Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day Highlights: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc., Energy Transfer Partners, Ford, Whirlpool and Wal-Mart

Zacks Equity Research highlights MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR) as the Bull of the Day and Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP) the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Ford (NYSE: F), Whirlpool (NYSE: WHR) and Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT).

Full analysis of all these stocks is available at http://at.zacks.com/?id=2678.

Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:

Bull of the Day:

MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc. (NYSE: WFR) produces the raw material wafers used by semiconductor manufacturers in the production of integrated circuits (ICs).

The decision to supply wafers to the solar industry paid huge rewards in 2007 and 2008, as demand for polysilicon raced ahead of supply. The Solar business and the 300mm business are both high-margin products. The spot price of polysilicon has been slashed from a peak of $400 per/kg to the $60-$70 per/kg range.

The stock is significantly undervalued. We are reiterating our Buy rating on the shares of WFR.

Bear of the Day:

Our Underperform recommendation on Energy Transfer Partners (NYSE: ETP) units takes into account the bearish outlook for pipeline operators. While the partnership's liquidity position is sound, we continue to believe that the near- to medium-term outlook for its natural gas gathering and processing business remains weak.

Weighed down by these factors, Energy Transfer posted a third-quarter 2009 loss. The partnership's low growth and seasonal propane business also remain a major liability, in our view.

Given these headwinds, we expect Energy Transfer units to be under pressure in the medium- to long-term. The partnership's discounted valuation relative to the pipeline MLP group reflects its heightened risk profile.