Uttar Pradesh (UP) has emerged as the leading state in the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with 34,830 enrolments, highlighting growing youth engagement in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills. Maharashtra follows with 27,009 learners, while Andhra Pradesh has registered 17,734 enrolments, pointing to widespread adoption of AI learning across regions. A total of 2,11,029 learners from across the country have signed up ...

Market Overview - The U.S. market is experiencing significant volatility, influenced by tariff fears, geopolitical tensions, and concerns over an AI-driven market bubble, with these worries extending into 2026 [1] - A U.S. military operation in Venezuela has further unsettled global markets, highlighting the rapid impact of geopolitical events on investor sentiment [2] - President Trump's trade threats against European nations, linked to his Greenland acquisition bid, could lead to planned tariffs of 10% in February, increasing to 25% by June, potentially lowering market confidence [3] Investment Strategy - In the current uncertain environment, value investing is emphasized as a strategy to focus on fundamentally strong stocks trading below their intrinsic value, positioning for long-term gains when markets stabilize [4][10] - The earnings yield metric is highlighted as a valuable tool for identifying undervalued stocks, calculated by dividing earnings per share (EPS) by the current stock price, serving as the inverse of the P/E ratio [6][7] - A high earnings yield indicates potential undervaluation, while a low earnings yield may suggest overvaluation, guiding investor decisions [7] Stock Picks - Four stocks with high earnings yield and solid growth outlooks are identified: Centerra Gold, Inc. (CGAU), Plains GP Holdings, L.P. (PAGP), Angi, Inc. (ANGI), and Skillsoft Corp. (SKIL) [5][10] - Centerra Gold is positioned for growth with a Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 earnings implying a 48% year-over-year growth, with EPS estimates rising by 17 cents recently [14] - Plains GP Holdings is transitioning to a more focused crude oil operator, with a 27% year-over-year growth forecast for 2026 earnings and a recent EPS estimate increase of 30 cents [16] - Angi is expanding its digital marketplace and aims to enhance its AI capabilities, with a 36% year-over-year growth forecast for 2026 earnings and a recent EPS estimate increase of 16 cents [18] - Skillsoft is focusing on AI-driven solutions, with a 69 cents increase in EPS estimates for fiscal 2026 and an 11% year-over-year growth forecast for fiscal 2027 [20]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Micron Technology, Skillsoft, and Alarm.com [1][2][3] Group 1: Micron Technology (MU) - Micron Technology is a leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Micron's current year earnings has increased by 27.1% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.47, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.28, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft, which provides digital learning and training solutions, also carries a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Skillsoft's current year earnings has surged by 519.3% over the last 60 days [2] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.29, slightly lower than the industry average of 0.30, and possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Alarm.com (ALRM) - Alarm.com offers interactive security solutions and holds a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Alarm.com's current year earnings has increased by 5.5% over the last 60 days [3] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.51, which is lower than the industry average of 2.98, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Micron Technology, Skillsoft, and Tesco [1][2][3] Group 1: Micron Technology (MU) - Micron Technology is a leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Micron's current year earnings has increased by 24.4% over the last 60 days [1] - The company has a PEG ratio of 0.49, significantly lower than the industry average of 1.40, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft specializes in digital learning, training, and talent solutions, also holding a Zacks Rank 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Skillsoft's current year earnings has surged by 240.9% over the last 60 days [2] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.36 compared to the industry average of 1.09, and it has a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Tesco (TSCDY) - Tesco is the UK's largest retailer and one of the leading international retailers, maintaining a Zacks Rank 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Tesco's current year earnings has increased by 4.6% over the last 60 days [3] - Tesco has a PEG ratio of 1.30, which is lower than the industry average of 2.34, and it possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Universal Health Services, Micron Technology, and Skillsoft [1][2][3] Company Summaries - **Universal Health Services (UHS)**: - Operates acute care hospitals, behavioral health centers, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and radiation oncology centers - Holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 0.7% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 0.86 compared to the industry average of 1.02 - Growth Score of A [1][2] - **Micron Technology (MU)**: - A leading provider of semiconductor memory solutions - Holds a Zacks Rank 1 - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 24.3% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 0.48 compared to the industry average of 1.32 - Growth Score of A [2] - **Skillsoft (SKIL)**: - Provides digital learning, training, and talent solutions - Holds a Zacks Rank 1 - Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings increased by 240.9% over the last 60 days - PEG ratio of 0.49 compared to the industry average of 0.88 - Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participacoes, Skillsoft, and Western Digital [1][2][3] Group 1: Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP) - Ultrapar Participacoes is a major Brazilian industrial group, one of the largest distributors of liquefied petroleum gas in Brazil, and a leading producer of petrochemicals [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 33.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Ultrapar has a PEG ratio of 1.98, which is lower than the industry average of 2.56, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft provides digital learning, training, and talent solutions and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The company has experienced a significant increase of 240.9% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.43, compared to the industry average of 0.99, and holds a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Western Digital (WDC) - Western Digital is a leading developer and manufacturer of data storage devices and solutions based on NAND flash and hard disk drive technologies [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 and has seen a 1.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Western Digital has a PEG ratio of 0.98, significantly lower than the industry average of 2.31, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Three stocks with strong growth characteristics and buy ranks are highlighted for investors: Ultrapar Participacoes, Skillsoft, and Seagate Technology [1][2][3] Group 1: Ultrapar Participacoes (UGP) - Ultrapar Participacoes is a major Brazilian industrial group, one of the largest distributors of liquefied petroleum gas in Brazil, and a leading producer of petrochemicals [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and has seen a 33.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Ultrapar has a PEG ratio of 11.13, which is lower than the industry average of 18.70, and possesses a Growth Score of A [2] Group 2: Skillsoft (SKIL) - Skillsoft provides digital learning, training, and talent solutions and also carries a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The company has experienced a significant increase of 240.9% in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - Skillsoft has a PEG ratio of 0.40, compared to the industry average of 0.78, and holds a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Seagate Technology (STX) - Seagate Technology specializes in data storage technology and infrastructure solutions, holding a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The company has seen a 4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Seagate has a PEG ratio of 0.87, which is lower than the industry average of 1.35, and possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Skillsoft Corp. reported an earnings per share of $0.92, significantly surpassing the expected loss of $2.10 per share and showing a turnaround from the previous year's loss of $2.4 per share [1][5] - Despite the earnings beat, the company's revenue of $128.8 million fell short of analysts' expectations of $136 million, representing a 3% decrease compared to the previous year [2][5] Financial Metrics - The price-to-sales ratio is 0.24, indicating that the market values the company's sales at approximately 24 cents for every dollar of sales [3] - The enterprise value to sales ratio is 1.17, reflecting the company's total valuation relative to its sales [3] - The enterprise value to operating cash flow ratio is 20.58, suggesting that Skillsoft is valued at over 20 times its operating cash flow [4] - The debt-to-equity ratio is high at 6.28, indicating a heavy reliance on debt financing [4] - The current ratio is 0.88, suggesting potential challenges in covering short-term liabilities with short-term assets [4]