For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – November 20, 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: Toyota Motors (TM), Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (PBR), ExxonMobil Corp. (XOM), Chevron Corp. (CVX) and Royal Dutch Shell PLC (RDS.A).

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Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

Toyota’s 1st Sales Gain in 15 Months

Toyota Motors (TM) has posted its first year-over-year monthly sales gain across the globe in 15 months during October. The company’s sales rose 4% to more than 630,000 vehicles. In the U.S., the company’s sales fell 3.5%.

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Toyota Motors (TM) returned to profitability in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 ended Sept. 30, 2009, after reporting losses since the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The company posted a profit of ¥21.8 billion ($232 million) or ¥6.96 (7 cents) per share. This can be attributed to government incentive programs across the world -- such as "Cash for Clunkers" -- that helped the company recoup its market share. However, this is still lower than the ¥139.8 billion ($1.49 billion) or ¥44.52 (47 cents) per share of profit recorded in the same quarter of 2008. Consolidated revenue in the quarter dipped 24% to ¥4.54 trillion ($48 billion). Automotive revenue fell 24% to ¥4.11 trillion ($44 billion) while Financial Services revenue shrank 17% to ¥307 billion ($4 billion). This was on the back of a decline in vehicle sales in each region as well as negative impact ...

Toyota Motors (TM) has revealed that it will close down the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) plant in Fremont, California, which had been operated with General Motors since 1984. The move is a part of the company’s plan to reduce worldwide capacity by 700,000 to 1 million vehicles. NUMMI, opened by General Motors in 1962, was shut down in 1982 on the back of operational inefficiency. However, the plant was reopened two years later when it became a 50/50 joint venture between General Motors and Toyota. NUMMI was a remarkable joint venture in America’s as well as Toyota’s history. The joint venture taught Americans about the famous Japanese "lean manufacturing system" (focused on just-in-time delivery) through NUMMI, and Toyota took its first step in the U.S. using GM’s supply lines. NUMMI has produced Corolla and Tacoma for Toyota and Pontiac Vibe for GM. However, GM ...

General Motors has released a plan to increase output for the rest of 2009 to meet the demand generated by the recently introduced “Cash for Clunkers" program. “Cash for Clunkers" or the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) introduced by the U.S. Government last month, is a cash incentive program. The program allows consumers to trade in their fuel-inefficient vehicles for efficient ones for a value of up to $4,500. Several automakers have increased production in response to the demand due to the program. Recently, Ford (F) has announced plans to scale up its fourth quarter output by 33% from a year earlier. Honda Motor Co. (HMC), Toyota Motors (TM), Hyundai Motor and Chrysler Group LLC have followed the lead as well. GM revealed its plan to add 60,000 vehicles to its production schedule in the third and fourth quarters and bring back about 1,350 ...

China has positioned itself as the world’s largest auto market, surpassing the U.S. with sales surging 36.5% year-over-year to 1.14 million units in June 2009. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, passenger car sales in China were 872,900 vehicles in June, 2009 whereas passenger car sales in the US for the same period were 859,847 units.

According to the Associated Press (AP), China’s total vehicle sales were up 17.7% to 6.1 million vehicles during the first half of 2009. China has overtaken US auto sales for five of the past six months. The U.S. market temporarily took the lead in May 2009 only to drop again the following month.

Stimulus package including lower sales tax, subsidies to trade in older cars and other incentives provided by the government has helped sales in China. According to the AP, the government of China has reduced retail sales tax on small cars by

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Recently, Japanese auto giant Honda Motor Co. (HMC) revealed its plan to introduce two new gas-electric hybrid vehicles in 2010 in Japan. The company will offer the CR-Z hybrid sports car in February next year, followed by a hybrid version of its Fit compact by the end of next year. The CR-Z has also been set for an international roll-out, but this has not yet been confirmed for the Fit. The new hybrid lineup by Honda is expected to deliver a serious blow to its rival Toyota Motors (TM) in low-emission vehicles. The hybrid version of Fit will be cheaper than the Toyota Prius, on the back of its low-cost single-motor hybrid drive used in Honda’s Insight hybrid. Previously, Honda Insight had lost its luster to Toyota’s third generation Prius in terms of fuel efficiency. Prius 2010 clocks 51 mpg in the city ...

Anyone who follows a chart knows that the 200-day moving average can give clear signals whether a stock is in a bull run or a bear run. Since the moving average is for 200-days, it gives you a clearer picture of the fundamentals driving a company.

With that said, a stock breaking above its 200-day moving average should be viewed as a bullish thing.

Take a look at the chart below of Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL).

As you can see, Apple first plummeted under its 200-day moving average back in September. And it went on to drop nearly 50% within three months.

But just recently, in mid-April, Apple popped back above its 200-day moving average. That was almost ten bucks ago.

The lesson should be clear, buying into a stock that’s crossing its 200-day moving average it typically a good idea (pending a little research on

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Senior automotive industry analyst Paul Raman, CFA, recently returned from the San Diego Auto Show, had these comments to make about Toyota Motors (...

Senior automotive industry analyst Paul Raman, CFA, recently returned from the San Diego Auto Show, had these comments to make about Toyota Motors (TM), Honda Motor Company (HMC), Nissan Motors (NSANY) and others.Most -- if not all -- automakers are keeping an eye on joint venture and/or buyout opportunities within the industry in 2009.  Also pending in the early part of the year is the question of a further auto industry bailout by the U.S. Federal government, though this concerns the American Big Three, not the Japanese automakers.TOYOTAYaris - Sales are up 27% for this car that gets 32 MPG and has a 4 star crash rating with a economical price of $16K. There is not enough leg room and a strange dashboard. The interior needs a major upgrade.Tundra - Sales are down 25% for this pickup with 15 MPG. ...

Here we cite the following auto companies: Nissan (NSANY), Honda Motor Co. (HMC), Daimler AG (DAI), Ford Motor Co. (F), Toyota Motors (TM) and General Motors Corp. (GM).

On the flipside of senior equity analyst Paul Raman, CFA's notes on the San Diego Auto Show, we now cast the spotlight toward where auto companies might need to make near-term improvements. Most if not all companies will be looking to make strategic acquisitions and/or joint ventures to increase their global positions.

SUBARU (Forester, Outback, Impreza, Legacy, Tribeca)This company is owned by Fuji Heavy Industries.Overall, this product line has an SUV focus, but vehicles have too much plastic, in our opinion.  Models that should be discontinued - Impreza.

NISSANMurano - Sales are off 10%, but this a 21 MPG vehicle that has 4/5 star safety and a nice interior. It is a crossover and has

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