The LGL Group, American International Group, Abbott Labs, Genzyme and Shire

CHICAGO--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--[ Zacks Equity Research ] highlights: The LGL Group (NYSE: [ LGL ]), American International Group (NYSE: [ AIG ]), Abbott Labs (NYSE: [ ABT ]), Genzyme (Nasdaq: [ GENZ ]) and Shire (Nasdaq: [ SHPGY ]).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at [ http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678 ].

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

[ Bull of the Day ]:

The LGL Group (NYSE: [ LGL ]), through its subsidiaries manufactures custom-designed highly engineered electronic components. Beyond its blue-chip customer base, the firm has significant opportunity for growth in specialty products in the military instrumentation and space avionics market (MISA) as well as high-growth emerging areas such as India and China.

Further, the firm's long-term goals include plans to diversify away from strictly selling components and to be included higher in the value chain through strategic partnerships.

We feel the stock will outperform the overall market and set a six month price target of $30.00.

[ Bear of the Day ]:

We are downgrading our recommendation on the shares of American International Group (NYSE: [ AIG ]) on a poor third quarter performance and the likelihood of more one-time charges in 2011.

Third quarter loss was dramatically behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of earnings, primarily driven by $4.5 billion of restructuring charges including loss from discontinued operations and reduced investment income although core insurance operations generated stable results. While benefits, claims and expense control and asset disposals increase operating efficiencies, the execution of the recapitalization program also appears favorable for the book value growth.

Although AIG is poised to grow its top line on the back of the reviving economy, several nonrecurring charges are expected to mar the desired upside in the upcoming quarters.

Latest Posts on the Zacks [ Analyst Blog ]:

Positive Data on Abbotta�s Kidney Drug

Abbott Labs (NYSE: [ ABT ]) and partner Reata Pharmaceuticals recently announced positive data on their chronic kidney disease candidate, bardoxolone methyl, at the American Society of Nephrology. Results from a phase IIb study indicated that treatment with bardoxolone methyl could result in a reduction in the severity of the disease and an improvement in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and other measures of kidney function.

Results showed that about 60% of chronic kidney disease patients being treated with bardoxolone methyl for 24 weeks experienced a reduction in the severity of their disease as compared to 17% of patients in the placebo arm. Moreover, Abbott Labs reported that only 4% of patients in the bardoxolone methyl arm experienced a worsening of the disease compared to 13% in the placebo arm.

The multi-center, randomized, double-blind clinical study was conducted with 227 chronic kidney disease patients with type II diabetes. Patients were randomized to receive once-daily doses of placebo or 25, 75 or 150 mg doses of bardoxolone methyl.

Phase III Could Commence in 2011

Abbot Labs and Reata are looking to move the candidate into a phase III study in the first half of 2011. Results from two previous phase II studies also showed that treatment with bardoxolone resulted in a significant improvement in kidney function in patients suffering from advanced chronic kidney disease and type II diabetes.

Immense Potential in Chronic Kidney Disease Market

The chronic kidney disease market represents significant commercial potential with more than 50 million adults affected worldwide. Moreover, the number of patients suffering from chronic kidney disease continues to increase.

Abbott Labs already has a presence in the renal care market -- Zemplar is approved for the prevention and treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic kidney disease and stage 5 treatment. Other treatments currently available for chronic kidney disease include Genzymea�s (Nasdaq: [ GENZ ]) Renvela/Renagel and Shirea�s (Nasdaq: [ SHPGY ]) Fosrenol.

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

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The LGL Group, American International Group, Abbott Labs, Genzyme and Shire