Group 1 - NiSource (NI) is currently outperforming its peers in the Utilities sector, with a year-to-date return of approximately 14%, compared to the sector average of 11.2% [4][5] - NiSource holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on earnings estimates and revisions [3][5] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NiSource's full-year earnings has increased by 0.1% over the past quarter, reflecting improving analyst sentiment [3] Group 2 - The Utilities sector consists of 108 individual stocks and currently has a Zacks Sector Rank of 1, indicating strong overall performance [2] - NiSource is part of the Utility - Electric Power industry, which includes 59 stocks and is ranked 74 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with stocks in this group gaining about 11.2% year-to-date [5] - Another outperforming stock in the Utilities sector is Telefonica (TEF), which has returned 34.3% year-to-date and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [4][6]

Core Viewpoint - The article compares Telefonica (TEF) and Telus (TU) to determine which stock is more attractive to value investors, highlighting TEF's stronger earnings outlook and better valuation metrics [1][3]. Valuation Metrics - TEF has a forward P/E ratio of 14.22, while TU has a forward P/E of 21.25, indicating that TEF is potentially undervalued compared to TU [5]. - TEF's PEG ratio is 0.83, suggesting a favorable valuation in relation to its expected earnings growth, whereas TU's PEG ratio is significantly higher at 5.05 [5]. - TEF's P/B ratio stands at 1.2, compared to TU's P/B of 2.08, further indicating TEF's relative undervaluation [6]. Earnings Outlook - TEF is noted for having an improving earnings outlook, which contributes to its higher Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), compared to TU's Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3][7].

Core Insights - Investors are evaluating Telefonica (TEF) and Telus (TU) for potential value opportunities in the Diversified Communication Services sector [1] Valuation Metrics - Telefonica has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Telus has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - TEF's forward P/E ratio is 13.39, significantly lower than TU's forward P/E of 21.68, suggesting TEF may be undervalued [5] - TEF has a PEG ratio of 0.78, while TU's PEG ratio is 5.15, indicating TEF's expected earnings growth is more favorable [5] - TEF's P/B ratio is 1.20 compared to TU's P/B of 2.12, further supporting TEF's valuation advantage [6] - Based on these metrics, TEF holds a Value grade of A, while TU has a Value grade of C, making TEF the more attractive option for value investors [6]

Group 1: Momentum Investing Overview - Momentum investing involves following a stock's recent trend, with the aim of buying high and selling higher, capitalizing on established price movements [1] - The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps define momentum characteristics, with Telefonica (TEF) currently holding a Momentum Style Score of B [2] - Style Scores complement the Zacks Rank, which has a strong track record of outperformance; TEF has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - TEF shares have increased by 2.12% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry, which rose by 0.47% [5] - Over the last three months, TEF shares have risen by 14.84%, and by 12.9% over the past year, compared to the S&P 500's increases of 1.99% and 12.34%, respectively [6] - The average 20-day trading volume for TEF is 635,540 shares, indicating a bullish sign if the stock is rising with above-average volume [7] Group 3: Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, two earnings estimates for TEF have increased, while none have decreased, raising the consensus estimate from $0.33 to $0.40 [9] - For the next fiscal year, two estimates have also moved upwards with no downward revisions during the same period [9] Group 4: Conclusion - Considering all elements, TEF is rated as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a potential pick for near-term gains [11]

Company Overview - Telefonica, S.A. is based in Madrid, Spain, and provides mobile and fixed communication services in Europe and Latin America [11] - The company has invested heavily in network deployment and transformation to enhance connectivity in terms of capacity, speed, coverage, and security [11] Investment Ratings - Telefonica is rated as 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A, indicating strong potential for investment [11] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 7.4% over the past four weeks [12] Earnings Estimates - For fiscal 2025, two analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards in the last 60 days, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.07 to $0.40 per share [12] - Telefonica boasts an average earnings surprise of 18.3%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [12]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a framework for evaluating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A being the highest score [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - Concentrates on a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - Targets stocks with upward or downward price trends, utilizing short-term price changes and earnings estimate adjustments [5] VGM Score - Combines all three Style Scores to provide a comprehensive evaluation of stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [7][8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal performance [9] Company Spotlight: Telefonica (TEF) - Telefonica, S.A. is a telecommunications provider in Europe and Latin America, currently rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank with a VGM Score of A [11] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 2.6% over the past four weeks [12] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates have led to a Zacks Consensus Estimate increase of $0.07 to $0.40 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 18.3% [12]

Group 1 - Telefonica (TEF) is a notable stock in the Utilities sector, which consists of 106 individual stocks and holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 2 [2][3] - The Zacks Rank system identifies stocks with characteristics likely to outperform the market in the short term, with Telefonica currently rated as a Buy [3] - Over the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Telefonica's full-year earnings has increased by 29.5%, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - Telefonica has achieved a year-to-date performance increase of 25.1%, significantly outperforming the average Utilities sector gain of 9% [4] - United Utilities Group PLC (UUGRY) is another Utilities stock that has outperformed the sector, with a year-to-date increase of 14.1% [5] - Telefonica is part of the Diversified Communication Services industry, which has gained an average of 9% this year, while United Utilities belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which has increased by 9.4% [6]

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that the telecommunications services in certain regions of Spain experienced interruptions but have now been fully restored [1] Group 2 - The company involved is Telefónica, which is a major telecommunications provider in Spain [1] - The service disruption affected various areas, indicating potential operational challenges within the company's infrastructure [1] - The restoration of services suggests that the company has effectively managed the situation and returned to normal operations [1]

Core Insights - Investors are evaluating the value opportunities between Telefonica (TEF) and Chunghwa (CHT) in the Diversified Communication Services sector [1] Valuation Metrics - Telefonica has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Chunghwa has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - TEF's forward P/E ratio is 12.20, significantly lower than CHT's forward P/E of 28.66, suggesting TEF is undervalued [5] - TEF has a PEG ratio of 0.71, while CHT's PEG ratio is 22.74, indicating TEF's expected earnings growth is more favorable [5] - TEF's P/B ratio is 1.11 compared to CHT's P/B of 2.72, further supporting TEF's valuation advantage [6] - Based on these metrics, TEF has a Value grade of A, while CHT has a Value grade of D, positioning TEF as the superior value option [6]

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of TEF, VOD, ORANY either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. While this article may sound like financial advice, please observe that the author is not a CFA. It may be structured as such, but ...