Top Research Reports for Chevron, Boeing & Netflix

Thursday, July 12, 2018

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 Chevron (CVX), Boeing (BA) and Netflix (NFLX). 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 >>>

Strong Buy-ranked Chevron’s shares have risen +18.6% in the past year, marginally underperforming the Zacks Integrated Oil industry's +20.1% increase, while larger rival Exxon Mobil has seen its scrip go up a meager +2% over the same time period. Shares of Chevron are up nearly 100% off its August 2015 lows and poised for further capital appreciation, riding on its healthy earnings growth prospects.

The Zacks analyst thinks the company’s ‘oilier’ nature of its volume mix positions it to benefit from strengthening oil prices in its upstream business with less encumbrance from its smaller downstream unit. Chevron’s existing oil and gas development project pipeline is among the best in the industry, targeting volume growth of 4-7% in 2018. The production increase will be driven by the Australian LNG megaprojects, as well as Chevron’s stellar Permian operations.

The company’s balance sheet also seems healthy enough and the dividend yield of nearly 4% should remain safe going forward. Apart from rising commodity prices, conservative capital spending and cost control would ensure rapidly improving cash flow.

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

Shares of Boeing have surged +65.2% in the last year, outperforming the Zacks Aerospace & Defense sector, which gained +28.3% during the same time period. The Zacks analyst emphasizes that the company is the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world in terms of revenues, orders and deliveries.

Considering the huge global demand for commercial jets, Boeing has been enjoying an enormous flow of orders from all over the world. In this regard, the company’s 20-year market outlook forecasts commercial jetliner demand to increase by 3.6%. Boeing expects single-aisle jets to be the major driver behind this demand growth.

However, this aerospace giant continues to face challenges from stiff competition. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner's deferred production cost remains a cause of concern for Boeing. Although the company is witnessing declining deferred costs, it hasn’t been able to completely waive off these costs.

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

Netflix’s shares have increased +118.1% year to date, significantly outperforming the Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry’s gain of +41% during the same period. The Zacks analyst thinks continuing subscriber additions and expanding original content portfolio will help the company to sustain growth going forward.

Moreover, rapid international penetration and expanding regional content are major growth drivers. However, the company has mixed record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. The company’s increasing marketing spends and higher investments on original and acquired content will continue to hurt profitability, at least in the near term.

Saturation in the domestic market poses a concern. The company’s increase in subscription charges in the U.S. might lead to a backlash on subscriber growth going forward. Further, rising competition from players like Amazon and Apple is a major headwind.

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

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include Morgan Stanley (MS), ADP (ADP) and S&P Global (SPGI).

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Senior Editor

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>>>

Today's Must Read

Chevron (CVX) Boosted by Stellar Permian Operation

Strong Balance Sheet Aids Boeing (BA), Deferred Costs Hurt

Subscriber Additions, Content Strength Drives Netflix (NFLX)

Featured Reports

Trading Offset Morgan Stanley's (MS) Investment Banking Woes

Per the Zacks analyst, Morgan Stanley's trading revenues will rise as ongoing trade war & geo-political tensions will likely keep markets volatile, while muted investment banking performance is a woe.

S&P Global (SPGI) Rides on Buyouts Amid Stiff Competition

The Zacks analyst likes S&P Global's strategy of inorganic growth. However, operation in a highly competitive market for credit rating and advisory services is a concern.

Midstream Works Aid Phillips 66 (PSX), Turnaround Costs Ails

Costs arising from turnaround work are serious concerns, per the Zacks analyst.

Bed Bath & Beyond's (BBBY) Store-Growth Efforts to Lift Sales

Per the Zacks analyst, Bed Bath & Beyond is strategically expanding store count besides increasing productivity of existing stores.

MGIC Investment (MTG) Gains from Higher Insurance in Force

Per the Zacks analyst, improvement in insurance in force will continue to boost MGIC Investment's top line, leading to company's overall growth.

Darden (DRI) Rides on Cheddar's Integration, Competition Ails

The Zacks analyst is encouraged by the synergies that Darden is realizing from the complete integration of the Cheddar's brand.

Strategic Deals Aid Raymond James (RJF), High Costs a Woe

Per the Zacks analyst, strategic acquisitions completed over the last few years and loan growth will support Raymond James' profits.

New Upgrades

Pipelines, Robust Investment Aids Plains All American (PAA)

The Zacks analyst believes Plains All American's planned capital expenditure will allow it to expand its pipelines and benefit from the rising fossil fuel production.

Apache's (APA) Alpine High Discovery to Boost Returns

Per the Zacks analyst, Apache's sharp focus on Alpine High Play along with its ambitious plans to enrich the region???s midstream prowess is expected to generate top-tier returns for the company.

Strategic Business Moves, Strong Balance Sheet Boost ADP

The Zacks analyst likes ADP's dominant position in the payroll processing and HCM market. While buyouts act as a key growth catalyst, a strong balance sheet makes it an attractive investment.

New Downgrades

Arconic (ARNC) Hit by Charges From Higher Aluminum Prices

According to the Zacks analyst, Arconic faces earnings headwinds from sizable charges related to LIFO (last-in, first-out) method of accounting as a result of a sharp rise in aluminum prices.

QIAGEN's (QGEN) APAC Business Slows on Dull Applied Testing

The Zacks analyst is concerned about QIAGEN's decelerating Asia-Pacific sales, hit by sluggish Applied Testing arm.

Lower Production & Higher Costs to Hurt Agnico Eagle (AEM)

Per the Zacks analyst, Agnico Eagle's margins are likely to be hurt in 2018 owing to higher unit costs, mainly resulting from lower expected gold production compared to last year.

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S&P Global Inc. (SPGI) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Morgan Stanley (MS) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Chevron Corporation (CVX) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
The Boeing Company (BA) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
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