Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Telecom Italia, News Corp. and Verint Systems

Business Wire, Sept 12, 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: Telecom Italia (NYSE:TI), News Corp. (NYSE:NWS) and Verint Systems (Nasdaq:VRNT).

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

Here are highlights from Monday's Analyst Blog:

Telecom Italia Gets Focused

Telecom Italia (NYSE:TI) announced today that the company plans to divest its high-margin mobile phone unit to focus on media content and Internet delivery. TI's mobile unit is the largest provider of cellular services in Italy, and the mobile business represents the company's highest margin business.

However, TI has significant debt, and the deal is expected to assist with financial arrangements and its new strategic initiatives. While we continue to assess the spin-off, we believe that TI may be at a disadvantage moving forward, should Fixed-Mobile Convergence and mobile media become more prevalent. The company plans to engage other leading entities in the media business, including recent reports about discussions with Rupert Murdoch and News Corp. (NYSE:NWS). We maintain our Hold rating with a $28 valuation target.

VRNT Seeks More Time

On September 6, Verint Systems (Nasdaq:VRNT) announced that the Company had made a submission to The NASDAQ Listing and Hearing Review Council requesting that a grant of a stay of the NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel's August 18, 2006 decision which established a deadline of September 25, 2006 to file its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. We, therefore, maintain our Hold rating and have set a target price of $31.

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.