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Full Court Finance

Ben Rains takes on the weeks top trending stories in the sports industry
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Now displaying: 2016
Dec 29, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Andrew Chanin, the CEO of PureFunds.

PureFunds is a New York City-based research firm that serves as the sponsor of 8 different thematic ETFs, including funds that focus on big data, cyber security, and health and medical technology.

Together, we discussed the PureFunds Drone Economy Strategy ETF (IFLY), the first ETF to focus on the emerging commercial drone market. It provides a way for investing in this omnipresent technology segment.

Andrew gave insight into the differences between commercial drones and drones used for military purposes, and what types of industries are looking to benefit from drone technology. We also discussed which companies are leading the market, and which are giants in the drone business.

Catch up on parts one and two of our interview with Andrew, were we discuss Purefunds’ GAMR and IPAY ETFs, on the Zacks Friday Finish Line SoundCloud homepage.

Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>

Dec 16, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest story: the latest Federal Reserve interest rate hike.

The hosts kicked off the show with another look at oil prices. Oil hit $54 a barrel for the first time in over a year and a half on Monday as investors reacted to the news that several non-OPEC nations, including Russia, will be joining the cartel in cutting their production.

Find out more here: Here's Why Oil Prices Are Soaring

Maddy and Ryan also talked about President-elect Donald Trump’s technology summit, which featured appearances from executives from Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOGL), Facebook (FB), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), and many more industry leaders.

Check out more about the meeting: Tech and Trump: Can They Find Common Ground in New York?

Finally, the hosts talked about the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise interest rates again this week. On Wednesday, the Fed announced that it is raising the benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point higher, from the current range of 0.25% to 0.50% to the range of 0.50% to 0.75%.

Maddy and Ryan talked about what the rate hike means for the state of the economy, and the hosts also welcomed Kirk Du Plessis, the founder of Option Alpha, to discuss the performance of the stock market both before and after previous rate hike cycles.

Here’s our full coverage on rate hikes: Federal Reserve Raises Interest Rates to Between 0.50%-0.75% & How Do Fed Interest Rate Hikes Affect Stock Performance?

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet.

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>

Dec 9, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest story: Donald Trump’s latest round of deals and promises.

The hosts kicked the show off with a look at Starbuck (SBUX). The company appears to be doubling down on its premium offerings and has pledged a significant expansion of its “Roastery” and “Reserve” concepts. Co-founder Howard Schultz will be stepping down from his role as his CEO to focus on promoting the new brands.

Find out more here: Starbucks News: $10 Coffee, Its Next Five Years, Princi is a Go

Next up was the news that Apple’s (AAPL) Apple Music streaming service has hit 20 million paying subscribers. In just a year and a half, Apple has accumulated nearly half the number of subscribers that Spotify has in about eight years. We’ve truly reached a key moment for the music streaming industry.

More details here: Apple Music Achieves 20 Million Paying Subscribers

Maddy and Ryan also touched on a few earnings reports from this week, including Lululemon (LULU), Costco (COST), and Dave and Buster’s (PLAY), which sparked a discussion on why the arcade-restaurant concept has performed so well this year.

More on Dave and Buster’s: Dave & Buster's Just Hit a New 52-Week High

Finally, this week’s top story was more news from President-elect Donald Trump. The perpetual deal maker was at it again this week, this time teaming up with SoftBank (SFTBY) to announce a $50 billion investment in the United States that will potentially create 50,000 new jobs. The announcement sent SoftBank and Sprint (S), which is 82%-owned by SoftBank, soaring this week.

Trump also sent biotech investors into a selling frenzy on Wednesday when he told Time, which just declared him “Person of the Year,” that he would target high drug price hikes.

Find out more on both stories here: SoftBank and Sprint Soaring on Trump-backed Investment Plan & Trump Vows to Slash Drug Prices, Sends Biotech Stocks Lower

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet.

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>

 

Dec 2, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest story: OPEC’s decision to cut oil production for the first time since 2008.

It was a very special episode for Maddy, but the hosts started things out with a bit of sad news involving McDonald’s (MCD). The inventor of the burger chain’s iconic Big Mac sandwich, Michael “Jim” Delligatti, passed away this week at the age of 98. Maddy and Ryan discussed his legacy and the impact he made on one of America’s most famous companies.

Read more here: McDonald's Big Mac Inventor Jim Delligatti Has Died at 98

Next the hosts moved to the latest news from Samsung (SSNLF). After the disastrous recall of its exploding Galaxy Note 7 phone, Samsung is under heavy pressure from activist investors, and the company announced plans this week for possible corporate restructuring.

Check out all the details here: Future Uncertain For Samsung As Company Considers Split

After this, Maddy and Ryan touched on Ulta Beauty’s (ULTA) latest earnings report. Ulta has been one of this year’s most talked-about stocks, and the company continued its impressive run with a double-beat on the back of some solid growth figures.

Go here for all the details on the report: Ulta Gains on Strong Q3 Earnings, Holiday Forecast

Finally, the hosts discussed OPEC’s decision to cut oil production by 1 million barrels a day. The cut represents the end of a “pump-at-will” policy that sent global oil prices spiraling downward. Prices are back above $50 a barrel, but as Maddy and Ryan point out, the future is still unclear.

Find out more here: OPEC Has Finally Agreed to Cut Output, Sending Oil Up 7%

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet.

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>

Nov 22, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Andrew Chanin, the CEO of PureFunds.

PureFunds is a New York City-based research firm that serves as the sponsor of 8 different thematic ETFs, including funds that focus on big data, cyber security, and health and medical technology.

Together, we discussed the ISE Mobile Payments ETF (IPAY), the world’s first mobile/electronic payments ETF that was created to provide a way to invest in the growing Mobile Payments industry.

Andrew gave insight into what constitutes mobile and electronic payment methods, as well as which companies are set to take the lead in this sector. We also discussed the hesitation to adopt mobile and electronic payment methods among consumers and businesses.

Stay tuned for part three of the interview, where we discuss PureFunds’ Drone Economy Strategy ETF (IFLY).

Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>

Nov 18, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts began this week’s episode with a look into recent earnings releases from Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT). These two retail powerhouses were both able to beat earnings expectations this week, however, Target stock soared, while Walmart slumped, as investors reacted to varying news from lower down the reports.

Check out both reports here: Target Soars 8% on Strong Q3 Earnings, E-Commerce Growth & Wal-Mart Beats on Q3 Earnings; Lags on Sales

Maddy and Ryan moved on to an interesting announcement from Nike (NKE) this week. The sneaker giant finally revealed the price and release date of its highly-anticipated HyperAdapt 1.0 shoe. The new sneaker, which promises to be self-lacing and highly-adjustable, will launch on December 1 and will begin at $720.

Find out more on the HyperAdapt 1.0 here: Nike Unveils Price and Release Date For The Futuristic HyperAdapt 1.0

The Finish Line Team changed the pace a bit and shifted the conversation to airliners. There was a pair of notable stories that emerged this week regarding domestic carriers. First of all, United (UAL) announced its new “Basic Economy” fare, which will offer lower prices but limit customers to one carry-on that fits under the seat. Also, Alaska Airlines (ALK) announced the debut of its new jet fuel made from “forest residuals.”

Check out the full details on both stories here: Airline News: Alaska's Tree-Based Jet Fuel, United's Basic Economy Fare

Finally, the hosts finished this week’s with a discussion centered on the recent discovery of the biggest untapped oil depository in the United States. The new oil field in Texas contains a whopping 20 billion barrels of oil, enough for many decades worth of drilling.

Check out that full story here: USGS Just Discovered the Biggest Shale Oil Field in America

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News. Yet.

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>

 

Nov 11, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest story: the results of the 2016 presidential election.

Maddy and Ryan welcomed Zacks ETF Strategist Eric Dutram for additional help on what was a massive story to process, and Eric kicked off the show with a look at how currencies and commodities reacted to Trump’s shocking upset victory.

After that, the hosts dove into an analysis of the industries that stand to win and lose under the Trump administration. The first business mentioned was the world of technology, as stocks like Apple (AAPL), Facebook (FB), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Amazon (AMZN) all slumped this week following the election.

Maddy then highlighted how gun stocks were also sliding in post-election trading, as the “buy ‘em while you can” attitude no longer applies to gun owners. Both Sturm Ruger (RGR) and Smith & Wesson (SWHC) fell mightily this week.

Continuing on, Eric looked at one industry, banking and finance, which stands to be a winner under the Trump administration, especially with the GOP controlled House and Senate. Deregulation of Wall Street could be coming soon, but the short-term performance of JPMorgan (JPM), PNC (PNC), and Charles Schwab is also being helped by rising yields.

Shifting gears back to a potential loser, Ryan looked at why solar stocks like SolarCity and SunPower, as well as major solar ETFs like the Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN) and the Vaneck Vectors Solar ETF (KWT), were on a downward spiral this week. Does renewable energy have a place in Trump’s America? We’ll see.

Another industry that does stand to benefit, however, is the private prison business. The two main companies in this sphere, GEO Group (GEO) and Corrections Corp. of America (CXW), both jumped massively this week based on Trump’s support of private prisons, despite the federal government’s earlier decision to move away from the practice.

Eric also filled us in on why infrastructure stocks like Caterpillar (CAT) were soaring this week, while Maddy and Ryan rounded out the show with a look at how healthcare stocks are responding to the Trump win.

Long story short, there’s still a ton of uncertainty in the air! As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Nov 4, 2016

On this special, short earnings edition of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Editor Maddy Johnson and Content Writer Ryan McQueeney take on the hottest earnings of the week.

The hosts started off the episode with a breakdown of social networking giant Facebook Inc.’s (FB) third quarter financial results. The company beat on both the top and bottom lines, with revenues gaining 56% year-over-year. Mobile users continued to grow: mobile DAUs were 1.09 billion on average, increasing 22% year-over-year, while mobile MAUs were 1.66 billion, growing 20% year-over-year.

Read more here: Facebook (FB) Posts Q3 Earnings Beat, Mobile MAUs Up 20%

Maddy and Ryan moved on to Activision Blizzard’s (ATVI) third quarter results. The video game publisher posted an earning beat, and while Activision’s Q3 sales figure beat its own forecast, it missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate due to new SEC reporting practices that the video game industry is following. Activision also reported 483 million monthly active users for the quarter.

Check out more on that story here: Activision Blizzard (ATVI) Posts Q3 Earnings and Revenue Beats

Next, the hosts discussed electronic payments company Square Inc.’s (SQ) third quarter results. Square beat estimates on both the top and bottom lines; revenues gained 32% year-over-year (including revenue from Starbucks). Gross Payment Volume (GPV) for the third quarter was $13.2 billion, up 39% year over year.

Click here for more: Square Gains 4% on Better-than-Expected Earnings, GPV Up 39%

Maddy and Ryan then talked about video game giant Electronic Arts Inc.’s (EA) second quarter fiscal 2017 results, and the company posted both earnings and revenue beats. EA highlighted the performance of its EA Sports division. Over the trailing twelve-months, net sales from FIFA, Madden, and Hockey Ultimate Team are up 15%. EA, however, provided weak full-year guidance, sending its stock sliding.

For more on EA’s earnings, check out: Electronic Arts (EA) Posts Q2 Results, Stock Slumps on Weak Guidance

The hosts wrapped up with coffee king Starbucks Corp.’s (SBUX) fourth quarter results. The company reported top and bottom line beats, with revenues growing 16% year-over-year. Starbucks reported that comparable store sales were up 5% in the Americas, 4% in the U.S., 6% in China, and 4% globally. Its new Mobile Order and Pay feature looks like a success for the company, as it represented about 6% of U.S. transactions, up 5% from the prior quarter.

Read that full story here: Starbucks (SBUX) Gains on Q4 Earnings Beat, Global Comps Up 4% 

Thanks for checking out this special edition of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>

Nov 3, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Andrew Chanin, the CEO of PureFunds.

PureFunds is a New York City-based research firm that serves as the sponsor of 8 different thematic ETFs, including funds that focus on big data, cyber security, and health and medical technology.

 Together, we discussed the Video Game Tech ETF (GAMR), the world’s first ETF that focuses on the video game industry. It was created in order to offer a way to invest in the increasingly popular and important video game tech sector.

 Andrew gave insight on both traditional gaming powerhouses and new, emerging players in the industry, as well as the many technologies that go into our favorite games. We also talked about the hottest devices driving the sector, like virtual reality headsets and the rise of mobile gaming.

                                                                                                                        Stay tuned for parts two and three of the interview, where we discuss PureFunds’ Drone Economy Strategy ETF (IFLY) and Mobile-Electronic Payments ETF (IPAY).

Oct 28, 2016

On this special, short earnings edition of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Editor Maddy Johnson and Content Writer Ryan McQueeney take on the hottest tech earnings of the week.

The hosts started off the episode with a breakdown of e-commerce giant Amazon.com Inc.’s (AMZN) third quarter earnings results. The company beat top line estimates but swung to a miss on the bottom line, marking the company's second miss in the last four quarters, despite Q3 sales rising 29%. One of Amazon’s most notable earnings aspect was the latest data from Amazon Web Services, which grew 55%.

Read more here: Amazon (AMZN) Q3 Earnings In-Depth: AWS Grows 55%

Maddy and Ryan moved on to Alphabet’s third quarter earnings. Google’s parent company beat estimates for both the top and bottom lines. Some of the most anticipated stats analysts look for in Alphabet’s earnings release include ad clicks, which grew by 33%, as well as Google segment revenues, which hit $22 billion for the quarter.

Check out more for that story here: Alphabet (GOOGL) Q3 Earnings: Ad Clicks Grow By 33% and Alphabet (GOOGL) Q3 Earnings: Google Revenues at $22 Billion

Next, the hosts discussed iPhone maker Apple Inc.’s fourth quarter earnings results. While the company’s top and bottom lines beat expectations, both figures fell significantly from the prior year’s numbers, down 9.9% and 15%, respectively. This marked the third consecutive quarter in which both income and revenue were down year-over-year.

Click here for more: Apple (AAPL) Tops Q4 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

Maddy and Ryan then talked about electric car maker Tesla Motor’s (TSLA) third quarter results. The company its first profit in three years, with earnings of 15 cents per share (accounting for non-stock based compensation and BNRI). Revenues also beat expectations, growing 145% year-over-year.

For more on Tesla’s earnings, check out: Tesla Posts Huge Q3 Profit, Investors Rejoice: Stock Spikes 6%

The hosts wrapped up with Twitter Inc.’s (TWTR) third quarter financial results, and the struggling social networking company incurred a narrower-than-expected loss of 10 cents a share, beating expectations. Revenues also came in above estimates, while Twitter’s users grew to 317 million MAUs, up 1.3% sequentially.

Check out that full story here: Twitter (TWTR) Incurs Narrower than Expected Loss in Q3

Thanks for checking out this special edition of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>

 

Oct 28, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

While the World Series has dominated headlines, this has been a major week for earnings. The hosts started off the episode by discussing athletic retailer Under Armour’s (UA) third quarter earnings results. Despite a beat on both its top and bottom lines, UA stock plunged as much as 14% following the report’s release.

Read more here: Under Armour (UA) Q3 Earnings, Revenues Top; View Intact

Maddy and Ryan also covered car manufacturing giant General Motors’ (GM) third quarter financial results. Like UA stock, share of GM were acting sluggish shortly after its report was released, down around 3.8% in midday trading Tuesday. Despite impressive earnings, investors showed fear of a slowdown in U.S. vehicle sales, currency instability in Europe, and uncertainly about China, in turn negatively affecting GM stock.

Check out that full story here: Here’s Why General Motors (GM) Stock is Sluggish Today

Last on this episode’s earnings docket was Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG). Our favorite burrito maker reported disappointing earnings and revenue results, as well as weak comparable restaurant sales and transactions. Chipotle went on to blame the decline in comps on the fall in the number of transactions at its restaurants, and also a decline in average check.

Click here for more on that story: Chipotle (CMG) Slips on Weak Earnings, Comps Fall 21.9%

Finally, the featured story of the week surrounded perhaps one of the biggest deals of the year: AT&T’s (T) takeover of media giant Time Warner (TWX). Both companies are behemoths in their own industries, a fact which has made consumers, lawmakers, and politicians wary. Will the deal be able to pass all of the inevitable regulatory hoops?

For all the latest on the AT&T-Time Warner deal, check out: After Time Warner Deal, AT&T Could Become One Mean Media Machine

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>

Oct 21, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by technology analyst James Hayward of IDTechEx, a provider of independent market research based in Cambridge, U.K. 

James is one of IDTechEx’s resident experts on wearable technology, and together, we discussed notable consumer-level wearables products like Apple’s (AAPL) Apple Watch at Fitbit’s (FIT) fitness tracking devices, growth within the industry, and the future of wearable technology.

Oct 14, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The first story of the week included a resolution to the ongoing drama with Mylan (MYL) regarding its price hikes on the EpiPen. On Monday, shares of the controversy-ridden pharmaceutical company gained around 8.5% after settling to pay $465 million to the U.S. government over claims that it overcharged federal programs for the allergy medication.

Read more here: Mylan Stock Gains on $465 Million Settlement Over EpiPens

Maddy and Ryan also updated listeners about the current state of the Twitter (TWTR) buyout rumors. New reports indicate that several previously-interested suitors, including Salesforce (CRM), Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL), and Disney (DIS), are no longer interested in the company.

For all the latest on Twitter, check out: Face It, Twitter: They Just Weren't That into You

While Twitter may not have found a match, the hosts filled us on in the budding relationship between Tesla (TSLA) and SolarCity (SCTY). Tesla announced this week that shareholders will have an opportunity to vote on its proposed buyout of SolarCity next month.

Check out that full story here: Tesla & SolarCity Shareholders Set to Vote on Merger on Nov. 17

Finally, the featured story of the week surrounded the viewership of the most recent presidential debate. Interestingly enough, a new report indicated that YouTube’s livestream smashed the total television numbers for overall views. Twitter and Facebook (FB) also got into the action with livestreams of their own.

Maddy and Ryan talked about what this new surge in livestreaming means for the cord-cutting market. Is this just another death signal for traditional television? Should Netflix (NFLX) and Amazon (AMZN) be looking to add live events to their libraries?

Go here for more on this story: YouTube Crushes TV Debate Viewership

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015 with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks free >>

Oct 7, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts started the show with a look at a big story for all the hunters and fishers out there. On Monday, Bass Pro Shops announced that it was acquiring Cabela’s Inc. (CAB) for $5.5 billion. The combined company will create an outdoor retail giant consisting of 180 stores and 40,000 employees.

For all the details on the merger, go here: Bass Pro Shops Will Acquire Cabela's in $5.5 Billion Deal

Maddy and Ryan also touched on Amazon’s decision to ban incentivized reviews. After a recent study discovered that customers who received products for free or at a reduced cost were creating noticeably bias reviews, Amazon moved quickly to shut the practice down.

Find out more here: Amazon Finally Bans Reviews for Free or Discounted Products

On the topic of e-commerce, the hosts took a look at Facebook’s new “Marketplace” re-selling platform. The social media giant launched its Craigslist competitor this week, only for its debut to be marred by numerous posts advertising drugs, animals, and adult services.

You can find that story here: Facebook Blames "Technical Issue" for Illegal Listings on Marketplace

Finally, Maddy and Ryan covered Google’s big hardware-announcing event this week. The hosts looked at all the new products, including the Google Home the Pixel phone. It’s clear that Google is ushering in its newest era of software and hardware integration, but will it work?

Here’s our full coverage on all of Google’s new toys:

  1. Don't Forget About These Other 3 New Google Devices
  2. Google's New "Home" Internet of Things Device Challenges Amazon Echo
  3. Here's What You Need to Know About Google's Pixel Smart Phone

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 30, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts started the episode with a pair of headlines surrounding Spotify. According to some reports, the music streaming giant is looking to buyout one of its many competitors, SoundCloud. At the same time, the company announced a soft-launch in Japan this week, becoming the first music streamer to offer a free, ad-supported service in that country.

Check out the full details here: Spotify News Round-Up: Japan Launch, Reportedly Acquiring SoundCloud

Maddy and Ryan also took a look at two IPO announcements. Jose Cuervo, the world’s largest tequila maker, filed for an IPO that could be worth up to $1 billion. Also this week, luxury resort company Playa Hotels announced its intentions to hold an IPO valued at $100 million.

You can find coverage for both IPOs here: Playa Hotels & Resorts Files for $100 Million IPO & Tequila Maker Jose Cuervo Announces $1 Billion IPO

The hosts also touched on this week’s jump in oil prices following the decision by OPEC to cut its oil output for the first time since 2008. After two days of deliberation, OPEC member nations decided to reduce output to 32.5 million barrels per day (bpd) from current production of 33.24 million bpd.

For the full story, go here: Crude Oil Spikes 4.8% on OPEC Agreement to Cut Oil Output

Finally, this week’s main story was the ongoing Twitter buyout rumors. With companies like Salesforce (CRM), Alphabet (GOOGL), and Disney (DIS) all reportedly interested, it appears like a Twitter takeover could be on the horizon. Maddy and Ryan looked at all of the rumors and offered their own insights into which potential companies would make the most sense to take over the struggling social media site.

For more coverage on Twitter and its potential suitors, check out these stories:

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 23, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The first story on the docket this week was a follow-up on a pair of companies featured in the Finish Line’s exclusive interview with Kathleen Smith of IPO-focused research firm Renaissance Capital. The interview alerted investors to the possibility of several upcoming IPOs, including The Trade Desk and e.l.f. Beauty, which both did debut this week.

Find more on those IPOs here: In Shimmering IPO, e.l.f. Beauty Soars 41%

The hosts also checked in on Netflix (NFLX), which announced this week that it its library will reach 50% original content in just a few years. Speaking in front of a conference at Goldman Sachs, Netflix’s CFO confirmed the company’s goal and claimed it was nearly halfway to this point already.

Check out the full story here: Netflix CFO: 50% of Its Total Library Will Be Original Content

Maddy and Ryan continued the show by discussing Comcast (CMCSA) and its plans to launch a mobile phone service next year. While the company’s general popularity remains low, its connections within the industry should allow it to launch a Wi-Fi hotspot-focused service at a relatively low cost.

Go here for the full details: Comcast Will Launch Mobile Phone Service in 2017

Finally, the featured story of the week was the congressional hearings of Wells Fargo (WFC) and Mylan (MYL). The CEOs of both companies faced questions from lawmakers regarding their respective scandals, and their testimonies have only raised more questions about the power of corporate America. Are Wells Fargo the fact of capitalist greed, or are these companies taking the fall for a broken system?

You can find our coverage of the hearings here: Wells Fargo CEO Grilled By Congress, Denies Fraud by Management & Here's What Pissed-Off Congressmen Said to Mylan's CEO

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 16, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts started the show with a brief mention of the rather absurd volatility we’ve seen throughout the market this week. September has a reputation for being a tough month for stocks, and that it is really looking to hold true this year.

The first story that Maddy and Ryan covered this week came from Amazon (AMZN) and General Electric (GE). Building on the Finish Line’s love for the Internet of Things, the hosts chatted about GE’s updated smart appliances that are now compatible with Amazon’s Echo speaker. Could home automation really be the future?

For more on that story, go here: Amazon's Echo Just Got Even Cooler Thanks to GE

After that, the hosts moved on a rather unfortunate story, at least for American autoworkers. Domestic car giant Ford (F) announced at its investor day this week that it will begin moving all of its small-car manufacturing from the U.S. to Mexico.

For more on Ford’s move, check out our story: Ford to Shift Small Car Production to Mexico to Cut Costs

Finally, this week’s biggest story was Bayer’s (BAYRY) $66 billion buyout of Monsanto (MON). The German drug and crop chemicals maker has transformed itself into an agricultural behemoth with its purchase of the world’s largest seeds firm. While this sounds like a good bit of business, Maddy and Ryan look at what it actually means for consumers and smaller companies around the world.

Find out the details on the buyout here: Monsanto and Bayer Agree on $66 Billion All-Cash Deal

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 9, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts kicked off the show with even more news from Mylan (MYL). The makers of the EpiPen are once again in the spotlight after an antitrust probe into the company’s EpiPens4School program was launched in New York this week.

For our full coverage on the probe, go here: Pharma Round-Up: Mylan's Antitrust Probe

Maddy and Ryan moved on to discussing the for-profit education business, another industry that has been under fire from government regulators recently. The focus this week was ITT Educational Services (ESI), which announced it would be shutting down all of its schools just days after the U.S. Department of Education banned the company from enrolling new students who depend on federal financial aid.

Check out our latest story on ITT Tech: ITT Educational Faces the Wrath of Department of Education

The hosts then started their discussion on Wednesday’s Apple keynote by looking at why Nintendo (NTDOY) stock soared following the event. Shares of the videogame giant skyrocketed over 25% after the company joined the Apple keynote to announce that a new Mario-based game would be launching on the App Store this year.

For more on that story, go here: Here's Why Nintendo Stock Soared Today

Finally, Maddy and Ryan got into the rest of the Apple event, including the announcement of the Watch OS3, the Apple Watch Series 2, and the new iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. The hosts discussed all of the new features and designs, including the controversial decision to remove the standard 3.5mm headphone jack on the new phone.

Find our full coverage of the Apple event here: Here's Everything We Learned From Today's Apple Event

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 6, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Kathleen Smith, a co-founder of Renaissance, a provider of IPO-focused research and investment management.

Renaissance has been around for 25 years. It offers separately managed institutional accounts, as well as two ETFs—the Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) and the Renaissance International IPO ETF (IPOS)—as well as a mutual fund, the Global IPO Fund (IPOSX).

In part one of the interview, we discussed the sluggish IPO market in the first half of 2016, and Kathleen gave insight on what private companies should look out for to encourage an IPO. In case you missed it, check it out here.

Now, in part two of the interview, we looked towards the future, and talked about the IPO market in the second half of 2016 and into 2017. While there may not be a blockbuster IPO this year, Kathleen name-dropped a few smaller tech and consumer-related companies Renaissance Capital believes may go public in 2016.

We also discussed some of the big tech unicorns, and despite their large presence in our daily lives, there is still much to be learned about companies like Uber and Snapchat.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Sep 2, 2016

In a special edition of Zacks Friday Finish Line, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson are joined by Kathleen Smith, a co-founder of Renaissance Capital, a provider of IPO-focused research and investment management.

Renaissance has been around for 25 years. It offers separately managed institutional accounts, as well as two ETFs—the Renaissance IPO ETF (IPO) and the Renaissance International IPO ETF (IPOS)—as well as a mutual fund, the Global IPO Fund (IPOSX).

Together, we discussed the sluggish IPO market in the first half of 2016. In addition to well-known issues influencing the market like the uncertainty about rate hikes in the U.S. and economic instability in China, Kathleen offered an interesting perspective on the current lackluster market.

She also gave insight on what private companies should watch out for to encourage an IPO, like looking at how the market values a private company’s industry peer.

Stay tuned for part two of the interview, where we discuss the IPO market in the second half of 2016 and into 2017.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Aug 26, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts kicked the show off by covering the drama that unfolded with Mylan (MYL) and its EpiPen allergy medication this week. Mylan became the center of controversy after several notable healthcare reform advocates, including Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, criticized the company’s price hikes on the EpiPen over the past several years.

Just a day after Clinton took to Twitter to announce her plan to combat high drug prices and demand that Mylan lower the cost of the EpiPen, the drugmaker announced that it would be taking several steps to reduce the cost of the medication for some patients.

Check out our full coverage of the saga: Did Hillary Clinton's Tweet Cause the Sell-Off in Mylan Stock? & Mylan Listens to Critics, Will Make EpiPen More Affordable

Maddy and Ryan also talked about the latest rumor from Amazon (AMZN). According to reports, Amazon is working on a couple of new music streaming services, including one that would only cost $5 a month. However, that $5 a month service would be limited to Amazon’s line of Echo smart speakers, despite the music streaming industry’s reliance on mobile streaming.

For the full story, go here:  What Amazon's New $5 Streaming Music Service Means for Its Future

Using Amazon’s Echo smart speaker as a catalyst, the hosts turned their attention to the broader Internet of Things market. With a look at the current state of Internet of Things technology, as well as a glimpse towards to the future of IoT products, Maddy and Ryan had an extensive conversation about the latest trend in tech.

For more on the Internet of Things, check out our latest coverage:  How to Invest in the "Internet of Things" & 3 "Internet of Things" Stocks to Buy Now

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Aug 19, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world. The hosts discussa look at a major shakeup in the private prison industry, how health insurers like Aetna are finding it difficult to turn profits on the Obamacare exchanges, another busy week for Uber, and both Target's and Walmart's quarterly earnings results.

Aug 12, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

First up this week was Walmart’s (WMT) purchase of Jet.com. In yet another move to bolster its e-commerce offerings, Walmart scooped up the online discount retailer for about $3.3 billion. The competition between Walmart and Amazon (AMZN) will only continue to heat up from here.

Find out all the details on the acquisitions here: With Jet.com, Walmart is Finally a True Amazon Competitor

Maddy and Ryan also took a look at the widespread cancellations from Delta Air Lines (DAL) earlier this week. Due to a power outage that affected company computer systems, Delta was forced to cancel over 1,000 flights on Monday, 775 flights on Tuesday, and another 255 flights on Wednesday.

We took a look at Delta and the rest of the airline industry’s recent headaches here: After Delta's Latest Woes, Are Airline Stocks Worth Consideration?

Finally, the hosts covered this week’s most important earnings announcements. Solid reports from Macy’s (M) and Kohl’s (KSS) proved that retail might be bouncing back, while Shake Shack’s (SHAK) earnings and revenue beat failed to impress investors.

You can find our full coverage of those reports here: Macy's v.s. Kohl's Department Store Q2 Earnings Releases & Shake Shack Stock Falls on Weak Q2 Same-Store Sales Growth

Of course, the hosts also covered the week’s biggest report: Disney (DIS). After a period of struggle, Disney bounced back with an earnings and revenue beat, along with slight growth from ESPN. The company also announced a minority stake in a video streaming company that will help create a new, ESPN-brand streaming service.

Here’s how big of an impact this move could make: Disney's Purchase of BAMTech Could Change TV Forever

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Aug 5, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

Ryan and Maddy started the episode by talking about Uber’s decision to sell its China business to rival Didi Chuxing. Business in China has always been a headache for Uber, and this deal was the company’s way of nobly bowing out of the competition. In the end, it looks like it could be a solid business move from both companies.

Check out all the details of the sale here: Uber Gives Up on China, Sells Business to Rival Didi Chuxing

The hosts also took a look at Instagram’s launch of its “Stories” feature. Instagram users can now post pictures and video slideshows that disappear after a 24-hour period. Sound familiar? Ryan and Maddy talk about why Instagram, and its parent Facebook (FB), would want to copy Snapchat.

Maddy covered the topic in full here: Why is Everyone Copying Snapchat?

This week was also the continuation of what has been a busy second-quarter earnings season. The hosts covered earnings from Fitbit (FIT) and Time Warner (TWX), before launching into a wider conversation about Tesla’s (TSLA) report and whether or not the electric vehicle company will ever be able to reach its lofty sales goals.

You can find all of our earnings coverage below:

  1. Fitbit Stock Pops on Q2 Earnings and Revenue Beats
  2. 3 Key Takeaways From Time Warner's Earnings Report
  3. Tesla Misses Q2 Earnings and Revenue Estimates

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

Jul 29, 2016

On today’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, host Ryan McQueeney and content writer Adam Clark, filling in for host Maddy Johnson, take on the week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

Second-quarter earnings were once again the focus this week, but the hosts started the show by touching on the state of the U.S. economy. With Friday’s lackluster GDP report and the Fed’s decision not to raise interest rates this week, economic activity in the country isn’t looking necessarily fantastic.

Find out more about the GDP report: Q2 GDP Disappoints, Q2 Earnings Mixed

Ryan and Adam also covered the two big acquisitions of the week. The Yahoo (YHOO) takeover saga finally ended with Verizon’s (VZ) $4.83 billion purchase of the former search giant’s core business, and Oracle (ORCL) boosted its cloud suite with its $9.3 billion acquisition of NetSuite (N). 

Check out our full coverage of these takeovers: Oracle to Acquire Cloud Company NetSuite & Three Things Verizon Should Do With Yahoo Immediately

And finally, the hosts once again recapped another busy week of earnings announcements. This week was packed full of tech and internet giants, and just like last week, the second-quarter reports showed mixed results. Ryan and Adam tackled all the fresh data from Twitter (TWTR), Apple (AAPL), Facebook (FB), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOGL).

Check out all of our earnings-related stories:

  1. Twitter Slumps on Weak Q2 Revenue, Sluggish MAUs Growth
  2. Apple Inc. Beats Earnings, Up 5% on Strong Overall Performance
  3. Facebook Soars on Q2 Earnings Beat, Backed by Strong Mobile Ad Revenue
  4. Amazon Posts Q2 Earnings and Revenue Beats
  5. Alphabet Inc. Beats Q2 Earnings, Up 3.1% on Revenue Surge

There’s even more reports coming up next week, and the Friday Finish Line crew will remain on top of it all. Thanks for tuning into the Zacks Friday Finish Line! We’ll see you next Friday!

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 DaysClick to get this free report >>

 

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