Core Insights - Major U.S. stock market indices closed positively on January 9, 2026, following December jobs data, with unemployment rate decreasing to 4.4% but job additions missing expectations [1] Group 1: Market Trends - Investors are shifting towards dividend-growth stocks due to a preference for quality and visibility amid economic uncertainty, as these stocks signal robust cash flows [2][9] - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are seen as better investments for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] Group 2: Characteristics of Dividend Growth Stocks - Dividend growth stocks belong to mature companies, providing a hedge against market volatility and economic uncertainty while offering downside protection through consistent payout increases [4] - These stocks typically exhibit superior fundamentals, including sustainable business models, profitability, rising cash flows, good liquidity, and strong balance sheets [5] Group 3: Selected Dividend Growth Stocks - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and annual dividend yield of 0.35% [10][11] - Cardinal Health (CAH): Projected revenue growth of 16.2% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 13.90%, and annual dividend yield of 1.02% [12] - Fox Corp. (FOX): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.6% for fiscal 2027, long-term earnings growth rate of 10.10%, and annual dividend yield of 0.84% [13] - Kinross Gold (KGC): Expected revenue growth of 11% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 36.5%, and annual dividend yield of 0.45% [14] - Donaldson (DCI): Projected revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and annual dividend yield of 1.26% [15]

Market Overview - The U.S. stock market experienced a slight decline on December 26, 2025, primarily due to low trading volume following the Christmas holiday, with many institutional investors absent for the year [1] - Major indexes such as the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq saw small dips, ending short winning streaks observed earlier in the week [1][9] Investment Strategy - During the holiday season, equity investors may favor dividend-growth stocks over high price-growth stocks, as companies with a consistent history of dividend increases often exhibit strong financial health [2] - Dividend-growth stocks provide a defensive hedge against economic uncertainty and market volatility, making them attractive during periods of low market activity [4] Dividend Growth Stocks - Stocks with a strong history of year-over-year dividend growth are considered healthier investments, offering greater potential for capital appreciation compared to simple dividend-paying stocks [3][6] - Five selected dividend-growth stocks include: - Woodward Inc. (WWD): Expected revenue growth of 11.1% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15.20%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.36% [10] - Enersys (ENS): Projected revenue growth of 4% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 15%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.70% [11] - Donaldson (DCI): Anticipated revenue growth of 3.5% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 10%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.31% [12] - Rockwell Automation (ROK): Expected revenue growth of 5.8% for fiscal 2026, long-term earnings growth rate of 12.4%, and an annual dividend yield of 1.38% [13] - Vertiv Holdings (VRT): Projected revenue growth of 27.5% for fiscal 2025, long-term earnings growth rate of 30.2%, and an annual dividend yield of 0.15% [14] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks selected for their strong fundamentals include criteria such as: - 5-Year Historical Dividend Growth Greater Than Zero [6] - 5-Year Historical Sales Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - 5-Year Historical EPS Growth Greater Than Zero [7] - Next 3-5 Year EPS Growth Rate Greater Than Zero [7] - Price/Cash Flow Less Than Industry Median [8] - 52-Week Price Change Greater Than S&P 500 [8]

Company Overview - Donaldson is a Minneapolis-based global manufacturer specializing in filtration systems and replacement parts, with a notable presence in the Life Sciences sector [1]. - The company has approximately 115 million shares outstanding, with an equity market capitalization of around $10 billion and a total enterprise value of about $10.4 billion [1]. Financial Reporting - The company recently completed its first quarter, with results to be reported at the end of the month [2]. - The fiscal year for the company runs from August 1 to July 31, meaning the remarks made will reflect the close of the previous fiscal year [2]. Corporate Strategy - The company emphasizes its strategy as being defined by choices, with a focus on becoming a technology leader [3].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that assist investors in selecting stocks likely to outperform the market within 30 days, rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics [2][3] Value Score - The Value Style Score identifies stocks trading below their true value by analyzing ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score focuses on a company's financial health and future outlook, utilizing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find stocks with sustainable growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by assessing one-week price changes and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for stocks with attractive value, strong growth forecasts, and promising momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that leverages earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +25.41% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock to Watch: Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) - Donaldson Company, Inc. is a filtration systems manufacturer based in Bloomington, MN, with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) and a VGM Score of A [12] - The company has a Value Style Score of B, supported by a forward P/E ratio of 19.31, indicating attractive valuation metrics [12] - Six analysts have raised their earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.05 to $3.66 per share, and an average earnings surprise of 2.5% [13]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates on Zacks Rank and Industry Rank, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum, serving as complementary indicators to the Zacks Rank, helping investors identify securities likely to outperform the market in the short term [2][3] - Stocks are rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score assesses a company's financial health and future outlook by analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score identifies optimal entry points for stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for evaluating stocks based on value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +25.41%, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [10] - Stocks with a 3 (Hold) rank should also have Style Scores of A or B to ensure potential upside [10] Company Spotlight: Donaldson Company, Inc. - Donaldson Company, Inc. is a manufacturer of filtration systems and replacement parts, currently holding a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B [12] - The company has a Momentum Style Score of A, with shares increasing by 3.3% over the past four weeks [12] - Recent analyst revisions have positively impacted earnings estimates for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising to $3.65 per share [13]

Core Viewpoint - Donaldson Company, Inc. (DCI) is experiencing operational challenges due to weaknesses in both its off-road and on-road businesses, alongside rising expenses that are expected to impact earnings in the near future [1][5][6]. Business Performance - The on-road business has seen a sales decline of 24.4% year-over-year, primarily due to lower global truck production linked to softness in industrial markets [5]. - The off-road business has also been affected, with a sales decline of 12.8% year-over-year, driven by weak agricultural markets and soft global end-market demand [5]. Expense Trends - Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by 1.5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, attributed to rising headcount and costs from acquired businesses [6]. - Overall operating expenses rose by 3.9% year-over-year to $369.2 million in the first half of fiscal 2025, with operating expenses as a percentage of total revenues increasing by 30 basis points to 20.9% [6]. Foreign Exchange and Supply Chain Issues - DCI's international operations expose the company to economic, political, and environmental risks, as well as fluctuations in foreign currencies [7]. - Supply-chain disruptions could impact operations, as DCI relies on a variety of raw materials and components, necessitating price adjustments that may affect competitiveness [8].