The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights Boston Scientific, Arista Networks, Palo Alto Networks, American Electric Power and Cboe Global Markets

In this article:

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – May 14, 2024 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Boston Scientific Corporation BSX, Arista Networks, Inc. ANET, Palo Alto Networks, Inc. PANW, American Electric Power Company, Inc. AEP and Cboe Global Markets, Inc. CBOE.

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Top Analyst Reports for Boston Scientific, Arista and Palo Alto Networks

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research output of our analyst team. Today's Research Daily features new research reports on 16 major stocks, including Boston Scientific Corporation, Arista Networks, Inc. and Palo Alto Networks, Inc. These research reports have been hand-picked from the roughly 70 reports published by our analyst team today.

You can see all of today’s research reports here >>>

Boston Scientific shares have outperformed the Zacks Medical - Products industry over the past year (+37.3% vs. -1.7%). The company is witnessing strength across target markets, despite macroeconomic concerns, currency headwinds and related cost inflation.

Strong worldwide demand for its Electrophysiology and Structural Heart lines, traction in Europe for its the next generation WATCHMAN FLX, as well as contribution from accretive acquisitions are important drivers. The Pain and Brain franchisees are expected to gain solid traction in 2024 banking on strong execution of core growth strategies.

The Electrophysiology arm received a strong boost on the FDA approval for FARAPULSE. The 2024 guidance indicating strong growth over 2023 builds confidence in the stock. On the flip side, mounting costs due to worldwide geopolitical issues are major concerns. FX headwinds continue to largely offset the company’s performance.

(You can read the full research report on Boston Scientific here >>>)

Shares of Arista Networks have outperformed the Zacks Communication - Components industry over the past six months (+45.9% vs. +37.2%). The company reported healthy first-quarter results with solid top and bottom-line growth year over year, driven by robust demand trends. Easing supply chain woes and steady customer additions backed by the company’s best-in-class portfolio strength ensured top-line expansion, while steady margin improvement contributed to earnings growth.

Both the bottom and the top lines beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate. Arista is likely to benefit from a software-driven, data-centric approach that helps customers build their cloud architecture and enhance the cloud experience. It expects a healthy improvement in gross margin, owing to the optimization of manufacturing output.

However, fierce competition in cloud networking solutions market is worrisome. Cautious spending behavior, primarily from cloud titan customers, is another concern.

(You can read the full research report on Arista Networks here >>>)

Palo Alto Networks shares have outperformed the Zacks Internet - Software industry over the past year (+54.2% vs. +48.0%). The company has been benefiting from continuous deal wins and the increasing adoption of its next-generation security platforms, attributable to the rise in the hybrid work environment and the heightened need for stronger security.

PANW’s strong back-to-back quarterly performances reflect its sustained focus on product innovation, a shift in its business model to subscription-based services, platform integration and continued investments in the go-to-market strategy. The normalization of the supply chain is also aiding growth across the Products, Services and Subscription segments.

However, softening IT spending amid macroeconomic headwinds might hurt its near-term prospects. Forex headwinds and higher marketing and sales expenses are likely to continue hurting its profitability. Also, high acquisition-related expenses are denting margins.

(You can read the full research report on Palo Alto Networks here >>>)

Other noteworthy reports we are featuring today include American Electric Power Company, Inc. and Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) : Free Stock Analysis Report

American Electric Power Company, Inc. (AEP) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (CBOE) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (PANW) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) : Free Stock Analysis Report

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