Company Overview - Waystar Holding Corp. is a provider of healthcare payment software, focused on simplifying healthcare payments to enhance patient care and financial performance [4] - The company serves approximately 30,000 clients, representing over 1 million distinct providers, including 16 of the top 20 institutions on the U.S. News Best Hospitals list [4] - Waystar's platform processes over 6 billion healthcare payment transactions annually, amounting to over $1.8 trillion in gross claims, covering approximately 50% of U.S. patients [4] Leadership Changes - Waystar has appointed Aashima Gupta and Michael Roman to its Board of Directors, bringing significant expertise in AI innovation, healthcare, and enterprise growth [1][2] - Aashima Gupta, previously Global Director of Healthcare Strategy and Solutions at Google Cloud, has led initiatives in healthcare AI to improve access and efficiency [2] - Michael Roman, former CEO and Executive Chairman of 3M, has nearly 40 years of experience in strategic leadership and operational excellence, with 3M generating approximately $32 billion in annual revenue, a quarter of which is from healthcare [3] Strategic Goals - The new board members are expected to provide strategic guidance to advance Waystar's mission of simplifying healthcare payments and delivering long-term value to clients, shareholders, and team members [2] - The company aims to leverage the expertise of its new directors to enhance innovation and growth within the healthcare payment sector [2]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that help investors select stocks likely to outperform the market in the next 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2] - The Style Scores consist of four categories: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial strength and future outlook, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score assesses trends in stock price and earnings outlook, utilizing factors like one-week price change and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for selecting stocks with the best value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary stock-rating model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to aid investors in portfolio creation [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] - Stocks with a 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell) rating, even with high Style Scores, are less favorable due to declining earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: Cardinal Health - Cardinal Health is a global healthcare services and products distributor, operating in three segments: Pharmaceutical and Specialty Solutions, Global Medical Products and Distribution, and Other [11] - Cardinal Health holds a 3 (Hold) Zacks Rank and a VGM Score of B, with a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 19.82 [12] - The company has seen upward revisions in earnings estimates, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.20 to $8.14 per share, and an average earnings surprise of 10.3% [12]

Market Overview - Significant turbulence in global financial markets due to escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, particularly Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities [1] - Major U.S. indices experienced sharp declines, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down 1.8% (769.81 points), S&P 500 down 1.1% (68.29 points), and Nasdaq Composite down 1.3% (255.67 points) [2] Investment Opportunities - Value stocks may become attractive during market uncertainty as they are often priced below intrinsic value, providing a margin of safety [3] - Effective valuation metric for value stocks is the Price to Cash Flow (P/CF) ratio, with companies like StoneCo Ltd. (STNE), Centene Corporation (CNC), CVS Health Corporation (CVS), and Pfizer Inc. (PFE) showing low P/CF ratios [4][10] Financial Health Metrics - P/CF ratio is preferred over Price/Earnings (P/E) as it reflects a company's financial health by adding back non-cash charges to net income [5][6] - Positive cash flow indicates increased liquidity, allowing companies to settle debts, reinvest, and undertake shareholder-friendly actions [7] Value Investing Strategy - A comprehensive investment strategy should include multiple metrics such as price-to-book ratio, price-to-earnings ratio, and price-to-sales ratio, along with a favorable Zacks Rank and Value Score [8][12] - Parameters for selecting true-value stocks include P/CF less than or equal to industry median, minimum stock price of $5, and various other financial ratios [9][11] Company Performance Insights - StoneCo (STNE) has a Zacks Rank 1, with projected sales and EPS growth of 10.9% and 4.4% respectively, and shares have risen 15.2% in the past year [14] - Centene (CNC) holds a Zacks Rank 2, with projected sales and EPS growth of 10.1% and 1.5% respectively, but shares have declined 19.1% in the past year [14] - CVS Health (CVS) also has a Zacks Rank 2, with projected sales and EPS growth of 3.5% and 12.6% respectively, and shares have increased by 10.4% in the past year [15] - Pfizer (PFE) carries a Zacks Rank 2, with projected sales and EPS declines of 0.6% and 1.6% respectively, and shares have fallen 9.1% in the past year [16]

Market Overview - All three major U.S. stock market indices fell by more than 1% on June 13 due to missile strikes between Israel and Iran, impacting global stock markets negatively [1] - Investors are concerned that these geopolitical tensions could lead to increased oil prices and upward pressure on global commodity prices [1] Investment Recommendations - Suggested low-leverage stocks for safeguarding portfolios during market turmoil include Novartis (NVS), The Ensign Group (ENSG), MasTec (MTZ), Bilibili (BILI), and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL) [2][10] - These stocks are characterized by low leverage, making them potentially safer options for investors [2][10] Understanding Leverage - Leverage refers to the practice of borrowing capital for operations and expansion, typically through debt financing [4] - Excessive debt financing can lead to significant losses, hence the importance of selecting companies with low debt levels [5][6] Debt-to-Equity Ratio Analysis - The debt-to-equity ratio is a key metric indicating a company's financial risk, with a lower ratio reflecting better solvency [7] - High debt-to-equity ratios can turn favorable earnings into losses during economic downturns [8] Stock Selection Strategy - A prudent investment strategy involves choosing stocks with low debt-to-equity ratios to ensure steady returns [9] - Additional screening criteria include being less leveraged than industry peers, trading at a minimum price of $10, having substantial trading volume, and showing positive earnings growth expectations [12][13] Company Highlights - **Novartis (NVS)**: Reported a 7.1% improvement in 2025 sales estimates and has a long-term earnings growth rate of 7.9%, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 [15][16] - **The Ensign Group (ENSG)**: Anticipates a 15% year-over-year sales improvement in 2025, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% and a Zacks Rank 2 [17][18] - **MasTec (MTZ)**: Achieved a 6% year-over-year revenue increase and expects an 11% sales improvement in 2025, with a significant earnings growth estimate of 53.7% [19] - **Bilibili (BILI)**: Experienced a 24% revenue increase year-over-year and anticipates an 11.3% sales improvement in 2025, with a Zacks Rank 2 [20] - **Sterling Infrastructure (STRL)**: Reported a 7% revenue increase and a 29% surge in adjusted earnings per share, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 15% [21][22]

Investors might want to bet on Centene (CNC) , as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices.The sole determinant of the Zacks rating is a company's changing earnings picture. The Zacks Consensus Estimate -- the consensus of EPS estimates from the sell-side analysts covering the stock -- for the current and following years is tracked by the system.Individual in ...

Group 1 - Centene (CNC) has experienced a downtrend, losing 7.8% over the past four weeks, but a hammer chart pattern suggests a potential trend reversal as buying interest may be emerging [1][2] - The hammer pattern indicates a possible bottoming out, with selling pressure likely subsiding, and is supported by a consensus among Wall Street analysts raising earnings estimates for the company [2][7] - The consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased by 0.1% over the last 30 days, reflecting analysts' agreement on the company's potential for better earnings [8] Group 2 - Centene currently holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), placing it in the top 20% of over 4,000 ranked stocks, which typically outperform the market [9][10] - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions is a bullish indicator, suggesting that price appreciation may occur in the near term [7][8] - The hammer chart pattern, when formed at the bottom of a downtrend, signals that bears may have lost control, indicating a potential trend reversal [5][6]

Visa Pause Could Leave U.S. With Fewer New Doctors Amid Shortage https://t.co/QdZMXC243k https://t.co/QdZMXC243k ...

Core Viewpoint - Growth investors are focused on stocks with above-average financial growth, but identifying stocks that can fulfill their growth potential is challenging [1] Group 1: Company Overview - HealthEquity (HQY) is currently recommended as a growth stock due to its favorable Growth Score and top Zacks Rank [2] - The company has a historical EPS growth rate of 19.1%, with projected EPS growth of 15.8% this year, significantly higher than the industry average of 7.7% [5] Group 2: Financial Metrics - HealthEquity's year-over-year cash flow growth is 25.9%, outperforming the industry average of -1.5% [6] - The company's annualized cash flow growth rate over the past 3-5 years is 19.3%, compared to the industry average of 8% [7] Group 3: Earnings Estimates - There has been a positive trend in earnings estimate revisions for HealthEquity, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year increasing by 6.5% over the past month [8] - HealthEquity has earned a Growth Score of B and carries a Zacks Rank 2 due to positive earnings estimate revisions, indicating it is a potential outperformer for growth investors [10]

Investment Rating - The report emphasizes the necessity for effective collaboration between payers and providers in the healthcare industry, indicating a positive outlook for companies that adapt to regulatory changes and enhance operational efficiencies [10][25]. Core Insights - The healthcare environment is rapidly evolving, requiring payers to adapt quickly to new regulations and mandates, which will drive the need for digital transformation and collaboration [4][6]. - Effective collaboration among stakeholders is essential for improving patient outcomes, optimizing costs, and driving innovation in healthcare delivery [10][11]. - Payers play a crucial role in facilitating collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem, which is vital for compliance with new regulations and enhancing patient care [10][20]. Summary by Sections Regulatory Changes and Compliance - Recent executive orders mandate hospitals and insurers to disclose treatment prices and comply with new prior authorization processes by January 2027, necessitating timely communication and operational adjustments [5][7]. - Payers must provide specific reasons for denied prior authorization requests starting in 2026, highlighting the importance of modernizing healthcare systems to meet these requirements [7][8]. Collaboration Strategies - Streamlining data-sharing frameworks and utilizing advanced technologies like AI can significantly enhance collaboration and operational efficiency [12][14]. - Payers should nurture strategic partnerships with providers and vendors to improve care delivery and patient outcomes, as evidenced by successful case studies [17][19]. - Collaborating with government entities can help ensure compliance with regulations and enhance trust within the healthcare ecosystem [20][22]. Transformational Benefits - Effective payer-provider collaboration facilitates patient-centered care, accelerates the shift towards value-based care, eliminates redundancies, and addresses social determinants of health [25][26][29]. - By fostering cross-sector initiatives, payers can improve health outcomes and reduce costs, ultimately supporting a more equitable healthcare system [29][30].

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the health accounts in Brazil. Core Insights - The Brazilian Ministry of Health has committed to institutionalizing the annual production of health accounts to enhance decision-making in health policy, supported by the OECD [16][26]. - The OECD emphasizes the importance of systematic monitoring of health expenditure to inform policy decisions and improve resource allocation [25][38]. - Brazil's health financing structure shows a lower percentage of mandatory funding (45%) compared to OECD countries (75%), with a significant role of voluntary health insurance [31]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The report outlines the collaboration between the OECD and the Brazilian Ministry of Health to implement and institutionalize health accounts as a tool for monitoring health expenditure [37][44]. National Health Accounts: A Tool for Monitoring Health Expenditure - National health accounts are crucial for systematic tracking of health spending and informing health policy decisions [51][52]. - Brazil has a history of producing satellite health accounts to measure the health sector's contribution to the economy [40]. Overview of the Brazilian Health System - The introduction of the Unified Health System (SUS) has increased access to health services for a large part of the population [23]. - The financing of SUS is complex, with private health insurance playing a significant role [25][31]. A New Approach to Institutionalizing Health Accounts in Brazil - The report evaluates the methodology for estimating health expenditure and provides recommendations for improvement [27][29]. - A comprehensive documentation process for the production of health accounts is essential for transparency and legitimacy [29][34]. Brazilian Health Expenditure Data in an International Context - Brazil's per capita health expenditure is lower than that of most OECD countries, and the structure of health financing differs significantly [31][57]. - The report highlights the need for Brazil to improve the timeliness of health expenditure estimates to enhance their relevance [34]. Expanding the Scope: Potential Extensions of Health Accounts in Brazil - Future initiatives could include tracking health expenditure by providers and identifying funding sources for various health plans [34][35]. Strengthening Health Accounts in Brazil: Institutionalization, Governance, and Policy Impact - Establishing a national team dedicated to health accounts is crucial for effective institutionalization [30]. - A robust dissemination strategy is necessary to maximize the impact of health accounts on policy formulation [33].