Financial Sector Overview - The financial sector will be highlighted with Q2 results from major domestic banks on July 15, including JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo [1] - Several finance stocks have a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) and are worth considering beyond the three major banks [1] Major Regional Banks - The Zacks Banks-Major Regional Industry is in the top 5% of over 240 Zacks industries, with State Street and The Bank of New York Mellon as notable performers [2] - Both State Street and New York Mellon are expected to achieve double-digit EPS growth in fiscal 2025 and FY26, with anticipated Q2 earnings growth of 10% and 15% respectively [3] Operational Efficiency and Sales Growth - State Street and New York Mellon are expected to maintain industry-leading operational efficiency, having recently reached new 52-week highs and offering dividend yields over 2% [4] BlackRock's Performance - BlackRock, the world's largest asset manager, is projected to report a 12% year-over-year sales increase to $5.38 billion for Q2, with EPS expected to rise 5% to $10.86 [5] - BlackRock's annual earnings are expected to grow by 5% this year and by another 12% in fiscal 2026, reaching $51.75 per share, alongside an 11% sales growth in FY25 and a projected 15% increase in FY26 to $26.16 billion [6] Dividend and Stock Performance - BlackRock's stock is near a 52-week high of over $1,100, offering a 1.89% annual dividend yield, equating to $20.84 per share, with a payout ratio of 46% indicating potential for future dividend increases [9][10] Summary of Earnings Estimates - Ahead of their Q2 reports, State Street, The Bank of New York Mellon, and BlackRock stocks are positioned for potential gains, supported by positive earnings estimate revisions for FY25 and FY26 [11]

Interest Rate Outlook - Wells Fargo anticipates one rate cut in 2025 and one in 2026, suggesting a neutral rate around 100 basis points above inflation [3] - Piper Sandler suggests the economy needs rate cuts to broaden fundamental breadth beyond the largest companies and wealthiest consumers [7][13] - The market is already at all-time highs, priced for only a couple of cuts [4] Economic Indicators and Analysis - The economy is bifurcated, with housing and small caps showing weakness, while S&P 500 profits are at new highs [6][7] - US PMIs remain broadly in contraction territory [6] - Unemployment at 41%, and Q2 GDP tracking around 25% do not indicate an immediate need for Fed rate cuts [9] - Positive year-over-year earnings growth suggests no imminent recession or material slowdown [10] Earnings Growth - Consensus is tracking 5% to 6% earnings growth for Q2, potentially reaching 7% to 9% with beats, following Q1's 15% earnings growth [11] Market Performance - NASDAQ is at an all-time high, with Nvidia's market cap exceeding $4 trillion [1] - The market exhibits narrowness, with concerns about smaller companies and lower-income consumers being left behind [8][13]

Investment Rating - The report raises the S&P 500 return forecasts to +3% (6400), +6% (6600), and +11% (6900) for the next 3, 6, and 12 months respectively, indicating a positive outlook for the index [2][3]. Core Insights - The report attributes the revised forecasts to earlier and deeper Fed easing, lower bond yields, and the fundamental strength of large stocks, leading to a revised forward P/E forecast of 22x [2][8]. - EPS growth forecasts are maintained at +7% for both 2025 and 2026, but there are risks to these estimates due to the shifting tariff landscape [12][23]. - The report anticipates a broadening of the market rally in the coming months, despite current narrow market breadth, which is one of the lowest in decades [17][23]. Summary by Sections S&P 500 Forecasts - The S&P 500 return forecasts have been raised to +3% (6400), +6% (6600), and +11% (6900) for the next 3, 6, and 12 months respectively, up from previous targets of 5900, 6100, and 6500 [2][3]. - The report indicates that the new year-end S&P 500 forecast ranks at the upper end of strategist estimates [3]. Earnings and Valuation - The forward P/E forecast has been revised to 22x from 20.4x, supported by improved economic conditions and investor sentiment [8][12]. - EPS growth forecasts remain at +7% for both 2025 and 2026, with the report noting potential risks due to tariffs and inflation [12][23]. Market Dynamics - The report highlights a narrow market breadth, with the median S&P 500 constituent over 10% below its 52-week high, suggesting a potential for a "catch up" among laggards [17][23]. - The report expects that as the Fed resumes its cutting cycle, the market will likely see further upside, supported by neutral investor positioning [23][29]. Investment Recommendations - Three key investment strategies are recommended: 1. Balanced sector allocation with overweights in Software & Services, Materials, Utilities, Media & Entertainment, and Real Estate [38]. 2. Focus on Alternative Asset Managers, which have lagged despite an improving capital markets backdrop [45]. 3. Target companies with high floating rate debt, which are expected to benefit from lower bond yields [52].

Group 1: Recent Performance - Paypal (PYPL) closed at $75.03, reflecting a -1.51% change from the previous day, which is less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.07% [1] - Over the past month, Paypal's shares have appreciated by 3.58%, outperforming the Business Services sector's loss of 2.31% but lagging behind the S&P 500's gain of 3.94% [1] Group 2: Upcoming Earnings - Paypal's earnings report is scheduled for July 29, 2025, with analysts expecting earnings of $1.29 per share, indicating year-over-year growth of 8.4% [2] - The consensus estimate projects revenue of $8.09 billion, reflecting a 2.55% rise from the same quarter last year [2] Group 3: Fiscal Year Projections - For the entire fiscal year, earnings are projected at $5.08 per share and revenue at $32.73 billion, representing changes of +9.25% and +2.92% from the prior year, respectively [3] - Recent revisions to analyst forecasts for Paypal are important as they reflect near-term business trends, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3] Group 4: Valuation Metrics - Paypal has a Forward P/E ratio of 14.99, indicating a discount compared to its industry's Forward P/E of 17.12 [5] - The PEG ratio for Paypal is currently 1.24, while the Financial Transaction Services industry average is 1.32 [6] Group 5: Industry Ranking - The Financial Transaction Services industry, part of the Business Services sector, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 33, placing it in the top 14% of over 250 industries [6] - The Zacks Rank system, which measures the strength of individual industry groups, shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Are stocks primed for a second half surge or a disappointing six months ahead. Let's ask Trivariat founder and CEO Adam Parker, New Edge Wealth's Cameron Dawson, and Payne Capital Management's Courtney Garcia. Adam and Court are CNBC contributors.Welcome one, welcome all. All right, so we're reminded today, well, the tariff stuff's still out there. I mean, the market's not reacting all that terribly, is it.No, not really. I I mean if you go through the details I don't even know if anybody understands the di ...

Group 1: Company Overview - Landstar System, Inc. (LSTR) is currently facing multiple headwinds, making it an unimpressive investment option [1] - The company is experiencing reduced demand for freight services and increased truck capacity, leading to low shipment volumes and rates [1][8] - The truck transportation segment, a key area for LSTR, is underperforming, contributing to weak revenue outlooks [1][8] Group 2: Economic and Industry Challenges - High inflation continues to negatively impact consumer sentiment and growth expectations, affecting trucking companies' profitability [2] - The trucking industry is battling a persistent driver shortage, complicating recruitment efforts as older drivers retire [3] - LSTR's stock has declined by 21.1% year-to-date, underperforming the transportation-truck industry's overall decline of 18% [3][8] Group 3: Earnings Estimates and Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for LSTR's second-quarter 2025 earnings has been revised downward by 14.8% in the past 60 days, indicating a lack of confidence from brokers [7] - Earnings expectations for LSTR suggest a decline of 22.3% year-over-year for the second quarter of 2025 and an 11.3% decline for the full year [11] - LSTR has a weak earnings surprise history, lagging the Zacks Consensus Estimate in three of the last four quarters with an average miss of 3.34% [10] Group 4: Industry Ranking - The industry to which LSTR belongs has a Zacks Industry Rank of 244 out of 248 groups, placing it in the bottom 1% of Zacks industries [12] - The performance of the industry group significantly influences stock price movements, indicating that LSTR's prospects are tied to the overall industry performance [12]

Financial Performance - American Water's adjusted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations increased from $2.64 in 2015 to $2.84 in 2016[29] - The company affirms its 2017 guidance range for EPS to be $2.98 - $3.08[79] - The company anticipates a 7-10% EPS Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) through 2021, anchored off 2015 EPS[34] - The company's common dividends declared showed a CAGR of 10% from 2014 to 2017[35] - American Water's capital investment reached a record level of $1.3 billion in 2016 for regulated infrastructure[24] - Cash flow from operations increased by 8.2% from 2015 to 2016[77] Regulated Business - The company's regulated business remains the foundation of its long-term growth strategy[23] - The Illinois Commerce Commission approved a $35.2 million rate increase for American Water, authorizing a 9.79% Return on Equity (ROE)[41] - The company closed acquisitions serving approximately 42,000 customers and had pending acquisitions for approximately 40,000 customers in 2016[24] - The company's O&M efficiency ratio improved to 34.9% in 2016 and is targeting 32.5% by 2021[24, 50]

Core Insights - Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB) is a strong buy stock with a significant earnings beat of 273.3% in Q1 2025, with expectations for double-digit earnings growth this year [1][3][8] - The company operates in six vertical markets and has a workforce of 1,400 across 20 offices in the eastern United States [2] Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, Limbach reported earnings of $1.12, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.30, marking the tenth consecutive earnings surprise [3] - Revenue increased by 11.9% to $133.1 million from $119 million year-over-year [3] - The gross profit percentage rose to 27.6% from 26.1%, driven by higher-margin Owner Direct Relationships (ODR) work [5] Business Strategy - Limbach's strategy focuses on growing its ODR business, which saw a revenue increase of 21.7% to $90.4 million, accounting for 67.9% of total revenue [4] - The company anticipates an ODR mix shift to be between 70% and 80% for the year, with ODR revenue growth projected between 23% and 46% [7] Market Position - Limbach's shares have increased by 66% year-to-date, reaching new all-time highs, reflecting strong market confidence [8][10] - The company is positioned in the mission-critical building systems solutions industry, particularly benefiting from the demand in data centers [10] Analyst Outlook - Analysts have raised earnings estimates for Limbach, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing to $4.39 from $3.45, indicating a 21.9% growth compared to last year's earnings of $3.60 [7] - Earnings growth is forecasted at 12% over the next 3 to 5 years, making Limbach a notable growth and momentum stock in its industry [14]

Core Viewpoint - Fastenal, O'Reilly Automotive, and Interactive Brokers have all announced stock splits this year, prompting a comparison of their financial metrics, growth prospects, and valuations to determine the best investment choice among them [2][14]. Financials - O'Reilly Automotive generated revenue of $16.87 billion over the last 12 months, significantly higher than Fastenal's $7.61 billion and Interactive Brokers' $5.4 billion [4]. - In terms of net profit margin, Fastenal leads slightly with 15.1%, followed by Interactive Brokers at 14.7% and O'Reilly at 14.1% [5]. - Interactive Brokers has the strongest balance sheet, with a cash position of nearly $89.7 billion compared to its debt of $17.15 billion, while both Fastenal and O'Reilly have larger debt loads than their cash reserves [6]. Growth - Interactive Brokers experienced a revenue increase of 18.6% year over year in Q1 2025, with earnings rising by 21.7% [7]. - Fastenal's net sales grew by 3.4% year over year, with earnings up only 0.3%, while O'Reilly reported a revenue growth of 4% but a decline in earnings by 1.6% [8]. - Analysts project O'Reilly to deliver the highest earnings growth next year at 12.5%, compared to Fastenal's 9.8% and Interactive Brokers' 7.3% [9]. Valuation - Interactive Brokers has the lowest trailing 12-month price-to-earnings ratio and forward P/E multiple [10]. - O'Reilly has a lower price-to-earnings-to-growth (PEG) ratio than Fastenal, indicating a more attractive valuation based on future earnings growth projections [11]. Dividends - Fastenal is the dividend winner with a forward dividend yield of 2.13% and has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years [12]. - Interactive Brokers has a forward dividend yield of 0.63% and has only increased its dividend for two years, while O'Reilly does not currently offer a dividend [12]. Best Stock-Split Stock - The best choice among these stocks depends on the investor's style; Fastenal is recommended for income investors, while O'Reilly is viewed as the most attractively valued for growth investors [13][14].

Market Recovery & Geopolitical Impact - The markets have recovered all losses since the beginning of the conflict between Israel and Iran [1] - Geopolitical conflict means less to the market than it does to individual investors [8] - The market operates on how are things today relative to what was expected a couple of days ago [2] - Likelihood that everything's going to turn out okay is a fantastic way to invest in this market [9] Market Valuation & Earnings - S&P is trading at 23 times 2025 earnings [5] - Very moderate expectations for Q2, with about 4.9% expected earning growth [6] - The market is in a bull market and is expected to hit new highs [6][7] Investment Strategy & Market Sentiment - Large institutions are still a little bit underinvested [4] - The technology theme is working again [4] - Investors need to sit on their hands and not knee-jerk if they get some bad news [9]