Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, April 23rd:AZZ Inc. (AZZ) : This galvanizing and coil coating solutions company carries a Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its next year earnings increasing 2.8% over the last 60 days.AZZ has a PEG ratio of 1.14 compared with 3.49 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score  of A.Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC) : This producer of fresh and frozen meat products ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for fiscal year 2024 increased by 16.2% to a record $1.54 billion, with adjusted EBITDA rising to $334 million, and adjusted earnings per share growing to $4.53, up almost 35% compared to the previous year [9][19][29] - For the fourth quarter, total sales were $366 million, an increase of 8.9%, with adjusted earnings per share rising by 210% to $0.93 and adjusted EBITDA growing by 29% to $74 million [10][17][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Metal Coatings segment sales for the full year were $656 million, up 3% year-over-year, while Precoat Metals sales reached $881 million, up 28.4% [9][19] - In the fourth quarter, Metal Coatings sales increased by 3.3%, and Precoat Metals sales rose by 13.4%, driven entirely by organic expansion [10][13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Metal Coatings segment benefited from robust transmission and distribution activity and ongoing infrastructure projects, while the Precoat Metals segment saw volume gains in construction and appliances [24][27] - The company is positioned to benefit from significant federal funding for infrastructure projects, including $3.5 billion for grid resilience and $4.9 billion for various infrastructure projects [25][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue scaling its business through both organic and inorganic growth, focusing on sustainable solutions and enhancing customer service [12][13] - AZZ is committed to strengthening its balance sheet, having reduced debt by $115 million and maintaining a net leverage ratio below 3 [21][22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term outlook for manufacturing and infrastructure spending, anticipating a ramp-up in construction activity as warmer weather approaches [30] - The company is focused on operational excellence and expects to generate significant cash flow while maximizing shareholder value in fiscal 2025 [29][32] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with no debt maturities until 2027 and has received credit rating upgrades from S&P Global and Fitch Ratings [22] - Capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 are expected to be in the range of $100 million to $120 million, including significant investment in the new aluminum coil coating facility [20][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: Plans for balance sheet and acquisitions - Management indicated that they typically operate with low cash balances and would use excess cash to reduce borrowings, with potential for small bolt-on acquisitions funded through the revolving credit facility [34][35][36] Question: Revenue profile and guidance maintenance - Management acknowledged that some business may have been pulled from the first quarter into the fourth quarter due to warmer weather, but they feel confident in maintaining guidance [44][45] Question: Market share gains - Management noted that market share gains were observed in the construction and appliance segments, outperforming the market [46][47] Question: Pricing initiatives in Metal Coatings - Management explained that pricing initiatives are supported by rising zinc prices and improved service offerings, which have positively impacted revenue [48][49] Question: Gross margins and fiscal 2025 trends - Management expressed confidence in maintaining margin improvements due to operational efficiencies and volume stability [50][51] Question: Washington facility production commitments - Management reported that 75% of production at the new facility is contractually committed, allowing for potential upside [57][59]

AZZ (AZZ) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.93 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.70 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.30 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 32.86%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this electrical equipment maker would post earnings of $0.99 per share when it actually produced earnings of $1.19, delivering a surprise of 20.20%.Over the last four quarters, the co ...

Record Full Year Sales, Profitability and Cash Flow FORT WORTH, Texas, April 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America, today issued its audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2024.  Fiscal Year 2024 Overview (results from continuing operations as compared to prior year(1)(2)): Total Sales $1,537.6 m ...

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2024 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | --- | --- | --- | |--------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| ...

AZZ Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Full Year Results Record Full Year Sales, Profitability and Cash Flow April 22, 2024 - FORT WORTH, TX - AZZ Inc. (NYSE: AZZ), the leading independent provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions in North America, today issued its audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 29, 2024. Fiscal Year 2024 Overview (results from continuing operations as ...

Several intriguing stocks are reporting their quarterly results on Monday, April 22. Most appealing is that a few of these companies are experiencing solid EPS growth that can lead to stellar performance in the portfolio.Keeping this scenario in mind, here are two such stocks to consider as they look poised to move higher if they can reach or exceed earnings expectations.AZZ (AZZ) : Starting in the industrial products sector, AZZ sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) as a global provider of metal coating serv ...

Investors are always looking for stocks that are poised to beat at earnings season and AZZ Inc. (AZZ) may be one such company. The firm has earnings coming up pretty soon, and events are shaping up quite nicely for their report.That is because AZZ is seeing favorable earnings estimate revision activity as of late, which is generally a precursor to an earnings beat. After all, analysts raising estimates right before earnings — with the most up-to-date information possible — is a pretty good indicator of some ...

The market expects AZZ (AZZ) to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended February 2024. This widely-known consensus outlook is important in assessing the company's earnings picture, but a powerful factor that might influence its near-term stock price is how the actual results compare to these estimates.The stock might move higher if these key numbers top expectations in the upcoming earnings report, which is expected to be released on Apr ...

AZZ (AZZ) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This upgrade primarily reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Since a changing earnings pictu ...