Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, Shinhan Financial Group, and PTC [1][2][3] Group 1: Zurn Elkay Water Solutions - Zurn Elkay Water Solutions Corporation (ZWS) has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 6.7% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 2.40, which is lower than the industry average of 4.92, and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 2: Shinhan Financial Group - Shinhan Financial Group Co. (SHG) is the largest financial services company in Korea and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 7.1% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.54 compared to the industry average of 1.02, and it also possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: PTC - PTC (PTC) is a software company operating in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific, with a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 9.9% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.77, which is lower than the industry average of 2.50, and it possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - NWPX Infrastructure (NWPX) is currently more attractive to value investors compared to Knife River (KNF) based on various financial metrics and analyst outlooks [1][3][7] Valuation Metrics - NWPX has a forward P/E ratio of 16.82, while KNF has a significantly higher forward P/E of 27.81 [5] - The PEG ratio for NWPX is 3.36, indicating a more favorable expected EPS growth rate compared to KNF's PEG ratio of 6.44 [5] - NWPX's P/B ratio stands at 1.26, contrasting with KNF's P/B ratio of 3.43, suggesting that NWPX is undervalued relative to its book value [6] Analyst Outlook - NWPX holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revisions, while KNF has a Zacks Rank of 5 (Strong Sell), reflecting a less favorable analyst outlook [3][7] - The Value grade for NWPX is B, whereas KNF has a Value grade of F, further supporting the conclusion that NWPX is the superior option for value investors [6][7]

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of various valuation metrics, particularly focusing on the price-to-book (P/B) ratio as a tool for identifying undervalued stocks with high growth potential [1][5][9]. Valuation Metrics - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is often the first metric considered, but it becomes negative for loss-making companies, making the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio a more relevant indicator in such cases [1]. - The P/B ratio is calculated by dividing the current stock price by the book value per share, helping investors understand how much they pay for each dollar of book value [2][5]. - A P/B ratio of less than one indicates that a stock is trading below its book value, suggesting it may be undervalued and a good buy [5][6]. Book Value - Book value represents the total value left for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities [3][4]. - It is calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets, and in some cases, intangible assets should also be deducted [4]. Stock Examples - StoneCo (STNE), CVS Health (CVS), KT Corporation (KT), KB Financial Group (KB), and USANA Health Sciences (USNA) are highlighted as stocks with low P/B ratios and strong growth potential [9][15][16][18][19]. - STNE has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 25.3% and a Zacks Rank of 1, while CVS has a projected EPS growth rate of 11.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [15][16]. Screening Parameters - Stocks are screened based on several parameters, including P/B, P/S, P/E ratios, PEG ratio, trading price, average volume, Zacks Rank, and Value Score [11][12][13][14]. - A PEG ratio of less than 1 indicates that a stock is undervalued relative to its growth prospects [13]. Limitations of P/B Ratio - The P/B ratio is most useful for companies in finance, investments, and manufacturing with tangible assets, but may be misleading for firms with high R&D expenditures or significant debt [8].

Core Insights - Marubeni Corp. (MARUY) has a stronger Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) compared to ITT's Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a more favorable earnings estimate revision trend for MARUY [3] - Value investors are encouraged to consider various valuation metrics to assess whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels [3][4] Valuation Metrics - MARUY has a forward P/E ratio of 9.19, significantly lower than ITT's forward P/E of 25.42, suggesting that MARUY may be undervalued [5] - The PEG ratio for MARUY is 1.42, while ITT's PEG ratio is 2.06, indicating that MARUY has a better balance between its price and expected earnings growth [5] - MARUY's P/B ratio stands at 1.35, compared to ITT's P/B of 4.99, further supporting the notion that MARUY is more attractively valued [6] Conclusion - Given the stronger estimate revision activity and more favorable valuation metrics, MARUY is positioned as the superior option for value investors compared to ITT [7]

Group 1: Primoris Services (PRIM) - Primoris Services operates as one of the largest specialty contractors and infrastructure companies in the United States [1] - The company carries a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 0.9% over the last 60 days [1] - Primoris has a PEG ratio of 1.57 compared to 3.83 for the industry [2] - The company possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Afya (AFYA) - Afya is a medical education group primarily in Brazil [2] - The company carries a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [2] - Afya has a PEG ratio of 0.47 compared to 0.82 for the industry [2] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Jabil (JBL) - Jabil is one of the largest global suppliers of electronic manufacturing services [3] - The company carries a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 5.2% over the last 60 days [3] - Jabil has a PEG ratio of 1.41 compared to 1.95 for the industry [3] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Viewpoint - KB Financial (KB) is currently more attractive to value investors compared to Sumitomo Mitsui (SMFG) based on various financial metrics and analyst outlooks [1][3][7] Valuation Metrics - KB has a forward P/E ratio of 7.20, while SMFG has a forward P/E of 10.89 [5] - KB's PEG ratio is 0.61, indicating better expected EPS growth relative to its valuation compared to SMFG's PEG ratio of 0.67 [5] - KB's P/B ratio stands at 0.74, compared to SMFG's P/B of 0.90, suggesting KB is undervalued relative to its book value [6] Analyst Outlook - KB has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating positive earnings estimate revision trends, while SMFG has a Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) [3][7] - The stronger estimate revision activity for KB suggests a more favorable analyst outlook compared to SMFG [7] Value Grades - KB has received a Value grade of A, while SMFG has a Value grade of C, reflecting KB's superior valuation metrics [6]

Group 1: European Wax Center, Inc. (EWCZ) - The company operates out-of-home waxing services and has a Zacks Rank of 1 [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 96.8% over the last 60 days [1] - The PEG ratio is 0.47, significantly lower than the industry average of 3.43, and it has a Growth Score of B [1] Group 2: Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL) - Dell provides information technology solutions, products, and services, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has risen by 6.4% over the last 60 days [2] - The PEG ratio stands at 1.06, compared to the industry average of 1.35, with a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Ahold N.V. (ADRNY) - Ahold operates retail food stores and e-commerce, also carrying a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 4.1% over the last 60 days [3] - The PEG ratio is 1.66, lower than the industry average of 2.34, and it has a Growth Score of A [3]

Core Insights - Great Lakes Dredge & Dock (GLDD) and Dycom Industries (DY) are both strong candidates for value investors in the Building Products - Heavy Construction sector [1] - Both companies currently hold a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook due to favorable analyst estimate revisions [3] Valuation Metrics - GLDD has a forward P/E ratio of 12.61, while DY has a forward P/E of 26.19, suggesting GLDD may be undervalued compared to DY [5] - The PEG ratio for GLDD is 1.05, indicating a more favorable valuation relative to its expected earnings growth compared to DY's PEG ratio of 1.43 [5] - GLDD's P/B ratio is 1.69, significantly lower than DY's P/B of 5.72, further supporting GLDD's position as a more attractive value option [6] Value Grades - GLDD has received a Value grade of A, while DY has a Value grade of D, highlighting GLDD's superior valuation metrics [6]

Core Insights - In times of market volatility, investors often prefer value investing, seizing opportunities to buy undervalued stocks as others sell at lower prices [1][2] Value Investment Strategy - Value investing can lead to "value traps" where stocks underperform due to persistent issues rather than temporary problems [3] - Key metrics for identifying value stocks include dividend yield, P/E ratio, and P/B ratio [3] Importance of PEG Ratio - The PEG ratio, defined as (Price/Earnings)/Earnings Growth Rate, is a crucial metric for assessing a stock's intrinsic value [4][5] - A low PEG ratio is favorable for value investors, but it has limitations, such as not accounting for changing growth rates [5] Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Effective screening criteria for value stocks include a PEG ratio less than the industry median, a P/E ratio below the industry median, Zacks Rank 1 or 2, market capitalization over $1 billion, average 20-day volume greater than 50,000, and upward earnings estimate revisions greater than 5% [6] Selected Stocks - Carnival Corporation (CCL) has a five-year growth rate of 28.5% and a Zacks Rank 2 with a Value Score of A [7][9] - Harmony Gold Mining (HMY) shows a long-term historical growth rate of 73.4%, a Zacks Rank 1, and a Value Score of B [7][10][11] - Dollar Tree (DLTR) has a five-year expected growth rate of 6.7% and a Zacks Rank 2 with a Value Score of B [7][12][13] - Greif, Inc. (GEF) has a long-term expected earnings growth rate of 9.9%, a Value Score of A, and a Zacks Rank of 1 [7][14]

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of value investing and highlights HudBay Minerals (HBM) as a strong value stock opportunity based on its Zacks Rank and valuation metrics [2][5]. Valuation Metrics - HudBay Minerals (HBM) has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and an A grade for Value, indicating it is among the best value stocks currently available [2]. - HBM's PEG ratio is 0.28, which is lower than the industry average of 0.36, suggesting it may be undervalued relative to its expected earnings growth [3]. - The P/S ratio for HBM is 1.89, significantly lower than the industry average of 3.07, reinforcing the notion that HBM is undervalued [4]. Earnings Outlook - The strong earnings outlook for HBM, combined with its favorable valuation metrics, positions it as an impressive value stock at the moment [5].