Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools for investors to enhance their stock market strategies, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1][2] Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, 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 metrics such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow [3] Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to identify those with sustainable growth potential [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assesses stocks based on price trends and earnings estimate changes, indicating optimal times to invest in high-momentum stocks [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the Value, Growth, and Momentum Scores to highlight stocks with the best overall characteristics, serving as a strong indicator alongside the Zacks Rank [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that utilizes earnings estimate revisions to assist investors in building successful portfolios [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically achieved an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988, 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 [9] - Stocks with lower ranks, even with good Style Scores, may still face downward price pressure due to negative earnings outlooks [10] Company Spotlight: Astec Industries - Astec Industries, based in Chattanooga, TN, is a leading manufacturer of road building equipment, covering all phases from quarrying to asphalt application [11] - The company holds a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and a VGM Score of B, indicating strong investment potential [11] - Astec Industries has a Value Style Score of B, with a forward P/E ratio of 14.76, and has seen an increase in earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has risen by $0.04 to $2.98 per share, with an average earnings surprise of +4.4% [12]

Core Insights - Astec Industries, Inc. reported strong financial results for Q1 2025, with increases in net sales, EBITDA, net income, and earnings per share, alongside the announcement of a definitive agreement to acquire TerraSource Holdings, LLC for $245 million [2][4][6]. Financial Performance - Net sales reached $329.4 million, a 6.5% increase from $309.2 million in Q1 2024 [4][29]. - EBITDA was $27.5 million, up 105.2% from $13.4 million in the previous year, with an adjusted EBITDA of $35.2 million, reflecting an 86.2% increase [4][30]. - Net income attributable to controlling interest was $14.3 million, a 320.6% increase compared to $3.4 million in Q1 2024, with adjusted net income of $20.3 million, up 160.3% [4][27]. - Diluted EPS increased to $0.62 from $0.15, representing a 313.3% rise, while adjusted EPS was $0.88, up 158.8% [4][27]. Segment Performance - Infrastructure Solutions segment net sales were $236.0 million, a 16.7% increase from $202.2 million, with an operating adjusted EBITDA of $42.9 million, up 67.6% [8][17]. - Materials Solutions segment net sales decreased by 12.7% to $93.4 million, primarily due to lower domestic equipment sales, with an operating adjusted EBITDA of $5.2 million, a slight decrease of 1.9% [8][17]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition of TerraSource is expected to enhance Astec's scale, improve aftermarket parts mix, and expand margins, with anticipated annual run-rate synergies of approximately $10 million [6][9]. - The transaction is expected to close in early Q3 2025, subject to regulatory approvals [6][9]. Liquidity and Cash Flow - Total liquidity was reported at $238.9 million, including $90.1 million in cash and cash equivalents [8]. - Operating cash flow for the quarter was $20.5 million, with free cash flow of $16.6 million [8][32].