Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) is included among the 15 Large Cap Stocks with Highest Dividends. Eni (E) Announces Bump in Shareholder Returns Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) operates as an integrated energy company in Italy, the rest of Europe, the United States, Asia, Africa, and internationally. Eni S.p.A. (NYSE:E) announced on March 19 that it had bumped the top end of its ​distribution range for the next five years. The company now plans to return 35%-45% of its cash flow from operations (CFFO) to shareholders, up from 3 ...

Supporting his view, Macquarie analyst Steve Koenig initiated coverage of Okta on Thursday with an Outperform rating and set a price target of $100.Shannon Saccocia, chief investment officer of NB Private Wealth, picked iShares U.S. Healthcare ETF (NYSE:IYH) .Don't forget to check out our premarket coverage hereJoshua Brown, co-founder and CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, recommended Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) .On the earnings front, Phillips 66 reported better-than-expected fourth-quarter financial results o ...

Key Takeaways Low-beta screen flags AGRO, PRA, E and LQDA as volatility rises amid Iran war concerns.AGRO generates more than 1M MWh renewable power, reducing costs and reliance on external energy.LQDA sees YUTREPIA uptake, rising referrals, market share, profitability and positive cash flow.Investors are worried that the war in Iran could hurt the global financial markets and the economies. Thus, the stock market will likely remain volatile. Amid rising fears, one can bet on low-beta stocks like Adecoagro ...

Key Takeaways ExxonMobil relies on a strong balance sheet to navigate oil and gas price volatility.XOM's 14.04% debt-to-capitalization is far below the industry average of 29.2%.Financial strength enables ExxonMobil to fund projects, pay out dividends and pursue acquisitions.Exxon Mobil Corporation (XOM) generates the majority of its earnings from upstream operations, and, therefore, is highly vulnerable to volatility in oil and natural gas prices. However, unlike many energy companies, XOM can rely on its ...

Core Insights - The efficiency level of a company is crucial for assessing its potential to generate profits and is positively correlated with price performance [1] Efficiency Ratios - Receivables Turnover measures a company's ability to extend credit and collect debts, with a high ratio indicating quality customers [2] - Asset Utilization indicates how effectively a company converts assets into output, with a high ratio suggesting efficiency [3] - Inventory Turnover reflects a company's ability to maintain an appropriate inventory level, with a high value indicating low inventory relative to cost of goods sold [4] - Operating Margin measures a company's control over operating expenses, with a high ratio indicating efficient management compared to peers [5] Screening Criteria - The screening process included a favorable Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) to enhance profitability [6] - The criteria narrowed down over 7,906 stocks to 13 based on efficiency ratios exceeding industry averages [7] Selected Stocks - Buenaventura Mining (BVN) shows strong efficiency metrics with an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 80.4% [8][9] - Veeco Instruments (VECO) has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of nearly 26% [8][10] - Blue Bird (BLBD) achieved an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 23.3% [8][11] - Eni (E) has an average four-quarter earnings surprise of 13.5% [8][12]

Core Insights - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is a popular metric among investors for identifying undervalued stocks, but it has limitations, particularly in valuing loss-making firms and being susceptible to accounting manipulation [1][6] - The EV-to-EBITDA ratio is considered a more comprehensive alternative, providing a clearer picture of a company's valuation and earnings potential by accounting for debt and excluding non-cash expenses [2][4][10] Valuation Metrics - EV-to-EBITDA is calculated by dividing a company's enterprise value (EV) by its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), offering a better understanding of profitability [4] - A lower EV-to-EBITDA ratio indicates a potentially undervalued stock, making it attractive for acquisition targets as it reflects the debt burden an acquirer would assume [5][10] - P/E ratios cannot be used for loss-making firms, while EV-to-EBITDA can value EBITDA-positive companies, making it useful for comparing firms with varying debt levels [6] Industry Comparisons - The EV-to-EBITDA ratio varies across industries, making it less appropriate for comparing stocks in different sectors due to diverse capital requirements [7] - A strategy based solely on EV-to-EBITDA may not be effective; it is recommended to combine it with other ratios like P/B, P/E, and P/S for a more robust stock screening approach [8] Screening Criteria for Value Stocks - Parameters for screening value stocks include: - EV-to-EBITDA ratio lower than the industry median [9] - P/E ratio lower than the industry median [9] - P/B ratio lower than the industry median [11] - P/S ratio lower than the industry median [11] - Estimated one-year EPS growth greater than or equal to the industry median [11] - Average 20-day volume greater than or equal to 100,000 [12] - Current price greater than or equal to $5 [12] - Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 [12] - Value Score of A or B [13] Selected Stocks - Eni S.p.A. (E) has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of A, with an expected earnings growth rate of 10.3% for 2026 [13][14] - Sanmina Corporation (SANM) has a Zacks Rank of 1 and a Value Score of B, with an expected earnings growth rate of 66.5% for fiscal 2026 [14][15] - FirstSun Capital Bancorp (FSUN) has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A, with an expected earnings growth rate of 13.8% for 2026 [15][16] - First American Financial Corporation (FAF) has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of A, with an expected earnings growth rate of 5% for 2026 [17][18] - AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (AXS) has a Zacks Rank of 2 and a Value Score of B, with an expected earnings growth rate of 2.5% for 2026 [18][19]

Market Overview - Geopolitical tensions, particularly around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, have heightened market alertness, leading to increased oil prices and pressure on equities. However, historical trends indicate that such regional conflicts typically result in temporary market fluctuations rather than long-term damage [1][2] - The broader economic landscape remains stable, with inflation easing from previous highs and policymakers actively monitoring price trends and the labor market. Measures such as releasing oil reserves have been implemented to alleviate supply concerns, contributing to market stability [2] Investment Opportunities - In a volatile market, stocks that demonstrate relative price strength can indicate investor confidence and present attractive investment opportunities. Companies such as TechnipFMC plc, GigaCloud Technology, Dave Inc., and Eni S.p.A. are highlighted as potential candidates for investment [3][4] - TechnipFMC plc has seen a significant price increase of 142.9% over the past year, with an expected EPS growth rate of 18.8% over the next three to five years, outperforming the industry growth rate of 12.8% [10][11] - GigaCloud Technology has achieved a remarkable 205.4% increase in share price over the past year, consistently beating earnings estimates with an average surprise of 64.5% [12][13] - Dave Inc. has experienced a 173% increase in share price, with a Zacks Consensus Estimate indicating a 9.9% growth in earnings for 2026 [14][15] - Eni S.p.A. has gained nearly 67% in share price over the past year, with a market capitalization of approximately $82 billion and a projected 10.3% year-over-year growth in earnings [15][16] Screening Parameters - The investment screening process includes criteria such as positive relative price changes over various time frames, positive current-quarter estimate revisions, and a minimum stock price of $5 with adequate trading volume [8][9] - Stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, combined with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, are considered to have the best upside potential [10]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. government's softening stance on greenhouse gases is a positive development for major energy companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron, although the long-term shift towards cleaner energy sources remains a challenge for the sector [2][11]. Company Overview - ExxonMobil and Chevron are globally diversified integrated energy companies, involved in the entire energy value chain, including oil and natural gas production, transportation, and processing into refined products [3]. - Both companies have strong financial positions, characterized by the lowest debt-to-equity ratios among their peers, which helps mitigate the volatility of the energy sector [5]. Financial Performance - ExxonMobil has a market capitalization of $614 billion, with a current price of $147.07 and a dividend yield of 2.74% [7][8]. - Chevron has a market capitalization of $370 billion, with a current price of $183.72 and a dividend yield of 3.76% [10]. Dividend History - Both Exxon and Chevron have a history of increasing their dividends annually for over three decades, demonstrating financial resilience during industry downturns [6]. Regulatory Environment - The easing of greenhouse gas regulations is beneficial for Exxon and Chevron, but there is a risk that future administrations may reinstate stricter regulations [11]. - The diversified business models of these companies position them well to handle potential regulatory changes in the future [11]. Investment Strategy - Given the inherent volatility of the energy sector, investing in reliable dividend payers like Exxon and Chevron is advisable, allowing investors to benefit from their above-market dividend yields while navigating regulatory changes [12].

Core Insights - Suncor Energy Inc. is a major integrated energy company in Canada, involved in oil sands development, offshore oil production, and petroleum refining, along with operating the Petro-Canada retail and wholesale distribution networks, including EV charging stations [1] Financial Performance - Suncor is expected to release its quarterly earnings on February 3, 2026, with Wall Street estimating earnings per share (EPS) at $0.77 and projected revenue around $9.03 billion, while Zacks Investment Research forecasts a lower revenue of $8.48 billion, indicating a 5.1% decrease from the previous year [2] - The anticipated EPS of $0.77 reflects a 13.5% decline compared to the same quarter last year, following a strong third quarter where the EPS was $1.07, exceeding expectations [3][6] - The downward revision of the consensus EPS estimate by 0.8% over the past month suggests analysts are reassessing projections due to weaker crude prices and a strong dollar affecting cash flow [3] Market Valuation - Suncor's financial metrics include a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of approximately 16.65, a price-to-sales ratio of about 1.73, and an enterprise value to sales ratio of around 1.96, reflecting the market's valuation relative to its revenue and sales [4] - The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.32, indicating a moderate level of debt relative to equity, and a current ratio of about 1.35, demonstrating its ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets [5] - An earnings yield of about 6.01% provides additional insight into Suncor's financial health and investment potential [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - The energy sector, typically known for volatility, can still provide reliable dividends, as demonstrated by ExxonMobil and Chevron, which have successfully navigated the energy commodity cycle while rewarding investors with consistent dividend growth [1]. Company Overview - ExxonMobil and Chevron are integrated energy companies operating across upstream (energy production), midstream (pipelines), and downstream (chemicals and refining) segments, which helps mitigate the impact of oil and natural gas price fluctuations [3]. Dividend Performance - ExxonMobil has increased its dividend annually for over 40 years, while Chevron has maintained its dividend growth for more than 30 years, showcasing a level of consistency unmatched by peers like Shell, BP, and TotalEnergies, which have faced dividend cuts [4]. Dividend Yields - ExxonMobil offers a dividend yield of 3%, and Chevron provides a higher yield of 4.1%, significantly above the S&P 500 index's yield of 1.1%, making them attractive options for dividend investors [5]. Financial Strength - Both companies have strong balance sheets, with ExxonMobil's debt-to-equity ratio at 0.16 and Chevron's at 0.22, the lowest among their peers, allowing them to manage debt effectively during downturns and support dividends [6]. Investment Recommendation - Given their financial stability and dividend performance, ExxonMobil and Chevron are considered strong investment choices, with Chevron currently offering a better income opportunity for conservative investors [7].