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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Crocs, Penn National, Whirlpool, Comcast and Wyndham
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 9, 2019 – 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: Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN - Free Report) , Whirlpool Corporation (WHR - Free Report) , Comcast Corporation (CMCSA - Free Report) and Wyndham Destinations, Inc. .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Ignore Trade War, Focus on U.S. Economy: 5 Top Picks
Early on Aug 8, China fired the latest salvo in the long-running U.S.-China trade war. The People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s daily reference rate at 7.0039 against one U.S. dollar. This is the lowest level experienced since Apr 21, 2008. When the yuan breached the psychological level of 7 per dollar on Aug 5, the Treasury department was quick to call China a currency manipulator.
Meanwhile, U.S. markets suffered a volatile day of trading on Aug 7, indicating that Wall Street’s mood was being dictated by the yuan. But economists and experts alike feel that equity markets should focus on America’s strong fundamentals instead of being swayed by external pressures.
Despite the slowdown in progress, the U.S. economy remains robust, mostly because of strong consumer spending, which contributes the largest share of GDP. This is why it makes sense to invest in select consumer discretionary stocks at this time.
Services Gauges Strong, Expansion Continuing
Earlier this week, key services gauges showed that the U.S. economy continues to expand, though the pace of growth was slowing. The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) services index declined from 55.1 in June to 53.7 in July, but remained robust enough. Meanwhile, IHS Markit’s services gauge exceeded estimates to hit a level of 53 for the same period.
These readings are seen as a reliable indicator of America’s economic health since services contribute nearly 85% of total GDP growth. The respondents of the ISM survey remained concerned about the likely fallout of the trade war. But the economy is continuing to expand. A slowdown is in the works, but respondents feel “clients are not balking” at the price rises caused by tariffs.
Economic Indicators Robust, Recession Unlikely
Earlier this month, the Department of Labor released nonfarm payroll numbers for July. The U.S. economy added 164,000 jobs last month, marginally lower than the estimated level of 165,000. In fact, job growth has continued for 106 straight months, the longest winning streak on record.
Further, unemployment remains at a 50-year low of 3.7%. In fact, the figure has remained at 4% or lower for 16 straight months, the longest period in 50 years. There is enough evidence to indicate that wages are increasing at their fastest ever pace for historically lower-paying industries. This is largely an outcome of state-level hikes in minimum wage and persistently low unemployment.
And this is probably why economists feel that though a slowdown is underway, a near-term recession is highly unlikely. According to the latest Commerce Department figures, U.S. GDP hit a pace of 2.1% in the second quarter, lower than the rate of 3.1% witnessed in the first quarter. However, this was still largely above expectations and fueled by a robust increase in consumer spending.
Our Choices
The volatile session witnessed on Aug 7 is likely a symptom of the panic created by China’s currency-led retaliatory measures. At this time, investors would be advised to ignore ongoing trade tensions and focus on robust domestic economic fundamentals. Most indicators show that though a slowdown is in progress, a near-term recession seems highly unlikely.
Investing in consumer discretionary stocks, the powerhouse of the U.S. economy, remains prudent at this time. However, picking winning stocks may be difficult.
This is where our VGM Score comes in. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
We have narrowed down our search to the following stocks based on a good Zacks Rank and VGM Score.
Crocs, Inc.is a designer, developer, distributor, marketer and distributor of casual footwear and accessories for men, women and children.
Crocs has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 62.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 12.5% over the past 30 days.
Penn National Gaming, Inc.is a leading, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and racing facilities with video gaming terminal operations, and a focus on slot machine entertainment.
Penn National has a VGM Score of B. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 69.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 10.5% over the past 30 days. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Whirlpool Corporation is one of the largest manufacturers of home appliances in the world.
Whirlpool has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 3.2% over the past 30 days.
Comcast Corporationis a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal and Sky.
Comcast has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of A. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 20%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.6% over the past 30 days.
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.is a vacation ownership and exchange company.
Wyndham Destinations has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 17.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.5% over the past 30 days.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
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 http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Crocs, Penn National, Whirlpool, Comcast and Wyndham
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –August 9, 2019 – 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: Crocs, Inc. (CROX - Free Report) , Penn National Gaming, Inc. (PENN - Free Report) , Whirlpool Corporation (WHR - Free Report) , Comcast Corporation (CMCSA - Free Report) and Wyndham Destinations, Inc. .
Here are highlights from Thursday’s Analyst Blog:
Ignore Trade War, Focus on U.S. Economy: 5 Top Picks
Early on Aug 8, China fired the latest salvo in the long-running U.S.-China trade war. The People’s Bank of China set the yuan’s daily reference rate at 7.0039 against one U.S. dollar. This is the lowest level experienced since Apr 21, 2008. When the yuan breached the psychological level of 7 per dollar on Aug 5, the Treasury department was quick to call China a currency manipulator.
Meanwhile, U.S. markets suffered a volatile day of trading on Aug 7, indicating that Wall Street’s mood was being dictated by the yuan. But economists and experts alike feel that equity markets should focus on America’s strong fundamentals instead of being swayed by external pressures.
Despite the slowdown in progress, the U.S. economy remains robust, mostly because of strong consumer spending, which contributes the largest share of GDP. This is why it makes sense to invest in select consumer discretionary stocks at this time.
Services Gauges Strong, Expansion Continuing
Earlier this week, key services gauges showed that the U.S. economy continues to expand, though the pace of growth was slowing. The Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) services index declined from 55.1 in June to 53.7 in July, but remained robust enough. Meanwhile, IHS Markit’s services gauge exceeded estimates to hit a level of 53 for the same period.
These readings are seen as a reliable indicator of America’s economic health since services contribute nearly 85% of total GDP growth. The respondents of the ISM survey remained concerned about the likely fallout of the trade war. But the economy is continuing to expand. A slowdown is in the works, but respondents feel “clients are not balking” at the price rises caused by tariffs.
Economic Indicators Robust, Recession Unlikely
Earlier this month, the Department of Labor released nonfarm payroll numbers for July. The U.S. economy added 164,000 jobs last month, marginally lower than the estimated level of 165,000. In fact, job growth has continued for 106 straight months, the longest winning streak on record.
Further, unemployment remains at a 50-year low of 3.7%. In fact, the figure has remained at 4% or lower for 16 straight months, the longest period in 50 years. There is enough evidence to indicate that wages are increasing at their fastest ever pace for historically lower-paying industries. This is largely an outcome of state-level hikes in minimum wage and persistently low unemployment.
And this is probably why economists feel that though a slowdown is underway, a near-term recession is highly unlikely. According to the latest Commerce Department figures, U.S. GDP hit a pace of 2.1% in the second quarter, lower than the rate of 3.1% witnessed in the first quarter. However, this was still largely above expectations and fueled by a robust increase in consumer spending.
Our Choices
The volatile session witnessed on Aug 7 is likely a symptom of the panic created by China’s currency-led retaliatory measures. At this time, investors would be advised to ignore ongoing trade tensions and focus on robust domestic economic fundamentals. Most indicators show that though a slowdown is in progress, a near-term recession seems highly unlikely.
Investing in consumer discretionary stocks, the powerhouse of the U.S. economy, remains prudent at this time. However, picking winning stocks may be difficult.
This is where our VGM Score comes in. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
We have narrowed down our search to the following stocks based on a good Zacks Rank and VGM Score.
Crocs, Inc.is a designer, developer, distributor, marketer and distributor of casual footwear and accessories for men, women and children.
Crocs has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 62.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 12.5% over the past 30 days.
Penn National Gaming, Inc.is a leading, multi-jurisdictional owner and manager of gaming and racing facilities with video gaming terminal operations, and a focus on slot machine entertainment.
Penn National has a VGM Score of B. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 69.7%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 10.5% over the past 30 days. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Whirlpool Corporation is one of the largest manufacturers of home appliances in the world.
Whirlpool has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) and VGM Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 3.2% over the past 30 days.
Comcast Corporationis a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal and Sky.
Comcast has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of A. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 20%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.6% over the past 30 days.
Wyndham Destinations, Inc.is a vacation ownership and exchange company.
Wyndham Destinations has a Zacks Rank #2 and VGM Score of B. The company’s expected earnings growth for the current year is 17.8%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 2.5% over the past 30 days.
Biggest Tech Breakthrough in a Generation
Be among the early investors in the new type of device that experts say could impact society as much as the discovery of electricity. Current technology will soon be outdated and replaced by these new devices. In the process, it’s expected to create 22 million jobs and generate $12.3 trillion in activity.
A select few stocks could skyrocket the most as rollout accelerates for this new tech. Early investors could see gains similar to buying Microsoft in the 1990s. Zacks’ just-released special report reveals 7 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 7 breakthrough stocks now>>
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Zacks Investment Research
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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 http://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.