News

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – February 13, 2024 – 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: AbbVie Inc. ABBV, Applied Materials, Inc. AMAT, American Express Company AXP, Centene Corp. CNC and Aspen Technology, Inc. AZPN.

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Stock Reports for AbbVie, Applied Materials and American Express

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 AbbVie Inc., Applied Materials, Inc. and American Express Company. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

AbbVie shares have outperformed the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry over the last six months (+14.4% vs. +10.0%), reflecting the company's robust line-up of new drugs and stacked pipeline.

However, events like the loss of exclusivity of Humira, increasing competitive pressure on Imbruvica and economic pressure on Juvederm sales are major headwinds.

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

Applied Materials shares have modestly outperformed the Zacks Semiconductor Equipment – Wafer Fabrication industry over the past year (+59.5% vs. +52.0%). The Zacks analyst believes that the company’s strengthening subscription business and its applied global services segment have helped its business. Also, the company’s foray into artificial intelligence and ICAPS should further solidify its position going forward. A diversified portfolio and strong services business remain its key growth drivers.

Yet, weakness in leading-edge foundry logic and NAND is a major headwind. Also, weak demand and inflationary pressure have continued to ail.

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

Shares of American Express have outperformed the Zacks Financial – Miscellaneous Services industry over the six months (+27.9% vs. +13.9%). Per the Zacks analyst, the company’s new products, new agreements and alliances, and consumer spending on T&E have helped boost its revenue.

However, increasing services and interest expenses are likely to put a pressure on its margins.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Centene Corp. and Aspen Technology, Inc.

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

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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.

Zacks Names #1 Semiconductor Stock

It's only 1/9,000th the size of NVIDIA which skyrocketed more than +800% since we recommended it. NVIDIA is still strong, but our new top chip stock has much more room to boom.

With strong earnings growth and an expanding customer base, it's positioned to feed the rampant demand for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Internet of Things. Global semiconductor manufacturing is projected to explode from $452 billion in 2021 to $803 billion by 2028.

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