Top Research Reports for TOTAL, Kimberly-Clark & Salesforce
Thursday, August 24, 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 TOTAL (TOT), Kimberly-Clark (KMB) and Salesforce (CRM). 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 >>>
TOTAL shares have gained +7.5% over the last one year, outperforming the Zacks International Integrated Oil industry, which has gained +1.4% over the same period. TOTAL’s earnings missed expectations in the second-quarter. However, it continues to benefit from new startups and acquisition, which is helping it boost production.
The Zacks analyst likes the company’s commitment toward cost savings initiatives. After savings of $2.8 billion in 2016, TOTAL aims to save $3.5 billion this year. Going forward, the company will continue to benefit from upstream startups and cost management initiatives. The strategic acquisition of Maersk Oil will further strengthen its portfolio.
However, fluctuating commodity prices, operations in some politically troubled regions and increasing competition could impact the company’s profitability.
(You can read the full research report on TOTAL here >>>).
Shares of Kimberly-Clark have declined -7.8% over the last six months, underperforming the Zacks Consumer Staples industry, which has lost -5.6% over the same period.Kimberly-Clark posted dismal second quarter results, with both earnings and revenues lagging expectations. The company also anticipates soft earnings guidance for the full year.
The Zacks analyst likes the company’s higher cost savings, continued product innovation and strong international presence. However, Kimberly-Clark has been witnessing slower organic sales growth, due to highly competitive promotional activity over several of the previous quarters.
Also, Kimberly-Clark’s second quarter earnings results were hampered by higher input cost inflation and lower sales due to softness in North America. A difficult economic environment in Latin America also remains a concern.
(You can read the full research report on Kimberly-Clark here >>>).
Buy-rated Salesforce shares have handily beat the broader Tech sector this year, with the stock up almost double the Zacks Technology sector's +17.4% gain in the year-to-date period. Salesforce reported strong Q2 results with both top and bottom lines faring better than expectations. Additionally, there was marked significant year-over-year improvement and the company also provided a strong outlook.
The Zacks analyst likes the company’s announcement of achieving $10 billion in sales in FY18. Salesforce’s diverse cloud offerings and strong spending on digital marketing remain major catalysts.
Additionally, strategic acquisitions and the resultant synergies are anticipated to prove conducive to growth over the long run. Furthermore, last year’s move to utilize Amazon data center’s geographical reach to expand its international business is commendable.
(You can read the full research report on Salesforce here >>>).
Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include AutoZone (AZO), PVH Corp (PVH) and Fujifilm (FUJIY).
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Senior Editor
Note: SherazMian 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
TOTAL's (TOT) 2017 Startups to Aid Higher Production
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) Relies on Savings to Offset Input Costs
Salesforce (CRM) Rides on Strong Product Portfolio & Buyouts
Featured Reports
Kite Pharma's (KITE) Focus Stays on Axicabtagene Ciloleucel
The Zacks analyst believes Kite Pharma's immuno-oncology candidate, axicabtagene ciloleucel will be approved this year.
Medicines Co. (MDCO) Faces Generic Pressure, Strong Pipeline
The Medicines Co.'s progress with its lead candidates, Inclisiran and Carbavance, is impressive. However, generic pressure on its lead drug Angiomax may hurt the top-line, believes the Zacks analyst.
PCLI Acquisition Boosts HollyFrontier (HFC) Amid RFS Costs
The Zacks analyst believes that the Petro-Canada Lubricants buy has helped HollyFrontier expand into a high-margin business but is concerned about Renewable Fuel Standard costs.
Teradyne (TER) Hurt by Sluggish Hard-disk Drive Business
The Zacks analyst believes that Teradyne's hard-disk drive (HDD) business will remain sluggish due to weakness in computing market, which is the main consumer of HDDs.
Meritor (MTOR) Rides on Commercial Truck & Industrial Unit
Per the Zacks analyst, higher Class 8 truck production by the Commercial Truck & Industrial unit is aiding Meritor. North America, Europe and China are contributing most to this rise in production.
Fujifilm (FUJIY) to Grow on Healthcare & Imaging Business
The Zacks analyst thinks that robust sales of medical systems & imaging businesses would boost Fujifilm's near-term results.
Growing Proved Gas Reserves to Aid Range Resources (RRC)
The Zacks analyst believes that growing proved reserves of natural gas will aid Range Resources' production growth.
New Upgrades
PVH Corp's (PVH) International Operations Boost Sales
Per the Zacks analyst, PVH Corp. witnessed solid momentum at its Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger brands, particularly in the International regions. This notably boosted sales in fiscal second-quarter.
William-Sonoma (WSM) Rides on Innovations, Marketing Methods
The covering analyst stresses that William-Sonoma is witnessing solid top-line growth courtesy of strategic initiatives, innovative marketing techniques, focus on innovation and retail optimization.
Assay Business & Regulatory Approvals Aid Luminex (LMNX)
Luminex's Assay business is likely to be its key growth driver. The Zacks analyst is bullish on the recent CE-IVD mark for the ARIES Norovirus Assay and the FDA clearance of ARIES C. difficile Assay.
New Downgrades
MarketAxess Holdings (MKTX) Hurt by High Operating Expenses
The Zacks analyst is concerned with the company's high operating costs given its ongoing investments in many areas including trading platform, new protocols, infrastructure and headcount additions.
High Costs Due to Store Openings Weigh on AutoZone (AZO)
Per the Zacks analyst, a spate of store openings is raising costs for AutoZone. This is not only adding to capital & operating expenses but also inventory per store.
Headwinds in Brazil & China Hurt AptarGroup's (ATR) Growth
Per the Zacks Analyst, AptarGroup's Beauty + Home segment may face headwinds in Brazil due to the tepid economy. Business in China is at risk given the recent heat wave leading to energy restrictions.
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TotalFinaElf, S.A. (TOT) : Free Stock Analysis Report
PVH Corp. (PVH) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Kimberly-Clark Corporation (KMB) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Fujifilm Holdings Corp. (FUJIY) : Free Stock Analysis Report
Salesforce.com Inc (CRM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
AutoZone, Inc. (AZO) : Free Stock Analysis Report
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