Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill their potential is challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Chefs' Warehouse (CHEF) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company operates in the specialty food distribution sector, which is currently experiencing promising growth metrics [3] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Chefs' Warehouse has a historical EPS growth rate of 19.3%, with projected EPS growth of 19% this year, significantly outperforming the industry average of 6.8% [5] - Earnings growth is a critical factor for growth investors, as double-digit growth is often seen as indicative of strong future prospects [4] Group 3: Cash Flow Growth - The company exhibits a year-over-year cash flow growth of 17.7%, surpassing the industry average of 4.3% [6] - Historical cash flow growth has been strong, with an annualized rate of 16.9% over the past 3-5 years compared to the industry average of 4.2% [7] Group 4: Earnings Estimate Revisions - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for Chefs' Warehouse, with the current-year earnings estimates increasing by 8% over the past month [9] - Positive earnings estimate revisions are correlated with near-term stock price movements, indicating potential for future growth [8] Group 5: Investment Potential - Chefs' Warehouse holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of A, suggesting it is a solid choice for growth investors [11]

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 complement the Zacks Rank, aiding investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated A, B, C, D, or F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with higher scores indicating better performance potential [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - Focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - Concentrates on a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - Targets stocks with upward or downward trends in price or earnings, utilizing factors like one-week price change and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - Combines all three Style Scores to provide a comprehensive rating, highlighting stocks with attractive value, strong growth forecasts, and promising momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank leverages earnings estimate revisions to guide investors, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - A significant number of stocks can hold a Strong Buy or Buy rank, making the Style Scores essential for narrowing down investment choices [8] Investment Strategy - For optimal returns, investors should consider stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] - Stocks with lower ranks but high Style Scores may still present risks due to declining earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: ITT Inc. - ITT Inc., based in New York City, is a leader in high-technology engineering and manufacturing, holding a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B [11] - The company has seen a 1.8% increase in shares over the past four weeks, with three analysts raising earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, resulting in a Zacks Consensus Estimate of $6.45 per share [12]

Company Overview - Humana Inc. is one of the largest health care plan providers in the United States, founded in 1964 and headquartered in Louisville, KY [11] - The company offers health insurance benefits through various plans including Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS), and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, along with specialty products like dental and vision benefits [11] Investment Ratings - Humana is currently rated as 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid overall performance [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 4.3% over the past four weeks [12] Earnings Estimates - Six analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.30 to $16.67 per share [12] - Humana has an average earnings surprise of +9.6%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [12] Investment Consideration - With a strong Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, Humana is recommended for investors looking for potential opportunities in the healthcare sector [13]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying the right ones can be challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - McKesson (MCK) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 16%, with projected EPS growth of 12.7% this year, significantly higher than the industry average of 6.9% [5] Group 2: Financial Metrics - McKesson's asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) is 4.95, indicating that the company generates $4.95 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.72 [6] - The company's sales are expected to grow by 13.1% this year, outpacing the industry average growth of 4.5% [7] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for McKesson, with the current-year earnings estimates increasing by 0.1% over the past month [8] - McKesson has achieved a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a Growth Score of A, indicating strong potential for growth investors [10]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, helping investors identify securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find those with sustainable growth potential [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assesses stocks based on recent price changes and earnings estimate trends, aiding investors in timing their purchases [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stock selection [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to help investors build successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks achieving an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988 [7][8] - Investors are encouraged to focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal returns [9][10] Company Spotlight: Labcorp Holdings - Labcorp Holdings is a leading healthcare diagnostics company, known for its clinical laboratory services and drug development support, particularly after acquiring Covance in 2015 [11] - Labcorp has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, with a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 16.09 [12] - Recent upward revisions in earnings estimates indicate positive momentum, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2025 increasing by $0.22 to $16.27 per share [12][13]

Group 1 - The analyst has over 15 years of experience in investing and has provided research services to mid-sized hedge funds with assets under management between $100 million and $500 million [1] - The focus is on medium-term investing, targeting ideas with catalysts to unlock value or short selling in case of downside catalysts [1] - The analyst has a generalist approach but has higher conviction in the industrial, consumer, and technology sectors due to extensive professional experience in these areas [1]

Core Viewpoint - Growth stocks are appealing due to their potential for above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill their growth potential is challenging due to associated risks and volatility [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Aramark (ARMK) is highlighted as a recommended growth stock with a favorable Growth Score and a top Zacks Rank [2] - The company operates in the food, facilities, and uniform services sector [3] Group 2: Earnings Growth - Historical EPS growth rate for Aramark is 32.8%, with projected EPS growth of 24.9% this year, significantly higher than the industry average of 10.9% [5] Group 3: Asset Utilization - Aramark has an asset utilization ratio (sales-to-total-assets ratio) of 1.37, indicating it generates $1.37 in sales for every dollar in assets, compared to the industry average of 0.96 [6] Group 4: Sales Growth - The company's sales are expected to grow by 7% this year, while the industry average is projected at 0% [7] Group 5: Earnings Estimate Revisions - Current-year earnings estimates for Aramark have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by 0.1% over the past month [8] Group 6: Investment Potential - Aramark has achieved a Growth Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 2, indicating it is a potential outperformer and a solid choice for growth investors [10]

Company Overview - ONEOK Inc. is an energy company based in Tulsa, OK, engaged in natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL) businesses [11] - The company completed its acquisition of Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. for $18.8 billion in September 2023, expanding its fee-based refined products and crude oil transportation business [11] Investment Ratings - ONEOK is currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of B [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, indicating strong upward price trends, with shares up 1.9% over the past four weeks [12] Earnings Estimates - Three analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.35 to $5.58 per share [12] - ONEOK has an average earnings surprise of +0.4%, suggesting a positive outlook on earnings performance [12] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, ONEOK is recommended for investors' consideration [13]

Core Viewpoint - Cava Group (CAVA) is positioned as a potential investment opportunity for those who missed out on Chipotle Mexican Grill, offering a healthy Mediterranean fast-food alternative and demonstrating rapid expansion similar to Chipotle's growth trajectory [1][2]. Company Growth and Performance - As of the end of Q1 fiscal 2025, Cava has expanded to 382 restaurants across 26 states and the District of Columbia, with plans to add 64 to 68 more locations during the fiscal year, aiming for 1,000 locations by 2032 [4]. - In Q1 fiscal 2025, Cava's revenue reached $329 million, marking a 28% year-over-year increase, driven by an 18% growth in the number of restaurants [5]. - Same-restaurant sales grew nearly 11%, indicating rising popularity, while revenue growth of 33% in fiscal 2024 suggests sustained growth momentum [5]. - Cava reported a net income of nearly $26 million in Q1, almost double the previous year's figure, positioning it to exceed $130 million in earnings for fiscal 2024 [6]. Market Position and Valuation - Cava's current market capitalization stands at $10 billion, significantly smaller than Chipotle's $72 billion and McDonald's $213 billion, which may limit the potential for substantial returns for investors [8][9]. - A $10,000 investment in Cava could grow to $72,000 if it reaches Chipotle's size and $213,000 if it matches McDonald's scale, but it falls short of the $1 million target for investors [9]. - Cava's P/E ratio is 72, considerably higher than Chipotle's 48 and McDonald's 26, which could pose valuation concerns and dampen growth potential if it aligns more closely with the S&P 500 average of 30 [10]. Future Potential - Despite current challenges, Cava holds significant growth potential as a rapidly expanding restaurant chain, on track to meet its 1,000-restaurant goal by 2032 and possibly expanding beyond that in the future [12].

Company Overview - Coterra Energy Inc. is an independent upstream operator engaged in the exploration, development, and production of natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids, with a focus on the Permian Basin, Marcellus Shale, and Anadarko Basin [11] - The company was formed following the merger between Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation and Cimarex Energy Co. in October 2021 [11] Investment Ratings - Coterra Energy has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A, indicating a solid overall rating [12] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by attractive valuation metrics such as a forward P/E ratio of 9.37, which may appeal to value investors [12] Earnings Estimates - In the last 60 days, five analysts have revised their earnings estimates higher for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.07 to $2.61 per share [12] - Coterra Energy has an average earnings surprise of +1.5%, suggesting a positive trend in earnings performance [12] Investment Consideration - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Value and VGM Style Scores, Coterra Energy should be considered for investors' short lists [13]