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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Raytheon, Simon Property Group, Anthem, Adobe and Travelers

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 15, 2017 – 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 includeRaytheon (NYSE: – Free Report), Simon Property Group (NYSE: (SPG - Free Report) – Free Report), Anthem (NYSE: – Free Report), Adobe(Nasdaq: (ADBE - Free Report) – Free Report) and Travelers (NYSE: (TRV - Free Report) – Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for Raytheon, Simon Property and Anthem

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 Raytheon (NYSE: – Free Report), Simon Property Group (NYSE: (SPG - Free Report) – Free Report) and Anthem (NYSE: – Free Report). 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 >>>

Buy-ratedRaytheon shares have risen around +28.4% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Defense Equipment industry, which has increased +22.9% over the same period. The Zacks analyst thinks Raytheon is one of the best-positioned large-cap defense players due to its non-platform-centric focus.

Thanks to its wide range of combat-proven defense products, the company continues to receive scrumptious orders from both Pentagon as well as foreign allies of the nation. In particular, its Patriot missile-defense systems have been seeing increased number of buyers, lately.

Moreover, the company is a strong cash generator, which allows it to pay attractive dividend per share to its shareholders. On the flip side, factors like tough competition, budget deficits and political uncertainty continue to be major headwinds for Raytheon.

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

Shares of Simon Property Group have been under pressure recently and have underperformed the Zacks Retail REIT industry in the year-to-date period (-6.6% vs. -2.3%). Simon Property recently announced that Flying Tiger Copenhagen — the Danish brand — will open outlets in four of its shopping centers. The company also sued Starbucks refraining it from closing 78 of its Teavana stores in Simon’s malls.

The Zacks analyst likes Simon’s efforts to support omni-channel retailing as well as its portfolio-restructuring initiatives and healthy balance sheet. However, mall traffic has been facing challenges due to a shift in shopping patterns, with online shopping taking precedence over in-store purchase.

Though the company is making efforts to counter the pressure through various initiatives, implementation of such measures is anticipated to limit any robust growth in its profit margin in the near term. Also, the Fed’s rate hike has added to its woes.

(You can read the full research report on Simon Property Group here >>>).

Buy-ratedAnthem’s shares have gained +54.7% over the last one year, outperforming the Zacks Health Maintenance Organization industry’s increase of +47.6%. The Zacks analyst likes the company’s diverse product portfolio, which has helped in improving underwriting results.

Anthem’s strategic acquisitions, divestitures and ACO arrangements further pave the way for long-term growth. Its rising level of medical membership continues to boost its top line. The company’s strong capital position backs effective capital deployment. Its frequent share buyback programs and regular dividend payments primarily aim at enhancing shareholders’ value.

The company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2017 and 2018 earnings being revised upward over the last 60 days. Followed by strong results in first half of 2017, the company has raised the earnings and revenue guidance for 2017.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Adobe (Nasdaq: (ADBE - Free Report) – Free Report) and Travelers (NYSE: (TRV - Free Report) – Free Report).

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Strong Stocks that Should Be in the News

Many are little publicized and fly under the Wall Street radar. They're virtually unknown to the general public. Yet today's 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" were generated by the stock-picking system that has nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015. Its average gain has been a stellar +26% per year.See these high-potential stocks free >>.

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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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.


See More Zacks Research for These Tickers


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Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG) - free report >>

The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV) - free report >>

Adobe Inc. (ADBE) - free report >>