For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – April 21, 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: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX), Mattel, Inc. (MAT), China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (CEA), WestAmerica Bancorp. (WABC) and Biogen Idec, Inc. (BIIB).

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 Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Vertex Well-Positioned for Future

Vertex Pharmaceuticals (VRTX) reported financial results for the first quarter 2009. Total revenues for the quarter were $24.8 million, and comprised of $6.1 million in royalties and $18.6 million in collaborative and R&D revenues. Adjusted operating loss for the quarter, which excludes $23.8 million in stock-based compensation and $10.2 million in restructuring and acquisition related expenses, totaled $127.5 million, or $0.82 per share.

Including these charges, GAAP net loss for the quarter totaled $161.5 million, or $1.04 per share. Vertex exited the first quarter 2009 with $869.2 million in cash, equivalents, and marketable securities.

Mattel Shares Up Post-Report

Shares of Mattel, Inc. (MAT) are trading higher today following the company’s release of first quarter financial results. The company’s loss of $0.14 per share was inline with our estimate and $0.01 below the Street consensus.

The company continues to feel the impact of the global recession, with net sales down 15% year-over-year during the quarter. We note, however, that unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates accounted for 7 percentage points of the decline.

China Eastern Air Seeks More Aid

Yesterday, China Eastern Airlines Corporation Limited (CEA) announced a 2008 full-year net loss of RMB15.3 billion (down from earnings of RMB269 million a year ago), including RMB6.3 billion on oil fuel hedging losses and RMB3.0 billion in impairment losses, from write-downs of acquisition goodwill and older, less fuel-efficient aircraft.

Revenues slumped 3% to RMB41.7 billion on weaker demand as CEA reported a 5.9% decline in passenger traffic and a 280 basis-point decrease in the passenger load factor, while fuel costs jumped 22%.

WABC Boosted by County Bank

WestAmerica Bancorp. (WABC) reported its 1Q09 results today morning, after market open. The company does not hold a conference call.

The results included WABC’s acquisition of County Bank from FDIC on February 6, 2009. Excluding the gains related to the acquisition and tax refund, we arrive at core earnings of $0.80 per share, three cents ahead of our estimate.

Biogen’s Tysabri Reports 6th Case This past weekend, Biogen Idec, Inc. (BIIB) reported that another patient taking Tysabri had developed a case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, or PML.

This is the sixth case of PML since July 2008. In the most recent case, a patient being treated for multiple sclerosis on Tysabri developed the disease after 31 months. All patients are taking Tysabri as a monotherapy, with the minimum therapy before noted disease of 12 months. The average length of time for the sixth patients dosing is 19 months. Five of the six reported cases were located outside the U.S.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

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=2677

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

Zacks Investment Research

Last 5 posts by Zacks Market Commentaries

• CNP & FPL Ink Pipeline Deal - Analyst Blog - November 20th, 2009
• Buffett Borrows for Rail Acquisition - Analyst Blog - November 20th, 2009
• Stone Energy Outdoes Estimates - Analyst Blog - November 20th, 2009
• Smucker's Beats, Raises Guidance - Analyst Blog - November 20th, 2009
• GameStop Meets Expectations - Analyst Blog - November 20th, 2009