Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Cincinnati Financial, ArcelorMittal, Biogen, Sanofi and Osiris Therapeutics
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – March 14, 2013 – Zacks Equity Research highlights Cincinnati Financial (CINF) as the Bull of the Day and ArcelorMittal (MT) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Biogen Idec (BIIB), Sanofi (SNY) and Osiris Therapeutics (OSIR).
Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.
Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:
This S&P 500 dividend aristocrat—with a juicy dividend yield of 3.5%--has been increasing its dividends for the last 52 years in a row—a record matched by only nine US public companies.
Further, Cincinnati Financial (CINF), a Zacks Rank # 1 (Strong Buy) stock has been benefitting from an above industry average premium growth, expansion in underwriting margins and excellent performance of its diversified investment portfolio.
And those are not the only reasons to buy this stock.
Cincinnati Financial, headquartered in Fairfield, OH, is one of the top 25 property and casualty insurers in the US. The company operates through the Cincinnati Insurance Company, which itself has four insurance subsidiaries,and through two financial services subsidiaries.
The company, which was started by independent insurance agents, has an agent-centered business model. The company believes that independent agency system is its core strength and most important competitive advantage.
Global steel is going through challenging times. Demand is down sharply in China and Europe. Intense competition and overcapacity has led to a steep decline in prices.
Further, ArcelorMittal (MT) — the world’s largest steelmaker is greatly exposed to economic woes in Europe.
Given weak fundamentals for the industry and the Europe exposure, the outlook for this steel giant remains cloudy at present.
ArcelorMittal is world’s leading steel and mining company with 130 million tons of annual production capacity and 245,000 employees across 60 countries.
The company reported a net loss of $4 billion or $2.58 per share for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared with a net loss of $1 billion or $0.65 per share for the prior-year quarter.
Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:
Biogen Files Hemophilia B Application
Biogen Idec (BIIB) recently announced the submission of a Biologics License Application (:BLA) for its recombinant factor VIII Fc fusion protein (rFVIIIFc). The company is seeking US Food and Drug Administration (:FDA) approval for rFVIIIFc for the treatment of hemophilia A.
The regulatory filing was based on results from the A-LONG study. FDA approval for rFVIIIFc would represent the first significant advancement in hemophilia A treatment in more than two decades.
We note that Biogen’s hemophilia B candidate, rFIXFc, is currently under FDA review. With the FDA granting standard review, a response from the agency regarding the approval status of rFIXFc should be out in the fourth quarter of this year.
A convenient dosing schedule (supported by a longer duration of action and a suitable safety profile) could help rFIXFc and rFVIIIFc capture share from existing products in the hemophilia market.
Upcoming Catalysts
Meanwhile, Biogen has some other significant pipeline catalysts coming up, the most important being an update on the regulatory status of Tecfidera (BG-12). Tecfidera, Biogen’s oral multiple sclerosis candidate, is currently under review in both the US and the EU. A response in the US should be out this month. We believe Tecfidera could become a leader in the oral multiple sclerosis market once launched.
Biogen currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Key products, Avonex and Tysabri, should continue contributing significantly to sales. Tecfidera, if approved, should help drive long-term growth. However, we expect competition in the multiple sclerosis market to increase with the entry of Sanofi’s (SNY) Aubagio.
Companies that currently look interesting include Osiris Therapeutics (OSIR), a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock.
Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.
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Read the analyst report on CINF
Read the analyst report on BIIB
Read the analyst report on SNY
Read the analyst report on OSIR
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