For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 5, 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: Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI), BJ Services (BJS), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), Mylan (MYL) and Comcast Corp. (CMCSA).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Wednesday’s AnalystBlog:

Baker Hughes Misses Estimates

Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) reported its third quarter results of 26 cents per share, well below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents and year-earlier quarter earnings of $1.39. Before adjusting one-time items, earnings were 18 cents per share.

Though the company’s

...

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) reported earnings of 89 cents in the third quarter of 2009, up 16% from the year-ago period and a cent above the Zacks Consensus Estimate. Strong sales of Copaxone and in the respiratory business helped drive earnings in the reported quarter. Net sales increased 25% to $3.55 billion, with the Barr acquisition contributing to sales across different geographical segments. The strengthening U.S. dollar adversely impacted net sales by $160 million or 6%. Revenue performance across key business segments was mixed. While the Pharmaceuticals Sales segment posted growth of 27% with revenues coming in at $3.4 billion, the active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) segment reported an 8% decline in growth with sales coming in at $136 million. Pharmaceutical segment sales were driven by strong performances in the North American, European and International segments. The launch of generic versions of Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo ...

Early this morning, Novartis AG (NVS) announced that data from a two year late-stage study showed that its oral drug FTY720 (fingolimod) was significantly superior to placebo in reducing relapses and disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). The double-blind placebo-controlled study, called FREEDOMS (FTY720 Research Evaluating Effects of Daily Oral therapy in Multiple Sclerosis), involved 1,272 patients in 22 countries and assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of FTY720. The study revealed that FTY720, which was well tolerated in the study, reduced the relapse rate by 54% for the 0.5 mg dose and 60% for the 1.25 mg dose compared to placebo. Furthermore, the candidate reduced disability progression by 30% for patients on 0.5 mg and 32% for those on 1.25 mg compared to placebo over the entire duration of the study, thus meeting the primary and secondary endpoints for both the doses, with ...

On July 28, 2009, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009. Net sales increased 20% y-o-y to $3.4 billion in the reported quarter, missing the consensus estimate by a small margin. The strengthening U.S. dollar adversely impacted net sales by $256 million or 9%. Non-GAAP net income increased 25% to $742 million. Non-GAAP EPS of $0.83 (up 15% y-o-y) exceeded our and consensus estimate of $0.81 and $0.80, respectively. Strong sales, improved gross margins (due to better product mix) and lower-than-expected R&D expenses helped drive earnings in the reported quarter. GAAP net income declined 2.3% to $521 million or $0.58 per share. Revenue performance across key business segments was mixed. While total pharmaceutical sales increased 22% y-o-y to about $3.3 billion in the reported quarter, total API business sales declined 13% y-o-y to $135 million. The ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - June 26, 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: Sanofi-Aventis (SNY), Biogen-Idec (BIIB), Marathon Oil Corporation (MRO), Shell (RDS.A) and StatoilHydro (STO).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Sanofi Doing Deals

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) posted EPS of e5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced significantly declining sales including Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.

For 2009 we expect revenue growth to return, as

...

Sanofi-Aventis (SNY) posted EPS of e5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced significantly declining sales including Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.For 2009 we expect revenue growth to return, as generic erosion is more than offset by strong growth of Taxotere, Lantus, Avapro and the vaccines business. We expect revenue growth of 6% in 2009 and EPS of e5.93 ($4.10), up 11% from 2008. EPS should continue to benefit from strong contributions to royalty income from U.S. Plavix sales and operating margin improvement as a result of cost-cutting. We also expect foreign exchange to benefit both revenue and EPS in 2009 as the U.S. dollar strengthens against the Euro.Generic competition will continue to be a concern, however. While we expect new product launches to make significant revenue contributions in the ...

Highlights include Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) and Biogen Idec Inc. (BIIB).Sanofi-Aventis SA (SNY) posted EPS of EUR5.36 in 2008, an increase of just 2% from 2007. Revenue fell 1% in 2008 as a number of products experienced significantly declining sales including Ambien, Tritace and Copaxone.For 2009 we expect revenue growth to return as generic erosion is more than offset by strong growth of Taxotere, Lantus, Avapro and the vaccines business. We expect revenue growth of 4% in 2009 and EPS of EUR5.81 ($3.82), up 8% from 2008. EPS should continue to benefit from continued strong contribution to royalty income from U.S. Plavix sales and operating margin improvement as a result of cost-cutting.Generic competition will continue to be a concern, however. While we expect new product launches to make significant revenue contributions in the early part of the next decade, they will ...

The recent volatility from the Healthcare sector has left many investors weary about where to place their money. General market swings aside, M&A activity and legislative developments have intensified the uncertainty in the sector, but have also lead to many investment opportunities.

M&A has been very exciting and has ramped up heavily in the last few months.  Pfizer[PFE: 14.04, 0.00 (0.00%)] and Wyeth, Roche and Genentech [DNA: 0.00, N/A (N/A)], Merck [MRK: 27.16, 0.00 (0.00%)] and Schering-Plough, Gilead [GILD: 44.37, 0.00 (0.00%)] and CV Therapeutics have all hit the headlines.  Obama’s Healthcare Budget Plan has stirred up heavy trading in recent weeks, putting downward pressure on the Managed Care and Pharmaceuticals sectors, while giving a boost to the Generic Drugmakers. The market has rallied in the past week.  Is your portfolio ready

...

TEVA, the “Generic Giant,” as I once referred to it back in November when I recapped its quarterly earnings, continues to outshine and outclass its peers on pretty much every level. Since I have followed healthcare equities for quite some time now and kept my focus solely on this sector, it is easy for me to say that Teva [TEVA: 43.96, 0.00 (0.00%)] is one of the best managed companies out there, and I think you would agree based on its recent performance and strategic moves. Earnings for the fourth quarter were highly scrutinized by all investors and Street analysts as our financial crisis continues onward, perhaps even getting worse. Many companies unloaded their books for fourth quarter earnings, marking down what is left. Others squeaked out positive gains but still were hesitant on guidance. Well, I obviously

...