Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: ZymoGenetics, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Linear Technology, BioScrip Inc. and Marriott International Inc.

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: ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: ZGEN), Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Linear Technology (NASDAQ: LLTC), BioScrip Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOS) and Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR).

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Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:

ZymoGenetics Retains a Buy Rec

We maintain our Buy rating on ZymoGenetics (NASDAQ: ZGEN) shares and raised our price target to $7.50 based on better-than-expected 4th quarter of 2008 results and outlook for 2009.

ZymoGenetics reported financial results for the 4th quarter on February 11, 2008. Revenue came in at $36.0 million, compared to our estimate of $12.3 million. The increase was primarily due to increased collaboration and license revenues and sales of RECOTHROM in the United States. Net loss per share was -$0.13, versus our estimate of -$0.48 in Q42008. For the full-year 2008, net loss per share was -$1.69, versus our estimate of -$2.04.

The company ended the year with $89.9 million of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The cash position should strengthen further in 2009 primarily due to the amounts expected to be received from Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) under the recently announced PEG-Interferon lambda collaboration. The company expects to receive $105.0 million this quarter after completion of United States Federal Trade Commission review, and an additional $95.0 million in milestone payments will be due related to the start of phase II clinical testing for PEG-Interferon lambda, which is expected later this year.

Linear Tech: Wait & Watch

Linear Technology (NASDAQ: LLTC) is a leading OEM [original equipment manufacturer] of analog and mixed signal semiconductors. December quarter revenue was short of consensus expectations, although the EPS exceeded. Forward guidance is for a 15-20% revenue decline in the next quarter.

Management’s revenue generation plans have been hard-hit by the credit crunch, and we expect revenue to decline in fiscal 2009. Additionally, considering the lower revenue and significant debt burden, cash flows may be impacted. The silver lining is the flexible operating structure, which could mitigate some of the negative impact on margins.

Buy BioScrip Ahead of Earnings

BioScrip Inc. (NASDAQ: BIOS) is a specialty pharmacy services provider and pharmacy benefit manager. BioScrip was formed through the merger of MIM Corporation and Chronimed in March 2005.

BIOS will report 4Q08 financial results on March 11, 2009. Our current revenue and EPS estimates are $364M and $0.05, respectively, versus consensus estimates of $366M and $0.05. The company's conference call will be held the same day at 9:00 AM EST.

Marriott: More Downside Ahead

Marriott International Inc. (NYSE: MAR) is a leading worldwide hospitality company with a primary focus on property management and franchising. We maintain our Sell rating on shares of Marriott, following the release of 4th quarter results.

The operating environment in the lodging sector is expected to remain weak throughout 2009 with substantial RevPAR declines forecasted. Additionally, the company’s timeshare segment is struggling, with sales down and credit market turmoil preventing the company from completing note sales.

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