In Q3 2025, Dillard's net sales were $1.47 billion, up a mere 2.8% from the previous year. Comparable store sales, a key indicator of organic store sales, inched up by just 3% in the same period. Further, gross margins improved to 45.3% in the quarter, an increase from the previous year's figure of 44.5%, implying effective control over direct costs.Dillard's, despite its share price pop, is not for the growth enthusiasts. While its earnings have grown at a CAGR of 6.28% over the past 10 years, revenues hav ...

Market Overview - The U.S. equity markets have experienced a downtrend, marked by a four-day losing streak due to concerns over economic health and high valuations of AI firms [1] - Job additions in November were better than expected at 64,000, surpassing the forecast of 45,000, yet the unemployment rate rose to a four-year high of 4.6%, raising doubts about the economy's state [1] Oil Market Impact - Crude oil prices in the U.S. have fallen to their lowest levels since 2021, influenced by a looming surplus in the market, adding to investor concerns [2] Investment Strategies - Investors are advised to consider momentum stocks as a strategy to navigate current market volatility, with examples including Dillard's, Inc. (DDS), Sanmina Corporation (SANM), and CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (COMM) [2] - Momentum investing is characterized by the principle of "buying high and selling higher," capitalizing on established trends [3] Momentum Stock Screening - A screening strategy has been developed to identify momentum anomaly stocks, focusing on the top 50 stocks with the best percentage price change over the last 52 weeks [5] - From these, the bottom 10 performers over the past week are selected to identify those experiencing short-term pullbacks [6] - Stocks with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) and a Momentum Style Score of B or better are prioritized, indicating a higher probability of success [7] Selected Stocks - Dillard's, Inc. has seen a price increase of 49.1% over the past year but has declined by 11.4% in the past week, holding a Momentum Score of B [10] - Sanmina Corporation's stock has jumped 82.4% in the past year but fell by 15.6% in the past week, also with a Momentum Score of B [12] - CommScope has surged 189.9% over the past year but lost 11.8% in the past week, maintaining a Momentum Score of B [14]

Core Viewpoint - Momentum investing focuses on "buying high and selling higher" rather than traditional strategies of "buying low and selling high" [1] Group 1: Momentum Investing Strategy - Momentum investors often face challenges in determining the right entry point, as stocks may lose momentum when their valuations exceed future growth potential [2] - Investing in bargain stocks that exhibit recent price momentum can be a safer strategy, utilizing tools like the Zacks Momentum Style Score to identify promising stocks [3] Group 2: Kohl's (KSS) Performance - Kohl's (KSS) has shown significant price momentum, with a four-week price change of 45.6%, indicating growing investor interest [4] - Over the past 12 weeks, KSS has gained 31.1%, with a beta of 1.45, suggesting it moves 45% more than the market [5] - KSS has a Momentum Score of A, indicating a favorable time to invest based on its momentum characteristics [6] Group 3: Earnings Estimates and Valuation - KSS has benefited from upward revisions in earnings estimates, earning a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), which is associated with strong momentum effects [7] - The stock is currently trading at a Price-to-Sales ratio of 0.16, suggesting it is undervalued at 16 cents for each dollar of sales [7] Group 4: Additional Investment Opportunities - Besides KSS, there are other stocks that meet the criteria of the 'Fast-Paced Momentum at a Bargain' screen, presenting further investment opportunities [8] - The Zacks Premium Screens offer various strategies tailored to different investing styles, potentially aiding in stock selection [9]

Core Insights - U.S. stock markets have experienced a significant rally in 2023, largely driven by advancements in artificial intelligence, with notable performance from non-tech companies as well [1][2] Group 1: Company Highlights - General Motors Co. (GM) holds a 17% market share as the top-selling U.S. automaker, benefiting from strong demand across its brands and a 10% year-over-year sales increase in China [6][7] - GM's software and services division generated $2 billion in revenue by the end of Q3 2025, with 11 million OnStar subscribers, indicating a shift towards software-led growth [7] - Robinhood Markets Inc. (HOOD) is seeing improved trading activity and higher net interest income, with a focus on product diversification to enhance its market position [10][11] - Expedia Group Inc. (EXPE) operates a robust platform that connects travelers and suppliers, leading to stable demand and increased gross bookings, supported by a strong brand portfolio [13][14] - Dillard's Inc. (DDS) is enhancing its customer base through store and online improvements, with a focus on fashionable merchandise driving traffic and better-than-expected earnings [15][16] - Five Below Inc. (FIVE) is experiencing strong momentum with traffic gains and improved marketing effectiveness, leading to an upward revision of its full-year sales expectations to $4.62-$4.65 billion [18][19] Group 2: Financial Performance and Projections - GM has an expected revenue growth rate of -0.3% and an earnings growth rate of 12.9% for the next year, with a 0.5% improvement in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings [8] - HOOD's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 21% and 17.9%, respectively, with a 1.8% improvement in the earnings estimate [12] - EXPE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 6.3% and 20.8%, respectively, with a 3.2% improvement in the earnings estimate [14] - DDS has an expected revenue growth rate of 0.7% and an earnings decline of -8.2%, with a 5.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [17] - FIVE's expected revenue and earnings growth rates are 8.6% and 5.6%, respectively, with a 1.3% improvement in the earnings estimate [20]

Slowing job growth and cooling wages suggest holiday spending resilience may be tested into early 2026.Two-thirds of U.S. consumers still live paycheck to paycheck, increasingly out of necessity rather than choice.Retail sales were flat in October as paycheck-to-paycheck households pulled back on discretionary categories.After weeks of delay, a fresh wave of government data is finally offering a clearer snapshot of how consumers and workers in the United States have weathered months of tariff uncertainty, h ...

NEW YORK (AP) — Sales at U.S. retailers and restaurants were unchanged in October from September as consumers moderated their spending amid worries about higher prices and other economic uncertainties after splurging over the summer. But a big factor dragging down the figure was a 1.6% drop in sales at motor vehicles and auto parts dealerships, hurt by the expiration of federal government subsidies that sliced demand for battery-powered electric cars. Excluding that category, retail sales rose 0.4%, the C ...

Core Insights - Some shoppers are highly focused on maximizing returns from retailer rewards programs, indicating a trend towards consumer engagement with loyalty incentives [1] Group 1 - The obsession with rewards programs suggests that retailers may need to enhance their offerings to retain customer interest and loyalty [1] - This behavior reflects a broader consumer trend where maximizing value from purchases is prioritized, potentially influencing shopping habits and retailer strategies [1]

-The holiday season, that time of year when the city that never sleeps takes a moment to reflect. Lights twinkle up and down the avenues of New York City, from the posh storefronts down in Soho to the ornate window displays up along Fifth Avenue to the epicenter in between the miracle and magic of Macy's on 34th Street. - Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind. -American retailers seize on the season, hoping to capitalize on that frame of mind, creating something that lasts beyond just the holiday ...

-The holiday season, that time of year when the city that never sleeps takes a moment to reflect. Lights twinkle up and down the avenues of New York City, from the posh storefronts down in Soho to the ornate window displays up along Fifth Avenue to the epicenter in between the miracle and magic of Macy's on 34th Street. -Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind.-American retailers seize on the season, hoping to capitalize on that frame of mind, creating something that lasts beyond just the holidays. ...

Core Viewpoint - Kohl's (KSS) is highlighted as a strong investment opportunity with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a significant increase in earnings estimates for the current year, rising by 87.9% over the last 60 days [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Kohl's shares have increased by 57.1% over the last three months, significantly outperforming the S&P 500, which gained only 4.9% during the same period [2]. - The company has achieved a Momentum Score of A, indicating strong momentum characteristics [2].