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Buy 3 Tech Stocks on the Dip to Strengthen Your Portfolio in Q4
ZACKS· 2025-10-16 13:25
Market Overview - The recent bull market on Wall Street has persisted for three years, primarily driven by the adoption of generative AI technology, with cyclical sectors like industrials, financials, consumer discretionary, and utilities also participating [1] - The bull run is expected to continue due to a resilient U.S. economy, declining inflation, solid earnings results, and the Fed's low-interest rate regime and accommodative monetary policies [2] DocuSign Inc. (DOCU) - DocuSign's strength is attributed to its subscription revenues, which have been the majority of its top line over the past three years, and efficient international growth from selling expenses [4][11] - The company has a strong focus on R&D, enhancing product offerings and customer experience, supported by partnerships with tech giants like Salesforce and Microsoft [5][11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 7.1% and 3.9%, respectively, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [6] - DOCU is trading at a 37% discount from its 52-week high, with a short-term average price target indicating a potential increase of 37.3% from the last closing price of $67.91, suggesting a maximum upside of 82.6% [7] Reddit Inc. (RDDT) - Reddit is experiencing strong growth in user engagement, with rising daily and weekly active users, ARPU gains, and expanding advertiser tools [8] - AI-powered features like Reddit Answers, which has over six million weekly users, are enhancing content discovery and personalization [9] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 58.6% and over 100%, respectively, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [10] - RDDT is currently trading at a 40.9% discount from its 52-week high, with a short-term average price target indicating an increase of 11.8% from the last closing price of $200.76, suggesting a maximum upside of 49.4% [12] Fair Isaac Corp. (FICO) - Fair Isaac is benefiting from strong financial performance driven by growth in its Scores and Software segments, with new scoring models enhancing predictive accuracy [13][14] - The Software segment shows strength with increased adoption of SaaS and license revenues, indicating strong platform engagement [14] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 19.6% and 30.7%, respectively, with a 0.1% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings over the last 30 days [15] - FICO is trading at a 31.9% discount from its 52-week high, with a short-term average price target indicating a potential increase of 21.1% from the last closing price of $1,636.65, suggesting a maximum upside of 46.6% [16]
Buy 5 Consumer Discretionary Stocks With Solid Upside Potential for Q4
ZACKS· 2025-10-14 12:51
Industry Overview - The consumer discretionary sector experienced moderate growth in the first three quarters of 2025, with expectations for improvement in the fourth quarter [1] - The sector is growth-oriented, with share prices increasing over the long term and being sensitive to market interest rates [1] Federal Reserve Actions - The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark lending rate by 25 basis points in September 2025, with two more cuts expected this year [2] - Current probabilities for further rate cuts are 95.7% for October and 86.5% for December [2] Impact of Low-Interest Rates - A low-interest rate environment reduces discount rates, increasing the net present value of investments in growth stocks, benefiting sectors like consumer discretionary, technology, and cryptocurrency [3] Recommended Stocks - Five consumer discretionary stocks with favorable Zacks Ranks and solid short-term upside potential are identified: Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS), Stride Inc. (LRN), and Planet Fitness Inc. (PLNT) [3][4] Carnival Corporation & plc (CCL) - CCL is benefiting from resilient travel demand, stronger booking trends, and disciplined cost management, leading to an increase in full-year 2025 guidance [7] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for CCL are 6.4% and 49.3% for the current year, with a 5.5% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [10] - The short-term average price target indicates a potential increase of 25.8% from the last closing price of $28.09, with a maximum upside of 53.1% [11] Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) - NCLH is experiencing strong consumer demand and solid onboard spending, with record advance ticket sales of $4 billion [12] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for NCLH are 6% and 14.8% for the current year, with a 1.5% improvement in earnings estimates over the last seven days [14] - The short-term average price target suggests a potential increase of 32.7% from the last closing price of $23.04, indicating a maximum upside of 86.6% [15] Las Vegas Sands Corp. (LVS) - LVS is benefiting from strong travel demand and improved operating conditions in Macao and Singapore, with a focus on capital investments [16] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for LVS are 7.7% and 17.6% for the current year, with a 1.5% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [17] - The short-term average price target indicates a potential increase of 30.4% from the last closing price of $46.47, with a maximum upside of 58.2% [18] Stride Inc. (LRN) - LRN provides K-12 education and career learning services, with a focus on developing skills for various industries [19][20] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for LRN are 10.7% and 8.8% for the current year, with a 2.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 30 days [21] - The short-term average price target suggests an increase of 18.5% from the last closing price of $144.99, indicating a maximum upside of 28.3% [22] Planet Fitness Inc. (PLNT) - PLNT is a leading operator of fitness centers, benefiting from higher royalties and new member acquisitions [23] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for PLNT are 10.1% and 13.1% for the current year, with a 0.7% improvement in earnings estimates over the last 90 days [25] - The short-term average price target indicates a potential increase of 29.2% from the last closing price of $92.67, with a maximum upside of 88.8% [26]
3 Must-Buy Low-Beta Stocks Flying High Year to Date With More Upside
ZACKS· 2025-05-21 13:15
Market Overview - Wall Street experienced a strong bull run in 2023 and 2024, but 2025 has shown mixed results due to concerns over persistent inflation and the Federal Reserve's uncertain stance on interest rates after a 1% cut in the benchmark lending rate last year [1] - Severe volatility has affected Wall Street since early April, primarily due to the implementation of reciprocal tariff policies by the Trump administration, with baseline tariffs at 10% but actual rates exceeding 70% for several major trading partners [2] - Retaliatory tariffs from other countries have raised fears of a global trade war, although some trade negotiations have been settled and others are ongoing [3] Company Highlights Philip Morris International Inc. (PM) - Philip Morris has shown strong pricing power and is expanding its smoke-free product portfolio, aiming to become substantially smoke-free by 2030 [7] - The company anticipates robust growth in 2025, with a projected 2% increase in volume and smoke-free products expected to grow by 12-14% [8] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 8.1% and 13.7%, respectively, with a stock price increase of 44.7% year to date [9] Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. (SFM) - Sprouts Farmers is focusing on product innovation, e-commerce, and private label offerings, which have contributed to better-than-expected fourth-quarter 2024 results [10] - The company expects net sales to rise between 10.5% and 12.5% in 2025, with comparable sales anticipated to increase by 4.5-6.5% [11] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 13.7% and 35.5%, respectively, with a stock price surge of 32.2% year to date [12] Newmont Corp. (NEM) - Newmont is progressing with growth projects, including the Tanami expansion and the acquisition of Newcrest, which enhances its portfolio and synergies [13] - The Ahafo North project has received full funding approval, with commercial production expected to start in the second half of 2025, involving an investment of $950 million to $1,050 million [14] - Expected revenue and earnings growth rates for the current year are 2% and 12.6%, respectively, with a stock price increase of 40.5% year to date [15]