Message #2 From:
Stock News Bot Date: March 16, 2007 03:00:00 AM
MON News Zacks Broker Upgrades: Monsanto, Waters Corporation, Applied Materials and Analog Devices
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Studies have shown that broker upgrades lead to short-term outperformance. Stocks recently upgraded by brokerage analysts include Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON), Waters Corporation (NYSE: WAT), Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) and Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI). To learn more about how you can profit from broker upgrades, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=139.
Here is a synopsis of stocks with recent broker upgrades:
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON), a global provider of agricultural products and integrated solutions for farmers, watched its Average Broker Recommendation rise to 2.25. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts appreciate the company’s position as the leader in ag biotech traits, which provide plant protection from herbicides and insects. In addition, analysts like Monsanto’s excellent biotech growth rate, which ensures that the biotech side of the company can grow at double-digit rates for years. Its intellectual property content commands premium margins.
Waters Corporation’s(NYSE: WAT) Average Broker Recommendation is up to 2.00. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts are encouraged by the company’s bright prospects, such as its share in the growing chromatography instrument market. Also notable is its commanding market share in the mass spectrometry market. The company is expected to experience sustained healthy performance in its organic sales growth over the next few years. Furthermore, a good deal of its revenue is derived from recurring sources, such as consumables and services, which are expected to continue increasing over the longer term.
Applied Materials, Inc.’s (NASDAQ: AMAT) Average Broker Recommendation is up to 1.80. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts in general believe the two key differentiators for AMAT are its Services group and Flat Panel Display equipment business. They provide a potential for upturn and downside protection in the case of a downturn. Analysts believe if the semiconductor environment shows signs of weakness, these segments could provide support to the company as compared to peers that are essentially concentrated in the semiconductor equipment market.
Analog Devices, Inc.’s (NYSE: ADI) Average Broker Recommendation continues to rise. At the end of February, the high-performance semiconductor’s ABR had risen to 2.46. Since that time, it has increased further to 2.13. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts believe ADI’s diversified business mix will allow it to take greater advantage of market opportunities as they emerge. The company has a diverse and complementary product portfolio, which has enabled it to combine the functionality of individual components. It also provides the development platform and software tools that make it easier for customers to differentiate products.
About Broker Upgrades
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