Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Vodafone, China Mobile, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis.

CHICAGO -- 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: Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), China Mobile (NYSE: CHL), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) and Sanofi-Aventis (NYSE: SNY).

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2673

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Market Share Gains for Vodafone

We maintain our Buy recommendation for Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), the largest revenue generating international wireless carrier. We expect the firm to continue delivering solid operating results, while increasing shareholder returns through higher dividend payments and share repurchases. Management plans to payout [pounds sterling]10.2 billion ($18.2 billion) to its shareholders, through share repurchases and dividends in fiscal 2007.

Momentum is also building for the company's 3G (Third Generation) wireless services and Vodafone is gaining market share in most of its key markets. Furthermore, the company is looking for opportunities in untapped emerging markets, such as South East Asia, to foster growth. Recent acquisitions and divestitures is forecasted to provide operational efficiency and expand top-line revenue.

With 170 million customers in 26 countries, it is the world's largest revenue generating wireless communications operator and is the second largest carrier - behind China Mobile (NYSE: CHL) - based on subscriber count. The company operates independently and through affiliates, notably under the Vodafone brand name. It has a major presence in continental Europe, the U.S., and the Far East. Vodafone owns 45% of Verizon Wireless, the second largest U.S. wireless service provider.

Bristol-Myers Rates a Hold

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) is a global leader in the research and development (R&D) of lifesaving and life-enhancing drugs. The company's R&D efforts lead to the manufacturing and distribution of drugs for the treatment of heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, depression, schizophrenia and other disorders. Patent expirations will make the next several years challenging despite an attractive mid-to-late-stage pipeline.

The biggest significant event on the horizon is the outcome of the ongoing Plavix litigation trial. We expect Bristol and Sanofi (NYSE: SNY) to previal, protecting Plavix exclusivity into 2011. The shares should rally towards $30 as investors become more comfortable with Plavix returning to growth and Bristol's pipeline starting to deliver.

We currently rate shares of Bristol-Myers a hold with a $30 target. Despite what we believe is an undervalued late-stage pipeline and good cost-cutting opportunities for an acquirer, Bristol shares will probably trend sideways until the outcome of the Plavix patent trial much later in 2007. We caution investors that Bristol cannot endure this loss of Plavix without undertaking substantial restructuring. Plavix, the second largest pharmaceutical product in the world, accounts for an estimated 35% of the Bristol bottom-line. The loss of Plavix exclusivity would be devastating. We place the odds of Bristol/Sanofi winning the trial at over 2:1.

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=2645

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