Core Viewpoint - Netflix and Casey's General Stores are recommended as strong investment options that are likely to perform well even if AI stocks experience a significant decline, which could negatively impact the broader market [2]. Group 1: Netflix - Netflix is the world's largest video streaming service with over 300 million paid memberships globally, and it plans to expand into the video podcast space in early 2026 through a partnership with Spotify [6]. - The company announced a $72 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's TV and film studios, including HBO and HBO Max, which is expected to close in 12 to 18 months pending approvals [7]. - Netflix's revenue increased by 17% to $11.51 billion in Q3, with EPS rising by 8.7% year over year, despite some earnings being affected by a dispute with Brazilian tax authorities [10]. - The company achieved its highest quarterly "view share" ever in the U.S. and U.K., and it projects a revenue growth of 17% and EPS growth of 28% for Q4 [11]. - Netflix's stock gained 70.7% during the Great Recession, while the S&P 500 fell by 35.6% during the same period, indicating its resilience in challenging economic times [8]. Group 2: Casey's General Stores - Casey's General Stores operates 2,895 locations across 19 states, making it the third-largest convenience store chain in the U.S. [14][15]. - The company offers a unique product mix, including gasoline, freshly prepared food, and its popular made-from-scratch pizza, ranking as the fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [16]. - In fiscal Q1 of 2026, Casey's revenue increased by 11% to $4.57 billion, with net income surging by 20% year over year, translating to EPS growth of 20% [18]. - The stock pays a modest dividend yielding 0.4%, which can contribute positively to long-term returns [18]. - During the Great Recession, Casey's stock declined only 11.5%, showcasing its stability compared to the S&P 500's 35.6% drop [19].

Core Insights - Many investors lack sufficient exposure to small- and mid-cap stocks in their portfolios [1] Group 1 - The article highlights a common trend among investors regarding their portfolio composition [1]

Core Thesis - Casey's General Stores, Inc. is viewed positively by analysts, with a current share price of $566.81 and trailing and forward P/E ratios of 36.55 and 35.71 respectively [1] Company Overview - Founded in 1968, Casey's General Stores started as a gas station and convenience store in Iowa, focusing on underserved rural markets and evolving into a leading convenience retailer [2] - The company expanded significantly after going public in 1983, introducing "made-from-scratch" pizza in 1985, which helped it dominate the prepared food segment [3] Business Strategy and Growth - Casey's operates over 2,900 stores across 20 states, generating over $16 billion in revenue with a 5% operating margin, making it the third-largest convenience retailer and fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [4][5] - The company has maintained its independence by rebuffing takeover attempts and has accelerated digital adoption under CEO Darren Rebelez since 2019, including mobile ordering and a loyalty program with over 9 million members [4] Recent Performance and Market Position - The company's stock has appreciated approximately 21.64% since a previous bullish thesis in May 2025, reflecting its food-first strategy and strong growth through mergers and acquisitions [6]

Core Viewpoint - Analysts forecast that Casey's General Stores (CASY) will report quarterly earnings of $4.92 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.4%, with revenues expected to reach $4.55 billion, marking a 15.4% increase compared to the previous year [1]. Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has not changed over the past 30 days, indicating that analysts have not revised their initial projections [2]. - Changes in earnings estimates are crucial for predicting investor reactions, as empirical studies show a strong correlation between earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock performance [3]. Key Metrics Forecast - Analysts predict 'Net Sales- Fuel' will be $2.78 billion, a year-over-year increase of 15.2% [5]. - 'Net Sales- Other' is expected to reach $131.04 million, indicating a significant change of 102.8% from the previous year [5]. - 'Net Sales- Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage' is projected at $465.04 million, reflecting an 11.3% year-over-year increase [5]. - The consensus estimate for 'Net Sales- Grocery & General Merchandise' stands at $1.18 billion, showing a 12% increase from the year-ago quarter [6]. Store and Sales Performance - Analysts expect the 'Number of Stores (EOP)' to be 2,920, up from 2,685 in the same quarter last year [6]. - The estimated 'Same-store sales - Grocery & General Merchandise - YoY change' is 3.1%, slightly down from 3.6% in the previous year [6]. - 'Number of Fuel gallons sold' is forecasted to reach 919.75 million, compared to 775.91 million in the previous year [7]. - 'Same-store sales - Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage - YoY change' is expected to be 4.0%, down from 5.2% in the same quarter last year [7]. Profit Estimates - 'Gross Profit- Prepared Food & Dispensed Beverage' is projected at $268.88 million, up from $245.46 million in the same quarter last year [8]. - 'Gross Profit- Grocery & General Merchandise' is expected to reach $417.64 million, compared to $374.19 million in the same quarter last year [8]. Stock Performance - Shares of Casey's have increased by 5.6% in the past month, contrasting with a 0.1% change in the Zacks S&P 500 composite [8].

Core Insights - The company's shares have significantly increased due to its expansion and market share growth, indicating strong investor confidence and potential for further upside [1] Group 1 - The company is experiencing a surge in share prices as it expands its operations [1] - The growth in market share suggests that the company is effectively competing within its industry [1] - Analysts believe that there is more potential for upside in the company's stock performance [1]

Core Points - Casey's General Stores will release its second quarter fiscal 2026 results after market close on December 9, 2025, followed by a conference call on December 10 at 7:30 AM Central [1][2] - Casey's operates approximately 2,900 convenience stores and is the third-largest convenience store retailer and fifth-largest pizza chain in the U.S. [3] Financial Information - The second quarter earnings release is scheduled for December 9, 2025, with a subsequent conference call to discuss the results [1] Company Initiatives - Casey's, in partnership with Dr Pepper®, is conducting a tuition giveaway offering five $20,000 tuition prizes through the end of the year [5] - The company is running a round-up campaign to support military servicemembers, aiming to raise $1.3 million for related charities [6] - Casey's annual Cash for Classrooms campaign raised $1.3 million this year, with applications for 2026 grants now open for K-12 schools [7]

Group 1: Market Overview - ClearBridge Investments reported that mid-cap stocks experienced growth in Q3 2025, driven by shifting monetary policy, stabilizing earnings, and improved sentiment [1] - The Federal Reserve's decision to cut rates positively impacted small and mid-cap stocks during the quarter [1] - Value stocks outperformed growth stocks, with the Russell Midcap Value Index returning 6.2% compared to the Russell Midcap Growth's 2.8% [1] Group 2: ClearBridge Mid Cap Strategy Performance - The ClearBridge Mid Cap Strategy outperformed its benchmark, the Russell Midcap Index, in Q3 2025 [1] - Stock selection in the consumer staples and healthcare sectors contributed significantly to the strategy's outperformance [1] Group 3: Casey's General Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ:CASY) Performance - Casey's General Stores, Inc. had a one-month return of -4.71% but gained 31.84% over the last 52 weeks, closing at $534.88 per share with a market capitalization of $19.888 billion on November 12, 2025 [2] - The company benefited from aggressive reinvestment in its stores over the past decade, enhancing its private label brand and product offerings, which improved same-store sales and encouraged repeat traffic [3] Group 4: Hedge Fund Interest and Revenue Growth - Casey's General Stores, Inc. was held by 47 hedge fund portfolios at the end of Q2 2025, an increase from 35 in the previous quarter [4] - The company reported revenue of $4.6 billion in Q1 of fiscal 206, reflecting an 11.5% increase from the prior year [4]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a decline on October 9, 2025, as major stock indices fell due to investor uncertainty regarding AI-led growth and recession fears, despite Delta Air Lines exceeding expectations [1][10] Investment Recommendations - Recommended low-leverage stocks include ResMed Inc. (RMD), Safran (SAFRY), Pentair (PNR), Casey's General Stores (CASY), and Leonardo DRS, Inc. (DRS), which are considered safer options during market volatility [2][10] Significance of Low-Leverage Stocks - Low-leverage stocks are preferred as they are less risky, especially in volatile markets, and are characterized by lower debt-to-equity ratios [4][6] Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric indicating a company's financial risk, with lower ratios reflecting better solvency [7] Company Profiles - **ResMed**: Focuses on sleep-disordered breathing and respiratory disorders, with a projected revenue increase of 7.8% for 2025 and a long-term earnings growth rate of 13.8% [15][16] - **Safran**: Engaged in aerospace and defense, with a sales growth estimate of 36.3% for 2025, supported by a recent contract with Singapore Airlines [17][18] - **Pentair**: Provides sustainable water solutions, with a sales growth estimate of 1.5% for 2025 following a strategic acquisition for $290 million [19][20] - **Casey's General Stores**: Reports a 4.3% increase in same-store sales and a 19.5% growth in earnings, with a sales improvement estimate of 10.6% for fiscal 2026 [20][21] - **Leonardo DRS**: Develops advanced defense products, with a sales growth estimate of 10.9% for 2025 and a long-term earnings growth rate of 17.3% [22][23]

Market Overview - Mid cap growth equities experienced modest gains in Q3, with the Russell Midcap Growth Index returning 2.8%, lagging behind the Russell Midcap Value Index at 6.2% and the Russell Midcap Index at 5.3% [3] - The U.S. Federal Reserve's rate cut in September contributed to easing monetary policy, benefiting rate-sensitive sectors and renewing interest in cyclical and innovation-led areas [3] Investor Sentiment - Investor sentiment improved due to the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and progress on trade agreements, reducing policy uncertainty and enabling companies to execute delayed strategic decisions [4] - Earnings estimates stabilized, particularly in technology and AI-related sectors, despite ongoing challenges in non-residential construction and discretionary segments [4] Portfolio Performance - The ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Strategy outperformed its benchmark in Q3, driven by stock selection in IT, consumer staples, and healthcare sectors, while consumer discretionary and financials sectors slightly detracted from performance [5] Sector Contributions - In the IT sector, AppLovin (APP) and Monolithic Power Systems (MPWR) were standout performers, with AppLovin benefiting from strong earnings and optimism around its e-commerce business [6] - Consumer staples saw positive contributions from Performance Food Group (PFGC) and Casey's General Stores (CASY), both benefiting from strong operational performance [7] - The consumer discretionary sector faced challenges, particularly with Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) and Wingstop (WING) experiencing declines due to competitive pressures and softer spending trends [8] - Financials sector was a modest drag on performance, with Tradeweb Markets (TW) and Corpay facing challenges from macro volatility and company-specific issues [9] Portfolio Positioning - New positions were initiated in Roblox, benefiting from improved growth dynamics and advertising opportunities, and APi Group, which is well-positioned in safety and industrial services [10][11] - Exited position in Deckers Outdoor (DECK) due to increasing competitive pressures in the sneaker market [12] Outlook - Leadership within mid growth stocks remains selective, with a few companies rewarded for differentiated technology and strong pipelines, while others struggle with demand and competition [13] - Focus remains on identifying businesses with secular growth drivers across technology, healthcare, and industrials sectors [14] - Near-term market uncertainty is expected to persist, but the strategy is positioned to benefit from companies sustaining durable growth in earnings and cash flow [15] Portfolio Highlights - The ClearBridge Mid Cap Growth Strategy had positive contributions across seven of the 11 sectors, with IT and healthcare being the leading contributors [16] - Stock selection in IT, consumer staples, healthcare, and energy sectors contributed positively, while consumer discretionary and financials sectors weighed on performance [17] - Individual stock contributions included AppLovin, United Rentals (URI), and Performance Food, while detractors included Chipotle Mexican Grill and Tradeweb Markets [18]

Company Performance - Casey's General Stores (CASY) has shown a year-to-date performance increase of approximately 38.2%, significantly outperforming the average gain of 8.1% in the Retail-Wholesale sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CASY's full-year earnings has increased by 1.9% over the past 90 days, indicating improved analyst sentiment and earnings outlook [3] Industry Ranking - Casey's General Stores is part of the Retail - Convenience Stores industry, which currently ranks 19 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 14.1% year-to-date [5] - The Retail-Wholesale sector, which includes 200 individual stocks, is ranked 9 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] Comparison with Peers - Another stock in the Retail-Wholesale sector, SharkNinja, Inc. (SN), has returned 8.8% year-to-date and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][5] - Both Casey's General Stores and SharkNinja, Inc. are highlighted as strong performers within their respective industries, suggesting potential for continued solid performance [6]