For new and old investors, taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals. Zacks Premium provides lots of different ways to do both. Featuring daily updates of the Zacks Rank and Zacks Industry Rank, full access to the Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research reports, and Premium stock screens, the research service can help you become a smarter, more self-assured investor. Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Scores as well. What are the Zacks Style Scores? D ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools to help investors make informed decisions and enhance their confidence in the stock market [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a unique rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Zacks Style Scores - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum characteristics, with A indicating the highest potential for outperformance [3] - The Value Score identifies attractive stocks using ratios like P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, focusing on undervalued stocks [3] - The Growth Score evaluates stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow to find those with sustainable growth [4] - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends, using factors like one-week price change and monthly earnings estimate changes [5] - The VGM Score combines all three Style Scores, providing a comprehensive indicator for investors seeking value, growth, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building [7] - Stocks rated 1 (Strong Buy) have historically produced an average annual return of +23.62% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [8] - There are over 800 stocks rated 1 or 2, making it essential for investors to utilize Style Scores to narrow down choices [9] Investment Strategy - For optimal 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 A or B Scores to maximize upside potential [10] - The direction of earnings estimate revisions is crucial; stocks with lower ranks and declining forecasts pose higher risks [11] Company Spotlight: Webster Financial (WBS) - Webster Financial Corporation, based in Stanford, CT, operates through three segments, providing various banking and financial services [12] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, WBS has a Momentum Style Score of A and has seen a 17% increase in shares over the past four weeks [12][13] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.07 to $5.78 per share, alongside an average earnings surprise of +1.6% [13]

Financial Performance & Growth - Synovus' diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS) increased from $189 in 2016 to $399 in Q1 2019, representing a 26% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR)[39] - Adjusted Return on Average Tangible Common Equity (ROATCE) increased by 860 basis points from 852% in 2016 to 1752% in Q1 2019[39] - Synovus is targeting a sustained 10+% CAGR in EPS growth, with a Return on Assets (ROA) of approximately 145%, an adjusted tangible efficiency ratio of approximately 50%, and a Return on Tangible Common Equity (ROTCE) of approximately 170%[47, 48] - The company reported adjusted diluted EPS of $098 in Q1 2019, a 151% increase year-over-year[50] Merger & Acquisition - The merger with Florida Community Bank (FCB) significantly strengthens Synovus' Florida footprint, making it >1/3 of the pro forma franchise[34] - Synovus expects to surpass $30 million in FCB-related cost savings in 2019 and complete the full conversion in Q2 2019[63] - The FCB merger is projected to result in a ~17% Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and a ~17% ROATCE[124] Balance Sheet & Credit Quality - As of Q1 2019, Synovus had total assets of $47 billion and loans of $36 billion[22] - The company's loan growth in Q1 2019, including FCB, annualized to 46%, compared to a standalone Synovus loan growth of 16% in Q1 2018[128] - The Net Charge-Off (NCO) ratio was 019% in Q1 2019[55] 2019 Outlook - Synovus anticipates loan growth of 55% to 75% and revenue growth of 55% to 75% for 2019[60] - The company projects adjusted non-interest expense growth of 2% to 4% in 2019, excluding amortization of intangibles of approximately $14 million[60]