For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – September 16, 2014 – 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 the Aruba Networks Inc. (ARUN-Free Report), Ruckus Wireless Inc. (RKUS-Free Report), Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO-Free Report), Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ-Free Report) and Citigroup Inc. (C-Free Report).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Monday’s Analyst Blog:

Wireless LAN Thrives, Global Vendors to Gain

According to a recent report by research firm IDC, the combined consumer and enterprise wireless local area network (WLAN) market grew 9.2% year-over-year globally in the second quarter of 2014. The global enterprise WLAN segment increased 7.7% over the prior-year quarter and the global consumer WLAN segment witnessed 10.9% growth from the year-ago quarter.

The strong growth of both enterprise and consumer WLAN markets has become a new growth driver for wireless infrastructure developers. Major vendors which are likely to benefit from this market boom include Aruba Networks Inc. (ARUN-Free Report), Ruckus Wireless Inc. (RKUS-Free Report), Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO-Free Report) and Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ-Free Report).

WLAN provides network connection over a short distance. While a traditional LAN uses network cabling to provide network communications, WLAN makes use of wireless mediums such as radio or infrared signals to establish network communications. A WLAN can be set up using a device called “access point.” The user can communicate with an access point using a wireless network adapter and can access the Internet.

A major thrust for the enterprise WLAN came from Latin America, which registered year-over-year growth of 35.4% in the discussed quarter. Brazil and Argentina leads the race in this region. Europe, the Middle East and Africa continue to grow at 20.7% year over year, on the back of strong demand from Western Europe.

The Asia Pacific region generated growth of 10.5% year-over-year due to strong showing in China, Japan and Australia. On the other hand, the enterprise WLAN market declined 1.2% in North America.

The consumer WLAN segment received a significant boost from the emerging markets of the Asia Pacific region, particularly from China. The Chinese consumer WLAN market registered a 36.9% growth in terms of revenues and a significant 81.3% in terms of unit shipment year over year. At present, after the U.S., China is the largest consumer WLAN market globally.

Citi to File OneMain Financial IPO by September End

Citigroup Inc.’s (C-Free Report) consumer-lending business, OneMain Financial, is set to go public as the company is in the process of filing an initial public offering ('IPO') by the end of September. The company will also take into consideration offers from interested buyers for a possible sale of the unit, which is worth at least $4 billion. The news was first published by Bloomberg.

Why This Exit Plan?

The latest revelation follows Citigroup CEO Michael Corbat’s announcement of the possible sale of this unit at an investor conference in May. Corbat revealed then that the company initiated the process and is weighing its options comprising selling the unit to a private equity firm, divesting it through public listing or a combination of both by the end of 2014 or early 2015.

OneMain Financial, which is part of the former CitiFinancial, is the biggest operating unit of Citi Holdings with around 1,200 branches, and focuses primarily on subprime loans. As Citigroup was hit hard by the subprime mortgage crisis, the planning to sell this unit is basically a precautionary measure to deal with any further crisis. The company has been taking several restructuring initiatives to make it as much problem-asset free as possible. On the other hand, the banking behemoth intends to focus more on core operations.

Corbat, in the conference, stated that the subprime business no longer is a strategic fit for the altered business track of Citigroup. He also mentioned that Citigroup previously explored the option to vend OneMain Financial, but did not get the right bid. As the unit garners decent earnings, the company might get an attractive price at present.

Bottom Line

Citi Holdings booked profit (excluding the impact of mortgage settlement) for the first time in second-quarter 2014 since its formation. Also, for the rest of 2014, Citi Holdings is expected to remain profitable.

Citigroup has already been shedding distressed assets from its Citi Holdings unit to boost earnings. Further, we believe the exit from OneMain Financial will provide some ease amid several internal setbacks. Also, the streamlining initiatives should bolster the company’s capital position, reduce expenses and drive operational efficiencies.

Citigroup currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

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.

About Zacks

Zacks.com is a property of Zacks Investment Research, Inc., which was formed in 1978. The later formation of the Zacks Rank, a proprietary stock picking system; 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.

Get the full Report on ARUN - FREE
Get the full Report on RKUS - FREE
Get the full Report on CSCO - FREE
Get the full Report on HPQ - FREE
Get the full Report on C - FREE

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

Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.

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

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

Read the analyst report on ARUN

Read the analyst report on RKUS

Read the analyst report on CSCO

Read the analyst report on HPQ

Read the analyst report on C


Zacks Investment Research