Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: Huaneng Power, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Biogen Idec, Inc. and Goodyear Tire & Rubber

Business Wire, April 7, 2006

CHICAGO -- Zacks Equity Research highlights Huaneng Power (NYSE:HNP) as the Bull of the Day and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Biogen Idec, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIIB) and Goodyear Tire & Rubber (NYSE:GT). Full analysis of all four stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2676.

E[acute accent]Here is a synopsis of all four stocks:

E[acute accent]Bull of the Day:

E[acute accent]Our Bull of the Day recommendation is for Huaneng Power (NYSE:HNP). Although there still are concerns about utilization rates, variable fuel and transportation costs, future tariff rates and exchange rates, the following points should keep HNP viable: the growing demand for power in China, its growth and operational strategies, the company's unique relationship with the Huaneng Group and China's government, and the fuel-cost pass-through mechanism. It should remain competitive in the production of power in China, which, in turn, should lead to a higher valuation. Overall, we believe the current price doesn't reflect the company's fair value. Therefore, we are upgrading the stock from Hold to Buy.

E[acute accent]Bear of the Day:

E[acute accent]Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE:KMB) has strong consumer brands and is well respected for product innovation, especially in the diaper category. Despite progress on the company's three cost savings programs (FORCE, the Global Business Plan, and the Competitive Improvement Initiatives), rising raw material costs, weak European operations, and competitive pressures are negatively impacting results. As a result, the stock is recommended as a Sell.

E[acute accent]Analyst Blog:

E[acute accent]We are reiterating our Buy rating on the shares of Biogen Idec, Inc. (Nasdaq:BIIB). The company has been granted a priority review for reinstating Tysabri. The core business is performing well, and with a potential Tysabri return mid-year, we believe the shares are highly attractive. Biogen Idec's solid financial situation makes the company an attractive partner. We believe that a positive Tysabri review and news on the pipeline will drive the shares higher in 2006. We expect volatility over the next few months until the Tysabri approval, but we advise long-term investors to establish a position at current levels. E[acute accent]Goodyear Tire & Rubber (NYSE:GT) is actively following a turnaround strategy and expects to achieve significant savings over the next three years. Restructuring and rationalization activities undertaken by management to contain costs and focus on core business areas will help earnings growth. The company is witnessing a favorable selling price environment and product mix which is more than offsetting higher raw material costs. Thus, we reiterate our Buy rating for the stock with a six-month target price of $17.00.

E[acute accent]Get the full analysis of all four stocks by going to http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

E[acute accent]About the Bull and Bear of the Day

E[acute accent]Every day, the analysts at Zacks Equity Research select two stocks that are likely to outperform (Bull) or underpeform (Bear) the markets over the next 3-6 months.

E[acute accent]About the Analyst Blog

E[acute accent]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.

E[acute accent]About Zacks Equity Research

E[acute accent]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. E[acute accent]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. E[acute accent]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.

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