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Agilent Technologies A is set to report its first-quarter fiscal 2023 results on Feb 27.For the fiscal first quarter, the company expects revenues of $1.555-$1.605 billion, suggesting a decline of 11.4-8.6% on a reported basis from the year-ago quarter’s actuals. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $1.57 billion, implying a decline of 10.5% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Agilent’s non-GAAP earnings are expected to be $1.20-$1.23 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $1.21 per share, indicating a fall of 11.7% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Agilent’s earnings surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the trailing four quarters and matched the same once, the average being 2.99%.Key Factors to NoteThe company is expected to have gained from the growing momentum across Agilent’s Cross Lab Group (“ACG”) segment in the fiscal first quarter.The ACG segment is likely to have benefited from the solid momentum across end markets and various geographic regions. Strength in services attached to new instrument installations and existing instrument base is likely to have contributed well.However, weak momentum in China is anticipated to have been concerning for the business.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ACG is pegged at $385 million, implying growth of 1% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Agilent’s strength in the NASD (Nucleic Acid Solutions Division) business is expected to have continued benefiting the Diagnostics and Genomics Group (“DGG”) segment’s performance in the fiscal first quarter.However, softness in the genomics business is likely to have been a negative in the quarter under review.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for DGG is pegged at $332 million, implying a fall of 2.9% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Meanwhile, the weakening momentum in the Life Sciences & Applied Markets Group (“LSAG”) segment is expected to have been a major headwind for Agilent. Macroeconomic uncertainties, soft market conditions in China and sluggish capital spending by customers are expected to have negatively impacted the segment.The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LSAG is pegged at $849 million, implying a decline of 17.8% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Story continuesWhat Our Model SaysOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Agilent this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat.Agilent Technologies has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and an Earnings ESP of 0.00% at present. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Stocks to ConsiderHere are some stocks worth considering, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this season.The Gap GPS has an Earnings ESP of +24.44% and sports a Zacks Rank #1 at present. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.The Gap is set to announce fourth-quarter 2023 results on Mar 7. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GPS’ earnings is pinned at 19 cents per share, indicating growth from the year-ago quarter’s reported loss of 75 cents.Burlington Stores BURL has an Earnings ESP of +1.27% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present. Burlington Stores is set to announce fourth-quarter 2023 results on Mar 7. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BURL’s earnings is pinned at $3.25 per share, indicating growth of 9.8% from the year-ago quarter’s reported figure.Compugen CGEN has an Earnings ESP of +451.63% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present.Compugen is scheduled to release fourth-quarter 2023 results on Mar 5. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CGEN’s earnings is pegged at 10 cents per share, suggesting a jump from the prior-year quarter loss of 4 cents.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.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 reportAgilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis ReportThe Gap, Inc. (GPS) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCompugen Ltd. (CGEN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportBurlington Stores, Inc. (BURL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Agilent Technologies (A) to Post Q1 Earnings: What's in Store?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/agilent-technologies-post-q1-earnings-172300114.html

7f77108b-27e1-364c-88f6-8fbdff264933

A

Investors are eager for stocks that can keep etching out gains with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq already up over +6% this year following stellar performances for both indexes in 2023.Of course, investors should never get over-consumed with FOMO but several top-rated Zacks stocks look attractive ahead of their quarterly reports on Tuesday, February 27. With representation from a variety of sectors here are three of these top-rated stocks to consider as earnings approach.Agilent Technologies ATech stocks continue to be the apple of investors' eyes and Agilent Technologies is worthy of consideration ahead of its fiscal first quarter results tomorrow. Agilent’s reasonable valuation is appealing considering Its Zacks Electronics-Testing Equipment Industry is in the top 27% of over 250 Zacks industries.Manufacturing various test and measurement products for multiple end markets, Agilent trades slightly below the industry average of 25.9X forward earnings despite Q1 EPS expected to dip -11% to $1.21 a share. Still, annual earnings are now projected to be up roughly 1% this year and rise another 9% in fiscal 2025 to $6.00 per share. Notably, Agilent has topped earnings expectations in three of its last four quarterly reports posting an average earnings surprise of 2.99%.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchLendingTree TREELendingTree’s reasonable valuation has made its stock attractive especially as the consumer loan company’s expansive bottom line growth trajectory remains intact. TREE has been one of the better performers out of the financial sector this year spiking +13% to top the broader indexes and still trading at an intriguing 14.6X forward earnings multiple.Furthermore, LendingTree is expected to round out its FY23 with annual earnings soaring 100% to $2.14 per share even as Q4 EPS is projected to dip to $0.14 a share compared to $0.38 per share a year ago. Fiscal 2024 EPS is forecasted to rise another 9% to $2.33 and LendingTree’s Financial-Mortgage & Related Services Industry is currently in the top 10% of all Zacks industries. To that point, LendingTree has now topped the Zacks EPS Consensus for 12 consecutive quarters posting an astonishing average earnings surprise of 255.51% in its last four quarterly reports.Story continuesZacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchUrban Outfitters URBNRounding out the list, Urban Outfitters’ stock will be one to watch out of the retail and wholesale sector as the specialty retailer continues to carve out a niche in its offering of fashion apparel, footwear, and home décor products. Urban Outfitters stock certainly checks the box in terms of valuation soaring +27% YTD but trading at 12.7X forward earnings. This comes as Q4 EPS is anticipated to climb 82% to $0.71 per share versus $0.39 a share in the comparative quarter.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchUrban Outfitters' top line growth is compelling as well with Q4 sales forecasted to rise 7% to $1.49 billion. Overall, total sales are forecasted to be up 7% to $5.15 billion as Urban Outfitters wraps up its FY24 and FY25 sales are projected to rise another 4%. Better still, Urban Outfitters is expected to round out its current fiscal year with annual earnings soaring 86% to $3.25 per share. Fiscal 2025 EPS is currently slated to rise another 7% and Urban Outfitters has exceeded earnings expectations in three of its last four quarterly reports posting an average earnings surprise of 21.95%.Zacks Investment ResearchImage Source: Zacks Investment ResearchTakeawayIt wouldn’t be surprising if Agilent Technologies, LendingTree, and Urban Outfitters stock rallied if they can reach or exceed their bottom line expectations. Offering positive or better-than-expected guidance could also be crucial but when taking their P/E valuations into account more upside looks plausible.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 reportAgilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis ReportUrban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportLendingTree, Inc. (TREE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

3 Top-Rated Stocks to Consider as Earnings Approach

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-top-rated-stocks-consider-200600126.html

9757fda9-d2eb-3448-bd4c-bd2c8e251b38

A

Looking for broad exposure to the Industrials - Water segment of the equity market? You should consider the First Trust Water ETF (FIW), a passively managed exchange traded fund launched on 05/08/2007.An increasingly popular option among retail and institutional investors, passively managed ETFs offer low costs, transparency, flexibility, and tax efficiency; they are also excellent vehicles for long term investors.Sector ETFs are also funds of convenience, offering many ways to gain low risk and diversified exposure to a broad group of companies in particular sectors. Industrials - Water is one of the 16 broad Zacks sectors within the Zacks Industry classification. It is currently ranked 3, placing it in top 19%.Index DetailsThe fund is sponsored by First Trust Advisors. It has amassed assets over $1.56 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs attempting to match the performance of the Industrials - Water segment of the equity market. FIW seeks to match the performance of the ISE Clean Edge Water Index before fees and expenses.The ISE Clean Edge Water Index is a modified market capitalization-weighted index comprised of exchange-listed companies that derive a substantial portion of their revenues from the potable and wastewater industry.CostsWhen considering an ETF's total return, expense ratios are an important factor, and cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive counterparts in the long term if all other factors remain equal.Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.53%, making it on par with most peer products in the space.It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 0.66%.Sector Exposure and Top HoldingsEven though ETFs offer diversified exposure that minimizes single stock risk, investors should also look at the actual holdings inside the fund. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.This ETF has heaviest allocation in the Industrials sector--about 53.80% of the portfolio. Utilities and Healthcare round out the top three.Story continuesLooking at individual holdings, Ferguson Plc (FERG) accounts for about 4.44% of total assets, followed by Roper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) and Agilent Technologies, Inc. (A).The top 10 holdings account for about 40.39% of total assets under management.Performance and RiskThe ETF has added about 3.15% and is up roughly 16.94% so far this year and in the past one year (as of 03/06/2024), respectively. FIW has traded between $77.30 and $99.25 during this last 52-week period.The ETF has a beta of 1.03 and standard deviation of 19.12% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 38 holdings, it has more concentrated exposure than peers.AlternativesFirst Trust Water ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Because of this, FIW is an excellent option for investors seeking exposure to the Industrials ETFs segment of the market. There are other additional ETFs in the space that investors could consider as well.Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (CGW) tracks S&P GLOBAL WATER INDEX and the Invesco Water Resources ETF (PHO) tracks NASDAQ OMX US Water Index. Invesco S&P Global Water Index ETF has $959.06 million in assets, Invesco Water Resources ETF has $2.03 billion. CGW has an expense ratio of 0.57% and PHO charges 0.60%.Bottom LineTo learn more about this product and other ETFs, screen for products that match your investment objectives and read articles on latest developments in the ETF investing universe, please visit Zacks ETF Center.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 reportFirst Trust Water ETF (FIW): ETF Research ReportsAgilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis ReportRoper Technologies, Inc. (ROP) : Free Stock Analysis ReportInvesco S&P Global Water Index ETF (CGW): ETF Research ReportsInvesco Water Resources ETF (PHO): ETF Research ReportsFerguson plc (FERG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Should You Invest in the First Trust Water ETF (FIW)?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/invest-first-trust-water-etf-112005253.html

84a82293-4bf4-3614-8665-a61fb80ffd06

A

Building an investment portfolio from scratch can be difficult, especially if you're new to investing. It's easy to feel overwhelmed with so many different investment options out there, but focusing on stocks that are set to outperform the market over the next 12 months is an excellent place to start.Now, let's break down why adding this one exceptional stock, highlighted below, to your portfolio could be a recipe for success.Why You Should Pay Attention to Agilent Technologies (A)Santa Clara, CA-based Agilent Technologies, Inc. was originally a spin-off from Hewlett-Packard. The company is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of a broad-based portfolio of test and measurement products serving multiple end markets.On July 11, 2017, A was added to the Zacks Focus List at $59.86 per share. Shares have increased 141.15% to $144.35 since then.Four analysts revised their earnings estimate higher in the last 60 days for fiscal 2024, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate has increased $0.02 to $5.50. An also boasts an average earnings surprise of 3.5%.Moreover, analysts are expecting Agilent Technologies' earnings to grow 1.1% for the current fiscal year.Since stock prices respond to earnings estimate revisions, it can be very profitable to buy stocks with an increased earnings outlook. By buying a Focus List stock like A, then, you're likely getting into a company whose future earnings estimates will be raised, potentially leading to price momentum.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 reportAgilent Technologies, Inc. (A) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Why Agilent Technologies (A) is a Top Stock for the Long-Term

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/why-agilent-technologies-top-stock-143002708.html

f2599e55-9edf-3ee4-ba6e-f0d6e4c513f1

AAL

Wizz Air was named the UK worst airline once again by Which?. (Marek Slusarczyk)Sit back and get ready for takeoff on a Which? approved flight for your next holiday. The consumer platform ranked a number of airlines through surveys of travellers.The study analysed more than 10,000 flights, and data from customers including evaluations of value for money, seat comfort and food and drink. A customer score was calculated based on overall satisfaction and likelihood to recommend.Jet2 impressesWhich? found Jet2 (JET2.L) had wowed customers over the last year, with an overall score of 81%. It took the top spot in short-haul flights and notched five stars for customer service.Jet2 also has among the lowest rate of last-minute cancellations of any airlines in the survey, with just 0.5% cancelled at short notice, according to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data.Its performance means customers feel it offers great value for money — scoring it four stars in that category. It also received four stars for the boarding experience, cabin environment and cabin cleanliness.Close behind with tied customer scores of 74% are Icelandair and Norwegian.Low-flyersIn terms of short-haul airlines, Wizz Air (WIZZ.L) came out bottom for the second year in a row, with a customer score of 44%. Delays were cited as a particularly common issue, Which? said.According to CAA data, 63% of the airline's flights were on time in the last year (October 2022-September 2023). About 2% of its flights were delayed by over three hours — higher than most of its rivals.“We do not consider the findings of this report to be representative or an accurate reflection of our performance today, which is among the strongest in Europe," a Wizz Air spokesperson said."We have been honest about our performance in summer 2022, which was not up to our standards. We have invested more than £90m to rectify this and have made significant improvements which the results of this survey fail to recognise, but are evident from independent data, as well as our own."Story continuesAmong budget carriers, Ryanair (RYA.IR) also received a low ranking, with a customer score of 47%. The airline scored just two stars for the boarding experience, cabin cleanliness and cabin environment, and received three stars for value for money.Read more: The seven tax cuts that could offer a lifeline to cash-strapped UK families"Ryanair has industry leading punctuality with average on-time performance of 87% in 2023, despite UK punctuality being severely impacted by the inefficient NATS [National Air Traffic Services] and its incompetent CEO, whose ATC [air traffic control] system has collapsed twice this year delaying thousands of flights and millions of passengers travelling to/from the UK," the company's spokesperson said.Iberia, Vueling and British Airways completed the bottom five for short haul, with customer scores of 49%, 53% and 56% respectively.Fares are on the upWhich? research suggests that in many cases, the standard of service received fell well short of the mark. Many respondents reported difficulties getting hold of customer support when needed, and one in 10 (11%) of those who used email to contact an airline received no response within 90 days.This is despite a bumper year of profits for airlines, which have enjoyed a surge in pent up demand following COVID lockdowns. According to the Office for National Statistics, average UK airfares were as much as £713 last summer.Rory Bowland, editor of Which? Travel, said: “Air fares have soared in recent years, and the bare minimum passengers should expect in return for their hard-earned cash is a reliable service, with friendly, easy to access customer support when they are let down,"Top five short-haul airlinesJet2IcelandAir (ICEAIR.IC)Norwegian Air (NASO.OL)Turkish AirlinesLogan AirBottom five short-haul airlinesBritish AirwaysVuelingIberiaRyanairWizz AirIn it for the long-haulWhich?'s data also showed Singapore Airlines (C6L.SI) and Emirates ranked among the best performers in the long-haul category, with 83% and 81% ratings respectively. Singapore scored highest for boarding, being the only long-haul airline to be given five stars.Germany's Lufthansa (LHA.DE) and Air Canada (AC.TO) both performed poorly, with IAG's (IAG.L) British Airways also bringing up the rear. Air Canada and Lufthansa both scored poorly for seat comfort and food and drink.Top five long-haul airlinesSingapore AirlinesEmiratesVirgin AtlanticQatar AirwaysQantas (QAN.AX)Bottom five long-haul airlinesAir France (AF.PA)American Airlines (AAL)British AirwaysAir CanadaLufthansaWatch: European airlines: Why Ryanair is poised to take offDownload the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.

Yahoo Finance UK

The 'worst' and 'best' airlines revealed

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/worst-best-airlines-revealed-082407178.html

cc7d1dfd-4c6b-459c-bb15-701888bef114

AAL

Image source: Upsplash/The Motley FoolLast week, American Airlines increased its checked bag fees. Now, flyers in most markets will have to pay more to check their bags. This news will likely upset those trying to stretch their vacation budgets further. Unfortunately, United Airlines is taking similar steps. As of Feb. 24, flyers will pay higher fees to check their bags. Here's what you need to know.Most flyers will pay an additional $5 to check a bagLast week, United Airlines announced it had increased checked bag fees. The airline noted on its website, "Starting February 24, 2024, fees for your first and second checked bag will go up by $5 in most markets." Before flying, travelers are encouraged to use United's baggage fee calculator to verify the checked bag fees for their route.For domestic routes, flyers without elite status will pay $40 each way to check their first bag. But they can get a $5 discount and pay only $35 by paying this fee in advance online. A second checked bag costs $50, or $45, when prepaid online.Previously, non-elite United fliers with economy tickets paid $35 for their first checked bag or $30 when paying in advance. While $10 round-trip is only a slight fee increase, every extra dollar adds up. Flyers who prefer to pack more when traveling will want to budget for this additional cost before they board their next United flight.Here's how to avoid checked bag fees when flyingIt's understandable if you find this news disappointing. But if you're strategic, you can avoid checked bag fees. Here are a few tips that could help you save money.Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cardsLearn to pack light: Bringing only a carry-on bag could be a win for your bank account. If you're flying with United, choose a ticket that includes a free carry-on bag to avoid additional checked bag fees. Domestic basic economy tickets don't include a free carry-on bag.Choose a different airline: If you're visiting a destination that Southwest Airlines flies to, you should price out airfare costs and consider this carrier. Regardless of ticket type, all Southwest flyers can check two bags at no additional cost.Consider getting a United credit card: If you're a United loyalist and have been considering getting a new credit card, check your options for United credit cards. You can benefit from free checked bag perks with the right credit card in your wallet.Achieve elite status: It may be worthwhile to pursue elite status with your favorite airline. Many airlines, including United, offer free checked bag benefits to elite flyers. This benefit could help you spend less money on travel costs.Buy a premium ticket: Most airlines offer free checked bag benefits to flyers with premium tickets. When flying on a business or first class ticket with United, you can avoid paying additional checked bag fees. It may be worthwhile to upgrade your ticket.Story continuesBefore booking airfare for your next vacation, consider additional costs like checked bag fees. This way, you can prepare financially to enjoy your trip without added stress. Being strategic and finding ways to avoid extra bag fees could be a win for your personal finances. Check out our list of the best airline credit cards to learn more about the benefits provided.Our picks for 2024's best credit cardsOur experts carefully review the most popular offers and select those that are worthy of a spot in your wallet. These standout cards come with fantastic benefits like sign-up bonuses worth $200 or more, 0% intro APR for up to 21 months, and cash back rates up to 5%.Click here to see our top credit cardsWe're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Natasha Gabrielle has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Southwest Airlines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.United Joins American Airlines in Increasing Checked Bag Fees was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

United Joins American Airlines in Increasing Checked Bag Fees

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/united-joins-american-airlines-increasing-193014734.html

46968c4c-675d-3a4e-94c9-d46677cf6bd0

AAL

American Airlines AAL benefits from an improved debt to equity ratio, strong air-travel demand and fleet-upgrade efforts. However, high costs, declining cargo revenues and low liquidity negatively impact the bottom line.Factors Favoring AALStrong air-travel rebound, especially domestically, benefits American Airlines. In 2023, revenue passenger miles grew 7.6%, prompting a 6.7% rise in average seat miles to meet heightened demand.Bolstered by increased air-travel demand, AAL is expanding routes and networks. In 2022, Seattle-Bengaluru route launched.  Efforts to modernize its fleet also bode well.The carrier impressively targets a $15 billion debt reduction by 2025 through amortization, using surplus and free cash flow. Notably, it reduced debt by $3.2 billion in 2023.Key RisksHigh fuel costs negatively impact the airline's bottom line. Despite a decline from the third quarter of 2023 highs, oil prices remain elevated. Management expects the metric in the $2.65-$2.85 per gallon range in first-quarter 2024. Our estimate is currently pegged at $2.75.Cargo revenues dipped 34.1% year over year in 2023 due to decreased cargo yield from heightened air-freight capacity. Cargo yield per ton mile also declined by 29.4%.Rising labor expenses impact AAL's bottom line. As a result of the deal with pilots, salaries, wages and benefits in fourth-quarter 2023 increased 15.6% from fourth-quarter 2022 actuals. Due to high labor costs, management expects cost per available seat miles (adjusted) in first-quarter 2024 to increase 2-4% from first-quarter 2023 actuals.Zacks RankAALcurrently carries Zacks Rank #3(Hold)Stocks to ConsiderSome better-ranked stocks for investors’ consideration in the Zacks Transportation sector include GATX Corporation GATX and Skywest Inc. SKYW. Each stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.GATX has an encouraging track record with respect to earnings surprise, having surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the past four quarters and missing the mark in the remaining one. The average beat is 16.47%.Story continuesThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings has been revised 6.1% upward over the past 90 days. GATX has an expected earnings growth rate of 3.7% for 2024. Shares of GATX have risen 19.5% in the past year.SkyWest's fleet modernization efforts are commendable. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SKYW’s 2024 earnings has improved 11.1% over the past 90 days. Shares of SkyWest have surged 222.1% in the past year.The company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for 2024. SKYW delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 128.02%, on average.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 reportAmerican Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportSkyWest, Inc. (SKYW) : Free Stock Analysis ReportGATX Corporation (GATX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Here's Why You Should Retain American Airlines (AAL) Stock Now

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/heres-why-retain-american-airlines-150500577.html

315ede7d-716e-3126-9426-6d961a01dab2

AAL

American Airlines (AAL) closed the most recent trading day at $14.65, moving -0.2% from the previous trading session. The stock's change was less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. Elsewhere, the Dow gained 0.12%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 0.41%.The world's largest airline's shares have seen a decrease of 1.34% over the last month, not keeping up with the Transportation sector's gain of 1.84% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of American Airlines in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company is expected to report EPS of -$0.24, down 580% from the prior-year quarter. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $12.53 billion, up 2.81% from the prior-year quarter.For the annual period, the Zacks Consensus Estimates anticipate earnings of $2.54 per share and a revenue of $55 billion, signifying shifts of -4.15% and +4.19%, respectively, from the last year.Any recent changes to analyst estimates for American Airlines should also be noted by investors. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.The Zacks Rank system, stretching from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), has a noteworthy track record of outperforming, validated by third-party audits, with stocks rated #1 producing an average annual return of +25% since the year 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 4.44% decrease. American Airlines is currently a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Story continuesWith respect to valuation, American Airlines is currently being traded at a Forward P/E ratio of 5.77. This represents a discount compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 8.55.Investors should also note that AAL has a PEG ratio of 0.12 right now. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. By the end of yesterday's trading, the Transportation - Airline industry had an average PEG ratio of 0.59.The Transportation - Airline industry is part of the Transportation sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 48, this industry ranks in the top 20% of all industries, numbering over 250.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.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 reportAmerican Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

American Airlines (AAL) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-airlines-aal-sees-more-215018950.html

d09d553b-3e0c-314e-8d1e-6ecfb2b91e6e

AAPL

Major League Soccer executive vice president of media Seth Bacon told Yahoo Finance's Alexandra Canal that the league's streaming deal with Apple (AAPL) "set the bar at a different level for people to think about how you do a partnership with a media company."Yahoo Finance Reporters Pras Subramanian, Alexandra Canal, and Josh Schafer join the Live show to discuss what makes the MLS and Apple agreement different from other sports streaming deals.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Stephanie Mikulich.Video TranscriptALEXANDRA CANAL: I've been looking at the future of Major League Soccer's deal with Apple TV. The league's latest season kicked off last week. And it got me thinking about the current fragmentation of sports rights.So, basically, guys, unlike other sports, like the NFL where you need to sign up for multiple streamers, have a cable package just to watch the full season. You don't have to do that with the MLS. They consolidated all of their media rights a few years before they renegotiated their contract.They wanted one true partner. And they found that in Apple. It was also attractive to Apple as well because they didn't have to have competitors in the mix. They could have full control over the distribution of these games.And there's a lot of people out there that are thinking that this could have a big boon when you think about the Vision Pro headset and the opportunities there. I did have a chance to speak with Seth Bacon. He is the executive vice president of media for the MLS.And he said that this is something that is working. They're seeing this partnership lead to an increase of viewership numbers and increase of signups to Apple TV. But I don't know if you could see this with other types of players like the NFL, for example. I feel like you're going to always have--JOSH SCHAFER: The NFL might be too big, right?Story continuesALEXANDRA CANAL: Right.JOSH SCHAFER: And you're never going to get one sole partner when you think about the fact that one big tech company pays $1 billion for 15 games a year. Think about how much you would have to pay to have every NFL game. I think at some point, maybe it's just inconceivable just from that standpoint of like how much NFL rights are worth.But you're. Right for MLS, it made a ton of sense. It's a league that wants to grow, a league that's looking for a consistent place for people to find them. I think sometimes when you're on some of these local sports networks, it's useful, but also, sometimes people don't really know where to find those.Not everyone still has traditional cable. Right now, you could make the argument that, oh, they're on Apple plus. That's hard. I have to pay for Apple plus, et cetera.But at least where to get it. MLS is on Apple TV plus. There's one place to go. And I think that's helpful for consumers from that standpoint.PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: But it's $12.99 a month. It's yet another thing to add to your collection of streaming services. And you really got to be a big MLS fan if you want to do this.And I was a casual fan. And I feel like it's a bit too much money for a casual fan to get involved. I want to follow NYCFC and not so much the Red Bulls, et cetera.But that's sort of the equation you got to do here with this service. But I think you're right. I think it's a great service with the collect all of it in one spot.And you mentioned the Vision Pro. Maybe there's a good use case there for someone who has this, someone who's a fan. I don't know. It's maybe a more interactive or more dynamic way to watch the content.ALEXANDRA CANAL: Yeah. And Apple's also producing a docuseries. Sort of similar like we've seen with Formula One, Drive to Survive. So potentially that could add more fans.And I also think Lionel Messi coming to the MLS was huge for not only the league, but also for Apple and driving a lot of viewership.JOSH SCHAFER: I'm excited to see what goes on the Vision Pro from a sports perspective. If they can put you in a moment--ALEXANDRA CANAL: I mean, it's a 10-year deal.JOSH SCHAFER: --that's the kind of thing that you don't really get right now. And you would think that's where these headsets are going. So it'll be interesting to see what happens with that.PRAS SUBRAMANIAN: Yeah.

Yahoo Finance Video

What sets the Major League Soccer, Apple streaming deal apart

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/sets-major-league-soccer-apple-230224199.html

d9b0a61c-bc89-3d27-8e71-a6d0755ed1a8

AAPL

Netflix wants its customers to stop paying for its streaming subscription through Apple’s App Store.Members billed through Apple may soon be prompted to change their payment plan, a new addition to Netflix’s help site reads.According to a spokesperson for Netflix, if a new payment isn’t added by the monthly subscription renewal date, the member will not be able to use their Netflix account until a new payment method is added.The policy change will affect members using Netflix’s basic plan in countries including the United States and Canada, according to the spokesperson.The update by Netflix comes as Apple has faced years of pushback from apps in its iOS App Store for taking a 30% cut of all in-app purchases. Apple has said it takes a lower 15% cut in some situations.Netflix stopped accepting Apple payments for new and rejoining customers in 2018, but Netflix’s policy change means existing customers who had been grandfathered into paying through Apple will now have to make the switch.Previously, Apple had prohibited many iOS apps from skirting the 30% charge by accepting payments outside of Apple’s proprietary payment system. But in 2021, Apple relaxed its restrictions for Netflix and other streaming companies like Spotify, allowing those apps to insert a link out to external websites to let people set up or manage their accounts outside of Apple’s App Store.Apple’s in-app purchase fees have been the subject of ire from app developers for years. Last month, in a blow to Apple, the US Supreme Court declined to review a lower court’s order requiring Apple to allow all developers to add buttons or links that direct customers to purchase in-app content through other payment channels.The decision was connected to a 2020 lawsuit against Apple by Epic Games, the maker of the popular video game Fortnite, which accused Apple of antitrust violations for its in-app fee collection practices.- CNN’s Brian Fung contributed to reporting.For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

CNN Business

You may lose access to your Netflix account if you’re paying through Apple

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/may-lose-access-netflix-account-010146472.html

60125fb1-2453-3184-a3b3-7e1114057fc5

AAPL

Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) stock has underperformed the broader market this year, down 10% year to date. Citi analyst Atif Malik rates the stock a buy, but he trimmed his near-term price target over concerns about sluggish iPhone demand in China.Malik's new price target is $220 a share, which still represents an upside over the next 12 months or so of 27% over the current share price of roughly $173.Why Apple stock is downWhile Wall Street generally operates on a shorter time frame than the average investor, analysts' opinions can be valuable in understanding what is driving the stock's performance in the short term. In this case, the analyst cited weakening smartphone sales in China for the price target cut.Apple is coming off a strong quarter, where iPhone revenue grew 6% year over year in the December-ending quarter. However, a recent report from Counterpoint Research showed that weekly smartphone unit sales in China through the first six weeks of 2024 were down 7% year over year. Most notably, iPhone unit sales were down 24%.Weak demand in China doesn't mean Apple is losing its edge. While iPhone revenue in China fell last quarter, it also hit records in Europe and the rest of Asia Pacific.Is Apple stock a buy?China is a wildcard for Apple, but the company's growing installed base of devices, which continues to hit record highs, is a better indicator of its global brand strength and where the business is headed over the long term.The stock is still a good investment. Apple's high customer satisfaction sets up solid growth prospects as the company introduces new features powered by artificial intelligence for its flagship product.Should you invest $1,000 in Apple right now?Before you buy stock in Apple, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Apple wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Story continuesStock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 11, 2024Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. John Ballard has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Apple Stock Has 27% Upside, According to 1 Wall Street Analyst was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Apple Stock Has 27% Upside, According to 1 Wall Street Analyst

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/apple-stock-27-upside-according-201112216.html

cd812587-2ac0-368e-a02b-87257a8a6eb2

AAPL

As the Magnificent Seven mega-cap stocks experience heightened volatility, Schwab Asset Management CEO and Chief Investment Officer Omar Aguilar joins Yahoo Finance Live to provide insight into how investors should navigate their portfolios during this period.Aguilar highlights a notable shift in the mega-cap tech sector, transitioning from being "a momentum trade to a fundamental trade" due to fading AI hype. He emphasizes that for these companies to deliver on future expectations, they will require significant capital expenditure and research and development investments. As expectations for these stocks remain elevated, "investors are questioning" whether the current levels of gains can be sustained over the long term.With the highly anticipated Consumer Price Index (CPI) data set for release Tuesday, Aguilar advises investors to "expect more volatility." However, he suggests that investors should view this volatility as an opportunity to rebalance their portfolios and strategically position themselves for evolving market conditions.For more expert insight and the latest market action, click here to watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live.Editor's note: This article was written by Angel SmithVideo TranscriptJULIE HYMAN: Meta isn't the only megacap seeing some losses. For more on the recent struggles from the Magnificent Seven, and where investors should look to turn to outside of big tech. We want to welcome in Omar Aguilar, Schwab Asset Management CEO, and CIO.Omar, thank you so much for being here. So as we see, what looks like a faltering perhaps of the Mag Seven, as well as a broadening of rallies elsewhere in the market, where do you think investors should be looking? Is it either, or is it both, how do you think about it?OMAR AGUILAR: Well, that's a great question and very timely I think as you were discussing this earlier. The momentum trade has started worldwide when everybody was talking about AI over a year ago. I think that momentum trade started to just be as just a function of excitement, just a function of-- investors getting really excited about the potential.Story continuesI think as we go in through this year, this has actually shifted from just being just a momentum trade to be a fundamental trade. And if you actually think so earnings, despite the valuation numbers for these Magnificent Seven, has been significantly better than the rest of the market. So they have outperformed over EPS year-over-year growth of 60%. Whereas the rest of the market has actually been on a decline of EPS growth.So when you actually put that together with the fact that they also have had very consistent free cash flow yields, you know, that actually provides a lot of the support. Now, that's the past. The future, basically, expectations required a lot of the discussion that you just had, which is a significant amount of ramp up of CapEx and R&D in order for them to support what the market expects they will deliver in the future.- Omar, is it that the next shoe to drop here? That once these companies report in coming weeks, there's no possible way they can meet up to the expectations that have been priced into their stocks. So that's what investors are doing today selling these positions.OMAR AGUILAR: Well, I think the investors are looking at the relative valuations. They're basically looking at it. It looks a little bit higher now compared to any other big runs in markets.They're still not at the level of what we saw in the late '90s or even in the energy boom that we had afterwards. So still in that context, you know, it's really more about the function of the expectations.Over the next five years is that they will deliver 30% top line growth and 17% on EPS growth, which is very hard to sustain. So investors are questioning whether or not that's actually sustainable. And there are a couple of those seven that are in the process of ramping up that R&D, and that CapEx. That obviously may have a better future going forward.JULIE HYMAN: Omar, I want to ask about CPI tomorrow, right? Because it has seemed in recent weeks that the focus has shifted a little bit away from the Fed, and to earnings, and to the AI theme. Does CPI tomorrow shift the focus back, or does it just depend on what the number shows?OMAR AGUILAR: I think, in general, we should expect more volatility. I think once we got past the earnings season, you know, I think the question becomes the CPI reading is really just going to ask, or give us a little more information of what the reaction function by the Fed might be. And it's really just about the timing where they may actually come up with the first rate cut.And I think investors will continue to look at opportunities to take that volatility, whether it's valuation-driven, or whether it's related to macro to be able to rebalance their portfolio and strategically positioned for the next six months on an environment that will have lower interest rates on the short part of the curve.- If one is worried about the AI trade fizzling out, Omar, what is the best sector they should be looking at right now and make your case?OMAR AGUILAR: Yeah, I think what we have encouraged our clients to do is to-- if you think about the economic cycle as we are today, even with the CPI numbers tomorrow, we have all signed that this is the last phase of the cycle. What that means is that soft landing scenario that the Fed has talked to us is basically now being a reality.And what that means is that the cyclical trade going into the next phase is probably areas that will basically provide good opportunities. And that includes materials, that includes energy, that includes areas that are a little bit more prone to lower interest rates, or at least a shape of the yield curve that is more normal like financials.So I think we're encouraged clients to start looking at that. And we have seen already small caps are incredibly attractive, and the rest of the market outside of just the large mega caps will probably do well.

Yahoo Finance Video

AI trade is now strictly 'fundamental': Strategist

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/ai-trade-now-strictly-fundamental-211449801.html

4d5c8ec3-78ef-3fd7-9b08-8d90ee864eb3

ABBV

Dive Brief:The Food and Drug Administration on Saturday approved Alvotech and Teva Pharmaceuticals’ Simlandi, a biosimilar of the most popular version of AbbVie’s rheumatoid arthritis drug Humira. The drug, which can be directly substituted by a pharmacist, was rejected by the FDA twice before due to manufacturing issues at a plant in Iceland.The partners didn’t announce a launch date or a price for Simlandi, which will be the 10th Humira biosimilar reach market since Amgen’s Amjevita arrived on Jan. 31, 2023. Some biosimilars have launched at a steep upfront discount while others have a list price only slightly below Humira’s to allow for negotiation over rebates.Alvotech also announced a stock sale Monday, raising around $166 million at $16.41 a share. The company had $68 million in cash and equivalents on Sept. 30, after recording losses of $275 million on $30 million in revenue through the first nine months of 2023.Dive Insight:One year into the launch of Humira biosimilars, U.S. market share for the copycat drugs is at less than 2%, with Amjevita and Organon’s Hadlima taking the biggest chunk, according to a recent report from biosimilar manufacturer Samsung Bioepis. In providing investor guidance for 2024, AbbVie commercial chief Jeffrey Stewart said the company “once again secured broad formulary access” for Humira.“While there will be some step down in coverage year over year, we will still have parity access to biosimilars for the vast majority of U.S. patient lives,” he said during a conference call with analysts outlining AbbVie’s fourth quarter 2023 earnings.While biosimilars haven’t gained much market share, they have affected AbbVie’s revenue. Full year 2023 Humira revenue in the U.S. was $12.2 billion, down by more than one-third over 2022, suggesting intense price competition to remain on insurance coverage lists.Simlandi won’t be the first interchangeable, or pharmacist substitutable, Humira. That honor went to Boehringer Ingelheim’s Cyltezo, which is a lower-concentration formula. It so far has gained 0.1% market share, according to the Samsung Bioepis report.Story continuesBoehringer and Alvotech have aimed for interchangeability status in the hope it will give them a competitive advantage. Forty-seven states allow automatic substitution, although in most the pharmacist must tell the prescribing physician about the substitution, allowing it to be overridden.Patients stable on branded Humira, along with their physicians, may be reluctant to move to a biosimilar. As a result, uptake of biosimilars for chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis has been slower than it has been for oncology, which tends to have shorter treatment courses.This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter.

BioPharma Dive

Humira biosimilar from Alvotech, Teva wins FDA approval on third attempt

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/humira-biosimilar-alvotech-teva-wins-122000201.html

ba502c3b-e2a9-3c89-8d9a-7456405563d1

ABBV

Strange but true: seniors fear death less than running out of money in retirement.Also, retirees who have constructed a nest egg have valid justifications to be concerned, since the traditional ways to plan for retirement may mean income can no longer cover expenses. Some retirees are now tapping their principal to make a decent living, pressed for time between decreasing investment balances and longer life expectancies.Your parents' retirement investing plan won't cut it today.Years ago, investors at or close to retirement could put money into fixed-income assets and depend on appealing yields to generate consistent, solid pay streams to fund a comfortable retirement. 10-year Treasury bond rates in the late 1990s floated around 6.50%, but unfortunately, those days of being able to exclusively rely on Treasury yields to fund retirement income are over.While this yield reduction may not seem drastic, it adds up: for a $1 million investment in 10-year Treasuries, the rate drop means a difference in yield of more than $1 million.And lower bond yields aren't the only potential problem seniors are facing. Today's retirees aren't feeling as secure as they once did about Social Security, either. Benefit checks will still be coming for the foreseeable future, but based on current estimates, Social Security funds will run out of money in 2035.Unfortunately, it looks like the two traditional sources of retirement income - bonds and Social Security - may not be able to adequately meet the needs of present and future retirees. But what if there was another option that could provide a steady, reliable source of income in retirement?Invest in Dividend StocksWe feel that these dividend-paying equities - as long as they are from high-quality, low-risk issuers - can give retirement investors a smart option to replace low-yielding Treasury bonds (or other bonds).Look for stocks that have paid steady, increasing dividends for years (or decades), and have not cut their dividends even during recessions.Story continuesOne approach to recognizing appropriate stocks is to look for companies with an average dividend yield of 3% and positive average annual dividend growth. Numerous stocks hike dividends over time, counterbalancing inflation risks.Here are three dividend-paying stocks retirees should consider for their nest egg portfolio.AbbVie (ABBV) is currently shelling out a dividend of $1.55 per share, with a dividend yield of 3.48%. This compares to the Large Cap Pharmaceuticals industry's yield of 2.63% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.59%. The company's annualized dividend growth in the past year was 4.96%. Check AbbVie (ABBV) dividend history here>>>Brixmor Property (BRX) is paying out a dividend of $0.27 per share at the moment, with a dividend yield of 4.79% compared to the REIT and Equity Trust - Retail industry's yield of 4.44% and the S&P 500's yield. The annualized dividend growth of the company was 8.33% over the past year. Check Brixmor Property (BRX) dividend history here>>>Currently paying a dividend of $0.14 per share, Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (EBMT) has a dividend yield of 4.27%. This is compared to the Banks - Midwest industry's yield of 3.35% and the S&P 500's current yield. Annualized dividend growth for the company in the past year was 1.82%. Check Eagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (EBMT) dividend history here>>>But aren't stocks generally more risky than bonds?It is true that stocks, as an asset class, carry more risk than bonds, but high-quality dividend stocks not only have the ability to produce income growth over time but more importantly, can also reduce your overall portfolio volatility relative to the broader stock market.An upside to adding dividend stocks to your retirement portfolio: they can help lessen the effects of inflation, since many dividend-paying companies (especially blue chip stocks) generally increase their dividends over time.Thinking about dividend-focused mutual funds or ETFs? Watch out for fees.If you prefer investing in funds or ETFs compared to individual stocks, you can still pursue a dividend income strategy. However, it's important to know the fees charged by each fund or ETF, which can ultimately reduce your dividend income, working against your strategy. Do your homework and make sure you know the fees charged by any fund before you invest.Bottom LineWhether you select high-quality, low-fee funds or stocks, seeking the steady income of dividend-paying equities can potentially offer you a path to a better and more stress-free retirement.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 reportAbbVie Inc. (ABBV) : Free Stock Analysis ReportEagle Bancorp Montana, Inc. (EBMT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportBrixmor Property Group Inc. (BRX) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

How to Maximize Your Retirement Portfolio with These Top-Ranked Dividend Stocks

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/maximize-retirement-portfolio-top-ranked-141003651.html

37525d50-a0f6-36f4-ab7f-e652de38dfa9

ABBV

Pharmaceutical companies play a tremendous role in modern healthcare. While sometimes controversial, drugmakers design medicine to treat some of the worst ailments plaguing society and constantly innovate to improve human life.Their long-term relevance in healthcare makes the pharmaceutical business an excellent place for investors to find long-term investment ideas. These three stocks offer investors a mix of solid financials, long-term upside, and passive income.A high-yield dividend stockPfizer (NYSE: PFE) is a mainstay in the pharmaceutical space. The company has been around for decades and has shifted multiple times with blockbuster acquisitions. Most recently, Pfizer became a leading vaccine company during the COVID-19 pandemic, generating tremendous revenue from Comirnaty and Paxlovid. However, those sales fell off as the pandemic passed, which soured Wall Street on Pfizer's growth outlook. The stock has fallen a whopping 55% from its high.But it's not all bad. Pfizer has made moves to bolster its long-term pipeline, including acquiring Seagen for $43 billion late last year to bolster its oncology pipeline.The company is poised to lean on its oncology and mRNA vaccine technology for long-term growth. Management believes its oncology segment can double its footprint of treated patients by 2030.Today, the company pays a hefty dividend that yields 6.3% at the current share price and is funded by a solid 76% payout ratio using estimated 2024 earnings. Shares also trade at a forward P/E ratio of just 12, which is a bargain if the company can grow earnings by 10% annually moving forward, as analysts believe.The balance of growth and yieldAbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) has been a monster investment since being spun off from Abbott Laboratories over a decade ago. Since then, shares have turned a $10,000 investment into over $82,000. The company rode blockbuster sales from Humira for years, but that patent expired last year. Fortunately, AbbVie has aggressively filled that hole with acquisitions and organic growth from up-and-coming products.Story continuesThe company bought Botox owner Allergan for $63 billion in 2020 and expects rising star products Rinvoq and Skyrizi to combine for $27 billion in annual sales by 2027. Despite Humira sales, which represented 36% of all revenue in 2022, dropping 40% year over year in Q4 2023, analysts expect AbbVie to grow revenue over the long term. That's due mainly to these new growth catalysts.Investors can get a solid 3.4% starting yield; the payout ratio is only 48% of cash flow. The company's dividend has risen yearly since the spin-off and extends decades if you return to its days with Abbott. Shares trade at a forward P/E of 16, a fair price, considering analysts expect earnings will grow at a mid- to high-single-digit rate over the coming years.An industry disruptor with long-term upsideGinkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) has a pioneering new technology that could change the industry entirely. The company uses genetic engineering to create microbes that perform specific functions. Potential uses span many sectors, including vaccine manufacturing, cannabinoids, and even probiotics in plant foods. This synthetic biology opens up a massive market opportunity for Ginkgo Bioworks.The company generates revenue upfront when it launches a program, but long-term profits will primarily stem from royalties and fees from successful product development. Ginkgo Bioworks is still a very young company with just $250 million in annual revenue and it trades at a $2.6 billion market capitalization. There's far more risk in Ginkgo than these first two stocks, but the potential reward is also far greater. It's a potential multibagger if the company establishes leadership in the synthetic biology industry.Ginkgo Bioworks isn't profitable yet, and analysts don't expect future profits soon. However, it's sitting on a massive $944 million cash pile and is burning just $60 million in cash each quarter or so, which gives investors the ability to be patient and let this nascent company work toward realizing its full potential. You probably shouldn't buy the stock if you don't believe in the technology and its long-term uses, but it's hard to deny the upside if things work out.Should you invest $1,000 in Pfizer right now?Before you buy stock in Pfizer, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Pfizer wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of March 8, 2024Justin Pope has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories and Pfizer. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.3 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in March was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

3 Pharmaceutical Stocks to Buy Hand Over Fist in March

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/3-pharmaceutical-stocks-buy-hand-132800802.html

fb44732e-2eec-394a-808f-7d1c65b43b8f

ABBV

Biotech stock MoonLake popped Monday after the company said its experimental psoriatic arthritis treatment beat out AbbVie's Humira.Continue reading

Investor's Business Daily

MoonLake Jumps After Arthritis Drug Tops AbbVie Blockbuster Humira In A Key Test

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/9770af9d-30ea-313b-b522-b0226287bf6a/moonlake-jumps-after.html

9770af9d-30ea-313b-b522-b0226287bf6a

ABNB

Travel booking companies are foretelling a moderation in consumer demand to come in 2024. Pantheon Macroeconomics Founder and Chief Economist Ian Shepherdson joins Yahoo Finance as part of the Travel Guide 2024: Industry Insights special, commenting on wage growth and consumers' savings coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic."There's a lot less savings hanging around that was built up during the pandemic. And if you look at the distribution of where that money is still sat, it's almost entirely in the hands of the top 20%. Most households now don't have any of the pandemic savings still remain, so they can't spend it again — they spent it once, they can't do it again," Shepherdson says. "So, I think that suggests maybe a dichotomy where if you're at the top end of the business — the travel and leisure sectors, and maybe even in terms of goods as well — your customers still have money. But most households, by definition, are not in the top 20%, and they're going to find things much more difficult."Catch more of Yahoo Finance's Travel Guide 2024: Industry Insights special coverage this week, or watch this full episode of Yahoo Finance Live here.Editor's note: This article was written by Luke Carberry Mogan.Video TranscriptSEANA SMITH: Can that strong consumer that reignited the revenge travel surge in 2023 still keep the economy afloat? Now, recent quarterly results from Expedia, Airbnb, Booking.com just to name a few pointing to a moderation in consumer spending. Now, this comes as Americans pull back on their discretionary spending. So what does that tell us about the consumer, and more broadly speaking, about the economy?Joining us now as part of Yahoo Finance's travel guide 2024 industry insights is Ian Shepherdson. He's Pantheon macroeconomics founder and chief economist. It's good to have you here. So let's talk about just what you're seeing, the trends that you're noticing from the consumer because we spent months and months and months talking about the fact that nothing is prompting Americans, consumers to really pull back on spending, yet we're starting to see that shift just a bit.Story continuesIAN SHEPHERDSON: Yeah. I like the word moderation. I think that's a pretty fair description of what's likely to happen over the course of this year. You know, there's a couple of things to think about. First of all, there's just a bit less cash flow around for the consumer than there was last year. We've got slightly slower payroll growth, slower wage growth. We've got a much smaller annual uplift of Social Security payments this year, which gave 70 million people last year an 8.7% pay increase in January. This year, it's 3.2%.And then on the balance sheet side of the consumer story, there's a lot less savings hanging around that was built up during the pandemic. And if you look at the distribution of where that money is still sat, it's almost entirely in the hands of the top 20%. Most households now don't have any of the pandemic savings still remaining. So they can't spend it again. They spent it once. They can't do it again.So I think that suggests maybe a dichotomy where if you're at the top end of the business, the travel, the leisure sectors, and maybe even in terms of goods as well, your customers still have money. But most households by definition are not in the top 20%. And they're going to find things much more difficult. They're going to be relying on cash flow rather than savings. And they've got a lot less cash flow than they did. So I can see that bifurcation. And in the mass market, yeah, I think the moderation will become quite visible over the next few months.BRAD SMITH: And so how does that flow through to some of the companies that we were just laying out here? Where perhaps in that discretionary spend here on the experience economy and in that travel experience are you seeing consumers at least think about perhaps trading down?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Yes, trading down. But at the very high end, I think things are going to be fine. The stock market has boomed over the last few months, and a lot of the people in the top 20%, especially the 1%, are still holding onto huge gains both in cash and other less liquid assets that they've accumulated over the last few years. It's more the kind of middle and lower end of the market that's, I think, going to be struggling for occupancy or for people's willingness to spend on extras.All the trading up that we saw in that sort of post pandemic surge of the revenge spending in restaurants and leisure activities and concerts and movies and all that sort of stuff, at the margin, I would expect that the extra dollar that we were seeing over the last couple of years just not to be there to quite such a same extent. I don't overdo this. I'm not looking for the consumer to roll over at all.But real income growth after tax last year grew by more than 4%, which is almost double the long-run average. There was a lot of money around. This year, it'll be more like two, which is a little bit below the long-run average. So not terrible. But I think if anyone's in the consumer facing world just extrapolating what they saw in '23 and hoping to get a repeat performance in '24, that's going to be a struggle.SEANA SMITH: Seeing as we have consumers pushing back on higher spending, consumers trading down in some instances, what do you think that tells us then about that last mile fight here to ease inflation? Or, in fact, are we going to see maybe inflation continue to ease in that last mile won't be as tough as maybe some forecasters had initially anticipated?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Yeah. I mean, there's been a lot of hysteria over one, not great inflation print for January. But if you look at the performance over the second half of last year, the core PCE deflator, which is the number the Fed really cares about, that was 2% annualized in the third quarter and 2% annualized in the fourth quarter. I mean, that's the target rate.So we've made an enormous amount of progress. And I'm not really worried that it's going to be difficult to keep it down at that rate in the foreseeable future. Yeah, you get bad months. You might even get a bad quarter. But the big picture is, I think, one of much less pressure across supply chains.We're not seeing expanding margins like we saw in '22/'23. And in some sectors, margins have come down quite a lot. That's why used car prices are falling so fast because dealers' margins have dropped very sharply. And I think we'll see that spreading across more sectors as consumers, again, make that marginal decision with the extra dollar to keep it rather than to spend it.So that should keep a bit of a lid on some of the inflation pressure as well. And across a big array of services, it's really all about the labor market. And the fact is that wage growth, which was at the peak 6% is now heading rapidly down to less than 4%. So all of these things are moving in the right direction. Some of it's still in the pipeline rather than in the CPI and the PCE inflation data, but it'll get there. It's just a matter of time.BRAD SMITH: With regard to that, leisure and hospitality was, of course, the hardest hit over the course of the pandemic and then had some of the biggest comeback that it needed to make as well in the labor and employment situation. Where are we starting to see that normalize?IAN SHEPHERDSON: Oh, I mean I think you can see pretty clearly that total frenzy of rehiring that we saw beginning in the summer of '21 and stretching really right the way through '22, that's pretty much over now. And what's interesting is that you can see that in the way that employees are behaving because what we saw in '21 and '22 was a huge increase in the number of people voluntarily quitting their jobs just so they could walk across the street to a different hotel or a different restaurant and pick up a pay raise. Great. Why wouldn't you do that?And we saw that behavior on a scale that we've never seen before in '21 and '22. And now it's back to normal. So the quits rate, which is the official measure of this behavior is now exactly where it was in 2018/19. And we know that the number of job openings is declining pretty steadily. And we know that wage growth is slowing as well. So we've got a fairly uniform picture here of a labor market that's beginning to look recognizably normal looking back at the pre-pandemic period.And in that pre-pandemic period, we did not have an inflation problem. In fact, most of the 10 years running up to the pandemic, we were fretting, Fed was fretting that inflation was too low. I'm not suggesting we're immediately going to go back to inflation that's too low, but I do think we're heading back to the conditions where getting to the target and staying there is an entirely sensible forecast at this point.SEANA SMITH: Ian Shepherdson, really interesting insight. Thanks so much for taking the time to join us here this morning. Pantheon macroeconomics founder and chief economist, thanks so much, Ian.

Yahoo Finance Video

Travel economy: Post-pandemic demand expected to moderate

https://finance.yahoo.com/video/travel-economy-post-pandemic-demand-165950697.html

b83c8c57-1792-3466-b7ab-48251cecdad2

ABNB

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) announced today that incoming Chief Financial Officer (effective March 1, 2024), Ellie Mertz, will speak at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Monday, March 4, 2024 beginning at 2:10pm PT / 5:10pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the public at https://cc.webcasts.com/morg007/030424a_js/?entity=138_FJDWOQU. A replay will be made available on the Investor Relations website at https://investors.airbnb.com.About AirbnbAirbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million Hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. CisionView original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/airbnb-to-participate-in-the-morgan-stanley-technology-media--telecom-conference-302070771.htmlSOURCE Airbnb, Inc.

PR Newswire

Airbnb to Participate in the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/airbnb-participate-morgan-stanley-technology-210500553.html

96c83f1c-b197-357e-a9a5-a05fc538a901

ABNB

Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in all of its listings, the company announced on Monday. Previously, Airbnb has allowed hosts to have indoor security cameras in common areas, such as hallways and living rooms, as long as they disclosed them on their listing page and did not place them in bathrooms and areas where guests sleep.In a blog post, the company said it is now banning indoor security cameras "regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure." Airbnb says a majority of the listings on its platform don't report having an indoor security camera, and that the update will only impact "a smaller subset of listings." The change comes after numerous reports of guests finding hidden cameras in their rentals. The update won't get rid of the issue of hidden cameras, as it targets rule-abiding hosts.Airbnb is also introducing new rules for outdoor security cameras and noise-decibel monitors. Hosts will be required to disclose the presence and location of outdoor cameras before guests book. Hosts can't use outdoor cameras to monitor indoor spaces and aren't allowed to place them in private outdoor areas like an enclosed outdoor shower or sauna.Hosts also need to disclose the use of noise-decibel monitors, which are used to determine if a prohibited party is going on, in common spaces of their listings. Airbnb permanently banned parties at all of its listings back in 2020.“Our goal was to create new, clear rules that provide our community with greater clarity about what to expect on Airbnb,” Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, said in the company's blog post. "These changes were made in consultation with our guests, Hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community.”The new policy goes into effect on April 30. If a host breaks the new rules and a guest reports the presence of a camera, Airbnb will investigate and possibly remove the listing or account from the platform.Airbnb has a new label to denote its top (and worst) listingsThis article originally appeared on TechCrunch at https://techcrunch.com/2024/03/11/airbnb-is-banning-indoor-security-cameras-inside-its-listings/

TechCrunch

Airbnb is banning indoor security cameras inside its listings

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/airbnb-banning-indoor-security-cameras-155104520.html

d5f45799-cc99-31d5-aa5b-0be6b6ff0f33

ABNB

NEW YORK (AP) — Airbnb said Monday that it's banning the use of indoor security cameras in listings on its site around the world by the end of next month.The San Francisco-based online rental platform said it is seeking to “simplify” its security-camera policy while prioritizing privacy.“These changes were made in consultation with our guests, Hosts and privacy experts, and we’ll continue to seek feedback to help ensure our policies work for our global community," Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s head of community policy and partnerships, said in a prepared statement.Airbnb had allowed the use of indoor security cameras in common areas, as long as the locations of the cameras were disclosed on the listings page. Under the new policy, hosts will still be allowed to use doorbell cameras and noise-decibel monitors, which are only allowed in common spaces, as long as the location and presence of the devices are disclosed.Airbnb expects the policy update to impact a small number of hosts because the majority of its listings do not report having indoor security cameras.The policy change will take effect April 30.In its fourth-quarter earnings report last month, Airbnb said its bookings and revenue rose, and the company said demand remains strong.

Associated Press Finance

Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in the platform's listings worldwide

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/airbnb-banning-indoor-security-cameras-192904475.html

b28e2909-43c3-3201-b8b1-fa6662943a23

ABT

Polen Capital, an investment management company, released its “Polen Global Growth Strategy” fourth-quarter 2023 investor letter. A copy of the same can be downloaded here. In the fourth quarter, the fund increased 11.66% gross and 11.36% net, respectively, compared to an 11.03% increase for the MSCI ACW Index. For the full year, the fund returned 32.38% and 30.92%, gross and net of fees, respectively compared to 22.20% for the index. The Portfolio has, net of fees, outperformed by 33bps during the quarter and by 872bps for the full year. In addition, please check the fund’s top five holdings to know its best picks in 2023.Polen Global Growth Strategy featured stocks like Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) in the fourth quarter 2023 investor letter. Headquartered in North Chicago, Illinois, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is a healthcare products manufacturer. On February 23, 2024, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) stock closed at $119.46 per share. One-month return of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) was 5.30%, and its shares gained 19.74% of their value over the last 52 weeks. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) has a market capitalization of $ 207.285 billion.Polen Global Growth Strategy stated the following regarding Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) in its fourth quarter 2023 investor letter:"Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT), a globally dominant healthcare business serving a broad range of end markets, was another position we added to in the period. The stock has come under pressure in recent quarters as the company has experienced a significant (and expected) decline in sales tied to pandemic-era COVID testing. However, we feel this amounts to little more than a distraction, as the core business continues to perform very well. Nothing has changed around our expectations for long-term growth, yet the stock’s valuation has compressed, making for an attractive opportunity to add to the position given the long-term durable growth profile of this business."Story continuesA patient viewing their medical diagnosis on a digital healthcare ecosystem.Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. At the end of the fourth quarter, Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) was held by 64 hedge fund portfolios, down from 69 in the previous quarter, according to our database.We discussed Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) in another article and shared the list of least shorted stocks. In addition, please check out our hedge fund investor letters Q4 2023 page for more investor letters from hedge funds and other leading investors. Suggested Articles:13 Best Bank Stocks To Invest In For Long-Term14 Best Beaten Down Stocks To Buy Right NowKen Fisher Portfolio: 12 Biggest PositionsDisclosure: None. This article is originally published at Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

What Makes Abbott Laboratories (ABT) a Lucrative Investment?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/makes-abbott-laboratories-abt-lucrative-094002479.html

c3544ee5-9725-30a1-9bf9-3294ab1c4fd9

ABT

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) has proven itself as a long-term winner for investors. The healthcare giant has grown earnings over time, and the shares have climbed too. In just the past year, Abbott stock has advanced about 18%. On top of this, Abbott has paid investors dividends year after year, even increasing these payments on an annual basis. So, the company also offers shareholders the promise of passive income growth.Abbott's performance has been driven by its diversification across four major businesses -- medical devices, diagnostics, nutrition, and established pharmaceuticals -- and its ability to develop market-leading products. For example, in recent years, Abbott's coronavirus tests have generated billions of dollars, and, in the medical devices business, its FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring system continues to be a market leader.Now, considering this top track record, you may be wondering if Abbott can keep the good times rolling -- and even help you become a millionaire. Let's find out.Image source: Getty Images.Abbott's successful diversificationWhat I like most about Abbott is its successful diversification, with leading products across its business units -- from those I mentioned above in the diagnostics and devices units to top nutrition brand Ensure and commonly used drugs sold in international markets to round out the established pharmaceuticals offerings.This diversification means that when one of the businesses faces headwinds, the others may compensate. For example, earlier in the pandemic, coronavirus test sales soared while medical devices sales slipped -- that business suffered as hospitals postponed surgeries to accommodate COVID patients. And in more recent times, the medical devices business has recovered and grown -- and now it's compensating for declining coronavirus testing sales as demand weakens.The result is Abbott has generated triple-digit growth in net income over the past decade and double-digit growth in other important financial metrics over the same time period. This shows the company is growing its business, increasing profits, and benefiting from its investments.Story continuesABT Net Income (Annual) ChartABT Net Income (Annual) data by YChartsAs mentioned above, Abbott can rely on the strengths of its key products to drive some of these gains. In the most recent quarter, the FreeStyle Libre brought in sales of $1.4 billion, an increase of more than 23%. And these products helped Abbott to grow sales across its business units in the quarter, excluding the sales of coronavirus tests. For the full year, excluding COVID testing sales, Abbott reported double-digit sales growth to reach $40 billion.Abbott also offers a steady stream of new products, thanks to its growth in research and development spending over time. And the company's capital expenditures to boost future growth total $5 billion since 2021.More than 50 years of dividend growthOn top of this, Abbott has built quite a reputation as a dividend stock, becoming a Dividend King thanks to its more than 50 years of consecutive dividend increases. And over the past three years, the company has returned more than $17 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases.This track record of dividend growth shows rewarding shareholders is important to the company, so it's likely to continue along this path. And as we can see in the chart below, Abbott's dividend payments could add significantly to your returns as a shareholder. Total returns include dividend payments.ABT ChartABT data by YChartsNow, let's get back to our question: Could Abbott help you become a millionaire? The key is the word "help." Alone, most stocks won't make you a millionaire unless you make an enormous investment in that particular stock -- and that's a risky bet, even if we're talking about a high-quality player. If you invest a smaller amount, say $5,000, in a stock, and it even doubles or triples, you're still far from millionaire status.But Abbott, as part of a diversified portfolio of quality stocks, could help you become a millionaire -- or at least add significantly to your wealth -- over the long term. By this, I mean constructing a portfolio of at least 20 stocks and holding on for a decade or longer. You don't have to build this portfolio overnight, but instead at the pace that suits your budget.And, through this strategy, Abbott -- as a company that's proven itself and also holds great prospects -- could help you reach your financial goals over the long haul.Should you invest $1,000 in Abbott Laboratories right now?Before you buy stock in Abbott Laboratories, consider this:The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Abbott Laboratories wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than tripled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*.See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of February 20, 2024Adria Cimino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Abbott Laboratories. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Could Abbott Laboratories Stock Help You Become a Millionaire? was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Could Abbott Laboratories Stock Help You Become a Millionaire?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/could-abbott-laboratories-stock-help-121000269.html

151125de-2123-3449-b0e3-23de6f66a38d

ABT

In the latest market close, Abbott (ABT) reached $120.19, with a -0.64% movement compared to the previous day. The stock fell short of the S&P 500, which registered a loss of 0.11% for the day. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.12%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, lost 0.41%.Prior to today's trading, shares of the maker of infant formula, medical devices and drugs had gained 8.18% over the past month. This has outpaced the Medical sector's gain of 3.03% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7% in that time.The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Abbott in its forthcoming earnings report. In that report, analysts expect Abbott to post earnings of $0.96 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 6.8%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $9.85 billion, up 1.02% from the prior-year quarter.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $4.62 per share and a revenue of $41.9 billion, indicating changes of +4.05% and +4.47%, respectively, from the former year.Any recent changes to analyst estimates for Abbott should also be noted by investors. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the company's business operations and its ability to generate profits.Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed a 0.12% increase. As of now, Abbott holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).Story continuesIn terms of valuation, Abbott is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 26.2. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 21.1.One should further note that ABT currently holds a PEG ratio of 2.91. The PEG ratio is akin to the commonly utilized P/E ratio, but this measure also incorporates the company's anticipated earnings growth rate. The average PEG ratio for the Medical - Products industry stood at 2.54 at the close of the market yesterday.The Medical - Products industry is part of the Medical sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 154, positioning it in the bottom 39% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the strength of our separate industry groups by calculating the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks contained within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.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 reportAbbott Laboratories (ABT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Abbott (ABT) Registers a Bigger Fall Than the Market: Important Facts to Note

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/abbott-abt-registers-bigger-fall-220021975.html

06fa9936-07fb-3b61-b7e2-20600e5f5225

ABT

(Adds settlement details, comments from New York attorney general, background)By Jonathan StempelNEW YORK, March 11 (Reuters) - Walgreens has settled charges by New York Attorney General Letitia James that it grossly inflated prices on at least 20 infant formula products after a recall by Abbott Labs led to a nationwide shortage in early 2022.The largest U.S. pharmacy chain did not admit or deny wrongdoing in entering an assurance of discontinuance with James' office, including a $50,000 payment covering civil penalties and costs, that was made public on Monday.James said Walgreens raised prices on the 20 products, including Abbott's Similac and Reckitt Benckiser's Enfamil, by 10% or more following the February 2022 recall, and in at least one case boosted formula prices by more than 70%.Walgreens allegedly sold more than 3,400 cans or bottles or formula at the "unconscionably" inflated prices.Without admitting or denying wrongdoing, Walgreens agreed not to charge excessive prices on consumer goods and services vital and necessary to people's health and safety.The Deerfield, Illinois-based company also agreed to donate 9,564 canisters of formula to benefit low-income New Yorkers with infant children.Walgreens declined to comment."During the formula shortage, families were panicked and struggling about how to feed their babies," James said in a statement. "For Walgreens to take advantage of this crisis and jack up formula prices is not only illegal, but downright shameful."My office will not tolerate any company that attempts to price gouge our state's consumers," she added.The settlement was effective as of March 7, and signed by a Walgreens representative on Monday.Abbott recalled its infant formula and closed its Sturgis, Michigan plant following reports that infants became sick after being fed formula that was produced there. The company reopened the plant that July. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Chris Reese and Stephen Coates)

Reuters

UPDATE 1-Walgreens settles New York charges it grossly inflated prices of infant formula

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-walgreens-settles-york-charges-230352389.html

d97c9e8c-df16-3a04-b060-ecdc37fd5cd1

ACGL

Have you been paying attention to shares of Skyward Specialty Insurance (SKWD)? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 13.2% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $36.17 in the previous session. Skyward Specialty Insurance has gained 6.2% since the start of the year compared to the 3.1% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 15.6% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on February 20, 2024, Skyward reported EPS of $0.61 versus consensus estimate of $0.56 while it beat the consensus revenue estimate by 0.66%.For the current fiscal year, Skyward is expected to post earnings of $2.58 per share on $1.06 billion in revenues. This represents a 22.27% change in EPS on a 19.23% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $2.81 per share on $1.17 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of 9.21% and 10.56%, respectively.Valuation MetricsSkyward may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company is due for a pullback from this level.On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as they provide investors with an additional way to sort through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. The idea behind the style scores is to help investors pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.Skyward has a Value Score of B. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are B and A, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of A.Story continuesIn terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 14X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is a premium to the peer industry average of 13.4X. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 21.6X versus its peer group's average of 15.9X. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.Zacks RankWe also need to look at the Zacks Rank for the stock, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Skyward currently has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Skyward fits the bill. Thus, it seems as though Skyward shares could still be poised for more gains ahead.How Does SKWD Stack Up to the Competition?Shares of SKWD have been soaring, and the company still appears to be a decent choice, but what about the rest of the industry? One industry peer that looks good is Arch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL). ACGL has a Zacks Rank of # 2 (Buy) and a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of C, and a Momentum Score of A.Earnings were strong last quarter. Arch Capital Group Ltd. beat our consensus estimate by 28.35%, and for the current fiscal year, ACGL is expected to post earnings of $7.95 per share on revenue of $15.48 billion.Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd. have gained 7.8% over the past month, and currently trade at a forward P/E of 10.8X and a P/CF of 9.6X.The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is in the top 20% of all the industries we have in our universe, so it looks like there are some nice tailwinds for SKWD and ACGL, even beyond their own solid fundamental situation.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 reportSkyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (SKWD) : Free Stock Analysis ReportArch Capital Group Ltd. (ACGL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (SKWD) Hit a 52 Week High, Can the Run Continue?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/skyward-specialty-insurance-group-inc-141512519.html

4151c564-ee1e-3a0a-bc03-1b66136dcd71

ACGL

Arch Capital Group Ltd (NASDAQ:ACGL) showcases robust financial performance with $4.4 billion net income for 2023.ACGL's strategic business operations span across insurance, reinsurance, and mortgage sectors globally.Strong capital base with approximately $21.1 billion in capital as of December 31, 2023.Market volatility and competitive pressures present ongoing challenges for ACGL.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 7 Warning Sign with CTRA.On February 23, 2024, Arch Capital Group Ltd (NASDAQ:ACGL), a Bermuda-based company specializing in insurance and reinsurance, filed its 10-K with the SEC. The filing provides a comprehensive overview of the company's financial health and strategic positioning. As of December 31, 2023, ACGL reported a robust capital base of approximately $21.1 billion and a significant net income of $4.4 billion for the year. The company's book value per share increased to $46.94, up from $32.62 the previous year, indicating a strong financial performance and shareholder value creation. This financial overview sets the stage for a detailed SWOT analysis, providing investors with insights into ACGL's competitive advantages, potential risks, and strategic outlook.Decoding Arch Capital Group Ltd (ACGL): A Strategic SWOT InsightStrengthsFinancial Resilience and Profitability: ACGL's financial resilience is evident from its substantial net income of $4.4 billion in 2023 and a solid capital base of $21.1 billion. The company's profitability is underpinned by its diversified business model, which spans insurance, reinsurance, and mortgage sectors, allowing it to capitalize on various market opportunities and mitigate risks associated with any single line of business.Global Presence and Diversification: With operations in key markets such as Bermuda, the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and South Africa, ACGL benefits from geographic diversification. This global footprint not only spreads risk but also enables the company to tap into growth opportunities in different economies and regulatory environments.Story continuesWeaknessesMarket Sensitivity and Economic Conditions: ACGL's performance is subject to fluctuations in the financial markets and economic conditions, as indicated by the company's own assessment. Factors such as inflation, interest rates, and housing prices can impact the company's investment portfolio and underwriting profitability, potentially leading to volatility in financial results.Operational Risks and Cybersecurity: The company acknowledges the importance of maintaining robust operating procedures and cybersecurity measures. Any failure in these areas could result in operational disruptions, financial losses, and reputational damage, which could adversely affect ACGL's competitive position and financial performance.OpportunitiesStrategic Acquisitions and Market Expansion: ACGL has the opportunity to grow through strategic acquisitions and the integration of acquired businesses into its operations. This could enable the company to enter new markets, offer new products, and gain additional market share.Technological Advancements and Innovation: The company's investment in technology and innovation can lead to improved operational efficiencies, enhanced customer experiences, and the development of new insurance products. Embracing technological advancements can also strengthen ACGL's competitive edge in a rapidly evolving industry.ThreatsCompetitive Market Dynamics: The insurance and reinsurance industries are highly competitive, with pressure on pricing, capacity, and coverage terms. ACGL must continuously adapt to remain competitive against traditional insurers, new market entrants, and alternative capital providers.Regulatory and Climate Change Risks: Regulatory changes and the impact of climate change pose significant threats to ACGL's business. The company must navigate a complex regulatory landscape and manage the risks associated with climate-related events, which could lead to increased claims and financial exposure.In conclusion, Arch Capital Group Ltd (NASDAQ:ACGL) demonstrates a strong financial position with significant net income and a robust capital base. The company's diversified operations and global presence are key strengths that provide stability and growth potential. However, ACGL must navigate market sensitivities, operational risks, and intense competition. Strategic acquisitions and technological innovation present opportunities for expansion and differentiation. Nonetheless, regulatory challenges and climate change risks threaten to impact the company's performance. ACGL's ability to leverage its strengths and opportunities while effectively managing its weaknesses and threats will be crucial for its continued success in the competitive insurance and reinsurance markets.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Decoding Arch Capital Group Ltd (ACGL): A Strategic SWOT Insight

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/decoding-arch-capital-group-ltd-050650859.html

c0f00fb4-fdfa-3d89-83e4-aeae6369c69e

ACGL

The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. Unfortunately, these high risk investments often have little probability of ever paying off, and many investors pay a price to learn their lesson. While a well funded company may sustain losses for years, it will need to generate a profit eventually, or else investors will move on and the company will wither away.In contrast to all that, many investors prefer to focus on companies like Arch Capital Group (NASDAQ:ACGL), which has not only revenues, but also profits. Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business. See our latest analysis for Arch Capital Group Arch Capital Group's Earnings Per Share Are GrowingGenerally, companies experiencing growth in earnings per share (EPS) should see similar trends in share price. That means EPS growth is considered a real positive by most successful long-term investors. Arch Capital Group's shareholders have have plenty to be happy about as their annual EPS growth for the last 3 years was 52%. While that sort of growth rate isn't sustainable for long, it certainly catches the eye of prospective investors.It's often helpful to take a look at earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margins, as well as revenue growth, to get another take on the quality of the company's growth. The good news is that Arch Capital Group is growing revenues, and EBIT margins improved by 10.5 percentage points to 26%, over the last year. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.You can take a look at the company's revenue and earnings growth trend, in the chart below. For finer detail, click on the image.earnings-and-revenue-historyYou don't drive with your eyes on the rear-view mirror, so you might be more interested in this free report showing analyst forecasts for Arch Capital Group's future profits.Story continuesAre Arch Capital Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?We would not expect to see insiders owning a large percentage of a US$32b company like Arch Capital Group. But we do take comfort from the fact that they are investors in the company. Indeed, they have a considerable amount of wealth invested in it, currently valued at US$905m. Holders should find this level of insider commitment quite encouraging, since it would ensure that the leaders of the company would also experience their success, or failure, with the stock.Does Arch Capital Group Deserve A Spot On Your Watchlist?Arch Capital Group's earnings per share growth have been climbing higher at an appreciable rate. That sort of growth is nothing short of eye-catching, and the large investment held by insiders should certainly brighten the view of the company. At times fast EPS growth is a sign the business has reached an inflection point, so there's a potential opportunity to be had here. Based on the sum of its parts, we definitely think its worth watching Arch Capital Group very closely. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Arch Capital Group , and understanding it should be part of your investment process.There's always the possibility of doing well buying stocks that are not growing earnings and do not have insiders buying shares. But for those who consider these important metrics, we encourage you to check out companies that do have those features. You can access a tailored list of companies which have demonstrated growth backed by recent insider purchases.Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Do Arch Capital Group's (NASDAQ:ACGL) Earnings Warrant Your Attention?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/arch-capital-groups-nasdaq-acgl-110021932.html

fcf6746b-45ab-3156-8f1b-f94464e16cba

ACGL

Maamoun Rajeh, CHAIRMAN & CEO of Arch Re Group, a subsidiary of Arch Capital Group Ltd (NASDAQ:ACGL), has sold 50,000 shares of the company on March 5, 2024, according to a recent SEC filing. The transaction was executed at an average price of $87.48 per share, resulting in a total value of $4,374,000.Arch Capital Group Ltd, headquartered in Bermuda, is a global insurer and reinsurer providing a wide range of property, casualty, and mortgage insurance and reinsurance solutions. The company operates through various subsidiaries, with a focus on specialty lines of insurance and reinsurance.Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Sign with ACGL.Over the past year, the insider has sold a total of 125,940 shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd and has not made any purchases of the stock. The recent sale by the insider is part of a series of transactions over the same period.The insider transaction history for Arch Capital Group Ltd shows a pattern of selling activity. There have been no insider buys and 11 insider sells over the past year.On the day of the insider's recent sale, shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd were trading at $87.48, giving the company a market capitalization of $32.81 billion. The stock's price-earnings ratio stands at 7.55, which is below the industry median of 12.71 and also below the company's historical median price-earnings ratio.According to the GuruFocus Value chart, with a current price of $87.48 and a GF Value of $77.39, Arch Capital Group Ltd has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 1.13, indicating that the stock is modestly overvalued.The GF Value is determined by considering historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates provided by Morningstar analysts.Insider Sell: CHAIRMAN & CEO of Arch Re Group Sells 50,000 Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd (ACGL)The insider's recent sale could be interpreted in various ways by investors, but it is important to consider the transaction within the broader context of the company's performance and valuation metrics.Story continuesInsider Sell: CHAIRMAN & CEO of Arch Re Group Sells 50,000 Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd (ACGL)Investors and analysts often monitor insider transactions as they can provide insights into how the company's executives view the stock's valuation and future prospects. However, insider selling does not always indicate a lack of confidence in the company, as insiders may sell shares for personal financial planning or diversification reasons.This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

GuruFocus.com

Insider Sell: CHAIRMAN & CEO of Arch Re Group Sells 50,000 Shares of Arch Capital Group Ltd ...

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/insider-sell-chairman-ceo-arch-062658296.html

796bb402-e982-34e6-8819-3a22c8e10bf9

ACN

IIM Ahmedabad’s campusIIM Ahmedabad registers 100% placement; 163 dream applications From Ahmedabad, India: During the placement process for the MBA Class of 2024 of the Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad that completed on February 12 Accenture and Boston Consulting Group made the most offers (including PPOs-pre placement offers) on the campus.Accenture made the most offers at the end of the final placement process with 26 offers, followed by Boston Consulting Group with 23 offers. Among the investment banks, Goldman Sachs was the largest recruiter, making 9 offers, closely followed by JP Morgan with 5 offers. In the general management domain, Adani made the highest number of offers – 10, closely followed by Essar Group, which rolled out 6 offers.This year the management consulting cohort witnessed a decrease in the number of offers by 15% vis-à-vis last year, while niche consulting witnessed a very significant increase. The roles offered by conglomerates also increased by 13%.Read moreAND DON’T MISS BIG SPLASH: IIM-AHMEDABAD LAUNCHES AN ONLINE MBAMain walkway at IIM BangaloreIIM-Bangalore summer placements: Nearly 600 students placed, including 12 students with disabilitiesFrom Bangalore, India: The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIM-B) has completed placements for summer internships of its largest ever Post Graduate Program in Management (PGP) and Post Graduate Program in Business Analytics (PGP-BA) batch of 602 eligible students.As per the official statement, the week dedicated to summer placements held during November 6 to 11 saw 484 students (437 PGP and 47 PGP-BA) being placed, while 115 students (89 PGP and 26 PGP-BA) were placed in a subsequent rolling placement process. The latter process included a targeted drive by Atypical Advantage to place 12 students with disabilities with leading corporates. Three PGP students sought and found summer internships on their own.Story continuesThis year, consulting firms made the largest number of offers (158), with Accenture Strategy making a record 45 offers, yet the ratio of students interning in consulting fell marginally this year as many sought after finance, banking and investment firms made more offers (130) this year. FMCG and retail firms that are aspirational for marketing roles made 69 offers. The 55 offers by manufacturing firms were in areas like supply chain and new product entry. The 45 offers by ecommerce and payments firms were in digital marketing and cards business. IT related firms made 43 offers in areas like IT consulting and product management. Business conglomerates made 41 offers primarily in their leadership tracks for general management roles.Read moreAND DON’T MISS RANKING: INDIA’S BEST B-SCHOOLSThe Indian Institute of Management CalcuttaIIM Calcutta’s flagship MBA program records 100% placement, consulting sector emerges as top recruiterFrom Calcutta, India: IIM Calcutta’s flagship MBA program concluded the final placements for the 59th batch recently and recorded another year with 100% placements. A statement issued by the institute on Monday said that about 464 students took part in the process, securing 529 offers from 194 companies despite the tough market conditions.“The consulting sector emerged as the top recruiter yet again with 167 students (31.6%) bagging offers. Accenture Strategy emerged as the top recruiter among the consulting sector which included firms like EY-Parthenon, Monitor Deloitte, KPMG, Pricewaterhouse Coopers, Vector Consulting and Arthur D. Little, McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Kearney, amongst others,” the institute said.IIM Calcutta continues to attract marquee finance firms and remains the finance campus of the country. About 114 students (21.5%) entered marquee finance firms from the private equity, venture capital, investment banking, markets, asset and wealth management domains, which saw participation from firms like Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Chase, Bank of America, Citibank, Barclays, HSBC and others.Read moreDON’T MISS MEET THE INDIAN INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CALCUTTA’S MBAEx CLASS OF 2023The post In India, 100% Employment At 2 Of 3 IIM A-B-C’s appeared first on Poets&Quants.

Poets & Quants

In India, 100% Employment At 2 Of 3 IIM A-B-C’s

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/india-100-employment-2-3-182043893.html

a5767f1f-a971-3eab-9261-572bdcdf8a3e

ACN

Welcoming Accenture as the title sponsor, the premier conference will welcome over 1800 professional women of color for a weekend of inspiration, connection, and empowerment.NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, BLACK ENTERPRISE, the premier Black-owned digital media brand dedicated to providing business, investment, and wealth-building resources for African Americans, announces the 18th annual Women of Power Summit, the leading professional development gathering that makes space for women executives of color to reflect, rise, and act. At the culmination of Women's History Month, the conference returns to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to celebrate the achievements of remarkable women and mark a significant milestone with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) as the event's new title sponsor.BLACK ENTERPRISE Logo. (PRNewsFoto/BLACK ENTERPRISE) (PRNewsfoto/BLACK ENTERPRISE)This year's Summit promises to be an unforgettable experience, featuring inspiring sessions, thought-provoking panel discussions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. The Summit is carefully curated to propel attendees toward intentional goal-setting and to ignite inspiration by showcasing remarkable leaders who have left an enduring mark on their respective fields.Esteemed business trailblazers such as Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments; Judy Smith, Founder and President of Smith & Company; and Thasunda Duckett, CEO of TIAA, will be honored with the prestigious "Legacy Award," recognizing their embodiment of resilience, innovation, and leadership, truly capturing the essence and spirit of the Women of Power Summit. Symone Sanders Townsend, Author, Seasoned Democratic Strategist, and Co-Host of MSNBC's The Weekend; Dia Simms, Co-Founder, Pronghorn / Executive Chairwoman, Lobos 1707 Tequila & Mezcal; and Aisha Bowe, Founder & CEO of STEMBoard and LINGO, will also be honored during the third annual "Luminary Awards Luncheon" for their exceptional contributions and groundbreaking work in advancing diversity within their respective industries.Story continues"For almost two decades, the Women of Power Summit has represented a beacon of inspiration, resilience, and empowerment for women across the business industry," said Earl Butch Graves Jr., CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE. "As we continue to evolve in our purpose and embark on this exciting journey with Accenture as our title sponsor, we envision a future where the Summit's legacy continues to shine brightly, breaking barriers and fostering a community where the remarkable achievements of women are celebrated, and the conference is elevated to new heights of significance."Accenture's commitment to a culture of equality and shared success aligns seamlessly with the values of the Women of Power Summit. As the new title sponsor, Accenture will host a series of sessions that will provide invaluable insights, strategies, and best practices, empowering summit attendees with the knowledge and tools to drive positive change in their respective fields and communities."At Accenture, we foster a culture and a workplace where all our people feel a sense of belonging, are respected, and are empowered to do their best work. We are committed to helping everyone thrive, which includes the advancement and representation of women. Collaboration with partners, like BLACK ENTERPRISE, facilitates meaningful and impactful connections for our executives," said Yolanda Friend, North America Inclusion & Diversity lead.The BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit, hosted by Accenture, will be held at The Bellagio Hotel & Casino from Wednesday, March 27, through Saturday, March 30. Attendees can learn more about the Summit, receive programming updates, see a complete list of summit speakers, purchase tickets for the event, and livestream select programming at https://www.blackenterprise.com/event/women-of-power-2024/.About BLACK ENTERPRISEFounded in 1970, BLACK ENTERPRISE is a mission-centric media company focused on providing relevant information for success-minded people at every stage of their financial journey. Designed to highlight Black leadership and entrepreneurial journeys, BLACK ENTERPRISE reaches its audience through its events and linear and digital channels. BLACK ENTERPRISE aims to be a fountain of knowledge on the how to achieve financial success. To learn more about the company, please visit blackenterprise.com and follow them on social media across Instagram, X (Twitter), and Facebook.CisionView original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/black-enterprise-returns-to-las-vegas-to-honor-extraordinary-business-trailblazers-at-the-2024-women-of-power-summit-302071214.htmlSOURCE BLACK ENTERPRISE

PR Newswire

BLACK ENTERPRISE Returns to Las Vegas To Honor Extraordinary Business Trailblazers at the 2024 Women of Power Summit

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/black-enterprise-returns-las-vegas-151500473.html

83a787dd-9395-31e0-bf7d-55fe235c4404

ACN

Investors interested in Consulting Services stocks are likely familiar with Hackett Group (HCKT) and Accenture (ACN). But which of these two stocks presents investors with the better value opportunity right now? Let's take a closer look.We have found that the best way to discover great value opportunities is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with a great grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.Right now, Hackett Group is sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), while Accenture has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). Investors should feel comfortable knowing that HCKT likely has seen a stronger improvement to its earnings outlook than ACN has recently. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.HCKT currently has a forward P/E ratio of 14.53, while ACN has a forward P/E of 30.96. We also note that HCKT has a PEG ratio of 1.08. This popular figure is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also considers a company's expected EPS growth rate. ACN currently has a PEG ratio of 3.48.Another notable valuation metric for HCKT is its P/B ratio of 7.47. The P/B ratio is used to compare a stock's market value with its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. For comparison, ACN has a P/B of 8.63.These are just a few of the metrics contributing to HCKT's Value grade of B and ACN's Value grade of C.Story continuesHCKT sticks out from ACN in both our Zacks Rank and Style Scores models, so value investors will likely feel that HCKT is the better option right now.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 reportThe Hackett Group, Inc. (HCKT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAccenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

HCKT vs. ACN: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hckt-vs-acn-stock-better-154010018.html

20554106-352e-3356-88b9-c40c3f02503a

ACN

In the latest market close, Accenture (ACN) reached $373.22, with a -1.31% movement compared to the previous day. This change lagged the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.11%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.12%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.41%.The consulting company's shares have seen an increase of 1.75% over the last month, not keeping up with the Business Services sector's gain of 5.27% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.7%.Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of Accenture in its upcoming earnings disclosure. The company's earnings report is set to go public on March 21, 2024. In that report, analysts expect Accenture to post earnings of $2.65 per share. This would mark a year-over-year decline of 1.49%. Simultaneously, our latest consensus estimate expects the revenue to be $15.84 billion, showing a 0.15% escalation compared to the year-ago quarter.Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $12.22 per share and revenue of $66.22 billion. These totals would mark changes of +4.71% and +3.29%, respectively, from last year.Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Accenture. These latest adjustments often mirror the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability.Our research suggests that these changes in estimates have a direct relationship with upcoming stock price performance. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has witnessed an unchanged state. Accenture is holding a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold) right now.Story continuesInvestors should also note Accenture's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 30.96. This indicates a premium in contrast to its industry's Forward P/E of 24.27.It's also important to note that ACN currently trades at a PEG ratio of 3.48. The PEG ratio is similar to the widely-used P/E ratio, but this metric also takes the company's expected earnings growth rate into account. As the market closed yesterday, the Consulting Services industry was having an average PEG ratio of 1.39.The Consulting Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 89, putting it in the top 36% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.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 reportAccenture PLC (ACN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Accenture (ACN) Sees a More Significant Dip Than Broader Market: Some Facts to Know

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/accenture-acn-sees-more-significant-221521318.html

c547bfad-379c-31bb-829e-1791f8ab62f8

ADBE

Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) blew nearly everyone away with its fourth-quarter results last week. The stock continued a surge that began in late 2022.Many analysts, though, are skeptical about just how much higher Nvidia can go. The average analysts' 12-month price target for the stock is 7% below the current share price. However, Wall Street thinks that three other artificial intelligence (AI) stocks still have plenty of room to run.1. AdobeAdobe (NASDAQ: ADBE) hasn't delivered nearly the level of gains that Nvidia has. However, shares of the software company are still up more than 50% over the last 12 months. The consensus on Wall Street is that Adobe could perform very well going forward.The average price target for Adobe reflects an upside potential of more than 21%. The most optimistic analyst thinks the stock could soar as much as 40% higher. Of the 31 analysts surveyed by LSEG in February, 25 rate Adobe as a buy or strong buy. By comparison, only 21 of the 38 analysts covering Nvidia rated it as a buy or strong buy.You might not think of Adobe as an AI stock. However, the company has integrated generative AI into many of its products. Nvidia CFO Colette Kress specifically mentioned Adobe during her company's recent quarterly conference call as one of the "leading AI and enterprise software platforms" that Nvidia is working with.Adobe is on a roll, generating record revenue in its fiscal 2023 fourth quarter. The company's Creative Cloud, Document Cloud, and Experience Cloud products continue to enjoy strong momentum.2. AmazonLike Nvidia, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) is a member of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks that dominated the stock market last year. Over the last 12 months, shares of the e-commerce and cloud services giant have soared close to 85%.Amazon's amazing run isn't over quite yet, according to some analysts. The consensus 12-month price target for the stock is more than 17% above Amazon's current share price. And there are a lot of Amazon bulls on Wall Street. Forty-three of the 47 analysts surveyed by LSEG in February rate the stock as a buy or strong buy.Story continuesAI is extremely important to Amazon's growth prospects. It's providing a major tailwind to the company's AWS cloud platform. AWS, like the other major cloud providers, uses Nvidia's chips. However, Amazon has also developed its own AI chips.The transition of customers' IT spending from on-premises to the cloud, driven largely by AI, should enable Amazon to grow robustly over the next decade and beyond. The company's advertising business is another key growth driver that just might help Amazon achieve Wall Street's price target.3. OracleOracle (NYSE: ORCL) hasn't received as much attention from investors as some AI stocks have. While shares of the database and software giant have jumped nearly 30% over the last 12 months, that performance pales in comparison with the returns delivered by Nvidia and others.Wall Street thinks that Oracle can extend its gains, though. The average price target for the stock reflects an upside potential of around 14%. Of the 36 analysts surveyed by LSEG in February, 26 rate Oracle as a buy or strong buy.Oracle Cloud is another major customer of Nvidia's DGX Cloud. Chairman, co-founder, and Chief Technology Officer Larry Ellison noted in the company's December conference call that Oracle's cloud infrastructure services growth is being driven in part by generative AI customers. He added that countries building sovereign clouds (where all data is stored within a nation's borders) are also fueling growth.Unlike many other AI stocks, Oracle remains attractively valued. Its shares trade at only 17.3 times expected earnings. This relatively low price could help make Oracle more appealing to investors wanting to profit from AI without paying a steep premium.Where to invest $1,000 right nowWhen our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has nearly tripled the market.*They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now…See the 10 stocks*Stock Advisor returns as of February 20, 2024John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Keith Speights has positions in Amazon. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Adobe, Amazon, Nvidia, and Oracle. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Wall Street Thinks These 3 Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Still Have Plenty of Room to Run -- but Nvidia Isn't One of Them was originally published by The Motley Fool

Motley Fool

Wall Street Thinks These 3 Top Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stocks Still Have Plenty of Room to Run -- but Nvidia Isn't One of Them

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/wall-street-thinks-3-top-104900615.html

28b3d110-c131-3ebb-bbba-cd569f0300c9

ADBE

In the latest trading session, Adobe Systems (ADBE) closed at $560.48, marking a +1.27% move from the previous day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.38%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw a downswing of 0.16%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq depreciated by 0.13%.Shares of the software maker witnessed a loss of 9.85% over the previous month, trailing the performance of the Computer and Technology sector with its gain of 3.93% and the S&P 500's gain of 4.74%.The investment community will be closely monitoring the performance of Adobe Systems in its forthcoming earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its earnings on March 14, 2024. The company's upcoming EPS is projected at $4.38, signifying a 15.26% increase compared to the same quarter of the previous year. In the meantime, our current consensus estimate forecasts the revenue to be $5.13 billion, indicating a 10.19% growth compared to the corresponding quarter of the prior year.In terms of the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates predict earnings of $17.89 per share and a revenue of $21.41 billion, indicating changes of +11.33% and +10.33%, respectively, from the former year.Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Adobe Systems. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the company's business outlook.Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.The Zacks Rank system, ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), possesses a remarkable history of outdoing, externally audited, with #1 stocks returning an average annual gain of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 0.01% higher. Adobe Systems is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).Story continuesInvestors should also note Adobe Systems's current valuation metrics, including its Forward P/E ratio of 30.94. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 31.54, which means Adobe Systems is trading at a discount to the group.It's also important to note that ADBE currently trades at a PEG ratio of 2.38. The PEG ratio bears resemblance to the frequently used P/E ratio, but this parameter also includes the company's expected earnings growth trajectory. ADBE's industry had an average PEG ratio of 2.38 as of yesterday's close.The Computer - Software industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 80, which puts it in the top 32% of all 250+ industries.The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.Make sure to utilize Zacks.com to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and more, in the coming trading sessions.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 reportAdobe Inc. (ADBE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Adobe Systems (ADBE) Advances While Market Declines: Some Information for Investors

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/adobe-systems-adbe-advances-while-224513615.html

6909050b-c8ca-39a9-bad9-d2435ee9a046

ADBE

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – March 11, 2024 – Zacks.com releases the list of companies likely to issue earnings surprises. This week’s list includes Costco COST, AutoZone AZO, Oracle ORCL and Adobe ADBE.Previewing 2024 Q1 Earnings SeasonThe recent Costco and AutoZone quarterly releases kick-started the 2024 Q1 earnings season. We have another four S&P 500 members on deck to report Q1 results this week, including Oracle on Monday, March 11th, and Adobe on Thursday, March 14th.The earnings reports from Costco and AutoZone and this week's reports from Oracle and Adobe are for their respective fiscal quarters ending in February, which we and other research organizations count as part of the overall March-quarter or Q1 tally. In fact, by the time the big banks come out with their quarterly results on April 12th, we will have Q1 results from almost two dozen S&P 500 members.Regular readers of our earnings commentary are familiar with our sanguine view of corporate profitability. We aren't saying that the earnings picture is great, but we don't agree with the doom-and-gloom projections either.Earnings growth remained under pressure in 2022 and through the first half of 2023 as a host of macro factors weighed on corporate profits. These factors included the post-COVID onset of inflationary pressures that compressed margins while the Fed's extraordinary tightening moderated top-line growth.A loud segment of the commentariat saw these unfavorable trends culminating in a recession for the economy and a material hit to the overall earnings picture. However, the U.S. economy has proved resilient even as the Fed's extraordinary tightening has put us on track for a happy resolution to the inflation issue.With the Fed now gearing up to start easing policy in the coming months, those extreme risks to the economy and corporate earnings have eased significantly. This is the macro backdrop in which we will receive the Q1 earnings results in the coming days.Story continuesThe expectation is that Q1 earnings will be up +2.4% from the same period last year on +3.5% higher revenues, following the +6.1% earnings growth on +2.6% revenue gains in the preceding period.Please note that while the revisions trend has been negative, the magnitude of cuts to Q1 estimates compares favorably to what we had seen in the comparable period for the preceding quarter (2023 Q4).Since the start of Q1, estimates have come down for 10 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with the biggest cuts to estimates for the Energy, Autos, Basic Materials, and Transportation sectors. Estimates have modestly increased over this period for 6 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with the Retail, Consumer Discretionary, and Tech sectors enjoying notable positive revisions.Q1 earnings estimates for Oracle and Adobe that are reporting this week have largely remained unchanged since the quarter got underway.Embedded in current Q1 earnings and revenue estimates is a modest year-over-year decline in net margins. The extreme margin pressure we witnessed in 2022 and the first half of 2023 is now behind us.For 2024 Q1, net margins are expected to be below the year-earlier level for 9 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with the biggest declines in the Energy, Basic Materials, Autos, and Medical sectors. Net margins are expected to be above the year-earlier level for 5 of the 16 Zacks sectors, with the biggest gains at the Tech and Utilities sectors.The Tech sector is now firmly back in the growth mode, and the trend is expected to continue going forward. For 2024 Q1, Tech sector earnings are expected to increase +18.9% from the same period last year on +7.9% higher revenues. This would follow the sector's +27.4% higher earnings in 2023 Q4 on +8.5% higher revenues.The sector experienced a period of post-COVID adjustment in 2022 and the first half of 2023, during which time it became a drag on the aggregate growth picture.Please keep in mind that Tech isn't just any other sector; it is the biggest earnings contributor to the S&P 500 index. The sector is currently expected to bring in 28.6% of the index's total earnings over the coming four-quarter period, with the second and third biggest contributors being Finance and Medical, at 17.8% and 12.5%, respectively.This means that the Tech sector's growth profile has a very big impact on the aggregate picture, both negatively and positively.The Tech sector dragged down the aggregate growth picture in 2022 and the first half of 2023 but now appears ready to resume its historically positive growth role.Please note that the Tech sector is instrumental in keeping the aggregate growth picture in positive territory in Q1. Excluding the sector's substantial contribution, Q1 earnings for the rest of the index would be down -3% from the same period last year (vs. +2.4% as a whole).Looking at the overall earnings picture on an annual basis, total 2024 S&P 500 earnings are expected to be up +9.5% on +4.7% revenue growth.For a detailed look at the overall earnings picture, including expectations for the coming periods, please check out our weekly Earnings Trends report >>>>Looking Ahead to Q1 Earnings: What's Next? Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339support@zacks.comhttps://www.zacks.comZacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.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 https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.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 reportOracle Corporation (ORCL) : Free Stock Analysis ReportCostco Wholesale Corporation (COST) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAdobe Inc. (ADBE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAutoZone, Inc. (AZO) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Costco, AutoZone, Oracle and Adobe are part of Zacks Earnings Preview

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/costco-autozone-oracle-adobe-part-131600415.html

a5e31f17-9eb2-3081-9b02-b42e5aee9247

ADBE

Adobe Inc. ADBE is set to report first-quarter fiscal 2024 results on Mar 14.For the fiscal first quarter, the company expects non-GAAP earnings of $5.10-$5.15 per share. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings is pegged at $5.13 per share, indicating growth of 10.3% from the year-ago reported figure.Adobe projects total revenues between $4.35 billion and $4.40 billion. The consensus mark for the same is pegged at $4.38 billion, implying growth of 15.3% from the year-ago reported figure.The company surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters, the average earnings surprise being 3.42%.Adobe Inc. Price and EPS Surprise Adobe Inc. Price and EPS SurpriseAdobe Inc. price-eps-surprise | Adobe Inc. QuoteFactors to ConsiderSolid momentum across the Digital Media and Digital Experience segments is likely to have driven top-line growth for the company in the to-be-reported quarter.Robust Creative Cloud and Document Cloud are expected to have contributed well to the performance of the Digital Media segment in the fiscal first quarter. Adobe expects Digital Media revenues between $3.77 and $3.80 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $3.78 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 11.5%.Growing momentum across the Adobe Express platform and benefits from the Frame.io acquisition are expected to have accelerated growth in Creative revenues in the quarter under review. Also, Adobe’s solid momentum in generative AI on the back of Firefly is likely to have been a major positive.Strength across the Document Cloud enterprise business and Acrobat ecosystem is anticipated to have contributed well to Document Cloud revenues. The growing demand for PDF collaboration services is expected to have been a tailwind.Growing Adobe Experience Cloud subscriptions on the heels of the rising adoption of Adobe Marketing Cloud, Adobe Analytics Cloud and Adobe Advertising Cloud is likely to have benefited Adobe’s Digital Experience segment in the quarter under review.Strong demand for AEP and native apps and solid momentum across Data & Insights, Content and Workfront solutions are anticipated to have benefited the segment’s quarterly performance.The company expects Digital Experience revenues between $1.27 and $1.29 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $1.27 billion, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.2%.However, the impacts of ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine are likely to have continued acting as headwinds in the quarter to be reported.Story continuesWhat Our Model SaysOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Adobe this time around. The combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) increases the odds of an earnings beat.Adobe has an Earnings ESP of -0.19%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.ADBE currently has a Zacks Rank #2.Stocks to ConsiderHere are some stocks worth considering that, per our model, have the right combination of elements to beat on earnings this reporting cycle.Rekor Systems REKR has an Earnings ESP of +5.72% and a Zacks Rank #2 at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Rekor System’s shares have declined 33% year to date. REKR is set to report its fourth-quarter 2023 results on Mar 25.ADC Therapeutics ADCT has an Earnings ESP of +57.5% and a Zacks Rank of 3 at present.ADC Therapeutics shares have gained 171.1% year to date. ADCT is set to report its fourth-quarter 2023 results on Mar 13.Alpine Immune Sciences ALPN has an Earnings ESP of +8.57% and a Zacks Rank #3.Alpine Immune Sciences shares have returned 88.5% year to date. ALPN is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2023 results on Mar 18.Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.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 reportAdobe Inc. (ADBE) : Free Stock Analysis ReportADC Therapeutics SA (ADCT) : Free Stock Analysis ReportAlpine Immune Sciences, Inc. (ALPN) : Free Stock Analysis ReportRekor Systems, Inc. (REKR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

Adobe (ADBE) to Report Q1 Earnings: What's in the Offing?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/adobe-adbe-report-q1-earnings-163400259.html

ffcc1a13-2f0c-3e0c-b68d-726f516e0c27

ADI

The U.S. stock market has been fluctuating since the beginning of the year after a sharp rally in 2023. The euphoria surrounding technology stocks evaporated as the yield on the benchmark 10-Year U.S. Treasury Note returned northward, trading well above 4%.This was primarily owing to the uncertainty regarding the timing of the Fed’s first cut in the benchmark interest rate. Recently, several key Fed FOMC members said that although they believe that the rate hike regime is over, they are yet to be convinced that the economic condition is conducive enough for an immediate rate cut.At present, the CME FedWatch tool shows a mere 8.5% probability that the central bank will initiate a 25-basis-point rate cut in its March FOMC meeting. The probability of the first rate cut was more than 90% at the beginning of 2024. Moreover, 63.3% of market respondents currently expect the central bank to maintain the status quo of the benchmark lending rate at 5.25-5.5% even in the May FOMC meeting.We should remain watchful since any external disturbances like geopolitical conflict or oil price fluctuation may create volatility in markets. We are not out of the woods yet as inflation is still highly elevated.Stocks to WatchAt this stage, dividend-paying stocks are in demand as investors try to safeguard their portfolios. We believe one should consider stocks that have recently raised their dividend payments. Five such companies are — Ardmore Shipping Corp. ASC, Murphy USA Inc. MUSA, Harley-Davidson Inc. HOG, HealthStream Inc. HSTM and Analog Devices Inc. ADI.Ardmore Shipping is engaged in the ownership and operation of product and chemical tankers. ASC provides shipping services to customers through voyage charters, commercial pools, and time charters.ASC provides seaborne transportation of petroleum products and chemicals worldwide to oil majors, national oil companies, oil and chemical traders, and chemical companies. ASC currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).Story continuesOn Feb 15, 2024, Ardmore Shipping declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.21 per share on Mar 15, 2024. It has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Over the past five years, ASC has increased its dividend three times, and its payout ratio presently stays at 23% of earnings. Check ASC’s dividend history here.Ardmore Shipping Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)Ardmore Shipping Corporation Dividend Yield (TTM)Ardmore Shipping Corporation dividend-yield-ttm | Ardmore Shipping Corporation QuoteMurphy USA is a low-cost, high-volume fuel seller, whose stations are located near Walmart supercenters. This enables MUSA to attract significantly more transactions than its peers. MUSA’s access to pipelines and product distribution terminals is another key competitive advantage in the fiercely competitive retail environment.The QuickChek acquisition has helped MUSA in improving its offerings. MUSA currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.On Feb 15, 2024, Murphy USA declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.42 per share on Mar 7, 2024. It has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Over the past five years, MUSA has increased its dividend nine times, and its payout ratio presently stays at 6% of earnings. Check MUSA’s dividend history here.Murphy USA Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Murphy USA Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Murphy USA Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Murphy USA Inc. QuoteHarley-Davidson is focusing on motorcycle models and technologies that better align with market trends. This strategy is in sync with long-term growth objectives to optimize HOG’s product portfolio and expand its customer base.HOG’s Hardwire plans are intended to improve effectiveness and contribute to revenue growth. HOG remains focused on bolstering its market position by putting more emphasis on sportier bikes and a modern marketing strategy. HOG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.On Feb 16, 2024, Harley-Davidson declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.1725 per share on Mar 20, 2024. It has a dividend yield of 1.8%. Over the past five years, HOG has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently stays at 14% of earnings. Check HOG’s dividend history here.Harley-Davidson, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Harley-Davidson, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Harley-Davidson, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Harley-Davidson, Inc. QuoteHealthStream provides Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) based applications for healthcare organizations in the United States. HSTM’s solutions help healthcare organizations meet their ongoing clinical development, talent management, training, education, assessment, competency management, safety and compliance, and scheduling, as well as provider credentialing, privileging, and enrollment needs.HSTM offers hStream, a technology platform that powers a range of healthcare workforce solutions. HSTM provides its solutions to customers across a range of entities within the healthcare industry, including private, not-for-profit, and government entities, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device companies through its direct sales teams. HSTM currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).On Feb 19, 2024, HealthStream declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.028 per share on Mar 22, 2024. It has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Over the past five years, HSTM has increased its dividend two times, and its payout ratio presently stays at 22% of earnings. Check HSTM’s dividend history here.HealthStream, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)HealthStream, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)HealthStream, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | HealthStream, Inc. QuoteAnalog Devices has benefited from strength in the automotive market. Strong momentum across the electric vehicle space on the back of its robust Battery Management System solutions remains a tailwind for ADI.Massive investments in technology and business innovation are contributing well. Increasing power design wins is another positive for ADI. The solid momentum of ADI’s HEV platform across the cabin electronics ecosystem is a positive too. ADI currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.On Feb 20, 2024, Analog Devices declared that its shareholders would receive a dividend of $0.92 per share on Mar 15, 2024. It has a dividend yield of 1.9%. Over the past five years, ADI has increased its dividend six times, and its payout ratio presently stays at 34% of earnings. Check ADI’s dividend history here.Analog Devices, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Analog Devices, Inc. Dividend Yield (TTM)Analog Devices, Inc. dividend-yield-ttm | Analog Devices, Inc. QuoteWant the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free reportAnalog Devices, Inc. (ADI) : Free Stock Analysis ReportHarley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMurphy USA Inc. (MUSA) : Free Stock Analysis ReportHealthStream, Inc. (HSTM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportArdmore Shipping Corporation (ASC) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

5 Stocks With Recent Dividend Hike to Watch Amid Volatility

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/5-stocks-recent-dividend-hike-133500248.html

e672e22d-674b-3c8e-ac7f-a24ed71210db

ADI

Analog Devices, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ADI) dividend will be increasing from last year's payment of the same period to $0.92 on 15th of March. This will take the annual payment to 1.9% of the stock price, which is above what most companies in the industry pay. View our latest analysis for Analog Devices Analog Devices' Payment Has Solid Earnings CoverageIf the payments aren't sustainable, a high yield for a few years won't matter that much. The last dividend was quite easily covered by Analog Devices' earnings. This means that a large portion of its earnings are being retained to grow the business.Looking forward, earnings per share is forecast to rise by 26.8% over the next year. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 53% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.historic-dividendAnalog Devices Has A Solid Track RecordEven over a long history of paying dividends, the company's distributions have been remarkably stable. Since 2014, the dividend has gone from $1.36 total annually to $3.68. This works out to be a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10% a year over that time. Rapidly growing dividends for a long time is a very valuable feature for an income stock.We Could See Analog Devices' Dividend GrowingSome investors will be chomping at the bit to buy some of the company's stock based on its dividend history. Analog Devices has seen EPS rising for the last five years, at 6.1% per annum. The company is paying a reasonable amount of earnings to shareholders, and is growing earnings at a decent rate so we think it could be a decent dividend stock.Analog Devices Looks Like A Great Dividend StockOverall, a dividend increase is always good, and we think that Analog Devices is a strong income stock thanks to its track record and growing earnings. Distributions are quite easily covered by earnings, which are also being converted to cash flows. Taking this all into consideration, this looks like it could be a good dividend opportunity.It's important to note that companies having a consistent dividend policy will generate greater investor confidence than those having an erratic one. Still, investors need to consider a host of other factors, apart from dividend payments, when analysing a company. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Analog Devices that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

Analog Devices' (NASDAQ:ADI) Upcoming Dividend Will Be Larger Than Last Year's

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analog-devices-nasdaq-adi-upcoming-123446471.html

828677d9-6cdd-3b0e-a675-e5f5f5f79074

ADI

Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) saw significant share price movement during recent months on the NASDAQGS, rising to highs of US$201 and falling to the lows of US$181. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether Analog Devices' current trading price of US$196 reflective of the actual value of the large-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Let’s take a look at Analog Devices’s outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. View our latest analysis for Analog Devices Is Analog Devices Still Cheap?The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to our valuation model. It’s trading around 2.7% below our intrinsic value, which means if you buy Analog Devices today, you’d be paying a fair price for it. And if you believe that the stock is really worth $201.37, then there isn’t much room for the share price grow beyond what it’s currently trading. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since Analog Devices’s share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market.What kind of growth will Analog Devices generate?earnings-and-revenue-growthInvestors looking for growth in their portfolio may want to consider the prospects of a company before buying its shares. Although value investors would argue that it’s the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. Analog Devices' earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 23%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value.Story continuesWhat This Means For YouAre you a shareholder? ADI’s optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we haven’t considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at the stock? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value?Are you a potential investor? If you’ve been keeping an eye on ADI, now may not be the most optimal time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the positive outlook is encouraging for the company, which means it’s worth further examining other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop.Diving deeper into the forecasts for Analog Devices mentioned earlier will help you understand how analysts view the stock going forward. At Simply Wall St, we have the analysts estimates which you can view by clicking here.If you are no longer interested in Analog Devices, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Simply Wall St.

What Is Analog Devices, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:ADI) Share Price Doing?

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/analog-devices-inc-nasdaq-adi-110022950.html

a5916351-eb94-366d-ad1f-dd473cafbcba

ADI

In this article, we discuss 15 best NASDAQ dividend stocks to buy. You can skip our detailed analysis of NASDAQ stocks and the performance of dividend stocks over the years, and go directly to read 5 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To Buy. The NASDAQ, which primarily consists of technology-related stocks, has been experiencing upward momentum since the previous year. In 2023, it saw remarkable growth, achieving its strongest performance since 2020 with an increase of over 43%. As of March 7, it has gained 10.21%, surpassing the broader market's gain of 8.72% this year so far. Notably, according to Jonathan Krinsky, a leading market analyst at BTIG, the NASDAQ-100, which is heavily concentrated in tech, has endured 303 consecutive trading sessions without experiencing a decline of 2.5% or more as of March 5, marking it as the third-longest period without such a significant pullback since 1990. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), and Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) are some of the best dividend stocks listed on the index.The impressive performance of NASDAQ can be largely attributed to the excitement surrounding artificial intelligence, which has driven up the prices of major technology stocks and boosted the overall market throughout 2023 and into the current year. Additionally, the easing of inflation and the Federal Reserve's indication of potential rate cuts later in 2024 have further supported NASDAQ's rebound from the challenges it faced in 2022. Despite the prevalence of technology companies in the NASDAQ index, many companies offer dividends to shareholders. A notable recent addition to the list of dividend-paying companies in the index is Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), which made headlines in February of this year by declaring its inaugural dividend. This move marks a significant milestone for the technology sector, which has long been dominated by a select few companies for more than a decade.Story continuesMeta's decision to offer a dividend serves as evidence that investors are increasingly interested in dividend-paying stocks for their capacity to provide consistent and reliable income. This trend was evident in 2023 when companies in the US distributed record dividends to their shareholders. According to a report by Janus Henderson, the S&P 500 paid out an all-time high of $70.30 per share last year, a notable increase from $66.92 in 2022. This resulted in a total payment to shareholders reaching a record $588.2 billion, surpassing the previous year's figure of $564.6 billion. The report also mentioned that there were 707 instances of dividend increases reported in the fourth quarter of 2023. These increases amounted to a total of $17.5 billion for the quarter, showing an uptick from the $16.3 billion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2022.Furthermore, dividend-paying stocks have historically delivered robust returns. Since 1960, dividends have contributed to approximately one-third of the market's total return. Dividend stocks offer a degree of stability during periods of increased market volatility. According to a report by Perkins Coie, a Washington-based law firm, dividend-paying stocks exhibit 30%-33% lower volatility compared to non-dividend-paying stocks. This stability has been particularly notable during turbulent decades like the 1930s and 2000s, where dividend-paying stocks served as a buffer against significant declines in market prices. In addition to this, dividend-paying companies that consistently increase their dividends can provide better protection against inflation than bonds in an inflationary environment.In view of this, we will take a look at some of the best dividend stocks listed on NASDAQ.15 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To BuyPhoto by nick chong on UnsplashOur Methodology:For this list, we scanned Insider Monkey’s database of 933 hedge funds as of the fourth quarter of 2023 and selected companies that are trading on the NASDAQ exchange and also pay dividends to shareholders. From that list, we picked 15 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors and ranked in ascending order of hedge funds’ sentiment toward them. Hedge funds’ top 10 consensus stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years (see the details here).15. Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 54Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) is an American company that specializes in human capital management solutions, offering a wide range of services and software to help businesses manage their workforce efficiently. On January 10, the company declared a quarterly dividend of $1.40 per share, which was in line with its previous dividend. In 2023, the company achieved its 49th consecutive annual dividend growth, making ADP one of the best dividend stocks listed on NASDAQ. The stock offers a dividend yield of 2.31%, as of March 10.The number of hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey owning stakes in Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADP) grew to 54 in Q4 2023, from 50 in the previous quarter. The collective value of these stakes is over $3.13 billion.14. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 55Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on the development, manufacturing, and commercialization of innovative medicines, especially in areas of unmet medical need. The company was included in 55 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q4 2023, which remained unchanged from the previous quarter, according to Insider Monkey's database. The stakes held by these hedge funds have a consolidated value of nearly $2.3 billion.Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD), one of the best dividend stocks on our list, announced a 2.7% hike in its quarterly dividend at $0.77 per share on February 6. This was the company's ninth consecutive year of dividend growth. As of March 10, the stock has a dividend yield of 4.10%.13. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks listed on NASDAQ. The multinational retail corporation holds a 19-year track record of consistent dividend growth and offers a quarterly dividend of $1.02 per share. The stock's dividend yield on March 10 came in at 0.56%.At the end of Q4 2023, 57 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported owning stakes in Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST), compared with 65 a quarter earlier. These stakes have a collective value of more than $4 billion. With roughly 3 million shares, Fisher Asset Management was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.12. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 59Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) is a multinational chain of coffeehouses and roastery reserves. The company's current quarterly dividend comes in at $0.57 per share for a dividend yield of 2.50%, as recorded on March 10. With a dividend growth streak spanning over 13 years, SBUX is one of the best dividend stocks listed on NASDAQ.According to Insider Monkey's database of Q4 2023, 59 hedge funds invested in Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX), down slightly from 60 in the previous quarter. These stakes are worth over $3.6 billion in total.11. Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 60Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is a California-based tech company that primarily operates in the networking and communications technology sector. On February 1, the company declared a 2.6% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.40 per share. Through this hike, the company stretched its dividend growth streak to 17 years, which makes CSCO one of the best dividend stocks on our list. The stock has a dividend yield of 3.23%, as of March 10.As of the end of Q4 2023, 60 hedge funds in our database held stakes in Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), compared with 64 in the previous quarter. The overall value of these stakes is over $2.7 billion. AQR Capital Management owned the largest stake in the company in Q4.10. CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 61CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX) is an American transportation company that primarily operates in the railroad industry, providing rail-based freight transportation services. In February 2024, the company increased its dividend for the 19th consecutive year to $0.12 per share. With a dividend yield of 1.26% as of March 10, CSX is one of the best dividend stocks listed on NASDAQ.At the end of the fourth quarter of 2023, 61 hedge funds owned stakes in CSX Corporation (NASDAQ:CSX), compared with 62 in the preceding quarter. The total value of these stakes is $3.7 billion.9. Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 62An American semiconductor company, Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI) specializes in the design, manufacturing, and marketing of analog, mixed-signal, digital signal-processing integrated circuits. The company grew its quarterly dividend by 7% to $0.92 per share on February 21. This marked the company's 21st consecutive year of dividend growth. The stock offers a dividend yield of 1.88%, as of March 10. It is among the best dividend stocks on our list.At the end of December 2023, 62 hedge funds owned stakes in Analog Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADI), compared with 64 in the previous quarter, as per Insider Monkey. The collective value of these stakes is over $4.44 billion. With over 4.3 million shares, Generation Investment Management was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.8. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 63Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) is a multinational telecommunications and media conglomerate with a diverse range of operations. The company's dividend growth streak currently spans over 16 years, which makes it one of the best dividend stocks on our list. It offers a quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.91%, as of March 10.Insider Monkey's database for Q4 2023 indicated that 63 hedge funds owned stakes in Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), down from 68 in the previous quarter. These stakes hold a value of over $4.27 billion in total.7. PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 64With a dividend growth track record spanning over 52 years, PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP) is next on our list of the best dividend stocks. The American beverage and snack company offers a quarterly dividend of $1.265 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.10%, as of March 10. The company has also announced a yearly dividend of $5.42 per share, marking a 7.1% rise from the previous dividend of $5.06 per share. This increase will take effect for the dividend anticipated to be distributed in June 2024.As of the end of Q4 2023, 64 hedge funds in Insider Monkey's database reported having stakes in PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ:PEP), compared with 65 in the previous quarter. The total value of these stakes is over $4.55 billion. Among these hedge funds, Fundsmith LLP was the company's leading stakeholder in Q4.6. Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN)Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 69Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) ranks sixth on our list of the best dividend stocks from the NASDAQ Composite. The multinational biopharmaceutical company has been growing its dividends for the past 11 years and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $2.25 per share. The stock's dividend yield on March 10 came in at 3.29%.Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ:AMGN) remained popular among elite funds at the end of Q4 2023, with 69 hedge funds investing in the company, up from 60 in the previous quarter. The stakes held by these funds are worth nearly $1.8 billion in total. Click to continue reading and see 5 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To Buy.  Suggested articles:Wall Street Picked These 13 AI Stocks for 202412 Most Undervalued Biotech Stocks To Buy According To Hedge Funds13 Best Stocks To Buy and Hold ForeverDisclosure. None. 15 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To Buy is originally published on Insider Monkey.

Insider Monkey

15 Best NASDAQ Dividend Stocks To Buy

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/15-best-nasdaq-dividend-stocks-120247625.html

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ADM

For Immediate ReleaseChicago, IL – February 26, 2024 – Zacks Equity Research shares The Progressive Corp, PGR as the Bull of the Day and Archer Daniels Midland ADM as the Bear of the Day. In addition, Zacks Equity Research provides analysis on Exxon Mobil Corp. XOM, Matador Resources Co. MTDR and Diamondback Energy, Inc. FANG.Here is a synopsis of all five stocks:Bull of the Day:The Progressive Corp, a current Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), is a massive American insurance company. Analysts have taken their expectations higher across the board.In addition to favorable earnings estimate revisions, the company resides within the Zacks Insurance – Property & Casualty industry, currently ranked in the top 20% of all Zacks industries. Let's take a deeper look at the company.ProgressiveRight off the bat, it's worth noting that Progressive shares have been monster performers in general over the last decade, delivering a remarkable 25% annualized return vs. the S&P 500's 13.1%. Shares got a solid boost following its latest set of quarterly results.Concerning the above-mentioned quarter, PGR exceeded the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate by 24% and posted a 3% revenue beat, reflecting growth rates of 97% and 23%, respectively. Drilling a bit deeper, Progressive saw total Policies in Force grow 9% from the year-ago period, reflecting continued business momentum.The company's top line performance has been strong, with revenues enjoying a recent acceleration.In addition, shares aren't overly stretched regarding valuation given the company's growth, with the current 21.6X forward earnings multiple (F1) comparing favorably to the Zacks industry average of 29.0X. PGR is forecasted to enjoy 45% earnings growth on 15% higher sales in its current year (FY24), with FY25 expectations alluding to an additional 17% bump in earnings paired with a 12% revenue boost.The stock carries a Style Score of 'A' for Growth and a Style Score of 'D' for Value.Story continuesIncome-focused investors could also be attracted to PGR shares, currently yielding a respectable 0.4% annually paired with a sustainable payout ratio sitting at 6% of its earnings.Bottom LineInvestors can implement a stellar strategy to find expected winners by taking advantage of the Zacks Rank – one of the most powerful market tools that provides a massive edge.The top 5% of all stocks receive the highly coveted Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). These stocks should outperform the market more than any other rank.The Progressive Corp. would be an excellent stock for investors to consider, as displayed by its Zack Rank #1 (Strong Buy).Bear of the Day:Archer Daniels Midland is one of the leading producers of food and beverage ingredients as well as goods made from various agricultural products. Analysts have lowered their earnings expectations over the last several months, pushing the stock into a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).In addition, the company resides in the Zacks Agriculture – Operations industry, which is currently ranked in the bottom 4% of all Zacks industries (242/250). Let's take a closer look at how the agriculture giant currently stacks up.Archer Daniels MidlandADM shares have had a rough showing over the last year, losing more than 30% in value and widely underperforming relative to the general market. News of the company suspending its CFO over accounting practices near the end of January caused shares to nosedive, as we can see highlighted below.It was the biggest one-day drop for the stock (-24%) since all the way back in 1929.Shares have seen modest buying pressure since, up a slight 2.5%. Nonetheless, the unfavorable coverage has certainly weighed heavily on investors' sentiment and will remain a hurdle for the company to clear.Bottom LineNegative earnings estimate revisions from analysts and a recent suspension of its CFO paint a challenging picture for the company's shares in the near term.Archer Daniels Midland is a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), indicating that analysts have taken a bearish stance on the company's earnings outlook.For those seeking strong stocks, a great idea would be to focus on stocks carrying a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) – these stocks sport a notably stronger earnings outlook paired with the potential to deliver explosive gains in the near term.Additional content:Keep an Eye on 3 Permian Plays as Energy Stays StrongThe pricing environment of crude oil continues to be favorable, encouraging more exploration and production activities. Upstream players may keep increasing their operations in prolific shale resources, consequently raising the count of drilling rigs. With the uptick in drilling activities, production is expected to increase, benefiting businesses involved in exploration and production.Oil Price Still HighWest Texas Intermediate crude price is trading at more than $75 per barrel, which is favorable for exploration and production activities. In its short-term energy outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration ("EIA") projected the average spot price of West Texas Intermediate crude at $77.68 per barrel this year, still a handsome price for upstream operations.Permian Oil Production to RiseIn March, total oil production from shale resources in the United States will likely increase by 20,000 barrels per day to 9,716 thousand barrels per day (MBbl/D), per EIA. The shale resources comprise Anadarko, Appalachia, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, Niobrara and Permian.Of all the resources, Permian will witness the highest increase in daily oil production next month, according to the EIA's drilling productivity report. In the Permian, the EIA projects oil production to rise by 14,000 barrels per day to 6,085 MBbls/D next month.Permian Explorers in the SpotlightIt is crystal clear that a favorable crude pricing scenario is backing higher production volumes. Improving Permian production amid healthy oil prices raised the incentive to keep an eye on companies like Exxon Mobil Corp., Matador Resources Co. and Diamondback Energy, Inc., operating in the most prolific basin. All the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.3 Stocks to GainExxonMobil has solid upstream businesses. In the Permian Basin, ExxonMobil has a solid pipeline of profitable projects. To strengthen its presence in the Permian further, ExxonMobil entered into a staggering $59.5 billion all-stock deal to buy Pioneer Natural Resources (PXD). This is because Pioneer Natural is one of the foremost oil producers operating in the Permian Basin. With the deal closure expected in the first half of 2024, Permian production of the integrated energy major will increase significantly.Diamondback Energy, a leading pure-play Permian operator, has reported ongoing enhancements in the average productivity per well in the Midland Basin. The exploration and production company is likely to continue witnessing increased production volumes. FANG also has an investment-grade balance sheet.Matador Resources has a strong presence in the oil-rich core acres of the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin. In the sub-basin of the broader Permian, the company has a vast inventory of drilling areas that will back the exploration and production company's production volumes.Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.0 average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +44.9%, +48.4% and +55.2% per year.Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation.See Stocks Free >>Media ContactZacks Investment Research800-767-3771 ext. 9339https://www.zacks.comZacks.com provides investment resources and informs you of these resources, which you may choose to use in making your own investment decisions. Zacks is providing information on this resource to you subject to the Zacks "Terms and Conditions of Service" disclaimer. www.zacks.com/disclaimer.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 https://www.zacks.com/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.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 reportExxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportArcher Daniels Midland Company (ADM) : Free Stock Analysis ReportThe Progressive Corporation (PGR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportDiamondback Energy, Inc. (FANG) : Free Stock Analysis ReportMatador Resources Company (MTDR) : Free Stock Analysis ReportTo read this article on Zacks.com click here.Zacks Investment Research

Zacks

The Progressive and Archer Daniels Midland have been highlighted as Zacks Bull and Bear of the Day

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/progressive-archer-daniels-midland-highlighted-135100405.html

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