Few stocks are being debated as much as Nike (NYSE: NKE ) this year. Leaving aside big tech and AI plays, I think that Nike, together with Hershey ( HSY ), Starbucks ( SBUX ), and Intel (I focus on long term growth and dividend growth investing. I follow both the US and the European stock markets, looking for undervalued stock and/or for high quality dividend growing companies that provide me with cash to reinvest. Over time, I have come to realize that profitability is a much safer driver of gains than low ...

Key Takeaways EXPD, FDX, and DAL announced dividend hikes of 5.5%, 5.1%, and 25%, respectively, in 2025. Each stock maintains a payout ratio under 60% and a track record of five-year dividend growth. Sector headwinds persist, but growing dividends highlight shareholder-focused capital strategies.The widely diversified Zacks Transportation sector is facing multiple headwinds, ranging from escalated expenses, inflation-induced elevated interest rates, a downturn in freight demand and supply-chain woes. Geop ...

Core Viewpoint - The Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) is a popular choice for investors, tracking the CRSP US Large Cap Growth Index, which includes growth stocks from the S&P 500 [1] Group 1: ETF Composition and Performance - The Vanguard Growth ETF holds approximately 166 stocks, while its value counterpart, the Vanguard Value ETF (VTV), contains 331 stocks [2] - The Vanguard Growth ETF is heavily weighted in technology, with tech stocks making up 58.5% of its portfolio, and its top three holdings—Microsoft, Nvidia, and Apple—account for nearly 32% of its total holdings [3] - Over the past decade, the Vanguard Growth ETF has achieved an average annual return of 15.3%, outperforming the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (12.8%) and the Vanguard Value ETF (10%) [5] Group 2: Comparison with Invesco QQQ Trust - The Invesco QQQ Trust has outperformed both the Vanguard 500 ETF and the Vanguard Growth ETF over the past decade, generating an average annual return of 17.7% [7] - The Invesco QQQ Trust is also tech-heavy, with 57.2% of its portfolio in the technology sector, but is less top-heavy than the Vanguard Growth ETF, with its top three holdings representing less than 25% of its portfolio [10] - The top holdings of the Vanguard Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust are similar, but the weightings differ, with Microsoft at 11.3%, Nvidia at 10.3%, and Apple at 10.1% for Vanguard Growth, compared to 8.8%, 8.7%, and 7.3% for Invesco QQQ [11] Group 3: Investment Strategy - Both the Vanguard Growth ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust are suitable for growth investors, but the Invesco QQQ Trust is preferred due to its superior performance and less concentration in top holdings [12]

I am focused on growth and dividend income. My personal strategy revolves around setting myself up for an easy retirement by creating a portfolio which focuses on compounding dividend income and growth. Dividends are an intricate part of my strategy as I have structured my portfolio to have monthly dividend income which grows through dividend reinvestment and yearly increases. Feel free to reach out to me on Seeking AlphaAnalyst’s Disclosure:I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of SOFI, MS eit ...

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks have the potential to generate significantly higher returns compared to value or dividend stocks over the long term, attracting investors due to their operational expansion and innovation capabilities [1] Group 1: Performance of Growth Stocks - Amazon and Nvidia have shown exceptional performance, with returns of 12,000% and over 60,000% respectively over the past 20 years, indicating the potential for substantial wealth creation through growth stock investments [2] - The Invesco QQQ Trust ETF provides exposure to the top 100 nonfinancial stocks in the Nasdaq, including major players like Amazon and Nvidia, making it easier for investors to access growth stocks without needing to pick individual winners [3][5] Group 2: Composition and Strategy of Invesco QQQ Trust - The Invesco QQQ Trust is heavily weighted towards technology stocks, which make up 57% of its holdings, while also including 20% in consumer discretionary stocks, thus diversifying its portfolio [6] - The ETF has outperformed the S&P 500 over the past decade, achieving a 430% return and an average compound annual growth rate of over 18% [7] Group 3: Future Growth Expectations - While past performance has been strong, future returns may be more modest, with a suggested long-term average growth rate closer to 10%, similar to the S&P 500 [10] - A $30,000 investment in the Invesco QQQ Trust could grow significantly over time, with projections showing potential values ranging from approximately $398,030 to $2,162,055 over 35 years at varying growth rates [11] Group 4: Investment Strategy - The Invesco QQQ Trust represents a "buy-and-forget" investment strategy, allowing investors to benefit from compounding returns by simply investing and holding the fund over the long term [12]

Core Insights - The utilities sector began 2025 strong, ranking high among sectors as a safe haven during market volatility and decreasing expectations for rate cuts [1] - Recently, the sector has underperformed as market sentiment has shifted back towards risk-on assets [1] - Concerns regarding tariffs and broader questions about returns are impacting the sector's performance [1]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors identify stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four main types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] - Value Score identifies undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score assesses a company's future growth potential based on earnings and sales [4] - Momentum Score evaluates stocks based on recent price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] - VGM Score combines all three styles to highlight stocks with the best overall characteristics [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically outperformed the S&P 500, achieving an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988 [8] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9] Company Spotlight: Federated Hermes - Federated Hermes, Inc. is a global asset manager with $839.8 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025 [11] - The company currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of B, indicating solid performance metrics [11] - Recent analyst revisions have increased the earnings estimate for fiscal 2025 by $0.42 to $4.33 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 13.1% [12]

Over the years, I have come to appreciate railroads as an analyst/investor and their application to the daily lives of consumers. My fascination is for a couple of reasons.Hi, my name is Kody. Aside from my articles here on Seeking Alpha, I am also a regular contributor to Sure Dividend, The Dividend Kings, and iREIT+Hoya Capital. I have been investing since September 2017 (age 20) and interested in dividend investing since about 2009.Since July 2018, I have ran Kody's Dividends. This is a blog that is docu ...

Core Viewpoint - Investors are increasingly seeking growth stocks that demonstrate above-average growth potential, particularly in the financial sector, to achieve exceptional returns, although identifying such stocks can be challenging due to inherent volatility and risks [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Palomar (PLMR) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank, indicating strong growth prospects [2]. - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 54%, with projected EPS growth of 39.3% for the current year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 3.1% [5]. Group 2: Financial Metrics - Palomar's year-over-year cash flow growth stands at 45.1%, well above the industry average of 14.4%, indicating strong cash accumulation that supports new project undertakings [6]. - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 25.5%, compared to the industry average of 11.5%, showcasing consistent performance [7]. Group 3: Earnings Estimates - Positive trends in earnings estimate revisions are crucial for validating a stock's performance, with Palomar's current-year earnings estimates having increased by 2.5% over the past month [9]. - The combination of a Growth Score of B and a Zacks Rank 1 positions Palomar favorably for potential outperformance, making it an attractive option for growth investors [11].

Core Insights - Kingstone Companies (KINS) shares have declined 2.7% year-to-date, underperforming the industry increase of 6.6% and trading at a discount to its 52-week high [1][8] - The company is the 12th largest homeowner insurer in New York with a market share of 2.1% and a market capitalization of $210 million [3] - KINS shares are trading at a premium to the industry with a price-to-book value of 2.45X compared to the industry average of 1.56X [6] Financial Performance - The 2025 EPS outlook is projected between $1.75 and $2.15, reflecting growth driven by rising premiums and strict underwriting [8][10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 earnings is $1.90, indicating a 31% increase on revenues of $214 million, with 2026 earnings expected to be $2.45, a 29% increase on revenues of $238.4 million [10] - Kingstone returned to profitability in 2024 with a projected combined ratio of 81%-85% in 2025, showing significant improvement in net margins [15] Market Position and Strategy - Kingstone is positioned to benefit from favorable industry trends, particularly with the Northeastern U.S. commercial insurance market expected to grow by 12.3% through 2025 [12] - The company is executing a focused growth strategy by concentrating on its core business and divesting from non-core segments [13] - Kingstone has realigned its pricing strategy in response to inflation, projecting a 15% to 25% increase in direct written premiums for its core business in 2025 [14] Efficiency and Returns - The return on equity (ROE) for Kingstone in the trailing 12 months was 31.9%, significantly higher than the industry average of 7.8% [16] - The return on invested capital (ROIC) was 29.4%, also above the industry average of 5.9%, indicating effective utilization of funds [18] Growth Potential - Kingstone's focus on improving pricing, combined ratio, and expanding margins is expected to drive strong earnings growth [19] - The average target price for KINS shares is $19, reflecting a 26.7% upside potential from its last closing price [19]