Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: TOTAL, Digitas, Chemtura and SGX Pharmaceuticals.

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights TOTAL S.A. (NYSE: TOT) as the Bull of the Day and Digitas, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTAS) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Chemtura Corp. (NYSE: CEM) and SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGXP). 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 TOTAL S.A. (NYSE: TOT). We maintain our Buy rating on TOTAL ADRs after the company's third quarter results. We continue to like the company for its positive production-growth profile, attractive returns, and an improving outlook for the refining and chemical businesses. We also like the company's active share buyback program and the 16% increase in the interim dividend. Although growth in production is still lower than its peers, we expect momentum to accelerate in the coming quarters.

Bear of the Day:

Our Bear of the Day recommendation is for Digitas, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTAS). Digitas recently reported an in-line third quarter of 2006, as its revenues were in line with our estimates and its adjusted earnings per share were slightly better than we expected. American Express and General Motors continue to account for 44% of fee revenues, and the continued weakness at GM has led us to lower our fourth quarter revenue and earnings estimates for the remainder of 2006. We are also expecting a slight slowdown in growth in 2007 for the overall market, and we have lowered our 2007 revenue and earnings estimates for the company. We continue to rate shares of DTAS a Sell, although we have fixed a price target to $9.75 or 20x our 2007 earnings estimate.

Analyst Blog:

Chemtura Corp. (NYSE: CEM) faces integration risk associated with this merger of Great Lakes and Crompton. The company also is in the midst of a price/raw material squeeze. Additionally, aggressive pricing of some business has resulted in lost market share. This leads us to rate the stock a Sell with a six-month target price of $7.00. Currently, shares of Chemtura Corporation are trading at 11.8x our 2007 EPS estimate of $0.74 per share. However, competition is forcing prices down, which may constrain margins. Thus, our $7.00 price target is 9.5x our 2007 EPS estimate.

SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: SGXP) is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of cancer therapeutics. After the discontinuation of its only candidate Troxatyl for third-line AML in late August 2006, SGXP has shifted its focus on its FAST programs. Although the company lost its near-term growth drive, we believe the FAST technology will provide long term growth for the company. Therefore, we rate the shares Hold with a target price of $3.50.

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.