Key Takeaways StoneCo shares have jumped 64.3% in a year, outpacing the S&P 500 and InternetSoftware industry.The company boosted adjusted net income, expanded MSMB and banking clients, and grew its credit portfolio. StoneCo trades well below its historical and industry P/E levels as earnings estimates trend higher. Shares of StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) have surged an impressive 64.3% over the past year, leaving both the S&P 500 composite’s 16.3% rally and the Internet–Software industry’s modest 4.7% rise far behin ...

Core Insights - Investors primarily utilize price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios for stock evaluation, while the price-to-book (P/B) ratio serves as an additional metric for identifying undervalued stocks with growth potential [1][5][10] Group 1: P/B Ratio and Its Importance - The P/B ratio is defined as the ratio of stock price to book value, calculated as market capitalization divided by book value of equity [2] - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued and a good buy [5] - Conversely, a P/B ratio greater than one suggests the stock may be overvalued [5][6] Group 2: Book Value Definition - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities [3] - It is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets, equating to common stockholders' equity on the balance sheet [4] Group 3: Limitations of P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is particularly useful for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but may be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [8] - A low P/B ratio could indicate weak asset returns or overstated assets, while a high P/B may suggest a company is a takeover target [7] Group 4: Stocks with Low P/B Ratios - StoneCo (STNE) has a low P/B ratio with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [9][15] - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) also features a low P/B ratio with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [9][16] - Keros Therapeutics (KROS) is highlighted with a projected EPS growth rate of 23.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [9][20] Group 5: Screening Parameters for Investment - Screening for stocks involves comparing P/B, P/S, and P/E ratios against industry medians to identify attractive investment opportunities [11][12][13] - A PEG ratio of less than 1 indicates undervaluation relative to future growth prospects [13] - Stocks should have a minimum trading price of $5 and a substantial average trading volume for liquidity [14]

Market Overview - Major U.S. indices rose before Thanksgiving, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 314.67 points to close at 47,427.12, the S&P 500 increasing by 46.73 points to settle at 6,812.61, and the Nasdaq Composite outperforming with a gain of 0.82% to finish at 23,214.69 [1] Federal Reserve Policy Impact - Market momentum was driven by shifting expectations regarding Federal Reserve policy, with growing confidence that interest rate cuts may occur as soon as next month, fostering optimism [2] - Easing concerns about an overvalued artificial intelligence sector contributed to improved market sentiment [2] Value Stocks Opportunity - Value stocks are seen as appealing due to the potential benefits of lower borrowing costs for companies with stable earnings and discounted valuations [2] - The Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio is highlighted as an effective valuation metric for evaluating value stocks, indicating better value when lower [3][4] Financial Health Indicators - P/CF stands out because it reflects a company's financial health by adding back non-cash charges to net income, making it a more reliable measure than earnings, which can be subject to manipulation [4][5] - Positive cash flow indicates increased liquid assets, allowing companies to manage debt, expenses, and reinvestment, while negative cash flow suggests declining liquidity [6] Value Investing Strategy - A comprehensive investment strategy should include multiple metrics such as price-to-book, price-to-earnings, and price-to-sales ratios, along with a favorable Zacks Rank and Value Score to avoid value traps [7] - Parameters for selecting true-value stocks include a P/CF ratio less than or equal to the industry median, a minimum stock price of $5, and an average 20-day trading volume greater than 100,000 [8] Highlighted Value Stocks - Four value stocks with low P/CF ratios were identified: Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), PG&E Corporation (PCG), and EnerSys (ENS), all showing year-over-year sales and EPS growth projections [9] - Each of these stocks holds a Value Score of A or B and ranks in the top two Zacks Ranks, indicating strong potential [9] Company-Specific Insights - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 65.5% and is projected to see sales and EPS growth of 11.6% and 31%, respectively [12][13] - StoneCo (STNE) has a trailing earnings surprise of 9.1% and is expected to grow sales and EPS by 12.7% and 27.4%, respectively, with shares having rallied 68% in the past year [13][14] - PG&E Corporation (PCG) has a trailing earnings surprise of 0.5% and is projected for sales and EPS growth of 6.7% and 10.3%, respectively, although shares have declined 26% in the past year [14][15] - EnerSys (ENS) has a trailing earnings surprise of 4.9% and is expected to see sales and EPS growth of 4% and 1.3%, respectively, with shares surging 47.8% in the past year [15][16]

Group 1 - The core investment strategy focuses on long-only investment, evaluating companies from an operational and buy-and-hold perspective, rather than market-driven dynamics [1] - The articles emphasize understanding the long-term earnings power of companies and the competitive dynamics within their industries [1] - Most recommendations will be holds, indicating a cautious approach to investment, with only a small fraction of companies deemed suitable for buying at any given time [1] Group 2 - The articles aim to provide important information for future investors and introduce a healthy skepticism towards a generally bullish market [1] - There is a clear distinction made between the author's opinions and professional investment advice, emphasizing the need for readers to conduct their own due diligence [2][3]

Group 1 - The analyst has over 10 years of experience researching companies across various sectors, including commodities and technology [1] - The focus has shifted from writing a blog to creating a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where hundreds of companies have been researched [1] - The analyst expresses a particular interest in metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with consumer discretionary, staples, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Viewpoint - StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) has experienced a significant downtrend, with a 22.3% decline in stock price over the past four weeks, but it is now in oversold territory, suggesting a potential turnaround due to improved earnings expectations from analysts [1]. Group 1: Technical Analysis - The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is a key technical indicator used to determine if a stock is oversold, with readings below 30 indicating oversold conditions [2]. - STNE's current RSI reading is 25.65, indicating that the heavy selling pressure may be exhausting itself, suggesting a possible reversal in the stock's trend [5]. Group 2: Fundamental Analysis - Analysts have shown strong agreement in raising earnings estimates for STNE, with a 1% increase in the consensus EPS estimate over the last 30 days, which typically correlates with price appreciation [7]. - STNE holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks based on earnings estimate revisions and EPS surprises, indicating a strong potential for a near-term turnaround [8].

Core Insights - Value investors traditionally use the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio to identify value stocks, but for loss-making companies, the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio is more relevant. The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is also a useful tool for identifying undervalued stocks with high return potential [1][5][9]. Valuation Ratios - The P/B ratio is calculated as market capitalization divided by book value of equity, helping to identify low-priced stocks with high growth prospects [2][5]. - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued, while a ratio above one may indicate overvaluation [5][6]. - The P/B ratio is particularly useful for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but can be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [8]. Book Value Definition - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [3][4]. Screening Parameters - Stocks with a P/B ratio lower than the industry median are considered to have potential for price appreciation [11]. - Additional screening criteria include a P/S ratio below the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, a PEG ratio less than 1, a current price of at least $5, an average 20-day volume of at least 100,000, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12][13][14]. Selected Stocks - Five stocks identified with low P/B ratios and solid growth potential include: - **StoneCo (STNE)**: Financial technology solutions provider with a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [15]. - **Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD)**: Largest U.S. dredging services provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [16]. - **EnerSys (ENS)**: Manufacturer of industrial batteries with a projected EPS growth rate of 15.0% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [17]. - **MillerKnoll (MLKN)**: Design solutions provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 12.0% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [17]. - **Keros Therapeutics (KROS)**: Clinical-stage biotech with a projected EPS growth rate of 23.6% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [18].

Market Overview - The U.S. Senate's actions to resolve the government shutdown have restored access to delayed official data, leading to increased investor optimism regarding economic indicators related to inflation, employment, and Federal Reserve actions [1] - Major U.S. stock indexes experienced significant gains, with the S&P 500 rising 1.5% to 6,832.43, the Nasdaq Composite gaining 2.3% to 23,527.17, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing 0.8% to 47,368.63, reflecting renewed confidence in the economy [2] Value Stocks - The change in market sentiment has enhanced the attractiveness of value stocks, which typically benefit from stabilizing economic conditions and reduced market volatility [3] - Companies such as Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation (GLDD), StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), PG&E Corporation (PCG), and Pan American Silver Corp. (PAAS) are highlighted for their low Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratios, indicating strong potential for recovery as investors recognize their inherent value [4][10] Price to Cash Flow Ratio - The P/CF ratio is emphasized as a critical metric for evaluating a company's financial health, as it assesses the market price of a stock relative to its cash flow per share, with lower values being more favorable [7][11] - Positive cash flow is indicative of a company's ability to manage debt, reinvest, and provide returns to shareholders, while negative cash flow suggests liquidity issues [9] Investment Strategy - A comprehensive investment strategy should not rely solely on the P/CF metric; it should also incorporate other valuation metrics such as price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-book (P/B), and price-to-sales (P/S) ratios to avoid value traps [10][11] - Parameters for selecting true-value stocks include a P/CF ratio less than or equal to the industry median, a minimum stock price of $5, and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, which indicates strong buy potential [11][14] Company Performance Highlights - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 65.5% and is projected to see sales and EPS growth of 11.6% and 31%, respectively [15][16] - StoneCo (STNE) has a trailing earnings surprise of 9.1% and is expected to grow sales and EPS by 11.8% and 24.4%, respectively, with shares having rallied 47.9% in the past year [16][17] - PG&E Corporation (PCG) has a trailing earnings surprise of 0.5% and is projected for sales and EPS growth of 6.7% and 10.3%, respectively, despite a 21.9% decline in shares over the past year [17][18] - Pan American Silver (PAAS) has a trailing earnings surprise of 45.2% and is expected to see significant growth in sales and EPS of 23.9% and 173.4%, respectively, with shares surging 70% in the past year [18][19]

Core Viewpoint - StoneCo Ltd. has received an upgrade to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Revisions - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for StoneCo is projected at $1.68 per share for the fiscal year ending December 2025, showing no year-over-year change [8]. - Over the past three months, analysts have increased their earnings estimates for StoneCo by 12.8% [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks rating system is based solely on a company's earnings picture, tracking changes in earnings estimates from sell-side analysts [2]. - The system classifies stocks into five groups, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - Only the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks receive a "Strong Buy" rating, indicating superior earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. Market Implications - The upgrade to Zacks Rank 1 positions StoneCo among the top 5% of stocks in terms of estimate revisions, suggesting potential for near-term price increases [10]. - Rising earnings estimates and the corresponding rating upgrade reflect an improvement in StoneCo's underlying business, which could lead to higher stock prices as investors respond positively [5].

Group 1 - The article does not provide any specific content related to a company or industry [1]