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Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc., Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. And Stoneridge, Inc.
Thursday, October 09, 2008 12:19 AM
Symbols: FNM, FRE, OSIP, POT, SRI
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(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)trackingZacks.com

Mark Vickery

Web Content Editor

312-265-9380

Visit: www.zacks.com

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: The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT), Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE), Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM), OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIP) and Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Potash Corp. Fair Around $90

The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT), a Canadian corporation based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is the world's largest fertilizer enterprise producing three primary plant nutrients potash, phosphate and nitrogen. The company was created by the government of Saskatchewan in 1975.

Potash Corp. has benefited from higher fertilizer application rates, higher crop plantings, increasing demand for biofuels and rising crop prices. Rising fertilizers prices, especially potash, will expand POT's margin.

Freddie Sell Rec Unchanged

The shares of Freddie Mac (NYSE: FRE) have been extremely volatile over the past few weeks, since the U.S. federal regulators outlined their takeover plans for the two GSEs, trading between $0.25 per share and $2.95 per share.

Valuation remains a messy exercise in the absence of good financial information for both FRE and Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM), its closest peer. Our ultimate goal is to value FRE based on a core version of operating earnings (avoiding the numerous mark-to-market adjustments for hedge instruments that fail to qualify for hedge accounting treatment), but as yet we have none to use. In our view, however, several things continue to argue for an average valuation.

OSI Pharma Gets Bad News

Biotechnology company OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: OSIP) announced that a randomized phase III study evaluating Avastin in combination with Tarceva in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer failed to meet its primary endpoint of improving overall survival compared to Tarceva in combination with a placebo. We believe the data will have a negative effect on the share price in the short term and since the price has already achieved our target, we are downgrading the shares from Buy to Hold.

However, we think the impact of the data is limited in the long run, as the results do not affect Tarceva's approved indication for non-small cell lung cancer, and the median survival actually supports the role of Tarceva in the treatment of the advanced indication. Strong domestic sales and robust growth in ex-U.S. sales have us modeling over $1.1 billion in Tarceva sales in 2008 and beyond.

Stoneridge Cutting Back

Stoneridge, Inc. (NYSE: SRI) designs and manufactures engineered electrical and electronic components, modules, and systems for the automotive, medium and heavy-duty truck as well as agricultural vehicle markets. The company's primary products include power distribution components and systems, electrical switches and sensors, and other modular assemblies.

The company is aggressively cutting costs and benefiting from the growth of the commercial vehicle market. Increased use of electronics in vehicles is also benefiting the company. However, a squeeze between raw materials and prices, along with weak vehicle demand, force us to rate the shares a Hold with a target price of $8.50.

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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.

(c) 2008 BUSINESS WIRE. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.




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