Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Lowe’s Companies, Inc., The Southern Company and Freeport-McMoRan Inc
For immediate release
Chicago, IL – January 14, 2022 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the analyst blog. Every day, Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Lowe’s Companies, Inc moo, The Southern Company SO and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. FCX.
Here are highlights from Thursday’s analyst blog:
Best Analyst Report for Lowe’s, Southern Co. and Freeport McMoRan
Zacks Research Daily features top research results from our team of analysts. Today’s Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Lowe’s Companies, Inc., The Southern Company and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. These research reports have been handpicked from the approximately 70 reports published today by our team of analysts.
You can see all today’s research reports here >>>
Lowe’sshares have gained +15.8% over the past three months, roughly in line with Zacks Building Products – Retail’s +15.3% gain. The Zacks analyst believes the company remains well positioned to capitalize on demand from the home improvement market, supported by investments in technology, the commodity category and strength in the Pro business.
Lowe’s reported strong third-quarter fiscal 2021 results, in which the high and low topped the Zacks consensus estimate and rose year-over-year. Results benefited from the good execution of strategies, including the Total Home strategy. The Total Home strategy resonated well with Pro and DIY customers. The focus on productivity has helped the company increase its margins.
Additionally, Lowes.com sales increased 25% in the third fiscal quarter. Management is committed to improving Pro offerings, growing the company’s market share and increasing operating margin.
(You can read the full research report on Lowe’s here >>>)
Shares of Southern Company outperformed the Zacks Utility – Electric Power industry over the past year (+14.8% vs. +6.7%). The Zacks analyst believes that by taking advantage of the demographics of its operating territories, such as healthy population and employment growth, Southern Company has gradually increased its customer base. With good rate base growth and constructive regulation, the utility is expected to deliver steady growth in earnings and dividends over the next few years.
However, its high leverage, as well as ongoing time and cost overrun issues on its Vogtle project, are major overhangs. While the power utility holding company’s 60.9% debt ratio limits financial flexibility, its $25 billion Vogtle nuclear plant has already exceeded budget and is years behind schedule. Therefore, Southern Company justifies a cautious attitude on the part of investors.
(You can read the full Southern Company research report here >>>)
Freeport-McMoRan shares have gained +21.6% over the past three months against the industry’s -1.4% decline Zacks Mining – Non Ferrous. The Company conducts exploration activities near existing mines to expand reserves. The Zacks analyst believes the company should benefit from progress in exploration activities which will increase production capacity.
Freeport’s Lone Star project offers additional benefits. The company is also well positioned to benefit from automotive electrification, which is positive for copper as electric vehicles are copper-intensive. The rise in copper prices should also support its margins. The company’s efforts to reduce its debt are also encouraging.
However, the company is facing headwinds due to rising energy and freight costs. Higher costs could hurt its margins. Another concern is the recent weakness in copper demand in China amid slowing economic growth.
(You can read the full research report on Freeport-McMoRan here >>>)
Other noteworthy reports we feature today include Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) and Molina Healthcare, Inc. (MOH).
Bitcoin, like the internet itself, could change everything
Blockchain and cryptocurrency have sparked one of the most exciting topics of discussion of a generation. Some call it the “Internet of Money” and predict that it could change the way money works forever. If true, it could do to banks what Netflix did to Blockbuster and Amazon did to Sears. Experts agree that we are still in the early stages of this technology and as it develops, it will create several investment opportunities.
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Past performance is not indicative of future results. The potential for loss is inherent in any investment. This document is provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security. No recommendation or advice is given as to whether any investment is suitable for any particular investor. It should not be assumed that investments in the securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described have been or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date hereof and is subject to change without notice. The views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the company as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management of securities. These returns come from hypothetical portfolios composed of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that have been rebalanced monthly without transaction fees. These are not the returns of actual stock portfolios. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for more information on the performance figures displayed in this press release.
The infrastructure stock boom will sweep America
A massive push to rebuild America’s crumbling infrastructure will soon be underway. It is bipartisan, urgent and inevitable. Billions will be spent. Fortunes will be made.
The only question is “Are you going to get into good stocks early when their growth potential is greatest?”
Zacks released a special report to help you do just that, and today it’s free. Discover 5 special companies looking to make the most of building and repairing roads, bridges and buildings, as well as transporting goods and transforming energy on an almost unimaginable scale.
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Southern Company The (SO): Free Stock Analysis Report
FreeportMcMoRan Inc. (FCX): Free Stock Analysis Report
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (LOW): Free Stock Analysis Report
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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.
