Why Air Products and Chemicals (APD) is a Top Growth Stock for the Long-Term

Core Insights - The article discusses the Zacks Style Scores, which are designed to help investors identify stocks with the best chances of outperforming the market over the next 30 days [2] Group 1: Zacks Style Scores Overview - Zacks Style Scores are complementary indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][3] - Each stock is assigned a rating from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Group 2: Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying stocks that are undervalued based on ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Group 3: Growth Score - The Growth Score evaluates a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Group 4: Momentum Score - The Momentum Score identifies trends in stock prices or earnings outlooks, helping investors time their positions based on recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] Group 5: VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [6] Group 6: Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks yielding an average annual return of +23.86% since 1988 [7][10] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B are recommended for maximizing returns [9] Group 7: Company Spotlight - Air Products and Chemicals - Air Products and Chemicals Inc. is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank and has a VGM Score of B [11] - The company is projected to have year-over-year earnings growth of 8.2% for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Air Products' earnings has increased by $0.05 to $13.01 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +0.4% [12]