We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Rent-A-Center, MasterCraft, Marcus, Hudson and Hamilton Beach
Read MoreHide Full Article
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –December 3, 2018 – 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: Rent-A-Center Inc. , MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. (MCFT - Free Report) , The Marcus Corp. (MCS - Free Report) , Hudson Ltd. and Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. (HBB - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Consumer Spending Highest in 7 Months: 5 Top Picks
The U.S. economy is soaring high despite severe volatility in stock markets. Several key economic reports for the month of October and November have affirmed that the largest economy of the world is in good shape. The latest metric to reassert this notion is the massive jump in U.S. consumer spending in October.
Despite apprehensions regarding an impending global economic slowdown, U.S. consumers have increased their personal expenditures with holiday season just around the corner. This can primarily be attributed to massive tax cut policies adopted by the Trump administration. At this stage, it will be a prudent move to invest in consumer discretionary stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank.
U.S. Consumer Spending Jumps in October
On Nov 29, the Department of Commerce reported that personal consumption expenditures increased $86.9 billion or 0.6% in October, highest in seven months. Strong expenditure on prescription drugs, electricity and natural gas propelled total consumer spending. The data was higher than the consensus estimate of an increase of 4%.
October data exhibited growing momentum for consumer spending which constitutes over 70% of U.S. GDP. This could be a signal for robust fourth-quarter GDP data. Notably, on Nov 15, the Department of Commerce reported that U.S. retail sales for the month of October rose 0.8%, exceeding the consensus estimate of 0.5%.
Inflationary Concerns Overblown
For the month of October, PCE (personal consumption expenditure) index grew 0.2%. Year-over-year, PCE inflation remained flat at 2%. The core PCE inflation (excluding food and energy) rose a modest 0.1%, lower than the consensus estimate of 0.2%. Year-over-year, core PCE inflation was 18%, well below the Fed’s target level of 2%. Notably, core PCE inflation is the preferred inflation gauge of the central bank.
Robust U.S. Economy and Labor Market
In its second estimate, the Department of Commerce confirmed on Nov 28 that the U.S. GDP for the third quarter of 2018 expanded by 3.5%. This implies that the U.S. economy increased 3.3% in the first nine months of 2018, surpassing the target of 3% set by President Trump.
On Nov 5, the Department of Labor reported that the U.S. economy added 250,000 non-farm jobs in October outpacing the consensus estimate of 193,000. Unemployment rate remained flat at 3.7%, the lowest since December 1969.
Our Top Picks
Solid economic fundamentals, tax reforms and sustained strong earnings performance are major tailwinds for the U.S. economy. Consequently, adding consumer discretionary stocks will be lucrative. However, picking winning stocks can be a difficult task.
This is where our VGM Score comes in handy. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
Rent-A-Center Inc. offers high-quality, durable products like consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% the for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.2% over the last 60 days.
MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. designs, manufactures and markets recreational powerboats through its subsidiaries. The stock has a VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 31% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 8.3% over the last 60 days.
The Marcus Corp. owns and operates movie theatres, and hotels and resorts. The stock has a VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 22.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 6.8% over the last 60 days.
Hudson Ltd. operates as a travel retail company in the United States and Canada. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 13.9% over the last 60 days.
Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. operates in the consumer, commercial, specialty small appliance, and specialty retail market in the United States and internationally. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of 21.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.5% over the last 60 days.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
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/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
Image: Bigstock
The Zacks Analyst Blog Highlights: Rent-A-Center, MasterCraft, Marcus, Hudson and Hamilton Beach
For Immediate Release
Chicago, IL –December 3, 2018 – 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: Rent-A-Center Inc. , MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. (MCFT - Free Report) , The Marcus Corp. (MCS - Free Report) , Hudson Ltd. and Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. (HBB - Free Report) .
Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog:
Consumer Spending Highest in 7 Months: 5 Top Picks
The U.S. economy is soaring high despite severe volatility in stock markets. Several key economic reports for the month of October and November have affirmed that the largest economy of the world is in good shape. The latest metric to reassert this notion is the massive jump in U.S. consumer spending in October.
Despite apprehensions regarding an impending global economic slowdown, U.S. consumers have increased their personal expenditures with holiday season just around the corner. This can primarily be attributed to massive tax cut policies adopted by the Trump administration. At this stage, it will be a prudent move to invest in consumer discretionary stocks with a favorable Zacks Rank.
U.S. Consumer Spending Jumps in October
On Nov 29, the Department of Commerce reported that personal consumption expenditures increased $86.9 billion or 0.6% in October, highest in seven months. Strong expenditure on prescription drugs, electricity and natural gas propelled total consumer spending. The data was higher than the consensus estimate of an increase of 4%.
October data exhibited growing momentum for consumer spending which constitutes over 70% of U.S. GDP. This could be a signal for robust fourth-quarter GDP data. Notably, on Nov 15, the Department of Commerce reported that U.S. retail sales for the month of October rose 0.8%, exceeding the consensus estimate of 0.5%.
Inflationary Concerns Overblown
For the month of October, PCE (personal consumption expenditure) index grew 0.2%. Year-over-year, PCE inflation remained flat at 2%. The core PCE inflation (excluding food and energy) rose a modest 0.1%, lower than the consensus estimate of 0.2%. Year-over-year, core PCE inflation was 18%, well below the Fed’s target level of 2%. Notably, core PCE inflation is the preferred inflation gauge of the central bank.
Robust U.S. Economy and Labor Market
In its second estimate, the Department of Commerce confirmed on Nov 28 that the U.S. GDP for the third quarter of 2018 expanded by 3.5%. This implies that the U.S. economy increased 3.3% in the first nine months of 2018, surpassing the target of 3% set by President Trump.
On Nov 5, the Department of Labor reported that the U.S. economy added 250,000 non-farm jobs in October outpacing the consensus estimate of 193,000. Unemployment rate remained flat at 3.7%, the lowest since December 1969.
Our Top Picks
Solid economic fundamentals, tax reforms and sustained strong earnings performance are major tailwinds for the U.S. economy. Consequently, adding consumer discretionary stocks will be lucrative. However, picking winning stocks can be a difficult task.
This is where our VGM Score comes in handy. Here V stands for Value, G for Growth and M for Momentum and the score is a weighted combination of these three scores. Such a score allows you to eliminate the negative aspects of stocks and select winners. However, it is important to keep in mind that each Style Score will carry a different weight while arriving at a VGM Score.
We have narrowed down our search to five stocks, each of which has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and a VGM Score A or B. You can seethe complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Rent-A-Center Inc. offers high-quality, durable products like consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories under flexible rental purchase agreements. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% the for current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 1.2% over the last 60 days.
MasterCraft Boat Holdings Inc. designs, manufactures and markets recreational powerboats through its subsidiaries. The stock has a VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 31% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 8.3% over the last 60 days.
The Marcus Corp. owns and operates movie theatres, and hotels and resorts. The stock has a VGM Score of B. The company has expected earnings growth of 22.1% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 6.8% over the last 60 days.
Hudson Ltd. operates as a travel retail company in the United States and Canada. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of more than 100% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 13.9% over the last 60 days.
Hamilton Beach Brands Holding Co. operates in the consumer, commercial, specialty small appliance, and specialty retail market in the United States and internationally. The stock has a VGM Score of A. The company has expected earnings growth of 21.2% for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has improved by 0.5% over the last 60 days.
3 Medical Stocks to Buy Now
The greatest discovery in this century of biology is now at the flashpoint between theory and realization. Billions of dollars in research have poured into it. Companies are already generating revenue, and cures for a variety of deadly diseases are in the pipeline.
So are big potential profits for early investors. Zacks has released an updated Special Report that explains this breakthrough and names the best 3 stocks to ride it.
See them today for free >>
Media Contact
Zacks Investment Research
800-767-3771 ext. 9339
support@zacks.com
http://www.zacks.com
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/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.