Core Viewpoint - Bunge Global SA (BG) is considered an attractive investment opportunity in the agribusiness sector following its merger with Viterra in July [1] Company Summary - Bunge Global SA has recently merged with Viterra, enhancing its position in the agribusiness industry [1] - The current valuation level of Bunge Global SA presents a compelling case for investment [1] Industry Summary - The agribusiness industry is highlighted as a sector with potential growth opportunities, particularly through strategic mergers and acquisitions [1]

Core Insights - The year 2025 began with strong optimism for stock prices, but this was quickly challenged by low-cost AI initiatives from China, tariff issues, high inflation, and elevated interest rates [1] - Investor sentiment improved midyear as trade tensions eased and the Federal Reserve cut interest rates three times, but a U.S. government shutdown and concerns over AI sector valuations dampened enthusiasm [2] Investment Opportunities - Despite market volatility, investing in stocks remains viable; following broker recommendations and maintaining a watchlist of broker-favorite stocks can be beneficial [3][4] - A screening strategy was developed to identify stocks with improving broker recommendations and upward earnings estimate revisions, utilizing the price/sales ratio as a complementary valuation metric [5][6] Stock Highlights - Bunge Global SA (BG) is undergoing a strategic overhaul with the Viterra merger to enhance global scale and long-term returns; it has surpassed earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 11.75% [8][9] - Air Canada (ACDVF) has seen a 98.9% increase in earnings estimates for 2026 due to strong travel demand and lower fuel costs, surpassing earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters [9][10] - Adient (ADNT), a major automotive seating supplier, has a strong market position with a 23.62% average earnings beat over the last four quarters [11] - Arrow Electronics (ARW) has a projected EPS growth rate of 10.7% over the next 3-5 years and has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, with an average beat of 14.6% [12][13] - ChargePoint Holdings (CHPT) is a leader in EV charging, recently launching a next-gen software platform; its earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 suggest year-over-year improvements of 32.4% and 35.8%, respectively [14][15]

Group 1: Macy's - Macy's is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites, and mobile applications, with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Macy's current year earnings increased by 9.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Macy's shares gained 26.3% over the last three months compared to the S&P 500's gain of 3.6%, and the company has a Momentum Score of A [2] Group 2: Bunge Global - Bunge Global is an integrated global agribusiness and food company, with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bunge Global's current year earnings increased by 4.8% over the last 60 days [2] - Bunge Global's shares gained 10.5% over the last three months compared to the S&P 500's gain of 3.6%, and the company has a Momentum Score of A [3] Group 3: Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. - Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. transports natural gas in Argentina and has a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A.'s current year earnings increased by 34.3% over the last 60 days [3] - Transportadora de Gas del Sur S.A.'s shares gained 47.8% over the last three months compared to the S&P 500's gain of 3.6%, and the company has a Momentum Score of B [4]

Core Insights - The article highlights stocks with strong income characteristics and a buy rank for investors to consider on December 29th Group 1: Macy's (M) - Macy's is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites, and mobile applications [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Macy's current year earnings has increased by 9.6% over the last 60 days [1] - Macy's has a dividend yield of 3.3%, which is higher than the industry average of 2.2% [1] Group 2: Bunge Global SA (BG) - Bunge Global SA is an integrated global agribusiness and food company that spans the farm-to-consumer food chain [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Bunge's current year earnings has increased by 4.8% over the last 60 days [2] - Bunge has a dividend yield of 3.1%, compared to the industry average of 0.0% [2] Group 3: Science Applications International (SAIC) - Science Applications International is a leading information technology and professional services provider primarily to the U.S. government [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SAIC's current year earnings has increased by 2.3% over the last 60 days [3] - SAIC has a dividend yield of 1.4%, which is higher than the industry average of 0.0% [3]

Group 1: Company Highlights - McGraw Hill, Inc. (MH) has seen a 43% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, focusing on education solutions for preK-12, higher education, and professional learning [1] - Macy's (M) has experienced a 9.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, operating as an omnichannel retail organization [2] - Valero Energy (VLO), the largest independent refiner and marketer of petroleum products, has seen a 9.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a refining capacity of 3.1 million barrels per day [3] - Bunge Global SA (BG) has experienced a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, operating as an integrated global agribusiness and food company [4] - Science Applications International (SAIC) has seen a 2.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days, providing information technology and professional services primarily to the U.S. government [4]

Group 1 - Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG) is recognized as one of the 15 Dividend Stocks with low payout ratios and strong upside potential [1] - Morgan Stanley upgraded Bunge to Overweight from Equal Weight, raising the price target to $120 from $95, citing improved risk and reward profile due to synergy optionality, particularly with Viterra [2] - The company reported Q3 2025 earnings per share of $0.86, down from $1.56 in Q3 2024, but adjusted EPS was $2.27, slightly down from $2.29 a year earlier, with adjusted segment EBIT rising to $924 million from $559 million [3] Group 2 - Year-to-date, Bunge generated approximately $1.2 billion in adjusted funds from operations and repurchased 6.7 million shares for $545 million, maintaining $386 million in retained cash flow [4] - The company benefits from a larger production footprint, especially in Argentina, which has led to higher processing volumes [4] - Bunge operates as a global agribusiness and food company, connecting farmers to end markets through handling agricultural commodities related to food, feed, and fuel [4]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of low payout ratios in dividend stocks and highlights companies with strong upside potential and sustainable dividends [1][2][3] Dividend Payout Ratios - A high payout ratio indicates that a large portion of earnings is distributed to shareholders, leaving less for reinvestment [1] - Historical data shows that companies in the second quintile of payout ratios (averaging 40%) have outperformed those in the first quintile (averaging 75%) over multiple decades [2] - Companies with lower payout ratios are less likely to cut dividends during earnings declines, as they have more margin for error [3] Investment Methodology - The selection process involved screening for companies with a 5-year average payout ratio below 60%, indicating a strong cash position [6] - Stocks were further filtered to include those with a minimum upside potential of 25% based on analysts' targets as of December 24 [6] - The final list included 15 companies favored by hedge funds, as per Insider Monkey's database for Q3 2025 [6][7] Company Highlights - **Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 40.94% - Upside Potential: 26.3% - Recent revenue of $659 million, up from $575 million year-over-year, with net income rising to $112 million [9][10][11] - **Weyerhaeuser Company (NYSE:WY)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 59.1% - Upside Potential: 32.1% - Recent initiatives include a joint venture with Aymium to produce sustainable biocarbon, with plans to convert over 7 million tons of wood fiber annually [13][15][16][17] - **Bunge Global SA (NYSE:BG)**: - 5-Year Average Payout Ratio: 22.6% - Upside Potential: 33.2% - Recent earnings per share reported at $0.86, with adjusted segment EBIT rising to $924 million [18][20][21]

Group 1 - The meeting took place on December 24, where Liu Minqiang, Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau, met with Chen Min, General Manager of Bunge China [2] - The discussion focused on the investment development of foreign agricultural and food enterprises in China and policies to stabilize foreign investment [2] - Tang Song, Deputy Director of the Investment Promotion Bureau, and the Industrial Division participated in the meeting [2]

Economic Overview - The U.S. economy in 2025 experienced modest growth, with real GDP rebounding sharply in Q2, expanding by 3.8%, a 0.5-percentage-point upward revision driven by stronger consumer spending [1][2] - Real GDP growth for 2025 is projected at about 2%, indicating steady but below-trend expansion compared to historical averages [1] Labor Market and Inflation - The labor market showed signs of cooling, with unemployment rising to 4.6%, the highest level in several years, and wage growth trending lower, impacting household income [2] - Inflation remained above the Federal Reserve's 2% target, although price pressures eased slightly later in the year [2] Major Economic Trends - Key trends influencing economic performance included a tightening monetary policy that eased later in the year, high tariffs, policy uncertainty, and corporate investment in technology, particularly AI [3] - The overall economic landscape in 2025 was characterized by moderate growth, labor market softness, tariff-driven inflationary pressures, and structural shifts [3] Equity Market Performance - The equity markets showed moderate gains in 2025, with the S&P 500 returning 17.8%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 13.9%, and the Nasdaq Composite rallying 21.7% [4] Outlook for 2026 - Heading into 2026, the U.S. economy is expected to maintain measured but durable growth, with real GDP growth projected to hover near 2% [8] - Inflation is anticipated to gradually moderate, allowing the Federal Reserve to adopt a more accommodative policy stance, potentially supporting credit demand, capital investment, and asset prices [8] Consumer and Business Investment - Consumer spending is likely to remain a stabilizing force, supported by solid household balance sheets and slowing price pressures, despite modest softening in labor market conditions [9] - Business investment, particularly in technology, automation, and AI infrastructure, is expected to be a key growth driver, offsetting slower cyclical momentum [10] Dividend Investing Insights - High-yield dividend stocks within the S&P 500 are seen as attractive for income-focused and total-return investors, especially in a stabilizing interest rate environment [11] - Dividend-paying equities are regaining appeal for their reliable cash flows while maintaining exposure to market upside [11] Selected High-Yield Dividend Stocks - **Invesco Ltd. (IVZ)**: Offers a quarterly dividend of 21 cents (3.11% yield), with a payout ratio of 44% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 7% [18][19] - **Johnson & Johnson (JNJ)**: Provides a quarterly dividend of $1.30 (2.52% yield), with a payout ratio of 50% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 5.39% [20][21] - **NiSource (NI)**: Pays a quarterly dividend of 287 cents (2.7% yield), with a payout ratio of 60% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 6.22% [22][23] - **Bunge Global SA (BG)**: Offers a quarterly dividend of 70 cents (3.06% yield), with a payout ratio of 37% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 8.58% [24] - **Morgan Stanley (MS)**: Provides a quarterly dividend of $1.00 (2.26% yield), with a payout ratio of 41% and a five-year dividend growth rate of 20.35% [25][26]

Core Insights - The Zacks Agriculture - Products industry is expected to benefit from stable food demand driven by population growth and consumer preferences for healthier options [1][4] - Innovative agricultural technologies like hydroponics and vertical farming are anticipated to be significant growth drivers for the industry [1][5] Industry Overview - The Zacks Agriculture - Products industry includes companies involved in storing agricultural commodities, distributing ingredients, and farming crops, livestock, and poultry products [3] - Companies in this sector also provide nutrients, advanced lighting systems, and accessories for hydroponic gardening, as well as innovative plant-based health products [3] Demand Trends - Global population is projected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and 9.7 billion by 2050, leading to a 50% increase in food demand [4] - Companies are investing in innovation to meet consumer demand for healthier food alternatives, enhancing product and market strategies [4] Technological Innovations - Hydroponics allows for controlled nutrient delivery and faster crop growth, making it popular in cannabis cultivation and vertical farming [5] - Vertical farming minimizes land and water usage, addressing environmental vulnerabilities and food production challenges [5] Cost Management - Industry players are facing rising costs in labor, packaging, and distribution, but have implemented cost-reduction actions to sustain margins [6] - Recent easing of feed prices may help companies engaged in animal products manage production costs [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Agriculture - Products industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 99, placing it in the top 41% of 243 Zacks industries, indicating positive prospects [7][8] - Over the past 12 months, the industry has underperformed, with a decline of 11.9% compared to the S&P 500's increase of 17.9% [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.17X, significantly lower than the S&P 500's 18.51X and the Basic Materials sector's 14.62X [12] Company Highlights - **Bunge Global S.A (BG)**: Recently completed a $34 billion merger with Viterra Ltd., enhancing its global agribusiness platform and expected to yield stable cash flows and synergies [14] - BG has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.75% and a long-term estimated earnings growth of 5.13%, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [15] - **GrowGeneration (GRWG)**: Reported a 15.4% sequential net sales growth in Q3 2025, returning to positive adjusted EBITDA and improving gross margins [21] - GRWG's proprietary brands are expected to contribute significantly to revenue growth, with a focus on acquiring profitable hydroponic garden centers [21][22]