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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: HighPoint, Aviat, Motorcar Parts, South Plains Financial and First Bank
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For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 25, 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 HighPoint Resources Corp. , Aviat Networks Inc. (AVNW - Free Report) , Motorcar Parts of America Inc. (MPAA - Free Report) , South Plains Financial Inc. (SPFI - Free Report) and First Bank (FRBA - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Small Hidden Gems Flying High, Defying Pandemic
Wall Street has been performing very well in November notwithstanding last week's volatile trading. Resurgence of coronavirus cases has failed to dampen market participants' sentiments owing to positive developments on the vaccine front and hopes of the resumption of Congressional negotiations for a fresh round of fiscal stimulus.
Meanwhile, small-cap stocks have outperformed their large-cap peers in November. Month to date, large-cap-specific indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — have rallied 11.7%, 9.4% and 8.9%, respectively. On the other hand, small-cap-centric indexes — the Russell 2000 and the S&P 600 — have climbed 18.2% and 19% respectively.
At this stage, it will be prudent to invest in small-cap stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank that popped in November and still have upside left.
Positive News on COVID-19 Vaccine Development
On Nov 19, AstraZeneca said that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the Oxford University showed robust immune response in older adults in its phase 2 clinical trials. The combined dosing analysis from both full and half dose regimens found average vaccine effectiveness of 70.4%.
Meanwhile, on Nov 18, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their jointly developed potential vaccine BNT162b2 was more than 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 in trial participants with no previous evidence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. These two companies have submitted for Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA.
On Nov 16, Moderna reported that the preliminary phase III clinical trial data revealed its potential coronavirus vaccine is more than 94% effective in preventing COVID-19. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. On Nov 10, the FDA had granted emergency authorization to a COVID-19 antibody treatment of Eli Lilly.
Fresh Initiative for a New Coronavirus-Aid Package
On Nov 20, Senate Minority leader Democrat Chuck Schumer said that Senate Majority leader Republican Mitch McConnell has agreed to resume negotiations over a potential new Covid-19 relief package.
Last week, the Trump administration had decided not to negotiate further with Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding a new stimulus. Instead, Senate Majority Mitch McConnell will be the Republican negotiator, who is well known for his tough stand on a new tranche of coronavirus-relief package.
Stimulus Helps in Revival of Small Businesses
On Jun 15, the Fed initiated a lending program of up to $600 billion to small and mid-sized businesses. Under this program, businesses with up to 15,000 employees or revenues of up to $5 billion will get a loan in the range of $250,000 to $300 million for 5 years at floating rate.
On Oct 30, the central bank reduced the minimum loan size to $100,000 from $250,000 and decided to ease restrictions on debt for companies already participating in the Paycheck Protection Program. The central bank will encourage retail banks to lend out to struggling companies and will purchase 95% of each loan extended under the facility.
Given their small-scale of operations, small businesses are generally cash-starved. These organizations operate on a thin profit margin and most new businesses are yet to achieve profitability. Therefore, the reopening of the economy will immensely benefit small businesses.
Our Top Picks
We have narrowed down our search to five small-cap stocks that have surged more than 20% month to date. These stocks have a strong growth potential and witnessed robust earnings estimate revisions in the last 30 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.
HighPoint Resources Corp. is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 22.5% over the last 30 days. The stock price has jumped 76.9% month to date.
Aviat Networks Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells a range of wireless networking products, solutions and services in North America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Russia, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company has expected earnings growth of 95.4% for the current year (ending June 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 18% over the last 30 days. The stock price has climbed 76% month to date.
Motorcar Parts of America Inc. manufactures, remanufactures, and distributes heavy-duty truck, industrial, marine, and agricultural application replacement parts. The company has expected earnings growth of 6.3% for the current year (ending March 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 13.3% over the last 30 days. The stock price has soared 32.1% month to date.
South Plains Financial Inc. operates as a bank holding company for City Bank that provides commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals. It operates through two segments, Community Banking and Insurance.
The company has expected earnings growth of 37.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 37.1% over the past 30 days. The stock has rallied 24% month to date.
First Bank provides various banking products and services to individuals, businesses and governmental entities. The company has expected earnings growth of 6.3% for the current year (ending March 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 17.1% over the last 30 days. The stock price has surged 23.9% month to date.
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 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
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The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: HighPoint, Aviat, Motorcar Parts, South Plains Financial and First Bank
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL – November 25, 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 HighPoint Resources Corp. , Aviat Networks Inc. (AVNW - Free Report) , Motorcar Parts of America Inc. (MPAA - Free Report) , South Plains Financial Inc. (SPFI - Free Report) and First Bank (FRBA - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Analyst Blog:
Small Hidden Gems Flying High, Defying Pandemic
Wall Street has been performing very well in November notwithstanding last week's volatile trading. Resurgence of coronavirus cases has failed to dampen market participants' sentiments owing to positive developments on the vaccine front and hopes of the resumption of Congressional negotiations for a fresh round of fiscal stimulus.
Meanwhile, small-cap stocks have outperformed their large-cap peers in November. Month to date, large-cap-specific indexes — the Dow, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq Composite — have rallied 11.7%, 9.4% and 8.9%, respectively. On the other hand, small-cap-centric indexes — the Russell 2000 and the S&P 600 — have climbed 18.2% and 19% respectively.
At this stage, it will be prudent to invest in small-cap stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank that popped in November and still have upside left.
Positive News on COVID-19 Vaccine Development
On Nov 19, AstraZeneca said that its experimental COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the Oxford University showed robust immune response in older adults in its phase 2 clinical trials. The combined dosing analysis from both full and half dose regimens found average vaccine effectiveness of 70.4%.
Meanwhile, on Nov 18, Pfizer and BioNTech announced that their jointly developed potential vaccine BNT162b2 was more than 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 in trial participants with no previous evidence of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. These two companies have submitted for Emergency Use Authorization to the FDA.
On Nov 16, Moderna reported that the preliminary phase III clinical trial data revealed its potential coronavirus vaccine is more than 94% effective in preventing COVID-19. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. On Nov 10, the FDA had granted emergency authorization to a COVID-19 antibody treatment of Eli Lilly.
Fresh Initiative for a New Coronavirus-Aid Package
On Nov 20, Senate Minority leader Democrat Chuck Schumer said that Senate Majority leader Republican Mitch McConnell has agreed to resume negotiations over a potential new Covid-19 relief package.
Last week, the Trump administration had decided not to negotiate further with Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi regarding a new stimulus. Instead, Senate Majority Mitch McConnell will be the Republican negotiator, who is well known for his tough stand on a new tranche of coronavirus-relief package.
Stimulus Helps in Revival of Small Businesses
On Jun 15, the Fed initiated a lending program of up to $600 billion to small and mid-sized businesses. Under this program, businesses with up to 15,000 employees or revenues of up to $5 billion will get a loan in the range of $250,000 to $300 million for 5 years at floating rate.
On Oct 30, the central bank reduced the minimum loan size to $100,000 from $250,000 and decided to ease restrictions on debt for companies already participating in the Paycheck Protection Program. The central bank will encourage retail banks to lend out to struggling companies and will purchase 95% of each loan extended under the facility.
Given their small-scale of operations, small businesses are generally cash-starved. These organizations operate on a thin profit margin and most new businesses are yet to achieve profitability. Therefore, the reopening of the economy will immensely benefit small businesses.
Our Top Picks
We have narrowed down our search to five small-cap stocks that have surged more than 20% month to date. These stocks have a strong growth potential and witnessed robust earnings estimate revisions in the last 30 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.
HighPoint Resources Corp. is engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 22.5% over the last 30 days. The stock price has jumped 76.9% month to date.
Aviat Networks Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells a range of wireless networking products, solutions and services in North America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Russia, Latin America, and the Asia Pacific. The company has expected earnings growth of 95.4% for the current year (ending June 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 18% over the last 30 days. The stock price has climbed 76% month to date.
Motorcar Parts of America Inc. manufactures, remanufactures, and distributes heavy-duty truck, industrial, marine, and agricultural application replacement parts. The company has expected earnings growth of 6.3% for the current year (ending March 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 13.3% over the last 30 days. The stock price has soared 32.1% month to date.
South Plains Financial Inc. operates as a bank holding company for City Bank that provides commercial and consumer financial services to small and medium-sized businesses and individuals. It operates through two segments, Community Banking and Insurance.
The company has expected earnings growth of 37.9% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 37.1% over the past 30 days. The stock has rallied 24% month to date.
First Bank provides various banking products and services to individuals, businesses and governmental entities. The company has expected earnings growth of 6.3% for the current year (ending March 2021). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved more than 17.1% over the last 30 days. The stock price has surged 23.9% month to date.
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 8 stocks to watch. The report is only available for a limited time.
See 8 breakthrough stocks now>>
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Zacks Investment Research is under common control with affiliated entities (including a broker-dealer and an investment adviser), which may engage in transactions involving the foregoing securities for the clients of such affiliates.
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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/performancefor information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.