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CHICAGO--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--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: EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE: EOG), Altria Group, Inc.
(NYSE: MO), Kraft Foods Inc. (NYSE: KFT), Philip Morris
International Inc. (NYSE: PM), and Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE:
BHE).
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit
from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst
Blog:
EOG a Core Large-Cap E&P
We continue to see EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE: EOG) shares as a core
holding in the large-cap exploration and production (E&P) space for the
company’s demonstrated ability to achieve consistent
production growth, primarily through organic means.
EOG’s strong positions in Texas Barnett Shale and
North Dakota’s Bakken plays provide it with a multi-year
inventory of development drilling opportunities. EOG has a very strong organic
production-growth profile, with volumes expected to increase by approximately
15% in 2008. We are keeping our recommendation, price objective and estimates
unchanged at this stage.
Altria Spin-Offs a Success
Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) generates significant cash flow and the
stock has a high dividend yield. However, the company is engaged in numerous
tobacco liability suits. Several large punitive damage awards have been upheld
by appellate courts, especially the $50 million judgment paid out in the Boeken
case after the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear it. The Hold rating is
maintained.
Longer-term, the spin-offs of Kraft (NYSE: KFT) and Philip Morris
International (NYSE: PM) should unlock shareholder value. The U.S. tobacco
industry is one of the largest and most profitable markets in the world. With a
stable of strong brands, an efficient distribution network, and a strong field
sales force, Altria Group has the ability to leverage the company’s resources across an array of tobacco products.
Benchmark Electronics Stays Flat
We maintain our Hold recommendation on the shares of Benchmark
Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE). The company reported a disappointing second
quarter as its computing segment fades faster than expected. Citing a faster
wind-down of mature projects, the company offered disappointing guidance for the
third quarter as well.
We believe that BHE will struggle for the next few quarters, but we remain
positive on its non-traditional markets where we expect growth of high margin
products. We believe Benchmark is better positioned than its peers in
non-traditional markets such as Medical and Test & Instrumentation, helping
them buck the trend of slowing growth in outsourcing of electronics
manufacturing.
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