Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Alleghany, Cablevision, CBS, Lions Gate Entertainment and JPMorgan Chase

Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Alleghany, Cablevision, CBS, Lions Gate Entertainment and JPMorgan Chase

CHICAGO, June 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Alleghany Corp (NYSE:Y) as the Bull of the Day and Cablevision (NYSE:CVC) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS), Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE:LGF) and JPMorgan Chase & Company (NYSE:JPM).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Rising estimates resulting from an excellent quarterly performance have sent insurer Alleghany Corp (NYSE:Y) to Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) rank and it is the Bull of the day.

Alleghany is a multi-line insurance company, engaged in the sale and underwriting of title insurance and in other real estate-related services businesses, through its subsidiaries Chicago Title and Trust Company, Chicago Title Insurance Company, Security Union Title Insurance Company and Ticor Title Insurance Company.

It also operates certain other financial services businesses, though its subsidiary Alleghany Asset Management.

Alleghany reported its first quarter results on May 6, 2013. Stockholders' equity per common share increased to $394.71 as of March 31, 2013, up 4.1% from $379.13 at December 31, 2012. Pre-tax earnings for the quarter, before merger-related items, came in at $265.0 million, up from pre-tax earnings, before merger related items, of $181.8 million for the year-ago quarter.

Zacks consensus estimate for the current quarter has increased to $6.72 per share from $5.80 per share 60 days ago and similarly, the estimate for the current year has gone up to $28.50 per share from $23.15 per share.

Bear of the Day:

Cablevision's (NYSE:CVC) fifth-largest cable operator (by subscribers) is currently going through a challenging time due to increased competition from Verizon's FiOS internet and television services and online video streaming services by many companies.

Further, sharp downward estimates revisions have resulted in a cloudy near-term outlook for this Zacks Rank # 5 (Strong Sell) stock.

Cablevision Systems Corporation is one of the country's leading media and telecommunications companies. They deliver cable, Internet, and voice offerings throughout the New York area. Additionally, the company owns and operates cable systems in four Western states.

The company announced its first quarter results on May 9, 2013. The quarter resulted in a loss of 16.1 million, or $0.06 per share, compared with a profit of $57.2 million, or $0.21 a share, in the year-ago quarter. Results were substantially worse than the Zacks consensus estimate of $0.07 per share.

Latest Posts on the Zacks Analyst Blog:

CBS Obtains Rights to TV Guide Digital

CBS Corporation (NYSE:CBS) announced the acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in TV Guide Digital, including the TVGuide.com and TV Guide Mobile properties from Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (NYSE:LGF). However, TVGN Cable Network will continue to operate as a joint venture between CBS and Lionsgate.

For quiet sometime now, CBS has been eyeing expansion opportunities in the basic cable arena. In March, the company first acquired the 50% stake in TVGN from JPMorgan Chase & Company's (NYSE:JPM) One Equity Partners.

The addition of TVGuide.com to CBS' impressive portfolio is believed to be a major boost for the latter's digital business as both TVGuide.com and TV Guide Mobile enjoy a strong audience in the lucrative TV information category. Moreover, TVGN, which airs reruns of programs like "Who's The Boss," ''Ugly Betty" and old movies, is now available in more than 80 million homes.

As per the agreement, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide Mobile apps will be a part of CBS Interactive's Technology, Games and Lifestyle group.

Alongside, CBS Corporation remains well positioned to drive growth in the coming quarters through its strategic initiatives focused on increasing subscription based revenue channels.

CBS remains optimistic and expects its growth momentum to continue in 2013 based on reverse compensation from affiliates, strong demand of its content, digital distribution, syndication sales and retransmission consent.

CBS is eyeing around $1 billion in retransmission and reverse compensation revenues by 2017. The company also remains positive about CBS Television Network being the growth driver.

Get the full analysis of all these stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

About the Bull and Bear of the Day

Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underperform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

About the Analyst Blog

Updated throughout every trading day, the Analyst Blog provides analysis from Zacks Equity Research about the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets.

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 analyst 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 by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=7158.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard 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=4582.

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
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
http://www.profits.zacks.com/

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Zacks Investment Research, Inc.

Web Site: http://www.zacks.com


-------
Profile: intent