Daily Stock Setups

Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Lattice Semiconductor, Moog Inc., CuraGen Corp., AstraZeneca plc and Micromet Inc.

Posted on: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:00:00 EDT

Symbols: AZN, MOG.A, MITI, LSCC, CRGN

Are you looking to increase your ETF knowledge?

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free
Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579

Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:

Lattice Targets FPGA Growth

Revenue growth for Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ: LSCC | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) was
poised to take off in 2009, as new design wins were expected to convert.
However, the recession completely changed the scenario, with the company
seeing lower backlog and turns. However, the product line is much
improved, and management focus has shifted to generating revenue and
profits.

According to data submitted by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics
(WSTS), semiconductor sales were $248.6 billion in 2008, down -2.8% from
2007 levels. The SIA expects semiconductor sales to decline again in
2009 by around -5.6%.

Earnings Follow Orders - Down!

Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) lowered its expectations for fiscal year
2009 to sales of ~ $1.85 billion and EPS in a range of $1.75 to $2.15.
Previous guidance was for sales of $1.988 billion - which included $41
million from recent acquisitions - and EPS of $2.80. Restructuring
charges account for some 25c of reduced earnings, mostly in the second
half of the fiscal year.

Incoming orders for some product lines within Moog's Industrial Systems
segment have dropped dramatically: Plastics -- down 77%; Metal Forming
-- down 60%; Steel Mills -- down 60%; and Simulators - down 28%.
Together, these product lines accounted for $251 million of fiscal 2008
sales.

CuraGen Caught in the Middle

Recently, CuraGen Corp. (NASDAQ: CRGN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) declared that it is
undertaking a review of a broad range of strategic alternatives to
enhance shareholder value.

The company revealed that these alternatives may range from selling or
licensing CR011, the company's lead drug candidate, to acquiring
additional assets or business lines, to selling the company. CuraGen
will retain an investment bank to assist the Board with its strategic
review.

AstraZeneca a Hold for Now

We currently rate shares of AstraZeneca plc (NYSE: AZN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) a Hold
with a $38 price target. The company is facing a number of challenges as
it enters 2009, most notably generic competition to Toprol-XL, Nexium,
Casodex and Pulmicort.

The just-announced increase to the cost-cutting program will aid EPS in
the near-term, but we do not believe this will be enough to compensate
for continued revenue deterioration beyond 2010. Atacand and Arimidex
will both be subject to generic competition in 2010, then Seroquel and
Symbicort lose U.S. patent protection in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
This puts significantly more pressure on the company to commercialize
its late-stage pipeline.

Micromet May Have Strong BiTE

Micromet Inc. (NASDAQ: MITI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) last week announced the publication
of data in the peer-reviewed Journal of Immunotherapy demonstrating the
potent anti-tumor activity of a BiTE antibody binding to
carcinoembryonic antigen and to CD3 on T cells. The new study shows that
novel BiTE antibodies have strong activity against CEA-expressing cancer
cells in vitro and in animals, even in the presence of high levels of
soluble CEA.

Micromet and MedImmune are jointly developing MT111/MEDI-565, a
CEA-specific BiTE, which is currently in pre-clinical development.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from
the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

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=2677

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was
formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics 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=4580.

Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance
for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press
release.

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.

SOURCE: Zacks.com


Zacks.com 
Mark Vickery 
Web Content Editor 
312-265-9380 
Visit: www.zacks.com

For full details on Astrazeneca Plc (AZN) AZN. Astrazeneca Plc (AZN) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Astrazeneca Plc (AZN) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

For full details on Moog Inc (MOG.A) MOG.A. Moog Inc (MOG.A) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Moog Inc (MOG.A) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

For full details on Micromet Inc (MITI) MITI. Micromet Inc (MITI) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Micromet Inc (MITI) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

For full details on Lattice Semiconductor Cp (LSCC) LSCC. Lattice Semiconductor Cp (LSCC) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Lattice Semiconductor Cp (LSCC) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

For full details on Curagen Corp (CRGN) CRGN. Curagen Corp (CRGN) has Short Term PowerRatings at TradingMarkets. Details on Curagen Corp (CRGN) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

More News: Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News

Disclaimer:

The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.

It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.

HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.

The Connors Group, Inc.
10 Exchange Place, Suite 1800
Jersey City, NJ 07302

All analyst commentary provided on TradingMarkets.com is provided for educational purposes only. The analysts and employees or affiliates of TradingMarkets.com may hold positions in the stocks or industries discussed here. This information is NOT a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Your use of this and all information contained on TradingMarkets.com is governed by the Terms and Conditions of Use. Please click the link to view those terms. Follow this link to read our Editorial Policy.