Group 1 - Proactive provides fast, accessible, informative, and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience [2] - The news team covers medium and small-cap markets, as well as blue-chip companies, commodities, and broader investment stories [3] - Proactive's content includes insights across various sectors such as biotech, pharma, mining, natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto, and emerging technologies [3] Group 2 - Proactive is committed to adopting technology to enhance workflows and content production [4] - The company utilizes automation and software tools, including generative AI, while ensuring all content is edited and authored by humans [5]

I want you to imagine this. You're walking in an herb garden on a warm July day. Scents of lavender, basil, and thyme.Or someone you love baked chocolate chip cookies still warm filling the room with their aromomas. I was born with an incredible sense memory surrounding taste and smell. Simmering pot roast brings me back to my grandma's kitchen 40 years ago.I dream about tropical fruit, roasted coffee beans, perfectly cooked pasta, or sweet ice cold ripe watermelon. Food controls my moods. A good tasting at ...

Core Insights - Corporate leadership is experiencing a significant transformation with an increase in women leading publicly traded companies, resulting in market-beating performance and innovative growth strategies [2][4] - Gender-diverse leadership is being recognized by financial markets, with ESG-focused funds prioritizing companies with women in executive roles, indicating a shift towards inclusive leadership driving sustainable growth [4] Company Highlights - **Accenture (ACN)**: Under Julie Sweet's leadership, Accenture made a $3 billion investment in AI, doubling its AI workforce and restructuring its growth model to enhance innovation and brand leadership [3] - **The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL)**: Rashida La Lande's appointment as executive vice president and Global General Counsel in 2024 strengthened the company's legal and compliance frameworks during a transformation period [3] - **Adobe Inc. (ADBE)**: Lara Balazs, as chief marketing officer, has significantly enhanced Adobe's brand and marketing strategy, contributing to strong financial performance with adjusted EPS of $5.08 in Q1 2025, up from $4.48 year-over-year [9][10] - **McKesson Corporation (MCK)**: Michele Lau's role as chief legal officer has been pivotal in navigating regulatory scrutiny and managing complex litigation, with her compensation reflecting a strategic alignment with shareholder value [12][13] - **Centene Corporation (CNC)**: Sarah M. London has transformed Centene's operations since becoming CEO in March 2022, leading to $163 billion in revenues in 2024 and serving nearly 28 million members [15][16] - **Bumble Inc. (BMBL)**: Whitney Wolfe Herd's leadership has driven Bumble's brand identity and strategic shifts, including a workforce reduction aimed at achieving $40 million in annual cost savings, with improved revenue guidance for Q2 2025 [19][20] Investment Opportunities - Companies led by women, such as Adobe, McKesson, Centene, and Bumble, are positioned as attractive investment opportunities due to their strong leadership and strategic vision, indicating potential for long-term success [6]

Core Insights - The Zacks Medical - Outpatient and Home Healthcare industry is experiencing a significant shift towards digital healthcare, driven by rising demand for telemedicine and AI-powered services, particularly due to an aging global population and increasing healthcare costs [1][4][9]. Industry Overview - The industry includes companies providing outpatient care and home healthcare services, utilizing advanced medical technologies for diagnosis and treatment. The sector has shown steady growth post-pandemic, supported by innovation and the shift towards value-based care models [3][6]. - The global home healthcare market was valued at $390.24 billion in 2023, with an expected CAGR of approximately 7.9% from 2024 to 2030 [1]. Major Trends - **Aging Population**: The growing elderly population is a primary driver for home healthcare services, increasing the demand for chronic disease management and rehabilitation [4]. - **Cost Effectiveness**: Outpatient clinics offer cost-effective care, supported by financial incentives from health plans and government programs [5]. - **AI Integration**: AI is enhancing healthcare delivery, with outpatient companies utilizing automated systems for better patient outcomes and efficiency [7]. - **Technological Advancements**: Virtual assistants and chatbots are becoming integral in patient care, aiding in appointment scheduling and medication compliance [8]. Challenges - **Staffing Shortages**: The U.S. healthcare sector faces significant staffing shortages, particularly among home health aides, exacerbated by high burnout rates [10]. - **Tariff Impact**: New U.S. tariffs have increased costs for imported medical supplies, straining home healthcare providers and leading to operational challenges [11]. Market Performance - The industry has outperformed its sector but underperformed compared to the S&P 500, gaining 6.8% over the past year versus the S&P 500's 12.1% gain [14]. - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E of 19.8X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.3X [18]. Notable Companies - **Quest Diagnostics**: Expected revenue growth of 9.2% for 2025, with a strong return on equity (ROE) of 15.1% [22][23]. - **Encompass Health**: Anticipated revenue growth of 9.5% for 2025, with an ROE of 17.6% [25][26]. - **The Pennant Group**: Projected revenue growth of 23.3% for 2025, with an ROE of 10.7% [29][30]. - **DaVita**: Expected revenue growth of 5.2% for 2025, with a notably high ROE of 176.1% [33][34].

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.Looking at the history of these trends, perhaps none is more beloved than value investing. This strategy simply looks to identify companies that are being undervalued by the broader market. Value investors use a variety of methods, including tried-a ...

Core Concept - The price-to-book (P/B) ratio is a key metric for value investors to identify undervalued stocks with potential for exceptional returns, calculated as market price per share divided by book value per share [1][5] Understanding Book Value - Book value represents the total value remaining for shareholders if a company were to liquidate its assets after settling all liabilities, calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets [3][4] P/B Ratio Insights - A P/B ratio under 1.0 indicates a potentially undervalued stock, while a ratio above 1.0 suggests overvaluation [5][6] - Stocks with low P/B ratios can indicate strong growth prospects, but a low ratio may also reflect weak asset returns or overstated assets [7][8] Screening Parameters for Value Stocks - Stocks should have a P/B ratio lower than the industry median, a P/S ratio below the industry median, and a P/E ratio using F(1) estimates lower than the industry median [11][12] - A PEG ratio under 1 indicates undervaluation relative to growth prospects, and stocks must trade at a minimum price of $5 [13] - High trading volume and favorable Zacks Rank (1 or 2) are also important criteria for screening [14] Identified Low P/B Stocks - Centene Corporation (CNC) has a projected 3-5 year EPS growth rate of 11.5% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - CVS Health (CVS) has a projected EPS growth rate of 11.4% and also holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of A [16] - The ODP Corporation (ODP) has a projected EPS growth rate of 14% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [17] - StoneCo (STNE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 25.3% and holds a Zacks Rank of 2 with a Value Score of B [18] - Paysafe Limited (PSFE) has a projected EPS growth rate of 17.9% and holds a Zacks Rank of 1 with a Value Score of A [19]

Core Insights - AMN Healthcare has sold its Smart Square® scheduling software to symplr and entered into a commercial partnership to enhance healthcare workforce solutions [1][2][3] - The partnership aims to integrate AMN's workforce planning and analytics capabilities with symplr's operational technology, addressing the complexities of healthcare workforce management [2][3][4] - The total purchase price for the software was $75 million, with $65 million paid at closing and a $10 million note due at the end of 2026 [5] Company Overview - AMN Healthcare is a leader in total healthcare talent solutions, providing a comprehensive network of healthcare professionals and customizable workforce technologies [6] - In 2024, AMN's healthcare professionals reached nearly 15 million patients across more than 2,100 healthcare systems, including 87% of the top healthcare systems in the U.S. [6] - symplr is recognized as a leader in enterprise healthcare operations software, trusted by 9 out of 10 U.S. hospitals and over 400 health plans [7]

Strengthening symplr's commitment to helping providers optimize staffing, operations, and outcomes HOUSTON, July 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- symplr®, a leading provider of enterprise healthcare operations software backed by Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. (together with its affiliates, "Clearlake") and Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC (together with its affiliates, "Charlesbank"), has acquired the Smart Square® scheduling software from AMN Healthcare (NYSE: AMN).This strategic acquisition strengthens symplr's pos ...

U.S. stock futures were higher this morning, with the Dow futures gaining around 0.2% on Wednesday.Shares of Centene Corporation CNC fell sharply in today's pre-market trading after the health care company withdrew its guidance for 2025.Centene withdrew its previous 2025 earnings guidance and all underlying guidance elements based on the company's preliminary interpretation of marketplace data from the independent actuarial firm Wakely.Centene shares dipped 27.7% to $40.94 in the pre-market trading session. ...

Core Viewpoint - Extendicare Inc. has successfully acquired Closing the Gap Healthcare Group Inc. for $75.5 million, enhancing its home healthcare services and capabilities in rehabilitation [1][2][3] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition of Closing the Gap was completed on July 1, 2025, on a debt-free, cash-free basis, with an initial cash consideration of $75.5 million, subject to adjustments [2] - An additional earnout of $3.5 to $5.5 million is anticipated based on new business revenue generated in the twelve months following the acquisition [2] - The purchase price was funded through cash on hand and existing senior secured credit facilities [2] Group 2: Financial Strategy - Extendicare announced a $100 million increase to its Senior Secured Credit Facility, raising the total to $375 million, which includes $55 million in a delayed draw term loan and $45 million in a revolving credit facility [3] - The company plans to utilize the additional $55 million in the third quarter for strategic acquisitions and organic growth [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors in Canada, operating 99 long-term care homes and delivering approximately 11.2 million hours of home health care services annually [6] - The company employs around 27,500 qualified team members dedicated to providing high-quality care [6]