The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: NVIDIA, Verizon, AstraZeneca, Micron Technology and Anthem – Yahoo Finance

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL January 29, 2021 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: NVIDIA Corporation NVDA, Verizon Communications, Inc. VZ, AstraZeneca PLC AZN, Micron Technology, Inc. MU and Anthem, Inc. ANTM.

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including NVIDIA, Verizon Communications and AstraZeneca. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can seeall oftoday'sresearch reports here >>>

NVIDIAshares have outperformed the Zacks General Semiconductor industry over the past year (+110.4% vs. +28.8%), as the company benefited from the coronavirus-induced work-from-home and learn-at-home wave. It is also benefiting from strong growth in GeForce desktop and notebook GPUs, which is boosting gaming revenues.

Moreover, a surge in Hyperscale demand remains a tailwind for the company's Data Center business. Expansion of NVIDIA GeForce NOW is expected to drive user base. Further, solid uptake of AI-based smart cockpit infotainment solutions is a boon.

Additionally, collaboration with Daimler-owned Mercedes-Benz is expected to further strengthen NVIDIA's presence in the autonomous vehicles and other automotive electronics space. However, management expects COVID-19 pandemic to negatively impact near-term revenues by $100 million. Moreover, the U.S.-China trade war remains a key concern.

(You canread the full research report on NVIDIA here >>>)

Shares ofVerizonhave lost -4.1% in the last six months against the Zacks Wireless National industry's gain of +5.9%. The Zacks analyst believes that adoption of unlimited data plans has resulted in reduction of wireless service revenues. Hefty expenses on promotion and lucrative discounts to attract customers, further hampers its profitability.

Story continues

Verizon reported relatively solid fourth-quarter results with the top and bottom line beating the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate driven by a disciplined network strategy and focused roadmap for technology leadership. It expects to witness solid 5G momentum backed by customer-centric business model and diligent execution of operational plans.

Verizon is aiming to augment its mid-band spectrum capacity to support the evolving customer behavior. The company has offered a bullish guidance based on the resilient earnings performance and projected trends. However, Verizon operates in an intensely competitive U.S. wireless market that strains margins.

(You canread the full research report on Verizon here >>>)

AstraZenecashares have gained +2% over the past three months against the Zacks Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's rise of +15.4%. The Zacks analyst believes that AstraZeneca's products like Nexium, Crestor and Seroquel are facing generic competition, which is hurting sales.

The diabetes franchise also faces stiff competition while pricing pressure is hurting sales in the respiratory unit. Nonetheless, AstraZeneca's cancer medicines Lynparza, Tagrisso and Imfinzi should keep driving revenues. Its pipeline is strong with several phase III data readouts lined up. Its COVID-19 vaccine candidate, AZD1222 has progressed at a rapid pace.

AstraZeneca has also engaged in external acquisitions and strategic collaborations to boost its pipeline while investing in geographic areas of high growth like China. Its shares have underperformed the industry in the past six months. The company has a mixed record of earnings surprises in recent quarters. Estimates have gone down slightly ahead of Q4 earnings release.

(You canread the full research report on AstraZeneca here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today includeMicron Technology and Anthem.

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

Ignited by referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $17.7 billion in 2019 to a staggering $73.6 billion by 2027. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.

See the pot stocks we're targeting >>

Media Contact

Zacks Investment Research

800-767-3771 ext. 9339

support@zacks.com

https://www.zacks.com

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumedthat any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein andis subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportVerizon Communications Inc. (VZ) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMicron Technology, Inc. (MU) : Free Stock Analysis ReportNVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAstraZeneca PLC (AZN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAnthem, Inc. (ANTM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

See the original post here:

The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: NVIDIA, Verizon, AstraZeneca, Micron Technology and Anthem - Yahoo Finance