Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Schering-Plough, CVS Corporation, Broadcom and CEMEX.

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Schering-Plough (NYSE:SGP) as the Bull of the Day and CVS Corporation (NYSE:CVS) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Broadcom (Nasdaq:BRCM) and CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:CX). 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 Schering-Plough (NYSE:SGP). SGP is engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products around the world. The company focuses on prescription drugs, animal health, foot-care and sun-care products. Lead products include its antihistamine franchise Claritin/Clarinex and a cholesterol-lowering joint-venture therapy treatment (Vytorin) with Merck. The turnaround is underway at SGP. The company should deliver the highest 4-year earnings growth rate in the large-cap pharmaceutical industry. Valuation becomes attractive based on recovery EPS in 2008 and 2009. We recommend investors 'Buy' the name up to $26.

Bear of the Day:

Our Bear of the Day is for CVS Corporation (NYSE:CVS), one of the leaders in the domestic drug store industry. The company has an aggressive expansion strategy, a relatively sound financial position, and has been reporting good same-store sales growth. However, CVS will experience earnings dilution as the Sav-on and Osco drugstores are integrated into CVS's operations in the second half of 2006. In addition, industry conditions are challenging, particularly from pricing pressure in drug reimbursement rates. The rating on CVS Corporation is a SELL.

Analyst Blog:

Overall revenue for Broadcom (Nasdaq:BRCM) in Q1 was $901 million, up 10% sequentially and 64% year over year. This easily beat our estimate of $870 million. Broadband revenue jumped 30% sequentially, driving the quarter. Nevertheless, based on our pro forma EPS estimate that includes the impact of stock-based compensation, we believe the stock is richly valued, despite the company's leading position in wireless, broadband, and networking. Accordingly, we maintain our Hold rating and have set a target price of $45.

We continue to recommend a Buy on CEMEX, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE:CX). The company posted solid results in the first quarter of 2006, and the outlook for future quarters seems positive. Moreover, the business environment for 2006 looks promising, with a benign outlook for both U.S. and Mexican interest rates. Additionally, we are encouraged by the good volumes and higher prices for cement and ready-mix, continued debt reduction, and new investments that will help the company to continue to expand, increasing its geographical diversification. We are also increasing our 2006 and 2007 earnings estimates.

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.

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 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=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 by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2650.

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

(a)The Zacks Performance Rank performance is the total return of equal weighted simulated portfolios consisting of those stocks with the indicated Zacks Rank net of fees. Results reflect the reinvestment of dividends and other earnings. Simulated results do not represent actual trading and may not reflect the impact that economic and market factors might have had on decision-making if an adviser were actually managing a client's money.

(b)The S&P 500 Index ("S&P 500") is a well-known, unmanaged index of the prices of 500 large-company common stocks selected by Standard & Poor's. The S&P 500 includes the reinvestment of all dividends, no transaction costs, and represents the gross returns before management fees.

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.