Investors interested in stocks from the Utility - Gas Distribution sector have probably already heard of Atmos Energy (ATO) and Southwest Gas (SWX) . But which of these two companies is the best option for those looking for undervalued stocks? Let's take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven str ...

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.The research service features 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, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.Zacks Premium also includes the Zacks Style Scores.What are the Zacks Style Scores?The Zack ...

Atmos Energy Corporation’s (ATO) strategic investment plans should further increase the safety and reliability of natural gas pipelines, distribution and transportation systems and drive its performance. Given its growth opportunities, ATO is a solid investment option in the utility sector.Let’s focus on the factors that make this Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) company a strong investment pick at the moment.Growth Projections & Surprise HistoryThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2024 earnings per share (EPS) has i ...

Concerns over inflation and fears of interest rate hikes came back, haunting investors on May 22 after the minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) Apr 30-May 1 policy meeting were released.The minutes revealed that the Federal Reserve remains concerned over rising inflation, which created panic among investors, leading to a massive selloff. All three major indexes that were on a rally retreated sharply, with the Dow recording its worst session in May, after hitting an all-time high last week.T ...

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several 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 also includes the Zacks Style Scores.What are t ...

Some major U.S. stocks closed slightly lower on May 16, after starting the day at a record high level, as investors’ enthusiasm around interest rate cut expectations and a slowdown in inflation data dissipated during the course of the day.    In such a situation, we recommend stocks like Vital Farms (VITL) , Pathward Financial (CASH) , Atmos Energy (ATO) , Sprouts Farmer Market (SFM) and Hamilton Insurance Group (HG) , which bear low leverage. Choosing them can shield investors from incurring huge losses in ...

An ill-informed investor can lose cash if he wagers on a stock only on the basis of the numbers flashing on a real-time stock screen. A critical analysis of a company’s financial background is a must for a better investment decision, especially at a time when the stock market is juggling myriad issues.Often, investors evaluate a company’s performance by simply looking at its sales and earnings, which sometimes do not reveal the real picture. To be more precise, they do not tell whether a company’s fundament ...

Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.That's because, these stocks usually carry above-average risk and volatility. In fact, betting on a stock for which the growth story is actually over or nearing its end could lead to significant loss.However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth ...

It doesn't matter your age or experience: taking full advantage of the stock market and investing with confidence are common goals for all investors. Luckily, Zacks Premium offers several different ways to do both.The research service features 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, all of which will help you become a smarter, more confident investor.Zacks Premium includes access to the Zacks Style Sc ...

美国消费者经济信心情况 - 5月美国消费者对经济的信心大幅下降，密歇根大学报告5月消费者信心初值降至67.4%，远低于市场预期的76%，4月终值也从77.9%下修至77.2%，环比下降12.7%，主要原因是消费者对通胀率的预期大幅上升 [1] - 5月消费者对一年期通胀预期升至3.5%，环比上升0.3%，为2023年11月以来最高水平；五年期通胀预期升至3.1%，环比上升0.1%，同样为2023年11月以来最高水平 [1] - 5月衡量消费者对当前财务状况看法的现况指数从4月的78.8%降至68.8%，衡量消费者未来六个月预期的预期指数从4月的76%降至66.5% [2] - 调查主任表示消费者此前数月持保留态度，现在认为多个方面出现负面发展，担心未来一年通胀、失业和利率朝不利方向发展 [2] - 消费者信心大幅下降对美国经济不利，可能导致消费支出收缩，而消费支出占美国GDP超三分之二，低消费支出可能引发衰退 [2] - 4月30日世界大型企业联合会报告显示4月消费者信心连续第三个月恶化至97%，低于市场预期的103.5%，3月读数也从104.7%下修至103.1% [3] - 4月基于消费者对当前商业和劳动力市场状况评估的现状指数从3月下修后的146.8%降至142.9%，基于消费者对收入、商业和劳动力市场短期展望的预期指数从3月略上修后的74%降至66.4%，预期指数低于80%常预示即将衰退 [3] - 世界大型企业联合会首席经济学家称4月信心进一步下降至2022年7月以来最低水平，消费者对当前劳动力市场状况更不乐观，对未来商业状况、就业机会和收入更担忧 [4] 投资建议 - 现阶段投资防御性股票如消费必需品、公用事业和医疗保健股可保护投资组合免受波动影响，筛选出五只2024年剩余时间有潜力的股票，这些股票在过去60天内盈利预期上调，均为Zacks排名2（买入） [5] 推荐股票情况 泰森食品公司（TSN） - 专注执行基本战略以最大化多蛋白产品组合，上调2024财年调整后营业收入指引，显示对未来业绩有信心 [7] - 拥有多元化核心蛋白产品组合和标志性品牌，持续投资品牌建设和创新以推动国内外长期增长，运营卓越，有工厂关闭和数字化等举措 [7] - 预计当前财年（截至2024年9月）收入和盈利增长率分别为0.1%和85.1%，过去30天当前财年盈利的Zacks共识预期提高6.4% [7] 味好美公司（MKC） - 近期成功源于强大战略举措，在行业下滑情况下股价上涨，全球产品组合契合消费者趋势和创新产品平台，专注增长领域和提高效率增强市场地位 [8] - 预计持续增长，优先进行投资和成本节约计划，尽管面临成本通胀和销量下降挑战，但收购和效率计划有望扩大利润率 [8] - 预计当前财年（截至2024年11月）收入和盈利增长率分别为0.3%和5.6%，过去60天当前财年盈利的Zacks共识预期提高0.7% [8] 阿特莫斯能源公司（ATO） - 受益于客户群扩大带来的需求增长，长期投资计划有助于提高天然气管道安全性和可靠性 [8] - 因工业客户增加和有利的费率结果受益，资本投资一年内的回报将进一步提升公司业绩，有足够流动性偿还债务 [9] - 预计当前财年（截至2024年9月）收入和盈利增长率分别为9.5%和9%，过去7天当前财年盈利的Zacks共识预期提高0.8% [9] 埃弗Source能源公司（ES） - 有长期资本投资计划以扩大输电和配电基础设施，为客户提供可靠电力和天然气，收购NiSource天然气资产将扩大业务 [9] - 计划通过收购扩大水业务，2024 - 2038年将在水业务运营投资11亿美元，稳定业绩使其能继续实施对股东友好举措 [9] - 预计当前财年收入和盈利增长率均为9.5%和9%，过去60天当前财年盈利的Zacks共识预期提高0.2% [10] 瑞思迈公司（RMD） - 受益于全球云连接平台AirSense10和AirSense11的供应，Air 11搭配的myAir应用程序的强劲使用可能提高患者治疗依从性 [11] - 美国口罩和配件业务增长强劲，再供应计划由数字健康生态系统驱动，其MEDIFOX DAN业务推动SaaS业务强劲有机增长 [11] - 预计当前财年收入和盈利增长率分别为10.4%和17.9%，过去30天当前财年盈利的Zacks共识预期提高2% [11]