Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Hitachi Ltd., Corporate Executive Board, The Hain Celestial Group, Inc., Companhia Paranaense de Energia, or COPEL and PMI Group.

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: Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD), The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN), Companhia Paranaense de Energia, or COPEL (NYSE: ELP) and PMI Group (NYSE: PMI).

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Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Hitachi Target Price Lowered

Hitachi Ltd. (NYSE: HIT) continues to make progress in implementing its management plan by reducing operating and fixed costs, and developing new cutting-edge products. The company plans to cut jobs and introduce a major global restructuring plan.

However, growing price competition in emerging technologies, increasing cost of raw materials, weak demand and significant yen appreciation have hurt Hitachi. The company slashed its fiscal 2008 forecast and expects to a post the largest-ever loss in its history, hurt by decline in overseas revenue and losses in stock holdings. Moreover, its net cash balance (cash less debt) has been continuously declining. We therefore maintain a Hold rating on the shares of HIT.

EXBD Falling on Hard Times

Shares of Sell-rated Corporate Executive Board (NASDAQ: EXBD) are trading down 20% after releasing 4th-quarter results that fell short of Street expectations, and issuing a disappointing 2009 forecast. These results could be an ominous sign for other firms in the business consulting industry.

The Corporate Executive Board continues to experience deterioration in its cross-sell ratio. Other key operating metrics, including contract value, average subscription price, total member subscriptions and client renewal rate all fell in the 4th quarter of 2008.

Hain Celestial with Upside

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAIN) ranks itself as the leader in 13 out of 15 natural food categories, despite stiff and growing competition. Roughly 65% of the company's products is outsourced, while the remaining 35% is manufactured at its own facilities.

Internal sales growth, driven by consumer demand for natural food products, and management's focus on profit margins bode well for Hain Celestial Group's long-term outlook. In addition, management's acquisition strategy adds incremental growth to the company's organic sales growth.

COPEL Valuation Attractive

We are keeping our Buy recommendation on Companhia Paranaense de Energia, or COPEL (NYSE: ELP). The company's 2nd-quarter results were as expected.

The outlook for the following quarters remains reasonably positive, mainly considering the growing demand for electricity and a more relaxed monetary policy in Brazil in spite of the difficult business environment around the world. A slow-down is expected for the Brazilian economy in 2009, but a recession is highly unlikely.

PMI a Sell Ahead of Report

PMI Group's (NYSE: PMI) 3Q08 reported net loss from continuing operations of $149.3 million or $1.83 per diluted share was much better than expectations, due to lower-than-expected incurred losses. PMI also lowered its 2008 outlook for U.S. paid claims.

However, net premiums written were down 19.3% year-over-year, as the amount of new insurance fell due to continued declines in home sales. The company had recently agreed to sell its Australian and Asian operations, which are now classified as discontinued operations.

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