Market Overview - The majority of U.S. stocks closed lower on April 15 due to investor skepticism regarding renewed hostilities between Iran and Israel and a rise in Treasury yields, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury note reaching its highest level since November [1] - Despite better-than-expected U.S. retail sales data for March, the broader market experienced a decline [1] Investment Strategy - In the current market environment, it is suggested that investors consider buying low-leverage stocks as a safer investment strategy [1][3] - Low-leverage stocks are defined as those with a debt-to-equity ratio lower than their industry peers, which can help mitigate risks during economic downturns [5][6] Leverage and Its Implications - Leverage refers to the practice of companies borrowing capital to operate and expand, typically through debt financing [2] - Excessive debt financing can lead to significant losses, making it crucial for investors to avoid companies with high debt levels [2][4] Stock Selection Criteria - The recommended criteria for selecting low-leverage stocks include: - Debt/Equity ratio less than the industry median [6] - Current price of at least $10 [6] - Average 20-day volume of at least 50,000 [7] - Earnings per share (EPS) growth greater than the industry median [7] - VGM Score of A or B combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [7] - Estimated one-year EPS growth greater than 5% [7] Recommended Stocks - **Freshpet (FRPT)**: Focuses on natural fresh foods for pets, with a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 61.83% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The 2024 sales estimate suggests a 24.3% improvement from 2023 [8] - **AptarGroup (ATR)**: A supplier of innovative packaging solutions, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 7% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The 2024 sales estimate indicates a 4% improvement from the previous year [9] - **Montrose Environmental Group (MEG)**: Provides environmental services, with a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 16% and a Zacks Rank of 2. The 2024 sales estimate implies a 13.8% increase over 2023 [10] - **The Greenbrier Companies (GBX)**: Offers a range of social and medical services, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a long-term earnings growth rate of 7%. The 2024 earnings estimate has improved by 8.1% over the past 60 days [11] - **PDD Holdings (PDD)**: An e-commerce platform with a long-term earnings growth rate of 49.3% and a Zacks Rank of 1. The 2024 sales estimate suggests a 50% improvement from 2023 [12]

Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering AptarGroup (ATR) , which belongs to the Zacks Containers - Paper and Packaging industry.This maker of consumer-product dispensing systems has seen a nice streak of beating earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The average surprise for the last two quarters was 8.31%.For the most recent quarter, AptarGroup was expected to pos ...

The Industrial Products group has plenty of great stocks, but investors should always be looking for companies that are outperforming their peers. Has AptarGroup (ATR) been one of those stocks this year? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.AptarGroup is one of 222 individual stocks in the Industrial Products sector. Collectively, these companies sit at #3 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to ...

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor.Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as we ...

Investors interested in Industrial Products stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is AptarGroup (ATR) one of those stocks right now? Let's take a closer look at the stock's year-to-date performance to find out.AptarGroup is a member of the Industrial Products sector. This group includes 226 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #3. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different sector groups. The average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks w ...

The Zacks Containers - Paper and Packaging industry will continue to benefit from solid demand from consumer-oriented end-markets, as packaging is integral to product distribution. Booming e-commerce activities, and rising demand for sustainable and eco-friendly packaging options due to increasing environmental concerns will continue to aid the industry’s growth. Pricing actions implemented by the industry players will help offset the impacts of the ongoing supply-chain disruptions and rising costs.Companie ...

Market Overview - Major U.S. stock indices declined on March 11 due to investor skepticism regarding the upcoming consumer price index (CPI) data set to be released on March 12, with expectations of an increase in CPI between January and February 2024, raising inflation concerns for investors [1] Investment Strategy - In the current market environment, it is suggested that investors consider low-leverage stocks as safer investment options to mitigate potential losses during economic downturns [1][2] - Leverage is defined as the practice of borrowing capital for operations and expansion, primarily through debt financing, which can pose risks if the returns do not exceed the interest costs [2] Stock Selection Criteria - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric used to assess a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio indicating better solvency [4] - A prudent investment strategy involves selecting stocks with a low debt-to-equity ratio to ensure steady returns, while also considering additional factors beyond just this ratio [5] Additional Screening Parameters - Stocks should have a debt-to-equity ratio lower than the industry median, a current price of at least $10, and an average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more [6][7] - Earnings growth expectations should be greater than 5%, and stocks should have a VGM Score of A or B, along with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) for optimal upside potential [7] Recommended Stocks - **Freshpet (FRPT)**: Reported Q4 2023 net sales of $215.4 million, a 29.9% year-over-year increase, with a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 61.83% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [8] - **AptarGroup (ATR)**: Engaged in a partnership with Biogen for digital health solutions, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [9] - **Manulife Financial (MFC)**: Increased its quarterly dividend by 9.6%, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 10% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [10] - **Hawkins (HWKN)**: Recently acquired Industrial Research Corporation, with a four-quarter average earnings surprise of 30.56% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11] - **Americold Realty Trust (COLD)**: Reported a 7.9% growth in NOI on a constant currency basis, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 8.9% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [12]

Core Viewpoint - AptarGroup's shares have shown strong performance, increasing by 8.7% over the past month and reaching a 52-week high of $143.21, with a year-to-date gain of 15.3% compared to the broader industrial sector and packaging industry [1] Financial Performance - AptarGroup has consistently exceeded earnings expectations, reporting EPS of $1.21 against a consensus estimate of $1.12 in its latest earnings report [2] - For the current fiscal year, AptarGroup is projected to achieve earnings of $5.19 per share on revenues of $3.62 billion, reflecting an 8.58% increase in EPS and a 3.78% increase in revenues [2] - The following fiscal year is expected to see earnings of $5.68 per share on $3.74 billion in revenues, indicating a year-over-year growth of 9.3% in EPS and 3.42% in revenues [2] Valuation Metrics - AptarGroup's stock trades at 27.5 times the current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is above the peer industry average of 15.4 times [4] - On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock is valued at 16.5 times compared to the peer group's average of 8 times [4] - The company has a PEG ratio of 3.92, which does not place it among the top value stocks [4] Zacks Rank - AptarGroup holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by rising earnings estimates [5] - The stock meets the criteria for selection, as it has a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B, indicating potential for future growth [5]

Graphic: Aptar Named One of Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies 2024 (used with permission from Barron's)Graphic: Aptar Named One of Barron's 100 Most Sustainable Companies 2024 (used with permission from Barron's)CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AptarGroup, Inc. (NYSE: ATR), a global leader in drug and consumer product dosing, dispensing and protection technologies, has been named one of Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies for the sixth consecutive year and is ranked number 29 out of 100 c ...

For those looking to find strong Industrial Products stocks, it is prudent to search for companies in the group that are outperforming their peers. Is AptarGroup (ATR) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Industrial Products peers, we might be able to answer that question.AptarGroup is a member of the Industrial Products sector. This group includes 227 individual stocks and currently holds a Zacks Sector Rank of #3. The Zacks Sector Ran ...