Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score identifies attractive stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, focusing on stocks that are undervalued [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook, focusing on earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, using metrics like price changes and earnings estimate revisions to identify optimal entry points [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive rating to identify stocks with the best overall potential [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +23.9% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with a 3 (Hold) rank should also have A or B Scores to ensure potential upside [10] Company Spotlight: Casey's General Stores - Casey's General Stores operates approximately 2,921 convenience stores across 19 states, primarily in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois [12] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of A, indicating strong investment potential [12] - Forecasts suggest an 18% year-over-year earnings growth for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates [13]

Core Insights - Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY) is recognized as one of the best dividend stocks to invest in for January [1] - Wells Fargo has added Casey's to its Q1 2026 Tactical Ideas list, indicating a favorable outlook for the company [2] - The company is expected to exceed near-term EPS expectations, supported by its growth strategy and fiscal stimulus [3] Financial Performance - Goldman Sachs raised its price target for Casey's from $490 to $530, citing strong Q2 EPS performance that surpassed both its estimates and consensus [4] - The positive results were attributed to better-than-expected fuel margins and effective execution on inside margins [4] Company Overview - Casey's operates approximately 2,900 convenience stores across 19 states, offering self-service fuel, grocery items, and freshly prepared food options [5]

Core Viewpoint - Casey's General Stores (CASY) has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - For the fiscal year ending April 2026, Casey's is expected to earn $17.28 per share, with a recent increase of 8.2% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate over the past three months [8]. Investment Implications - The upgrade reflects an improvement in Casey's underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may lead to increased stock prices [5][10]. - The Zacks Rank system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, with only the top 20% of stocks receiving a "Strong Buy" or "Buy" rating, indicating that Casey's is positioned for potential market-beating returns [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Casey's General Stores (CASY) is showing potential for short-term gains due to its recent technical movements and positive earnings estimate revisions [1][4]. Technical Analysis - CASY has recently reached a key level of support and has overtaken the 20-day moving average, indicating a short-term bullish trend [1]. - The 20-day simple moving average is a useful tool for traders, smoothing out short-term price trends and providing trend reversal signals [2]. Stock Performance - Over the past four weeks, CASY shares have increased by 6.1% [4]. - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), suggesting a potential for continued upward movement [4]. Earnings Estimates - There have been no lowered earnings estimates for CASY in the past two months, with one estimate raised for the current fiscal year, contributing to a more bullish outlook [4]. - The consensus earnings estimate for CASY has also increased, reinforcing the positive sentiment around the stock [4]. Investment Consideration - Investors are encouraged to monitor CASY for potential gains, given its technical indicators and favorable earnings revisions [5].

Core Viewpoint - Casey's General Stores (CASY) has shown strong stock performance, with a 6.1% increase over the past month and a 44.8% gain since the beginning of the year, outperforming both the Zacks Retail-Wholesale sector and the Zacks Retail - Convenience Stores industry [1] Financial Performance - Casey's has consistently beaten earnings estimates, reporting an EPS of $5.53 against a consensus estimate of $4.92 in its last earnings report [2] - For the current fiscal year, Casey's is projected to achieve earnings of $16.69 per share on revenues of $17.34 billion, reflecting a 14% increase in EPS and an 8.79% increase in revenues [3] - The next fiscal year forecasts earnings of $18.32 per share on revenues of $18.24 billion, indicating year-over-year changes of 9.74% in EPS and 5.16% in revenues [3] Valuation Metrics - Casey's currently trades at a valuation of 34.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates, which is above the peer industry average of 25.9X [6] - On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock trades at 22.4X compared to the peer group's average of 16.7X, suggesting it is not in the top tier from a value perspective [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores - Casey's holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), supported by favorable earnings estimate revisions from analysts [7] - The stock has a Value Score of B, a Growth Score of A, and a Momentum Score of D, resulting in a combined VGM Score of A [6][8] - The combination of a Zacks Rank of 2 and Style Scores of A or B indicates that Casey's shares may have potential for further gains [8]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the journey of an individual who transitioned from a traditional finance career to focusing on personal finance education through online platforms, emphasizing the importance of family and personal fulfillment in career choices [1]. Group 1: Career Transition - The individual started a career in the financial industry in 2003, gaining experience in private banking for five years before seeking a more fulfilling path [1]. - In 2016, the individual left their job to travel across North America and Central America, which was described as an eye-opening adventure [1]. - In 2017, the individual decided to quit the financial industry to pursue a dream of helping others with personal finance through investing websites [1]. Group 2: Personal Background - The individual holds a bachelor's degree in finance-marketing, a CFP title, and an MBA in financial services, showcasing a strong educational background in finance [1]. - The individual is married and has three children, indicating a commitment to family alongside professional aspirations [1].

Group 1 - Casey's General Stores (CASY) was identified as a stock of interest nearly 2 years ago, with initial bullish sentiment until it exceeded its valuation [1] - The company is recognized for its focus on dividend investing, appealing to investors looking for quality blue-chip stocks, business development companies (BDCs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs) [1] - The investment strategy emphasizes a buy-and-hold approach, prioritizing quality over quantity, with a goal of supplementing retirement income through dividends within the next 5-7 years [1] Group 2 - The article expresses a commitment to helping lower and middle-class workers build investment portfolios of high-quality, dividend-paying companies [1] - There is an aspiration to provide investors with new perspectives to achieve financial independence [1]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock indices showed positive performance on December 11, 2025, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average reaching new closing records following a quarter-point interest rate cut by the U.S. central bank on December 10, leading investors to favor equities sensitive to rate cuts over tech stocks [1][2]. Investment Recommendations - Investors are advised to consider low-leverage stocks as safe-haven securities amid concerns over overvalued AI-centric tech stocks. Recommended companies include Casey's General Stores (CASY), Hamilton Insurance Group (HG), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), REV Group (REVG), and Engie (ENGIY), which exhibit low leverage and stability during market volatility [2][10]. Understanding Leverage - Leverage involves borrowing capital for operational and business expansion, typically through debt financing. While debt can facilitate growth, excessive reliance on it poses risks, especially if returns do not exceed interest costs. Therefore, selecting companies with low debt is crucial for minimizing investment risks [4][5][6]. Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency. As the third-quarter 2025 earnings season concludes, investors should focus on stocks with solid earnings growth and low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [7][9]. Stock Selection Criteria - A comprehensive screening process for selecting low-leverage stocks includes criteria such as: - Debt/Equity ratio lower than the industry median - Current price of at least $10 - Average 20-day trading volume of 50,000 or more - Positive earnings growth compared to the industry median - VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [11][12][13]. Company Performance Highlights - **Casey's General Stores (CASY)**: Reported a 3.3% increase in same-store sales and a 14% rise in earnings for Q2 fiscal 2026. The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 9.6% revenue increase and an 11.8% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]. - **Hamilton Insurance Group (HG)**: Achieved a 16.5% increase in net premiums and improved operating earnings to $1.20 per share from $0.16 in Q3 2024. The Zacks Consensus Estimate forecasts a 20.9% revenue increase and an 8.5% earnings rise for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [16][17]. - **Northrip Bancorp (NRIM)**: Completed a $60 million private placement to support growth initiatives. The Zacks Consensus Estimate anticipates a 29.6% revenue increase and a 51.5% earnings rise for 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [18][19]. - **REV Group (REVG)**: Reported a 13% increase in net sales and a 62.7% rise in adjusted EPS for Q4 fiscal 2025. The Zacks Consensus Estimate suggests a 7.3% revenue increase and a 30.4% earnings rise for fiscal 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21]. - **Engie (ENGIY)**: Announced the financial closure of its first offshore wind farm in Poland, with a total planned capacity of up to 390 MW. The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a 31.8% earnings improvement for 2025, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [22][23].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis in identifying undervalued companies with long-term growth potential, advocating for a value investing approach that focuses on purchasing quality companies at a discount to their intrinsic value and holding them for extended periods to maximize earnings and shareholder returns. Group 1 - The investment strategy combines value investing principles with a focus on long-term growth [1] - The approach involves buying quality companies at a discount to their intrinsic value [1] - The goal is to allow companies to compound their earnings and shareholder returns over time [1]

Core Insights - The article discusses the expertise of Labutes IR as a Fund Manager/Analyst in the financial sector, highlighting over 18 years of experience in financial markets [1] Group 1: Company Profile - Labutes IR specializes in the financial sector and has a strong background in portfolio management [1] - The company has worked at various institutions within the industry, focusing on the buy side [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analyst associated with Labutes IR has extensive experience, which enhances the credibility of the insights provided [1] - The article emphasizes that the opinions expressed are solely those of the analyst and not influenced by external compensation [2]