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]