Market Overview - U.S. stock markets ended positively with the Nasdaq Composite, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and S&P 500 gaining 1.18%, 1.08%, and 0.93% respectively despite mid-week volatility [1] - Market direction was influenced by U.S. policy developments regarding Venezuela, enthusiasm for AI-linked technology stocks, and mixed economic data [1] Economic Indicators - The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 47.9 in December 2025, the lowest since October 2024, indicating contraction [2] - Conversely, the Services PMI unexpectedly rose to 54.4 in December from 52.6 in the previous month, indicating expansion [2] - Nonfarm Payrolls increased by 50,000 jobs in December, below expectations, while the unemployment rate slightly declined to 4.4% from 4.5% in November [2] - Average Hourly Earnings increased by 3.8% year-over-year, up from 3.6% in November [2] Stock Performance - Indivior PLC shares rose 21.7% since being upgraded to Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) on October 31, outperforming the S&P 500's 2% increase [4] - FormFactor, Inc. shares increased by 15.9% since its upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) on October 31, also outperforming the S&P 500 [5] - An equal-weight portfolio of Zacks Rank 1 stocks outperformed the equal-weight S&P 500 index by 7 percentage points, returning +17.81% compared to +10.85% for the index [5] Focus List and Model Portfolios - The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500 index's +17.9% gain [12] - The Focus List has consistently outperformed the S&P 500 over various time frames, including a +22.1% return in the last year compared to +17.9% for the index [14] - The Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP) returned -1.67% in 2025, underperforming the S&P 500's +17.9% gain [15] - The Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -0.6% in 2025, also underperforming compared to the S&P 500 [19] Notable Stock Recommendations - FIGS, Inc. shares surged 56.8% since being upgraded to Outperform on November 7, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's 3.5% increase [8] - Five Below, Inc. shares increased by 21.7% since its upgrade on October 29, again outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - Mettler-Toledo International Inc. and Accenture plc saw returns of 16.6% and 16.5% respectively over the past 12 weeks [14]

Core Insights - U.S. stock futures are trading mixed, with several companies expected to report earnings that may attract investor attention [1] Company Summaries - **Accenture Plc (NYSE:ACN)**: Expected to report quarterly earnings of $3.75 per share on revenue of $18.52 billion. Shares gained 0.2% to $274.27 in after-hours trading [1] - **Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU)**: Reported first-quarter revenue of $13.64 billion, exceeding analyst estimates of $12.83 billion. Adjusted earnings were $4.78 per share, surpassing estimates of $3.95 per share. Shares climbed 8% to $243.74 in after-hours trading [1] - **FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX)**: Analysts expect quarterly earnings of $4.10 per share on revenue of $22.79 billion, with earnings to be released after market close. Shares rose 0.4% to $283.21 in after-hours trading [1] - **MillerKnoll, Inc. (NASDAQ:MLKN)**: Posted better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter and provided a strong forecast for the current quarter. Shares surged 9.2% to $19.14 in after-hours trading [1] - **Nike Inc. (NYSE:NKE)**: Expected to report quarterly earnings of 38 cents per share on revenue of $12.22 billion after market close. Shares rose 0.3% to $65.88 in after-hours trading [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry**: Technology Sector - **Key Focus**: Analysis of technology valuations, AI performance, software versus semiconductors, and hyperscaler capital expenditure trends Core Insights 1. **Technology Valuations**: - Global technology trades at a 36x HOLT Economic P/E, which is in the 75th percentile of historical valuations, only exceeding 40x during the dot-com bubble [7][8][12] - The sector has shown strong fundamentals, with earnings revisions outpacing other sectors since summer, leading to forecasts of all-time high returns [2][12] 2. **AI Performance**: - The AI Winners basket has returned +46% in 2025, while the AI Risk basket has declined by 33% [3][20] - Despite a decade-high valuation premium for AI Winners, near-term fundamentals remain strong for both groups, with AI Winners expected to achieve a CFROI of 20% [23][20] 3. **Software vs. Semiconductors**: - Software has underperformed semiconductors this year, with recent sell-side earnings upgrades favoring semiconductors [4][30] - In the software sector, Palantir (PLTR) leads in revenue growth expectations, while Adobe (ADBE) is priced for the lowest long-term sales growth [4][33] 4. **Hyperscaler Capital Expenditure**: - Hyperscaler capital expenditure (Capex) is projected to reach an all-time high of $780 billion in 2026, with R&D spending expected to increase by 40% [5][37] - Companies like META, MSFT, and ORCL are forecasted to see a decline in CFROI in the near term, but overall economic profit for hyperscalers is expected to reach $400 billion in 2026, driven by growth [5][45][43] Additional Important Insights 1. **Market Sentiment**: - The technology sector has a disproportionate number of firms ranking in the top quintile on HOLT's Momentum Factor, indicating strong market sentiment [9][12] - CFROI revision breadth has been strong, with the largest tech firms outpacing others in earnings revisions [12][16] 2. **Valuation Screening**: - A screening of tech companies with strong price performance and rising CFROI revisions identified 71 attractive stocks, including NVIDIA, Microsoft, and Broadcom [18] 3. **Sales Growth Expectations**: - Market-implied sales growth for AI Winners is expected to be in double digits over the next decade, contrasting with low single digits for many AI Risk firms [26][28] 4. **Investment Recommendations**: - Companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Broadcom are rated as "Buy," while Adobe is rated "Neutral" [64] This summary encapsulates the key points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the current state and future outlook of the technology sector, particularly in relation to AI, software, semiconductors, and hyperscaler investments.

Core Insights - Investing in stocks based on valuation metrics, particularly the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio, can identify opportunities with strong upside potential, especially for unprofitable or early-stage companies [1][2][3] Valuation Metrics - The P/S ratio compares a company's market capitalization to its revenues, providing a clearer picture of value when earnings are minimal or volatile [2][5] - A P/S ratio below 1 indicates a good bargain, as investors pay less than a dollar for each dollar of revenue generated [6] - The P/S ratio is often preferred over the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio due to the difficulty of manipulating sales figures compared to earnings [7][10] Investment Opportunities - Companies with low P/S ratios, such as Affiliated Managers Group (AMG), The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (GBX), Signet Jewelers (SIG), Cognizant Technology Solutions (CTSH), and PagSeguro Digital (PAGS), may offer compelling growth opportunities [4][10] - AMG is positioned for growth through partnerships and a robust balance sheet, currently holding a Zacks Rank 2 and a Value Score of A [12][13] - GBX benefits from a strong market position and ongoing success in its leasing business, also holding a Value Score of A and Zacks Rank 2 [14][15] - SIG demonstrates strength in key jewelry segments and has implemented cost-saving initiatives, maintaining a Value Score of A and Zacks Rank 2 [16][17] - CTSH is experiencing robust organic growth, particularly in Health Sciences and Financial Services, with a Value Score of B and Zacks Rank 2 [18][20] - PAGS is expanding its digital banking platform and adjusting credit offerings, well-positioned for long-term opportunities in Brazil's digital finance space, holding a Value Score of A and Zacks Rank 2 [21][22]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - The focus of the conference call is on the integration of AI across various sectors, particularly in the context of corporate strategies and employee sentiments regarding AI adoption [1][2]. Core Insights 1. **CEO Pressure and AI Integration** - A significant 74% of CEOs believe they could lose their jobs within two years if they do not deliver measurable AI-driven business gains [5] - 54% of CEOs acknowledge that at least one competitor has already implemented a superior AI strategy [5] - 92% of CEOs feel their company would benefit from adding or replacing a board member with an AI subject matter expert [5] 2. **AI Mentions in Corporate Discourse** - In the first half of 2025, 243 unique US stocks referenced AI agents a total of 478 times, with the highest mentions in Information Technology, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials [2][9]. - The top three sub-industries discussing AI agents are Data Processing & Outsourced Services, IT Consulting & Other Services, and Broadline Retail [2][12]. 3. **Employee Sentiment** - There has been a notable increase in negative employee feedback regarding AI, with 48% of AI mentions in Glassdoor reviews of non-tech companies being negative [6][25]. - Overall and Senior Management Glassdoor ratings have declined over the past two years, particularly in Real Estate and Information Technology [27]. 4. **AI Strategy and Implementation Challenges** - 37% of CEOs report delays in AI initiatives, while 32% have canceled or abandoned projects due to regulatory uncertainty [5]. - 35% of AI initiatives are perceived as "AI washing," providing little to no real business value [5]. 5. **Future Outlook and Strategic Priorities** - 78% of CEOs have prioritized AI strategy and execution as a core part of their company's 2025 business goals [5]. - 86% of CEOs are confident that pre-built "off the shelf" AI agents can be as effective as custom-built solutions [5]. Additional Important Insights - The cumulative mentions of AI in Glassdoor reviews have been increasing, with a significant rise noted since 2024 [6][19]. - The sectors with the most negative AI mentions include Health Care (54% negative), Real Estate (58% negative), and Financials (52% negative) [25]. - The decline in Glassdoor ratings for senior management is particularly pronounced in Real Estate and Information Technology, indicating potential issues with leadership perception in these sectors [27]. This summary encapsulates the critical points discussed in the conference call, highlighting the current state of AI integration in various industries, the pressures faced by CEOs, and the evolving sentiments of employees regarding AI initiatives.