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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: SilverBow Resources, Condor Hospitality Trust, Ramaco Resources, Clearfield and Alpha and Omega Semiconductor

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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 8, 2021 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: SilverBow Resources Inc. (SBOW - Free Report) , Condor Hospitality Trust Inc. , Ramaco Resources Inc. (METC - Free Report) , Clearfield Inc. (CLFD - Free Report) and Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Ltd. (AOSL - Free Report) .

Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:

5 Top-Ranked Small Hidden Gems That Can Be Game-Changers in Q4

Wall Street is resembling its historically fluctuating trade in October after a tumultuous September. While market participants are predominantly concerned about the performance of large-cap stocks, it was the small-cap segment that suffered the least in September’s mayhem.

In September, the three major stock indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — plunged 4.3%, 4.8% and 5.3%, respectively. The mid-cap-centric S&P 400 plummeted 4.1%. However, the small-cap-specific Russell 2000 and the S&P 600 slid only 3.1% and 2.6%, respectively.

Several small-cap stocks have surged in the past month defying market volatility. A handful of these stocks sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) with solid upside left. These stocks have provided double-digit returns in the past month while the market’s benchmark the S&P 500 Index fell 4%. At this stage, investment in these stocks should be prudent in the near future.

Importance of Small Businesses

Small businesses create a significant number of jobs in the U.S. economy. More than 50% of the newly created jobs in the private sector originate here. These people constitute a large part of customers for big businesses.

Moreover, small companies are a major part of the supply chain management systems of large companies for innovative and technologically superior inputs. Additionally, small businesses more often than not form a vital cog in corporate America's customer base.

Given their small-scale operations, small businesses are generally cash-starved. These organizations operate on a thin profit margin and most new businesses are yet to achieve profitability. Consequently, the reopening of the economy immensely benefited small businesses.

Future Catalysts

As new cases of the highly-infectious Delta variant of coronavirus subdued last month, the reopening-oriented small-businesses are likely to benefit more. Per CDC, in the United States, 7-day average new cases came in at 97,909 as of Oct 4, compared with 160,284 a month ago. Nationwide vaccination drives also resulted in faster-than-expected reopening.

Both business spending and consumer spending remain firm in the third quarter of 2021. Massive pent-up demand for both intermediary and final products ramped up small business activities. Holiday season sales in the fourth quarter are likely to boost small businesses.

On Sep 14, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that its Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.4 points in August to reach 100.1 from 99.7 in July. Market participants were expecting this index to pullback to 99 on average. However, a shortage of skilled manpower and prolonged disturbance in the supply-chain system took a toll on small business operators.

Our Top Picks

We have narrowed down our search to six small business (market capital < 1 billion) operators that have surged in the past month with more upside left for the rest of 2021. These stocks have seen positive earnings estimate revisions within the last 60 days. Each of our picks sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

SilverBow Resources is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas properties. Its primary projects include the Eagle Ford wells, Burr Ferry, South Bearhead Creek and Lake Washington fields. SilverBow Resources Inc.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for fourth-quarter 2021. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its fourth-quarter earnings improved 8.5% over the last 30 days. The stock price has soared 25.7% in the past month.

Condor Hospitality Trust is a self-administered real estate investment trust. It specializes in the investment and ownership of upper midscale and upscale, premium-branded select-service, extended stay and limited-service hotels.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for fourth-quarter 2021. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its fourth-quarter earnings improved 66.7% over the last 60 days. The stock price has jumped 22.3% in the past month.

Ramaco Resources is an operator and developer of metallurgical coal primarily in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania. It operates principally in Charleston, West Virginia.

The company has an expected earnings growth rate of more than 100% for fourth-quarter 2021. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its fourth-quarter earnings improved 66.7% over the last 60 days. The stock price has climbed 21.3% in the past month.

Clearfield manufactures, markets and sells standard and custom passive connectivity products to the fiber-to-the-premises, enterprises and original equipment manufacturers markets in the United States and internationally.

The company has expected earnings growth of 43.5% for the quarter ending Dec 31. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter ending Dec 31 improved by 10% over the last 7 days. The stock price has surged 11.2% in the past month.

Alpha and Omega Semiconductor designs, develops, and supplies power semiconductor products for computing, consumer electronics, communication, and industrial applications in Hong Kong, China, South Korea, the United States, and internationally.

The company has expected earnings growth of 29.2% for the quarter ending Dec 31. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter ending Dec 31 improved by 18.3% over the last 60 days. The stock price has advanced 10.7% in the past month.

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.

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