Buy These 5 Low-Leverage Stocks Amid a Reversal of Santa Claus Rally

Market Overview - The three major U.S. stock indices experienced a decline on December 29, 2025, primarily driven by a drop in large technology shares such as Oracle, Nvidia, and Palantir Technologies, which dampened expectations for a "Santa Claus rally" [1][10] Investment Strategy - Investors are advised to favor low-leverage stocks over high-growth technology stocks due to the recent market sell-off, with companies like Engie SA, Hamilton Insurance Group, Hecla Mining, Resmed, and Siemens Energy being recommended as safer options [2][10] - Low-leverage stocks are characterized by lower financial risk, making them more stable during market volatility [6][9] Low-Leverage Stocks - Leverage refers to the use of borrowed capital for business operations, but excessive reliance on debt can lead to significant losses, especially during economic downturns [4][5] - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric for assessing a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio indicating better solvency [7] Company Highlights - Engie SA (ENGIY): Engie operates in the power and energy services sector and recently announced the full commercial operation of its largest onshore wind project, which is expected to enhance its position in the wind energy market. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings indicates a 28.5% improvement from the previous year [14] - Hamilton Insurance Group (HG): The company reported a 16.5% increase in net premiums and significant improvement in operating earnings, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate suggesting a 20.8% revenue increase for 2025 [15][16] - Hecla Mining (HL): As a leading silver producer, Hecla announced progress on its Polaris Exploration Project, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate indicating a 42.1% revenue increase and a 281.8% earnings improvement for 2025 [17][18] - Resmed (RMD): Resmed received FDA clearance for an AI-enabled medical device aimed at improving CPAP therapy adherence, with a projected 8.4% sales growth for fiscal 2026 [19][20] - Siemens Energy (SMNEY): The company focuses on renewable energy and plans to repurchase shares worth approximately $6.9 billion, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate indicating a 16.9% revenue increase and a 158.2% earnings improvement for fiscal 2026 [21][22]