Group 1 - National Grid (NGG) is a notable stock in the Utilities sector, currently outperforming its peers with a year-to-date gain of approximately 22.6% compared to the sector average of 8.3% [4] - The Utilities group ranks 3 within the Zacks Sector Rank, which evaluates 16 different groups based on the average Zacks Rank of individual companies [2] - National Grid holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a favorable outlook based on earnings estimate revisions and improving earnings prospects [3] Group 2 - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for National Grid's full-year earnings has increased by 2.9% over the past quarter, reflecting improved analyst sentiment [4] - National Grid is part of the Utility - Electric Power industry, which consists of 60 stocks and currently ranks 68 in the Zacks Industry Rank, with an average gain of 8.4% this year [6] - Another outperforming stock in the Utilities sector is Grupo Televisa (TV), which has seen a year-to-date increase of 32.7% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][7]

Core Insights - Investors are evaluating Telefonica (TEF) and Telus (TU) for potential value opportunities in the Diversified Communication Services sector [1] Valuation Metrics - Telefonica has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Telus has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - TEF's forward P/E ratio is 13.39, significantly lower than TU's forward P/E of 21.68, suggesting TEF may be undervalued [5] - TEF has a PEG ratio of 0.78, while TU's PEG ratio is 5.15, indicating TEF's expected earnings growth is more favorable [5] - TEF's P/B ratio is 1.20 compared to TU's P/B of 2.12, further supporting TEF's valuation advantage [6] - Based on these metrics, TEF holds a Value grade of A, while TU has a Value grade of C, making TEF the more attractive option for value investors [6]

Group 1: Momentum Investing Overview - Momentum investing involves following a stock's recent trend, with the aim of buying high and selling higher, capitalizing on established price movements [1] - The Zacks Momentum Style Score helps define momentum characteristics, with Telefonica (TEF) currently holding a Momentum Style Score of B [2] - Style Scores complement the Zacks Rank, which has a strong track record of outperformance; TEF has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [3] Group 2: Performance Metrics - TEF shares have increased by 2.12% over the past week, outperforming the Zacks Diversified Communication Services industry, which rose by 0.47% [5] - Over the last three months, TEF shares have risen by 14.84%, and by 12.9% over the past year, compared to the S&P 500's increases of 1.99% and 12.34%, respectively [6] - The average 20-day trading volume for TEF is 635,540 shares, indicating a bullish sign if the stock is rising with above-average volume [7] Group 3: Earnings Outlook - In the past two months, two earnings estimates for TEF have increased, while none have decreased, raising the consensus estimate from $0.33 to $0.40 [9] - For the next fiscal year, two estimates have also moved upwards with no downward revisions during the same period [9] Group 4: Conclusion - Considering all elements, TEF is rated as a 2 (Buy) stock with a Momentum Score of B, making it a potential pick for near-term gains [11]

Core Insights - Undersea cables are essential for global communication, carrying over 99% of international data traffic, with Lumen Technologies selected to provide terrestrial backhaul for the JUNO Trans-Pacific Cable System, which will connect Japan and the U.S. with high capacity [1][10] - The JUNO cable system spans 10,000 kilometers and utilizes Space Division Multiplexing technology, offering a total capacity of up to 350 terabits per second (Tbps), catering to the increasing demand for high-speed connectivity [3][10] - Lumen's advanced dark fiber backhaul solution connects key locations in the U.S., enhancing control, security, and scalability for the JUNO system, which is crucial for the digital economy [4][5] Financial Performance - Following the announcement of the JUNO project, Lumen's shares increased by 6.75%, closing at $4.11 on June 3, 2025 [2] - For 2025, Lumen anticipates adjusted EBITDA between $3.2 billion and $3.4 billion, with capital spending projected at $4.1 billion to $4.3 billion, expecting a rebound in EBITDA above $3.5 billion by 2026 [8] - Lumen secured $8.5 billion in Private Connectivity Fabric (PCF) deals in 2024, driven by the rising demand for AI technologies, indicating strong future revenue potential [7][10] Industry Impact - The integration of the JUNO cable and Lumen's terrestrial backbone is expected to foster innovation and economic growth, facilitating real-time collaboration and cloud computing on a global scale [5][6] - The demand for Lumen's connectivity solutions is being driven by major tech players like Microsoft, Amazon, Google Cloud, and Meta, highlighting the strategic importance of Lumen in the AI infrastructure landscape [7][10] - Lumen's role in providing essential connectivity services positions it favorably within the rapidly evolving data-centric economy [5][7]

Group 1 - Artesian Resources (ARTNA) is one of 106 individual stocks in the Utilities sector, ranking 2 in the Zacks Sector Rank [2] - The Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and revisions, currently gives Artesian Resources a rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARTNA's full-year earnings has increased by 8% in the past quarter, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - Artesian Resources has returned 7.2% year-to-date, outperforming the Utilities sector average return of 6.4% [4] - Artesian Resources belongs to the Utility - Water Supply industry, which has gained an average of 15.8% this year, indicating slight underperformance compared to its industry [6] - Deutsche Telekom AG (DTEGY), another stock in the Utilities sector, has a year-to-date return of 29.6% and a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Lumen Technologies, Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Mass Markets fiber-to-the-home business, including Quantum Fiber, to AT&T for $5.75 billion in cash, marking a significant step in Lumen's transformation into a digital enterprise networking company [1] Group 1: Transaction Details - The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2026, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions [2] - The sale includes approximately 95% of Quantum Fiber, covering around 4 million fiber-enabled locations and nearly 1 million subscribers as of March 31, 2025, projected to generate over $750 million in annualized revenues [3] Group 2: Financial Implications - Net proceeds from the deal, estimated at approximately $4.2 billion, will be used to retire about $4.8 billion in super priority debt, reducing annual interest expenses by $300 million and lowering the projected 2025 net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio from 4.9 to 3.9 [4] - The deal will also decrease annual capital expenditures related to Mass Markets fiber by about $1 billion, allowing Lumen to reinvest in enterprise offerings and strengthen its balance sheet [4] Group 3: Future Strategy - Lumen plans to continue new fiber buildouts at a similar pace as in 2024 through the end of 2025 while retaining its existing copper network for consumer customers [5] - The company aims to expand its intercity fiber network to 47 million miles by 2028 and focus on growing the Lumen Digital Platform to provide enhanced networking solutions for business customers [6] - Management emphasized that the transaction enhances financial flexibility to innovate enterprise networking in a multi-cloud, AI-first environment, retaining core infrastructure assets for enterprise services [7] Group 4: Market Demand and Partnerships - Increasing demand for Lumen's Private Connectivity Fabric (PCF) solutions is noted, with $8.5 billion in PCF deals secured in 2024, driven by the urgent need for fiber capacity among large companies [8] - Lumen has established partnerships with major tech firms like Microsoft, Amazon, Google Cloud, and Meta Platforms to support AI innovation through enhanced network capabilities [8]

Group 1 - Telefonica (TEF) is a notable stock in the Utilities sector, which consists of 106 individual stocks and holds a Zacks Sector Rank of 2 [2][3] - The Zacks Rank system identifies stocks with characteristics likely to outperform the market in the short term, with Telefonica currently rated as a Buy [3] - Over the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Telefonica's full-year earnings has increased by 29.5%, indicating improved analyst sentiment [4] Group 2 - Telefonica has achieved a year-to-date performance increase of 25.1%, significantly outperforming the average Utilities sector gain of 9% [4] - United Utilities Group PLC (UUGRY) is another Utilities stock that has outperformed the sector, with a year-to-date increase of 14.1% [5] - Telefonica is part of the Diversified Communication Services industry, which has gained an average of 9% this year, while United Utilities belongs to the Utility - Electric Power industry, which has increased by 9.4% [6]

Core Insights - Investors are evaluating the value opportunities between Telefonica (TEF) and Chunghwa (CHT) in the Diversified Communication Services sector [1] Valuation Metrics - Telefonica has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Chunghwa has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - TEF's forward P/E ratio is 12.20, significantly lower than CHT's forward P/E of 28.66, suggesting TEF is undervalued [5] - TEF has a PEG ratio of 0.71, while CHT's PEG ratio is 22.74, indicating TEF's expected earnings growth is more favorable [5] - TEF's P/B ratio is 1.11 compared to CHT's P/B of 2.72, further supporting TEF's valuation advantage [6] - Based on these metrics, TEF has a Value grade of A, while CHT has a Value grade of D, positioning TEF as the superior value option [6]

In a major move to strengthen its position in the global health and well-being sector, TELUS Corporation (TU) has partnered with GTCR, a prominent private equity firm with deep expertise in healthcare, to support TELUS Health’s acquisition of Workplace Options.This acquisition, valued at approximately C$500 million ($350 million) in cash, excluding about C$100 million ($70 million) in assumed debt, marks a pivotal step in TELUS Health’s journey to become a global leader in digital-first wellness solutions. ...

TELUS Corporation (TU) reported first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of C$0.26, flat year over year.Quarterly total operating revenues increased 3% from a year ago to C$5,057 million owing to strong revenue growth across all the segments.Starting from the first quarter of 2025, TELUS introduced a separate TELUS Health segment, previously part of TTech, which will now be reported alongside TTech (excluding Health) and TELUS Digital.The company’s operating revenues (from contracts with custome ...