Core Viewpoint - Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) is an insurance brokerage firm with a market cap of $27.3 billion, expected to announce its fiscal Q4 earnings for 2025 soon [1] Financial Performance - Analysts anticipate BRO to report a profit of $0.91 per share for the upcoming quarter, reflecting a 5.8% increase from $0.86 per share in the same quarter last year [2] - For the current fiscal year ending in December, BRO is expected to report a profit of $4.27 per share, an 11.2% increase from $3.84 per share in fiscal 2024, with further growth projected to $4.71 per share in fiscal 2026, representing a 10.3% year-over-year increase [3] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, BRO's shares have declined by 22.4%, significantly underperforming the S&P 500 Index's return of 15.7% and the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF's increase of 13.2% [4] - Following the release of better-than-expected Q3 results, BRO's shares fell by 6.1% in the subsequent trading session, despite total revenue rising 35.4% year-over-year to $1.6 billion, exceeding consensus estimates by 6.6% [5] Analyst Ratings - Wall Street analysts maintain a cautious stance on BRO's stock, with a "Hold" rating overall; among 20 analysts, two recommend "Strong Buy," one suggests "Moderate Buy," 16 advise "Hold," and one indicates a "Moderate Sell" rating [6] - The mean price target for BRO is set at $96.25, indicating a potential upside of 19.4% from current levels [6]

Company Overview - Chubb Limited is a leading global insurer specializing in property and casualty coverage, personal lines, and tailored specialty protection [1] - The company offers a diverse range of commercial and personal insurance policies, reinsurance, and comprehensive risk management solutions [1] Market Position - Chubb is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with a market capitalization of $122.37 billion and a vast international presence [2] - The company is expected to report its fourth-quarter results for fiscal 2025 soon, with Wall Street analysts optimistic about its bottom-line trajectory [2] Financial Performance Expectations - Analysts expect Chubb to report a profit of $6.33 per share on a diluted basis in Q4, reflecting a 5.2% year-over-year increase [3] - For the full fiscal year 2025, analysts anticipate Chubb's diluted EPS to grow by 5.2% annually to $23.67 [3] Stock Performance - Chubb's stock has underperformed the broader market over the past year, gaining 13.8% over 52 weeks compared to the S&P 500 Index's 15.7% increase [4] - Over the past six months, Chubb's stock has risen by 8.7%, while the S&P 500 Index has increased by 14.7% [4] Sector Comparison - Compared to its sector, represented by the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF, Chubb has also underperformed, with the ETF gaining 14.5% over the past 52 weeks [5] - The ETF has increased by 9.1% over the past six months, further indicating Chubb's relative underperformance [5] Recent Financial Results - On October 21, Chubb reported its third-quarter 2025 results, showing a 7.5% increase in net premiums written to $14.87 billion [6] - In the property and casualty segment, net premiums written increased by 5.3% year-over-year to $12.93 billion, contributing to robust underwriting income [6] - Chubb's net income for the quarter was $2.80 billion, reflecting a 20.5% annual increase, leading to a 2.7% intraday stock gain on October 22 [6]

Core Insights - The broader equity markets experienced a mini recovery, ending a four-day losing streak, driven by cooling inflation and strong performances from key blue-chip stocks [1][2] - The November consumer price index report indicated an annual inflation increase of 2.7%, lower than the expected 3.1%, while core consumer price inflation was at 2.6%, compared to a forecast of 3% [1] Investment Opportunities - Investors are encouraged to focus on "cash cow" stocks with high return on equity (ROE) to maximize returns, as high ROE indicates effective reinvestment of cash [2][3] - TE Connectivity plc (TEL), ZTO Express (Cayman) Inc. (ZTO), Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (PPC), Assurant, Inc. (AIZ), and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) are highlighted as stocks with high ROE and favorable efficiency scores [2][7] Financial Metrics - ROE is defined as Net Income divided by Shareholders' Equity, serving as a key indicator of a company's profitability and financial health [3] - A higher ROE signifies better management efficiency in generating profits without new equity capital [4] Screening Parameters - Stocks were screened based on criteria including cash flow greater than $1 billion, ROE greater than the industry average, price/cash flow ratio lower than the industry average, return on assets (ROA) greater than the industry average, and a 5-year EPS historical growth greater than the industry average [5][6][7] - Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) was also considered, indicating stocks likely to outperform the market [7] Company Profiles - **TE Connectivity**: A global technology company focused on connectivity and sensor solutions, with a long-term earnings growth expectation of 12.3% and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 6.5% [8][9] - **ZTO Express**: A leading express delivery service in China, with a Zacks Rank of 1 and a long-term earnings growth expectation of 3.1% [10][11] - **Pilgrim's Pride**: Engaged in the production and distribution of chicken products, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 10.4% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [11][12] - **Assurant**: A provider of risk management solutions, with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 22.7% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [12][13] - **Host Hotels**: A leading lodging REIT with a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 11% and a Zacks Rank of 2 [14][15]

Core Viewpoint - Assurant, Inc. is a global provider of risk management solutions, focusing on housing and lifestyle markets, and competes with other firms in the insurance and risk management sector [1] Group 1: Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Piper Sandler maintains an "Overweight" rating for Assurant, raising its price target from $252 to $264, indicating confidence in the company's future performance [2][6] - Assurant has received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from ten research firms, with eight analysts recommending buying the stock and two suggesting holding it, reflecting general optimism [3][6] - Truist Financial set a price objective of $255 for Assurant, while UBS Group raised their price target from $255 to $257, maintaining a "buy" rating [4] Group 2: Stock Performance and Market Capitalization - Assurant's stock is currently priced at $238.03, with a slight increase of 0.42%, and has fluctuated between $234.66 and $240.58 today [5][6] - The stock's year-high is $240.58, and the lowest price over the past year was $174.97, indicating significant price movement [5] - Assurant's market capitalization is approximately $11.92 billion, with a trading volume of 305,710 shares today [5][6]

Core Insights - Tokio Marine has agreed to acquire Commodity & Ingredient Hedging (CIH) for $970 million, enhancing its risk management solutions in the agricultural sector [1][4] - CIH provides integrated risk management services, including consulting, brokerage, and insurance, through a proprietary technology platform [1][2] - The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending regulatory approval [4] Company Overview - CIH is based in Chicago and specializes in risk management for clients in agriculture and commodity sectors [1] - The company combines advisory and execution functions, allowing clients to manage commodity price exposure effectively [2][3] - CIH's technology platform offers a unified method for clients to monitor, analyze, and manage risk [3] Strategic Implications - The acquisition will enhance Tokio Marine's specialty offerings in the US agricultural sector and broaden its non-insurance risk solutions capabilities [4] - Tokio Marine HCC's CEO highlighted the importance of CIH's agricultural expertise and innovative technology in managing price volatility [5] - This partnership aligns with Tokio Marine Group's long-term strategy to diversify and grow through fee-based services [5]

Core Insights - Brown & Brown, Inc. (BRO) is valued at a market cap of $27.6 billion and is one of the largest insurance brokerage firms in the U.S., offering a variety of insurance products and services across four main segments [1] Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Brown & Brown reported $1.6 billion in revenue, a 35.4% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by acquisitions [4] - Commissions and fees rose 34.2% to approximately $1.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDAC increased 41.8% to $587 million, resulting in a margin of 36.6% [4] - However, income before taxes decreased by 1.9% to $311 million, net income fell 3% to $227 million, and diluted EPS dropped to $0.68, a decline of roughly 16% [5] - For the fiscal year ending December 2025, analysts project a 10.7% year-over-year growth in adjusted EPS to $4.25 [5] Stock Performance - Over the past 52 weeks, BRO shares have decreased by 26.7%, underperforming the S&P 500 Index, which has increased by 13.7% [2] - Year-to-date, BRO shares are down 20.9%, compared to a 13.4% gain in the S&P 500 [2] - The stock has also underperformed the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund's (XLF) return of 3.2% over the past 52 weeks [3] Analyst Ratings - Among 18 analysts covering BRO, the consensus rating is a "Hold," consisting of three "Strong Buy" ratings, one "Moderate Buy," 13 "Holds," and one "Moderate Sell" [6]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium provides various tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores are indicators that rate stocks based on value, growth, and momentum methodologies, helping investors identify stocks likely to outperform the market in the short term [3][4] - Each stock is rated from A to F, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [4] Value Score - The Value Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales [4] Growth Score - The Growth Score emphasizes a company's financial health and future growth potential, analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow [5] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings outlook changes, helping investors identify optimal buying opportunities [6] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive rating that highlights stocks with attractive value, growth forecasts, and momentum [7] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in stock selection [8] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [9] Stock to Watch: Assurant (AIZ) - Assurant Inc. is a global risk management provider, operating in multiple regions including North America and Europe [12] - AIZ holds a 3 (Hold) rating on the Zacks Rank, with a VGM Score of A, indicating solid performance potential [12] - The company is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 6.2% for the current fiscal year, supported by upward revisions in earnings estimates [13]

Core Insights - Five stocks have been added to the Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy) List, indicating strong potential for investment Company Summaries - **Richardson Electronics (RELL)**: A global provider of engineered solutions, has seen a 52.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [1] - **Wayfair (W)**: A leading online seller of home goods, has experienced a 7.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [2] - **Flexsteel Industries (FLXS)**: Engaged in the design and manufacture of upholstered furniture, has seen a 5.5% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [3] - **Encore Capital Group (ECPG)**: An international specialty finance company providing debt recovery solutions, has experienced a 3.9% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [4] - **Assurant (AIZ)**: A global provider of risk management solutions, has seen a 3.4% increase in the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings over the last 60 days [5]

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the importance of sales growth over earnings when evaluating stocks, suggesting that steady sales growth indicates strong demand and a durable business model [2][3][10] - A selection of stocks with robust sales growth and high cash balances is recommended, including StoneCo, Garmin, Assurant, VICI Properties, and Duke Energy, all of which show promising sales growth for 2025 [10][11][12][13][14][15] Sales Growth and Cash Flow - Sales growth is preferred over earnings as it reflects actual demand and provides visibility into a company's business model [3][5] - Constant sales growth leads to predictable cash flows, allowing companies to reinvest, expand, or return capital to shareholders without excessive debt reliance [5] Stock Selection Criteria - Stocks are shortlisted based on criteria such as 5-Year Historical Sales Growth greater than industry average and Cash Flow exceeding $500 million [6] - Additional metrics include a Price/Sales (P/S) Ratio lower than the industry average, positive changes in sales estimate revisions, operating margins above 5%, and Return on Equity (ROE) greater than 5% [7][8][9] Recommended Stocks - **StoneCo Ltd. (STNE)**: Expected sales growth of 9.8% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 [11] - **Garmin Ltd. (GRMN)**: Anticipated sales growth of 12.3% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [12] - **Assurant Inc. (AIZ)**: Projected sales growth of 5.7% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [13] - **VICI Properties Inc. (VICI)**: Expected sales growth of 4% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [14] - **Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)**: Anticipated sales growth of 4.6% for 2025, currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 [15]

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies and confidence [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with scores ranging from A to F, where A indicates the highest potential for outperformance [3] - The Value Score identifies attractive stocks using financial ratios like P/E and Price/Sales [3] - The Growth Score focuses on a company's financial health and future growth potential, considering earnings and cash flow [4] - The Momentum Score assesses trends in stock prices and earnings estimates to identify favorable investment opportunities [5] - The VGM Score combines all three styles to highlight stocks with the best value, growth, and momentum characteristics [6] Zacks Rank and Style Scores Interaction - 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 outperformed the S&P 500, achieving an average annual return of +23.81% since 1988 [7] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal success [9] - Stocks with lower ranks, even if they have good Style Scores, may still face downward price pressure due to negative earnings forecasts [10] Company Spotlight: Assurant Inc. (AIZ) - Assurant Inc. is a global provider of risk management solutions, operating in multiple regions including North America and Europe [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has a VGM Score of B, indicating strong potential [11] - Assurant is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 5.8% for the current fiscal year, with upward revisions in earnings estimates [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Assurant's earnings has increased by $0.59 to $17.60 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +18.9% [12]