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Astronics (ATRO) Is a Great Choice for 'Trend' Investors, Here's Why
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:51
While "the trend is your friend" when it comes to short-term investing or trading, timing entries into the trend is a key determinant of success. And increasing the odds of success by making sure the sustainability of a trend isn't easy.Often, the direction of a stock's price movement reverses quickly after taking a position in it, making investors incur a short-term capital loss. So, it's important to ensure that there are enough factors -- such as sound fundamentals, positive earnings estimate revisions, ...
Should You Buy Alibaba ETFs as Stock Surges on AI Investment Push?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:45
Alibaba (BABA) shares surged to their highest price in nearly four years after unveiling renewed plans to boost artificial intelligence (AI) spending beyond its original $50 billion-plus commitment, per a Bloomberg article, as quoted on Yahoo Finance. Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu forecasted that global AI investment could grow to roughly $4 trillion over the next five years, and Alibaba seeks to keep pace with that momentum, the Bloomberg article noted.The very Bloomberg article added that the Alibaba C ...
Here's Why JAZZ Stock Is an Unconventional Cannabis Investment
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:45
Core Insights - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals is a unique player in the cannabis sector, focusing on an FDA-approved drug, Epidiolex, rather than traditional cannabis cultivation or sales [1][2] - Epidiolex has become a significant growth driver for JAZZ, contributing over 25% of total product sales and showing a 5% year-over-year increase in sales [3][4] - The global medical cannabis market is projected to exceed $130 billion by 2032, providing JAZZ with a competitive advantage as one of the few established pharmaceutical firms with an FDA-approved cannabis product [5] Company Overview - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals has diversified its portfolio beyond cannabis, maintaining strong positions in neuroscience and oncology [6] - The company's neuroscience segment benefits from the oxybate franchise, particularly Xywav, which is a low-sodium treatment for narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia [7] - JAZZ's oncology portfolio, including drugs like Defitelio and Vyxeos, contributed nearly 28% of product sales in the first half of 2025 [8] Recent Developments - The acquisition of Chimerix for $935 million added Modeyso, an FDA-approved drug for glioma patients, enhancing JAZZ's oncology offerings [9] - Despite setbacks in pipeline development, including the discontinuation of suvecaltamide and underwhelming results for JPZ150, JAZZ continues to explore options for its drug pipeline [10][11] Financial Performance - JAZZ's stock has increased by 5% year-to-date, outperforming the industry average of 4% [12] - EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026 have shown an upward trend, contrasting with declines in estimates for pure-play cannabis companies [13] Market Position - JAZZ Pharmaceuticals is positioned as a balanced biopharma investment, offering exposure to both neuroscience and oncology, with Epidiolex providing a unique entry into the cannabis therapeutics market [16][17]
Southern's Unit Teams With Seimitsu to Build Fiber Network
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:36
Key Takeaways SO's unit Southern Telecom and Seimitsu formed SouthernWaves to deliver fiber services.The alliance expands SO's dark fiber offerings by adding lit services managed through Seimitsu's expertise.SouthernWaves supports the South Downtown Atlanta project with high-capacity, smart-city connectivity.Southern Company’s (SO) subsidiary, Southern Telecom, has officially partnered with Seimitsu, a key player in the broadband networking industry based in Savannah, to form SouthernWaves, a bold strategic ...
CVX vs. EPD: Which Energy Giant Offers Better Dividend Value?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:30
Core Insights - Chevron Corporation and Enterprise Products Partners L.P. are highlighted as two prominent players in the oil and energy sector, both offering attractive options for income-focused investors through dividends and distributions [1][9]. Chevron Corporation (CVX) - Chevron's recent $53 billion acquisition of Hess enhances its portfolio with valuable Guyana assets and increases its U.S. shale exposure, expected to generate $1 billion in annual synergies by 2025 and an additional $12.5 billion in free cash flow by 2026 [3][4]. - The company has a robust shareholder return strategy, with a planned annual buyback program of $10-20 billion and a disciplined capital expenditure program of $15 billion, alongside a dividend yield exceeding 4% [4][5]. - Chevron is diversifying beyond traditional oil and gas, including a joint venture to supply up to 4 GW of natural gas power for AI-driven data centers, while maintaining significant production levels in the Permian Basin [5]. - Despite its strengths, Chevron faces valuation challenges, trading at a forward multiple above historical averages, and must successfully integrate Hess and execute new ventures to maintain investor confidence [6]. Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (EPD) - EPD operates a diversified midstream model with extensive infrastructure, including 50,000 miles of pipelines and large-scale storage, and has made strategic acquisitions in the Permian Basin to enhance its gas position [7][10]. - The company boasts a strong distribution track record, having increased payouts for 27 consecutive years, with a yield close to 7% and a coverage ratio of 1.6X, providing stability for income investors [8][10]. - EPD's financial discipline is evident with a debt-to-EBITDA ratio around 3.0X and $5 billion in liquidity, allowing for flexibility in capital allocation and growth spending [10]. - However, EPD's distribution growth has been moderate compared to peers, and it faces execution risks related to heavy capital expenditures and potential volatility from shifts in commodity demand [11]. Price Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date performance shows Chevron shares up nearly 9%, significantly outperforming EPD's 0.3% gain, attributed to Chevron's growth narrative following the Hess acquisition [12]. - Valuation metrics indicate Chevron trading at 1.35X forward price-to-sales, slightly above EPD's 1.29X, reflecting Chevron's growth potential but also suggesting limited near-term upside [14]. - Analyst revisions show Chevron's 2025 earnings estimates have increased by 8% over the past 60 days, while EPD's estimates have declined, highlighting Chevron's stronger near-term momentum [16][18]. Conclusion - Both Chevron and EPD present compelling investment cases, with Chevron offering growth and diversification but facing valuation risks, while EPD provides distribution stability and financial discipline but may lag in growth compared to more aggressive peers [19].
Buy 5 Financial Technology Giants Amid Fed's Low-Interest-Rate Regime
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:25
Federal Reserve and Interest Rates - The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4-4.25% on September 17, marking the first rate cut of the year [1] - The Fed's dot-plot indicates two additional rate cuts of 25 basis points each in 2025 and one in both 2026 and 2027 [1] Fintech Industry Overview - The fintech sector benefits from a low-interest-rate environment, which fosters technological improvement and product innovation [2] - The growth of mobile and broadband networks, along with advancements in AI and machine learning, positions fintech for significant expansion [3] Investment Recommendations - Five fintech companies are recommended for investment based on favorable Zacks Ranks: CoStar Group Inc. (CSGP), PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL), SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI), Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR), and Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) [4][9] - All five companies exhibit strong revenue and earnings growth expectations for the current year [9] CoStar Group Inc. (CSGP) - CSGP benefits from a resilient subscription business and a strong portfolio of marketplaces, with global traffic reaching 141 million in Q2 2025 [7] - New product launches, such as Matterport 3D tours and AI voice search, enhance customer experience [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CSGP are 18.1% and 21.1%, respectively, for the current year [10] PayPal Holdings Inc. (PYPL) - PYPL is experiencing robust growth in total payment volume and strengthening customer engagement [11] - The company leverages AI for fraud detection and operational efficiency, contributing to an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 4% and 12.5%, respectively, for the current year [13] SoFi Technologies Inc. (SOFI) - SOFI is positioned as a leader in online banking services, benefiting from lower interest rates that encourage customer growth [14] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for SOFI are 31.7% and over 100%, respectively, for the current year [16] Interactive Brokers Group Inc. (IBKR) - IBKR's initiatives to enhance its global presence and product suite are expected to support revenue growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.5% by 2027 [17] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for IBKR are 8.9% and 11.4%, respectively, for the current year [19] Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) - HOOD operates a financial services platform that allows users to invest in various assets, benefiting from increased retail market participation [20][21] - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for HOOD are 35.4% and 41.3%, respectively, for the current year [22]
NEM vs. KGC: Which Gold Mining Stock Is Worth Betting on Now?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:21
Core Viewpoint - Newmont Corporation (NEM) and Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) are positioned to benefit from soaring gold prices driven by the Federal Reserve's dovish stance and global trade tensions [1][2][3] Gold Market Overview - Gold prices have surged approximately 43% this year, reaching over $3,700 per ton for the first time, influenced by central bank purchases and geopolitical uncertainties [3] - Central banks globally are accumulating gold reserves due to risks associated with aggressive trade policies [2] Newmont Corporation (NEM) - Newmont is investing in growth projects such as the Ahafo North expansion in Ghana and the Cadia Panel Caves in Australia, aimed at increasing production capacity and extending mine life [5] - The acquisition of Newcrest Mining Limited has enhanced Newmont's portfolio, expected to generate $500 million in annual run-rate synergies [6] - Newmont's divestiture program is projected to yield $3 billion in after-tax cash proceeds, reinforcing its capital allocation strategy [8] - The company reported a liquidity position of $10.2 billion, with free cash flow increasing to $1.7 billion, and has returned approximately $2 billion to shareholders [9] - Newmont offers a dividend yield of 1.2% with a sustainable payout ratio of 20% [10] Kinross Gold Corporation (KGC) - Kinross has a strong production profile with key projects like Great Bear in Ontario and Round Mountain Phase X in Nevada, expected to enhance cash flow [12] - Tasiast and Paracatu are significant contributors to cash flow, with Tasiast being the lowest-cost asset [13] - Kinross ended Q2 2025 with liquidity of approximately $2.8 billion and reported a free cash flow increase of 87% year-over-year [14] - The company repaid $800 million of debt in 2024, improving its net debt position to around $100 million [15] - Kinross has a dividend yield of 0.5% with a payout ratio of 10% [15] Financial Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, NEM stock has increased by 127.5%, while KGC stock has risen by 164.1%, outperforming the industry average of 117.7% [18] - KGC trades at a forward earnings multiple of 16.52, while NEM trades at 15.38, indicating a discount for Newmont [19][20] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NEM's 2025 sales and EPS indicates growth of 10.7% and 57.5%, respectively, while KGC's estimates imply growth of 27.8% and 108.8% [24][25] Investment Consideration - Both companies are well-positioned to capitalize on high gold prices, with strong financial health and development pipelines [27] - Newmont is viewed as a more attractive investment option due to its higher dividend yield and favorable valuation compared to Kinross [27]
Can Agnico Eagle's Expanding Reserves Fuel Its Next Growth Phase?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:21
Core Insights - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (AEM) is focused on mineral reserve replacement, achieving a 0.9% year-over-year increase in proven and probable gold reserves to 54.3 million ounces by the end of 2024, with inferred mineral resources rising approximately 9% to 36.2 million ounces due to successful exploration drilling [1][8] Group 1: Exploration and Development - AEM's drilling campaigns in the first half of 2025 have advanced key projects, including the East Gouldie deposit at Canadian Malartic, with plans for production start-up in the second half of 2026 [2] - At Hope Bay, drilling results at Patch 7 indicate potential for mineral resource expansion, while the Marban deposit is being developed for reserve and resource expansion following the acquisition of O3 Mining [3] - AEM is also working on a feasibility study at San Nicolas, expected to be completed in late 2025, and has initiated the development of an exploration ramp at Detour Lake [3] Group 2: Competitive Positioning - AEM's initiatives in expanding its reserve base and inferred resources position it as a growth-oriented player among major peers, with a focus on maintaining drilling pace and converting potential into formally declared reserves through 2025 [4] - In comparison, Newmont Corporation (NEM) reported a 1.3% decline in gold reserves to 134.1 million ounces, raising concerns about its growth potential [5] - Barrick Mining Corporation (B) demonstrated strong reserve growth, increasing its proven and probable gold mineral reserves by approximately 17.4 million ounces to 89 million ounces, indicating proactive exploration efforts [6] Group 3: Market Performance - AEM's shares have surged 107.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's rise of 117.7%, driven by record-setting gold prices [7][8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AEM's earnings in 2025 and 2026 implies a year-over-year rise of 67.4% and 3.4%, respectively, with EPS estimates trending higher over the past 60 days [9] - AEM is currently trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 22.38, which is approximately 37.4% higher than the industry average of 16.29 [10]
TechnipFMC Secures Key Petrobras Contract for Subsea Systems
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:11
Key Takeaways TechnipFMC won a $75M-$250M Petrobras contract for subsea production systems.The deal spans design, engineering, manufacturing and life-of-field services.Systems will be built and serviced in Brazil, boosting local expertise and support.TechnipFMC plc (FTI) , a global leader in subsea technology and services, has secured a substantial contract from Brazil’s integrated oil and gas company Petrobras (PBR) , valued between $75 million and $250 million, following a rigorous competitive tendering p ...
After Intel & MP Materials, Is Trump Eyeing Stake in Lithium Americas?
ZACKS· 2025-09-24 13:11
Group 1: U.S. Government's Strategic Moves - The U.S. government is negotiating for a potential 10% equity stake in Lithium Americas Corporation (LAC) as part of efforts to reduce reliance on China for lithium supply [2][10] - This move aligns with the government's broader strategy to secure control over critical minerals essential for electric vehicle (EV) production and national security technologies [6][16] - The Thacker Pass lithium project is seen as a cornerstone for building a domestic supply chain for EV batteries, with an expected annual production of 40,000 metric tons of battery-quality lithium carbonate [4][10] Group 2: Market Reactions and Implications - Following the news of the potential government stake, shares of Lithium Americas surged approximately 80% in after-hours trading [2] - The government's involvement in companies like LAC is expected to strengthen investor confidence and align corporate strategies with national security priorities [6][13] - The pattern of government equity stakes in critical industries, such as semiconductors and rare earths, suggests a consistent strategy to bolster U.S. production and reduce foreign influence [16][17] Group 3: Comparisons with Other Industries - The recent acquisition of a 10% stake in Intel Corporation by the government highlights a precedent for similar investments in strategic sectors [7][8] - MP Materials, the only vertically integrated rare earth producer in the U.S., has also benefited from government backing, which has turned it into a national champion [12][13] - The strategy extends to smaller players like United States Antimony Corporation, indicating a willingness to support niche minerals critical for defense and technology [14][15]