you. We're joined now by Schwab's chief investment strategist, Liz Anne Saunders. It's good to see you.Um, we're not that far away from new highs and you can thank the growth factor for getting us there, can't you. Yeah. So, that's been interesting.Momentum has certainly picked up as a factor doing well and that's not surprising when you get these kind of rip higher rallies. But aside from that, which isn't really a fundamental factor, it's more like a concept. It just means that stocks that have been worki ...

Investment Ratings - CICC-H: Buy [1] - FUTU: Neutral [1] - Hundsun: Buy [1] - East Money: Sell [2] Core Insights - Broker and fintech stocks have shown strong performance since May, with average returns of +27% for brokers and +9% for fintech, compared to +8% and +3% for the H/A share index [1] - Positive changes in Average Daily Trading Volume (ADTV) and turnover rates, along with growth in the Hong Kong market, are expected to drive earnings improvement [1][4] - Earnings forecasts for CICC, Hundsun, FUTU, GFS, and CITICS have been revised upwards by an average of 7% for 2025 [1][31] Summary by Sections Stock Selection Preferences - Preference for brokers with greater exposure to the Hong Kong market, such as CICC-H, while maintaining a Neutral rating on FUTU due to limited excess earnings growth [2] - For fintech, Hundsun is preferred over East Money due to fundamental factors, including recovery in non-core revenue supported by investments [2][26] Market Trends and Revisions - ADTV and turnover rates have recovered since June, primarily due to the easing of tariff shocks [4][12] - Continued increase in ETF market share is expected to impact East Money's profitability negatively [26] Earnings Forecasts - CICC's net profit forecast for 2025 has been raised by 13%, reflecting anticipated growth in Hong Kong investment banking revenue [17][22] - FUTU's earnings forecast has been slightly raised by 1% for 2025, driven by reduced customer acquisition costs [21][22] - Hundsun's net profit forecast for 2025 has been increased by 13% due to higher investment income [31] Valuation and Price Targets - CICC-H has a target price of HK$ 17.58 based on a 10x 2026E P/E [36] - FUTU's target price is set at US$ 111.79 based on an 18x 2026E P/E [36] - Hundsun's target price is Rmb 32.04, reflecting its market presence and sustainable customer relationships [46]

Group 1 - Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK) has seen a 5.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) has experienced a significant 96.8% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Carlsberg A/S (CABGY) has recorded a 6.1% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) has seen nearly a 6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - DNB Bank ASA (DNBBY) has experienced an 8.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3]

Ryder System (R) 2025 Conference Summary Company Overview - Ryder System Inc. is a Fortune 500 company with revenues just under $13 billion and has been in operation for 92 years [2][3] - The company operates in the transportation logistics outsourcing business across North America, including the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, employing approximately 50,000 workers [3][4] Core Business Segments - Ryder's services include truck rentals, fleet leasing, dedicated transportation, and supply chain logistics, with a fleet of about 250,000 vehicles and 330 distribution centers covering 100 million square feet [4][5] - Recent expansions include e-commerce fulfillment and co-manufacturing services [5] Business Transformation - Over the past five years, Ryder has focused on derisking its leasing business, improving profitability, and shifting towards more asset-light operations [6][7] - The revenue contribution from supply chain and dedicated services increased from 45% in 2018 to approximately 60% in 2025 [8] - Earnings per share are projected to be between $12.85 and $13.6 in 2025, nearly double the earnings from 2018 [8] Financial Metrics - Return on equity (ROE) is expected to be between 16.5% and 17.5% in 2025, compared to 13% in 2018 [9] - Operating cash flow has significantly increased, with a target of generating $10 billion to $10.5 billion over three years [13] Strategic Initiatives - Ryder has identified $150 million in potential earnings improvements from strategic initiatives, with $100 million expected to be realized by the end of the year [10][11] - Additional $200 million in earnings improvement is anticipated as the economy and freight market recover [12] Capital Deployment - Ryder has approximately $13.5 billion available for capital deployment over three years, with plans to allocate $9 billion for vehicle replacements and $5 billion for dividends [14] - The remaining $4.3 billion will be used for growth, acquisitions, and share buybacks, with a focus on a balanced approach [14] Market Conditions and Outlook - The company is currently experiencing a soft rental market, with a decrease in rental fleet utilization and a wait-and-see approach from customers [29][30] - Ryder's rental fleet is down by about 8,000 to 9,000 units, indicating potential for earnings recovery as market conditions improve [28] - The used vehicle market is expected to stabilize as new truck orders decline, which could lead to increased prices for used trucks [36][37] Challenges and Risks - The ongoing freight recession has created uncertainty, affecting customer decision-making and delaying long-term contracts [25][30] - Interest rates and inflation have increased truck costs by 45% since 2018, impacting leasing and rental pricing strategies [22] Future Expectations - Ryder anticipates a gradual recovery in the rental market and expects to flush out aged inventory by the end of Q2 2025 [34] - The company aims to achieve a long-term target of 2,000 to 4,000 net unit additions annually, contingent on market recovery [56][57] Conclusion - Ryder System is positioned for growth through strategic initiatives and capital deployment, despite current market challenges. The focus remains on improving operational efficiency and adapting to changing market conditions while maintaining a strong balance sheet.

Market Sentiment and Support - Indian markets are positioned well amid global uncertainties, with Asia and GEM funds increasing their positions in India[1] - Domestic policy support is strong, with government capital expenditure reaching a record high in Q1 2025 and the central bank cutting benchmark rates by 50bps and cash reserve ratio by 100bps[2] Earnings Growth Outlook - Q1 2025 earnings for FTSE India (excluding commodities) showed a 10% year-on-year increase, a recovery from previous quarters[3] - Despite the positive Q1 results, a sustained recovery in earnings growth is expected to take several more quarters, with consensus estimates for 2025 earnings growth at 11%[4] Sector Performance - Strong growth was reported in industrials, healthcare, and telecom, while consumer discretionary saw a 14% EPS growth driven by retail and services[3] - FMCG companies faced challenges with weak demand and increased competition, leading to low single-digit growth in that sector[3] Investment Strategy - The report recommends five stocks: Godrej Consumer Products (GCPL), United Phosphorus Limited (UPL), GAIL, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, and HDFC Life, focusing on those with good growth potential[5] - GCPL is noted for its innovation and market share gains in home insecticides, while UPL is expected to recover due to improved margins and lower debt[6] Valuation and Risks - The Sensex index target for the end of 2025 is set at 82,240, indicating a neutral stance on Indian equities from an Asian perspective[7] - Elevated valuations and concerns about growth outlook remain, despite recent market rebounds[5]

Core Viewpoint - Intuit (NASDAQ: INTU) is expected to achieve attractive earnings growth in the coming years, driven by the rapid adoption of TurboTax Live and successful expansion into the mid/up-market with QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA) [1] Company Analysis - The investment approach focuses on understanding the core economics of a business, including its competitive moat, unit economics, reinvestment runway, and management quality, which are crucial for long-term free cash flow generation and shareholder value creation [1] - Intuit is positioned in sectors with strong secular tailwinds, indicating a favorable market environment for growth [1] Investment Philosophy - The analysis emphasizes the importance of identifying businesses with the potential to scale over time and unlock significant terminal value [1] - The goal is to provide analytical and accessible insights that help investors focus on what drives long-term equity value [1]

Core Insights - Leidos Holdings Inc. (LDOS) has seen a year-to-date share price increase of 3.1%, outperforming the S&P 500's return of 0.1%, but underperforming the Zacks Aerospace-Defense industry's growth of 17.5% and the broader Zacks Aerospace sector's appreciation of 18.6% [1][2] Group 1: Stock Performance and Backlog - The company ended Q1 2025 with a backlog of $46.30 billion, up from $43.55 billion in the previous quarter, indicating strong demand for its products across various industries [4] - The improved backlog is expected to bolster future revenue generation prospects, enhancing investor confidence in the stock's profitability [5] Group 2: Financial Health - Leidos Holdings reported cash and cash equivalents of $0.84 billion and current debt of $0.12 billion at the end of Q1 2025, indicating a strong solvency position [6] - The current ratio of 1.54 as of April 4, 2025, suggests the company has sufficient capital to meet short-term debt obligations [6] Group 3: Growth Prospects - The macroeconomic and geopolitical environment is favorable for Leidos Holdings, with increased defense spending anticipated, including a proposed 13% increase in the defense budget to $1.01 trillion for fiscal 2026 [7] - The company is well-positioned to contribute to the "Golden Dome" missile defense initiative, which aligns with its advanced air and missile defense capabilities [9] Group 4: Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 sales suggests improvements of 2.7% and 3.2% year-over-year, respectively [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings per share for 2025 and 2026 has been revised upward by 1.8% and 1%, respectively, indicating growing analyst confidence in the stock's earnings growth capabilities [11] Group 5: Valuation - Leidos Holdings has a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.49X, which is a discount compared to the industry average of 26.42X, suggesting a lower price relative to expected earnings growth [16] - Other industry peers, such as RTX and Northrop Grumman, are also trading at discounts to the industry average [17] Group 6: Investment Consideration - Investors may consider adding LDOS to their portfolio due to its discounted valuation, long-term growth prospects, and upward revisions in earnings estimates [18] - The company holds a VGM Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating strong performance potential [20]

Core Viewpoint - Booz Allen Hamilton's shares have experienced significant volatility following a downgrade by Goldman Sachs, reflecting concerns over medium-term earnings growth and revenue projections [1][2][3] Group 1: Stock Performance - Shares of Booz Allen Hamilton fell by as much as 4.9% before recovering slightly to a 4% decline [1] - The stock had previously sold off by a double-digit percentage after the fiscal-fourth-quarter earnings release [1] Group 2: Analyst Downgrade - Goldman Sachs downgraded Booz Allen Hamilton from neutral to sell, lowering the price target from $108 to $94 [2] - The current stock price is noted at $104.75 [2] Group 3: Earnings Growth Outlook - Goldman Sachs analysts project medium-term earnings growth for Booz Allen as "flat," with revenue growth expected between 0% and 4% for fiscal 2026, down from 12.4% last year [3] - Adjusted earnings are projected to be in the range of $6.20 to $6.55, compared to $6.35 last year [3] Group 4: Long-term Growth Potential - Despite short-term challenges, there is a high likelihood that Booz Allen's growth will resume after this year, particularly if the civil business stabilizes [6][7] - The defense and intelligence sectors, which account for 65% of revenue, are expected to grow in double digits, supporting overall company growth [6] - Historically, Booz Allen has achieved an 11.7% organic growth rate over the past three years [6] - If growth resumes, the P/E multiple could return to the low-20s, which has been the average over the past decade [7]

Company Overview - Kemper is an insurance holding company based in Chicago, operating in the Finance sector, with a year-to-date share price change of -6.79% [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.07%, which is higher than the Insurance - Multi line industry's yield of 1.72% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.6% [3] Dividend Analysis - Kemper's annualized dividend of $1.28 has increased by 3.2% from the previous year, with two dividend increases over the last five years, averaging an annual increase of 0.69% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 20%, indicating that it pays out 20% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, Kemper anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $6.34 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 7.64% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - While high-growth firms and tech start-ups typically do not provide dividends, established companies like Kemper are viewed as attractive dividend options [7] - Kemper is recognized as a compelling investment opportunity, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [7]

Core Viewpoint - Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. has experienced significant stock appreciation following its latest quarterly results, outperforming the S&P 500 Index during the same period [1] Financial Performance - For the quarter ended March 29, 2025, Flanigan's reported total revenues of $53.6 million, an 11.6% increase from $48.1 million a year ago [2] - Net income attributable to BDL stockholders rose 38.5% to $2.7 million from $1.9 million, translating to earnings of $1.45 per diluted share, up 39.4% from $1.04 in the prior-year quarter [2] - Restaurant food and bar sales increased to $40.8 million, a 9.9% rise from $37.1 million, while package store sales surged 18.8% to $12.1 million from $10.1 million [2] Profitability and Margins - Gross profit from restaurant and bar operations increased 10.2% to $27.4 million, while package store gross profit rose 27.7% to $3.4 million [3] - The gross profit margin for restaurant food and bar sales increased to 67.23% from 67.09% year over year, and for package store sales, it rose to 28.06% from 26.11% [3] Pricing Strategy - Flanigan's implemented targeted menu price increases in late 2024 and early 2025 to counter inflationary pressures, with bar prices raised by approximately 5.63% in August 2024 and food prices by 4.14% in November 2024 [4] Operational Insights - The restaurant operations generated $4.7 million in operating income, up 18.6% from $4 million a year earlier, while the package store segment posted $1.3 million, up 67.1% from $0.8 million [5] - A new company-owned restaurant opened in Hollywood, FL in March 2024 contributed to revenue growth [6] Comparable Sales Growth - Comparable weekly restaurant food sales rose 5.9%, with company-owned restaurants seeing an 8.1% increase [7] - Weekly average same-store package liquor store sales increased 18.9% year over year [7] Future Outlook - Flanigan's anticipates continued revenue growth throughout fiscal 2025, driven by the full-year impact of price adjustments and stable demand [8] Cost Management - Payroll costs increased 8.1% to $16.2 million, but as a percentage of revenue, they declined to 30.2% from 31.1% year over year, indicating improved labor efficiency [10] - Overall costs as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 94.4% to 93.2% due to cost containment strategies [11] Capital Expenditures and Liquidity - Flanigan's invested $1.73 million in capital expenditures during the 26 weeks ended March 29, 2025, and entered a purchase agreement for baby back ribs valued at approximately $7.8 million for 2025 [13] - The company reported a healthy liquidity position with $22.9 million in cash as of March 29, 2025, up from $21.4 million as of September 28, 2024 [14]