Top 3 Research Reports for August 8, 2016

Monday, August 8, 2016

Today write-up features fresh research reports on 16 stocks issued by our analyst team, including MasterCard MA, Bank of America BAC and Kraft Heinz KHC.

MasterCard shares have been strong performers lately, with the stock getting a boost from the strong quarterly report that showed a rise in the number of processed transactions along with an increase in cross-border volumes. The analyst likes MasterCard's product-diversification and geographic-expansion initiatives. The company's multiple acquisitions over the past couple of years are also boosting inorganic growth.  (You can read the full research report on MA here.)

Bank of America shares have outperformed its peer group and the broader market over the last few weeks, with market participants coming around to acknowledging the bank's efforts to realign its balance sheet and streamline core operations. Growing confidence in the bank's balance sheet, as reflected in its approved 2016 capital plan, and a strong deposit franchise are some of the other positives in the Bank of America story that should help the bank navigate an otherwise tough operating environment for banks. (You can read the full research report on BAC here.)

Zacks Ranks # 2 (Buy) rated Kraft Heinz share have lost some momentum following the mixed quarterly report. But the analyst likes the company's cost saving initiatives, including the integration of Kraft Foods and Heinz. Additionally, a portion of its savings is also being re-invested in the business for innovation, brand building and marketing to stimulate top-line growth.(You can read the full research report on KHC here.)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Aetna AET, Cardinal Health CAH and T. Rowe Price TROW.

You can find all of today's stock research reports here>>>

Now See All Our Private Trades
While today's Zacks Rank #1 new additions are being shared with the public, other trades are hidden from everyone but selected members. Would you like to peek behind the curtain and view them? Starting today, for the next month, you can follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time from value to momentum  . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from insider trades to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises (we've called them with 80%+ accuracy). You can even look inside portfolios so exclusive that they are normally closed to new investors. Click here for all Zacks trades >>

Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

Note: Sheraz Mian regularly provides earnings analysis on Zacks.com and appears frequently in the print and electronic media. His weekly earnings related articles include Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview. He also provides weekly commentary to Zacks Premium subscribers and manages the Zacks Focus List and Top 10 portfolios.

If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>