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Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: The Coca-Cola Company, Acorda Therapeutics, Inc., Royal Caribbean, United Parcel Service, Inc. and Robert Half International Inc. – Press Releases

Source: http://www.zacks.com/stock/news/19477/Zacks+Analyst+Blog+Highlights%3A+The+Coca-Cola+Company%2C+Acorda+Therapeutics%2C+Inc.%2C+Royal+Caribbean%2C+United+Parcel+Service%2C+Inc.+and+Robert+Half+International+Inc.++-+Press+Releases
Posted on Friday, April 24th, 2009 | In Market Commentary, Stocks to Watch
Contributed by: Zacks Market Commentaries (http://www.zacks.com/) -

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – April 24, 2009 – 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: The Coca-Cola Company (KO), Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR), Royal Caribbean (RCL), United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) and Robert Half International Inc. (RHI).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579.

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Coca-Cola Gets Innocent

The Coca-Cola Company (KO) is investing £30 million ($44 million) for a minority stake of between 10% and 20% in Innocent Drinks, a U.K.-based maker of fruit smoothies. Innocent sells about 2 million smoothies a week and will use the proceeds to fund European expansion.

The company currently operates in 13 European countries and has revenues of £100 million ($148 million). In addition, Coca-Cola may be able to help Innocent Drinks distribute its products.

Buy-Rated ACOR Resubmits NDA

This morning, Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. (ACOR) announced it had resubmitted a New Drug Application (NDA) for Fampridine-SR to the U.S. FDA. Fampridine-SR is a novel therapy being developed to improve walking ability in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

We remind investors that Acorda received a Refuse to File (RTF) letter for the Fampridine-SR NDA on March 30, 2009, which cited the need to correct “format issues” and requested additional supporting information on a fed/fasting study before the NDA could be accepted for review. Acorda management held subsequent discussions with the FDA, and now believes the filing this morning addresses all the outstanding issues with the RTF letter.

Royal Caribbean Up Sharply

Shares of Royal Caribbean (RCL) are trading sharply higher this morning after the company reported first-quarter results that exceeded Street expectations, and issued full-year earnings guidance above the current Street consensus estimate.

At first glance, these appear to be very strong numbers. Even after accounting for the reported upside to first quarter estimates, the company’s full-year guidance implies earnings per share for the remainder of the year approximately $0.20 — greater than the current Street consensus view.

UPS Down After Earnings Posted

Today, United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) posted 2009 first quarter diluted EPS of $0.52, down 40% year over year, and below the consensus of $0.56 and our estimate of $0.60, largely reflecting a worse-than expected decline in revenues from the weakening global economy.

Total revenues dropped 14% to $10.9 billion as consolidated average daily volume slumped 3.9% and average revenue per piece decreased 6.9% from changes in product mix, declining fuel surcharges and weight per package, and negative currency translation effects. The company’s International Package and Supply Chain & Freight operations were particularly hard hit, with revenues off 19% and 20%, respectively.

Robert Half Facing Challenges

Robert Half International Inc. (RHI) reported first quarter results after the market close yesterday. Quarterly earnings declined 87% year-over-year to $0.06 per diluted share and were $0.02 below expectations.

The company’s results are being impacted by global financial crisis, difficult labor markets and weakening economies as the company’s clients became more cautious with their hiring actions throughout the quarter. Net operating service revenues declined 32.9% to $823 million with all segments reporting lower revenues.

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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.

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About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics 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=4580.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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.

Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com

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