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: Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE), CACI International (NYSE: CAI), Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE: TDS), U.S. Cellular, (NYSE: USM) and Aegon N.V. (NYSE: AEG).
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Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:
Sony Brings Management Changes
Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) has announced a series of management changes that consolidate the authority of the current Chairman and CEO Sir Howard Stringer.
The problems over the last 4 years have been the decline in Playstation market share, the lack of new exciting products and LCD TV losses. These problems have been exacerbated by the company's high cost structure (many factories in Japan) and the strong Yen. Costs are expected to be reduced even further than has been announced so far.
CACI a Homeland Security Play
Based in Arlington, Virginia, CACI International (NYSE: CAI) delivers the IT applications and infrastructure used to improve communications and collaboration, secure the integrity of information systems and networks, enhance data collection and analysis, and increase efficiency and mission effectiveness.
The company's solutions enhance defense and intelligence capabilities, assure homeland security, improve decision-making, and help customers operate smartly, faster, and more responsibly. CAI, serving primarily the U.S. government, derived 95% of its fiscal 2008 revenue from it.
TDS Tempered by Market
We maintain our Hold rating for Telephone and Data Systems (NYSE: TDS) following the release of recent quarterly results highlighted by modest overall revenue growth. The company's wireless business U.S. Cellular, (NYSE: USM) provided improved financial metrics, which offset declines in wireline physical access lines.
The results demonstrate sequential improvement in net additions for both wireless and broadband Internet subscriber bases. TDS was successful in maintaining low churn (customer switch) as expanded deployment of EVDO wireless networks and associated usage of smartphones boosted revenue per subscriber. Additionally, the company solidified improved returns to shareholders with increased dividend payouts and ongoing share repurchases.
Aegon a Solid Insurance Buy
Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, Aegon N.V. (NYSE: AEG) provides a multitude of insurance and pension-based saving and investment solutions. It is one of the world's ten largest life insurance companies ranked by assets, profits and market capitalization. Insurance services include personal and commercial life, health and accident insurance.
We are maintaining our Buy recommendation on Aegon after its 4th quarter results. While the current environment will be challenging for investment portfolios, we think that, at its current multiple, the stock is at a significant discount. Our six-month target price is $5.00.
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