Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Gilead Sciences, Sony Corporation, Genesis Microsystems and Chemed Corporation.

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD) as the Bull of the Day and Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Genesis Microsystems (Nasdaq: GNSS) and Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE). Full analysis of all four stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

Bull of the Day:

Our Bull of the Day recommendation is for Gilead Sciences (Nasdaq: GILD), a biotechnology company that develops and markets drugs for infectious diseases, including viral, fungal and bacterial infections. The company also has specialized focus on developing drugs for patients suffering from HIV/AIDS. We remain optimistic about growth of HIV/AIDS franchise drugs Truvada and the recently approved Atripla. Fourth quarter earnings were above expectations specifically on strong sales of the newly launched Atripla product. In November the company completed the acquisition of Myogen for $2.5 billion in cash. Although dilutive in the near-term, this deal works to fill the pipeline gap beyond 2009. We continue to be positive on the name and have established a price target of $82.

Bear of the Day:

Our Bear of the Day recommendation is for Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE). We believe Sony will continue to struggle as it faces competition from innovative digital products and struggles to ramp production of its PlayStation 3. In addition, Sony is facing increasing competition from low-cost manufacturers in Asia as the consumer market slows. We therefore maintain a Sell recommendation on SNE shares with a $35.00 price target.

Analyst Blog:

Genesis Microsystems (Nasdaq: GNSS) is a fabless OEM [original equipment manufacturer] of a product line of video display controllers used within flat-panel computer monitors and advanced televisions (ATVs). December quarter revenue and EPS [earnings per share] badly missed consensus expectations. The fourth quarter guidance was very disappointing, with revenue expected to decline 22-32%. The company faces many issues in the ATV market. We expect this segment to remain troubled, increasing top and bottom line uncertainties for the company as a whole. The risk/return ratio is turning unfavorable in our opinion. Consequently, we are reiterating our Hold rating on GNSS shares.

Chemed Corporation (NYSE: CHE), through its two primary subsidiaries of Vitas and Roto-Rooter, is a major player in both the hospice and plumbing industries, respectively. Management's fiscal year 2006 guidance pegs growth of Vitas revenue at between 13% and 15.5% year over year, with admissions increasing by 5% to 6% year over year [y/y]. Management also expects Roto-Rooter revenue increase by 6% to 7% for FY06 y/y. We forecast fourth quarter '06 revenue and EPS [earnings per share] of $271 million and $0.55, respectively, and maintain our Buy recommendation at current levels pending the release of financial results on February 20, 2007.

Get the full analysis of all four 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.

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