Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Gentiva Health Services Inc., Lincoln National Corp., Manulife Financial Corp., Principal Financial Group and Hartford Financial Services Group Inc.

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: Gentiva Health Services Inc. (Nasdaq: GTIV), Lincoln National Corp. (NYSE: LNC), Manulife Financial Corp. (NYSE: MFC), Principal Financial Group (NYSE: PFG) and Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG).

Get the most recent insight from Zacks Equity Research with the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=4579

Here are highlights from Thursday's Analyst Blog:

Gentiva Beats Zacks Estimate

Gentiva Health Services Inc. (Nasdaq: GTIV) reported a third-quarter (ended Sept. 27, 2009) net income of 54 cents per share, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2 cents. Net income per share was 42 cents in the year-ago quarter.

Net revenues for the quarter came in at $295.6 million, as against $345.2 million in the year-ago quarter. Revenues for the reported quarter included net revenues of $75.5 million from the CareCentrix business unit. Excluding the 2008 third quarter net revenues from CareCentrix, Gentiva's net revenues increased about 9% in the reported quarter. On Sept. 25, 2008, Gentiva sold a majority interest in CareCentrix to Water Street Healthcare Partners.

Revenues from the Home Health segment increased 9% to $261.4 million in the reported quarter. Revenues in the All Other segment - which includes hospice, respiratory therapy and home medical equipment, infusion therapy and consulting - came in at $34.6 million, which reflected an increase of 11%.

Lincoln National Beats

Lincoln National Corp. (NYSE: LNC) reported operating earnings of 84 cents in the third quarter, which was ahead of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 80 cents. The company had earned $1.16 per share on an operating basis in the year-ago quarter.

The company experienced lower average variable account values compared to the prior-year period. Also, there were some modest losses on its alternative investments.

Lincoln reported a net income of $153 million or 44 cents per share compared with $148 million or 58 cents in the year-ago quarter. We note that there were fewer shares outstanding in the prior-year quarter.

Companies such as Lincoln Financial, Manulife Financial Corp. (NYSE: MFC), Principal Financial Group (NYSE: PFG) and Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: HIG) have been adversely impacted by the severe equity market downturn. In particular, the variable annuity businesses of these companies have been worst hit.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=5514.

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=5516

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=4580.

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.

Zacks.com
Mark Vickery
Web Content Editor
312-265-9380
Visit: www.zacks.com