Top Stock Reports for United Technologies, Abbott, Delta Air & Others

Wednesday June 14 2017

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 United Technologies UTX, Abbott ABT, and Delta Air DAL.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 rated United Technologies shares have outperformed the Zacks Conglomerates sector as well as the S&P 500 index in the year-to-date period (the stock is up +9.5% vs. +3.1% gain for the sector) on the back of a revamped aerospace unit and improved growth outlook through strategic acquisition opportunities. While questions remain about the new administration's ability to ramp up defense spending, this favorable expectation is nevertheless a positive for the company. The improving outlook for the global economy is another macro tailwind for UTX. The company remains in excellent financial health and pays a stable dividend (currently yielding 2.2%), but value-oriented investors will likely have issues with the stock's current elevated valuation.

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

Abbott shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical sector in the year-to-date period (the stock is up +24.2% vs. +17.9% gain for the sector) on the back of greater appreciation for the company's strategic repositioning through acquisitions/divestitures. A case in point is the St. Jude Medical buyout that complements the company cardiovascular devices business. All in all, market participants like management's strategic focus on core therapeutic areas. On the flip side, the analyst identifies weakness in the nutrition business in China and sluggish growth in the Venezuelan market as areas of concern.

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

Delta Air Lines shares rallied +10.4% over the last three months, handily outperforming the Zacks Airline industry's +6.4% gain. However, the stock has underperformed fellow airline heavyweight, American Airlines, which have gained +17.4% in the same time frame. Delta, however, received encouraging news recently on the passenger unit revenue front. The metric registered 3.5% year over year growth in May. The company's decision to hike quarterly dividend is also reassuring. Moreover, the Zacks analyst likes Delta's employee-friendly approach as well as expansion and debt-reduction efforts. However, increasing costs are likely to once again hurt bottom-line growth in the second quarter of 2017.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Equity Residential EQR, Ross Stores ROST and Concho Resources CXO.

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Sheraz Mian

Director of Research

Note: Sheraz Mian heads the Zacks Equity Research department and is a well-regarded expert of aggregate earnings. He is frequently quoted in the print and electronic media and publishes the weekly Earnings Trends and Earnings Preview reports. If you want an email notification each time Sheraz publishes a new article, please click here>>>

Featured Reports

Geron's GERN Imetelstat Latent, Single Candidate a Concern

Per the Zacks analyst, Geron's telomerase inhibitor - Imetelstat - has the potential to be developed for hematologic myeloid malignancies.

Consolidated Water CWCO Gains from Acquisitions & Expansion

Per the covering analyst Consolidated Water's acquisition of Aerex Industries boosted its total revenues. Expansion of water operation in Mexico will further improve performance of the company.

Concho's CXO Permian Exposure Masked by High Service Cost

While the covering analyst likes Concho Resources' large acreage position in the Permian Basin, service cost inflation and lack of geographical diversification limits upside.

Pool POOL Buoyed by Solid Base Business, Seasonality a Woe

Above average temperatures across Pool's geographic footprint should drive base business sales, per the Zacks analyst.

Ross Stores ROST Merchandising Strategies Promise Growth

Per the Zacks analyst, Ross Stores' strategy to keep itself on growth trajectory with consistent focus on merchandising organization through investments in workforce, processes and technology bodes we

Cypress CY Benefits From Auto & IoT, Competition A Risk

The covering analyst believes that Cypress' new design wins, strength in the auto segment and expansion in the IoT market are encouraging.

Household Growth Aids Equity Residential EQR, Supply Hurts

Per the Zacks analyst, Equity Residential is poised to gain from household growth and portfolio-repositioning moves.

New Upgrades

Cost Cuts, Strong Aluminum Demand to Benefit Century CENX

The Zacks analyst thinks that the company should gain from its actions to reduce operating costs, strong demand for aluminum across automotive and aerospace end-use markets as well as acquisitions.

Shareholder-Friendly Policy to Benefit Crane CR

Per the covering analyst, Crane Co. should gain from its shareholder-friendly policy. Also, diversified product portfolio, organic and inorganic initiatives bode well for the company.

Trimble TRMB Banks on Acquisitions, Lean Cost Structure

The Zacks analyst believes that Trimble's strategic acquisitions are strengthening product portfolio. Lean cost structure and international expansion are other positives.

New Downgrades

Choppy Oil Price Recovery Hurts Occidental's OXY Prospects

The Zacks analyst believes weak oil prices could adversely impact Occidental Petroleum's plan to benefit by producing more oils from Permian Resources.

Product Recalls, Weak Guidance Weigh on Honda HMC

Frequent product recalls, soaring R&D expenses, currency headwinds and weak income guidance for fiscal 2018 are posing challenges and concerns for the company, per the covering analyst.

Low Transactions & Ticket Hurt Tractor Supply TSCO Comps

Per the Zacks analyst, the tough economic backdrop at the agricultural and energy sectors weighed on Tractor Supply's comparable sales. Lower transaction count, ticket and seasonal products sales were


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United Technologies Corporation UTX: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Ross Stores, Inc. ROST: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Equity Residential EQR: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc. DAL: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Concho Resources Inc. CXO: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Abbott Laboratories ABT: Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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