A Step Forward for Amazon Web Services   Amazon.com (AMZN) has recently introduced the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Solution Providers Program for Independent Software Vendors and Systems Integrators with offerings built on AWS. The AWS is an infrastructure platform which includes different cloud computing capabilities, virtual private cloud (VPC), payment and billing services, other merchant and web services and an on-demand workforce. Companies that have used the AWS to build solutions include Accenture (ACN), CA (CA), Citrix (CTRX), International Business Machines (IBM), Oracle (ORCL), Red Hat (RHT), Saleforce.com (CRM), Sybase (SY) and Tibco (TIBX).   These solution providers are now listed in a directory, with access to the AWS solution provider logo and are eligible to receive training and priority in case-study. The program also promotes collaboration among these companies. The ultimate intention of the program is ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – August 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: Research In Motion (RIMM), Google (GOOG), Yahoo (YHOO), Apple Inc. (AAPL) and Palm Inc. (PALM).

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 Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

RIMM Bolsters Web Browser

Research In Motion (RIMM) yesterday announced that it acquired Torch Mobile, a web-based software and application developer. Torch Mobile uses the open-source web browser layout engine WebKit to develop web applications for mobile phones. The company’s flagship Iris Browser product is a web browser

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Research In Motion (RIMM) yesterday announced that it acquired Torch Mobile, a web-based software and application developer. Torch Mobile uses the open-source web browser layout engine WebKit to develop web applications for mobile phones.  The company’s flagship Iris Browser product is a web browser for mobile phones with a customizable interface and touch-screen control.  Iris browser can be used on many devices and platforms. The browser contains software components for web services compatible with Google (GOOG) gadgets, Yahoo (YHOO) widgets, and several other web platforms.

RIMM has been able to successfully differentiate its BlackBerry products from other offerings in the communications market. BlackBerry smart-phones are admired globally for their best e-mail functionality. However, its web browsing capability is not as powerful as iPhone of Apple Inc. (AAPL), Pre of Palm Inc. (PALM) and Google Android. All of these browsers are based on the WebKit ecosystem. In

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - May 7, 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: Bank of America (BAC), Citigroup (C), Microsemi Corp. (MSCC), Foster Wheeler AG (FWLT) and Web.com (WWWW).

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 Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Bank of America: Rumors & Denials

Over the past several days there have been many rumors and "leaked reports" on the need of additional capital by all the banks "stress tested" by the regulators -- and by Bank of America (BAC) and Citigroup (

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Web.com (WWWW) is a leading provider of Web services for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The company uses a factory approach that is applicable for thousands of customers.Web.com posted good Q1 results with revenue and EPS exceeding our estimate as well as the company's guidance. With the acquisition of Solid Cactus, WWWW is expected to hold a strategic position in the SMB market.Though the company is currently feeling a pressure from a slowing consumer market, which many of its customers cater to, the long-term outlook still looks bright, and the company's new alliance with Chase Paymentech is expected to help its SMB merchants.The company has a healthy balance sheet with no debt. We maintain our Buy recommendation for WWWW with a six-month target price of $6.50.Nayan Mukherjee contributed to this report. Read the full analyst report on ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL - April 1, 2009 - Zacks Equity Research picks China Life (LFC) as Bull of the Day and Red Robin Gourmet Burgers (RRGB) as Bear of the Day. In addition, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research discuss the latest on ValueClick, Inc. (VCLK), General Motors Corp. (GM) and Web.com (WWWW).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678

Bull of the Day

Headquartered in Beijing, China, China Life Insurance Company Ltd. (China Life, LFC) is China's leading life insurance company. As of December 31, 2008, China Life had about 716,000 exclusive agents, over 12,600 direct sales representatives, and nearly 94,000 non-dedicated agencies throughout China.

LFC's FY08 results were disappointing, stemming from a combination of external negative factors -- snow, earthquake, and the global financial crisis. However, despite growing competition as well

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Google’s stock fell decidedly below the psychologically significant mark of $300 per share today. The stock has fallen 60% overall from its high near $720 and sits near its 2004-2005 prices. Despite this, Google remains a global leader in search, internet advertising, and has its finger on the pulse of innovative web services. The bull cases for Google, which I’ve written about several times (Google’s earnings power and Google’s search share), remain intact in the long.  Does that mean the shares necessarily imply a great risk-reward tradeoff now? 

For perspective, let’s take a look at Google’s performance and its stock performance over a similar period. 

Special thanks to GridStone Research for the graph and data

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Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG) is well established as internet search-engine champion. And its rapid expansion into other technologies means the company is poised to bounce back strongly when the financial crisis is over. Money Map Report editor Horacio Marquez says the current market downturn provides the perfect opportunity to buy Google stock at a bargain price.

More from Horacio in this piece from Money Morning:

When – on August 22, 1851 – schooner-yacht America defeated 15 other yachts representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, racing around the Isle of Wight in England to win the renamed “America’s Cup,” Queen Victoria asked who was second.  The famous answer was: “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second.”

Similarly, in the search-engine category, Google Inc. (Nasdaq:GOOG), has run away with the trophy, leaving its competitors so far behind that they’re actually still over the horizon. Today, Google controls at

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Simtrol, Inc. (SMRL.OB), with headquarters in Georgia, is focused on helping companies streamline the management of assets while increasing the use of the assets. The company’s Device Management Platform increases asset utilization, reduces operational expenses, improves technology utilization, and reduces energy consumption. Simtrol partners with a number of industry leaders to deliver its world-class solutions to the market.

Simtrol works with its partners to connect people and processes with the technology needed to reduce operating costs and increase profitability. The company has chosen to develop partnerships with companies that have highly personalized services, from planning to ongoing support, to ensure the roll-out of its platform is optimized specifically for each client. Simtrol has reseller, OEM, and End User partnership programs

Simtrol’s Reseller partners have access to a dedicated sales and technical support team to address issues. To ensure customers’ needs are addressed promptly, the customer base is

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Web.com (WWWW) is a leading provider of Web services for small and medium businesses (SMBs). The company uses a factory approach that it can leverage over thousands of customers.

We believe the company is feeling pressure from a slowing consumer market, which many of its customers cater to. However, the long-term still looks bright.

We therefore reiterate our Buy recommendation on WWWW with a lower six-month target price of $8.50, given growing macro economic concerns.

Read the full analyst report on WWWW

"WWWW" Free Stock Analysis: Buy? Sell? Hold?Zacks Investment Research