Core Insights - Steven Cress is a key figure in quantitative strategy and market data at Seeking Alpha, contributing to the platform's quantitative stock rating system and analytical tools [1][2][3] - The Seeking Alpha Quant Rating system aims to interpret data for investors, providing insights that save time and enhance investment decisions [1][2] - Cress has a strong background in investment research, having founded CressCap Investment Research and Cress Capital Management, and previously worked at Morgan Stanley and Northern Trust [3][4] Company Overview - Seeking Alpha utilizes a data-driven approach to investment research, focusing on removing emotional biases and simplifying complex analyses through algorithms and technologies [2] - The platform offers a daily updated grading system for stock trading recommendations, enhancing accessibility for long-term investors [2] Leadership Background - Steven Cress has over 30 years of experience in equity research, quantitative strategies, and portfolio management, positioning him as an expert in various investment topics [4]

Investors interested in Retail-Wholesale stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Retail-Wholesale peers, we might be able to answer that question.Cheesecake Factory is a member of the Retail-Wholesale sector. This group includ ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of long-term wealth creation through value growth investing, value investing, and dividend investing [1] - The author expresses a commitment to writing articles focused on fundamental value investing, aiming to identify great companies at fair prices [1] Group 1 - The author has over 7 years of investing experience, primarily focusing on long-term strategies [1] - The educational background is in Biology, specifically molecular cell biology, which informs the author's analytical approach to investing [1] - The intention is to share insights based on personal experience, research, and literature related to building long-term wealth [1] Group 2 - The author has a beneficial long position in the shares of CAKE, indicating a personal investment interest [2] - The article reflects the author's own opinions and is not influenced by external compensation [2] - There is no business relationship with any company mentioned in the article, ensuring an independent perspective [2]

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for moment ...

Have you been paying attention to shares of Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 11.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $53.46 in the previous session. Cheesecake Factory has gained 11.9% since the start of the year compared to the 37.2% move for the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the 6.2% return for the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn ...

Core Viewpoint - The comparison between Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) and Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) indicates that CAKE presents a better value opportunity for investors at this time [1][7]. Valuation Metrics - CAKE has a forward P/E ratio of 14.03, while CMG has a significantly higher forward P/E of 44.16 [5]. - The PEG ratio for CAKE is 1.27, compared to CMG's PEG ratio of 1.96, suggesting CAKE is more favorably valued in relation to its expected earnings growth [5]. - CAKE's P/B ratio stands at 6.67, whereas CMG's P/B ratio is much higher at 21.98, indicating that CAKE is undervalued relative to its book value [6]. Earnings Outlook - Both CAKE and CMG have a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), reflecting positive earnings estimate revisions and an improving earnings outlook for both companies [3].

Industry Overview - The restaurant industry in Q4 2024 is expected to benefit from increased sales driven by rapid menu price hikes, average check growth, and expansion efforts [1] - Quick-service restaurant brands have shown remarkable stability and resilience in traffic and sales, attributed to price-conscious consumers supporting steady earnings [2] - The industry is experiencing growth in off-premise sales, including delivery, takeout, and drive-thru options, with many operators testing ghost or virtual kitchens [3] Company Performance - Restaurant operators are partnering with delivery channels and digital platforms to drive incremental sales, with collaborations with DoorDash, Grubhub, and others contributing to growth [4] - Despite growth opportunities, restaurant operators face high operational costs, including increased pre-opening and marketing expenses, which are affecting margins [5] Specific Company Insights - Brinker International, Inc. (EAT) is expected to report increased revenues in Q2 fiscal 2025, driven by effective marketing, improved menu pricing, and higher traffic, with an Earnings ESP of +9.99% [8][9] - Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (CMG) is likely to benefit from digital efforts and new restaurant openings, with an Earnings ESP of +1.00% and a consensus estimate suggesting a 14.3% earnings growth [10][11] - The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE) is projected to see earnings and revenue growth in Q4 2024, supported by service digitization and new menu offerings, with an Earnings ESP of +2.20% [12][13] - Wingstop Inc. (WING) is expected to report growth driven by comps growth and technological initiatives, with an Earnings ESP of +2.18% [13][14] - Shake Shack Inc. (SHAK) is likely to report increased earnings and revenues, benefiting from same-shack sales and digital initiatives, with an Earnings ESP of +0.65% [15][16]

Momentum investing is essentially the opposite of the tried-and-tested Wall Street adage -- "buy low and sell high." Investors following this investing style typically avoid betting on cheap stocks and waiting long for them to recover. They believe instead that one could make far more money in lesser time by "buying high and selling higher."Who doesn't like betting on fast-moving trending stocks? But determining the right entry point isn't easy. Often, these stocks lose momentum once their valuation moves a ...

Have you been searching for a stock that might be well-positioned to maintain its earnings-beat streak in its upcoming report? It is worth considering Cheesecake Factory (CAKE) , which belongs to the Zacks Retail - Restaurants industry.This restaurant chain has an established record of topping earnings estimates, especially when looking at the previous two reports. The company boasts an average surprise for the past two quarters of 16.20%.For the last reported quarter, Cheesecake Factory came out with earni ...

As we navigate through an initially rocky start to 2025, I continue to keep my eyes peeled for growth stocks that still have room from a valuation standpoint to rise higher. In the restaurant industry, much of 2024 was dominated by the roughlyWith combined experience of covering technology companies on Wall Street and working in Silicon Valley, and serving as an outside adviser to several seed-round startups, Gary Alexander has exposure to many of the themes shaping the industry today. He has been a regular ...