The Zacks Analyst Blog features Microsoft, Alibaba Group, Medtronic, Illinois Tool Works and Fiserv

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – March 15, 2023 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the analyst blog. Every day, Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events affecting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured on the blog include: Microsoft Corp. MSFT, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA, Medtronic plc MDT, Illinois Tool Works Inc. ITW and Fiserv, Inc. FISV.

Here are the highlights from Tuesday’s analyst blog:

Top stock reports for Microsoft, Alibaba and Medtronic

The Zacks Research Daily presents the best research from our team of analysts. Today’s Research Daily features new research reports on 15 major stocks including Microsoft Corp., Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Medtronic plc. These research reports have been selected from the approximately 70 reports published today by our team of analysts.

You can All current research reports can be found here >>>

shares of Microsoft are up +4.9% over the last six months while the Zacks computer software industry is up +6.3%. The company benefits from the consistent execution of renewal sales moves, including strong win rates and growth of the Azure cloud platform amid an accelerated global digital transformation.

The slow but steady performance of Office 365 and Dynamics supports user growth, thereby driving revenue. Strength in Marketing Solutions and steady performance in Talent Solutions are driving LinkedIn revenues, fueled by recoveries in advertising and jobs. For fiscal year 2023, we expect revenue growth of 4.7% compared to fiscal year 2022.

However, a slowdown in cloud business and declining video game sales have been headwinds. The decline in Xbox content and services, as well as Xbox hardware, hurt gaming sales due to a drop in first-party content. Increasing spending on Azure improvements amid fierce competition in the cloud space from Amazon is likely to squeeze margins.

(You can Read the full research report on Microsoft here >>>)

Alibaba’s Equities have outperformed the Zacks internet commerce industry (+7.6% versus -25.5%) over the past year. The company’s revenue was fueled by growing momentum in Alibaba’s international retail business. The Zacks analyst expects its business to grow 9.1% year over year in fiscal 2023.

Additionally, solid momentum in the financial services, education and automotive industries is driving the company’s cloud business. Apart from that, the strengths of local consumer services and logistics services of Cainiao, Alibaba Health and Freshippo contribute well.

However, the uncertainties surrounding the coronavirus pandemic remain a major concern, particularly for Alibaba’s domestic operations. Rising costs associated with new initiatives are also overhangs.

(You can Read the full Alibaba research report here >>>)

shares of Medtronic are down -24.9% over the past year versus a -39.3% decline in the Zacks Medical – Products industry. The company’s innovation and market expansion efforts help offset the impact of high inflation and supply disruptions. The Zacks analyst expects its 2023 adjusted earnings to fall 4.8% from the year-ago period on CER revenue growth of 2%.

However, Medtronic is strategically expanding its global footprint to meet unmet demand for advanced medical technologies. We expect Medtronic to post a 2.5% international revenue CAGR through 2025. In the cardiovascular space, Medtronic is gaining market share and driving product launches. Within MedSurg, Medtronic is scaling production of Hugo RAS.

Medtronic’s strong cash position should allow it to meet its near-term debt obligations. All of these factors support our bullish stance on the stock.

(You can Read the full research report on Medtronic here >>>)

Other notable reports we present today are Illinois Tool Works Inc. and Fiserv, Inc..

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Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW): Free Stock Research Report

Microsoft Corporation (MSFT): Free Stock Research Report

Medtronic PLC (MDT): Free Stock Research Report

Fiserv, Inc. (FISV): Free Stock Research Report

Alibaba Group Holding Limited (BABA): Free Stock Research Report

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Zacks Investment Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.