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The proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors rely on traditional forms of a ...

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk (NVO) and Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) are significant players in the obesity treatment market, with NVO being a market leader in the GLP-1 segment and VKTX developing a promising investigational drug [1][2][3] Group 1: Novo Nordisk (NVO) - NVO holds a 51.9% value market share in the GLP-1 segment as of Q2 2025, with a broad diabetes portfolio [4] - Wegovy, a key product for NVO, generated $5.41 billion (DKK 36.9 billion) in sales during the first half of 2025, but is facing slower-than-expected uptake in the U.S. due to illegal compounded versions [5] - NVO is expanding the indications for semaglutide, with Wegovy now approved for cardiovascular and osteoarthritis benefits, and an FDA decision on oral Wegovy expected by year-end [6] - The company is advancing its obesity pipeline, including the CagriSema program and partnerships to develop new treatments, while also diversifying into rare diseases [7][8] - NVO's recent leadership change, with a new CEO appointed on August 7, 2025, comes amid market headwinds and a stock decline since mid-2024 [9][10] - NVO cut its 2025 guidance due to slower uptake of Wegovy and Ozempic, alongside competition from Eli Lilly [10][11] Group 2: Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) - VKTX is a clinical-stage biotech firm with its investigational drug VK2735 showing potential for significant weight loss in early studies [2][12] - Despite demonstrating up to 12.2% weight loss in patients, VKTX's stock suffered after mixed results from a mid-stage study raised safety and tolerability concerns [13][14] - VKTX plans to file for an investigational new drug application for a new obesity treatment and is focusing on its obesity pipeline while exploring collaborations for other candidates [15][16] - VKTX has a strong cash position of $808 million as of June 2025, with no debt, providing financial flexibility to advance its programs [28] - VKTX's stock is trading at a lower price/book ratio compared to NVO, making it a more compelling valuation option [24][29] Group 3: Market Comparison - Both NVO and VKTX have faced stock declines of approximately 35.7% and 35.3% year-to-date, respectively, while the industry has gained 2.3% [22] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NVO implies a year-over-year increase of around 15% in sales and 17% in earnings per share for 2025, while VKTX is expected to widen its loss per share by 146% [17][20] - NVO is rated as a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) and VKTX as a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), reflecting execution risks and limited near-term catalysts for both companies [26][27]

Core Insights - Novo Nordisk (NVO) has faced a significant setback in July, reducing its 2025 sales and profit outlook due to slower-than-expected growth in its semaglutide-based drugs, Wegovy and Ozempic, particularly in the U.S. obesity market [1] - The company is working to diversify its revenue sources beyond GLP-1 drugs, focusing on its Rare Disease franchise, which has seen notable regulatory milestones [2] - The FDA granted accelerated approval for Wegovy to treat noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), marking a significant advancement in liver care [3] Sales and Market Performance - Eli Lilly's GLP-1 therapies, Mounjaro and Zepbound, have rapidly gained market share, generating combined sales of $14.7 billion in the first half of 2025, accounting for 52% of Eli Lilly's total revenues [4] - Novo Nordisk's stock has underperformed, losing 34.5% year-to-date compared to a 0.3% decline in the industry [6][8] Regulatory Developments - Novo Nordisk has received EU approval for Alhemo to treat hemophilia A and B, enhancing its Rare Disease portfolio [2][8] - Wegovy is now the first GLP-1 therapy approved for MASH, providing a new treatment option for patients with liver disease [3][8] Financial Estimates and Valuation - Earnings estimates for 2025 have decreased from $3.98 to $3.84 per share, while 2026 estimates have dropped from $4.56 to $4.09 [12] - Novo Nordisk's shares are trading at a price/earnings ratio of 14.07, lower than the industry average of 14.85 and significantly below its five-year mean of 29.25 [9]

In ATTAIN-2, orforglipron met the primary and all key secondary endpoints, with compelling efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicinesParticipants with obesity or overweight and type 2 diabetes, a population with increased difficulties losing weight, lost an average of 22.9 lbs (10.5%) on the highest dose, with A1C reduced by an average of 1.8%INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) today announced positive topline results from the P ...

Company Overview - Hims & Hers Health, Inc (NYSE: HIM) has maintained a subscriber base of 2.439 million as of the second quarter of 2025, indicating strong customer retention and growth potential [1]. Investment Approach - The investment analysis is based on a "First Principles" approach, which breaks down complex financial and technological problems to identify overlooked investment opportunities [1]. Analyst Background - The analyst has a strong background in investment, private equity, and venture capital, with a proven track record of delivering strong returns [1].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of conducting personal in-depth research and due diligence before making investment decisions, highlighting the inherent risks involved in trading [3]. Group 1 - The analysis is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be interpreted as professional investment advice [3]. - There is a clear disclaimer regarding the lack of any stock, option, or derivative positions in the companies mentioned, indicating a neutral stance [2]. - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and does not reflect the views of Seeking Alpha as a whole [4].

Core Insights - Lexaria Bioscience Corp. has achieved a significant milestone in its Phase 1b GLP-1 study in Australia, completing the last patent last visit (LPLV) [1][2] - The study involved 126 participants and focused on evaluating various DehydraTECH formulations against a control arm using Rybelsus® [4][6] - Interim results have shown positive outcomes, particularly in safety and tolerability compared to the control arm, with a notable reduction in gastrointestinal adverse events [3] Study Details - The study included 24-25 overweight, obese, pre- or type 2 diabetic patients in each of the five study arms, with a total of 126 participants [4] - All doses were administered orally, with no injections involved, as Lexaria aims to shift the standard of care towards oral delivery [4] - The study arms included proprietary formulations of DehydraTECH-CBD and DehydraTECH-processed semaglutide, with the fifth arm evaluating DehydraTECH-tirzepatide [5][6][7] Future Objectives - Lexaria plans to release the final results of the study in the fourth quarter of 2025 [9] - The company is currently engaged in data analysis and sample processing, with a comprehensive database being developed [2] Technology Overview - DehydraTECH™ is Lexaria's patented drug delivery technology that enhances the bio-absorption of drugs through oral delivery, aiming to reduce side effects and improve efficacy [10] - The company holds a robust intellectual property portfolio with 50 patents granted and additional patents pending worldwide [10]

Core Viewpoint - Global Partners LP (GLP) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) due to an upward trend in earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on a company's changing earnings picture, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate tracking EPS estimates from sell-side analysts [1][2]. - The correlation between changes in earnings estimates and near-term stock price movements is strong, with institutional investors using these estimates to determine fair value [4][6]. Recent Developments for Global Partners - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, Global Partners is expected to earn $2.97 per share, unchanged from the previous year, but analysts have raised their estimates by 4.6% over the past three months [8]. - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 places Global Partners in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating a strong potential for price movement in the near term [10]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a proven track record of Zacks Rank 1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7][9]. - The system maintains a balanced distribution of ratings, ensuring that only the top 20% of stocks are positioned for superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10].

Core Viewpoint - Investors are seeking growth stocks that can deliver above-average growth and exceptional returns, but identifying such stocks can be challenging due to inherent risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Growth Stock Identification - The Zacks Growth Style Score system helps identify promising growth stocks by analyzing real growth prospects beyond traditional metrics [2] - Global Partners LP (GLP) is currently recommended due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Earnings growth is a critical factor for growth investors, with double-digit growth indicating strong prospects [3] - Global Partners has a historical EPS growth rate of 12%, but projected EPS growth for this year is 23.2%, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.7% [4] Group 3: Asset Utilization - The asset utilization ratio, or sales-to-total-assets (S/TA) ratio, is an important indicator of efficiency in generating sales [5] - Global Partners has an S/TA ratio of 4.74, indicating it generates $4.74 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.97 [6] Group 4: Sales Growth - The company is expected to achieve a sales growth of 37.2% this year, while the industry average is 0% [6] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions correlate strongly with near-term stock price movements [7] - The current-year earnings estimates for Global Partners have increased by 4.6% over the past month [8] Group 6: Overall Positioning - Global Partners holds a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Growth Score of B, positioning it well for potential outperformance in the growth stock category [10]