For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – July 21, 2009 – Zacks Equity Research highlights ExxonMobil (XOM) as the Bull of the Day and SurModics (SRDX ) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO), CNOOC Ltd. (CEO) and Sinopec (SNP).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

We are maintaining our Buy recommendation for ExxonMobil (XOM) shares ahead of the quarterly results, reflecting its strong operational and financial position on the back of solid business portfolio and prudent investment approach.

The company’s capital spending plans remain unaffected by the current commodity-price and credit market turmoil, with annual capital outlays in the $25 billion to $30 billion range over the next five years.

We are, however, keeping our estimates and target price unchanged.

Bear of the Day:

SurModics (SRDX ) provides surface modification and drug delivery technologies to medical device and pharmaceutical companies. Revenue continues to decline in fiscal 2Q09 and outlook for the whole fiscal year is bleak.

Cypher stent sales from J&J declined dramatically again during the April-June quarter and will continue to fall in the coming quarters. This is certainly not good news to SRDX since revenue from Cypher sales makes significant contribution to the company’s top line. The current economic environment also has a negative impact on the company’s outlook.

Both revenue and EPS will decline in fiscal 2009 and 2010. As such, we maintain our Sell rating for the company with a price target of $15.50.

Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:

Chinese Oil Buying into Angola

On Friday, July 17, integrated oil major Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO) announced the sale of its 20% interest in a block offshore Angola for $1.3 billion. A subsidiary of Marathon has reached an agreement with Chinese oil companies CNOOC Ltd. (CEO) and Sinopec (SNP). The transaction is expected to close by year-end 2009, subject to government and regulatory approvals.

Per the deal, CNOOC and Sinopec will form a 50-50 venture to buy the stake in the subsea Angolan oilfield located some 150 kilometers off the country’s coast in a water depth of 1400 to 2200 meters. Known as ‘Block 32,’ the 5,090-square-kilometer field has already yielded 12 successful exploration wells. Pursuant to the proposed sale, the Houston-based, fifth-largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products in the U.S. would retain a 10% interest in the enterprise of the 30% it originally had.

Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=5507.

About the Bull and Bear of the Day

Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

About the Analyst Blog

Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.

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 analyst 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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