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Grab These 4 Stocks With Solid Net Profit Margins for Better Returns

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Key Takeaways

  • ENVA, RFIL, IBKR and RELY were selected for strong net margins and solid EPS growth outlooks.
  • Each stock has a VGM Score of A or B and a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2, signaling high-return potential.
  • Earnings estimates for ENVA, RFIL and IBKR 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. Enova International, Inc. (ENVA - Free Report) , RF Industries, Ltd. (RFIL - Free Report) , Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR - Free Report) and Remitly Global, Inc. (RELY - 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 that qualified the screening:

Enova International is a prominent financial technology company that provides online financial services to non-prime consumers and small businesses. The company's customers include consumers who have bank accounts but use alternative financial credit services due to their limited access to more traditional consumer credit from banks, thrifts, credit card companies and other lenders. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present and has a VGM Score of A.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Enova International’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 3.3% to $14.72 per share in the past seven days. ENVA surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 8.66%.

RF Industries is engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of coaxial connectors used in radio communication applications as well as in computers, test instruments, PC LANs and antenna devices. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present and has a VGM Score of B.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RF Industries’ fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 8 cents to 43 cents per share in the past 30 days. RFIL beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 74.31%.

Interactive Brokers Group operates as an automated global electronic broker. The company specializes in routing orders and executing and processing trades in securities, futures, foreign exchange instruments, bonds, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and precious metals. The stock sports a Zacks Rank of 1 at present and has a VGM Score of B.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Interactive Brokers Group’s 2026 earnings has been revised upward by 12 cents to $2.35 per share in the past 30 days. IBKR beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings in three of the trailing four quarters while missing the same on one occasion, the average surprise being 11.95%.

Remitly Global is a mobile-first provider of remittances and financial services for immigrants. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2 and has a VGM Score of A.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Remitly Global’s 2026 earnings has remained unchanged at 34 cents per share over the past 60 days. RELY beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in each of the trailing four quarters, the average surprise being 127.38%.

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