Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: ArcelorMittal, AK Steel Holdings, BHP Billiton, Apple, Inc. and E.W. Scripps Company.

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: ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT), AK Steel Holdings (NYSE: AKS), BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) and E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP).

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:

Signs Steel May Have Bottomed

A Wall Street Journal article published today (1/7/09) talks about recent efforts of steel producers around the world to open up select mills, in a sign that the market for steel may have bottomed.

From their mid-2008 highs, steel and iron ore prices have slipped 40% as a weakening global economy and financial crisis has slowed demand for cars, houses and other durable goods. However, there are many factors that suggest that this commodity, so heavily correlated to economic activity, may have bottomed and may gain steam in 2009.

Since the decline in global steel prices, producers have been quick to cut production. Several global steel/iron ore producers such as ArcelorMittal (NYSE: MT), AK Steel Holdings (NYSE: AKS), BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) and Baosteel Group have cut 2009 production by 25-30%, hoping to stem further price deterioration.

Apple Humming a New iTune

Apple, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) has agreed with the music publishers to allow variable pricing on iTunes. Single tracks of more popular songs will sell for $1.29, some of the library stays at $0.99 and less popular songs (older but not better) will drop in price to $0.69. In return, Apple can remove the Digital Rights Management (DRM) from songs in the catalog.

The growth in music downloads has been declining for some time as the business matures. The increase was 27% in 2008 versus 45% in 2007. Also, competition has increased as other companies have built catalogs that can be downloaded to various devices. Apple does allow tunes to be downloaded to a PC but the DRM protection prevented transfer from one computer to another.

EW Scripps with Few Catalysts

E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) operates two businesses: newspaper publishing and broadcast television. The company is suffering from a secular decline, exacerbated by a cyclical slowdown.

Ad revenue in the newspaper segment is rapidly decelerating, hurt by the slowing job and real estate markets, and a battered US auto industry. There is no visibility to an upturn. The TV segment is benefiting from accelerating political ad revenue due to recently held November elections. However, the respite was temporary, and in 2009 we anticipate TV ad revenue to decline at a mid-teens rate.

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.