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All Star Analysts Portfolio Highlights: Aflac, Host Marriott, Noble Energy, and Station Station Casinos
Zacks.com just released its latest additions and deletions to its proprietary All Star Analyst portfolio. Members on this exclusive list include Aflac, Inc. (NYSE:AFL), Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE:HMT), Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL), and Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE:STN). View the entire list of stocks on the All Star Analyst portfolio at http://at.zacks.com/?id=510
This exclusive portfolio represents all stocks with a Strong Buy rating from at least five analysts with a 5-Star All Star ranking. These are the brokerage analysts whose stock recommendations proved to be the most profitable for investors. Since July 2002, this portfolio has generated an annualized return of 12.92%, exceeding the S&P 500 by a margin of more than 50%. Here is a synopsis of why these stocks are in the All Star Analysts Portfolio:
Aflac, Inc. (NYSE:AFL) reported second-quarter operating earnings per share of 64 cents late last month, which marked a solid year-over-year gain and matched the consensus. Total revenues climbed 10.3% to $3.6 billion. The company was pleased that Aflac U.S. made significant strides in reestablishing better sales growth during the quarter. Total new annualized premium sales for Aflac U.S. rose 9.2% to $307 million. Meanwhile, Aflac Japan's total new sales advanced 1.2% to 32.6 billion yen, or $302 million. Aflac's goal for 2006 is to increase operating earnings per diluted share of 15%, excluding the impact of the yen, while its 2007 objective is growth of 13% to 16% before the effect of currency. Aflac believes its business is fundamentally strong and several All Star Analysts agree.
Host Marriott Corporation (NYSE:HMT) is a Fortune 500 lodging real estate company that currently owns or holds controlling interest in more than 100 upper-upscale and luxury hotel properties. Host Marriott is one of the All Stars' favorite companies in the resurgent hotels industry. Second quarter funds from operations jumped approximately 48% year-over-year to 31 cents per share, while total revenue advanced 10.6% to $993 million. Host Marriott stated that the quarterly results reflect a significant increase in average room rates and improving occupancy. The company reported that comparable hotel RevPAR advanced 9.8% and comparable hotel adjusted operating profit margins increased 2%. Host Marriott expects lodging demand and business travel will continue to increase, which bodes well for the second half of 2005.
Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE:NBL) is one of the nation's leading independent energy companies. Noble Energy posted second quarter net income of $1.87 per share, which bettered the consensus by almost 4%. The result also marked a sharp rise from the year-earlier quarter. The company also reported that discretionary cash flow of $329.9 million marked a year-over-year increase of 49%. Noble Energy attributed its solid results in net income and discretionary cash flow to a 28% jump in higher daily production. Also contributing were higher realized liquids and natural gas prices, which advanced 32% and 8% respectively. In addition, the company stated second quarter results reflect the integration of Patina Oil & Gas with Noble's operations, which was effective May 16. This company remains one of the All Stars' favorite energy picks.
Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE:STN) reported adjusted earnings per share of 65 cents for its second quarter on net revenues of approximately $274 million. The earnings result improved from the previous year by 25% and topped the consensus by about 2%. Meanwhile, revenues improved by 14% from the second quarter last year. Same-store revenues from its Las Vegas operations advanced 16%, marking its sixth straight quarter of double-digit same-store revenue growth on a year-over-year basis. Station Casinos stated that the Las Vegas local's market continues to thrive, as the local economy remains vibrant with strong population growth, new job creation, and extensive commercial and residential construction. Several All Star analysts believe Station Casinos is a good bet.
Discover all the current All Star Analyst rankings and top analyst recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=511
About Zacks All Star Analyst Survey
To learn which brokerage analysts are the best in their field and what stocks they're recommending today, see the Zacks All Star Analyst survey. This exclusive survey, created with Fortune Magazine, reveals the "Best-of-Breed" brokerage analysts. They are the select group of winners from the universe of brokerage analysts - the ones who consistently beat the street - the few you should be following now. Visit the Zacks All Star Survey to find the best analysts and their top stock recommendations at http://at.zacks.com/?id=512
Top recommendations from All Star Analysts Highlighted in FREE Investment Newsletter
Each week, Zacks.com highlights investment insight and favorite recommendations from All Star Analysts and other leading investment experts. This is all part of our FREE e-mail newsletter, "Profit from the Pros." The only way to get these powerful insights is with a FREE subscription to the "Profit from the Pros" investment newsletter. Register for a free subscription at http://at.zacks.com/?id=513
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 to compile, analyze, and distribute investment research to both institutional and individual investors. The guiding principle behind Zacks is the belief that investment experts, such as brokerage analysts and investment newsletter writers, have superior knowledge about how to invest successfully. The goal is to unlock these pros' profitable insights for individual investors hard-pressed to find this valuable information in one source. A free subscription to "Profit from the Pros" weekly e-mail newsletter provides the best way to use these experts' insights for more profitable investing. Register for a free subscription to the Profit from the Pros newsletter at http://at.zacks.com/?id=514
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
(a)The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard and Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
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BusinessWire
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Wednesday, 10 August 2005 |
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