Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Philip Morris International Inc., Jabil Circuit, Inc., Palm Inc., Research in Motion and Apple

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: Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM), Jabil Circuit, Inc. (NYSE: JBL), Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM), Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) and Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

PM with Some Concerns

Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE: PM) has a history of strong operating and financial performance. Management has a credible strategy of growing EPS in the range of 10% to 12% and returning a substantial portion of the company's cash flow to shareholders.

However, PMI has experienced an adverse mix shift as lower margin markets have grown faster than the company's average. In addition, the company is exposed to risks from litigation and increased smoking restrictions. The Hold rating is maintained.

Jabil Faces Bigger Challenges

Jabil Circuit, Inc. (NYSE: JBL) has been struggling to meet expectations in a slowing macroeconomic environment, and tight credit market. The company is experiencing falling demand, lower booking levels and declining margins.

Jabil's second-quarter revenue and earnings forecast are below Wall Street's expectations. Moreover, the near term risks of slowing end markets remain. Despite economic weakness, Jabil's strength in Mobility, and the Telecommunication helps improve its financial metrics. With flat revenue and profitability, we expect JBL to at least trade in-line with its peer group.

Future For Palm Uncertain

Palm Inc. (NASDAQ: PALM) has agreed to sell to Elevation Partners 100,000 units of preferred stock and warrants (which can be separated and traded independently) for $100 million. Elevation Partners is already a major stockholder of PALM.

Both the preferred and the warrants are convertible into common stock at $3.25 a share.

PALM is number three in the smart phone business after Research in Motion's (NASDAQ: RIMM) BlackBerry and Apple's (NASDAQ: AAPL) iPhone and is rapidly losing market share as illustrated by the recent second quarter results.

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