CHICAGO, Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- 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: Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTA) and Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL).
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:
The Gap in Paris
San Francisco, California-based premier international specialty retailer, Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS), intends to further expand its global footprint by opening its first ever Banana Republic store in Paris.
The store is scheduled to be open in early December 2011 at one of the most popular international shopping destination in the world Avenue des Champs Elysees. The 1,482 square meters (15,952 square feet) store will be designed with unique architecture and rich materials inspired by the heritage of France and will offer the best city styles that appears in the company's other stores in all hub cities.
The store will include Banana Republic's unique approach to customer service. The store will consist of trained stylists from whom customers can obtain free styling advice. Customers can also book stylist personnel in person or over phone as per their styling needs.
Banana Republic stores consists of lifestyle collections at approachable prices and includes ready-to-wear collections for men and women, apparel, handbags, jewelry, fragrance and eyewear. Banana Republic is a division of Gap Inc. and has over 600 stores in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Italy and Japan.
Court Ruling Favors Teva
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Nasdaq: TEVA) recently received a boost with the US District Court for the Southern District of New York issuing a favorable ruling related to the company's patent infringement lawsuit against Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS)/Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTA) and Mylan Inc. (Nasdaq: MYL)/Natco Pharma Ltd.
The lawsuit is regarding the company's lead drug Copaxone, marketed for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS).
The Court adopted all relevant claim construction interpretations of Teva and rejected all the claim construction interpretations put forth by Novartis/Momenta and Mylan/Natco. Moreover, the Court denied Mylan's motion for summary judgment that the disputed patents are invalid for indefiniteness.
We note that Teva's patent for Copaxone is set to expire in 2014. The company has filed a Citizen Petition (CP) with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the agency to refuse the approval of generic versions of Copaxone. Teva has also asked the FDA to get any abbreviated new drug application (ANDA) for Copaxone to be reviewed by an advisory panel.
The trial date for the lawsuit has been set for September 7, 2011. It is very crucial for Teva to win this lawsuit as Copaxone is one of its biggest revenue generators.
The drug posted global in-market sales of $957 million in the second quarter of 2011, reflecting an increase of 24% year-over-year. While US in-market sales increased 29% to $682 million, ex-US in-market sales grew 13% to $275 million.
Neutral on Teva
We currently have a Neutral recommendation on Teva Pharma. The stock carries a Zacks #3 Rank (Hold rating) in the short-run. We remain concerned about the intense competition and pricing pressure that Teva faces in the generics market. However, the company's upcoming acquisition of Cephalon should help Teva expand and strengthen its branded and specialty pharma business.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
About Zacks Equity Research
Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.
Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.
Zacks "Profit from the Pros" e-mail newsletter provides highlights of the latest analysis from Zacks Equity Research. Subscribe to this free newsletter today: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
About Zacks
Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
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.
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
[email protected]
http://www.zacks.com
SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.