CHICAGO, Dec. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC), Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE:CVC), Charter Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR), Verizon Communication Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101027/ZIRLOGO)

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 Wednesday's Analyst Blog:

TWC Bids for Optimum West

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC), the second largest cable multi service operator (MSO) in the U.S., has made a bid to acquire Cablevision Systems Corp.'s (NYSE:CVC) business unit – Optimum West. The acquisition will make Time Warner Cable a key player in four distinct US markets.

If the cable MSO succeeds in buying Optimum West then it could add up to 300,000 cable customers in Montana, Wyoming Colorado and Utah. However, none of the companies have disclosed the financial details of the deal, which is expected to be reached either in January or February 2013.

In 2010, Cablevision Systems had purchased a controlling stake in smaller cable rival Bresnan Systems from Providence Equity Partners for a total consideration of $1.37 billion and renamed it as Optimum West. However, since November 2012, the company has been trying to sell the cable assets, attracting the interest of several bidders in due course.

According to Bloomberg, other than Time Warner Cable, currently there are two more potential bidders for the cable firm, which include Charter Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:CHTR) and Suddenlink Communications. The deal, if completed, will be the second acquisition by Time Warner Cable in quick succession after it acquired Insight Communications for $3 billion, eventually adding 760,000 cable customers in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.

At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the company's Residential Video subscribers' base was 12.159 million. Time Warner Cable lost nearly 140,000 residential video subscribers in the previous quarter amidst stiff competition from telecom service providers like Verizon Communication Inc. (NYSE:VZ) and AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), which are capturing market share from cable MSOs by offering fiber-based TV to its subscribers. Furthermore, they are also facing challenges from the non-cable operators, which provide live video streaming services over the Internet.

We believe bidding for the cable firm is a strategic move by the company to revamp its falling pay TV business. Apart from enhancing the company's impressive customer base, the acquisition of Optimum West business could also boost its top line. On the flip side, continuous acquisitions could increase the company's leverage, which in turn could hurt its margin.  

We retain our long-term Neutral recommendation on Time Warner Cable Inc. Also, it has a Zacks #3 Rank, implying a short-term Hold rating.

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 Leon Zacks. As a PhD from MIT 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.

Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com

SOURCE Zacks Investment Research, Inc.