For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – January 20, 2010 – 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: China Mobile (CHL), China Unicom (CHU), China Telecom (CHA), Bank of America (BAC) and Wells Fargo (WFC).
Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5513
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
China Invests Billions on 3G
China’s big three telecom carriers China Mobile (CHL), China Unicom (CHU), China Telecom (CHA) have invested RMB160.9 billion (US$23.8 billion) on 3G networks in 2009, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (“MIIT”) of China.
MIIT also reported that the operators constructed 325,000 3G base stations last year. China Mobile has built 87,000 3G base stations in 2009 and targets at least 70,000 3G cell towers in 2010. MIIT anticipates that China’s 3G user base has exceeded 15 million at the end of 2009. China Mobile and China Unicom have reportedly exited last year with 5.51 million and 3 million 3G subscribers, respectively.
China Mobile, the largest wireless carrier in the world with roughly 518 million customers, recently revealed that it has so far invested approximately RMB80 billion (US$11.7 billion) for 3G network construction. The carrier has completed the third phase of the 3G network (based on the home-grown TD-SCDMA standard) deployment in 2009 having covered approximately 70% of the Chinese cities.
China Telecom, the smallest of three operators, is attributed with faster 3G network developments vis-à-vis its peers. So far, the operator’s 3G network (based on the CDMA 2000 standard) has covered 31 Chinese provinces, cities and autonomous regions. China Telecom, which was the first Chinese carrier to release 3G mobile phone numbers, has already launched more than 500 3G handset models.
China Unicom, which officially commenced the commercial roll-out of its 3G WCDMA services in October 2009, has reportedly covered 335 Chinese cities at the end of 2009. The operator has launched 3G roaming services in 64 countries and regions across the world in collaboration with more than 100 operators. iPhone has been a key driving force behind the rapid adoption of China Unicom’s 3G network as more than 70% iPhone users have reportedly signed up for 3G WCDMA services.
Small Business Lending Shrinks $1B
According to a report released by the Treasury late last Friday, major banks have cut small business lending by $1 billion in November. This marks the seventh straight month of decline in small business lending. The banks’ total lending dropped 4.6% in that seven-month period, to $256.8 billion.
Following the Treasury’s requirement of filing monthly reports, the 22 banks that received the majority of government aid have slashed their small business lending balances by $12.5 billion since April.
The banks are conservative with respect to small business lending as small businesses are risky borrowers and fewer entrepreneurs are looking to borrow on the backdrop of slower sales. On the other side, tighter lending standards restrict small businesses from growing or financing their operations.
Last month, President Obama and his administration met with several CEOs of the nation’s major banks to incite them to increase their small business lending.
We expect the drop in small business lending to end in the near term with the government’s encouragement and the efforts of some big banks including Bank of America (BAC) and Wells Fargo (WFC) to increase their small businesses lending.
Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5515.
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: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5517
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 at http://at.zacks.com/?id=5518.
Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/zacksresearch
Join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Zacks-Investment-Research/57553657748?ref=ts
Disclaimer: Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors should always research companies and securities before making any investments. Nothing herein should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any security.
Contact:
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com
