Zacks Broker Upgrades: State Street Corporation, L-3 Communications and Lowe's Companies

Zacks Broker Upgrades: State Street Corporation, L-3 Communications and Lowe's Companies

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Studies have shown that broker upgrades lead to short-term outperformance. Stocks recently upgraded by brokerage analysts include State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT), L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) and Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW). To learn more about how you can profit from broker upgrades, visit: http://at.zacks.com/?id=139.

Here is a synopsis of stocks with recent broker upgrades:

State Street Corporation (NYSE: STT) recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire Investors Financial Services Corporation in a stock transaction valued at about $4.5 billion. The move helped push the company's Average Broker Recommendation up to 2.07. According to Zacks Research Digest, analysts believe the company is positioned to benefit from macro trends, should continue to win its share of new business, and is well positioned in Asia Pacific and Europe.

L-3 Communications (NYSE: LLL) watched its Average Broker Recommendation rise to 1.91 recently. The defense contractor announced fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.37 on net sales of $3.39 billion. EPS improved from $1.24 a year earlier and edged past the consensus, while sales advanced 16.7% from $2.9 billion. L-3 believes that 2007 will be another strong year. Brokerage analysts appreciate the defense contractor's diversified product portfolio and limited exposure to risky, next-generation platform programs, according to Zacks Research Digest. They believe the company will remain a leading supplier in a broad array of high technology markets, and expect its strong cash flow and balance sheet position to continue.

Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW), the second-largest home improvement retailer, experienced an increase in its Average Broker Recommendation to 1.84. The company is scheduled to report its fiscal fourth-quarter performance on Feb 23. Lowe's is in a growth mode and opening new stores in new markets. Other key positive arguments, according to Zacks Research Digest, include the company's increasingly digitized installed sales and special order efforts; its cash flow generation; its strong balance sheet and share repurchases; and its regular cash dividend.

About Broker Upgrades

Zacks is the leader in helping investors profit from brokerage research. On any given day we compile and analyze thousands of brokerage research reports released by over 200 brokerage firms. We have conclusively proven over the years that stocks recently upgraded by brokerage firms are likely to outperform the market.


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