Core Insights - Priority Technology Holdings experienced slower growth in its Merchant Solutions segment due to macroeconomic factors affecting various industries, including restaurants, construction, and wholesale trade [1][4][5] - The revenue growth in the Merchant Solutions segment slowed to 2% year over year, while the Payables and Treasury Solutions segments saw growth rates of 14% and 18%, respectively [2] - The company rebranded its operating segments to better reflect their solutions and customer base, changing SMB, B2B, and Enterprise to Merchant Solutions, Payables, and Treasury Solutions [3] Segment Performance - In the Merchant Solutions segment, same-store sales decelerated across multiple areas, although merchant attrition remained stable, indicating that macroeconomic factors are influencing performance [4] - The Chief Financial Officer noted that the slower growth in the Merchant Solutions segment's core portfolio was largely due to a decline in consumer spending in specific verticals [5] Strategic Acquisitions - During the third quarter, Priority made two significant acquisitions: Boom Commerce and Dealer Merchant Services (DMS), enhancing its capabilities in the automotive commerce sector [6][7] - The acquisition of Boom Commerce is expected to strengthen sales and expand distribution partnerships, while DMS will support the company's strategy in integrated payments and treasury solutions [7]

Market Overview - The stock market is experiencing a new wave of uncertainty due to geopolitical tensions and weaker-than-expected economic data, particularly in U.S. retail sales for May [1][2] - The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated, contributing to investor unease [1] - The upcoming Federal Reserve meeting is a focal point, with expectations that weak economic data may lead to a more dovish stance from policymakers [2] Investment Strategy - In the current volatile market environment, a value investing approach focusing on fundamentally strong companies with reasonable prices is recommended [3] - Companies with high earnings yields are highlighted as potential investment opportunities [3] Earnings Yield Insights - Earnings yield is a key metric for assessing potential returns, calculated by dividing earnings per share by stock price [4] - A higher earnings yield may indicate undervaluation, while a lower yield could suggest overvaluation [5] - Comparing earnings yield to the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds can help determine investment worthiness [5] Screening Criteria - The primary screening criterion is an earnings yield greater than 10% [6] - Additional parameters include estimated EPS growth exceeding the S&P 500 and an average daily trading volume of at least 100,000 shares [7][6] - Stocks must also have a current price of $5 or more [8] Selected Stocks - Five stocks with earnings yields above 10% and strong growth potential have been identified: - **Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN)**: Expected earnings growth of 226% and 81% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a Zacks Rank 1 [10] - **Quanex Building Products Corporation (NX)**: Projected earnings growth of 19.6% and 14% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, also with a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG)**: Anticipated earnings growth of 62% and 13% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a Zacks Rank 1 [12] - **Popular, Inc. (BPOP)**: Expected earnings growth of 17% and 20% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, holding a Zacks Rank 1 [13] - **Priority Technology Holdings Inc. (PRTH)**: Projected earnings growth of 108% and 34% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a Zacks Rank 1 [14]

Core Insights - Qifu Technology, Inc. (QFIN) stock has experienced remarkable growth of 117% over the past year, significantly outperforming the industry growth of 52.8% and the Zacks S&P 500 composite's rise of 12.3% [1][4] - The company has also outperformed its competitors, Priority Technology (PRTH) and Acuity (AYI), which gained 90.8% and 6.9% respectively during the same period [4] Performance Analysis - In the past six months, QFIN has gained 11.6%, surpassing the industry's marginal growth, while PRTH and AYI have decreased by 10% and 15.23% respectively [4] - QFIN's stock trades at a forward earnings multiple of 5.6X, well below the industry's average of 24.3X [7][12] AI Integration and Growth Strategy - Qifu Technology leverages AI for user acquisition and volume growth, with 74% of graphics and 27% of videos generated by AI technology, resulting in a 10% reduction in average cost per credit line user and a 9% improvement in ROI [6][9] - The company's AI-Plus credit strategy, launched in early 2025, aims to enhance core credit processes through an AI agent platform [9] Financial Position - QFIN reported strong cash reserves of $1.9 billion and low current debt of $168 million, resulting in a current ratio of 3.08, which exceeds the industry average of 1.84 [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for QFIN's 2025 revenues is $2.6 billion, indicating a 7.6% growth from the previous year, with earnings estimated at $7.09 per share, reflecting a 25.3% increase [14] Investment Recommendation - Given the company's strong performance, robust liquidity position, and discounted valuation, it is recommended for investors to consider adding QFIN shares to their portfolios [15][16]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced significant gains in May, with the S&P 500 increasing by 6.2% and the Nasdaq rising by 9.6%, marking the best month for both indices since late 2023 [1] - Investor optimism was fueled by a temporary pause on new trade tariffs announced by Trump, alleviating fears regarding trade tensions with China and the EU [1] Geopolitical Risks - Despite the temporary relief, the threat of tariffs remains, as China accused the U.S. of violating their trade truce by tightening controls on AI chip exports and student visas, which has raised tensions again [2] - The interconnectedness of the U.S. and Chinese economies means that even minor disputes can significantly impact market stability [2] Investment Strategy - In uncertain times, investors are turning to value investing, focusing on companies with strong fundamentals that are undervalued [3] - Value stocks with high earnings yield can provide attractive returns, especially during periods of market volatility [4] Earnings Yield - Earnings yield is calculated by dividing a company's annual earnings per share (EPS) by its current stock price, indicating potential returns for investors [5] - A higher earnings yield suggests a stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, while a lower yield may indicate overvaluation [5][7] Stock Screening Criteria - A primary screening criterion for selecting stocks is an earnings yield greater than 10%, supplemented by estimated EPS growth, average daily volume, and current price thresholds [8][9][10] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) are expected to outperform their peers [10] Selected Value Stocks - Five value stocks with earnings yields exceeding 10% have been identified as appealing options amid rising U.S.-China tensions: AngloGold Ashanti (AU), Orchid Island Capital (ORC), LATAM Airlines (LTM), Priority Technology (PRTH), and Allianz (ALIZY) [11] - All five stocks show strong projected EPS growth through 2026 and meet liquidity, price, and growth criteria [11] Company Highlights - **AngloGold Ashanti (AU)**: Expected earnings growth of 95% in 2025 and 6.7% in 2026, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of A [12] - **Orchid Island Capital (ORC)**: Projected earnings growth of 394% in 2025 and 24.5% in 2026, Zacks Rank 1, Value Score B [13] - **LATAM Airlines (LTM)**: Anticipated earnings growth of 27.5% in 2025 and 20% in 2026, Zacks Rank 1, Value Score A [14] - **Priority Technology (PRTH)**: Expected earnings growth of 108% in 2025 and 34% in 2026, Zacks Rank 1, Value Score A [15] - **Allianz (ALIZY)**: Projected earnings growth of 16.4% in 2025 and 9% in 2026, Zacks Rank 1, Value Score B [16]

Market Overview - Recent market gains have been driven by easing U.S.-China trade tensions, softer inflation, and strong first-quarter 2025 results, but uncertainty persists [1] - Many companies are issuing cautious outlooks or withdrawing guidance due to rising costs, subdued consumer demand, and shaken business confidence [1] Tariff Impact - Although fears regarding tariffs have lessened, a 10% tariff remains a new baseline, indicating that trade-related pressures could re-emerge [2] - Economic indicators and earnings reports are expected to reveal the long-term effects of tariffs as the year progresses [2] Investment Strategy - Volatility remains in the market, and the current rally appears fragile, suggesting that value investing may be a prudent strategy [3] - Value investing focuses on fundamentally strong companies trading below their intrinsic worth, providing resilience amid market fluctuations [3] Value Stocks - Notable value stocks with high earnings yield include Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN), LATAM Airlines Group (LTM), Priority Technology Holdings Inc. (PRTH), Heritage Insurance Holdings Inc. (HRTG), and Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY) [4] Earnings Yield Metric - Earnings yield, calculated as annual earnings per share (EPS) divided by market price, is a useful metric for identifying attractively valued stocks [5] - Stocks with higher earnings yield are considered undervalued compared to those with lower earnings yield [5] Stock Comparison - Earnings yield can be compared to prevailing interest rates, such as the 10-year Treasury yield, to assess relative value [6] - A stock with a yield lower than the 10-year Treasury yield is deemed overvalued, while a higher yield indicates undervaluation [7] Screening Criteria - An earnings yield greater than 10% is set as a primary screening criterion, supplemented by estimated EPS growth and average daily volume [8][9] - Additional parameters include a current price greater than or equal to $5 and stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) [10] Company Highlights - **Aris Mining Corporation (ARMN)**: Expected earnings growth of 226.5% and 80.6% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, with a Zacks Rank 1 and Value Score of A [12] - **LATAM Airlines Group (LTM)**: Projected earnings growth of 27.5% and 20% for 2025 and 2026, respectively, also with a Zacks Rank 1 and Value Score of A [13] - **Priority Technology Holdings Inc. (PRTH)**: Anticipated earnings growth of 108% and 34% for 2025 and 2026, with a Zacks Rank 1 and Value Score of A [14] - **Heritage Insurance Holdings Inc. (HRTG)**: Expected earnings growth of 62% and 13% for 2025 and 2026, with a Zacks Rank 1 and Value Score of B [15] - **Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY)**: Projected earnings growth of 195% and 28% for 2025 and 2026, with a Zacks Rank 1 and Value Score of B [16]

Industry Overview - The Technology Services industry has experienced strong growth post-pandemic, driven by the rapid adoption of remote work and advancements in technology such as 5G, blockchain, AI, and ML [1][6] - The industry includes companies involved in software support, data processing, computing hardware, and communications equipment, serving both consumer and business markets [3] Economic Factors - The industry is benefiting from a recovering economy, with GDP growth projected at an annual rate of 2.8% in 2024, up from 2.5% in 2023 [5] - The Services PMI has remained above 50% for 56 out of the last 59 months, indicating healthy economic activity [5] Technological Advancements - The global shift towards digitization is creating opportunities in markets such as 5G, blockchain, and AI, with generative AI expected to grow at a 42% CAGR over the next decade, reaching a $1.3 trillion market by 2032 [6] Industry Performance - The Zacks Technology Services industry ranks 49, placing it in the top 20% of over 246 Zacks industries, indicating a promising outlook [7] - Over the past year, the industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Business Services sector and the S&P 500, returning 42.1% compared to 12% and 12.4% respectively [9] Valuation Metrics - The industry is currently trading at an EV-to-EBITDA ratio of 31.02X, significantly higher than the S&P 500's 16.6X and the sector's 12.03X [12] Company Highlights - **AppLovin Corporation (APP)**: Focuses on a software platform for advertisers, enhancing machine-learning models and AI integration. The company has a Zacks Rank 1 and is expected to see earnings rise 85.2% year over year in 2025, with shares up 340.5% in the past year [20][18][19] - **Priority Technology Holdings (PRTH)**: Operates a platform for financial operations, showing strong growth despite economic challenges. PRTH also holds a Zacks Rank 1, with earnings expected to rise over 100% year over year in 2025, and shares up 116.8% in the past year [24][23] - **Qifu Technology (QFIN)**: A China-based credit tech company improving user acquisition and integrating AI for better credit data analysis. QFIN has a Zacks Rank 1, with earnings expected to rise 22.4% year over year in 2025, and shares up 113.7% in the past year [29][27]

Industry Overview - The technology services industry is mature with strong demand for services, and revenues, income, and cash flows are expected to gradually return to pre-pandemic levels, supporting stable dividends for most players [1] - The industry thrived in 2024 and continued its momentum into the first quarter of 2025 [1] - The global shift towards digitization is creating opportunities in markets such as 5G, blockchain, and artificial intelligence (AI), with companies rapidly adopting generative AI, machine learning (ML), and data science to gain competitive advantages [4] Investment Outlook - The Zacks-defined Technology Services industry ranks within the top 26% of Zacks Ranked Industries, indicating an expectation to outperform the market over the next three to six months [2] - Five mid and small-sized technology services stocks with strong short-term upside potential are recommended: Byrna Technologies Inc. (BYRN), Climb Global Solutions Inc. (CLMB), Adeia Inc. (ADEA), Priority Technology Holdings Inc. (PRTH), and Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (IE) [2][3] Company Highlights Byrna Technologies Inc. (BYRN) - Engaged in developing and selling less-lethal personal security solutions across multiple regions [6] - Average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 48.6% from the last closing price of $25.53, with a target range of $33-$38 [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 30.2% and 12.9%, respectively [9] Climb Global Solutions Inc. (CLMB) - Operates as a value-added IT distribution and solutions company [10] - Average short-term price target suggests a potential increase of 26.2% from the last closing price of $110.28, with a target range of $136 [13] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 5% and 2.7%, respectively [14] Adeia Inc. (ADEA) - Operates as a media and semiconductor intellectual property licensing company [16] - Average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 25.2% from the last closing price of $13.75, with a target range of $17-$18 [18] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 9.2% and 7.1%, respectively [18] Priority Technology Holdings Inc. (PRTH) - Functions as a payment technology company with multiple segments [20] - Average short-term price target suggests a potential increase of 71.6% from the last closing price of $7.46, with a target range of $10-$16 [24] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 11.4% and over 100%, respectively [25] Ivanhoe Electric Inc. (IE) - Focuses on minerals exploration and development, particularly for electrification [27] - Average short-term price target indicates a potential increase of 105.9% from the last closing price of $6.85, with a target range of $10-$20 [28] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 2.6% and 51.4%, respectively [28]