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3 Stocks to Buy as Inflation Pressures Fade Heading Into 2026
ZACKS· 2025-12-19 17:06
Core Insights - Inflationary pressures are moderating, leading to a return of price stability in markets, which is beneficial for many companies as they face lower input costs and improving profit margins heading into 2026 [1][2] Sector Analysis Consumer Staples - The consumer staples sector is poised for growth as key commodity input costs related to agricultural products, such as dairy, sugar, vegetable oils, and grains, decline [3] - Food processors and packaged-goods manufacturers are regaining margins that were previously compressed due to high input inflation [4] Capital Goods and Manufacturing - Capital goods and manufacturing companies are expected to benefit from easing inflation, particularly those that consume energy and commodities, such as chemical and heavy machinery producers [5] - Lower prices for petroleum-based inputs and industrial metals are reducing project costs and improving returns on new capital investments [5] Airlines and Logistics - Airlines and logistics companies are classic beneficiaries of easing price pressures, as fuel costs, a major operating expense, are declining [6] - Companies like Delta Air Lines and FedEx are well-positioned for margin expansion as economic activity normalizes, with fuel savings directly impacting their bottom lines [7] Company Highlights United Natural Foods (UNFI) - UNFI is regaining margins as inflation cools, with a projected revenue increase of 1% and a significant EPS increase of 187.3% for fiscal 2026 compared to the previous year [10] - The company has improved its gross margin by approximately 20 basis points year over year due to better procurement conditions [9] FedEx Corp. (FDX) - FedEx is undergoing a cost realignment initiative that resulted in $2.2 billion in annual cost savings, positioning it for margin recovery as inflation pressures fade [11] - The company is expected to see a revenue increase of 4.6% for fiscal 2026, with operating margin expansion driven by lower fuel expenses and structural cost reductions [12] LATAM Airlines Group (LTM) - LATAM Airlines is benefiting from a lean cost structure and improved air travel demand, with a projected revenue increase of 10.1% and EPS increase of 17.8% for 2026 [16] - The company achieved an adjusted operating margin of 18.1% in Q3 2025, supported by a decline in jet fuel expenses [15] Conclusion - The analysis indicates that companies in consumer staples, logistics, and transportation sectors are well-positioned to leverage declining input costs to restore margins and enhance financial performance as inflation eases [19]
Impressive Transaction-Based Revenues to Drive Robinhood's Q3 Earnings
ZACKS· 2025-11-04 13:26
Core Insights - Robinhood Markets' transaction-based revenues are expected to be strong in Q3 2025, comprising over 60% of total net revenues, with a consensus estimate of $756.4 million, reflecting a 137.1% increase year-over-year [1][4] - The overall market sentiment has been risk-on, supported by the Federal Reserve's dovish stance, leading to robust trading volumes and client activity across various asset classes, including equities and cryptocurrencies [2][3] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The consensus estimate for Robinhood's earnings is 51 cents per share, indicating a 200% increase from the previous year, while sales are projected to reach $1.21 billion, a 90.6% year-over-year rise [6][11] - Specific transaction revenue estimates include $300.2 million for options (48.6% growth), $82.5 million for equities (122.9% growth), and $313.9 million for cryptocurrencies (414.6% growth) [5][11] Market Context and Peer Performance - The broader equity markets have shown optimism, with the S&P 500 Index advancing nearly 8% during the quarter, driven by factors such as inflation moderation and easing geopolitical tensions [2][3] - Peers like Interactive Brokers and Charles Schwab reported strong earnings, with Interactive Brokers achieving a 42.5% growth in adjusted earnings per share and Schwab's earnings surging 70% year-over-year, indicating a favorable environment for trading firms [9][10] Operational Considerations - Despite strong revenue growth, Robinhood's operating expenses are expected to remain high due to ongoing investments in platform upgrades, product innovation, and regulatory compliance [12][13] - The company's stock has performed exceptionally well, increasing by 294.8% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the industry average of 31.2% [13]
BBVA(BBAR) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-03-06 17:04
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - BBVA Argentina's inflation-adjusted net income for Q4 2024 was ARS 64.7 billion, a decrease of 39.6% quarter-over-quarter [9] - The annual net income for 2024 was ARS 357.7 billion, down 0.4% from ARS 359.2 billion in 2023, resulting in an annualized ROE of 12.5% and ROA of 2.5% [13] - The efficiency ratio increased to 61.8% in Q4 2024, up from 58.6% in Q4 2023, due to a decrease in income [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Retail digital sales reached 91% in Q4 2024, representing 73.5% of total sales by monetary value [8] - Net interest income for 2024 totaled ARS 2.9 trillion, falling 17.3% year-over-year due to lower accrued average rates in loans and public securities [15] - The total loan portfolio increased by 36.6% in nominal terms during Q4 2024, surpassing inflation levels [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - BBVA Argentina's market share of private sector loans improved to 11.31% in Q4 2024 from 9.35% a year ago [26] - Total deposits reached ARS 9.9 trillion, increasing 7.8% quarter-over-quarter, with private non-financial sector deposits in pesos rising 23.5% year-over-year [26][27] - The bank's capital ratio stood at 19.5%, with a capital excess over regulatory requirements of 138.5% [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to sustain and expand its competitive position through increased digital customer acquisition, which reached 88% by the end of December 2024 [8] - BBVA Argentina is focusing on growing its market share, expecting private loan growth of 60% to 65% in real terms for 2025 [35] - The strategy has shifted towards commercial loans, which now represent over 50% of the portfolio, while still maintaining growth in retail segments [81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a significant improvement in inflation moderation and economic recovery, with expectations of GDP growth around 5.5% in 2025 [5] - The forecast for inflation is around 30% for 2025, with a notable decrease in country risk from 1,900 bps to less than 700 bps [6] - Management expressed confidence in asset quality, with non-performing loans (NPLs) remaining low at 1.13% [67] Other Important Information - The bank's total operating expenses for 2024 were ARS 1.7 trillion, a decrease of 3.9% year-over-year in real terms [17] - The bank issued corporate bonds in both pesos and U.S. dollars, indicating a strategy to enhance funding without needing additional capital until at least 2026 [77] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for growth in loans, deposits, and profitability for 2025 - Management expects private loans to grow between 40% and 45% for the system, with BBVA Argentina targeting 60% to 65% growth in real terms [35] Question: Clarification on inflation forecast - Management confirmed the inflation forecast of 30% for 2025, which is more conservative than market consensus [44] Question: Profitability expectations in terms of ROE or ROA - Management indicated a realistic ROE range of 12% to 13% for 2025, slightly lower than peers [52] Question: Dividend plans for 2025 - Management is awaiting regulatory approval for dividends, expecting a smaller payout compared to the previous year [58] Question: Asset quality and loan loss reserves - Management reported low NPLs at 1.13%, with no significant concerns regarding asset quality despite increased loan growth [67] Question: Funding and deposit growth expectations - Management expressed confidence in liquidity, with deposits growing 25% in real terms and plans for further corporate bond issuance [75]