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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Centene, Rush Enterprises, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., World Wrestling Entertainment and Wynn Resorts

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – Jan 02, 2018 – 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 Centene Corporation (CNC - Free Report) , Rush Enterprises, Inc. (RUSHA - Free Report) , Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. , World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN - Free Report) .

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

Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Market Looks Well-Poised for 2018: 5 Stocks to Buy

The year 2017 has been an eventful journey thanks to the “Trump Factor” that led the market to scale new highs. Major indices like the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and NASDAQ have gained 19.5%, 25.3% and 28%, respectively, in a year, and analysts see no reasons for the momentum to recede in 2018.

Synopsis of 2017

The market became witness to some major events, news and reforms in 2017 — the Fed raised benchmark interest rate thrice this year, unemployment rate reached its 17-year low rate, economy grew at a rate of 3% or more for two successive quarters, the new tax code finally passed, corporates reported sturdy earnings results and craze for cryptocurrencies rose. However, bitter memories of disasters caused by hurricane Harvey and Irma still linger.

The year was also buzzing with some major acquisitions news such as — Amazon’s takeover of Whole Foods; Disney acquiring some assets of Twenty-First Century Fox; and Apple buying London-based music company Shazam. The story continues with Verizon concluding the buyout of Yahoo; EQT Corporation acquiring rival Rice Energy; and Gilead Sciences completing the acquisition of Kite Pharma.

A favorable economic backdrop, major reforms and increase in infrastructure outlays are likely to spur domestic investments and stimulate growth. If the government ably channelizes the policies and implements pro-investors and pro-corporate reforms, Wall Street would continue to be ruled by bulls.

Expectations for 2018

With the U.S. economy firing on all cylinders and job market strengthening, the Fed advocates three more hikes in 2018 and chalked out a detailed plan to shrink $4.5 trillion portfolio of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities. The policy makers expect the unemployment rate to dip 20 basis points to 3.9% in 2018.

Industry experts believe that the labor market is likely to get a major boost from Trump’s tax reform policy. Janet Yellen, whose term ends in February, pointed that any rational tax reform that triggers economic activities, helps create jobs and increase wages is always welcome. The Fed envisions economy to grow at a rate of 2.5% in both 2017 and 2018.

With things looking great it is time you rejuvenate your portfolio.

5 Prominent Picks

Here we have highlighted five stocks with a favorable combination of a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A or B with a market cap of $2 billion or more. These stocks are backed by sound fundamentals, surging share price and a track record of better-than-expected results. Not only this, these stocks have outperformed their respective industries.

Centene Corporation, a diversified and multi-national healthcare enterprise, is a lucrative option. The stock has a long-term earnings growth rate of 14% and a VGM Score of A. We note that the stock has soared approximately 82% in a year, while the industry has rallied 41.8%. The company has a Zacks Rank #1 and delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 10.6% in the trailing four quarters. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

You may also consider Rush Enterprises, Inc. with a VGM Score of A and a long-term earnings growth rate of 15%. In a year, this Zacks Rank #1 stock has advanced roughly 60.9%, compared with the industry’s growth of 9.1%. This integrated retailer of commercial vehicles and related services delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 32.6% in the preceding four quarters.

We also suggest investing in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. with a long-term earnings growth rate of 19% and a VGM Score of A. In a year, the stock has surged a little of over 100% outperforming the industry’s growth of 12.7%. This designer, manufacturer, distributor, and seller of vehicles, components and production systems delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 17% in the preceding four quarters. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2.

Investors can count on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. with a VGM Score of B and a long-term earnings growth rate of 20%. In a year, this Zacks Rank #2 stock has advanced roughly 64.9%, compared with the industry’s rally of 24.9%. This media and entertainment company engaged in the sports entertainment business delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 7.4% in the preceding four quarters.

Wynn Resorts, Limited, owner and operator of destination casino resorts, is also a solid bet with a Zacks Rank #2 and a VGM Score of A. The company posted an average positive earnings surprise of 15.4% in the trailing four quarters. The stock has surged 94.8% in a year and comfortably outperformed the industry’s increase of 43.8%.

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

About Zacks Equity Research

Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

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


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Wynn Resorts, Limited (WYNN) - free report >>

Centene Corporation (CNC) - free report >>

Rush Enterprises, Inc. (RUSHA) - free report >>