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Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: Siemens, UiPath & Caterpillar in Focus
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Key Takeaways
Siemens and Legrand surged over 15% since Zacks Rank upgrades in early September.
UiPath and Sterling Infrastructure rallied up to 38% after Zacks raised both to Outperform.
Caterpillar jumped 34.7% as a Zacks Focus List stock, topping the S&P 500's 9.7% gain.
The performance of major U.S. indexes gives a mixed picture of both resilience and caution. Last week, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite delivered a positive return of 0.37%, whereas the S&P 500 lost ground by 0.51%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained virtually unchanged, increasing by 0.04%. Consecutive interest rate cuts after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, led by Chairman Jerome Powell, boosted investor confidence by making two 25-basis-point cuts each month. The goal was to promote growth, resulting in a new federal funds rate target range of 3.75-4.00%. However, the government data blackout and persistent trade issues are major headwinds in the near term.
The Consumer Price Index increased annually to 3% after advancing 2.9% in August, slightly below expectations and down from a monthly rise of 0.4% in August to 0.3% in September. The Federal Reserve is trying to balance the desire for overall growth against simultaneous threats from persistent inflation, a weakening labor market, and ongoing trade disputes.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our forecasts to better prepare for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
Siemens Energy and Legrand Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY - Free Report) have gained 17.4% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.7% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on September 1.
Another stock, Legrand SA (LGRDY - Free Report) , which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 on September 3, has returned 15.4% (versus the S&P 500’s 6.5% increase) since then.
A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank # 1 stocks returned +8.64% in 2025 (through September 1) vs. +7.60% for the S&P 500 index.
This portfolio returned +22.4% in 2024, vs. +28% for the S&P 500 index and +19.9% for the equal-weight version of the S&P 500 index.
This hypothetical portfolio returned +20.65% in 2023 vs. +24.83% for the S&P 500 index and +15% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index.
The Zacks Model Portfolio - consisting of Zacks Rank #1 stocks – has outperformed the S&P index by more than 12 percentage points since 1988 (through September 1, 2025, the Zacks # 1 Rank stocks generated an annualized average return of +23.8% vs. +11.3% for the S&P 500 index).
Shares of UiPath Inc. (PATH - Free Report) and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) have advanced 38% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.3% increase) and +30.9% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.1% increase), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on September 8 and September 5, respectively.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
To access our research reports with Zacks Recommendations for the 1100+ stocks we cover, click here>>>
Zacks Focus List Stocks Caterpillar, Huntington Ingalls Shoot Up
Shares of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 34.7% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on April 18, 2017. Another Focus-List holding, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII - Free Report) , which was added to the portfolio on May 9, 2016, has returned 19.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced by 9.7% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned 18.3% in 2025 (through September 30, 2025) vs. +14.8% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
The portfolio leads the broader market over the preceding one, three, five and ‘since 2004’ periods. These annualized return comparisons are: +16.96% for the Focus List vs. +17.60% for the index over the one-year period, +26.77% vs. +24.94% over the 3-year period, +17.38% vs. +14.48% over the 5-year period, and +12.13% vs. +10.71% since 2004.
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks Mettler-Toledo International & Cencora Make Significant Gains
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (MTD - Free Report) , a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 18.3% over the past 12 weeks. Cencora, Inc. (COR - Free Report) has followed Mettler-Toledo International with 17.2% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -1.30% in the third quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +8.1% gain (SPY ETF). In the year-to-date period through September 30, the portfolio returned +2.72% vs. +14.84% gain for the S&P 500 index.
For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF).
In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Johnson & Johnson and PepsiCo Outperform Peers
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) , which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 12.9% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP - Free Report) , has increased 4.9% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -0.01% in 2025 Q3 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +8.1% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL - Free Report) +2.90% return. Year-to-date (through September 30), the portfolio returned +1.58% vs. +5.15% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF.
For the full year 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL.
The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
MasTec, Inc. (MTZ - Free Report) , from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025, has jumped 50% year to date compared with the S&P 500 index’s 16.4% increase.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +26.47% this year (through the end of September 2025) vs. +14.84% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Since 2012, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,553.1% through the end of September 2025 vs. +545.2% for the S&P 500 index and +396.4% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average return of +26.6% in the period 2012 through September 30, 2025, vs. +13.1% for the S&P 500 index and +10.5% for the equal-weight version of the index.
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Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: Siemens, UiPath & Caterpillar in Focus
Key Takeaways
The performance of major U.S. indexes gives a mixed picture of both resilience and caution. Last week, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite delivered a positive return of 0.37%, whereas the S&P 500 lost ground by 0.51%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average remained virtually unchanged, increasing by 0.04%. Consecutive interest rate cuts after the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meetings, led by Chairman Jerome Powell, boosted investor confidence by making two 25-basis-point cuts each month. The goal was to promote growth, resulting in a new federal funds rate target range of 3.75-4.00%. However, the government data blackout and persistent trade issues are major headwinds in the near term.
The Consumer Price Index increased annually to 3% after advancing 2.9% in August, slightly below expectations and down from a monthly rise of 0.4% in August to 0.3% in September. The Federal Reserve is trying to balance the desire for overall growth against simultaneous threats from persistent inflation, a weakening labor market, and ongoing trade disputes.
Regardless of market conditions, we, here at Zacks, provide investors with unbiased guidance on how to beat the market.
As usual, Zacks Research guided investors over the past three months with its time-tested methodologies. Given the prevailing market uncertainty, you may want to look at our forecasts to better prepare for your next action.
Here are some of our key achievements:
Siemens Energy and Legrand Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Siemens Energy AG (SMNEY - Free Report) have gained 17.4% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.7% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) on September 1.
Another stock, Legrand SA (LGRDY - Free Report) , which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #1 on September 3, has returned 15.4% (versus the S&P 500’s 6.5% increase) since then.
A hypothetical portfolio of Zacks Rank # 1 stocks returned +8.64% in 2025 (through September 1) vs. +7.60% for the S&P 500 index.
This portfolio returned +22.4% in 2024, vs. +28% for the S&P 500 index and +19.9% for the equal-weight version of the S&P 500 index.
This hypothetical portfolio returned +20.65% in 2023 vs. +24.83% for the S&P 500 index and +15% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index.
The Zacks Model Portfolio - consisting of Zacks Rank #1 stocks – has outperformed the S&P index by more than 12 percentage points since 1988 (through September 1, 2025, the Zacks # 1 Rank stocks generated an annualized average return of +23.8% vs. +11.3% for the S&P 500 index).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here >>>
Check Siemens Energy’s historical EPS and Sales here>>>
Check Legrand’s historical EPS and Sales here>>>
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Recommendation Upgrades UiPath & Sterling Infrastructure
Shares of UiPath Inc. (PATH - Free Report) and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL - Free Report) have advanced 38% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.3% increase) and +30.9% (versus the S&P 500’s 5.1% increase), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on September 8 and September 5, respectively.
While the Zacks Rank is our short-term rating system that is most effective over the one- to three-month holding horizon, the Zacks Recommendation aims to predict performance over the next 6 to 12 months. However, just like the Zacks Rank, the foundation for the Zacks Recommendation is trends in earnings estimate revisions.
The Zacks Recommendation classifies stocks into three groups — Outperform, Neutral and Underperform. While these recommendations are determined quantitatively, our analysts have the flexibility to override them for the 1100+ stocks they closely follow based on their better judgment of factors such as valuation, industry conditions and management effectiveness than the quantitative model.
To access our research reports with Zacks Recommendations for the 1100+ stocks we cover, click here>>>
Zacks Focus List Stocks Caterpillar, Huntington Ingalls Shoot Up
Shares of Caterpillar Inc. (CAT - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 34.7% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on April 18, 2017. Another Focus-List holding, Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII - Free Report) , which was added to the portfolio on May 9, 2016, has returned 19.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced by 9.7% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio returned 18.3% in 2025 (through September 30, 2025) vs. +14.8% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Zacks Focus List portfolio returned +18.41% in 2024 vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. The portfolio had returned +29.54% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +13.61% for the equal-weight S&P 500 index. In 2022, the portfolio returned -15.2% vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
The portfolio leads the broader market over the preceding one, three, five and ‘since 2004’ periods. These annualized return comparisons are: +16.96% for the Focus List vs. +17.60% for the index over the one-year period, +26.77% vs. +24.94% over the 3-year period, +17.38% vs. +14.48% over the 5-year period, and +12.13% vs. +10.71% since 2004.
Unlock all of our powerful research, tools and analysis, including the Focus List, Zacks #1 Rank List, Equity Research Reports, Zacks Earnings ESP Filter, Premium Screener and more, as part of Zacks Premium. Gain full access now >>
Zacks ECAP Stocks Mettler-Toledo International & Cencora Make Significant Gains
Mettler-Toledo International Inc. (MTD - Free Report) , a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 18.3% over the past 12 weeks. Cencora, Inc. (COR - Free Report) has followed Mettler-Toledo International with 17.2% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -1.30% in the third quarter of 2025 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +8.1% gain (SPY ETF). In the year-to-date period through September 30, the portfolio returned +2.72% vs. +14.84% gain for the S&P 500 index.
For the year 2024, the portfolio returned +16.26% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index (SPY ETF).
In 2023, the portfolio returned +12.17% vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index. The portfolio returned -4.7% in 2022 vs. the S&P 500 index’s -17.96%.
With little to no turnover and annual rebalance periodicity, ECAP seeks to minimize capital loss by holding shares of companies whose earnings streams exhibit a proven 20+ year track record of surviving recessionary periods with minimal impact on aggregate earnings growth relative to the overall S&P 500.
The ECAP and many other model portfolios are available as part of Zacks Advisor Tools, a cloud-based solution to access Zacks award-winning stock, mutual fund and ETF research. Click here to schedule a demo.
Zacks ECDP Stocks Johnson & Johnson and PepsiCo Outperform Peers
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ - Free Report) , which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 12.9% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, PepsiCo, Inc. (PEP - Free Report) , has increased 4.9% over the same time frame. Of course, the inclination of investors toward quality dividend stocks to secure an income stream amid heightened market volatility contributed to this performance.
Check Johnson & Johnson's dividend history here>>>
Check PepsiCo’s dividend history here>>>
With an extremely low beta and a history of minimum earnings variability over the last 20+ years, this 25-stock portfolio helps to significantly mitigate risk.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP) returned -0.01% in 2025 Q3 vs. the S&P 500 index’s +8.1% gain and the Dividend Aristocrats ETF’s (NOBL - Free Report) +2.90% return. Year-to-date (through September 30), the portfolio returned +1.58% vs. +5.15% gain for the Dividend Aristocrat ETF.
For the full year 2024, the portfolio returned +6.95% vs. +24.89% for the S&P 500 index and +6.72% for NOBL.
The portfolio returned -0.9% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index and +8.11% for NOBL. The portfolio returned -2.3% in 2022 vs. -17.96% for the S&P 500 index and -8.34% for NOBL.
Click here to access this portfolio on Zacks Advisor Tools.
Zacks Top 10 Stock MasTec Delivers Solid Returns
MasTec, Inc. (MTZ - Free Report) , from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2025, has jumped 50% year to date compared with the S&P 500 index’s 16.4% increase.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +26.47% this year (through the end of September 2025) vs. +14.84% for the S&P 500 index and +9.9% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +62.98% in 2024, vs. +25.04% for the S&P 500 index and +13% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio had returned +25.15% in 2023 vs. +26.28% for the S&P 500 index.
Since 2012, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,553.1% through the end of September 2025 vs. +545.2% for the S&P 500 index and +396.4% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average return of +26.6% in the period 2012 through September 30, 2025, vs. +13.1% for the S&P 500 index and +10.5% for the equal-weight version of the index.