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Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: Oportun Financial, Uranium Royalty & Amgen in Focus
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Key Takeaways
Oportun Financial gained 31% after its Zacks Rank upgrade to #2 (Buy) on July 13.
Uranium Royalty advanced 67.6% after its Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform.
Amgen returned 25.1% over 12 weeks as investors favored quality dividend stocks.
Last week, major U.S. indexes like the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have modestly gained by 0.52%, 0.42%, and 0.43%, respectively. Economic conditions remained complicated because of geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs. Oil prices climbed to about $91.01 per barrel for WTI and $95.63 for Brent as U.S.-Iran hostilities intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, adding fresh inflation pressure. Treasury yields remained elevated, with the 10-year yield around 4.818%, its highest level since November 2023. The trade deficit also widened sharply to $88.6 billion in July, while second-quarter productivity rose 1.4% and unit labor costs increased 1.2%. The ISM manufacturing PMI fell to 54.6 from 55.6 in July, while services activity improved to 55.4 but missed the street’s expectations.
The labor market remained the main story, with July JOLTS job openings coming in at 7.2 million, while ADP reported only 38,000 private-sector jobs in August, missing expectations. Weekly initial jobless claims rose slightly to 206,000, but continuing claims stayed contained at 1.779 million, suggesting that layoffs were limited. The bigger surprise came on Friday, when nonfarm payrolls jumped 162,000 in August, far above the expected 53,000. July and June payrolls were also revised higher by a combined 55,000. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, while wage growth remained moderate at 0.3% month over month and 3.1% year over year. Overall, the labor market has cooled from a year ago but remains resilient.
The week’s payroll report gives policymakers less reason to rush into rate cuts, while persistent oil and inflation risks argue for caution. Overall, the economy remains resilient, but softer employment and spending signals suggest that growth is losing some momentum.
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:
Oportun Financial and UroGen Pharma Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Oportun Financial Corporation (OPRT - Free Report) have gained 31% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.1% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on July 13.
Another stock, UroGen Pharma Ltd. (URGN - Free Report) , which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 on July 6, has returned 16% (versus the S&P 500’s 3.4% increase) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
A portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by 2.3 percentage points this year. Through August 3 this year, the Zacks # 1 Rank portfolio returned +12.08%, which compares to a +9.78% gain for the S&P 500 index and a +10.41% gain for the equal-weight version of the index in the same time period.
Since its inception in 1988, this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks has outperformed the market by 12.4 percentage points. The average annual return for this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks since inception in 1988 was +23.9% through August 3, which compares to a +11.5% gain for the S&P 500 index and a +11.3% gain for the equal-weight version of the index.
Zacks Recommendation Upgrades Uranium Royalty & NGL Energy
Shares of Uranium Royalty Corp. (UROY - Free Report) and NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL - Free Report) have advanced 67.6% and 14.6% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.8% increase), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on July 14.
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 Palantir Technologies, Cheniere Energy Shoot Up
Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 28.6% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on March 26, 2024. Another Focus-List holding, Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG - Free Report) , which was added to the portfolio on September 6, 2022, has returned 22.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced by 4.5% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio has returned +19.86% in the year-to-date period (through August 31, 2026) vs. +13.14% for the S&P 500 index and +15.59% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% 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%.
Through August 31, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, 10-year, and since 2004 have been +28.7% (vs. +20.4% for the S&P 500 index), +24.1% (vs. +21.1%), +13.6% (vs. +12.8%), +17.1% (vs. +15.4%) and +12.7% vs. (+11%), respectively.
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 Thermo Fisher & FactSet Research Make Significant Gains
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO - Free Report) , a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 29.8% over the past 12 weeks. FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS - Free Report) has followed Thermo Fisher with 18.1% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -9.4% in the first half of 2026 (through June 30) vs. +10.2% for the S&P 500 index.
For 2025, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. a +17.9% 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%.
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 Amgen and Quest Diagnostics Outperform Peers
Amgen Inc. (AMGN - Free Report) , which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 25.1% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX - Free Report) , has increased 18.4% 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 -1.7% in the first half of 2026 (through June 30) vs. +10.2% for the S&P 500 index and +9.03% for the Dividend Aristocrats ETF ((NOBL - Free Report) ).
The portfolio returned -0.6% in 2025 vs. a +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrats 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.
Stride, Inc. (LRN - Free Report) , from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 31.1% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 12.8% increase during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +15% in the year-to-date 2026 period (through August 31st) vs. +12.9% for the S&P 500 index and +14.8% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% 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.
Through the end of August 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,881.3% since 2012 vs. +648.5% for the S&P 500 index and +481.7% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +25.8% in the period 2012 through August 31, 2026, vs. +13.6% for the S&P 500 index and +11.3% for the equal-weight version of the index.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Shutterstock
Take the Zacks Approach to Beat the Markets: Oportun Financial, Uranium Royalty & Amgen in Focus
Key Takeaways
Last week, major U.S. indexes like the Nasdaq Composite, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average have modestly gained by 0.52%, 0.42%, and 0.43%, respectively. Economic conditions remained complicated because of geopolitical tensions and rising energy costs. Oil prices climbed to about $91.01 per barrel for WTI and $95.63 for Brent as U.S.-Iran hostilities intensified around the Strait of Hormuz, adding fresh inflation pressure. Treasury yields remained elevated, with the 10-year yield around 4.818%, its highest level since November 2023. The trade deficit also widened sharply to $88.6 billion in July, while second-quarter productivity rose 1.4% and unit labor costs increased 1.2%. The ISM manufacturing PMI fell to 54.6 from 55.6 in July, while services activity improved to 55.4 but missed the street’s expectations.
The labor market remained the main story, with July JOLTS job openings coming in at 7.2 million, while ADP reported only 38,000 private-sector jobs in August, missing expectations. Weekly initial jobless claims rose slightly to 206,000, but continuing claims stayed contained at 1.779 million, suggesting that layoffs were limited. The bigger surprise came on Friday, when nonfarm payrolls jumped 162,000 in August, far above the expected 53,000. July and June payrolls were also revised higher by a combined 55,000. The unemployment rate held at 4.1%, while wage growth remained moderate at 0.3% month over month and 3.1% year over year. Overall, the labor market has cooled from a year ago but remains resilient.
The week’s payroll report gives policymakers less reason to rush into rate cuts, while persistent oil and inflation risks argue for caution. Overall, the economy remains resilient, but softer employment and spending signals suggest that growth is losing some momentum.
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:
Oportun Financial and UroGen Pharma Following Zacks Rank Upgrade
Shares of Oportun Financial Corporation (OPRT - Free Report) have gained 31% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.1% increase) since it was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) on July 13.
Another stock, UroGen Pharma Ltd. (URGN - Free Report) , which was upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 on July 6, has returned 16% (versus the S&P 500’s 3.4% increase) since then.
Zacks Rank, our short-term rating system, has earnings estimate revisions at its core. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock price movements.
A portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks has outperformed the S&P 500 index by 2.3 percentage points this year. Through August 3 this year, the Zacks # 1 Rank portfolio returned +12.08%, which compares to a +9.78% gain for the S&P 500 index and a +10.41% gain for the equal-weight version of the index in the same time period.
Since its inception in 1988, this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks has outperformed the market by 12.4 percentage points. The average annual return for this portfolio of Zacks # 1 Rank stocks since inception in 1988 was +23.9% through August 3, which compares to a +11.5% gain for the S&P 500 index and a +11.3% gain for the equal-weight version of the index.
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here >>>
Check Oportun Financial's historical EPS and Sales here>>>
Check UroGen Pharma’s historical EPS and Sales here>>>
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Zacks Recommendation Upgrades Uranium Royalty & NGL Energy
Shares of Uranium Royalty Corp. (UROY - Free Report) and NGL Energy Partners LP (NGL - Free Report) have advanced 67.6% and 14.6% (versus the S&P 500’s 2.8% increase), respectively, since their Zacks Recommendation was upgraded to Outperform on July 14.
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 Palantir Technologies, Cheniere Energy Shoot Up
Shares of Palantir Technologies Inc. (PLTR - Free Report) , which belongs to the Zacks Focus List, have gained 28.6% over the past 12 weeks. The stock was added to the Focus List on March 26, 2024. Another Focus-List holding, Cheniere Energy, Inc. (LNG - Free Report) , which was added to the portfolio on September 6, 2022, has returned 22.3% over the past 12 weeks. The S&P 500 has advanced by 4.5% over this period.
The 50-stock Focus List portfolio has returned +19.86% in the year-to-date period (through August 31, 2026) vs. +13.14% for the S&P 500 index and +15.59% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The portfolio returned +22.1% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% 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%.
Through August 31, 2026, the portfolio’s rolling returns on a one-year, three-year, five-year, 10-year, and since 2004 have been +28.7% (vs. +20.4% for the S&P 500 index), +24.1% (vs. +21.1%), +13.6% (vs. +12.8%), +17.1% (vs. +15.4%) and +12.7% vs. (+11%), respectively.
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 Thermo Fisher & FactSet Research Make Significant Gains
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (TMO - Free Report) , a component of our Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), has jumped 29.8% over the past 12 weeks. FactSet Research Systems Inc. (FDS - Free Report) has followed Thermo Fisher with 18.1% returns.
The Zacks Earnings Certain Admiral Portfolio (ECAP), which consists of 30 concentrated, ultra-defensive, long-term Buy-and-Hold stocks, returned -9.4% in the first half of 2026 (through June 30) vs. +10.2% for the S&P 500 index.
For 2025, the portfolio returned -1.67% vs. a +17.9% 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%.
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 Amgen and Quest Diagnostics Outperform Peers
Amgen Inc. (AMGN - Free Report) , which is part of our Earnings Certain Dividend Portfolio (ECDP), has returned 25.1% over the past 12 weeks. Another ECDP stock, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (DGX - Free Report) , has increased 18.4% 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 Amgen's dividend history here>>>
Check Quest Diagnostics’ 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 -1.7% in the first half of 2026 (through June 30) vs. +10.2% for the S&P 500 index and +9.03% for the Dividend Aristocrats ETF ((NOBL - Free Report) ).
The portfolio returned -0.6% in 2025 vs. a +6.8% gain for the Dividend Aristocrats 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 Stride Delivers Solid Returns
Stride, Inc. (LRN - Free Report) , from the Zacks Top 10 Stocks for 2026, has jumped 31.1% since the list was released on January 5, 2026, compared with the S&P 500 index’s 12.8% increase during this period.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +15% in the year-to-date 2026 period (through August 31st) vs. +12.9% for the S&P 500 index and +14.8% for the equal-weight version of the index.
The Top 10 portfolio returned +22.6% in 2025 vs. +17.9% for the S&P 500 index and +11.4% 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.
Through the end of August 2026, the Top 10 portfolio has produced a cumulative return of +2,881.3% since 2012 vs. +648.5% for the S&P 500 index and +481.7% for the equal-weight version of the index. The portfolio has produced an average annual return of +25.8% in the period 2012 through August 31, 2026, vs. +13.6% for the S&P 500 index and +11.3% for the equal-weight version of the index.