About Angela Jaskolski Ms. Jaskolski most recently served as Chief Store Officer at Madison Reed, where she led the brand's fast- growing Hair Color Bar channel, overseeing nearly 100 Hair Color Bar locations and driving significant performance gains, including increases in revenue, EBITDA and AUV. Prior to joining Madison Reed, she was Chief Operating Officer at Thrive Pet Healthcare, where she provided strategic and operational leadership for over 300 pet hospitals and more than 10,000 team members nation ...

Core Insights - European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) achieved a significant EBITDA improvement in Q1 of fiscal 2025, raising questions about the sustainability of this expansion [1][8] - The company reported adjusted EBITDA of $18.8 million, a 7.2% year-over-year increase, with margins increasing to 36.5% from 33.7% [1][8] Financial Performance - The EBITDA margin expansion was primarily driven by revenue growth, advertising, and the timing of selling, general and administrative expenses, which provided a temporary boost to profitability [2] - EWCZ reaffirmed its full-year adjusted EBITDA guidance of $69 million to $71 million, indicating confidence in its cost structure and marketing strategy [4][8] Marketing Strategy - EWCZ plans to distribute advertising expenses more evenly throughout 2025 to support new guest acquisition and stabilize marketing activities [3] - The company has reported early progress in marketing efficiency with the implementation of a new media strategy [2] Market Position - EWCZ's shares have increased by 61.6% over the past three months, slightly trailing the industry's growth of 62.6% [7] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.15X, significantly lower than the industry average of 28.11X, indicating potential undervaluation [9] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EWCZ's fiscal 2025 and 2026 earnings implies year-over-year growth of 35.6% and 8.2%, respectively [10] - Current earnings estimates for the upcoming quarters show a positive growth trajectory, with a year-over-year growth estimate of 13.33% for the current quarter [11]

Market Overview - The three major U.S. stock indexes closed lower last week, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1%, the S&P 500 down 0.3%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 0.1% [1] - The market pullback was influenced by renewed U.S. tariff threats, particularly higher levies on Canada and the European Union, raising concerns about economic growth and inflation [2] Earnings Performance - Despite tariff concerns, many investors focused on strong earnings reports from airlines and consumer stocks, indicating a resilient economy [2] - The second-quarter earnings season is critical for assessing the impact of tariffs on corporate profits [3] Zacks Research Performance - Mogo Inc. shares surged 81.8% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on May 8, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 11.1% increase [4] - ATI Inc. also saw a 32.6% return since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 on May 6, compared to the S&P 500's 10.7% increase [5] - A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks returned +6.51% in May 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's +4.47% [5] Zacks Recommendations - Amarin Corporation and European Wax Center shares increased by 62.6% and 49.9%, respectively, after being upgraded to Outperform on May 12, against the S&P 500's 10.5% rise [8] - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned 8.84% in 2025 (through June 30) compared to the S&P 500's +6.21% [12] Portfolio Performance - The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) returned +3.20% in Q1 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's -4.30% decline [16] - The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned +5.74% in Q1 2025, compared to the S&P 500's -2.41% [20] - The Zacks Top 10 Stocks portfolio delivered +11.8% year-to-date through June 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's +6.2% [22] Long-term Performance - Since 2004, the Zacks Focus List portfolio has produced an annualized return of +11.60%, compared to +10.22% for the S&P 500 [15] - The Top 10 portfolio has generated a cumulative return of +2,246.8% since 2012, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's +502.3% [24]

Core Insights - European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) is undergoing a significant marketing transformation, showing early signs of improvement in guest trends after implementing a new advertising effectiveness platform in Q1 FY25 [1][7] - The company is focusing on data-driven, digital-first marketing strategies, which include enhanced measurement tools that connect media impressions to in-center behavior, leading to smarter marketing spend and reduced acquisition costs [2][7] - EWCZ's marketing efforts are closely integrated with franchisee operations, utilizing new support tools and communication platforms, with plans for a major ad campaign during the summer to boost traffic recovery [3] Marketing Efficiency Comparison - Coty Inc. (COTY) is shifting its marketing strategy towards high-ROI categories while reducing focus on lower-return segments, facing challenges from inconsistent demand and global channel fragmentation [4] - Helen of Troy Limited (HELE) is simplifying its marketing execution and prioritizing high-return investments, reporting success in influencer-backed launches despite facing tariff disruptions and pricing pressures [5] Financial Performance - EWCZ shares have increased by 64.6% over the past three months, outperforming the industry growth of 50.1% [6] - The company has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 8.61X, significantly lower than the industry average of 27.7X, indicating potential undervaluation [8] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts EWCZ's earnings growth of 35.6% for fiscal 2025 and 8.2% for fiscal 2026 [9]

Group 1: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - The company is the largest provider of dredging services in the US, focusing on maintaining and deepening shipping channels, land reclamation, and storm damage restoration [1] - It has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a 39.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - The PEG ratio is 1.05, significantly lower than the industry average of 7.79, and it possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Intercorp Financial Services (IFS) - This company provides financial products and services and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 2.6% over the last 60 days [2] - It has a PEG ratio of 0.36 compared to the industry average of 1.51, with a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: European Wax Center (EWCZ) - The company operates as a personal care franchise offering wax services and proprietary skincare products [3] - It holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a remarkable 96.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - The PEG ratio stands at 0.51, well below the industry average of 3.65, and it has a Growth Score of B [3]

Investor Presentation European Wax Center We include in this Presentation statements regarding factors that have impacted our industry. Such statements are statements of belief and are based on industry data and forecasts that we have obtained from internal company surveys, publicly available information, industry publications and surveys and third-party studies. Industry publications, surveys and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be ...

Group 1: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) - The company is the largest provider of dredging services in the US, focusing on maintaining and deepening shipping channels, land reclamation, and storm damage restoration [1] - It has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a 39.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1][2] - The PEG ratio is 1.02, significantly lower than the industry average of 7.02, and it possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Strattec Security (STRT) - The company designs, develops, manufactures, and markets mechanical and electro-mechanical locks for automotive manufacturers in the US, Canada, and Mexico [2] - It also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a 19.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2][3] - The PEG ratio stands at 1.30 compared to the industry average of 4.04, with a Growth Score of A [3] Group 3: European Wax Center (EWCZ) - This personal care franchise offers wax services and a range of proprietary skincare products [3] - It holds a Zacks Rank of 1 and has experienced a remarkable 96.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3][4] - The PEG ratio is 0.50, much lower than the industry average of 3.26, and it has a Growth Score of B [4]

European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) could be a solid choice for investors given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by t ...

Group 1: European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) - European Wax Center is a franchisor and operator of out-of-home waxing services with a Zacks Rank 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increased by 96.8% over the last 60 days [1] - The company's shares gained 30.8% over the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's advance of 5.3% [1] - European Wax Center possesses a Momentum Score of A [1] Group 2: Carlsberg A/S (CABGY) - Carlsberg is a producer of beer and other beverage products with a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increased by 6.1% over the last 60 days [2] - Carlsberg's shares gained 41.2% over the last six months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's advance of 1.9% [2] - The company also possesses a Momentum Score of A [2]

Group 1: European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) - European Wax Center is a franchisor and operator of out-of-home waxing services with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 96.8% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.56 compared to the industry average of 3.02 and possesses a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: The ODP Corporation (ODP) - The ODP Corporation provides products and digital workplace technology solutions and also carries a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 18.4% over the last 60 days [2] - ODP has a PEG ratio of 0.43 compared to the industry average of 3.65 and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Strattec Security Corporation (STRT) - Strattec Security Corporation specializes in automotive security, access control, and user interface controls products and solutions, holding a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 19.9% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.25 compared to the industry average of 4.33 and possesses a Growth Score of A [3]