Morningstar analysts have been churning out new research reports over the last few weeks to help investors make sense of the latest corporate developments and earnings results. All readers can click on the various ticker symbols below to see detailed stock price information about each firm. Premium members can click on each company’s name to read our analysts’ latest research and see our fair value estimates.
Banks and Financial Services:
- Barclays (BARC)
- Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)
- Experian (EXPN)
- Icap (IAP)
- De La Rue (DLAR)
In one of her latest research reporta, Morningstar's banking analyst Erin Davis examines Barclays' sale of its stake in BlackRock. She also discusses her views in The Weekly Wrap with Alanna Petroff, where she says Barclays’ decision to sell now is a good move. Morningstar analysts have also increased their fair value estimate for Experian and parsed through the latest earnings results for Icap and De La Rue.
More research on the banking sector was also released in early May. Click on the links below to view the latest research on more UK-traded banks:
- HSBC Holdings (HSBA)
- Lloyds Banking Group (LLOY)
- Standard Chartered (STAN)
Morningstar analyst Vincent Lui discusses the insurer’s recent quarterly results and explains that the company has come across difficult times, especially as the firm looks for a new CEO: “Aviva is at a crossroads. The company is struggling to identify a long-term strategy that works. The company's 2007 ‘One Aviva, Twice the Value’ strategy, which meant to unify Aviva's disparate brands into one, did not yield the results expected.”
Utilities:
- National Grid (NG.)
The latest Morningstar research report discusses National Grid’s full-year earnings results and states: “We continue to assert the next nine months will be critical for National Grid and its investors as UK regulator Ofgem moves toward a final decision on the 2013-21 transmission rate period and gas distribution rate period.”
Telecommunications:
- Vodafone Group (VOD)
- Cable & Wireless Worldwide (CW.)
Morningstar analyst Allan Nichols discusses the year-end results for both companies in his latest research.
To learn more about Nichols’ opinions on Vodafone’s acquisition of Cable & Wireless Worldwide, read this story: Vodafone Scores a Great Deal with C&WW Takeover.
Aerospace & Defense:
- BAE Systems (BA.)
Morningstar has updated its views on the defence contractor, saying “although the firm's leading position in the United Kingdom and exposure to growing programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter portend value creation, a slowing US defense budget and intense competition in international markets dilute some of BAE's advantages.”
Beverages:
- SABMiller (SAB)
- Diageo (DGE)
In his latest SABMiller research note, Morningstar analyst Thomas Mullarkey reviews the company’s full-year earnings results and discusses how the company is growing its sales in Latin America and Africa. Mullarkey also comments on Diageo's recent acquisition in Brazil.
Healthcare:
- Smith & Nephew (SN.)
Morningstar analyst Julie Stralow believes the surgical device maker is trading at a significant discount to the company’s fair value, and expects the firm to grow at a rate of 5% annually over the next five years.
To see more equity research that was completed earlier in May, click here.