Zacks Equity Research highlights Eastman Chemical (NYSE: EMN) as the Bull of the Day and Cadence Design Systems (Nasdaq: CDNS) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on EnCana Corp. (NYSE: ECA), Cosi, Inc. (Nasdaq: COSI) and iPass, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPAS).
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
Bull of the Day: Eastman Chemical (NYSE: EMN)
Eastman has a strong fibers business and solid financials. The company had an impressive first quarter 2008, marked by increasing prices, volume gains and strength in several end-markets. The company is likely to benefit from its recent focus on the industrial gasification business. Thus, we rate shares of EMN a Buy. Accordingly, we have set a new price target of $80.00.
Bear of the Day: Cadence Design Systems (Nasdaq: CDNS)
The company is experiencing declining revenues, indicating that it is losing market share. Moreover, Cadence is facing headwinds from the semiconductor cycle, as the SIA has cut growth expectations for 2008. As a result, 2008 looks to be a challenging year for CDNS, and we don’t foresee a turnaround over the near-term. We therefore downgrade CDNS shares to Sell with a six-month target price of $7.50.
Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:
EnCana Corp. (NYSE: ECA)
We are maintaining our Hold rating on EnCana shares ahead of second-quarter results, while raising our estimates and price target. Recently, EnCana added significant acreage in Haynesville Shale and the Horn River Shale, two of the most promising shale plays in North America.
These and other early-stage plays have the potential to meaningfully add to the company’s strong portfolio of natural gas assets. We also think that EnCana’s recent proposal to split into two entities will enhance shareholder value. However, we believe these positives are already reflected in current valuation, especially following the stock’s recent strong run up.
Cosi, Inc. (Nasdaq: COSI)
After uncontrolled growth led to two years of sub-par profitability, Cosi Inc. is making significant strides in its plan to return to profitability. The company has shed unprofitable locations, scaled back company-owned unit expansion, contained food and labor costs and shrank its outsized G&A (gross and administrative costs).
Comps are resuscitating, albeit off weak comparisons, and restaurant cash flow margins are improving, a trend we expect to continue near-term. However, in our opinion, the company’s biggest problem has been its history of poor site selection, an issue that a newly hired seasoned development officer may remedy but not in time for 25-35 new franchise unit openings in 2008, potentially stifling further improvement.
iPass, Inc. (Nasdaq: IPAS)
We believe iPass Inc. is close to creating a marginally profitable business with its subscription based model for enterprise connectivity. However, the true investment case for the stock is the company’s software offering for security and device management, which could serve to differentiate iPass from traditional network access and drive meaningful margin improvement.
Despite over $1.00 per share in net cash and an improving income statement, iPass shares continue to fall in value. Shares of iPass are currently trading at 0.6x our 2008 sales estimate, representing a significant discount to the industry mean and the S&P.
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About the Bull and Bear of the Day
Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.
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Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.
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