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Bet on 4 Stocks With Solid Net Profit Margin to Boost Your Portfolio
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Key Takeaways
AVO, SMP, DY and CENX were selected for strong net margins and solid EPS growth outlooks.
Each stock has a VGM Score of A and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, signaling high-return potential.
Earnings estimates for AVO, DY and CENX were revised upward within the past 60 days.
Investors prefer to invest in businesses that reap profits on a regular basis. To gauge the extent of profits, there is no better metric than the net profit margin.
A higher net margin reflects a company’s efficiency in converting sales into actual profits. Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO - Free Report) , Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP - Free Report) , Dycom Industries, Inc. (DY - Free Report) and Century Aluminum Company (CENX - Free Report) boast solid net profit margins.
Net Profit Margin = Net profit/Sales * 100
In simple terms, net profit is the amount a company retains after deducting all costs, interest, depreciation, taxes and other expenses. In fact, the net profit margin can turn out to be a potent point of reference to gauge the strength of a company’s operations and its cost-control measures.
Also, a higher net profit is essential for rewarding stakeholders. Further, strength in the metric not only attracts investors but also draws well-skilled employees who eventually enhance a business's value.
Moreover, a higher net profit margin compared with its peers provides the company with a competitive edge.
Pros and Cons
Net profit margin helps investors gain clarity on a company’s business model in terms of pricing policy, cost structure and manufacturing efficiency. Hence, a strong net profit margin is preferred by all classes of investors.
However, net profit margin as an investment criterion has its share of pitfalls. The metric varies widely from industry to industry. While net income is a key metric for investment measurement in traditional industries, it is not that important for technology companies.
In addition, the difference in accounting treatment of various items — especially non-cash expenses like depreciation and stock-based compensation — makes comparison a daunting task.
Furthermore, for companies preferring to grow with debt instead of equity funding, higher interest expenses usually weigh on net profit. In such cases, the measure is rendered ineffective while analyzing a company’s performance.
The Winning Strategy
A healthy net profit margin and solid EPS growth are the two most sought-after elements in a business model.
Apart from these, we have added a few criteria to ensure maximum returns from this strategy.
Screening Parameters
Net Margin 12 months – Most Recent (%) greater than equal to 0: A high net profit margin indicates solid profitability.
Percentage Change in EPS F(0)/(F-1) greater than equal to 0: It indicates earnings growth.
Average Broker Rating (1-5) equal to 1: A rating of #1 indicates brokers’ extreme bullishness on the stock.
Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) generally perform better than their peers in all types of market environments. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
VGM Score of A or B: Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2, offer the best upside potential.
Here we discuss our four picks from the five stocks that qualified the screening:
Mission Produce sources, produces, packs, distributes and markets avocados principally in the United States and internationally. Its operating segments consist of Marketing and Distribution and International Farming. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mission Produce’s fiscal 2025 earnings has been revised upward by 13.6% to 67 cents per share in the past 60 days. AVO surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 533.3%.
Standard Motor Products is one of the leading manufacturers, distributors and marketers of premium automotive replacement parts for engine management and temperature control systems. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Standard Motor Products’ 2025 earnings has remained unchanged at $3.76 per share in the past 60 days. SMP beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 40.4%.
Dycom Industries is a specialty contracting firm operating in the telecom industry. The company provides diverse services such as engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services for the cable and telephone companies. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dycom Industries’ fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 10 cents to $10.01 per share in the past 60 days. DY beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 22.4%.
Century Aluminum is engaged in the production of aluminum in the United States and Iceland. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Century Aluminum’s 2025 earnings has moved north by 11.7% to $2.30 per share in the past 60 days. CENX beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice in the trailing four quarters and missed the same on two occasions, the average surprise being -15.4%.
Get the rest of the stocks on the list and start putting this and other ideas to the test. It can all be done with the Research Wizard stock picking and back-testing software.
The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
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Bet on 4 Stocks With Solid Net Profit Margin to Boost Your Portfolio
Key Takeaways
Investors prefer to invest in businesses that reap profits on a regular basis. To gauge the extent of profits, there is no better metric than the net profit margin.
A higher net margin reflects a company’s efficiency in converting sales into actual profits. Mission Produce, Inc. (AVO - Free Report) , Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP - Free Report) , Dycom Industries, Inc. (DY - Free Report) and Century Aluminum Company (CENX - Free Report) boast solid net profit margins.
Net Profit Margin = Net profit/Sales * 100
In simple terms, net profit is the amount a company retains after deducting all costs, interest, depreciation, taxes and other expenses. In fact, the net profit margin can turn out to be a potent point of reference to gauge the strength of a company’s operations and its cost-control measures.
Also, a higher net profit is essential for rewarding stakeholders. Further, strength in the metric not only attracts investors but also draws well-skilled employees who eventually enhance a business's value.
Moreover, a higher net profit margin compared with its peers provides the company with a competitive edge.
Pros and Cons
Net profit margin helps investors gain clarity on a company’s business model in terms of pricing policy, cost structure and manufacturing efficiency. Hence, a strong net profit margin is preferred by all classes of investors.
However, net profit margin as an investment criterion has its share of pitfalls. The metric varies widely from industry to industry. While net income is a key metric for investment measurement in traditional industries, it is not that important for technology companies.
In addition, the difference in accounting treatment of various items — especially non-cash expenses like depreciation and stock-based compensation — makes comparison a daunting task.
Furthermore, for companies preferring to grow with debt instead of equity funding, higher interest expenses usually weigh on net profit. In such cases, the measure is rendered ineffective while analyzing a company’s performance.
The Winning Strategy
A healthy net profit margin and solid EPS growth are the two most sought-after elements in a business model.
Apart from these, we have added a few criteria to ensure maximum returns from this strategy.
Screening Parameters
Net Margin 12 months – Most Recent (%) greater than equal to 0: A high net profit margin indicates solid profitability.
Percentage Change in EPS F(0)/(F-1) greater than equal to 0: It indicates earnings growth.
Average Broker Rating (1-5) equal to 1: A rating of #1 indicates brokers’ extreme bullishness on the stock.
Zacks Rank less than or equal to 2: Stocks with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) generally perform better than their peers in all types of market environments. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
VGM Score of A or B: Our research shows that stocks with a VGM Score of A or B, when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 or 2, offer the best upside potential.
Here we discuss our four picks from the five stocks that qualified the screening:
Mission Produce sources, produces, packs, distributes and markets avocados principally in the United States and internationally. Its operating segments consist of Marketing and Distribution and International Farming. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Mission Produce’s fiscal 2025 earnings has been revised upward by 13.6% to 67 cents per share in the past 60 days. AVO surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 533.3%.
Standard Motor Products is one of the leading manufacturers, distributors and marketers of premium automotive replacement parts for engine management and temperature control systems. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Standard Motor Products’ 2025 earnings has remained unchanged at $3.76 per share in the past 60 days. SMP beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 40.4%.
Dycom Industries is a specialty contracting firm operating in the telecom industry. The company provides diverse services such as engineering, construction, maintenance and installation services for the cable and telephone companies. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 at present and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Dycom Industries’ fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 10 cents to $10.01 per share in the past 60 days. DY beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 22.4%.
Century Aluminum is engaged in the production of aluminum in the United States and Iceland. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a VGM Score of A.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Century Aluminum’s 2025 earnings has moved north by 11.7% to $2.30 per share in the past 60 days. CENX beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate twice in the trailing four quarters and missed the same on two occasions, the average surprise being -15.4%.
Get the rest of the stocks on the list and start putting this and other ideas to the test. It can all be done with the Research Wizard stock picking and back-testing software.
The Research Wizard is a great place to begin. It's easy to use. Everything is in plain language. And it's very intuitive. Start your Research Wizard trial today. And the next time you read an economic report, open up the Research Wizard, plug your finds in, and see what gems come out.
Click here to sign up for a free trial to the Research Wizard today.
Disclosure: Officers, directors and/or employees of Zacks Investment Research may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material. An affiliated investment advisory firm may own or have sold short securities and/or hold long and/or short positions in options that are mentioned in this material.
Disclosure: Performance information for Zacks' portfolios and strategies are available at: https://www.zacks.com/performance/.