Group 1: Undervalued Stocks Overview - Undervalued stocks can drive significant portfolio returns despite being overlooked due to inherent flaws or fundamental issues [1] - The best undervalued stocks to buy include mixed-cap stocks that may emerge as top performers in the latter half of 2024 [1] Group 2: Rumble (RUM) - Rumble is building its ecosystem and has over 40 million monthly active users, indicating a sticky audience [2] - The company is expanding its advertising ecosystem and has secured exclusive deals with notable creators [2] - Rumble's pivot towards cloud services and data hosting is enhancing its market position [3] Group 3: BuzzFeed (BZFD) - BuzzFeed is facing challenges due to a history of scandals and declining sales, prompting activist investor Vivek Ramaswamy to acquire a 7.7% stake [5][6] - Ramaswamy is engaging with management to explore operational changes aimed at maximizing shareholder value [5] - The investment reflects a strategic move to improve media quality and transparency [6] Group 4: Upwork (UPWK) - Upwork has introduced new fees, which may signal a potential buyout bid despite recent profitability [7][8] - Historical rumors of a merger with Microsoft indicate Upwork's interest in strategic partnerships [8] - The introduction of fees could either harm client relations or serve as a tactic to boost valuation metrics [8] Group 5: Tilray Brands (TLRY) - Tilray's stock has decreased nearly 25% since January, yet it remains a strong contender in the cannabis sector [9] - The acquisition of brands from Anheuser-Busch has doubled Tilray's alcohol sales, diversifying its revenue streams [9][10] - Tilray is seeking $250 million for strategic acquisitions, presenting a buying opportunity for long-term investors [10] Group 6: Stem (STEM) - Stem operates at the intersection of sustainable energy and AI, with its software optimizing energy distribution [11] - The company is considered a penny stock but has potential for significant growth similar to past AI stocks [12] - Stem is progressing with completed projects, although it faces challenges in achieving profitability [12] Group 7: Tesla (TSLA) - Tesla remains underestimated despite significant corporate developments, including a shareholder vote on executive compensation [13][14] - The company continues to demonstrate long-term growth potential, supported by analysts' projections [13] - Overcoming governance challenges enhances Tesla's market confidence and solidifies its status as an investment opportunity [14] Group 8: Acuity Brands (AYI) - Acuity Brands is a leading lighting company with a strong track record of nearly 10% compounded annual growth in earnings [15] - The company has expanded through acquisitions and maintains a resilient market presence [15] - Acuity is positioned as a reliable long-term investment option due to its underestimated status [15]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses three recommended brand stocks for long-term investment: Constellation Brands, Acuity Brands, and Kontoor Brands, highlighting their market performance and financial metrics [1]. Group 1: Constellation Brands (STZ) - Constellation Brands has a market capitalization of $48.08 billion and is known for its beer products, including Corona Extra and Modelo Especial [2]. - The company has diversified its portfolio to include seltzers, ready-to-drink products, wines, and spirits, and made a significant investment of $4 billion in Canopy Growth in 2018, which has since decreased in value to $190 million as of April 2024 [2][3]. - Analysts are optimistic about STZ stock, with 21 out of 26 rating it a "Buy" and a target price of $300, representing a 17% increase from a year ago [3]. Group 2: Acuity Brands (AYI) - Acuity Brands has shown significant recovery, with its stock up 52% in the past eight months after a two-year struggle [4]. - The company reported Q2 2024 revenues of $906 million, a 4% decline year-over-year, but an adjusted operating profit increase of 6% to $118 million and an 11% rise in adjusted earnings per share to $3.38 [4][5]. - Acuity's free cash flow reached $504.2 million, yielding 6.5%, which is considered fair value [5]. Group 3: Kontoor Brands (KTB) - Kontoor Brands has a market capitalization of $3.81 billion and has seen its shares rise over 10.6% year-to-date and 148% over the past five years [6]. - The company, known for its denim brands like Lee and Wrangler, offers a dividend yield of nearly 3%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average of 1.3% [6]. - Kontoor's Q1 2024 results exceeded expectations, with a revenue forecast of $2.6 billion, flat year-over-year, and an EPS guidance increase to $4.75 [7].

Finding overlooked stocks (worth investing in) is tough in today's market. While you can screen for micro-caps, pink sheet stocks, and similar speculative investments, most of the best blue-chip and long-term stocks are wellknown and heavily invested in. Still, a handful of overlooked stocks remain viable, even as tight economic conditions force investors to stack cash or go with reliable index investing. These overlooked stocks blend growth, stability and income while spanning multiple market caps and inve ...

ATLANTA, May 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE:AYI) (the "Company") today announced that it is planning to release its fiscal 2024 third quarter results on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. (EST), followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (EST). Neil Ashe, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands will lead the call. The webcast, earnings release, and supplemental presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www ...

ATLANTA, May 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the “Company”) today announced that it is planning to release its fiscal 2024 third quarter results on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 6:00 a.m. (EST), followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (EST). Neil Ashe, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands will lead the call. The webcast, earnings release, and supplemental presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at ww ...

Investors might want to bet on Acuity Brands (AYI) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.A company's changing earnings picture is at the core of the Zacks rating. The system tracks the Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus measure of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years.Since a chan ...

Company Overview - Acuity Brands, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, GA, and is the parent company of Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc. It manufactures and distributes lighting fixtures and related components, including luminaries, lighting controls, and integrated systems designed for energy efficiency and comfort in various applications [7]. Investment Ratings - Acuity Brands has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B, indicating a favorable investment outlook [7][8]. - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 16.64, making it attractive for value investors [7]. Earnings Estimates - In the last 60 days, four analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2024, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.81 to $15.60 per share [7]. - Acuity Brands has an average earnings surprise of 11%, suggesting a strong performance relative to expectations [7].

Company Performance - Acuity Brands (AYI) has gained approximately 24.2% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the average gain of 8.8% in the Construction sector [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AYI's full-year earnings has increased by 5.5% over the past 90 days, indicating improving analyst sentiment [2] - Acuity Brands holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting a favorable outlook for the stock [1] Industry Comparison - Acuity Brands is part of the Building Products - Lighting industry, which has seen a year-to-date gain of about 22.8%, indicating strong performance relative to its peers [3] - The AZEK Company, another stock in the Construction sector, has a year-to-date return of 21.6% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), showcasing competitive performance within the sector [2][3] - The Building Products - Air Conditioner and Heating industry, to which The AZEK Company belongs, is ranked 18 and has gained 12.2% year-to-date, which is lower than the performance of Acuity Brands' industry [3]

Group 1 - Acuity Brands, Inc. (AYI) is a smart building technology provider with a Zacks Rank 1 and a 3.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Acuity Brands' shares increased by 6.3% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 2.2% gain, and it has a Momentum Score of A [1] - Ryanair Holdings plc (RYAAY) is an airline services provider with a Zacks Rank 1 and a 3.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Ryanair Holdings' shares gained 6.7% over the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's 2.2% gain, and it has a Momentum Score of A [1] Group 2 - Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) is a holding company for Community Trust Bank, Inc. with a Zacks Rank 1 and a 2.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Community Trust Bancorp's shares increased by 0.2% over the last month, contrasting with the S&P 500's decline of 5.0%, and it has a Momentum Score of B [2]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [2] - The Growth Score evaluates stocks based on projected earnings and sales growth, emphasizing financial health [3] - The Momentum Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, guiding investors on optimal entry points [3] - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to identify stocks with the best overall characteristics [4] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to rate stocks, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [5] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for maximum return potential [6] Company Spotlight: Acuity Brands (AYI) - Acuity Brands, Inc. is a manufacturer of lighting fixtures and related components, headquartered in Atlanta, GA [7] - AYI holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and has a VGM Score of A, indicating solid performance potential [7] - The company has seen a 3% increase in shares over the past four weeks, with upward revisions in earnings estimates for fiscal 2024 [7] - AYI's average earnings surprise stands at 11%, making it a noteworthy option for investors [7][8]