements and expansion of service offerings.

UnitedHealth's solid health services segment provides diversification benefits. The Government business remains well-poised for growth. A sturdy balance sheet enables business investments and prudent deployment of capital via share repurchases and dividends.

However, membership in its global business continues to decline. High operating costs are hurting margins. As such, the stock warrants a cautious stance.

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

Shares of Chevron have gained +9.5% over the past year against the Zacks Oil and Gas - Integrated - International industry's gain of +20.0%. The company is considered one of the best-placed global integrated oil firms to achieve sustainable production ramp-up.

America's No. 2 energy firm's existing project pipeline is among the best in the industry, thanks to its premier position in the lucrative Permian Basin. As a reflection of these positives, we saw CVX's EPS jump 132% in 2022. However, Chevron was not immune to the commodity price crash of 2020, forcing it to cut spending substantially.

The company's high oil price sensitivity is a concern too. Moreover, the supermajor's 10-year reserve replacement ratio of 100% is indicative of its inability to replace the amount of energy produced.

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

AstraZeneca shares have gained +26.1% over the past year against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's gain of +28.7%. The company enjoys a diverse product portfolio and a global footprint. AstraZeneca's key drugs like Lynparza, Tagrisso, Imfinzi, Fasenra and Farxiga should keep driving revenues. Almost all non-COVID therapy areas of AstraZeneca demonstrated double-digit revenue growth in the first half of 2023.

AstraZeneca's pipeline is strong with important phase III data readouts lined up. It has also been engaged in external acquisitions and strategic collaborations to boost its pipeline while investing in geographic areas of high growth like emerging markets. The Alexion buyout has added drugs like Ultomiris that are boosting its top line.

However, AstraZeneca's diabetes franchise faces stiff competition while pricing pressure hurts sales in the respiratory unit. Sales have slowed down in its key market, China.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Adobe Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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