For Immediate Release Chicago, IL – January 18, 2016 – 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 includePetroChina Co. (PTR), Chevron Corp. (CVX), China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. (CHU), China Telecom Corp. Ltd. (CHA) and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. ( SNP). Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free. Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog: China Stock Roundup Markets experienced a volatile week, gaining and losing on alternate days. The Shanghai Composite Index slumped on Monday after stocks experienced the worst selloff for the year. The benchmark index rebounded on Tuesday as healthcare and tech stocks led the gainers for the day. The Shanghai Composite Index declined heavily on Wednesday, closing at its lowest level since Aug 26. The benchmark index rebounded late in the day to close in the green on Thursday. PetroChina Co. (PTR) has partnered with Chevron Corp. ( CVX) to produce natural gas in the southwestern area of China at the end of last year, after a long delay. Gas well-A in the Luojiazhai field of Southwest China commenced production of natural gas commercially on Dec 30. China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. (CHU) and China Telecom Corp. Ltd. ( CHA), the second and third largest mobile phone carriers in China respectively, have reportedly entered into an agreement to share their resources for various strategic initiatives. Last Week’s Developments Last Friday, the Shanghai Composite index surged 2% at the end of trading, after losing nearly 2.2% earlier in the session. Stocks moved upward after the contentious circuit breaker mechanism was discontinued by the government. An early end to trading on last Monday and Thursday triggered this decision. Additionally, the People’s Bank of China increased the daily reference rate for the yuan marginally higher. This increase followed eight successive cuts which had disturbed global markets. Meanwhile, government backed funds bought shares, concentrating on financials and key index components, leading to gains for stocks. The CSI 300 added 2%. The Hang Seng advanced 0.6%. The Hang Seng China Enterprises index rebounded from its lowest level in four years, gaining 1.1%. China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (SNP) or Sinopec, was the leading gainer among energy companies. The benchmark index reduced its weekly decline to 10%. However, this was the largest weekly loss experienced since August. Markets and the Economy This Week The Shanghai Composite Index slumped on Monday, losing 5.3% after stocks experienced the worst selloff for the year. Investors have started losing confidence in the steps being taken by the government to boost the economy and reduce market volatility. Factory get price declined for the 46th successive month in December, heightening concerns about the economy. Additionally, PPI declined 5.9% on a yearly basis in December. In contrast, the CPI increased 1.6% on a yearly basis. This further exacerbated fears about the economy. Major market component PetroChina slumped, falling 3.6%. This Chinese oil major has reportedly been supported by government purchases over a long period. The CSI declined, losing 5%. A sub-index of tech stocks on the CSI 300 slumped 5.8%, emerging as the largest loser among the industry groups. The ChiNext lost 6.3%. The Hang Send declined 2.8% while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index lost 3.9%. The benchmark index rebounded on Tuesday, gaining 0.2% after falling by nearly 1.3% earlier in the session. Healthcare and tech stocks led the gainers for the day. According to sources, China’s central bank acted more than once to boost offshore yuan during the day. Meanwhile, China’s officials seem determined to change the view that the yuan is on a downward path. The CSI 300 gained 0.7% with healthcare and tech stocks leading the gainers. The Hang Seng declined, losing 0.9%. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index lost 0.8%. The benchmark index had fallen below the 3,000 mark during the session. Also, the index’s 10-day volatility remained close to levels last witnessed in September. The Shanghai Composite Index lost 2.4% on Wednesday, closing at its lowest level since Aug 26. PetroChina fell to its lowest level in more than a year. Stocks fell to their lowest point since 2015’s major selloff. A surprising increase in exports and steps taken by the government to stabilize the yuan could not assuage investors fearful of an economic slowdown. The benchmark index fell below the 3,000 mark for the first time since the selloff experienced in August 2015. Nearly $5 trillion was obliterated following a major selloff which was caused by excessive marginal lending. The CSI 300 lost 1.9%. Telecom, healthcare and industrial shares were the largest losers for the day. The Hang Seng advanced 1.1% while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index increased 0.7%. The benchmark index rebounded late in the day increasing 2% at the end of Thursday’s trading session. Stocks were perilously close to slipping into a bear market comparatively low valuations lured investors hunting for bargains. A section of small companies also promised to prop up share prices. The Shanghai Composite recovered from losses as grievous as 2.8% even as an index of volatility increased to its highest point since September. The ChiNext gained 5.6% after a number of member companies promised to take steps to stabilize the market. The CSI increased 2.1%. All of its 10 industry groups posted gains. Assurances by the government that it would take steps to support the market also helped stocks recover. The Hang Seng lost 0.6% while the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index declined 0.6%. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >> 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. 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PETROCHINA ADR (PTR): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHEVRON CORP (CVX): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA UNICOM (CHU): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA TELCM-ADR (CHA): Free Stock Analysis Report
CHINA PETRO&CHM (SNP): Free Stock Analysis Report
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