Key Takeaways AMZN, CAH, LRN and EAT show high interest coverage ratios, signaling a solid financial footing for 2026.Stride's EPS and sales are forecast to grow 3.1% and 4.6% despite a 35.9% stock drop this year.Cardinal Health's EPS and sales are projected to grow 19.7% and 16.2%, with the stock up 75.3% in 2025.Equity markets entered the final week of 2025 with a cautious note on Monday, as major U.S. indices retreated from recent highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 249.04 points, or 0.51%, to c ...

Core Viewpoint - Carnival Corp has shown strong financial performance and growth in travel demand, yet its stock remains undervalued and has not reached pre-pandemic levels [1][2]. Financial Performance - Carnival's stock has increased by only 3% this year, with a modest five-year gain of 28% as of November 28 [2]. - The company reported all-time high financials in its last earnings report in September and raised its guidance for the year [7]. Debt Concerns - Carnival's long-term debt stands at $25.1 billion, a slight decrease from $25.9 billion nine months prior [3]. - The interest coverage ratio has improved since its decline in 2020 but remains below pre-pandemic levels, indicating ongoing concerns about the company's ability to manage its debt [4][6]. Demand and Market Conditions - Demand for Carnival cruises remains strong, with advanced bookings for 2026 matching those of 2025, despite rising prices [7]. - Economic uncertainties and potential recession fears may be causing investor caution regarding future demand, contributing to the stock's underperformance [8]. Valuation - Carnival's stock is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 11, significantly lower than the S&P 500 average of 22, suggesting it is undervalued [11]. - The company may still perform well even in challenging economic conditions due to its value proposition for travelers [12].

Core Insights - Investors should not rely solely on headline sales or earnings to assess a company's performance, especially in a challenging economic environment leading up to 2026 [1][2] - The interest coverage ratio is a critical indicator of a company's financial stability, reflecting its ability to service debt and sustain operations [2][5] Interest Coverage Ratio - The interest coverage ratio measures how effectively a company can pay interest charges on its debt, calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [4][5] - A higher interest coverage ratio indicates a stronger capacity to meet interest obligations, while a ratio below 1 suggests potential default risks [6][7] - Companies with high interest coverage ratios, such as Life Time Group Holdings, Cardinal Health, LeMaitre Vascular, and Flowserve, demonstrate better debt-servicing abilities [3][10] Company Performance - Life Time Group Holdings (LTH) has a projected sales growth of 13.8% and EPS growth of 57.9% for the current financial year, with shares rising 16.5% over the past year [12] - Cardinal Health (CAH) shows projected sales growth of 16.2% and EPS growth of 19.7%, with a significant stock increase of 73.3% in the past year [13] - LeMaitre Vascular (LMAT) anticipates sales growth of 12.9% and EPS growth of 30.1%, although its stock has declined by 21.3% in the past year [14] - Flowserve Corporation (FLS) expects sales growth of 4.6% and EPS growth of 31.9%, with a stock increase of 17.2% over the past year [15] Investment Strategy - A successful investment strategy should include stocks with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a favorable Zacks Rank, and a VGM Score of A or B [8][9]

Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a rally as the U.S. Senate made progress toward ending the government shutdown, which was crucial for restoring the flow of official data and improving investor sentiment [1][11] - The S&P 500 rose 1.5% to 6,832.43, the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.3% to 23,527.17, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.8% to 47,368.63 [2] Focus on Financially Resilient Stocks - Companies are often evaluated based on sales and earnings, but these metrics alone may not provide a complete picture of financial health [3] - A critical analysis of a company's financial background, particularly the Interest Coverage Ratio, is essential for informed investment decisions [4][7] - The Interest Coverage Ratio indicates a company's ability to pay interest on its debt, with a higher ratio suggesting a stronger financial position [5][8] Interest Coverage Ratio Insights - The Interest Coverage Ratio is calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [5] - A ratio below 1.0 indicates potential default risk, while a higher ratio suggests the company can withstand financial hardships [9] - Companies with strong interest coverage ratios highlighted include Life Time Group Holdings, Inc. (LTH), Cardinal Health, Inc. (CAH), McKesson Corporation (MCK), and Flowserve Corporation (FLS) [11] Company Performance Highlights - Life Time Group has a Zacks Rank of 2, with projected sales growth of 13.7% and EPS growth of 51.6% for the current financial year [16] - Cardinal Health also holds a Zacks Rank of 2, with sales and EPS growth estimates of 15.2% and 18.8%, respectively, and a significant stock increase of 66.3% over the past year [17] - McKesson Corporation, with a Zacks Rank of 2, anticipates sales and EPS growth of 13.8% and 15.6%, but has seen a stock decline of 16.1% in the past year [18] - Flowserve, also ranked 2, projects sales growth of 4.9% and EPS growth of 31.2%, with a stock increase of 15.3% over the past year [19]

RT The Hurdle Rate Podcast (@HurdleRatePod)Welcome back to The Hurdle Rate Podcast.Episode 33: Credit Ratings for Digital Capital.The crew is back covering Strategy's credit rating, how this could impact the insurance industry, interest coverage ration and industry credit ratings, what it will take for Bitcoin Treasury Company credit ratings to go higher, Mike Alfred, big volumes, and more.Here's the latest with @ColeMacro, @PunterJeff, @BenWerkman and @TimKotzman.0:30 - Welcome Back to The Hurdle Rate1:00 ...

Market Overview - U.S. equities reached record highs driven by optimism regarding trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average increasing by 337.47 points (0.71%) to close at 47,544.59, the S&P 500 rising by 1.23% to 6,875.16, and the Nasdaq Composite leading the rally with a 1.86% jump to 23,637.46 [1] Interest Coverage Ratio Importance - The interest coverage ratio is crucial for assessing a company's ability to meet its debt obligations, with a higher ratio indicating better financial health [2][5] - This ratio is calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense, providing insight into how many times a company can cover its interest payments from earnings [6][7] Company Analysis - Stride, Inc. (LRN), Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL), Encompass Health Corporation (EHC), and Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (BOOT) are highlighted for their strong interest coverage ratios, indicating robust financial health [4][11] - Stride has a projected EPS growth of 8.8% and a stock price increase of 67.6% over the past year [14] - Ralph Lauren is projected to have a 21.7% EPS growth and a stock price increase of 65.8% over the past year [15] - Encompass Health is expected to see a 19% EPS growth with a stock price rise of 27.2% over the past year [16] - Boot Barn is projected to achieve a 12.9% EPS growth and a stock price increase of 56.2% over the past year [17] Investment Strategy - A successful investment strategy should include companies with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a favorable Zacks Rank, and a VGM Score of A or B [9][12] - Stocks with a strong historical EPS growth and substantial trading volume are also recommended for better investment outcomes [10][12]

Core Insights - The U.S. stock market reacted positively to the Federal Reserve's decision to lower its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to a range of 4-4.25%, aiming to stimulate growth while managing inflation [1][11] - The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 124.10 points (0.27%) to 46,142.42, the S&P 500 rose by 31.61 points (0.48%) to 6,631.96, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 209.40 points (0.94%) to 22,470.72 [2] Interest Coverage Ratio - Companies with strong interest coverage ratios are expected to benefit from lower borrowing costs, as these ratios indicate a firm's ability to meet interest obligations comfortably [3][6] - The interest coverage ratio is calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense, and a ratio below 1 suggests potential default risk [5][8] - Companies highlighted for their strong interest coverage ratios include Stride, Inc. (LRN), Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL), Encompass Health Corporation (EHC), and The Progressive Corporation (PGR) [4][11] Company Performance and Projections - Stride, Inc. is projected to see sales and EPS growth of 11% and 5.9% respectively, with a stock price increase of 65.7% over the past year [14] - Ralph Lauren Corporation anticipates sales and EPS growth of 6% and 19.8% respectively, with a stock price increase of 69.4% over the past year [15] - Encompass Health Corporation expects sales and EPS growth of 10.2% and 18.3% respectively, with a stock price increase of 35.3% over the past year [16] - The Progressive Corporation projects sales and EPS growth of 16.4% and 26.8% respectively, although its stock price has declined by 6.7% over the past year [17] Investment Strategy - A successful investment strategy should include companies with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a favorable Zacks Rank, and a VGM Score of A or B [9][13] - Stocks that meet these criteria are likely to outperform in various market conditions, with a focus on those with strong historical EPS growth and substantial trading volume [10][12]

Market Overview - U.S. equity markets closed higher, driven by optimism over potential monetary easing despite concerns about softening labor data [1][2] - The S&P 500 rose by 0.83% to 6,502.08, the Nasdaq Composite increased by 0.98% to 21,707.69, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 350.06 points, or 0.77%, to settle at 45,621.29 [1] Economic Data - The ADP private payrolls report indicated only 54,000 jobs were added in August, significantly below the revised 106,000 jobs in July, suggesting a slowdown in job creation [2] - Despite the weak employment numbers, stock prices increased as traders interpreted the data as supportive of a potential rate cut by the Federal Reserve [2] Focus on Financially Resilient Stocks - In the current macroeconomic environment, it is crucial to focus on companies with strong financial fundamentals beyond just sales and earnings [3] - A critical analysis of a company's financial background, including coverage ratios, is essential for informed investment decisions [4] Interest Coverage Ratio - The Interest Coverage Ratio is a key indicator of a company's ability to pay interest on its debt, calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [5][6] - Companies with strong interest coverage ratios, such as Vertiv Holdings, Stride, Ralph Lauren, and The Cheesecake Factory, are highlighted for their financial resilience [10] Company Performance - Vertiv Holdings: Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates sales and EPS growth of 24.5% and 34% respectively, with shares advancing 75.2% in the past year [14] - Stride, Inc.: Expected sales and EPS growth of 11% and 5.9% respectively, with a stock increase of 104.1% in the past year [15] - Ralph Lauren Corporation: Anticipated sales and EPS growth of 6% and 19.8% respectively, with shares rising 85.6% in the past year [16] - The Cheesecake Factory: Projected sales and EPS growth of 5.1% and 9.6% respectively, with a stock increase of 63.1% in the past year [17]

Market Overview - Recent market pullback due to new tariffs and a slowdown in job growth has shaken investor confidence, with July nonfarm payrolls rising by only 73,000, significantly below expectations [1] - June's job numbers were revised downward, indicating a weaker labor market than previously thought [1] - Renewed trade tensions have fueled expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut and increased risk aversion, leading to sharp declines in major indices [1] Importance of Financial Health - Investors should not rely solely on stock price movements; understanding a company's fundamentals is crucial for informed decision-making in an unpredictable market [2] - Sales and earnings metrics can be misleading; the interest coverage ratio is a key indicator of a company's ability to meet financial obligations [3][4] Interest Coverage Ratio - The interest coverage ratio measures how effectively a company can pay interest on its debt, calculated as Earnings before Interest & Taxes (EBIT) divided by Interest Expense [5] - A higher interest coverage ratio indicates a greater ability to meet financial commitments, while a ratio below 1 suggests potential default risks [6][7] - Companies with strong interest coverage ratios include The Walt Disney Company, BJ's Wholesale Club, Ralph Lauren, and McKesson Corporation, all of which demonstrate solid debt-servicing capabilities [9][11] Investment Strategy - A favorable investment strategy includes selecting stocks with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, and a VGM Score of A or B [8][10] - The selected companies have shown strong earnings surprises and are projected to grow sales and earnings in the coming year [9][11] Company Performance Highlights - **Walt Disney Company**: Zacks Rank 2, VGM Score B, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.4% and projected sales and EPS growth of 4% and 16.3% respectively [12] - **BJ's Wholesale Club**: Zacks Rank 2, VGM Score B, trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 17.7%, with projected sales and EPS growth of 5.5% and 6.2% respectively [13] - **Ralph Lauren**: Zacks Rank 2, VGM Score B, trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9%, with projected sales and EPS growth of 3.8% and 11.8% respectively [14] - **McKesson Corporation**: Zacks Rank 2, VGM Score A, trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 3.9%, with projected sales and EPS growth of 13.1% and 12.7% respectively [15]

Core Insights - Investors should conduct a thorough analysis of a company's financial background rather than relying solely on real-time stock numbers to make informed investment decisions [1] - The interest coverage ratio is a critical metric that indicates a company's ability to meet its interest obligations, with a higher ratio suggesting better financial health [4][5] Company Performance - Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) has an impressive interest coverage ratio and has gained 56.2% over the past year, with a projected EPS growth of 22.2% [10][12] - Ingredion Incorporated (INGR) also shows strong performance with a Zacks Rank of 2, a VGM Score of A, and a projected EPS growth of 6.8%, having risen 11% in the past year [10][12] - The Walt Disney Company (DIS) carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a projected EPS growth of 16.3%, with a stock increase of 29% in the past year [10][13] - Hudbay Minerals Inc. (HBM) has a robust interest coverage ratio and is projected to have an EPS growth of 43.8%, with shares rising 20.4% in the past year [10][15] Investment Strategy - A favorable investment strategy includes selecting stocks with an interest coverage ratio above the industry average, a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, and a VGM Score of A or B for optimal results [8][11] - Additional criteria for stock selection include a minimum price of $5, strong historical and projected EPS growth compared to the industry median, and substantial trading volume [9][10]