Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Alcatel-Lucent, Verisign Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, SINA Corporation and Focus Media Holdings Limited.

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:
Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU), Verisign Inc. (NASDAQ: VRSN), Toyota Motor
Corporation (NYSE: TM), SINA Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA) and Focus Media Holdings
Limited (NASDAQ: FMCN).

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the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579

Here are highlights from Friday`s Analyst Blog:

Lowering Estimates for ALU

Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU) reported weaker than expected revenues for the third
quarter of 2008 and its earnings were additionally hit by restructuring charges
of 94 million and lower gross margins.

We have reduced our revenue and earnings estimates for the remainder of 2008 and
2009 based on company guidance. For full year 2009, Alcatel-Lucent expects the
market for telecommunications equipment and related deployment services to be
down between 8% and 12% at constant exchange rate and expects to maintain a
stable market share. As a result of the expected decline in volumes and given
that the improvement in gross margin will only materialize towards the end of
the year, the company`s initial forecast is to achieve an adjusted operating
profit around break-even in 2009.

Keeping VRSN A Hold

We maintain our hold recommendation on the shares of Verisign Inc. (NASDAQ:
VRSN). The company provides essential Internet infrastructure services to
companies, service providers and website owners.

VRSN earlier posted Q3 revenues of $240 million, in line with our estimate of
$240 million (consensus at $239 million). Non-GAAP EPS of $0.25 included a $0.03
investment loss due to the Lehman bankruptcy. Excluding this loss, EPS would
have been $0.28, better than our estimate of $0.27 and consensus of $0.26. Going
forward, Management provided Q4 revenue guidance of $242 $247 million, slightly
below our and consensus estimates. Management remains confident of exiting 2008
with an operating margin of 35%.

TM Recently Lowered Guidance

Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) is the largest automaker in the world in
terms of sales and production. A strong presence in North America has been
further consolidated by gaining market share from the leading U.S. automakers.
Moreover, the company also has a strong cash flow and a strong balance sheet.

However, Toyota is unable to offset sales losses in the U.S. even as it
continues an aggressive expansion in China, the Middle East, and other emerging
markets. The company is suffering from sluggish U.S. economy, rising costs,
pricing pressures, and huge capital expenditures.

SINA - FMCN Merger A Positive

SINA Corporation (NASDAQ: SINA) has agreed to acquire Focus Media Holdings
Limited (NASDAQ: FMCN) in a stock exchange that has met with almost universal
disapproval in the press and by analysts.

SINA is an internet web portal whereas FMCN is an offline advertising company.

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