Company Overview - Pinnacle West Capital Corporation (PNW) is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, and provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in Arizona, with a market cap of $10.4 billion [1][2] - PNW is also engaged in real estate development activities in the western U.S. [1] Stock Performance - PNW's stock has declined 9.7% from its 52-week high of $96.50, reached on April 3, and has underperformed the Nasdaq Composite, which gained 13% over the same three-month period [3] - Year-to-date, PNW shares have risen 2.8%, but they have dipped 2.4% over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind the Nasdaq's YTD gains of 16.5% and 24.5% returns over the last year [4] - PNW has been trading below its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since late August, indicating a bearish trend [4] Financial Performance - In Q2, PNW reported an EPS of $1.58, a decline of 10.2% year-over-year, while revenue totaled $1.4 billion, reflecting a 3.8% year-over-year increase [5] - The company expects full-year EPS to be between $4.40 and $4.60 [5] Competitive Landscape - Evergy, Inc. (EVRG) has outperformed PNW, showing YTD gains of 19.8% and 19.5% returns over the past 52 weeks [5] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts maintain a "Moderate Buy" rating for PNW, with a consensus mean price target of $96.50, suggesting a potential upside of 10.7% from current price levels [6]

Group 1: CMS Energy Corporation - CMS Energy Corporation reported better-than-expected earnings for the second quarter on July 31, leading to a recommendation from Jim Cramer to buy the stock [1] - CMS Energy shares fell 0.1% to settle at $70.12 on Friday [5] Group 2: Ramaco Resources, Inc. - Jim Cramer suggested waiting for a pullback on Ramaco Resources, Inc. due to its significant price increase [1] - Jefferies analyst Chris LaFemina maintained a Buy rating on Ramaco Resources and raised the price target from $27 to $45 [1] - Ramaco Resources shares fell 1.6% to close at $30.42 [5] Group 3: Accenture plc - Accenture disclosed the acquisition of IAMConcepts, a Canadian company specializing in identity and access management services, on September 9 [2] - Jim Cramer expressed a positive outlook on Accenture, stating "I don't think it's that bad" and indicated willingness to invest [2] - Accenture shares rose 0.1% to settle at $239.70 on Friday [5] Group 4: Okta, Inc. - Okta reported second-quarter revenue of $728 million, exceeding analyst estimates of $712.01 million, and adjusted earnings of 91 cents per share, beating estimates of 84 cents per share [3] - Jim Cramer expressed a favorable view of Okta, recommending it alongside mentioning PANW [2] - Okta shares fell 0.3% to $93.37 during the session [5] Group 5: Rocket Companies, Inc. - Jim Cramer recommended Wells Fargo over Rocket Companies, Inc. when asked about the latter [3] - On September 4, Rocket and the Bank of Montreal extended and expanded their existing Master Repurchase Agreement [3] - Rocket Companies shares fell 3% to close at $20.51 [5]

Company Overview - CMS Energy Corporation is a diversified energy company based in Jackson, Michigan, primarily providing electric and natural gas utility services, with a market cap of $21 billion [1] - The company also engages in non-utility businesses, including independent power generation and renewable energy development [1] Market Position - CMS is classified as a "large-cap stock" due to its market cap exceeding $10 billion, highlighting its size and influence in the regulated electric utility industry [2] - The company has a strong understanding of Michigan's regulatory environment and is committed to environmental stewardship and operational efficiency [2] Stock Performance - CMS shares have decreased by 8.2% from their 52-week high of $76.45, reached on April 3, and have gained only 2% over the past three months, underperforming the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLU) 4.9% return [3][4] - Over the past 52 weeks, CMS has gained marginally, lagging behind XLU's 8.3% increase, and on a year-to-date basis, CMS shares are up 5.3%, compared to XLU's 11.7% surge [4] Recent Earnings - On July 31, CMS reported better-than-expected Q2 earnings, with operating revenue increasing by 14.4% year over year to $1.8 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by 8.9% [5] - The adjusted EPS for CMS was $0.71, reflecting a 7.6% increase from the previous year and 6% above analyst forecasts [5] Analyst Sentiment - Despite recent underperformance, analysts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook for CMS, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from 16 analysts [6] - The mean price target for CMS is $78.54, indicating an 11.9% premium to its current price levels [6]

Core Viewpoint - PPL Corporation is a significant player in the utilities-regulated electric industry, providing stable revenue through its diversified operations and advanced technological investments [2][5]. Company Overview - PPL Corporation, headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, serves approximately 3.6 million customers and has a market capitalization of $26.6 billion [1]. - The company generates electricity from power plants and markets wholesale and retail energy and natural gas, also delivering natural gas in Kentucky and Rhode Island [1]. Market Position - PPL is classified as a large-cap stock, reflecting its size and influence within the industry [2]. - The company benefits from a stable, regulated business model that ensures predictable revenue and reasonable returns [2]. Financial Performance - PPL's stock has experienced a 5.1% decline from its 52-week high of $37.38, reached on August 20 [3]. - Over the past three months, PPL's stock gained 5.4%, outperforming the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), which gained 3.9% [3]. - Year-to-date, PPL shares rose 9.3%, underperforming XLU's 11.2% gains, but over the past 52 weeks, PPL climbed 8.6%, outperforming XLU's 6.3% returns [4]. Technical Analysis - PPL has been trading above its 200-day moving average over the past year, indicating a bullish trend, although it has been below its 50-day moving average since early September [4]. Strategic Initiatives - The company's outperformance is attributed to its digital transformation and automation efforts, utilizing technologies like smart grids and predictive analytics to improve reliability and efficiency [5]. - Infrastructure investments, including a "Self-Healing Grid," enhance service resilience and support increasing demand, particularly from data centers in Pennsylvania and Kentucky [5].

Company Overview - Edison International (EIX) is a public utility holding company based in Rosemead, California, with a market cap of $21.6 billion, focusing on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution, while emphasizing renewable energy integration and grid modernization [1] - EIX is classified as a "large-cap stock," highlighting its size and influence in the regulated electric utility industry, leveraging scale, regulatory support, and clean energy expertise to drive innovation [2] Stock Performance - EIX is currently trading 36.6% below its 52-week high of $88.65, reached on November 27, 2024, but has seen a 16.9% increase over the past three months, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 8.9% return during the same period [3] - Over the past 52 weeks, EIX has declined 33.9%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500's 17.7% increase, and is down 29.2% year-to-date compared to the S&P 500's 12% rise [4] Financial Performance - EIX reported better-than-expected Q2 results on July 31, with operating revenue of $4.5 billion, reflecting a 4.8% year-over-year increase and exceeding analyst expectations by 8.4% [5] - The company's core EPS of $0.97 declined 21.1% year-over-year but surpassed consensus estimates by 10.2% [5] Competitive Position - EIX has underperformed its rival, PG&E Corporation (PCG), which saw a 20.8% decline over the past 52 weeks and a 22.5% drop year-to-date [6] - Analysts maintain a moderately optimistic outlook for EIX, with a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a mean price target of $66.53, indicating an 18.4% potential upside from current price levels [6]

Company Overview - Dominion Energy, Inc. is based in Richmond, Virginia, and has a market capitalization of $51.2 billion, providing energy products including natural gas and electric energy transmission, gathering, and storage solutions [1] - The company serves 7.5 million customers across 18 states, highlighting its extensive reach in the energy sector [1] Market Position and Strengths - As a large-cap stock, Dominion Energy's market cap exceeds $10 billion, indicating its significant size and influence in the regulated electric utility industry [2] - The company benefits from a diversified portfolio of regulated utility businesses, economies of scale, and strong brand equity, which contribute to stable revenue and predictable cash flows [2] - Dominion's commitment to innovation in grid modernization and renewable energy positions it favorably in the evolving energy landscape [2] Stock Performance - Despite a 3.9% decline from its 52-week high of $62.46 on August 20, Dominion's stock has gained 7.4% over the past three months, outperforming the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU), which gained 4.4% in the same period [3] - Year-to-date, Dominion's shares have risen 11.5%, and over the past 52 weeks, they have climbed 5%, although this is below XLU's YTD gains of 13% and 10.4% returns over the last year [4] Recent Financial Results - On August 1, Dominion reported Q2 results, with adjusted EPS increasing 15.4% year-over-year to $0.75 and revenue reaching $3.8 billion, up 9.3% from the same quarter last year [5] - The company expects full-year adjusted EPS to be in the range of $3.28 to $3.52 [5] Analyst Sentiment - Wall Street analysts have a cautious outlook on Dominion, with a consensus "Hold" rating from 17 analysts and a mean price target of $61.45, suggesting a potential upside of 2.3% from current price levels [6]

Valued at a market cap of $40.8 billion, Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PEG) is a diversified energy company that primarily generates and distributes electricity and natural gas. The Newark, New Jersey-based company also invests in clean energy initiatives, grid modernization, and energy efficiency programs, positioning itself as a key player in the transition toward a more sustainable energy future. Companies valued at $10 billion or more are typically classified as “large-cap stocks,” and ...

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses seven low beta stocks with dividend yields up to 8%, which are considered more stable during market downturns, providing a cushion against volatility [2][3]. Group 1: Low-Beta Dividend Stocks - Getty Realty (GTY) offers a 6.6% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.86 and a 1-year beta of 0.12, indicating lower volatility compared to the market. The company has a stable cash-flowing tenant base, primarily from convenience stores and car washes [5][7]. - AES Corp. (AES) has a 5.5% yield and operates with a 1-year beta of 0.88 and a 5-year beta of 0.96. It combines traditional utility services with renewable energy sales, providing growth potential [9][10]. - Northwest Bancshares (NWBI) offers a 6.8% yield with a 5-year beta of 0.69 and a 1-year beta of 0.80. The company has a solid balance sheet but faces challenges in consistent growth despite a recent merger [11][12]. - Conagra Brands (CAG) has a yield of 7.4% but faces significant challenges, including supply chain issues and food inflation, with a 1-year beta of -0.05 and a 5-year beta of 0.08 [17][21]. - Cal-Maine Foods (CALM) boasts an 8.0% yield and has seen a 60% increase year-to-date, with a 1-year beta of 0.67 and a 5-year beta of 0.19. The company has benefited from rising egg prices but faces income variability [23][24]. Group 2: Market Performance and Trends - The article highlights that low beta stocks tend to attract buyers during market downturns, which can help stabilize their share prices [3]. - The performance of low beta stocks like Kraft Heinz (KHC) and General Mills (GIS) has been disappointing, with low betas reflecting counter-market movements rather than stability [14][15]. - The overall trend indicates that while some low beta stocks have maintained dividends, their growth has been limited, and challenges remain in the current market environment [16][22].

Group 1: Company Strategy and Investments - PPL Corporation is heavily investing in grid modernization and transmission infrastructure to enhance energy delivery and meet rising demand, particularly from data centers [1][8] - The company is focusing on strategic investments in Pennsylvania and Kentucky to leverage the expected growth in the data center market, with nearly 11 gigawatts of potential demand in Pennsylvania, leading to a projected capital investment of $700-$850 million [2][8] - PPL plans a regulated capital investment of $20 billion from 2025 to 2028, with specific investments of $4.3 billion in 2025 and $5.2 billion in 2026, targeting an average annual rate base growth of 9.8% during this period [4][8] Group 2: Financial Performance and Earnings Estimates - PPL's capital investments are expected to significantly boost earnings per share (EPS) growth, with Zacks Consensus Estimates indicating increases of 7.69% for 2025 and 7.97% for 2026 [3][7] - The current Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS in 2025 is $1.82, with a projected increase to $1.97 in 2026, reflecting a year-over-year growth estimate of 7.69% and 7.97% respectively [9] Group 3: Market Position and Stock Performance - PPL is trading at a premium compared to the industry, with a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 18.32X, while the industry average is 14.63X [10] - Over the past year, PPL's stock has increased by 24.3%, outperforming the industry growth of 16.4% [12]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence through various resources [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors identify stocks with the potential to outperform the market within a 30-day timeframe [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - The Style Scores categorize stocks into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] - Value Score emphasizes finding undervalued stocks using financial ratios [3] - Growth Score focuses on a company's financial health and future growth potential [4] - Momentum Score capitalizes on existing trends in stock prices and earnings [5] - VGM Score combines all three styles to provide a comprehensive assessment of stocks [6] Zacks Rank and Performance - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to assist in portfolio building [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential to utilize Style Scores for optimal stock selection [9] Stock Highlight: DTE Energy - DTE Energy, based in Detroit, is a diversified energy company with a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B [11] - The company is projected to have a year-over-year earnings growth of 6% for the current fiscal year, supported by upward revisions from analysts [12] - DTE's earnings consensus estimate has increased by $0.02 to $7.24 per share, with an average earnings surprise of 11.8% [12]