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: Durect Corp. (NASDAQ: DRRX), Alpharma (NYSE: ALO), Journal Communications, Inc. (NYSE: JRN), Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) and Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG).

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 Friday’s Analyst Blog:

Buy Durect Shares Up to $5

Durect Corp. (NASDAQ: DRRX) utilizes 6 proprietary drug delivery technologies to develop pharmaceutical systems that enhance treatment capabilities in the areas of chronic pain, cardiovascular diseases and central nervous system disorders. The company received disappointing news when its lead pipeline candidate, Remoxy, failed to receive FDA approval in December 2008.

While this news is a setback for the company, we believe that the product will ultimately receive approval and should see significant demand due to its ability to reduce the potential of drug abuse / misuse. Meanwhile, we remain optimistic on the remaining candidates in Durect's pipeline which consists of three candidates in phase II development.

Moreover, we were pleased to hear about Durect's partnership deal with King (Alpharma [NYSE: ALO]) for Eladur. In our opinion, the current share price represents an attractive entry point. We thus rate the shares a Buy with a price target of $5.

Journal Comms Cuts Dividend

Journal Communications, Inc. (NYSE: JRN) reported 4Q08 financial results that were in line with the company’s guidance provided in December with its announcement of November revenues. As the economy sinks, the fall in revenues is accelerating, some of which may be lost forever to other forms of media.

To reflect this permanent impairment, the company wrote-off nearly all of its goodwill. The company cannot cut costs and capital spending fast enough to keep pace with falling revenue, and announced a 75% cut in its dividend.

Alexion a One-Drug Wonder

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NASDAQ: ALXN) reported 4th quarter financial results yesterday.

Soliris sales came in at $77.4 million, up 128.6% year over year, and 8.7% sequentially. However, 4th quarter sales of Soliris were $3.6 million short of our estimate of $81 million.

The company achieved profitability in a 3rd quarter in a row based on strong Soliris sales. Adjusted net income was $15.3 million, with diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.17. Excluding share based expenses, Alexion achieved a net income of $21.1 million, or EPS of $0.23 in 4Q08. However, 4th quarter net income and EPS were less than our estimate of $16.9 million and $0.19 per share.

Another problem which Alexion is struggling with at the moment is the lack of any visible pipeline products. The company suffered a major blow when Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG) terminated the commercialization and development agreement for the company’s phase III candidate, Pexelizumab, in 2007.

Want more from Zacks Equity Research? Subscribe to the free Profit from the Pros newsletter: http://at.zacks.com/?id=2649.

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=2677

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.

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.