We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: MarineMax, Metropolitan Bank, Earthstone Energy, Rite Aid and Vericel
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 13, 2020 – 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: MarineMax Inc. (HZO - Free Report) , Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (MCB - Free Report) , Earthstone Energy Inc. , Rite Aid Corp. and Vericel Corp. (VCEL - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Small business organizations’ bounced back in January following a setback in the prior month. The outbreak of deadly coronavirus in China, concerns about slowing U.S. and global economy, and geopolitical concerns failed to dampen the confidence of small business owners.
Small Businesses Bounce Back in January
On Feb 11, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 104.3 in July from 102.7 in December. New job creation jumped in January as evident from an average addition of 0.49 workers per firm — the highest level since March 2019. Small business owners remained confident about recruiting more manpower, raising wages and capital spending to expand businesses.
The optimism regarding small businesses remains near an all-time high albeit a slowing U.S. economy. While optimism remains at historically high levels, the January figure reversed the loss posted in December, with six of the total 10 survey components increasing, two components declining and two remaining unchanged. Both capital spending and plans to order new inventories advanced in January.
Small Businesses Are Vital
Small corporates create a significant amount 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 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.
Domestic-Focused Nature of Small Businesses
In fact, owing to their predominantly domestic-focused business strategy, small business organizations are generally immune to any external shocks like the outbreak of the coronavirus. This feature helps small-cap stocks to outperform the broader market defying extreme volatility.
According to the NFIB chief economist William Dunkelberg, “Small businesses continue to build on the solid foundation of supportive federal tax policies and a deregulatory environment that allows owners to put an increased focus on operating and growing their businesses.”
Meanwhile, several recently released economic data reaffirmed the strength of the U.S. economy. A robust labor market with historically low-level of unemployment and growing wage rate, continuous growth of service-centric industries and likely rebound of manufacturing industries will pave the way creating more demand for small business operators. Further, soaring consumer confidence, indicating strong consumer spending, which constitutes 70% of the U.S. GDP will add to the demand.
Our Top Picks
Several small-cap stocks have popped in the past six months. So, a selection from these stocks may be difficult. Here, our VGM Score comes in handy. Each of our picks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A or B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
MarineMax Inc.is the largest recreational boat and yacht retailer of United States. It sells new and used recreational boats, including pleasure boats, motor and convertible yachts, pontoon boats, fishing boats, ski boats and jet boats. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 17.2% for the current year (ending September 2020). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 15.8% over the last 30 days.
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.provides a range of business, commercial, and retail banking products and services to small businesses, middle-market enterprises, public entities, and individuals in the New York metropolitan area. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 23.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.5% over the last 30 days.
Earthstone Energy Inc.is an independent energy company, engages in the development and operation of oil and gas properties in the United States. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 3.2% over the last 30 days.
Rite Aid Corp.operates a chain of retail drugstores in the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail Pharmacy and Pharmacy Services. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 70.6% for the current year (February 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 1.7% over the last 30 days.
Vericel Corp.is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops, manufactures and distributes cellular therapies for sports medicine and severe burn care markets. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 255.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 12.5% over the last 30 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.
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.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Shutterstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: MarineMax, Metropolitan Bank, Earthstone Energy, Rite Aid and Vericel
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – February 13, 2020 – 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: MarineMax Inc. (HZO - Free Report) , Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (MCB - Free Report) , Earthstone Energy Inc. , Rite Aid Corp. and Vericel Corp. (VCEL - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Wednesday’s Analyst Blog:
Small-Business Optimism Rises Amid Coronavirus Fears: 5 Picks
Small business organizations’ bounced back in January following a setback in the prior month. The outbreak of deadly coronavirus in China, concerns about slowing U.S. and global economy, and geopolitical concerns failed to dampen the confidence of small business owners.
Small Businesses Bounce Back in January
On Feb 11, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported that the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose to 104.3 in July from 102.7 in December. New job creation jumped in January as evident from an average addition of 0.49 workers per firm — the highest level since March 2019. Small business owners remained confident about recruiting more manpower, raising wages and capital spending to expand businesses.
The optimism regarding small businesses remains near an all-time high albeit a slowing U.S. economy. While optimism remains at historically high levels, the January figure reversed the loss posted in December, with six of the total 10 survey components increasing, two components declining and two remaining unchanged. Both capital spending and plans to order new inventories advanced in January.
Small Businesses Are Vital
Small corporates create a significant amount 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 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.
Domestic-Focused Nature of Small Businesses
In fact, owing to their predominantly domestic-focused business strategy, small business organizations are generally immune to any external shocks like the outbreak of the coronavirus. This feature helps small-cap stocks to outperform the broader market defying extreme volatility.
According to the NFIB chief economist William Dunkelberg, “Small businesses continue to build on the solid foundation of supportive federal tax policies and a deregulatory environment that allows owners to put an increased focus on operating and growing their businesses.”
Meanwhile, several recently released economic data reaffirmed the strength of the U.S. economy. A robust labor market with historically low-level of unemployment and growing wage rate, continuous growth of service-centric industries and likely rebound of manufacturing industries will pave the way creating more demand for small business operators. Further, soaring consumer confidence, indicating strong consumer spending, which constitutes 70% of the U.S. GDP will add to the demand.
Our Top Picks
Several small-cap stocks have popped in the past six months. So, a selection from these stocks may be difficult. Here, our VGM Score comes in handy. Each of our picks carry a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and VGM Score of A or B. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
MarineMax Inc.is the largest recreational boat and yacht retailer of United States. It sells new and used recreational boats, including pleasure boats, motor and convertible yachts, pontoon boats, fishing boats, ski boats and jet boats. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 17.2% for the current year (ending September 2020). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 15.8% over the last 30 days.
Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp.provides a range of business, commercial, and retail banking products and services to small businesses, middle-market enterprises, public entities, and individuals in the New York metropolitan area. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 23.6% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 5.5% over the last 30 days.
Earthstone Energy Inc.is an independent energy company, engages in the development and operation of oil and gas properties in the United States. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 5.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 3.2% over the last 30 days.
Rite Aid Corp.operates a chain of retail drugstores in the United States. It operates through two segments, Retail Pharmacy and Pharmacy Services. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 70.6% for the current year (February 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 1.7% over the last 30 days.
Vericel Corp.is a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops, manufactures and distributes cellular therapies for sports medicine and severe burn care markets. The company has an expected earnings growth rate of 255.4% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved 12.5% over the last 30 days.
Today's Best Stocks from Zacks
Would you like to see the updated picks from our best market-beating strategies? From 2017 through 2019, while the S&P 500 gained and impressive +53.6%, five of our strategies returned +65.8%, +97.1%, +118.0%, +175.7% and even +186.7%.
This outperformance has not just been a recent phenomenon. From 2000 – 2019, while the S&P averaged +6.0% per year, our top strategies averaged up to +54.7% per year.
See their latest picks free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
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.