Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Toyota Motor Corp., LDK Solar Co., Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc., Acusphere Inc. and AXA Group S.A.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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: Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM), LDK Solar Co. (NYSE: LDK), Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (Nasdaq: BECN), Acusphere Inc. (Nasdaq: ACUS) and AXA Group S.A. (NYSE: AXA).

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Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:

Toyota Feels Weak US Market

In 2009 first quarter, Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) reported diluted earnings per ADR of $2.14 compared to $2.94 in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net revenues decreased 4.7% year over year to $5.92 billion. The company attributes the decrease in revenues to soaring raw material prices and exchange rates fluctuations. Consolidated vehicle sales for the quarter amounted to 2.19 million units, an increase of 24,000 units compared with the same period of fiscal 2008.

The company continues to expand its production capacity in a manner that increases efficiency and meets local demand and simultaneously powering it to emerge as the world’s financially strongest automaker. A strong presence in North America has been further consolidated by gaining market share from the leading U.S. automakers. Moreover, the company also has a strong cash flow and a strong balance sheet.

LDK Solar on the Horizon

LDK Solar Co.’s (NYSE: LDK) revenue and earnings for the second quarter continued to show strong growth, which again exceeded market expectations. We think LDK will continue to grow quickly in the next few quarters due to its aggressive capacity expansion and strong growth of solar power industry worldwide.

For the second quarter ended June 30, net sales stood at $441.7 million, up 89.2% from $233.4 million for the first quarter of 2008, and up 345.9% year-over-year from $99.1 million for the second quarter of 2007.

Beacon Roofing Keeps the Lid On

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc. (Nasdaq: BECN) reported a third quarter earnings of $0.41 per share, well above our estimate of $0.29 per share and the prior-year level of $0.26 per share due to higher sales and growth in margins. Going forward, while BECN benefits from market share gains, product mix, acquisitions, a scale-driven reduction in purchasing costs and other cost-reduction efforts, a slowing housing industry in the U.S. will adversely impact its sales and margins.

Moreover, the stock already trades at a premium to the industry median multiple, which adequately reflects the overall positive fundamental outlook. Hence, we retain our Hold rating on the shares of BECN.

Acusphere a Speculative Buy

Acusphere Inc.'s (Nasdaq: ACUS) balance sheet shows $12 million in cash as of June 30. The management has been actively looking at ways to reduce cash burn over the next three quarters while it waits for Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) action on its potential blockbuster product, Imagify.

Recently, Acusphere reduced headcount by 24% and cut salaries for senior management 10%. These moves follow restructuring IP payments and renegotiating manufacturing terms earlier in the second quarter. However, these moves only delay what we see as inevitable. Acusphere will need to raise cash before the U.S. Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) date on Imagify of February 28, 2009. This will come from either signing a U.S. partnership or big stock offering.

AXA Group Already at Premium

AXA Group S.A. (NYSE: AXA) through its subsidiaries provides financial protection and asset management services primarily in Western Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa.

Most business units are performing relatively well given the challenging macro environment so far in 2008. The gradual and stable increase of interest rates worldwide has been supportive to life insurance companies in general, and AXA in particular. AXA Group has positive cash flow in all of its operations, and an increase in interest rates will be positive for the reinvestment of its cash flow.

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