The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Credit Suisse Group, SunPower and American Eagle Outfitters
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – September 10, 2012 – 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 Morgan Stanley (MS), Citigroup, Inc. (C), Credit Suisse Group (CS), SunPower Corporation (SPWR) and American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO).
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Morgan Stanley Increases Investment in China
Reuters reported that Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners – the global infrastructure fund of Morgan Stanley (MS) – along with other investors has invested $150 million in Zhaoheng Hydropower Holdings Ltd. – a Chinese hydropower firm. The global infrastructure fund specializes in making diverse investments for infrastructural developments on behalf of Morgan Stanley.
Other investors in the group led by Morgan Stanley included FountainVest Partners Co. and Olympus Capital Holdings Asia. Also in December 2010, this group had invested $150 million in the same firm. The current investment brings the total invested amount to $300 million, symbolizing the biggest private investment made in the renewable energy and hydroelectric sector of China.
Zhaoheng plans to buy hydropower plants with the proceeds of the investment. Moreover, it aims to improve the operating capacity of the firm with the funds over the span of two years. Currently, the Chinese firm, with the total installed capacity of about 650 megawatts (MW), operates through 30 hydroelectric plants in seven districts of China.
China, the largest producer of hydroelectric power in the world, has the capacity to generate more than 200 gigawatts (:GW) of hydroelectric power. Further, the country’s renewable energy law encourages the development of the hydropower segment. Also, the country's 12th five-year plan necessitates it to raise electricity-generation from the hydro power sector to over 450 GW by 2030.
The Chinese government has prioritized the hydropower development in the country and intends to hike the utilization level to 55% by 2020. Further, the different strategies issued by the Chinese government in the past years bear evidence to the government’s intention to promote small and medium hydropower stations in the country.
Last month, in another major investment made in the energy sector, Citigroup, Inc. (C) along with Credit Suisse Group (CS) offered to fund roughly $325 million of SunPower Corporation’s (SPWR) residential solar lease projects. In addition to complementing the SunPower Lease program, these funds are expected to broaden the funding alternatives available to the customers interested in harnessing the greatly efficient SunPower solar power systems.
We expect the investment in Zhaoheng Hydropower Holdings Ltd to help Morgan Stanley augment its revenue to some extent.
Morgan Stanley currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating. Considering the fundamentals, we also maintain our long-term ‘Neutral’ recommendation on the stock.
American Eagle Enters Philippines
The international expansion plans of leading fashion retailer, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. (AEO), continue to gain pace as it takes another step forward towards growing internationally, after making its presence felt in Israel, Japan and the Middle East. The company now targets to capture the strong and promising Philippines market.
Yesterday, American Eagle entered into a multi-year retail license agreement with the Suyen Corporation, a retailer and franchisee that has a large customer base and operates numerous stores for various brands in Philippines. Suyen has about 744 variety stores as well as 126 franchised stores in the country.
Per the deal, Suyen will open both American Eagle stores as well as Aerie shops within existing stores throughout the country. The company expects to inaugurate its first Philippines store in spring 2013.
American Eagle envisions immense potential for business expansion in Philippines, given its growing economy and the demand for popular fashion and American brands among Filipino customers.
In an effort to increase its international presence, American Eagle had opened stores in Israel and Japan earlier this year. Additionally, the company strengthened its footprint in the Middle East by expanding the scope of its business that was launched in 2010.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
Read the analyst report on SPWR
Read the analyst report on AEO
More From Zacks.com
