Welcome back to the exchange. FedEx lowered today after JP Morgan downgraded shares to neutral from overweight, lowered their price target by 10 bucks to $274 per share. You can see all those shares are down fractionally now.They're writing any potential upside from FedEx's strategic turnaround will be offset given the quote significant headwinds from a difficult industrial backdrop and increasing competition. Meanwhile, a key freight indicator also flashing a warning sign in what is usually a boom month fo ...

Trade War Concerns - Concerns are reviving that a global trade war will reduce crude consumption [1] Tariff Impact - Donald Trump's recent barrage of tariff letters contains some of the highest tax rates yet [1]

Market Overview - The S&P 500 has reached an all-time high of 6,173.07 points, up 0.5% on Friday, surpassing its previous record of 6,147.43 points [3][8] - The index has rebounded over 20% from its April lows and has gained nearly 5% year to date, driven by easing geopolitical tensions and hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts [6][8] Geopolitical and Economic Factors - Geopolitical tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel, have eased, contributing to investor confidence [6] - The Federal Reserve is expected to resume rate cuts, with officials hinting at a potential cut as early as July, which could further support the S&P 500 rally [7] Company Highlights Adobe Inc. (ADBE) - Adobe is a leading software company with an expected earnings growth rate of 11.9% for the current year, and its earnings estimate has improved by 1.2% over the past 60 days [9] - ADBE currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [9] Altria Group, Inc. (MO) - Altria is adapting to industry changes by expanding into the smokeless category, with an expected earnings growth rate of 4.9% for the current year and a 1.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [10] - MO also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 [10] Arista Networks, Inc. (ANET) - Arista provides cloud networking solutions and has an expected earnings growth rate of 13.2% for the current year, with a 4% improvement in earnings estimates over the past 60 days [12] - ANET is currently rated as a Zacks Rank 2 [12] Atmos Energy Corporation (ATO) - Atmos Energy is involved in regulated natural gas distribution and storage, serving approximately 3.3 million customers [13] - The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 6% for the current year, with a 0.6% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 60 days [14] - ATO also carries a Zacks Rank of 2 [14]

Company Overview - Hasbro has cut 3% of its global workforce, amounting to approximately 150 employees, as part of a cost-cutting initiative due to higher US tariffs on toys imported from China [1][4] - The company had around 4,985 employees globally according to its fiscal 2024 annual filing [1] Sourcing and Market Strategy - Hasbro sources about half of its toys and games sold in the US from China and is accelerating efforts to diversify sourcing to reduce reliance on China [2] - The toy industry is facing pressures from a global trade war and has been struggling with weak demand [2] Financial Impact and Restructuring - CEO Chris Cocks indicated that tariffs lead to higher consumer prices, potential job losses, and reduced profits for shareholders [3] - Hasbro is reassessing logistics routes and manufacturing as part of its strategy to adapt to increased costs [3] - The company previously announced a plan to cut 900 jobs globally in December 2023, following a reduction of 15% of its workforce due to weaker sales [3] Business Performance - In April, Hasbro reported better-than-expected quarterly results, driven by a shift towards digital and licensed gaming businesses, which helped attract younger customers [5]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a strong bull run in 2023 and 2024, but 2025 has shown mixed results due to concerns over persistent inflation and the Federal Reserve's uncertain stance on interest rates after a 1% cut in the benchmark lending rate last year [1] - Severe volatility has affected Wall Street since early April, primarily due to the implementation of reciprocal tariff policies by the Trump administration, with baseline tariffs at 10% but actual rates exceeding 70% for several major trading partners [2] - Retaliatory tariffs from other countries have raised fears of a global trade war, although some trade negotiations have been settled and others are ongoing [3] Company Highlights Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) - Philip Morris has shown strong pricing power and is expanding its smoke-free product portfolio, aiming to become substantially smoke-free by 2030 [7] - The company anticipates robust growth in 2025, with a projected 2% increase in volume and smoke-free products expected to grow by 12-14% [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 8.1% and 13.7%, respectively, with a stock price increase of 44.7% year to date [9] Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM) - Sprouts Farmers is focusing on product innovation, e-commerce, and private label offerings, which have contributed to better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2024 results [10] - The company expects net sales to rise between 10.5% and 12.5% in 2025, with comparable sales anticipated to increase by 4.5-6.5% [11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 13.7% and 35.5%, respectively, with a stock price surge of 32.2% year to date [12] Newmont Corp. (NEM) - Newmont is progressing with growth projects, including the Tanami expansion and the acquisition of Newcrest, which enhances its portfolio and synergies [13] - The Ahafo North project has received full funding approval, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2025, involving an investment of $950 million to $1,050 million [14] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 2% and 12.6%, respectively, with a stock price increase of 40.5% year to date [15]

Core Insights - The global trade war has negatively impacted many stocks in the past quarter, but a stealth bull market is emerging in certain overseas stocks, particularly in Latin America, which has significantly outperformed in 2025 [1]. Group 1 - Latin American equities have shown strong performance, indicating potential investment opportunities in this region [1]. - The article suggests that despite broader market challenges, specific sectors or regions may still present favorable conditions for investors [1]. Group 2 - The investing group led by Ian offers various features including market analysis, trade alerts, and direct access to insights, which can be beneficial for investors looking for new opportunities [2]. - Ian Bezek, with a decade of experience in Latin America, provides valuable on-the-ground research for investors interested in markets like Mexico, Colombia, and Chile [3].

Core Viewpoint - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is a critical player in the semiconductor industry, responsible for 50% of the world's semiconductor chip components, and is expected to report strong Q1 results amid global trade tensions and strategic investments in the U.S. [1][2] Group 1: Q1 Expectations and Financial Performance - TSMC's Q1 sales are projected to increase by 33% to $25.2 billion compared to $18.87 billion in the same quarter last year [3] - The expected Q1 EPS is anticipated to rise by 46% to $2.02 from $1.38 per share a year ago, with TSMC having exceeded the Zacks EPS Consensus for 17 consecutive quarters [3] - TSMC's total sales for FY2025 are expected to grow by 26% to $113.51 billion, with FY2026 sales projected to increase by 19% to $135.44 billion [4][5] Group 2: EPS Growth and Estimates - TSMC is expected to achieve 29% EPS growth in FY2025, with annual earnings projected to rise by 21% in FY2026 to $11.02 per share [5] - Recent estimates for FY2025 and FY2026 EPS have seen slight downward revisions over the last 60 days [6] Group 3: Stock Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, TSMC's stock has declined by 20%, underperforming the S&P 500's 8% decline and the Nasdaq's 13% drop, but has gained nearly 60% over the last three years [6][7] - TSMC shares are currently trading at a forward earnings multiple of 17.1X, which is below the benchmark's 20.1X and significantly lower than its decade-long high of 34.4X [7] Group 4: Strategic Moves and Market Position - TSMC's planned $100 billion investment in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing is a strategic move to mitigate production risks and navigate trade tensions [1][2] - The company serves major U.S. firms such as Nvidia, Apple, and AMD, highlighting its importance in the tech supply chain [2]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. stock markets are experiencing extreme volatility due to the imposition of new tariffs by the Trump administration, which has raised concerns about a potential global trade war and its impact on the U.S. economy [2][4]. Group 1: Market Overview - The baseline tariff of 10% was imposed on all imports starting April 5, 2025, with rates reaching as high as 145% for certain countries like China [2][3]. - The S&P 500 index is currently in correction territory, having declined by 8.6% year to date, and was trading close to bear market levels last week [5]. Group 2: Featured Stocks - A selection of stocks that have provided double-digit returns year to date includes American Water Works Co. Inc. (AWK), Exelon Corp. (EXC), CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP), The Progressive Corp. (PGR), and Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO), all carrying a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [6]. Group 3: American Water Works Co. Inc. (AWK) - AWK is benefiting from contributions from acquired assets and military contracts, with new water and wastewater rates enhancing performance [7]. - The company is expanding its operations through both organic and inorganic initiatives, with 17 pending acquisitions expected to add 24,200 customers [9]. - AWK has projected revenue and earnings growth rates of 1.6% and 6.1%, respectively, for the current year, with a recent 0.2% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate [10]. Group 4: Exelon Corp. (EXC) - Exelon's investments are aimed at strengthening its transmission and distribution infrastructure, with initiatives in grid modernization expected to enhance service reliability [11]. - The company anticipates revenue and earnings growth rates of 4.2% and 6.4%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.8% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 30 days [12]. Group 5: CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) - CNP is positioned to benefit from increasing electricity demand driven by the electrification of transportation and investments in renewable energy [13]. - The company has an expected revenue and earnings growth rate of 3.2% and 8%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.6% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 60 days [16]. Group 6: The Progressive Corp. (PGR) - PGR is experiencing growth due to higher premiums and a strong product portfolio, focusing on becoming a one-stop insurance destination [17]. - The expected revenue and earnings growth rates for PGR are 16.1% and 10.9%, respectively, with a 1% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last seven days [18]. Group 7: Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO) - BRO's growth trajectory is supported by a compelling portfolio and strategic initiatives that enhance its capabilities and geographic reach [19]. - The company has projected revenue and earnings growth rates of 8.4% and 9.1%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.2% improvement in the earnings consensus estimate over the last 30 days [20].

Market Overview - U.S. stock markets are experiencing extreme volatility in April due to the "Liberation Day" tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, with a baseline tariff of 10% on all imports and rates as high as 145% for certain countries like China [1][2] - The S&P 500 index is currently in correction territory, trading almost in bear market zone, with a year-to-date decline of 8.6% [3] Investment Opportunities - Despite the overall market downturn, a handful of S&P 500 stocks have provided double-digit returns year to date, with five recommended stocks carrying a favorable Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy): American Water Works Co. Inc. (AWK), Exelon Corp. (EXC), CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP), The Progressive Corp. (PGR), and Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO) [4] American Water Works Co. Inc. (AWK) - AWK is benefiting from contributions from acquired assets and military contracts, with new water and wastewater rates boosting performance [8] - The company is expanding operations through organic and inorganic initiatives, with 17 pending acquisitions expected to add 24,200 customers [10] - AWK has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 1.6% and 6.1%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last seven days [11] Exelon Corp. (EXC) - Exelon's investments are aimed at strengthening its transmission and distribution infrastructure, with initiatives in grid modernization improving operational resilience [12] - The company has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 4.2% and 6.4%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.8% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [13] CenterPoint Energy Inc. (CNP) - CNP is positioned to benefit from increasing electricity demand due to the electrification of transportation and investments in renewable energy [14] - The company has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 3.2% and 8%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.6% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 60 days [17] The Progressive Corp. (PGR) - PGR is gaining from higher premiums and a strong product portfolio, focusing on becoming a one-stop insurance destination [18] - The company has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 16.1% and 10.9%, respectively, for the current year, with a 1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last seven days [19] Brown & Brown Inc. (BRO) - BRO's growth trajectory is driven by organic and inorganic initiatives, enhancing its capabilities and geographic reach [20] - The company has expected revenue and earnings growth rates of 8.4% and 9.1%, respectively, for the current year, with a 0.2% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings over the last 30 days [22]

Roughly four out of five S&P 500 (^GSPC 9.52%) stocks are in negative territory in 2025. Most of those stocks weren't immune to the meltdown that occurred in recent days following President Trump's "Liberation Day" announcement of steep reciprocal tariffs. However, most doesn't mean all. At least one S&P 500 stock soared as the market plunged. What is this outlier -- and is it still a smart pick to buy?Going against the grainUnitedHealth Group (UNH 4.73%) has delivered a solid gain this year. Shares of the ...