Group 1: Sanmina (SANM) - Sanmina is a global provider of electronics contract manufacturing services [1] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [1] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 38.9% over the last 60 days [1] - Sanmina has a PEG ratio of 0.66 compared to the industry average of 1.82 [1] - The company possesses a Growth Score of A [1] Group 2: H World Group Limited Sponsored ADR (HTHT) - H World Group is involved in the hotel industry [2] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 3.1% over the last 60 days [2] - H World Group has a PEG ratio of 1.26 compared to the industry average of 1.97 [2] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [2] Group 3: Allstate (ALL) - Allstate is the third-largest property-casualty insurer and the largest publicly-held personal lines carrier in the U.S. [3] - The company has a Zacks Rank of 1 [3] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings has increased by 26.9% over the last 60 days [3] - Allstate has a PEG ratio of 0.58 compared to the industry average of 1.75 [3] - The company possesses a Growth Score of B [3]

Core Insights - Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) List, indicating strong potential for investment. Group 1: Company Performance - Allstate (ALL) is the third-largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S., with a 29.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - Harmony Gold (HMY) engages in gold mining and related activities, experiencing a 12.7% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (AMX) is the leading telecommunications provider in Latin America, with a 12.6% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - Deutsche Bank (DB), the largest bank in Germany, has seen a 5.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - Enersys (ENS) manufactures industrial batteries and has experienced a 5.3% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current year earnings over the last 60 days [5]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market is experiencing a strong bull run, driven by economic resilience and increased CEO confidence, which reached an index of 60 in Q1 2025, indicating "confident optimism" [1] - The economy expanded by 2.8% in Q4 2024, supported by a robust labor market, while a 1% rate cut by the Federal Reserve has lowered borrowing costs, promoting business expansions and consumer spending [1] - Inflation is trending towards the Fed's 2% target, leading to optimism about further monetary easing in 2025 [1] Investment Strategy - Investors are encouraged to focus on relative price strength, identifying stocks that outperform their peers as market trends strengthen [2] - High-performing stocks with strong relative price momentum are seen as advantageous in navigating the ongoing bull market [2] Recommended Stocks - **Pitney Bowes (PBI)**: Expected earnings growth of 47.6% for 2025, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of approximately 96.6% and a share price increase of 177.4% over the past year [10][11] - **The Hanover Insurance Group (THG)**: Projected earnings growth of 7.7% for 2025, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of about 21.7% and a share price increase of 20.2% over the past year [12][13] - **EnerSys (ENS)**: Anticipated EPS growth rate of 19.8% for fiscal 2025, with a 12.8% share price increase over the past year [14][15] - **First Financial Corporation (THFF)**: Expected earnings growth of 39% for 2025, with a share price increase of 38.6% over the past year [16][17] Screening Parameters - Stocks are screened based on relative price changes over 12 weeks, 4 weeks, and 1 week, as well as positive current-quarter estimate revisions [8] - Only Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) stocks that have historically outperformed the S&P 500 are considered, with a minimum price of $5 and adequate trading volume [9][10]

Financial Performance - Berkshire recorded operating earnings of $47.4 billion in 2024, an increase from $37.35 billion in 2023, reflecting a growth of approximately 27.3%[26] - The insurance-underwriting segment generated $9.02 billion in earnings in 2024, up from $5.43 billion in 2023, marking a significant increase of 66.5%[30] - Investment income from insurance rose to $13.67 billion in 2024, compared to $9.57 billion in 2023, representing a growth of 43.5%[30] - Berkshire paid a total of $26.8 billion in corporate income taxes in 2024, accounting for about 5% of total corporate tax payments in the U.S.[34] - 53% of Berkshire's 189 operating businesses reported a decline in earnings, indicating challenges in certain sectors[21] Insurance Operations - GEICO's performance improved significantly under Todd Combs, contributing to the overall increase in insurance earnings[22] - The property-casualty insurance pricing strengthened during 2024, influenced by increased damage from convective storms[23] - Berkshire's insurance business generated $32 billion of after-tax profits from underwriting over the past two decades, equating to approximately 3.3 cents per dollar of sales after income tax[63] - The float of Berkshire's insurance operations grew from $46 billion to $171 billion, indicating a significant increase in available capital for investment[63] - Berkshire's insurance operations are characterized by a unique financial model, receiving payment upfront and incurring costs later, which allows for substantial investment of "float"[55] - Berkshire's insurance business is not dependent on reinsurers, providing a material and enduring cost advantage[62] - The company emphasizes the importance of intelligent underwriting to manage risks and maintain profitability in the insurance sector[62] Investment Strategy - Berkshire's approach to capital allocation emphasizes long-term investments, with a focus on reinvestment over dividend payments[35] - Berkshire's ownership in marketable equities decreased from $354 billion to $272 billion, while the value of non-quoted controlled equities increased[42] - Berkshire's aggregate cost for its Japanese investments was $13.8 billion, with a market value of $23.5 billion at year-end[70] - Expected annual dividend income from Japanese investments in 2025 is projected to be $812 million, while the interest cost of yen-denominated debt is estimated at $135 million[72] - Berkshire's investment in five Japanese companies has been ongoing since July 2019, with a commitment to keep holdings below 10% of each company's shares[67] - Berkshire's strategy includes a focus on American equities, with a commitment to long-term investments rather than cash-equivalent assets[43] Market Value Growth - Berkshire's compounded annual gain from 1965 to 2024 is 19.9%, compared to the S&P 500's 10.4%[89] - Overall gain for Berkshire from 1964 to 2024 is 5,502,284%, while the S&P 500's gain is 39,054%[89] - In 2023, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 15.8%, while the S&P 500 increased by 26.3%[89] - In 2024, Berkshire's projected per-share market value growth is 25.5%, compared to the S&P 500's 25.0%[89] - In 2022, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 4.0%, while the S&P 500 decreased by 18.1%[89] - In 2021, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 29.6%, while the S&P 500 increased by 28.7%[89] - In 2020, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 2.4%, while the S&P 500 increased by 18.4%[89] - In 2019, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 11.0%, while the S&P 500 increased by 31.5%[89] - In 2018, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 2.8%, while the S&P 500 decreased by 4.4%[89] - In 2017, Berkshire's per-share market value increased by 21.9%, while the S&P 500 increased by 21.8%[89]