Group 1: Stock Recommendations - PRA Group, Inc. (PRAA) has a Zacks Rank 1 and a 9.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, with a P/E ratio of 9.35 compared to 16.70 for the industry, and a Value Score of A [1] - Weatherford International plc (WFRD) also holds a Zacks Rank 1, with an 8.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, a P/E ratio of 13.18 compared to 24.97 for the S&P 500, and a Value Score of A [2] - StoneCo Ltd. (STNE) carries a Zacks Rank 1, with a 12.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days, a P/E ratio of 11.33 compared to 23.30 for the industry, and a Value Score of B [3]

Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. reported quarterly earnings of $0.43 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, and showing an increase from $0.35 per share a year ago [1] - The company posted revenues of $654.72 million for the quarter ended September 2025, which was 6.57% below the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but up from $605.47 million year-over-year [2] - StoneCo shares have increased approximately 138.9% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 15.6% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $0.50, with expected revenues of $752.43 million, and for the current fiscal year, the EPS estimate is $1.68 on revenues of $2.81 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for StoneCo was favorable prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) for the stock, indicating expected outperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Internet - Software industry, to which StoneCo belongs, is currently ranked in the top 35% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a favorable outlook for stocks within this sector [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, adjusted gross profit grew by 15.2% year-over-year, with adjusted basic EPS reaching BRL 6.90 per share, up 37% year-to-date [3][5] - Adjusted net income increased by 18% year-over-year, driven by pricing policy adjustments, strategic use of client deposits, and a lower effective tax rate [5][6] - Consolidated ROE expanded by 8 percentage points year-over-year to 24%, while financial services ROE from continuing operations increased to 33% [6][10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue and income grew by 16% year-over-year, reaching BRL 3.6 billion, with adjusted gross profit from continuing operations at BRL 1.6 billion, growing 12% year-over-year [6][7] - The payments business for MSMBs saw an active client base growth of 17% year-over-year, reaching 4.7 million clients, with MSMB TPV growing 11% year-over-year to BRL 126 billion [7][8] - The banking operation's active client base increased by 22% year-over-year to 3.5 million clients, with client deposits growing by 32% year-over-year [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average daily deposit base increased by 40% year-over-year, with time deposits now accounting for 84% of total deposits [9] - The total credit portfolio grew by 27% sequentially, reaching BRL 2.3 billion, with NPLs over 90 days at 5.03% [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to return excess capital through buybacks or dividends when immediate investment opportunities are not available, having returned 74% of identified excess capital to investors [4] - The focus remains on enhancing the value proposition to clients, evolving product offerings, and scaling credit [34][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged ongoing macroeconomic challenges but expressed confidence in the company's ability to deliver consistent value to clients and shareholders [3][5] - The company expects gradual deceleration in TPV growth due to industry dynamics and a weaker macro environment, but remains focused on profitability rather than market share at any cost [34][35] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate was reported at 15.3% in Q4, down from 18.6% in Q3 2024, with expectations for mid to high teens in the long term [14][99] - The company is experiencing operational leverage and efficiency gains, particularly in customer service and logistics, but does not expect current cost levels to be the new normal [68][70] Q&A Session Summary Question: On prepayment business spreads and sustainability - Management indicated that they are not at all-time high spreads and that earnings growth will be driven by credit portfolio growth and operational efficiency [17][26] Question: Competitive environment and pricing trends - Management noted that while there are new entrants in the market, overall players remain rational, and they do not expect significant pressure on spreads [32][36] Question: Organizational redesign progress - Management reported significant progress in transitioning to a fully functional organization, enhancing strategy and client offerings [43][44] Question: Credit portfolio maturity and cost of risk - Management expects cost of risk to remain in the mid-teens, with NPLs projected to grow as the portfolio matures [47][50] Question: Revenue composition changes - Management explained that the movements between transaction revenue and financial income are due to rebalancing and the flexibility of their bundled offerings [51][52] Question: Asset quality and specific client issues - Management clarified that a specific client issue had a minor impact on NPLs, which has since normalized [73][74] Question: Future guidance and tax rate expectations - Management plans to reassess long-term guidance after evaluating year-end performance, with an effective tax rate expected to remain in the mid to high teens [95][99]

Financial Performance - Adjusted Gross Profit reached R$1.6 billion, with a margin of 45%[17, 33] - Adjusted Net Income increased to R$641 million for continuing operations[13, 33] - Adjusted Basic EPS for consolidated operations was R$2.57 per share, a 31% year-over-year increase[13, 38] - Total Revenue and Income grew by 16.5% year-over-year to R$3.57 billion[17, 27, 33] Business Growth - MSMB Payments Client Base expanded, reaching 126,000[19] - MSMB TPV (Total Payment Volume) increased by 11% year-over-year, reaching R$20 billion[19] - Banking Active Clients reached 9 million[22] - Retail Deposits increased by 32% year-over-year to R$8.8 billion, with average daily Retail Deposits growing by 40%[22] Capital Allocation - R$2.8 billion was distributed to shareholders through buybacks and a 10% distribution yield (LTM)[10] - R$465 million was deployed in share buybacks during 3Q25[28, 29] Credit Portfolio - Credit Portfolio reached R$2.298 billion[24]

Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. is expected to report third-quarter 2025 results on November 6, with anticipated year-over-year increases in revenues and earnings per share (EPS) [1][8] Financial Performance - In the previous quarter, StoneCo reported an EPS of 39 cents, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 36 cents, with total revenue and income showing year-over-year growth [2] - The total Payments Active Client base reached 4.6 million, reflecting a 5.1% sequential growth [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for quarterly revenues is projected at $700.7 million, indicating a 15.7% increase from the same period last year [7] - The EPS estimate has been revised upward by 2 cents to 43 cents, suggesting a 22.9% increase from the prior-year quarter [7] Growth Drivers - StoneCo's performance is likely to benefit from strong momentum in its financial services and software business sectors [3] - The MSMB (Micro, Small and Medium-sized Businesses) segment is expected to be a key growth driver, with growth in Total Payment Volume and higher take rates [4] - Enhancements in banking solutions for small and medium-sized businesses are anticipated to contribute positively to banking revenues [5] - The credit offering through merchants and credit cards has shown significant growth, with low non-performing loan ratios and plans for expansion [5] Operational Efficiency - The company's focus on cost management is likely to enhance profitability and operational efficiency, driving significant operating leverage [6] - However, increased competition from banks serving Small and Medium Enterprises may pose challenges [6] Earnings Prediction - The model predicts a positive surprise in EPS for StoneCo, supported by a positive Earnings ESP of +7.81% and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [8][9]

Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. is increasingly reliant on Brazil's micro, small, and medium-sized businesses (MSMBs), achieving strong profit and return on equity (ROE) growth despite economic challenges [1][5] - The divestiture of software operations has streamlined StoneCo's business model, enhancing capital efficiency and focusing on MSMB banking, credit, and payments [1][9] Payments Segment - Transaction volume (TPV) in the MSMB segment increased by 12% year over year, reaching R$122 billion in the June quarter, driven by a 59% rise in PIX QR code payments and a 6.4% increase in card transactions [2] - The active MSMB client base grew by 17% to 4.5 million, with nearly 40% of merchants utilizing multiple services from StoneCo [3] Banking and Credit Growth - Active banking users rose by 23% year over year to 3.3 million, with deposits increasing by 36%, and time deposits now constitute 83% of the total deposit mix [4] - The credit portfolio expanded by 25% sequentially to R$1.8 billion, with MSMB working capital disbursements up by 41% [4] Competitive Landscape - PagSeguro Digital Ltd. reported a 2.1% year-over-year increase in MSMB TPV, while MercadoLibre, Inc. saw a significant 39% rise in TPV [6][7] Stock Performance and Valuation - StoneCo's shares have surged by 48.6% over the past three months, outperforming the broader industry and the S&P 500 [8] - The current forward 12-month P/E ratio for StoneCo is 10.06X, significantly below the industry average of 38.98X and its three-year median of 10.98X [10] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for StoneCo's earnings per share has been revised upward for both 2025 and 2026 [11]

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]

Core Insights - Fintech stocks, particularly StoneCo and Upstart, are gaining attention for their unique business models and growth trajectories [1][3] - StoneCo focuses on payments and financial services for small and medium-sized businesses in Brazil, while Upstart leverages AI for credit underwriting [2][21] StoneCo Overview - StoneCo reported a 27% year-over-year increase in adjusted net income and a 22% return on equity in Q2 2025, despite Brazil's challenging economic conditions [4] - The MSMB payments segment grew its client base to 4.5 million, a 17% increase, and PIX QR Code transaction volume rose by 59% [5] - The company’s integrated banking platform saw deposits increase by 36% year-over-year, with 83% of deposits being time-based, providing a stable funding base [5] - StoneCo's credit portfolio grew by 25% sequentially, with stable nonperforming loans, indicating disciplined underwriting practices [5] - The strategic sale of non-core assets allows StoneCo to focus on its core operations and target a total addressable market estimated at BRL 100 billion [6] - StoneCo has repurchased nearly BRL 2.6 billion in shares over the past year, reflecting management's confidence in the company's growth potential [6] - The company’s diversified revenue streams and margin expansion suggest it can maintain profitability even in a tough economic environment [7] Upstart Overview - Upstart's revenues surged to $257 million in Q2 2025, a 102% year-over-year increase, and the company returned to GAAP profitability with a net income of $5.6 million [8] - Loan originations reached $2.8 billion, driven by Upstart's AI model, which improved loan separation accuracy by 17 percentage points [8] - The company’s technology has led to improved conversion rates, rising from 19% to 23.9%, with 92% of loans now fully automated [9] - Upstart's diversification into auto and home lending is gaining traction, contributing to an 85% year-over-year increase in contribution profit [10] - However, Upstart's growth is accompanied by volatility due to its exposure to credit-sensitive borrowers and reliance on capital market sentiment [11][12] Financial Estimates and Valuation - Zacks Consensus Estimate for StoneCo implies a 15.73% increase in sales and a 22.86% increase in EPS for 2025 [13] - Upstart's sales are expected to rise by 73.32% in 2025, with upward revisions in EPS estimates over the past three months [14] - StoneCo is trading at a forward Price/Sales (P/S) ratio of 1.92, significantly lower than Upstart's 4.13, indicating a more favorable valuation for StoneCo [17] - Over the past three months, StoneCo shares have outperformed both Upstart and the S&P 500 composite [18] Conclusion - StoneCo is characterized by stable funding, recurring revenues, and robust cash generation, making it a more balanced and resilient fintech option [21][22] - Upstart, while offering explosive growth potential, is more susceptible to credit cycles and market volatility [21] - StoneCo's strategic focus on small business payments and banking in Brazil presents a significant growth opportunity with lower cyclicality [21]

Core Insights - StoneCo Ltd. has experienced a significant share price increase of 44% over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500's 7.7% gain and the Internet-Software industry's 2.1% rise [1][9] - The company's strategic focus on its core fintech operations and divestment of non-core software units has positioned it to target a total addressable market of BRL 100 billion, with substantial growth potential remaining [3][9] Financial Performance - In Q2 2025, StoneCo reported a 27% year-over-year increase in adjusted net income, with a return on equity (ROE) of 22%, and the financial services division achieving an ROE of 30% [5] - The company has repurchased nearly BRL 2.6 billion in shares over the past year, indicating management's confidence in its growth trajectory [6][9] Business Segments - The micro, small, and medium business (MSMB) payments segment has seen a 17% year-over-year increase in active clients, reaching 4.5 million, with total payment volume growing by 12% [10] - The banking ecosystem is also expanding, with active banking clients increasing by 23% to 3.3 million and client deposits rising by 36% [11] - StoneCo's credit portfolio grew by 25% sequentially to BRL 1.8 billion, supported by a 41% increase in merchant working capital loans, while maintaining healthy non-performing loan ratios [12][13] Valuation and Market Position - StoneCo's stock is currently trading at a forward P/E of 9.93X, significantly below its three-year high of 31.33X and the industry average of 38.37X, indicating it may be undervalued [15] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has been revised upward, reflecting positive sentiment around the company's growth prospects [14] Investment Outlook - StoneCo's recent performance is supported by strong fundamentals, rising profitability, and a focused strategy, making it a compelling growth story in Latin America [18][19] - With a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), it is considered an opportune time for investors to capitalize on StoneCo's momentum before its full upside potential is realized [20]

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].