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Reasons to Hold Fresenius Medical Stock in Your Portfolio for Now
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:16
Key Takeaways Fresenius Medical shares gained 13.3% YTD while the industry declined 11.5%.Fresenius Medical expanded its global network with acquisitions and partnerships.Q2 earnings and revenues beat estimates, aided by pricing momentum and cost savings.Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. (FMS) is well-positioned for growth, backed by strategic acquisitions and partnerships, as well as a solid global foothold. However, rising costs remain a concern.Shares of this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company have risen 13.3% y ...
BE vs. PLUG: Which Fuel-Cell Stock Has More Growth Potential?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:16
Industry Overview - Companies in the Zacks Alternate Energy-Other industry are gaining importance as nations aim to reduce fossil fuel reliance and lower emissions from electricity generation [1] - Fuel-cell systems are emerging as a promising clean technology, producing electricity through an electrochemical reaction with hydrogen and oxygen, resulting in water and heat as byproducts [1] Company Focus: Bloom Energy Corporation (BE) - Bloom Energy utilizes solid-oxide fuel cell technology to generate clean electricity, capitalizing on its Energy Server system that connects directly to customers' electrical feeds [3] - The modular design of Bloom Energy's systems allows for scalable capacity from hundreds of kilowatts to several hundred megawatts, providing continuous power [3] - The company is well-positioned to benefit from the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions, supporting long-term revenue growth and margin expansion [3] Company Focus: Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) - Plug Power employs hydrogen fuel cell technology, particularly through its GenDrive systems designed for material handling equipment, offering efficiency advantages over conventional battery solutions [4] - The company is positioned for sustained long-term growth driven by the shift to clean energy and the need to decarbonize logistics, despite facing near-term profitability challenges [4] Earnings Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bloom Energy's earnings per share in 2025 and 2026 has increased by 71.43% and 51.04% year-over-year, respectively, with a long-term growth projection of 28.02% [6] - For Plug Power, the earnings per share estimates for 2025 and 2026 have increased by 77.24% and 41.76% year-over-year, respectively [13] Financial Performance Metrics - Bloom Energy's return on equity (ROE) is 6.8%, significantly higher than Plug Power's ROE of -90.22% [7][9] - Bloom Energy's times interest earned (TIE) ratio is 1.4, indicating financial flexibility to meet interest obligations, while Plug Power's TIE ratio is -36.1, suggesting challenges in meeting debt obligations [11] - Bloom Energy's debt-to-capital ratio stands at 69.05%, compared to Plug Power's 28.18%, indicating a higher reliance on debt for operations [10] Valuation Metrics - The price-to-sales ratio for Bloom Energy is 9.91X, while Plug Power's is 3.73X, reflecting different valuations by investors [12] Price Performance - Over the last year, Bloom Energy's stock has increased by 694.4%, outperforming Plug Power's 32.5% increase, driven by rising demand for clean power from data centers [14] Conclusion - Bloom Energy's stronger earnings estimates, higher ROE, and better TIE ratio position it as a more favorable investment compared to Plug Power within the fuel cell technology sector [17]
STXS Stock Gains as Erasmus Medical Adopts Its Genesis Robotic System
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:16
Core Insights - Stereotaxis (STXS) announced the successful performance of the first procedures in the Netherlands using its Genesis Robotic Magnetic Navigation (RMN) System at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam [1][9] Company Developments - The adoption of Genesis at a leading European cardiac center indicates increasing clinical confidence in robotic solutions for complex arrhythmias, addressing the needs of tens of millions suffering from these conditions globally [2][10] - The collaboration with Erasmus MC enhances Stereotaxis' credibility and supports the broader adoption of its robotic innovations, which is crucial for expanding access to advanced cardiac treatments [2][10] - The Genesis RMN System is recognized for its speed, precision, and safety, particularly when used with the MAGiC catheter, which improves care for complex arrhythmia patients [8][9] Market Performance - Following the announcement, STXS shares increased by 2.5% at the market close, with a year-to-date gain of 26.3%, outperforming the industry which declined by 11.4% [3] - The current market capitalization of STXS stands at $255.9 million [6] Long-term Outlook - The successful introduction of Genesis at a prominent cardiac center is expected to encourage wider adoption among hospitals, leading to increased recurring revenue from system usage and related products [4] - The Genesis RMN System is designed to be smaller and lighter, enhancing patient accessibility and optimizing workspace in electrophysiology labs, which may reduce infrastructure burdens [11][12] - Regulatory approvals in multiple regions, including the FDA in the U.S. and CE-mark in Europe, support the growing clinical use of Genesis, which is essential for generating data and physician experience to drive further adoption [12]
Will Sysco's Expansion Efforts and Market Leadership Fuel Growth?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:11
Core Insights - Sysco Corporation (SYY) is leveraging its diverse portfolio, product innovations, and strategic expansion to enhance its market position [1] - The company is focusing on the food-away-from-home segment, with growth from SYGMA and the "Sysco To Go" pilot stores [1][11] - Strategic acquisitions, such as Ready Chef and Campbells Prime Meat, are vital for strengthening Sysco's distribution network and expanding its customer base [2][4] Financial Performance - Sysco's shares have increased by 6.9% year-to-date, contrasting with an 8.2% decline in the industry [7] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Sysco is 17.52X, compared to the industry average of 13.57X [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings per share (EPS) growth of 2% for fiscal 2026 and 8.9% for fiscal 2027 [9] Operational Strategies - The company is enhancing operational efficiency by cutting costs, simplifying processes, and expanding distribution capacity to counteract external pressures like soft restaurant demand and inflation [3][11] - In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, restaurant foot traffic decreased by 1% year-over-year, leading to a 0.3% decline in total case volume and a 1.5% drop in local case volume within U.S. Foodservice [3] Growth Initiatives - Sysco aims to strengthen its leadership in global food distribution through customer-focused merchandising and marketing solutions [4] - The integration of Campbells Prime Meat's offerings with Sysco's broadline expertise is expected to create a strategic platform for total team selling across the region [2]
SNOW Expands in Cloud Analytics: Is the Growth Thesis Strengthening?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:11
Core Insights - Snowflake (SNOW) is experiencing robust growth due to its leadership in cloud-based data analytics and AI-driven solutions, with product revenues reaching $1.09 billion, a 32% increase year over year in Q2 of fiscal 2026 [1][11] Company Performance - The company reported a net revenue retention rate of 125% in Q2 of fiscal 2026, indicating strong customer adoption and usage [2] - The customer base grew by 19% year over year, reaching 12,062 customers in Q2 of fiscal 2026, with 654 customers generating over $1 million in trailing 12-month product revenues [2][11] - Snowflake's partnerships with major cloud providers, particularly Microsoft Azure, contributed to growth, with Azure experiencing a 40% year-over-year growth in Q2 of fiscal 2026 [4][11] AI Integration and Collaborations - Snowflake's focus on AI integration, including products like Cortex AI SQL and Snowflake Intelligence, enhances its analytics capabilities, allowing enterprises to gain deeper insights and automate workflows [3] - A recent collaboration with Siemens aims to connect operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) data, leveraging AI-driven insights to improve operational efficiency [5] Competitive Landscape - Snowflake faces significant competition from companies like Alphabet (GOOGL) and Datadog (DDOG), both of which are expanding their presence in the cloud analytics market [6] - Alphabet's Google Cloud revenues grew by 31.7% year over year, reaching $13.62 billion in Q2 of fiscal 2025, indicating strong competition in the sector [7] - Datadog reported an increase in its customer base, with 3,850 customers generating an annualized run rate of $100,000 or more, reflecting strong demand for its offerings [8] Stock Performance and Valuation - Snowflake's stock has appreciated by 48.7% year to date, outperforming the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector's return of 22.4% and the Zacks Internet Software industry's increase of 26.5% [9] - The stock is trading at a premium, with a forward 12-month Price/Sales ratio of 14.79X compared to the Internet Software industry's 6.01X [12] - The consensus estimate for SNOW's fiscal 2026 earnings is $1.17 per share, reflecting a 40.96% year-over-year increase [14]
Wells Fargo Stock Reaches a 52-Week High: Should You Hold or Fold?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 18:05
Key Takeaways Wells Fargo hit a 52-week high of $85.28 before closing at $85.16. Fed rate cuts are expected to boost WFC's net interest income and margin. Asset cap removal unlocks growth in deposits, loans and fee-based services. Wells Fargo & Company (WFC) touched a new 52-week high of $85.28 during yesterday’s trading session before closing slightly lower at $85.16.In the past year, WFC shares have surged 70.1%, outperforming the industry’s growth of 54.2%. It has also outpaced its close peers, Bank of A ...
Can Apollo's Inorganic Growth Efforts Make the Stock a Solid Pick?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 17:55
Core Insights - Apollo Global Management (APO) is pursuing growth through an acquisition-driven strategy, focusing on inorganic expansion to enhance its assets under management (AUM) and diversify revenue streams [1][2][24] - The company aims to scale its total AUM to $1.5 trillion by 2029, with significant growth expected in its equity and private lending segments [8][12][13] Inorganic Growth Efforts - Apollo completed the acquisition of Bridge Investment Group Holdings Inc., which adds approximately $50 billion in assets and nearly doubles its real estate AUM to over $110 billion [4][5][11] - The acquisition is expected to enhance Apollo's fee-related earnings and strengthen its offerings for institutional and wealth clients [5][11] Strategic Partnerships - In May 2025, Apollo partnered with JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs to increase liquidity in the private credit market, aiming to originate larger loans more quickly [6] - Strategic alliances with Citigroup and State Street were formed to broaden access to private credit and enhance retail distribution channels [7][10] Revenue Growth and Financial Goals - Apollo has shown strong organic growth, with total GAAP revenues experiencing a three-year CAGR of 63.7% through 2024 [9] - The company expects fee-related earnings to grow at an average annual rate of 20% by 2029, with spread-related earnings projected to grow at 10% [12] Capital Distribution and Shareholder Returns - As of June 30, 2025, Apollo had $2.4 billion in cash and cash equivalents, supporting its capital distribution activities, including a 10.9% increase in its quarterly dividend [14][15] - The company has a share repurchase program authorized for up to $3 billion, with $1.03 billion remaining as of June 30, 2025 [15] Price Performance and Estimates - Over the past year, APO shares have gained 24.1%, outperforming the industry and the S&P 500 Index [16] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Apollo's 2025 and 2026 sales indicates year-over-year growth of 18% and 19.4%, respectively [19] Final Thoughts - Apollo's combination of inorganic acquisitions and strong organic growth positions it as a significant player in alternative asset management and private credit [24] - The company's robust liquidity, disciplined capital management, and consistent dividends and share repurchases enhance its attractiveness for long-term investors [25]
Strength Seen in Backblaze (BLZE): Can Its 7.6% Jump Turn into More Strength?
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 17:46
Company Overview - Backblaze, Inc. (BLZE) shares increased by 7.6% to $10.75 in the last trading session, with a notable trading volume and a 21.5% gain over the past four weeks [1] - The company is experiencing accelerated B2 revenue growth, AI-driven opportunities, and innovative product offerings such as B2 Overdrive and enhanced security features [1] Financial Expectations - Backblaze is projected to report a quarterly loss of $0.01 per share, reflecting a year-over-year improvement of +90% [2] - Expected revenues for the upcoming quarter are $36.95 million, which is a 13.4% increase compared to the same quarter last year [2] Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The consensus EPS estimate for Backblaze has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, indicating that stock price movements may not continue without trends in earnings estimate revisions [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), suggesting positive sentiment in the market [3] Industry Comparison - Backblaze operates within the Zacks Internet - Software industry, where Reddit Inc. (RDDT) also competes, having closed 2.6% lower at $257.56 in the last trading session [3] - Reddit Inc. has seen a +212.5% change in its EPS estimate year-over-year, with a current Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [4]
CBRE (CBRE) is an Incredible Growth Stock: 3 Reasons Why
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 17:46
Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.However, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth S ...
3 Reasons Growth Investors Will Love PTC Inc. (PTC)
ZACKS· 2025-09-23 17:46
Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks Style Scores system), which looks beyon ...