Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Jones Soda, Radio One, Comcast and Sepracor

Business Wire, Dec 28, 2006

CHICAGO -- 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: Jones Soda (Nasdaq: JSDA), Radio One (Nasdaq: ROIAK), Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) and Sepracor, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR).

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2673

Here are highlights from Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

Hold Initiated on Jones Soda

Management at Jones Soda (Nasdaq: JSDA) has been successfully implementing a growth strategy based on introducing innovative new products, employing unique marketing programs, and utilizing multiple channels of distribution. The company is in the early stages of development as a participant in the carbonated soft drink (CSD) industry. Given the stock's recent rally and its high valuation, however, coverage is initiated with a Hold rating.

Radio One Diversifying

Radio One (Nasdaq: ROIAK) is diversifying into businesses that compliment its core radio operations, which longer-term could offset the secular decline its faces in radio. Together with Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA), the company started an African-American cable TV network, TV One, which it expects to reach breakeven profitability in 2008.

It is also is investing in content and an Internet portal. However, Radio One's near-term outlook is weak. KBBT, the company's LA radio station (10% of 2005 revenue), had revenue drop 50% in 3Q06, pushing overall company revenue down 2%, as competition from Spanish-formatted broadcasters continue to take share. Although the station has been reformatted, we think it will take at least a few quarters for awareness of the new station format to spread and ratings to improve.

$67 Target on Sepracor

Sepracor, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEPR) engages in the discovery, development and commercialization of products primarily for the treatment of respiratory and central nervous system disorders. The company should strong profitability in 2006, up from negative EPS in 2005.

The very strong trend should continue in 2007, driven by Lunesta and Xopenex MDI. Future long-term growth will depend upon the successful ramping of these two products and the launch of newly approved Brovana.

We believe Sepracor's stock is undervalued given our long-term earnings model. Our price target is $67.

See the latest posts to the Analyst Blog by visiting http://at.zacks.com/?id=2645

About Zacks Equity Research

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.

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.

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=2674.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978 by Leonard Zacks. As a PhD in mathematics Len knew he could find patterns in stock market data that would lead to superior investment results. Amongst his many accomplishments was the formation of his proprietary stock picking system; the Zacks Rank, which continues to outperform the market by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. The best way to unlock the profitable stock recommendations and market insights of Zacks Investment Research is through our free daily email newsletter; Profit from the Pros. In short, it's your steady flow of Profitable ideas GUARANTEED to be worth your time! Register for your free subscription to Profit from the Pros.