Raytheon (RTN) announced better-than-expected 2nd quarter results. The defense electronics giant -- in contrast to the flagship of defense contractors, Lockheed Martin Corporation (LMT) -- reported 25% higher EPS of $1.24 over the year-ago quarter. Lockheed Martin reported 13% lower EPS over the year-ago quarter. While Lockheed was swept away by pension blues, Raytheon gained $11 million during the quarter from pension adjustments. The Details Raytheon exceeded both our and market expectations of $1.13 for the quarter. Operating income fell marginally year-over-year (1.9%) in the Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) and Missile Systems (MS, 7%) segments. This was more than made up by Network Centric Systems (NCS, 12.6%), Space and Airborne Systems (SAS, 24.1%) and Technical Services (TS, 17.8%), along with steady Intelligence and Information Systems (IIS). On the revenue front, although Raytheon grew 4% during the quarter to $6.1 billion, it failed to ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - May 4, 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: Sepracor, Inc. (SEPR), Raytheon Co. (RTN), AstraZeneca PLC (AZN), GATX Corporation (GMT) and Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK).

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Here are highlights from Friday's Analyst Blog:

Sepracor Building a Base

Business fundamentals at Sepracor, Inc. (SEPR) have been poor over the past several quarters. Lunesta growth disappointed throughout 2008 and guidance for 2009 assumes sales will decline between 5% and 10%.

Likewise, Xopenex and Xopenex HFA also disappointed

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 Raytheon Continues to Report Improved ResultsRaytheon Co. (RTN) continues to consistently report improved year-over-year revenue and EPS results.The bullish story on Raytheon revolves around signs of an improving business jet market, increased defense spending, superior backlogs, and strong cash flow. Revenue and earnings growth continue to be driven by strong demand for missile and missile defense systems as well as network-centric mission solutions, including sensor and communication systems.Raytheon announced strong financial results for its 1st quarter of 2009. Excluding non-recurring items, earnings from continuing operations were $457 million, or $1.11 per diluted share ($1.12 basic), up 14%, compared to earnings of $401 million, or $0.92 per diluted share ($0.94 basic), in the year-ago quarter. In the reported quarter, net income increased to $452 million, or $1.12 per diluted share ($1.13 basic), from $398 million, or $0.92 per diluted share ($0.94 basic), recorded ...