Market Overview - The stock market has started June positively, with Wall Street aiming to push the S&P 500 and Nasdaq to new all-time highs, supported by cooling trade war tensions, lower inflation, and strong earnings results driven by tech growth and AI spending [1] - However, achieving these highs may be challenging until the second quarter earnings season begins in mid-July, unless there are significant updates on trade wars or declining long-term yields [2] Stock Screening Strategy - The stock screening process utilizes the Research Wizard to identify Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks, focusing on those with upward price momentum and trading within 20% of their 52-week highs [3][4] - The screening criteria include a PEG ratio and Price to Sales ratio to ensure value, ultimately narrowing down to seven stock picks [4] Featured Stock: Popular (BPOP) - Popular (BPOP) is highlighted as a leading financial services company in Puerto Rico, the U.S., and the Virgin Islands, being the largest bank in Puerto Rico by assets and deposits [5][7] - The company has shown strong performance, with a recent quarter that exceeded expectations, leading to a 5% increase in FY25 consensus earnings estimates and a 9.4% increase for 2026 [9] - BPOP's adjusted EPS is projected to grow by 17% this year and 20% next year, supported by a 7% increase in sales for both periods [9] Performance Metrics - Over the past decade, BPOP's stock has increased by 210%, significantly outperforming the Zacks Finance sector, including a 14% rise in 2025 [10] - The stock recently reached 52-week highs and is currently trading 8% below its average Zacks price target, indicating potential for further growth [10] - BPOP trades at a 45% discount to the Finance sector with a forward earnings multiple of 9.2X, which is in line with its 10-year median [14] - The company offers a dividend yield of 2.65%, which is competitive within its industry, with a majority of brokerage recommendations being "Strong Buys" or "Buys" [14]

Core Insights - Popular, Inc. (BPOP) shares reached a 52-week high of $107.15, with a 10.6% increase over the past six months, outperforming its industry and peers [1][6] Financial Performance - The company achieved a four-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% in revenues, 6.8% in net loans, and 3.4% in total deposits from 2020 to 2024, indicating strong organic growth [4] - Net interest income (NII) grew at a CAGR of 5.3% during the same period, supported by increased loan balances and improved asset yields [7] - The net interest margin (NIM) expanded from 2.88% in 2021 to 3.40% in Q1 2025, with expectations for further improvement due to loan repricing and declining deposit costs [7] Sales and Earnings Estimates - Zacks Consensus Estimates project sales of $3.13 billion for 2025, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 6.54% [5] - Earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 have been revised upward by 1.2% and 4.6%, respectively, indicating expected growth of 17.1% for 2025 and 20% for 2026 [14] Strategic Initiatives - The company has invested $300 million in technology infrastructure and made strategic acquisitions to enhance efficiency and client experience since launching its transformation program in 2022 [8] - A $500 million share repurchase program was initiated in August 2024, with $160 million remaining as of March 31, 2025 [10] Liquidity and Capital Management - Popular maintains a robust liquidity position of $6.6 billion and total debt of $1.4 billion, indicating low refinancing risk [9] - The company raised its quarterly dividend by 12.9% to $0.70 per share in late 2024, with an annualized dividend growth of 12.86% over the past five years [9] Profitability Metrics - BPOP's trailing 12-month return on equity (ROE) is 12.22%, significantly higher than the industry average of 9.74% and its peers, F.N.B. (7.97%) and Pinnacle Financial Partners (9.29%) [10][11] Challenges - Operating costs have increased at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2020 to 2024, primarily due to technology investments and personnel expenses [12] - The credit profile faces challenges, with nearly 50% of the loan portfolio in commercial loans, which are more vulnerable in a weakening economic environment [13] Valuation - BPOP trades at a P/E (F1) multiple of 10.04X, which is lower than the industry average of 11.1X, indicating a potentially attractive investment opportunity [16][20]

Perspective: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ... For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" ~ Jesus (Matthew 6:19-21; 16:26) Learn more Samuel leads the High Yield Investor investing group. Samuel ...

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Group 1: Company Overview - Popular (BPOP) is a stock within the Finance sector, which consists of 857 companies and ranks 5 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - Popular has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - BPOP has returned 10.6% year-to-date, outperforming the Finance sector's average return of 5.4% [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for BPOP's full-year earnings has increased by 4.8% over the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 3: Industry Comparison - Popular is part of the Banks - Southeast industry, which has 53 companies and currently ranks 62 in the Zacks Industry Rank; this industry has an average loss of 6.9% year-to-date, indicating BPOP's relative strength [6] - In contrast, Progressive (PGR), another Finance sector stock, has a year-to-date return of 20.5% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][7]

Group 1: PVH - PVH specializes in designing and marketing branded dress shirts, neckwear, sportswear, jeanswear, intimate apparel, swim products, footwear, handbags, and related products [1] - PVH has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 8.3% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 6.66, significantly lower than the industry average of 14.30, and possesses a Value Score of A [2] Group 2: Popular - Popular offers a comprehensive suite of banking and financial services, including retail and commercial banking, auto and equipment leasing and financing, mortgage loans, insurance, investment banking, and broker-dealer services [3] - Popular has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 9.82, which is lower than the industry average of 10.70, and also possesses a Value Score of A [4] Group 3: Maximus - Maximus operates government health and human services programs globally [4] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increase by 6.7% over the last 60 days [4] - Maximus has a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) of 11.18, compared to the industry average of 18.00, and has a Value Score of A [4]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of in-depth research on various income alternatives such as REITs, mREITs, Preferreds, BDCs, MLPs, and ETFs [1] - It highlights the popularity of the research service, evidenced by 438 testimonials, most of which are rated 5 stars [1] - The author expresses a personal beneficial long position in HD shares, indicating a vested interest in the stock [1] Group 2 - The article does not provide specific investment recommendations or advice, emphasizing that past performance does not guarantee future results [2] - It clarifies that the views expressed may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole, indicating a diversity of opinions among analysts [2] - The analysts contributing to the platform may not be licensed or certified, which could affect the credibility of the investment insights provided [2]

Core Viewpoint - Popular (BPOP) shares have increased by approximately 6.5% over the past month, underperforming the S&P 500, raising questions about the sustainability of this trend leading up to the next earnings release [1] Group 1: Earnings and Estimates - Estimates for Popular have trended upward over the past month, indicating positive sentiment among analysts [2] - The stock has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), suggesting expectations for above-average returns in the coming months [4] Group 2: VGM Scores - Popular has an average Growth Score of C, a Momentum Score of F, and a Value Score of A, placing it in the top 20% for the value investment strategy [3] - The aggregate VGM Score for Popular is C, which is relevant for investors not focused on a single strategy [3] Group 3: Industry Performance - Popular is part of the Zacks Banks - Southeast industry, where Synovus Financial (SNV) has gained 9.1% over the past month [5] - Synovus reported revenues of $571.67 million for the last quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.3%, with EPS rising from $0.79 to $1.30 [5] - Synovus is expected to post earnings of $1.24 per share for the current quarter, marking a year-over-year change of 6.9% [6]

Core Viewpoint - Popular (BPOP) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which are a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][2]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Movement - The Zacks rating system is effective for individual investors as it reflects changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [2][3]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [3]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Popular signifies an improvement in the company's underlying business, which is expected to drive the stock price higher as investors recognize this trend [4]. - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Popular is projected to earn $10.54 per share, reflecting a 17.1% increase from the previous year, with a 4.8% rise in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [7]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system categorizes stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [6]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a 'Strong Buy' rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions and potential for market-beating returns [8][9].

Group 1 - Subsea 7 S.A. (SUBCY) has seen a nearly 17% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - MAG Silver Corp. (MAG) has experienced an 18.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Karooooo Ltd. (KARO) has seen a nearly 7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Candel Therapeutics, Inc. (CADL) has experienced a 17.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Popular, Inc. (BPOP) has seen a 4.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]