Key Takeaways StoneCo is driving growth through disciplined execution and deeper engagement with MSMB clients.The company's divestiture of software operations has made it leaner and more capital-efficient.A focused push in banking, credit and payments is strengthening StoneCo's MSMB momentum.StoneCo Ltd.’s (STNE) efforts this year highlighted its deepening dependence on Brazil’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses. Despite a softer economy and tighter credit conditions, the fintech delivered robust pro ...

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market reached record highs driven by optimism surrounding trade discussions between Washington and Beijing, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing at 47,544.59, up 337.47 points (0.71%) [1] - The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite also saw significant gains, closing at 6,875.16 (up 1.23%) and 23,637.46 (up 1.86%) respectively [1] - The U.S. dollar weakened slightly as investors favored equities, anticipating a more favorable macroeconomic environment [1] Central Bank Policies and Earnings Reports - Market momentum was influenced by expectations regarding central bank policies and upcoming major corporate earnings reports [2] - There is strong anticipation for a rate cut decision from the Federal Reserve, particularly following a soft consumer price index in September [2] - The ongoing U.S. government shutdown complicates the Fed's assessment of economic conditions [2] Value Stocks and Investment Strategies - Investors are focusing on the earnings season, with major companies expected to report results that could provide insights into corporate profitability amid changing global trade conditions [3] - Value stocks, often trading below their intrinsic value, are seen as a safer investment during periods of market uncertainty [3] - The Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio is highlighted as an effective valuation metric for evaluating value stocks, with companies like StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), Itron, Inc. (ITRI), PG&E Corporation (PCG), and PagSeguro Digital Ltd. (PAGS) noted for their low P/CF ratios [4][10] Financial Health and Cash Flow - The P/CF ratio is considered more reliable than the Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio as it accounts for non-cash charges, providing a clearer picture of a company's financial health [5][6] - Positive cash flow indicates an increase in liquid assets, allowing companies to manage debt, reinvest, and undertake shareholder-friendly actions [7] Stock Selection Parameters - A comprehensive investment strategy should include multiple valuation metrics such as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio, and price-to-sales ratio, alongside a favorable Zacks Rank and Value Score [8][11][12] - Specific parameters for selecting true-value stocks include a P/CF less than or equal to the industry median, a minimum stock price of $5, and an average 20-day trading volume exceeding 100,000 [9][11] Company Performance Highlights - StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) has a Zacks Rank 1, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11.5% and projected sales and EPS growth of 14.3% and 24.4% respectively [14] - Itron, Inc. (ITRI) holds a Zacks Rank 2, with a trailing earnings surprise of 32.5% and expected EPS growth of 8% [15] - PG&E Corporation (PCG) also has a Zacks Rank 2, with projected sales and EPS growth of 6.7% and 10.3% respectively, despite a share price decline of 18.4% over the past year [16] - PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) carries a Zacks Rank 2, with a trailing earnings surprise of 10.1% and expected sales and EPS growth of 5.5% and 14.9% respectively, with shares up 19.4% in the past year [17]

Key Takeaways StoneCo posted 27% higher net income and 22% ROE despite Brazil's challenging macro backdrop.Upstart's revenues jumped 102% as its AI-powered lending model drove a return to profitability.Valuation favors StoneCo, trading at a lower P/S multiple and outperforming UPST over three months.Fintech stocks have always captured investor imagination with their blend of technology innovation and financial disruption. Two names in the space, StoneCo (STNE) and Upstart (UPST) , are carving distinct paths ...

Key Takeaways StoneCo shares have soared 44% in three months, outpacing major fintech peers and market indices.The company's divestment of non-core units sharpened focus on its BRL 100B fintech market opportunity.With robust ROE, rising client adoption and low P/E, STNE appears undervalued despite its rapid rally.Shares of StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) , the Brazilian fintech powerhouse, have surged an impressive 44% over the past three months, leaving both the S&P 500 composite’s 7.7% gain and the Internet–Software ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of the price-to-book (P/B) ratio as a tool for value investing, highlighting its utility in identifying undervalued stocks with strong growth potential [1][2]. Group 1: Understanding P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is calculated by dividing the current stock price by the book value per share, indicating how much investors pay for each dollar of book value [2][6]. - A P/B ratio of less than one suggests that a stock is undervalued, while a ratio greater than one indicates overvaluation [6][7]. - The P/B ratio is particularly relevant for industries with tangible assets, such as finance and manufacturing, but may be misleading for companies with high R&D expenses or significant debt [9][10]. Group 2: Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Stocks with a P/B ratio lower than the industry median are considered attractive, as they have room for price appreciation [12]. - Additional screening parameters include a lower price-to-sales (P/S) ratio than the industry median, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio below the industry average, and a PEG ratio of less than one, indicating undervaluation relative to growth prospects [13][14][15]. - Stocks must also have a minimum trading price of $5 and a substantial average trading volume to ensure liquidity [14][15]. Group 3: Selected Low P/B Stocks - StoneCo (STNE) offers financial technology solutions and has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 30.3%, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B [16]. - PagSeguro Digital (PAGS) provides digital payment solutions and has a projected EPS growth rate of 14.2%, also holding a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B [17]. - KT Corporation (KT) is a telecommunications provider with a projected EPS growth rate of 51.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [19]. - Arrow Electronics (ARW) is a major distributor of electronic components, with a projected EPS growth rate of 20.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [19]. - CVS Health has a projected EPS growth rate of 14.3% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [20].

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of sales growth over earnings when evaluating stocks, suggesting that steady sales growth indicates strong demand and a durable business model [2][3][10] - A selection of stocks with robust sales growth and high cash balances is recommended, including StoneCo, Garmin, Assurant, VICI Properties, and Duke Energy, all of which show promising sales growth for 2025 [10][11][12][13][14][15] Sales Growth and Cash Flow - Sales growth is preferred over earnings as it reflects actual demand and provides visibility into a company's business model [3][5] - Constant sales growth leads to predictable cash flows, allowing companies to reinvest, expand, or return capital to shareholders without excessive debt reliance [5] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks are shortlisted based on criteria such as 5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than industry average and Cash Flow exceeding $500 million [6] - Additional metrics include a Price/Sales (P/S) Ratio lower than the industry average, positive changes in sales estimate revisions, operating margins above 5%, and Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5% [7][8][9] Recommended Stocks - **StoneCo Ltd. (STNE)**: Expected sales growth of 9.8% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)**: Anticipated sales growth of 12.3% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Assurant Inc. (AIZ)**: Projected sales growth of 5.7% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [13] - **VICI Properties Inc. (VICI)**: Expected sales growth of 4% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [14] - **Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)**: Anticipated sales growth of 4.6% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [15]

Core Insights - Three stocks are highlighted with strong momentum characteristics and a buy rank as of October 7th: eGain Corporation, StoneCo Ltd., and Alignment Healthcare, Inc. [1] Company Summaries - **eGain Corporation (EGAN)**: - Provides an AI-powered knowledge hub to enhance customer experiences - Zacks Rank 1 with a 52.2% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days - Shares increased by 51.4% in the last three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 7.8% gain - Holds a Momentum Score of A [1][2] - **StoneCo Ltd. (STNE)**: - A fintech company offering software solutions - Zacks Rank 1 with an 8.7% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days - Shares gained 9.7% in the last three months, also outperforming the S&P 500's 7.8% gain - Holds a Momentum Score of A [2] - **Alignment Healthcare, Inc. (ALHC)**: - A healthcare platform focused on seniors - Zacks Rank 1 with a 14.3% increase in current year earnings estimate over the last 60 days - Shares increased by 24.8% in the last three months, surpassing the S&P 500's 7.8% gain - Holds a Momentum Score of A [3]

Core Points - StoneCo Ltd. will announce its third quarter 2025 financial results on November 06, 2025, after market close [1] - A conference call to discuss the results will take place on the same day at 5:00 PM ET [1] - The company will enter a Quiet Period starting October 22, 2025, in relation to its third quarter financial results [3] Company Overview - Stone is a leading provider of financial technology and software solutions that enable merchants to conduct commerce seamlessly across multiple channels and support their business growth [4]

As of 2025, I've got over 10 years of researching companies. In total, throughout my investing life, I estimate that I researched (in depth) well over 1000 companies, from commodities like oil, natural gas, gold and copper to tech like Google or Nokia and many emerging market stocks, which I believe could help me provide useful content for readers. After writing my own blog for about 3 years, I decided to switch to a value investing-focused YouTube channel, where I researched hundreds of different companies ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of a hybrid investment strategy that combines growth and value investing principles, particularly in uncertain market conditions [1][3][5]. GARP Investment Strategy - GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) investing merges growth and value investing, focusing on stocks that are undervalued yet have sustainable growth potential [2][3]. - The PEG (Price/Earnings Growth) ratio is a key metric for GARP investors, helping to identify stocks with solid future potential by relating P/E ratios to future earnings growth rates [5][6]. Stock Performance and Selection Criteria - Several stocks have shown significant success using the GARP strategy, including Micron Technology, StoneCo, PagSeguro Digital, and Daktronics [4][11][13][15][17]. - Stocks selected for GARP investment should meet specific criteria, such as a PEG ratio less than the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [8][10]. Individual Stock Analysis - **Micron Technology (MU)**: A leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions with a long-term expected growth rate of 28.5% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [11][12]. - **StoneCo (STNE)**: A Brazilian fintech company with a long-term expected growth rate of 30.3% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [13][14]. - **PagSeguro Digital (PAGS)**: Offers a range of financial services with a long-term expected growth rate of 14.2% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [15][16]. - **Daktronics (DAKT)**: Specializes in electronic displays with a historical growth rate of 59.5% and a Zacks Rank of 1 [17][18].