ZACKS·2025-11-26 15:21Core Insights - Major U.S. stock indices ended positively on Nov. 25, 2025, driven by investor optimism and an 83% probability of a quarter-percentage-point rate cut by the central bank in December [1][2] Group 1: Investment Recommendations - Companies recommended for investment include Federal Signal Corp. (FSS), Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Northrip Bancorp (NRIM), Safran SA (SAFRY), and Engie (ENGIY), as they carry low leverage and may offer stability during market volatility [3][10] - FSS reported a 30% year-over-year increase in adjusted EPS and 17% revenue growth for Q3 2025, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15] - JLL's adjusted EPS surged 29% year-over-year, with a 10% revenue increase in local currency for Q3 2025, also holding a Zacks Rank of 2 [16][17] - NRIM's EPS soared 207.7% year-over-year, driven by asset sales and increased net interest income, with a Zacks Rank of 2 [18][19] - Safran expects a 39.9% year-over-year improvement in sales for 2025, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 20.5% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [20][21] - Engie announced a new 280 MW/560 MWh Battery Energy Storage System project in India, with a projected 30.7% earnings improvement for 2025 and a Zacks Rank of 2 [21][22] Group 2: Financial Metrics and Analysis - Leverage is defined as the use of borrowed capital for operations and expansion, with a focus on avoiding companies that excessively rely on debt financing [4][5] - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing financial risk, with lower ratios indicating better solvency [6][7] - A strategy focusing on stocks with low debt-to-equity ratios is recommended for steady returns, especially during economic downturns [9][10] - Additional screening criteria for stock selection include being less leveraged than industry peers, trading at a minimum price of $10, having substantial trading volume, and showing positive earnings growth expectations [12][13]