Industry Overview - The Zacks Manufacturing-Tools & Related Products industry includes companies that develop and distribute various tools and technology solutions, serving multiple sectors such as industrial, commercial, oil & gas, and automotive [3] - The industry is currently facing challenges due to a slowdown in the manufacturing sector, with the Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index at 49% in June, indicating contraction [4] - The New Orders Index has also been in contraction for five consecutive months, registering 46.4% in June [4] Current Challenges - The industry is experiencing input cost inflation and supply-chain issues, which are negatively impacting profitability and margins [5] - The Supplier Deliveries Index indicates slower deliveries for the seventh consecutive month, further complicating the operational landscape [5] - A shortage of skilled labor in the United States is also a significant challenge for the industry [1] Strategic Responses - Companies in the industry are focusing on cost-control measures and investments in product development to remain competitive [2] - Initiatives include streamlining operational structures, optimizing supply networks, and implementing effective pricing policies to manage costs [5] - Continuous innovation and product upgrades are seen as essential for long-term growth, although they may lead to highly leveraged balance sheets [6] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Manufacturing-Tools & Related Products industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 163, placing it in the bottom 34% of 246 Zacks industries, indicating weak prospects [7][8] - The industry's earnings estimates for 2025 have decreased by 7.3% over the past year, reflecting analysts' diminishing confidence in earnings growth potential [9] - Over the past year, the industry has underperformed compared to the sector and the S&P 500, growing only 7.7% versus 14.8% and 12.4% respectively [11] Valuation Insights - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 17.92X, which is below the S&P 500's 22.75X and the sector's 20.09X [14] - Historical trading ranges for the industry have been between 11.65X and 22.13X over the past five years, with a median of 18.55X [14] Notable Companies - **Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (SWK)**: Focused on tools and engineered fastening systems, the company has shown solid momentum in its Tools & Outdoor segment, particularly in its DEWALT business. It has reported better-than-expected results in the last four quarters, with an average earnings surprise of 18.4% [19][20] - **Core & Main, Inc. (CNM)**: Provides water and fire protection products, benefiting from increased demand and recent acquisitions. Its fiscal 2026 earnings estimates have been revised upward by 1.2% in the past 60 days [23][24] - **Kennametal Inc. (KMT)**: Specializes in high-speed metal cutting tools and has seen improved supply chain conditions and increased OEM build rates in aerospace markets. The company has consistently surpassed earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 27% [26][27]

Company Overview - Core & Main, Inc. (CNM) shares increased by 10.4% to $59.09 in the last trading session, with a higher-than-average trading volume [1] - The company has made the Fortune 500 list for the first time at No. 497, indicating rapid growth in providing essential water infrastructure products [2] Financial Performance - Core & Main is expected to report quarterly earnings of $0.52 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 6.1% [3] - Revenue projections for the upcoming quarter are $1.83 billion, which is a 5.3% increase compared to the same quarter last year [3] Market Sentiment - The recent stock price increase is attributed to optimism regarding rising customer demand for storm drainage products and pipes, valves, and fittings [2] - The consensus EPS estimate for Core & Main has remained unchanged over the last 30 days, suggesting that the stock's price movement may not sustain without earnings estimate revisions [4] Industry Context - Core & Main operates within the Zacks Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry, where Sandvik AB (SDVKY) also competes [4] - Sandvik's consensus EPS estimate has remained unchanged at $0.36, representing a year-over-year change of 24.1% [5]

Core Insights - Core & Main's stock closed at $51.64, showing a -0.39% change from the previous day, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's loss of 0.07% [1] - The stock has increased by 7.6% over the past month, which is lower than the Industrial Products sector's gain of 16.88% and the S&P 500's gain of 13.74% [1] Financial Projections - The upcoming earnings per share (EPS) for Core & Main is projected at $0.52, indicating a 6.12% increase year-over-year [2] - Revenue is expected to reach $1.83 billion, reflecting a 5.25% rise from the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year, earnings are estimated at $2.43 per share and revenue at $7.71 billion, showing increases of +14.08% and +3.66% respectively from the previous year [3] Analyst Sentiment - Investors should monitor shifts in analyst projections for Core & Main, as positive estimate revisions can indicate optimism about the company's outlook [4] - The Zacks Rank system, which reflects these estimate changes, currently rates Core & Main at 3 (Hold) [6] Valuation Metrics - Core & Main has a Forward P/E ratio of 21.33, which is higher than the industry average of 18.31 [7] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.96, compared to the Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry's average PEG ratio of 1.49 [7] Industry Context - The Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry is part of the Industrial Products sector and currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 224, placing it in the bottom 10% of all industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]

The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (MTW) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.16 per share versus the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of $0.10. This compares to earnings of $0.14 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -60%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.14 per share when it actually produced earnings of $0.10, delivering a surprise of -28.57%.Over the last four quarters, the co ...

Gentex Corporation’s (GNTX) first-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 43 cents matched the Zacks Consensus Estimate but decreased 8.5% year over year.This Zeeland-based automotive products supplier reported net sales of $576.8 million, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $587 million and fell 2.3% from the year-ago period. The company recorded a gross margin of 33.2%, reflecting a decline of 110 basis points from the first quarter of 2024 due to lower sales, an unfavorable product mix ...

ZEELAND, Mich., April 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), a leading supplier of digital vision, connected car, dimmable glass, fire protection technologies, medical devices, and consumer electronics, today reported financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. 1st Quarter 2025 Summary Net sales of $576.8 million, a 2% decrease compared to the first quarter of 2024, versus light vehicle production that was down 3% quarter over quarter in the Company's primary market ...

Company Performance - Core & Main's stock closed at $50.43, reflecting a +1.49% change from the previous session, underperforming compared to the S&P 500's gain of 1.67% [1] - Over the past month, Core & Main's stock has increased by 0.34%, outperforming the Industrial Products sector's decline of 8.85% and the S&P 500's decline of 6.57% [1] Earnings Forecast - Core & Main is projected to report earnings of $0.52 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 6.12% [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is $1.83 billion, representing a 5.25% increase from the previous year [2] - For the entire year, earnings are forecasted at $2.43 per share and revenue at $7.71 billion, reflecting changes of +14.08% and +3.66% respectively compared to the previous year [3] Analyst Estimates - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Core & Main are important as they reflect the shifting dynamics of short-term business patterns [4] - Upbeat changes in estimates suggest a favorable outlook on the company's business health and profitability [4] Valuation Metrics - Core & Main has a Forward P/E ratio of 20.45, which is a premium compared to the industry's average Forward P/E of 16.8 [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.88, compared to the Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry's average PEG ratio of 1.28 [7] Industry Ranking - The Manufacturing - Tools & Related Products industry is part of the Industrial Products sector and holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 91, placing it in the top 37% of over 250 industries [8] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [8]