The dramatic scandal of “Dieselgate” has been well documented. It refers to Volkswagen’s use of cheat devices to trick emissions testing equipment into believing their diesel automobiles were much better for the environment than they really were. The fallout has been terrible for Volkswagen, leading to fines, firings, and even indictments for former board members. Despite all that negativity, that’s not why I’m naming Volkswagen today’s Bear of the Day.

Volkswagen together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells automobiles primarily in Europe, North America, South America, and the Asia-Pacific. The company operates through four segments: Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles, Power Engineering, and Financial Services. It provides its products under the Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, SKODA, SEAT, Bentley, Porsche, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Ducati, Scania, and MAN brands, as well as under the MOIA brand.

The reason for naming it the Bear of the Day lies in the recent negative activity coming from analysts. It’s a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) in an industry that ranks in the Bottom 9% of our Zacks Industry Rank. Looking at the earnings estimates for the current year and next year, two analysts have cut their numbers. The negative moves have brought down our Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year from $6.68 to $6.15. Looking at the next year’s numbers, the estimates have come down from $6.90 to $6.62.

There are other companies in the same industry which are seeing positive earnings estimate revisions. Among these are Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks Suzuki Motor (SZKMY - Free Report) and Toyota Motor (TM - Free Report) .

Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?

Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.

Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.

See the pot trades we're targeting>>

Zacks Names "Single Best Pick to Double"

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s a little-known chemical company that’s up 65% over last year, yet still dirt cheap. With unrelenting demand, soaring 2022 earnings estimates, and $1.5 billion for repurchasing shares, retail investors could jump in at any time.

This company could rival or surpass other recent Zacks’ Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock and 4 Runners Up >>