As a global financial services firm specializing in brokerage and financial technology, BGC Group Inc. (BGC) is at the forefront of digital transformation in capital markets. The company is slated to announce first-quarter 2025 results on Wednesday before the opening bell.BGC’s fourth-quarter 2024 performance was decent. Results benefited from the strong brokerage revenue growth in the Energy, Commodities and Shipping (ECS), Rates and Foreign Exchange businesses. Further, Data, Network and Post-trade revenu ...

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. stock market is experiencing volatility, with the S&P 500 declining 0.8% in April, marking its third consecutive monthly drop, while GDP shrank 0.3%, the first decline since early 2022. However, strong consumer spending and a stable job market indicate underlying confidence in the economy [1]. Group 1: Investment Strategy - In uncertain market conditions, a relative price strength strategy can help investors identify stocks that outperform their peers, thus staying aligned with market momentum [2]. - Stocks that show better performance than their industry or benchmark should be included in investment portfolios, as they are more likely to yield significant returns [4]. - It is essential to assess whether a stock has upside potential, particularly those that have outperformed the S&P 500 over the past 1 to 3 months and possess solid fundamentals [5]. Group 2: Screening Parameters - The screening criteria for identifying potential stocks include positive relative price changes over 12 weeks, 4 weeks, and 1 week, as well as positive current-quarter estimate revisions [7]. - Stocks must have a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), a current price of at least $5, and an average 20-day trading volume of at least 50,000 to ensure adequate liquidity [8]. Group 3: Featured Stocks - **Kaiser Aluminum Corporation (KALU)**: Expected earnings growth of 66.1% for 2025, with a market cap of $1.1 billion. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings has increased by 35.4% over the past 30 days, although shares have decreased by 29.3% in the past year [10][11]. - **Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (SFM)**: Anticipated earnings growth of 30.7% for 2025, with shares rising 131.9% in the past year. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of approximately 16.5% [12][13]. - **BGC Group, Inc. (BGC)**: Projected EPS growth rate of 23.2% year-over-year for 2025, with a favorable expected growth rate of 24.7% over the next three to five years compared to the industry average of 13.8%. Shares have gained 7% in the past year [14][15]. - **ODDITY Tech Ltd. (ODD)**: Expected earnings growth of 3.1% for 2025, with shares increasing by 95.8% in the past year. The company has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of about 32.8% [16][17].

Core Viewpoint - In times of market volatility, value investing becomes a preferred strategy as investors seek to buy undervalued stocks when others are selling at lower prices [1][2]. Value Investing Strategy - Value investors capitalize on market uncertainty by purchasing stocks at discounted prices when other investors sell [1]. - The strategy can lead to "value traps" if not understood properly, where stocks underperform due to persistent issues rather than temporary problems [3]. Importance of PEG Ratio - The PEG ratio, defined as (Price/Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate, is a crucial metric for value investors, as a low PEG ratio indicates better value [5]. - Unlike P/E alone, the PEG ratio helps identify a stock's intrinsic value, although it has limitations regarding changing growth rates [5]. Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Effective screening for value stocks includes criteria such as: - PEG Ratio less than industry median - P/E Ratio less than industry median - Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) - Market Capitalization greater than $1 billion - Average 20-Day Volume greater than 50,000 - Percentage Change in F1 Earnings Estimate Revisions greater than 5% - Value Score of A or B combined with a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3 [6]. Selected Stocks - **Barrick Gold (GOLD)**: A leading gold mining company with 3.9 million ounces of gold and 195,000 tons of copper produced in 2024, holding 89 million ounces of proven and probable gold reserves. It has a Zacks Rank 2 and a Value Score of A, with a five-year expected growth rate of 33.5% [8][9]. - **StoneCo (STNE)**: A financial technology company in Brazil providing various financial services. It has a Zacks Rank 1 and a Value Score of B, with a long-term expected growth rate of 26.3% [9][10]. - **Synovus Financial (SNV)**: A diverse financial services company with a Zacks Rank 2 and a Value Score of A, boasting a five-year expected growth rate of 10.2% [11][12]. - **BGC Group, Inc. (BGC)**: A financial brokerage and technology company with a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 24.7%, holding a Value Score of B and a Zacks Rank of 1 [12][13].

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying strong candidates involves navigating inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - BGC Group is highlighted as a recommended growth stock based on the Zacks Growth Style Score system, which evaluates real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - The company currently holds a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank, indicating strong investment potential [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - BGC Group has a historical EPS growth rate of 11.6%, but the projected EPS growth for this year is significantly higher at 22.7%, surpassing the industry average of 9% [4] Group 3: Asset Utilization - The asset utilization ratio for BGC Group is 0.54, indicating that the company generates $0.54 in sales for every dollar in assets, which is substantially higher than the industry average of 0.09 [5] Group 4: Sales Growth - The company's sales are expected to grow by 20.4% this year, compared to the industry average of 5.4%, showcasing strong sales growth potential [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - The current-year earnings estimates for BGC Group have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 5.2% over the past month, indicating positive momentum [8] Group 6: Investment Conclusion - BGC Group's combination of a Zacks Rank 1 and a Growth Score of B suggests it is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors [10]

Here are three stocks with buy ranks and strong growth characteristics for investors to consider today, April 21:M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI) : This company that manufactures frequency and spectrum control products carriesa Zacks Rank #1, and has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 13.8% over the last 60 days.M-tron Industries has a PEG ratio of 0.68 compared with 1.31 for the industry. The company possesses a Growth Score of B.Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STR ...

Investors looking for stocks in the Financial - Investment Bank sector might want to consider either BGC Group (BGC) or Tradeweb Markets (TW) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.The best way to find great value stocks is to pair a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system. The Zacks Rank favors stocks with strong earnings estimate revision trends, and our Style Scores highli ...

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.However, the Zacks Growth Style Score (part of the Zacks ...

The Zacks Investment Bank industry is set to benefit from solid trading income driven by heightened market volatility and client activity amid geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty. Investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology are expected to boost long-term efficiency despite short-term cost pressures. However, underwriting and advisory businesses face headwinds due to persistent economic ambiguity due to the tariff war, failed mergers and acquisitions (M&As) rebound and stalled pro-busi ...

Conference call to be hosted at 10:00 a.m. ETNEW YORK, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BGC Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BGC) will announce its first quarter 2025 financial results on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at approximately 8:00 a.m. ET. A conference call to review the results will follow at 10:00 a.m. ET.BGC plans to issue an advisory press release regarding the availability of its consolidated quarterly financial results at approximately 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, which will be accessible at http://ir. ...

Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.Considering these trends, value investing is clearly one of the most preferred ways to find strong stocks in any type of market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of ...